The second son of the Steward of Gondor, Faramir is akin to a prince in his realm and for him should be all the privileges and joys of a young man born to such high station. Strong and nimble, Faramir was a bright pupil and, as a man, he is as swift in thought as he is with a blade. As a captain in the Rangers of Gondor, he leads men in battle against the dark threat of Mordor and keeps the lands of Ithilien safe for the people. Yet this brave son of Gondor bears a wound upon his heart that was left by no Orc blade or the arrow of any fallen man of the South. Rather, upon Faramir's spirit resides the scar of a far keener weapon, the lethal edge of his grim father's scorn.

The entrusted lord of Minas Tirith and all Gondor in the absence of a King, Denethor is a hard, proud man who idolizes his oldest son Boromir. Little time does the Steward have for his second son, despite what valor he might show and what successes he might win in his father's name. Denethor's gaze cannot perceive the nobility in any child of his own, save his oldest and dearest, and ever has Faramir walked in the long shadow of his brother. Between the sons, there is great love, for they have much in common and Boromir does not share his father's blindness for Faramir's qualities. Even so, only Denethor has the power to put right this injustice, and during the War of the Ring, his distraction only grows.

With Boromir gone upon an errand of great import, the protection of the realm falls by default to Faramir, though his father would surely choose another, had he such an option. In this time the bright son shows his bravery and foresight time and again, not least of all when he permits Frodo, bearer of the One Ring, to go in peace with the very treasure his father seeks. Though it will prove to have been the only wise choice, with this act Faramir's esteem in his father's eyes falls to a new low, and the flawed old man orders him to a task for which no hope of success can be found and which will almost certainly bring his death. His heart closed and cold, Denethor dwells solely upon the uncertain fate of his first son, while he sends his last to his doom.

WHAT'S IN THE BOX?

The Faramir: Son of Denethor Sixth Scale Figure features: