Was Aragorn Really the Rightful Heir to the Throne of Gondor?

Aragorn, the protagonist of The Lord of the Rings, is often hailed as the legitimate heir to the throne of Gondor. His lineage and possession of the Ring of Barahir add layers of complexity to his character. However, the question remains: was Aragorn really the rightful heir to the throne of Gondor, especially considering his initial indifference to the throne and how events unfolded during the Hobbit trilogy?

Legitimacy of Aragorn's Heirhood

Aragorn, known for his Rangers’ pseudonym "Strider," is indeed the legitimate heir to the crown of Gondor, carrying forth the bloodline of Isildur and the Ring of Barahir. This ring, significant in Gondor’s 6000-year-old history, was last known to be in the possession of Isildur. However, Aragorn made no claims to the throne at the time of The Hobbit. This reluctance is clear when we consider the physical distance and cultural context.

The Distance and Residency: The Hobbit is set well before the events of The Lord of the Rings. At that time, Aragorn was merely a ten-year-old boy, too young to be involved in such matters and too far away from the lands of Gondor. Given the vast journey of hundreds of miles between the Lonely Mountain, Mirkwood, and Rivendell, Aragorn and his ancestors were not known to the people of Gondor who lived far from these distant locations. Steward's Policy: The Stewards of Gondor, from the time of Pelendur, the father of Denethor, had a strict policy of rejecting the claims of Aragorn's ancestors. This policy was established due to their long-standing belief that the Dunedain (the lineage of Isildur) were bereft of lordship. Denethor himself characterized them as such, emphasizing the Stewards' rejection of their claims. Dramatic Shifts in Power: It was only through the great deeds of Aragorn, specifically his participation in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, that the support for his claims shifted. The horrifying death of Denethor and the eventual acceptance of Aragorn's rule by Faramir solidified his claim. These events marked a dramatic shift in the political landscape of Gondor.

Acceptance and Support of Aragorn

From the onset, The Hobbit reveals Aragorn as a ranger, indifferent to the throne. He does not even appear in The Hobbit film adaptation, underscoring his lack of involvement in the early parts of the story. Had Aragorn tried to stake a claim to the throne during the events of The Hobbit, he would have faced significant resistance, especially from both Boromir and Denethor, who held skeptical views towards the Dunedain.

Historically and culturally, Aragorn was known to the Stewards as a people bereft of lordship, and the Stewards' policy of rejecting their claims was well established. Thus, unless something drastic changed, he could not have claimed Gondor during The Hobbit. By the time events of The Lord of the Rings unfold, Aragorn had gained the support of the lords and Faramir, ultimately cementing his claim.

Conclusion and Final Verdict

While Aragorn is the rightful heir to the throne of Gondor and Heir of Isildur, it's essential to understand the historical, political, and cultural context. Without the dramatic events of The Lord of the Rings, specifically the War of the Ring and the support gained through Faramir’s acceptance, Aragorn could not have claimed the throne during the events of The Hobbit

Keywords: Aragorn, Heir to Gondor, Middle-earth, Legitimate Throne