Faramir Fiction Archive

When Darkness Falls (NC-17)

Written by Sairalinde and Anorienbean

10 April 2008 | 42956 words

Title: When Darkness Falls Chapter 6/?
Authors: Sairalinde & Anorienbean
Fandom: LOTR
Characters: Faramir/Haldir
Rating: NC17
Warnings: Non-con in later chapters, violence
Disclaimer: No money was made from this, and the characters all belong to the late, great Mr. JRR Tolkien and his estate.
Summary: Faramir and Haldir join the Fellowship and vow to do everything in their power to see the one ring destroyed. Things get complicated, however, when they fall in love almost immediately, and vow to protect one another as well. When the ring accidentally falls into Faramir’s possession, Haldir realizes that he can’t do both.
Warning: TOTALLY non-canon.

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Galadriel sighed, turning away from the small basin of water she’d been staring in, and closed her eyes. She’d watched as the fellowship had began their journey from Rivendell, watched as they’d tried so hard to traverse the mountain and failed, watched as they’d found shelter in the small caves, and finally, as Faramir and Haldir were separated from the others… with the ring in their possession. Before their journey had even begun, she’d made the long trek to Rivendell to speak with Lord Elrond, her son by marriage and someone she trusted without reservation. After securing his promise to make sure Haldir truly loved Faramir before they set off on their journey, she’d returned back to Lothlórien, her heart and mind still troubled from the visions she’d seen months ago as she’d gazed into the same basin, despite Elrond’s assurances.

While she, more than anyone, well knew that what she had seen could happen, there were no guarantees… and she prayed to the Valar that somehow, the tides would turn, and her visions would not hold true. She’d seen Faramir, the ring hanging from a chain around his neck, a cold gleam in his normally gentle blue eyes, and an uncharacteristic smirk on his face. He had more power than anyone on all of Arda, and he knew it… and reveled in it, wielding the ring with a cruel hand, and ordering the death of anyone who opposed him… even Galadriel’s beloved marchwarden, and Faramir’s lover, Haldir.

There was a way to stop him, that she knew. If nothing else in this world mattered, if nothing else could turn hatred and spite to kindness and gentility, it was love. And she had Lord Elrond’s promise that Haldir truly loved Faramir, even before he had talked with Haldir. Elrond swore he could see it in the Elf’s eyes, and the way he gazed adoringly at Faramir whenever the young man was around him, and spoke of nothing else but his lover when he wasn’t.

But did Haldir have enough love in him to convince Faramir to give up the ring? Did he possess such an exquisite gift? Galadriel had admired and cared for Haldir for many centuries, but she had never seen him give his heart to another… not in the way he would need to in order to keep Faramir safe from the ring of power.

Sighing again as she heard footsteps, Galadriel smiled up at her husband as he began descending the steps that led to her, a look of concern in his eyes. “Good evening, love,” she said softly. “I knew you would be looking for me soon.”

“You’ve been here for hours tonight. I grew worried,” Celeborn said stepping closer and gently running his hands over his wife’s arms. “More of the same?” he asked, inclining his head toward the mirror. When Galadriel had shared her visions and her fears with him, his heart had gone out to the young lovers. They had known Haldir since he was an Elfling and cared deeply for him and his brothers, and now he found that he feared for Haldir. Feared that his finally falling in love would be his undoing… especially since that love was with a man.

Galadriel nodded and rested her head against her husband’s chest. “Yes. More of the same… and the visions grow more terrible every time I come here,” she said softly. “Haldir and Faramir are waiting for their companions, that much I know. They do not know that the others are still on the far side of the mountain, and will not likely cross anytime soon. I saw… he used the ring. Faramir. He used it in the mines. I did not see why, or when, but the moment he put it on, I felt its power. I can’t help but wonder if Haldir knows. They are still together, I know that much, but…” her words trailed off as she closed her eyes again.

Celeborn sucked in a breath at his wife’s words. “Gods… he used it? I can’t imagine what purpose… but… but he hasn’t since? You’ve not felt it since?” He remembered Elrond’s letter about Frodo and how he too had used the ring but had not continued to do so. “It may have just been a momentary lapse. If they are still together, waiting for their companions, then there is still hope.” His hands gently moved over his wife’s back, soothing her. “Let’s go upstairs, love. It is cool here, and you need rest,” he whispered coaxing Galadriel to walk with him.

Galadriel nodded tiredly and let her husband lead her up the flight of stairs. “I sense that he only used it this once,” she said as they reached the first landing, and she turned to gaze longingly back at the basin, though she knew there was little else it could show her. Turning back to Celeborn, she rested one hand on his shoulder. “Celeborn… there is something else. Haldir and Faramir… they have not bonded yet. I can… sense that Haldir wants to, but for some reason, he has not released his faer as they make love. I am afraid that if he doesn’t do it soon, it will be too late… for them both.”

Celeborn frowned when Galadriel spoke of Haldir holding back. “I think we both know him well enough to say that Haldir fears he isn’t ready or that Faramir isn’t. Maybe even the fact they are Man and Elf is making him worry. It isn’t an easy decision, not like it would be if Faramir were an Elf too. Plus… Haldir’s never been in love before,” he whispered. He looked around them, then back to his wife. “Are they coming here? Did you sense that the same as before? Perhaps… we can have the opportunity to… at least broach the subject…” He trailed off unsure how exactly that conversation would even start.

Laughing softly despite her worries, Galadriel nodded and slipped her hand in Celeborn’s. “They will reach our borders soon, I think,” she said, “though, I am hoping they will bond before they get here. If we have to… encourage him, then it might mean that Elrond was wrong… and that Haldir doesn’t love Faramir as much as we hoped, and all will truly be lost. It isn’t like him to be mistaken about these things though. As much as I would love to tell Haldir what the future might hold for them both, I cannot. Any decisions they make must be theirs alone… though if Faramir only knew that if he destroyed the ring, he could sail to Aman with Haldir, it might be enough to help him make his decision.” Sighing, she shook her head sadly, her laughter from moments before fading quickly. “I fear the only thing we can tell Haldir is that he and Faramir must continue on alone, if, indeed, Haldir is still willing to stay with him, knowing he has the ring. Many would not want to be with someone who carried such a burden.”

“But knowing Haldir, if he does love Faramir, he would stay no matter what happened. You know how stubborn our marchwarden is… if he loves him, he will stand by him,” Celeborn said softly. “Don’t fret so much, love. You know that what the mirror shows you are only possibilities.” Celeborn led Galadriel into their talan and toward their bedroom so she could rest. It was late, the moon was high in the sky and she’d spent many hours staring into the mirror seeking answers. “Rest is what you need now… Haldir has never let us down. Take hope in that.”

Galadriel lay down on their bed and pulled her husband to lie beside her. “You are right, as usual,” she smiled. “Haldir is a good Elf. I think Elrond could not have misread him… knowing Haldir, he is simply waiting for the right moment.” Her hand rested lightly over Celeborn’s and she closed her eyes. “You should rest too, husband. They will be here shortly, and I think having the ring so close will not be easy on either of us.”

“You are right, about both. Haldir would be careful and would wait for the right moment; they’ve hardly had that on their journey I should imagine. And… the ring in Lórien… I don’t like the idea of it but I know it is necessary. They need a safe harbor… perhaps that is what Haldir will need to take that step? A safe place, where they aren’t looking over their shoulders or… trying not to disturb the rest of their companions,” he laughed softly and pressed a gentle kiss to Galadriel’s forehead. “Not exactly easy to let your faer hold sway when you are trying your best not to wake a wizard,” he teased hoping to make his wife laugh.

Unable to keep from laughing again, Galadriel turned and placed a gentle kiss to her husband’s lips. “You are right about that,” she whispered. “I imagine Haldir has wished Gandalf were deaf one more than one occasion, not to mention those hobbits. With ears like theirs, I can just see the look in Haldir’s eyes as he tries to muffle his cries.” Resting her head on Celeborn’s shoulder, Galadriel finally began to relax, the smile still on her face as she imagined Haldir’s impatience with so many other people around when he wanted to romance this man, that, from all she’d heard, he loved so dearly. “Good night, my love,” she whispered.

Celeborn smiled proudly, glad that he’d made Galadriel laugh and helped her relax from all the dark thoughts she’d had before. “Sweet dreams, beloved,” he whispered pressing a gentle kiss against soft skin. He lay awake a few moments as Galadriel’s breath evened out and she drifted into sleep. Not long after he followed his wife into dreams.

Faramir walked slowly beside Haldir as they moved through the darkened woods of Lórien. The guides with them had spoken little as they had entered the woods, one of them assuring Haldir that his brothers were on duty in another section of the wood and would send word now that he was there so he could see them the following day. They had walked for days and were both tired, but they hadn’t met any other on their trek. They had hoped that the rest of the fellowship had somehow gotten ahead of them and arrived at Lórien but were informed they had not. As they moved toward trees with spiral staircases lit with beautiful lights, Faramir thought he’d never seen any place so beautiful. “I had thought Rivendell was beautiful but this… even at night… it is truly a wonder,” he whispered.

Haldir smiled and gave his lover’s fingers a gentle squeeze. He knew that Galadriel would have sensed the ring’s presence the moment they crossed into Lórien’s borders, but would give them time alone, to rest and gather themselves before requesting a word with them. Right now, both he and Faramir were exhausted, and he thought he’d never in his life seen a more welcoming sight than his beloved Golden Wood. “I thought you would like it here,” he said, releasing Faramir’s hand and sliding his arm around his waist. “I will show you everything there is to see tomorrow, after we’ve rested. My talan is just head. I think you will find it much more comfortable than the trees and caves we have slept in the last few nights.”

Faramir smiled and nodded in agreement. “Oh, a bed will be a welcome sight,” he said softly. As they moved toward one of the trees ahead, the guardians who’d walked with them seemed to simply disappear into the darkness, and Haldir continued to lead Faramir toward a winding stairway that traveled up into a tall silver barked tree. When they arrived at the top, Faramir was amazed at the home there. Turning to look back across Lórien from the balcony that circled the talan he smiled. “How did you ever bring yourself to leave such a place?”

“Lord Elrond called a meeting, and Lady Galadriel asked me to go,” Haldir said, moving behind his lover and wrapping both arms around his waist. As his forearm rested over the small pocket in Faramir’s tunic where he kept the ring, Haldir jumped, feeling as if he’d been burned. Without a word, he simply moved his arm up a bit, and rested his head on Faramir’s shoulder. “Little did I know I would find the love of my life waiting for me there. Which reminds me… I need to discuss something with you once we’re settled. It’s something I’ve been thinking about for a while now, but… could never find the right time to bring it up.”

Faramir felt Haldir’s hand rest over the pocket that held the ring and he felt a strange wave wash over him for a moment before Haldir’s hand abruptly moved away. He was a bit stunned for a moment and then the feeling slipped away as Haldir spoke. “I had no idea I would find you either, but it was one of the best moments, of my life finding you in Rivendell,” he whispered in return. Turning in his lover’s arms, Faramir looked at Haldir for a moment wondering what Haldir would like to discuss. “We should probably get some rest, I have a feeling we’ll have an early day tomorrow talking to your Lord and Lady about where our companions might be.”

“Yes,” Haldir smiled, trying to put his unease about the ring to rest yet again, even as his arm still tingled. “Come inside, meleth. I have warm blankets for us both and clean clothes to wear tomorrow. And I think I just heard someone leave something at the top of the stairs… most likely food the likes of which we have not seen since Rivendell.” Taking Faramir’s hand, they moved inside the talan, and found that Haldir had been right – there was a huge tray of food awaiting them, and they wasted no time in eating every morsel. As soon as they finished, however, they made their way to the bed, disrobed, and lay down, sighing happily as the soft mattress gave beneath them, and the clean, cool sheets drifted over their skin. Haldir was getting more nervous by the minute, suddenly afraid that Faramir would not want to commit to him forever, as a bond would require.

Faramir reached out and let his hand trail gently over Haldir’s arm. “Are you all right? You seem… worried about something,” he said softly. When they had lain down, Haldir had seemed quiet and uncertain about something and Faramir wondered if perhaps he was worried about what tomorrow would bring news of the others or not and what it would mean for them.

Taking a deep breath, Haldir smiled and let one hand idly trace over Faramir’s hip. “I am fine, seron vell,” he whispered. “I just… I need to ask you something, but I am… afraid of what your answer might be.”

Faramir leaned up on his elbow to look at Haldir. “Afraid?” he asked puzzled by how nervous Haldir looked. Reaching out, Faramir gently trailed his other hand over Haldir’s face. “You are worrying me, love.”

Haldir swallowed the lump in his throat, and turned his head to press a soft kiss to his lover’s palm. “I am sorry,” he said, somewhat weakly. He never thought he would be nervous about this… but then again, he never honestly thought he would ever be asking anyone this question either. He’d thought about it, of course, but never could quite picture the person he would ask it of… and now, he here was, the man he loved above all else beside him, on a quest that they might not even survive. After another deep breath, he gazed into his lover’s eyes and smiled. “Are you familiar with how Elves bond?” he asked softly.

Faramir tilted his head slightly for a moment. “Bond? It is similar to a marriage I suppose… Gandalf spoke of it once, though he didn’t offer details,” he whispered. “Are… Gods… you aren’t bound to another here in Lórien are you?”

Shaking his head, Haldir couldn’t help but smile at his lover and pull him a little closer. “No, meleth, I am not bound to another… .yet,” he said softly. “I was… well, I was hoping that… if you would be interested that… well, maybe, whenever you’re ready… if you ever feel ready that… .ohbythevalarwillyoubondwithme?” Blushing, Haldir forced himself to hold Faramir’s gaze. “I mean… will… you bond with me? Would you want that… now or later or… .ever?”

Faramir felt his heart twist when Haldir said the word ‘yet’ and then as his lover’s words tumbled over one another he sat for a moment in stunned silence. A slow smile spread across his face as he gazed at Haldir. “Yes, I would love nothing more than that. Now, later, whenever you want. I love you, Haldir. No matter what, never doubt that,” he whispered as he leaned closer. “I love you,” he repeated against Haldir’s lips, kissing him tenderly and trying to convey all he felt into the sweet kiss.

Haldir lost himself in the sweet kiss and, despite everything, despite the ring that he could still feel was only a few feet away from him, and the quest that he knew lay ahead, he felt happier than he ever imagined he could be. He, too, gave himself over to their kiss, hoping beyond all hope that Faramir knew, without the slightest doubt, that Haldir loved him with every fiber of his being. When they finally pulled away for air, Haldir gently took Faramir’s face between his hands and smiled. “I love you so much, my lovely one,” he whispered. “So, so very much. You have no idea how happy you have just made me.”

Faramir smiled happily as Haldir drew away and whispered. “Oh, love… you have made me the happiest man alive. So… so when do you want to do this? Do you want to speak with Lord Celeborn tomorrow about it and of course wait for your brothers?” Faramir asked thinking that it could just be a simple ceremony.

“It is actually quite simple,” Haldir smiled. “A ceremony would make it official… more public, if you will, and I think Lord Celeborn would be more than happy to conduct a ceremony before we leave. But… really, it only requires that the Elves… or, in this case, the Elf involved, let his faer entwine with his lover’s as they are making love. I have wanted this for so long, but… I was afraid you wouldn’t, and I didn’t dare let my faer dance with yours unless you were willing. It will bond us together forever, though, so if you have any doubts at all, please say so now. It will mean that our lives will be forever as one, and we will live and die together. But… please, before you ask… I want this. I’ve thought about this long and hard, and I want to bond with you more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life. So… please… be sure this is your desire as well, before we go any further. I will understand if you need time… I know this is sudden.”

Faramir’s eyes widened and he suddenly understood why Gandalf hadn’t answered his questions when he was ten about Elven bonding rituals. He almost laughed at that thought but then Haldir spoke of their lives being one. “You… you are sure you want this… you’ve led such a long life, Haldir. Are you certain that you won’t regret this decision?” he asked worriedly. “I do want this, and I do love you, but… please I have to know for certain this is what you truly want.”

Leaning up, Haldir pressed his lips against Faramir’s and ran his tongue over the seam of his lover’s lips. When he pulled away, he took Faramir’s hand and pressed it over his furiously pounding heart. “Never in all my years have I wanted anything more,” he said softly. “I never dreamed I would want to bond with anyone, but, then again, I never dreamed I would love someone so deeply that I would not wish to live without them. That is how I feel about you, Faramir. I want to be yours, and only yours forever, if you will have me.”

Faramir felt his heart leap as Haldir kissed him and he smiled as his hand rested over his lover’s heart that was matching the pace of his own. “I could never live without you either… truly I couldn’t so I do understand your decision. I wish to be yours as well… until the end of time,” he whispered seriously. Leaning forward he pressed his lips to Haldir’s, feeling his lover yield to him, soft lips parted and his tongue danced with Haldir’s before drawing back and allowing his lover the same. His heart felt lighter in his chest than it had since before being lost in the caves and he simply reveled in being loved and loving Haldir in return.

Haldir’s arms wound around his lover and he felt tears of happiness fill his eyes. Slowly, his tongue moved forward and delved inside the warmth of Faramir’s mouth, and he thought again that he had never tasted anything sweeter. As their tongues danced together for long moments, Haldir felt his arousal filling and growing hard between them, and he finally pulled away breathlessly from their kiss. “Tonight, then?” he asked softly. “Will you bond with me… now? Once I release my faer, there is no going back, but, Gods, how I want this with you, here, tonight, the beginning of our forever here in the safety of Lórien.”

Faramir was breathless as Haldir drew away and his arousal was rapidly growing from the sweet passion laced kisses alone. He nodded slowly a soft smile on his lips. “Yes, love. Tonight, with no worries about tomorrow, the quest, nothing. Just us.” Raining gentle kisses over Haldir’s face he smiled. “Make love to me… make me yours forever, love,” he whispered as he watched heat flare in Haldir’s eyes.

Moaning softly, Haldir rolled them both over until he was lying on top of his lover. His hips shifted of their own accord and his entire body shivered with desire as their erections slid against each other. “Just us… forever,” he whispered. Reaching over to the nightstand beside them, Haldir quickly extinguished the small lamp and twisted the globe off. Moments later, his fingers were slick with oil. He settled beside his lover and slid his hand down to let one finger teasingly move over the small puckered entrance of Faramir’s backside as he continued to nibble playfully at his beloved’s neck.

Faramir smiled as Haldir kissed him over and over again. His hands roamed over smooth skin and taut muscles, and he spread his legs wider as Haldir settled between them. Even in the darkness he could see his lover in the bright moonlight streaming in the windows and his heart skipped as slick fingers moved teasingly against him. Faramir’s body shifted unconsciously against the probing fingers and soon felt a warm slick finger dip within him. Moaning softly he shifted his hips, his muscles relaxing to allow the finger entry and simply giving himself over to their lovemaking.

Carefully preparing his soon to be mate, Haldir let his finger slide in and out of the tight opening again and again, then finally worked in a second digit and repeated his actions once more. When both fingers moved easily inside the clenching passage, he slicked his aching arousal and gazed into Faramir’s eyes once more. Seeing nothing but love and happiness, he smiled and pressed another kiss against soft lips before pressing his arousal against the now slick and relaxed entrance. “How I love you, dear one,” he murmured as he slowly slid forward and sheathed himself in one smooth motion. As soon as he was buried to the hilt, he leaned forward, licking and sucking at Faramir’s nipples, waiting for him to adjust to the intrusion.

The feeling of Haldir’s fingers moving within him made Faramir shift back, inviting more. After long moments, Haldir drew away again and the soft moan of disappointment he heard he realized was his own. As Haldir moved between his legs, Faramir wrapped them around him, feeling his lover’s shaft poised to enter him, and then slowly Haldir pressed forward, filling him completely in one long thrust. A low moan fell from his lips, and Faramir arched his back as a hot mouth caught one nipple and then the other. His hands sunk into golden hair, soft as silk and he shifted his hips. “Please love… please,” he begged softly.

Haldir didn’t need to be asked twice. Slowly, he began to thrust into the tight heat of his lover’s body, watching Faramir’s eyes turn darker with each deep thrust. He moved for long minutes, pressing his lips to Faramir’s with each thrust forward, then pulling back, rocking slowly and steadily as the heat of his release began to build in his loins. Already, he could feel his faer reaching out to his lover, and for the first time in all their time together, he didn’t try to hold back, instead, letting his heart dictate what would happen next. After long, exquisite moments, he slid one hand between them and wrapped his fingers around Faramir’s already leaking sex, stroking him in time with each deep thrust. “Come with me, seron vell,” he murmured, knowing that he was close to losing all control at any moment.

Faramir’s legs tightened around his lover as he began to move, somehow pulling him in deeper with each thrust. As Haldir leaned back and looked into his eyes, he realized that the Elf had never looked more beautiful to him than in that moment. The air around them seemed to warm, to be a living force around them somehow, and his heart felt as if it would burst it was so full of love for Haldir. When long fingers wrapped around his arousal, Faramir moaned and thrust up into the tight grip and then back down to impale himself on the solid length within him. “Gods, yes, love,” he gasped in answer feeling his release building rapidly from deep within him. He’d never felt more loved, more connected with anyone in his life, and he simply let go of all conscious thought, just feeling everything in that moment. He could feel a warmth wrap around his heart, and Haldir nearly glowed with a light he’d never seen before, the light shimmering in his eyes and he knew that his lover was sharing all that he was, with him. Soft words of love fell from both their lips as they reached the edge. Crying out, Faramir felt his release spill over Haldir’s fingers and for a moment the air around them seem to sparkle.

Haldir, likewise, watched, entranced by his lover as they moved together. He felt his faer reach out to the man he loved and wrap around them both, and he knew that he had never in his life known a love more pure than this, the love he’d found in Faramir’s arms. He vaguely wondered what he’d been so nervous about, as this moment clearly proved that they were meant to be together, one being, one faer, never to be parted in this world or the next.

As warm, slick fluid spilled over his fingers, Haldir thrust in deep one final time and felt his own seed spill inside the passage surrounding him. Without thinking, he slid both arms underneath Faramir’s shoulders and pulled him up until they were sitting chest to chest, and Haldir was holding him so tightly neither of them could breathe for a moment. His hips continued to shift, and Faramir’s body milked him of every drop of his release as he buried his face against his lover’s neck and finally had the presence of mind to loosen his embrace.

The feeling of his lover’s release pulsing within him seemed to draw Faramir’s out even longer. His body continued to move for long moments before Haldir gathered him in his arms and held him tight. After a few moments, Haldir loosened his arms around him and simply held him close. Faramir kissed a smooth shoulder, slick with sweat and smiled adoringly as Haldir spoke. “Nothing… nothing has ever felt like this. I can feel you inside me, well obviously,” he almost laughed at himself, “but I mean you your soul as if we are one, just as you said earlier.”

Haldir chuckled as he gazed adoringly up at his lover and nodded. “I was not sure if you could feel the bonding of our faers or not,” he said. “Never having experienced it myself, I wasn’t sure what it would be like… but it was warm and beautiful and… perfect. It was more perfect than I ever dreamed it could be, and I even wondered why I was nervous about asking you.”

Faramir smiled, feeling his face color slightly and simply gazed into Haldir’s eyes that were sparkling like the stars. “I understand being nervous. I’m sure I would have been too if I’d been the one to ask. We are meant for each other, I’ve known that since the first night we spent together in Rivendell.” Feeling his lover slip from within him, Faramir sighed regretfully and leaned forward to press his lips to Haldir’s. “I will always love you, Haldir. Whatever the future holds for us, we will face it together.”

Reaching up to let his fingertips run lightly over his lover’s face, Haldir gently laid Faramir back against the bed with his free arm. “No matter what the future holds,” he whispered honestly. “Never doubt that, meleth. I will never leave you, and will never stop loving you.” Gazing down into Faramir’s eyes, Haldir tried to push away the feeling that he’d had when he’d first seen that his lover had the ring… the feeling of despair and fear that seemed to cut to his very core. He meant what he said, and though he feared even now that their journey would not be easy, he knew that he would do anything to protect the man he loved from harm, even if it mean sacrificing his own life. “I hope you know that.”

“I do… now more than ever I do. You’ve bound your life to a mortal, how… how could I not believe?” Faramir said softly, almost sadly. “You are giving up so much for me.” He swallowed hard and rested his head against Haldir’s shoulder practically clinging to his lover. He knew Haldir made his choice freely and he wanted this with him, Faramir loved him more than anything, but he still felt somewhat guilty about all that Haldir was giving up for him.

Haldir heard the sorrow in Faramir’s voice and leaned up on one arm to smile down at him. “I am giving up nothing,” he whispered as he tucked soft hair behind his lover’s and let his fingers trace along his jawline. “I am gaining the one thing I have longed for all my life, my lovely one… .love. Something found the first moment I kissed you. I have never, ever been happier than I am at this moment. Share that happiness with me… don’t be sad, guren. Please.”

Faramir turned to kiss Haldir’s palm and smiled. “I do share that happiness with you… I never thought anyone would ever love me like this or that I would love them so much,” he whispered. He pulled Haldir to rest against him and pressed a kiss against his temple. “I am so blessed to have your love,” he whispered after a moment. Reaching for his discarded tunic he gently cleaned them both and pulled the covers over them. “So… do I introduce you as… my husband now?” he asked with a happier smile than before.

Haldir smiled and nibbled on Faramir’s earlobe. “Yes,” he murmured. “If you like… and if you don’t mind me calling you my husband as well. I like the sound of that… ’my husband, Faramir.’ ‘I would like to introduce you to Faramir… my husband.’ ‘Yes, Faramir is my husband… we were bound last night… ’ Oh, I do like the way that sounds… I think I shall take great pleasure in introducing you to every one we see tomorrow.”

Faramir laughed as Haldir ran through the different ways he could introduce him and tightened his arm around his lover. “And I think I’ll take great pleasure in introducing you and being introduced that way,” he smiled. Relaxing against the soft bed, Faramir drew in a deep breath and released it slowly. “We should get some rest then, we have a long day ahead of us… and I’m thinking a long night tomorrow night as well,” he teased.

“As usual, my husband, you are right,” Haldir grinned, pulling Faramir closer and pressing a kiss against his forehead. “Sweet dreams, my love, and thank you for making me so, so very happy.”

“Thank you for asking me, though you truly did frighten me at first. I almost got extremely jealous when I thought perhaps you were betrothed to another when you first spoke of bonding,” he grinned. “Sweet dreams, love.” He settled into his lover’s embrace and closed his eyes, breathing in the unique scent of his lover that he’d come to know so well.

As both man and Elf drifted off to sleep, happy and secure in each other’s embrace, a slow smile touched Galadriel’s lips and she rested her hand on Celeborn’s arm as he sat down beside her. She’d known the moment Haldir and Faramir had entered Lórien’s borders, and felt a cold chill touch her heart as the ring crossed with them. Unable to sleep, she’d simply sat in the corner of her talan, staring across the Golden Wood in the direction of Haldir’s home. “Haldir… he has bonded with Faramir,” she said softly to her husband. “There may be hope after all.”

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