Minas Tirith - Legacy of the Ring Bearer

Fic Name: Minas Tirith - Legacy of the Ring Bearer.
Chapter Name: A Little Peace
Pairing: Faramir/Boromir, Faramir/Frodo, Faramir/Aragorn, Aragorn/Frodo,
Rating: NC17
Beta: The wonderful and stouthearted HEL!
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.
Special Note: Eowyn will figure prominently in this tale as she is someone that Faramir will lean upon, but this is a slash story. There will be no sex between Faramir and Eowyn. Sex will all be slash. Sorry, no smooches between men and women in slash stories. Obviously it’s a slash story anyway if Faramir is pregnant.
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.

TO ANSWER A QUESTION ASKED IN REVIEWS : I am thinking about it, I'm not entirely sure yet whether or not I want Faramir and Boromir to be half brothers, I'm thinking perhaps there is a great deal of speculation.

CHAPTER SIX “A LITTLE PEACE”

Faramir stared wordlessly at the elf for a long time, it had been the last thing he expected. “You knew Boromir…” he finally inquired tentatively, wetting his dry lips.

The elf nodded, frowning slightly in concern at the young man’s unsteady movements. He shifted, providing a bit more space for Faramir and unconsciously fluffed a pillow. “You don’t look like you should be up and about at this hour, here, lie down.”

“Do not tell me what to do.” Faramir said sharply, but the elf certainly was correct. He felt miserable.

“You look like you’ve just seen a ghost.” Legolas reached over to touch the young man’s sweaty face. ‘You’re burning up, let me find a healer…” He moved as if to get off of the bed, but Faramir’s hand reached out to grab the elf’s wrist.

“NO!” he shook his head, throwing the elf’s hand away from where it touched his skin. “No, I just want to lie here a while. I’ve had enough of healers. Please just leave me alone.”

The elf pursed his lips, frowning slightly. Stubborn, just like his brother. Legolas did his best to arrange the covers around Faramir gently. “I do not think that is wise,” he said. “You are ill.” The elf was well known for his strange tendency to state the obvious.

“I know.” he said miserably, staring away from the elf. “I am ill and weak. My strength is gone, but all I need is a pleasant rest, I am sure.” He knew that wasn’t the case, but he also knew that he did not think he could handle explaining much more to the elf. And then, his stomach rumbled from lack of food, forcing him to pay attention to the fact that he indeed had a body. Faramir sighed, resting his hand over his stomach, and stroking it unconsciously under Legolas’ curious gaze.

“Boromir never once said to me that you are weak. “ Legolas said with a small smile. “I can get something to eat for you, they left some food for me earlier, but I was not really very hungry.”

At that statement, Faramir looked more fully at the elf, wondering once again why he was really in Boromir’s room. “I think perhaps, I would like that,” he admitted finally. Some real food might help the uneasy feeling within him. He was tired of the broth and bread that the healers had tried to force down his stomach. Nodding, he sat up slightly, wincing in pain. “How well did you know my brother?” he asked as he watched the elf slide off the bed and go to the small table by the window to retrieve the tray. It was still covered, and probably warm due to the dish used.

The elf brought it over and put it by the bedside, uncovering the dish and stirring the beef and potatoes within. Not what he would have chosen for a meal, but this was Gondor. On the side was some light rice with a mix of vegetables. Fitting for royalty. There was also a goblet filled with wine. Faramir reached for the goblet first, but Legolas put it aside. “I think your body needs nourishment, my young friend. There’s some water too that you may have. Eat first, and I will tell you about your brother.”

A small light kindled in the young man’s eyes as the elf spoke so gently of Boromir. He actually took the wooden spoon and dipped it into the bowl to retrieve a healthy portion, sliding a bit off as he realized he should go a little slower. Legolas lit a candle easily and smiled, sitting on the edge of the bed as he watched the young man chew carefully. “Did you…did you see his body?” Faramir asked, his voice cracking slightly.

“Yes, I did.” the elf nodded gently, his heart going out to the young man who was obviously in a great deal of pain. Legolas’s keen senses were seeing something else, something more, yet he could not figure out what. This was the one who had let Frodo go, that was what Aragorn had said. The one they owed everything too, for if Faramir had not given up the one ring… “He died defending those less capable than himself. He died with great honor. “ It was very painful to say those words, and yet, he found that speaking them to Faramir made them seem less real, less final. “We met in Rivendell, and got to know each other after the first council meeting. You might say it a raa rather stormy beginning. I began to realize after a time that your brother was a man to be admired, and he sensed my interest, I think.”

“Your interest…” Faramir frowned slightly, but then relaxed his features, taking another spoonful, and some water, finding his appetite at last.

“Yes, I was interested in your brother. You know of course, that males can desire each other. I thought perhaps he would return the interest.” The elf chuckled softly to himself, “But hd sod someone else on his mind, and though we shared one encounter and a few brief ones I wished to deepen it, but he told me that he could not do it. Not then. His heart lay with another, you see. That is what he said, someone in Gondor. Someone who was very special to him. He wanted to take me back to Gondor with him to meet this person, but that was never to be. I watched Aragorn lay him in the elven boat and saw it fall. I felt then, no…no he cannot be dead, he cannot be gone. I warred against the very thought, until we came here, until I found his room. Still, I cannot bring myself to think of him as gone, and nor should you, for he is with us. He is with us every day, and he thought very highly of you, Faramir. He spoke often of your strength, of your talent as an archer, and of your qualities that were dear to his heart. I found myself quite jealous of you, he spoke of you so often. I think he missed you the most about Gondor.”

Faramir stirred the remaining bits of the stew and took another bite. Somehow, he felt better, even hearing about his brother’s body. Coming from this elf, it was more like a balm to ease his pain. What would Legolas think if he knew that it was Faramir whom Boromir knew waited for him at home? Faramir who shared his body with his brother wantonly, and Faramir who was soon to have a child? A child by someone who did not love him as Boromir did, someone he had betrayed his brother with. Even still, hearing that Boromir had slept with the elf, made it a little easier. “I love him still.” Faramir said softly, tears welling a little in his eyes. He had calmed a great deal, something about the elf was making his spirit ease.

“There, you ate the whole thing. Feel better now?” Legolas smiled warmly as he took the tray away so that Faramir could drink some more water and lie back down upon the bed.

“Yes, thank you, but I still feel cold. There is another quilt in the trunk at the end of the bed. “ Faramir watched as the elf moved to retrieve the desired article and carefully shook it out to lay it over the ranger. He quite liked Legolas’s presence. The elf made him feel…somehow…cared for. It was strange, he’d only known the elf for maybe an hour, and yet…he had managed to calm such a turbulent storm within his heart. “Legolas?”

“Yes?” the elf asked, glancing around the room faintly as he pondered what to do. The young man was clearly suffering from several wounds and needed a healers touch, yet Legolas was quite certain that Faramir would not allow it right now. Perhaps only a bit of tender care was required at the moment.

“Will you stay here tonight with me?” he cast a glance at the door, knowing what awaited him in the hallway should he go anywhere alone.

“I will.” Legolas nodded, finally making a decision and climbing into the bed, slipping under the covers much to Faramir’s surprise, but not to his discontent. Acting mostly on instinct, the elf opened one of his arms and smiled when Faramir snuggled against him after thinking about it for a while. He carefully eased the gentle warrior to a relaxing sleep, stroking his hair occasionally. It felt as though they had known each other for years. “I’ll look after him, Boromir.” Legolas said softly to the room. “Don’t worry. He just needs to rest calmly for a little while, I think.”

****

The door burst open to the King’s chamber and Eowyn’s voice could be heard quite frantic. “Lord Aragorn! Faramir has disa---” then her mouth fell open in near complete shock and she stood agape at the naked man and hobbit where they were calmly bathing until her intrusion. In her haste, she had quite forgotten that one should knock before entering the chamber of a King, but then again, she had not expected to find him occupied.

The hobbit whom had been cuddled so carefully in the man’s arms, started, then blushed at their exposure. Her words registered though, despite that they had not been competed. His eyes over cast with worry, “What happened? Is something wrong with Faramir?”

Aragorn pursed his lips, “Lady Eowyn, if you would be so kind…” he said crisply, his voice somewhat rigid, though his hand stayed against Frodo’s curls, calming the hobbit.

Finding her voice, the Princess of Rohan nodded, still quite red as she turned around to allow them to get out of the tub. Strider lifted the hobbit easily in his arms and walked over to the bed, carrying him to a towel that had previously been arranged, wrapping him in it tenderly before donning a silk robe, and running a hand through his hair. At least they had had a few hours of peace. “Alright, we are decent.” he said calmly.

Eowyn turned around, having collected herself. “Faramir has vanished from the Healing House, Lord Aragorn. The last time I spoke with him, he said he wished to leave Gondor. He is in no condition to move, let alone leave…”

“Leave Gondor? Why would he want to leave?” Frodo’s voice hitched slightly as he huddled into the towel. “What is going on? What is wrong with Faramir? Why won’t anyone tell me…”

“Shhh…Frodo.” Aragorn said gently, laying a hand on his shoulders. “Faramir suffers greatly from the loss of his brother…and his father, despite everything his father put him through.”

“But I…” Frodo began, but was cut off once more.

“We will find him, it is unlikely that he has got far. He can barely walk, Frodo.”

“We must hurry!” Eowyn interjected, “In his condition, anything could happen…What if he hurts himself?” fear laced in her eyes for the young man she had come to care about.

“What condition?” Frodo stared at the princess of Rohan. “Please, I want to come with you, I need to see him, Aragorn.”

“No.” he shook his head, “You need rest, I promise you, Frodo. I will find him, and I will bring him back safely and unharmed.” He began to throw his clothes on earnestly now, in spite of Eowyn’s presence. The princess was gazing now at the hobbit, feeling quite sorry for him. He did not know, and it was not her place to tell him.

Frodo watched the man get dressed, his eyes wide with fear. What if Faramir really -had- left Gondor? Did that mean the man didn’t want to see him again? Ever? Perhaps Sam was right. Perhaps they really should go home, after all. Even though he doubted that he could live with himself if he did not at least see Faramir, just once.

If only to prove that the man truly hadn’t felt anything.

**TBC**