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Elves, Orcs and the Road to Recovery Print

Written by KC

06 November 2004 | 58662 words

Part 9

Two days more of easy riding found the company of elves and human at the site of the elven haven just after midday. Camp was made and the members of the company sat down to share a meal. Maglor again presented his charge with a double portion of dried fruits and meat. Faramir looked at the Seneschal with a much-bemused expression.

"My dear elf. I am aware of my reputation for the ability to consume as much as a hobbit at times but I generally do not do so at every meal. If you keep feeding me this much food it will not be long before I am unable to mount my horse and you will needs roll me back to Minas Tirith like a barrel." Faramir explained in his normal quiet, measured tone but with a hint of amusement, eliciting chuckles from the other elves, as he looked up at Maglor who was standing in front of him holding a bowl filled with food.

"You are still too thin," the Seneschal retorted.

"I do admit that I am a few pounds short of the weight I once was but I am not overly thin," the young Steward argued.

"You are still four notches short on your belt," Maglor replied looking at the well-worn hole on Faramir's belt.

"Ahhhh," Faramir chuckled as understanding came. "I am one notch short of where I was but four notches short of Boromir - it was his belt."

The other elves chuckled but Maglor stood unruffled.

"A compromise then. You are two notches short. Eat!" Maglor ordered as he handed the bowl to his young charge eliciting even greater chuckles from the other elves.

Shaking his head and sighing in resignation, Faramir took the bowl from the elf and ate the food without further verbal protest.


After the meal was concluded Faramir and Legolas took great delight in showing the elves the land they had chosen for the elven haven. Thranduil, Maglor, Finrod and the twins stood with Faramir and Legolas on the top of the highest hill in the vicinity, looking down upon hills, vales and gullies covered with trees.

"What think you, ada?" Faramir asked shyly.

"It will do us well, ion-nin" Thranduil smiled as he looked down upon the hills, gullies, trees and the river that meandered through the hills.

"Easily defended," Finrod said as he looked up into the trees around them. Maglor and the twins nodded in agreement.

"Water, food aplenty," Maglor added as he to looked around.

"Free of spiders," Legolas said with a grin. The Mirkwood elves shared the Prince's grin.

"Plenty of timber for building boats…" Elladan mused.

"For those wishing to depart for the west," Elrohir finished his twin's sentence.

Faramir felt a sudden overwhelming feeling of great loss. The thought that all the elves would leave Middle Earth one day was nearly unbearable for the young Steward. Thranduil and Legolas both saw the pain and despair flash across Faramir's suddenly pale features. The elven King gently enveloped his human son in an embrace.

"Legolas and I will never leave you whilst you still walk Middle Earth, ion-nin," Thranduil promised, whispering into his son's ear.

Faramir relaxed into his father's embrace, his breath hitching as he battled to control his emotions.

"Thank you, ada," Faramir replied in a hoarse whisper as he returned his father's embrace.

Legolas shared a smile with his father as Thranduil continued to hug his human son.

Soon after, as the sun set, the elves and human returned to camp. Faramir rolled his eyes but made no other comment as Maglor gave him another bowl full of food. Legolas and the twins sniggered earning a glare from the hapless human.

Thranduil, Maglor and Finrod again took the first watch. Well after midnight they woke Faramir, Legolas and the twins to take the second watch with the intelligence that there appeared to be three human families camped a fair distance away in the gully below. The elves took to the trees and Faramir moved out onto an outcropping. All was quiet until almost the end of their watch at dawn. Legolas was the first to see movement in the distance.

"Orcs!!!" Legolas exclaimed as he jumped lightly from the tree and ran to Faramir on the outcropping. "They are heading for the humans!"

"Go tell ada and the others," Faramir ordered. "If I remember correctly there is a bridge in that direction" Faramir said pointing in the direction, "that spans the gully. Located beyond that is another gully that has but one entrance. Meet me at the top of that gully." Faramir said as the twins arrived. "Go! You are a faster runner than I," Faramir ordered when he saw Legolas hesitate. "Go!!"

Legolas turned reluctantly and ran back towards the camp whilst the Steward of Gondor and sons of Elrond ran towards the bridge. The bridge thankfully, was still intact and the human and elves crossed quickly. The twins followed Faramir as he ran through the forest and straight to the blind gully and then moving stealthily towards the edge. The orcs were approaching.

"Stay here and ready your arrows," Faramir ordered in a whisper as he turned and ran along the top towards the entrance of the gully.

The young ranger quickly scrambled down into the gully below just as the orcs turned a corner a few hundred yards away and came into view. On seeing the human the orcs bellowed and gave chase. Faramir turned tail and ran as fast as he could into the blind gully. By the time the young ranger reached the end, elven arrows rained down upon the orcs. The Steward reached for a thick rope that was tied to a massive boulder. The rope ran up the side of the gully and around an overhanging tree. At the other end of the rope was a large rope net containing rocks - suspended above the gully. Gripping the rope firmly the ranger whipped out his knife and cut the rope just below where his hand was situated. No longer secured to the boulder, the rope net filled with rocks fell to the gully floor propelling Faramir upwards. The young Steward felt a sharp stinging pain at his side as he jumped the short distance to solid ground at the top of the gully.

Winded, Faramir fell to his knees and panted for breath as he held a hand to his back where he had felt the stinging pain. The young ranger removed his hand and saw that it was covered in blood. An arrow had obviously nicked him the Steward thought. As thought returned Faramir realised that he was, in all likelihood, in deep, deep trouble. Finally daring to look up the young Steward's suspicions were confirmed when he saw his father's thunderous look as the elven King and Maglor came storming towards him with Legolas following. He could see the twins and Finrod in the background. Anger turned to concern when Thranduil saw the blood on Faramir's hand.

"What has been done to you? Where are you hurt, ion-nin?" the elven King asked as he crouched down beside his human son, looking for where the blood had originated. Legolas crouched down on the other side.

"Back," Faramir winced as the pain worsened. "Am I in deep trouble, ada?" Faramir asked in a tiny voice as Maglor inspected the wound, concern evident.

"The deepest, ion-nin," Thranduil growled as he put an arm around his son's shoulders and the other behind his knees and lifted Faramir off the ground and carried him back to the camp quickly.


By the time the elven King reached the camp, Maglor had started a fire, filled an iron pot with water, set it on the fire to heat and had put the blade end of an elven knife into the fire. The twins had gathered medical packs, Finrod was using some of the herbs to create a poultice and Legolas had laid blankets down on the ground. Thranduil laid Faramir on the blankets and with the help of Legolas, stripped his human son of his leather over tunic and shirt and rolled him onto his side. Both King and Prince winced at the three-inch long gash that started on Faramir's back just above his waist and curled around his side. Blood was flowing freely and the black tendrils that were beginning to radiate from the wound showed that the arrow had been poisoned.

"Is it poisoned, ada?" Faramir asked as if he had picked up on the thoughts of his father and brother.

"Yes it is ion-nin," Thranduil confirmed in grave voice as Maglor cleansed the wound, eliciting a gasp and pained moan from Faramir. "You know what it is we have to do?" the elven King asked as he removed his leather belt.

"Yes, ada" the ranger replied in a distant voice.

Thranduil folded the belt in half and slid it between Faramir's teeth so that he would not bite his tongue. He then took hold of his human son's hands. Legolas braced his brother's back and the twins held down his legs and body. Maglor took the red-hot knife from the fire and placed it against the wound both to cauterise the wound and to stop the spread of the poison. Faramir, biting down on the leather belt went rigid, every muscle in his body pulling taut as he fought to contain the scream that wanted desperately to find voice. He squeezed his father's hands tightly and felt his father's grip tighten in support. Just when Faramir thought he could take no more, the searing hot pain stopped replaced by a more bearable aching throb.

Faramir panted for breath still holding his father's hands. Legolas removed the belt from between his brother's teeth and stroked his hair, which was damp from sweat and pain. Finrod applied a poultice and he and Maglor bound the wound, eliciting pained moans from Faramir. The twins brought over their cloaks and placed them over their friend. Maglor brewed a tea for both fever and pain and fed the brew to his young charge. Faramir gave the Seneschal a look that spoke volumes about Maglor's drugging habits, making the elf smile. It was not long before Faramir sighed in relief and fell into a deep slumber.

The young Steward remained fevered for two days as the remnants of the poison took its course. Faramir was not left alone for one moment as the elves took turns in nursing him through the fever and nightmares and changing the poultice and bandages. On the morning of the third day Faramir, feeling much better, was able to sit up and eat a light meal. Having just arrived back from his watch, Legolas sat down beside his brother and smiled knowing that Faramir was on the mend.

"How fare you this morning, muindor tithen?" Legolas asked.

"Much better," Faramir replied as he smiled at his brother. "Is ada still *very* angry?" Faramir asked quietly his expression turning sombre.

Legolas patted his brother's knee, a gesture that spoke of the answer before it was confirmed in words.

"I am afraid he is, muindor tithen. He saw that stunt you pulled in the gully. You scared him and like Aragorn, he does not react well to being scared," Legolas replied in sympathy.

"Elessar," Faramir groaned as he remembered the King's parting words about being careful and the very explicit and painful ramifications of not doing so.

"Oh yes, muindor tithen. There is that," Legolas said as he looked at his brother with the hint of a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"When is ada likely to…" Faramir began his voice trailing off in embarrassment.

"When you are feeling better," Legolas replied.

"Where is the incentive to get better in that?" Faramir muttered.

A familiar chuckle drew the attention of both Princes. Legolas smiled at his father wanly and Faramir attempted a smile that looked more like a pained grimace. Thranduil gestured for Legolas to leave them alone for the moment, smiling at his elven son as he stood and left. The elven King took Legolas' place as he sat down beside his human son. The young Steward looked down at his hands. Thranduil put an arm around his son's shoulder and pulled him close. Faramir rested his head on his father's shoulder.

"I am sorry, ada. I reacted…" Faramir began in way of explanation.

"And it is this tendency to react without thinking that we need to work upon, ion-nin," Thranduil said as he continued to hold his son. "Tell me, ion-nin. Did you know that the rope and rocks were still intact?"

"No. I did not," Faramir replied in a whisper.

"Did you think about waiting for Legolas to return with us?" Thranduil asked quietly already knowing the answer.

"No. I saw the people in danger and I…reacted" Faramir said as he continued to look down upon his hands.

"And you have done this before, ion-nin?" the elven King continued the questioning.

"Yes," Faramir answered truthfully knowing he was condemning himself.

"Oh tithen-pen! How have you managed to stay alive this long and how did your ranking officers keep you alive?" Thranduil asked in exasperation. Faramir went silent suddenly blushing furiously. "Ion-nin?" the elven King prompted looking askance at his human son.

"Much cursing and sometimes similar methods to Boromir," Faramir mumbled reluctantly. "When will you…" Faramir began not able to say the words 'paddle me'.

"The choice is yours, ion-nin. Now or when you are feeling stronger." Thranduil replied.

Faramir hated waiting for punishment. It was something that Denethor had used to his advantage in punishing his second born.

"Now," the young Steward requested in a whisper.

Thranduil assisted his son to his feet and guided him a short distance to a fallen log. The elven King sat down and Faramir loosened the ties of his leggings and pushed them down to his knees. Carefully, as he was still sore, he lowered himself over his father's knees. 'Faramir's Bane' appeared before Thranduil who smiled up at Maglor in thanks. Faramir also looked up and groaned when he saw the look on the Seneschal's face. It was obvious to the young Steward that Maglor would have preferred to be the one wielding the 'thing'. Maglor turned and walked away.

The elven King wasted no time in beginning the chastisement. Faramir felt a succession of very hard swats hit his exposed posterior. The young Steward gasped at the anger that was driving the swats. It was not long before Faramir was whimpering and moaning in earnest.

"Now, ion-nin, if we can get you to stop and think before you go off saving the world, we will be making progress," Thranduil said as he continued to land blistering blows to his son's buttocks.

Faramir's whimpers turned to sobs and howls of pain and still the elven King did not relent.

"I will not lose you, ion-nin," Thranduil said as he landed several memorable whacks to Faramir's 'sit-spot' before stopping.

The young Steward sobbed in earnest as he lay across his father's lap. The elven King pulled up his son's leggings, turned him over and embraced his son, careful of his well-chastised bottom and the wound on his son's side. Faramir continued to sob as his father rocked and soothed him.

"I…am…sorry…ada," the young Steward kept repeating.

"Shhh…ion-nin. I do not want to lose you from my life, just as I have found you," Thranduil crooned to his chastened human son.

A goblet appeared before Faramir and the young man drank the draught, shooting dark glances at Maglor.

"It is a good thing Boromir did not learn of this trick to keep me out of trouble. Otherwise I would have spent most… of… my… life… aslee…." Faramir said as he dropped off to sleep, again cradled in the secure and loving arms of his father.

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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8 Comment(s)

I love your stories! They a amazing!

— Ria    Thursday 28 February 2008, 4:31    #

Hi Ria,
Thank you for letting me know you enjoy my stories! Always nice to get feedback :)

KC    Friday 29 February 2008, 8:23    #

I just want to say THANK YOU!!!! Not only for writting a beautful story…but for not turning Thranduil into some heartless a—hole. I don’t know where people get thinking that the woodland king hats and wants all men to die, after all in The Hobbit, Thanduil helps the people of Laketown after it was attacked by Smuge and they said if it hadn’t had been for that them none of them would have survired the winter. But again thank you very much, Faramir needed someone to look after him and you gave him the perfect Daddy.

— Leigh Ann    Saturday 17 October 2009, 21:11    #

This has solidified Faramir’s standing as the greatest character of The Lord of the Rings, because, though he never had been and never would have been seen like this in book or movie, I can see how the man Tolkein wrote would be very capable of these things.
So congratulations, you’ve written him perfectly.
Best story ever!

— Anna    Friday 26 February 2010, 1:43    #

I have enjoyed reading all your stories so much, they have made me laugh and cry at the antics of faramir, and I love the relationship between faramir, his elvan family and the love for each other they share :)

— key    Monday 28 February 2011, 17:21    #

What a wonderful series! I’ve read to the end at least twice now, this is my third time through. Your characters are compelling and quite enchanting. Dear old Fara is wonderfully portrayed throughout, equal parts haunted and humorous with his and the elves antics! Great stuff!

— KateF    Tuesday 30 July 2013, 20:52    #

Thank you for writing such an enjoyable story, including family-like relationships between male characters. It was good, and very needed!

— Treedweller    Wednesday 16 January 2019, 8:38    #

It’s really great and I love it apart from the spanking bits but I’ll just grin and bare it. the idea of Faramir being adopted by thranny d is so cute and I love it.

— comrade hannah    Saturday 20 July 2019, 22:16    #

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