Minas Tirith - Legacy of the Ring Bearer

Fic Name: Minas Tirith - Legacy of the Ring Bearer.
Chapter Name: Living in a Façade.
Pairing: Faramir/Boromir, Faramir/Frodo, Faramir/Aragorn, Aragorn/Frodo, Denethor/Faramir (Implied)
Rating: NC17
Beta: HEL! Thank-you.:)
Timeline: During the War of the Ring, in the final days and the year afterwards.
Synopsis: Faramir learns from Gandalf that he is pregnant with Frodo's child though love does not exist between them, or so the Prince of Gondor believes.
Disclaimer: I don't claim to own anything or make any money. Suing me will not do any good, you'd get a quarter at the most. Tolkien owns all the pretty men and hobbits.
ARCHIVE: Yes, but please let me know.

WARNING: NC-17, SOME GRAPHIC DESCRIPTIONS, AND VIOLENCE IN THIS CHAPTER. IF YOU CAN’T HANDLE IT, DON’T READ. ALSO, INCEST.

CHAPTER 11 “Living in a Façade”

Faramir’s face was warm, as though a temperature might be building. Frodo’s worried expression met the guard who had opened the door upon hearing the hobbit’s cry for help.

“The king has already sent for healers, they will be here shortly.” The guard eyed the young captain worriedly. “Is there anything I can do?”

Where was everyone? Frodo felt panic beginning to build. “I need some cool water, please, he’s burning up and barely breathing!”

The guard immediately went to fetch the requested item, and thought to bring some cloths as well. He wrung one out and dipped it into the basin, giving it to the hobbit. “I hope he pulls through, what happened?”

“I, I don’t know.” Frodo sucked in his lower lip as he studied the guard a moment. The guard did not appear to be any older than Faramir. “He just suddenly seemed to slip away.”

The guard did not seem surprised to hear that. Had Frodo been more aware, he might have noticed it, but he was paying more attention to Faramir. “I’m not really sure, he seemed fine, at least, he was in pain, yes, but, but he was not like this.”

The guard nodded, watching as Faramir’s forehead was gently bathed. He helped Frodo adjust the bed covers and lay the young man’s head down gently on the pillows. A memory came unbidden to the guard’s man’s mind, one from long ago and buried deep within for many years. He wondered if he should speak of what he had witnessed, now that Denethor was gone.

Frodo gazed down at Faramir, wondering how in the world this could have happened. He wetted the young man’s dry lips with a finger and leant down to kiss his forehead. “Come back to me, Faramir.” he whispered softly, yet in vain.

The captain’s breathing had returned to a more normal pace, the cool water having been of great assistance. He remained feverish, and unconscious, despite Frodo’s effort and pleas. Eventually, the healers arrived, Aragorn on his heels.

“What’s happening?” The ranger demanded as Frodo lifted his head. His voice softened instantly as the healers urged the hobbit off the bed and he knelt down so that Frodo could hug him. Effortlessly, he lifted up the Ringbearer and Frodo clung to him, gazing back at the bed in anguish.

“He must have had a relapse.” Frodo fought back the urge to break down. “Aragorn, he told me everything. I know about the baby, and that it’s mine.”

“Yours?” Aragorn’s mouth opened, he had not expected that. In fact, he had been expecting someone else entirely to turn out to be the father for that had been why he was so furious.

“I tried to comfort him, to tell him how I felt. It seemed to only drive him deeper into despair.” The hobbit sighed. “Then I tried to show him by making love to him, but he closed his eyes and ever since I told him to open them, he’s been like this.”

The guard’s eyes widened upon hearing this. His expression noted by both Aragorn and Frodo. He’d heard someone else command those very words to Faramir many times in the past.

Open your eyes and look at me.

“You know something.” Aragorn’s instinct kicked in as he brought the hobbit over to the guard. “Who are you, what can you tell us?”

The guard backed away, a frightened expression was in his eyes. “I. I am called Segrond, son of Lythoran.” Too used to fear of retribution for speaking against anyone in power. Gondor had not been forgiving in the past for such a sin. “I do not know if it is right to speak of this. I know it is wrong to speak ill of the dead,” his voice was so low it might seem that he thought that Denethor’s spirit was as powerful in life as in death.

“Its alright.” Aragorn allowed his voice to soften. “Whatever you know you must tell us, for it will allow us to solve this mystery, and perhaps to help Captain Faramir recover from the past as well as his wounds.”

Segrond nodded, holding the ranger’s eyes and seeing the truth in them. He would not be punished for speaking now. The old regime was gone, there was no need to hold his tongue.

He had been younger than Faramir when he had first witnessed the tragedy of the Captain’s life. He had been unfortunate enough to be picked as one of Denethor’s personal guards. Their lieutenant had made it very clear that whatever he witnessed he would keep silent about or the punishment would be that his tongue would be cut from his throat. He was a strong, stocky man and for that reason he had been chosen. His eyes were deep jade and his hair worn long and straight, a dusky brown with auburn highlights. He removed his helmet, for he found the need to breath easy strong. “I have been working in the palace for fifteen years.” he began, casting a gaze towards Faramir. “I have seen many things, but the worst event I ever witnessed was what the Steward did to his youngest son when Boromir was gone for a year. I must tell you, your Majesty. I served Denethor, but only because I needed to feed my family. The pay is good, and Gondor needed protection.”

“You need make no excuses.” Aragorn stroked Frodo’s curls gently, “Speak please, I know of what it was like to live here.”

“Faramir was 19, it was only a week after Boromir had left to take care of the pirates who were raiding in the south. Denethor had begun to drink a great deal, something had been paining him and he had taken to brooding, spending long nights awake. At times he did not even sleep. “ Segrond rested his hand against a table edge. “As you know, he has always treated Faramir badly, this time…well. I thought he had finally gone insane. It was late, as I said. I was on duty, and the Steward sent for Faramir. It was about two in the morning, I think. I fetched the Prince out of his bed, and could clearly see the fear in his eyes. I did think that it was too odd to be bringing him to his father’s rooms that late. Perhaps Denethor had something to talk to him about and decided to finally do it now. At least, I hoped. I was told to wait outside and I left Faramir alone with his father.” Segrond gave a shudder, “I did not try to listen, knowing well what the punishment was. But I could hardly -not- listen…I could hear both of them, the doors in this palace are ver very thick.”

“You have no real worth, Faramir, so I have decided to make some use of you.” The Steward’s gaze fell on his son, who by now had backed up far enough away from his father that he was against the wall. “Look at me, damn your eyes. You will never close your eyes in my presence again. Open them now. That’s it. Now, disrobe.”

Trembling, the youth obeyed, feeling helpless for Denethor was far stronger than he was right now, and no one was around to help him. Boromir was gone, and the guards knew better than to answer his screams. “Please father…” Faramir begged. “

“Do you think I do not know what you think about when you look at your brother?” Denethor laughed harshly. “Do you think that it is not written all over your face? You have a very expressive face, Faramir. It is an open book for all the world to read. Its time we closed those pages, don’t you think? Time we made you into something of worth. But do not worry, I know what I am doing. You will not bleed.”

“I do not know what it is I have done to offend you, father. Please, I will do whatever it takes to make up for it.” Faramir’s was voice etched with dread as he attempted to figure out if there was any way he could run.

“Offend me?” Denethor laughed again, by this time he was very close to his son. “On the contrary, my dear boy. You entice me.”

“What?” Faramir could not quite believe what he was hearing, hoping that it was some kind of dream, or nightmare. He could only feel the cold fingers that caressed his throat.

On Frodo’s bed, Faramir groaned as the healers worked while the guard spoke. But, he did not open his eyes.

“You are a lot like her, you know, nearly the splitting image of your mother. You have her eyes, her hair, I can almost close mine and feel her when you are in the room. She was my heart and soul. When she died, I died with her. It is torture, watching you, and I detest you for it. For years I have put up with it, and now, no longer. Now you will pay for what you put me through. You will become her,” the elder man’s deep throated chuckle echoed in the silent room.

Faramir stared in shock and horror at his father, “What...what did you say?”

“I said…” Denethor’s hand reached up to grasp Faramir by the throat. “I said that you will become her for me. That will be your worth. You will tell no one. Yes, now you are understanding. Open your eyes, Faramir. Damn you, never close them when I am speaking to you. Yes, yes you will become your mother. And you will satisfy me for suffering you. Oh, do not worry, Faramir, I will not leave a mark on you. There will be nothing for your brother to notice.” He released his grip. “If he does, I will send him away again, keep you apart. You would never see him.”

“No.. please. Do not take Boromir from me…I need my brother.” The idea of never being able to see Boromir again was too much to bear.

“Then we have an agreement.” Denethor’s voice was as dead as his heart. “Satisfy me, and things will continue as they are. You will see your brother, and you will advance in your training. “

“Satisfy you how, Father? I am not sure I understand. I have never..” Faramir’s own voice was practically a sob. He was trapped. Who would believe him? Boromir would not if there was nothing to prove it. Boromir would think he was imagining it to get attention.

“You will learn, and I know many who will teach you. Here…I will demonstrate what I mean. But, keep your eyes open, I swear I will not have you thinking of your brother while it is me who is with you.”

“There was a sharp cry from within the room, and more after that. I could only imagine what Denethor did to the Captain. I stopped listening, I could not bear to hear anymore. I wanted to do something, but there was nothing I could do. I saw him come out of Denethor’s chamber in the morning. There wasn’t a mark on him, but I knew what had happened, I knew it in my heart. He looked at me, and I will never forget it. He walked down the hall and I could swear that from that day onward he changed. He threw himself into his training, and the rumors began to spread of his other activities. The men talked about how many lovers he had taken, and how his bed was never empty. A year later, Boromir returned, and the rumors were kept from him. Faramir always put on a façade when Boromir was around. Many of us supported him that way, a few knew what was happening, but only those of us who worked up here and those of us in his company. We tried to make sure that his lovers were of our own rank, that he did not have to look far. He is a good Captain, Aragorn, and a fine warrior. We did what we could to help him, but he refused to talk about Denethor. In spite of everything, he maintained his courage and his honor. He fought bravely in every battle, while guarding Ithilien, he lived with us and he fought with us. Short of throwing Minas Tirith into inner turmoil, there was nothing else we could do. Faramir would not let us, and Boromir fell for his act. Anyway.” he clenched his fist. “That is all I know.”

Throughout the tale, Aragorn’s expression had changed many times. He was glad that Denethor was no longer alive now for he would have had to kill the steward. Frodo was trembling in his arms and he did his best to calm the hobbit. “Thank you for trusting me with the truth.” Aragorn spoke carefully, “You had no choice, this is true. Now I understand. “

“Strider…” Frodo whispered in a hoarse voice. “Strider, that’s what happened. I told him to open his eyes, he must have…he must have …”

“Associated that with his past. Yes. It happens when people bury things too deeply in their hearts.” Aragorn glanced at Faramir with a stern look. “When he wakes, we will have a lot to talk about.”

The healers were finished their task and the young man seemed to be resting peacefully. An aroma rose from a steaming pot near the bedside, fresh ginger and touch of honey. Soon, they left the hobbit and two men alone in the room, the guard was thanked again, and dismissed.

Frodo crawled back onto the bed on Faramir’s left side and cuddled next to the sleeping man, resting his head against him, trying to avoid his wounds. His small hand felt the young man’s cheeks. They were cooler now, but still warm.

Aragorn unbuckled his belt and let it fall to the floor, then he removed his boots and vest. Frodo did not even ask what the ranger was doing for his gaze was fixed upon the beloved face of his lover, stroking his cheek gently. The bed moved as the King to be settled on the young man’s right side, pulling his legs under the covers and wrapping his arm underneath Faramir’s shoulders to rest his hand on Frodo’s. He smiled at the hobbit who gave him an adoring look. “I understand now. It seems he needs my healing skills as much as he needs your love, Frodo. If you let me, I can honor the memory of his brother by letting him have both.”

Frodo reached over to take Aragorn’s free hand, and laced his fingers with it. “I would like that.” Frodo smiled a tiny smile. “Will he wake up soon?”

“Not until the morning, the healers said that he had passed out more from exhaustion than anything else. I think it also had a lot to do with the story we heard. Faramir is haunted by his past and does not understand that he has a future to live for.”

“Thank, you. Strider.” Frodo kissed the ranger’s fingers and yawned.

“Take some rest, he will not be able to move anywhere between the two of us. I promise.” The ranger said, “And Frodo…I am sorry for how I acted before.”

“Its alright. You didn’t know.” Frodo’s eyes fluttered closed as sleep began to sneak up on him.

The ranger sighed as he looked at both the young man and the hobbit. *This is for you, Boromir. I hope I can help your brother.* He settled and relaxed, letting his eyes close, but keeping his senses aware.

**TBC**