"Denethor II was a proud man, tall, valiant, and more kingly than any man that had appeared in Gondor for many lives of men; and he was wise also, and far-sighted, and learned in lore" (p. 336, The Return of the the King). He succeeded his father Ecthelion II as Steward of Gondor in 2984 Third Age. He was, in some ways, akin to Thorongil whom many believed Ecthelion II held in higher esteem. But Thorongil had never sought to be anything more than a servant to Ecthelion II and had never outwardly strove against Denethor II. In fact in only one matter did the son and servant disagree. Thorongil had ever counselled Ecthelion not to trust Saruman the White but rather welcome Gandalf the Grey. Denethor had never respected Gandalf. When Denethor became Steward the Gandalf's visits to Gondor became more infrequent. In years after it was thought that Denethor, being foresighted and wise, had guessed who Thorongil really was and thought Gandalf was seeking to supplant his Stewardship.
Denethor was an able ruler of his realm. Though he listened to counsel he often made his own decisions. He married Finduilas of Dol Amroth but she died not long after they wed. Denethor loved her but many felt she withered in Minis Tirith longing for the Sea in the South where she was from. She bore him two sons: Boromir and Faramir. "After her death Denethor became more grim and silent than before, and would sit long alone in his tower deep in thought, forseeing that the assault of Mordor would come in his time" (p. 336, The Return of the King). Indeed, afterwards, it is supposed that he used the palantir to gain knowledge in desperate times being the first Steward to do so as well as the first person in many ages since the fall of Minis Ithil to Sauron where another palantir was housed.
"In this way Denethor gained his great knowledge of things that passed in his realm, and far beyond his borders, at which men marvelled; but he bought the knowledge dearly, being aged before his time by his contest with the will of Sauron" (p. 337, The Return of the King). Indeed, Denethor's pride grew and he mistrusted all save those who served him in the cause against Sauron. His most trusted and beloved servant was his eldest son Boromir who "...was a man after the sort of King Earnur of old, taking no wife and delighting chiefly in arms; fearless and strong, but caring little for lore, save the tales of old battles" (p. 337, The Return of the King). He was much loved by his father.
Faramir was the younger and of different temperament than Boromir. "He read the hearts of men as shrewdly as his father, but what he read moved him sooner to pity than to scorn. He was gentle in bearing, and a lover of lore and of music, and therefore by many in those days his courage was judged less than his brother's" (p. 337, The Return of the King). Faramir was indeed courageous but he did not rush into danger without purpose. Perhaps his biggest "sin" against his father was that he welcomed Gandalf and sought counsel from him whenver the wizard came to Minis Tirith. Boromir did not share his father's disdain for Faramir. Boromir loved his brother much and thought him the best man in Gondor and Faramir felt the same about Boromir. And as the events of the War of the Ring drew closer each would grow into manhood.
Middle-earth timeline: Third Age, 2984
Today's reading comes from: The Return of the King, pages 336-337
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