The Lord of the Rings: The Window on the West (Part One)

 

The Tale

Sam dozes, but when he wakes up, he finds it is late afternoon. All the surviving men have returned, two or three hundred of them, with Faramir at their head. He is questioning Frodo, who stands before him like a prisoner on trial. Faramir is clearly unsatisfied with Frodo’s explanation – or lack of explanation – of what they are doing in Ithilien. Sam moves quietly up to the edge of the gathered men and watches quietly.

What part did Frodo play in the Company from Rivendell? Why did they part from Boromir? And what is Isildur’s Bane? The prophetic dream that sent Boromir forth seemed to emphasize its importance. If he’s the Halfling of the dream, Frodo should know. Why does he choose to hide it?

Frodo says he does not choose to hide it, but it does not belong to him, nor to any mortal. But if any could claim it, it would be Aragorn son of Arathorn, who led their Company after Moria. And why not Boromir, asks Faramir, prince of the City that the sons of Elendil founded? Because Aragorn was directly descended from Elendil’s son Isildur, and carried the Sword that was Broken. When they parted, he was headed to the City.

The men murmur excitedly, but Faramir is unmoved. If that’s true, it will need a lot of proof. And this Aragorn, if he was headed for Minas Tirith, he had not come six days ago when his troop left. Boromir was satisfied with Aragorn’s claim, says Frodo, and Boromir will tell all when he returns. Boromir knows of Frodo’s mission, but Frodo cannot reveal it to anyone not of the Company, and he must be about it. Faramir should not hinder it.

So, Frodo tells him to mind his own business and wait until Boromir gets back for explanations. Was Frodo Boromir’s friend? Frodo hesitates a moment, remembering Boromir’s attack on him. Faramir’s eyes harden. Boromir was a brave member of their company, says Frodo at last. ‘Yes, I was his friend, for my part.’

’Faramir smiled grimly. ‘Then you would grieve to learn that Boromir is dead?’

Yes, he would. Then he sees Faramir’s face. Wait a minute, do you mean Boromir is dead, and he’s been trying to catch him in a lie? No. ‘I would not snare even an orc with a falsehood,’ said Faramir.’

Then if none of the Company has come to Gondor, how does he know, and how did Boromir perish? Faramir says he hopes that his friend and companion could tell him. Frodo says he was alive when they parted. Though there are many perils in the world that he could have fallen prey to.

‘Many indeed,’ said Faramir, ‘and treachery not the least.’

 

Notes

Not a whole lot to be noted in this little section, which I believe is only slightly shorter than the few pages it covers. I have got to learn to summarize better, but I do find all the details (especially of ‘staging’ and background) fascinating. Perhaps the most interesting thing to be noted is the beginning of the revelation of the character of Faramir, who ‘would not even snare an orc with a falsehood.’ I think it is mark integrity if one does not fall into the ‘if they’re going to do it I’m going to do it’ mentality if it lowers your principles. Tolkien is on record that of all the characters in LOTR, he thinks Faramir is the closest to being him, except that the professor thinks that he himself lacks Faramir’s courage. Also we are returning (after some time) to the Fellowship and Frodo's mission. We have been occupied with Saruman's depredations and Frodo and Sam's struggles to get even close to Mordor for many chapters.