Faramir Fiction Archive

The Prize (NC-17)

Written by Sairalinde and Anorienbean

29 July 2006 | 48931 words

Chapter 5

Haldir awoke the next morning with his arms around Faramir, who had snuggled close in his sleep and entangled their legs. He was sure Faramir would never do that had he been awake, but the Elf found that he relished the contact and relaxed against the Man in his arms with a smile.

He could hear the soft sounds of his brothers in another part of the talan and smiled, knowing that they had indeed done as he’d asked and managed to find everything on his list. When Faramir had told him that his father had not allowed him many personal items, Haldir had wondered if having some of his own here in Lórien would make him feel more at home and relaxed. His list had included two large bookshelves, over two hundred books, a chest of drawers filled with clothes that would fit Faramir, and a small desk filled with parchment and quills. He’d almost added a second bed to the list, thinking that Faramir might prefer not having to share, but he’d changed his mind at the last moment, hoping against hope that he would rather continue as they were, as Haldir greatly enjoyed simply feeling his new friend curled up against him at night.

Wincing as he heard a soft thump and muttered curses from Orophin, Haldir held his breath, relieved that Faramir hadn’t stirred. It was not yet daybreak, and he simply slid further down in the bed and pulled the covers up around them, already anxious for his brothers to leave, so he could lead Faramir into the next room.

Almost two hours passed before he heard Orophin and Rúmil closing the door behind them, and Haldir smiled down at Faramir, whose head was resting on his chest. //I hope you like everything, pen velui. At the very least, I hope you will feel more welcome and not worry about repaying me or leaving…and most importantly, I hope you will no longer be afraid of me.//

Faramir snuggled closer to the warmth wrapped around him and sighed softly. He felt so warm and comfortable that he didn't really want to wake up, but as his mind began to finally lose the fog of sleep, he opened his eyes slowly. Haldir had his arms wrapped around him firmly, and he was almost embarrassed to find himself practically on top of the Elf. He looked up from where his head was snuggled against Haldir's chest and smiled. "I... didn't mean to practically crawl inside you last night... I guess... that I was cold," Faramir murmured softly. His throat felt better today, and he was pleased to realize his fever was completely gone.

Laughing softly, Haldir rubbed his hands over Faramir’s back, pulling him even closer. Though having the handsome young man laying over him like that had made him more than a little aroused, he kept his hips turned slightly, so that Faramir wouldn’t notice. He wanted him, Gods, yes, but not yet…not like this. Only when Faramir wanted it as well would he allow himself the luxury, and only if he could be sure Faramir’s request was for the right reasons – not as a way to repay him or because he felt he had to. “I don’t think you’ll hear me complaining,” he smiled. “I find that I rather like having you snuggled against me. I don’t think it was all you, either…more than once during the darkness, I found myself pulling you closer.”

Faramir smiled and scooted off Haldir and onto the bed beside him. He rested his chin in his hand and just watched the Elf for a moment. "I did promise to never tell anyone, of course, but I wonder who would believe me if I said that Haldir snuggled... they'd think I was mad for sure," he teased and almost giggled from the look Haldir gave him.

Haldir reached over and let his fingers run lightly over Faramir’s ribs. “Oh, you really don’t want to find out, do you?” he asked, crawling closer and tickling Faramir in earnest. While he’d never been one to actually ‘tickle’ someone else, he found that he couldn’t resist trying to make his friend laugh…and hopefully, Faramir would also see that Haldir’s temper would never be turned toward him, no matter what he said or did.

Faramir flinched when Haldir's fingers ran over his ribs and then found himself pinned and unable to get away from the hands that were tormenting him. His giggle bubbled up and out before he could stop himself and within moments he was laughing so hard he could barely catch his breath. "Gods... mercy... please!" he gasped, giggling and trying his best to squirm away from the larger Elf. He hadn't been tickled like this since he was a little boy.

Collapsing beside Faramir, Haldir found himself laughing harder than he’d laughed for years. He loved the sound of Faramir’s laughter and thought that he’d never in his life heard anything so sweet. Propping his head up on his hand, he simply watched the young man for long moments as he tried to catch his breath. “I thought as much,” he grinned. “I doubt you’ll be wanting to tell anyone about my snuggling activities now, will you, my lovely one?”

Gasping, Faramir raised his eyebrow and gave Haldir a haughty look before bursting into a fit of giggles again. "So, you do intend to torture me but with tickles? I think I can say that your secret is quite safe," he said breathlessly as he continued to grin. Haldir being so... playful had been completely unexpected, and he rose up on his elbows to regard his bedmate. "Are you always so chipper in the mornings?"

Haldir shrugged and tried to look serious, but failed miserably. “I suppose if tickling works, then I really have no choice…” Before the last words were out of his mouth, he rolled off the bed and reached for Faramir’s hand. “As for my being chipper,” he said as he gently pulled the young man to his feet, “normally, I’m not this wound up, but today, I have a bit of a surprise for you. One that I hope you will like, but one that you are under no obligation to keep if you don’t.”

Faramir watched as Haldir got out of bed and tried not to stare at him. He was afraid if he did that Haldir would cease coming to bed in only breeches, and he decided that he very much liked the way Haldir looked without a tunic. Very, very much. He tried to push that thought away and took Haldir's offered hand. "A surprise? Not keep it? You... certainly have me curious now," he said as he crawled out of the bed and stood next to Haldir. Their hands remained joined for a moment longer than was necessary, and Faramir found that he liked the way Haldir's fingers felt wrapped around his own. Yet again he was filled with a feeling of safety just from the gentle connection.

Reaching behind him, his gaze never leaving Faramir’s, Haldir’s hand found the two robes that hung from small pegs beside the bed. He’d taken to wrapping his favorite emerald green one around his companion, loving the way Faramir’s eyes darkened in contrast with the soft fabric. Resting the robe lightly around Faramir’s shoulders, he smiled when sparkling blue eyes looked up at him. “I don’t want you to catch another chill,” he said softly. Quickly shrugging into the second robe, he nodded toward the front room. “Let us satisfy your curiosity, then. Your surprise is in the next room.”

When Haldir wrapped the deep green robe around him, Faramir looked up and smiled at Haldir in return. He made him feel... cared for, even if he didn't really intend it that way, it felt good. When Haldir nodded toward the door, Faramir looked at him with curious eyes and smiled again. "Whatever it is, I'm sure I'll love it," he whispered. He couldn't imagine what the gift could be, but Haldir seemed rather pleased with himself, and he didn't think whatever the surprise was could be a bad thing. He walked toward the door and looked back at Haldir, "Do I need to close my eyes or anything?"

Haldir moved to stand behind Faramir and had to fight the urge to simply pull the young man into the next room. He’d almost convinced himself that his idea had been silly, that of course, Faramir wouldn’t want to stay if he had the choice, and a few books and furniture wouldn’t change his mind. One look at Faramir’s tentative smile though, brought his excitement back tenfold, and he clung to the hope that maybe his original idea hadn’t been too terrible after all. Moving one arm around Faramir to let his forearm rest over his stomach, Haldir let his other hand cover the blue eyes that sparkled back at him. “Yes…if you trust me to lead you into the next room with your eyes covered, that is.”

Faramir stiffened for only a moment when Haldir's hand covered his eyes, and then he relaxed. "Of course," he whispered. He heard the door being pushed open ahead of him and felt Haldir urge him to step forward, which he did. After only a few steps they stopped and he felt nervous excitement dance through him, wondering what Haldir could possibly have for him out here. Had he gotten up in the night? Why hadn't he noticed?

Haldir’s smile widened as he saw that Rúmil and Orophin had done just as he’d asked. Books that he could only hope Faramir would enjoy were stacked neatly in the two large bookshelves against the far wall of his talan. The chest of drawers sat in the middle of the room so that it could easily be moved to the bedroom later that day, and the desk he’d requested sat just beneath a window so that Faramir could enjoy the sunlight as he wrote letters to his family or friends, should he choose to. His arm automatically tightened around Faramir’s waist for a moment as he took a deep breath and moved his hand down so his companion could see the new items in the room. “There,” he whispered, “I wanted to make you feel a bit more at home…”

As Haldir's hand dropped away from his eyes Faramir stared at the changes in the front room. His mouth gaped open, and he simply stared for a moment. The chest standing in the center of the room seemed to stand out, and he stepped forward slowly. "This... this is all for me?" he asked running his hand over the top of the chest and then moved toward the closest bookshelf where his fingers traced down the spine of several books. Turning to look back at Haldir, he didn't know what to say. "You... you did all of this for me?"

Nodding, Haldir felt a slow blush creep up from his neck. “I just…you said you hadn’t been allowed to have many of your own possessions,” he said softly. “So, I thought that this might make you feel more at home. It’s all yours – the books, the furniture, and…and there are some clothes that will fit you in the chest. I love seeing you wear mine, but they can’t be comfortable. And…if you open the top drawer, you might find something you’ve been missing…”

Faramir smiled at the blush that spread across Haldir's face, imagining that wasn't a sight many got to see. "I can't believe you'd do this... no one has ever done anything so... kind," he said, opening the top drawer of the dresser to find the cloak Boromir had given him, clean and looking better than ever before laying right on top. His hands automatically reached in to pull the soft garment out to look at it, certain that his surprise was evident on his face. A wave of emotion seemed to wash over him, and he dropped the cloak back into the drawer. Suddenly and without over thinking it, he turned and threw himself into Haldir's arms, wrapping both his arms and his legs around the strong Elf and raining tiny excited little butterfly kisses all over Haldir's face. "Thank you," he murmured over and over again between kisses and then found himself murmuring the words against Haldir's lips for only a moment before he drew away, his eyes sparkling with happiness.

Haldir’s arms wrapped around Faramir and held him close. In that moment, he knew such perfect, overwhelming happiness, he could barely think. The tiny, countless kisses warmed his heart, and he knew he would give anything on all of Arda to keep the smile on Faramir’s dear face there forever. He let one arm slip down underneath Faramir’s backside, easily supporting him, as the other lifted up to let his index finger ghost over his cheek. His lips tingled from the sweet kisses, and he let his tongue run lightly over them for a moment before he spoke. “Thank you,” he said softly. “You have no idea how happy your smile makes me, dear one. No idea at all.”

Faramir leaned back to look into Haldir's eyes and smiled happily at him. "Well, you have no idea how happy you've made me... no one has ever done something so kind for me before," he whispered. A part of him wondered if Haldir would want him to thank him with more than happy smiles and chaste little kisses, and he found that he wasn't at all opposed to the idea. //He's been so kind, I can't help thinking so much of him... and he's so handsome.// Faramir almost blushed from his thoughts and rested his hands on Haldir's shoulders for a moment before he caught one of Haldir's braids and twirled it around his finger absently. "I wish I could do something more to thank you though... perhaps one day I can return your generosity," he suggested and had to keep himself from leaning forward to kiss Haldir again. The sort of kiss he knew would be much more than the chaste ones he'd given him before. Though he found himself worrying over that, he had been a whore for his father, he didn't want Haldir to think he actually was one. That thought sobered him, and he realized he didn't want Haldir to look at him the way others had as only sexual, he wanted Haldir to keep looking at him just the way he was now.

In no hurry to have Faramir release him, Haldir smiled and danced around the room in a very graceful, but un-Haldirish manner, Faramir held tightly against him. “Your smile is thanks enough,” he said honestly. While he would love nothing more than to kiss the man in his arms, he found himself hesitating. Faramir was more than a friend, of that he had no doubt any more, but he knew he had to take this slowly, so he would realize that what Haldir wanted was more than just a physical relationship.

Haldir was engrossed in their dance; he didn’t hear Elarin making his way up the stairway. As the dark-haired Elf started to knock on the door to Haldir’s talan, he noticed it wasn’t completely closed. Unwilling to risk disturbing his rather temperamental commander, he simply peeked inside and had to cover his mouth with one hand to stifle the gasp that fell from his lips. There was Haldir, his slave wrapped around him, moving across the room as if dancing. No doubt, this was foreplay, Elarin thought, and his mind wandered back to the previous day. He wasn’t surprised that Faramir couldn’t walk, really, especially after Haldir had punished for speaking out of turn while Elarin and Haldir’s brothers had been discussing important matters with him. He couldn’t see the young man’s face, but was sure he was probably bruised as well. If he’d been Elarin’s slave, he would still be tied to the bed, crying as he felt the leather of his master’s belt across his backside, or, at the very least, a riding crop applied liberally to teach him a lesson he wouldn’t soon forget.

The only thing Elarin could see, really, was Haldir’s smile as he looked up into his slave’s face. The smile wasn’t one he’d seen on the handsome face often, and Elarin felt sure it was brought on by the suffering Faramir had no doubt lived through in the past few hours. //Well, I’d smile too, if I could beat him and then have my way with him. I’m sure Haldir wouldn’t mind…the Man is a whore, after all, and since Haldir took him first, surely he wouldn’t begrudge us seconds?//

Faramir giggled as Haldir spun them around the room again in a cheerful dance, and then something at the corner of his eye caught his attention. He looked up and saw Elarin looking at them from the doorway. His smile faded immediately, and he swallowed hard at the lustful look he saw in the dark Elf's eyes. "Haldir," he whispered, "You... have a guest." He didn't attempt to slide down out of Haldir's embrace though; he simply found himself clinging closer not wishing to really have Elarin looking at him that way.

Glancing quickly in the direction of Faramir’s gaze, Haldir’s eyes locked with Elarin’s. At that moment, he made a decision. While he had no plans on being friends – or even ‘friendly’ to those under his command, neither would he hide his feelings toward Faramir. They were simply too strong, and he knew that sooner or later, someone would see them together, and know that Haldir, did, after all, possess a heart. Where Faramir was concerned, that wasn’t a bad thing at all, he thought with a smile. Keeping a firm hold on his dance partner, he crossed over to the door and gave Elarin a piercing look. “I am busy, as you can see,” he said levelly. “Unless it is urgent, I suggest you send me a message via my brothers. And next time, Elarin, I would appreciate it if you knocked before simply staring inside my talan.” With that, he closed the door in Elarin’s face.

Elarin simply stood open mouthed as his face flushed. The look in Haldir’s eyes made him hold his tongue, and he realized he was lucky to get off with nothing more than a tongue-lashing. Quickly turning on his heel, he made his way back down the staircase and ran back to his own talan, thinking that his question for Haldir wasn’t all that important anyway. Seeing Faramir’s legs wrapped around Haldir that way and picturing the countless bruises and welts that no doubt covered his long, lean body had made the Elf painfully aroused, and he had other things to take care of at the moment.

Haldir smiled up at Faramir as he felt the young man shaking in his arms. “You don’t like him, do you?” he asked softly.

Faramir couldn't help trembling as Haldir had crossed to the doorway, something in Elarin's eyes told him that he'd better always be close to Haldir or his brothers when Elarin came around. He didn't trust him at all, and as Haldir spoke he nodded slowly. "I am sorry, but... I do not care for the way he looks at me," he admitted softly. "I imagine many of the others view me as property just as Feanor did, but that doesn't mean I have to like being looked at that way."

Haldir saw the sadness in Faramir’s eyes and moved to sit down on the couch behind them. Settling Faramir in his lap, he took a deep breath and smiled. “I don’t want anyone to see you as property,” he said. “That’s not how I see you, and that’s not how I want you to feel. I was thinking…when I realized Elarin was at the door, I made a decision. While I don’t plan on changing the way I act toward them, which, I admit isn’t very friendly or lighthearted, I would like to let them know that I…I care for you a great deal. If you would be comfortable with the idea, I was thinking that maybe…you and I can…be seen together. As…a couple. I mean…you don’t have to do anything, but I don’t want you to feel that you have to hide from curious eyes. If you wouldn’t mind being seen with me, I think you would find a great many friends here…” His words trailed off uncertainly, and he wondered if he’d said too much. Maybe Faramir didn’t want to make friends? Or maybe he wanted to do it on his own, away from Haldir’s influence?

Feeling positively treasured, unlike he'd ever felt before when Haldir sat down and settled him in his lap, Faramir smiled. "As... a couple?" he asked, feeling his heart skip in his chest. //First he offers me friendship... as an equal, and now this? Gods, how could anyone think he would be as cruel as they described to me?// "I care for you, too... no one has ever made me feel... special like this before. Just the fact that you want to see me as an equal and want to be seen with me as a... a partner rather than a pet means so much to me, Haldir," he whispered softly. "I would love to be seen with you... and... be a part of your life here as long as you wish me to be." He realized his trembling was for a different reason now and drew his shaking hand up to touch Haldir's face, gently tracing along
his jaw. //So very handsome... Gods, I could so easily lose my heart to you.//

Leaning into the gentle touch, Haldir closed his eyes for a moment, simply enjoying the feel of Faramir’s hand against his skin. “Oh, dear one,” he said softly, “you are so achingly lovely and innocent. You are no one’s pet, and I swear, you will never feel like you are again. Whether you want more than friendship with me at some point is your decision and yours alone, but everyone will see that you are most definitely my equal, at the very least…and no one will look at you like Elarin does. You will be treated with the respect you deserve. Maybe we can start tomorrow night, if you would like to accompany me to my brothers’ talan for dinner?”

Faramir's heart warmed in his chest as Haldir called him 'dear one' again, but then when the Elf said he was innocent, he shook his head. "Haldir, you... I can't believe you'd call me innocent after knowing what I've been forced to do," he said softly, not understanding what Haldir meant. "But I would very much love to go with you to your brothers’ talan... I... well, I haven't seen much of Lórien except the outskirts, which I must admit I remember little of, and right here inside your home. I'd love to go out... especially with my new clothes you've gotten me... Oh, I suppose I do need to try them on first," he said with a grin.

Haldir smiled and rested his head against Faramir’s chest for a moment before releasing him. Faramir’s own statement about his innocence proved what Haldir knew…though the steward had used him in unimaginable ways, his son had still managed to hold on to such sweet innocence, it made Haldir want to simply protect him from everything and everyone for the rest of their lives. Deciding to let the matter drop for the moment, he finally forced himself to release Faramir from his embrace and reached up in his habitual gesture to tuck his hair behind each ear. “Yes, pen velui, try on your new clothes. I think they will fit you perfectly…and we can take the entire day tomorrow if you wish and see all of the most beautiful sites Lórien has to offer.” Before Faramir could move away, however, Haldir continued. “I… do you wish for a bed of your own, as well? I rather enjoy sharing with you, you know that…but I want you to feel comfortable…”

Faramir sat back as if to get up when Haldir released him, but paused when gentle hands tucked his hair behind his ears for him. He smiled and started to get up but Haldir's words stopped him. //A different bed?// "You’re sure you enjoy sharing it and waking up to me crawling all over you, like this morning?" The Man grinned. "To be honest... I don't wish it, and practically speaking... you'd probably need a larger talan. Once we move this chest into the bedroom, there won't be room for another bed, don't you think?"

Relaxing almost at once, Haldir laughed softly at the mischievous grin on Faramir’s face. “I don’t care about practically,” he said after a moment. “Even if there was room, I was hoping you wouldn’t want one, because I do happen to enjoy you crawling all over me. I enjoy it very, very much.” Each of his last words were punctuated by a soft kiss to the tip of Faramir’s nose. “Go, pen velui…try on your clothes. I hope you like them. If you don’t, we will find you more…anything you like. Anything at all.”

Absolutely thrilled by the little kisses against his nose, Faramir couldn't stop smiling as he crossed to the chest. He rummaged around for a moment and found a blue velvet tunic with intricate gold embroidery. He looked up at Haldir after a moment and swallowed hard. The clothing was better than he'd had in such a long time, since before his father had... changed so much. "Haldir, these are... incredibly beautiful... are... are you sure they aren't too much, though?" he asked carefully as he looked at one after another of the beautifully made pieces. He set aside the blue one, wanting to save it to wear when he went out with Haldir; he selected a deep gray tunic. He had little shame left in him after all he'd been forced to do, so without even thinking he dropped the robe over a nearby chair and pulled his nightshirt up over his head and tossed it to follow the robe. He didn't even realize what he'd done until after he was standing naked in Haldir's living room. He flushed all the way to the tips of his ears and quickly donned the gray tunic that hung to just his upper thigh. He was too embarrassed to say anything and grabbed a pair of black breeches and slid them on, lacing them quickly.

Haldir shook his head and watched as Faramir touched the new clothes with such reverence. Before he could answer Faramir’s question, however, Faramir’s robe and nightshirt was off, and Haldir felt his mouth go completely dry. He felt a warmth and pressure between his legs almost at once, and though he knew he should, he found that he simply couldn’t look away. //Gods…he is beautiful. Every inch of him.// Swallowing the lump in his throat, he realized that Faramir was embarrassed and quickly got to his feet, thankful his robe would hide the arousal now resting firmly against his stomach. “The clothes pale in comparison to your beauty,” he said softly as he rested his hands on Faramir’s shoulders and gently urged him to turn around until they were facing one another. “Please…there is no reason to be embarrassed. I think you are breathtaking, pen velui, and knowing that you are relaxed enough around me to do this warms my heart.”

Faramir kept his eyes downcast until Haldir turned him and said he was breathtaking. "I... I just didn't think... " he mumbled and then looked into Haldir's eyes, recognizing desire there, but also seeing something else. It was a look that didn't frighten him, unlike Elarin's earlier. The look in Haldir's eyes made Faramir's heart skip, and his stomach felt as if a million butterflies were dancing inside. "I find you to be very handsome, too... I've thought that since I first woke up here and saw you. Golden and beautiful," he whispered softly.

Haldir lifted one hand up to let his fingertips run lightly over the curve of Faramir’s jaw. “Thank you,” he whispered, wondering how he’d been lucky enough to have this Man in his life, seemingly out of nowhere. His eyes were drawn to the full, soft lips before him, and before he realized what he was doing, he leaned forward and pressed a kiss over the corner of Faramir’s mouth. //No…you cannot do this…he has to know that you don’t want to use him. He has to want you as you want him, or he will never realize how special and perfect he really is!// Drawing back before Faramir could even part his lips, Haldir’s arms wound around his waist, and he buried his face in Faramir’s neck. “Thank you for saying that, for feeling that, and for agreeing to stay here with me, dear one.”

For a breathless moment Faramir was certain that Haldir was going to kiss him, and he did, but not in the manner his eyes spoke. Faramir was shocked as Haldir merely pressed a quick kiss against the corner of his mouth and then hugged him tight. //I wonder what I'll have to do to get him to really kiss me?// He was shocked by the thought. Just a few days ago he was terrified of the idea of even being in the same room as Haldir, and now he wanted to be kissed by him. Faramir’s arms wrapped around Haldir's waist, and he simply held onto him. It was just so sweet... Haldir surprised him every moment, it seemed, and he closed his eyes and smiled. //I don't really know or understand all that is happening, but I know that one day soon I want you to kiss me... really kiss me.// Faramir remembered what Haldir had said about having his choice of lovers, and he wondered what the Elf would say if Faramir told him he'd made his choice already: Him.

Knowing he would only become more aroused if he watched Faramir any longer, Haldir nibbled lightly on the warm skin of his neck before pulling away. “You try on your clothes, pen velui, and I will make us some breakfast. Rúmil will be taking over my duties for a few days, so if you like, we can move your furniture to wherever you want it and settle down with some books. You have plenty to chose from now.”

His pulse leapt as Haldir nibbled on his neck before drawing away again. Faramir smiled and nodded. "I'll have to be sure and thank Rúmil when we visit your brothers then... for giving you time to spend with me," Faramir said softly. He watched as Haldir walked into the kitchen and then went through the clothing, holding it up to himself or trying it on, though in the end he settled back on the simple gray and black he'd chosen before. He put everything back neatly within the chest and went to the kitchen to find Haldir setting the table. "I timed that well, I think." He grinned as he took the plates from Haldir and set the table himself and then filled their cups with warm water for their tea. He looked up and saw Haldir watching him and smiled. "What is it?"

Haldir had a hard time keeping his eyes off Faramir and couldn’t help but smile when he walked in the kitchen area. As he started automatically working, however, Haldir sighed and walked behind Faramir, letting his hands run over each of his companion’s forearms. “You don’t need to do that,” he said softly. “Please…just sit down, relax, and let me take care of you.” Unable to resist, he moved one hand and pushed Faramir’s hair to one side and pressed a kiss against the back of his neck. At such a young age, Faramir had already been subjected to more than most men experienced in a lifetime, and Haldir couldn’t bear the thoughts of him feeling that he had to ‘earn his way,’ any longer. “You are my very, very welcome guest, and my dear friend, and…//someone I think I’m falling in love with…// someone I care a great deal about already, Faramir. You don’t need to do anything but relax, enjoy yourself, and be happy.”

Faramir shivered when Haldir kissed the back of his neck and fought with himself to keep from turning around and asking Haldir to please just make him his in every way. Here was this beautiful Elf, offering him freedom and the luxury of doing nothing for a change, and he didn't want to. He wanted to help Haldir, and he simply wanted to belong to him… though he knew deep down if Haldir wasn't the sweet Elf he turned out to be, he wouldn't feel the same way. It was so strange and wonderful at the same time. "I know, but... I wish to help... " he said softly, his words trailing off as Haldir urged him to sit down. //Perhaps it's because I've been ill? He can't expect for me to stay here and not do anything... can he? But... I want to do things for him.// He realized he was almost pouting, something his father absolutely hated and out of habit schooled his features. "Thank you," he said softly and had nearly had to bite his tongue to keep from apologizing.

Haldir saw the look on Faramir’s face and bit back a smile. Moving to stand between Faramir’s legs, the Elf fell to his knees and rested his hands on his friend’s thighs. “You’re pouting, and it’s adorable,” he laughed as he gazed up into clear blue eyes. “I don’t mind us doing things together, but I don’t want you to feel that you ‘have’ to do anything for me. You don’t, and you never will. I am enjoying catering to your every need right now, though, so maybe we can figure out a way to help each other out in a day or so…how does that sound?”

When Haldir dropped to his knees before him, Faramir opened his mouth to deny that he was pouting only to close it again in a sheepish grin. "It isn't a case of feeling I have to... I... I wanted to, that's all. You've done so much for me already, and I just want you to know that I appreciate it, the least I can do is to help with a meal or something... I feel awkward watching you do everything. Does... does that makes sense?" Faramir asked softly. It was partly because he felt he should help Haldir, yet also he simply wanted to take care of the Elf as well as Haldir was caring for him.

“It does,” Haldir said softly. “I understand…really, I do. But please, just indulge me for now. Just sit and talk to me, or look over your books, or decide where you want the bookshelves and chest moved. At least give me the rest of today to do things for you…please?”

"All right," Faramir said softly, realizing that he simply didn't have it in him to say no to Haldir, especially when he said please. He reached out and brushed his fingers against Haldir's cheek. "One day though, you are going to have to let me be the one to take care of you... because I want to and no other reason."

Faramir’s words made Haldir’s smile widen and once again, he felt incredibly happy. He wondered if maybe Faramir was actually planning on staying for good…if he really might stay just because he wanted to. “Deal,” he said softy as he turned his head and pressed a kiss to Faramir’s palm. “But not today. Today is Faramir Day, and you simply aren’t allowed to lift a finger.”

Laughing as Haldir declared it Faramir Day, the Man of honor sat back in his chair. "All right then... as long as I get my turn one day," he said, smiling. He watched as Haldir stood again and found himself enjoying yet again watching the Elf he knew he was losing his heart to. //Gods, I never imagined that night when Boromir woke me that I would find someone so kind as Haldir. I truly expected to not even survive my first few days, and here I am, almost a week later, being waited on by the most beautiful person I've ever known. Not just his handsome face, beautiful eyes, and soft perfect lips, not even his broad shoulders and strong arms that held me so tight against him earlier... but his heart. His soul. And I'm so easily losing my heart to him that it should frighten me…but it doesn’t. It feels wonderful.//

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