Denethor II
For the king of the High Elves of Ossiriand, see Denethor of Ossiriand. For the tenth ruling steward of Gondor, see Denethor I.
Biography: Denethor II
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| Birth - Death | Third Age 2984-3019 |
| Race: | Man |
| Gender: | Male |
| Ancestor(s): | Húrin of Emyn Arnen ⁞ |
| Parent(s): | Ecthelion II Thandir |
| Denethor II | |
| Sibling(s): | Terenis and Vanyalos |
| Child(ren): | Boromir and Faramir |
| Info: | 26th ruling Steward of Gondor |
Denethor II, son of Ecthelion II Thandir, was the 26th ruling Steward of Gondor and governed the realm during the War of the Ring. He was the last Ruling Steward before the restoration of the kingship, and held authority from Minas Tirith. In his keeping was the Anor-stone, the palantír of Minas Tirith.
Denethor was born in the year 2984 of the Third Age to Ecthelion II Thandir. He was the third child of his father, with two elder sisters, Terenis and Vanyalos. From an early age he was noted for his keen intellect, strong will, and forceful presence. He succeeded his father as Ruling Steward in 2984. During his rule, Gondor faced increasing pressure from Mordor, including renewed attacks along its borders and the growing threat of Sauron. Denethor maintained Gondor's defenses and governance through careful administration and long preparation for war. Denethor married the daughter of Prince of Dol Amroth, the sister of Imrahil. They had two sons, Boromir and Faramir. Denethor's wife died young, when Boromir was ten and Faramir five, after which Denethor did not remarry and became more withdrawn.
Denethor was a man of great pride, strength of will, and foresight. He possessed exceptional mental acuity and authority, and was difficult to deceive. Through long use of the palantír of Minas Tirith, he gained knowledge of the movements of Mordor, though this also brought him into indirect contest with Sauron, which increasingly burdened his spirit. He distrusted Gandalf and was wary of the return of the kingly line, viewing his own stewardship as a sacred trust to preserve Gondor until no heir could be proven beyond doubt. His favoritism toward Boromir and emotional distance from Faramir marked his later years.
During the Battle of Pelennor Fields, Denethor fell into despair following the apparent death of Boromir and the overwhelming force of Sauron's armies. Believing Gondor's defeat inevitable, he died in 3019, attempting to burn himself and Faramir upon a funeral pyre. Faramir survived, and the stewardship passed shortly thereafter to him under the restored kingship of Aragorn II Elessar.
Denethor (Minas Tirith)
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Description
Denethor can be encountered within the Citadel of Minas Tirith, where he is a quest giver.
Quest Involvement
- [19] Before the Shadow, Book 2, Chapter 3: Instance: A Long Way From Gondor
- [100] Vol. IV, Book 4, Chapter 8: What the Steward Saw
- [100] Vol. IV, Book 4, Chapter 12: Instance: The Darkest Hour
- [105] The Silent Street -- Tier 1 - Fellowship
- [105] The Silent Street -- Tier 2 - Fellowship