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A Change of Heart (NC-17) Print

Written by Sairalinde and Anorienbean

03 March 2006 | 41243 words

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Chapter 8

Just as suddenly as everything had gone black around him, Haldir slowly began to feel… soft pressure on his lips, warm tears from his lover’s eyes falling against his skin, loving arms holding him so carefully. He was able to imagine just how he would feel if it were him holding Faramir’s lifeless body in his arms. He would not survive that… and his greatest fear was that Faramir would not either. With every ounce of strength he possessed, he struggled to breathe, and though his lungs refused to draw in air, Faramir’s soft, warm breath passed his lips and pushed the darkness away. With every kiss, every breath, every whispered plea, Haldir’s mind cleared and the pain slowly dwindled to a more tolerable level. As Faramir continued to rock him in his arms, he drew in the shallowest of breaths, sharing the very air his lover breathed, and his eyes slowly fluttered open. Meleth.

Faramir’s entire world was right there in his arms – everything he loved, everything he cherished – and he felt that somehow he had failed Haldir. When he suddenly felt the softest of breaths against his lips, he drew back with tears still coursing down his face in hot streams. “Haldir? Oh Gods, I thought I had lost you,” he whimpered as he pressed his lips to his lover’s forehead. His shaking hands brushed golden hair back from Haldir’s face, and he felt his breath hitch as deep blue eyes he thought he’d never see again opened to gaze into his own. “I love you,” Faramir whispered, the words seeming to fall from his lips over and over again as he rocked his lover in his arms. With each breath he felt his lover take, his heart grew lighter, and he drew back again to look into Haldir’s eyes. “I was so afraid I’d lost you.”

Haldir gazed up at his lover and wished he had the strength to reach up and wipe the tears from the beloved blue eyes above him. Each breath came easier than the last, yet his chest still hurt, and he could do little but relax into Faramir’s embrace. After a few moments, he licked at his dry lips and managed a small smile. “You didn’t lose me,” he whispered hoarsely. “You saved me, love. I… I was dead. You… you brought me back.”

Faramir shuddered when Haldir spoke and shook his head. His mind screamed that it was impossible while his heart seemed to somehow know. “I… you saved me. You saved me, you protected me, and by coming back to me… you saved me again. I could not have survived without you, Haldir. I would not want to,” he whispered, pressing his lips against Haldir’s forehead again. They sat that way for a long time, Faramir cradling Haldir in his arms, simply clinging to one another.

Faramir’s words tore at Haldir’s heart, yet he knew they were true. Knowing that Faramir would not want to live without him had given him the strength to fight… it had been the only thing on all of Arda that could have kept him from dying. Slowly, his strength returned to him bit by bit, and he wound his arms around Faramir’s neck and pulled him closer. He simply closed his eyes and breathed in the beloved scent that was Faramir’s alone as his lover continued to hold him close. “I love you,” he whispered as his fingers curled in Faramir’s hair, and he tried his best to soothe away the trembling that still wracked his lover’s body. “And I would not have wanted to survive without you. There would be nothing left for me on Arda if I didn’t have you, and I will never, ever let you go, seron vell.”

“Nor I you, love,” Faramir whispered in response. “I have never been so frightened in my life,” he admitted as they held one another. After long moments, Faramir looked around, seeing they sat surrounded by the bodies of the fallen orcs. Without asking his lover, Faramir simply scooped him into his arms and stood, carrying him away from where they had fought. He carried Haldir to the stream and they settled together there under one of the trees. The sounds of the forest had returned, and Faramir breathed a final sigh of relief. “We can rest here for a while,” he said as he leaned against the broad trunk of the large tree.

Haldir smiled as Faramir lifted him and moved through the forest. When they finally settled down, he curled up in his lover’s lap and relaxed, still trying to will the pain away each time he took a breath. “I think I will have to carry you all the way to Lórien,” Haldir teased, “and still, it won’t equal all the times you’ve carried me.”

Faramir laughed and shook his head. After everything that had happened, Haldir could still tease him and make him laugh. After a moment he sobered and drew Haldir’s hand up to his lips, kissing it tenderly. “You have carried me far more often than you think, my love,” he whispered, meaning it in more than the physical sense. He could see Haldir was still in pain and frowned. “Where are you hurt, love? I… I didn’t see what happened,” he said, still angry with himself for being distracted.

“I’m fine,” Haldir said softly. “It just… hit me in the chest, the filthy beast. But… don’t you worry. I hear nothing but silence now, and if you’ll just sit here and hold me for a while longer, we’ll make our way back to the cabin and see if there’s anything we can save. Then… I guess we’ll be off to our new home in the Golden Wood.” Ignoring the pain in his chest, he leaned up and pressed a soft kiss to Faramir’s lips. “As much as I will miss our little cabin, in Lórien we will have a place of our own, built the way we want it, safe and comfortable and… ours. We won’t have to worry about orcs or hunters or anyone else trying to take it away from us, my love.”

Faramir returned the gentle kiss and smiled despite his worry about how they would be received in Haldir’s home. What would the other Elves think? But they did need to have a safe place among other people, or they would always be at risk like they had been today. “I admit I am worried about what your brothers and the other Elves will think… I doubt they will be pleased to see me there. But we have no other choice,” he said softly. They indeed had no other choice – unless they parted ways, and Faramir desperately did not want that. “When you are feeling better, we can go see what we can find at the cabin, and then you can lead me to Lórien.”

Haldir nodded and snuggled closer to his lover, wishing with all his heart that he could assure Faramir that he would be loved and accepted among the Elves. But, of course, had Haldir been guarding the borders, and an Elf – any Elf, really – dared to bring a Man to Lórien, Haldir would be beyond furious. Pushing that thought aside, he closed his eyes and buried his face in Faramir’s neck for a few moments, waiting for the soreness in his chest to recede. “Please, meleth,” he whispered against his lover’s skin, “try not to worry. No matter what, we will find our happiness. If not in Lórien, then somewhere else.”

Faramir’s arms tightened around his lover as Haldir spoke, and he nodded. “I will try,” he said with a small smile, “but as far as I am concerned, I have found my happiness.” When Haldir tilted his face up to look at him, Faramir smiled a bit more. “I found you… that is all that matters. The rest will come in time, I suppose,” he whispered, pressing his lips to Haldir’s. “You should rest, love… we both should,” he added before Haldir could tell him that he should do the same. He wished they hadn’t lost everything in the cabin… but it was by chance that he’d found Haldir, maybe it wasn’t so hard to leave all the rest to chance as well.

Smiling into the kiss, Haldir rested his forehead against his lover’s. “I have found my happiness as well,” he whispered. “And the incredible, beautiful Man that I’m going to spend the rest of my life with.” They had no place to go, and he still wasn’t feeling well enough to walk just yet, so he simply settled more comfortably in Faramir’s lap and held him close. “The forest is quiet, meleth. Let’s rest for just a while, then we can go.” It still hurt to breathe, but slowly, he was feeling better, especially now that Faramir’s arms were around him. Only moments later, he dozed.

Faramir smiled and nodded. “Yes, love,” he said softly. After a few moments Haldir fell asleep with his head tucked under Faramir’s chin. Listening to his lover’s soft intakes of breath and the sound of the leaves in the breeze, Faramir slipped into sleep as well. His last thoughts were of how much he loved Haldir and couldn’t possibly stand to be parted from him. Today had proven that… so no matter what their future held, he hoped that they would be together.



They walked for almost a fortnight before they arrived at the outskirts of the Golden Wood. Faramir was struck by how beautiful it was as they approached across the open plain before it. Haldir explained that he had been a Marchwarden, a guardian of the wood, and that others would be watching them from the trees as they approached. He felt his anxiety grow the closer they got to the beautiful forest. Though Haldir assured him that Lórien had no law such as Gondor’s, Faramir worried. Even if they did not kill him… what if they took him prisoner, thinking he was a spy and had somehow manipulated Haldir? That was certainly how his father would see it, no matter how much he would protest. He knew that Haldir would never be welcome in Gondor, not as long as his father was Steward.

Faramir glanced over at Haldir and tried to smile. “It is truly beautiful,” he said, referring to the wood ahead of them. It was… but as beautiful as it was, he feared what lay ahead.

Haldir kept a weary eye on the trees around them, spotting more than a dozen graceful Elven bodies moving silently through the branches. He knew they’d been spotted long ago, and that the only reason they hadn’t been confronted yet was that he was being careful to keep his arm around Faramir’s waist and hold him close as they’d walked the last few leagues. “I think you will love it here,” he said softly. “We will find a bigger and better talan than the one I lived in before. Or we can build a cabin of our own, like the one where we fell in love.”

Faramir smiled as Haldir spoke, noticing that his lover’s eyes kept scanning the trees as they approached. He could not see nearly as well as his lover, but he had been told that the Golden Wood was heavily guarded, not only by Haldir, but by others in the past. “I don’t care where we live, as long as we are together,” Faramir said honestly. When they slowed to a stop he watched in amazement as three graceful Elves he had not noticed at all descended from the trees and approached with the bows at the ready. His hand tightened at Haldir’s waist, and he looked at his lover and back to the approaching Elves.

Haldir stiffened immediately and narrowed his eyes at the approaching Elves. “There is no need for weapons,” he said, keeping his voice perfectly calm as he met each of their gazes. He had trained these very Elves centuries ago, and he knew well their prowess with their bows. “This Man is under my protection, and you will not harm him without killing me first. He is not our enemy… he is, in fact, my husband by rights.”

Faramir stood silently, not wanting to move or say anything that might make the Elves who lowered their weapons in what looked to be shock to change their minds.

Gildor’s mouth went slack when Haldir said ‘my husband’ about the copper-haired Man. He blinked in stunned silence for a moment and then motioned for the others to lower their weapons. They were equally stunned by Haldir’s announcement. “Your… husband? Haldir…” he said, stepping forward, “But… he’s a Man.”

“Yes,” Haldir said firmly. “He is a Man. A brave, honorable Man, who saved my life not once, but twice, and whom I happen to love with all of my heart. We were bound together informally months ago, and if you dare raise your weapons against him again, you will have to shoot through me to get to him.” He tugged Faramir closer, thinking that the Elves would not dare to hurt them, especially since they had left their weapons far behind. But he was unsure of what changes might have occurred during his long absence. “We wish to speak with Lord Celeborn. Now… let us pass, my friends. We have traveled for many days and nights and are in need of rest and food, as well as our Lord’s blessing.”

Faramir’s heart swelled in his chest as Haldir spoke, and though his lover had just spoken of him so proudly, he felt slightly childish simply holding onto Haldir as he was. He knew better than to speak and upset the delicate balance of things though, so he simply watched as the three guardians exchanged looks.

“We will let you pass, Haldir, but you know the rules. No Man is to set foot within the wood, even if he is your husband,” Gildor said sternly.

“Gildor,” Haldir said, with a slight edge in his voice. “Do not presume to tell me the rules! Do you not remember who taught you that rule, not to mention how to hold a bow and ride a horse and fight hand to hand? Now step aside. He means no harm to you, and I will not step one foot further into our forest without him. Do you really want to be the one to tell Lord Celeborn you turned me away? Or better, yet, Lady Galadriel, who, no doubt, has already sensed our presence here?”

Gildor sighed heavily and looked down for a moment. “Haldir…” he trailed off and shook his head. “If he must enter Lórien, then his eyes will be bound. It is the only solution,” he said, looking up at Haldir whose eyes narrowed again.

Faramir was afraid this would happen, already he could sense that there were more Elves gathered in the trees ahead, and he worried that even if they allowed him to pass it may not turn out well. If they bound his eyes… then he would have to trust them, and the only Elf he knew and trusted was Haldir. “Maybe… maybe this is not the best idea, love,” he whispered softly to Haldir. He had no other ideas, no other place he could think of for them to go, but perhaps it would be better if they simply left. Or… if he left. It broke his heart to think of that, and he knew he wouldn’t survive it, but maybe it was best for Haldir to just return to his home… his brothers and family… without him.

Haldir turned his back on his kinsmen and rested both his arms around his lover’s waist. He pushed aside his anger at Gildor, though he knew that he was only doing his job. “Do you want to leave, meleth?” he asked softly. “I would understand, considering the welcome you’re getting from my so called ‘friends’, who don’t seem to trust me enough to take my word on this.” One hand gently moved to brush over Faramir’s face as Haldir leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. “We can go now if you like. We will find our home elsewhere.”

Faramir felt his stomach knot as Haldir asked if he wanted to leave, and he found himself leaning into his lover’s touch. “I… maybe it would be best if I leave. You… you can return home to your family and I will… perhaps go to Rohan or… or somewhere else,” he said sadly. Tears stung his eyes, and he tried not to allow them to fall. His heart was shattering with the thought of leaving Haldir, but it wasn’t fair of him to take away everything the Elf knew. This had been Haldir’s home for centuries… Faramir had no right to take that from him.

Feeling his heart aching in his chest, Haldir shook his head at once. “You… you want to leave me?” he asked softly as his voice wavered. In the back of his mind, he knew that Faramir was doing this for him, but at the same time, he wondered if maybe he was more trouble than Faramir had bargained for. If he did go to Rohan, Faramir would never have to tell anyone that he was bound to an Elf, something most Men would be ashamed of, he was sure. “I… I thought you wanted… wanted us to be together. That… Gods. I’m sorry, Faramir. I just… I don’t want you to go. If you want to, I will try to understand, and I will not hold you to our bond. But… if you are offering this for me, then the answer is no. If you are not welcome here, then neither am I, and I will walk away from Lórien with no regrets whatsoever.”

Faramir swallowed hard and looked into his lover’s eyes. “I don’t want to leave you, Haldir. I… I only want what’s best for you. I have no right to take you away from your home and your family here… I love you, and I only want you happy. You shouldn’t have to make a choice between what has been your home for centuries and a Man who will one day pass from this world. I don’t want to leave but… they don’t want me here,” he said inclining his head toward Gildor and the other guardians.

Haldir’s shoulders sagged in relief, and he tangled his fingers with Faramir’s, giving them a gentle squeeze. “Meleth,” he said softly, “what’s best for me, without the slightest doubt, is for us to be together. The only place I ever, ever want to be is by your side, and when the day comes that you do pass from this world, I will pass with you. I simply have no wish to continue without you, and I would fade from sorrow anyway.” Pressing his index finger over Faramir’s lips, Haldir shook his head and continued. “It is what I want, gûren (my heart).” He had all but forgotten the Elves surrounding them and startled when he heard a sharp intake of breath from several of the warriors behind them.

Faramir gazed into Haldir’s eyes and the tears he had fought to hold back slipped down his face. “I do not want to be apart from you either… it would kill me. I just… don’t know where else we can go,” he said sadly.

At that moment Gildor approached the pair and looked down at the ground for a moment before looking up at the couple. “We will take you both to the Lord and Lady to let them decide or advise. I… I hope I do not regret this,” he said, looking directly at Haldir.

Haldir nodded gratefully to Gildor before turning back to his lover and gently taking Faramir’s face between his hands. He leaned forward and kissed away each tear as he fought back his own and took a deep breath. “Lord Celeborn will not send us away without cause,” he assured Faramir softly. “If even the warriors around us can sense our love, then I have no doubt that my Lord and Lady will sense it as well and offer you a home.”

Faramir nodded, feeling a blush stain his cheeks as the warriors around them grinned at Haldir’s gentle kisses to the distraught man. “Maybe so, love,” he whispered, giving Haldir a soft smile and hoping that his lover was right. He waited for the one who had spoken to blindfold him, but instead he strode away toward the trees. Faramir wasn’t about to question it, however, and he took Haldir’s hand as they started walking. A small party of the guardians escorted them as they entered the forest.

Haldir was more grateful than he could say to Gildor, but he held his tongue as they traveled toward the center of the Golden Wood. Already, he could sense Lady Galadriel gently probing his mind, making sure, no doubt, that Haldir hadn’t somehow been bewitched by this Man beside him. As soft as a whisper, she was gone, apparently having satisfied herself that Haldir was of sound mind, and, most likely, sensing a peace and happiness that she had never before encountered in him in all the centuries Haldir had served her and her husband.

They walked over long, winding trails, and Haldir spoke softly to his lover, pointing out the trees he’d played in as an Elfling and streams he’d swam in only last year. He was doing his best to distract Faramir from the nerves the Man must have been feeling, knowing that he was coming face to face with who he had no doubt been taught was a powerful witch or sorceress.

Faramir felt a strange feeling come over him for a moment as they walked into the wood. Haldir was describing everything around them, telling him of his life here in this beautiful place, but for some reason he suddenly felt dizzy, and then just as suddenly the feeling went away. He squeezed Haldir’s hand as the feeling washed over him, and he blinked a few times. “I’m sorry, love. I… missed the last few things you said. I suppose those berries we had this morning have long since worn off,” he grinned. “Was the strangest feeling…” he trailed off as Haldir simply smiled at him. They continued along the path until their leader stopped ahead of them.

Haldir knew very well what had happened, but figured it best to explain everything when they were alone. There was much to explain about the Lady of the Golden Wood, and even Haldir didn’t know or understand everything himself after all these years. “Here we are, seron vell,” he whispered. “Don’t be nervous. I have the feeling that we will be in my old talan in only a few hours, making plans for our own place as we climb into bed and make up for all these cold nights of sleeping on the ground we’ve suffered through lately.”

Faramir smiled despite his misgivings. “A bed will be very welcome,” he said softly. The forest was truly more beautiful than he could have ever imagined it to be, and he was surprised by this city within the trees. It was like nothing he had ever dreamed of, even though as a child he had dreamed a lot. More than his father thought was practical, in fact. He squeezed Haldir’s hand gently as the Elf led him toward a large tree with a spiraling staircase that seemed to simply be a part of the tree itself.



Despite Haldir’s assurances, it was, in fact, early the next morning before Haldir and Faramir left the company of the Lord and Lady of the Golden Wood. Haldir steadfastly refused to leave his lover’s side as he told first Lord Celeborn, then Lady Galadriel of his last few months by Faramir’s side, though he was sure she was already aware of everything that had happened long before they’d stepped into the forest.

Galadriel regarded them silently, even as Celeborn shook his head and said again that it simply did not feel like a wise decision to allow a Man to live within the borders of Lórien. Haldir kept his voice calm and steady, agreeing that in most instances, he would be right, however, Faramir was not an ordinary Man. He again reminded Celeborn of Faramir’s choice to nurse him back to health, a choice that assured him that he could never return to his home or his family. Finally, Haldir reminded him of a certain Man who had been raised in Rivendell, under the tutelage of Lord Elrond, who had already made a name for himself as a friend to all races, and a Man who, like Faramir, was both honorable and great.

Celeborn was momentarily speechless. Haldir, seeing the indecision in his eyes, stood, bowed, and met his gaze. “I understand your hesitation,” he said respectfully. “But my home is with Faramir. If he is not allowed to make his home here, then neither will I. It has been my pleasure to serve you, my Lord, but I must now take my leave.”

Celeborn’s face flushed. He wasn’t sure whether he was angry or hurt that Haldir, his most faithful warrior and guard, would choose a Man over his duty. But then, Galadriel put a steadying hand on Celeborn’s arm and nodded toward the couple before them.

Faramir was offering once again to leave, to let Haldir live in his beloved forest in peace. Haldir, shaking his head firmly, was reassuring Faramir that they would not be parted under any circumstances. As Haldir gently leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to his lover’s lips, Celeborn felt his resolve waver and shook his head in defeat.

“You may both stay,” he said softly. “Faramir, if you have earned the love and devotion of Haldir, then I would not presume to stand in your way. I hope you will find your happiness here with your husband.”

After conveying their deepest gratitude, Haldir and Faramir made their way quickly back to Haldir’s talan. They were exhausted, happy, and relieved beyond words.

“Meleth,” Haldir said as they reached the top of the talan they would share until they built a larger one, “welcome home.”

Faramir had remained silent during the meeting with Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel. It had taken many hours to convince the Lord of the Golden Wood to allow him to stay, and at points, he wondered if he were truly worth the trouble Haldir was going through. He had offered again to leave, though it nearly broke him to do so. When they finally agreed to allow him to stay, he felt grateful beyond words, and as they left, he’d smiled brightly when Lord Celeborn referred to him as Haldir’s husband. When they finally made it to Haldir’s talan he smiled tiredly when Haldir welcomed him to his home. “It is truly lovely,” he said. He could see Haldir’s imprint upon the neatly kept home and smiled to himself at how the two of them shared such common tastes. He wished he weren’t so exhausted, but the days of walking and the entire night without sleep had caught up with him.

Haldir, seeing that Faramir was even more exhausted than he was, led his lover over to their bed. Urging Faramir to sit down on the edge of the mattress, Haldir gently pulled his feet up and begin removing the heavy boots from his husband’s feet. When he was finished, he quickly toed off his own and pulled his tunic over his head as Faramir did the same. “Let’s rest, seron vell,” he said softly, his voice hoarse from hours and hours of pleading with Celeborn. “We have plenty of clothes now, unlike in our cabin, but I’m hoping you’ll still prefer to sleep without a sleeping shirt. I must confess, I’ve grown used to feeling your skin against my own.”

Faramir felt loved and cherished as Haldir helped undress him, and he smiled at his lover. “I do not believe I would ever choose a sleeping shirt over feeling your skin against mine, love,” he teased. Standing up, he removed his breeches and then crawled into bed and watched silently as Haldir did the same. Leaning on his elbow and resting his head in his hand, Faramir simply enjoyed watching his husband undress. “I love watching you. You are so beautiful and graceful,” he whispered . Even as exhausted as he was, it was still easy for him to become aroused just watching Haldir. He smiled when Haldir slipped into bed beside him and wrapped his arms around his husband. “I have to admit I’ve been looking forward to this… just the two of us alone in a nice soft bed.”

Haldir pulled Faramir closer and closed his eyes. “Our nice, soft bed,” he said with a smile as he ran his hands over his lover’s back. “Gods, I can’t tell you how good this feels. Just lying here, with my beautiful husband who makes me happier than I ever dreamed of being, in our home, knowing that we don’t have to constantly be looking over our shoulders and worrying about being attacked by orcs…” With a soft sigh, Haldir buried his face against Faramir’s hair and pressed a kiss to his temple. “I love you, meleth, more than you will ever know.”

Faramir snuggled against his lover and smiled. “It is nice to feel safe after so many months,” he whispered. His heart seemed to leap in his chest just from the gentle kiss, and he moved slightly to catch his husband’s lips with his own. Pressing a light kiss to those soft lips he couldn’t seem to get enough of, Faramir smiled. “I love you too… more than I ever thought was possible. And I’m so glad to be here in our bed.” He grinned, closed his eyes for a moment, and took a deep breath. It did feel good to know that they could sleep and just be together without the fear of being attacked.

Haldir shifted until Faramir lay on his back, one of the Elf’s arms underneath his lover’s head, and Haldir could simply gaze down at his husband’s serene visage. He rained countless kisses over Faramir’s face and neck as his free hand lightly ran over every beloved plane of his body, loving the way every inch of Faramir’s skin felt beneath his fingertips. “It has been a long day,” Haldir whispered between kisses. “I think we should put a note outside our door, letting everyone know that we do not wish to be disturbed for at least a fortnight. We could catch up on our rest, and I could refamiliarize myself with every single inch of your body.”

Faramir’s eyes sparkled as Haldir spoke and loving fingers and kisses moved over his body. “Only a fortnight?” he teased, slightly breathless. His arms circled his lover, and he pulled Haldir down for a deep kiss, their tongues dancing together as each breath lost between them seemed to drive their passion higher. Faramir’s arousal pressed against his lover’s hip, and he could feel the warm hard length of Haldir’s arousal prod him. “I love you,” he whispered as they drew apart. Faramir looked up into Haldir’s eyes, which were dark and sparkling, and smiled. This was what he could look forward to for the rest of his days, being with Haldir and loving him. He could not dream of anything better.

Haldir gently brushed Faramir’s hair back from his temple, and he nibbled at his lover’s bottom lip. “And I love you, meleth,” he whispered as his hips shifted almost of their own accord, and a soft sigh fell from his lips. “I know we both need rest, but… do you think I could possibly interest you in holding off sleep for just a little longer? I want our first night in our new home to be one you’ll always remember.”

Faramir gasped as Haldir’s body moved against his own, and he laughed softly. “Possibly interest me? Oh… I think you can already feel how interested I am, love,” he whispered teasingly as he shifted his hips and pressed his arousal against his lover firmly.
Haldir chuckled softly and leaned forward for another kiss, gently letting his tongue explore his husband’s mouth as his fingers began to stroke the thick organ that lay heavily against Faramir’s stomach. Faramir’s arousal was dripping against his skin, and Haldir swirled the tips of his fingers in the thick fluid as he continued to stroke the rigid length, slicking it from root to tip with Faramir’s own juices. With a final kiss to beloved lips, Haldir turned over in the circle of Faramir’s arms and pressed his backside against the rigid organ, needing to feel his lover inside him now. He relaxed his muscles and pressed his hips back as he reached behind him and entwined their fingers. “Take me, meleth,” he whispered. “You won’t hurt me… just go slow.”

Haldir’s touch forced Faramir to draw in a deep shuddering breath, and he fought for a moment not to thrust into the hand wrapped around him. Then when Haldir turned over and pressed back against him, Faramir gasped. The words his lover spoke seemed to spiral through him, and it seemed as if all his blood suddenly rushed to his groin. His lips pressed against his lover’s shoulder as his hips shifted. He pushed forward slowly, not wishing to hurt his lover, and paused as the head breached the tight guardian muscle. Faramir continued to lick and suck the warm skin at the back of Haldir’s neck before slowly pressing forward just a little bit more. The heat and tightness was incredible, and his hand gently moved over Haldir’s chest as he waited for his lover to adjust a little more. It took every ounce of self-control he could muster, but he refused to ever hurt Haldir.

Relishing the feeling of being filled so completely, Haldir felt Faramir’s swollen length stretch him little by little. The thick organ continued to press in slowly, moving deeper with each shift of his husband’s hips, and he found himself pushing back, crooking his legs up toward his chest as he gave himself fully to the Man he loved. Haldir’s hand rested over Faramir’s as it moved over his chest, and the small talan was soon filled with low, deep moans that Haldir was surprised to recognize fell from his own lips. Within moments, he was fully impaled, Faramir’s length rock hard inside him, as Haldir’s body quickly adjusted and pulled him in further. The tight muscle that allowed him inside clenched and released around Faramir’s flesh, and Haldir turned his head to the side to press his lips to his lover’s neck. “Please, meleth,” he breathed.

Faramir moved slowly as Haldir’s body shifted back against him, and after long moments he was buried deep within his lover. Slowly he began to move within his body as he felt gentle kisses pressed against him. “I love you,” he whispered as his body moved with Haldir’s. His heart skipped in his chest each time his lover moaned and he soon realized his own moans mingled with Haldir’s. Faramir’s hand skimmed over Haldir’s skin, feeling the taut muscles flex under his fingers, and soon his hand wrapped around his lover’s leaking arousal. Slowly, he stroked the hard length as he moved within his lover, drawing back and sliding forward over and over again, the pace building gradually. Faramir’s lips moved against the warm skin of Haldir’s neck, and he marked the pale skin gently as they moved.

“Oh Gods, love,” Haldir moaned as strong arms surrounded him. hHe felt more loved and treasured than he’d ever experienced in his entire life. He arched back onto the thick length buried inside him, then forward, into his lover’s fist, his own cock leaking and twitching every time Faramir nudged his prostate. Murmuring softly as his husband marked his skin, Haldir knew without the slight doubt that he would never, ever want anyone but Faramir for as long as he lived. Everything about him was perfect, exactly what Haldir had longed for his entire life – his touch, his laughter, his sparkling eyes and gentle manner, the way their bodies fit so perfectly together as if the Valar had created them as one, then separated them to see if they could find their way back to each other.

As Faramir continued to thrust deep inside him, Haldir felt heat gather in the pit of his stomach, and his breathing became ragged. “Close, love,” he murmured as he continued to move back on Faramir’s length and against his hand. The words were barely out when his release slammed into him, causing him to cry out loudly as he widened his legs and moved back, hard, one final time. His seed spilled over Faramir’s fingers and onto the bed sheets as he continued moving, drawing out his release until he was completely spent.

The way they fit together, the way they moved as one, was almost too much for Faramir. Never in his life had he known anything like what he had found with Haldir. Though he desired his husband more than anyone he’d ever known, it was more than lust, so much more. Though they came from such different worlds, they were one another’s match. Faramir’s breath was ragged and shallow as he continued moving with his lover, and when Haldir cried out and pressed back against him, the feeling of his husband’s muscles clenching and his seed spilling over Faramir’s fingers triggered his own climax. Faramir cried out and thrust deeply one last time as he followed his lover into ecstasy. His body trembled as he slowly came back down from his release, and his arm wrapped tighter around Haldir, feeling his heart pounding just as fast as Faramir’s.

Haldir moaned and pressed back against his lover as he felt Faramir’s release pulsing inside him. With a blissful sigh, he curled up in the safety of strong arms and closed his eyes. He nibbled lightly on Faramir’s forearm as it rested beneath his head and reached back to let his fingertips trail over his husband’s damp skin. “Melin chen,” he whispered. “I love you.”

Holding his lover close against him, Faramir tried to catch his breath and smiled when Haldir whispered. “I love you, too,” he whispered in return. Gently he licked and kissed the damp skin of Haldir’s neck and shoulder, and he trembled as their bodies still moved together with the aftershocks of their releases. Shifting his hips, his softening arousal slipped from his lover’s body, and he moved back slightly as Haldir rolled over to face him. He smiled as he looked into shimmering eyes and pressed a gentle kiss against Haldir’s lips. “I truly am blessed by the Valar to have found you,” he whispered seriously.

Haldir reached up and slowly caressed his husband’s face with the back of his fingers. “It is I who have been blessed, meleth,” he said softly, studying Faramir’s beloved eyes evenly. “You have given up so much for me – your family, your home, everything you have known in your life. I am honestly not sure I’m worth it, but I promise to do everything in my power to make sure you never regret your decision.”
Faramir shook his head as Haldir spoke. “No, love. You are worth it. My life… my life before you was not what I would call a happy one. I am far happier now than I was before. I will miss my brother, but in the end it is best for my family to think that the orcs killed me. Going back simply wouldn’t be an option now. Even before… I would have severely reprimanded for having allowed my Men to be ambushed. My father… he sees things the way he wishes to, no matter what is right,” he explained.

Haldir’s eyes narrowed as Faramir spoke, and he wished he could have just one moment alone with Faramir’s father to tell him what a fool he was for treating his son with anything less than the love and respect he deserved. But Faramir’s eyes held no malice or real sadness, and before long, Haldir relaxed once again. “Well, I promise you’ll be happy here,” he said softly as he pressed a gentle kiss to his husband’s lips. “My brothers will be your brothers, and my friends your friends. You will lack for nothing and have everything you could ever wish for.”

“I already do have everything I could ever wish for,” Faramir said softly as he returned his lover’s kiss. “I have you. That is all I could ever want,” he whispered as his fingers trailed through soft golden hair. His eyes felt heavy and his earlier fatigue seemed to return suddenly. “The only thing I want now is to fall asleep with my husband in my arms.”

“Well,” Haldir whispered as he buried his face against Faramir’s chest and pulled him closer, “I think that I can help you there. Since I happen to be your husband, and I happen to be in your arms, all that’s left is for you to go to sleep, my love.” Leaning up to press soft kisses against his lover’s eyes, Haldir smiled and burrowed down against Faramir once again. “Sweet dreams, gûren (my heart).”

Faramir smiled as Haldir kissed him so sweetly and snuggled against him. “Sweet dreams, love,” he whispered in return and pulled Haldir just a little closer. Now that they were in Lórien, safe from the dangers they’d faced in the little cabin, and they were together, nothing else seemed to matter. They could both rest and love one another for the rest of their days. As sleep began to overtake him, Faramir’s memories replayed the way they’d met and the time they spent together in the little cabin discovering their love for one another.

Haldir watched his lover as he drifted off to sleep, looking forward to their future and reminding himself to thank Lord Celeborn once again for giving them this gift. No matter where they made their home, Haldir had no doubt that it would be happy, but being able to stay here in Lórien made things all the easier for them both.He, too, laid remembering how they’d met, how Faramir had pushed aside everything he’d been taught and took a chance on loving someone he had every right to fear and loathe. On the surface, they seemed to have little in common, but underneath, where it mattered, they both knew that they’d each found the most important thing a Man or an Elf could ever desire… true, everlasting love that would never fade over time. And that was something everyone, Man and Elf alike, knew was a rare and incomparable treasure… a treasure that Haldir would guard with his very life for as long as he drew breath.

“Good night, my love,” he whispered before drifting off to sleep next to the Man he would love for all eternity.

The End.

NB: Please do not distribute (by any means, including email) or repost this story (including translations) without the author's prior permission. [ more ]

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4 Comment(s)

LOVELY!!!!!!!!!!!

— Marti    Wednesday 9 August 2006, 11:21    #

I read this one when I was depressed, it was beautiful so lovely! I loved the idea of Haldir suffering, not because I like the idea of him suffering, but because he was defendless and had to rely on Faramir the whole story because of his broken leg. And It was so painful when they arrived to Lothlorien and there was this Elf who didn’t want Faramir to pass, and Haldir told him that he was the one who had thaught him those rules of not let anu man enter. It was wonderful! I read that story two times :) It was beautiful!

— LoretoW    Thursday 25 March 2010, 5:35    #

Yet another wonderful story from the two of you :-) Great work. Your descriptions of persons and invironment are so alive :-) love it

— blondie    Saturday 14 December 2013, 19:02    #

I love this fiction, its amazing.Its so alive.. Do you have a website or other sites where I can read more?

— Sofia    Tuesday 6 June 2017, 17:22    #

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