Denethor II

Denethor II was the 26th Steward of the kingdom of Gondor, and father to Boromir, eldest son and heir to his throne, and Faramir, captain of his army.​

Denethor: Nandorin; Dene meaning “strong” or “lithe”, Thara meaning “tall”/“slim”- The meaning of the name Denethor: “Lithe, as well as, Lank”. The come about of Denethor’s name tracks back to the tenth Steward who sat on the throne of Gondor. Initially, the name was taken from a Nandorin Elf and given to the tenth Steward. It was bestowed upon Denethor afterward, with the number 2, in Roman (II), beside it.​

Denethor’s father was Ecthelion II, the Ruling Steward of Gondor. Ecthelion arranged the marriage between his eldest son and the daughter, Finduilas, of Adrahil II, Prince of the kingdom of Dol Amroth. The two were wedded in TA 2976. Denethor was crowned as the Ruling Steward of the kingdom of Gondor in Ta 2984, after the passing of his father, Ecthelion II. And soon afterward, his beloved wife Finduilas, passed away in TA 2988, leaving behind their two sons, Faramir and Boromir. The death of his wife made Denethor bitter and angry. Denethor, at the time of his stewardship, could never really accept Gandalf the grey as an ally and advisor. His entire counsel, as a result, went unnoticed, and Denethor did as he pleased.​

Denethor was using forces beyond the capability of his grasp, to learn the secrets of the Dark Lord. His intention, however, was only to defeat Sauron. He used the Palantir of Minas Tirith to spy on Sauron’s forces. This planter was in a high chamber located in the White Tower on top of the Throne Hall. But little did he know that the Dark Lord Sauron was aware of him, for he had in his possession the Palantir of Minas Ithil which he had captured around a thousand years before.Sauron was cunning and subtle, and he used his skill to manipulate Denethor’s mind instead of challenging him outright. The deceits of Sauron being fed to him via the palantiri eroded his strength of mind and slowly drove him mad.

Overwhelmed by the massive force of Sauron’s army, Denethor became more and more bitter, frustrated, and insecure. Soon, he became drenched in despair and his kingdom was left defenseless. Meanwhile, the news of the death of his eldest son, Boromir, drove him into a swirl of helplessness and grief. In the books, Denethor failed to show his love for his youngest son, Faramir up until the end of his time. He ordered his youngest to go back to Osgiliath and reacquire the city from an army of Orcs from Mordor. It was a risky mission, but Faramir endorsed his father’s wishes and the order of his Steward.

He was gravely injured during the battle. Soon after the second attack on Osgiliath, Sauron’s forces marched towards Gondor. Gandalf, with the help of Pippin, lit the Warning beacons to call for aid from the kingdom of Rohan. Expecting no help from his neighboring kingdoms and to die on his terms, Denethor planned to burn himself and his injured son (presumed dead) in a pyre. The pyre was set up in the Hallows of Minas Tirith by Denenthor’s men, on the fifteenth of March, 3019. Denethor ended his stewardship by breaking the white rod that represented his office.

He threw the rod in the pyre after setting it aflame and laid himself down on the pyre table with the Palantiri in his hands. Faramir was laid beside him at the time. News of Denethor’s madness reached Gandalf, who was engaged in fighting the Orcs inside the Capital city walls. Gandalf rode to the white hall in Shadowfax and intervened with the ritual. He knocked Denethor off his feet and into the fire, while Pippin pushed Faramir out of the pyre and away from the flames. Denethor II died that day after ruling for 35 years. Faramir, a justified heir and a Prince of Ithilien, succeeded him.​