Faramir Fiction Archive

Get Back (PG)

Written by AlexanderW

24 December 2010 | 3228 words | Work in Progress

Title: Get Back
Rating: PG
Summary: Sequel to Let Go. 3 years from the coronation, Aragorn looks back on his feelings for Faramir and attempts to do something about it
Warnings: Obviously post ROTK, F.A 3, a bit AU
Note: For Anastasiya – because she gave me the idea to carry this on :)

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“Thank you Aragorn, I shall have this enacted immediately – good day to you sire”

I nodded my head in acknowledgement and watched my steward head out the door of my study. I must admit he did make a very convincing case about the setting up of a “national park” I think it was called, in Ithilien. However, he could’ve really have said anything and I really wouldn’t have cared because I would grant any request he had – well, within reason.

It’s been 3 years since my coronation and finally, Gondor has returned to the splendour of the days of old. It’s taken some damn hard work I can tell you – Minas Tirith was in some state of heavy disrepair and the battle damage had not helped, but Gimli and his kin has and continues to toil constantly to restore the city’s majesty. I am going to admit it, even as a ranger raised by elves, this city of stone is now my favourite place on Middle-Earth – not least of all because most of my friends and family now reside in or around the city – but the new gardens and restored gates make this city beautiful. Just like Arwen. Just like Faramir.

Oh, what happened to him I wonder? I still remember as clear as day the first time I saw him, lying on the bed in the houses of healing. He looked so fragile and unloved that my heart immediately went out to him and I knew he would play some very special part in my life. I saw the guard Beregond sitting next to his lord, looking so despondent and lost and this moved me. Boromir had told me a little of what Faramir had to put up within his father, but I could see right here in front of me that Faramir was loved by everyone else, regardless of what Denethor may have done.

I then sat down next to Beregond and asked him to fetch the lore master and some kingsfoil. When he finally came back with the kingsfoil I asked for, I tried to bring Faramir out of his fever and at that moment I felt a connection I’ve only ever felt with Arwen before. I called his name and it was almost like he called right back, except this was through his body – he shifted and I felt him respond to my touch and voice. I was shocked to say the least, as I had never considered having that kind of connection with anyone but Arwen yet… I’ve been told various times by my elven friends that men have funny ideas about love and while I always laughed it off, maybe in the end they are right…

Either way, when Faramir finally opened his eyes, I lost my heart to them immediately. A startling shade of bluish grey – that would be the Westernesse blood in him – entranced me and they immediately seemed to know who I was.

“My lord, you called me. I come. What does the king command?”

His voice was gravelly from lack of use, but to be honest I didn’t care – he sounded beautiful, he looked beautiful and I just knew he was beautiful in every way. However, he needed to move on from his past – I could feel him lingering in it. I put a commanding voice on and told him

“Walk no more in the shadows, but awake! You are weary. Rest a while, and take food, and be ready when I return.”

I watched him smile slightly and he replied “I will, lord, for who would lie idle when the king has returned?”

Clever boy I thought as I rose to leave and tend to Éowyn. After that, a lot of things become blurry – even the fight at the Black Gates of Mordor is a bit fuzzy, but I have always remembered in clarity the moments I had with Faramir. I remember him being a bit unsteady on his feet after I gave the title of steward back to him. I remember the little, awkward conversations we had about my coronation ceremony and I remember the biggest smile on his face when I walked past him during my coronation ceremony. Yet… come the day after, his easy, carefree smile that he shared with me for those weeks preceding the coronation seemed tempered by something – and I couldn’t work out why.

I honestly couldn’t think of anything I could have done to upset him or cause doubt in him, but I had very little if any time to think about it. The duties of king, husband and healer took all my time up forcing this problem to the back of my head to be ignored for some time.

Until, that is, Faramir approached me with news of great importance. About a year ago, Éomer brought his court to the palace to mark the anniversary of the end of the war. His sister, Éowyn, came with him and made straight for Faramir when she arrived. The pair of them disappeared immediately after official protocols had been satisfied and within 30 minutes Faramir reappeared looking very pleased, if a little dazed. I remember heading over and asking what happened, to which he replied, breaking my heart in the process

“I’m getting married”

My jaw went slack and my head was pounding and I spouted something really intelligent – I think it was “To Éowyn?”

He sniggered a little and went “Yeah… would you marry us? – I mean, I’m not doing the planning for this but I’d really like it if you’d do the honours?”

To which I of course said yes, even if it hurt to say so. And so it was, the engagement was announced and within a month the wedding ceremony was held. Faramir and his best man Beregond were waiting for a glorious Éowyn to be given away by her brother and there I was, standing in at the steps where I was coroneted – fiddling with my tunic. Arwen noticed my discomfort and at the time, considering I was frightened of what she might think about my feelings for Faramir – I froze at her touch to placate me.

“What’s wrong Aragorn? Is there something you’ve forgotten to do? Or bring? Or say?”

Yes, there was – tell Faramir I loved him, but I also loved Arwen and this was confusing me greatly. “It’s nothing Arwen, just… nothing”

Arwen gave that look – you know, the one all women give men when they pretend to believe you – and she simply said “Later, Aragorn”

Apart from my jitters, the ceremony was pulled off with a hitch and the happy couple danced and celebrated way into the night. I on the other hand was dragged off after a while into my private chambers where my wife turned around and said, in a matter-of-fact voice

“You love him don’t you?”

There was silence from my end.

“Aragorn, what’s the matter? Are you worried about my reaction? Or his?”

More silence.

“If it’s mine, then don’t worry – I’ve told you so many times before that the race of men has funn-”

End of silence – I spun round and just collapsed into my chair, sobbing and yes, it wasn’t my most manly moment but to be fair I had just married him to someone else and my heart was still a little raw. I remember Arwen smiling and coming down to comfort me. We stayed like that for a long time until I remembered that I was needed to formally close the celebrations. I got up and Arwen just kissed me gently and said “I understand – go after him”

But I didn’t. I did close the celebrations but I didn’t go after him because it wasn’t my place to. On the happiest day of his life, I butt in and tell him I want to be with him? No, I decided to wait for the chance. A week I told myself, which turned into a month and now it has been around a year and I’m still here waiting to tell him. What am I going to do?

“Stop waiting.”

Startled into the present, I look up and see Arwen gazing intently at me, her hair ruffling slightly in a breeze coming from somewhere I knew not.

“I beg your pardon?”

“No more waiting – go and tell him now, before you lose yourself. I can see it happening, so go tell him!”

I look at my wife, slightly confused about the ‘me losing myself’ bit and wanting to ask more. In fact I was just about to when Arwen snapped;

“For the Valar’s sake! Go and tell him before I do! I cannot deal with any more of your inattentiveness and moping when he is about!”

Talk about learning something new every day – Arwen has one hell of a presence when she’s shouting at someone. Thinking it best not to invite more shouting from my wife I made a dash for the exit when I heard

“He’s in the gardens – and I’ll be watching!”

Damn, I’ll have to go do this now.

I enter the main gardens and immediately see Faramir sitting under his favourite tree. He looks so at peace with the world, so beautiful. My heart is aching to go over and tell him, but my head still harbours doubts that have been a year in the making. I move forward and promptly trip over my own non-moving foot. I guess that’s what happens when your body and mind are warring with each other – a lack of controllable movement. Still, very smooth Aragorn…

My cry of pain alerts Faramir, who immediately rushes over to help me up. Hang on, this actually really hurts!

“Aragorn! Are you alright? What happened?” the concern in Faramir’s voice is really comforting, and a little erotic – in a very bizarre way

“I err… tripped” I reply lamely, hobbling up a bit then promptly losing my balance again only to be caught by Faramir half way down, in a less than comfortable position. We catch each other’s gaze and hold it for a while, becoming oblivious to the world around ourselves.

“Faramir, I have something to tell you”

“Yes my lord?”

“Faramir… I… I…” We move closer, our breaths ghosting across our cheeks, the sensation causing both of us to involuntarily shiver, our gazes never breaking.

“Faramir” I say again, my heart racing, my forehead covered in sheens of sweat, his gaze locking my body in need and desire – his eyes looking expectantly at me, his eyes-

“Faramir, I love you”

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TBC

There going to be two different endings following (as I can’t decide which one to tag onto the end of this) so i’ll post them soon :)

Silence

The world was shrouded in silence, as if it was holding its breath and waiting for the most important of responses to be spoken by the Steward of Gondor.

Two pairs of eyes held each other’s gaze – one pair desperate for a response, the other pair blank – well trained after years of masking and suppressing emotion. The world waited a bit longer.

“Eh?”

The world let out its breath and the noise returned in full force. Wind, birds, the city, laughter, cries of traders. I look confusedly at Faramir.

“I tell you I love you and you say ‘Eh?’” We look at each other again, our eyes drawing our complete attention, and the world seeing it needed to draw breath again to hold went to do so until-

“Umm… yeah” Faramir cocked his head slightly and gave me a look of pure innocence; ruined of course by the smirk on his face. I only had to take one look and burst out laughing. We promptly fall over in a tangled heap.

Being somewhat more regal, I extract myself from the tangle to immediately pin down a laughing Faramir and look again into his eyes, those beautiful blue-grey eyes.

“So… what’s the verdict, Steward?” I am pretty hopeful – the playful manner Faramir had taken gave him expectation for a response I wanted to hear. I’m really desperate to hear those three words said back to me, really desperately wanting Faramir to-

“I love you too, King” Yes! “But why tell me now?” Ah…

Faramir, although deliriously happy with this turn of events, was a little confused, hurt almost. If Aragorn loved him, then why had it taken so long to tell him those precious words? Had he only just started to love him? Was it jealousy of Éowyn? What if-

“Faramir, stop thinking and just listen” I’d been watching Faramir’s face intently and noticed the conflicting thoughts wash across his face, the expressions getting progressively worse.

“Faramir, I have loved you for such a long time but it was my ineptitude at working these things out myself that has delayed me. Thankfully I have a wife with more sense who got me into gear…” I spoke softly and comfortingly to Faramir, trying to reassure him. The last thing I want at this critical time is to give Faramir the wrong impression about my motives. All I want to do was love Faramir as much as possible, but knowing Faramir, he’d probably see too much into nothing.

“But…”

“But what?”

“Aragorn, I have a wife. You have a wife. This is not exactly grounds to start any sort of relationship. I’d rather not do anything that will jeopardise my marriage with Éowyn, considering I love her too-”

I was watching Faramir again, his words just slipping through my brain without leaving any trace. I love how his brow furrows when he’s thinking, it twitches slightly when something impor-

“Aragorn!” Faramir was looking slightly perturbed at his king.

Startled, I cringe a little at the raised voice. Oops

“Err… yes?” Faramir continued to look annoyed.

“No?” No change.

“…What was the question?” Faramir’s look of disapproval cracked into a grin at the question. I sigh in relief. Phew

“I was asking about Éowyn – what can we do?” Faramir did look troubled by the prospect of ‘cheating’ on his wife and frankly I have no intention of doing anything Faramir wasn’t comfortable with.

“In all honesty Faramir, we’d have to tell her” I tell him with conviction “I obviously don’t want to jeopardize anything with your wife, but-”

“But you did just declare your love for me” Faramir smirked, somewhat amused at the situation. “Of course we’d tell her. It seems only right since as you said it was Arwen that got you to tell me of your feelings.” He looked around, the gardens shimmering in the breeze and sunlight. His hair moving somewhat in the wind, I couldn’t resist not stroking the hair away from his eyes, his face fair and beautiful. As it always had been.

Faramir shook my hand away, a blush creeping up the side of his face. He looked back at me, searching for something – most likely a deception of some kind. I decide I needed to make my intentions clearer, something he couldn’t mistake for anything else.

“Faramir” Faramir didn’t move – he seemed frozen, waiting almost.

“Faramir, look at me” he twitched his head, as if caught out. I grin. I know that feeling.

“Yes?” Faramir was watching intently again.

“I love you” I smile as I bring his lips to mine. His perfect, soft, beautiful lips, surrounding mine in the most passionate and tender of ways, his tongue supple and pliant under my own as we kissed, exchanging the clear message that what we had here was precious and couldn’t be lost. My arms surrounded him as we roll over, him on top of me, grinding into me. His back, muscular and firm, ripples as I break the kiss and smile at him.

Faramir looked pretty dazed. Still got it. I smile again at him

“Fancy taking this somewhere a little more comfortable?” I ask, not wanting to push too hard – but still desperate to carry on the unearthly kiss. Faramir hitches himself up, straddling me for a moment before standing up and offering his hand to me
“Of course, but…” I give him a look as I get to my feet. What now?! Faramir looks back at the citadel.

“What of Éowyn?” I stop brushing myself down and draw Faramir close to me, his head naturally falling onto my chest.

“I happen to know she’s on the 4th circle today, looking at cloth for a new dress.” Thank you Arwen and your penchant for parties “We can either go inside and carry on what we started or we can wait for her to-”

Faramir looked up suddenly. “I want to carry on. We can tell her later when she’s back” I grin at him. Clever boy. I feel him tugging at my hand.

“Are you coming?” he looks to me and then citadel, clearly wanting to get on with the kissing. And maybe even more? I look up to see Arwen retreating into the shadows of the balconies. I can’t see it, but I can imagine the smile on her face.

“Of course I’m coming!” We set off, Faramir leaning into me. I can feel the happiness radiating off him. I think he can feel my happiness too.

“I’m glad I never really let go of you” Faramir suddenly said, looking up. I stare back into his eyes, not quite understanding, but somehow knowing what to say.

“Well then, I’m glad I decided to get you back” We smiled at each other.

Finally, my world is complete.

Well, it’s been over a year since I wrote the first chapter. Pretty much, a combination of a new life, no time and a somewhat unwillingness to finish this has combined to form this last story I’ll write about Faramir. I don’t know when or why really that i realised this, but i feel the time is come to say goodbye to Faramir as a character, as a member of my stories and as a large part of my life.

Everyone – Anastasiya, Ingrid (and Geale as an author on here of high distinguish) in particular – have been important to my development as a amateur writer and getting me through terrible times but because of you all, I’ve become a better person because of it. My dearest Anastasiya – my apologies for letting you down for so long but i hope you’ll take the completion of this as an apology and as a Christmas present. i do remember promising two chapters for the completion of the story and I’m working on it, but there is no guarantee. i like whats happened here and it depends on if anything comes to me if it’ll continue – otherwise, this is a sad but thankful parting of ways from me as an author here. thank you =]

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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