The Aftermath of the One Ring: Gondor's Fate in LOTR

Highlights

Gondor, the great and long-lasting realm of Men, faced decline and destruction during the War of the One Ring, but its loyalty and resilience allowed it to rise up once again.

After the war, Gondor encountered the sorrowful departure of Boromir and the tragic destiny of Denethor. This left Faramir to assume the role of Prince of Ithilien and the captain of the King's guard.

The arrival of Aragorn brought about a fresh chapter for Gondor. As he ascended to the throne, he successfully united Gondor and Arnor, establishing the Reunited Kingdom and instilling hope and stability in both domains.

In Middle-earth, the Lord of the Rings story features various kingdoms, and one of the notable ones is Gondor. Gondor is esteemed for its strategic location, rich history, and the resilience of its people. It emerged after the fall of Númenor and managed to withstand numerous wars, diseases, and conflicts throughout the centuries. Positioned in the western part of Middle-earth, Gondor is bordered by Rohan, Harad, the Cape of Andrast, the Sea, and Mordor, making it highly connected and significant during troubled times. During the War of the One Ring, Gondor played a crucial role, but what happened to the great kingdom after the war concluded? Despite being a central setting with memorable scenes and characters like Boromir, Faramir, Denethor II, and Prince Imrahil, Gondor experienced its fair share of challenges and uncertainties as it moved forward after the war.

Gondor Before the War of the One Ring

- Gondor, in its prime, was a prosperous and majestic kingdom, inhabited by a proud and diverse population of Men.

- This great land was characterized by its remarkable cities, immense wealth, and a rich heritage that could be traced back to the vanished kingdom of Númenor.

Founded by Isildur and Anarion following their exile from Numenor.

The city of Osgiliath served as its capital, but it was later changed to Minas Tirith

Gondor faced a long period of decline after being struck by plagues, enemy invasions, and other conflicts

Gondor was a kingdom without a king, instead ruled by 30 generations of Stewards

During the time depicted in Lord of the Rings, Gondor was in a state of gradual decline. However, it displayed strong resistance against Sauron's forces. The Battle of Osgiliath saw Boromir and Faramir leading Gondor's forces. Yet, Sauron's army eventually took control of the city, leading to the Siege of Gondor and the Battle of Pelennor Fields. Despite the severe destruction inflicted upon Gondor after the Dark Lord breached the Great Gate, its forces managed to prevent further invasion with assistance from the Rohirrim. In an attempt to distract Sauron from Frodo and Sam, who were near destroying the One Ring, Aragorn led a smaller army to the Black Gate of Mordor. Following the Hobbits' success and Sauron's defeat, the war ended and the Third Age drew to a close.

The Men of Gondor primarily descended from Númenóreans who were exiled and settled in the strategically significant location. They maintained the traditions of the fallen kingdom, although they intermixed with the Men of Middle-earth over the centuries. As Faramir indicates in Tolkien's The Two Towers,

As truth-speakers, the men of Gondor boast sparingly and prioritize action over empty words. "Even if I stumbled upon it on the road, I would not take it," I declared. Regardless of my own desires or lack of clarity about the object in question, I consider these words a sacred vow that I am bound to uphold.

Despite enduring numerous hardships and losing its former glory by the start of Tolkien's trilogy, Gondor consistently demonstrated its ability to rise again. The loyalty, resilience, and other values exhibited by the Gondorians played a crucial role in shaping the destiny of their kingdom after the war.

What Happened to Gondor After the War of the One Ring?

"The War of the One Ring had a profound and enduring impact on Gondor, despite its success in defeating Sauron and destroying the Ring. Gondor paid a heavy price for its victory, enduring death, tragedy, and destruction. Among the losses and hardships suffered by the people of Gondor was the death of Boromir, a valiant and honorable son of Denethor II, who was serving as the Steward of Gondor during the war. Denethor himself met a tragic end, leaving the kingdom in the hands of Faramir, his youngest son. However, Faramir chose a different path and relinquished his role as Steward, instead becoming the Prince of Ithilien and taking command as captain of the King's guard.

The most significant transformation in Gondor following the war came with the rightful return of Aragorn, who claimed the throne and was crowned as King Elessar of Gondor and Arnor. This marked the end of the Stewardship and ushered Gondor onto a new path, brimming with promise. On the day of his coronation, Aragorn proclaimed..."

The day at hand is not the possession of a solitary individual, but rather a shared responsibility for all. Together, let us embark on the task of reconstructing this world, so that we may collectively experience days of harmony and tranquility.

During his reign, Aragorn fostered the revival of the Gondor-Rohan alliance, leading both armies in joint efforts against the Haradrim and the Easterlings. He successfully reestablished Gondor and forged a reunification with its sister kingdom, Arnor, forming the Reunited Kingdom. This pivotal moment held immense significance for both realms, which had long been divided. The union not only served as a beacon of hope for their citizens, but also fortified their front, ensuring a more formidable and stable defense in the face of any potential conflicts ahead.

The Fourth Age, also known as the Age of Men, marked the beginning of Gondor's reconstruction as the Third Age came to a close with Aragorn's coronation. In the absence of the Elves, Men took center stage and assumed the responsibility of ruling their land. Guided by Aragorn's leadership, Gondor embarked on the arduous journey of rebuilding the kingdom and its cities from scratch. Through relentless dedication, the kingdom eventually regained its former power, wealth, and glory, solidifying its legacy as the greatest Kingdom of Men in the realm of Lord of the Rings.

The Lord of the Rings

The Lord of the Rings holds a prominent place in the world of entertainment. Originating from J. R. R. Tolkien's novels, the franchise was later brought to life on the silver screen by Peter Jackson, who crafted one of the most highly acclaimed film trilogies in history. Alongside the films, there have also been several video games based on The Lord of the Rings, each varying in quality.