#We can all unite in supporting faramir

[scarletkaoru]

are you a legolas girlie? Are you an aragorn girlie?

neither

where are my faramir girlies at? I’ve been obsessed with that pathetic wet cat of a man since he first got a pov

[brujitaadinbo]

I've been picking up some Tolkien reading again; I am a fan of his writing and I remembered some verses from the most beautiful love story for me in the entire Tolkien universe; after Faramir and Eowyn, the story of Luthien and Beren; a story that crosses all barriers for love.

So when I go back to the story of both characters; How Luthien's love for Beren is so strong (and it's a two-way connection) When Beren falls into the clutches of her captors, Luthien fights with all her might, against everyone who held her and was against her love for Beren, even her father.

How to reach your loved one to save him.

Somehow it made me remember this point and relate it to another universe that I love (and I don't care what other people say) star wars

SW has a lot of Tolkien and it is evident that its female characters exude strength, especially if the fight is for someone or something they love.

When this universe begins with episodes 4, 5 and 6 Leia develops this complicated relationship with Han, but love somehow unites them, thanks to strength and destiny.

She ends up rescuing him even when she is also captured, but her feelings make her throw herself into danger for him

Later, on another SW bridge, one of my favorite couples in this universe develops within the conflict. Kanan and Hera; a couple that I believe is one of the healthiest and best developed. Love was always his hook and compass

When he ends up being captured, Hera does not hesitate at any time to go to his rescue, convincing the entire gang that "just because they are family"

Actually; You could see Hera's need to go rescue her boy. And when she is captured, Kanan does not hesitate to find her and save her.

After; My favorite shipment appears and what I love most recently. A pair of stubborn and deluded Mandalorians, who don't know how to interact in this matter of feelings, but who unconsciously help and support each other. Bo Katan no longer wanted to know anything about this man with silver beskar, he was already resigned, but love seems to have other plans for them.

The force moved its pieces and destiny helped in this play. Din Djarin almost ended up saying goodbye to this universe but Grogu went in search of the most trustworthy person and the one he knew would help them, because Bo has a special affection for that green boy and a stronger feeling for his Mandalorian father.

And he throws himself against the danger and pain of memories and seeing Mandalore fallen. And it continues like this on constant occasions when she is able to save him and keep him safe. This is how they show affection to each other and this is how he swears that he will be close to her.

And finally; the couple that no one understands and that many do not support (but I don't give a damn, the fandom of this shipment exists and we agree that they are very good at being together) Separated by conflict and circumstance; The force has different ways of acting, but that does not mean that mutual feelings disappear, especially if destiny brings them closer again. Sabine and Ezra are in a constant struggle, even with their own feelings, but even when he is far away, she never stops thinking about him.

When the promises made are there, she sets out to fulfill them and see him again, make him come home. Leaving aside everything and sacrificing the safety of an entire galaxy; a selfish impulse but that can only be done out of desperation to have it close, love sometimes makes you act unconsciously.

The only thing you can do is let yourself go. Being captured is the only way to get to him. And that's how they find each other, they manage to see each other, even when they have to separate again.

Luthien and Beren's story is similar to many of these stories of the couples I love in SW We can agree that light, love, strength and destiny are always there to cross your paths. And they will manage to love each other (or already did) or be together in their own way.

This is the way.

[torchwood-99]

Some Favourite Farawyn Quotes From Faramir

 'You will be better prepared to face it in your own manner, if while there is still time you do as the Healer commanded. You and I, we must endure with patience the hours of waiting.'

Faramir is meeting Eowyn on her own terms. He isn't telling her to rest or stay back from the battle because the battle isn't the right place for her, but because she will achieve her ends, and face battle if it comes, better if she recovers while she can.

He also puts his money where his mouth is, for unlike all the other men who ordered Eowyn to stay back, Faramir is doing likewise. Already, he speaks to her as a fellow at arms, someone who is in the same boat as him.

'It may be that only a few days are left ere darkness falls upon our world, and when it comes I hope to face it steadily; but it would ease my heart, if while the Sun yet shines, I could see you still. For you and I have both passed under the wings of the Shadow, and the same hand drew us back.'

Faramir is noticing the similarities between himself and Eowyn. He recognises that she has gone through an experience much like his own, and believes they can be a support to each other.

Eowyn, as a woman in a very patriarchal society, has been othered. She has not had the rights or liberties as her closest peers, such as her brother, and has been on the sidelines, always chosen to take on the tasks that require "valour without renown" against her own will.

Faramir knows Eowyn is a woman. He knows she is a beautiful woman and a vulnerable woman. But this doesn't preclude him from also recognising her strength, or seeing how they might be united as comrades.

'You desired to have the love of the Lord Aragorn. Because he was high and puissant, and you wished to have renown and glory and to be lifted far above the mean things that crawl on the earth. And as a great captain may to a young soldier he seemed to you admirable.'

No jealousy as to Eowyn's attraction to Aragorn. He gets it.

He also recognises Eowyn as a solider, he sees that part of who she is.

'But I do not offer you my pity. For you are a lady high and valiant and have yourself won renown that shall not be forgotten; and you are a lady beautiful, I deem, beyond even the words of the Elven-tongue to tell.'

Faramir does pity Eowyn to start with. The first thing he feels for her is pity. And while he pitied her "sorrows", in time he ceased to pity her. And one of the reasons why he doesn't pity her is because of her valour, her accomplishments in battle, in the renown she has longed for and has now gained.

He does not rebuke her or chastise her for breaking the rules, for going against the expectations of her sex, for giving up unrewarded duty in favour of renown. He loves her for them, and her accomplishments, her deeds, won enough of his respect and admiration that it outlasted any pity he felt for her.

He doesn't tolerate Eowyn defying gender conventions, he doesn't teach her a lesson about doing what she is told. He loves for the things she has accomplished, knowing full well the orders and conventions she went against to achieve them.

'Yet I will wed with the White Lady of Rohan, if it be her will. And if she will, then let us cross the River and in happier days let us dwell in fair Ithilien and there make a garden. All things will grow with joy there, if the White Lady comes.'

Twice he emphasises Eowyn's will. After a lifetime of living a life of obedience, of doing what she is told and going where she is told, until she cannot stand it any longer and she snaps, Faramir is putting her will above all else.

He also speaks of their lives in Ithilien as a partnership. Once more he doesn't draw a line between himself as the man, and Eowyn as the woman. They will cross the River and go to Ithilien, and they will build a garden there.

The only time he doesn't speak of them as a unit, is when he is placing emphasis on Eowyn's will, and Eowyn's impact on the world around them.

Eowyn isn't going as Faramir's support staff. She isn't going to cheer him on from the shadows as he achieves great things, doing the labour no one notices to allow him to do so, as she has been expected to do before. She will not be shut in the house, shut in the cage, but out there, bringing life back to their land.

Eowyn will make things grow, Eowyn will rehabilitate Ithilien after a long and bloody war. Eowyn's arrival will bring joy. She will be seen, her efforts will be noted. She will stand his partner and on her own, the White Lady.

Before this, Eowyn, cold, formal Eowyn, calls him friend.

 'Lose what you have found, lord?' she answered; but she looked at him gravely and her eyes were kind. 'I know not what in these days you have found that you could lose. But come, my friend, let us not speak of it!'

This scene can be seen as her rebuffing Faramir, or missing his romantic attraction, but that she calls him friend, that she feels she can call him friend, is significant.

Eowyn has served her king, has (mostly) been obedient to her brother, and revered Aragorn, and has been looked up to as a member of the royal house. She hasn't had anyone stand next to her as an equal.

Even when she took Merry into battle with her, she was removed from him, and had to do so in secret. Later, at their parting, she speaks to Merry of their friendship, and joins Eomer in embracing him. As her final scene in the book, it shows how great her transformation has been from the beginning, where she is left standing alone, watching all the brothers at arms ride away together, united in camaraderie.

And her calling Faramir friend is a massive step towards that endgame. It's the first time she names another her friend, because he is the first to treat her like a friend.

Faramir sees Eowyn as entire person in her own right. She is not just an extension of her male kin, she does not just exist in relationship to them or even to Faramir's feelings.

At the same time, he doesn't see her as someone completely removed from himself, he doesn't use her gender to other her. He sees the similarities between them, he speaks of the experiences they have endured and will endure together. He plans for a future where they are a team. She is his love and his comrade at arms, and she is his love because she is his comrade at arms.

[lesbiansforboromir]

You REALLY ARE SO RIGHT like, well I mean I do not want to give Boromir too much benefit to be fair. Inspite of it being a partially middle-man-supportive move, being so tied to the military is still not an inherently good thing and it is possible that (in this scenario) the end of the war with Sauron creates unique political issues for Boromir as Steward. His main supporters have less sway in a country that is no longer at war, and we have to admit that Boromir himself likely still holds a too lofty opinion of men at war along with probably a pretty shot sense of danger, which could see him making some pretty terrible decisions down the line.

(Which oh my god we could talk forever about how fascinatingly crafted the whole connection between middle-men and the military is, how it gives such credence to the racist ideology of the dunadain, how it creates traps and pitfalls within any possible anti-racist movement where activists must both engage with the military as something positive because it and middle-men are indelibly linked now, whilst also not falling for any jingoistic rhetoric that can be then preyed upon by opponents as 'proof' of the corrupting nature of middle-men having 'aspirations above their station', no matter that it was the dunadain who started all the for-profit wars of Gondor in the first place) BUT I DIGRESS

I am still inclined to believe, even with the dangers of Boromir's Stewardship, where the people of Gondor are concerned his would be a far better option to Faramir's, or Aragorn's kingship. Especially yes precisely, in a world that is having to accept that elven and valinorean influence is fading! Aragorn is really just a stop-gap, a stagnation just as Lothlorien is a stagnation of time, essentially halting any progress that might have been made and making all the world even less capable of accepting change by the time it becomes inevitable.

Which, you are so right, is something Denethor I think understands to some degree. Like he himself is faithful, he is dunadan through and through and he has held all the racist beliefs that come with those aspects, he couldnt be the one to bring change. But he can also see it from a different perspective, especially now as he is watching Faramir play out the motions of intense faithfulness and investment in one's dunadan heritage whilst knowing where that takes someone. Again, they are 'too alike' to get along. Denethor is so desperately trying to reach Faramir, make him understand that he is hurting people, but Faramir will not listen and Denethor knows why he won't listen, he has made the same mistakes in the past. Whether he agrees with Boromir's politics or not, they are united in goal and it makes their disagreements much more manageable and without bad blood.

I don't think Boromir could be called humble per se, I do not think being humble would even be considered a recognisably desirable trait in the nobility of Gondor. But absolutely canonically he is more accessible, he's just easier for anyone to talk too, as Eomer confirms. Oh and Pippin too of course! Who gives us what I would call the least biased description of the differences between the two brothers, Boromir is kind but Faramir is high and noble, so yes distant.

Categorically the most galling part of this universal perception that Boromir is a 'poor out-of-his-depth himbo whose completely ignorant of politics' is how it is blindingly canonically apparent that he put massive effort into being a political entity, to the point that his political opinions follow him even into the Council of Elrond.

Without the Council of Elrond, one could interpret his narrative positioning as a more 'Middle Man' and less 'high' as something forced upon him, a (narratively framed) negative aspect of his character that Faramir is critisising and lamenting as just 'part of his nature'. He is being associated with the Rohirrim and other 'lesser' men because he is also a 'lesser' man inspite of his heritage, due to his 'flawed' and 'weak-willed' personality.

Although that is still a bit of a stilted and awkward interpretation in my opinion, Eomer explicitely differentiates Boromir's treatment and manner around the Rohirrim from other men of Gondor he has known. He is 'less grim' etc etc, Eomer felt more at ease in his company, which implies to me more that Boromir interacted with the Rohirrim as equals, unlike most of this kin. Which seems more likely to be an active effort on his part.

But interpretations based off of that are entirely unnecessary, because the Council of Elrond exists! Where Boromir, when confronted with Aragorn's mistrust of the Rohirrim and Gwaihir's accusation that they pay a tribute of horses to Sauron, immediately and comfortably comes to their staunch defense. 'It is a lie that comes from the Enemy' he declares, literally pointing out propeganda that all these elves and dunadain are primed to believe given their own investment in the racial divide between them and these 'middle men'. A primer that also belongs to Boromir, whose place amongst the 'high men' is a right bestowed on him from birth, yet one he is actively discarding here in favour of defending the Rohir perspective.

And not only that! He even goes so far as to place the rohirrim's ethnic and cultural heritage as a reason for their trustworthiness, inspite of the fact that they cannot claim any relation to any so called 'blessed' lineage. They come from 'the free days of old', a statement that is similar to one of Faramir's but that, tellingly, Faramir uses as a method of infantilising the rohirrim 'they remind us of the youth of Men'.

These are all inherently and radically political statements for the heir of the Stewardship, the man next in line to be chieftain of the southern dunadain, to declare, especially when acting as emissary as he is now.

So now, all those moments when Boromir is linked directly with middle men, when his right to his 'high' heritage is questioned, when he is critisised with the same racially charged language as the rohirrim are (too warlike, "we are become Middle Men, of the Twilight, but with memory of other things" [-] "So even was my brother, Boromir") - all of that is now on purpose, on Boromir's part. He is the one distancing himself from the title of 'high' and questioning it's validity in the process, something Faramir clearly disapproved of and was a part of the breakdown in his respect for him. (Understandable, considering Faramir's equal and opposite effort to reclaim the title of 'high' for himself and his people.) Boromir is, essentially, engaging in some kind of racial-hierarchy criticism/abolishionism and activism.

That is not to say that his political opinions all entirely pass muster, he does still engage in racist rhetoric at least once, calling Gondor's eastern enemies 'the wild folk of the east'. But within the context of his own country and it's ethnic diversity, his position is maverick in comparison to pretty much everyone else.

And before anyone says it, let me head off comments like 'Boromir was just being himself, he didn't even know it was political he was just that stupid but I love him for it' No. Boromir's reputation in Gondor was complex and multifacetted but a great many people loved and supported him, clearly we see that there was a divide in political opinion between the two brother's stances on war and society. What you are essentially saying here is that Faramir is such a dull-witted statesman that he was incapable of swaying opinion his way against someone who didn't even know he was a part of the discussion, who wasnt even involved in the debates, against a high society that based their cultural identity on being descended from racially superior Numenoreans. The historical perspective is heavily weighted in Faramir's favour.

The much more likely state of affairs is that Boromir and Faramir have both been working towards their own social change and against each other, causing an opinion divide within the country. And apparently Boromir has not been losing that fight, even if he hasn't been definitively winning it either. Some people call him reckless where Faramir is measured, others say Faramir is not bold enough, Denethor himself claims Faramir is placing his desire for nobility and 'high-ness' over the safety of himself and his people. Culturally Gondor is going in for more pursuits of war-sports (wrestling perhaps) and the adulation of the soldiers that defend them, above the men of lore if Faramir is to be believed.

Society is changing around this debate and Boromir is actively, purposefully and directly involved in that debate! Hells bells, he even describes a part of how he works in the political sphere to Frodo! 'Where there are so many, all speech becomes a debate without end. But two together may perhaps find wisdom.' Boromir is!!! A politician!! On purpose!!

The neutral political position of 'Heir to the Stewardship' given to him by his birth is so ludicrously weighted towards faithful that the effort it must have taken to push the needle and associate with the middle men as such a divisive yet loved figure is MASSIVE. Boromir believed the Rohirrim and middle men of Gondor were his social equals and counted them amongst his people and that was a stance he upheld in PARLIMENT! Stop!! Acting like he's just a blockheaded soldier who cares about nothing else- he cares!! He cares a lot!! Professionally in fact!!

[senadimell]

Boromir for the character ask?

send me a character and i’ll list:

favorite thing about them: Honestly? His focus. He's a problem-solver. He focuses on whatever task is in front of him, and while he's the golden child, I honestly don't know if he'd be the best fit for Steward because he seems to be at his best when he's thinking about concrete solutions to discrete problems.

Oh! The other thing is that he evaluates the advice given to him for what it is, not based on the authority of the advisor. He’s not going to accept bad advice just because it comes from a trustworthy source, and he’s going to be honest about his thoughts. So he’ll trust and respect the advice of the council of Elrond, but not to the point where he doesn’t ask questions or question things that don’t make sense (I’m thinking about Caradhras here) It’s a good skill to have as the de-facto heir to Gondor, and it makes sense that he’s not in awe of elves or Gandalf and acts among them as a guest but also as an equal at least in political status, though his experience is vastly more limited.

At the same time, he’s not arrogant or haughty. He's a team player. He’s supportive of decisions for the most part, though where the ring is concerned, things get skewy. He’s not the kind of person to rub mistakes back in your face. He’s compassionate and understanding (which we see even in the way he treats Frodo as he strives for the Ring).

least favorite thing about them: Honestly Boromir doesn’t bother me in the slightest. I suppose his positive traits are also double-edged swords. Focusing more on the advice than the giver sort of has Feanor vibes? And you can see where his focus leads him when he talks to Frodo about why he wants the ring and how he would use it. He can see his corner of the world (Gondor) and his place in saving it (political, but primarily military leadership), and it’s his practicality, drive, and focus that the Ring exploits. He’s too busy thinking about what he must do to save the day that he misses the grander scheme (yet he’s doing it because he cares! he cares!).

brOTP: Um, Faramir, I guess. Though I guess it’d be kinda sweet if he’s got a brotherly relationship with Bergil. I can easily imagine Bergil hero-worshipping Boromir, and so I think it’d be sweet if Boromir did acknowledge him and know him by name.

OTP: none? look, I rarely ship and even more rarely out of canon.

nOTP: also none? Shelob? The Ring?

random headcanon: I dunno...

unpopular opinion: boromir has dark hair Sean Bean is an actor he’s not the only face

So I feel like there’s a bit of a structural problem with the LotR fandom. Characters are often written in pairs or as foils, and inevitably the comparison starts to turn towards “who’s better?” Then, if you don’t ship them, there’s a tendency to aggrandize one character’s virtues and minimize their flaws (which tends to happen everywhere), but then the comparison game starts. Because they have a paired character, the natural next step is to lionize your favorite by de-emphasizing the other character’s strengths and virtues (and sometimes also highlighting their flaws). (I’m not immune to this by far, btw, and am possibly about to engage in it.)

This happen the most with Frodo and Sam, but I think you also see it in Boromir and Faramir. Because obviously, in the books, Faramir is the golden child. Not in his father’s eyes, of course, but narratively speaking. And I have mad respect for him.

Most people don’t try and diss Faramir (because frankly. it’s hard. like, what are you going to say?), but there’s a tendency to downplay the fact that Boromir is his culture’s golden child, and Faramir...isn’t. Which isn’t to say Faramir isn’t beloved by those who know him, but his strengths are not valued in the same way that Boromir’s are. Faramir knows this. And given Boromir’s attitudes discussed above (how confidently he assumes his position in the world), I can’t believe he’s the 100% supportive, loving, sensitive, protective brother that fanon depicts him as. I don’t see how he can be.

Don’t get me wrong, I do believe the brothers love each other deeply. But growing up with siblings has taught me that it’s possible to love someone and yet be deeply wounded by them due to the casual and inescapable intimacy of your relationship? You can share more inside jokes and weird stories than anyone, yet you can never get away from how deeply they know you--not your thoughts, but who you are at home and who you were when you were seven and how you acted when someone broke up with you or what you did when your parents were furious.

You also know exactly how you match up against them, because you will always exist as a unit. And because your relationship is as natural as the lens  in your eye (you can’t imagine viewing the world without it), you forget about the other as a person and just say something and don’t think about how it hurts them. You can joke about this one thing and your sibling can carry around the hurt for years and you didn’t even know. And maybe the hurt isn’t even your fault--maybe they were just sensitive and you had no way of knowing, but the hurt doesn’t go away for the lack of malice. And even best-friend siblings are capable of malice towards each other at times.

So Boromir is good at things that Faramir isn’t, and Boromir knows it. He’s probably ribbed his brother in what he thinks is a playful way about when you’re going to shape up, or do X, or do Y, or why do you do that, anyways, or do you realize that’s a little unbecoming? maybe you should stop that. You know Father’s going to think that you’re... And he doesn’t realize how those slights can add up over the years. I do think he’s said things to his peers about his brother that have ended up hurting him. No matter how pure and nice he is, that sort of thing is unavoidable, and due to his cultural upbringing I don’t actually think he’d question the appropriateness of his attitude/acceptance and glorification of martial prowess at the expense of those who don’t have it in the same degree.

I think this passage is really telling:

For on the eve of the sudden assault a dream came to my brother in a troubled sleep; and afterwards a like dream came oft to him again, and once to me. 'In that dream I thought the eastern sky grew dark and there was a growing thunder, but in the West a pale light lingered, and out of it I heard a voice, remote but clear, crying:          Seek for the Sword that was broken:          In Imladris it dwells;          There shall be counsels taken          Stronger than Morgul-spells.          There shall be shown a token          That Doom is near at hand,          For Isildur's Bane shall waken,          And the Halfling forth shall stand. Of these words we could understand little, and we spoke to our father, Denethor, Lord of Minas Tirith, wise in the lore of Gondor. This only would he say, that Imladris was of old the name among the Elves of a far northern dale, where Elrond the Halfelven dwelt, greatest of lore-masters. Therefore my brother, seeing how desperate was our need, was eager to heed  the  dream and seek for  Imladris; but since the way was full of doubt and danger, I took the journey upon myself. Loth was my father to  give  me leave, and long have I wandered by roads forgotten, seeking the house of Elrond, of which many had heard, but few knew where it lay.' 

There’s so much you can read into this. Faramir has this dream, and he has it many times. We know he’s a lover of lore and no less devoted to his kingdom than Boromir, though his love is expressed differently. He is “eager” to heed the dream. So would I if I was having prophecy dreams all the time.

But is Faramir a member of the fellowship? No. Why? Because Boromir “took it upon himself.” He wanted to do it, he thought himself the better candidate (and Faramir the worse), and he argued his way into doing it against his father’s wishes. Coupled with Denethor’s later attitude towards Boromir, I’m inclined to believe Boromir was uniquely able to obtain this quest for himself because Denethor has a soft spot for him.

I find myself inclined to disregard Boromir’s account of Faramir’s motive (”how desparate was our need”), because it sounds like he’s justifying the appropriateness of his actions.  If it’s just about the great need of the kingdom, it’s nothing personal that one brother goes and the other stays. That view implies  that Faramir’s interest in this mission is primarily utilitarian in purpose, with a little academic curiosity--that is, it’s nothing personal. Doesn’t matter who goes! Not as long as we protect the kingdom! Which...just doesn’t square with his description of Faramir having repeatedly cryptic dreams that he wants to understand. I can almost guarantee that Faramir wants to know what those dreams meant more than Boromir.

It’s a bit tragic, because ultimately Faramir was more suited for the quest than Boromir (tramping about in the wilderness doesn’t seem to be a problem, he’s also a team player, and he’s much more willing to accept the power of the Ring/not downplay its personal danger, and would be able to see it in a bigger picture beyond just Gondor). Ultimately, though, if Boromir was the one to catch Frodo in Ithillien, the story would have a veeeeeeery different ending. (Gollum would likely be dead, and I can’t imagine he’d be inclined to just. let Frodo and Sam go free.)

I kind of view their relationship as a much less antagonistic version of Agravain and Gwalchmai from Gillian Bradshaw. (Agravain is more of a jerk than I can ever imagine Boromir being, and has a wicked temper). 

Also none of this is to say that I don’t think he’s not protective of his brother.

So a lot of words to say: I don’t think the Boromir and Faramir relationship is as uwu cinnamon roll as it seems in fandom. I think they loved each other, but I think Boromir did have a tendency to take what he wanted when he thought he deserved it and not give it a second thought, even when it was at the expense of his brother. Sure, he’d defend his brother night and day, but I expect him to be a bit of a jerk, be unaware of the extent of his behavior, and also see little wrong with it (the ring quest seems to have crossed a line, by the way he justifies it).

Still, they do love each other deeply and genuinely. It’s just a little more conflicted.

song i associate with them: Requiem, from Dear Evan Hanson. Not a particularly creative association (and I don’t associate him with Connor at all), but his death comes as such a shock at the beginning of TTT and brings with it so many mixed feelings due to both their relationship and the circumstances of his death. Nobody’s mourning is straightforward: not Frodo, or Denethor, or Faramir, or Aragorn, or Merry, or Pippin. His absense is woven throughout TTT and even RotK, in plot and in emotion and in theme.

favorite picture of them:

Don’t really have a favorite, but this one is nice.

The Sean Bean runners-up: one, two

[glatisants]

Albion: The Legend of Arthur (Part II of XIII)

Part II: First Among Equals

Where we left off, the warriors were victorious, Gododdin joined the alliance, and Anna was awaiting execution. We open with the soldiers are celebrating their victory in the camp, drinking and telling stories.

There are these two soldiers, sentries (I think?) named Griff and Cled, who pop up every now and then to commentate. At the end of the previous episode, Cled encountered the mad beggar. As the soldiers help themselves to a feast, he goes out and shares some of his food with the man.

Alone in her cell, Anna desperately prays that she will be able to stand against the tyranny of kings and begs for God to not forsake her.

Lewdwn is negotiating with the other lords. He asks to be able to keep Bryneich as well as his own territory, so he can better defend the North. When Ambrosius asks for their input, Gwenhywvar, Owain and Arthur all support his request, and he is granted the land. As he leaves, he invites all to join him for a feast at his house.

Cynon scoffs at the decision, saying they should have just taken the entire North, but Ambrosius tells him that would have been foolish; Lewdwn needs to appear strong to his own people, for if he was overthrown by a rival they would have to go to war with all of Gododdin, and other houses might take the opportunity to rebel as well, leaving them all vulnerable to the Saxons. 

Ambrosius reprimands Owain, as well, for trying to come to Anna’s defense; he tells him that a traitor’s defiance is dangerous, and that she could very well become a figurehead for revolt. “She must bow before us or be destroyed, there is no other way,” he says.

He addresses the debt they owe Gwenhwyvar for her aid, and wants to know what she would ask of them. She replies that peace is all she asks for, but if he can, he might try to save Anna, as well.

Ambrosius talks with his advisor, Aergol, alone, and admits that he loves his son but wishes he was more like Arthur. They discuss Ambrosius’ plans for succession, and agree that Arthur is the obvious choice, and that they need to get the other lords accustomed to the idea.

With the council over, Arthur goes off with Owain and Cynon, and tries to get them to drink and make merry. Neither are interested. Cynon wants a clear head and leaves to make his preparations for departure. Owain warns Arthur to keep an eye on Cynon. Cynon then complains about Arthur to his old former wet-nurse, Blodwyn. His father doesn’t pay nearly as much attention to him as he does to Arthur, and Cynon hopes that Arthur will die.

The lords all go to eat at Lewdwn’s, and speak of the future of their people. The plan is to go back to Valentia to return the Kingstone, then to turn to their borders. The Saxons have been pressing at the South while their attention’s been elsewhere, and an enemy of theirs, Faramir the Black, apparently has a stronghold at Cantware.

We get the story of Vortigern the Usurper: When challenged by the Picts, the Britons went to Rome for aid, and with their backs turned, Vortigern brought in the Saxons. 

Lewdwn heard that Vortigern the Usurper was burnt to death at his own castle when it was struck by lightning, and asks Ambrosius about the truth of it, since the latter seized power right after his death. Aergol says that he believes the story to be true, but “in this country, one finds that even the thunderbolts must as for the say-so of Ambrosius before they strike.” Lewdwn is angered by the comment, but keeps quiet, and the feast ends shortly after that.

After they leave Lewdwn’s, Owain is solemn and still hoping they can help Anna. Arthur drunkenly tells him that he needs to get laid, and offers to help him find a lady, or a lad if he prefers. They argue, and after Arthur jokes about how he should go fuck Cynon, Owain has enough and leaves. Shortly afterwards, Gwenhwyvar shows up to see Arthur; they talk and flirt, and end up sleeping together.

Some time later, Owain comes looking for Arthur, hoping he’ll come with him to see Anna, but when he can’t find him, he goes alone. Anna tells him that Arthur has likely hardened his heart to the inevitable, even though they were each other’s first loves, and it’s painful to love someone like that. She’s grateful for Owain’s kindness, and says he was always sweet and it’s a miracle he’s still alive; he replies that he does as he’s told, and he fights well, to which she says that she can’t do either. She says that she can’t change her mind about how she feels about war, and she believes that Ambrosius will not rule them well bc he’s just interested in power. Under him, nothing unites the people but fear, and it’s a choice between “loyalty or death; silver or the sword.” She could try if she knew they were united by something they could stand for, but she can’t live with the lie. Uncomfortable, Owain leaves, but says he’ll try to see her again.

“When they cast me from the clifftops tomorrow,” Anna says, “I was thinking that if the angels don’t catch me as I fall, perhaps the morgens will see me safe in the water.”

Post-coitus, Arthur tells Gwen he plans to go after Medraut. Gwen just looks forward to a long peace; she lost too many good men to this long campaign. She warns him that as his uncle’s favorite, he’ll have much to do, and will likely not have much time to pursue revenge. In the meantime, she wants to do right by Gododdin.

Gwen runs into Owain as he’s leaving the dungeon, and goes in to see Anna. Gwen tells her that she doesn’t care if she lives or dies, but she’s worried about the peace she threatens, and is angry that the lives of her 400 slain men could go to waste. Anna calls her a puppet, and her and her people mercenaries, but Gwen warns her that Ambrosius will do everything in his power to prevent her from becoming a martyr, and that if he has his way she’ll only be remembered as weak, misguided, and manipulated by Medraut, or otherwise forgotten. Gwen says that her death will do nothing for Anna’s dreams of a just and better future, and she can only have a part in it if she is alive. Otherwise, those who remain will have to pay the consequences for her selfishness. Incensed, Anna dismisses her.

The next morning, Arthur goes looking for Owain and is ambushed by an assassin, a 15-year-old peasant boy. Arthur spares him, but tells his uncle about the attempt. When Arthur does find Owain, the latter’s still annoyed with him. Arthur apologizes and tries to renew their friendship, saying he’d gladly die by his side any day, but Owain’s not having it.

Owain then goes to Ambrosius to talk about Anna. Ambrosius warns him that he’s betraying his weakness, and while he cares for Owain like a son, he is too soft-hearted. He shows Owain the assassin’s blade and tells him about the assassination attempt. He claims that Anna’s defiance has emboldened her people, and things will only get worse from here.

Lewdwn comes to Anna, and she willingly goes out to meet her captors. After some hesitation, she apologizes: “I said what I said out of a desire for a just peace and a free Gododdin. I stand by that desire. But it has been made clear to me in my captivity that the peace we have is a peace worth protecting.”

Ambrosius approves of her contrition, but the attack on Arthur changed things, and while he can forgive her, an example needs to be made. Lewdwn announces her fate—she will be lashed to a wagon and pushed into the sea. Anna begs Arthur to see the truth of what kind of ruler his uncle is, and then yells that she will welcome her death.

Everyone goes out to the cliffs for Anna’s execution. She keeps her ideals to the end, condemning Ambrosius’ idea of justice. She calls out to Arthur and Owain, and tells them they don’t have to follow in his footsteps. She screams for God to help her as she is thrown from the cliff.

The people gathered begin to leave. Owain lingers, and Arthur tells him that it was the only thing his uncle could have done. Cynon catches Owain alone and comments that he doesn’t believe Arthur is writing her off that easily and that he’s hiding how he feels. He then notices that Owain is crying, and advises him to wipe the tears from his cheeks and blame it on the rain, before Ambrosius sees.