The Lord of the Rings: The Siege of Gondor (Part Six)

The Tale

‘The next day came with a morning like a brown dusk, and the hearts of men, lifted for a while by the return of Faramir, sank low again.’ The Nazgul are not seen, but their cries are heard from far above, making many quail with dread. And Faramir has had to leave again. Men mutter that Denethor drives him too hard, doing the job of two now that Boromir is dead. They wonder when Rohan will come to their aid.

Denethor sent Faramir forth despite his council. They wanted to stay in the city and protect the walls. But Denethor deemed that they should not abandon the Rammas Echor, the outer fence, that they have worked so hard on. He thinks the enemy will have to strike by crossing through Osgiliath, where Boromir stopped them before.

Faramir points out that was only a trial of Sauron’s strength, and this assault will be worse and with more troops. ‘He can afford to lose a host better than we to lose a company.’ To send men out so far afield would be perilous. The Prince of Dol Amroth points out that Cair Andros must be defended as well, and that more than one host may be sent out to assail both places.

Denethor retorts that Cair Andros is already manned, and more forces can not be sent so far. As long as he has a Captain who will obey him, he will not yield the river and the Pelennor Fields without fighting. There is a silence, then Faramir says that since his father doesn’t have Boromir any more, he will go if Denethor commands him, against everyone else’s counsel. Denethor shortly says he does. Faramir bids him farewell. ‘But if I should return, think better of me.’

‘That depends on the manner of your return,’ said Denethor,’ In short, you’d better come back victorious.

Gandalf is the last one to talk to Faramir before he rides out, counseling him not to throw his life away rashly or in bitterness. Gondor will need him, and despite his actions Denethor really does love him. The old man will remember that before the end.

So Faramir has left with some men, into the gloom where the ruined city of Osgiliath cannot be seen. Men look towards the east, and to the north, wondering if Theoden and Rohan will come. Gandalf assures people he will come; right now it’s too soon; the summons could only have reached him two days ago. He will come, even if he comes too late.

At night news comes of Osgiliath. A host has come out of Minas Morgul and been joined by a regimen of Haradrim from the South. The Lord of the Nazgul is leading them again, and the terror of his coming is passing even across the river.

‘With these ill-boding words the third day closed since Pippin came to Minas Tirith. Few went to rest, for small hope had any now that even Faramir could hold the fords for now.’

Notes

The Rammas Echor, one may remember, was the great wall (30 miles or more) that surrounded the city of Minas Tirith and the Pelennor Fields, its farmlands and pastures. They were still repairing it when Gandalf and Pippen were heading for the City. Denethor’s stubbornness in defending this straggling line might emphasize his pride that will amount to despair in time.