Faramir

Faramir (T.A. 2983 – Fo.A. 82, aged 120 years) was the last Ruling Steward of Gondor and the first Prince of Ithilien.
The second of Denethor's two sons, Faramir was briefly the Ruling Steward after his father's death. Upon the arrival of the true king, King Aragorn Elessar, he laid down his office, but Elessar renewed the hereditary appointment of Steward as the advisor to the King. Faramir was also appointed Prince of Ithilien.
== History ==
Faramir was born in the lands of Gondor as the son of Denethor II, the ruling Steward in Minas Tirith. He would eventually join his older brother Boromir in Gondor's armies but would always be overshadowed by his brother who was favoured by their father.
During the War of the Ring, Faramir was captain of the Ithillien Rangers and fought alongside his brother in Osgiliath during the early days of the war. Boromir helped Faramir lead the Gondorians to victory in Osgiliath. Faramir watched as Boromir got up onto a high building to make a speech. He told the Gondorians that Osgiliath had once been the jewel of their kingdom and it would be once again and that they wouldn't let enemy forces into their lands again. Afterwards, Faramir walked through the crowd and found his brother, embracing him and told him it was a nice short speech. Boromir jokingly added that it left more time for drinking as both brothers chuckled. Boromir got drinks of ale for himself and for Faramir and as he handed his brother the drink he told him to remember that day because life was good. Faramir suddenly spotted Denethor who had arrived from Minas Tirith and both brothers fell into gloom, Boromir wondering why they couldn't have a moment of peace. Denethor came looking for Boromir and said that rumours were saying Boromir vanquished the enemy almost single-handedly. Boromir told his father that they exaggerated and that the victory also belonged to Faramir. Faramir stepped closer but Denethor claimed that if it wasn't for Faramir then the city wouldn't have been lost in the first place, looking on at his second-born in disgust. Denethor asked Faramir if he was not entrusted to protect it and Faramir told his father that he would have done except that their numbers were too few. Denethor told Faramir that he always cast a poor reflection upon his father and Faramir said it was not his intent. Boromir angrily told Denethor that Faramir did try to do his will despite never getting credit and stormed off. Denethor followed Boromir, leaving Faramir alone. After a few minutes, Boromir stormed back out, followed by his father and Faramir overheard something about Boromir needing to go to Rivendell even though he wanted to stay with his people in Gondor. Faramir asked whether he could go in his brother's stead. Denethor mocked his son saying it would be a chance for "Faramir of Gondor to show his true quality." He went on to tell Faramir that he only trusted the mission to his brother who wouldn't fail him.
Boromir was sent to Rivendell and would end up joining the Fellowship of the Ring to try and bring the Ring to Gondor as his father had wished and Faramir continued defending Gondor against the forces of Sauron.
=== Frodo and Sam ===
Faramir joined up with the Ithillien Rangers and began fighting small bands of Orcs and Men in Ithillien and it's surroundings. An army of Haradrim was approaching Mordor through those lands and Faramir led the rangers in a surprise attack on the evil men. They came out of their hiding places in the bushes and used their bows to shoot down the Haradrim. Faramir shot down a man that was on a Mûmakil and then saw one of his men and apprehended two Hobbits, Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee, who had been watching the skirmish. Faramir was surprised as the only beings in those lands normally were servants of the enemy. Frodo told Faramir that those who claimed to oppose the enemy would be wise not to hinder them on their journey of secrecy and Faramir walked over to the dead Haradrim he had shot and said that the dead man's sense of duty had been no less than Frodo's. He had thought he was in the right but lies or threats had put him on the wrong side of the war. Faramir wondered what his name was and where he came from, wondering if he was really evil at heart. He looked back at Frodo and told him that war would make corpses of them all. He ordered the rangers to bind their hands.
=== Henneth Annûn ===
Faramir had the Hobbits blindfolded and taken to their camp in Henneth Annûn where the rangers plotted their next move. Faramir walked to where the Hobbits were being kept and told them that his men had told him they were Orc spies to which Sam wasn't impressed and denied his claim. Faramir asked who they were if they weren't spies to which Frodo and Sam fell quiet for a second. Faramir ordered them to speak and Frodo told him they were Hobbits of the Shire and introduced themselves. Frodo told Faramir they had set out from Rivendell with nine companions and listed the members, ending with the two men, Aragorn and Boromir. Hearing his brother's name, Faramir asked whether they were friends of Boromir to which Frodo confirmed. Faramir got up and began pacing, asking Frodo and Sam whether it would grieve them to know that his brother was dead. Frodo sounded shocked as he asked how and when and Faramir told Frodo that as one of Boromir's companions he had hoped that the Hobbit would be able to tell him. Faramir told them how he had found his horn washed up on the river bank and how he knew it in his heart, having seen a boat with Boromir's body floating past on the river later one (whether this was real or a vision is unknown). Later that night, Faramir awoke the Hobbits and took them to the forbidden pool where Gollum was swimming and catching fish. The penalty of entering the pool was death and Faramir had archers placed around the pool, telling Frodo that they awaited his command to fire upon the creature. Frodo stopped Faramir from killing Gollum and asked if he could go down to him to which Faramir agreed. Frodo managed to get Gollum to exit the pool before he was captured by Faramir's men. Inside a cave Gollum began talking amongst his split personalities and the words he was speaking interested Faramir. Faramir realised Gollum was talking about the One Ring and confronted Frodo and Sam, using his sword to pull Frodo's necklace out and looked at the powerful item, tempted by its power. Frodo ended up yelling at him and running off. Faramir ultimately decided that the ring would go to Minas Tirith instead of letting the Hobbits go and they set out for Osgiliath.
=== Battle of Osgiliath ===
Faramir arrived in Osgiliath and was met by Madril his lieutenant who told him they would be overrun by nightfall. He told some of his men to take Frodo, Sam and Gollum to his father as a mighty gift from him as a weapon that would change the course of the war. Sam yelled at Faramir, telling him that the Ring had corrupted Boromir and driven him mad. They were suddenly attacked by the Nazgûl and Faramir brought the trio into a hiding place, telling them to stay out of sight. Frodo felt the Witch King of Angmar calling to the Ring and began walking towards the Nazgûl holding out the Ring. Faramir watched from afar as the confrontation went down. Just as the Fellbeast reached for Frodo with it's claws, Sam tackled Frodo out of the way and Faramir shot the fellbeast with his bow, forcing the Witch King to retreat. Faramir realized after watching this encounter, the full weight of the One Ring that burdened Frodo and he walked up to the Hobbits and Gollum, kneeling before the ring-bearer. He told Frodo that he thought at last they understood one-another, planning to let them go. Madril walked up behind Faramir and reminded him that knew the rules of the country and that if he let them go, he would be in trouble with his father. Faramir decided to let them go all the same.
Faramir and the forces of Gondor held out their defenses in Osgiliath until the following night when Gothmog and the full forces of Minas Morgul crossed the Anduin and entered the city. As the Orcs approached with stealth in boats, Faramir was alerted to their presence when the soldier on watch had been shot down after seeing them. He led his men to the lower levels where they hid in the darkness. The Orcs began running into the city and Faramir waited until a few had passed before attacking, his men following his lead. The Orcs managed to cross into the main city and swarmed in across a bridge. The Gondorians and Knights of Dol Amroth under Faramir's command were getting slaughtered by such a force. Faramir ran around a corner with a whole group of Orcs following him and Madril yelled a warning at him. Faramir quickly ran to the side as the archers in front of him shot down all the Orcs. Madril told Faramir that there was no possible way they could hold them and that the city was lost. Faramir decided it was time to retreat to Minas Tirith and yelled for everyone to fall back. The Nazgûl arrived on the battlefield and began massacring the survivors as they ran. They got to their horses and began the chase back to Minas Tirith. Gandalf spotted Faramir and his men on their way back and rode out with Peregrin Took on Shadowfax to meet them, using the light on his staff to scare away the Nazgûl and give them safe passage into the city.
=== Minas Tirith ===
Faramir recognised Pippin as a Hobbit and Gandalf saw the look in his eye realising he had seen Frodo and Sam. Faramir told him he had last seen Frodo not two days prior and that they were taking the path through the Morgul-vale. Gandalf realised they were taking the path of Cirith Ungol and told Faramir to tell him everything he knew.
Faramir met with his father who was infuriated that he let Frodo and Sam go. Faramir told Denethor that he had only done what he judged to be right. Denethor yelled at him for sending the Ring of Power straight into Mordor with a "witless halfling". He added that it should have been brought back to the citadel where it could be kept safe from the hands of Sauron, down in the vaults, not to be used unless in dire need. Faramir retaliated that he would not use the ring if Minas Tirith were going to fall and only he could save the city. Denethor told Faramir that Boromir would have remembered his father's need and brought the ring to him. Faramir disagreed and told his father that he didn't believe Boromir would have done so. Faramir told his father that Boromir would have kept the ring for himself and when he returned Denethor would not have known his son. Denethor yelled that Boromir had been loyal to him, not some wizard's pupil and fell over in his rage. Denethor ordered Faramir to leave him.
As the Orcs continued to pour into Osgiliath, Denethor summoned Faramir once again. Faramir found Pippin, wearing his own old Gondorian attire from when he was young, waiting outside Denethor's hall. Faramir congratulated Pippin for joining the Tower Guard and Pippin said he didn't think there would be any armor that would fit him to which Faramir revealed it had once belonged to him. Pippin told him he was taller then Faramir had been then although he was unlikely to grow anymore except sideways to which they both chuckled. Faramir told Pippin it never fit him back then either, saying Boromir was always the soldier. Pippin told Faramir that he thought the Man had strength of a different kind to Boromir and their father and one day Denethor would see it. They smiled at each other in acknowledgment.
Faramir and Pippin entered the steward's hall and Faramir watched as Pippin bowed before Denethor, having pledged his service to the Steward in compensation for Boromir's death. Denethor sat down to eat and told Faramir that he didn't think they should so lightly abandon Osgiliath and again compared Faramir's failures to what he believed Boromir would have done. Faramir realised that Denethor wished that his son's places had been exchanged and that Faramir had died and Boromir had lived and Denethor agreed. Faramir left to try and take back Osgiliath and told his father that if he should return he should think higher of him. Denethor muttered that it depended on the manner of his return.
=== Sacrifice Play ===
The people of Minas Tirith watched as Faramir and his men solemnly rode through the streets, heading towards the main gate. Gandalf met Faramir on his way and told him to stop and not throw away his life because of his foolish father. Faramir told Gandalf that he would gladly give his life in defense of the city of the descendant of Númenor although Gandalf knew he was really motivated to gain his father's respect. Gandalf told Faramir that his father did indeed love him and that he would know it before the end. Faramir and his force lined up outside the city and charged towards Osgiliath. The Orcs spotted them coming and fired arrows at the riders until they were all killed off. Faramir was the only survivor, although he was near-fatally injured and was dragged by his horse back to Minas Tirith as the Armies of Minas Morgul surrounded the city, preparing for the Siege of Gondor.
=== Fall of Denethor ===
During the Siege of Gondor, Denethor gave up all hope and decided to commit suicide and kill Faramir as well, believing that his son was going to die anyway. Pippin saw them taking the injured Faramir towards the Temple of the Stewards and went to warn Gandalf. Denethor prepared a pyre and had Faramir put in. He then covered himself in oil. Suddenly Gandalf and Pippin arried and Pippin jumped into the fire, managing to get Faramir out. Gandalf's horse kicked Denethor into the flames and the Steward caught on fire. Faramir's eyes opened for a second and Denethor managed to look upon his son one last time before he ran out and jumped off the city wall, dying. Faramir was taken to the Houses of the Healing to recover from his injuries as the Battle of the Pelennor Fields finished.
=== Meeting Éowyn ===
Lady Éowyn of Rohan had been also taken to the healing house and was recovering form her injuries during the battle. When Faramir was strong enough to stand, he was walking around and noticed Éowyn not far away, amazed by her beauty. Their eyes met and they immediately fell for each other. After spending significant time together, the two were standing and looking out at the city. Éowyn remarked that the city had fallen silent and that there was no warmth left in the son. Faramir told her it was just the damp of the first spring rain. She took his hand and leaned on him as they stared out into the horizon.
=== Coronation of the King ===
Frodo successfully completed his mission and the One Ring was destroyed. Faramir and Éowyn attended the coronation of King Elessar in Minas Tirith and were among those who bowed before the four Hobbits, owing them a great debt for what they had done for Middle-earth.
Faramir would go on to marry Éowyn and would serve Gondor for many years to come under Aragorn's kingship.
== Personality and Traits ==
Faramir is shown to be a contrast in character to his brother Boromir while sharing some of the same traits. While Boromir was always the courageous fighter, Faramir is more peaceful in spirit and his talents lie elsewhere. He is very much committed to the Kingdom of Gondor and is shown to always try his best to please his father and live up to his brother's reputation but always falls short in his father's eyes. His closest friend and ally was Boromir and after his brother's death he falls into a deeply emotional state, his pain and depression heavily influencing his decisions. Faramir is shown to be kind and understanding as shown when he lets Frodo and Sam leave and later when talking to Pippin and Éowyn. Being a mortal man, Faramir is briefly tempted by the One Ring but not for long. His decision to take the Ring back to Minas Tirith is more or less based on wishing to gain his father's approval. He even tells his father that he would not use the ring even if the city was falling and he could save it.
== Skills and Abilities ==
Faramir, while not a warrior like Boromir, was still an extremely gifted fighter. He is shown to have immense skill with a bow and arrow, probably from his time with the Ithillien Rangers. He is shown to be capable with a sword in Osgiliath although probably not as skilled as his brother.
== Weapons ==
* Sword - Faramir's sword was his primary weapon which he used in combat against the Orcs in Osgiliath.
* Bow - Faramir used a bow, primarily while fighting with the Rangers of Ithillien but also a few times in Osgiliath.