'Welcome, my lords, to Isengard! We are the doorwardens. Meriadoc, son of Saradoc is my name; and companion, who, alas! is overcome with weariness is Peregrin, son of Paladin, of the house of Took. Far in the North is our home. The Lord Saruman is within; but at the momeent he is closeted with one Wormtongue, or doubtless he would be here to welcome such honourable guests.'

     Meriadoc Brandybuck was born in TA 2982 to Saradoc 'Scattergold' and Esmeralda. Merry was Frod's first cousin once removed, and Pippin's first cousin. Merry was among the conspirators to learn about the Ring, so when Frodo left the Shire, Merry went with. When the Fellowship is formed, Merry and Pippin are allowed to take part.

     During the breaking of the Fellowship, Merry and Pippin were beset by orcs, and Boromir came to their rescue. His efforts were fruitless, though, as he was slain and the two hobbits were taken captive, as they were thought to be the ring bearers. On the edge of Fanghorn Forest the orcs were attacked by the Rohirrim, and Merry and Pippin managed to make their escape into the forest.

     In Fanghorn Forest, Meryy and his companion met Treebeard, one of the Ents. Their story was told so Treebeard took them to the Entmoot. The Ents were roused into storing Isengard, fortress to the wizard Saruman. Merry and Pippin acted as door-wardens for Isengard, while waiting for the arrival of Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli.

     When Pippin foolishly looked into the palantir, and was taken to Gondor, Merry remained with King Théoden. Here he offered his sword and service to the King, and was therefore made the King's esquire. Merry was forbidden to go to battle with the Rohirrim, but the young soldier Dernhelm, who was actually the King's niece Éowyn in disguise, took pity on the poor hobbit and bore him to battle.

     In the Battle of Pellenor Fields Merry fought bravely. When the Witch-king attacked Théoden and Éowyn fought it, Merry helped by stabbing the ringwraith in the knee. It was this day that he saw the prophecy that no man shall kill the Witch-king forfilled. During this battle Merry fell under the Black Breath and was taken to the House of Healing in Gondor. Here he was cured by Aragorn.

     When the Hobbits returned to the Shire, Merry acted as one of the commanders in the Battle of Bywater. He married Estella Bolger, sister of Fredegar "Fatty" Bolger, and eventually became Master of Buckland.

     In the movie Merry is played by Domonic Monaghan.

Brandybucks of Buckland