Ecthelion II, the son of Turgon, was born in the year TA 2886. He became the twenty-fifth Steward of Gondor after his father's death in TA 2953. He was a man of great wisdom and audacity; inherent characteristics of the men of the House of Húrin.
History
After the death of Steward Turgon, Saruman declared himself the Lord of Isengard and seized Orthanc as his own. As the Ruling Steward of Gondor, Ecthelion II was extensively involved in strengthening the army of Gondor as he could see their enemies were increasingly becoming stronger. He encouraged men of good character and strength to join him even if they were from outside the realm of Gondor. He showered them with rewards and rankings. He used these men to prevent the seizure of Isengard and Orthanc. [1] One such stranger who joined Ecthelion to serve in his army was Thorongil, a mad of renown in the service of King Thengel of Rohan. Thorongil was none other than Aragorn II, the son of Arathorn II, though he did not reveal his true identity. Thorongil was one of the most trusted and loyal servants of of both King Thengel of Rohan and Steward Ecthelion II of Gondor. Ecthelion held Thorongil in high regard and he became a trusted and wise counselor to the steward. Ecthelion loved Thorongil dearly, even more so than his own son Denethor II which strained his relationship with his father.
The differing counsel from Thorongil and Denethor caused a rift between them. Thorongil always considered Mithrandir, known as the Grey Pilgrim, and Gandalf, more trustworthy than Saruman the White, while Denethor mistrusted Mithrandir and his counsel. Denethor, a man of insight, was rightfully suspicious of Thorongil's origins, and trusted not his motives serving his father.
Gandalf, being an Istari, was always welcomed in Minas Tirith by Ecthelion. Heeding his own insight, along with Thorongil's and Gandalf's counsel, Ecthelion strengthened Gondor's army and defences of Pelargir, a vital port of Gondor. He also maintained strength on Cair Andros, an island of paramount importance amidst the River Anduin, which prevented the enemy from crossing into Gondor from the eastern bank. Thorongil warned Ecthelion and the Southern Fiefs about the immense threat that the Corsairs of Umbar could pose if Sauron planned for open war against Gondor. In TA 2980, after receiving Ecthelion's approval of his plan to attack Umbar, he set out from Pelargir in ships and carried out a surprise attack, killing the Captain of the Haven and destroying most of the Corsair fleet. [2]
Thorongil was celebrated in Pelargir as a great captain after his return from the victory in Umbar, and news of this victory reached Minas Tirith. Ecthelion awaited Thorongil's return to Minas Tirith to honor him for his efforts and decisive victory over the Corsairs which made Gondor's coasts safe for years to come. But Thorondil disappeared into the night, sending instead a message to Ecthelion that he was ending his service to Gondor even as he again advised him to take heed of Gandalf's counsel as opposed to any counsel from Saruman. Though grieved that Thorongil returned not, Ecthelion took his advice willingly, which fortified Denethor's jealousy of Thorongil and further inflamed his anger toward his father.
Ecthelion II was Ruling Steward of Gondor for thirty-one years. He died in TA 2984 at the age of ninety-eight years, and his son Denethor II became Steward of Gondor.
The differing counsel from Thorongil and Denethor caused a rift between them. Thorongil always considered Mithrandir, known as the Grey Pilgrim, and Gandalf, more trustworthy than Saruman the White, while Denethor mistrusted Mithrandir and his counsel. Denethor, a man of insight, was rightfully suspicious of Thorongil's origins, and trusted not his motives serving his father.
Gandalf, being an Istari, was always welcomed in Minas Tirith by Ecthelion. Heeding his own insight, along with Thorongil's and Gandalf's counsel, Ecthelion strengthened Gondor's army and defences of Pelargir, a vital port of Gondor. He also maintained strength on Cair Andros, an island of paramount importance amidst the River Anduin, which prevented the enemy from crossing into Gondor from the eastern bank. Thorongil warned Ecthelion and the Southern Fiefs about the immense threat that the Corsairs of Umbar could pose if Sauron planned for open war against Gondor. In TA 2980, after receiving Ecthelion's approval of his plan to attack Umbar, he set out from Pelargir in ships and carried out a surprise attack, killing the Captain of the Haven and destroying most of the Corsair fleet. [2]
Thorongil was celebrated in Pelargir as a great captain after his return from the victory in Umbar, and news of this victory reached Minas Tirith. Ecthelion awaited Thorongil's return to Minas Tirith to honor him for his efforts and decisive victory over the Corsairs which made Gondor's coasts safe for years to come. But Thorondil disappeared into the night, sending instead a message to Ecthelion that he was ending his service to Gondor even as he again advised him to take heed of Gandalf's counsel as opposed to any counsel from Saruman. Though grieved that Thorongil returned not, Ecthelion took his advice willingly, which fortified Denethor's jealousy of Thorongil and further inflamed his anger toward his father.
Ecthelion II was Ruling Steward of Gondor for thirty-one years. He died in TA 2984 at the age of ninety-eight years, and his son Denethor II became Steward of Gondor.
Ecthelion II family tree
References
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