The Two Towers

Faramir speaks with Frodo, learning that he travelled with Boromir. Frodo carefully avoids mentioning the Ring or Boromir’s betrayal. He describes how the company set out from Rivendell and then he and Sam separated from the rest of the group. Faramir presses him for more details about Boromir, eventually revealing that Boromir is dead and that he was his brother. Sam indignantly defends Frodo, admonishing Faramir for his suspicion. Frodo is worried, concerned that Faramir might be as prideful as his brother and will try to take the Ring from him. However, he agrees to follow Faramir and his men to the secret refuge of Henneth Annûn to rest for the night.

As they walk through the forests of Ithilien, Faramir speaks privately with Frodo. He says that he learned from Gandalf, called Mithrandir in Gondor, that the prophecy Boromir received about Isildur’s Bane might refer to a powerful heirloom or weapon created by Sauron. He promises Frodo that he is not the sort of man who would seek to use this power for his own glory: Faramir fights only to defend his people, not because he enjoys or admires warfare. Frodo remains uncertain if he can trust Faramir.

As they approach Henneth Annûn, the hobbits are blindfolded so that they cannot reveal its location. They are led to a waterfall and through a tunnel that opens up into a grotto behind the waterfall. Here, Frodo and Sam rest and are given food and drink. Faramir asks for more information about their journey and Frodo shares the story of how Gandalf was seemingly killed by the Balrog. Sam also shares some information about their companions. They discuss Aragorn, who Frodo reveals is the true heir to the throne of Gondor, while Faramir and Boromir were descended from the stewards.

Sam accidentally mentions the Ring, and then rapidly realizes his mistake. Faramir is alarmed to realize that the Ring is the weapon he speculated they had, but he keeps his word and does not attempt to take it or use it.

That night, Frodo is awoken by Faramir and taken to a ledge outside by the waterfall. Sam follows, having noticed Frodo’s absence. Faramir shows them that there is a dark shape down in the pool at the bottom of the waterfall. Frodo looks into the dark and sees a figure on all fours who appears to be catching fish. Faramir offers to having his men shoot and kill the interloper, but Frodo intervenes, admitting that Gollum is bound to him because he also bore the Ring and has served as their guide. While a part of Frodo wishes that Gollum could be killed, he also feels that Gandalf would not like them to shoot a defenseless and unaware creature.

Frodo offers to go down and lure Gollum away from the pool if Faramir will agree to spare his life. He commands Gollum to leave the fish; Gollum resists until Frodo invokes the Ring. When Gollum follows him, Faramir’s men jump out of hiding and seize Gollum, which Frodo regretfully realizes will feel like a terrible betrayal of trust.

Faramir interrogates the captive Gollum about where he is leading the hobbits, eventually ascertaining that it is the pass of Cirith Ungol. He tells Frodo that this is near to the stronghold Minas Morgol, where the 9 Nazgûl came from. While Faramir tries to warn Frodo that an unknown danger might lurk in this route, Frodo is determined to try, since there is no other option that will get him into Mordor.

Faramir decides to allow Frodo to leave freely and to spare Gollum’s life as long as he remains under Frodo’s protection. He hopes that one day he and Frodo will meet again and he can tell the entire tale of how Gollum came to have a connection to the Ring.

Faramir allows Frodo, Sam, and Gollum to leave the cave behind the waterfall the following morning. He gives Frodo and Sam new provisions for their journey, but insists that Gollum be blindfolded as he is led out. The hobbits depart, walking through Ithilien toward the vale of Minas Morgul. Faramir warns them not to drink from the stream that passes through that land, since it is polluted by proximity to the Nazgûl. As Frodo and Sam walk, they notice that the beauty of Ithilien grows darker and less vibrant. The closer they get to Mordor, the more oppressive and dark the atmosphere becomes. Gollum vanishes during their rest one night, and then returns, urging them to hurry.

They reach a path called the Crossroads which they will take into the vale and begin to walk along it furtively, trying not to be spotted. As they walk, Frodo sees some statues of old kings of Gondor by the side of the road. The statues have been decapitated and their heads have been replaced by a rock painted with a red eye, designating Sauron. However, in the light of the setting sun, Frodo notices that on the fallen stone heads of the old kings, flowers have grown around their brows like crowns. He feels a brief hope that good will win out and retake these lands eventually, but the world around him continues to grow darker.