Faramir Fiction Archive

Cedar and Cloves (PG)

Written by Mira Took

19 December 2010 | 7721 words

Chapter 6

A far too brief week later, Faramir stood with his back against the mulberry tree in the outer courtyard where he had first seen the twins. There had been a formal leaving-taking that morning, under Denethor’s watchful gaze, at which Elladan had said all that was proper and Elrohir had recited a verse he had made about the White City and a tree swaying at her gates. From the wink Elrohir had given Faramir just as the Steward’s eyes glazed over, the young man had gathered where he was to meet the twins for their private farewells.

Elessar, too, was leaving soon: journeying to Rohan for a meeting of good fellowship with Théoden King. Boromir was to accompany him and Denethor was almost reconciled to the idea, remembering that there was a niece of about the right age to make a suitable alliance with his heir. She would have to be given proper training, of course, if she were to come back to Minas Tirith, but her grandmother had been a lady of Gondor and the Steward would see to it that young Éowyn lived up to the more noble side of her ancestry.

“I wonder if he’s considered that a King might be a more attractive match than a Steward’s son,” Faramir gave voice to his musings as he sensed the twins entering through the arch to his right.

“I don’t think so,” Elrohir disagreed at once. “I can’t think of a more beautiful person than a son of the Steward.”

Before Faramir could protest this willful misunderstanding, Elladan added, “And Estel never would wash his hair as a child. Impossible to find when bath-time came around. Does that sound like a more attractive match to you?”

“Really, m’dear,” Elrohir concluded in mock-seriousness. “I think whoever he is ought to consider carefully. Hair is very important and yours is lovely.”

“You know perfectly well I wasn’t speaking of myself. I meant my father’s notions about my brother and the lady from Rohan. I fear I have picked up your habit of starting conversations in the middle,” Faramir laughed, and added to Elladan, “How it is that you always remember to start with a proper greeting?”

The corner of Elladan’s eyes wrinkled into his subtle smile. “Easy. I merely begin the conversations that Twin has already finished.”

“What amazes me,” said Elrohir, grinning, “is that no one has noticed your redundancy. Truly, does anyone want to have the beginning of the conversation when they’ve already had the end?”

“I like having both,” Faramir replied, and then immediately: Fool. Over-serious idiot. What was that, some obscure attempt at a compliment?

His thoughts came to a halt as Elladan stepped in front of him and framed the young man’s face with his palms, at the same time that Elrohir came behind and put two warm hands just along Faramir’s shoulder blades.

“We will miss you,” Elladan said simply and kissed him. Faramir leaned in and prolonged it with tiny kisses against the edge of Elladan’s mouth. Elladan’s hands had moved to his hips to hold him, while Elrohir supported him with long, soothing strokes along his back. Finally Elladan pulled away, catching up Faramir’s hands, and Elrohir bent to kiss his favorite place at the corner of Faramir’s neck and shoulder. The younger twin remained there for a long moment and then tucked his chin over Faramir’s shoulder and slipped his arms around his waist.

“I’ll miss you, too,” Faramir told them.

“We’ll come to you again,” Elrohir murmured against his ear. “As soon as ever we can.”

Elladan squeezed his hands hard, and Faramir realized with shock that the Elf before him was almost in tears. He didn’t know what to say to someone who cared so deeply about leaving him. So he squeezed back and looked straight into Elladan’s eyes and tried to put all his own feelings in his voice when he said, “I love you, Elladan, Elrohir.”

Elrohir kissed him again on the back of his neck just below his hair and then went to fetch the horses through the arch. Faramir and Elladan watched him, still holding hands, until he returned and there was nothing left to do but let go. Faramir stepped back and took a firm grip on the mulberry’s trunk as the twins mounted.

Elladan’s eyes lit in a smile even as the tears spilled down both his cheeks. Elrohir smiled as sunnily as ever and promised again, “Soon.”

Then they wheeled around and rode through the arch, dark hair and grey cloaks blown back behind them. Faramir waited until he could no longer hear the sound of their horses’ hooves and then turned to begin the walk up to the Citadel.

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