Faramir's Good Council

Captured and beaten, Sméagol weeps. A familiar voice returns—it is Gollum taunting Sméagol. The Pity theme’s opening passes from harp to strings to woodwinds, shattered throughout the ensemble, trying to collect itself, but unable to cohere. The bits collide and clot instead, building to a close-voiced collection of pitches as nasty Gollum reclaims the gangrel creature’s dichotomous psyche.

In a back room of the Rangers’ outpost, Sam confers with Frodo. Naïvely, he tells him to use the Ring, just this once, to escape. But Faramir overhears the conversation and realizes that the Ring of Power, the very token which Boromir failed to deliver to Denethor, is now within his grasp. Finally, the Seduction theme fully emerges, calling to Faramir with the same enticing offer that lured Boromir to his doom. Boys choir sings “The Seduction of the Ring”, entreating Faramir, promising victory and the peace he so ardently desires.

UNUSED CONCEPT:
In the film, this composition, from the Seduction of the Ring’s entrance on, is dissolved into the sound effects to create a stiller tone.

TEXTS
THE SEDUCTION OF THE RING
Text from J. R. R. Tolkien
Quenya Translation by David Salo
First Heard: Disc Two | Track Fifteen
I tuo, i macil – | The strength, the weapon –
Astaldaron mauri. | The needs of the valiant.
Nai corma macilya | Be the ring your weapon
A lelyat túrenna! | Go to victory!