Faramir : Steward of Gondor.
Faramir was born in 2983 of the Third Age. He was the younger son of Denethor II, the last Ruling Steward of Gondor. His brother Boromir, who was the heir to the stewardship, was slain by orcs on Tol Brandir while away from Minas Tirith as a member of the Fellowship of the Ring. Faramir then had to continue not only his own work as Captain of the Rangers of Ithilien but also take on the extra duties of his brother.
Faramir was similar to his brother in many ways, yet was not as proud and reckless, considering the other free lands as well as his home city of the Tower of the Gaurd. Denethor, who preferred Boromir, took his death badly and to others it seemed as if he had wished that Faramir had died instead.
Faramir too was a very capable military leader, adding to that his knowledge of guerilla warfare as leader of the southern Rangers. As the Captain of the Rangers of the South, also called Captain of the Rangers of Ithilien, he mirrors Aragorn's job of Captain of the Rangers of the North, showing us some of the day to day activity as they slip through the woods, check on strangers, fight invaders, and rest in their main hiding place of Henneth Annun (which had been built behind a waterfall in north Ithilien by Turin of Gondor in TA 2901, manned continuosly since that time until the Witch-king's armies' attack forced them out before the Siege of Gondor).
Before the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, Faramir was wounded by a Southron Dart while trying to hold the Rammas Echor. He was carried away by Prince Imrahil of Dol Amroth to the City and to Denethor. Denethor, having gone mad, attempted to burn his son and himself like the Heathen Kings. Peregrin and Beregond played a part in preventing that madness and Gandalf had Faramir taken to the Houses of Healing.
After being healed by the not yet crowned King, Lord Aragorn, Faramir fell in love with Eowyn, Lady of Rohan, who was also in the Houses of Healing. He married her some time later at the hall of Meduseld in Rohan, before a great many Lords and Ladies. As Eowyn's suitor, Faramir gives some idea of the genteel method of courtship which Aragorn might have used with Arwen, with the walks, the speech, and the restraint from physical expression. Both are tall, black-haired Dunedain with that bit of intermixture of elvish blood.
After the crowning of the King Elessar Telcontar, Aragorn showed his complete understanding of the situation and competence to rule by giving Faramir a reward as well, making him Prince of Ithilien, and therefore Eowyn the Princess of Ithilien. Faramir is also called the Lord of Emyn Arnen, the hills in southern Ithilien where the prince had residence.
Faramir died in 82 of the Fourth Age.
Quotes from the Lord of the Rings of Faramir.
"That will be the Captain: he can master both beasts and men."
- as said by Beregond to Pippin
--"The Siege of Gondor", Return of the King
The Vision of Faramir
Seek for the Sword that was broken:
In Imladris it dwells;
There shall be counsels taken
Stronger than Morgul-spells.
There shall be shown a token
That Doom is near at hand,
For Isildur's Bane shall waken,
And the Halfling forth shall stand.
--"The Council of Elrond", Fellowship of the Ring
Faramir pictures from the Lord of the Rings movies and art work
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