Faramir Fiction Archive

Flames (G)

05 January 2006 | 822 words

Title: Flames
Author: Anorien
Characters: Haldir/Faramir
Rating: G
Author's Notes: Not true, never happened.

Written for Slash Me Twice; Prompt: 031. Flames

Faramir looked up at Lord Celeborn and shook his head. “I’m sorry, my Lord, and incredibly grateful that you would even ask, but…I am more than content to just stay here, in the guest quarters, until your celebration is over with.”

Celeborn laughed and reached out to gently grab Faramir’s arm. “You do not understand,” he said softly. “Everyone within the borders of Lórien who is not bonded to another must attend. It is tradition – we request the presence of our visitors, even if they are not Elves. I have brought you a cloak to wear over your clothes, and I will expect you down by the fire in a hour.”

Without another word, Celeborn left, moving so silently, Faramir wasn’t sure his feet had actually touched the ground. He had a heavy, dark blue cloak clutched in his fingers, and Celeborn’s tone had left no room for argument. With a sigh, he quickly dressed, threw the cloak around his shoulders, and made his way to the center of the Golden Wood, where he could see smoke rising from a huge bonfire.

Standing next to a tall Elf with long blond hair and a dark red cloak, Faramir cleared his throat and gestured toward the fire. “If I may,” he began, “what is this for? I was told my presence would be required, but…I don’t understand what we’re doing here tonight.”

The Elf smiled and saw the confusion in Faramir’s eyes. “This is the night we pick our mates,” he whispered, turning back to stare into the flames that licked high into the cool night air. “In a few moments, everyone will gather closer to the fire. Any Elf may ask for the hand of another for a dance. Many times, this night is the only time some Elves have the courage to speak to the one they long for, as no dance may be refused. What happens after the dance, however, is up to the partners. They may part and dance with someone else, or they may leave and enjoy each other long into the night. Sometimes, the morning light finds many couples who have bonded during the ceremony, at other times, the Elves who are still lonely began counting the days until our next mating ceremony.

Faramir nodded and drew his cloak closer underneath his chin. “Well, I still don’t understand why I had to be here,” he said, almost to himself. “It’s not like any of the Elves are interested in me anyway.”

“You might just be surprised,” the Elf beside him whispered back. “Now, hush. The music is beginning.”

Immediately, the night around them was filled with the most haunting, beautiful music Faramir had ever heard. The Elf beside him turned and smiled shyly at him. “Would you honor me with a dance?” he asked softly.

Faramir’s mouth dropped open and his eyes widened. “I…you want to dance with me?” he asked. “Well, I….it would be my honor, but…isn’t there some Elf out there that you’d rather ask?”

”No,” the Elf smiled. “I have been waiting to ask you since the day you walked into Lórien and requested a meeting with Lord Celeborn. My name is Haldir, by the way.”

Faramir blushed and really looked at the Elf for the first time. Even in the moonlight, he could see how the blue eyes before him sparkled with mischief and laughter, and the long, golden hair blew lightly in the breeze, revealing a strong, handsome profile that made Faramir’s heart speed up in his chest. Without a word, Faramir nodded and felt strong arms wrapping around him, sliding underneath his cloak and pulling him close.

They never ventured closer to the fire, content to simply stay on the fringes of the gathering and enjoying each other’s company. They spoke softly, not wishing to gain the attention of anyone who might disturb them, and told each other of their lives and families, of their hopes and dreams. No other Elf dared interfere, though many had planned on asking either Faramir or Haldir for a dance on that night. Man and Elf looked entirely too content to be distracted by anyone else, and no one was surprised when they suddenly wandered off, hand in hand, toward Haldir’s talan.

When the morning light shone over Lórien, Celeborn looked out from his talan and smiled. It had taken Haldir a long time to convince him to move the mating ceremony up a few weeks, so it would be held while Faramir was still in Lórien, but, all in all, it had worked out for the best. He would have a very happy marchwarden on his hands for the next few decades, he thought, as well as a Man living within Lórien’s borders, but that was just fine with him.

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