Quote:
Originally Posted by William Cloud Hicklin
I don't believe it's anywhere suggested that Thorongil was "the Steward's right hand," or had any status except as a military captain, and there's no particular reason to suppose that he would have visited Dol Amroth or met the Prince's toddler; his job was with the Army and the Fleet.
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We are told he was effectively the Steward's right hand in the appendix.
'In much he (Ecthelion II) did he had the aid and the advice of a great captain whom he loved above all.....He was a great leader of men, by land or by the sea, but he departed into the shadows whence he came, before the days of Ecthelion were ended.'
He had so much power in Gondor Aragorn was the most beloved man and seen as a rival to Denthor.
'At the time many thought that Thorongil had departed before his rival became his master; though indeed Thorongil had never himself vied with Denethor'
Denethor as great as he was and he was very great just could not compare even to Ecthelion with Aragorn.
'yet was ever placed second to the stranger in the hearts of men and the esteem of his father.'
Thorongil as we have seen counseled in everything including trusting Gandalf over Saruman.
'And in one matter only were their (Aragorn and Denethor) counsels to the Steward at variance: Thorongil often warned Ecthelion not to put trust in Saruman the White in Isengard, but to welcome rather Gandalf the Grey. But there was little love between Denethor and Gandalf.'