This is a piece inspired by the movie "Return of the King" based on a major
piece which was deleted from the book which might have helped carry the
story on much. This is my reaction and personal interpretation of where
things in Middle Earth would have gone should the event in question not
have taken place.
It is written from Faramir's point of view on the day before Aragorn is to be crowned king of Gondor.
The problem: the Black Breath does not exist, so Aragorn never had need to save Faramir.
The question: what, then, has Aragorn done to command Faramir's allegiance?
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
At last my hand is steady enough to write, for in my head are many things which must be put down in order for me to comprehend them and trust in what I see with my own eyes. The company which has ridden forth is now returned, and those who were thought lost upon Mount Doom saved; my heart rejoices, for I much loved the young hobbits who I had seen and aided along their way. And I feel no loss for the death of the other creature who Frodo calls Smeagol. Indeed, I trust that that creature's time was utterly spent and the time had come for him to pay the price of his actions.
Yet now I am faced with a greater question: the question of allegiance.
The council has chosen to name Aragorn son of Arathorn the high king of Gondor, based on the claims he has proven beyond a doubt; we know he is Isildor's heir, and I have been told he did much to save Gondor- - and Minas Tirith, and all of Middle Earth- - from ruin. Still, my mind cannot bend around the simple facts that he is but a ranger, and has done little to solidify his claim to command me. I serve Gondor, though surely I could never have led as a ruling steward as my father did. . .
As my brother was trained to do.
I have no reason to trust this man. From what I hear, it was his coming which possessed my father all the more; that he was late means that all was almost lost. I cannot bear to think what my father would have done should he not have died, for even with all his talk I know that Denethor, Steward of Gondor would not have honored the claim of Aragorn, Son of Arathorn. What, then, can I do? By what can I swear my fealty with good conscience?
I suppose I must trust in the faith of my brother. I have talked to the elf and dwarf that traveled in the company of the nine- both tell me that in the end Boromir accepted Aragorn as his king.
Aragorn is not my father's king, and I cannot truly make him my own though I am a sworn son of Gondor. Then again, this is not my own stewardship either.
It belongs to my brother Boromir.
When I look at Aragorn, I see not a ranger from the north, nor do I see the rightful king of Gondor. What I see is the man who last saw my brother, the one who held Boromir's hand as he died and prepared him for what served as burial. In the eyes of this man I see the eyes that last looked upon my brother. The man who gained my brother's trust in the end.
So I shall swear the allegiance- not my own, but that of the family of Stewards. I shall serve loyally, as Boromir would have. I shall honor every request, though I shall be ever on the look out.
I cannot acknowledge him for my own sake, for at this moment I would be more willing to follow the wizard Mithrandir than this stranger from the north! Yet I shall hold true to the heart of my brother, and trust in his judgment. That was a decision made from his heart, I know, for the honor was given only with dieing breath.
Yes Aragorn- you are my captain. You are my king. Lead me forward.
It is written from Faramir's point of view on the day before Aragorn is to be crowned king of Gondor.
The problem: the Black Breath does not exist, so Aragorn never had need to save Faramir.
The question: what, then, has Aragorn done to command Faramir's allegiance?
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
At last my hand is steady enough to write, for in my head are many things which must be put down in order for me to comprehend them and trust in what I see with my own eyes. The company which has ridden forth is now returned, and those who were thought lost upon Mount Doom saved; my heart rejoices, for I much loved the young hobbits who I had seen and aided along their way. And I feel no loss for the death of the other creature who Frodo calls Smeagol. Indeed, I trust that that creature's time was utterly spent and the time had come for him to pay the price of his actions.
Yet now I am faced with a greater question: the question of allegiance.
The council has chosen to name Aragorn son of Arathorn the high king of Gondor, based on the claims he has proven beyond a doubt; we know he is Isildor's heir, and I have been told he did much to save Gondor- - and Minas Tirith, and all of Middle Earth- - from ruin. Still, my mind cannot bend around the simple facts that he is but a ranger, and has done little to solidify his claim to command me. I serve Gondor, though surely I could never have led as a ruling steward as my father did. . .
As my brother was trained to do.
I have no reason to trust this man. From what I hear, it was his coming which possessed my father all the more; that he was late means that all was almost lost. I cannot bear to think what my father would have done should he not have died, for even with all his talk I know that Denethor, Steward of Gondor would not have honored the claim of Aragorn, Son of Arathorn. What, then, can I do? By what can I swear my fealty with good conscience?
I suppose I must trust in the faith of my brother. I have talked to the elf and dwarf that traveled in the company of the nine- both tell me that in the end Boromir accepted Aragorn as his king.
Aragorn is not my father's king, and I cannot truly make him my own though I am a sworn son of Gondor. Then again, this is not my own stewardship either.
It belongs to my brother Boromir.
When I look at Aragorn, I see not a ranger from the north, nor do I see the rightful king of Gondor. What I see is the man who last saw my brother, the one who held Boromir's hand as he died and prepared him for what served as burial. In the eyes of this man I see the eyes that last looked upon my brother. The man who gained my brother's trust in the end.
So I shall swear the allegiance- not my own, but that of the family of Stewards. I shall serve loyally, as Boromir would have. I shall honor every request, though I shall be ever on the look out.
I cannot acknowledge him for my own sake, for at this moment I would be more willing to follow the wizard Mithrandir than this stranger from the north! Yet I shall hold true to the heart of my brother, and trust in his judgment. That was a decision made from his heart, I know, for the honor was given only with dieing breath.
Yes Aragorn- you are my captain. You are my king. Lead me forward.