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When Darkness Falls (NC-17) 
Written by Sairalinde and Anorienbean10 April 2008 | 42956 words
Title: When Darkness Falls Chapter 1
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.
A dream. It was strange how all of this started with a dream filled with riddles and omens and now that Faramir had been in the fabled Elven realm for several days at times he still felt trapped within a dream. The beauty of Rivendell was unlike anything he had ever seen before, a place locked in an eternal autumn.
The council meeting had been.interesting.he supposed. He hadn’t expected seeing the ring of power as he had and certainly not expected the small bearer of the ring. He knew his father would want the ring to protect Gondor, but Gandalf had taught him enough to know that the ring wasn’t something that could be used to protect, only destroy.
During the council meeting however, Faramir had found himself a little distracted by something else golden besides the ring. The Elf from Lothlórien that had been introduced as Haldir, Marchwarden of the Golden Wood had been the source of Faramir’s distraction. All of the Elves were beautiful, but Haldir.there was just something about him. The way his blue eyes seemed to sparkle with an inner light that was absolutely stunning. When they had pledged to follow the ring bearer Frodo and to protect him on his journey to destroy the ring, he had found himself unable to keep his eyes off of Haldir.
Sighing to himself and wondering if his father would be angry with him for not following his wishes, Faramir sat down on a bench near one of the beautiful fountains. He was so lost in thought that he failed to hear anyone approaching across the leaf-strewn ground.
Haldir walked silently across the courtyard, his eyes focused on the young son of Gondor’s steward. Faramir was the most beautiful being Haldir had ever seen, not only in the way he smiled and held himself with such nobility, but in the way he had quickly befriended the halflings and even the other Elves present, something most of the race of Men were not adept at doing.
After their meeting, Haldir had retreated to his rooms. The ring should have been foremost on his mind, for he had pledged his life to protect the ringbearer and do what he could to see the ring destroyed, yet he could think of little other than Faramir. As he’d glanced out from his balcony, he’d watched the young man as he sat in the gardens, and almost before he knew it, Haldir found himself leaving his room and heading that way.
Sitting down on the bench beside Faramir, the golden Elf smiled. “We were not properly introduced earlier,” he said, bowing his head slightly. “I think we should get to know one another, as it seems we shall be traveling together for quite some time.”
Faramir had been so distracted that he hadn’t noticed someone sat down beside him and when he looked up he felt his breath catch in his chest as he gazed at Haldir. The one who had brought him to such distraction to begin with. “Haldir,” he said smiling, “I think you might be right. It would bode well for our journey if we were to… get better acquainted.” Suddenly, Faramir felt slightly nervous and looked down at the nearby fountain. “In truth I am still a bit overwhelmed by the beauty here. I didn’t even know before I left home if this place even existed.”
Haldir smiled. “It is lovely here,” he agreed. “If you could see Lothlórien, however, I think you would admire her beauty as well. There are places I could show you that would take your breath away.”
Faramir looked up and smiled as Haldir spoke. “I would like that,” he whispered. His eyes met Haldir’s for a moment before he looked away again; it was as if he were almost afraid to look into Haldir’s eyes for too long, fearing he might lose himself in them somehow. “This is the furthest I’ve ever been from my home though I have traveled before, I’ve never come this far, particularly alone. My father and brother felt it was best that I not travel with guards on this trek. They decided a man alone would draw less attention. I suppose in the same way that Lord Elrond believes the nine of us walking will do the same, though… I honestly have to say I would prefer to have my horse,” he grinned.
Haldir laughed and nodded, entranced by the way Faramir’s eyes sparkled and the way he could smile even under such dire circumstances. He is lovely… and noble. And by the Valar, I have ever seen such beautiful, trusting eyes in all my years. “I cannot say that I blame you,” he smiled. “I think our journey will be a difficult one, and we will all probably be wishing for horses before long.” Before he could continue, one of Elrond’s servants appeared and bowed before them, announcing that dinner would be served in the main halls, or in their rooms, whichever they preferred.
Haldir thanked the young Elf and turned his attention back to Faramir. “Would you care to join me for our meal? I was going to take my dinner in my rooms, and I would be honored to have you as my guest.”
Faramir had looked up at the dark haired Elf as he’d addressed them about dinner. Then, when Haldir turned back to him and asked Faramir to join him in his room, he felt his heart skip in his chest and wondered at himself. “I would be honored,” he found himself answering. He truly wished to spend more time with Haldir, though a part of him still wondered why Haldir would wish to spend time with him. When Haldir stood, he did the same and followed him toward the large house.
Moments later, when they entered Haldir’s guest quarters, Haldir bowed and looked almost shyly at Faramir. Now that they were alone and in closed quarters, he was a bit nervous. His attraction toward the young man was growing with every passing moment, and he was honestly unsure what had come over him. He’d never been attracted to someone of the race of men, yet he suddenly seemed to be obsessed with Faramir.
When he and Faramir had walked down the hallway, Elrond had smiled knowingly at them both and nodded to Haldir. Haldir knew that Elrond and Galadriel were close, and couldn’t help but wonder if Elrond knew something Haldir himself did not. Galadriel has specifically requested that he, Haldir, go on this quest, and told him that his life would be changed forever at its completion, but, as usual, she would not elaborate and sent Haldir on his way with no further explanation.
Shaking his head to clear it, Haldir gestured toward the couch and was relieved when servants immediately knocked on the door and brought several food-laden trays inside. Bypassing the chair next to the fireplace, Haldir instead chose to sit on the couch next to Faramir, hoping that he wasn’t being overly flirtatious, but feeling the need to at least let the young man know he was interested… and see if Faramir could possibly return that interest.
Faramir felt his nerves hit him full force once the door to Haldir’s room closed and he worried that he would make a complete fool of himself. He’d never felt this much attraction toward anyone before, and the fact Haldir was an Elf didn’t make it any easier. He probably seemed like a curiosity to the Elf and nothing more. Haldir had gestured toward a small couch, and he sat just as a servant knocked on the door with their meal. In truth, he didn’t even really feel all that hungry, his mind seemed to be so distracted with thoughts of his dream, of the journey and of Haldir that it didn’t seem to allow his body to register hunger. Once the servant left and Haldir settled on the couch beside him instead of the chair across from him, Faramir wondered for a moment why. He can’t possibly feel attracted to me… can he? The way I am to him?
Haldir could barely keep from staring at Faramir, and feign interest in their food. He tried to make small talk, but found himself almost stammering more than once, and finally convinced himself to keep his mouth shut. Gathering his courage after a few moments of silence, he took a deep breath and smiled at his companion. “I.I find myself nervous, Faramir,” he confessed. “I am not usually this.forward, or awkward, but I.” His words trailed off and his face flushed as his nerves got the best of him. “I am sorry. I should not say such things and make you uncomfortable. Please forgive me and enjoy your meal.”
Faramir tried to eat but he found himself sipping his wine instead and watching Haldir. They had both tried to speak of their journey, of the weather, and soon both lapsed into silence. It wasn’t uncomfortable exactly, though it was charged with something between them it seemed. When Haldir broke the silence that had settled around them Faramir looked at him oddly. “Forgive you? I… I am nervous as well… but… what were you going to say?” he asked unable to keep the curiosity at bay.
Haldir’s face flushed an even darker shade of red as he reluctantly brought his gaze up to meet Faramir’s. “Just that.from the moment I saw you at the council, I thought you were the most beautiful being I have ever seen,” he admitted. “Despite the circumstances of our journey, I find myself looking forward to being able to spend more time with you. I know Men are rarely attracted to Elves, and until today, I would have said the same about Elves being attracted to men, however,.I find that seeing you has changed my mind about that.”
Faramir felt his own face color to match Haldir’s as he said that he was beautiful. “I… I’m beautiful? No, Haldir,” he said softly. “You are the most stunning being man or Elf that I’ve ever met in my life. I too could not stop thinking about you today… in fact… when you sat beside me earlier I didn’t notice your approach because I was thinking about you even then. I know we have a long journey ahead of us… and I do not wish either of us to be uncomfortable around one another. I… I am very attracted to you, Haldir. Never has anyone affected me quite like this,” he whispered honestly though his face turned an even deeper shade of red. He’d never admitted such things aloud with anyone before, but he felt that he should be truthful with Haldir despite how embarrassed it made him feel.
A slow smile touched Haldir’s lips as Faramir spoke. He could see the confession was as difficult on Faramir as it had been on Haldir himself and he took heart in the fact that his attraction was at least returned. Reaching over to rest his hand lightly over Faramir’s, Haldir moved closer and let his thumb rub lightly over his knuckles. “Well,” he said softly, “since we have both admitted how we feel, maybe we will not have to be uncomfortable anymore.” Slowly, he lifted Faramir’s hand to his lips and pressed a soft kiss to his fingertips. “You are beautiful, whether you know it or not, pen velui. Breathtakingly beautiful, even to eyes as old as my own.eyes that have seen countless Elves and Men and creatures of every race imaginable.and I find you to be the most beautiful of all.”
When Haldir’s hand rested over his own, Faramir felt his heart skip in his chest and found that he couldn’t take his eyes off of Haldir. As the beautiful Elf drew his hand up to soft lips, Faramir closed his eyes for only a moment from the sweet gesture. Haldir’s words made his face feel even hotter as his eyes opened to regard sparkling blue eyes before him. “I… I find it hard to believe you’d even take notice of me,” Faramir whispered not even realizing he’d leaned closer to Haldir, closing the distance between them. His heart seemed to be pounding loudly in his ears and he wondered if Haldir could hear it as he shifted ever closer as if drawn to him. With his lips mere inches from Haldir’s he whispered. “May… may I kiss you?”
Mesmerized, Haldir could do nothing but nod, and lift one hand to rest on the back of Faramir’s neck, not pressuring or holding, but needing to feel the warmth of Faramir’s skin under his fingertips. Closing the distance between them, Haldir felt gentle lips press against his own, and he was lost. The sweet taste that was Faramir’s alone filled his mouth, and he parted his lips, wanting to feel his lover’s tongue moving against his, exploring and tasting at will. His other arm slid around Faramir’s waist and pulled him closer as his eyes closed and a soft sigh was lost between them.
Not even realizing that he was holding his breath as he waited for Haldir’s response, Faramir sighed softly before pressing his lips against Haldir’s. His lips were gentle against the Elf’s and his heart pounded furiously as Haldir’s lips parted granting him access. His tongue moved forward to slide along Haldir’s, savoring the unique sweet flavor that he was certain that he would crave for the rest of his days. His arms wrapped around Haldir, drawing him closer as his fingers slipped and tangled into silky blond hair. Nothing had ever felt this perfect before, and he was soon caught up in the kiss, exploring Haldir’s mouth for long moments before drawing back and allowing Haldir to do the same to him. It was pure bliss, like absolutely everything he’d ever wanted was right there in his arms… and perhaps it was.
Haldir felt strong arms wrap around him, and his heart, which was already beating entirely too fast, sped up even more. As Faramir’s tongue retreated, but their lips remained sealed together, Haldir leaned back, pulling Faramir practically on top of him as he rested against the arm of the couch. His own tongue slowly slid forward and delved into the warm, wet corners of his lover’s mouth. When they finally drew away for breath, Haldir was breathing heavily, and could feel his arousal straining against the fabric of his breeches, but he couldn’t bring himself to move. Instead, he simply smiled up at Faramir and gently tucked his hair behind one ear, then let his fingertips trail lightly over his face. “So perfect,” he whispered softly. “Your kisses, your smile, your eyes.everything about you is simply perfect.”
Faramir wasn’t even sure when he’d ended up practically in Haldir’s lap, though he certainly didn’t mind a bit. When they finally drew away from each other, both of them breathless, he stared into Haldir’s eyes as gentle fingers trailed over his face. The simple action seemed to make him feel treasured like never before. He smiled adoringly at Haldir as he whispered to him. “So are you, I’ve never known such grace and beauty before, and certainly never dreamed to be allowed to even touch one such as you, Haldir,” he whispered in return. He felt Haldir’s arousal press against his thigh and he felt an odd sense of pride that he was able to draw such a reaction from Haldir. Faramir’s own arousal was almost uncomfortable the way it was straining against the laces of his own breeches. Before Haldir could respond, Faramir leaned forward and kissed him gently again, a soft brushing of lips before he trailed lower to the smooth pale skin of Haldir’s neck, licking and tasting the warm skin there.
Shivering under Faramir’s ministrations, Haldir let his hands move over his lover’s back, wishing with all his heart that their tunics would simply disappear and he could feel nothing but Faramir’s skin beneath his fingertips. The warm kisses over his already overheated skin caused Haldir to moan softly, and before he could feel embarrassed at his rather obvious arousal, he felt Faramir’s own shifting against his thigh. “Gods,” he murmured, “You thought you would not be allowed to touch me? I want more than your touch, Faramir.I want to make love to you.”
Faramir felt his arousal pulse as Haldir spoke and drew back to look into eyes darkened with a desire that matched his own. “I want that… want you. I’ve… I’ve never done this sort of thing. I mean not that I’ve never done well… I mean… just not so… so quickly. I… I want you to know that I don’t just want this with you though,” he stammered, feeling unaccountably bashful for someone practically in another person’s lap and so hard he positively ached.
Haldir smiled up at his lover and leaned up to press a soft kiss against his lips. “I do not do this sort of thing either,” he confessed, “and though I do want you, I want more than your body, Faramir. When I was watching you earlier from my balcony, I dreamed about more than making love to you. I dreamed of kissing you, and holding you as the night closed in around us, of sitting in the baths, our bodies resting against each other’s as we whispered in the darkness, and feeding you berries from my lips. I want more than this as well.”
Faramir felt his heart trip in his chest as Haldir spoke. His words were beautiful, but the way he looked at Faramir was what was so incredible. “I have never felt what I feel when I look into your eyes, Haldir, and though I’ve never been in love before I think that perhaps this is what it feels like.”
Haldir wrapped both arms around Faramir and held him close. With one kiss, Faramir had captured his heart, and as sparkling blue eyes had met his own, Haldir had been completely and utterly lost. He had never believed in love at first sight, but as he remembered Galadriel’s parting smile as he left Lothlorien, he wondered if she had some hand in this. “I think this is exactly what it feels like,” he said softly. “Even at the council, I could barely concentrate on the ring of power, because I could not keep my eyes off of you.” Slowly, he let his hands travel underneath the back of Faramir’s tunic and gently traced light circles over his skin. “I am no longer hungry for food,” he smiled. “Could I possibly convince you to join me on the bed? We can talk, or kiss, or whatever you like, pen velui.”
Faramir smiled and nodded in agreement. He’d been distracted during the meeting as well by Haldir, and he had no desire for the ring. His father would have wanted it, and perhaps a part of him would like for once make him proud but he knew that the ring couldn’t be controlled the way his father wished it to be. So instead of focusing on it, he’d found himself focusing on Haldir. Smiling sheepishly he slid out of Haldir’s lap and stood, offering him his hand. “I am no longer hungry for food either,” he whispered as Haldir stood up with him. Slowly, with their fingers laced, he drew Haldir toward the bed. “And whatever I would like, is to feel your skin against mine,” he whispered as they stopped beside the bed. His hands rose slowly to the laces of Haldir’s tunic and began unlacing it to slowly reveal the pale skin of Haldir’s chest. Leaning forward he licked a path up from his chest to his neck just below Haldir’s ear and smiled. “I wish to know every perfect inch of your body, Haldir,” he breathed against his lover’s ear and felt his heart skip when his soon to be lover shivered.
Feeling as if he were drowning in sensation as the gentle tongue and lips moved over his skin, Haldir turned his head and nuzzled against the warmth of Faramir’s neck, murmuring softly. “As I want to know yours, my lovely one,” he whispered as his own fingers unlaced Faramir’s tunic and pushed it from his shoulders. “And I want to lavish you with kisses from head to toe before you fall asleep, and wake you with more of the same.” Letting his hands run over Faramir’s chest and stomach as he spoke, Haldir let his head fall back, practically helpless under Faramir’s sweet kisses. “I am amazed that I waited an entire day before telling you how attracted I am to you.”
Faramir smiled against Haldir’s neck as his hands tugged away the last lace of his tunic. “I am just glad that you approached me… I was convinced that someone as beautiful as you wouldn’t want my company… let alone want this,” he whispered honestly as he moved back and drew Haldir’s tunic off letting it fall to the floor to join his own. He simply stared at his lover for a moment, drinking in the sight of his perfect body before moving closer and drawing Haldir into another breathstealing kiss. It seemed that within moments they were both completely bared before one another, and they lowered together onto the soft bed.
“I think you have no idea of how beautiful you are,” Haldir whispered. Slowly, he let his hands travel over his lover’s skin as he kissed a long, slow trail across his chest and stomach. When he reached Faramir’s weeping length, he let his fingertips trail lovingly over every inch, and then licked at the swollen head. He slowly sank his lips down over Faramir’s arousal, moaning as his own twitched in anticipation.
Faramir’s moan mingled with Haldir’s as full lips sunk around him and Faramir’s hands tangled in the sheets. His eyes sunk closed for a moment, simply losing himself in the incredible sensation. After a few long moments, Faramir’s eyes opened to watch the erotic sight of his arousal moving past Haldir’s lips. “Gods,” he gasped as his body trembled under his lover, fighting the desire to thrust into the amazing warmth surrounding his length. His heart was pounding rapidly in his chest and he moaned again, his body trembling as his lover grazed the sensitive skin with his teeth.
Haldir wanted to make love to Faramir, but the sounds falling from his lover’s lips made him reluctant to stop what he was doing. Grinding his arousal into the sheets beneath them, Haldir looked up and let his gaze meet Faramir’s. “Let me taste you,” he murmured softly before letting his lips sink down over his lover’s weeping sex once more.
When Haldir drew away and spoke, fire seemed to race through Faramir’s veins. As his lover took him deeply again, Faramir fought to keep his hips from thrusting into the inviting heat but found that he couldn’t seem to control himself. One hand untangled from the sheets and he sunk his fingers into Haldir’s hair, feeling the soft whisper of it against his thighs and the palm of his hand and thinking that it was one of the most erotic feelings he’d ever known. The silky brush of the soft hair against his thighs along with the way Haldir’s tongue was moving against the underside of his shaft brought him to the edge. “Gods, Haldir,” he moaned as his body stiffened beneath his lover, his release slamming into him hard enough to steal his breath away as he arched against his lover.
Haldir felt Faramir tense, and moments later; his mouth was full of his lover’s release. Greedily swallowing every drop, he continued to lavish the softening organ with gentle licks. When Faramir finally relaxed back against the bed, Haldir pulled away and licked his lips as he moved to lie beside him. His hips unconsciously shifted forward and his erection pressed firmly against Faramir’s hip. Sealing their lips together in a deep kiss, Haldir’s hands moved lovingly over the lithe body next to him until he finally had to pull away to draw in a breath of air. “Would you let me make love to you?” he whispered softly.
As Faramir lay back against the bed, he was still trembling from his release. No one had ever made him feel this way… this connected to someone else from just that. When Haldir settled beside him and they kissed, he could taste himself on his lover’s tongue and a low moan was trapped in Haldir’s mouth. Haldir’s words as he drew away sent another wave of heat flashing through him and he smiled. “Gods, please,” he gasped almost embarrassed at how needy he sounded though not really caring.
With an adoring smile, Haldir reached behind him and unscrewed the globe from the lamp on the nightstand beside the bed. Dipping his fingers in the oil, he let his hand trail down to rest between his lover’s legs. He wasn’t sure how experienced Faramir was in the ways of lovemaking, but he was determined that he would go slowly and carefully, just in case. Leaning back in for another kiss, he let his middle finger run along the length of Faramir’s entrance before slowly dipping inside.
Faramir found himself watching Haldir as he moved closer, his finger slick with the lamp oil and he spread his legs wider in invitation. His body tensed for only a moment as the slick digit brushed against him. His eyes locked with Haldir’s for a moment and he moved his hips slightly, encouraging his lover. When a slick finger pressed inside him slowly, Faramir sighed and shifted back, his muscles pulling the slick digit even deeper within him. It had been a long time since he had a lover, though none were as gentle as Haldir was being and it made his heart skip in his chest to think that this gentle, beautiful Elf wished this with him.
Losing himself in the depth of clear blue eyes, Haldir continued to prepare him carefully. A second finger soon joined the first and slid deep inside as he rained dozens of light kisses over Faramir’s face and neck. When the small opening easily accepted the two digits, he gave Faramir one final kiss and moved to settle between his legs. He quickly slicked his own aching length and pressed the swollen head against the slick entrance then slowly moved forward, sinking into his lover inch by inch. When he was buried completely inside the tight passage, Haldir let one hand trail over Faramir’s hip and stomach, soothing him into relaxing, as he gazed watched for a sign that he was ready for more. “You are so lovely,” he whispered softly as tight muscles slowly relaxed around him. “I can already see that I will never get enough of you.”
Writhing under his lover’s gentle ministrations, Faramir drew in a deep breath when Haldir’s fingers withdrew and his lover settled between his legs. His body was practically aching to be filled by this incredible being and he could hardly believe yet again that one such as Haldir would desire him this way. When his lover’s slick length pressed against him, he willed himself to stay as relaxed as possible as the thick length began to slip inside of him. When Haldir was fully within him, but paused to allow him time to adjust to the intrusion, Faramir smiled up at him lovingly. “I hope that tonight is only the beginning for us, Haldir,” he whispered. His body relaxed around the shaft buried deep within him and Faramir shifted his hips back to draw his lover deeper.
“I hope so as well,” Haldir said softly. His words were lost in a low moan as Faramir shifted and pulled him in deeper, and he could see the need in his lover’s eyes that matched his own. Leaning forward, he let his tongue slide past soft, full lips, moving inside Faramir’s mouth as slowly and thoroughly as his arousal was moving deep inside his body, taking and giving, feeling as if they were a part of one another. He continued moving as slowly as he could, but the tight heat surrounding his length was too exquisite for him to last long, and several minutes later, his thrusts became deeper and more erratic. Sliding one hand between them, he wrapped his fingers around his lover’s reawakened length and fisted him in time with his thrusts. “Come with me.”
The thought that he’d never felt more complete in his life before this moment crossed Faramir’s mind as Haldir began to move within him. As their mouths met in a deep kiss, their tongues moved together slowly and made the moment even more incredible. Faramir moaned against his lover’s lips. Their pace remained slow and steady for some time, but he soon realized his arousal had grown hard again between them. Before he could even register another sensation though, Haldir’s hand moved to wrap around the shaft trapped between them as their pace increased. When Haldir spoke, Faramir moaned from the softly whispered plea and spilled hot and slick between them as his lover continued to thrust deep within him, his muscles clamping down around the thick length.
The feeling of Faramir’s release spilling over his fingers combined with already tight muscles clenching around his length sent Haldir over the edge. With one final, deep thrust, his release slammed into him, and his seed spilled inside the tight passage as he cried out his lover’s name. When the tremors from his orgasm finally passed, he lay down on top of Faramir and buried his face against the warm skin of his neck. “Gods,” he murmured, sliding his arms beneath Faramir and holding him close. “It feels right, being with you like that.”
Faramir was still recovering from his own release as he watched his lover come undone. Haldir was absolutely stunning, and he couldn’t have taken his eyes off his lover if he’d tried. When Haldir rested against him, Faramir’s arms wrapped around him, holding his lover close and pressing gentle kisses against his temple. “I did feel right… as if you completed me in a way I’ve never known before,” Faramir admitted softly. He took a deep breath and simply held his lover close, loving the feeling of Haldir wrapped around him like that, and he lay as still as he could trying to keep his lover from slipping from within him… craving the feeling of being so intimately connected.
Closing his eyes, Haldir reveled in the feel of loving arms wrapped around him, and he, too, tried to lay still and stay inside his lover for as long as he could. Before too long, however, his softening arousal slid from inside the gripping heat and he sighed regretfully. He rolled over to lie beside Faramir, yet still kept him in a firm embrace, hoping that he wouldn’t want to leave and return to his own quarters. “Stay with me?” he murmured as he nibbled on his lover’s neck. “And not just for tonight?”
Faramir sighed as his lover slipped from within him and he snuggled into his lover’s embrace as Haldir held him. “Not just for tonight,” Faramir confirmed as he kissed Haldir gently. “I will stay for as long as you will have me, Haldir,” he added softly. In his heart he hoped that Haldir would want him always. He snuggled close and buried his face against Haldir’s neck, breathing in the alluring scent of his lover that he knew he would never forget no matter how long he lived.
Haldir pulled Faramir closer and pressed a kiss to his temple. “Then you will stay with me for eternity,” he whispered softly. When he was younger, Galadriel had whispered once to him that he would find love in another Elven Realm, though he might be surprised at just whom it was he fell for. Now, her words all made sense, for he never would have dreamed of falling in love with a human. “I love you, Faramir. I know it is happening fast, but have no doubt about my feelings. I do not say this lightly, and I do not expect you to feel the same way. But I do.I love you… already.”
Faramir found himself smiling foolishly as Haldir spoke, his heart feeling lighter than it had in years if ever. “You… you love me?” he questioned happily. “Oh, Haldir… it is not happening too fast… and I do not doubt you, because then I would be forced to doubt myself. I love you, completely,” he said raining tender kisses against Haldir’s neck. Leaning up to look into Haldir’s eyes he smiled. “And an eternity… couldn’t possibly be long enough, but it will have to be.”
Laughing softly, Haldir felt his heart swell with love as sparkling blue eyes gazed up at him. “Then we will just have to make sure every day of our eternity is perfect,” he said softly. Haldir cleaned them both with his discarded tunic as he spoke, and pulled Faramir closer.
Faramir had never felt so cherished in his life as Haldir cleaned him so gently and held him close. Of all the things he had expected on his journey to the fabled Rivendell this… falling in love with someone so incredible, was certainly not one of them. Pulling the blankets over them, Faramir tangled his legs with Haldir’s and snuggled against him, his face buried against the smooth enticing column of his lover’s neck. “How… how do you think the others will react?” he asked curiously after a moment.
Haldir sighed happily as Faramir snuggled close and let his hands run lightly over his lover’s back. “I am not sure,” he answered honestly. “Though I think some relationships have formed within the fellowship already. Frodo and Sam, and Merry and Pippin, for instance. And even as we walked back to this room, I got the distinct impression that Lord Elrond knew where we were going.and highly approved. I hope the rest will understand, but if they do not, then it will be their problem, not ours. Love this powerful and deep doesn’t often come along in one’s life, and I will not hide how I feel for you.”
Faramir smiled as Haldir spoke and found himself arching into his lover’s touch. “I think you are right about the hobbits, in the time I’ve spent with them you can see the bonds between them so easily. And I agree, what I feel for you… with you… I’ve never felt before in my life, and it is too wonderful to hide,” he whispered softly. Faramir was still recovering from his long journey from Gondor, and the day itself had started very early with meetings even before the full council had assembled, and in Haldir’s loving embrace he was starting to feel sleepy. He tried to suppress a yawn, though wasn’t quite successful and laughed softly. “I’m afraid the day is catching up with me.”
Haldir gently tucked a lock of hair behind Faramir’s ear and nodded. “Rest, my lovely one,” he whispered as he placed a soft kiss to Faramir’s forehead. “Have the sweetest dreams, and maybe tomorrow, if you are still willing, we can move our belongings into one room… either mine or yours.”
“Mmm, this room is fine… I’d like to stay in this bed… may seem foolishly sentimental but…” Faramir’s words trailed off into a sheepish grin as Haldir gazed at him. “Sweet dreams, my love,” he whispered, resting his head against Haldir’s chest and closing his eyes. Sleep soon took him under, and he knew that his dreams which had been confusing of late would this time be filled with visions of sparkling blue eyes and golden hair.
Burying his face in soft, dark hair, Haldir smiled and closed his eyes. “Then this room, and this bed it is, pen velui,” he whispered softly, touched at his lover’s sentimentality. As Faramir relaxed against him, Haldir felt his own body slowly giving in to the call of sleep. Keeping one arm tightly around the beloved form next to him, he moved his free hand to tangle with his lover’s as it rested on his chest. He quickly drifted off to sleep, a content smile on his face and sweet dreams already touching his mind.
Title: When Darkness Falls Chapter 2/?
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.
Haldir stared into the fire that Gandalf had conjured out of nowhere. They’d trudged for long, miserable hours through the snow of Caradhras. Haldir had run quickly before them, hoping for an end to the cold and ice, but each time he returned to his companions, it was with even worse news than before. Aragorn and Faramir had carried the hobbits through the snow that was well over their heads, and finally, Haldir had given up trying to run ahead, and had taken a shivering Merry and Frodo into his arms, trying to relieve the burdens of the men as much as he could.
As the flames warmed the small cave they’d finally taken refuge in after the avalanche, Haldir’s gaze wandered toward his lover, who was talking earnestly to Gandalf in the far corner. As he stared at the man who’d so easily captured his heart, Haldir couldn’t help but remember Elrond’s words before they’d left Rivendell. He’d requested that Haldir come to his room, alone, on the day before they left on their journey.
Elrond had studied Haldir intently for a moment before speaking. “Haldir, do you truly love him?” he’d asked.
Without hesitation, Haldir had answered. “I love him more with every passing moment. And when the ring is destroyed, I want to take him away from all that is dark or sad, and live and die by his side.”
Elrond had nodded and moved closer to Haldir. “Be sure that your love never waivers,” he’d said softly. “For I have seen a shadow of what may come, and much will depend on how deeply you love Faramir. If there is any doubt in your mind of your feelings for him, any doubt at all, then I would not have you go on this quest.”
Haldir had sensed Elrond’s sincerity and concern. “I will go,” he said softly, “for there is no doubt in my mind as to how I feel about Faramir. I love him from the very depths of my heart.”
Elrond had finally smiled and moved away, seeming to make a decision. “Very well, then,” he’d murmured. “Hold true to your heart, and hope for the best. Watch out for him, and keep him safe. That, more than anything else, is your charge. I wish you all the best, mellonamin. Oh.and try to get along with the dwarf. It won’t be easy, but.please try. If nothing else, for diplomacy’s sake.”
A soft chuckle fell from Haldir’s lips as he remembered Elrond’s parting words and he realized he was staring back into the fire. The hobbits were already paired off, curled around each other underneath the blankets, and Haldir found himself yawning, hoping that Faramir would finish his conversation soon. He could tell his lover was moving stiffly, no doubt from carrying the hobbits for so many leagues, and he reached into his pack for some herbs he’d thought to bring from Rivendell. Dropping them into a cup of water, he held the small tin over the fire with a branch and heated the contents as he waited for Faramir to join him.
Faramir glanced away from Gandalf for a moment and saw Haldir sitting near the fire. A hint of a smile touched his lips and when he turned back to his former tutor, Gandalf laughed. “We can all discuss our course in the morning, Faramir. You are tired and chilled, go on. Go rest,” he said kindly. Faramir nodded his agreement and thanked Gandalf yet again for the magic fire he’d conjured to warm them all. Moving slowly toward his lover, Faramir could almost imagine he could feel every step he’d taken the last several days coming back to haunt him. Lowering himself beside Haldir, he smiled as much as he could given the circumstances. “I was so grateful when we discovered this cave, I was certain that we wouldn’t be able to go much further… especially the little ones.”
Haldir wrapped one arm around his lover’s shoulder and pressed a kiss to his temple. “I know,” he said, glancing over at the halflings with a smile. “The cold does not have as much of an effect on me, but I was worried for you all. Even old Gandalf looked as if he were about to fall over.” Bringing the warm tin closer, Haldir wrapped an edge of their blanket around it and offered it to Faramir. “Here,” he said softly as his hand moved to rest on Faramir’s lower back and gently rub in small circles. “Something warm to drink, and help you relax. I know your back must be stiff from carrying the hobbits so far and under such difficult circumstances. I will make some for the others while you drink, then, if you like, I will curl up beside you and rub your back until you sleep.”
Faramir smiled gratefully as Haldir gave him the warm tea, “Thank you, love. I could definitely use that back rub… Pippin and Merry may be rather small but I’m beginning to think they had rocks in their pockets,” he grinned as he took a drink of the warm liquid. The warmth sliding down his throat was enough to make him shiver; not even truly realizing how cold he had been until now. He sat back against the wall, watching quietly as Haldir made sure everyone in their party had some of the warm tea. He almost grinned as he watched the way Gimli and Haldir eyed one another for a moment before the dwarf accepted the drink with a gruff ‘thank you’ and a stiff nod. His eyes caught Aragorn’s for a moment and saw him grin at the exchange as well. Soon, Haldir was back by his side again and they moved a little further from the fire so they could curl up together in a bit of privacy, or at least as much as they could get in the small cave.
Haldir’s fingers wandered underneath Faramir’s tunic and gently kneaded the tensed muscles of his lover’s lower back. “I will help you carry them tomorrow,” he promised as he felt Faramir slowly relaxing against him. “I thought I was helping by scouting ahead, but I seemed to bring back nothing but bad news. And that dwarf.he is determined that we should travel through the mines of Moria. As bad as I hate to admit it, he might be right. The hobbits cannot stand much more of this cold.”
“Oh love, you were helping, none of us could have scouted ahead as you did… and honestly I don’t think any of us were really expecting terribly good news of our path,” Faramir said softly as he leaned back into the gentle touch. Haldir’s fingers were warm and gentle against him, and he felt some of the tension in his lower back begin to recede. “And as loathe as I am to agree with you… those damn mines do sound good right now. I wish we had chosen another path, but Gandalf was only trying the most direct approach. I think he tends to forget we don’t all have magical powers,” he grinned. Snuggling closer to Haldir, he knew his skin must be terribly cold against the warmth of Haldir’s neck but he couldn’t keep himself from seeking that warmth. “You are so warm.”
Haldir smiled and pulled their blanket tighter around them then resumed his gentle massage. He loved the way Faramir felt in his arms, and, even as his lover shivered against him, he snuggled closer. “And you, my lovely one, are so cold,” he chuckled, “but I do take great pleasure in warming you up.” Slowly, his hands moved over cold skin, rubbing and soothing, warming and relaxing, until Faramir stopped shivering. Moving so he could breathe over his lover’s skin, Haldir closed his eyes and smiled. “Any better?” he asked just before he fastened his lips just below Faramir’s ear and gently sucked the smooth skin into his mouth, marking him as well as trying to show him how much he loved him. He couldn’t help but think about Elrond’s words again, and though Haldir knew that Faramir knew he was very, very loved, Haldir was determined that not one moment would go by that he didn’t show him the depths of that love.
Faramir sighed blissfully as Haldir’s hands caressed him, both warming his skin and his blood with desire. He moaned quietly as Haldir’s lips moved against his neck and he shivered in desire this time. “Much,” he whispered snaking his hands under Haldir’s tunic to pull him closer. “Much, much better.” Turning his head slightly he caught Haldir’s lips with his own and kissed him lovingly, sucking on his lover’s tongue for a moment before drawing away.
Licking his lips, Haldir gazed into his lover’s eyes and smiled. “I love you,” he whispered, still tasting Faramir’s sweetness on his tongue. “I hope you know that.” With just that simple kiss, Haldir found that he was aroused, and wondered just how good Aragorn and Gandalf’s hearing was.
Faramir smiled adoringly at his lover and nodded. “I do know that,” he whispered in return. “And you.are very loved in return.” Leaning forward, he kissed Haldir tenderly and felt his lover’s arousal press against him. Drawing away he grinned mischievously. “I was wondering,” he whispered as his hand moved to cup his lover’s arousal trapped behind leather lacing, “Do you think you could be quiet while I thanked you properly for my back rub?” he continued, loving the way Haldir’s eyes darkened from his words.
Biting back a moan, Haldir buried his face in Faramir’s hair and nodded as loving hands moved over his aching length. In all his years, no one had ever made him ache with need as Faramir could by simply touching him, or whispering to him. While many of the Elves he knew found lovemaking and whispered sweet nothings less then exciting after a few hundred years, Haldir was finding a new appreciation for each touch and endearment that fell from his lover’s perfect lips. Taking a deep, steadying breath, he moved so that he could bury his face against the warmth of Faramir’s neck, hoping to at least muffle the moans that were sure to fall from his lips. “I will certainly try,” he murmured against his lover’s neck.
Faramir smiled as Haldir buried his face against his neck and his fingers, stiff and frozen before but now quite warm, began unlacing his lover’s breeches. After a few moments, his hand wrapped around the thick length, stroking slowly as Haldir’s lips moved against his neck, making his own arousal grow insistent against the laces of his own breeches. His hand began to move faster and Faramir tried to keep his breath steady as he moved though after several long moments he pressed his lips against Haldir’s ear and whispered. “Let me taste you?”
Shivering as Faramir whispered against him, Haldir nodded again and loosened his embrace. He could feel his length getting harder as knowing fingers moved over his skin, and was thankful that they’d moved so far from the firelight. Lifting the blanket so Faramir could move, Haldir stuffed the edge between his teeth and concentrated on stifling the moans that were already building in his throat.
Faramir wasted no time in scooting under the blanket as Haldir lifted it slightly for him. It was a bit awkward and the ground beneath them was unforgiving, though Faramir didn’t seem to notice it. Leaning forward he trailed his tongue over the glistening tip of his lover’s shaft before sealing his lips around it and slowly sinking down around the hard length. Relaxing his throat he took Haldir as deeply as he could and swallowed around him, having to stifle a moan of his own as he tasted his lover even more on the back of his tongue. One hand held Haldir’s hip firmly while the other snaked under his lover’s tunic to caress the smooth muscles of Haldir’s stomach, enjoying the quick trembles he could feel under his hands.
Haldir tried not to thrust into the heat of the wicked mouth surrounding him. One hand fisted in the blanket as the other moved to rest on Faramir’s head and his fingers curled gently into soft hair. Gasping as his lover swallowed around him, Haldir jumped when Aragorn called across the cave to see if he was all right. “Yes! Fine!” he yelled back somewhat unsteadily, praying that no one would come to check on them, but thinking, from the way Aragorn laughed softly that they would be undisturbed. His release was building quickly as Faramir’s lips and tongue moved over him, and he knew he wouldn’t last much longer.
Faramir was so wrapped up in what he was doing that he’d barely registered that someone had called out, and simply continued what he was doing. He could feel Haldir holding back, his muscles tense, trying not to thrust into his mouth, and Faramir used his hand on his lover’s hip to coax him to let go and thrust at will. All he knew was that he wanted Haldir to enjoy every single moment of what he was doing, and he redoubled his efforts as he moved with his lover, allowing Haldir to set their pace now. Gods, love. Just let go for me.
Losing all semblance of control as Faramir urged him to thrust, Haldir moved his hips, taking his lover’s mouth as slowly as he could, wanting this to last as long as possible. “Meleth,” he whispered softly as he felt the tension in his groin getting even greater. Biting down hard on the blanket, Haldir felt his release slam into him. His fingers curled tighter in his lover’s hair and his thrusts became erratic as his seed spilled into the willing warmth of Faramir’s mouth. As he lay trembling in the aftermath, he closed his eyes and felt completely boneless, even as his fingers combed lovingly through long, soft hair. “Meleth.what you do to me,” he murmured.
Faramir reveled in his lover coming undone for him; he could feel Haldir’s body tense just before hot slick fluid spilled down his throat. Drawing back slightly in an effort to swallow everything hehad to offer, Faramir continued to clean his lover until he was completely spent before drawing away fully to drag in a ragged breath. He smiled and licked his lips as Haldir spoke softly. “I love you,” he whispered, sliding back up so they were facing one another again. “I love you more than you can possibly imagine,” he confirmed before kissing Haldir deeply.
Haldir wrapped his arms around Faramir and sighed into the kiss. Tasting himself as their mouths sealed together, he felt his softening organ twitch even as he rolled Faramir over gently to lie on his back, never breaking their kiss. “I think it’s only fair that I thank you for thanking me,” he murmured as he nibbled playfully on Faramir’s bottom lip and shifted his hip against his lover’s already hard arousal.
Lost in their kiss, Faramir barely realized that Haldir had pushed him back against the floor before he felt his lover’s body pressing against his aching arousal. Chuckling softly as Haldir spoke, Faramir’s fingers threaded through soft golden hair. “It is good to be appreciated,” he teased. He had completely forgotten about their companions and suddenly realized that he would need to try to keep himself quiet as Haldir made good on the promise he could see in his eyes.
“Oh, you are appreciated, my lovely one,” Haldir smiled, licking his lips and ducking his head under the covers. “You are most appreciated.” Keen Elven eyes let him see clearly even in the darkness and moments later, he had unlaced Faramir’s breeches and slid them down lean hips. Settling between long legs, he gently licked at the smooth pouch that hung below Faramir’s arousal, then took one of the tender globes in his mouth, sucking gently, before moving to the other as his hand wrapped around the already weeping above.
In no time at all it seemed Haldir had easily unlaced his breeches pulled tight by his arousal and he lifted his hips slightly as his lover drug the soft material down. Sucking in a deep breath, Faramir bit his bottom lip to keep from crying out as a warm mouth sucked him in gently before a strong hand wrapped around his aching arousal already slick with need. He tried to concentrate on keeping himself as quiet as possible, but he wasn’t sure if he would be able to manage it. Remembering what his lover had done, he grabbed the blanket and bit down on it, to at least muffle himself should he slip. He dearly wished that he could watch Haldir, though being somewhat “blind” and only relying on the touch of his lover was quite erotic in itself.
Haldir moved his head and placed a soft kiss to the palm of Faramir’s hand before returning to his task. Letting his tongue run over the throbbing vein on the underside of the thick length before him, he licked at the tip, murmuring contentedly as he tasted bittersweet warmth on the back of his tongue. Slowly, he sank his lips down over the rigid organ, stopping only when the head was at the back of his throat and his face was buried in the soft nest of curls at the base. Humming softly, he swallowed around the swollen flesh, and reached up to entangle one of his hand with Faramir’s.
Faramir drew in a deep breath as Haldir’s mouth left him and a sweet kiss was pressed against the palm of his hand. He found himself smiling at that simple act for a moment before a warm slick tongue licked him and he fought not to buck his hips up from the floor. Stifling a moan against the blanket caught firmly in his teeth, his eyes sunk closed as his lover’s mouth sank around him. Haldir’s humming though was almost his undoing, he gasped and trembled under his lover trying his best to keep as quiet as possible. He had never realized how hard the simple act of remaining quiet while his lover touched him this way truly would be.
Loving the way Faramir was trembling beneath this touch, Haldir redoubled his efforts and began sucking hard on the length between his lips. His head moved up and down as he took the engorged length in deeply again and again, and squeezed Faramir’s hand as he moved faster, encouraging him to take what he needed.
Faramir’s release was so close he knew that it wouldn’t take much more before he would lose control. As Haldir coaxed him to move, he did so, thrusting up into the welcoming heat of his lover’s mouth and trying with all his might to keep his harsh breaths from being too loud in the cave. Feeling the tension gathering low in his body, his back arched up from the floor and with a stifled moan he spilled slick and hot in Haldir’s mouth. Faramir, who had been so cold earlier, was now damp with sweat as his body trembled in the aftermath of his release. As his hips lowered back down he felt his lover follow him, cleaning him just as completely as he had done for Haldir. Tugging the blanket from between his teeth he whispered. “I love you, Haldir.”
Haldir licked his lips, and slowly kissed his way back up Faramir’s body. Settling beside him, he let his fingers trace over the dear face before him and slid one arm underneath Faramir’s head, to act as a pillow. “And I love you, gûren,” he whispered softly. After a moment, he slid easily out of his breeches and used his foot to work Faramir’s off as well. “I’ll keep you warm,” he promised as Faramir looked up at him in surprise. “And we will dress before the others awake in the morning. I just want to feel your skin against my own.” Entangling their legs, Haldir pulled Faramir closer and smiled as he heard the distinct sounds of Merry and Pippin most likely doing what he had just finished doing. “Seems we are not the only ones in love.”
Faramir smiled happily as Haldir settled beside him, holding him close. Snuggling close, Faramir laughed softly as Haldir spoke. “No, I suppose we aren’t,” he grinned. Letting his fingers lazily trail through Haldir’s hair, Faramir sighed deeply. “This is the most relaxed I think I’ve felt in days,” he whispered as his eyes began to feel heavy.
Haldir pressed his lips to Faramir’s temple and kissed each of his eyelids. “Then sleep well, my love,” he whispered. “Perhaps we will awake to warmth and laughter, and our journey tomorrow will not be so difficult.” His own eyes were heavy, but he fought sleep as long as he could, content to simply watch Faramir as he continued to relax against him. As the sounds around them died out, he softly began singing a song in Elvish, a love song meant for Faramir’s ears only, but one that carried throughout the cave and soothed everyone, even Gandalf and Aragorn to sleep as well.
Faramir’s arms tightened around his lover, and he snuggled close. “Sleep well, love,” Faramir whispered in return. After a few moments he began to feel the press of sleep against him and began to drift, a smile touching his face as Haldir sang softly. He had never felt more loved in his life than he did with Haldir. With that thought, Faramir drifted off into a contented sleep.
Title: When Darkness Falls Chapter 3/?
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.
The trek back down from the icy mountain was arduous but once they had moved out of the snow and onto more ‘normal’ terrain everyone’s spirits seemed to lift a bit, particularly Gimli’s who regaled them all with stories of the mines they were headed toward.
Faramir found he was as apprehensive about the mines as Haldir was for some reason he couldn’t quite place. Maybe it was the look in Gandalf’s eyes he’d seen when they had all finally agreed on the mines? When they finally drew to a stop before the gates, Faramir leaned against a large boulder next to Haldir, their hands entangling between them as they waited for Gandalf to remember how to get into the mine.
More time passed than any of them had imagined it would, and the hobbits had grown bored. Merry and Pippin began skipping rocks across the surface of the inky black lake that lay before the gates and Faramir began to feel restless for some reason. Apparently, Aragorn had the same feeling of unease because he warned the hobbits not to disturb the water. Shortly after Gandalf managed to open the gate and they all started moving toward the large opening.
Swallowing back his dread as they neared the mines, Haldir unconsciously squeezed Faramir’s hand tightly. He hated the mere thoughts of being in the dwarf-infested mines, but knew they had little choice. While there was a good chance he and the Men of their fellowship could have made it over the mountain, there was little doubt about the hobbits.they would never have survived. Still.he felt a chill running up his spine at the very thoughts of what lay beneath the cold earth that the dwarves had delved so deeply into.
The rest of the fellowship had accepted his relationship with Faramir, and Gandalf seemed especially keen to give them time alone, a fact which Haldir couldn’t help, but attribute to Lord Elrond. Nevertheless, he was grateful for every moment with his lover, and more determined than ever that whatever trials lay ahead of them, they would survive… together.
As they made their way through the entrance of the mine, Haldir saw something moving in the water from the corner of his eye. “There’s something in the water,” he said just loudly enough for the others to hear.
Faramir turned just as Haldir spoke and saw the water rippling as something started to rise out of the water. He blinked for a moment thinking he was seeing things, though his hand was already reaching back for his bow and notching an arrow in place as he saw Haldir do the same from the corner of his eye. Before anyone could even say a word a giant tentacled monster rose up before them, his long arms reaching out toward them and the first of many arrows flew forth from their bows as they stood in the entrance. Faramir started to tell the hobbits to get behind them when one of the long arms lashed out and wrapped around Frodo’s leg. The hobbit screamed as he was drug across the rock strewn ground and then lifted into the air by his ankle. The necklace with the ring slipped from over his head and landed on the ground. All members of their party moved forward, trying to rescue the young ringbearer and without thinking Faramir leaned down and scooped up the ring, shoving it into his pocket to return to Frodo later.
Haldir took careful aim and his arrow found its mark just between the beast’s eyes. The creature let loose a blood curdling scream and dropped Frodo, who was caught easily in Aragorn’s arms just as yet another tentacle lashed out toward Haldir and Faramir. Both man and Elf were thrown deep inside the cave, and before they could get to their feet, they saw the creature grabbing once more for the hobbits, who were running in the other direction, Aragorn and Gimli doing their best to usher them to safety.
Gandalf’s eyes met Haldir’s just as another long arm slunk into the cave entrance, trying it’s best to reach either Haldir or Faramir. The doorway was completely blocked and Haldir knew they were trapped, unless someone managed to kill the creature. As it stood, the grasping tentacle was driving them further into the darkness, and further away from the rest of their fellowship. Gandalf closed his eyes and reached deep into his robes, where his fingers closed on a crystallized piece of stone that glowed in the darkness. Hoping for the best, he threw the stone with all his might toward the lovers inside the cave.
Haldir caught the stone in one hand and realized what was happening. The creature, seeing that he would not reach either of it’s prey, simply reached toward the upper edge of the entrance and started pulling the stones down one by one, until, with a great crash, the entrance was completely buried beneath layer after layer of boulders.
Haldir’s hand found Faramir’s in the darkness and he pulled him closer. “Guren, are you all right?”
Faramir watched in horror as the creature began collapsing the entrance, cutting them off from the rest of the fellowship. He could hear the hobbits screaming on the other side of the wall but was forced back by the choking dust and debris falling around he and Haldir.
There was nothing that they could do other than just move deeper into the cave and try to keep from being crushed by the stones. When Haldir’s hand found his and he was pulled close, he gasped. “I think so… are you?” he asked worriedly. He hoped that the others would get away from the monster or manage to kill it before it killed one of them. It was incredibly dark, and he wondered why if the dwarves still lived in these mines, they had no light at all. Just as he wondered that, Haldir’s hand rose and light shimmered around them. It dawned on him that he’d seen Gandalf throw something toward the cave and smiled sadly. “At least we can see in here… though I’m not exactly sure I want to… if feels… wrong in here, Haldir.”
“I know,” Haldir whispered softly as he found what looked to have been an old torch and carefully nestled the glowing crystal between the sharp edges at the top. His free arm slid slowly around his lover’s waist and he pulled him closer, feeling as if the darkness was weighing heavily on their shoulders. “I feel it too. I think we are trapped. That… creature brought down the whole side of the mountain. I guess well have to.try to find our way out and hope the others are there waiting for us.”
Faramir sighed as Haldir spoke and nodded in agreement. “I don’t think we can get out that way at least… but surely there is another way. There has to be,” he said softly feeling awkward about raising his voice in the darkness that surrounded them. The light Gandalf had given them helped, but it wasn’t bright enough to cast the light far about them. “I suppose… we just start walking and hope?”
“I suppose so,” Haldir agreed, feeling almost claustrophobic as the darkness seemed to wrap around them even with the glowing crystal before them. “And I..oh, Gods.” Before he could continue he felt something grinding beneath his feet and lowered the light. There were bones scattered across the ground in every direction. Bones of hundreds of what could only be dwarves. “I guess it is a good thing Gimli was spared seeing this,” he sighed dismally. “He thought he would find a warm welcome.but I am afraid that any dwarves who used to live here are long gone. I dreaded seeing a band of dwarves.but now I would almost welcome them.almost.”
Faramir looked down as Haldir spoke and gasped at the view he was greeted with. “I don’t think I want to know what happened here or what was responsible for it,” he agreed softly though he smiled slightly at Haldir’s words about the dwarves he would ‘almost’ welcome. “I suppose the only choice we have is to move forward into the mines and hope there is another exit on the other side of the mountain. Surely there is… there must be, no one builds a house let alone something like this with only one exit,” Faramir said trying to focus on logical things as much as he could. They slowly started to move away from the wall, deeper into the cave and their hands entwined automatically both for safety as well as comfort.
As they moved forward, Haldir listened carefully, but the silence around them was unbroken. He remembered Gandalf saying that the journey through the mines would take several days, and that was with him knowing where he was going. As it stood, Haldir and Faramir could only go on instinct alone.
They trekked for hours, hand in hand, speaking softly when they spoke at all, until they were both exhausted. “Shall we rest and see what food we have in our packs?” he asked quietly. “I think it is most likely nightfall outside by now and we have not had food since morning.”
After so many hours of walking in the darkness, Faramir found himself feeling as if he hadn’t seen the sun in weeks. “That sounds good, love,” he said softly and they moved over to a low outcropping of smooth rock and sat down next to one another. He wondered how long they would be trapped in the darkness, but tried to push the thoughts away. His mood was as dark as the cave around him, but he tried to push his worries away. At least they were together; he could take heart in that.
Haldir rested the glowing crystal beside them and opened the small pack he carried, happy to find enough food and water to last for several days. As they set their meager meal before them, he rested one hand on the small of Faramir’s back and smiled at his lover. “How’s your back, meleth? Better, I hope?”
Faramir smiled as Haldir asked about his back and nodded as he leaned into his lover’s touch. “It is better, love,” he whispered. “I imagine once we are free of this place and when this journey is over with we will both be longing for a nice soft bed though,” he grinned as they settled in and began to eat. “How many days did Gandalf say it would take?” he asked hoping that he hadn’t heard almost a week though he was sure he had.
“He said it would take almost a week, if we didn’t get lost,” Haldir sighed. “I’m already dreaming of a nice bed, and we’ve not been in here a full day yet. I miss the bed we shared in Rivendell.such a nice bed. Of course, I think it would have been perfect if it had been made of stone as long as you were beside me, so maybe this won’t be so bad. At least we’re together.”
Faramir sighed with Haldir when he confirmed how long the journey would take through the caves, though soon enough he found himself smiling. “I was just thinking the same, that at least we are together,” he said softly. He leaned closer to Haldir and kissed him tenderly. “That is all I will ever need, is you by my side, and just the two of us… perhaps if we don’t get too lost in here, can make good time? The others will be slower and have to cross around the mountain… if… if… if they made it,” he said sadly looking down at his hands.
Haldir smiled and wrapped both arms around his lover, pulling him closer, loving the way Faramir was talking about needing nothing more than Haldir by his side. Faramir was all Haldir needed as well, and he couldn’t wait until this was over and they could be free and happy, without worrying about Sauron or the ring, or the fate of all man and Elven-kind. “They will make it,” he said softly, hoping to lift his lover’s spirits. “Gandalf will protect them, and Aragorn, and even that gruff little dwarf will look out for the little ones. Try not to worry, love. We will make it through these caves quickly, and find the others if they are not there waiting for us at the other end. We will finish this quest, and can move on with our lives, pen velui.”
Faramir smiled as Haldir spoke. “I look forward to the day when we can move on with our lives as well… though I suppose none of us really thought this journey would be easy, I think we all could have done without the avalanche and that… creature,” he said with a wry smile. They continued to eat their dinner in silence and Faramir turned to Haldir, “Do you want to rest here… or do you want to continue on? I know that you don’t get as tired as I do… we can keep going if you like,” he said softly. A part of him wished that he had Elven stamina if only for the desire to get out of the caves even faster.
“I am tired, but not enough to sleep,” Haldir answered as he gently tucked a lock of hair behind Faramir’s ear. “If you like, I will watch over you while you rest here, or we can continue on for a while and stop whenever you need to.” In truth, he simply wanted to hold his lover close, whenever and wherever Faramir needed rest. Though he was glad they were together, already he was berating himself for not pushing Faramir to safety with the others, though it would have meant he was trapped here, alone. At least Faramir would be safe, and he wondered if that wasn’t what Elrond had meant when he told him to watch after Faramir. I have failed already. He would have been safer with the others.
Faramir smiled tiredly and scooted closer to Haldir. “Maybe we can rest here a few hours at least and then move on. I feel… strange here and in truth I hope I can sleep easily in such a place,” he admitted honestly. His arm slipped around Haldir’s waist and Faramir leaned against him. “You don’t mind resting here do you, love?”
“Of course not,” Haldir smiled, leaning back against the wall and running his hands over his lover’s arms. “I will keep watch, and you just relax, my love. Lean on me, or sit with me, or do whatever makes you comfortable, and when you wake, we shall head out again. Maybe we will get lucky and find a shortcut.”
Faramir nodded slowly and snuggled against Haldir’s chest, part of him tempted to crawl into Haldir’s lap but thinking that would be childish he simply held tight to his lover. “Maybe so,” he whispered in regards to a shortcut and Faramir let his eyes sink closed. It took him quite a while to relax, but Haldir’s steady breathing and soothing touch began to relax him. Just as he started to slip into sleep he murmured against his lover’s neck, “I love you.”
“I love you too, pen velui,” Haldir whispered softly as he rested his cheek on the top of Faramir’s head. When Faramir shifted shortly after going to sleep, Haldir shifted as well, and gently pulled him onto his lap. Both arms wrapped around his lover again, and he sighed happily, as content as he could be under the circumstances as Faramir’s warm breath ghosted over his skin. He knew they needed to make good time tomorrow, for the damp darkness surrounding them could do neither of them any good, but for now, they were safe, and that was all that mattered.
Title: When Darkness Falls Chapter 4/?
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.
When Faramir awoke, he wasn’t sure if it was day or night. How dreadful must it be to live down here without a hint of sunshine? He thought as his mind began to focus. He realized he was settled quite comfortably in his lover’s lap and he leaned back to gaze at Haldir in the dim light from the crystal. “How long have I slept?” he asked softly seeing that Haldir was still awake.
Haldir smiled and pressed his lips over Faramir’s in a gentle kiss. “A few hours, I think,” he whispered. “And you are all warm and snuggly, and if we did not have so far to go, I think I would like to stay here a few more hours, to be honest.”
Faramir smiled at the word snuggly thinking for a moment that it sounded so adorable coming from someone as elegant as Haldir. “Are you sure you don’t need to rest? You’ve watched over me… I don’t mind returning the favor,” he whispered.
“Maybe later,” Haldir said. “If you are up to it, I think we should go on. I rested a bit while you slept, and feel fine now.”
Regretfully, Faramir drew back and nodded. “Then we should move on,” he whispered but didn’t make to get up just yet. Leaning forward he pressed his lips to Haldir’s in a gentle kiss and smiled. “Now… we should move on,” he added grinning as he disentangled himself from his lover and stood up. He blinked a few times, wishing that there was more light. “How do dwarves do it? Live in the darkness like this… even with hundreds of torches lit this place would still be dark,” he grumbled as he stretched his muscles a bit.
Haldir stood up and stretched as well, then leaned over to pack up the remnants of their meal from the night before. “You know my feelings on dwarves,” Haldir teased, though, in truth, he thought he might just like Gimli if the stubborn little creature would simply smile once in a while. Then again, he thought, Haldir hadn’t been one to smile much either, until Faramir came into his life.and even then, his smiles were mostly reserved for his lover. “I have wondered the same thing myself though. I suppose the mines, to them, are like the forests to Elves, and cities and villages are to men. Just.home. The place they find comfort and happiness, though I truly do not see how.”
Faramir shrugged as Haldir spoke, his words making perfect sense. “You are right, love… I guess it just seems strange since our people don’t live underground. If it is what you know… what you are born to… I suppose it doesn’t seem strange at all,” he agreed as he helped Haldir pack up and he looked ahead of them trying to see something… anything that might tell them which direction to go. “I suppose we just keep walking forward, and away from where we came in,” he mused. Reaching out as Haldir shouldered his pack, his fingers tangled with his lover’s yet again. “Tell me when you need to rest, promise?”
Haldir gave his Faramir’s hand a gentle squeeze and nodded. “I promise,” he smiled. “And the same goes for you. When you get tired or hungry, let me know. Or you want to stop for a simple hug or kiss, we can do that too. I think I might stop for both of those things often.” His voice was teasing, but he couldn’t have been more serious. As the darkness surrounded them, he needed to feel the goodness and love that Faramir carried within him more than ever.
Faramir laughed quietly as Haldir spoke and squeezed his hand. “I think I’d like those things often as well,” he grinned. It made his heart feel lighter to tease with Haldir despite their situation.
They continued on for many hours in the darkness of Moria before they took rest again… and this pattern continued for what Faramir estimated was about four days; maybe a little more or less. It was hard to tell without the sky to tell you for certain.
When they finally reached a large archway that seemed lit from within, Haldir lowered the still-glowing crystal and carefully moved forward. “I see.steps.a bridge and.fire. I remember Gandalf saying something about a bridge, but I cannot remember exactly what he said. I think we need to cross it, but.I have a very bad feeling about this.”
Faramir looked at his lover for a moment and nodded. “I think you are right about crossing it… and I haven’t had a good feeling about these caves since we found ourselves trapped here… but at least there is light… and if there is a bridge maybe,” Faramir paused and shrugged hopefully, “maybe there is a way out on the other side of it? One doesn’t build a bridge to lead to no where right?” He hoped his words sounded hopeful but he knew he was reaching. He felt just as uncomfortable about what lie ahead as Haldir did for some reason.
“Right,” Haldir agreed. “There is probably a doorway that leads straight out of this place just on the other side.” Giving Faramir’s hand another squeeze, Haldir took a deep breath and slowly moved forward. He could hear nothing, nor see what the source of the flames was. As they moved down the first set of stairs, he kept glancing around them, and kept a firm grip on his lover’s hand. A sudden, even deeper feeling of dread came over him, and he stopped short, almost causing Faramir to run into him. “Listen,” he whispered. “Something is coming.”
Faramir couldn’t hear as well as Haldir could but the very air around them seemed to be filled with something foreboding. He had no idea what it could be and was afraid to even think on it. Orcs weren’t this… elusive and he wouldn’t allow himself to think too much of what could be coming toward them. “Let’s hurry,” Faramir whispered as they began to move again, Haldir leading him as they moved down the steps. The ‘bridge’ was narrow ahead of them and as he looked at how there seemed to be no floor he felt his mouth go dry. “Why would they build it like this… or is it simply unfinished?” he thought aloud as they moved. The caves they’d passed through before had been nothing like this, this place didn’t even seem a part of where they had just been.
Stepping gingerly onto the bridge, Haldir shook his head. “I am not sure,” he whispered. “Nothing in this place makes sense, nothing seems right here.” They moved quickly across the narrow stone bridge, holding tightly on to each other. When they were over halfway across, he glanced over his shoulder, past his lover, and felt his heart stop. Just outside of the cavern they had just left, he saw flames, incredibly tall and fierce, and.they were moving. “Whatever you do, do not look back,” he whispered, grabbing Faramir by the hips and managing to reverse their positions so Faramir was ahead of him, and Haldir was between his lover and the oncoming flames. “I am right behind you. Just keep moving, meleth.”
“What?” Faramir managed as he was practically manhandled by his lover and shoved ahead of them. Haldir’s words don’t look back struck him oddly and of course he had the desire to look but thought as the cavern somehow became even brighter that maybe he should listen. Speeding up into a half run, he felt the ground tremble under their feet and felt his heart leap into his throat. Whatever was behind them was big, but the desire to look back finally got the better of him. Faramir glanced over his shoulder and fought every instinct to stop and stare.
Quickly he looked ahead of them again, and picked up his pace as much as the narrow bridge would allow. If they overbalanced even a little bit they’d both fall to their doom; then again if they didn’t get out of there and away from what was behind them… they might meet their doom anyway. Scrambling ahead, Faramir tried to drag in a breath but the air was so hot. The creature behind them was pure fire, as if it simply was nothing but fire encased in stone.
The creature, a balrog, Haldir knew at once, was gaining on them, somehow managing to cross the narrow bridge even more quickly then he and Faramir, despite its size. The ground seemed to tremble beneath their feet again, and Haldir heard the crack of a whip behind them. He continued pushing Faramir ahead as quickly as he dared, but knew that they couldn’t make it to the other side without something to distract the creature. Releasing Faramir’s hand, Haldir turned toward the balrog and reached for an arrow, knowing that it would do little to help them, but having no other weapon close at hand. “Go!” he hissed as Faramir tried to pull him away. “Go! I will be right behind you!”
“No!” Faramir shouted trying to pull Haldir back but nearly screamed in frustration when he stepped toward the beast and not away. He watched as his lover loosed an arrow and started to draw his own bow when Haldir yelled at him again to go. “Not without you! Haldir, please!” he shouted just as the creature drew back with a long fire laced whip that sliced through the air faster than either of them could draw breath. He watched in horror as Haldir tried to move back but there was simply no place to go.
Before Haldir knew what was happening, he heard the whip crack, and felt a searing pain cutting through him from his right shoulder, across his chest and stomach, and ending at his left hip, tearing a gaping hole in his tunic. He almost fell to his knees, but forced himself to stay standing, seeing that Faramir wasn’t running toward the other side of the bridge, instead staying just behind him. “GO! Faramir, just go! I promise I will follow you! You cannot just stand there!” Even as he spoke, he reached painfully behind him for another arrow just as the whip cracked through the air again and caught him on his forearms and neck. Screaming in pain, he almost fell from the narrow bridge, the fire from the whip burning through his skin and seeming to scorch his very bones.
Faramir grabbed Haldir’s tunic and began pulling his lover backwards just before the whip slashed toward them again. The creature stepped toward them; his formidable weight causing the bridge to shudder under them and Faramir was knocked backwards against one of the few pillars on this part of the bridge. He heard Haldir scream and suddenly for the first time since he’d picked it up, he remembered the ring. It was almost as clear as a voice inside him urging him to use it for protection for himself but mostly for Haldir. His mind was foremost on Haldir and before he could even give himself time to think he’d slipped the ring on. Unsheathing his sword he felt a calmness wash over him, and he seemed to know exactly what to do. Moving past Haldir, who couldn’t see him at all, a fact he didn’t realize, he rushed toward the creature and thrust upwards with his sword. In truth he should have been burned, he shouldn’t have had the strength to push the creature back as he did, and a part of him recognized it was the ring. He could almost feel its power in him, and though a part of him knew it was wrong, all he wanted was to protect Haldir. Pushing forward as hard as he could, he managed to shove the creature off balance enough to push it over the edge. He had no idea how he made his way back to Haldir’s side, only that he had, and when he slipped off the ring he missed the look in Haldir’s eyes.
Gritting his teeth against the pain, Haldir startled when Faramir suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Finally dropping to his knees, he looked up at his lover in stunned silence. Gods..he has the ring? The ring Frodo was supposed to have? When? How? By the Valar, how can this be happening? A shiver or pure terror raced up his spine, worse than the balrog could ever have inspired, and he fought the urge to simply grab the ring from his lover’s fingers and throw it off the bridge. He knew, however, that he could not touch it, that it would kill him as surely as he drew breath. As he struggled for breath, he vowed to simply watch over his lover until they reached the end of the mines. There, they would hopefully meet their companions, and Faramir would return the ring to Frodo. “Guren.are you hurt?”
Faramir shoved the ring back into his pocket and started to sheath his sword. He paused for a moment thinking it should be too hot for him to even hold. Somehow the ring had protected him as he’d managed to cause the creature to overbalance and fall from the bridge. They could hear it roaring below them and he knew they weren’t out of danger yet. As Haldir collapsed to his knees, Faramir dropped down before him. “I’m not hurt, but you are, love. We have to get out of here… can you go on?” he asked worriedly.
Haldir nodded and rested one hand on Faramir’s shoulder as he pushed himself to his feet. “I do not know how you managed to knock him off, but.thank you. You saved my life,” he said softly, trying his best not to think about the ring just yet. One thing at a time. We need to get our of here first. A wave of pain struck him again as his skin stretched over the edges of the burns and he held on to his lover for a moment until the pain faded away to a more manageable level. “I can walk. We need to get out of here before it comes back. Go quickly.I am right behind you.”
“No, you go ahead of me this time,” Faramir said maneuvering Haldir ahead of him. He’d seen the pain in Haldir’s eyes when he’d stood up and he wanted to make sure Haldir was where he could keep an eye on him. “I know you are hurting, but hurry, love,” he urged as Haldir moved ahead of him and they began to make their way toward another archway with a set of rough steps hewn into the hard rock. Faramir kept throwing glances over his shoulder as they moved, hoping that whatever that thing was, that it was trapped where it was for now. As they moved he could feel a change in the air… fresh air from somewhere ahead of them. “I think there is a way out ahead!”
Haldir nodded and kept moving as fast as he could. He too could feel the blessedly fresh air before them. After they’d climbed a few dozen more torturous steps and found their way through two more dark caves, they suddenly found themselves emerging into glorious sunlight. Breathing heavily, Haldir rested back against the cool stone of the mines they’d just exited and closed his eyes. “We made it,” he gasped. “The next time I see that wretched Dwarf, I am going to tell him exactly what I think of his beloved mines!”
As they moved into sunlight for the first time in almost a week Faramir took a deep breath of the fresh air and leaned against the stones alongside Haldir. Despite the situation, Faramir laughed and shook his head. “I shall have to make sure that I’m privy to that conversation,” he teased as he dragged in a ragged breath. “We should keep moving though, I don’t know if that thing can get out of there or not but I don’t think I want to tarry around here and find out. Can you make it at least to the trees?” he asked pointing ahead of them toward a small forest.
Haldir nodded and pushed himself off from the rock. He needed healing sleep before his wounds would begin to mend, but Faramir was right.they needed to be as far from the mines as possible. His tunic was rubbing harshly against the burn across his torso and arms, and each time he turned his neck, he felt as if someone were trying to rip his head from his shoulders. Wounds borne of such great evil might not heal quickly, he thought, especially with that damnable ring so near, but now was neither the time nor the place to bring that up. Long minutes later, they finally stepped underneath the safety of the forest and Haldir knew he could go no further. “I.I need to stop,” he murmured. “Besides, our companions might be looking for us, and we should not go much further.”
Faramir immediately stopped and pulled his lover toward a small outcropping of rocks that could serve as shelter for them. “Here.” He helped lower Haldir down and removed the Elf’s pack and weapons, laying it all beside him. “I may have some salve in my pack.” Pulling out a small vial, he rested it between them and reached over to squeeze Haldir’s hand gently. “I’m sorry, love,” he whispered his voice thick from concern. “Do you… you probably should remove your tunic but I don’t want to hurt you anymore than you already are.” He felt helpless but he tried not to let that show. On the battlefield he never had problems with his men being hurt, he cared for them of course but this was entirely different.
Haldir rested his head back against the tree and took a deep breath. Squeezing Faramir’s hand tightly, he nodded and moaned as the action made his neck hurt even more. “I have another tunic in my pack,” he murmured. “Can you.just cut this one off? I cannot lift my arms just yet.”
Faramir frowned and nodded as Haldir spoke. He unsheathed his knife from his boot and carefully began cutting Haldir’s tunic from him. He was careful to keep the flat of the blade or the dull spine against Haldir’s skin, not wanting to risk cutting him in the process. After several long moments he had the material cut away and felt tears well in his eyes from the burns and cuts across Haldir’s chest and neck. “Oh, Gods, love… I am so sorry,” he whispered finally unable to keep the tears at bay, they ran down his cheeks slowly. His hands shook as he picked up the vial of salve and he reached out to gather Haldir’s hand in his own for a moment. “We can take our time here for you to heal until the others make it over the mountain. I… I’m sure we are ahead of them… we have to be.”
Wincing as Faramir pulled the tunic away from his burns, Haldir managed to stifle his moans, but held tightly to his lover’s hand when he was finished. “Don’t cry, guren,” he managed. “Please. I’m fine. I just need to rest.and sleep for a while.and hopefully they will be here soon. You must be tired too though.do you see a place we can both rest for a few hours?”
Faramir nodded as he opened the vial. “I’ll find us better shelter than this, but for now this salve will help. I’ll just do this as quickly and carefully as I can… and then you rest here while I look for a more suitable place for us.” Faramir’s hands shook as he tended the burns and he worked just as promised, quickly yet carefully hoping that the soothing herbs in the salve would help. After what seemed even to him a long time, he sat back on his heels. “Will you be all right here while I go see if there is a more protected spot than this?”
Haldir felt loved and cared for as Faramir treated his wounds. They were painful, but his lover’s touch was soothing, and he knew no one could possibly treat him more tenderly than Faramir was doing. When the wounds were coated with salve, the pain lessened, and Haldir gave a grateful smile. “I will be fine. Just.be careful. Call if you need me.and please, meleth.do not go too far.”
“I won’t,” Faramir promised as he stood up and began to survey where they were. He wanted to keep the mountainside in sight wherever they might be and began scouting around looking for something better for them to take shelter should the weather change. The nights were still cold and he knew that they would need more shelter than that outcropping of rocks come nighttime. After about a half an hour he found a spot, not deep enough to be a cave exactly. He was glad of that – he’d had enough of caves and felt sure Haldir had too, but it was deep enough into a small hillside that they would be well protected from rain or sharp winds and the opening faced the mountain. There were just enough trees and foliage about it to protect them but not so much that they couldn’t spot their companions if they should come around the mountain.
Haldir dozed against a tree as Faramir scouted around, though he concentrated on listening for any signs of trouble. When his lover finally came back and helped him to stand, they made their way to the small shelter and he sighed in relief. “This is perfect,” he said softly, even as his eyes grew heavy with sleep. “We can rest here until morning I think.”
Faramir smiled as Haldir spoke and helped his lover settle down. He’d already laid soft boughs from some of the smaller trees on the floor to make it softer and laid the blanket from his pack over them. “We can rest even longer here if we need to,” he whispered. “Do you need anything?” he asked as he settled down beside Haldir and removed his weapons, laying them within reach but wanting to be comfortable at least.
Snuggling close to his lover, Haldir relaxed against him and sighed, touched that Faramir would go to so much trouble to see to his comfort. “Just you,” he whispered as he closed his eyes. “You are sure you’re all right?”
Faramir smiled as Haldir snuggled closer and very careful not to touch his lover’s wounds, wrapped his arm around him. “I’m fine… I… just feel tired and… and a little strange is all. I just wish you had not been wounded.” Faramir placed a gentle kiss against his lover’s golden head and sighed.
Oh, love, I know why you feel strange. And I hope you will talk to me about it when we awake. “I am fine, seron vell, I promise,” Haldir whispered. “I was more worried about you being hurt than anything else. We made it out relatively unscathed though.so we should count our blessings. Pressing a kiss against his lover’s neck, he felt himself slowly relaxing and drifting off to sleep. “I love you.” His words trailed off into a soft snore as sleep finally overtook him and he shifted even closer without waking.
Faramir smiled as Haldir whispered the sweet endearment as his words trailed off into sleep. “And I love you,” he whispered in return. “So much I hope that I haven’t doomed us both now.” His last words were spoken softly against Haldir’s hair and he closed his eyes trying to will the sound of Haldir’s screams inside the cave from his mind. I won’t ever let anything happen to you again, love. I swear it. After a few hours Faramir finally managed to will his dark thoughts away enough to drift into an uneasy sleep.
Title: When Darkness Falls Chapter 5/?
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.
Dark dreams plagued Faramir’s sleep, and more than once he’d awakened and pulled Haldir closer, simply holding him and watching him sleep. He wasn’t sure why he felt so unsettled really, he could attribute it to a great many things. The creatures, both before they entered the mines and before they’d found their way out could have brought on such darkness in his mind, though a part of him knew what it was. He’d used the ring! He knew that he should never have put it on, but it had done everything it seemed to promise him in his mind. It had protected both he and Haldir. He wasn’t simple minded, he knew he should have been killed when he’d been that close to the fiery monster. Not even a single hair had been singed though. He knew that was unnatural, but he couldn’t help feeling grateful.
He’d been taught so many conflicting things about the ring. His father wanted it to protect Gondor and her people… and after what had happened in the caves was his father’s outlook so wrong? Yet, everyone else said it had to be destroyed and that no one could wield it without succumbing to it. The darkness he was feeling now… perhaps was a part of that?
Faramir sighed heavily from all the thoughts running through his mind and finally drew away from Haldir. He quietly got up and set about making improvements to their meager shelter. There was no telling how long they would need to stay here with Haldir’s injuries or how long it would be before they met up with their companions again.
No matter what had happened in the cave or what his father felt about the ring he had sworn to protect the ring bearer and that is what he would do. When they met up with the others he would return the ring to Frodo. That at least he knew. It was his duty to do so.
When Haldir made no sign of stirring from his healing sleep, Faramir spent the rest of the hours trying not to dwell on his thoughts. Instead he kept himself as busy as he could, gathering rocks for a small fire pit and making and setting snares in the woods around them to catch fresh meat.
As darkness fell again, Faramir curled up around his lover who had stirred little in his sleep and smiled as Haldir snuggled close to him. He hoped that the morning would find Haldir awake and feeling better than before. Faramir had inspected his wounds and they did seem to be healing remarkably well. Elves were certainly wondrous creatures.
By the time Haldir finally awoke, Faramir was asleep beside him again. His wounds no longer pained him, and he couldn’t help but smile at the way his lover was curled up against him. Gently brushing the hair back from the beloved face, he smiled and pressed his lips to Faramir’s forehead. The sunlight was just peeking over the horizon, and he carefully pulled Faramir closer, trying not to wake him, as he lay still and contemplated on how to ask about the ring, and how he’d come into possession of it. He had no doubt that it was all a simple mistake, but seeing Faramir suddenly appearing out of nowhere and pulling the cursed piece of jewelry from his finger had startled Haldir more than he cared to admit.
Gingerly letting his fingertips move over his own chest, he saw that his wounds, while no longer very painful, hadn’t healed completely, no doubt because the ring was so close to him as he’d slept. Nevertheless, he could move easily, and would not slow them down on their journey, thankfully.
As Faramir began to stir hours later, Haldir rained dozens of kisses over his lover’s face and let his fingers trail lightly over the warm skin of his jawline. “Good morning, my lovely one,” he murmured between kisses. “Did you sleep well?”
Faramir’s dreams had been less dark this night, for which he was grateful, and as he began to stir awake he felt Haldir kissing him. Smiling even before he opened his eyes he whispered, “Good morning to you, love.” Opening his eyes, he sighed and reached out to brush soft golden hair over Haldir’s shoulder, gently tucking it behind his ear. “I did sleep well. How are you feeling?”
“Much better,” Haldir smiled, sliding his hand underneath Faramir’s tunic and letting it rest lightly over his stomach, which was, for some unknown reason, one of his favorite spots to touch on his lover. “Thank you for watching over me. I am almost completely healed… maybe in another day or two, I will be better, though I won’t have any scars to brag about if that happens.” Nibbling playfully on Faramir’s neck, Haldir finally pulled away and grinned. “Will you still love me if I have no battle scars?”
Faramir’s smile slipped away and he nodded slowly, “I know your bravery without scars and would honestly prefer not to have either of us be reminded of what happened. You… you scared me half to death, Haldir. I… I thought I would lose you. I wouldn’t have been able to bear that.”
Haldir gazed down at his lover and shook his head. “You did not lose me, dear one… you saved me,” he whispered. “And… I… well, I saw you pull the ring from your finger after you managed to push the balrog off the bridge. How… when… .I mean… oh, love, how did you get it? I thought it was with Frodo and the others!”
Faramir sighed as Haldir asked about the ring. He had hoped that they could get through the caves and find their companions again and return the ring before any had to know he’d picked it up. “During the fight with the tentacle monster outside the mines, when it picked Frodo upside down, the ring fell and before I even thought I picked it up and put it in my pocket for safe keeping. I had… have… every intention of returning it to Frodo when we meet up again,” he explained. Though that didn’t explain why he used it.
“I have no doubt of your intentions,” Haldir said softly. “I knew there was a good reason. You did what anyone would have done, keeping it until Frodo was safe. If we had not gotten separated from the others, I know you would have given it back.” Letting his fingers comb gently through his lover’s hair, Haldir thought back to what happened in the caves. “You… you used it to save me. Gods… .I am so sorry. I should never have put you in that position. I only wanted you safe, and… and my actions caused you to use that… that damnable thing. I did not know, guren… please forgive me… I did not know.”
“There is nothing to forgive… we both just followed our hearts,” Faramir whispered. “I… I didn’t know what else to do and when you were hurt… I felt so helpless and then suddenly I just knew the ring would protect me enough to at least allow you a chance to escape. I’m… I’m not sure what I feel about it. I know it needs to be destroyed… but I can’t help feel grateful for it at the same time.” He’d felt those conflicting feelings over the ring ever since the cave.
Haldir closed his eyes and pulled Faramir closer in a tight embrace. “You are so brave,” he whispered after a moment. “And as pure as your heart is, I do not think the ring can hold any power over you after only wearing it once. Hopefully, Frodo and the others will come soon and you can return it… I hate having it this close to either of us. But thank you… thank you for saving me.”
Faramir wasn’t sure he was as pure as Haldir felt he was nor as brave, but he smiled and wrapped his arms around his lover. “I would do anything for you, Haldir. I couldn’t imagine my life without you. You remember what we talked about in Rivendell. I meant what I said, I never wish to be parted from you ever again… and it would have broken me completely had you fallen. Gods… if you had, I think I would have thrown myself off that bridge and followed you,” he whispered seriously, his voice thick with emotion.
Haldir shook his head. “I cannot bear to think of you giving up your life for me… but… Gods, I cannot say that I do not feel the same. I would have done anything to keep you safe from that creature.” Gently laying Faramir back on the ground, Haldir gazed down into his lover’s eyes. “I would do anything for you, meleth… and I will do whatever I have to do to keep you by my side… anything.” Elrond’s words rang in his ears as he spoke and he wondered if the other Elf knew that something like this would happen.
“You did, love, and you got hurt because of it,” Faramir whispered sadly. As Haldir laid him back, Faramir gazed up at his lover, raising his hand to trail the back of his fingers along Haldir’s cheek. “I love you more than I have the words to say, Haldir,” he whispered. For long moments they simply gazed at one another, seeming to be lost in one another’s eyes before Faramir leaned up and brushed his lips gently against Haldir’s.
Drawing away he smiled, “Are you hungry?” Faramir asked, suddenly remembering that Haldir hadn’t eaten in almost two days.
Haldir’s hands moved over Faramir’s skin as they kissed, and he sighed contentedly. “Aye,” he murmured, “and though I am finding it hard to give up your kisses, my stomach is starting to rumble.” As Faramir started to get up, Haldir smiled and shook his head. “You have waited on me since I was hurt,… so you rest and let me find something for breakfast. Maybe the others will come soon and you can get rid of that ring and we can move on. The sooner it is destroyed, the happier I will be… and we can start our lives together somewhere safe, and forget things like balrogs and caves, and tentacled monsters that live beneath the water.”
Faramir smiled at Haldir and sat back against the wall. “Only if you are sure you are feeling up to it, love. I set some snares yesterday afternoon, and found a stream to refill our water supply, if you like, we can eat a light meal now from our packs and then later I can check those snares and see if we can have fresh meat this afternoon?” He smiled as Haldir gave him a surprised look and he shrugged. “You were asleep and I felt restless so I spent the day yesterday doing a few things.”
Laughing softly, Haldir nodded, trying his best to push thoughts of the ring from his mind. “You never fail to surprise me, my lovely one,” he chuckled. “I will find us something from our packs then, and hope for something a bit more substantial for our next meal. In the meantime, you relax.” He started to stand, then paused and leaned over for another kiss before getting to his feet and rummaging through their packs, all the time hoping to hear the sounds of their companions approaching. He wanted to move on, but, more than anything, he wanted the ring away from the man he loved.
Faramir felt awkward sitting back and letting Haldir, who was still recovering, do everything. Seeking something to do with himself he reached over and offered their waterskins to Haldir as he’d drawn out the small metal cups they had all carried in their packs. He simply watched his lover, enjoying just looking at him as he always did. “You have no idea how beautiful you are,” he said softly as Haldir had caught him watching. “It takes my breath away sometimes.”
Haldir smiled and stopped what he was doing for a moment, allowing him the luxury of simply staring at the man he loved. “I think the same thing about you so often,” he said softly, “I am blessed by the Valar to have your heart.”
Faramir smiled, feeling his face color slightly. “You will always have my heart,” he smiled and scooted closer as Haldir settled back down and handed him a cup of water. Changing the subject, Faramir looked toward the mountain. “How long do you think we should wait? If… if somehow they got ahead of us… where would they go next? Did Gandalf ever mention where we would go after the caves?”
Haldir took a long drink of water and refilled both their cups as he looked off into the horizon. “I overheard him and Lord Elrond discussing our path, so I have a vague idea of where to go. My biggest fear, though, is that they will think we cannot have survived the mines. Gandalf knew, I think, of the dangers in there. That was why he was so hesitant about entering them in the first place. If they think we perished inside, then I am not sure what they would do, especially since they no longer have the ring. For all we know, they might have been here already and left… or even returned home, thinking that the quest had failed and the ring was lost forever, but not destroyed. As much as I would like to say we should wait for them no matter how long it takes, I know that is not possible. If they do not return… I wonder if we will have to travel on and destroy the ring ourselves. What do you think? How long do you want to wait?”
Faramir nodded as Haldir spoke, all of his theories making sense. He felt strange when Haldir mentioned destroying the ring themselves and he frowned into his cup as he took a drink. “I suppose… maybe only a day or so more? They couldn’t take that long going around the mountain if they meant to find us on the other side… then… I don’t know. Lórien is close to here isn’t it?”
Haldir felt his stomach clench as Faramir spoke. He was hesitant to bring the ring into the realm of the Golden Wood, but then again, with Lady Galadriel so close, did they dare not seek her council? “It is not far,” he agreed after a moment, “and maybe the others even went there, though I doubt the Marchwardens would allow them passage inside. Aragorn, however, grew up among the Elves, and might manage to talk his way past the guards. Maybe that would be best… waiting only a day or so, then making our way to Lórien. At least there, we will be safe, and my Lord and Lady can offer us some hope or direction.”
“I am sure between Aragorn and Gandalf they would manage to be allowed in. That old wizard is quite persuasive,” Faramir said fondly of his former tutor. “If anything, perhaps they might know where the rest of the fellowship is and we can meet up with them. I… I’d like to set things right and give the ring back to Frodo. Even though it saved our lives… I know the danger in my having it,” he admitted though for some reason he felt almost queasy after he spoke. He took a quick drink of water and wondered at himself.
Haldir moved to rest one hand on Faramir’s lower back and gently rubbed the tensed muscles he found there. “I know,” he sighed. “The ring is evil, and any good it does, it does only for its own purpose. The sooner it is away from you, the more relieved I will be.”
Nodding absently, Faramir looked off toward the mountain again. And the longer I have the thing in my possession the harder it will be to give it up. I remember what Frodo said about Bilbo acting strangely when it came to the ring. I don’t want that to happen to me. He turned back to Haldir and smiled sadly. To us. Because if it takes me… it will hurt Haldir too. “I know… I look forward to seeing our friends again,” he said softly.
Moving closer, Haldir pulled his lover into a tight embrace with one arm and used his free hand to capture Faramir’s. “So do I, guren,” he whispered, seeing the sadness and fear in beloved blue eyes. “No matter what happens, you know I will be beside you every step of the way. We will do what we have to do, and we will do it together.”
Faramir sunk into Haldir’s embrace, resting his head against his lover’s shoulder. “I know. I fear that will be the only thing that keeps me going one day is knowing you are by my side. I… Haldir, I… my dreams have been dark ever since the ring has been in my possession but there has always been some piece of truth in my dreams. No matter what I might say or do to the contrary, believe me now, I will always love you and wish for you to be by my side. I swear it.” He knew his words sounded ominous but his dreams had always had a grain of truth in them no matter how strange, how filled with riddles they were… and his dreams of late had been so incredibly dark he feared that things would get much, much worse before they found their companions again.
Haldir closed his eyes and rested his cheek on his lover’s head. “I promise… I will never doubt your love, no matter what.” Again, Lord Elrond’s words drifted through his mind. Be sure that your love never waivers, for I have seen a shadow of what may come, and much will depend on how deeply you love Faramir. If there is any doubt in your mind of your feelings for him, any doubt at all, then I would not have you go on this quest. “I will do whatever I can to keep these dreams away from you, but no matter what happens, no matter what you say or do, I will love you. Though… I cannot help but wonder if… if you having the ring was not already foretold, for Lord Elrond was being more mysterious than ever before we left… and seemed very intent on making sure my love for you was deep and pure. Maybe… he knew this could happen.”
Faramir nodded and moved closer into his lover’s embrace. “It is possible he saw several possibilities… that is the way of my dreams at times. When I was a child they would frighten me, and Gandalf explained they were never set in stone. He said that they were possible outcomes depending on choices… if Gandalf who normally remembers everything hadn’t forgotten how to get into the mines, if the hobbits hadn’t gotten bored… you see… so many possibilities. Change one thing and the outcome is different,” he explained. Sitting back he looked into Haldir’s eyes. “If Lord Elrond foresaw that something like this could happen then there are a dozen ways it could have happened… and a dozen ways it could turn out.”
Forcing a smile to his face, Haldir nodded. “I agree,” he sighed. “There are countless possibilities. But I know how it will turn out. One way or the other, the ring will be destroyed, and you and I will live our lives in peace and happiness.”
Faramir smiled and reached out to caress Haldir’s face gently. “You, my love, give me light and hope,” he whispered. Leaning closer Faramir brushed his lips gently against Haldir’s in a sweet kiss. Haldir was still recovering from his injuries but it didn’t change how much Faramir wanted him. He would always want him, but he was careful not to press for too much, letting Haldir decide what he felt comfortable with. When he’d watched him move earlier he’d noticed that Haldir had been slower than normal, and he knew he was still in some pain. It was miraculous how quickly he had healed from his burns, a man would never heal that quickly, but he knew he still had some pain and he wouldn’t do anything to hurt him.
Sighing into the kiss, Haldir managed to maneuver around until he sitting in Faramir’s lap, never breaking the seal of their lips. Each kiss from Faramir seemed even sweeter than the last, and he knew, without a doubt, that he would never tire of being with this perfect man who had so easily captured his heart. When they pulled away for air, he smiled and let his fingers trail lightly over his lover’s face as he bent down and pressed dozens of kisses against the warmth of his neck. He was already aroused from their kiss and could feel Faramir’s length pressing firmly against his own. Reaching down to unlace his lover’s breeches, he wrapped his fingers around Faramir’s erection. “Make love to me, gûren,” he murmured softly. “If the others come, they will simply have to wait until we are finished.”
Before Faramir could even think suddenly his lap was invaded by a beautiful Elf. His arms wrapped around Haldir and pulled him closer as their kiss deepened, and he felt himself stir, his arousal growing rapidly. As they pulled apart for breath, Faramir’s pulse leapt in his veins as Haldir spoke and strong fingers made quick work of his laces and wrapped around his arousal, but then, his lips twitched and he laughed softly. “Yes… they will just have to wait, love,” he whispered leaning in again and kissing Haldir again.
Haldir’s free hand quickly unlaced his own breeches, and he lifted his hips up as he slid them down long legs. Settling back in his lover’s lap, he resumed stroking Faramir’s arousal as his own thickened. “You have too many clothes on, meleth,” he murmured, as his fingers began working at the fastenings of Faramir’s tunic.
Faramir’s heart was beating rapidly in his chest as Haldir removed his breeches and settled back in his lap, and his own hips rocked into his lover’s touch. When Haldir’s fingers moved to the lacing of his tunic, Faramir’s hand reached up and closed over Haldir’s for a moment. The ring was in his pocket and for one wild moment he feared taking off his tunic. Maybe in fear of the ring falling out and being lost or for other reasons he didn’t want to bring thought to… after a moment though his fingers moved from Haldir’s and helped him unlace the garment. Quickly he jerked the material over his head and laid it beside him. “Now where were we?” he murmured as he leaned in and captured Haldir’s lips again.
Haldir’s eyes widened as Faramir’s hand closed over his own, but the moment passed quickly and all thought was soon forgotten as his lover’s lips sealed over his own once again. Reaching blindly beside them for Faramir’s pack, his fingers soon closed over the small jar of salve and, together with Faramir, they managed to remove the lid without breaking their kiss. “I think you were about to take me” he murmured against kiss-swollen lips.
Faramir felt his arousal pulse as Haldir spoke and he smiled against kiss-swollen lips. “I think you might be right,” he teased. His fingers dipped into the jar and he leaned forward, his arm around Haldir and his hand trailing down the cleft of his backside. His slick fingers trailed slow circles around the small puckered opening before one dipped inside for only a moment before withdrawing and doing it over again. Faramir’s lips sealed over Haldir’s and he kissed him deeply as his fingers continued to tease and prepare his lover. His own arousal was trapped between them, hard and aching as it leaked slick fluid against both their stomachs. Shifting his hips slightly, his breath caught as Haldir’s arousal moved slick and hot against his own.
Moaning softly, Haldir buried his face against his lover’s neck and slowly began kissing and sucking on the smooth skin he found there. As loving hands moved over his body, he closed his eyes and wrapped both arms around Faramir’s neck, shifting his hips to grind their erections together as well as spreading his legs wider and opening himself to the man he loved. His tight guardian muscle was stretched and slick and he couldn’t help bearing down and driving the questing fingers in deeper before finally pulling away and gazing into lust-darkened blue eyes. “Need you, guren,” he murmured softly as he reached for the oil and dipped his fingers in, then slicked Faramir’s arousal with smooth, sure strokes.
Enjoying the way Haldir was moving in his lap, Faramir smiled as he nibbled on his lover’s ear. Their bodies were moving together, the friction feeling more and more exquisite each passing moment. When Haldir drew away and spoke, his strong hand coating Faramir’s arousal he moaned softly. “Gods, love… need you too,” he gasped. As Haldir shifted in his lap, Faramir’s fingers withdrew and his hands gripped slender hips as his lover positioned himself over his aching shaft. Slowly, Faramir’s hands helping to steady him, Haldir slid down and Faramir drew in a deep breath as his aching length was engulfed within the tight heat of the Elf’s body.
As the thick arousal slid inside him, Haldir’s head fell back and his eyes closed. He let his fingers comb gently through Faramir’s hair as his body quickly adjusted to the intrusion and captured his lover’s lips in another deep kiss. Slowly, he began to move, sliding up and down his lover’s slick organ, impaling himself again and again. When they finally broke the kiss, Haldir’s face was flushed and his hands rested on Faramir’s shoulders, bracing himself and riding his lover hard. The sounds of the forest around them dimmed, and Haldir quickly realized that the only sounds he could hear were his own low moans, and those of his lover. “I love you,” he whispered as his fingers tightened on Faramir’s shoulders. “So very, very much… “
Faramir thrust up to meet each of his lover’s downward thrusts and it felt as if the entire world fell away except the two of them. Nothing mattered except Haldir and their love. They kissed until they were both breathless, and when Haldir drew away Faramir couldn’t seem to look away from him. He was so beautiful, so perfect, and his just as he belonged to Haldir. Feeling Haldir’s hands tighten against his shoulders, he continued to move with his lover, his hands gripping Haldir’s hips tightly as they moved, and he smiled when his lover spoke. “I love you… so very much as well,” he whispered, leaning forward and sucking on the pale skin at the juncture of Haldir’s neck and shoulder.
Haldir smiled at the look of love and desire in Faramir’s eyes, knowing beyond all doubt that he would do anything for the man in his arms… anything at all. As the sweet lips he so loved to kiss fastened onto his neck, he moaned again and let his head fall back, shivering as his release began to build. His faer felt ready to spring from within him and wrap around his lover… but he held back. A bond was something he wanted to make sure Faramir wanted first… for it was unbreakable, and sacred. While Haldir knew he wanted nothing more than to be with Faramir forever, he needed to make sure Faramir wanted that as well. Spreading his legs even wider, he let Faramir control their pace of their lovemaking and shifted so that each deep thrust hit his pleasure spot squarely. Sliding one hand between them, Haldir wrapped his fingers around his aching length and stroked in time with his lover’s thrusts. “Close,” he murmured softly as Faramir’s thick shaft buried itself deep within him once more.
Faramir took advantage when Haldir tipped his head back, his lips greedily moved over his lover’s neck leaving dark marks against the pale skin. Continuing to thrust deeply, their pace growing more erratic with each passing moment. Faramir leaned back slightly when he felt Haldir’s hand slip between them, and his hand joined his lover’s, helping him stroke the steadily leaking arousal. “Let go, love… come with me,” he whispered softly feeling his own release building rapidly. Within moments it seemed that Faramir’s entire body stilled as he thrust deep one last time, his release surging through him and he bit down on Haldir’s shoulder lightly to keep from crying out too loudly into the forest.
As Faramir’s release spilled inside him and he felt smooth teeth against his shoulder, Haldir knew he was lost. Both his hand and Faramir’s tightened on his length, and he buried his face against Faramir’s shoulder to muffle his cries. Moments later, he spilled hot and slick between them, his seed spilling over their joined fingers and onto his stomach and chest. He could no nothing but cling to his lover for long moments, trying to catch his breath, as their trembling slowly subsided and he murmured soft endearments against Faramir’s ear.
As already tight muscles clamped down around him even more, Faramir moaned softly against Haldir’s shoulder. He soothed the red marks from his teeth with his tongue gently. “I love you,” he whispered, repeatedly against warm skin. His hand slid up from Haldir’s hip and up his back, caressing him gently. Leaning back he drew his hand up from where it was joined with Haldir’s and licked away the slick fluid as Haldir watched him. He smiled as he felt already tight muscles convulse around him from the visual, though he sighed in regret as his softening length slid from within the warm passage.
Haldir’s softening sex twitched as Faramir licked at his hand and his eyes darkened once again. “By the Valar, you have no idea what you do to me, pen velui,” he whispered, as he leaned forward and kissed his lover, tasting his own seed mixed with Faramir’s unique, incredibly sweet flavor.
As the softening length slid from inside him, Haldir sighed and moved to sit next to Faramir. Reaching out to tangle their fingers, he smiled and slid his free arm around the young man’s shoulders. “I do hope our companions come today… but not until we have some clothes on,” he teased. “I seriously doubt they would ever let us forget it if they found us in such a state.”
Faramir laughed as Haldir spoke and nodded in agreement. “I think they would accuse us of stealing away into the caves so that we can be alone,” he grinned as he reached over for Haldir’s tunic and handing it to him as he gathered his own. After a few moments they were both re-dressed and Faramir had unconsciously ran his hand over the pocket where the ring was several times to make sure that it hadn’t fallen out. “I should probably check those snares soon… you should rest here a little longer, and then we can make dinner together,” he suggested seeing how much their lovemaking had tired Haldir. He was after all still healing, and Faramir felt a pang of guilt yet again.
Haldir fought to keep his eyes open and sighed. He would probably only slow them both down at the moment, he thought to himself. “I think I will take you up on that offer,” he said softly. “I will rest here until you get back, then help you with dinner. Be careful, though, and please, again, do not go far, meleth.”
“Oh, I won’t love, not far at all,” Faramir whispered already seeing Haldir’s eyes starting to close. He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss against his lover’s forehead and smiled. “Get some rest,” he murmured. Standing back up he watched as Haldir slipped into sleep with a soft smile on his lips and found himself smiling as well. He hoped that their companions would arrive soon and that they could simply continue as planned, but as he glanced back toward the mountain he seemed to just know that it would still be many days before they met up with the others. Hoping his thoughts were clouded by the ring, he put on his weapons and made his way for the snares not far from their camp.
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.
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.”
Title: When Darkness Falls Chapter 7/?
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.
It had been several weeks since Faramir and Haldir had left the safety of Lórien to begin their trek to Mordor alone. Though Galadriel had told them their companions were quite far behind them, they found that they stopped more often than was necessary in the hope that the others would catch up.
A part of Faramir deep down didn’t want to destroy the ring though, he knew that part of himself in his dreams; dreams that became darker every passing day as they walked on. It was about three weeks ago that Faramir had almost lost the ring, it fell out of his pocket somehow and he’d taken to wearing it around his neck as Frodo had. With its solid weight against his chest he at least knew where it was all the time. He told himself it was for that reason alone that he wore it, though he’d managed to keep it hidden from Haldir.
At night before they stopped for rest he would remove it and put it back in his pocket, not wanting the ring to touch Haldir. He knew it bothered him to even touch it, so Faramir thought it was best to simply not let his lover know he was wearing it around his neck as he was.
Each day he found himself less inclined to want to keep heading toward Mordor though and wished to simply go home to Gondor. He hadn’t brought that up to Haldir, besides the way to both were the same path.
Sitting alone at the campsite as Haldir collected firewood, Faramir continued to prepare a few snare traps to perhaps get them fresh meat for breakfast. Though anymore, Faramir’s appetite hadn’t been very strong. He attributed that to the fact that they were simply so tired each day.
Haldir gathered the last pieces of wood and knelt at their campsite, quickly piling the wood and small twigs for a fire before sitting on the cold ground next to his lover. He’d noticed that at least Faramir had stopped constantly checking his pockets for the ring, a fact which he was more than grateful for, though he did act a bit odd when Haldir tried to put his arms around him during the day. At night, Faramir seemed a bit more himself, though he often was restless, and Haldir had to whisper and soothe him back to sleep several times before the sun rose.
Resting one arm around Faramir’s shoulders, Haldir saw how seriously he was concentrating, and leaned over to kiss him. “You aren’t still wondering how Lady Galadriel knew we were bonded are you?” he teased, remembering how they had both blushed furiously when she had congratulated them the morning after their faers had joined in Haldir’s talan.
Laughing softly as Haldir spoke, Faramir shook his head. “No… just… thinking about our journey and wondering where the others are,” he said softly as he continued to twist the rope for the snare. He turned and gave Haldir a light kiss on the cheek before setting back to work and Haldir moved away to start the fire. Faramir’s mind kept drifting to thoughts of home, his father and brother, they would pass so near to Gondor. Though the Lady Galadriel had warned them to not go there, Faramir couldn’t help wanting to. He was married now, should his family not at least meet Haldir? Using his knife to cut through the thin rope in his hand to shorten it, and he leaned down to pick up the next piece of rope. He found his gaze lingering at a dark puddle forming on the dirt and opened his hand to see a deep cut bleeding freely from where he’d cut the rope. It was as if his hand didn’t even belong to him though, he didn’t feel it at all, and he knew… knew that he should. He swallowed hard and realized exactly why he didn’t feel it. Why lately he’d truly felt less and less. The tears came so quickly he didn’t even notice them.
Haldir gazed into the fire for a moment before turned back to his lover with a smile. The smile was quickly erased, however, as he saw Faramir staring dully at his hand, which was covered in his own blood as it flowed freely to the ground. “Faramir! What happened?” he cried as he fell to his knees before his husband and grasped his hand. He grabbed their water bottle and quickly rinsed the wound, then tore off a long strip from the bottom of his tunic to carefully wrap it around Faramir’s palm. The cut was deep, yet Faramir hadn’t made a sound, and even now, was simply staring from his hand to Haldir’s panicked face. “Faramir? Guren, speak to me! What happened?”
“I… I don’t know. I must have done it when I cut the rope,” Faramir whispered. “I… I didn’t… I don’t feel it, Haldir.” He looked up into his lover’s eyes and knowing that he’d never be able to explain this. Knowing he would have to admit that he no longer carried the ring in his pocket as Haldir thought. He simply stared at his husband as Haldir gently tended his hand, though in truth if he’d been brutally rough with him, Faramir doubted he would have known.
Worrying his bottom lip, Haldir finally managed to slow the bleeding and sat down beside Faramir once again. Gently pulling his husband into his lap, he reached up with shaking fingers and traced over Faramir’s face, his heart feeling heavy at the disheartened expression in beloved blue eyes. “It is… it is the ring,” he whispered. “It is taking on a life of its own, and it is trying to get to you, to make you want to keep it, to protect it. You… you haven’t put it on again, have you, meleth?”
Faramir slid into Haldir’s lap and sighed softly. “Not… not on my finger,” he whispered. “I almost lost it a few weeks ago. I don’t know how it fell out of my pocket while I was gathering firewood but it did. It frightened me that I hadn’t noticed, and that it would be somewhere in the woods for anyone to find it, so… so I took to wearing it as Frodo had. I… thought that it would be safer that way.” He explained softly and oddly felt thankful as Haldir held him that his hand began to throb slightly.
Haldir closed his eyes and shook his head sadly. “I had no idea,” he said sighed. “I only saw that you weren’t checking your pockets like you used to, and thought… no, hoped, that you did not think of it as often.” Slowly, his hands moved over Faramir’s back, and Haldir rested his head on his husband’s shoulder, careful to avoid his chest, just in case the ring was there even now. “That is why you were so reluctant to let me hold you the past few days,” he continued. “Oh, gûren, you could have told me. You don’t have to bear this alone. I will help you in any way I can. Would it help if… if I carried it for you?” The mere though of touching the ring made Haldir sick to his stomach, but it would be better than watching Faramir slowly fall under its spell… anything would be better than that. Perhaps he could wrap it in blankets or…
Faramir stiffened as Haldir offered to carry the ring. “No, it is already tainting my dreams and making me feel unlike myself. I won’t have it do that to you as well,” he said firmly and he dearly hoped that Haldir did not offer again. “I know the ring bothers you… and I didn’t want you to know. I did not think it would affect me like this… but then the closer we move to its master it may get worse before it gets better. Maybe… maybe you should return to Lórien? Maybe you’d be safer away from the ring and from me.”
Haldir began shaking his head before the last words had left Faramir’s lips. “No,” he said firmly. “I told you that no matter what happens, we are in this together. If it gets worse, then we will deal with it. I will not let the ring take you. I will fight Sauron himself before I lose you, and I certainly will never, ever walk away from you.” Gently taking his husband’s injured hand in his own, Haldir pressed a kiss to each fingertip and tried to smile. “I love you, Faramir. Nothing will ever change that… not even the ring.”
Faramir nodded as Haldir spoke, even after he’d said the words he’d known his lover would never agree to leave. As Haldir kissed his fingers gently he smiled, glad that though he’d not felt the knife cut him, he could feel when Haldir touched him. He didn’t even want to contemplate that torture of not knowing his lover’s touch. “And I love you… and I only wish to protect you. I’m… I’m afraid, Haldir. My dreams… I am afraid things may get much worse. This… this is nothing compared to what may come.” His words were ominous he knew, but he could feel the truth in them.
Reaching up with both hands to cradle Faramir’s dear face, Haldir smiled sadly. “I know,” he whispered. “I am frightened as well. It would be easier, I think, if the others were with us, but, as Galadriel said, if we wait for them, it may be too late by the time we reach Mordor.” His thumbs trailed lightly over his lover’s lips and the very thought of the ring trying to hurt Faramir made Haldir want to rip it from his body and leave it far behind them. But, he knew they could not so easily shirk their duties. The ring had come to them for a reason, and he’d meant what he’d said… he would not allow the ring to take over Faramir. If it did, it would take Haldir as well, for he would follow Faramir to any end – even if it were as a servant of the Dark Lord. “I will watch over your dreams, and hold you when you are afraid, and we will get through this. We will destroy the ring and start our lives free from its power, somewhere safe and happy, love, I promise.”
Faramir could feel the ring’s weight around his neck when Haldir spoke of destroying it, as if it knew and understood his lover’s words. “We will do this together, just as Lady Galadriel said we should… but after this I’m even more afraid. I can feel the ring growing heavier each day… and I fear that if it causes what it did today that it will only grow worse, even if I take to carrying it in my pocket again.” Faramir leaned his head against Haldir’s shoulder and closed his eyes tiredly.
Wrapping both arms around Faramir’s body, though still careful to avoid the ring, Haldir pressed a kiss against his soft dark hair and closed his eyes. “If anyone can resist the pull of the ring, it is you,” he whispered. “You know, Galadriel told me that our bond would give you even more strength. I didn’t know it at the time… it was just something I wanted to have with you, but before we left, she pulled me aside and told me that as our faers had become one, so had our hearts, and our strength. And you know you have my undying love and I will do everything within my power to help you through this.”
Faramir smiled and wrapped his uninjured arm around Haldir. “I know because I can feel when you touch me, even when you pulled me close earlier, I began to feel my hand again. Your touch, your love, somehow they push away the effects of the ring and I think it probably doesn’t like that, if that makes sense… that a thing like that can have likes or dislikes. That is why I am worried… we both know that Sauron wants it back, and I fear that it will fight against us to return to him.”
Haldir pulled Faramir closer and closed his eyes. “It does make sense, but nothing, not even the dark lord himself can tear us apart. I think the ring loses a little of its power every time I hold you, for it would hate something as pure and strong as the love we share. No matter how hard it, or Sauron, tries, they cannot make me stop loving you, and that, my dear one, means half the battle has already been won.”
Faramir smiled even as he could imagine the ring burning against his chest. “It is,” he whispered. “Just hold me for a while longer?” Faramir felt slightly childish for asking but he felt so much better in Haldir’s arms. The desire to go to Gondor he’d had earlier seemed to disappear now, and he was more determined to follow the path that he knew he needed to. “Maybe we can take a full day to rest here, it is a beautiful spot and we can both use the rest.”
Though Haldir wished to be rid of the ring as soon as possible, he knew Faramir needed rest, and, honestly, could deny him nothing. That might be a problem later, but for now, he thought, one day’s rest would do them both good. Settling more comfortably against the tree, he reached for his pack and pulled a thick blanket from inside, then wrapped it gently around his husband. “Close your eyes and relax,” he whispered, placing a soft kiss against Faramir’s temple. “I will keep the bad dreams away, I promise.” Rocking his lover in his arms, he began whispering of their future, whispering of all the places they could see, all the things they could do, and all the happiness they would find once their journey was over. He didn’t make any mention of the ring, or their quest, but concentrated on only the good things, and smiled as he felt Faramir slowly relaxing against him.
Faramir closed his eyes and simply listened to his lover’s voice that seemed to conquer any and all fears he had. After long moments he began to relax more and more and before he even realized it he had slipped into the first truly peaceful sleep he’d had in several days.
Haldir continued whispering for hours, watching Faramir closely for any signs that he was having a nightmare. Never closing his eyes, he smiled, gently combing his fingers through soft hair and pressing kisses against Faramir’s forehead. The first rays of morning light began filtering through the trees many hours later, yet still, Faramir slept, and Haldir was more than happy to give up a day of travel so his husband could find some peace.
Title: When Darkness Falls Chapter 8/?
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.
Faramir finished putting out the campfire as Haldir was setting their packs by the mouth of the small cave they’d found the evening before. They were getting closer to Mordor each day, and would simply walk until it was too dark to go any further. Finding the cave had been a wonderful thing indeed since it rained that night for hours, but the morning had dawned clear and they would be on their way again.
Moving toward the mouth of the cave, Faramir stopped in front of Haldir and lifted his fingers to tuck a lock of silky hair behind his lover’s ear. In truth, he was still tired. He hadn’t slept well the night before, the closer they got to Mordor the darker Faramir’s dreams had become and nightmares plagued him often. A part of him wished they could just curl up in the cave a few more days but he knew as long as he had the ring, he wouldn’t rest anyway. “When this is all over I think we should spend an entire week in bed,” he teased gently.
Haldir let his fingers trail over his husband’s face. “At least a week,” he agreed with a smile. “We will find someone to bring food to our door and do nothing but sleep, make love, eat and relax… and I’ll read my favorite books to you and listen to you do the same.” Letting his hands rest on each of Faramir’s hips, Haldir studied him closely even as he spoke. He could see how tired his lover looked, his eyes heavy and swollen, each movement seeming to be more of an effort the closer they got to Mordor. Reaching for one of Faramir’s hands, Haldir brought it to his lips and pressed a kiss against his knuckles before leaning in for a sweet kiss to beloved lips. “I wish I could do something to ease your burden,” he whispered softly before sealing their mouths together and deepening the kiss.
Losing himself in the sweet kiss, Faramir’s arms wrapped around his husband and pulled him closer. He was often so tired, but when Haldir held him, or kissed him, or they made love he felt stronger. It was as if somehow Haldir’s light and soul brought him more life with even the simplest of touches. As they drew apart he smiled adoringly. “I look forward to spending many days and nights with you curled up in our bed… a nice soft one,” he grinned remembering how they had both fussed a bit the previous night about how hard the floor beneath them had been.
“As soft as you want, my love,” Haldir murmured, letting one hand gently cup the back of his lover’s neck as he licked at the seam of Faramir’s lips. Feeling strong arms wrapping around him, Haldir moved closer and gently nibbled at the warm skin where neck met shoulder. As they moved together, he felt a sharp pain in his chest, knowing it was from the ring that Faramir wore around his neck, even through the fabric of their tunics. “We don’t have to leave right away,” he murmured softly, letting his fingertips gently move underneath the chain that held the ring, hoping to move it from between them without touching the ring itself.
Loving the way Haldir’s lips felt against his skin, Faramir moved closer but felt Haldir retreat from him slightly. Before he could ask, Haldir’s hand moved to touch the chain around his neck. Immediately he stiffened, his arms dropping suddenly from around Haldir and before Faramir even registered a single thought his hand caught Haldir’s wrist roughly, squeezing it harshly as he backed his lover against the wall of the cave, one arm against his throat the other still holding Haldir’s wrist in a crushing grip given more strength from the ring. His eyes were narrowed and blazing with an emotion that Faramir would never recognize in himself. “You will not take it,” he growled in a voice that didn’t even sound like his own.
Haldir’s eyes grew wide as Faramir pushed him back so suddenly and gripped his wrist with a strength Haldir didn’t know he possessed. His first instinct was to push his lover away, but… he couldn’t. This was Faramir… his husband, the man he loved and would give his life for, and he could no more fight him than he could one of his own brothers. Forcing himself to relax, Haldir’s gaze met his lover’s and he realized that the ring now had more control than ever before. “Meleth,” he whispered calmly, though it was hard to talk with Faramir’s arm pressed so tightly against his throat, “I do not want the ring. I only wanted to move it from between us. Please, gûren… you know I wasn’t trying to take it… you know that…”
The fury within him, Faramir knew wasn’t his own but he couldn’t fight against it as he stood pressing his husband against the wall. When his eyes met Haldir’s, wide with concern and perhaps even fear… fear of him Faramir’s mind seemed to clear. He swallowed hard and relaxed the arm pressed against Haldir’s neck. He blinked slowly and shook his head as if trying to clear it, before his fingers released Haldir’s wrist. Stepping back he drew in a shuddering breath. “I… I am sorry,” he murmured backing further away. “Gods, I’m so sorry,” he continued as his eyes saw the bright red marks where his hand had been wrapped so tightly around Haldir’s wrist. He felt his stomach churning and for one insane moment he nearly jerked the ring from his neck and hurled it into the woods.
Haldir shook his head and slowly lessened the gap between them. “It is all right, guren,” he whispered, reaching out and entwining their hands, his arousal of moments before all but forgotten. Gently squeezing Faramir’s fingers, he pulled him closer and forced a rather weak smile to his face. After a moment, he released his hand and pulled his husband into an embrace, careful not to make any sudden moves or even give Faramir the idea he was going for the ring, and holding him close, but not so close that the chain or the cursed object hanging from it touched him. His wrist ached and he knew there would be a deep bruise, as well as a bruise over his throat, but he honestly didn’t care. All he could think about at the moment was how upset and afraid Faramir looked. “It is all right, meleth… you didn’t hurt me. I should not have tried to move the ring. I am the one who is sorry.”
Faramir watched as Haldir moved closer and began shaking his head to warn his lover away, but when Haldir touched his hand so gently after what he’d almost done Faramir felt his heart ache in his chest. The sad smile that graced Haldir’s face he knew was forced and it pained him even more. Though the moment Haldir’s arms wrapped around him he leaned into the embrace, unable to push him away. He shook his head again as Haldir whispered. “I did hurt you… I… I wanted to hurt you and that is what frightens me the most. It was as if I had two minds, one that couldn’t fight against the desire to protect the ring. You have nothing to be sorry for… you had no idea… I had no idea. What… what if I can’t do this? What if I can’t destroy it? What if it destroys us?”
Hot tears slid down his face as he said the last.
Haldir’s hands moved over Faramir’s back and he had to bite back his own tears as he felt his husband’s sliding down to land against his neck. “Nothing will destroy us,” he promised, “You will destroy it, gûren, and we will live our lives afterwards… happy and peaceful and utterly and completely in love. I love you, Faramir, and nothing could ever make me stop… I swear.”
Faramir started to pull Haldir closer but instead drew away slightly and turned the necklace around his neck so the ring was at his back. “There… so we don’t have… something like that happen again,” he whispered. As his words trailed off he pulled Haldir closer and simply held him tight, his tears were still flowing onto his husband’s shoulder but he didn’t care. He hurt the one person he loved more than anyone else and all because of a piece of metal around his neck. “I don’t know how you can love me after that,” he murmured pressing gentle kisses against Haldir’s cheek and neck. “I’m sorry I hurt you,” he added. “I hope you know I would never do that without the ring’s influence.”
“I know,” Haldir murmured. “I know that without the slightest doubt. And I hope you know that I love you more at this moment than ever before.” Leaning back to kiss away the hot tears that continued to flow over his lover’s skin, Haldir smiled again, this time a little less forced, and tried to let his husband see the sincerity in his words. “I’m fine, honestly, I am. Though I can’t say that I won’t ask you to kiss me better a few thousand times in the next few hours.” His voice was teasing as he tried to coax Faramir into a smile, and ignore the knots in his own stomach that warned him this was just the beginning of what the ring could do.
Faramir looked into Haldir’s eyes and tried to smile. “I love you,” he whispered, “And I truly am sorry… but kissing you better does sound like a wonderful way to spend a few hours.” Faramir gently ran his fingers over Haldir’s face and sighed softly. “I wonder if it would have done this to Frodo?” he asked softly. “Is it only because I am a man and men failed before? Or… or would he have been able to resist it?”
Haldir smiled as his lover’s fingers ran over his face with a tenderness that had been markedly absent only moments before. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “I have never had many dealings with hobbits. Gandalf had a lot of faith in him… but he has a lot of faith in you as well. When the choice is before you, I know you will make the right decision. We knew the ring would influence you, that something like this might happen… so don’t be discouraged. We’ll get through this, I promise.”
Faramir nodded slowly as Haldir spoke. “We will… just… don’t let me do something I’ll regret if you can. Please? I… I wasn’t in control earlier; it was as if I was of two minds and one was controlling me. If that makes any sense… I could see what I was doing but not stop myself. If it comes down to me doing something… awful… do what you can to protect yourself. Don’t… don’t let your love for me keep you from protecting yourself from the ring controlling my actions,” he said softly. He hated that he’d hurt Haldir, hated himself for it and the ring. If only he were stronger willed he could maybe have more control, but then his father always said he was weak. Was this what he meant all along? Did he sense that in him all these years?
Smiling sadly, Haldir simply held Faramir tighter and closed his eyes. “You won’t hurt me, love,” he said softly. “I will protect myself but I will not hurt you, or let you get hurt. I know everything that happened was because of the ring… and I cannot wait to be rid of it. In the meantime… you should not worry about me. While the ring might make you do things you do not wish to do, I know you are stronger than you give yourself credit for, and I don’t believe for a moment that you would really do anything to seriously harm me. Your heart is too pure for the ring to completely control you.”
Faramir held Haldir close and sighed deeply. “I hope you’re right for putting so much faith in me,” he whispered. How could Haldir trust him so easily after what had happened? How could he trust him when Faramir no longer trusted himself? He closed his eyes and pressed a soft kiss against Haldir’s forehead. Drawing back he looked into his lover’s eyes seeing nothing but love and worry for him. “I love you… no matter what I say or do as we near Mordor because I know this will get worse, know that I love you.”
Haldir combed his fingers though his husband’s hair and nodded. “I know that, gûren. “I have never doubted it. When I asked you to bond with me, I knew it was forever… and that is exactly what I want with you… forever. Please… do not let the ring make you think any differently. It is full of deceit and lies, and I am sure it will do what it can do tear us apart. But it will not succeed, meleth. It will not succeed.”
Faramir hoped more than anything that Haldir was right. “Do you need anything for your arm?” He felt tears sting his eyes as he saw the dark bruise forming in the shape of Faramir’s hand where it had wrapped around his husband’s wrist. “We can rest here a little longer if you like,” he offered feeling horrible for the pain he’d caused Haldir. Even if he had not been himself, even if the ring had controlled him, in the end it was his responsibility. He knew Haldir didn’t feel that way, but Faramir did and he vowed to make it up to him one day if he could.
Releasing his lover reluctantly, Haldir shook his head and bent down to retrieve his pack. “I’m fine, love. It’s nothing… .just a bruise. I’d rather get going if it’s all the same to you. The sooner we reach Mordor, the happier I will be. Maybe, though… we have time for one more kiss before we leave?” Hefting the pack over his shoulder, he looked pleadingly at his husband and smiled. “I find myself so addicted to your kisses, I cannot even think of leaving this cave until I taste your lips again.”
Faramir laughed softly and stepped closer picking up his own pack. As he straightened again he shook his head. “I shouldn’t be a party to feeding someone else’s addictions… but since it seems I just might suffer from the same problem of being addicted to my husband’s kisses then I simply have no choice than to kiss you,” he teased, and for the first time since everything had gone so horribly wrong he saw the smile on Haldir’s lips truly reach his eyes. Stepping closer, Faramir leaned in and pressed his lips tenderly to Haldir’s, his tongue sweeping gently against his lover’s lips and then slowly taking more as it was offered. After a few moments of exploring and tasting his lover, Faramir drew back to allow Haldir the same.
Haldir’s hand rested on the back of Faramir’s neck and he deepened the kiss with a soft sigh. His own tongue slowly moved forward, gliding over smooth teeth and dancing alongside his lover’s for long, perfect moments, and nothing else mattered but the man in his arms and the love they shared. Though he was still worried, he truly believed that their love would overcome anything… even the evilness of the ring and its master. When he finally pulled away, he was slightly breathless and his eyes shone with love for the man in his arms. “I think there is no better addiction for us to have,” he smiled, letting his thumb run lightly over Faramir’s cheek. “And I think that kiss, perfect as it was, might only last me for an hour or so… at that point, I’m sure I will require more.”
Faramir stared breathlessly into his lover’s eyes as Haldir drew away and spoke. He laughed softly and nodded. “Oh yes… I am sure that I will not mind helping you with that little problem,” he murmured pressing a teasing kiss against the tip of Haldir’s nose. Stepping back slowly, Faramir’s fingers tangled with Haldir’s and they began on their way again. He hoped that something like that would not happen again but he feared that it would… perhaps even worse if he couldn’t find a way to control himself more and fight against the rings power.
Galadriel backed away from the basin and pressed her hand over her heart. “Faramir… he hurt Haldir,” she murmured to her husband. “And… Haldir let him. I think Elrond was right… he does love Faramir with every fiber of his being, or he would have fought him, would have tried to protect himself… would have at least defended himself. I just hope that Haldir continues to feel that way, because I fear things will get worse before they reach Mordor. If he grows afraid of Faramir, or begins to fall out of love with him, then there is no chance for the ring to be destroyed… none at all.”
Celeborn frowned deeply as Galadriel spoke. The Haldir he had always known wouldn’t allow anyone to hurt him, and the Faramir he had met had been so obviously in love with Haldir he found it hard to believe the gentle blue-eyed man would say one cross word to the Elf let alone cause him pain. “Have faith in Haldir, my love. We both saw how he looked at Faramir. He is no fool… he knows it isn’t Faramir but the ring. For a man, Faramir has gone longer than most would with the ring. Remember there is more than one vision you’ve had since they left,” he whispered soothingly as he rubbed Galadriel’s arms through her thin gown.
Nodding, Galadriel rested her arm over her husband’s. “I have faith in him,” she smiled. “I have faith in Faramir as well, simply because I know our dear Marchwarden would never fall for someone who wasn’t noble and honest and kind. As stubborn as Haldir is, I think maybe that’s exactly what Faramir will need. I saw him asking Haldir to leave, for Faramir was so upset at having hurt him. But I could tell… Haldir never even considered it. Someone less stubborn might have taken the opportunity and ran, but I think this has only made him more determined to see the ring destroyed and stop its influence over his husband.” With a soft sigh, her hand slid into Celeborn’s and she smiled tiredly up at him. “I think I have had enough visions for today. We should go home and relax.”
Title: When Darkness Falls Chapter 9/?
Authors: Sairalinde & Anorienbean
Fandom: LOTR
Characters: Faramir/Haldir
Rating: NC17
Warnings: Non-con in this chapter, 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.
Faramir rolled onto his back and stared up at the stars for a long time hoping that sleep would come soon. Haldir was beside him, sleeping deeply, and by looking at him quiet peacefully. Sighing heavily, Faramir rolled onto his side and snuggled closer to Haldir under the blanket. He could feel his lover’s naked skin against his own and he found himself snuggling even closer savoring the feeling. Even though just a few hours before they’d made love, he was already feeling his arousal growing. Well if you can’t sleep there are worse things a person could do. He thought for a moment and grinned.
Leaning forward he pressed his lips against Haldir’s shoulder as his hand traveled down and gripped his hip, pulling Haldir back flush against Faramir’s rapidly growing arousal. His hips thrust forward over and over again, enjoying the friction and warmth of his lover’s skin against him.
Just as Faramir leaned up to whisper against his lover’s ear to see if he might be at all interested, Haldir shifted away from him and rolled onto his stomach. Groaning in frustration, Faramir flipped onto his back to stare at the stars again. He knew Haldir was tired; he was too but sleep just wouldn’t come to him… and now it certainly wouldn’t be coming to him for quite a while yet.
He hadn’t touched himself since he’d met Haldir; though his hand did slid down his own stomach to stroke the hard length there. Closing his eyes he wondered if it would bother Haldir terribly if he sought release like this since he couldn’t wake his husband.
His mind seemed to stick on the word husband for a bit and his hand stilled. It wouldn’t be right, he decided and sighed again.
Rolling back over he let his hand trail down Haldir’s back and a smile touched Faramir’s lips as even in his sleep Haldir arched into it. The reaction didn’t seem to help Faramir’s situation either and he found himself biting his lower lip for a moment.
He is my husband. I have every right to want him… but just taking him like this in his sleep… that wouldn’t be right. He’d never do that to me. Besides… I want him to be awake and enjoy it with me.
Time seemed to pass slowly as Faramir’s mood darkened though, if he’d been paying enough attention he would feel the pulse of the ring against his chest. The thought crossed his mind that he should just take him, exactly as he was, spread beneath him just as he was. Not give Haldir a choice… but then he’d made his choice when he’d bonded with Faramir hadn’t he? He made his choice when he stayed even when Faramir had told him to leave.
Growling in frustration, a frustration that Faramir knew was far more than sexual need and desire for his husband but he no longer had control of himself. The ring was practically dancing against his chest as it hummed with power and before he even registered the thoughts of what he was doing Faramir had taken the two short pieces or rope they used for hunting snares and had secured Haldir’s hands firmly to the log that lay at the ‘head’ of their makeshift bed.
Haldir had never woken the entire time that Faramir had maneuvered him, and soon he stripped the blanket away fully to take in his lover’s body spread before him in the faint moonlight.
Perfect. Perfect and mine.
Haldir was sleeping more deeply than he had in several days. The weeks of simply being near the ring were taking a toll on him, and he’d finally drifted off after they’d made love. More than once over the past few days, Faramir had snapped at him, but Haldir knew it was the ring trying even harder to take over his lover, and had simply smiled and let the moment pass.
He was deep in a dream now, a peaceful, content dream of living with Faramir in their talan in Lórien. He didn’t even feel his body being maneuvered, nor the ropes that were tied around his wrists. He vaguely felt his husband’s hands moving over his skin, but attributed it to the dream, or Faramir snuggling close in his sleep. With a soft murmur, he crooked one leg, unknowingly offering easier access, even in his sleep.
Faramir stood over his lover for a moment and a grin touched his lips as Haldir moved his leg. Is he actually awake and only toying with me? Moving to settle between his lover’s legs, Faramir reached into his pack for the jar of salve they’d used earlier and then paused. Since it had been such a short time since the last time he took his lover Faramir released the jar and leaned back to look at him. “I wonder if you’ll even wake up at all?” he asked softly in a voice that any who knew him would know wasn’t quite his own. Not even checking to make absolutely sure Haldir was still stretched and slick from their earlier activities Faramir simply pushed his husband’s legs wider and positioned himself at the entrance before thrusting forward into tight heat. Instead of pausing and waiting for his lover to either wake or even adjust to the intrusion, Faramir began to move.
Haldir woke with a start as his body was breached. He tried to move, only to find, to his utter surprise, that his hands were bound tightly to a log above him. Before he could say a word, he felt the hard flesh buried inside him begin to move and stiffened immediately. His first instinct was to break free of the ropes and throw whoever was taking him to the ground, but with one quick look over his shoulder, he saw that his ‘lover’ was none other than Faramir. Well, he amended to himself… it was Faramir’s body anyway, and somewhere inside that body was the man he’d married. Immediately relaxing, he let his body become pliable, knowing that Faramir, at this moment, at least, did not know what he was doing. Closing his eyes, he lay still as Faramir took him, refusing to struggle, or even try to break free, though he knew he could very easily snap the ropes that bound him. He determinedly kept his mouth closed, letting his husband take his pleasure, though his heart ached with the thought of what was happening to Faramir even now.
Leaning over his lover, Faramir had seen Haldir’s eyes open, and then slip back closed as if he were still asleep. “I know you are awake,” he murmured close to Haldir’s ear. Faramir braced himself on one arm over his lover and reached up to move the thick mane of hair away from Haldir’s shoulder and wound the soft hair around his hand tugging Haldir’s head back. Faramir’s teeth nipped at the elegant ear and he was pleased to hear Haldir gasp, it was the first sound his lover had made. Not thinking of how roughly he was sucking at the skin of Haldir’s neck or anything else, Faramir was simply lost in his lover, needing this for some reason that he didn’t understand. A part of him knew exactly what he was doing and felt guilt stab through him, while another darker, more malevolent part of him that he didn’t know or have control of reveled in it.
Haldir’s fingers wound around the ropes and he felt tears of pain gather in his eyes as Faramir pulled his head back and bit at his ear, one of the most sensitive parts of his body, a fact which Faramir was well aware of. No. This isn’t him. It’s the ring, using him. Every instinct in him told him to fight, to protect himself, but he couldn’t raise a hand to his lover, even now. “Yes,” he said softly, gritting his teeth as his head was pulled back even further, making his neck ache as well as his ear. “I am awake. And you are hurting me, Faramir.”
Growling low in his throat an unnatural sound that wasn’t Faramir and barely human at all, he shoved Haldir’s head forward releasing the hair wrapped around his fist. “Did you know you spread yourself for me? Even in sleep, you wanted this, don’t pretend that you don’t now,” Faramir snapped as he bit roughly against the smooth skin of Haldir’s shoulder, leaving harsh red marks before moving to more sensitive skin at the base of Haldir’s neck as he continued to thrust deep inside him. Drawing back again, Faramir groaned as tight muscles clenched around him. “Or would you spread your legs the way you did for anyone? Not just your husband?” he hissed.
Crying out as his face slammed into the ground and Faramir’s teeth moved over his skin, Haldir could hardly believe the words he was hearing were coming from his lover’s mouth. With one quick move, he could throw Faramir off him and break free, but what good would that do, he asked himself. Faramir obviously needed something, and if Haldir freed himself, he was afraid he would end up in a confrontation with his husband… something he simply could not bear the thoughts of. Relax… let him get this out of his system, and maybe he will be himself again when he has finished. Keeping his voice calm, despite the pain of his lover’s words and actions, he forced himself to remain still and passive. “Of course not,” he said in his most reasonable voice, though a small groan escaped from his lips as the pain deepened. “There has been no other since I met you, and there never will be. You know that, Faramir. I love you. I only wish you had known I would never turn you down. There was no need to bind my hands. All you had to do was wake me.”
Somehow the words ‘I love you’ seemed to break through the fog in Faramir’s mind for only a moment and his fingers loosened in Haldir’s hair to move to the back of his neck caressing the tense muscles there without really thinking about it. The moment didn’t last long however before Faramir huffed out a harsh laugh as Haldir said all he had to do was wake him. “I managed to tie you up while you were asleep. What does that tell you?”
“That tells me that you are not yourself,” Haldir said softly, realizing that he was getting through a little, though he wasn’t sure how, as he felt gentle fingers moving over his skin for a moment. An exceptionally deep thrust caused him to groan as his body moved forward, and he knew he would have even more bruises come morning from the rocks and branches that lay underneath his blanket. “Take what you will. I will not fight you. I am yours, and would deny you nothing. But do not think you can do this every time I close my eyes. I do love you, but I won’t let you do this again. It will hurt you more than it will hurt me in the end, when you realize what you are doing, and I cannot stand to see you go through that.”
The voice that growled this time was certainly not Faramir and suddenly his hand drew away from Haldir’s neck to simply brace himself over his husband and thrust deeply. After long moments, Faramir felt his release building and continued to thrust until suddenly he cried out, his release slamming into him violently and he spilled deep within the tight channel. Dragging in harsh breaths, he collapsed against his lover, burying his face against the back of Haldir’s neck. He closed his eyes as his breathing slowed and evened out, and he felt a calmness he hadn’t known before wash over him. After a short time he slipped from within his lover and when he opened his eyes again he lifted his head and stared down at Haldir beneath him. Blinking several times, he suddenly realized what had happened and he scrambled back as if burned.
As soon as Haldir felt his husband spill within him, he closed his eyes in relief, for the first time ever glad that it was over. He continued to lay prone underneath Faramir, breathing heavily as the pain in his neck, ear, and backside slowly began to fade. Moments later, he felt Faramir slide from inside him and back away. Looking over his shoulder, he saw the horror in his lover’s eyes and quickly, with almost no effort at all, snapped the ropes around his wrist and climbed to his knees, then turned to face his husband. “Faramir,” he said softly, knowing that the ring had lost its power, at least for the moment. Opening his arms, he felt his heart break at the look on his husband’s face even as milky fluid tinged with blood ran down his inner thigh. “Come here, love. Are you all right?”
Faramir’s eyes already shimmering with unshed tears widened as Haldir easily broke the ropes binding him. Though it had shocked him still for a moment he then continued to back away from Haldir for a moment shaking his head. “What did I do?” he murmured over and over perhaps more to himself than to Haldir. He stood in confusion as tears began to stream down his face as Haldir stayed with his arms open in invitation. An invitation he didn’t deserve. He swallowed hard and was unable to say a word for the lump in his throat.
Wanting nothing more than to wrap his arms around his husband, Haldir forced himself to stay perfectly still, not sure if Faramir wanted his touch just now or not. “Gûren, please,” he whispered, the pain of seeing Faramir crying more than he could bear, and infinitely worse than what had just happened. “You did not do anything. It was the ring. I am fine… I promise you. Please… don’t back away from me like that. Don’t be afraid to let me hold you.”
Faramir stood trapped it seemed between his own guilt and Haldir’s unwavering love for him despite what he’d done. Regardless if it was the ring it was his hands that had tied Haldir to that log, his body that had taken him so roughly. Swallowing hard he looked down at the ground and shook his head. “How can you want to hold me after that?” he asked softly, his head was aching from whatever internal fight he’d battled, but not nearly as much as his heart.
Haldir bit his bottom lip as Faramir spoke, his heart aching for his husband. “Because I love you,” he whispered softly. “Because my arms are empty when you aren’t in them, and because I need to wrap my arms around you and convince myself that you are all right, meleth. Please?”
“That I’m all right? Haldir… I,” Faramir shook his head again but couldn’t deny that he wanted to feel Haldir’s arms around him. Moving toward his lover slowly, Faramir sank to his knees in front of him but found himself unable to meet Haldir’s eyes. He reached out and took one of Haldir’s hands and untied the rope still tied around his wrist, then lifted it to his lips and gently kissed the abraded skin. “I’m so sorry,” he murmured barely able to form the words around the sob caught in his chest. “All I seem to do is hurt you.”
Shaking his head, Haldir moved his hand to gently tilt Faramir’s face up until their gazes met. “Don’t,” he whispered. “Don’t blame yourself for this. This was the ring, I know that… you know that.” Slowly, he wrapped his arms around his lover and sank to the ground, holding Faramir tightly. “I… I just didn’t know what to do. I could have freed myself, but I simply do not have the heart to fight you. You just… you needed me, and I understand why this happened. There was no harm done, meleth. I’m fine, I swear.”
Faramir sank into Haldir’s embrace pulling his husband close and kissing his cheek gently. “There was harm done, love. I… I was not myself, we both know that, but I just… I… I should have fought harder against it. I let my wanting you get twisted by the ring,” he whispered. Taking a deep breath he held Haldir even tighter for a moment before loosening his hold.
Haldir gazed into his husband’s eyes and smiled. “I know that you weren’t yourself,” he said, reaching down to take Faramir’s hands in his own and giving them a gentle squeeze, careful not to let his hair move from his neck and ear and reveal the skin he felt sure was raw from his lover’s teeth. “But I also know that I love you and the ring is trying to tear us apart. Don’t let it do this to you, Faramir. Don’t let it make you feel guilty. You did not truly hurt me… and I don’t believe you will. Just let go of this… let’s put it behind us. I don’t blame you for what happened, and I can’t stand to see you blaming yourself. Please? Just try, for me?”
Faramir nodded slowly as he stared into Haldir’s eyes. “I will try… I just… just wish I knew how to fight against it. I can’t explain it. I know what is happening, I know I shouldn’t do or say something yet I do. I’m not as strong as it is,” he said softly and closed his eyes for a moment. “I’m not sure I will be strong enough for this in the end. When it comes time to destroy it… I’m scared.” He swallowed hard and opened his eyes to look into Haldir’s. “I’ve never been more afraid of anything in my life, not afraid I will die, not afraid that the ring could return to Sauron… I’m most afraid of losing you. Maybe… maybe that is why it is doing this? Because it knows that is my worst fear?”
Leaning forward to press his lips against Faramir’s, Haldir gave him a soft, sweet kiss, wanting nothing more than to reassure his lover. “You will never lose me,” he murmured as he sat down on their blanket and urged Faramir to sit in his lap. Still careful not to touch the ring, he wrapped his arms comfortably around his husband’s waist and smiled up at him. “I think you’re exactly right though. I think the ring plays on your worst fears… but, don’t you see, love? Already, it has lost, because I will never stop loving you. The ring… or, rather, Sauron, knows he has no power against such a great love, and I think he is getting desperate… trying everything in his power to tear us apart, but he must know, deep down, that he has already failed.”
Faramir smiled as Haldir pulled him into his lap and wrapped his arms around his husband as he rested his head against his shoulder. “Maybe so,” he whispered softly. “I just don’t like feeling like his pawn, not having control over my own actions and thoughts… and seeing marks on you, from me. I don’t want that, but yet I can’t seem to stop it either.” He drew in a deep breath and released it slowly. “We need to get there as soon as we can. I don’t want this to happen again, I want to be rid of it forever so we can just go home, wherever we decide that to be.”
“We can leave at first light,” Haldir promised, pressing a kiss against his husband’s temple. “For now, rest if you can, just like this, in my arms, and I will try to keep the dark thoughts from you, my lovely one. We haven’t much farther to go… then we can destroy the damnable thing and move forward with our lives.”
Turning and catching Haldir’s lips with his own, Faramir kissed his lover tenderly. “I love you,” he whispered tiredly. Whatever the ring did to him when it took control of him that way it made him feel tired and drained afterwards. Even the times in the last few weeks when he’d simply snapped at Haldir for whatever reason he’d felt a wave of fatigue wash over him and now he felt more exhausted than he had in weeks. “I do want to admit the ring wasn’t completely at fault tonight… I did want you, but not like that. Never like that,” he whispered honestly.
“I know,” Haldir said softly. “I know. I wish I had not been so deeply asleep and I would have oh-so-eagerly made love with you. I’m sorry I didn’t wake up sooner. You know I would never, ever say no to making love with my beautiful, perfect, beloved husband. There is honestly no harm done though. I am perfectly fine, and right now, I want nothing more than to snuggle up next to you and whisper in your ear how much I love you until you fall sleep.” Grinning wickedly, he arched one eyebrow at his husband, hoping to make him smile. “I look forward to hearing your incredibly sexy snores as I watch the sun rise.”
Faramir felt slightly relieved when Haldir said that he was perfectly fine. He hoped that he wasn’t just saying that for his benefit though. When Haldir continued however, Faramir looked up with a mock look of indignation. “I do not snore,” he said trying not to grin though his lips couldn’t seem to help themselves. “Ok… maybe a little bit,” he admitted when Haldir raised an eyebrow at him. “Goodnight, love.” Faramir rested his head against Haldir’s shoulder and pulled the blanket up to cover them both.
Laughing softly, Haldir snuggled close and rested his cheek on the top of his lover’s head. “Goodnight, meleth,” he whispered, already counting the hours until they could resume their journey to Mordor. The sooner they were rid of the ring, the more relieved he would be, especially since it seemed to be taking his lover closer and closer to doing something he would always regret. “I love you,” he murmured. “Never forget that, no matter what.”
Faramir drifted into sleep after only a few moments and it was the most contented sleep, unblemished by dark dreams for the first time in days. The morning would find them moving as swiftly as they could toward the blackened landscape of Mordor to destroy the ring, and in Faramir’s mind to destroy it before it destroyed them.
Title: When Darkness Falls Chapter 10/10
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.
As the sun filtered through the trees around them, Haldir pulled the blanket closer around his husband. The night had been chilly, but they both so loved the feel of each other’s skin against their own, neither could bear sleeping tunics. He’d stayed awake all night, relieved to find that Faramir seemed to sleep well, but ready to chase away his dark dreams should they come upon him.
He was still a bit shocked by the events of the night before. Waking up with Faramir making love to him was not something he would ever complain about, but the way it had happened… his hands tied and his ear and neck bitten repeatedly, his lover taking his own pleasure, usually loving and gentle hands not even touching Haldir as they usually did, to bring them to climax together. No, the ring had been in more control than Faramir himself, and Haldir could only pray that they destroyed it before its control became something that Faramir could not push away.
But for now, Haldir mused, his husband was here, in his arms, a soft smile on his face, seeming to be more relaxed than he’d been in weeks. Always, Faramir had said that the safety of Haldir’s embrace was the only place he could find solace, or any measure of peace, and Haldir was more than happy to simply hold him as the night wore on.
Gently brushing a lock of hair behind his lover’s ear, Haldir shifted slightly. Faramir had sat in his lap, curled up against his chest for long hours, and though he regretted giving up this rare moment of peace, he knew they should resume their journey. “Meleth?” he whispered. “Wake up, pen velui. We have far to go today, and should get started as soon as possible.”
Faramir stirred, feeling warmth surrounding him and heard the soft whisper of his husband’s voice. He drew in a deep breath and slowly opened his eyes. Looking up into Haldir’s eyes he smiled but then the memories from the night before flooded in at the sight of the dark bruises on Haldir’s neck. Immediately he drew back and nearly scrambled out of his husband’s lap certain that after having the night to think on it all that Haldir would not wish to have him near. Not after what he’d done. Ring or not, he’d practically raped his husband. Tears gathered quickly in his eyes and he stared wordlessly at Haldir, unable to form an apology for what he’d done. There was simply nothing he could say that would be enough.
Haldir was startled as Faramir leapt away from him. Quickly getting to his feet, he closed the gap between them and moved so the blanket around his shoulders rested over his lover’s as well, trying not to wince as the pain in his backside renewed at the too-quick movement. “Faramir, please. Don’t do this… it breaks my heart when you pull away from me.”
Faramir blinked several times trying to focus beyond the tears welling there and shook his head. He started to back away again but the sadness in Haldir’s eyes stopped him. “But… how you could want me near? I… I hurt you,” he whispered, his hand rising to touch the dark bruises gently, feeling the heat of them against his fingertips. Swallowing hard, Faramir looked down. “I am afraid that it will only get worse.”
Raising his hand to rest over the back of Faramir’s hand, Haldir tilted his head and kissed his lover’s palm. “I will always want you near me,” he smiled. “I love you, and what happened last night was not your fault. If it gets worse, we will deal with it, but I honestly do not think you have it in you to truly hurt me. The ring might think it controls you, but I know, without a doubt that there is part of you the ring can’t touch. It’s the part of you that loves me, that managed to push forward and touch me so gently last night… the part of you that is so pure, evil cannot touch it. Please… don’t blame yourself for this. The bruises will heal, and soon, the ring will be gone, and we will never have to worry about its influence ever again.”
Feeling the warmth of Haldir’s lips against his palm made Faramir’s heart swell in his chest and he nodded slowly. “I just don’t want to hurt you… I hate seeing these marks on you. Marks I made, it… it breaks my heart,” he whispered softly. He also hated the fact that as much as he despised the ring he worried that he wouldn’t be able to destroy it. Wouldn’t be strong enough. Others weren’t… what made him any better than them? Taking a deep breath he nodded his head slowly and closed his eyes for a moment. “You are right though, we should go, we have a long day ahead and the sooner we get to Mt. Doom the better. I don’t know if I’ll be able to resist the ring’s pull much longer.”
Haldir smiled as Faramir visibly relaxed. Leaning in for a soft kiss, he rested his forehead against his husband’s and sighed. After a moment, he pulled away, reached for their pack and drew out two tunics. Handing one to his lover, Haldir smiled and let the blanket around Faramir’s shoulders drop to the ground. “So incredibly lovely,” he murmured, taking in the lean body before him. “When we find a home, I plan on spending weeks at a time simply exploring every inch of you.”
Faramir returned the soft kiss and felt infinitely loved from the sweet gesture. As Haldir handed him a tunic and the blanket fell away, despite everything they’d shared Faramir found a blush staining his cheeks as his husband looked at him that way. “We will both be quite busy for a long while I should think because I wish to do the same,” he whispered almost shyly.
Feeling much more lighthearted, Haldir laughed and let his fingers trail lovingly over Faramir’s body, delighting in the feel of his husband’s skin beneath his fingertips. It was long minutes before they finally began their trek, as Haldir simply could not resist a few dozen more kisses, both before and after their breakfast, and, despite the ring, he felt even more sure that they would complete their quest and go on to live their lives in happiness, able to put this entire episode behind them forever.
The ring, however, had other ideas.
Walking had become a chore as they moved up the craggy mountainside, littered with sharp jagged rocks and virtually nothing alive for leagues it seemed. Faramir could feel the weight of the ring growing around his neck, as if he were carrying a blacksmith’s anvil rather than a small ring of gold. Each step seemed harder than the next, but he pressed on. He knew they had to do this, even though his emotions warred within him.
The ring was like a living force struggling against him more and more each step they took. Some sort of battle had distracted the enemy and they had made it with little trouble into the dark lands of Mordor, but when he looked back he could see a trail of orcs following them. Haldir had looked back just as he had and drew his bow. He knew what his lover meant to do. To stand guard picking off orcs as they moved up the mountain behind them as Faramir had to press ahead to the chamber where the ring was forged. His steps faltered at times, but he kept going, they were just so close.
Licking his dry lips, Faramir finally made it to the crest of the mountain where the doorway to the chamber was. It reminded him for a moment of Moria and the balrog. He looked back to see Haldir loose an arrow right into the chest of an orc advancing up the slope. Forcing himself to move faster, Faramir almost stumbled as he moved into the chamber. The heat was stifling and took his breath away for a moment. Stopping at the edge he looked back to see Haldir in the doorway still firing arrows and he reached up to remove the necklace with the ring. He paused with it in his hands, the gold shining brightly in the strange orange light.
Grateful that he had dozens of arrows, Haldir continued trying to shield his lover from the creatures for as long as he could. His aim was steady, but the orcs were bearing down on them in numbers far too great for him to even hope of killing them all. They continued coming at him in droves, but the trek up the steep slope was difficult and more than one fell, dragging several others down with him. A particularly large orc appeared out of nowhere, and Haldir aimed for his neck, giving a grim smile of satisfaction as the creature screamed and fell behind a large bolder beside the chamber entrance. He continued firing as he backed into the chamber, seeing his lover standing on the edge of a deep abyss, flames and liquid lava all around him. “Faramir, hurry! I cannot hold them off much longer!” Haldir yelled over the din of the orcs and the roar of the bed of fire rushing down the center of the crevice. Another orc appeared just before him and he loosed yet another arrow. The creature fell near the archway, but Haldir’s attention was already back on his lover as the orc he’d just shot he slowly pulled the arrow from his neck and waited for his chance to attack the Elf.
Faramir looked over his shoulder to Haldir in the doorway and then back at the ring in his hand. His thoughts were jumbled, he wanted to keep the ring, to use it, and perhaps it would protect them like it had against the balrog? If he kept it he and Haldir could end the war together, could rule together? As the thoughts crossed his mind Faramir heard his lover shout and he turned again and looked into Haldir’s eyes. His husband’s eyes were pleading with him to destroy the ring and he blinked trying to fight against the desire to keep the ring and not destroy it. Just as he started to reach out and fling the ring into the abyss he saw something out of the corner of his eye. Haldir had called to him again to destroy the ring, and as if time had slowed he reached down and pulled his knife from his boot, staring into his lover’s eyes as the updrafts from the lava whipped around him he threw the knife as hard as he could, his eyes almost never leaving Haldir’s.
His heart in his throat, Haldir’s gaze held Faramir’s, without blinking. He could see the man he loved trying desperately to make a decision, a decision that should have been easy, but one he knew in his heart would be the hardest thing anyone could ever have to make. The call of the ring was strong, even Galadriel had felt its pull, but Haldir would not let himself believe that it was stronger than the bond he shared with Faramir. As if in slow motion, Haldir stood perfectly still, watching as the knife moved end over end, heading straight for him. He would not hurt me… despite the ring, he loves me, and nothing can take that from us. The thought, however, did nothing to slow the progress of the knife, and he dared not move, putting every ounce of trust he possessed in his husband.
With a dull thud, the knife found its quarry mere inches from Haldir’s ear, deep into the throat of the orc Haldir thought he’d killed. Unbeknownst to him, the creature had slowly risen to his feet, a dull blade in his hand, ready to plunge the rusted weapon into his back. Relief washed over Haldir and his heart skipped a beat. He saved me. Even with the call of the ring of power ringing in his ears, he saved me.
Kicking the orc off the side of the path, Haldir wiped a dirty hand across his eyes. “Meleth, please… throw the ring and come back to me. Just destroy it… Let it go!”
Faramir stood motionless as the large orc crumpled and his husband kicked him aside. Sucking in a breath that burned his lungs Faramir looked from Haldir to the ring clutched in his hand. The conflicting feelings were still there, despite it all he felt more and more confused and almost swayed on his feet from the powerful emotions flooding through him. His eyes rose again to connect with Haldir’s pleadingly, not sure he could do what he was meant to.
Seeing the pain in Faramir’s eyes, Haldir took a deep breath and steadied himself. If more orcs came up behind him, so be it, right now, his husband needed him. “Seron vell,” he said just loudly enough for Faramir to hear him, never breaking their gaze. “Do you remember the night I asked you to bond with me? Our faers were set free, and danced together, our bodies and souls moved as one. I always found you so breathtakingly beautiful, meleth, but that night… that night my heart ached at how lovely you were, and I knew nothing would ever make me stop loving you. If you keep the ring, I will stand with you for as long as I can… but it will be the end of me. The evilness that ring holds would overcome everything in me, and I would fade. But I will be by your side for as long as I can, even if you keep it… never doubt that, love. I promised I would never leave you… and I hold to that promise.”
Faramir startled as Haldir said he would stay with him even if he kept the ring but that he would fade. The thought of causing his husband to fade because of him, because of his selfish desire to keep something so powerful… something so evil, made him tremble. The ring was still trying to influence him, trying to control him and make him believe that he could stop Haldir from fading with its power but he knew better. Deep in his heart he knew, he remembered the bruises on Haldir’s perfect skin. Remembered what he himself had done because of the rings influence and how much he hated himself for allowing it. With that thought in his mind, and the love that Haldir had given him unconditionally all these months he turned and flung the ring as far into the cavern as he could. The action sent him to his knees, feeling weak as a newborn kitten for a moment before he was able to gather himself to stand. The ground began to shake as he moved forward toward his husband. They didn’t have time to speak, though Faramir had much he wished to say. He and Haldir left the chamber as the rocks began to collapse in on itself and were amazed to find the orcs that had been on their heels were pouring down the mountain side away from them.
Haldir felt his heart swelling with love as Faramir flung the ring away from him. He knew his husband could destroy the ring, despite all of Faramir’s doubts and fears to the contrary. Hand in hand, they ran from the collapsing cavern, narrowly missing several large boulders that came crashing down just beside them. They ran as fast as they could, the orcs no longer a threat, but the path beneath their feet was now crashing into the lava below them. A large outcropping off rocks was ahead of them, and they jumped together toward it, even as the ground fell away from under them. They just made it to the other rock, and quickly climbed to the top, safe, for the moment, anyway, with nowhere else to go. They were both dirty, sweating, and exhausted, but Haldir felt a peacefulness settle around them as he wrapped his arms around his husband and held him close. “I knew you could do it, gûren,” he whispered, pressing his lips to his lover’s ear. “You saved us… you saved us all.”
Faramir sunk into Haldir’s arms as they found themselves trapped on the outcropping of rock, an island in a sea of fire now. They would most likely perish there but at least they would be together without the stain of evil on their souls. “No, love. You saved us. It was your love that gave me the strength, your words, your heart that spoke to mine,” he said pressing a soft kiss against Haldir’s lips.
Tears gathered in Haldir’s eyes and he buried his face against Faramir’s neck. “Our love,” he whispered, “our love, our strength… I would not even know how to love were it not for you, my dearest one.”
Faramir pulled Haldir closer against him, and simply held him. “Our love,” he whispered in agreement. The heat around them was stifling and yet they clung to one another. “I’m so tired,” he whispered after several long moments. There really wasn’t much for them to do except sit and wait for the mountain to claim them. Faramir hoped they would pass out from the heat long before the fire swallowed them. “Let’s just close our eyes and try and remember better days. Remember our time in Lórien and Rivendell.”
Despite the heat, Haldir clung to his lover and closed his eyes. “Think about the first time we saw each other,” he murmured. “The first time we made love, the first time we walked hand in hand in the moonlight. Rest, and think of those times, of how much happiness we have shared in the short time we’ve been together.”
Faramir closed his eyes and rested his head against Haldir’s, tears slipping down his cheeks as his lover spoke. “I cherish every moment, love. Every smile you’ve bestowed upon me. Every kiss. I love you, in this life and whatever the next holds for us,” Faramir whispered his words slurred from exhaustion and the heat. By now the heat was overwhelming, just drawing a breath an effort, and they simply held onto each other as they finally slipped into blessed unconsciousness.
The next time Haldir opened his eyes, he felt silk sheets beneath him, and a cool breeze wafting across his face. Faramir was tucked safely beside him, his head resting on Haldir’s shoulder, and both of Haldir’s arms holding him tightly. It took him a moment to realize where they were.
Rivendell.
The last months seemed like a bad dream, but he knew it had all been horrifyingly real. The last thing he remembered, he and Faramir had lost consciousness just outside of the cavern where Faramir had destroyed the ring. Yet, here they were, clean and rested, alone in a luxurious bed, the sounds of laughter softly drifting on the breeze toward their room.
Slowly, he let his fingertips run over his husband’s face, a soft smile playing on his lips as he remembered how Faramir had saved his life, then flung the ring into the depths of the fire from which it was born. He hesitated to wake his sleeping lover, but he somehow sensed Faramir did not know they had survived, and might still be lost in the realms of unconsciousness. “Gûren. Can you hear me?”
Faramir shifted in his sleep wondering how he could feel so cool after the last thing he remembered was feeling so incredibly hot. He wondered if perhaps he was dead for a moment before the voice speaking to him registered in his mind. Blearily, he opened his eyes and looked up to see Haldir smiling at him and he thought for certain he was in a dream. “Haldir?” he whispered, his voice thick from disuse. “Where… where are we?” he asked moving slightly to look around them. Realization dawned on him and he looked at Haldir, puzzlement clear in his eyes. “How did we get to Rivendell?”
“I have no idea,” Haldir smiled. “But I hear laughter such as I have not heard in a very long time. I think the shadow of Mordor is finally gone from Arda, and, knowing Lord Elrond, I think he will be here shortly to tell us all that he can.” Before the words were fully out of their mouth, he heard a soft knock on the door, and saw Pippin’s head, followed by “They’re awake! They’re awake!” Next was Elrond’s stern but amused voice urging the exuberant hobbit to quiet down, then another knock, followed by Elrond and Gandalf looking in.
“I know you both must have countless questions to ask,” Gandalf smiled as he gave Faramir a slight bow. “But first, let me congratulate you for destroying the ring… and apologize for your having to do it alone. We knew it would come to this… and I always thought you had the heart to destroy it, my young friend.”
Faramir looked away from Haldir as the door opened and he found himself smiling at Pippin before the hobbit was gone again. He started to turn to Haldir to say something but before he could the door opened again and Lord Elrond and Gandalf walked in. He and Haldir sat up in the large bed, leaned against the headboard with their arms still around one another. Faramir’s eyebrow rose when Gandalf offered a bow to him and he looked at the Elf and Wizard before them curiously. “You… you knew?” he asked in confusion and turned to look at Haldir whose eyes held the same puzzled expression he knew was in his own.
Elrond nodded his head. “We did,” he answered. “Lady Galadriel saw that, due to circumstances beyond all of our control, you would end up being the ringbearer. She told me soon after our council, and saw that you would not journey alone, but she did not know with whom you would be with. After long hours of discussion, she and Lord Celeborn chose to send Haldir… and Elf they trusted and loved, but one whom had never lost his heart to another. Only love could overcome the power of the ring, and though she did not know you and Haldir would fall in love, nor what might happen if you did, she, as well as Lord Celeborn and myself, could only hope. With one look, I saw Haldir’s eyes sparkling as he looked at you, and though you looked away from him more than once, Faramir, I could tell you were flattered… and interested. The rest, I believe took care of itself.”
Haldir stared at Elrond in disbelief. “You… you knew, even then? That is why you asked me so many times if I truly loved him… if I would stand by him, no matter what obstacles would come our way.”
Faramir felt his face color when Lord Elrond said that Haldir had looked at him the way he had. He remembered those looks and at first had thought it only wishful thinking on his part. Faramir looked at Haldir as he spoke and he smiled. “And you did, no matter what, you did,” Faramir said softly pulling their joined hands up to press a soft kiss against Haldir’s.
Turning back to the others who were smiling at them Faramir looked down. “You were wrong when you said that I destroyed the ring. I very nearly didn’t. It was Haldir who did it. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have been able to resist the rings power. I almost fell under its power more than once on our journey,” he admitted honestly.
Shaking his head, Haldir squeezed his lover’s fingers gently, forgetting that they had an audience. “If you weren’t you, I wouldn’t have fallen in love with you in the first place,” he said firmly. “So, you see, it all comes back to that. You, being your perfect, beautiful, loving self.”
Elrond chuckled softly and winked at Gandalf. “I am sure Haldir helped,” he said, the smile never leaving his face, “but I think he has a point. Never before, in all his years, has he loved anyone, and never before have I seen a love run so deeply. There is something inside you, Faramir, something that made him fall hard for you… a strength, perhaps, or a pureness of your soul. Whatever it was, it saved you both… it saved us all.” He continued before either man or Elf could say a word. “Not only that, but it has allowed you to spend an eternity with Haldir, if you so wish. My daughter has chosen to stay with Aragorn. You may have her seat on the ship to Aman, Faramir, if you would like that.”
Faramir turned back to look at Lord Elrond so quickly he almost felt dizzy for a moment after lying in bed for however long they had after their journey. “What?” he asked the word almost hanging in his throat. “But… I… I’m a man? I can’t… can I?” He looked to Gandalf questioningly, his hand squeezing Haldir’s tightly in shock and worried that he had misunderstood.
Haldir’s mouth dropped open and he turned his gaze to Elrond. “Please, my Lord,” he said softly, “please say we heard you correctly… that Faramir can sail to Aman, and… and we will never have to say goodbye?” The hardest part of loving a Man, he knew, was that Faramir would age, and eventually die. But now… “Please,” he repeated.
Elrond nodded. “You did not misunderstand,” he laughed, his eyes sparkling merrily at the Elf and Man before him. “I cannot force you to sail with us, Faramir, and the Valar only knows why you would want to spend an eternity with our Haldir here, but… nevertheless, the offer will stand until the last Elf sails to the undying lands.”
Gandalf chuckled as well, his laughter seeming to spread around the room, until Elrond joined in, both amused at the look on Faramir and Haldir’s faces. “Well, I think you should either accept or decline Lord Elrond’s gracious offer,” he teased.
Faramir’s mouth dropped open though he quickly recovered, his head nodding quickly. “Yes… yes of course I accept! I… Gods, I would love nothing more than to spend forever with Haldir… but… but I’ve no Elven blood or at least not much after so many generations. How is this possible? Even if I were to go… .how?” he fumbled for the words and simply stared at his former tutor.
Gandalf smiled at him and shook his head. “He was always such a bright child, I’m afraid this journey may have addled him,” Gandalf teased and Lord Elrond’s lips twitched. “Faramir… think, you already know the answer.”
Turning to his husband, Faramir pulled him close for a gentle kiss completely forgetting their audience. “I felt such guilt when you had said that you chose to end your life when mine did… and now we don’t have to face that choice anymore.
Haldir’s arms held his husband tightly and he was unable to wipe the smile from his face. “The only choice we’ll ever have to make is what to have for dinner,” he laughed. “Gods, I cannot believe this is happening!” Holding on to Faramir, Haldir’s eyes filled with tears and he reached one hand out to grasp Elrond’s. “Thank you, my Lord,” he murmured. “Thank you for this… thank you for everything…”
Faramir laughed with his husband and nodded in agreement as Haldir thanked their host. “Yes, thank you,” he said at a loss. There were simply no words to express how happy and thankful he was. The last he had remembered was holding Haldir in his arms as they had slipped into oblivion on the side of Mount Doom.
For a short while, Gandalf explained how they came to be in Rivendell and then he and Lord Elrond left to send in food for them and give them time to rest before the rest of the fellowship were to visit them.
After they had eaten, Haldir slid down in the bed and smiled at his husband. “So, do you really think you can possibly put up with me for an eternity?” he asked with a smile. “An eternity is an awfully long time…”
Faramir laughed softly as he shifted under the soft sheets to wrap his arms around Haldir. “An eternity and more, my love,” he whispered. His voice turning more serious he smiled and ran his fingers through Haldir’s hair that was hanging loosely about his shoulders. “I can’t believe all that has happened… it feels like a dream.”
“It does,” Haldir agreed, tangling his legs with his husband’s and pulling him closer. “And I have a feeling it is going to be a very good dream from this day forward.”
Faramir laughed softly as his body moved against Haldir’s under the covers. “And what a promising start,” he whispered as he shifted against Haldir, his hand trailing down the low ‘v’ of his husband’s nightshirt, tracing slowly over the warm smooth skin there. “I don’t suppose you can recall if they locked the door when they left?” he asked with a mischievous grin.
Arching one eyebrow, Haldir moved closer and nibbled at his husband’s ear. “I do think they did,” he murmured. “Or, at least if they didn’t I do believe we can make enough noise to keep them from opening the door until we’re ready for visitors again…”
The end.
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Argh! Where’s the next one??? Please PLEASE write more!
— Ria Monday 25 February 2008, 3:44 #