"The Beacon! The Beacon of Amon Din is lit!"
Denethor was furious at this unlike the rest of his people who were quite proud to have it lit which symbolized a string of hope that Gondor may survive the war. However, in the steward's mind, it symbolized the end of his rule. If the light could be seen in Rohan, where the king-to-be was, then the king would return and his rule over the city would be over.
However, he was aware that if Rohan did not come than there was no hope of survival for him or his people and Sauron would regain his dominion over the whole world and pick everyone off one by one. Where is Boromir when you need him?, he thought to himself. But then he remembered that Boromir wouldn't be able to help them or anyone and at the thought his filled with tears. He couldn't think about that now, he just couldn't.
Blasted wizard!, he thought. He knew that it was no doubt Gandalf's doing that the beacon was now lit and that the king's return now contained a very high probability.
"How can that boy get along with him so well?" he finally wondered aloud.
He knew perfectly well that Faramir admired Gandalf for his wisdom and was looking for the father figure that he had once had and wanted badly. Denethor knew this, Boromir knew this, most people who knew both of them knew this and also knew that they were often arguing about something or other a lot of the time when they were in the same room.
He went over to his chair and sat there for a long time thinking about everything and how the war would most likely bring out the worst in people and finally understood why Faramir had such a strong dislike for war. Many innocent lives were taken and usually weren't even involved in the war in any shape or form.
Two days went by and finally there was a call for help coming from the Pelennor toward the city. It was Faramir and his men! "It's about time!" he said at last. When the sound of hooves stopped he went over to his chair and prepared himself for whatever news they would bring from Ithilien.
