Character Bios
Bergil
Location(s): Minas Tirith, Gondor
Race/Species: Men
Type/Kind: Dúnedain
Dates: III3009~ IV
Parents: Beregond (f)
Siblings: [Borlas of Pen-arduin]
Description:
We get no physical description of Bergil, but some sketch of his character. Of the boys he is playing with, he is either bolder or more curious:
Boys were playing among the pillars, the only children that Pippin had seen in Minas Tirith, and he stopped to look at them. Presently one of them caught sight of him, and with a shout he sprang across the grass and came into the street, followed by several others. There he stood in front of Pippin, looking him up and down.
‘Greetings!’ said the lad. ‘Where do you come from? You are a stranger in the City.’
‘I was,’ said Pippin; ‘but they say I have become a man of Gondor.’
‘Oh come!’ said the lad. ‘Then we are all men here. But how old are you, and what is your name? I am ten years already, and shall soon be five feet. I am taller than you. But then my father is a Guard, one of the tallest. What is your father?’
It is also clear he does not back down from a fight:
‘Twenty-nine!’ said the lad and whistled. ‘Why, you are quite old! As old as my uncle Iorlas. Still,’ he added hopefully, ‘I wager I could stand you on your head or lay you on your back.’
…For when you are older, you will learn that folk are not always what they seem; and though you may have taken me for a soft stranger-lad and easy prey, let me warn you: I am not, I am a halfling, hard, bold, and wicked!’ Pippin pulled such a grim face that the boy stepped back a pace, but at once he returned with clenched fists and the light of battle in his eye.
The boy drew himself up proudly. ‘I am Bergil son of Beregond of the Guards,’ he said. "
‘Then why did you not say so at once?’ said Bergil, and suddenly a look of dismay came over his face. ‘Do not tell me that he has changed his mind, and will send me away with the maidens! But no, the last wains have gone.’
He also is very good company, cheering Pippin during their time together:
Bergil proved a good comrade, the best company Pippin had had since he parted from Merry, and soon they were laughing and talking gaily as they went about the streets, heedless of the many glances that men gave them. Before long they found themselves in a throng going towards the Great Gate. There Pippin went up much in the esteem of Bergil, for when he spoke his name and the pass-word the guard saluted him and let him pass through; and what was more, he allowed him to take his companion with him.
‘Farewell for this time,’ said Bergil. ‘Take my greetings to my father, and thank him for the company that he sent. Come again soon, I beg. Almost I wish now that there was no war, for we might have had some merry times. We might have journeyed to Lossarnach, to my grandsire’s house; it is good to be there in Spring, the woods and fields are full of flowers. But maybe we will go thither together yet. They will never overcome our Lord, and my father is very valiant. Farewell and return!’
All quotes from RotK, Book V, Ch 1, Minas Tirith
Contributors:
Loquacious 01.26.04; added Borlas: Elena Tiriel 2.22.04; Quotes added Lyllyn 3.17.04
