"Hail Denethor, son of Ecthelion Lord and Steward of Gondor" came Gandalf's voice before continuing, "I come with tidings in this dark hour, and with council". Denethor barely looked up, but with still tears in his eyes the constant reminder of how awful his life was. And in a quiet voice with pain still in his voice replied, "Perhaps you've come to explain this, "he said holding up his son's old cloven horn in his two hands, "Perhaps you've come to tell me why my son is dead" he finished finally looking up to see the face of Gandalf and his companion who, judging by his size, couldn't yet be full grown. He appeared to only be a child of maybe 8 or 9 summers. The short person finally spoke, "Boromir died to save us, my kinsman and me. He fell defending us from many foes". He then knelt down before the steward and looked up at him and offered his service. Denethor through the pain in his voice replied, "This is my first command to you: how did you escape and my son did not, so mighty a man as he was?" This halfling's, or Pippin as Denethor soon learned his name was, reply was simply "The mightiest man may be slain by one arrow, and Boromir was pierced by many". Denethor felt the pain and suffering that must have befallen his firstborn in the back of his mind. He never wanted him to die in pain, but in peace and to have a long full life. He was too young, he thought to himself.
After about 20 seconds Gandalf ordered the young one to get up from the ground and said "My lord, there will be a time to grieve for Boromir. But it is not now. War is coming; the enemy is on your doorstep. As steward, wear out your defenses of this city. Wear out Gondor's armies. But you still have friends; you are not alone in this fight. Send word to Theoden of Rohan, light the beacons". Denethor was looking up at him from the roof of his eyes at this point. Gandalf had just reached his last nerve and was prepared to rip that wizard apart. "You think you are wise Mithrandir, yet for all your subtleties you have not wisdom. You think the eyes of the white tower are blind? I have seen more than you know. With your left hand you would use as a shield against Mordor, and with your right you would seek to supplant me. I know who rides with Theoden of Rohan. Oh, yes. Word has reached my ears of this Aragorn, son of Arathorn, and I tell you now: I will not bow to this ranger from the north. Last of a ranked house long bereft of lordship. Denethor had known his whole life that he was to look after the city until the king returned. Gandalf's really quite annoyed reply was "Authority is not given to you to deny the return of the king, STEWARD!"
Denethor had at this point had all his buttons pushed in this one conversation. He stood up and shouted at the fool of a wizard "Rule of Gondor is MINE! And no others!" At this Gandalf and his companion left the room almost running into Beregond who had just returned. He seemed more annoyed with him than usually. Anduin ran off in the opposite direction. Beregond approached him and said quite casually, yet still firm, "You do really need to learn to control that temper of yours. He's not the only one who tries to be calm with you without losing their own temper." Denethor knew exactly who Beregond was referring to. He was referring to Faramir who was still who didn't know where. He wasn't surprised to hear Beregond saying this. He and Faramir had been best friends for years. "You stay out of it" was his curt reply. "Yeah, sure, whatever you say" he replied sarcastically. "You really think that I'm not going to defend my own friend that I've all my life, who's already my junior in age by two years as it is? I don't think so. I'll stand up for him, not let him be harmed by your words. Words can kill, not just weapons, disease, and childbirth; no that" he said until he left for home. Denethor was now contemplating on what Beregond had said, but he pretended to have no idea what he was talking about. It was no use, he knew he knew, he knew Beregond knew, and he knew that if Boromir were here he would know too. No, he couldn't think about that. It was far too painful. When would it not be? Hopefully soon. He went back to his chair and collapsed in it once more.
