Faramir's age.

[William Cloud Hicklin]

Originally Posted by Belegorn

Yea, the Appendix does have Tolkien stating that Denethor, "was the last of the Ruling Stewards" but in the text it would seem it could be otherwise.

Well, Denethor was the last Steward who Ruled de facto but Faramir was the last Ruling Steward de jure. Legally Aragorn didn't take over until his coronation, but in practice he was The Boss from the time he stormed ashore at the Harlond while Faramir was still in a coma. When Aragorn heals him that evening his first words are "My lord, you called me. I come. What does the king command?" Similarly, Imrahil declares "The Lord Aragorn I hold to be my liege-lord, whether he claim it or no."

(I always thought it was a trifle coy for Aragorn to enter the city anonymously and make a big deal of making no "open claim," despite having blatantly and unmistakenly declared his claim when he broke the Royal Standard from his flagship)