Faramir Fiction Archive

Thin Air

Written by Sarah Eleven

04 April 2004 | 1881 words

Thin Air
By Sarah Eleven

At least they were no longer in danger. They had escaped death, had made it to the top of the crumbling mountain, and were now hidden in a deep crack that ran parallel with the path twenty meters below. The height made the air lighter, less fulfilling in their lungs, but sitting still, the deficiency seemed not to be a crucial matter. They could breathe shallowly. For the moment, that was all they required. They had found escape from the avalanche.

Haldir closed his eyes and licked his dry lips, his blue eyes settled on the circumstantial companion who crouched beside him. “I am Haldir of Lórien,” he began, cordially.

“Faramir, from Gondor,” said the man. Eyes the color of a morning sky scanned his face. “You’re an elf.”

“Yes,” Haldir agreed with a tinge of sarcasm. “Very shrewd of you to acknowledge the fact. And you, my friend, are a man.”

Faramir smiled at him. “Yes, a man who fled the same fate as you to the top of this lonely mountain.”

“Odd that you would use that description,” Haldir said, gazing at him forlornly. “That’s exactly what it is.”

“Lonely?”

“Yes. Lonely.” The elf’s eyes shifted into the expanse of gray sky slightly above them.

Faramir could not request the story. It was clearly heartbreaking, so he would spare his companion the anguish. He thought quickly, searching his mind for distraction and came up with a solution. “I understand elves weigh less than humans,” he said brightly.

“What?” Haldir frowned in confusion.

“According to rumor, you are much lighter than I.”

Haldir looked down at himself. “You think I am not human?” he asked.

Faramir paused. “Elves are human?”

“We are built very much alike. There are defining characteristics, but those are insignificant. What right do you have to claim the species and omit me?”

Faramir smiled at him. “Very well. The two of us are human, then, but you have much paler skin, your body weight is less and you live millenniums longer! There. Is this defining enough for you?”

“Perhaps you are correct in your claim,” Haldir conceded with a shrug. “But how can you be so sure that I am lighter?”

Quickly, Faramir leaped to his feet and hefted the elf into his arms, smiling. “You weigh no more than a child!” he said.

Haldir had no objections to being handled so deftly, but he seemed bent on one-upmanship. He touched his index finger to the tip of Faramir’s nose. “But my strength is twice yours.”

“I seriously doubt that.”

“Shall we have a contest?”

“What sort of contest?”

“Arm wrestling?”

“Yes,” Faramir set him down and flopped to the ground, rolling onto his stomach to ready himself for the match. “Let’s see this superior strength of elves!”

Right hands grasped and the effort began. For a moment, Haldir did seem to have an advantage, but Faramir planted himself more firmly on the ground and held him steady. Their strengths were equal for a time, before their muscles began to tremble. The elf dragged in a draught of thin air and put forth a greater effort, which got him nowhere. The extra pressure, in fact, was his drawback, for after several calming, shallower breaths, Faramir pushed his hand smoothly to the ground.

“Men do not beat elves!” Haldir cried. “This is unfair!”

Faramir smiled at him. “I have beaten you fairly. What else have you got to argue about, Lord Elf? Bring it on.”

Haldir cleared his throat and rolled onto his back to lie flat on the rocks. “Nothing. You have won, my friend. Enjoy your victory.”

“Victory is best when shared,” Faramir said. “Would you care to share it with me, Haldir?”

“If you wish,” Haldir waited for him to explain.

Faramir, still on his stomach, slithered on top of him and kissed his full lips. “Yes,” he said, finding the elf a bit disinclined to his amorous attack. “I shall enjoy sharing my victory with you.”

“Is this the way humans celebrate?” Haldir pushed him to elbow’s length and held him there to study him.

“Not always. This is a very special occasion in which the winner takes all.”

“All of what?”

“All of whatever the loser will offer.”

“You obviously expect favors from me.”

“Only if you’re willing,” Faramir said, and kissed his hands. The morning-sky-blue eyes were soft with affection. After only a moment, the elf’s reluctance waned and the strong arms rose to surround him. “Which I see you are…”

“But you must be aware that I only give this gift to you because you beat me fairly. I never hold with strangers!”

“Never is a very negative word.”

“This is the first time I have allowed this to happen.”

“I am honored to be your first.”

Haldir snorted. “I have been with men before! You’re merely the first stranger invited to kiss me.”

“I see, although I no longer consider myself a stranger since we’ve now become somewhat acquainted.” Faramir kissed him again, then drew back to gaze upon him. “You are such a lovely color, Haldir. Are you aware that there are rainbows in your eyes?”

“I think the thin air is having ill effects on you, my friend, but I appreciate the sentiments. I see the colors surrounding you as well, so I can relate to your state of breathlessness.”

“We should lie very still,” Faramir realized, “And just breathe.”

“An excellent suggestion!” Haldir took a deep breath and closed his eyes. For long moments, he did not move, and the Gondorian was beginning to think he had passed out. Finally, the turquoise eyes rose again to behold him. “What are you looking at?” he asked, unable to keep the smile off his face.

“You,” Faramir answered, and kissed him again. “Your lovely face with the soft pink circles surrounding it.”

Haldir laughed and caressed his face. “Lie down before you begin to see black holes, my friend.”

“Oh, too late for that. Deep caverns already call to me.”

“Then lie down and behave yourself until the mountain settles and we can venture back down to the valley.”

Faramir smiled, framing the elf’s face with his hands. “You’re beautiful.”

“I have never been called beautiful before. But I was just thinking the same thing about you…” Lips descended on his again. They indulged in a long, stirring kiss. “I have never felt this way before. Is it the height, or is there some spell here, which is to blame? Are you a wizard, my friend? Do you have the power to take my heart?”

“I have no power,” Faramir answered. “I am affected, too. Do you believe in love at first sight, Haldir?”

“Yes,” Haldir answered after another slow kiss. “I believe it is possible.”

“Until this moment, I did not believe such a thing could exist. But what I feel for you now could be nothing less.” Faramir’s head came to rest on Haldir’s shoulder, and for hours, both were silent.

“There, in that crack!” The voice brought man and elf to their feet to see who else was stranded on the Lonely Mountain. The sunshine was so vivid that it blinded them for a moment, but when they could see, the tall white wizard stood looking at them from the broken path, staff in hand.

“Gandalf!” they cried.

Gandalf stepped forth to take their hands and, knowing they were experiencing dizziness, supported them as they walked towards the large basket that swung from a gigantic balloon in the sky. Skeptical, they were helped into the basket by the elf already inside.

“We have been looking for you,” Celeborn told them. “I feared you had been crushed beneath the rocks, but Gandalf assured me you were safe.”

“We are grateful to Gandalf,” Haldir said. As the balloon shoved off and began a slanting descent to the valley, he breathed in a few much needed deep breaths.

Gandalf ran a testing hand over Faramir’s cheek, then Haldir’s. “Have you been keeping good company?” he asked, smiling.

“Oh, yes,” Faramir answered with a grin. “Haldir was a lovely shade of pink.”

Celeborn laughed. “The air was not sufficient,” he deduced. “When you cannot breathe, it is reminiscent of intoxication. The inhibitions are altered, the mind is freer, one will do and say things that would normally still the heart. I only hope that neither of you said things you will regret.”

Haldir and Faramir gazed at each other, then looked down. It was Gandalf who spoke. “Whatever you said, it was not your fault. You did not kill each other, so it could not have been so bad.”

Faramir nodded. “I was rather hoping that what was said was the truth, not merely the thin air speaking.”

Haldir met his eyes quickly. “Yes, I was just thinking the same thing,” he said.

They faced each other and, after a moment’s pause, embraced. “I meant every word,” Faramir whispered.

“As did I,” Haldir whispered back. “I would like to discuss this further when we are in private.”

Celeborn smiled at Gandalf. “It looks as if we had no need to worry,” he said softly.

Gandalf took the Lord of Lothlorien in his arms and kissed him. “It seems the air cleared their minds,” he said, chuckling. “Would you care to take a day with me on the mountain, Celeborn?”

The elf took his time completing their next kiss before he answered. “No, I prefer my talan.”

Gandalf glimpsed at Haldir, who was locked in a gaze with Faramir. “Look at them,” he said. “The two of them. They bring to mind the days when you and I first met, that day so long ago… Things were different then, my dear Celeborn. You were much more impetuous. You were full of vim, on fire for your people, and all of middle earth! You were amazing!” As their eyes met again, the wizard sighed blissfully. “You’re still amazing, and you always will be, my love.”

Celeborn kissed him again. “Haldir is changing, too. He is becoming more accepting of the inevitable, now. I am happy to know that Faramir has impressed him in their short time together. Even so, this man is incredible to have done so, for Haldir is one of the most cynical elves I know where men are concerned.”

“Perhaps he had good reason to be cynical,” Gandalf said. “Not all men have good intentions. But our Faramir is one of the purest of men. I am glad they have met. They will be good for each other.”

“Should we have left them alone a bit longer?”

“Not on the Lonely Mountain.” Gandalf paused, winking at the Elven Lord. “The air is much better in Lothlorien.”

As they stepped down from the basket, Faramir turned and gave Gandalf a heartfelt hug. “Thank you, Mithrandir,” he murmured in his ear. “I owe you my life.”

“Breathe the free air, my friend,” Gandalf quipped. “And tell me all about it, later. For now, go and enjoy your lovely elf.”

Faramir glanced at Haldir and raised his eyebrows confidentially. “Oh, I shall,” he assured him. With that, he took his elf by the hand and walked into shadows of the tall trees of Lothlorien.

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