He is among the most valiant warriors of Gondor and the son of the Steward. His
deeds in war and his heroic journeys would define a life that would end much too soon.
Today, on Nerd of the Rings, we cover the life and travels of Boromir.
Boromir is born in 2978 TA to his father Denethor II and his mother Finduilas,
sister of Prince Imrahil of Dol Amroth. Five years later, in 2983 TA, Finduilas gives birth to his
younger brother Faramir. The following year, Boromir’s grandfather Ecthelion II dies at the
age of 98, and Denethor takes over his father’s role, becoming the 26th Ruling Steward of Gondor.
Tragically, Finduilas would die just four years later at the age of 38 after falling
under the shadow of Mordor. She leaves behind a 10-year old Boromir, a 5-year old Faramir,
and a grieving husband. After his wife’s death, Denethor becomes more grim and silent than ever
before. The brothers turn to each other and form a great bond as they grow up together.
Over the years, Boromir grows to become a great warrior. While his
brother would learn wisdom from Gandalf the Grey and develop a love of lore and music,
Boromir would be far more interested in warfare and tales of old battles. Despite
the fact that Denethor would grow to heavily favor Boromir, there was never any rivalry
between the brothers. We are told Boromir would always act as Faramir’s helper and protector.
On the night of June 19, 3018, Faramir and Boromir share a similar dream. This
prophetic dream came to Faramir twice previously, though he said nothing of
it at the time. Boromir would recount the dream during the later Council of Elrond:
"In that dream I thought the eastern sky grew dark and there was a growing thunder,
but in the West a pale light lingered, and out of it I heard a voice, remote but clear, crying:
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 following day, Sauron launches a sudden attack on Osgiliath, where Boromir and Faramir
are both stationed. The forces of Gondor are outnumbered by the forces of Mordor,
whose numbers are swelled by the Easterlings and Haradrim. Boromir would later describe the
presence of a power that had not been felt before issuing from a great black horseman.
Unknown to Boromir, this horseman was one of the Nazgul - and the entire attack was made to
test Gondor’s strength and to provide cover for the nazgul to search the north for the One Ring.
Only a remnant of Gondor’s eastern force survives the assault. Boromir and Faramir fight valiantly
alongside a company of Gondorians defending the last bridge across the Anduin. Finally, the bridge
is destroyed, and the brothers and just two other soldiers survive by swimming across the mighty
river. With the eastern portion of Osgiliath under his control and the bridge destroyed,
Sauron calls off the assault. His purpose of allowing the nazgul to pass in secret is achieved.
Despite his victory, Sauron realizes that Gondor’s forces are indeed stronger than he expected, and
he would spend the next several months amassing a force with which to make war upon Minas Tirith.
Boromir and Faramir would speak with their father of their shared dream. Denethor, who was said to
have been wise in the lore of the kingdom, tells his sons that the “Imladris” of the rhyme is
Rivendell where the half-elven lord Elrond lives, and that it is a dale located in the far north
Faramir is eager to seek for Imladris himself, however since the way is full
of doubt and danger, being that they didn’t even know Rivendell’s location,
Boromir takes the journey upon himself. On July 4, 3018, Boromir departs Minas Tirith
making his way north through the lands of Rohan. He passes through the Gap of Rohan,
traveling north through the lands that lie west of the Misty Mountains.
Near Tharbad, Boromir crosses the Greyflood using a dangerous ford and in the process,
loses his horse. Thus, he is left to make the rest of his journey on foot. In Unfinished Tales,
Tolkien gives us a note on how great an accomplishment this journey was:
When Boromir made his great journey from Gondor to Rivendell — the courage and hardihood required
is not fully recognized in the narrative — the North-South Road no longer existed except for
the crumbling remains of the causeways, by which a hazardous approach to Tharbad might be achieved,
only to find ruins on dwindling mounds, and a dangerous ford formed by the ruins of the bridge,
impassable if the riverhad not been there slow and shallow — but wide.
After 110 days on the road,
Boromir arrives in Rivendell on October 24 - the very day Frodo awakens in Imladris.
With his fortuitous timing, Boromir attends the Council of Elrond on October 25. There
he speaks of Gondor’s efforts to keep the armies of Sauron from crossing the Anduin.
The purpose of his journey however is not aid, but counsel. He tells them of the dream
and receives some answers - Aragorn reveals the shards of Narsil - the blade that was
broken, and the halfling Frodo Baggins produces the One Ring, Isildur’s Bane.
Boromir then attempts to persuade the council to let him take The One Ring to Gondor so that it may
be used in defense of the realm. Elrond, however, explains this is not an option - that only Sauron
alone could use the ring and any attempt of doing good with the One Ring would be twisted to evil.
Boromir joins the Fellowship of the Ring to aid Frodo Baggins in his journey to destroy the One
Ring. He joins not to go the entire way, but with the intention to travel with the others
until breaking off for Minas Tirith. Throughout their journey, Boromir proves to be both wise
and mighty. When they make for the pass of Caradhras, he says each of the Fellowship
should take with them a small bundle of wood. When the Fellowship is caught on the mountain pass,
having this wood prevents the company from freezing to death. Aragorn and Boromir would then
plow their way back down the mountain, carrying the hobbits and leading the others to safety.
With the Redhorn Pass no longer an option, Boromir suggests the company travel south
along the Misty Mountains and either pass through the Gap of Rohan, or go
through the southern lands of Gondor. Gandalf replies that because of Saruman’s treachery,
it was not safe to go that direction and that they should instead go through the Mines of Moria.
Boromir says he will only go that route should the entire rest of the company vote against him.
The Fellowship of course travels to Moria, and on January 13,
3019 as they arrive at the doors, Boromir is frustrated by Gandalf not knowing the
password and throws a stone into the nearby water. The Watcher in
the Water would be roused and attack the group before they escape into the mines.
The Fellowship travels for two days, coming to the Chamber of Mazarbul, where they are attacked
by orcs. Boromir fights valiantly, blocking the western door and hewing at the arm of the
cave-troll. When the Fellowship later reaches the Bridge of Khazad-dum, they are attacked again by
orcs and the mysterious presence from Mazarbul is revealed to be a balrog. Boromir sounds his
Great Horn, causing the orcs to temporarily pause before leading a second charge. When
Gandalf fights the balrog, the mighty warriors Boromir and Aragorn run toward him, but as they
reach the bridge, it breaks and both Gandalf and his foe are lost to the depths far below.
As Aragorn now leads the company after the loss of Gandalf, he leads them to Lothlorien. Boromir is
wary, saying the woods are perilous and few escape unscathed. Aragorn corrects him, saying only those
who are evil or bring evil with them have reason to fear Lorien. When they leave Lorien on February
16, Boromir’s gift from Galadriel is a golden belt. As the Fellowship continues their journey,
it becomes apparent that Boromir is being affected by The One Ring. He begins muttering
to himself and occasionally paddles his boat, shared by Merry and Pippin, closer to Frodo’s.
Pippin even notices an odd glint in Boromir’s eye as he looks at the ringbearer.
When the company reaches the lake of Nen Hithoel near Amon Hen,
they must decide which route to take. Frodo goes off into the woods to consider the options,
and after a while, Boromir follows. Their discussion of what Frodo should
do would make Boromir’s falling under the influence of the ring all the more apparent…
'Were you not at the Council?' answered Frodo. 'Because we cannot use it,
and what is done with it turns to evil.'
Boromir got up and walked about impatiently. 'So you go on,' he cried. 'Gandalf,
Elrond — all these folk have taught you to say so. For themselves they may be right. These
elvesand half-elves and wizards, they would come to grief perhaps. Yet often I doubt if they are
wise and not merely timid.... True-hearted Men, they will not be corrupted. We of Minas Tirith
have been staunch through long years of trial. We do not desire the power of wizard-lords,
only strength to defend ourselves.... And behold! in our need chance brings to light
the Ring of Power. It is a gift, I say; a gift to the foes of Mordor. It is mad not to use it,
to use the power of the Enemy against him. The fearless, the ruthless,
these alone will achieve victory. What could not a warrior do in this hour,
a great leader? What could not Aragorn do? Or if he refuses, why not Boromir? The Ring would give
me power of Command. How I would drive the hosts of Mordor, and all men would flock to my banner!'
Boromir strode up and down, speaking ever more loudly: Almost he seemed to have forgotten Frodo,
while his talk dwelt on walls and weapons, and the mustering of men;
and he drew plans for great alliances and glorious victories to be; and he cast down Mordor,
and became himself a mighty king, benevolent and wise. Suddenly he stopped and waved his arms.
Boromir attempts to convince Frodo to come to Minas Tirith for at least a little while - even
if just to rest and hear news of the Enemy before moving on. When Boromir
lays his hand on the halfling, Frodo steps quickly away, alarmed by Boromir's behavior.
'Why are you so unfriendly?' said Boromir. 'I am a true man, neither thief nor tracker.
I need your Ring: that you know now; but I give you my word that I do not desire
to keep it. Will you not at least let me make trial of my plan? Lend me the Ring! '
'No! no!' cried Frodo. 'The Council laid it upon me to bear it.'
'It is by our own folly that the Enemy will defeat us,' cried Boromir.... 'Obstinate
fool! Running wilfully to death and ruining our cause. If any mortals have claim to the Ring,
it is the men of Númenor, and not Halflings. It is not yours
save by unhappy chance. It might have been mine. It should be mine. Give it to me!'
When Frodo leaves by using the Ring, Boromir trips on a stone and falling on the ground, and coming
to his senses, he weeps for what he had done, calling for Frodo to return. When Boromir returns
to the rest of the company, he reveals only that he had argued with Frodo and Merry and Pippin run
off to search for their friend. Aragorn instructs Boromor to follow the two hobbits and guard them.
When Boromir catches up to Merry and Pippin, they are surrounded by dozens of orcs. He charges into
battle, killing many of the orcs and causing the rest to flee. As he leads the hobbits back toward
the campsite, they are waylaid by at least 100 orcs. Boromir sounds the Great Horn and fights
valiantly against the foul orcs. He is pierced by arrow after arrow, still he fights on. Many
arrows are shot before the son of Denethor falls and the hobbits are taken prisoner.
Aragorn discovers Boromir surrounded by at least 20 dead orcs. He confesses to
trying to take the ring from Frodo. Aragorn reassures him, saying he was forgiven and
that he had redeemed himself. Aragorn says that Minas Tirith shall not fall,
and with a smile, Boromir dies on February 26, 3019 at the age of 41. The three hunters
put Boromir’s body in one of the elven boats along with his cloven horn and broken sword.
The weapons of his enemies are laid at his feet and his funeral boat is carried by the
Anduin over the Falls of Rauros as Aragorn and Legolas sing a lament in his memory.
Three nights later, Faramir either saw, or beheld a vision of a boat floating past him
on the river in Osgiliath. He would later recount to Frodo and Sam hearing the Great Horn sounding
in the distance the very day his brother died. It is said that the boat bearing Boromir would
continue down the Anduin, and that his final resting place would be out into the great Sea.
Boromir’s horn would later wash ashore and be taken to Denethor. With the news
of his death reaching Minas Tirith, Denethor and Faramir are stricken
with grief and left to carry on in defense of Gondor without their beloved Boromir.
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