Beregond (Middle-earth)

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Character from Tolkien's Legendarium
Name	Beregond
Titles	Captain of the White Company
Race	Man
Culture	Númenórean
Realm	Gondor
Book(s)	The Return of the King

Beregond, son of Baranor, is a character in J. R. R. Tolkien's fictional universe of Middle-earth. He is the first Captain of the White Company; the guard of Faramir, Prince of Ithilien; and previously, a Guard of the Citadel in Minas Tirith. He is appointed to this rank after he saves the life of Faramir during the Siege of Minas Tirith, as described in The Lord of the Rings.

In the novel, he and his son Bergil are also noted for being the guides of Peregrin Took in Minas Tirith. Beregond is described as being a tall stern man with dark hair and grey eyes, like many of the men who live in Minas Tirith. He wears black leather and a winged helmet, and carries a sword and bow, the uniform of a guard of the White Citadel.

Despite his loyalty to the Gondorian traditions, Beregond rebukes Denethor, the grief-maddened Steward of Gondor, because battle rages outside and Denethor is attempting to commit suicide with his not dead yet son, Faramir, whom he believes to be dead. Beregond then loses his position as a guard for pleading with Denethor. He serves however at the battle of the Black Gate, fighting at Pippin's side and having his life saved by the hobbit.

After the War of the Ring, Beregond is passed judgement on by King Elessar and is transferred to the guard of Faramir in Ithilien.

[edit] Portrayal in adaptations

In the Lord of the Rings movie trilogy however, he is not included, and his deeds are transferred to Peregrin and Gandalf. Beregond was actually written into the screenplay for a brief scene, with the line "It is as the Lord Denethor predicted. Long has he foreseen this doom." In this scene, Beregond was played by Ian Hughes, who has noticeably blond. During post-production, the filmmakers decided to change this character's name to "Irolas". In the book, Bergil mentions his uncle Iorlas, presumably Beregond's brother.