Beregond

From Tolkien Gateway
Beregond as portrayed by the Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game

Beregond, son of Baranor, was the first Captain of the White Company, the guard of Faramir of Ithilien. He was appointed to this rank after he saved the life of Faramir during the Siege of Minas Tirith in the later Third Age, as described in The Lord of the Rings.

History

Beregond's fathers originally were from the vales of the White Mountains, most likely in Lossarnach, prior to that they lived in Ithilien. Beregond had two sons, Bergil, who was ten years of age at the time of the War of the Ring, and a younger son named Borlas.

Beregond was a member of the Third Company of the Citadel. He admired Faramir and saw him as a brave warrior and a great leader. Beregond did not travel outside of Minas Tirith often but understood the threat that Sauron posed to the city.

March 9th

On the morning of March 9th, T.A. 3019, Beregond had no other tasks to perform so he was assigned to help Peregrin Took who had just become a Guard of the Citadel. As Beregond had never met a hobbit before, he was eager to meet Pippin and he was astounded that Pippin looked much like a child yet had faced more dangers than most Men of Gondor.

March 13th

On the night of March 13th, Beregond saw a strange light in the tower of Minas Tirith and he believed Denethor was confronting Sauron, and he was correct as the light was that of the palantír.

March 15th

On the morning of March 15th, Beregond was on watch as the sentinel at the gate of the Citadel. Pippin rushed to tell him that Denethor was attempting to burn Faramir alive. Beregond knew his duty of protecting Faramir was more important than to remain at his post so he rushed to his Captain at the Silent Street. The guard to the street would not let him pass and Beregond was forced to kill him so he could enter, he regretted his decision but he was forced to act quickly. Two more servants of Denethor's guard were killed as they attempted to light the funeral pyre. He stood upon the steps with his sword to ward off the rest until Gandalf arrived.

After Faramir was rescued, Denethor would still not give up, and drew a knife to attempt to kill his son, but Beregond stepped forward to block Denethor. Denethor then gave up and set himself on fire and died.

After helping to carry Faramir to the Houses of Healing, Gandalf gave the key to the Closed Door to the injured Faramir. Beregond stood guard over Faramir at the Houses of Healing and was present when he awoke.

March 18th

On March 19th, Beregond left with the Captains of the West to march towards the Black Gate.

March 25th

On March 25th, at the Battle of the Morannon, Beregond stood in the front rank with Pippin when a great Troll-chief rushed in. Beregond was stunned and nearly killed, but Pippin was able to kill the Troll and save Beregond.

Later life

Upon Aragorn II's coronation on May 1st, Beregond was brought forward to receive judgement for leaving his post and for killing the Denethor's guards on hallowed ground. The penalty would have been death, but the King showed mercy as the deeds were done out of love for Faramir. For his bravery in battle, Aragorn appointed him the Captain of the Guard of Faramir, which was also called the White Company. He later went to live in Emyn Arnen in Ithilien to serve his lord, Faramir, the new Prince of Ithilien.

Etymology

"Beregond" may stem from beren meaning "bold" and gond meaning "stone".

References