TV - Movies
How Long Did
Lord Of The Ring's
Gondor Go
Without A King?
By MIKE WORBY
Fans of “Lord of the Rings” love both the movies and the books, but many may not realize just how deep and complex the lore of Middle Earth truly is. For instance, it’s clear that Denethor is currently ruling over Gondor in “The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King,” but it’s unclear how long he’s been in charge, and why the kingdom doesn’t have a royal ruler of its own.
It turns out Denethor is in charge because the previous king of the realm, Earnur, gave him the title of Steward of Gondor. Earnur had been challenged to a dual by the Witch King of Angmar, a dangerous foe serving the evil Sauron, and sadly, Earnur was never heard from again, leaving Denethor to rule over Gondor for 35 years.
Aragorn, the rightful ruler, was happy to leave the throne in the hands of Denethor, preferring the free life of a hunter and warrior. However, when Denethor succumbs to madness and dies to the forces of Sauron, Aragorn becomes the new king of Gondor — as the only living heir to Isildur, the throne should be his and so things have been set right at last.