#there was this sense as boromir was dying

[altschmerzes]

That Aragorn and Faramir fic idea you mentioned sounds really interesting! There's so many layers involved in those two and those around them, and it sounds like a concept you would really have fun with!

THANK YOU it’s so clear in my mind honestly. this moment in that in-between space where aragorn either comes to find him or runs into him and has the chance to talk with him for the first time - say, you know, it’s an honour to meet you. your brother spoke of you with great pride.

like. the kind of person aragorn is would be really fascinating to watch faramir figure out how to handle tbh. this is Thee Literal King, and he’s also the type of person who looks at the people around him with warmth and appreciation at all turns, who puts himself on the line beside them, who is compassionate and interested in people and like. offers people his respect. pretty much regardless of who they are, until they prove they do not deserve it.

and for faramir, who has been. well. look at all he’s been doing in pursuit of his father’s respect, his father’s love, all entirely in vain. and what came of it. he’s just narrowly survived an attempted murder/suicide, after the first time he was sent to his death for the crime of being the wrong son didn’t quite get him all the way dead. just mostly there. so he’s been suffering and bleeding and dying for the good opinion of the central authority figure in his life to absolutely no avail. and here’s the king. the literal whole king. who’s never met him before, and is now seeing him in this sorry state. who offers his good opinion freely and without hesitation.

i SIMPLY think there’s so much potential in that dynamic and i want to poke at it SO bad tbh

[on-wednesdays-we-eat-the-rich]

Okay I don't know if anyone else has pointed this out but are we just going to ignore the parallels between LOTR and TMA?

Think about it. They both got:

Big Eye That Watches Everything

Guy, who has some sort of connection to the Big Eye That Watches Everything, and his boyfriend (or friend if you're not a Samfro shipper) go on a long dangerous walk so they can save the world

The guy who has some sort of connection to the Big Eye That Watches Everything gets stabbed multiple times and also loses a body part(s)

The plan to save the world doesn't quite go to plan when it comes to actually finishing it leading to at least one person dying

Someone dies and ends up on a boat of some variation

There used to be an old person who had more or less the same role as the guy who has some sort of connection to the Big Eye That Watches Everything before they either died or just got really old

Everyone ends up with ✨trauma✨ especially the guy who has some sort of connection to the Big Eye That Watches Everything

Someone write a crossover fanfic or I will. That is a threat

[i-am-but-a-beta-fish]

finally watching lord of the rings and man they were not kidding about how much oblivion cribbed from these movies like holy shit

[kindlythevoid]

It’s really beautiful how Tolkien takes the time to honor the dead. After Gandalf’s death, they take the time in Lothlorien to deal with their grief and sing their laments, but as there is no body, that’s all they can do.

But when Boromir dies, even when Aragorn has to make the decision to either pursue Frodo or Merry and Pippin, and both are rapidly growing farther from the three left, they take the time to honor their friend. They don’t leave immediately, even though efficiency would dictate otherwise. No, instead they take the time to decide how to “bury” him (quotations only because it’s not burying in the strictest sense of the word, but rather reverently dealing with Boromir’s body). And then they gather trophies of his last stand and arrange them in the boat with him, taking time to “[comb] his long dark hair and [array] it upon his shoulders.”

How many times have other adventurers dedicated valuable time to honor the bodies of fallen companions, specifically to this extent? More often than not, they have to leave them behind, or only take the time to fold their arms or close their eyes.

Occasionally, they’ll build a pyre or bury them or whatnot, but it’s always after the battle that they set aside a significant chunk of time, or they live up to the term of fantasy (which isn’t a bad thing!) and there is no time wasted in building a cairn or burial or what-have-you.

My point is that time is spent, time that could be used for more “productive” things, such as, I don’t know, pursuing Merry and Pippin whose lives are at stake. And it isn’t framed as a bad thing, because it isn’t! Each life is precious, even when only the body is left. And they take the, well, the time to acknowledge this, in a reasonable and conservative way. (And when I say conservative, I mean that they pick the burial most fitting for their running clock, balancing both their need for a grieving period as well as the haste that the hobbits will require.)

I can’t speak to the rest of the deaths in the books as I haven’t caught up and refreshed my memory, but I will touch on another death, this time in the movie, that shares the same theme.

Theodred.

While he certainly hasn’t been totally forgotten by the fandom, I believe it is fair to say that he gets less discussion. Which is fair, considering he gets almost no active dialogue that I can remember and he is unconscious for most, if not all, of his screen time (and book time) before dying shortly after.

And one could say it’s because he’s a prince, one could say it’s because he was the heir, etc., etc. But it honestly makes no sense to dedicate all that time to preparing and putting on a large funeral when Saruman is right at Rohan’s door and there are so many bigger and more impactful decisions to be making now that Theoden has his mind back.

But, again, it isn’t criticized in the movie. It isn’t treated as the wrong decision. The people, included Theoden, needed time to mourn and Theodred deserved to be honored, even in death, even as the great forces of orcs and Uruk-hai were marching across Rohan.

Time is valuable, time is precious, and it should be wasted, especially when you’re trying your hardest to make sure you and yours survive. But time is meaningless if you don’t use it to live and subsequently honor those who have lived.

[lesbiansforboromir]

Iconic elements of Film!Boromir's character that everyone remembers;

Very into Aragorn, has multiple meaningful scenes with him where he is clearly disarmed, awed, unnerved and yet eager for his approval and companionship. His acceptance of Aragorn's right to the kingship is treated as a vital part of his character arc and even his last words before his death are entirely about Aragorn.

Awkward, often stalling or stumbling over his words, says things that leave uncomfortable silences and often makes loud declarations of intent, very earnest in all his mannerisms and always says everything in a guileless way. Very upfront and open about his emotions, to the point of making Aragorn uncomfortable in his attempts to connect with him about his fear for Gondor's safety and his own inner turmoil surrounding his father.

Immediately ring-obsessed. He argues with Elrond about the Ring's usage and clearly is not swayed by further arguments, in fact is sent by his father specifically to get the ring and so is technically a traitorous element in the fellowship from day one. Eagerly ensures he has a place in the fellowship at the Council of Elrond and is blatantly suspicious with his treatment of both Frodo and the Ring from then on. No one in the fellowship trusts him and for good reason.

Kinda a liability! Doesn't really offer anything to the Fellowship other than another sword arm, and one that seems sub-par in comparison to his comrades considering his underestimation of the Hobbits and the multiple times he has to be saved in Moria. Has no real expertise or wisdom to offer, barring obvious declarations like 'this will be the death of the hobbits'. Indeed the one moment of apparent unique wisdom he offers 'one cannot simply walk into mordor' is so widely viewed as foolish advice that it's one of the most enduring memes of the internet to date. Only has one moment of apparent skill in his final stand against the Uruks where he kills about 5 by himself before he is hit by 3 arrows and rendered helpless. Very much characterised as 'the normal guy' and 'the himbo'.

Has a nice, supportive and loving relationship with Faramir, his little brother that looks up to him adoringly and with a sense that he could never measure up to Boromir and that Boromir is his better. Protective of faramir.

Hah that was fun and now, completely unrelated, here are TRUE AND IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT BOOK!BOROMIR!!

Has one (1) line of dialogue about Aragorn and his kingship that essentially reads 'Well I don't care about Kings but if mythic heroes from legend could come and help my people we'd be grateful (press x to doubt)' and then he NEVER! VOICES A SINGLE OTHER OPINION ABOUT ARAGORN! FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE. This includes his very last words which don't mention Aragorn or the Kingship once.

Clear-spoken! Makes concise speeches full of relevant and important information when in an official capacity. Always has a tone of well-meaning half-humourous sarcasm, making casual and comfortable jokes at his own expense or sometimes lightly teasing his fellows. Otherwise restrains his disagreements to darkly humourous complaints, strained and weary reactions or clear unemotional declarations of his concerns depending upon the recipient. Takes the phrase 'you'll have to pry my feelings from my cold dead hands' entirely literally, NEVER reveals the true extent of his internal struggles until the moment he is literally dying. In fact is entirely silent whilst Aragorn is asked to describe Gondor and waxes so lyrical he doesn't even notice Boromir get up and leave.

Asks one (1) clarifying question at the Council of Elrond about why they aren't using the ring, accepts the answer entirely and never mentions it again UNTIL Galadriel tempts him with it in Lothlorien. Doesn't even WANT to go on the fellowship and is more dragged along by Aragorn with the pretext that 'Gondor is on the way to Mordor so we'll tag along.' Is utterly trustworthy and has no ulterior motive in arriving in Rivendell other than his search for an answer to his prophetic dream. In fact his whole behaviour and personality changes immediately after Galadriel's mental interrogation and he BECOMES awkward, unnerving and unsure in his speech all of a sudden.

Has a WEALTH of knowledge, experience and personal skill that he uses to save the fellowship multiple times. Saves them all from freezing to death on Caradhras through his preparedness, his arguing with Gandalf and his personal durability. Hacks the head off wargs when they are attacked in the night. Remains lucid whilst the fellowship is paralyzed with fear by the Balrog and stalls it's approach using his horn to allow them time to flee. Fights alongside Aragorn at every opportunity, including charging with him at the Balrog as Gandalf is fighting it. And not only that, he regularly is proven right in his advice (that is rarely heeded) and is well informed on both his own peoples history and Rohan's position, even against Gandalf and Aragorn's doubt of their character. Actually saves Merry and Pippin initially from the Northern orcs whom he drives away entirely before he begins taking them back to the others, is only stalled when they are ambushed by Uruk-Hai. Continues to fight on even with far more than three arrows in him and actually yanks a few out before collapsing against the tree. Definitely not a normal guy, nor a himbo, just exceptional in a more mundane way than everyone else in the fellowship (except the Hobbits).

Never mentions his brother a single time, somehow got him to stand and defend the bridge of osgiliath with him whilst knowing that it would likely kill them both so not all that protective. Faramir meanwhile cannot say a single uncomplicatedly complimentary thing about his brother and in fact cannot stop telling Frodo (a man he has imprisoned for half a day), about what a stupid, reckless and prideful man Boromir was and how he's far better in every single way.

WOW HAHA ISN'T THAT INTERESTING! COOL! Book Boromir is my favourite character by the way haha I'm suffering incomprehensible horrors :)

[achillyscomedown]

lotr (+ 1 hobbit) quotes def not stolen from brooklyn nine nine

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thorin: you think you can just bully people, but you can’t. it’s not okay. i’m the bully around here, ask anyone.

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merry: the only thing i’m not good at is modesty, because I’m great at it.

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gimli: i’ve only said ‘i love you’ to three people. my mom, my dad, and my dying grandpa. and one of those I regret.

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pippin: i’m not totally useless. i can be used as a bad example :D

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frodo: i wasn’t hurt that bad - they said all my bleeding was internal. that’s where the blood’s supposed to be!

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legolas: you don’t dance with the devil because you’ll get burned. or in gimli’s case because he has no rhythm and his hands are like little rat claws.

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gandalf, while smoking pipe-weed: the english language cannot fully capture the depth and complexity of my thoughts so i’m incorporating emoji into my speech to better express myself. winky face. wizard hat. peace sign.

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sam: my nana always said ‘bad news first because the good news is probably a lie’. fun fact: she made me cry a lot.

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aragorn: i’m fine at parties, i just stand in the middle of the room and don’t say anything.

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gandalf giving a super detailed and thought out plan:

pippin: sir, with all due respect, i am gonna completely ignore everything you just said-

—————————————————————————

boromir recounting how he’d broken the barrier between man and hobbit and how him and the four were now good friends: i appealed to their sense of teamwork and camaraderie and love of food with a rousing speech that would put even elrond to shame.

aragorn who’d heard the hobbits laughing about the speech just minutes earlier: :D

[thiswaycomessomethingwicked]

thinking about that post about character death being beneficial etc. and, obviously because it’s my current fixation, LOTR came to mind as a great example of this wherein most of the characters who died needed to die. 

Boromir’s death makes sense. It needed to happen. Boromir not dying would have made for a weaker story in terms of the narrative stakes. Denethor dying makes sense. Theoden dying makes sense. &c. 

All the deaths make sense within their own terms.

However, I think Tolkien falls into the trap of accidentally undermining one of his themes because all the people who it makes sense to kill actually die. One of them needed to live and make good because of love. Because someone offered them a hand. 

Without one of them making it, I think Tolkien weakens his argument which is so perfectly summed up in Frodo’s response to Saruman: it is pointless meeting hate with hate. 

So, out of Gollum, Denethor, Saruman, Grima etc. one of them needed to make it. Pick one! Any of them! But just one needed to walk out alive with the prospect of change because of love and hope. 

Sorry to Boromir & Theoden, I love you guys, but both of you do need to remain dead for the narrative. (Honestly Denethor does too, but I think I could make a case for him being included in the above list)

[aspiringnexu]

LOTR but it works like Undertale in that when you die everything resets. But like a hardcore version of Undertale where you die and have to start at the very beginning.

Everyone in the Fellowship is aware of it and it first comes about because Gandalf dies and they all end up back in Imaldris and very confused (it happens in Lothlorien for them because Gandalf takes a few days to kill the Balrog and then die and it takes a bit for Manwe to kick him back). So they set out again with the weirdest sense of Deja Vu and this time they make it through Moria without even meeting the Balrog because Pippin remembers not to touch the arrow. Then Boromir dies and back to square one.

And this keeps repeating over and over and over as their actions to keep one from dying accidentally cause someone else to die until they have all of the steps down pat and no longer give a shit except managing to move on from the fucking Anduin. They’ve been stuck there for days (not counting the time it took to march there from Imladris, through Moria, and through Lothlorien, over and over and over and over again).

Rinse and repeat as Sam accidentally falls to his death via One Slippery Rock, Legolas gets nailed by a very lucky Orc in Moria, it turns out Gimli can’t swim and neither can Legolas or Aragorn when trying to pull a fully armoured dwarf to the surface, Aragorn gets run over by Eomer, Merry and Pippin take turns getting skewered by hungry orcs, and Frodo gets murdered by Gollum (who is the only other one to know about the resets and is pretty cranky by the time he catches up).

And without fail, every single time one of them dies they get sent back to Imladris. At first its terrifying, then just plain confusing, then terribly depressing, and then... well they get used to it. Death no longer has meaning. The Quest suddenly seems a lot more cheerful. The end of the world is a lot less daunting when you know you can perpetually keep it from ending until you make sure you can fix it.

Though it is a bit confusing for everyone else during the Battle of Helm’s Deep when Gimli and Legolas are having their competition.

“Legolas! Two already!”

“I’m on seventeen!”

“Eh! I’ll have no pointy-ear outscoring me!”

Later

“Final count fifty-one thousand two hundred and eighty-two.”

“Well that’s not bad for a pointy-eared elvish princeling! I myself am sitting pretty on fifty-one thousand two hundred and eighty-three.”

[deepspacedukat]

Heyy!

omg after we were talking about different aliens watching old films. I absolutely agree I think the Klingons would love Boromir! Could you imagine Martok watching the Rohirrim charge in the battle for Gondor in the third movie? I think they’d love Eowyn too, like with the bit where she kills the witch king 😍😍 I love her so much. And like, I think Worf would love Aragon, but I think Martok’s favourite might be Sam? Like, the bit where he carries Frodo up the mountain 😢😢 still gets me man. Aaaaaah I need to watch these movies again.

also, do you think Julian makes Garak watch the Thing? Because, while I think he’d like it, I remember Garak being like “my dear what the actual fuck? you tell six year olds this story?” When hearing the Boy Who Cried Wolf. Like, the Cardassians fully believe humans are naive, stupid little things and then they get hit with like, the Brothers Grimm tales for kids, featuring people dying horribly and they’re just??? Very confused???

Heh, I love the idea of a Vulcan taking rapid notes during films! I’m imagining a Vulcan living on Earth, maybe in Starfleet academy trying to understand the humans around him. Very important to make sense of humanity’s illogical impulses, of course. Could not possibly be because they actually enjoy any of the stupid, cheesy earth movies. That’s illogical. They will NOT be making a “phone home” reference at the next interaction with a human. It will not happen.

Oooh, you're so right! The Klingons would adore Boromir, especially his defense of the Hobbits! Ooooh and Eowyn! They'd be all heart eyes for her! The Rohirrim charge would bring tears to Martok's eyes, I'd wager. Such honor... *sniffle* Just all of this. Yes!!

Ooooh, Julian showing Garak The Thing would be hilarious! The cultural differences alone just... 🤌 *chef's kiss*

The Vulcans will definitely not make those references amongst their own kind...but...logically...if it would please their Human colleagues, then it would only be logical to oblige with the occasional mention...👀 Y'know, just to prove they value their friend's culture...

[theship-thewalrus]

If your open for requests I’d like one for boromir from lotr!

Where he has a crush on a witch who is gandalf apprentice and she saves him from getting killed by giving him half of her soul

I don't mind if its headcanon or a oneshot or anything😊

Hi Anon!! I love this!! I truly hope it was what you have been looking for <3 also I found the magic words from a generator so if they actually mean anything I would love to know :)

boromir x female!reader

basically what the ask is :)

word count: 586 words reading time: about 3 minutes warnings: mention injury, blood and near death

You had studied under Gandalf the Grey for many years, learning from the wizard in the hopes you too could possibly learn a fraction of the man's infinite knowledge. Witchcraft and wizardry were becoming less and less sort after and taught, not many wizards taking on apprentices and not many wanted to learn. It felt like in a sense the magic of the world was dying, Elves were returning to their ancestral homes, Dwarves staying in their mountains, allowing men to have free reign of the world. It brought you great sadness to think that one day you may be one of the only people with magical ability in all of Middle Earth. With Gandalf falling to the dreaded beast, Balrog, that fear was slowly becoming a reality.

Travelling with the fellowship was fun and exciting, though losing Gandalf had put a pause to the usual cheery nature of everyone. Before then everyone was fairly close, getting along the best they could on the ride. You often found yourself speaking with Boromir, the man providing you with unlimited jokes and stories to keep you entertained. Though you got on well with everyone, it was clear you and Boromir were becoming quite close. Everyone caught the longing stares he gave you, how during a battle he would stay closer to you to ensure your safety. Yet nothing gave away just how much you liked him, on your part there were no longing stares. Nothing to truly tell them if you reciprocated the man's feelings or simply saw him as a friend.

But as they watched you weep over the dying man, holding him close to your chest the best you could without hurting him, they knew you loved him just as much as he loved you. You did not care for the blood getting on your hands and clothes. Only caring for the man in your arms as you break into loud, uncontrollable sobs, begging him to be alright. Boromir's face held a content smile, holding on softly to your arm.

Gandalf had always warned you about certain spells that were deemed too dangerous and dark to ever try to do. He knew you were curious by nature and you would stumble upon them sooner or later. Thus, he taught you about them only briefly, mentioning the ones in your book that were far too dangerous for you to attempt. But all his warnings seemed to leave your mind as you looked down at Boromir, for you only wished for him to be okay, to stay at your side.

"Impoire Herisum Ascenaeaturi Damcio" as you begin the incantation the world seems to shift, the air growing stale. "Impguin Vaseoulum Xaaoturi Syvbeo." The sky darkened, the trees around you almost leaning into where you sat, and the ground rumbled as the volume in your voice rose. "Impayailum Taneoious Sulba Zeiuul Ziayuerate Accguin." Lightening struck the ground, one could not say if it struck you or simply near you.

The colour began to return to Boromir's face, no longer looking ghastly and sickly. His pained, staggered breath returning to normal and the strength returning in his hold on you. As you had shared your soul with him, spared him from the afterlife for just a little longer. A part of you felt almost selfish for doing so, but you could not back out now, for it had been done.

He was back with you and you with him, not even death had the power to rip you apart.

[cornerful]

Lotr Jan 12th p1

While I wait for the snow to come to my own door, please enjoy my mood lighting XD

They heard eerie noises in the darkness round them. It may have been only a trick of the wind in the cracks and gullies of the rocky wall, but the sounds were those of shrill cries, and wild howls of laughter. 

o_o I'll say it again, jirt has a fantastically underapreciated knack for writing spooky. The winter storm howling outside my window is adding to the effect

'But what can we do?' cried Pippin miserably. He was leaning on Merry and Frodo, and he was shivering.

:( Pip...

'...it is no good going back while the storm holds,' said Aragorn. 'We have passed no place on the way up that offered more shelter than this cliff-wall we are under now.'

The Ranger paying attention to their surroundings and thinking of the future <3

Bill the pony stood patiently but dejectedly in front of the hobbits, and screened them a little; but before long the drifting snow was above his hocks, and it went on mounting.

Bills poor toes!!! My fingers are freezing in solidarity my friend

Frodo gazed wearily at the flakes still falling out of the dark to be revealed white for a moment in the light of the dying fire

I am enamored of this description <3

Gimli looked up and shook his head. 'Caradhras has not forgiven us,' he said. 'He has more snow yet to fling at us, if we go on. The sooner we go back and down the better.'

Gimli's personification of the mountain and his sense for its temperament <3<3<3

In places the snow was breast-high, and often Boromir seemed to be swimming or burrowing with his great arms rather than walking.

Boromir swimming in the snow is an image that has been in my mind rent free for years 😂

I GO TO FIND THE SUN!!! This bit in Phil Dragash's reading was so cute oml there's a little bit of jaunty music for Legolas' impishness

PIGGYBACK TIME FOR HOBBITS

...hardly had Frodo touched the ground when with a deep rumble there rolled down a fall of stones and slithering snow. The spray of it half blinded the Company as they crouched against the cliff, and when the air cleared again they saw that the path was blocked behind them.

'Enough, enough!' cried Gimli. 'We are departing as quickly as we may!'

GIMLI ❤

...they turned their backs on the Redhorn Gate, and stumbled wearily down the slope. Caradhras had defeated them.

:( sorry Aragorn

[corvidcall]

it is WILD that the two towers book STARTS with boromirs death. from what i know of the movies, the first one ends with him dying, which makes a lot more sense, pacing-wise (if you ask me)

[anghraine]

How would you picture a confrontation between Aragorn and Denethor if Faramir had joined the fellowship instead of Boromir as it was intended and had not died - I believe there was a reason if Faramir was "called" - ? Could Aragorn have become the King without Denethor's approval ? How would his sons have reacted in your opinion ?

This is always an interesting concept for me! I agree that whoever sent the dream clearly preferred Faramir (and Tolkien considered this important enough to go out of his way to add), and that the reason was not "they preferred Faramir, but were wrong and things would have gone worse," or "they preferred Faramir, but it would have made little difference in the long run."

I think the clear implication is that the outcome would have been better that way—and it makes a lot of sense that Boromir is less equipped to deal with the subtle, grinding influence of the Ring and Faramir less equipped to handle direct conflict. And yet it does create some interesting quandaries, of which this is a significant one.

Faramir, in TTT, is decidedly skeptical of Aragorn. It's the mystical healing experience that transforms him into a steadfast and devoted ally. So how does he react without that experience? He trusts Gandalf and would likely trust Elrond, and at any rate has a profound insight into the thoughts and natures of others that could impact him. He would like a return of the monarchy if he could be assured that the claim was valid and the claimant didn't suck personally (the essential problem of monarchy!).

So maybe he'd support Aragorn off the bat. Or maybe not. I think it's most likely (and most compelling) if he has a generally positive first impression of Aragorn, but isn't immediately LO, THE KING because of his general reservations, and gradually warms up over the Fellowship's journey.

I'm not sure Boromir would ever be a full-throated supporter of Aragorn's claim. He never fully acknowledges it in the book (the dying "my king" is a film invention) and I trust Faramir's judgment of him more than most people who like Boromir (which I do). I agree with Faramir that, even if he did accept Aragorn's claim in theory, his response is likely to be more complicated when push comes to shove. And that's probably the optimal circumstance for him to accept Aragorn's claim!

In the Faramir-goes-to-Rivendell scenario, meanwhile, Boromir is back home fighting a desperate war to save Minas Tirith and the millions of people in Gondor. If some guy with a long-rejected claim (who isn't even from Gondor) shows up to claim the kingship after almost a millennium of Stewardist rule, it's really hard for me to see Boromir being onboard with it.

I think Aragorn could technically become king without Denethor's approval, but it would be quite difficult, and this is why he is so cautious about declaring himself after the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. Historically, the Steward of Gondor was the hereditary head of the Council of Gondor (among various other responsibilities/rights), and had a major say in whether the Council would or would not accept a claim. The Steward Pelendur, for instance, played a big part in the rejection of Arvedui's claim. So even if he weren't the ruler of Gondor, Denethor would (by law and precedent) have a very outsized say in the matter.

That said, Pelendur seems to have been backed by the Council and the Dúnedain of Gondor more generally. The question with Denethor is if he could unilaterally reject Aragorn's claim if the other Dúnedain of Gondor as well as his people more broadly opposed him. I mean, maybe? Or maybe denying the universal will of the people and rest of the Council would stretch the powers of the Stewardship beyond its limits.

But it's also not entirely clear to me that everyone would oppose Denethor if he retained his sanity and capable leadership. He seems to be quite popular, even with children. I think the most likely result is a lot of dissent and uncertainty in Minas Tirith rather than Denethor vs everyone, a dissent they can ill-afford at the moment. Hence Aragorn's carefulness.

And I don't think Denethor would ever willingly give way to Aragorn. TBH I think this is the main reason that Denethor "has" to die in LOTR. Otherwise, the best case scenario in a canon-like scenario is probably 1) Denethor doesn't look into the palantír and is fine but grieving at Faramir's side, 2) Aragorn shows up and heals Faramir in front of him, 3) Denethor somewhat warms up but isn't about to give way, but would be a more helpful ally to a gradually rebuilt Arnor than otherwise, and 4) Denethor dies before his time, Boromir died in battle, and Faramir proves amenable after his healing.

Without the Black Breath or the healing, since Faramir would be part of the Grey Company all along ... I'm still not 100% sure what he'd do, tbh.

[shiveringsoldier]

SO. Dying to know your thoughts on seeing LOTR in theaters >:) (if you want to share them that is)

Okay this is probably going to be long

Watching the whole trilogy in quick succession made me especially aware of the themes of hope and despair. As Saruman is about to reveal his allegiance to Sauron, he says “Against the power of Mordor, there can be no victory,” so perhaps he joined with Sauron out of despair. Boromir’s despair (“It is long since we had any hope”) might have made him more susceptible to the Ring’s seduction. In TTT, you get the sense that Denethor sends Boromir to Rivendell out of utter desperation, and even once he is freed from Saruman’s influence Théoden still struggles with extreme hopelessness. And throughout ROTK, there is a throughline of “We cannot defeat these forces, but we will fight all the same.” They have no hope, yet they won’t give in to despair.

Seeing the movies in 4K often made me miss the color grading of the original films. I especially noticed it when watching TTT. I distinctly remember seeing the scene when Frodo and Sam are being taken to Osgiliath and thinking “Where’s the blue?”

But on the other hand, seeing these movies in theatres caused me to pick up on lines I hadn’t previously made out. I hadn’t caught Bilbo greeting Fatty Bolger at his birthday party or Pippin asking Merry if they’re lost in Moria.

I really enjoyed seeing Merry in TTT. His intelligence, quick thinking, and compassion are out in full force, and he really shines in that movie.

I cried during Théodred’s funeral scene. I started shedding tears the moment Éowyn started singing.

It is such a thrill to see the battle sequences on the big screen.

It is so, so great to see a closeup shot of an orc or goblin and know that it’s a real actor in real makeup. I think the visual effects have aged so well because they knew what technology was - and wasn’t - capable of at the time. Also, well-lit nighttime scenes! You can actually see what’s going on!

I love that much of the time the characters look like shit. They’re covered in sweat, blood, dirt, grime, tears. They cry openly, and they cry are ugly criers. When characters are in extreme pain or deathly ill, they look it. And no one can do screams of pain and labored breathing like Elijah Wood.

Also, to no one’s surprise, I almost burst into tears the moment I first saw Frodo.

[thewitchkingiscool-ace]

Stay With Me- Chapter Three: Golden Sunlight Breaking Through the Clouds (Boromir x reader)

Other chapters:

Chapter 1: Don’t Let Me Fall

Chapter 2: Thoughts Of Silver

Chapter 4: Shadowed By Demise

Description: Chapter 3 of my boromir x reader fic (which you’re getting early again AND at the same time as chapter four, which is linked above) in which Boromir is helping you recover from when you fainted, and then you go into battle with him, and he keeps his arm around your shoulder the whole time. Gimli, Legolas and Aragorn are in this too, and Merry, Pippin, Frodo, and Sam are mentioned.

Tropes: fluff, hurt/comfort

Warnings: none

Length: 1.5k words (1,570 words)

Genre: LotR

Notes: none really

Chapter: 3/5 

Your heartbeat instantly quickened as Boromir turned without hesitation to you, his light brown hair now gleaming with strands of gold and bronze-gold, illuminated by the dying sun that was ducking its head under the forest that now danced with a soft wind. He smiled shyly but warmly as he crouched down beside you and placed one warm hand on your upper arm, resting it there. His gaze then met your own, and you couldn’t withhold the grin tugging at the edges of your lips. Boromir smiled too, his eyes shining beautifully as they subtly darted left and right, up and down, inspecting every corner of your face, right down to your pale lips. You thought you had imagined his gaze lingering there for a moment…

“How are you feeling?” he asked you in the voice you knew so well, soft, but low and a little husky. 

“Much better now,” you replied. Although, you hoped that you would not be tugged to your feet to fight again, since you still needed a little time to compose yourself, and, if you got up, this peaceful moment with Boromir would come to an end. It seemed to block out all the commotion around you, especially as Aragorn was doing so well at keeping the orcs at bay. 

“That’s good. I’m actually quite impressed that you managed to stagger away from the orcs earlier,” Boromir laughed. You laughed too. “Although you probably could not see where you were going, you moved enough out of the crowd that you were out of danger. Then I spotted you.” You continued chuckling, though you didn’t remember much of the events close before your fall, and had forgotten what you had dreamed and what you had not. “Though I can’t say I remember much before the fall,” you admitted. “Ah…” Boromir said. “Well, allow me to fill you in. I had been fighting near Gimli and Aragorn when I saw you, and you looked very pale. That’s when I ran to you, and Aragorn followed. Gimli stayed fighting the orcs, I think. I lost track of him after that.” This sent you out in heaps of laughter. Boromir chuckled along with you.

“You managed to walk close enough towards us that I could catch you in time, and still there were orcs everywhere, and Aragorn took care of those closest. Once they were accounted for, we carried you over to this very tree.” You were nodding slowly, listening to the report of what had happened. Though it was hard to fully process the words, for you were so lost in his voice. 

“Yes, I do remember feeling as if I was flying across the forest floor… I thought it quite strange at the time. You must have been hurrying to this tree quite fast, considering how it felt to me!” You chuckled a little as you said this, and Boromir joined you, watching the curves of your lips as your laughter brought them up into a beautiful smile. Though you didn’t particularly notice his gaze upon your mouth, you felt a change in him then, and could almost sense that his heartbeat had quickened. Your heart was pounding in sync with him, both beautiful souls intertwined harmoniously. The moment felt a little more close now, and Boromir shifted his hand a little further down your arm, moving closer to your side at the same time. How you wanted to lean forward and kiss him, feel his warm lips against yours, and hold him close. 

“Boromir, I’m sorry that we left you while you got the firewood,” you said. “We got in a bit of a tight spot. I didn’t want to leave you- none of the others did either, I’m sure.” Boromir smiled kindly and replied, “You don’t have to apologise, y/n. I would rather you had gotten yourself to safety than wait for me.” You could hear the truth that hummed throughout his voice, and it made your heart swell at his words. You reached out with your right arm and took hold of the hand resting on your lower left arm. You saw his eyes flash a little at the touch- as if you had finally given him what he was hoping for. You felt his hand (that was notably larger than yours, and somehow it made you feel safe to hold it) curl around yours, closing over your thin fingers and the back of your hand. 

Boromir was suddenly struck with a longing to protect you. He began to realise now how harsh it would feel if he lost you in this battle, or if he was slain, and was parted from you. He was sure you had noticed as his expression deepened a little with emotion, but he never stopped gazing at you, at your cheeks that had returned to a rosy-red, your glimmering eyes, your slightly parted lips… he now decided that he couldn’t lose you. He couldn’t. Boromir remembered Aragorn’s words, how he was supposed to get you up as soon as you could, and granted, you seemed to be recovered, but to him it would feel like leading you straight to your death. He couldn’t do that to you… but surely it was more unsafe here?

You watched as Boromir turned his head to see how Aragorn was getting on with the orcs. Gimli and Legolas were now at his side, and heaps of uruk’s corpses were slumped across the floor around them, but still, there were more coming, and Aragorn’s face was bloodied, and he was taking more and more hits as the battle grew on. The others were tiring too, and Legolas’s arrows were growing scarce, the latter of them laying stuck in an orc’s body. Boromir decided that he had to get you out of here, or the whole Fellowship would be in danger. 

You could sense his change now, and understood that he meant to get you to your feet. Without instruction, you stood up, wobbling a little, but Boromir soon rose up to steady you, and placed his arm around your shoulder. “Let’s get to safety. But don’t leave my side. Stay leaning against me, if you have to,” he told you, his voice now a little more strong. You looked up at him, holding his gaze for a moment, and noticed how close his face was to yours. There was an urge within you for a moment to feel his lips against yours, to satisfy the longing that had held you for so long, and to let him know how you really felt for him. But you knew this was not the place, and that time was running out, so instead, you leaned up and placed a kiss on his cheek—just a simple sign of affection, but enough for him to know that you were grateful, and that you cared for him, more than words could say. His skin felt soft against your lips and it was so soothing that you wanted to keep them there for eternity. 

He looked startled for a moment, but in pleasant surprise rather than fear, but soon it broke out into a soft grin, and he strengthened his grip around your shoulder. 

“Stay beside me,” he whispered, and you didn’t think you needed to be told.

                              *******

Down and down the sloping hill the battle was falling, and now everyone was growing desperate, using up their final strength to ensure the hobbits (and each other) got to safety. Boromir and you had been defending Merry and Pippin tirelessly, and the rest of the Fellowship formed a circle around you, fighting any orcs that threatened to get too close to the young hobbits. You desperately hoped that Frodo and Sam were safe, as you had no idea where they were; it was an overwhelmingly sickening thought to wonder if the worst had happened to them. 

You and Boromir fought extremely well together, even with you clinging to his side. You had not got a scratch on you since he had offered to provide support throughout the battle, and Boromir had not got a scratch on him either. Legolas was shooting down the orcs with not a sign of fatigue, and Gimli was hacking away at their chests with his axe. Your eyes darted around to find Aragorn, and saw him pinned by an Uruk-hai against a tree, struggling desperately to break free. A wave of panic overcame you, and you undid a knife from your belt and flicked it towards the orc. It hit the orc square in the neck, and it staggered for a moment to stay upright, before releasing its hold on the ranger and dropping to the floor. Aragorn glanced at you briefly and smiled, then had to fight another attacker. 

And all this time, Boromir had not let go of you. You span and slashed together, working with each other to kill any uruks that threatened to part the two of you. And oh, how you felt so safe with his arm around you. A tall, strong figure there to defend you, and you knew that he would never stop fighting for you, no matter how challenging it became. The sickening dread inside you began to flake away, and it gave way to a beam of hope that glowed promisingly, that perhaps, you would live to see Middle Earth freed from the clutches of Sauron.

[darstellunge]

@kraftpunk2763 replied to your post “I remember seeing a post that had something like...”:

do u think that there's a narrative reason that people die in real life?

​Real life and fiction are different things, though. Characters in fiction are just narrative tools. And important characters are usually not killed off for nothing.

Sure, some authors may not think things through as much, but death is usually used for at least some purpose in fiction - to say something about the dying character and their circumstances (usually when they cause their own death in one way or another - good examples of that would be Boromir, Denethor and Gollum from Lord of The Rings) or about the people who have to deal with their death (Nanbu from NOMAD is a great example of such case), or to give the motivation to another character or otherwise move the plot in the needed direction (the usual "someone killed my wife and now I have to avenge her" trope, for example), or even if to just get rid of the character whose presence may make the later choices that the author wants to make in the story make less sense (which is why I tried to figure out if it could be the case with Grimmer in my post), or they just don't want to have that character in the story anymore for some other reason. Or sometimes it may be done purely for the sake of drama and/or raising the stakes, but I doubt that someone with such thought-out and detailed writing as Urasawa would do something like that to such an important character, especially at that point in the story - it was already pretty intense at that point, there hardly was a need for further escalation, especially considering the upcoming showdown with Johan. And, yes, sometimes the point itself can be "sometimes death just happens, because that's how life is", but that would make absolutely no sense in this case. That kind of stuff is usually reserved for the cases where what's explored in the story is the reactions of the other characters to something like that happening.

Like I said in the tags to my post, I have absolutely no problems with characters dying in fiction. In fact, one of my all-time-favourite stories is in big part about a character trying to deal with the death of another character who was important to them, and in the end dying themselves. But both of those deaths made sense in-universe AND narratively, as they were the logical end points of their respective character arcs and their choices and circumstances.

So, being familiar with Urasawa's writing in general (and even just looking at all other deaths in Monster), I do believe that he must have had at least some reason to kill Grimmer off. I just struggle to see that reason myself, but that may be just because I missed something, which is why I made the post basically asking for help from the fellow fans - because at least someone claimed that they understood the meaning behind that decision, and I want to understand it too. Because not understanding the meaning behind something like that means that I don't understand something about the story and/or the character, and I don't want to just leave it like that if there's a possibility to figure it out.