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Of Thegns and Kings and Rangers and Things - Page 8

© Michael Martinez

And, finally, when Faramir spoke with Eowyn about why she remained in Minas Tirith despite Eomer's repeated requests that she join him at Cormallen, Faramir guessed "you do not go, because only your brother called for you, and to look on the Lord Aragorn, Elendil's heir, in his triumph would now bring you no joy." It should therefore not seem a mistake that Faramir refers to Aragorn as "Chieftain of the Dunedain of Arnor". In fact, why would the people of Gondor care about Aragorn's position as a tribal leader in the north? They had had no contact with Arnor for a thousand years. On the other hand, Aragorn had already established his position as the captain of the Rangers of the north. The Rangers were all Dunedain of Arnor. Arnor no longer existed, but as a royally commissioned force, the Rangers represented the legal authority of the kingdom of Arnor. Furthermore, the last time Gondor awarded the crown to a claimant, he had been a victorius captain in war. Earnil, descendant of Telumehtar Umbardacil, had been Captain of the Southern Army of Gondor during the war with the Wainriders and their allies. When King Ondoher and both his sons died in battle, Earnil, already victorius in the south, rushed north and assumed command of the Northern Army. He routed the enemy and saved Gondor. Earnil was eventually awarded the crown of Gondor at least in part because of his victory. A precedent had therefore been established whereby a claimant of royal blood might be chosen on the basis of his military achievements on behalf of Gondor. Aragorn had entered Gondor as the captain of his small force of Rangers. He had used his authority as the Heir of Isildur to summon the army of the Dead Men of Dunharrow and defeat the Haradrim and Corsairs. He had then taken command of the freed slaves on the ships, expanding his forces. When Angbor of Lamedon and other men of Gondor arrived at Pelargir, they joined Aragorn's growing army. When Aragorn arrived at Minas Tirith he came as a victorious captain of war in charge of Gondorian forces. He then led the Army of the West in its march upon Mordor. So, when Faramir recounted Aragorn's military pedigree for the people of Gondor, he put Aragorn's title of "Chieftain of the Dunedain of Arnor" first, and followed it with "Captain of the Host of the West". Aragorn's military credentials were thus impeccable under Gondor's tradition. He had led Gondorian troops in war, but also came to Gondor as a captain in his own right. He was the captain of the Rangers of the north.

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