Part 3/8:
The Denethor we witness during the War of the Ring is a man irrevocably changed, steeped in shadows of his past glory. Once a proud, valiant ruler, Denethor's strength has eroded; he has become a mere echo of his former self. His youth, characterized by wisdom and majesty, shifted dramatically when faced with challenges that strained his psyche. The emergence of a rival, Thorongil—later known as Aragorn—only stoked the fires of insecurity within Denethor. Finding this rival had gained favor in the eyes of both his father and the people of Gondor led him to suspect nefarious intentions which ultimately warped his perception of loyalty.