Faramir Fiction Archive

Waiting on the Moon (PG-13)

Written by Lucky

20 June 2009 | 7836 words

Chapter 5

As the last elf filed out of the great hall everything became silent. It was as if even nature was holding it’s breath, no crickets, or the chirripings of birds or even the squeaking of bats penetrated the hush that had fallen on the land.

Galadriel stepped forth, “Faramir you must now separate yourself from those you love. Illuvenolodo is a trial of the heart and it must always be faced alone.”

Faramir embraced Haldir and Boromir, he wanted to speak, but suddenly his voice just wasn’t there. He gave Boromir a brief smile then stepped away. His eyes were clear and he felt terribly scared but oddly free at the same time.

“Faramir, son of Denethor and the house of Stewards do you accept this ritual?”

Faramir stared at Galadriel for a long moment, “I do.”

She placed on hand on his head, “kneel.”

Galadriel motioned for Arwen to come stand beside Faramir.

“Queen Arwen of Gondor and daughter to Elrond do you accept these memories, to judge them truth or not ?”

“I do.”

Galadriel placed her other hand upon Arwen’s head, “kneel.”

Boromir leaned towards Haldir intending to say something but received a shake of the head. He couldn’t imagine what things Faramir was carrying around in his head that would make him fight so badly to die rather than speak openly. It was probably a good thing Arwen had agreed to being the memory keeper. For it was nigh on likely that Galadriel would sense that when he got back home, Boromir was going to kill his father.

Haldir’s eyes went from Boromir to Faramir. That his lover’s brother was strong was never in question, but he prayed to the Valar that whatever strength Boromir possessed that it had been passed on to Faramir as well. The moon had brought him this wonderful kind man, though someday he would die a natural death Haldir was just not ready for it to be today.

Off to one side Aragorn watched pensively. There was too much going on here and he had been privy to none of it. A king should know about those he ruled. Even Arwen showed some unexpected fighting skills. But regardless of the outcome, death was really the only viable option for Faramir. The cub had bit him once and the taste of blood was there. There were no guarantees that somewhere down the road Faramir might not feel compelled to follow through with these same actions again. Arwen’s information would help but there were no other options unless..

Galadriel took a deep breath, once again the air took on that heavy feel of an unseen lightning storm. Outside there was one ominous rumbling then silence.

Boromir felt the surge of power that swirled around the room. This was old powerful magic, no wonder the elves were leaving these lands. Power like this could be dangerous in the wrong hands and as it stood right now, Mirkwood was the last elven stronghold. How much longer before it fell and that magic passed into the possession of those who had no right to wield it?

Haldir’s eyes went from Faramir to Arwen and then back again. Faramir’s breath became short and beneath his closed eyelids Haldir could see his eyes dancing back and forth. A rare frown creased Arwen’s face and most oddly she began to clench and unclench her fist.

Dawn was just approaching through the tree tops when Galadriel stepped away. Immediately attendants were at her side, helping her to a nearby chair, offering her drink. Not once did she open her eyes.

Aragorn went to Arwen’s side at once. She was panting as though she had run a great distance and in her eyes he could see the terrible reflections of memories that were not her own. He went to help her stand but she waved his hand away. Instead she moved over to Faramir, hovering but not touching him.

Faramir dropped his head to the floor and began to sob. These were great gut wrenching tears but the occasional high pitched whistle of incoming breath gave them a sadly childlike quality.

Haldir and Boromir both went towards Faramir but Arwen waived them off as well, enigmatically she spoke, “moments of truth are always faced alone.”

Deeply troubled Arwen stared down at the weeping Faramir. Never would she speak of the evil she encountered within Faramir’s mind, but that such barbarous actions could be visited upon one who was so intrinsically good, the parent in her heart was outraged and even were it to be privately she was going to see to it that Denethor lost his life for this.

Time continued to pass, as Faramir cried, as Arwen gave consideration to what she had witnessed and how much of what happened could be attributed to Faramir alone. Finally she waved Haldir and Boromir forward, he heart gladdened by the tender way in which Haldir took Faramir into his arms. His brother Boromir encircled them both in his arms. Family came in many forms, but love never changes.

Arwen stood, taking a deep breath she looked at her husband, “Faramir speaks the truth. He was goaded beyond reason.”

Aragorn inclined his head, “I accept your wisdom in this matter, but I still cannot allow Faramir to live. There must be retribution for his actions.”

Haldir and Boromir both came towards Aragorn, between the musical language of Haldir’s elvish and Boromir’s strongly worded protests nothing specific could be made out, but Aragorn got the gist of it all the same.

He quelled both of them with a look. “I can however allow Faramir to live outside the Borders of Gondor. He is banished from my realm for as long as he lives and never again can he be allowed to roam freely about as he has done for so long now.”

Arwen put a hand on Aragorn’s arm and he looked at her.

“Faramir is a deeply wounded man, I believe that he will find much healing here in Lothlorien.” She turned a tired smile upon Haldir.

“Tell me guardsman, can you provide a safe place for Faramir to reside and seek healing as he is able?”

Haldir nodded one time, “No one will ever harm him again.”

With that he scooped Faramir up into his arms and exited the great hall.

Epilogue:

Faramir lived long and within time he found the peace and healing that had been denied him within the land of Gondor. Queen Arwen kept her word and never again did she ever speak of what she had seen that day. But she did show Aragorn that nifty move that had turned the tide of battle within Faramir’s broken heart. Many years later the king took his final rest. Arwen left the land of Gondor never to return. For one season she wandered the land of Lothlorien, broken by the loss of one she had loved so deeply. But she was not alone, during that time there were two guardsmen who never left her side. Haldir, who would not sail to the land of his people while his beloved still lived and Faramir who owed his existence to her. For she had seen his tragic abuse at the hands of another and never once judged him for it. Six months later when Faramir died with his last breath he looked at Haldir and smiled.

“I die free.”

END

NB: Please do not distribute (by any means, including email) or repost this story (including translations) without the author's prior permission. [ more ]

Enjoyed this story? Then be sure to let the author know by posting a comment at https://www.faramirfiction.com/fiction/waiting-on-the-moon. Positive feedback is what keeps authors writing more stories!