Why not Merry and Pippin "were meant" to go with the Fellowship?
Ok, here's MY theory and far be it from me to put thoughts into Tolkien's head about the subject, but it wouldn't surprise me to learn that this theory was floating somewhere in the background of his plan...
First, Merry (for me at any rate) is a tough one to figure out, except that I think Jackson did an extremely good job evaluating his character as a 'planner' and watcher. It makes perfect sense for a Brandybuck. But Pippin became even harder to decipher, until I read a review somewhere that hinted that Pippin was Gandalf's new project...which got me to thinking...and then I reread ROTK where there are references to Pippin being called "the Prince of Halflings"...and in chronologies, he is named son of the Thain...and a thain in feudal times was "a member of several classes of men ranking between earls and ordinary free men, and holding lands of the king or lord by military service." Or in Scottish History "the chief of a clan who became one of the king's barons." (which makes Jackson that much more brilliant in my eyes for giving the part of Pippin to a Scotsman!)"
So I am thinking that despite Elrond's objections to Pippin's inclusion in the Nine Walkers because of youth and inexperience, Gandalf was familiar with Pippin's heritage and how it might be connected with Aragorn's ascendancy to the throne, a kingship that would need connection back in the Shire. And that the term 'Prince of the Halflings' wasn't so far off the mark.
So was it Divine Providence, or just sheer Tookish moxy that made him stand up to Denethor and swear fealty to the Steward of Gondor??
From the book quote: 'I suppose you haven't lost us already?' said Pippin, leaning back against a great tree-trunk.
LOL LOL!! What a sly sense of humor. Whenever I read about Fanghorn and Treebeard, I can't help be remember all the stuff with the Old Forest and the Willow..and how Merry was supposed to be the one to know how to get through it...and yet they got hopelessly lost. I get the feeling this would be something that Pippin would not let Merry live down.
As a side note, Empire Strikes Back came out not too long after I had become very familiar with LOTR, and the scene where Luke is in the swamp had me thrilling on more levels than one.
Luke: "I dunno. I feel like..."
Yoda: "Feel like what?" Luke: (spinning around with blaster aimed): "Like we're being watched"
I had SO hoped it was an Ent. Lucas went the opposite direction with that, however, didn't he????
Here's a pic that may be the hobbits when they encounter Treebeard.
