[*Varda*]

Hm interesting topic.

Firstly, when i read the books, i didn't consider Boromir to be that important a character. After reading these posts my opinion has now changed.

Also, I believe everything happens for a reason. If Boromir went on the quest he was MEANT to go on the quest, therefore it isn't a mistake (excuse the strange logic)

As many people have already mentioned (so i won't repeat it all again) Faramir being on the Quest would have completely different (and potentially disastrous) conseqences (sp?)

I thought it was inevitable and crucial to the storyline that the fellowship was split up (which Boromir partly caused). You can hardly have a wee troop marching through Mordor to get to Mount Doom - Sauron would spot you in no time. And without Aragorn in Gondor at the time, would Gondor have been able to fight against the forces of Mordor? Also the Witch-King would still be alive as Merry wouldn't have been there to help Eowyn. Saruman wouldn't have been kicked out of Isengard because Pippin and Merry would never have met the Ents.

One detail can make a lot of difference.

Hope my insane ramblings made some sense

~~**Varda**~~