[Formendacil]

One almost has to wonder...

What state was Boromir's military reputation in? Remember, Boromir left for Rivendell soon after losing the Bridge of Osgiliath to the Witchking. Now, obviously, anyone in the army would have been rather hard-pressed indeed to stand against him, and WE, the readers, can hardly fault Boromir, but would the Council of the Realm have seen likewise?

It's entirely speculation on my part, but one has to wonder if there weren't anti-Boromir (or anti-Denethor) politics involved. Gondor could hardly afford any divisiveness, to be sure- though that rarely stops people- and we see no evidence of it when we finally do reach Minas Tirith in the Return of the King- except somewhat between Faramir and Denethor. Was there perhaps (without his consent, most likely) a pro-Faramir party in Gondor? Was that the reason why Faramir was away commanding dangerous missions in Ithilien when he should possibly have been filling Boromir's shoes as Captain-General- was Denethor trying to protect his absent elder, favoured, son?

These are pure speculations on my part, but they are fun...