Faramir Fiction Archive

I would expect no less. (Letter #9) (G)

08 June 2009 | 1548 words

Title: I would expect no less. (Letter #9)
Rating: G
Fandom: LOTR
Word count: 1423
Characters: Haldir/ Faramir, Rúmil/Orophin, Denethor, Boromir
Beta: The smoochable and ever so talented minxkat who truly makes the best suggestions. Trust me, you’re lucky I have her. :)
Author’s Notes:
1. Written for 10_letters Prompt: 029. Resistance.
2. No money was made from this. All characters belong to JRR Tolkien and his estate.
3. SUMMARY: Haldir and Boromir talk.
4. Totally AU – follows neither bookverse nor movieverse.

Letter #1 · Letter #2 · Letter #3 · Letter #4 · Letter #5 · Letter #6 · Letter #7 · Letter #8

Dear Orophin and Rúmil

I realize you will receive this letter just on the heels of my last one since I wrote it only a few hours ago, but I could not bear to wait any longer.

It took nearly two hours for Boromir to return after he stormed away from my chambers last night. When he did, he seemed – different. He unlocked my door, strode in without an invitation and sat on the couch in front of the fireplace looking at me expectantly. I had no idea what to say or do, so I merely sat on another chair and waited for him to speak.

“You are the first to resist me,’ he began, giving me an odd smile. “I was on my best behavior and at my most charming. I told you great tales of my heroics, while telling you of my younger brother’s weaknesses.” He leaned back in his chair, as if he were getting ready for a long tale, but somehow I did not think either of us could endure another evening of his stories. He seemed an entirely different man that I had spent these last weeks with. He was calm, relaxed, more at ease than I’d ever seen him and as I watched him settle down, I got the distinct impression that he wasn’t planning on trying to impress me with some grand tale after all.

“You were always polite to me, never angry, even when I touched you – touches you obviously found distasteful; but you did your best to mask your disdain. I admire that about you, Haldir. You are a warrior, I can see that, but you are a polite, gentle Elf as well… exactly the type of mate my brother needs.”

I looked at him suspiciously and wondered what kind of game he was playing, but he merely continued.

“Faramir is often so timid, he would take a mate because it is expected of him, or because he is of the age that people began to wonder what is wrong with him that he should still be alone.” He fished in his pocket for a pipe, leaned toward the fire for a small twig with which to light it, and looked at me curiously. “Smoke – it does not really bother you, does it?” he asked.

“Not in the least,” I said, allowing myself to smile just a bit.

Boromir nodded and laughed softly. “The first man interested in Faramir cast me longing looks behind my brother’s back, so I took him easily enough into my bed. If he would betray my brother during their courtship, he would never be faithful.” By now smoke from the pipe was filling the room. He waved his hand between us to clear the air and continued, looking rather smug.

“The second suitor was no better. He had a mean streak in him that stretched from here to Rohan. He had been courting Faramir for only a week, but I did not like the feel of him already. I followed him one night, after he and Faramir had parted ways for the evening. He was with some friends, and there was a fight. He beat one of his friends so badly, he died the next day.” Boromir’s face was hard now, his eyes dark with anger. “Naturally, I could not let my brother be with such a man! So, I seduced him as well. He liked the power he could wield over others – especially in the bedroom – so he and I had a… discussion about manners and domination before, during and after sex. You could say I gave him a short lesson in anger management and sent him on his way.”

I think Boromir expected me to laugh at this, but the thought of someone hurting Faramir was not my idea of entertainment. I might or might not have growled at that point, but either way, he continued.

“There were others,” he shrugged, and I could tell he was watching my reaction closely. “Others that were easily charmed by the eldest brother, the heir to the title of Steward. Others that let their eyes – or their hands – stray when my brother wasn’t looking. Some were cruel, some cared only about our family name and couldn’t have cared less which brother they bedded, and still others seemed to like Faramir well enough, but I could never see in their eyes what I see in yours – I think it could be called devotion.”

I nodded at once, for devoted is exactly what I am to Faramir. There will never be anyone else for me, and I told him, as I have told you many times in my letters – if I cannot have Faramir, then I will spend eternity alone.

He nodded, as if he expected to hear just this when I explained as much.

“I loved him from the moment I saw him,” I confided. “And, as charming as you are, Boromir, I do not want you, and I could never love you.”

He laughed and nodded again, taking a drag on his pipe and studying me thoughtfully “So all the things you said to me – eating nothing but lembas bread, not enjoying sex… all those things were to put me off?”

“Aye.” If this was heading where I was hoping it might, I had to be truthful. When Boromir doubled over with laughter, I relaxed.

“I hope you understand why I had to pretend to court you? I just needed to make sure you were good enough.”

On one level, I agreed; but on the other…

“You hurt him,” I said softly, allowing a bit of my anger to show. “He is perfectly capable of taking care of himself, yet you… you made him think he was less than you, unworthy of anyone’s attention.”

“Only to test you and the others,” Boromir protested. “I am his brother; he has to forgive me.”

“He might, but I do not know if I ever can.” I spoke truthfully, no longer able to defer to the man.

“I would expect no less,” Boromir told me.

We seemed to have reached an accord. I had been found worthy, and he was satisfied with his efforts to find the best mate for his brother.

Boromir stood, gave me a small bow and put his hand on my shoulder. “By the laws of Gondor, I relinquish my claim on you. Now. Go find my brother. I went to explain everything to him when I left you earlier, but he would not speak to me. I cannot blame him, but I hope he will at least listen to you.”

I then gave him a look that made him cringe. “It was for his own good!” he muttered, but now he seemed a little unsure of himself. He tried smiling, but when the gesture wasn’t returned, he seemed to shrink back in his chair.

I believed my point had been made.

“I am going to find your brother,” I told him, standing and making it clear he was no longer a welcomed guest in my chambers. “If you ever hurt him again…”

“Again, I would expect no less.” Boromir stood and placed his hand on my shoulder. This time, with a moment’s hesitation – for I do believe his heart really had been in the right place – I did the same.

Then, thankfully, he left, and I wasted no time in following him out the door.

I made my way to Faramir’s chambers, knocked quietly and announced myself. After a moment, the door opened just a bit, and my Ranger’s soulful blue eyes gazed out at me. Despite the fact that they were as mesmerizing as ever, I couldn’t help but notice how strained they were, and how there were a few more lines etched in my beloved’s beautiful face.

“I love you,” I whispered to the only man I would ever say those words to.

He looked at me with a sad little smile that broke my heart, whispered, “I don’t care,” and closed the door in my face.

I begged and pleaded through the door for nearly an hour, but Faramir refused to speak to me. Finally, I returned to my chambers, sick at heart and once more quite angry with Boromir and his foolhardy plan, and wrote to you, requesting all my previous letters. I can only hope they will help Faramir see that, despite how things looked, my feelings for him never wavered.

I will write again when there is news to share.

I love you both,

Haldir

On to Letter #10

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