Hero of the Month - Edition N°23

The universe of Lord of the Rings has given us a multitude of legendary and iconic characters that we love or hate, but have made a name for themselves and marked the spirits. And here is one of them, and personally, one of my favorite Tolkien characters: Boromir.

Born in the year 2978 of the Third Age, Boromir is the eldest son of Denethor II, the steward of Gondor, and Finduilas of Dol Amroth. His younger brother, Faramir, was born five years later. The two brothers lose their mother very young. They have excellent relations (Boromir protecting Faramir and Faramir admiring Boromir), not at all tainted by jealousy, despite their opposite temperaments and Denethor's preference for his eldest son.

In June 3018 AD, when the armies of Sauron attack the ruins of Osgiliath, Boromir, captain of the Gondor, is sent to defend the city. Overwhelmed by numbers, the Gondorians must retreat behind the Anduin, after having shot down the last bridge over the river; among the last defenders, only four manage to escape, among whom Boromir and Faramir. 

One day, Boromir, representing the Gondor, went to Rivendell, to attend the council of Elrond, to decide the fate of the Ring of Sauront that was found. 

During the council, Boromir does not hesitate to express his fascination for the ring, going so far as to say to use his power against Sauron, but his idea is quickly rejected. Boromir shows himself at first as someone very sure of himself. He becomes one of the members of the Fellowship of the Ring. On another occasion, during the ascent of the mountain, he again shows his desire for the ring, but changes his mind and returns it to Frodo, Aragorn having been ready to use his sword against the Gondorian.

But during the trip, Gandalf falls into the chasm of Moria, and broken, the Fellowship must take refuge in the Lothlorien. In front of Galadriel, Boromir feels very bad and the elven witch shows him a terrifying vision: Minas Tirith in flames, ravaged by the armies of Sauron. Boromir will later confide in Aragorn and the latter, as a friend, will support him.

After their rest with the elves, the Fellowship resumed its journey on the river Anduin and made a halt on the bank of a forest. Frodo having gone away to be a little lonely, cross the road to Boromir, gone to fetch wood. The discussion ignites very quickly and Boromir, like possessed, tries to take the ring by force but fails. Realizing what he has just done, Boromir tries to be forgiven, but too late.

Later, while an Uruk troop attacks, Boromir intervenes to help Merry and Pippin against the attackers. Boromir once again shows his soldiering skills and kills several enemies, but is sadly struck by an arrow sent by the Uruk leader, Lurtz. Despite the injury and pain, Boromir remains standing and continues to fight, killing several uruks despite his injury. Two more arrows hit him, immobilizing him on his knees. Aragorn arrives, kills Lurtz and finds Boromir, dying, three arrows in his chest.

Broken, Boromir accuses himself of all the misfortunes that happened to the Fellowship, no longer recognizing himself, but Aragorn comforts him, telling him that he fought bravely and that his honor is safe. It is with the broken heart that Aragorn attends Boromir's last breath, after he called Aragorn "My brother" and "My King." So were the last words of Boromir, one of the greatest warriorsof the middle-earth.

His corpse is put in one of the elven boats for a funeral. Aragorn will sing for the memory of the late Gondorian. The boat drifted slowly down the river to the waterfalls, carrying the boat and Boromir's body away. 

Mathias, the Killmaster

Fire and Blood \m/