Minas Tirith - Legacy of the Ring Bearer
Two Hearts to Love
Chapter Name: Two Hearts to Love
Pairing: Faramir/Boromir, Faramir/Frodo, Faramir/Aragorn, Aragorn/Frodo, Denethor/Faramir (Implied), Faramir/Frodo/Aragorn.
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. J R R Tolkien owns all the pretty men and hobbits.
ARCHIVE: Yes, but please let me know.
CHAPTER 16: Two Hearts to Love
As each thrust and stroke finally came to the edge their passion crested, loud cries echoed about the chamber as each came in turn. Three shuddering bodies pressed close together as one, limbs all tangled. Faramir was the first to come to his senses, still feeling the King wn. Fn. Frodo’s hands were running up and down his arms and their gazes held. “I love you.” Frodo said softly. “I love you, Faramir.” He did not ask for a reply nuzzling his lips against the man’s neck, purring contentedly in the aftermath of love.
Faramir felt strong lips press against the back of his neck, nibbling and biting gently. He basked in the attention, his body warm and his mind lighthearted. Eventually, he withdrew from Frodo, and the King set him free. The three of them cuddled together for a while, using fresh water and soap to clean each other off. Faramir’s hair was washed and rinsed, as long fingers rubbed away the dirt and grime of battle and fatigue. He had not experienced such perfect bliss in a long time. How many minutes or hours passed, he did not know.
Frodo smiled when he saw Faramir relax finally, the man nuzzled his fingers with his cheek as the hobbit stroked the side of his head gently. “I think it’s about time we get out of this bath or we’ll become prunes. Do you think the servants have fied ced cleaning the room, Strider?” He tried very hard to ignore the fact that Faramir had not spoken, or returned his words of love. Having born the ring to Mordor, he could endure this and whatever else he had to. Faramir would learn to trust him.
Strider untangled his fingers from Faramir’s hand and stretched his legs. “Yes, its about that time. Besides, I have to be in the meetings today. Now that Faramir is safe, I think I can attend without worry. Legolas can help you keep an eye on him, Frodo.”
It began to dawn on Faramir that they were talking above him, as though he was not even there. He glanced between the two, but his expression remained neutral, he was feeling too good to get annoyed or upset by anything right now.
“Now, Faramir.” The King took the young man’s chin and lifted it to him. He leant down and swiped a soft kiss. “I expect you to be here tonight, safe and warm. Promise me, on your honor as Steward of Gondor, that you will not try to run away again.”
wavewavered, lips tingling from the gentle k Ara Aragorn’s eyes bore into his, they spoke clearly without speaking. Faramir opened his mouth to speak, but Frodo spoke instead.
“Strider! Of course he won’t run away again.” Frodo slapped the other man’s shoulder, “Will you Faramir?”
His gaze was torn from the King to Frodo. Naked though he was, he was still every inch the King of Gondor and the realization hit Faramir just then. “No.” Faramir said softly. “I will not run away again,” he knew without a shadow of a doubt that if he tried, Aragorn would be able to find him.
The King smiled, and let his chin go, satisfied with the honesty that he saw in Faramir’s eyes. He ran his hand through the young man’s curls and leant over to kiss Frodo softly once. “I have to go start getting ready.” he rose, sighing, stepping out of the bath. The King retrieved one of Boromir’s old robes and slid it on. “I will have them bring Faramir’s clothing here, and some fresh clothes for you too Frodo, and a meal. See that he eats, and he takes the medications that the healers have prepared for him. Faramir, you are to spend the day -resting-. Tomorrow, we will go over some of your new duties if you like. Everyone is expecting Frodo to be at dinner tonight, but I will make excuses for him if he is needed here. I will not be back until very late. I expect to find you sleeping. “
He took one of Faramir’s hands and kissed his knuckles, then leant down to kiss the top of Frodo’s head. “Everything will be alright. I promise you.”
Frodo waited until the King was gone and rose himself, smiling at the man. “Let me help you.” he said softly, stepping out of the tub first.
Faramir felt more than a little awkward accepting such help, but his legs weren’t entirely steady. So, he leant a little on the hobbit to get himself out of the bath and sighed softly. “That was very nice,” he could not think of anything else to say at the moment.
“It was.” Frodo responded carefully. In his heart he could already feel Faramir drifting apart from what had just happened between them. He tried hard not to let it hurt him; it must just be what the man was used to doing. It was likely he did not even know he was doing it. “Let me get a towel.” he eased Faramir down on a small bench and found a couple of towels. With a determined smile and gentle hands he began to dry the man off, frowning every now and then. He had several bruises that must be quite painful, much like his own. Thanks to Strider’s care though, his own wounds were rapidly fading, especially the scars around his neck.
Faramir let Frodo take care of him, gazing at the hobbit throughout the act. He felt somewhat lethargic and his left side was beginning to ache severely. He reached over traced his fingers along the edge of one of the most prominent scars. Frodo shivered slightly, pausing in his ministrations. Try has he might, he could never forget the ring and the weight it bore down upon him.
Despite the ache in his side, Faramir reached over and picked up the hobbit, lifting him into his arms and cuddling him to his chest. He wrapped the big towel around them both and leant back against the wall, holding Frodo close to his heart. Frodo’s heart leapt at that sign from the man, especially when he was held so warmly and carefully. He listened to Faramir’s heartbeat, basking in the moment.
And then it happened.
His eyes opened wide with amazement. It was most definitely there. A second very slight heartbeat. Tears shone in the hobbit’s eyes as he listened carefully again, moving his ear a bit lower, causing the man to shift slightly. Perhaps it was his ability to hear better than a man, maybe that was how Gandalf had been able to tell for sure? There was certainly a life within Faramir. The heartbeat was faint and soft, but to a hobbit’s ears…it was as clear as a summer’s day.
“What is it?” Faramir asked with a frown, looking down at the excited creature in his arms.
Frodo smiled and reached up to kiss the man softly, gently running his fingers through Faramir’s hair and down his the back of his neck. “Strider is right, Faramir. Everything is going to be all r. I . I think you need to get back in bed straight away, though.”
Faramir did not protest, allowing the hobbit to climb off him and lead him to Boromir’s freshly cleaned room. There must have been several servants in here while they were busy in the bathing chamber. Frodo fluffed a pillow and pulled down the quilt. He smiled as Faramir settled in, resting in a half sitting, half lying down position. Their clothing was brought in and he helped the man get into a fresh outfit, pulling on his own clothes easily enough.
The young man watched Frodo fussing over him with some amusement. It reminded him of the past when his brother used to take care of him. The past was not something he wanted to think about just then, so he pushed the memory aside. Frodo began to chatter then, as the food was brought in. He talked about the Shire mostly, and of Bag End. He spoke of his childhood, and the many misadventures he had shared with Merry and Pippin. He spoke of everything he could speak of, letting Faramir simply drift in the moment.
He led led on, listening to the sound of the man eating at least part of the meal that was brought. Faramir did not say anything, he was very quiet throughout the whole time. The hobbit prepared the man's medication and frowned when he saw Faramir staring at the door to the hallway. The door was slightly ajar, and seemed to push open on its own. It must have been the wind, for there was no body there.
/You are a fool if you think you can hide from me forever./ The voice penetrated his thoughts and Faramir’s fingers dug into the sheets, resisting the urge to listen…and to see. He focused instead on his lover, willing the sound from his mind.
“Faramir?” Frodo’s eyes lifted to the man’s.
/I will not let this happen. Not in my house./
“Frodo.” Faramir whispered softly, “Will you please close the door, there’s a draft.”
Frowning worriedly, the hobbit rushed over and shut the door as instructed, glancing back at the bed to watch Faramir lie back down on the pillow in relief and stare at the ceiling. He climbed onto the side of the bed and stroked the man’s curls. “I wish you’d talk to me.” Frodo’s said gently.
“I’m sorry.” Faramir shifted in the covers and gave his lover space to settle down next to him. “I do not know where to begin.” He shuddered. “Oh Frodo…. I don’t know why you want to stay with me. I am not sure I -can- love anyone, I can’t even love myself. My brother always used to tell me he had enough love for both of us, but now he’s gone. My father….” Faramir swallowed. “My father was insane, Frodo. When our mother died, he slowly went crazy over the years until he finally snapped. No one really saw it, or if they did they turned a blind eye to it. Gondor was in enough turmoil without a true Steward to look after it. I can’t…I can’t talk about this, Frodo. You’ve already borne so much pain and suffering. How can I add to it?”
“You don’t have a choice, Faramir. I love you. How many times do I have to tell you the past does not matter? Your pain is my pain. How can we fight these demons inside your head if you can’t talk about them? Please Faramir.” Frodo took one of his hands and held it within both of his, bringing the man's fingers to his lips and kissing them gently. “Do you not remember how well you looked after me in Ithilien? How this all came to be? I fell in love with you then, and I love you no matter what your past. It was you who was able to comfort me in Ithilien when the fever hit. Sam was exhausted, but you were there. You helped me fight the demon in the ring, please…let me help you fight your father’s memory
“Its not his memory, Frodo.” Faramir said at last. He shivered slightly. “He is here, still. In Gondor. He may not live, but he might as well. He does not rest and he will not rest as long as I still live. My brother is sometimes here too, my only foil against the evil that binds my father to this world. Frodo, I have long been able to see and speak with spirits. They can touch me. They can also hurt me if they choose. My mother used to say that it was because I was a special child. If she only knew how special. I think it is because I live so close to death. One bad wound, Frodo, and that will be my end. I want to love you, I want to have a life with you. Only, he won’t let me. He will never leave us alone.”
Frodo frowned, carefully rubbing the man’s fingers. A demon? Some kind of fell witchcraft still bound Denethor to the world? He would have to speak with Legolas and Aragorn…perhaps even Gandalf. The Wizard had mentioned in the past though that the dead did not suffer the living for long and even he could not breach that world. At least now he knew what he was fighting.
But if he could take on Sauron…
He could certainly deal with Denethor.
**TO BE CONTINUED**