Faramir Fiction Archive

Love is... (NC-17)

Written by Sairalinde and Anorienbean

19 November 2009 | 145965 words

Title: Love Is…
Authors: Sairalinde & Anorienparker
Pairing: Lord Rahl/Faramir
Fandom: Legend of the Seeker/Lord of the Rings Crossover
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: We do not own these characters; they belong to their respective creators. No money was made from this.
Summary: Lord Rahl sees something he likes… so of course he takes it. Though they are from very different worlds, the object of his affection, a Ranger named Faramir from Middle Earth changes the wizard’s life in ways he could never imagine.
Warnings: Kink, rough sex, mention of abuse, mention of prior non-con.
Author’s Notes: We have taken great liberties with the Legend of the Seeker world to fit into this story. Rahl’s abilities, motives, castle, family history and powers of persuasion bear little or no resemblance to Terry Goodkind’s descriptions. It is not necessary to have read or have knowledge of either the LotS book or series to understand this story.

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Chapter 1

“No!”

Lord Rahl sat up in bed, biting back another scream. Every night for months now, he’d dreamed of the man they called “The Seeker” – the man who was destined to destroy him. This Seeker and his confessor haunted his every waking thought, and it seemed they were intent on fulfilling the prophecy of destroying him if it was the last thing they did.

Throwing back the sheets, Rahl slammed his feet on the floor and stalked across the still dark room. He stopped mid way and looked back toward his bed where a bruised and terrified pleasure slave lay curled as far from where Rahl had been laying as possible.

“Leave.”

Without a word, the young slave slid off the bed and limped to the doorway, surprised that he’d survived another night with his brutal master.

Rahl’s smile was dark as he continued across the room. In the corner, covered carefully by a black velvet cloth, lay one of the few remaining palantirs, or seeing stones, that still existed in the world. Even Rahl and his late father didn’t fully understand their power, but neither had hesitated to use them when they needed answers.

Despite all his vast power, Rahl couldn’t control what he saw in the heavy, dark stone, always approaching it with dread and hands that shook so badly he never even dreamed of coming near it when anyone else was around, knowing that to show fear of the thing would be seen as a weakness.

And Darken Rahl was not weak.

Cold, perhaps. Cruel and vengeful certainly. But weak?

Never.

The fabric seemed to cling to the palantir for a moment before sliding off it, as if it knew that exposing the stone would change all of history.

Rahl moved closer, eyes narrowed, fingertips skating over his lips in an ever present gesture he didn’t even consciously recognize any more. He was perfectly still as he gazed into the palantir’s depths, not even realizing he was holding his breath. He’d hoped to see the Seeker, to learn his location, or better yet, to learn that he was dead, perhaps killed by one of the countless armies Rahl had sent after him time and time again.

What he saw, however, was not the Seeker or his confessor. It wasn’t even Zeddicus, the wizard who had been responsible for the death of his father and the very scars he still bore from his childhood, the hated face he saw both with the Seeker and alone, seemingly on his own desperate mission to throw Rahl from power.

He didn’t even see the familiar vision of his own death, as occurred more and more often as the nights passed and he came closer to his goal of enslaving the people of the Midlands and Westlands and becoming more than an emperor. He wanted, and felt he rightly deserved, to be their ruler.

What he saw in the palantir was unexpected and frightening, so out of place, Rahl took a step back and stared at the stone in confusion.

What he saw was a whole other world, a world filled with unfamiliar faces and creatures he’d never even imagined. And in the center of it all stood a man. Not just any man, but the most beautiful man Rahl had ever seen.

Rahl studied the man for a moment, and something stirred deep inside him. He wanted the man. Maybe to hurt him, to see those lovely blue eyes fill with tears, or possibly to see him fall to his knees and worship Rahl as the rest of the world would soon be doing. Or, he mused, perhaps he just wanted to own him, to add him to the rooms that were filled with slaves who were trained for his pleasure and to endure his countless cruel games and painful fantasies. His most beautiful slave yet, Rahl thought, indeed another possession worthy of envy from anyone who might lay eyes on him.

Either way, Rahl had no doubt. The man would be his, because everyone knew that whatever Rahl wanted, he got.

Rahl desired the man so much in fact, he did something he had never done before. He touched the palantir. His hands were no longer shaking as he laid them carefully on the cold stone and began whispering the most powerful spell in all the world of dark magic.

The demons he whispered to answered at once, and set about fulfilling his request, his last four words ringing in their deformed ears.

“Bring him to me.”

Lord Rahl’s magic passed between the realms, beyond time and space in search of the young man. It was late at night in this realm, it resembled the Midlands with its tall trees and fertile earth. Silently, the demons moved through the thick forest, their own innate magic drawing them toward their master’s desire.

The man was sleeping among a group of other men around a small fire, there would be no fight, just whisk the man from this world to their master’s. Demons were not particularly careful creatures, they enjoyed a fight really, but this was simply too easy. Plus, they thought it might amuse their master if the man was sound asleep. One of the demons reached out a gnarled hand over the man and whispered a simple sleeping spell to make sure the man did not awake. The rest of the demons used their magic to pick the man up, blankets and all to return to their master.

Moments later, a sleeping young man lay in the center of Lord Rahl’s study.

Rahl’s eyes were dark as he studied his new toy. He knelt by the man’s side, idly catching a lock of golden brown hair between his fingers, then running them lightly over the sleeping man’s face. “Well, aren’t you the lovely one?” he asked softly, deepening the sleeping spell with a wave of his hand before pulling away. “That skin… how easily will it bruise, I wonder? How darkly will it scar?”

He stood, walked around the man, admiring him from every angle. “Oh, we’re going to have such fun, you and I. And if you live through our time together and remain sane, I might even consider allowing you to return to your world, though… perhaps I should go there myself to see if you left anyone behind who might amuse me.”

Faramir had no way of knowing he had left his own world, let alone the plans that were being made for him in this strange place. He slept more peacefully than he ever had before and possibly for the last time for a very long time. Gradually the sleeping spell began to fade, and Faramir began to wake. Something was wrong. The sounds of the forest were gone, the smell of peat and the smoke of the fire missing. Abruptly Faramir sat up and found himself facing a darkly gorgeous man. His hair was long, dark and shiny, and his eyes were a brilliant shade of blue. He was dressed in strange robes that revealed a muscled torso and arms and Faramir licked his lips, wondering if maybe he was still dreaming.

Rahl’s lips turned up in a smirk as his new pet looked at him, but he kept his distance due to the vague smell of smoke that clung to pale, perfect skin. Had it not been for the smell, he might have taken the man right then and there, but the clear blue eyes regarding him so solemnly gave him pause. “There… there are the eyes I saw in the seeing stone,” he said softly, kneeling before the man so they were at eye level with one another. “Even lovelier in person.” He stood, brushing at his robes with one hand and caressing his lips with the other. “What is your name and why do you smell of smoke? It disgusts me.”

Faramir blinked and then stared questioningly at the man. Eyes in the seeing stone? He felt a wash of attraction pour over him as the man knelt near him. Gods, this man, something about him stirred something within Faramir. Was he dreaming? He had to be. but Gods, how had his mind conjured a man like this? He looked at the other man for a moment, his eyes following his fingertips over his lips before he spoke. “I was in the woods… my men and I… had a campfire for cooking and heat of course. I apologize for the odor,” Faramir said softly, not sure how to address this man.

“Campfire?” It was all Rahl could do to keep from shuddering at the thought. Ever since his father had been killed and he’d been scarred by that damnable wizard Zeddicus, he’d been terrified of fire and forbade its use in his castle, and, when he was feeling particularly in a dark mood, the entire village. Waving his hand in the man’s direction, he washed away the hated scent and was surprised to smell a fresh, clean scent replace it before he’d even had the chance to decide what aroma he preferred. Deciding he might as well leave it, he crossed his arms over his chest and circled the man again.

The way the man was looking at him, he felt the insane urge to cover his scars, though he knew full well they were hidden beneath his clothes. Still, he had yet to cast the spell to make the man want him, and felt slightly out of sorts. It was normally the first thing he did when a slave, or ‘lover’ as he referred to them in the back of his mind, entered a room, but he’d been too taken by the man’s soft countenance and peaceful sleep to bewitch him yet, which probably also explained why he’d let the smell of smoke linger on the man for as long as he had. “Well. Stand up. I did not bring you here to lie on the floor all day.”

Faramir startled when he felt the magic wash over him and he scooted back away from the other man. “You… you’re a wizard!” His eyes were wide with surprise as he slowly stood before the other man. Faramir was a few inches taller than the dark haired man. “What… what did you bring me here for? How… well… obviously magic but… what do you want? Are you a friend of Gandalf’s?”

Lord Rahl arched one eyebrow and quickly moved closer, backing the other man into the wall with no more effort than he would use to brush away an annoying insect. He had no qualms about using magic and held his ‘guest’ a few inches above the floor as his eyes narrowed. “Gandalf? Who is Gandalf? Another wizard? Did he send you to try and bewitch me? He did, didn’t he? Suited you to my tastes, planted your image in the seeing stone, knew I would take you.” His hands roamed roughly over the man’s body, searching for weapons both magical and non magical, his lip curled up in a snarl. “I will send you back to him in pieces,” he hissed.

Biting back a yelp, Faramir found himself not just pinned against the wall but several inches above the floor. While he might be physically slightly larger than this dark haired man, he had no magic to defend against him. “Gandalf… is my friend, a wizard, one of the Istari, but he didn’t send me. I… I do not even know why I am here or how I got here,” he whispered.

Hands were suddenly tugging at his clothing, searching for weapons obviously. “My… my sword is still in the bedding,” Faramir admitted. “You… may have my dagger as well, it is inside my left boot.” He tried to keep his voice even and calm, hoping that perhaps that would keep the man from doing anything rash. Normally he might have attempted to fight back, but he couldn’t fight against magic plus… it seemed that the man was merely worried that he was some sort of assassin.

Questing fingers found the dagger and held it between them. “A blade? You thought to defeat me with a mere blade?” He laughed loudly though he didn’t release his captive. “Oddly enough, I believe you. I have never heard of an ‘Istari’, but it would take more than a ridiculous little dagger to defeat me. Any wizard would know that.”

Moving closer, Rahl kept the man perfectly immobile as he traced over the curve of a strong jaw and down his neck. Murmuring softly to himself before the man could draw away, he cast the spell he’d cast every single time he’d touched another sexually, one that would make the man want him desperately and crave anything and everything Rahl chose to do to him. “What is your name and why were you in my palantir?”

Chapter 2

“What is your name and why were you in my palantir?”

“I didn’t think to defeat you at all…” Faramir had muttered. Before he could answer, the man’s hands continued to roam and Faramir’s body, despite his fear of the wizard, began to react to a warm, handsome man touching him. He swallowed hard, and then at the murmuring of the dark man he felt his skin tingle even more from the touch, and his desire to be touched seemed to almost overwhelm him. “My… oh…” Faramir was so distracted by the other man’s hands it took him a moment to even remember his own name, “my name is Faramir, I am Captain of the Ithilian Rangers and… and I do not know why. I know what a palantir is… it is one of the lost seeing stones. The Dark Lord uses them to spy… are you one of Sauron’s spies? You… you don’t strike me as one of his spies… far too… handsome.” Faramir was babbling and couldn’t stop himself from saying those things as if he were spellbound and perhaps… he was?

Laughing softly, Lord Rahl lowered the man – Faramir – to the floor almost gently. His spells were quick and efficient, and though no one had ever really wanted him of their own volition, he could almost always make himself believe they did when they looked at him like Faramir was looking at him now. He’d been too caught up in this thoughts to notice that the man had responded before he’d cast the spell, though he wouldn’t have believed it if he had. “Rangers? I do not know of this Ithilian, but I am the only Dark Lord you will find here.” A wizard sending a potential assassin had unnerved him, but a spying ‘dark lord’ held no such power. There were few wizards as powerful as Rahl, and he feared only one of them. Besides, his precious palantir had shown him no other Lord to cause him worry – only the damnable Seeker and his ridiculous wizard Zeddicus. He moved closer, until their lips were nearly touching. “I think you pose no threat, Faramir, and will perform quite nicely the duties I have planned for you.” His fingers curled in Faramir’s hair and he pulled the man’s head back slightly so he could run his lips over the exposed skin. “You want to kiss me, do you not? In fact, you can barely keep yourself from doing it even now, when you think I might be one of your Sauron-spies.” Tracing his tongue over Faramir’s bottom lip, he drew in a breath and held it. “I will grant you that honor, Faramir, since you want it so badly.”

If Faramir had desired this man before, now he practically craved him like one would a powerful drug. His eyes widened when the man referred to himself as a dark lord and swallowed hard. Each time the man’s breath ghosted across his skin, he shivered and when heated lips moved against him, Faramir gasped. His own hands wanted to touch, slowly they raised to brush over smooth sweat slick skin of the man’s bare arms. Gods, his muscles felt so good under his hands. “Oh please,” Faramir found himself begging as the man spoke of a kiss. He leaned forward and brushed his lips lightly against the soft ones before him. Then the kiss was not his to control any longer, he moaned as the dark man claimed his mouth forcefully. Gods, yes… want him so much!

The man tasted surprisingly sweet, Rahl thought, before forcing his tongue past soft lips and into the depths of Faramir’s mouth. The brush of hands over his arms caused him to moan into the kiss and push Faramir roughly back against the wall. His fingers tangled harder in long, dark hair, and he didn’t allow his soon to be lover to move, instead holding him perfectly still as he feasted on his most attractive slave to date. He was hard in no time and ground his erection against Faramir’s hip with enough force to bruise. When he was lightheaded from lack of air, he growled and pulled away. “You’re going to beg me to fuck you now, Faramir, and if you beg politely, I might even use some oil to ease the way… though I suspect you wouldn’t care if I didn’t.” He released his hold on the man and took a step away. “Undress and bend over that couch, and use that delicious little mouth of yours to tell me how you’d do absolutely anything for me if only I’d touch you.”

Faramir felt completely wanton as the man kissed him, his hips tried to move, to gain friction but he couldn’t. It was frustrating and wonderful at the same time. When they drew apart, Faramir stared into lust darkened blue eyes. “Gods, yes… yes,” he murmured, unsure why he was doing this. Yes, he had been attracted to the man when he first woke and saw him, but now it was as if he had to have him or he might just die of want. He licked his lips as he was commanded to move. “Yes, my lord,” he whispered as his hands began to quickly unfasten his clothes. “I want you, want to touch you and want you to take me. I want to feel you inside me, feel you over me, your skin burning into mine. Gods, I’ve never desired someone so much… and yet, I do not even know your name,” he said in a soft, breathless voice as he removed the last of his clothing. He leaned over the couch and arched his back so his backside was in the air, ready and waiting for this man he didn’t even know.

Normally the most impulsive of men, Rahl reigned in his lust and simply watched Faramir undress, though he didn’t look him in the eyes as he did so. Once, his ‘lover’ had been horrified at what Rahl’s spell was making him do and say, and Rahl had caught a glimpse of that when their eyes had met. He’d pulled out of the man and killed him instantly. A waste of a very handsome slave, he’d thought later, though the incident had shook him more than he wanted to admit. How the man’s disgust had managed to override the spell had vexed him for months, and he’d not taken a lover for weeks after. Since then, he’d strengthened his spells, so there was no more danger of seeing that horror again, but he often avoided direct eye contact anyway. His spells allowed him to believe the others wanted him, and though deep in his heart, he knew it wasn’t true, he could easily push that tiny voice in his head that thrilled in hurting him with the truth aside and do what he wished.

With a shrug of his shoulders, his robes fell and a moment later he was standing behind the clearly needy form of this man from another realm. Faramir was looking away, and wouldn’t see his scars, he thought as he dmieed the room. His hands ran lightly over the man’s spine and his laughter filled the room. “Of course you want me,” he said softly. “And if you please me, I might grace you with my name.” He kicked Faramir’s legs apart and cast another spell, one that would open and slick the man with no effort on Rahl’s part. It wasn’t the most comfortable of preparations, or so he’d gathered, but he considered it a kindness that he did it at all, never mind that it was mostly to keep his cock from being rubbed raw.

Faramir though, would have been embarrassed but not horrified because he had wanted the man before he’d cast his spell on him. He glanced over his shoulder as the man’s robes fell away and his eyes were drawn to the scarring he saw. Scars from what were obviously burns spanned up from his left thigh, over his hip and onto his abdomen just below his navel. Faramir wasn’t disgusted by the scars though, merely fascinated and wondered vaguely what they might feel like under his lips and tongue. He arched his back even more, to present himself to the man, only to find his legs kicked further apart, almost painfully widening his stance.

Before Faramir could speak or even react, something cold ran through his lower body, like an icy hand thrusting inside him. It wasn’t painful but it was disconcerting and uncomfortable, making him yelp a little. “Gods, so cold!” he managed before he felt the other man move closer, pressing his body against his. Faramir tensed for a moment, expecting it to hurt a great deal when he was breached, but the strange feeling from before must have opened and prepared him. When he realized the pain was minimal, simply his body stretching around the thick cock inside him, Faramir thrust back, taking it in to the hilt. “Mmm, Gods… fuck me,” he moaned. Normally he would have been embarrassed saying something like that, but here and now he felt no shame at all. The spell made sure that Faramir had little control of his actions and desires.

Rahl wasted no time at all in doing just as Faramir asked. Heated muscles were folded around his cock like a glove, fitting perfectly and drawing him in deep. Grabbing Faramir’s hips, Rahl pulled back until he was completely free of the man, then plunged back in hard, setting a punishing pace. Had he noticed Faramir’s eyes on his scars, he would have made this… less pleasant… but his avoidance of Faramir’s gaze for his own peace of mind had saved them both different kinds of pain. He was soon thrusting so hard, Faramir’s feet were nearly leaving the floor, so he leaned forward and hooked his hands over broad shoulders, changing the angle of his thrusts and driving his cock in even deeper, not noticing or even caring if Faramir was enjoying their encounter. “I normally like to fuck you until you’re raw, but it’s been a long night,” he panted through gritted teeth. “Don’t think you’re always going to get off this easily.”

Faramir’s nails dug into the soft fabric of he couch he was leaned over, as his body was pounded relentlessly. It felt incredible; this dark man seemed to fit inside and against him perfectly, as if they were made especially for this. His back arched, as he met each thrust at first but then the pace was so hard and so fast that Faramir was forced up onto his toes, leaning heavily on the couch. His own hard cock was rubbing against the soft fabric with just enough friction to make him moan with every thrust. He heard the breathless words over his shoulder, and Faramir thrust back as much as he could. “I don’t think I’ll want to… get off easily,” he grunted, not even sure where the notion came from. He hissed when one hand traveled down his chest and pinched his nipple hard and he could feel his cock twitching. “Oh Gods… so close,” he murmured in surprise, he hadn’t even been touched except where his body rubbed against the couch.

Always fond of the reaction that pain during sex garnered in certain lovers, especially ones as deeply bewitched as Faramir, Rahl took note of exactly how beautifully the man reacted to the pressure on his nipples by clamping down around his aching and still thrusting flesh. He paused, pulled at Faramir until he was somewhat upright and reached around him. One hand moved up to twist the same nipple hard as the other skirted down to his testicles. Thumb and index fingers met at the base of Faramir’s cock and Rahl pulled the man’s scrotum down and squeezed. Quickly deepening his spell so Faramir wouldn’t pull away or fight against the pain, he scraped his teeth over now sweaty and warm skin and began thrusting again, even as he worried the flesh in his hands mercilessly. “You love this, don’t you, Faramir? The pain and the pleasure mixing together so perfectly you can hardly think. All you know is that you never want me to stop fucking you. It is a common desire among my slaves, and one I do not blame you for at all.”

Faramir was so easy to manipulate for the dark man, he wanted anything the man desired of him. The hand that teased and tormented him was almost too much, it hurt and felt so good at the same time that Faramir cried out. “Yes… Gods, yes!” His voice was shaking as the words were tore from him and suddenly he felt his lover bite down roughly on his shoulder as his hand squeezed around his aching flesh and the hard length inside him slammed directly into his sweet spot. Faramir screamed his release as it pulsed over the tight grip, normally one that might prevent him from coming but he had found his release despite it.

Rahl was almost taken by surprise at the force of Faramir’s release, having no idea more than the spell was at work in the man. He came hard himself, crying out loudly and filling the passage surrounding him with so much of his seed, it was as if he hadn’t had sex in days… though he had clearly fucked the man he’d woken up next to quite well only a few hours before. He collapsed on top of the man, breathing heavily, his cock continuing to twitch within the clenching confines of Faramir’s ass. He allowed himself only a moment of that luxury, however, and quickly pulled away, sparing no thought for the man was he freed himself and chanted a cleaning spell. It was almost an afterthought to clean Faramir and the couch as well, and his face was oddly neutral as he backed away and picked up his robe, trying to decide whether to send Faramir to the slave’s quarters or his own bed. “Rahl,” he said, keeping both his voice and his breathing steady by pure force of will alone. “My name is Lord Rahl. You may refer to me as ‘my Lord.’”

Faramir was panting, his body completely spent, and his backside sore but… in a quite nicely memorable way. He was almost saddened when the other man moved away from him. The feeling of the cleansing spell was rough and cold, almost grating against his flushed skin causing him to gasp and clutch at the couch before him. After a moment, he stood shakily and turned to stumble over to his clothes. He pulled on the soft linen tunic as he looked at the dark haired man. Rahl. “Then… thank you, my Lord,” Faramir answered, bowing his head slightly. He picked up his breeches and moved toward the other man, close enough that he might be able to simply lean forward and kiss him again. “Do you greet all your guests this way?” Faramir asked with his eyes twinkling.

Rahl nearly took a stumbling step back as Faramir came so close, but managed to remain where he was. His robe was clutched tightly against his stomach, hiding the prominent scars that disgusted any who saw them, but never as much as they disgusted Rahl himself. His eyes betrayed his astonishment at the way the man looked at him, and he wondered where in the world this man came from that he would dare approach a wizard – especially Lord Rahl – without so much as a hint of fear.

Rather than back away, he turned on his heel and walked over to the ever-empty fireplace, his fingers tracing along the mantle as he tried not to betray his relief at putting some distance between them. “You think you are my ‘guest’ Faramir?” His laugh was dark as he turned back to the man. “I do not recall sending you an invitation. I think… prisoner is a more fitting word. Or slave, though you may think of yourself as a pleasure slave if that helps any.”

Faramir was disappointed that Rahl moved away from him. Then his words made his stomach flip. So, this was why he was here? “Prisoner… but… I… I do not understand. If you are not Sauron’s wizard then what point is there to hold me?” Faramir was confused and his mind had not wrapped around the possibility that he was not even in Middle Earth any longer.

Blue eyes narrowed dangerously. This man dared question him? “I hold you because I want you,” he said after a moment. “And I always get what I want. When I tire of you, if you are still alive, I might send you back to the world you came from. Until then, you are to simply do as you’re told.” This time, he stepped closer to the man, eyeing him closely, still entranced. For some reason, he felt compelled to add on a few more words, words that he’d never offered before to anyone he took to his bed. “Don’t worry. I’ll do my best to keep you sane through it all. I am not a cruel man, despite what everyone seems to think. People sometimes – often, really – merely misunderstand me.”

The look in Rahl’s eyes was frightening but Faramir managed to stand his ground. He felt vulnerable in nothing but his thin linen shirt, but he didn’t want to show fear to this man if he could help it because he knew the moment he did, Rahl would play on those fears, like his own father would. “Because you want me is reason enough, I suppose,” Faramir said carefully, tipping his head in a slight bow. “Perhaps one day… I shall understand you then, my lord.” Faramir felt an incredible pull toward Rahl, a part of him wanting to smooth his brow with his fingertips and kiss away the slight scowl he now wore despite the fact that he hated the idea of being held against his will. As much as he wanted to go home, he also wanted to stay for some reason. Not in this place, but with this man. It was a startling thought, and Faramir looked up at him. “What did you do to me? What spell have you put on me?”

Rahl’s eyes darkened at the question and he stepped behind Faramir, quickly slipping completely back into his robe. Before the man could even turn, Rahl was in front of him again, reaching out and trailing his index finger down the open neck of Faramir’s tunic. “A simple spell that merely makes your true desires surface,” he lied. “Many fight their attraction to me because of who I am. While I enjoy a good fight as much as the next wizard, it is often easier on my lover to have that little voice in his head silenced.” His hand trailed down and suddenly wrapped around Faramir’s wrist, using the element of surprise to twist his arm behind his back. “It is a handy little spell, and one that, you have to admit, made our entire encounter quite pleasant, yes?”

Rahl could move so quickly that Faramir was stunned when he was before him. His body reacted automatically to the trailing finger, his breathing picking up again. But when his wrist was grasped in a painfully strong grasp, Faramir gasped, pain shooting up his arm from where it was now twisted behind him. He could have fought, he was a trained soldier but what would be the point against a magical opponent? Even if he could overpower the slightly shorter man, there was no way that Faramir could fight against magic. He swallowed hard and nodded. “It was more than pleasant… and I had hopes it would happen again… often in fact,” Faramir said softly. “But you did not need a spell to make me want you.”

Laughter, hard and cold, filled the room at once. Rahl tightened his grasp on the man’s arm and leaned forward, pressing his lips against Faramir’s ear, and though he tried to ignore it, the scent of the Ranger filled his nostrils and caused a strange, warm sensation to race down his spine and pool somewhere in the middle of his stomach. “Do not toy with me, Faramir,” he whispered slowly, enunciating every word clearly. “If you ever lie to me again, I will make you hurt in ways you never dreamed possible. Do I make myself clear?” He pushed Faramir’s arm up higher, nearly to the point of dislocating it. “Don’t answer. Just nod.”

Faramir was startled by the bitter laughter and the voice in his ear sounded angry but there was something about it that also made his heart ache. Before he could say anything, his arm was being twisted so high up his back he could feel the shoulder joint beginning to slip painfully within the socket. He sucked in a breath, trying to bite back a cry of pain and found himself nodding, even though it had been the truth. He’d wanted Rahl as soon as he had set eyes on him. Yes, it all happened much too fast and in a manner he would never have done without a spell guiding him, he couldn’t deny that it was what he’d wanted, deep down.

Nearly chest-to-chest with the current object of his lust, Rahl held the nearly deformed arm steadily behind Faramir’s back but let his thumb rub in soft circles over his wrist. “You suffer beautifully,” he smirked, catching the man’s earlobe between his teeth and biting down hard. As quickly as he’d grabbed Faramir’s wrist, he let it go and stepped back, the sleepless nights and nightmares suddenly weighing heavily on his shoulders. “Follow me. We’re going to bed. I’m too tired to even bother sending you to the slave quarters tonight.”

Chapter 3

Faramir’s eyes were wide with pain, but despite the slight numbness starting to overtake his arm from the unnatural position, he could feel a soft touch at his wrist. Rahl was full of contradictions and confusing Faramir with every revelation. He winced when he bit down on his ear, though he felt heat pool low in his body. Gods, he was always ashamed of that reaction in himself, enjoying pain that way. Faramir staggered a little when Rahl released him so quickly and he looked at him in more confusion. “Y… yes, my lord,” Faramir said thinking it might be safest for now to not push his luck any farther. At least his father had taught him something.

Rahl entered his room a moment later, turned his back to Faramir and removed his robe. He slid under the blankets a moment later and spelled the door closed, locking it securely with half a dozen intricate locks and bolts. When the last one slipped into place, he eyed Faramir with something like irritation since he wasn’t in bed yet. “Well? Take that ridiculous tunic off and get into bed. And you should know that I am a very light sleeper and will likely as not wake up and fuck you a few times simply because I can.” With that, he turned his back toward the empty side of the bed and started whispering to himself. “Oh, and my magic protects me while I sleep, so if you ever try to hurt me in any way, you will likely loose a limb at the very least.”

Unsure of what Rahl wanted him to do, Faramir had simply stood beside the bed. He regretted the fact that he hadn’t been able to get more than a glimpse of the man’s body, holding him prisoner or not, the man was gorgeous. Faramir startled a little and pulled off his tunic, dropping it to the floor and slid into the bed. “I have no objections, my lord, nor a desire to hurt you,” Faramir said softly though his mind supplied the word ‘yet’ automatically. He didn’t trust the man but he did desire him. “Do… do you object to my touching you in other ways… it… your magic can tell the difference between a malevolent touch and one of… desire or comfort?” Faramir asked hesitantly.

Used to his companions sleeping as far from him as possible, it took Rahl several seconds to make sense of Faramir’s question. He’d kept his back to the man, determined not to let his desire be too obvious, so, fortunately, his surprise wasn’t too evident. Perhaps, he thought, his spell was lingering and Faramir still was feeling the pangs of desire he’d been flooded with earlier. The after effects of that particular spell usually lasted a few hours, but normally simply made its host tired and pliable. Faramir must have a weaker will than most, to allow himself to stay bewitched for so much longer than normal. That was the easiest explanation by far. “I… it can tell the difference,” he said somewhat suspiciously. “You may… take comfort from me if you wish. Just… don’t wake me. Ever.”

“Yes, my lord,” Faramir said softly. He turned and faced his “lover’s” back and moved closer, his hand caressing the other man’ back gently. “Sleep well, Lord Rahl,” he whispered softly. Faramir wasn’t sure why he wasn’t more appalled by his own behavior, his desire for this man who was admittedly cruel. A man who brought him here simply because he wanted him, a man who apparently liked to hurt his lovers. He wasn’t sure why his pulse would skip at that thought… well. Not entirely surprised with himself but this was the first time he’d allowed it to show that he didn’t mind the pain. What worried him was, had the spell made him feel these things or would he have felt this drawn to Rahl without it?

Every muscle in Rahl’s back stiffened as Faramir’s hand moved over his skin. The gentle touch was so unfamiliar; it made his chest ache in ways he couldn’t explain. Staring wide-eyed at the wall before him, he simply lay there unmoving trying to figure out how he could be so attracted to a man who was so obviously weak in will, if not in body. The spell would wear off soon enough, he figured, and Faramir would go back to his side of the bed, and since his magic protected him from harm, he had nothing to worry about really… yet, still, he couldn’t bring himself to sleep. Before long, though, completely against his will, his eyelids grew heavy, and one by one, his muscles began to relax. Without even realizing it, he sighed softly and drifted off into the first peaceful sleep he’d had in years.

Faramir noticed Rahl stiffen, perhaps unsure if the Ranger would be tempted to try to hurt him. Faramir of course would not, because he had no real reason to, the man hadn’t really hurt him. Yes, he was rough and was keeping him against his will and had used a spell on him but earlier… that hadn’t been rape. Even if it wouldn’t have happened under normal circumstances, Faramir couldn’t deny that he would have been daydreaming about it. Maybe he was feeling a slight bit guilty about being so easy to manipulate, though stronger men than he had bent to Saruman’s magic, why not this wizards? He continued to think about his situation and rub gently at the man’s back until he felt him relax completely. His own eyes were growing heavy again and at last he too slipped to sleep, curled close against Lord Rahl’s back.

Hours later, Darken Rahl slid his hand down over his stomach, still fast asleep. As his fingers encountered something different – namely, another hand – he held perfectly still and opened his eyes. In all his years of taking lovers, he’d never awoken to another’s touch. To whimpers and sobs certainly, to fearful eyes watching him from across the bed or across the room often, but… never to anyone touching him, for his lust spells usually wore off after sleep. He stared at the wall in silence, wondering if the man next to him – what was his name? Fadermir? Famerir? No… Faramir. Yes. Faramir – had tried to harm him and his protection spell had simply torn the man’s arm off and it had fallen against him. His fingers poked at the hand resting on his side and he was shocked to feel it move slightly in response. It was only then that he remembered the man asking permission to touch him. “You are sleeping very close to me,” he said in an oddly strained voice. “Very close indeed.”

Faramir was dozing lightly, enjoying the warmth of Rahl’s body and the scent of his skin, particularly the warm enticing scent just under the hair at the back of his neck. Faramir heard the words spoken but for a moment his dozing mind couldn’t make sense of them. “Hmm? Oh, yes, I suppose I am,” Faramir said, not bothering to move. “You are warm and smell so nice… you said it was all right as long as I had no plans to hurt you.”

Rahl lay in silence for a while before responding. “I said you might comfort yourself. I had no idea you would need comfort all night.” Despite his harsh words, he made no effort to move – which wasn’t something he wanted to think about just then. “Are you going to need comfort every night?” The thought that if Faramir would require it, he might send him to sleep with the rest of the slaves raced through his mind, but then, he reasoned, he wouldn’t have Faramir right there next to him when he wanted sex. Before Faramir could answer, Rahl sighed. “Never mind. Just remember the rules. I have no patience with repeating myself.”

Faramir drew back slightly when Rahl spoke, as if he were annoyed with him. Biting back a sigh, he rolled onto his back and stared up at the ceiling. “I will remember them,” he murmured. He wished he knew just what he should do. Normally, if he woke with a lover he was attracted to, he wouldn’t hesitate showing them how much he enjoyed being with them but… he had no idea how he should behave with Rahl. First of he all he was supposed to be a slave, even if he wanted the man. he was first and foremost a prisoner. He needed to stop thinking of Rahl as his “lover” and think of him properly before he got himself in trouble. Besides it was just basic animal attraction, lust… it would fade and then all that would be left would be his master’s magic. “Besides pleasuring you, my lord, will you wish other duties of me?” Faramir asked carefully, wanting to be perfectly clear what he was to do in this place.

Rahl was amazed at his companion’s forthrightness. He’d expected the man to beg to be released, or to cower in a corner or… something. Yet he was just lying there, almost relaxed, asking what Rahl wished of him. “If you have any other uses, I will find them and put them to good use,” he said, rolling over, and thinking that if anything, Faramir looked even more delectable after a good night’s sleep. “For now, however, I am only interested in one thing from you.” His usual spell was quickly murmured under his breath and he slid his hand beneath the blanket, ready and waiting to touch Faramir as soon as the spell took full affect.

Faramir thought that perhaps Rahl’s answer was to be expected and found he didn’t really mind so much. He wasn’t sure if his skills would be of use and it was likely the use of weapons would be the last thing he would be allowed. It was funny though, he couldn’t find it in him to hate is captor. He was uncertain about him but… he’d done nothing to make Faramir truly hate him… though perhaps that was to come? Or perhaps it was just as Faramir’s father always said, that he was too forgiving, too weak willed and too easy to manipulate because of his empathy and compassion that he showed for others. Gandalf had always said they were good qualities to have but his father certainly never had. All thoughts of his father though were wiped away when Rahl moved closer, he felt that same wash of something over his body, making his skin tingle and his half hard arousal grow even harder. Does he really need that spell? Faramir wondered, he didn’t think that Rahl needed it anyway but perhaps he was wrong. He was being controlled by magic, maybe his own thoughts now weren’t even really his own? When Rahl’s hand hovered over him though, Faramir pushed up into it, moaning softly. At the moment, he didn’t care.

Rahl’s hand rested on Faramir’s stomach and pressed down, smiling wickedly. Another spell darkened the room until they could barely see each other, and he flung the blankets back. An invisible force gathered Faramir’s wrists and pulled his arms above his head, secured them there and then trailed down to push his legs back up against his chest. “I might allow you to follow me to my office one day, or my library, so you can pleasure me with your mouth or spread these lovely legs of yours at a moments notice, but only if you’re very good.” Rahl moved to kneel at Faramir’s backside and leaned over until their lips were nearly, but not quite touching. “And I suspect you want to be very, very good for me right now, don’t you, pet? You want to make sure I’m happy so maybe I’ll be kind enough to let you come every day, don’t you?”

Faramir gasped when the room darkened and his arms were bound with… nothing at all except magic. It was somewhat frightening how easily Rahl used magic as if it were such second nature to him, he hardly even thought about it. He moaned as his body was manipulated, his knees pressed up toward his chest. “Yes, oh yes, I will strive to be very, very good for you, my lord. I think it would be very generous of you to allow me to find my release as well,” Faramir answered, part of his words driven by whatever spell Rahl had cast on him but part of it completely honest. If he were to have to choose his fate as a prisoner this… this would likely be the fate he would choose. Being made to have sex with a man he found intriguing and gorgeous… albeit a little rough and short tempered… but Faramir could handle and even enjoy that… was certainly not the worst fate he could have.

“You’ll find,” Rahl whispered, catching Faramir’s bottom lip between his own, “that I can be very, very generous.” His lower body pressed down hard against Faramir’s lower body, spreading his legs wider and putting just enough pressure on his testicles to make his point. “Or I can be cruel, if need be.” Sharp teeth worried Faramir’s lip as Rahl smiled and tugged lightly even as his hand moved down and slid between them. The pad of his thumb rubbed over Faramir’s opening and the tip slid inside. “But I can make you enjoy even the cruelness, my pretty little toy. Make you crave it with every fiber of your being. You know that, don’t you, Faramir? You know you’d beg me for it if that’s what I wanted, don’t you?”

Fire seemed to race through his vein’s when Rahl kissed him teasingly but when he ground down against Faramir, his thigh pressing cruelly up against his scrotum, the Ranger gasped and found his lip bitten almost to the point of drawing blood. While a part of him wanted to jerk away from this treatment, a darker part of himself that he hid with other lovers enjoyed the pain. His arousal did not wane a bit, in fact it grew harder. By the time Rahl’s thumb slipped inside his body that was still sore but open from the first time that night, Faramir shakily nodded in response. “Yes… yes. I serve only you, my lord. I am yours to do with as you please,” Faramir babbled, hating himself for saying such things and knowing that that was the magic, and his own wantonness was probably the magic as well, but he wouldn’t lie to himself… he really did enjoy this as sick as it was.

“Of course you’re mine,” Rahl said, drawing back to look at the man who lay immobile before him. “And I have exquisite taste, if I do say so myself.” He withdrew his hand, and a moment later, when he pushed it back against his lover’s opening two of his fingers were slick and wet. The digits danced lightly over the puckered skin, but didn’t push past it. “And look at this…” He pressed his finger against the bottom of Faramir’s entrance and he licked his lips as a drop of his own seed leaked out. “How thoughtful. You kept my release inside you all night, didn’t you? How sweet. But don’t worry…” His slick fingers pushed in all the way to the knuckle and scissored wide. “There’s plenty more where that came from, if you beg nicely enough.”

Bucking his hips up to meet his lover’s touch, Faramir moaned. He whimpered with need when Rahl teased him, his fingers just brushing against him. Faramir had never had his body ache like this, this need to feel a lover inside him quite this way. He shuddered when his lover continued to speak and then thrust his long fingers deep inside him, opening him even more. “Gods…” Faramir gasped, his hands grasping at the rails of the headboard to give him something to hang onto. “Have mercy and let me feeling you inside me again, to feel you stretching me and filling me… fucking me hard, pushing so deep I will still feel this morning for days to come,” Faramir practically babbled the words, appalled at himself but this was part of the magic… though again… not one word was entirely untrue though he probably would be tender for the next few days if Rahl really took him up on the offer.

Shuddering at the raw need in Faramir’s voice, need he’d heard often enough thanks to his mastery of magic, but never quite this heartfelt, Rahl freed his fingers, chanted softly and felt another unseen force slick his swollen shaft with lubricant. “Days?” Rahl laughed and shook his head. “ I’m thinking weeks. In fact, I think I’m going to fuck you every day and every night until you won’t remember what it’s like not to feel me, what it’s like not to wince when you sit down.” With that, Rahl lined himself up and thrust forward, burying himself balls deep in one smooth motion.

Faramir arched under his lover, trying to drive the questing fingers even deeper and cried out when slick fingers drew away. He was desperate to feel his lover inside him and it was practically heaven when Rahl thrust deep, stretching the still sore muscles painfully but a pain that Faramir did not mind at all. He was begging, almost chanting the words, ‘yes, please and harder’ in a soft mantra. Faramir could feel his own shaft, throbbing against his abdomen, needing friction but he couldn’t reach down to touch himself. He moved his hips, trying to rock upwards to rub against his lover’s body, desperately.

Faramir was moving, riding him so eagerly, Rahl could nearly have stayed still and came from the vibrations alone. Never one to be passive, however, he simply drove himself in even deeper and set up a rough, hard cadence. After a few dozen thrusts, he reached up and pinched Faramir’s nipples hard, then gave them a sharp twist before he let go. “Oh, I wish I had found you long ago,” he smirked, panting for air and watching Faramir’s reaction, feeling his cock swell even more in response “You suffer absolutely beautifully.”

A yelp escaped when Rahl’s fingers worked at his nipples, pinching and twisting painfully but though the pain made him want to twist away at first, it changed within moments. That same pain seemed to shoot straight downward to Faramir’s untouched cock. It throbbed heavily, precome dribbling onto his stomach and he thought for a moment that he might just come without being touched. His hands struggled against the invisible bonds and he looked up, catching Rahl’s eyes for only a moment. “Let me touch you? Please, my lord?” Faramir asked, doubtful that Rahl would say yes, but at least he asked.

Rahl completely lost his rhythm as Faramir’s question registered. Perhaps the man wasn’t weak after all; perhaps he was simply an extraordinarily skilled liar, pretending and waiting until the opportunity to kill his new master presented itself. “Of course you may not touch me,” he snapped, regaining his rhythm and pushing Faramir’s legs further apart roughly. The action made his entrance even tighter and nearly drove Rahl over the edge. Even in the near darkness, he could see Faramir’s desperate need to come, could just make out the engorged head of his cock as it dripped on his belly. There was no need to allow it, of course, other than the mere fact that when his lover’s came, their release prolonged Rahl’s by the simple act of internal muscles spasming around him. Faramir had, after all, not fought him, so he didn’t begrudge him his little pleasures. His fingers danced in the air and one of Faramir’s hands was freed. “Touch yourself if you are so eager.”

Rahl’s answer disappointed Faramir, but he couldn’t register the disappointment before his legs were pushed painfully further apart. His thighs ached and his entrance burned from the abuse but he was so completely caught up in his need that it only fueled his desire more, not less. He moaned wantonly and when his hand was released, Faramir wasted no time, slipping his hand between them to grasp his aching cock. Tipping his head back into the pillow, Faramir began to stroke himself roughly, trying to keep pace with the brutal pace that his lover had set. The angle shifted slightly and the thick cock inside him slammed directly against his sweet spot. Faramir cried out, his body arching under his lover as his muscles clenched hard. He tried to keep himself from coming just yet but couldn’t stop himself.

The sound Rahl made as Faramir came sounded like a part-growl, part roar of some feral animal. It was as if every nerve in his body was set on fire and an invisible fist completely enveloped his cock, pumping it in a perfect rhythm. His back arched as deeply as Faramir’s, driving himself in even further, his cock pushing bruisingly past contracting muscles, and he came just as forcefully as he had the night before. Hands clutching at Faramir’s legs hard enough to bruise, he closed his eyes and allowed himself a moment of pure bliss, something he didn’t do often, before opening them again and breathlessly regarding the man before him. Without a word, he pulled out and moved back to his side of bed, the sheets wrapped around him, feet on the floor, forearm wiping the sweat from his brow.

If he hadn’t just found his release, Faramir might have come from the sound Rahl made. He shuddered, still feeling the aftershocks of his own climax as his lover finished, thrusting so hard and deep inside him, that Faramir was certain he would be wincing for the rest of the day anytime he bent down or sat down. When Rahl pulled away from him, Faramir practically collapsed against the bed, panting. His hand was covered in his own seed, as well as his stomach and his other arm was still magically bound above his head. He laid there for several moments trying to catch his breath, disappointed that Rahl had moved away from him so quickly again. He licked at dry lips. “My… lord?” he could barely say the words, his breathing was so shaky, “Could you release my arm? I promise not to try to touch you.”

Rahl was still shaken by the force of his release, not to mention his moment of weakness afterward, when he lost himself in his slave’s admittedly attractive body. His thoughts were interrupted by Faramir’s question, however, and brought him back to the present. Standing quickly, he reached for his robes, slipped them on, and then waved a hand in Faramir’s direction, making certain he was completely covered before Faramir could move enough to clearly see him. A moment later, the room again was flooded with the morning sunlight, just as there was a timid knock on the door. A servant announced that his breakfast was ready, then bare feet scurried down the hall away from his room, terrified of Rahl’s wrath should the food not be what he desired or not cooked to his preferences. “I think it will be quite some time before I tire of you,” he mused. “You are very… entertaining.”

Unable to turn enough to see Rahl dress, Faramir simply lay for a moment quietly. When his arm was released he sat up, wincing at the burning of his backside and the slick fluid leaking down his thighs. He had finger-sized marks on his hips and thighs that he was certain would turn to bruises on his fair skin later in the day. None of those things pained him as much as the flood of sunlight into the room though. “Ack,” Faramir threw his sore arm up to cover his eyes for a moment and shook his head. He wasn’t sure what he was supposed to do, so he simply moved to sit on the edge of the bed, his bare feet surprisingly warm against the marble floors. “Thank you,” Faramir answered, not quite sure if he really should be as pleased as he felt. “My lord, is there… somewhere I can clean myself?”

Chapter 4

Rahl looked darkly over at Faramir, but a small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth before too long. “Most of my lovers simply lie there and wait for me to leave,” he smirked. “I had one lie there silently for a full day, afraid to ask me if he could even sit up.” In no hurry whatsoever, he uttered a spell that unlocked his door, wheeled the table full of food in, and locked the door behind it before turning back to Faramir. “Yet you… you ask so many questions, have so many little requests.” His fingers brushed over his lips and chin as he continued. “There, on the dresser. There is a basin of water.” He nodded and flicked his fingers in the general direction of the basin. “I’ve even warmed it for you.”

Faramir felt his face flush a bit when Rahl said that he asked a great deal of questions and requests… he should know better. His father hated when he asked too many questions… but it was just his nature. “Questioning things… is my nature, my lord,” he said softly. “I do apologize for that… a bad habit I suppose. And… I was raised as nobility where I am from, it is polite to ask questions… and polite to cleanse yourself especially when there is food,” Faramir explained as he stood and crossed to the basin. “Thank you for heating the water, by the way, I’ve bathed in cold rivers but… it is never pleasant,” he smiled.

A small laugh escaped before Rahl even realized Faramir had amused him. “Your questions are refreshing… at least for now,” he said, quickly schooling his features again and turning away from his companion. He broke off a piece of fresh bread and began chewing. “Nobility, you say? How is that possible? You were found in the woods, and you have not demanded I release you. Anyone of noble blood I have ever known would not be so… cooperative in my experience.”

Faramir washed his face and hands and then cleaned his stomach and lower, wincing a bit as he did so. He would look forward to a bath later, at least he hoped so. Once he was done he bent down painfully to retrieve his tunic and slipped it on, it was long enough just to cover him to mid thigh. “In my world, my father is the steward, my brother is the General of the Army and I am Captain of the rangers. I was raised in a place not so terribly unlike this castle… though it had much more light. White marble… in fact, it is even called the White City by some,” Faramir explained as he crossed to the table but did not presume to sit. “Our world is at constant war, so nobles too must fight… that is why I was found in the woods, my lord,” Faramir completed and smiled. “As for… why I am cooperative,” he shrugged, “I do not know… I… well, have enjoyed my time with you and I see no reason to question and argue or fight when all it will do is make things unpleasant. I realize that finding common ground is less costly in most situations if it is possible.”

Rahl frowned and reached out to grasp Faramir by the chin, holding his face still. “You are trained as a warrior, yet you are so susceptible to my spells,” he murmured thoughtfully, gazing in to clear blue eyes before releasing him. Those eyes seemed to linger in his mind, however, even after he’d focused again on the food before him. “You seem intelligent, but… wait. You claim to know a wizard. Does he practice his spells on you? Is your mind easily opened by magic?”

Faramir fought the urge to step back at the way Rahl had grabbed his face. It almost reminded him of he way his father sometimes did and it irritated him. He bit back any response he might have had and was grateful when Rahl released him. “I suppose I am intelligent enough… but no, Gandalf did not practice his magic on me, or at least not my mind. He was my tutor for much of my childhood. He taught me languages and how to read many different dialects and maps; I am also quite proficient at map making. He only used magic in my presence once that I recall and that was to protect me as a small child. He does not believe in using magic in quite the same way you do, nor does he use it as often, my lord.”

Face darkening once again, Rahl’s eyes flashed dangerously at Faramir’s words. “I imagine he uses it more often than you know,” he ground out. He forced himself to take a deep breath and gave a somewhat pained smile to the other man. “There is no reason not to use it, as long as it is used in the right way. It can be very useful… or very, very dangerous.” The fingers of his right hand rubbed absently at his lower stomach where his scar began and his brow furrowed for a moment at the remembered agony he’d suffered. “Your precious wizard has obviously practiced on you without your knowledge, for you are quite easy to control. The easiest I have ever encountered, actually.”

Faramir scowled when Rahl spoke of him being easy to control. “If I did not want to be controlled I would fight against it, I assure you, I am not that weak willed,” Faramir answered. He didn’t want to argue with Rahl but he wouldn’t stand for being insulted especially after he’d been pleasant enough to the man after being ripped from his own world on a whim.

Rahl’s eyes narrowed and he was nearly on top of Faramir before the piece of fruit he had in his hand could even hit the floor. His fingers tangled in long brown hair and he jerked Faramir’s head back roughly. “You amuse me, Faramir, and you satisfy me… for now. But if you ever lie to me again, if you ever try and make me believe what we do is of your own will, I will kill you. I am no fool and I will not be treated as if I am one.” His free hand found the exact spot on Faramir’s shoulder he knew would be sore from the night before and squeezed hard. “I do not wish for you to speak anymore right now. If you say another word, I will put a silencing spell on you and beat you until you bleed. Now sit down, and be thankful that I am generous enough to share my breakfast with you.”

Though Rahl’s anger was to be expected, it still threw Faramir with it’s ferocity, though this time, despite the pain and threats, Faramir did not lose ground. He’d held his stance firmly despite Rahl’s strength and anger and he’d bit his lip to keep from crying out from the pain in his shoulder. He did not answer, not wanting to press further but he glared at the man wishing he could see the truth in what he’d said. When Rahl released him, Faramir rolled his shoulders, wincing at the pain but not making a sound as he carefully sat down. The chair was straight backed and hard and wasn’t pleasant on Faramir’s backside but… he could live with that… what he did not like was Rahl believing him to be lying. Did the man not think he was desirable? Was it because Faramir had not been from here? He did not know what things this man had done as a ‘dark wizard’ perhaps he truly was a monster in a beautiful body? He supposed it was possible… but would a monster really care about his scars as Faramir had understood Rahl to? He sat, unmoving in the chair for a moment, took a deep, calming breath and reached out to pour whatever juice there was into a glass for first Rahl and then himself before taking a few pieces of fruit, cheese and bread onto his own plate.

By the time Faramir began filling his plate, Rahl was by the window, staring across the fields and garden, watching as the castle servants went about their duties, none ever daring to look towards his window. It irritated him that Faramir had shown no fear and hadn’t betrayed the pain he must have felt when Rahl had manipulated his shoulder, but at the same time, it made him respect the man. He was a contradiction in so many ways that Rahl recognized he could easily become obsessed with him, finding what made him so different from everyone else he knew. He’d taken others from other worlds, of course, but none quite like this Ranger who claimed to have befriended a wizard and have noble blood. “You will accompany me to the library today, in case I want you again before lunch. I have some work to finish up, so I suggest you either learn to stay quiet or prepare for me to spell your tongue to the roof of your mouth until dinnertime.”

Faramir looked up when Rahl finally spoke again, not exactly sure he should verbally answer the man now. He nodded and when Rahl arched an eyebrow at him, he quickly said ‘yes, my lord’ and nothing more. He ate in silence and had to almost bite his tongue from trying to coax Rahl to return and eat. He had even almost offered to fix his plate for him, but pouring his drink was as far as Faramir was going to go for now. He wasn’t going to try too hard since Rahl didn’t even believe he did these things of his own volition and not because of the magic. More than once, Faramir found himself not even touching his food though as he gazed at Rahl’s back. He had broad shoulders and his arms were handsomely muscled and despite the castle seeming dark… the man was well tanned. Faramir would still like to touch that skin with lips, tongue and fingertips but… that was about as likely as him waking up in the next two minutes to discover this was all a bizarre dream.

The room was silent except for the sound of Faramir eating, but Rahl listened very closely, expecting the man to jump up from his chair and leap towards him with another of his ridiculous daggers at any moment. He’d lost his appetite when he realized this slave was like none of the others, and as he gazed across the land he had taken, bought or even killed for, he wondered if he had the time or the patience to take on yet another task such as this brash young man from some whole other world while the Seeker still roamed free and got closer every day; not to mention he still was far from his goals of gaining still more power and killing the wizard who’d murdered his father once and for all. Despite his irritation, however, he felt rested and satiated – he’d slept well that morning and the fucking had been exceptional. With a sigh, he turned toward Faramir again, fingers scraping over his chin and bottom lip, robes whirling wide around his ankles. “I am going to bathe. I will only be in the next room, and I have exceptional hearing. If you try to leave or make a weapon or… or anything else you are forbidden to do, you will pay dearly for it.”

Faramir barely looked up from his plate, thankful that his eyes had dropped back to it when Rahl had suddenly turned to him. He wasn’t sure what might have happened if the man had thought Faramir was staring at him… possibly plotting his demise by his remarks he’d just made. Faramir had to fight the urge to roll his eyes at the paranoia. There had to be reasons for it but still it was somewhat galling when for the most part Faramir had been nothing but complacent and accepting of a situation that he shouldn’t have to accept at all. He wanted to say ‘yes, yes of course… or maybe I should go with you and just drown you and put us both out of our misery.’ Of course, Faramir didn’t really mean that either, he actually, in a strange sort of way, liked the man but he was frustrating beyond even his own patience, which was saying a lot.

Rahl had the distinct impression Faramir wanted to say something, but apparently he had the good sense to keep his mouth shut. To his own surprise, Rahl was almost interested in what it might have been, but quickly pushed that thought aside. Fresh robes that were exactly like the ones he had on, had been laid out on a chair by the large tub in the far corner of the room and he wondered vaguely where he might find clothes to fit Faramir, since he was quite a bit taller than the other slaves and servants that worked in the caste. He was still thinking about that as he warmed the water, stepped into the tub and began lathering himself, not bothering to take the time to sit down. This, washing himself, was something he did alone, so he didn’t have to hide his scars or darken the room to
keep from being seen. His movements were quick and efficient, getting no pleasure from the ritual since, as usual, his mind was on a million other problems, the least of which was the man in the next room.

Faramir sat staring at his food, not really eating so much as pushing it around his plate. He decided he’d best at least attempt to eat or Rahl might actually force him, thinking he is trying to starve himself to death or something. Once he managed to finish what little he’d put on his plate, Faramir stood and went to the window. He looked out and was surprised how very much the scene before him was like his own home. It was beautiful here… surely if Rahl was such a horrible dark wizard this place would look like Mordor and not like the woods along the Anduin? He backed away from the window after a few minutes and sat down on the edge of the bed, a spot decidedly more comfortable on his backside than the chair had been. Some how… some way, he would get home again he hoped and if not, then his second hope would be to at least find some sort of balance with lord Rahl.

As soon as he was finished, Rahl dried himself off, dressed in fresh robes and roughly brushed his wet hair, wincing as he jerked at the small tangles that always formed as he shampooed. He strode into his bedroom, surprised to find Faramir just sitting there, not trying to make a robe out of the sheets as one slave had done (and had been killed for his troubles) or even trying to fashion any sort of weapon. It was a good thing, too, he thought to himself, for he would hate to have to kill this one so quickly. “I have a guard about your size. I will have him bring you some clothes. You are never to walk the castle half dressed as you are now for any reason. If anyone touches you in any manner, you are to tell me so I can punish them at once. And…” His smile was not one of amusement by any stretch of the imagination. “If I chose to, I can pull your thoughts from your head as easily as I can pluck out a single strand of hair. So if you think you can make friends with the other slaves or servants or guards and fuck them and I won’t find out about it… let us just say that that would be very, very unwise. You belong to me for as long as I wish to have you, and you are to be touched by no one else. Ever.”

Faramir had started to say that he knew better than to traipse around in nothing but a tunic but the words about plucking his thoughts from his head made him blanch. He didn’t like that idea at all, especially considering what he’d been thinking just before Rahl left the room. He tried not to show any reaction though and nodded. “Yes, my lord,” he answered obediently, the only thing he felt safe to say now. He glanced over and almost found himself smiling when he saw bare toes peeking from beneath the long robe that Rahl wore. He seemed so… overwhelming sometimes with his short temper and his magic but for some reason Faramir found the sight of bare toes endearing about the man.

Lord Rahl nodded and unlocked his bedroom door again. His most trusted guard stood there as usual and Rahl ordered him to go get clothes from one of the guards posted outside of the pleasure slaves’ quarters. As the guard left, Rahl methodically spelled each lock closed once more and turned to face his companion. “You will be eating all your meals with me. If there is something you particularly like or don’t like, you may send word to the cooks. I find no pleasure in starving my pleasure slaves. Also, a taster tastes everything before we touch it, in case someone tries to poison me, so you should have no qualms about eating. No magic but my own works within this castle, so you will be safe even if you are seen with me, if that is what you are looking so serious about.”

“No… that was not why. I… you said I have too many questions but I do have one that you are free not to answer if you like but… do so many wish you harm? I… I do not understand. When I looked out the window this place is… it is beautiful… the place where the dark lord is where I am from is desolate, no trees, no… life. The place is inhabited by monsters, trolls and orcs. The woods of Mirkwood are overrun with giant venomous spiders… that is what evil is in my world… you… and even this place… I just cannot see the evil I suppose,” Faramir said trying desperately to understand.

Rahl’s face softened for a moment at Faramir’s description of his world and he told himself he’d done the man a favor by taking him from it. It was no surprise he couldn’t see evil in this land, for it was beautiful, just as he’d said – rolling green hills, lush forests and gardens filled with fruits and vegetables and flowers. Even his castle was elegantly furnished with gold and velvet, precious artifacts and gems placed around every corner, though few real ‘visitors’ had ever called in Rahl’s lifetime. “I suppose… everyone has his own definition of evil,” he said quietly, walking over to stand before Faramir and clasping his hands behind his back. “There are many who wish me dead, who do not see that I am a peaceful man, a man who wants nothing more than one united land, free of all other wizards who go around throwing balls of fire and anointing killers to remove nobility from their thrones. I seek only happiness for my people, but some… some do not understand that. They wish me dead only because they are greedy and want all that I have, even the powers I was born with. So yes, Faramir…” Rahl rested a hand on Faramir’s shoulder, trying to prove his point, and took away the pain that he himself had caused only hours before. “The answer to your question is that yes… many, many want me dead.”

Faramir was looking up at Rahl and was startled and grateful when the pain in his shoulder went away. He understood for the most part. Greed is what threw his world into turmoil after all. “Greed, is what caused the downfall of the king in our world… his own greed made him careless… and that is why there is a steward to guide and protect the city, but no king,” Faramir said softly.

A finger trailed up from Faramir’s shoulder, tracing over his neck, then his jaw, Rahl’s dark blue eyes following right along behind it. “Then you understand more than most.” His hand rested on the side of Faramir’s face and he was surprised at how Faramir carefully kept his face free of fear. “You see why I cannot afford to be careless. And I will protect you as well. If anyone hurts you, it will be me, and I promise – unless it is a punishment, you will thoroughly enjoy it.”

The serious look disappeared from Faramir’s face to be replaced with a smile. He was afraid to say what was on his mind, which was that he really did enjoy it but last time he’d said something like that it had caused issues between them. Thankfully he was saved from having any sort of response by a knock at the door. It fascinated him every time Rahl waved his hand at the door and all those locks clicked away one by one in rapid succession. He’d been exposed to magic before but never this much and it really was intriguing to see. The guard had brought clothing for him and Faramir stood then, expecting Rahl to want him to dress so he could attend him in the library as planned. “Thank you, my lord,” Faramir offered as he took the robe of a similar style to Rahl’s but in a deep rich green without any decorative designs though still looking quite elegant.

Uncertain as to exactly what the look on Faramir’s face meant, Rahl decided it didn’t really matter and quickly turned away. Even though they were only waiting for Faramir to dress, Rahl locked each lock again as soon as the guard left. “Dress quickly, Faramir. I am a busy man, and we need to stop by and let you be measured for more clothes.”

“Yes, my lord,” Faramir said, quickly stripping off his tunic and covering himself with the robe he was given. The material wasn’t as fine as Rahl’s but it was soft against his skin. He noted that his skin had already bruised around his hips as he was prone to do. He tried to work his hair back from his face and make himself as presentable as possible. He looked up at the dark haired man, not wanting to keep him waiting any longer. Rahl again unlocked the door and Faramir wondered again at that. Yes, he may be a target but surely he was just being a bit paranoid? Though, Faramir knew better than to voice that thought, Rahl didn’t seem the type to take any criticism well… not even teasing. He followed his new ‘master’ out the door, barely remembering much of the castle from the night before. His mind had been fogged by lust and the magic Rahl had used, but now he took the time to take in everything as they walked.

The castle was large, and it took them several minutes to reach the room where several servants worked around the clock cleaning and doing laundry. The room was so quiet, you could hear a pin drop as soon as Rahl walked in the door. He turned, took Faramir by the arm and propelled him forward into the room. “You…” He pointed to a sandy-haired older man in the corner of the room and the man instantly leapt to his feet and approached the pair. “He needs clothes. He will be eating his meals with me, and for the time being at least, will be accompanying me to all parts of the castle and to any meetings that require my being away over night. He’s only a slave, so nothing fancy, but for now, he is my favored one, so make him presentable.” Only then did he release Faramir’s arm. “Measure him, but don’t touch him. No one touches him but me.”

Faramir wasn’t pleased with the way Rahl just yanked him forward into the room, but he didn’t fight, nor protest. He knew if he did anything in front of others to make the man lose face he would pay for it. He knew how his father was about such things and he at least knew what to avoid if he could, it was perhaps the first time in his life he’d ever been thankful for how hard his father was on him and others. That alone would make his life here easier he supposed. He did not lower his head but he did not look directly at the tailor or whomever he was. Faramir knew better than that. He remained silent while the servant collected the things he would need to measure with. When they were finished, the servant said clothing would be ready for him by the next morning.

Rahl turned and strode out of the room, knowing Faramir would follow. When they reached the library, he waited for his personal guard who had been following at a distance, to take his station outside the library door, then engaged the locks. As soon as he was behind his desk, he picked up a quill – one that used regular ink, not blood – and began making notes on his new acquisition. In case he decided to sell Faramir, or someone stole him, he needed to figure the length he’d owned him and keep track of how much wear he’d suffered. By the time he signed off on the first page and moved on to the second he’d long since forgotten he wasn’t alone.

Faramir did in fact follow just behind, Rahl as properly as he could manage. Since he was slightly taller he made sure to tip his head down in deference even if there was no one to see them. Once inside the library, Faramir tried to remain silent as Rahl had asked him that morning, and once he realized his master had given him no particular directions, Faramir was drawn to the books. He looked for anything that he might be able to understand as he looked at the spines and did find a few books written in Westron. He selected one he’d never seen before but had seen referenced in another book he’d read and settled carefully on a small settee to read while his master worked. His backside was still quite sore but it wasn’t intolerable.

Startling slightly when he heard Faramir sit down, Rahl’s hand froze mid sentence and his gaze settled on the other man. No one else would have dared be so bold as to help themselves to his books, but then again it was better than being stared at all day. Still, it wasn’t in his nature to let anything go, even if there was no reason for it. “Well, please… make yourself at home by all means,” he said sarcastically, though even he didn’t notice that the corners of his mouth twitched up a just bit.

“Thank you, my lord,” Faramir said, ignoring the sarcasm in the man’s voice. He hadn’t thought to ask but then Rahl had told him to be silent so he just figured this was best. “You’ve a wonderful collection and I was surprised when I saw this book written in my native tongue…” Faramir said hoping that would help to excuse his actions a bit.

Rahl waved his hand dismissively in Faramir’s direction. He had never even thought to ask if Faramir could read or not – in fact, he’d never asked any of his slaves that, not really caring one way or the other. As he saw which book Faramir had, however, his eyes widened in surprise. “That book you have, was my father’s,” he said, standing up and crossing the room to look over Faramir’s shoulder. He didn’t get too close, however, too busy and too distracted to bother with putting another spell on the man. “I was hooked by the end of the first chapter, and to this day, it is my favorite in this entire library.”

Faramir looked up, startled when Rahl crossed the room so quickly. He worried that he’d selected the one book that was going to get him beaten or something. When the other man leaned over him though, he wasn’t angry, only curious and surprised. “I have read another by this same writer… in my world. It… it seems strange doesn’t it? How I have a book in this world and you have one in this one written by the same author?” Faramir asked looking up into Rahl’s blue eyes. They really were stunning and Faramir found himself lost in them for a moment.

Rahl’s eyes widened and he reached over Faramir’s shoulder to run his fingers over the words in the book. “In this world, he – the author – was killed before he could write anything else,” he said thoughtfully, leaving out the part where his men had actually been the one to kill him when they’d razed an entire village for harboring the Seeker. “Perhaps our worlds aren’t so different after all.” Being this close to Faramir was already making his skin tingle, and he abruptly realized he was being nice. His wistful smile was erased at once and he decided to remedy that little oversight by tormenting Faramir just a bit. A few steps took him around the settee to sit next to long, strong legs, and, after a slightly toned down version of his lust spell, he ran his hand beneath Faramir’s robe and squeezed the inside of his thighs. “You may read whatever you like, but nothing is free, Faramir. Remember that.”

Faramir was surprised that the author was killed and even more surprised when Rahl moved to sit beside him, a spell tingling over his body that he had begun to recognize though it wasn’t nearly as powerful as those used before. He gasped when a warm hand skimmed beneath his robe and squeezed his still sore thighs. “No, I did not expect anything to be free, my lord,” Faramir answered obediently. He wasn’t sure what was expected of him now… any commands he would follow… even without the spell he wasn’t stupid enough to put his life in danger for pride or a little pain. “Do you wish for me to pleasure you with my hands, or mouth or body, my lord?”

“Just lie there for the moment,” Rahl said, a slow smile touching his lips again. He pushed the robe up, exposing Faramir fully, and wrapped his fingers around the half-hard flesh between the man’s legs. “I think I will not be wanting again until at least lunchtime, but you… I want you to be even more desperate for it than normal when I do allow you your release.” He worked Faramir’s cock methodically, pausing every now and then to press this thumbnail in the slit at the end, milking a few drops of precome when he squeezed just right. “Keep your hands on the book, Faramir, and don’t move. I have something very specific in mind for you.”

Faramir moaned when Rahl’s hand wrapped around him and he curled his fingers more tightly around the book, trying his best not to drop it or to damage it as the dark haired man began to work the hardening flesh. His hips wanted to move, to thrust into the touch but he bit his lip hard and concentrated on doing what his master had asked of him. It wasn’t easy and within moments, Faramir was almost panting and his body wanted to move so badly he ached.

Watching raptly as Faramir hardened under his ministrations, Rahl stopped only when he sensed the man might be close to coming. A heartbeat later, a thick leather ring was in his hand and carefully being wrapped around the base of Faramir’s cock and balls and fastened, pulling them away from his body and squeezing so tightly there was no way for him to find his release or for the blood that caused his flesh to swell to flow back into his body. He was painfully hard and Rahl planned for him to stay that way. He deepened his spell just a bit so he didn’t have to see the horror (or fear) in Faramir’s eyes and pushed the book aside as he leaned forward and sealed their lips together. Combined with the spell, kisses, to a man who liked them anyway, could only serve to make the situation more painful, though not necessarily in a bad way. A certain amount of pain, Rahl thought, was the most erotic sight in the world; to be the one to deal out that pain, the most erotic.

It took little time at all for Faramir’s natural attraction to Rahl combined with the spell to bring him close to the edge. Before he could even groan in frustration when Rahl released him, soon a thick leather binding was placed on him and he whimpered, not entirely in pain but also in frustration. Despite the fact that it made him even harder, Faramir returned the passion in Rahl’s kiss. His body was already screaming for release, tension low in his stomach coiled with nowhere to go and it made his cock throb in the binding. Gods, the ache was one that Faramir could live with but hopefully only until lunchtime as Rahl promised. He was breathless when Rahl pulled away and found himself trying desperately not to writhe in his seat.

Rahl let his thumb trail over Faramir’s swollen and glistening bottom lip. “You are so wonderfully responsive to even my smallest spells,” he said softly. His hand trailed down over Faramir’s robe until it reached bare skin, where short nails scratched tiny red lines over his stomach. He was nearly as hard as Faramir. It seemed his lust for the man wasn’t going anywhere soon, which surprised him, as he normally lost interest after only a few times with a lover. A cold smile replaced his nearly kind one as he stood and tugged Faramir’s robe back down to cover his arousal. “Don’t touch yourself and enjoy your book. I have work to do but I’ll be watching you, Faramir. Always watching.”

Chapter 5

Faramir’s eyes were wide with desire when Rahl drew away and spoke, his thumb touching his lip almost tenderly. His skin tingled as he wanted desperately to arch into the touch but soon he found himself covered again and Rahl was standing up to walk away. He had to bite back a groan of frustration as the man crossed to his desk. “Y… yes, my lord,” he stammered a little, his mind obviously on the ache between his legs than forming words. He tried to hold the book before him and not squirm in his seat but it was almost impossible not to. Faramir tried his best not to squirm too much, just the soft robe rubbing against his aching flesh was almost enough to kill him. He took a shaky breath and tried to focus, tried to think of anything but the gorgeous man a few feet away and the need he felt, compounded by the pain of the leather biting into him. He should be ashamed of himself but at the moment he couldn’t bring himself to care.

To say it was difficult for Rahl to concentrate on his work was an understatement. Several times, he found his hand wandering down, squeezing his arousal, or at the very least, adjusting it. Each time, his gaze would return to the man sitting across the room, and he wondered just who was suffering here – Faramir or himself. Each time the man moved, Rahl’s erection twitched and he’d accomplished very little at the end of the first hour. He amused himself by casting silent, gentle lust spells towards Faramir, just enough to keep him from getting too comfortable, though damned if they didn’t seem to ricochet of the man and return to him, at least to some small degree. By the time the servant knocked on the door and announced their lunch was waiting, he was ready to simply leap over his desk and take Faramir without a second thought. Instead, he managed (barely) to sit still and watch Faramir’s reaction as the servant spoke and quickly headed back down the hallway to safety.

Rahl did not fight fairly as one might say. Faramir could tell each and every time the man sent another spell his way because of the way his body would react. He felt like a bowstring, stretched far enough that it just might snap at any moment. He tried to sit up straight as he could and force himself to read, though he never made any sense of any of it. It would give him headache if he weren’t already aching elsewhere, he thought morosely. Gods, he wanted desperately to touch himself or for Rahl to touch him but he knew the rules. Lunchtime. So he waited, begging time to move faster as he squirmed a bit in his seat. He caught Rahl watching him a few times but always returned to his book, trying not seem quite so eager, though Rahl knew the truth of it already. When a servant came to announce lunch was ready, Faramir almost whooped in celebration as if he’d just won a siege that had been going on for days. When he looked up at Rahl he hoped his eagerness didn’t show too much but he was sure it did.

Forcing himself to wait a few moments, Rahl slowly turned his chair to the side. He threw a spell across the room, then parted his robes, palming himself idly. “You may ride me if you wish,” he said softly, his voice betraying none of the raw need he was feeling. He considered simply spelling Faramir across the room to get him there faster, but didn’t want to seem too eager.

Faramir had little need for the spell that Rahl sent his way. He already wanted the man, was already nearly about to burst and though he carefully set the book aside, he was halfway out of his robe by he time Rahl finished his sentence. His borrowed robe fell to the floor as Faramir stood before his dark haired ‘master’. He wanted to simply crawl into the man’s lap, but he hesitated only a moment, waiting to see if he indeed had permission. Before he could ask to make sure, Rahl’s hand shot out and gripped his waist, guiding him forward. Faramir straddled his lover’s lap, his hands carefully settling on the back of the chair and not on Rahl’s shoulders, even though he desperately wanted to touch him. With just a shift of Faramir’s hips he sank down, still stretched from their activities both the night before and this morning. It hurt a bit, his body unused to sex quite so often but… it was well worth it as he sank down, feeling the stretch and burn override some of the pain in his hard and aching arousal.

Gasping as tight warmth surrounded him, Rahl let his head fall back against the chair and closed his eyes. His fingers gripped the arms of his chair until his knuckles turned white and he had to grit his teeth to keep from moaning aloud. As soon as Faramir was settled, however, he saw no reason to keep holding back. Faramir was his slave, after all, and, it turned out, very good at it. He allowed his hands to slide up over lean hips, mindless of the bruises that already had formed from their previous encounters. He moved almost at once as he lifted Faramir up until his cock was nearly free, and then pushed him back down hard. “Don’t touch yourself,” he warned. “And keep your hands on the chair unless I tell you differently.”

A deep moan was drawn from Faramir as soon as Rahl lifted him. He wasn’t a small man but Rahl was strong, he believed even without his magic that those muscular arms could easily lift him and… for Faramir it made him all the more aroused. He didn’t really notice the pain from more bruises nor did he pay much attention to anything but the exquisite pain and pleasure coursing through him. “Yes, my lord,” he whispered in answer to Rahl’s demands, his fingers tightened on the back of the chair and they found a rhythm of him riding while Rahl controlled him. His cock ached and was swelling even more around the thick binding and his balls felt as if they might explode with every thrust but the pain was only making him want more. He was moaning and incoherent words fell from his lips a mix of a few words that made sense like harder, gods, and yes.

Rahl was transfixed by the look on Faramir’s face though he was careful not to gaze too deeply into his eyes. When Faramir began moving on his own, Rahl let his hands trail over warm, supple skin, over his slave’s ribs, pausing long enough to flick at his nipples, then moving back down. His lips parted as he saw Faramir’s arousal, thick and nearly purple, the swollen flesh hanging over the leather ring obscenely. Long fingers trailed over the engorged flesh, surprised when his fingers came away wet with Faramir’s precome. He’d rarely paid attention to his lover’s needs, and seeing the proof of just how well his spell worked made him impossibly harder. “You’re hard as a rock,” he nearly growled. “I wonder if you’re enjoying this too much. Maybe I should have just let you suck me off instead.”

Faramir moaned wantonly as Rahl’s hands began to move over his skin, teasing his nipples and then… he cried out when his swollen and aching flesh was touched. Gods, he needed to come so badly but could not through the tight ring around him. He answered Rahl’s growl when he spoke of tasting him. Gods, he would enjoy anything this man offered him… though he was careful not to voice the thoughts, knowing they could get him in trouble. “I only wish to please you,” he panted as he rolled his hips and then ground downward and purposefully contracted his muscles around the thick cock inside him. It ached doing so but he knew it would bring his master pleasure.

Faramir’s little trick worked wonders. Rahl felt like his cock was caught in a velvet vice that moved over every inch of his over sensitized flesh. The spell made Faramir want him, he knew, but he was exceptionally obedient and went far beyond what most slaves even attempted, obviously doing his best to please his master. Rahl had no idea how the spell had woven so deeply into the man’s mind to make him want to do so, and at the moment, he didn’t really care. He decided that such devotion deserved a reward and for the first time, touched his lover with the goal of pleasure, not torment in mind. His fingers closed tight around Faramir’s cock and he began stroking in time with each thrust. “You’re doing so well, Faramir,” he panted, stroking harder, “I’m going to let you come.” As his last word was uttered, he flipped open the snap on the cock ring and tugged on the flesh in his hand one final time.

When Rahl’s fingers stopped teasing him and really closed around his aching flesh, Faramir cried out in a combination of pleasure and pain from the tight binding still holding back his climax. When Rahl spoke again and said he would let him come, Faramir almost sighed with relief if he’d had the breath to do so. Instead he panted the words, “Oh yes, please, my lord.” When the ring snapped open, Faramir did scream as he thrust up into the hand around him and quickly thrust downward, his entire body drawing tight, his muscles clamping hard around the flesh buried inside him as his orgasm exploded from him. It was so forceful that he thought his very soul might actually be spilling out of him between them. His vision dimmed though he didn’t quite pass out thankfully.

Rahl was shocked at the force of Faramir’s release once again, the force of it causing his hips to arch up off his chair and drive himself even more deeply into his slave’s body. His hands moved back down to still rocking hips and he held them perfectly still as he filled Faramir with his release, still thrusting shallowly until it felt as if his balls had been wrung completely dry. With the last twitch of his cock, he grabbed Faramir’s hair with his clean hand and pulled him down roughly, thrusting his tongue between soft lips and kissing him hard.

For a moment it felt as if his bones had completely melted and Faramir barely had the presence of mind to keep his hands on the back of the chair as Rahl thrust one last time. His own cock continued to twitch and throb, small pin pricks of pain dancing along the flesh as the blood rushed back into the organ after being bound so long. Before he could catch his breath, his mouth was attacked by his lover and he sank into the kiss. Gods, he loved kissing and was so pleased that Rahl seemed to enjoy to sometimes. He wanted to bury his hands in that dark hair and return the kiss just as passionately but Faramir held tight to the chair, his fingers aching as he held on and let Rahl plunder his mouth. He was definitely going to be sore after this encounter… but Gods, it had been worth it he thought.

When Rahl finally pulled away, his eyes were dark and he was panting for air. He pulled Faramir back and released his hair, then looked down between them, looking almost surprised to find Faramir’s softening cock lying against his palm. His fingers tightened and his thumb moved absently over silky, full flesh. Almost without him knowing it, the hand that had been in Faramir’s hair slid down to rest at the small of his back, holding him still. “You are a quick study,” he murmured, running his thumb over the slit in Faramir’s cock and tapping long fingers over his back, silently casting a very weak spell to keep him relaxed and not fighting the situation. “You are very… pleasing, Faramir. Very pleasing indeed.”

Faramir was almost limp with exhaustion when Rahl drew away, yet he took pleasure in the lingering touches of his lover and the way he looked at him. He felt another spell wash over him and Faramir shivered as he felt himself relax even more than he already was. “Thank you, my lord,” Faramir said softly, feeling almost drunk from the number of spells had been cast on him on top of his own desire for the man. “Thank you for allowing me to take my pleasure as well, my lord…” Faramir said smiling a completely relaxed and unguarded smile.

“It is nice to know that not everyone sees me as unreasonable,” Rahl said, smiling slightly. He seemed to remember himself suddenly, however, and abruptly placed both hands back on the chair. He cleaned them both with a spell, having completely forgotten how it was to be with someone without them, and too indifferent to even clean even himself like a normal, nonmagical person would. “As long as you don’t fight me, I will allow you your pleasure. I want an obedient slave, but that does not necessarily have to mean a miserable one as well.” He sighed and reached up, twisting a lock of Faramir’s hair around one finger. “They always just seem to end up that way.”

Faramir only flinched a little when a cleaning spell flashed over his abdomen, cleaning him but making his skin feel strange. “I am not fighting and I am not miserable, truthfully,” Faramir said softly. He then smiled ruefully, “Though, I may not be walking quite straight for the rest of the day at least,” he chuckled a little, already feeling his muscles protesting and his lower body ached but things could be so much worse. “Would… you like me to move and get dressed, my lord?”

Rahl started to say that of course Faramir wasn’t miserable, as he’d had near-constant spells cast on him since the moment he’d arrived. Well, not that many really, but they seemed to last much longer on Faramir than on anyone else. “Yes, go back to your book,” he said dismissively, waving one hand in the air, his mind already back on his ledgers now that his most pressing need had been taken care of. His next words were unexpected to even himself. “If you are in too much pain, I will ease it for you. As I said, I have no need to see you miserable, for whatever reason.”

When Rahl told him to go back to his book, Faramir nodded and started to get up. He schooled his face, trying not to wince visibly as his lover’s softening arousal slid from him. He limped a little as he started away from Rahl and was careful to bend at the knees to pick up his robe rather than attempt to bend at his waist. When Rahl said he could ease his pain, Faramir’s head snapped up. “You… you if… if you do not mind, my lord I would appreciate it. It may make things easier on me later and perhaps… even more pleasurable for you as well, though I can and would gladly use my mouth to satisfy you, my lord,” Faramir offered, he knew part of it was the magic making him so complacent but he’d desperately wanted to touch the man of his own accord and that would be a wonderful way to go about it. He was actually… shamefully enjoying his time with the man. He should be angry, he should fight against him but… maybe it was the magic and his own attraction but he saw no reason to. Rahl hadn’t hurt him too much, nor had he beaten him, or threatened anyone he cared for. As things went, his life could be so much worse than this if captured by an enemy in his own world. He stood waiting for Rahl’s response, holding his robe before him for a moment.

Pausing for only a moment, Rahl held out his hand and motioned for Faramir to come to him. He stood, rested one hand on the other man’s shoulder and let his other trail over his own chin. He didn’t make a habit of healing anyone – for good reason – and didn’t want Faramir to get used to this, but then again, he had been such a cooperative slave, he didn’t deserve to be punished. And, as Faramir had said, it would be in his, Rahl’s, best interest, to make it easier to pleasure him later. Besides, a bit of soreness was easy enough a task, and wouldn’t tax his powers for more than a few minutes. Rahl rarely healed any of his servants or other pleasure slaves and it felt odd to be doing so now; odder still that he’d been the one to offer. Glancing toward the door, he checked once more to make sure it was locked then whispered a healing spell that caused warmth to go from his fingertips into Faramir’s shoulder and down over all the bruises and sore spots in his body. “There. Better?”

Faramir truly was surprised that Rahl was offering this freely with no other stipulations as he had with the book earlier, saying nothing was free. He limped back to face Rahl still holding his robe before him as he felt a warm hand fall to his shoulder. He looked up into dark blue eyes and wondered if he did this for other slaves and why in the world they would fear the man, if he hurt them and then healed them… then they shouldn’t fear him really. The pain would only last a short while and it was well worth it because Rahl was an exceptional lover… rough but gods he was passionate. Faramir shuddered as magic washed over him, a warmth that flashed through his body that left him still feeling warm, unlike the cleaning charm earlier. Every ache and pain he’d felt just moments ago was completely gone, not faded, not a dull ache… utterly and completely gone. “Gods,” Faramir whispered. “Yes, yes, thank you, my lord.”

At a loss as his magic was drained from him, if only for a very short while, Rahl simply nodded and ducked back behind his desk. Where he had itched to have Faramir close only minutes ago, now that he was vulnerable, he just wanted the man as far away as possible. Silently cursing himself for his weakness in offering Faramir a respite, he nevertheless knew he might do it again if he truly hurt or overused the man. It shouldn’t matter, he thought; Faramir was merely a toy to be played with until a better, newer one came along. Like a favored pet, perhaps, for now; but he knew one day he would grow bored, or a spell would wear off too soon and he would see the hatred and terror in Faramir’s eyes, making him push Faramir as far away as he could, and not just physically. “Yes,” he said gruffly, automatically pushing him away the best way he knew how – by simply being himself. “Your book. No, my book. Go back to it now. I simply did not wish your whimpering to disturb me all afternoon.”

When Rahl acted so gruffly, Faramir frowned a little but nodded. “Yes, my lord,” he answered, bowing just a little as he pulled his robe back on and returned to the small settee he’d been at before. He picked up the book, puzzled by the man’s quick change in mood and the way he’d nearly jerked away from him after healing him. He knew better than to ask so he simply opened the book and began to read, only occasionally glancing over it to watch the other man as he seemed absorbed in whatever work he was doing. Rahl seemed tense and Faramir wished that the man would trust him enough to let Faramir touch him, he might actually be able to offer him comfort by rubbing his shoulders for him. He bit back a sigh and returned to his reading again, trying to keep his mind on task and not think about how much he had enjoyed sex so much with Rahl. It couldn’t all be from magic? He hadn’t cast a spell on him since they were joined and Faramir still found he desired the man even if he was a confusing puzzle to him. Perhaps that made him all the more intriguing to Faramir? He always loved mysteries and puzzles.

Chapter 6

Faramir had read almost half of the thick book by the time Rahl looked up from his desk and announced he was finished for the day. Faramir marked his place in the book and placed it back where he found it quickly and joined his master at the door as he unlocked it. Faramir followed in silence just as he had that morning, the guard following just a few steps behind him. When they arrived back at Rahl’s room, the door was spelled open and they entered as a servant waited with a tray of food. It was a perfectly timed routine it seemed and Faramir realized that Rahl seemed to prefer ritual and organization. “Would you like me to attend you, my lord?” Faramir asked, indicating the table.

Rahl sat down at the table and studied Faramir thoughtfully for a moment. It all felt too easy, his interactions with the man, his willingness to please, like the man had been trained in what he would like and dislike, perhaps to get close to him and, if not kill him, then to at least help the killer get past his defenses. He was tired, though, too tired to worry with Faramir’s plans for the moment, and merely waved his hand in the air dismissively. “No, just eat your dinner,” he sighed, rubbing one hand over his forehead to try and will away his headache. Wizards couldn’t heal themselves, and he trusted none of the healers to brew him a healing tea of any type. While he had tasters for his food, that was only because he knew he had to eat – but he could get by without luxuries most took for granted – like herbs and medicinal teas. He toyed with his food, then looked toward his window at the darkening sky, his appetite gone with the coming of the night… which always meant more nightmares.

Faramir noticed that Rahl’s mood seemed to have worsened and his brow was furrowed as if either in deep thought or of pain. When he rubbed his forehead, Faramir felt as if he knew what the problem might be. He’d been leaning over those ledgers all afternoon and likely his head and neck were aching from it. Faramir hesitated to speak though and took his seat. He poured a glass of wine for himself and noticed that Rahl had not filled his glass. He leaned over and filled his as well and set to eating. He was several bites into his meal, which was quite good, when he realized Rahl wasn’t eating. “My lord?” he asked softly. When the dark haired man looked at him, Faramir offered a kind look. “Is… there anything that I can do for you? You seem… pensive.” Faramir didn’t want to say that he seemed to be in pain so he left it at that.

“Do for me?” Rahl laughed harshly and stood, pacing the room, his shoulders tense and his neck stiff. Sleeping next to Faramir in the early morning hours had relaxed him more than he’d been relaxed in years, so as soon as he started to stiffen up again, he noticed. “Yes, there is something you can do for me, Faramir. Kill the seeker. Make him stop haunting my dreams. Or perhaps read through all my spell books and find a way he can be defeated.” He stopped, fixed his gaze on his lover and sighed. “Or, better yet, just go ahead and carry out your attempt to kill me or hand me over to whomever it is you are indebted to. I am tired of trying to guess your motives for being so agreeable… and so perfectly suited to my needs.”

“The… the seeker?” Faramir asked in confusion. “I… I have no reason to attempt to kill you, if you recall you brought me here, my lord… I don’t even know who this seeker is. I have no motives other than to… to keep my own skin in tact and to do that I must keep you happy, correct? I simply wish to do a good enough job that you won’t be displeased with me is all. If… if I can help, my lord… I would like to. Especially because… when you are in a good mood… you are… much nicer to be around,” Faramir admitted hoping that didn’t make Rahl angrier.

Rahl’s eyes darkened with rage at Faramir’s words. His hands clenched into fists at his side and he nearly cast a pain spell in Faramir’s direction. He stalked over to the man and was nearly on top of him before he realized that Faramir had only spoken the truth on all counts. His fingers curled into the cloak that still covered broad shoulders, then, just as quickly unfurled and patting the soft fabric down where he’d bunched it up. “You amuse me,” he laughed, then turned on his heel to return to his chair. “Few would dare speak to me in such a manner, and even fewer would live if they did. But yes, you must keep me happy, and that would be best accomplished if you could figure out a way for me to kill the man who is destined to murder me. That is the only way you can help.”

Faramir looked up, unwilling to flinch away if Rahl were to attack him again, he would face it and not be a sniveling wretch. He would take whatever punishment the man doled out, but he had only spoken truthfully. Faramir was fully prepared to be struck in some way, but then Rahl’s hands and face suddenly softened and he moved to sit down again. He carefully let out a breath of relief and watched the other man for a moment. “I did not mean to be offensive, my lord,” Faramir said softly. “I do not know who this man is that wants to kill you but… can you be so certain it is destiny? The future is ever changing I would think… I imagine that I could not have foreseen ever being brought to this place… so my destiny in my world has been irrevocably changed now,” Faramir waved his hand for peace when Rahl started to look angry again, “please, my lord, I am not criticizing I am just stating facts as I know them. But though I do not know a way to deter this man, at least not yet as I just arrived in your world last night… I can help you relax… if you would but trust me a little.”

Picking up and smashing a small cherry tomato between his fingers, Rahl watched the juices and seeds fall down onto his plate, wishing it would be as easy to smash the Seeker into pulp. “The Seeker kills me every night in my dreams,” he said after a moment. “I know the exact manner it will happen, just not the time. It is his destiny; he was born to kill me, charged by the wizard Zeddicus and named in the prophecies as the one at whose hands I shall die.” He slowly brought the limp shell of the tomato to his lips and pushed it inside. “And trust you? I cannot trust you, Faramir, but I do trust my spells to keep you from harming me. No man will ever have my trust, I can assure you of that.”

A feeling of empathy washed over Faramir as he looked at Rahl, he dreamed of a death at the hands of this man the same way Faramir had dreams his entire life of the war in his world. He swallowed hard, knowing how difficult it was to live with that sort of thing but he did not wish to reveal it to Rahl. There was no telling what misconceptions the man might have about that, he may believe he is a wizard too or some such nonsense. “No one deserves such dreams,” Faramir said softly. “If you cannot trust in me, at least you do trust in your spells. If… if you will allow me to touch you, I promise I can help you to relax,” Faramir said softly. When the man smirked at him, he almost laughed. “I do not mean with sex though… of course I am yours to do as you will but my suggestion is much more innocent. If you will allow me to rub your shoulders and neck, I can help relieve the tension there. I have done it before for my brother. He has always had many pressures as the heir and first born and I learned to do it to help relieve his pain,” Faramir explained.

There were at least a dozen reasons why Rahl didn’t want Faramir touching him. He knew there was. He just couldn’t seem to think of them at the moment. The one thing that did come to mind, however, was that he simply didn’t like being touched. By anyone. Even his parents had learned to keep their distance early on, and his slaves merely tolerated his touch… they never asked to return it. But the thought of Faramir’s hands on him wasn’t wholly a terrible idea, and since he really couldn’t hurt him, Rahl decided there was no harm in it. After all, if Faramir did try something, he would pay dearly for it, and if nothing else, that might be amusing. “Fine.” He pulled a drumstick off the chicken and began tearing off the meat. “Finish your meal and I will allow you to try, but I am not holding my breath. I am not the type of man who ever completely relaxes. That is why I am still alive.”

Faramir smiled a little and nodded. “Yes, my lord, I truly think it will help at least a little,” Faramir said softly and returned to his meal, more than a little pleased that Rahl had seemed to regain his appetite. He didn’t really want to analyze why he cared whether or not the man ate or not but he did. It wasn’t as if Rahl cared anything for him other than as a possession he’d stolen from a whole other world using his magic. Though… something had to make the man choose him so Faramir tried not to think on it too much. They ate in relative silence after that, though Rahl did ask his opinion of the book he’d been reading. Faramir gave it, explaining some of the plot points and how he looked forward to the ending, though he had his suspicions how it might end. Rahl had seemed amused by his answers in that regard but gave him no clues.

Though he didn’t show it, Rahl was delighted with their conversation about the book Faramir had chosen. He did take some educated villagers as slaves but they never had the courage to touch his belongings, let alone speak freely about their opinions on anything as Faramir was doing during their meal. He almost hated their dinner to come to an end and was surprised to look down and see that between them, they’d cleared off every last bite of food from the table. “When you finish that story, I have another in mind you might enjoy,” he offered, as though sharing a book with an old friend was something he did every day… despite the fact he never shared his belongings and had no friends. Realizing the absurdity of his words, he quickly stood and made his way over to a lush burgundy and gold-trimmed lounge chair by the window. “Well. Let’s get this over with. Show me how you think you can possibly ease my tension.”

Faramir smiled happily when Rahl offered him another book before brusquely leaving the table. He followed and almost laughed at the innuendo he could make of his lover’s words. Oh, there are a myriad of ways… but a neck rub for now. He suppressed a grin as he moved to stand behind Rahl. This was a show of trust, whether the man realized it or not. “It may help if you let your robe settle at your waist, it will feel better with skin on skin contact,” Faramir suggested.

“I do not…” Rahl’s words trailed off. He had started to tell Faramir about his distaste for being touched, but, considering that he’d nearly fucked the man’s brains out several times since he’d brought him to the castle, that little argument seemed a bit odd. “Fine.” A wave of his hand darkened the room and pulled the curtains, then he shrugged out of his robe, gathering it around his stomach and deftly hiding his scar as he had nearly all his life. Hesitating only a moment, he cast one more light spell over his shoulder at Faramir just in case he let his distaste show and Rahl happened to turn around and see it. He’d hate to have to kill his new toy after only one night after all.

Faramir was slightly irritated when he felt the spell hit him. I have been perfectly willing to talk to him civilly and offer to ease his pain without those spells… why now does he have to use his magic? Faramir almost sighed with frustration but couldn’t fight against the magic anyway. He rubbed his hands together to warm them a bit more, before settling them lightly on Rahl’s shoulders. “This may feel a little uncomfortable at first but it will feel better very soon,” Faramir whispered. Slowly, he began to massage the tense muscles there, using his thumbs to work at the knots as his fingers squeezed and soothed along the top of his shoulders and against the back of his neck. He was very tense and Faramir hoped this would help relax him. He was tempted to lean down and press his lips at the back of his lover’s neck or his shoulder but refrained from it as he continued the massage.

It was only slightly painful, not enough to actively trigger Rahl’s protection spell, but close. To his surprise, the dark wizard found his eyes wanting to close as the pain slowly drained away, and kept them open only by the sheer force of his will. He realized Faramir was only doing this to either make him more tolerable or to try and trick him in some way that Rahl hadn’t figured out just yet, but for the moment… it felt wonderful. “I would not press much harder,” he said, letting his head drift forward just a bit so that his hair fell over his eyes. “You might loose a hand, or at the very least a few fingers. But… I do not find this nearly as unpleasant as I imagined I would. Yet.”

Faramir almost paused when Rahl warned him of his protection spells and lightened his touch just a little. Boromir had tended to like it to be a very firm massage but he’d forgotten about the spells that Rahl used to protect himself. “Yes, my lord,” he whispered as he continued to move his hands slowly. “Is there any oil I can use? It can make it much more pleasant,” Faramir asked after a few moments.

Rahl straightened up and turned to look over his shoulder at Faramir. “Faramir, I am tired, no more tense than usual and I healed you earlier when you were sore, which is something I never do. I am not going to beat you or be cruel tonight. I have just been planning to fuck you and go to sleep, and of course there will be a spell over you while I do. So… what does it matter to you if I am tense or not, or if this entire relaxation of my muscles is successful or not? If I was in a foul mood, I could understand it, but I am no worse than normal at the moment.”

Faramir’s hands paused as he looked at his lover. “Perhaps I am trying a bit too hard but I always thought that… it was a pleasure slaves job to make sure their master was happy in all ways. At least that is true in my world,” Faramir said softly. “And… I have enjoyed being with you, I know you think it is all your magic causing my enjoyment but neither of us can know for sure I suppose but you… especially in the library today… I’ve never wanted anyone so much or came so incredibly hard in my life. I want to offer you comfort in appreciation for you allowing me to feel good even as I pleasure you.”

Holding his robes tight against him, Rahl stood and turned to face Faramir with dark, angry eyes. “Your release was a natural response to stimulation and of course it was my magic making you want me,” he snapped. “I am no fool, Faramir, and I will not have you treat me as one! Even my most trusted guard is terrified of me unless I keep him bewitched, and were these spells not on you, you would be trembling in a corner somewhere, praying for death, just like all the other slaves do when their spells wear off. You should count your blessings that I have been so vigilant in constantly keeping them around you.” Face and neck flushed so deeply he nearly looked sunburned, Rahl waved his hand toward a cabinet along the far side of the wall, where a small jar of oil came flying out as soon as the cabinet door opened. The jar landed on the window sill behind Faramir with a loud pop and would have shattered if Rahl hadn’t cupped his hands together and held its pieces together while it repaired itself. He sat back down again, shoulders tensed once more and crossed his arms over his chest defensively. “Finish this. I want to go to bed.”

Faramir stepped back when Rahl rounded on him, but shook his head. “Even so, the magic made me enjoy it… immensely,” Faramir said softly. He jumped when the oil flew out of the cabinet and snapped onto the windowsill. Slightly unnerved, Faramir went to the jar and coated his hands before returning to the chair. Once Rahl was settled, Faramir risked leaning down and brushing his lips against the side of his master’s neck and shoulder gently, hoping to calm him a bit, before settling his hands back on his shoulders. He began to rub and knead the muscles careful not to be too rough or push too deeply into the muscles that were once again tense. After several moments, he felt them starting to give way under his hands, loosening and noticed Rahl’s head dip forward just a bit. He leaned down again as he rubbed across broad shoulders down to strong biceps and back up again. He was close enough to murmur in his ear so he did so. “You said you planned to fuck me before bed. I could offer yet another way to relax you, my lord. On my knees, taking you into my mouth, tasting you, sucking you and then you take me on my knees or in your lap again,” Faramir whispered huskily against his ear before kissing his neck and sucking lightly on the skin.

The first time Faramir’s lips pressed against his skin, Rahl thought he’d imagined it since he was nearly half asleep anyway, but there was no denying it the second time, especially given the other man’s words – words that made Rahl hard in an instant, almost as if a spell had been put on him. That was impossible of course, and he quickly pushed that thought away. His hand came up, fingers tangling in Faramir’s hair, and Rahl held him steady as he studied the earnest blue eyes before him. Without a word, he drug his slave closer, pulling him over the back of the chair but conjuring up invisible hands to keep him from falling to the floor, and kissed him deeply. He needed air and knew Faramir did as well, but he only pulled away when he began to feel lightheaded. His robe was still clutched against him as his fingers loosened in Faramir’s dark, soft hair and he found himself cradling the man’s head for a moment. The room became instantly darker just after he nodded, again his way of protecting himself from pitying or horrified looks once the prominent, slick scar made itself known. “Hands behind your back or touching yourself. Don’t touch me with anything but your mouth, and it is to go nowhere but on my cock. Is that understood?”

Faramir worried that maybe he’d gone too far when Rahl’s hand slid up into his hair and tightened but then he was tugged around the chair and almost into Rahl’s lap as his mouth was taken forcefully in a kiss that made him moan. Gods, the man could kiss! Faramir hardly noticed the room being darker, he was so caught up in the moment. “Yes, my lord,” Faramir whispered as he slid to his knees before Rahl. The robe was pushed open and Faramir let out a shuddering breath as he saw his lover’s arousal. Leaning forward, Faramir’s tongue licked at the tip of the hard shaft before sinking down, taking it in until it was buried at the back of his throat. Faramir moaned around the hardening flesh, enjoying the taste of his lover this way. He did want to touch but… he would refrain.

Rahl’s fingers again rested in Faramir’s hair, but he managed to be fairly gentle this time, though it was an effort not to simply hold the slave’s head still and fuck his throat. Again, though, he reminded himself that though Faramir had obviously lied to him many times about wanting him, the lies were based on his lack of knowledge about just how powerful Rahl’s magic was, and Rahl could see that he at least thought he was sincere.
Slowly, Rahl’s hips began to move in time with the deliciously warm mouth wrapped around him and his head fell back on the chair. Though he’d never tried the whole ‘reward system’ on his slaves before, now seemed like as good a time as any to see if it actually worked. With almost no effort at all, he spelled an invisible hand to form behind Faramir, to slide up his legs, between his thighs and squeeze lightly at his testicles. The hand’s thumb, so clear in Rahl’s mind, trailed up Faramir’s backside, delved between his ass cheeks and pushed inside him with no warning, slicked by the juices he’d spilled there several hours before. The thumb worked silently as he lost himself in the rhythm of Faramir’s mouth, so wet, so hot, so perfectly delicious as it moved over Rahl’s aching flesh.

Faramir wouldn’t have minded if Rahl had been rough with him, though he was very grateful he hadn’t been. He took the length in as far as it would go, swallowing around it and humming lightly as his lover began moving, controlling the speed and depth of the encounter. When something warm and almost solid moved between his legs, Faramir almost jerked away but instead calmed himself and continued sucking his lover. He squirmed a bit on his knees as the “hand” moved over his skin and then moaned around the thick flesh in his mouth as it began caressing him and sliding inside him. Gods, it was amazing and drove his own need higher. He could easily come just like this, he thought.

“You say you were a Ranger in your world,” Rahl said in a low, deep voice. “But I think you were a pleasure slave there as well. You are too talented with that wicked mouth and that tight little hole of yours to have a profession where you don’t use them.” As he spoke, he twisted his hand, causing the invisible one behind Faramir to twist as well so the thumb could seek out his sweet spot. He began rocking his hips harder, thrusting deeper into Faramir’s mouth, pushing far past his lips and into the back of his throat. He thrust slowly, wanting to prolong the moment, but was slowly getting closer and closer to the edge.

Faramir could not answer of course as Rahl spoke, but he hummed around the thick flesh in his mouth. While he hadn’t been a pleasure slave, Faramir had a few lovers who he thoroughly enjoyed in his world but had never really let go with any of them. He always held back the part of him that enjoyed a bit of pain and feared allowing them to see that he liked being controlled in the bedroom but not anywhere else. When Rahl began to thrust harder, Faramir took him in, relaxing his throat and letting himself be used. Though this time, he wasn’t being used at all, this time his pleasure was being seen to by Rahl’s magic. He rocked his hips, his body swaying between the invisible hand giving him such pleasure and his lover’s hard length leaking precome on the back of his tongue. He moved faster, breathing heavily through his nose as he became more excited and more wrapped up in his own arousal. He could sense that Rahl was close, and chose that moment to swallow and groan around the thick organ in his mouth.

Faramir had a talent for taking him unawares, Rahl thought vaguely, because as close as he was, he still had control of himself until the very moment Faramir swallowed and made a noise around him. The vibrations alone caused him to cry out, and as soft throat muscles contracted around him, he arched up off his chair and came hard, spilling down Faramir’s throat with almost painfully violent pulses of his still engorged length. His fingers tightened in Faramir’s hair, causing the hand that was working at the slave’s backside to push in even deeper, though it kept working away just as Rahl had ordered it to do.

After a few deep, shaking breaths, Rahl realized he was probably close to choking Faramir, so he pulled out slowly, watching as a thin stream of saliva bridged the gap between his cock and Faramir’s swollen lips. With a slight push of his hands against Faramir’s shoulder, Rahl covered himself and looked down, pleased that Faramir hadn’t come yet. The hand behind him worked steadily as Rahl whispered, “Remove your robe and stay on your knees. Lace your fingers together at the back of your neck.”

Yes! Faramir thought as Rahl came hard, spilling over and over again down Faramir’s convulsing throat as he tried to swallow as much as he could, though it was so forceful it almost choked him. His eyes were watering but it didn’t matter. Gods, he’d wanted to taste this man, to make him come undone for him so much but that thought was almost driven from his mind as the invisible hand inside him pushed deep. He almost came from that alone but Rahl pulled away. Faramir licked his lips as he breathed heavily and nodded. He did exactly what his lover told him to, though he was shaking now with pent up need.

Rahl was having difficulty trying to decide where to settle his gaze. Even in the near-darkness of the room, his gaze was drawn to Faramir’s kiss swollen lips, then to his swollen shaft, then back to his lips again. Since his robe was covering him again, he allowed the room to become a bit lighter again and brought his right hand up to his face to rub over his bottom lip as he watched the little show Faramir was about to give him. Slowly, he regained his breath as he commanded the hand behind his new slave to withdraw completely, then thrust back in with three fingers. He moved too quickly for it to be comfortable, but not so quickly, he noticed, that Faramir’s arousal waned the slightest bit. His eyes sparkled as he realized why that was. “You like the pain, don’t you, pet?” he whispered. “You like being filled so much it aches, and being tied too tightly for you to even pretend to fight.” The fingers were knuckle deep now and he imagined a fourth finger squeezing in alongside the others. “You crave it, but you’re ashamed to let anyone know.”

Faramir whined when the hand withdrew inside him and then when it thrust back in, forcefully and larger than before, he moaned and bucked. The stretch and burn of it ached but gods it felt so good as well. Faramir gasped when Rahl questioned him and nodded. “Yes,” he answered, feeling his face color even as he did so. It was true, all of it. He enjoyed what lovers in his world would probably have thought was… a perversion. Particularly considering his political standing, a son of the steward could never enjoy being dominated this way. His hips moved, trying to drive the invisible hand even deeper and he cried out when it became even larger inside him. He was so full it hurt but gods… he’d never felt more alive before either.

Watching… just watching… was more erotic that Rahl had ever imagined it could be. He slipped his robe back up over his shoulders and stood just in front of Faramir. Crooking one finger, he reached down and hooked it under Faramir’s chin, lifting it up as he whispered, “stand,” and forcing Faramir to get to his feet to keep his neck muscles from aching. The hand in Faramir’s backside followed him and Rahl made a wide circle around the man, stopping when he got just behind to see how his asshole gaped open under the invisible pressure, filled completely but exposed to Rahl’s hungry gaze as well. A smile touched his lips and the fingers inside Faramir fluttered over his prostate and he reached out to scrape his fingernails up the man’s spine.

Faramir carefully kept his hands laced behind his neck, even as he stood as gracefully as he could, considering something so large was inside of him. He swallowed hard as he looked at his lover, his stomach muscles fluttering as the invisible hand inside him moved with him. He cried out and arched his back when the simultaneous feelings washed over him. The sharp scrape along his back and the stabbing, pleasure pain of his prostate being stimulated. His hips rocked into nothingness, seeking a friction that simply wasn’t there. He barely even realized he was panting soft words of ‘oh yes, gods’ as Rahl watched him.

Rahl came to a stop just in front of Faramir again, thoroughly enjoying himself now. It was different, watching his ‘lover’ enjoy his little games; most had simply suffered through them, but Faramir… gods, he was so responsive Rahl was already getting hard again. With a few softly uttered words, two more pairs of unseen hands manifested around Faramir’s nearly vibrating body. One hand grabbed each ankle, pulled long legs even further apart and the other pair took hold of his arms almost gently, unfolding them from behind his head and holding them out to his sides, both to keep him still and to help him stand. Rahl’s own fingers reached out to squeeze Faramir’s weeping sex, his thumb catching a drop of precome and bringing it curiously to his lips. “Warm,” he said, moving closer and licking his way across Faramir’s lips, letting him taste himself. “Tell me, does it taste as good as my come, Faramir, or does it all taste the same?”

Faramir cried out in fear of falling but realized the hands that tugged at his ankles were not going to let him fall. He relaxed his stance just a little and then his arms were pulled out to his sides as well. He was quite literally on display for Rahl and while it embarrassed him, it also made him feel somehow empowered, because his lover wanted to see him this way. He moaned when a warm hand wrapped around him, teasingly and felt his arousal twitch hard when Rahl licked his thumb. Another moan fell from his lips when his lover licked at his own and Faramir purposefully licked his lower lip, smiling just a little though he was panting. “Yours, my lord, tastes better. I already look forward to tasting you again,” Faramir said honestly.

A small smile tugged at the corners of Lord Rahl’s mouth as he bit down just enough to leave indentations on Faramir’s bottom lip. “I’m sure you are,” he retorted, trailing his hand down and gathering Faramir’s testicles in the palm of his hand. He tugged lightly and made the hand behind Faramir work just a bit faster for a moment before pulling it away completely. “Do you feel empty now, my desperate little slave?” He didn’t give Faramir a chance to even form an answer. “I think you do. I think that nice tight little ass of yours needs to be filled again with more than invisible fingers.” Without warning, the hands holding Faramir bent him over, putting him even more on display than before, and just to make him more desperate, Rahl cast yet another lust spell. “What do you want in there, Faramir? My own fingers? My fist? Or something bigger, something that will stretch you open even more while I allow you to suck me off again?”

Faramir almost growled when Rahl bit him, wanting more than just a fleeting kiss and bite like that. He rocked into Rahl’s hand, keening as the hand inside him worked faster and his lover tugged at his engorged sac. He cried out when the hand inside him suddenly disappeared, and began rocking his hips wanting desperately to be filled again. He was shaking now, wanting everything and anything to keep giving him the same pleasure he had before. He hardly even felt the lust spell he’d already been so filled with desire already. “Yes… oh gods, let me taste you again. Fill me until I cannot take anymore, my lord. I want so much,” he babbled. Faramir was completely and utterly without shame now, needing more.

If Rahl had ever been this turned on before in his life, he couldn’t remember it. Faramir’s desire, his enjoyment of the same things Rahl found so erotic, the way he begged so beautifully was driving Rahl nearly insane. Another cabinet drawer from across the room flew open and a moment later, Rahl had a thick phallus in his hand, already dripping with oil. It was just a little wider than the four fingers had been – a tight fit indeed, but one he now knew Faramir would welcome. He rubbed the blunt head over Faramir’s opening with his own hands, then left it there, hanging in mid air by the same invisible force that had been opening Faramir such a short while ago. Moving to stand in front of his lover, he darkened the room again and opened his robes just enough so that his arousal was exposed. He ran the tip over Faramir’s cheeks and lips as the dildo began to push forward slowly and steadily, impaling Faramir on it’s rigid length.

Nearly overpowered with sheer need, Faramir’s eyes only widened a moment when he saw the large phallus. It would likely be painful but he was already looking forward to it. When Rahl moved around him and brushed it against his opening, Faramir rocked forward a bit and then pushed back just a little so that the head was pushed firmly against his opening, though not pushing inside yet. By the time Rahl was before him, his robes open and his face and lips were being marked, Faramir was panting. He licked at his lips and moaned deeply when the phallus began to inch forward into him slowly. It was hard and unforgiving, the object somewhat cold as well sending a jolt of sensation through his lower half. “Oh, gods,” he gasped looking up at his lover.

“Almost,” Rahl whispered. “Almost.” He had all intentions of pushing the head of his cock past Faramir’s full lips, but instead willed the hands holding his arms to pull him up just a bit. His own hand cupped the back of the Faramir’s neck and Rahl kissed him as the phallus worked it’s way in deeper, the sudden desire to taste his lover’s pleasure and pain pushing aside his own needs for the moment, though the feeling was completely foreign to him. The kiss was slow and deep, and just in the middle of it, the hands holding Faramir’s arms moved back even more until the two men were chest to chest. Never breaking the kiss, Rahl reached down, took both their arousals in one hand and slowly began stroking them together.

Faramir was almost whimpering from the pleasure pain of being stretched more than he ever had before and suddenly found himself pulled upright. When Rahl’s lips descended on his own, he moaned into the deep kiss as the phallus stretching him pushed deeper inside. He thought he might just split apart at times the pain was so severe but then Rahl’s tongue would curl around his own and he was swept away with it. It was so gentle compared to the way Rahl had kissed him before. When he was pushed further upright, his chest against his lover’s Faramir rocked against him, his nipples rubbing against Rahl’s chest. He moaned again, his body arching against the darker man’s as his aching cock met his lover’s, Gods, it was almost too much. The sensations of being touched and kissed and his body breached and stretched that way. The phallus was moving inside him more freely now that his body relaxed a bit more and he rocked his hips slightly.

Without even realizing he was comforting Faramir, Rahl continued kissing him until he physically felt the strain of his lover’s body turning from one borne of pain to muscles taut and trembling with pleasure. All the while, he told himself that he simply liked kissing the other man, and refused to entertain any other thought whatsoever. When he pulled away, he gave Faramir’s shaft a light squeeze, then willed the hands to pull him back down. Guiding his erection back to the willing mouth that had just brought him such pleasure, he held Faramir’s head still and moved forward until he was buried to the hilt and the soft lips he’d just kissed were stretched wide around the base of his cock, the phallus behind Faramir now moving easily.

Faramir was lightheaded when Rahl pulled away from him, and slowly lowered to the floor as the invisible hands guided him, and kept him from falling, because he wasn’t sure his legs really would hold him any longer. Once he was back where he’d been before the kiss, he found himself licking his lips just before Rahl thrust into his mouth. Faramir relaxed his throat to allow his lover to push as deep as he wanted and moaned around the hard shaft when the phallus inside him rubbed almost harshly over his sweet spot. It was all becoming too much and he swallowed convulsively, humming as he did so, trying to give Rahl as much pleasure as he could. He was so close already that he wanted to fight against the hand holding him so that he could squeeze his own cock to keep him from coming too soon. Since he could not, he had to focus and concentrate as hard as he could to keep from losing control.

Rahl had to hold on to Faramir to stay upright himself, though he would never have admitted it. The sensations of that hot, wet mouth were just as devastating as before, and he couldn’t seem to think as Faramir worked him from root to tip, sucking and licking and even worrying at his slit until he wanted to scream from the pleasure. Lost in a haze of pure lust for the man before him, he forgot himself for a moment and his control on the phallus wavered, causing it to move faster and impossibly deeper. As soon as he realized it, however, he took pity and decided Faramir had suffered long enough; it was time to let him have some relief – not a common thought with Rahl, but Faramir had been an exceedingly good sport and his suffering would soon be too much. Without warning, he thrust into his lover’s mouth and one final time, coming with a loud growl and twisting his fingers in the hair beneath this hand.

Faramir tried to concentrate on pleasuring Rahl, his lips, mouth and tongue working to give the man as much pleasure as he knew how to offer. When Rahl began to thrust faster into his mouth, the phallus did as well and he moaned in pleasured pain as it pushed inside him. When it finally eased within him, Faramir was breathing heavily through his nose and suddenly, Rahl thrust deep into his mouth, and he felt the telltale throb of the shaft against his tongue as he began to spill within him. The taste of his lover, his growl and his fingers twisting in Faramir’s hair seemed to send him over the edge in a blinding flash. He spilled his own seed, completely untouched against the floor, his hips thrusting into nothingness. He would have collapsed completely if Rahl’s hand had not been in his hair, and his magic hadn’t been supporting him. Faramir licked and sucked until his lover was completely spent, and released him, gulping in air as he did so. His entire lower body was on fire from the thick phallus still buried inside him and he simply shuddered through the last of his own release.

Breathless and exhausted, Rahl leaned against Faramir for a moment, then slowly had the hands supporting him lift him up again. His robes fell closed again, eyes were heavy and the slight smile on his face was as close to a real smile as he’d had in years. He moved closer and when their bodies were flush, he slowly, one by one, made the hands supporting Faramir disappear. His newfound knowledge of Faramir’s tastes intrigued Rahl enough so that he didn’t simply order the man to bed or out of his sight like he normally might with anyone else. Instead, he found himself supporting the long limbs and muscled torso almost completely and for some odd reason, it didn’t bother him at all. It actually made him feel… needed Wedging himself underneath Faramir’s right shoulder, he brushed sweat-damp hair back from the handsome face before him and let Faramir rest for a moment. “Tell me when you’re ready and I’ll remove the phallus.”

When Faramir found himself supported by Rahl he was surprised but too exhausted to even give it too much thought. He tiredly leaned his head against Rahl’s shoulder for a moment, forgetting the ‘no touching’ rule. “I… I’m ready,” he whispered breathlessly. He was starting to feel decidedly uncomfortable and now that he’d found his release, the pain was starting to sink in.

Rahl started to have the phallus simply pulled away, but he realized that it would hurt if he did so, and now that they’d come to some sort of understanding (in Rahl’s mind at least) about Faramir’s wanting to please Rahl, he reasoned that the least he could do was keep up his ‘reward’ system. Changing the spell he had in mind, he made the phallus smaller, then slowly had it pull away. Another spell cleaned Faramir and the floor before him where his release had spilled. “You are an… interesting lover,” he said conversationally, still allowing Faramir to lean on him. “I think I will be enjoying you for quite a bit longer than I enjoy most of slaves. Now… can you walk?”

Faramir winced when the phallus was finally gone from his body and he thought his legs might just give out on him. He wavered for a moment, though Rahl was holding him steady. Faramir laughed softly, and looked at Rahl. “Maybe sometime next week…” he teased. “I will be fine, my lord… I did ask for that after all.” He took a tentative step and winced but decided he could manage once he lay down. “Do you mind if I lay down now, my lord?”

Shaking his head, Rahl felt the corners of his mouth twitch again. He enjoyed Faramir’s sense of humor and intelligence as well as his body – another new development he’d only now just realized had happened when he hadn’t been looking. “No… actually, I think I’ll have you just sleep standing here in the middle of the room for the night,” he said, shrugging and heading toward the bed, though he kept one eye on Faramir to gauge his reaction and did his best not to smile. “Although I might do you a favor and let at least one of the hands come back to support you if you like.”

When Rahl said he could sleep standing in the middle of the room, Faramir looked at him but did not say anything. He simply took him at his words and straightened his back as much as his aching lower body would allow. He took a deep breath and nodded knowing that there was little he could do about the situation. He had hoped he had made Rahl happy tonight but… perhaps this was a test? So Faramir decided he wasn’t about to fail the test by whining about it. His father had taught him that lesson the hard way and besides, he had stood sentry for hours at a time in the past, he could do so now. “Yes, my lord,” he whispered and folded his hands in front of him, focusing on a decorative sconce on the wall, knowing that he would be counting the loops and finals of the thing all night.
Rahl nearly laughed out loud as Faramir meekly agreed. Of course, the man had no real reason to believe that Rahl had a sense of humor, so he couldn’t really blame him. He turned, slipped out of his robes and under the blankets and tugged them up over his chest. “Faramir, get in bed. You pleased me greatly tonight and I have no reason to punish you. I was just testing you and you passed with flying colors.”

Faramir’s eyes moved from the sconce to Rahl’s face and nodded. “Thank you, my lord,” he said softly as he painfully made his way to the bed. Lowering himself into it was difficult to say the least but he managed and quickly rolled to his side. “I have had a similar test before and did not fare well the first time but learned over time,” Faramir admitted. “My father used to make me stand sentry in his study anytime I displeased him.” He grinned a little. “I displeased him often.”

Faramir had said he was a steward – nobility – and it had never occurred to Rahl that Faramir’s old life might not be perfect. But then, again, not once had he expressed a wish to go home. Without letting himself over think it, he rested a hand on Faramir’s hip and took away his soreness. The doors were locked, he was protected, and a few minutes of having his powers lessened or erased didn’t seem too high of a price to pay at the moment since he was perfectly safe. Pulling his hand back he licked his lips and spoke softly, as if using his regular tone might shatter the nearly peaceful truce they seemed to have stumbled upon. “Do you miss him?”

When Rahl’s hand settled on his hip, Faramir sucked in a breath as the pain disappeared in his lower body. “Thank you,” he whispered and then shook his head. “Not really, no. I miss my brother but… not my father. He and I did not get along. I love him in a fashion but it is best when I am not in his presence,” Faramir smiled ruefully. “I suppose that is why I chose to become a ranger, rather than stay in the city and serve as a councilor as was my mother’s wish. When she passed away, father became hard and cruel… and I decided the best place for me was away from him as much as possible.”

No wonder Faramir was able to keep his distaste hidden, Rahl thought, he probably saw a man much like his father when he looked at his new master, and obviously had learned to keep his true feelings hidden. “Well, you are away from him now,” he said with a humorless laugh. “Your brother… is he as handsome as you? And as skilled in the bedroom?”

It was Faramir’s turn to laugh, a true laugh though. “I am afraid I have no idea what my brother is like in the bedroom,” he grinned and sighed. “Some say Boromir is more handsome than I am but he would not be as… easy to deal with as I am. He is every bit the warrior and heir apparent,” Faramir explained.

“More handsome?” Rahl snorted and felt the urge to run his fingertip over Faramir’s jaw – an urge which he was just too tired and too satiated to resist. “I find that hard to believe. You are the most handsome man I have ever seen. A bit impertinent, quite intelligent, excellent in bed, and you look absolutely perfect. I think I would have passed your brother over without a second glance.” With that, he turned his back toward his lover and curled in on himself feeling his body tingling as his powers began to return. “Do you need a sleeping spell? Water? I don’t like to be disturbed during the night, so if there’s anything you’re likely to want, tell me now.”

Faramir was surprised by Rahl’s words, they sounded like words a true lover would say but he didn’t comment on them. He laughed a little when he called him impertinent and felt his face flush at the rest of what he said. When Rahl turned away from him, Faramir simply stared at his back for a moment, surprised yet again that he actually asked if he needed anything. “No, thank you, my lord. I am fine,” he whispered and settled in to sleep much as he had the night before.

Rahl closed his eyes, exhausted, but dreading sleep and the nightmares that were sure to follow. Sighing heavily, he hoped for at least a few hours of rest and thought about warning Faramir of what would likely happen in the middle of the night, but reasoned he’d see soon enough.

Chapter 7

Faramir had been exhausted and slept the entire night through without waking even once. When he did wake, he found he was curled close against Rahl’s back with his arm around his waist and his nose pressed against the base of his lover’s neck where he could breathe in the spicy scent of his skin. He was also aroused, his natural morning state really but more so from his body being close to another warm body that attracted him more than anyone’s ever had. Rahl truly had a gorgeous body, at least what Faramir had seen of it. He had noticed that Rahl kept his scars carefully covered, Faramir had only gotten that one glimpse and could tell it was not a subject he could bring up easily with the man… at least not yet. Rahl didn’t even believe he truly wanted him without the magic so he would never believe he didn’t mind the scars. He was careful to keep his hand well away from the scars covered by the blankets now that he was awake. He thought that perhaps he should move away from the man but even if he were punished for touching him without permission it was worth it for now. He breathed deeply and let out his breath on a contented sigh and smiled. Life wasn’t so bad really here. Rahl’s temperament left something to be desired at times but he was truly an amazing lover and ‘slave’ or not, Faramir found himself not really wishing to go home. At least not yet. Things could be so much worse. Perhaps if Rahl weren’t so handsome Faramir might not feel that way… but he pushed that thought away.

A full night without a nightmare would have been something Rahl would not have believed. Once, during the night, he’d had a moment where he felt as if someone were waiting for him just around a corner – the way most of his nightmares started – and he’d braced himself for the full scope of it, from coming face to face with the Seeker all the way to where he awoke with a scream as a long, sharp sword pierced his heart. But before he even made it to the corner in his dream, something had changed, a movement of the wind in his bedroom perhaps, or the unconscious shifting of his limbs that suddenly made the dream disappear. He had no way of knowing that that was the very moment Faramir had moved closer and curled up around him, and remained blissfully unaware as he settled back into a deep, refreshing sleep.

The result of such an unheard of night of rest was that he woke in an exceptionally good mood. As always, he was conscious of his surroundings before he moved or opened his eyes, and simply lay there, taking in the sounds and feel of the room just in case someone had managed to somehow get past his protection spells. There was warmth against his back and a large hand resting over his chest. Faramir. He stiffened, then allowed himself to relax back into the strange embrace for a moment. When he realized from the sound of Faramir’s breathing that he too was awake, he jabbed lightly at the man’s hand with his index finger. “Apparently you were cold during the night?” he said in a voice that clearly betrayed his amusement. “Or do I just need to make the bed bigger?”

Faramir laughed, his voice still husky with sleep. “Neither… I just like being close to someone in my sleep I suppose. When I was a child and would sometimes crawl into bed with my brother he would call me a little leech because he said I practically slept clinging to him. I suppose I have not outgrown that habit,” Faramir said softly, hoping that would be excuse enough.

A bark of laughter escaped from Rahl’s lips before he knew it. “I think your brother might be smarter than I gave him credit for. You seem to have sucked all the warmth from both the bed and the blankets and set your sights one me next, I suppose?” He reached for his robes that lay on the chair by the bed and quickly gathered them to him. When he sat up, he pushed Faramir’s hand away, but didn’t tell him not to put it there again while they slept in the future. The robes were on before his feet even hit the floor and he looked back over his shoulder at his bedmate. “Well? Breakfast will be served shortly and I’ll not have the guard see you naked, so I suggest you get dressed unless you want me to blind the man before he enters. And I warn you, I don’t do healing spells, so
he would likely stay that way for the rest of his life.”

Faramir was surprised by Rahl’s laughter, he’d not heard him give a true laugh before and he found himself smiling enjoying the sound. He watched as Rahl dressed, letting himself be pushed away. He quirked his brow when Rahl said he didn’t do healing spells. But… he’d done two on Faramir so far. Maybe he meant it some other way? The words puzzled Faramir as he got dressed in his robe from the day before and settled on the edge of the bed. He was completely free of pain this morning because of Rahl’s healing… Faramir’s mind was still pondering and looked up at his lover. He desperately wanted to question the man about healing spells but kept from it.

Rahl headed toward the next room, robes flaring around him as he walked with his usual quick, purposeful steps, already fully awake and ready to face the day. “I am going to bathe. Do not let the guard in if he knocks. He knows to wait for my summons and I don’t like my servants talking to one another. Also…” He stopped, seeing that Faramir looked distracted, and heaved a sigh. “You look leagues away. Are you even listening to me?”

Faramir looked up and smiled. “Yes, my lord, I am sorry, a habit of mine I am afraid,” Faramir said softly. “If the guard knocks, do not let him in.” He repeated the commands so that Rahl knew he heard him. His eyes flowed down the man’s body, taking in the way his robes fit him so snuggly across his torso and licked his lips. He wouldn’t mind helping him with his bath to be honest but knew better than to ask from the way Rahl so carefully hid his scars. “May I take a bath after you are finished, my lord?”

“I… What?” As soon as Faramir voiced understanding, Rahl was already thinking about the day ahead, wondering if any progress had been made on his orders to find and kill the seeker. “Oh, yes. Of course,” he nodded, heading into the bathing chambers and spelling the waters warm as he started to close the door behind him. When he wasn’t thinking, he sometimes granted little kindnesses he wasn’t even aware of, though he usually either didn’t notice or took them back once he did. His next words were thankfully not even registering in his own mind as he extended a courtesy he normally would have thought a ridiculous waste of his time. Just before he engaged the locks to his bathing room, he murmured, in a distracted voice, “I will heat the water for you again when I finish.”

Faramir smiled gratefully as Rahl left the room, though the man barely looked at him. When the door closed, Faramir stood and went to the window, pulling back the heavy curtains a bit to look out. It truly was beautiful in this place. It was strange… he didn’t even know where he was to be honest and only now noticed. Rahl hadn’t even told him what country he was in so Faramir decided that if they return to the library he needed to work on somehow learning more about this world and its people. Maybe he would even learn more about this ‘seeker’ that Rahl said was destined to kill him.

As usual, Rahl washed quickly and efficiently, his hands pausing as they did every morning over the thick scar tissue that started at his stomach and worked its way down, and he spent a few moments sinking down into the memories of how they’d gotten there and how, in addition to the Seeker, he was going to put an end to the wizard who caused them. His mood had darkened somewhat by the time he put on a fresh robe and combed out his wet hair, and by the time he entered the bedroom again, he had warmed the water without a second thought though he didn’t really analyze why he did so other than to tell himself that he hated dirty slaves He stood by the window across the room from Faramir, lost in his own thoughts, going over his plans for the day and having completely forgotten Faramir was in the room.

When Rahl emerged from the bathing chamber, it seemed that he was completely lost in thought. Not wishing to disturb him, Faramir left the window he was standing at and crossed to the bathing chamber door. “The guard has not come yet, my lord,” Faramir said softly. “I will be out shortly, thank you again.” Rahl simply waved him away and Faramir slipped into the bathing chamber. He’d not been in the room yet and it was opulent like the other rooms Rahl used. He quickly set about cleaning himself and washing his hair. He finger combed it as best he was able and returned to Rahl’s chambers wearing the same robe from the day before since he had nothing else to wear. Hopefully that would change this morning though, the servants promised his new clothes to arrive soon.

Faramir had just entered the room when there was a knock on the door. Using nothing more than the power of his magic, Rahl verified that it was his guard with the food and didn’t turn from the window until all the locks had been disengaged… and then only so the guard, should he have turned or been bewitched, would not be approaching from behind him. He approached the guard, who suddenly had a resigned look on his face and pressed one finger against his forehead. He couldn’t read minds exactly, but he could get a general feeling for someone, could tell if they were loyal to him or not, though he didn’t do it often, since it made the recipient violently ill for a few hours afterward. The guard wavered on his feet a bit, but apparently passed the test, as Rahl immediately turned his attention to the cart laden with food and, on the shelf below the food, several items of clothing that had been made just for Faramir. “Eat and then you may see if this fits,” he said, arching an eyebrow at the guard when he realized he was still standing there. The guard scurried away, already gagging and had just made it out the door when Rahl slammed it shut and locked each lock back in place.

Curiosity struck Faramir as he watched Rahl place his finger on the guard’s forehead and wondered if it was some sort of magic ritual. The guard looked to have turned almost green and Faramir wondered what on earth all that had been about. Before he could lose control of himself and make the mistake of asking too many questions, as he was prone to do, Rahl directed him to eat and then try on his new clothing. Faramir nodded and went to the table. He, like all the times before, filled Rahl’s glass first and then his own as he began to eat breakfast. The food here was so fresh and delicious; in Gondor sometimes because of the war food could be scarce or at least not consisting of as many fresh fruits and vegetables. “Will I be accompanying you to the library today, my lord?” Faramir asked hopefully so he could read the rest of his book he started and maybe find a history of this world.

Rahl studied Faramir for a moment in silence before answering, certain that the man would prefer to stay as far away as possible whenever he could. The other slaves lived in the far end of the castle, and he was indifferent to them for the most part, but he did allow the guard who watched over them to grant them a few luxuries. Many of the slaves, if and when they recovered from Rahl’s attentions, had tentatively asked the guard for something to pass the time, innocent games or a few books from the village that some of the more educated slaves could share with them. As long as it kept them from bothering him with their silly requests, Rahl couldn’t have cared less. “I have much to do today,” he shrugged. “You may stay in the library with me or bring your books back here if you prefer. I can always summon you if I want you after lunch, though I doubt I will have the need until I return here tonight.”

Faramir smiled when Rahl easily read the reason that Faramir wanted to return to the library. “I would be glad to stay with you… besides yesterday’s lunch was quite… interesting. I would hate to be halfway across the castle should such… ideas spring to your mind,” he grinned, feeling his face color a little at the memory. He dropped his head coyly and looked up from under his lashes at his master, letting him know he had no qualms about any sort of repeat performances. Rahl may think that he is only doing what he must to keep his master happy but Faramir really and truly did enjoy being able to indulge in a side of himself that he never attempted to do with other lovers.

Rahl started to speak, closed his mouth and sighed. “Faramir, there is no reward for telling me what you think I want to hear,” he said softly. “I have not put any spells on you this morning, and I already warned you last night not to lie to me.” Before Faramir could protest, he held up a hand in warning. “You may spend the day in the library and I will allow you to help yourself to the books, but don’t pretend there is any other reason you wish to be there. You enjoy the sex, I do understand that, but I could just as easily leave those invisible hands here to fuck you all day and you would be just as pleased… only without the books.” He took a bite of toast, then waved it in the air between them. “Now, speak no more of it. It is too early in the day for me to have to think of a way to punish you.”

Faramir frowned and bit back a sigh. He had been telling the truth! “Yes, my lord,” Faramir said softly and returned to his breakfast, though not as happily as before. It wasn’t just the sex, gods he wished he could make Rahl understand that, but he couldn’t without risking being punished or worse banished from Rahl’s quarters to somewhere else less pleasant. Faramir decided he was finished with his breakfast and looked up at his master. “I do not want to delay you from your work, my lord. I will try on the clothes now. Thank you again for being so generous,” Faramir said as he stood and crossed to the cart to retrieve the clothing. He moved the various pieces to the bed and spread them out. They were all well made and though somewhat unadorned the simplicity of them made them look starkly beautiful. He selected a blue robe that was designed to be fitted against his chest and flared outward at the hip, much like those Rahl wore but not cut quite as low in the chest, probably so others wouldn’t stare at his slave’s chest. Faramir removed the borrowed robe and dressed in the blue one, smoothing his hands down his chest and over the fabric. It fit him perfectly, almost like a second skin.

Nibbling on the remains of his breakfast, Rahl leaned back in his chair and regarded Faramir appreciatively as he removed his robe and slipped into a new one. His mouth was suddenly dry as he saw how closely fitted the robe was, and, rather than wait for Faramir to turn around on his own, Rahl simply cast a spell to do it for him. The color, the richest blue he’d ever seen, seemed to make Faramir’s eyes several shades darker, and he immediately felt the familiar stirring in his groin as his gaze traveled lower. He stood, pointed to the ground in front of him and out of pure habit pushed out a weak spell over his slave. It wasn’t powerful enough to make Faramir desperate, but it had enough effect that it’s recipient would welcome even Rahl’s touch and perhaps a few of his kisses. “Here. Now.”

Faramir gasped when he was suddenly spun to face Rahl and then he saw the glint in his eyes, the lust burning there and thought that perhaps he’d chosen exactly the right robe to try on first. In the next instant, he felt another spell wash over him but this one wasn’t terribly powerful and left his own free will mostly intact. He moved forward instantly, stopping just before his lover. “My lord?” Faramir questioned, surprised at the sudden need he saw in his eyes.

Rahl’s magic hefted the bottom of the robe up around Faramir’s hips in an elegant crush of velvet and his hands slid around the man’s waist, pulling Faramir hard against him. His lips sealed over the soft ones before him and his tongue pushed past them, tasting fresh fruit and the warm, sweet tea Faramir had just had for breakfast. As he kissed his slave, Rahl’s hand moved beneath the robe, pinching the insides of pale thighs, then letting the back of his hand nudge Faramir’s balls back up into his body, before moving on to leave a red mark from his nails across the smooth plains of Faramir’s stomach. “You will wear this one tonight, when we get back to this room.”

Shuddering from the sudden wash of magic pushing up his robe, Faramir moaned when his lips were claimed in a deep kiss. He returned it eagerly, careful not to touch Rahl though he desperately wanted to wrap his arms around him and let his hands sink into beautiful dark hair. He moaned again as his body was touched and teased, his cock reacting at once to his lover’s touch. He was breathless and staring wide eyed at Rahl when he drew away again. He caught his bottom lip between his teeth, tasting his lover. “Yes, my lord…” he whispered. “Do you wish me to continue trying them on?”

Letting his hands slide down over Faramir’s backside, Rahl pulled the globes of his ass apart slightly, then gave them a hard squeeze. He couldn’t keep the slight smirk from his face as Faramir stared at him, looked somewhat flushed and nearly as aroused as Rahl felt. No wonder the other wizards were so afraid of him, he thought, his powers were getting stronger every day, so much that bewitching his lovers barely even required any effort at all. “Yes. Try on the black one next. It will look lovely against your skin.”

Faramir was certainly under a spell but it had little to do with Rahl’s magic and more to do with his attraction to the man. He gasped and moaned a bit as he was pulled against the muscular body of his lover and smiled a bit. “The black one it is then,” Faramir said softly, smiling almost shyly at his lover as he moved back to the bed again and slipped off the blue robe to exchange it for the black one. This one was completely black, no noticeable trim until it caught in the light. Along the hemlines, neck and sleeves was an intricate embroidered knot work design in a slightly different shade of black, making it look almost as if it were embossed. The fabric itself was lighter weight than the blue one; the black fabric skimming over his bare skin almost sinfully and it clung to the muscles of his chest and upper arms before flaring out at his waist and elbows. It was something Faramir might have even chosen himself to wear for important political meetings at home in Gondor. He turned, lifting his arms out to his sides slightly. “Does this one please you as well, my lord? I certainly enjoy it myself…”

Before Faramir had even finished speaking, Rahl had crossed the room and was practically on top of him. He’d been right, the black fabric had made Faramir’s skin look like porcelain and he’d been unable to suppress the desire to touch it. The fingers of his right hand slipped under his lover’s hair and cupped his neck as his left hand snaked its way up the widely flared arms and cradled Faramir’s elbow holding him steady. “Stunning,” he breathed, dipping his head and sucking hard on the smooth, perfect skin just over the softly pulsing artery in his slave’s neck. “I’m not sure I should even let you out of this room wearing this. Everyone who sees you is going to want you.”

Faramir gasped as Rahl was so close again and then moaned and arched against his lover’s body as he sucked on the tender skin of his neck. Gods, he enjoyed that so very much, Rahl had no idea of course but perhaps he was learning now that his neck was quite sensitive. Faramir desperately wanted to touch Rahl as well, taste his skin and run his fingers through his hair but he knew that would ruin the moment, so he simply let himself be touched instead. Drawing a shaky breath, Faramir laughed softly. “But isn’t that part of the enjoyment, my lord. To know others want what you have, to covet it but know they can never have it?”

Rahl laughed softly against warm skin and had to admit his lover had a point. “Yes, that is part of the enjoyment,” he agreed, leaning to the other side and marking the previously unmarred skin on Faramir’s left side. “To know you are all mine, that no one else can have you… that if they so much as try to touch you, I get to kill them.” Slowly, he pulled Faramir’s head back by tugging on his hair until their gazes met. “You will tell me if anyone touches you. No matter who it is or how innocent you think it might be or how much you might crave someone else’s touch. They are not allowed. You are not allowed to know any other’s touch but mine.”

Faramir tipped his head to the side to allow his lover more access, enjoying the feeling of his neck being marked this way. He was already hard beneath the robe but even if he had to will his arousal away and wait hours it was well worth it. When Rahl pulled his head back, Faramir moaned as he looked into Rahl’s eyes. “I am yours, my lord. I belong to you,” Faramir whispered, meaning it honestly even if Rahl only believed it because of the threat, he meant it regardless of it.

Licking his lips, Rahl’s fingers loosened and began moving slowly, caressing Faramir’s scalp. “Yes, you do,” he said softly. “The palantir has shown me many things, Faramir, but none as beautiful as you, no one that I have ever craved like I crave you. Seldom has it seen into other worlds, but this time… I am glad it was drawn to you, for whatever reason.” He slowly pulled away and reached down to finger the next robe, a light tan colored one with black thread around the edge. “One more before we go… this one. Wear it to the library. Your hair will look lovely falling over the collar in those soft, dark waves.”

Faramir moaned again, his eyes almost sinking closed as Rahl’s fingers worked in his hair and against his scalp. His face began to flush as his lover began speaking about his beauty and how he craved him. Gods, if only Rahl could believe that Faramir craved him in return things would be so much easier between them. Faramir swallowed hard biting back the words he wanted to say and nodded. “Yes, my lord,” he said smiling a little as he prepared to remove his robe. He knew that Rahl had felt his arousal, he was certain to see it now as Faramir changed into the linen weight fabric. It was soft and comfortable with a soft silk like lining. “I was not sure I would like this one as much… the color not being one of my favorites,” Faramir admitted, “but it is very comfortable against my skin. Your tailor and seamstresses are very talented, my lord.”

Rahl had determinedly kept his gaze away from Faramir, knowing he had much work to do that day. That has lasted all of the time it took him to breathe once. When he saw his lover’s arousal, he had to stifle a moan, but when he finally allowed himself to take in the sight of Faramir dressed from head to toe in the lightly colored fabric, he actually felt his cock twitch against his thigh and a drop of precome seep out. No slave had ever had this kind of hold on him, had ever made it hard to think about anything or anyone else, as Faramir seemed to do without even trying. Many times over the last few of his waking hours, he’d even forgotten about the Seeker and mentally devised ways he could take and use Faramir… and perhaps oddest of all was that in his fantasies, Faramir loved what they were doing, and wasn’t simply enduring it. “I… yes…” he managed. “Talented indeed.” Before the last word was out of his mouth, he was waving his hand in the air and the robe that Faramir had so carefully put on was in a heap on the side of the bed and Faramir was laying beside it on his back, legs spread wide. “You are quite inspiring.”

Faramir yelped when suddenly he was naked again and flat of his back on the bed, his arousal hard against his abdomen and straining upwards. “Gods… you certainly have a way of taking a man’s breath way,” Faramir laughed, his eyes sparkling as he watched Rahl stalk toward him. He wiggled just a little, widening his legs even more within the magical bindings and licked his lips seductively.

“I am never going to get any work done with you around,” Rahl groused as he climbed onto the bed and knelt between Faramir’s knees. The front of his robe parted, but he didn’t remove it, instead simply choosing to push it to each side and reach down to pull at his arousal. He darkened the room yet again, lined himself up and nudged at his lover’s entrance with the blunt head of his cock. He waited only long enough for a thin coat of oil to appear both over his shaft and around Faramir’s entrance, then slowly pushed forward. “I have that damnable seeker wanting me dead, a wizard trying to defeat me, magical artifacts I must get my hands on, armies to command, taxes to collect and…” When he met almost no resistance thanks to their activities the night before, he sheathed himself in one thrust. “I cannot seem to keep my hands off you long enough to accomplish anything.”

Amusement wasn’t something Faramir had felt much around Rahl but he felt it now as the man complained though seemingly only half-heartedly. Faramir certainly wasn’t one to complain, he had exactly what he wanted all morning to be honest. He really had not been much of a sexual being in his own world, yes he’d been with other men of course but it was a time of war and taking any long term lovers was nearly impossible. It was only two days now but that was long term in most cases, he couldn’t afford to be involved with anyone more than as a comfort once or maybe twice because of the risk but now that was not an issue and he was quite simply enjoying every moment. He shouldn’t, he was a slave and Rahl reminded him of that fact often but… he couldn’t change how he felt. When his lover sheathed himself in one thrust, Faramir cried out, not from pain but from the sheer lust that pulsed through him. Gods, how could Rahl not believe he was desired? He moved under his lover, shifting as much as the magical bindings allowed to give Rahl the greatest pleasure.

A low moan filled the room and Rahl was startled to realize it was his own. He didn’t even try to wait, and began thrusting hard and fast into the willing body beneath him. The extra ‘hands’ his magic allowed him, pulled Faramir’s hands high above his head and pushed his legs back so that he was nearly bent in half. Rahl’s own hands reached up and pinched his slave’s nipples then began rubbing the hard little nubs between his thumb and middle fingers, giving them a light twist every time he made an especially deep thrust. “I have a lovely golden set of clamps that will look beautiful on these little nipples,” he ground out, never loosing his rhythm. “A heavy gold chain connects them, and then dips down to a thick golden ring that goes around your cock. Every time I touch that chain, the pain in your tits and balls will make you scream.” He leaned down sucked Faramir’s now swollen right nipple into his mouth and smiled around it. “You’re going to love it.”

Faramir was panting heavily within minutes, as his body was pounded soundly into the mattress. His fingers twined together as the magical bindings held him in place, his body open and willing to take everything his lover offered. When Rahl began to toy with his nipples, roughly pinching and teasing them, Faramir arched his back and moaned. “Oh, yes… gods yes,” Faramir panted. “I’m looking forward to it.” Which was true, he certainly was looking forward to that. When Rahl sucked on his nipple, Faramir bucked his hips under him, driving his lover deeply as his muscles constricted around him. He was already so painfully close.

With a low growl, Rahl came just as Faramir arched up into him. He buried himself impossibly deeper, driving in hard and pressing all his weight against his lover as his release slammed into him. Even as he did so, one of the unseen hands holding Faramir’s arms above him let go and wrapped around the base of Faramir’s rigid shaft, driven by the image in Rahl’s mind that was so strong, he didn’t even need to say the spell out loud. He stopped sucking on Faramir’s nipple, and instead, licked at it, teasing his tongue around the areola and lapping almost gently around the nipple itself. He was still buried deep when he pulled away and looked down at his slave’s flushed face. “You want to come, don’t you, pet?” he said softly, rocking his hips for emphasis. “You want to come, but you can’t move.”

Faramir felt his lover’s shaft pulse deep inside of him, felt his lover spill and wanted to come as well but the magic force binding him, kept him from it. He moaned almost pitifully and looked up into Rahl’s eyes. “Please, my lord. Please do not leave me this way,” he begged, trying to move but he was held fast, and his cock was aching around the force holding him so tightly.

The thought of Faramir staying hard for him all day was almost too delicious to pass up, but he’d tried that the day before and hadn’t been able to concentrate. And he did have a lot to do that day, he told himself, so there would be no point in making them both miserable all over again. He pulled out, licking his lips as a drop of his own release followed him and dripped from Faramir’s entrance to the blanket below his hips. “You beg so nicely,” he whispered, conjuring up a phallus that was roughly the size his own erection had been only minutes before. It slipped inside of his lover’s body as Rahl lay on the bed beside Faramir, idly toying with his nipples. The magical hand wrapped around the base of Faramir’s cock loosened and began moving up and down his shaft, jerking him off with sure, steady strokes. “You may come whenever you like.”

When Rahl drew away, Faramir couldn’t hold back the whimper of disappointment until it seemed that he wasn’t going to be left that way after all. He sucked in a quick breath as the phallus was pushed deep inside him and his cock was now being stroked even as Rahl’s fingers pinched and teased his nipples. Gods, all of that sensation at once was driving him crazy. As soon as Rahl told him he could come, Faramir arched his back and came hard as he cried out. He was breathing heavily as he looked over at Rahl beside him and offered a tired smile. “Thank you, my lord,” he said softly, his voice still rough from his loud cry.

Rahl smoothed his thumb over the tormented nipple and trailed his fingers over Faramir’s chest and stomach. “I’ve never really watched a slave find his release,” he said almost to himself. “You were really quite beautiful.” A smile touched his lips and he waved his hand over Faramir’s stomach, making all traces of his release, as well as the hands holding him disappear. “I have fantastic taste, apparently.” A moment later, the phallus was gone as well. “Tomorrow, I will have some free time after we have lunch, so I will likely make you wear the phallus all morning.”

Faramir offered a small smile and felt his face color, even after what they just did. He wasn’t accustomed to compliments on his looks. Boromir was always the one who garnered all the attention. “Mmm, it will be very difficult for me to concentrate on reading tomorrow I think,” Faramir grinned. He lowered his arms to his sides and pushed himself up onto his elbows. “Shall I re-dress so we can get you to work?” Faramir asked softly.

Eyeing the light colored robe Faramir had worn last, Rahl sighed and nodded grimly. “Yes. Only this time, it would help if you looked a little less delicious or we’re never going to leave this damnable room.”

Faramir laughed. “I’m not sure I can control that really I didn’t mean to look any particular way… perhaps the tailor did too good of a job?” Faramir asked smiling as he slid from the bed and picked up the robe. He quickly donned it and pulled his hair from beneath the collar. “Imagine I am in a potato sack perhaps?”

Rahl laughed and tried to imagine just that. It didn’t help that in his mind’s eye, the potato sack stopped just above Faramir’s hips and his cock, swollen and wet from his own juices was jutting up proudly between his legs, and of course outside of this imaginary burlap sack. He felt a definite twitch of interest between his own legs and glared at his slave, though his eyes held no anger this time. “If anything, that only makes it worse,” he sighed. “Come. I’m sure you are as anxious to get back to your book as I am to get back to my desk.”

Not able to imagine just what Rahl had, Faramir quirked his eyebrow at his lover. “I am curious to know how the story ends,” he said as he followed Rahl to the door. He fell silent and schooled his features, tipping his head down as he had the day before as the many locks unfastened. To the rest of the castle Faramir was simply another slave and he could not risk acting anything but the part in front of others. Rahl, he knew, had a certain reputation and laughing or even teasing with a slave was unlikely to be a part of it.

Chapter 8

The trip to Rahl’s library was the same as it had been the day before. Faramir walked silently behind his master with the guard behind him. When they entered the room, Rahl closed and locked the door then went directly to his desk to begin whatever work it was that he did.

Faramir wandered over to where he had replaced his book the day before and began to read. They were both silent for some time and when Faramir finished the book, satisfied with the ending he had hoped for; he got up and began searching for another book.

He found one about the history of D’Hara with maps and various information about the palace itself and even the line of the Rahl family. Faramir settled back onto the settee he’d somewhat claimed as his own, as much as he were able to at least, and began reading. He found the history fascinating and was curious about all of the magic that seemed to just flow in this place. The other wizards he had known in his world did not use their magic as much as Rahl used his, and he found that interesting. Power just seemed to emanate from the man.

A little over an hour later, a knock sounded at the door and Faramir looked up from his book at Rahl. The dark haired man seemed to be expecting the knock because he flicked up his hand and the locks were suddenly gone and the door opened. A man roughly his own age, perhaps a bit older, stepped in wearing armor and a flowing burgundy cape that matched the color of Rahl’s robes.

The man knelt on one knee and bowed his head in deference. “My lord, I have come to give you my report.”

Rahl both looked forward to and despised the reports from his captains. He was desperate to learn the progress of his armies as they took over village after village and searched for the magical books, boxes and various other items he needed, not to mention reports about the Seeker’s whereabouts; but it seemed the captain, Krenn, rarely brought him good news anymore. Rahl was starting to tire of the man and wondered if it was time to replace him. Sighing, he stared at the top of Krenn’s head for a moment and waved his hand again. “You may give me your report, Krenn. It had better be good news this time.

Faramir pretended to return to his book, though he kept most of his attention on Rahl and Krenn.

“Two more villages have fallen under D’Haran rule in the Midlands, my lord. Neither of the items we were seeking were in either of the villages but there was word that the Seeker and his party had been there. We questioned several people until we found someone loyal to you, my lord. They said that the Seeker had fled to the Obergon Woods. A scout has reported this to be true, we have a plan that may help us catch the Seeker off guard. I sent a large contingent in the opposite direction, and let the rumor spread that the Seeker had gone west and we were following them. The best of my men still await orders to follow the Seeker and I had hoped you could grant me another contingent to meet us at the woods,” Krenn explained once he had stood again and unrolled a map and laid it out on a table that was on the other side of the room nearest the bookcase.

Faramir was too curious for his own good, maps had always been of interest to him and he was curious about the layout of this world. He feigned boredom with the book he had and stood to replace it on the shelf, which just happened to be nearest the table. He surreptitiously stole looks at the map as he looked for another book.

“Take all the men you need,” Rahl said dismissively as he leaned over the map and traced his finger over the last village that had fallen under his rule. “And from now on, when you question villagers and find they aren’t loyal to me, bring them back here and throw them in the cellars until they sing a different tune – one that praises my name to all who will hear them.” A large red circle appeared on the map as his fingers passed by village after village, marking his ever expanding territory, then he pulled away. “Where do you intend to be waiting? Obergon Woods isn’t small. There’s no telling where he and his ridiculous little party might choose to exit the forest.”

Krenn nodded when Rahl gave his instructions. “We know from our scouts that they have set up camp in this area. We thought if we came at them from this direction,” he said pointing at an area on the map, “they would be cut off from the river.”

As the man spoke, Faramir looked at the map again and frowned. He was afraid he might be punished if he interfered but… if the elevations marked in tiny numbers on the map were correct, that was a very bad idea. “My lord, pardon me for interrupting but… if the Seeker and his party are there, they are on high ground with caves at their back. Even if your men come at them with more numbers they could hold a siege there. Especially if they have a wizard with them, it will leave your men open and vulnerable to overhead attacks. You’ll need to flank them, come around to this side,” Faramir said pointing at an area of the map, “force them away from the caves at their back and put them having to fight on the run. It isn’t the best choice but certainly better than forcing them into caves you have no idea where they go to.”

Krenn frowned heavily, his face turning a deep red. “What does a pleasure slave know of battle strategy?” He snapped angrily.

Rahl moved closer, saw the tiny markings on the map of caves he hadn’t seen before and glared up at Krenn with dark, angry eyes. “Apparently more than my captain,” he said in an icy voice. He held one hand up; fingers outstretched and slowly began to close them. It was almost as if he was choking a man, but he was touching no one. Still, Krenn gasped and got wide eyed as he suddenly found he couldn’t breathe. “And I don’t recall giving you permission to speak to him, Krenn. In fact, I don’t recall even giving you permission to look at him, now did I?”

Faramir startled as Rahl used his magic on the other man for speaking to him and for being… wrong. His father would have probably had the man whipped, so it was no different other than the fact it was… so much less of a spectacle in some ways and in some ways far more disturbing. He held his tongue though he wanted to say something to keep the man from suffocating right in front of him.

Krenn had become complacent the last few times he’d visited with Rahl with reports he’d been completely unscathed and almost forgotten what his master’s temper was like. Almost. He scrabbled at his throat but of course there was nothing to tug at as his eyes widened further and he continued to try to suck in air. He vaguely wondered if this was how he would die, not in battle but giving a report.

Krenn’s body was lifted an inch or so from the floor and the struggling man was brought closer to Rahl, who seemed to have forgotten Faramir for a moment. “Krenn… Krenn.” He sounded almost disappointed as he moved closer to the man. “I elevate you to a captain in my service, I give you hundreds of men to oversee and a simple task. Kill the Seeker…” Rahl moved closer, looking over Krenn’s shoulder, their cheeks almost touching, his lips near Krenn’s ear. He voice was low, almost sultry, and, had he been saying any other words, it might have been erotic. His hand tangled in Krenn’s hair and the guards head was jerked back roughly, exposing more of his neck to the force that was keeping him from getting air. “Yet, still… you fail me terribly with your ridiculous little plan, and then you insult my guest as well. Whatever were you thinking, Krenn?”

Faramir was ashamed that he actually felt a stab of arousal as Rahl spoke into the man’s ear in that voice. He felt his own cheeks color and looked away from Krenn as the man wildly looked around as much of the room as he could as if trying to find some way to escape. Krenn tried to shake his head and answer his master but could only vaguely croak past the invisible force around his neck.

Wanting desperately to interrupt in some way, Faramir could think of nothing to break the tension of the situation until he remembered the book in his hands. He dropped it “accidentally” and the loud sound of it hitting the floor seemed to snap Rahl’s attention to him and relax the pressure against the man’s neck at least enough for him to gulp in some air. “I beg your pardon, my lord,” Faramir said softly as he picked up the book.

Lost in a haze of anger, Rahl jumped when the book hit the floor and turned to glare in Faramir’s direction. His expression was positively murderous and his first instinct was to punish Faramir as well for interfering. He would have to teach his slave a lesson about that after Krenn left. When Faramir apologized however, Rahl’s mind allowed a little reason to temper his anger for a moment. When he turned back to Krenn, he released him, a look of boredom in his eyes as the man fell to the floor. “You will do as Faramir says. Cut them off from the caves. Give them no place to hide and make them run – run right into your waiting arms.”

Rahl’s right hand moved over his lips as he spoke and he moved closer to Faramir. Not even looking in Krenn’s direction, he let his eyes travel over Faramir from head to toe, his expression unreadable. When he heard Krenn get to his feet, still wheezing, he met Faramir’s gaze. “Oh, and Krenn… if you ever speak to my pleasure slave again, I will rip your tongue out. If you ever look at him, I will blind you. Do you understand?”

The look Rahl gave Faramir almost made his stomach flip. He may have saved Krenn’s skin but he might have just gotten his own punishment but the anger seemed to quickly flee his master’s eyes and he almost breathed a sigh of relief. When Krenn hit the floor, Faramir kept his eyes on Rahl as the room was filled with the sounds of the man struggling to breathe. He watched as long fingers caressed full lips and Faramir realized his earlier arousal hadn’t abated any.

“Y… yes, my… my lord,” Krenn stammered through a coughing fit, carefully keeping his eyes only on Rahl.

Rahl didn’t look away from Faramir even when Krenn spoke. “Well? What are you waiting for? You have your orders.” He heard Krenn stir, then make his way painfully toward the door. Finally, he turned from Faramir and gave Krenn an odd, almost amused smile. “Oh and Krenn?” Something unseen but solid stopped Krenn before he could get to he door; held him perfectly immobile. “You caught me in a good mood today, so I let you live. But I warn you… my mood will be decidedly darker should you not bring me good news next time.” With that, Rahl released the force field and unlocked the doors for Krenn to leave.

Krenn quickly gathered the map and headed for the door as fast as he could to get away from Rahl. He feared no man but he feared that wizard. He nodded in understanding, knowing how he got his position was because Rahl had killed his superior and promoted him. “Yes, my lord. Thank you for your generosity,” he said sincerely and left when Rahl released him the door locking behind him obscenely loud as if even Rahl’s magic was irritated.

Faramir did not know what look was in Rahl’s eyes and he was half afraid to find out. He had only meant to be helpful because it was an obviously harried plan and would likely fail if it hadn’t been pointed out. Rahl was much better in a good mood so failure of his army wasn’t something Faramir wanted to see.

A spell similar to the one that had stopped Krenn in his tracks enveloped Faramir, keeping him immobile. “Now.” He circled his slave, their body’s close, but not touching. “On one hand, you saw a flaw in my captain’s plan and came up with a better one,” he acknowledged. “While you should not have been looking at my maps or even listening to our conversation, your proposal was sound.” He frowned, made a complete circle around Faramir, and resumed running his fingers over his bottom lip and chin. “You say you were a warrior in your world, and now I have reason to believe it. I might even put your skills to good use, so I will forgive your impertinence. However… His words trailed off into a soft, almost sad sigh. “Then you interfered again, when I was trying to make a point to Krenn. That is not so forgivable.”

Faramir was held still, trapped in Rahl’s spell and watching his master closely. His eyes followed those long fingers and then looked up to meet his deep blue eyes. “I know, my lord, I… I did not wish to witness his death and… a reaction I had was… unsettling to me,” Faramir admitted his face turning red. He had been aroused by the sight and sound of Rahl using his powers on that man, it was… disturbing.

Rahl raised an eyebrow and let his fingers move from his own face to trace down Faramir’s neck, following a drop of sweat that had trickled down from his temple. “I would have thought that as a… what did you say you were? A Ranger? Yes… that as a Ranger, you would have seen much death. But a reaction? A reaction to what, Faramir? Were you attracted to my captain? Do you want me to spare his life so that you might sneak away and seduce him?” Rahl’s hand had moved back up to Faramir’s face as he spoke and he cupped the man’s jaw against his hand, leaving red marks on each cheek, he was holding so tightly. “That is it, is it not? You thought to throw yourself at him, to spread those nice, long legs for him and convince him to help you escape?” Rahl’s face darkened again and he realized he didn’t want Faramir to answer. “Whatever your motives, I am almost sorry you couldn’t practice more restraint. Now I shall have to spend my precious afternoon thinking of a way to punish you.”

Faramir tried to shake his head in denial. “No, my lord. I was… I was attracted to your voice… the way you held him in thrall… the way you controlled him. I… it… aroused me,” Faramir whispered his face almost as dark as Rahl’s robes. “I never knew I could… or would be attracted to that.”

For one brief moment, Rahl believed Faramir. Or, at least wanted to. His earlier spell might still be lingering, he supposed, and Faramir looked sincere enough. But Rahl’s own father had told him (proudly, for once) that Rahl radiated darkness, and the fear he saw in all his lover’s eyes, even when they were bewitched, was enough to tell him that no one really wanted him that way, that everyone had a motive. If they weren’t cowering in fear, they were simply playing a part, wanting to slip beneath Rahl’s defenses, to get close so they could help the Seeker and have their name recorded in the history books as having defeated the great wizard Rahl. “Your lies, Faramir,” he said softly. “They bore me.” He tucked a lock of hair behind Faramir’s ear. “I am already going to punish you. You need not anger me further if that is your goal.”

“Yes, my lord,” Faramir said, biting back a sigh. He hated that Rahl believed him to be lying but at any rate he didn’t think he would harm him beyond repair at least. He simply stood, being held in place by Rahl’s magic and waited for his master to decide what he wanted. After a moment he looked into Rahl’s eyes. “I am sorry.”

Rahl sighed and slowly used a spell to loosen, then remove Faramir’s robe. “You should be,” he murmured, trailing his finger from Faramir’s throat down the center of his chest and stopping just above his navel. “You should be very sorry, especially after I told you to stop telling me lies.” A ball of twine appeared out of nowhere and lowered to the level of Faramir’s testicles. Slowly, torturously, the same unseen hand as before pulled Faramir’s scrotum down and wrapped the twine again and again around the base, then made a crises-cross pattern over his shaft. Tight, but nothing compared to how tight it would be when Faramir reached full hardness. “I thought you were better than the others. I thought you were above the lies, but, I guess even I can be wrong sometimes.”

Faramir wanted to argue, wanted to prove he wasn’t lying. He hated being thought of as a liar and it irritated him but at the same time he was still aroused and becoming more so as his robe was removed. When the invisible force manipulated his flesh and began to bind him, he felt his arousal filling even more. “My lord,” he whispered, pleading with him. “I am not lying to you… please… I’ll do anything to prove that to you,” Faramir said arching slightly but unable to really move at all from the force still holding him in place.

Faramir’s words, rather than calming Rahl, only angered him more. “Stop lying to me!” he growled, tightening the twine even more. Another spell, and a gag was pulled tight over Faramir’s mouth, parting his lips and silencing the lies once and for all. The force holding Faramir upright suddenly pushed him forward until he was leaning over the back of a nearby chair, legs parted and ass fully exposed, the balls stretched obscenely low between his legs. Rahl let his nails trail roughly over Faramir’s spine, leaving small red welts behind them as he did so. “Perhaps I should just take your voice for good… maybe that would stop you.”

Faramir cried out with pain but was soon silenced with a gag. When he was pushed roughly forward over a chair, he grunted against the gag and tried to part his legs willingly but the magic was already doing that for him. His back arched away from the sharp rasp of nails and wondered if perhaps he’d been sorely mistaken about Rahl being a lover he wanted to be with. But he did. That was the ultimate shame of it all; his arousal was still growing even though he was ashamed of it now.

Rahl had no qualms about taking his anger out on Faramir. He used his usual spell to open and slick Faramir’s entrance, and without a word, he was thrusting in deep. Despite his earlier words, he found that he missed the sounds he’d already grown used to when he was using his new slave; Faramir’s words and moans were like a drug to him… and as badly as he hated to admit it, an addicting drug at that. Still, he wasn’t ready to face the lies he felt sure Faramir would be trying to tell him again, so he simply fucked him hard and fast, and came without warning a few minutes later without even trying to give him any pleasure. When he pulled out, he watched as a trail of his release seeped from Faramir’s opening down to the inside of his thighs as he roughly kneaded the muscles of the perfect backside still presented to him.

Faramir’s fingers tightened on the back of the chair as he felt himself opened and slicked and a muffled cry was trapped behind the gag as Rahl thrust into him suddenly, setting a punishing pace immediately. He couldn’t move the way he was pinned, couldn’t do anything except clench his fingers in the back of the chair and allow himself to be used. In all the times that Rahl had taken him and in all the ways… this was the only time that Faramir felt ashamed and like a true slave. He was still aroused but trying to will it away though it was impossible with the binding moving slightly around him and Rahl’s thick cock slamming into him. Gods, how could this man make him feel such need? When he felt his lover’s shaft inside him throb and suddenly spill within him, Faramir moaned behind the gag, wishing things were different. Wishing Rahl believed him… wishing that this man he desired really knew he was truly desired. He rocked forward when Rahl pulled roughly away and wiggled back against the hands on his backside. It made him feel like such a whore… but he couldn’t help himself.

Rahl had managed to maintain his distance, at least mentally, until Faramir pushed back against him and moved his backside… like he really did want it. A physical reaction, of course, and he wondered who Faramir was imagining was behind him, but told himself it didn’t really matter. Faramir had been taught a lesson – and not being allowed to come would further ingrain that lesson into his mind. As he saw just how heavy the other man’s cock was, however, he felt a twinge of something he didn’t recognize – guilt. Unable to resist, he reached around Faramir’s body and palmed the hard length, moaning when he felt a drop of moisture against his skin despite the tight bindings. It was then that he reasoned keeping Faramir hard and needy would only torture him as well as Faramir… and that teasing him with the bindings still wrapped tight would further drive his point him. Without a word, Rahl stood Faramir upright, legs still spread, and entered him again. His erection was back in full force but he had no intention of doing all the work this time “If you want to come, pet, fuck yourself on my cock. You may come when I release the bindings and I will even take pity and give you your voice back. But if I hear one more lie from those sinfully delicious lips of yours, I will make you come just as you are now.”

Faramir was shocked as he was pulled upright and Rahl entered him yet again, already hard. A part of him wondered if Rahl used magic to achieve that or if he had recovered that quickly because of desire for him? Faramir wanted to speak, wanted to urge his master on, to say the things that seemed to make the man happy but couldn’t. His request surprised Faramir. He hadn’t expected Rahl to even come close to allowing him pleasure this time. He didn’t hesitate on the offer though should the man change his mind. His fingertips just could touch the back of the chair as he stood and pushed back to grind against Rahl’s body, forcing him deeper as he used every trick he knew to fuck himself on the hard shaft impaling him, including his inner muscles contracting and milking the shaft inside him.

Moaning when Faramir began to move around him, Rahl let his head fall back and his eyes close. Rather than wave his hand, or even a finger, as he normally did to cast a spell, he reached around and let his fingertips trail over Faramir’s lips, giving him the power to speak once more. If his fingers lingered a little longer than they had to, he didn’t analyze the reason behind it and simply concentrated on letting Faramir get him off again. He had to admit, Faramir was a good actor, acting as if he needed Rahl as a dying man would need water. It wasn’t in his nature to stay passive, however, and before long, he was rocking his hips, pushing deep inside Faramir hard enough to bruise his inner muscles when his thrusts and Faramir’s body contracted in counterpoint to one another. He threw another lust spell in for good measure and crooked one leg up to rest on an ottoman he willed across the room so he could thrust in even deeper. “Just tell me you want to come,” he panted. “Don’t bother with the half-truths and the promises you have no intention of keeping.”

Faramir shivered when he heard and felt Rahl’s moan against his back as he rocked against him, moving to pleasure Rahl and himself. When those long fingers passed over Faramir’s lips and the magical gag was removed, the sounds that Faramir had been making all along but only without true sound were released. He was moaning and whispering “yes, my lord, oh gods, yes… there”. He couldn’t seem to stop the stream of words and cried out loudly when Rahl too began to move, thrusting hard and deep, slamming into his sweet spot and making stars form behind Faramir’s eyelids. When Rahl cast another spell on him, Faramir felt it wash over his body, making him shudder and then cried out as suddenly his lover was even deeper than before, having shifted his stance. Faramir could hardly breathe and almost screamed when Rahl spoke. “Now, please, now!”

Rahl had been waiting for those very words. Still, he hesitated for a half dozen heartbeats just to prove to Faramir who was in charge, then, released the tightly wound twine all at once. An especially hard thrust that slammed right into Faramir’s prostate was timed perfectly to hit the very instant the twine was released and as his slave’s body began to contract, Rahl spilled yet again, crying out loudly in the thankfully soundproof confines of his library.

Faramir was grinding hard back against Rahl in those few seconds before the wizard released the bindings. He cried out, arching his back as a deep thrust hit that perfect spot inside him, making sensation explode throughout his lower body. He came so hard he almost fainted from the force of it, his vision dimming and his body falling back heavily against Rahl’s even as his lover spilled inside him and his muscles contracted over and over again. He was panting and trying to catch his breath, still ashamed of himself for being aroused earlier when Rahl had almost choked Krenn to death and for being excited even when he was insulted. He knew some of it was Rahl’s magic but much of it was himself, even when the man had cast no spells at all… Faramir wanted him desperately.

Automatically catching Faramir as he fell back, Rahl supported him without consciously thinking about it. His head moved forward and he licked along the side of Faramir’s neck, shivering in pleasure at the spicy tang of sweat and pleasure and something else he couldn’t quite name as it exploded against his tongue. Never a compassionate man by any stretch of the word, he nevertheless knew he’d put Faramir through enough to exhaust him. He’d made his point, he hoped, and there would be no more lies. Faramir looked and sounded so exhausted, however, he suddenly, perversely, felt the need to make sure he was all right. It was just as easy, since Faramir was already in his arms, to lift him than to cast a spell, so he simply moved to the side a bit and did just that, carrying his lover over to the couch and laying him down almost gently.

Faramir shivered when a slick tongue moved against the sensitive skin of his neck and moaned softly. Rahl knew that he enjoyed that and was surprised yet again by that kindness… if he was surprised by that he was utterly and completely shocked when he was lifted effortlessly into Rahl’s arms, despite being a few inches taller. His own arms wrapped around his lover’s neck and found himself staring disbelievingly up at the dark haired man as he was laid down on the couch. His fingertips grazed Rahl’s cheek as he lowered his arms again and he looked at the man strangely. You are a conundrum. You utterly confuse me, make me want you… and change your mind so quickly about everything… I suppose you are certainly never boring. He smiled slightly at the thought as he closed his eyes for a moment, just meaning to catch his breath.

Rahl looked down at Faramir, completely unaware that he too was smiling. He meant to just leave him there, but he had bound his genitals tightly, and if they were damaged, he might not be as extraordinary in bed as he had been thus far. A few murmured words cleaned them both up, and his gaze lingered on Faramir’s handsome features for a moment, glad that his eyes were closed. When he finally managed to look away, he carefully cupped Faramir’s testicles in his hand and run his thumb lightly over the skin that was still indented with the pattern of the twine. “Well, it certainly seems everything is in working order,” he said lightly. “And I do hope – “ a light squeeze on Faramir’s scrotum for emphasis – “you learned something.”

Faramir’s eyes snapped open when Rahl’s hand cupped his still sore and tender organ. He looked up at Rahl nervously wincing as he squeezed the tender flesh. “Yes, my lord,” Faramir answered automatically. He’d learned the opposite of the lesson though… to not tell the truth in future.

“Very good.” Rahl stood, still wearing his robes and willed a blanket to move across the room and lay lightly over Faramir. The book he’d been reading came next, and Rahl took it in hand and laid it lightly over his slave’s stomach. “Now, rest until our lunch arrives.” He started to stand, but hesitated and let his fingertips run lightly over Faramir’s temples, brushing back damp tendrils of his hair. “And Faramir… never interfere when I am punishing someone. I can be kind, as I am being now, but if you dare try and make me loose face in front of my men ever again, no matter what your reason… you will beg me for death to end your suffering. And I would have no qualms about granting your wish. Now. Do we have an understanding?”

Surprise was evident on his face when Rahl covered him and gave him his book and then touched him so tenderly. Faramir automatically leaned into the touch but his eyes didn’t close as they might have when Rahl spoke. He swallowed and nodded. “Yes, we do, my lord. It was never my intent to make you lose face… I did not… even consider that,” he said softly. It was the same thing he might have been punished for by his father in fact and it stung a bit.

One corner of Rahl’s mouth twitched up in a smile and he leaned forward, pressing his lips against Faramir’s. What was meant to be a chaste, almost forgiving kiss, quickly deepened and by the time he pulled away, he was breathless and flushed. “I will forgive you this time, but you should count your blessings I’m in a good mood… and that your idea for the ambush on the Seeker was a sound one. If you learn your place, I might consider letting you advise some of my captains one day, since you obviously are skilled in more areas than the bedroom.” With a soft laugh and a final card of his fingers through Faramir’s hair, Rahl stood up and crossed the room, sitting back behind his desk as if he’d never been interrupted at all.

The smile Rahl gave him almost made Faramir’s toes curl. Gods, the man was devastatingly handsome… and clearly had no idea. Before he could even blink, warm lips were caressing his own, softly at first but then the kiss deepened to passionate in an instant and he too was breathless when Rahl drew away again. “Thank you, my lord,” he whispered and sighed softly as he relaxed back into the couch. How Rahl could walk after two orgasms that powerful, Faramir had no idea, but he was grateful to just lie there and rest. He made an attempt to pick up his reading again but soon had fallen asleep with the book open on his chest.

Chapter 9

Faramir had woken when lunch arrived and he and Rahl shared their meal in relative silence. The dark haired wizard seemed to be lost in thought about something and so Faramir had settled into reading again. He read all afternoon, learning more about D’Hara and tried not to think about what had happened earlier in the day.

In late afternoon, Rahl stood from his desk and told Faramir they were returning to his room. Faramir followed, perhaps even a little more sedate than usual, unsure if Rahl really had gotten over his anger at him earlier. The man’s moods changed so swiftly that it was hard for Faramir to keep up sometimes. Just when he thought he had the man somewhat figured out or thought he’d found a way for them to get along well… he would do or say the wrong thing and anger Rahl.

Rahl was unusually relaxed when they reached his rooms. He had confidence in Faramir’s plan to capture the seeker, and he’d more or less forgiven his earlier indiscretion. Their earlier activities had helped him work up an appetite and he was looking forward to getting back to his rooms and, surprisingly, spending some time with Faramir. He’d never looked to his slaves for anything more than sex; indeed, he’d rarely even notice them when he wasn’t taking his pleasure from them. With Faramir, however, he could talk, in addition to the other things they could do – a novelty indeed, and one that he enjoyed tremendously. As soon as they entered his rooms, he locked the door behind them, seeing their dinner sitting in the middle of the room just as expected. “I wonder if Krenn and his men have left yet? They usually spend entirely too long saying their goodbyes to their family for my tastes, but they know how important this is…”

Faramir looked over his shoulder at Rahl then turned to look at him. “Would your guard have heard any information? If it were me, of course, I would only take long enough to get fresh horses, assemble my men and sergeants, explain the plan to them and head out as soon as everything was organized,” Faramir said confidently. “I am sure that… he also knows the urgency of the matter. If the enemy should move, the plan will be wasted and another opportunity may not arise like this.”

Moving closer, Rahl circled Faramir again, much as he had earlier that day, but this time there was no anger in his eyes. He rested one hand on Faramir’s lower back and nuzzled against his neck. “I think you will accompany me to my study every day,” he said softly. “It seems I might be able to use your mind as well as your body. That is most… unexpected.”

Faramir was a little nervous when Rahl began to circle him like he had in the study. He rapidly tried to think back over what he said to make sure nothing could have upset him, though he didn’t look upset… that didn’t mean much with Rahl he’d found. He gasped though when soft lips nuzzled against his neck and warm breath ghosted over his skin. “Thank you, my lord, that is very generous of you,” he whispered.

Rahl’s movements were slow and deliberate. He moved his head so that his lips and nose barely nudged Faramir’s cheek and neck, taking pleasure in the barely-there touches. Faramir’s scent wafted over him, and he sighed appreciatively. “Yes, I can be very generous when I wish to be,” he murmured. “You displeased me earlier when you interfered, but you suffered your lesson well, and your ability to see what Krenn could not, makes me think you have more uses than meets the eye.” He smiled, scraped his teeth over Faramir’s jaw, and then pulled him closer. “It must be quite the loss for your world to have lost you.”

Faramir moaned softly as Rahl spoke and kept touching him with those soft fleeting touches. It was already starting to arouse him and he swallowed hard, having to clench his fists at his sides to keep from touching Rahl in return. “I…” he paused and licked his now dry lips. “I am doubtful that my father truly misses me, but my brother does, I am sure of that at least.”

Rahl avoided looking into Faramir’s eyes; his own gaze was half obscured by heavy lids and he felt nearly drunk with desire, much like Faramir must feel under the spell, he thought. He twirled one finger, and Faramir’s robe slowly began to unfasten, then slide off his shoulders. Watching as his slave’s body was slowly exposed, he pulled the other man in for a deep kiss. He’d made Faramir suffer earlier and enjoyed it immensely (and so, he remembered with a smile, had Faramir) but at the moment he was simply too distracted to cast binding spells or his other favorites, like clamps or paddles or spreader bars. “I never thought I would say this, but I am quite tired of causing you pain today, Faramir.”

Shivering a little as his robe slowly dropped to the floor, Faramir moaned into the deep kiss that Rahl pulled him into. Gods, no matter how much the man hurt him or made him beg, even shamefully, his kisses made Faramir’s knees weak. He wanted to touch him so badly but the last time he asked Rahl had grown angry with him. When he pulled away and spoke again, Faramir thought he might just chance it. “That is good, though I think you know I do not entirely mind pain… this is rather nice as well,” he said softly, knowing that Rahl could feel his arousal against him. “May I make a request, but… I truly hope it doesn’t anger you because I am enjoying this… but… I… I am afraid to touch you though I want to. Not… not anything to make you uncomfortable I just… would like to put my arms around you too when we kiss.”

Long fingers trailed over Faramir’s neck on the opposite side from where his lips were teasing. He paused, one hand frozen where it still rested on Faramir’s back, the other falling to his shoulder. There was no reason he should still be surprised at how well his spells worked on the man, but it still was a bit disconcerting each time it happened. He sighed, resting his forehead against Faramir’s temple, and closed his eyes. “Faramir. You… this is the second time you’ve asked me that. I am, quite frankly, tired of saying no, so…” Swallowing a lump in his throat he tilted his head just a bit more and bit lightly at his lover’s neck “It will earn you no special favors, but if you will stop asking, you may put your arms around me. But… nothing else, and only over my robes, never beneath them.”

“Thank you,” Faramir said almost happily. “It feels strange, not at least being able to hold onto you. I promise to only touch you over you robes,” he whispered. Slowly, he raised his arms and let his hands move up over Rahl’s arms and then across the rich fabric over his shoulders as he wrapped his arms around him, his hands caressing through the thick material. “You liked it when I rubbed your shoulders before… this isn’t so different,” Faramir whispered, close to Rahl’s lips, almost willing the man to kiss him again.

Holding his breath as the unfamiliar, unasked for embrace settled around him, Rahl stood as stiff as a board, half expecting Faramir to try and throw him to the ground or some other such ridiculous nonsense. Even with his spells, he’d never forced anyone to do much more than submit to his whims – never to hold him, and he wasn’t at all comfortable with the idea. Still, the warmth and gentleness of Faramir’s arms as they settled around him made him shiver and, when he realized Faramir wasn’t going to try anything, he nearly moaned with pleasure. His hand slipped back around Faramir’s neck and he renewed their kiss, pulling the other man flush against him, his arousal digging obscenely into Faramir’s upper thigh.

Faramir could feel how tense Rahl was at first but he had that same reaction when he’d first rubbed his shoulders. When he relaxed and then caught his lips a searing but languid kiss Faramir didn’t hold back his moan. He rocked a little against Rahl, offering him pressure and friction against his hard shaft just as his own couldn’t help but rub against his lover. It was sensual and incredibly arousing and Faramir didn’t want it to stop. He didn’t want this to turn harried and just a means for release… he wanted for Rahl to find that he only wanted him, not any of the other pleasure slaves. Just him. It was an unsettling thought… especially after the way he was treated this morning but he couldn’t help what he wanted.

Faramir’s moan made Rahl’s arousal even thicker and heavier between them. When his robe brushed up against the tip, it left a wet spot behind, clear proof of just how deeply Faramir affected him. He sighed into the kiss, then pulled away, eyes dark, face flushed and breath hitching in his chest. “Faramir…” He licked his lips, then turned toward the bed, getting ready to order Faramir to go before him. He was too aroused to think, let alone cast a spell, however, so he simply took Faramir’s hand and led him across the room, where he gently eased him down in a manner he’d never even thought of using with anyone else. Without a word, he lay down on top of Faramir and renewed their kiss, nothing but his robes between them.

The kiss was making Faramir almost dizzy with need and when Rahl pulled away, he looked so absolutely stunning that Faramir had a hard time not grabbing the man and hauling him back into another kiss. Thankfully, reason overrode that desire and he felt a small smile tug at his lips as Rahl took his hand and led him to the bed. No magic this time… was rather refreshing, Faramir thought as he was gently lowered to the bed and he was covered by his lover. He wished that Rahl would remove his robe, but he knew that wasn’t a request he could make yet. Rahl never let him see his body, his arms, chest and back at times and, of course his gorgeous length when Faramir had pleasured him with is mouth, but that was all. Faramir’s hands moved over Rahl’s back, caressing through the fabric, as his legs parted wider for his lover and he arched his back as they kissed.

It was strange, holding and touching Faramir in such a manner, with no magic to bind his hands or silence him, at least not yet. These gentle touches and soft caresses were completely foreign to him, but for some reason, after everything that had happened that day, from Faramir’s suggestion about the ambush to his interference and subsequent punishment regarding Krenn’s ‘lesson’; the shared interests in books and maps and strategies and finally, his request to touch Rahl, it seemed right. As cruel as he could be, Rahl didn’t like to damage his slaves beyond repair and he knew the afternoon hadn’t been exactly easy for Faramir, whom, he had to admit, had suffered enough for the day. The pace was much slower than he’d ever experienced, and he found, to his surprise, he liked it. “So,” he whispered against soft lips, running his hand up from Faramir’s hip to his ribs, “you like a little pain from your lovers. Do you also enjoy a soft touch from your master as well?”

This was absolute heaven and hell all rolled in one. Heaven because Faramir thought the way Rahl was touching and kissing him was the best feeling he’d ever experienced in his life. Hell, because he couldn’t touch his skin, couldn’t really touch him back in all the ways he would a real lover. When Rahl drew away again for them both to catch their breath and to speak, Faramir bit his bottom lip and then grinned impishly. “I do,” Faramir said softly. “It is almost a form of torture in itself, making me want and crave even more.” He was completely honest as he spoke and smiled as he looked up into lust-darkened eyes. Rahl’s eyes were gorgeous and he wanted to tell him but Faramir feared it would break the moment. Rahl might believe was simply saying it because it would be expected. Instead he said, “Gods, you feel so good against me.”

Rahl returned Faramir’s smile before he even realized it, though he was frustrated that Faramir still felt the need to lie to him. He wasn’t ready to get into that argument again, however, just in case it truly was his spell being more powerful than normal as it had been with his handsome Ranger from the beginning. He lifted his robes until their lower bodies came into contact and shifted his hips, rubbing their arousals together. “I have perfected my spells over the years,” he admitted. “But, this, I have to say, is unusual for me – these slow kisses and allowing your hands to be free. I’m glad you aren’t fighting the spell.”

Glad to see Rahl smiling, because it was truly a beautiful sight, Faramir felt warmth flood through him. That warmth turned even hotter when Rahl shifted and moved so that his skin was pressed against his own heated skin. “Oh Gods,” he murmured as he shifted his hips just a little. He shook his head at Rahl’s words. “What would be the point of fighting magic? Besides… I got little opportunity to have this much sex in my own world, constantly in the woods, constantly in one battle or another or holed up in horrible dark caves… I can tell you honestly your bed is more comfortable than a cave floor… so why fight it?”

Rahl had to laugh at Faramir’s flippancy. “You truly have no idea who – or what – I am, do you?” he asked, dipping his head and tracing his lips over Faramir’s collarbone. “My bed is considered a punishment for anyone who has ever been in it before, and certainly, any of them would take a cold, dark cave over it any day, even with the benefit of my spells.” As he spoke he shifted between Faramir’s legs and reached down between them, rubbing the swollen head of his cock over his lover’s entrance. A few murmured words and he had slicked himself, hands holding on to his lover’s hips, lips and mouth still worrying his neck. “Are you still open from earlier?” he whispered, working his way up and capturing Faramir’s earlobe between his teeth.

Faramir grinned at Rahl’s laughter. It was true, he wasn’t of this world so he really had no idea he should truly fear or despise the man. “I do not really know anything about you, my lord… only what you have shown me thus far,” Faramir admitted. He gasped when Rahl moved his mouth over a particularly sensitive spot on his neck and tipped his head back further. Feeling the hard, slick cock push against him, Faramir nodded. “I am, my lord,” he whispered softly, shivering as sharp teeth worried his earlobe.

Rahl decided that if this was the reaction he could get from Faramir if Faramir didn’t know the ‘real’ him, he would do whatever he could to keep things just the way they were. It was odd, worrying about Faramir’s comfort, but this time, rather than forcing himself in, he instead rocked his hips slowly forward, letting just the tip of his arousal sink past tight muscles. He moaned and his mouth fastened again on Faramir’s neck, sucking hard as he sank deeper, stopping only when he was buried to the hilt and his balls rested against the curve of Faramir’s backside. Slow, easy sex wasn’t usually his preference, but at that moment, it felt too good to stop.

Faramir had been accustomed to fast and rough couplings with Rahl the last few days but now, it was unusually gentle and so very arousing. He moved slowly, entering Faramir as if they were truly lovers and Faramir sighed softly as he felt himself stretched and open around his lover. Rocking his hips when Rahl stopped, surprised that the man actually had stopped. He was still a bit sore from his earlier punishment so this was absolute heaven, especially with Rahl sucking at the sensitive flesh of his neck. “Oh Gods,” he murmured, his fingertips digging into the soft fabric under them. “Feels so good…”

Releasing the reddened skin between his lips only to move to another sensitive spot on Faramir’s neck just a bit lower, Rahl sighed, hefting his robes up just a bit higher between them so their lower stomachs touched, but careful to stay too close for the other man to see his scars. As always, it felt magical, being buried inside his slave, but it had nothing to do with the type of magic he was used to, at least not on his end. The novelty would wear off soon, he was sure, as it did with all his slaves, or perhaps his spells would stop being as effective on Faramir, but for now, he was going to enjoy it while it lasted. “You do taste incredible,” he murmured, rolling his hips back until he was almost free of his lover’s body, and then pushing back in again in one slow and steady thrust.

Moaning softly, Faramir arched his neck so his lover had better access. He was slightly surprised when Rahl lifted his robe even higher and wanted desperately to let his hands travel down to squeeze his rear but had promised to only touch on top of his robes. So his hands traveled down as far as they could and back up again, rubbing and kneading the strong muscles as he rocked his hips to meet each slow thrust. He smiled when Rahl said he tasted incredible and wanted to pull the man into another kiss but was uncertain if he should. Finally, he could stand it no more and whimpered. “Please… kiss me,” he whispered breathlessly.

More than happy to grant Faramir’s wish, Rahl mouthed his way over the curve of his jaw line and up to his lips. Without hesitation, he licked past his slave’s lips and delved deep into his mouth, stealing Faramir’s breath and sucking hard on his tongue. They had all evening, so he saw no reason to hurry, and his every movement reiterated that fact. Moaning every time the thick ridge at the head of his cock pushed past Faramir’s outer muscles, he set up a pace slower than any he’d ever managed before. “Gods, I’m glad I saw you in that palantir,” he whispered, letting Faramir take a breath before renewing their kiss.

When Rahl’s lips left his neck and continued to kiss their way to his mouth, Faramir was almost stunned. The man had not treated him with this much tenderness since he’d met him… but he found he enjoyed it. He did like fast and rough sex for the most part and enjoyed pain and pleasure combined but this was… something all together different. It was a slow, building torture in itself, keeping him just at the edge of a growing need. His mouth eagerly met, Rahl’s, giving up all of himself it seemed as the man kissed him breathless again. The moan against his lips seemed to make Faramir’s cock twitch between them and he smiled when Rahl drew away. He wanted to say he agreed and in most ways he did, though he did miss his home and his brother. He didn’t have to say anything at all though because soon Rahl’s lips were crushing down on his again, making him moan and roll his hips with his lover.

Long arms wrapped around Faramir, lifting his back up off the bed while still thrusting hips drove his lower body back down. Each thrust was angled just a bit differently from the last, some brushing over Faramir’s sweet spot, some hitting it squarely, and some simply avoiding it completely just to keep the willing body beneath him pliant and open. After a few dozen thrusts, however, he felt himself loosing control and began moving faster. He started to give Faramir permission to touch himself, but realized that would put his hand in contact with the worst of the scars – a mood killer if there ever was one, in Rahl’s opinion. He could just come, then allow Faramir to finish himself off after he’d pulled away, and indeed, that was what he was planning to do… right up until the moment he found his own hand snaking between them. His knuckles brushed over the hated scar and he closed is eyes in disgust at himself for just a moment, but was soon caught up in the rhythmical thrusting once again, his hand wrapping around and stroking Faramir’s rigid flesh as it lay weeping between them.

As strong arms lifted his upper body, Faramir’s arms wrapped tighter around his lover, clinging to him as he was taken higher and higher with each thrust. Rahl kept him just on the edge of oblivion. He moaned and arched against his lover and then his eyes snapped open widely in surprise when he felt Rahl’s hand slip between them and wrap around his weeping cock. He’d never done that before and Faramir found himself completely confused. His body arched, thrusting up to meet his lover and into the strong hand wrapped around him. “Yes, yes… oh Gods, feels… Gods you feel so good inside me, just like that,” Faramir chanted the words, hardly even realizing what he was saying exactly.

Rahl lost all sense of time and place, even forgot for the moment that he was having sex with a mere slave who was so easily bewitched it was nearly laughable, and, thankfully, chose to ignore the fact that he, a wizard of the highest order and the most powerful emperor of his time, was actually giving pleasure instead of just taking it. Cursing softly under his breath at his near lack of control, he gave an especially deep thrust, twisted his hips, and came hard. His cock pulsed and his body froze, all except his hand around Faramir’s cock, which kept pulling on the now slick flesh, nestled against his palm. “Come,” he whispered. “Come now.”

Faramir too was lost and somewhat confused by Rahl being so gentle with him. He cried out when his lover thrust deep into him and met the thrust, grinding his hips against his lover and convulsing his muscles knowing Rahl was close. Within moments, he felt the hot spill inside him and gasped, as the wizard spoke his last words. Faramir arched his back and came hard, his fingernails digging deeply into the fabric covering Rahl’s back as he spilled between them. His entire body was stiff for a moment in his lover’s embrace as his release was milked from him by a strong yet oddly gentle hand.

As soon as the last of his orgasm was wrung from him, Rahl felt his hand covered with Faramir’s release. Out of pure instinct, he kept moving his hand until his slave too was completely spent. The surprise of his own actions finally registered on his face as he stared down at the dilated blue eyes and flushed face beneath him. “I…” Stumbling for words, he quickly leaned back, but grabbed the root of his softening sex and gently pulled out before he collapsed on the bed beside his lover. “I should clean us up and we should eat,” he finally managed, feeling oddly vulnerable for some reason. He mumbled the cleaning spell and wrapped his robe back around him, but didn’t break their gaze. “It’s… getting late.”

Faramir felt as if his very bones had dissolved and was completely limp in Rahl’s arms for a few moments. When Rahl pulled away, even gently then, Faramir swallowed hard and simply lay on the bed for a moment, throwing his arm over his eyes to try and catch his breath and think for a moment. He couldn’t understand what had brought all this on but… he certainly wasn’t going to complain or… ask Rahl and ruin the mood. He nodded and dropped his arm to his side, even as he was still trying to catch his breath. His stomach was even still fluttering from his orgasm and even managed to smile after the somewhat rough cleaning spell washed over him. “Yes, my lord,” Faramir said sitting up. He wasn’t terribly sore and was grateful for it as he scooted to the edge of the bed and picked up his robe. He donned it quickly and went to the table to pour wine for them both. “Everything looks delicious and I certainly have an appetite now,” Faramir said with a grin, hoping to erase the odd look on Rahl’s face.

Rahl’s fingers were once again running over his lips and he was almost startled when Faramir spoke of having worked up an appetite. He had no idea exactly what had just happened, and while he’d enjoyed it, he wasn’t sure he felt comfortable with it happening again. He felt it made him seem weak and vulnerable, traits he never wanted to be associated with under any circumstance.

“Yes, I am quite hungry myself,” he said vaguely, hoping Faramir wouldn’t comment on the incredibly intimate encounter, but too confused at the moment to even punish him if he did.

Faramir watched as his lover ran his fingers over his lips and smiled a little. He turned and began filling their glasses and waited for Rahl before he took his seat. He offered bread to his master and waited for a moment more to speak. “That book I was reading today… it was about your world, histories I suppose, with maps and descriptions of things I’ve never even heard of in my world, yet some things that are very similar. It seems as if your entire world is steeped in magic of some kind,” Faramir said conversationally. “Wizards in this world… they are just… born with an innate talent? Like the Istari of my world… men and women with a special gift?” Faramir asked curiously.

Faramir was full of surprises, not only reading about this new world he’d been drawn into, but wanting to discuss it as well, and of all people, with Rahl. He wasn’t normally one to share his secrets, but Faramir was harmless, it seemed, and certainly had made no effort – so far anyway – to harm him. There was no harm he could see in talking somewhat freely, at least for now. He could always wipe the man’s memories at a later time if needed. “Something like that,” he said, chewing his bread thoughtfully. “My father,” – he frowned at the memory of the man – “was a powerful wizard in his own right, but he never made the effort to learn more. I create my own potions and spells and use my magic often so I’m always ready. I’ve grown to be twice the wizard my father was.”

“So like any skill, it is honed by use and training?” Faramir stated, not really a question. “I find it fascinating.” He took a bite of food which was perfectly seasoned and surprisingly still warm… they had taken a while in bed earlier so he’d expected their meal to be long cold by now. Another gift of magic perhaps? Faramir wondered. “My tutor, Gandalf, always said I was too curious for my own good but I would love to learn more about your world, especially since I now live in it,” he was completely honest but a part of him that missed Boromir pined to see his brother again. He even wondered for a moment what his father and brother thought had happened to him. He had disappeared without a trace, even his bedding had come with him that night.

“You are a very… unusual man, Faramir.” Rahl’s fingernails scraped over his chin and jaw a few times before he reached for more food. “You are exceedingly curious, but I can see no malicious reason behind it, so I have no objections to your reading about this world whenever I am otherwise occupied.” He tore off a piece of meat and toyed with it for a moment, his eyes never leaving his new slave. “Perhaps one day, I will take you up to the main tower. You can see for many leagues in every direction and you might get a better sense of where you are.”

“That would be wonderful, thank you, my lord,” Faramir said smiling as he reached for his wine glass. “I… admit I am curious about why the seeker has to kill you… and even why he’d want to. It is one thing to be someone’s enemy but from what I read… it is prophecy and who can really believe they have to fulfill some destiny like that? It seems like a good excuse to keep a war alive,” Faramir explained.

“The seeker is a fool – a young boy led on a ridiculous quest by a bitter, ridiculous old wizard who wishes he had killed me the same day he killed my father,” Rahl said softly, his gaze drifting toward the window and his expression cold. “I want only peace for my people, yet this child has been led to believe I am evil and crave nothing but power. It is almost a shame he will have to die. They say he can fight quite well. He would have made a good addition to my armies.”

“Is there no diplomatic way for you to negotiate with him?” Faramir asked, and then grinned ruefully. “It would be challenge to accomplish but… do you even think it would be possible?” Faramir realized suddenly that he asked not just because he preferred peace to war but also because he had grown somehow fond of the dark wizard.

Rahl drank from his cup and turned his attention back to Faramir. “No. As long as the seeker lives, I will have no peace.” He stood, walked behind Faramir and cast a simple spell before touching him, knowing he would be angry if the man flinched. He hadn’t done so yet, that was true enough, but that was only because he’d been bewitched practically since he’d been brought here. “You should not get any ideas,” he warned. “Should you decide to help the seeker in any way, you will pay dearly for it, and even if I die, you will not automatically be sent back to your world. Where you end up after I tire of you is completely up to me. You would do well to remember that.”

Faramir turned to look up at Rahl and shook his head. “That is not why I asked. I don’t know this seeker and I can’t say if he is a good man or bad. Everyone is capable of both and no man is above being corrupted for one reason or another,” Faramir said softly, even as he felt the spell wash over him. “I wish you could understand that I have no reason to cause you harm,” Faramir said softly, looking up directly into Rahl’s eyes. “Yes, you brought me here against my will but I have not turned away from you, not even when the spells wear off at night in my sleep,” Faramir finally said, wanting to let Rahl see that he had not tried to escape or run from him.

Narrowing his eyes, Rahl twisted a lock of Faramir’s hair around his fingers. “Only because you know there is so much magic you would never escape,” he shrugged. “Besides, I wonder if my spells on you even wear off. You seem more susceptible to them than most, as I’ve already mentioned. You have most likely been somewhat bewitched since the moment you got here.”

“Maybe because I do not fight them?” Faramir asked. “I have already said that I see no reason to fight against magic because I know I cannot overcome it… so why waste the energy? Besides… most everything you have done to me I’ve found very pleasurable… perhaps it lowers my natural shame and shyness… because I have never done these things with a partner in my world but, it was never from lack of want just fear I would be taken wrong,” Faramir explained.

“I must admit that your pleasure brings me to new heights,” Rahl said softly. Suddenly, he bent over, grabbed the back of Faramir’s neck and leaned him sideways on the chair, looming over him like the predator many accused him of being. He was strong, and held Faramir easily with one arm, their mouths nearly touching, and Rahl’s eyes dark with desire. “You continue acting out your part,” he whispered, running his tongue over Faramir’s bottom lip, “and I will let you have all the pleasure you desire. So far you have willingly taken what I have offered, but I assure you it will not always be so pleasant. You will be rewarded, however, for your willingness to please me, spell or no spell. Rewarded handsomely.”

Faramir gasped when suddenly he was leaned over the edge of the chair and he would have fallen out of it, if it hadn’t been for Rahl’s strong arm supporting him. He shivered when Rahl licked his lips and looked into those incredibly blue eyes before him. “I will be more than happy to continue as things have been and have no qualms about trying anything else. You have not hurt me irreversibly so far… so… I believe I trust in you not to hurt me so much it cannot be repaired even without magic,” Faramir said softly. “Unless I displease you of course, but I am trying very hard not to do that, even though I slip as I did today. My reward today was the fact that though the punishment was painful… you allowed me rest and comfort afterwards. I will not forget that, my lord… my master.”

A strange light shone in Rahl’s eyes at Faramir’s words and he felt a small twinge in his chest. “You trust me?” he whispered, pulling back just enough to search Faramir’s eyes. He carefully lifted the man back up in his chair and released him before Faramir could answer. “I… yes.” The trust issue wasn’t something he wanted to get into just then, but he filed it away in the back of his mind for later, when Faramir’s trust would really be tested. “I have never thought much of my partner’s comfort,” he confessed. “But honestly, I cannot magically heal you every time you are injured and I have no wish to further your punishment when you cooperate, so… I will see what I can do about making sure you are comfortable afterward. I am sure you might wish for someone… with a more gentle
touch than mine, but since no one else is allowed to touch you, you will have to settle for whatever I can mange.”

Seeing that his statement of trust threw Rahl, Faramir decided not to press the issue. “Your touch hasn’t been an issue, my lord, as you know I do like things a bit rough sometimes… though earlier… you were anything but rough. It… was a delightful treat but I do not expect that all the time and won’t, I promise you. I’ll view that sort of gentleness as the gift that it is,” Faramir admitted.

Rahl sat back down on his chair and scooted it closer to Faramir until they were eye level. The room was silent for long moments as he searched for any untruth or mockery in the other man’s words. When he saw none, the trailed his fingertips over Faramir’s jaw and offered him a tight smile. “You see that as a gift,” he repeated. It wasn’t a question, just a fact. “I have never… I mean, there has never been the need nor the desire on my part for what we did earlier, but…” His face flushed and he pulled away abruptly, focusing all his attention back on the meal before him. “We will see, Faramir. If you continue to behave, you might receive such a gift again one day.”

Faramir found himself smiling slightly as Rahl sat looking at him and he leaned into the touch. “If that is the reward, then I will strive to behave, my lord,” he whispered.

Biting back a smile as Faramir’s words and the images that came to mind with them, Rahl stayed determinedly focused on his food and simply nodded; pleased in ways even he couldn’t understand. He was a powerful wizard; a ruler of countless armies and the protector of his people… but how this one handsome, intelligent and bold young man from a whole other world affected him and drove him to distraction was beyond logic. It was a good thing, he decided, that he had plenty of time to figure it out.

Chapter 10

Days passed for Faramir in this new world and before he knew it, he had been Rahl’s slave about a month. Overall, that month hadn’t been so bad. There had been punishments but more often than not those punishments led to an incredible round of sex, so sometimes Faramir had a hard time seeing them as exactly a punishment. He knew better than to really anger Rahl, most of his punishments were for minor things, and a few times… he had provoked the man. Most probably would never provoke a wizard that way but Rahl had been obsessing over the seeker for hours on end and Faramir honestly thought the man needed a distraction.

This day, like many others Faramir followed his master to his study and was seated on the couch, reading a book. He missed being outdoors, riding horses, missed the woods of his homeland some days almost acutely but… this wasn’t such a bad fate he kept telling himself.

Rahl’s fingers were scraping over his chin as he looked over the papers on his desk. He was lost in thought, but still found his eyes wandering up every now and then to admire the man seated on the couch before him. More than once as he was gazing at Faramir, a small smile would touch his lips though he had no clue it was there. He seemed more relaxed around Faramir, which was odd, because before, he’d never felt safe unless he was alone. He drew his gaze back to his work and reached for a heavy book on one side of his desk, sighing as he wondered to himself why this particular slave was so distracting. “You look like you are enjoying that particular story,” he said, more to break the silence than anything else. “Which book did you choose today?”

“It is a history of warfare in your world, oddly similar to my own in some ways,” Faramir said looking over the top of the book. “I find it interesting to note how similar my culture and yours can be at times and other times completely different. Perhaps that is why the palantir could access my world because it isn’t so terribly different than yours? At any rate… it is very good,” Faramir said smiling openly. He truly enjoyed reading, and would read just about anything and find something of worth in it.

Rahl laughed softly under his breath, but with Faramir, especially lately, the sound rarely sounded derisive. “I see what your wizard meant when he called you inquisitive. You are not so different than me – always thinking, trying to understand how things happen. The palantir, however, is not something I have questioned yet. I am just happy it showed you to me at all…” He started to go on, but was interrupted by a loud knock at the door. His guard was arguing with someone and it was obvious he was quite agitated from the sound of his voice. Rahl immediately stood, fully expecting the seeker to come bursting into his library, hands at the ready to cast any spell he could think of.

Faramir set his book aside and stood as well, out of habit he supposed, a lifetime of warfare ingrained in him. He didn’t stop to think how odd it was that he wished to protect a man who obviously had no need of his protection when he had magic. When Rahl spelled the locked door open, his guard came in with a man holding someone in his arms. “My lord, I am sorry to interrupt but Governor Walne would not wait for me to announce him properly,” the guard said bowing his head.

Faramir moved a bit closer to Rahl not even realizing he was doing so, just in case the man tried anything. He couldn’t see the person bundled in the man’s arms.

Though nearly all of his attention was focused on his guard (with whom he was quite displeased) and the intruder, Rahl couldn’t help but notice that Faramir seemed almost… protective. As if he was going to fight should there be an attack. All signs pointed toward him fighting on Rahl’s side, but, the wizard reasoned, one never could be sure until the actual attacks began. “Bergan, what is the meaning of this?” He knew the Governor was no threat, but he automatically strengthened his protection spell… and extended it to include Faramir as well. “How dare you come bursting into my private quarters in such a manner?”

“I am sorry, my lord, the governor would not leave and he threatened my family who live in his territory or I would have forced him to leave. He claims his daughter is dying and said that he would do anything to save her,” Bergan explained and stepped aside just a little, so that Rahl could clearly see the pretty little blond haired girl who was obviously in a great deal of pain, her face red with fever. The Governor had always doted on his daughter and expected her to make a good match for some young lord in a few years… now she may not even live until tomorrow from the look of things.

“Please, my Lord Rahl, please… she is my only child and we have tried everything, you are our last chance,” Walne explained.

Healing. Rahl could heal easily, but at a great cost, so he rarely did so. He sighed and waved Bergan away, his right hand automatically coming up to rub at his bottom lip again, clearly showing his agitation. Approaching the governor, he eyed the child in his arms wearily, then gently placed the back of his fingers on her forehead. “First of all, Walne, if you ever threaten one of my men again, I will kill you,” he said softly, dragging his gaze up to the terrified man before him. “Now tell me… what happened to her? She is burning up.”

Walne sighed in relief when Rahl moved close and began asking about his child. He knew that he had taken a great risk coming here like this but he’d been desperate. “She was riding a horse and fell on rough terrain, her leg was broken and set by the local healer and her cuts and scrapes were also treated by the healer but a day later she developed a fever and we cannot bring it down my lord, she is in pain and I do not know what to do for her,” the man said in a pleading voice hoping to find at least enough sympathy in Rahl so he would treat his child.

Faramir’s eyes widened as the man spoke, and he frowned, thinking they should find themselves a new local healer where Walne was from because obviously the child was infected.

Rahl backed away from the child at once. Fevers he could erase, infections as well, but the more serious diseases, injuries or broken bones drained his magic from him for hours or even days. He couldn’t leave himself or those under his care without his protection, so anything that took away his abilities for more than a few minutes, such as healing Faramir’s sore muscles had, for example, were areas he never ventured into. “There is nothing I can do,” he said, turning abruptly away, no longer able to look at the little girl’s suffering. “Take her back to your healer, Walne and let him do what he can.”

The Governor’s face fell and Faramir could see his eyes were glassy as if with tears. This man loved his daughter and hated to see her suffering. The infection would kill her eventually, Faramir knew, he’d seen things like this before.

Faramir gaped at Rahl’s answer and then looked back at the little girl. He moved closer to Rahl and whispered so no one could hear him except his master. “My lord? I… I do not mean to question you but… maybe one of the healers here in D’Hara could see to her at least if you cannot. I… that child should not have a fever from a few cuts, obviously the healer in the Governor’s territory is not fit,” Faramir said very softly, obviously concerned about the little girl.

He had been able to ignore many requests to heal, but Faramir’s concern made Rahl think twice about the child who was, even now, whimpering in pain though she was trying not to show it, obviously terrified of the wizard she had no doubt heard many tales about. “It is not that easy,” he whispered, knowing he should be angry at Faramir’s interference, but unable to summon the energy to do so. “They do not heal with magic and this girl…” He sighed, closed his eyes and ran a hand over his face. When he opened his eyes again, he frowned at his lover, but turned back toward the girl. “Put her on the couch. I will take her fever and heal her infection if it is not too bad, but I cannot heal the broken bone. I can help with the pain, but do not ask more of me.”

Faramir smiled in relief when Rahl acquiesced. The man thought of himself as a dark wizard but he could do good, as well, when he chose to.

The Governor was so relieved his knees almost buckled. “Gods, thank you my lord. Thank you,” he gushed as he rushed to lay her down on the couch. Faramir moved to pick up his book and move it out of the way and gave the man a small pillow for the girl’s head. The man smiled thankfully up at Faramir before the Ranger moved away.

The little girl whimpered, her body aching everywhere and the fever making it hard to think and her leg throbbed painfully with each heartbeat. She hoped the dark man could help her like her father had promised.

Hating being without his magic for even a short time, Rahl sat uneasily on the couch beside the child and simply stared at her for a moment. He wondered what it felt like to be healed, wondered if someone had been there to heal him when his father had died, if he would have turned out differently. Certainly, there would be no scars and perhaps even no bitterness if someone had cared as this child’s father obviously cared for her. He looked up at the governor and frowned. “No one is to know I healed her,” he ordered, not wanting anyone, not even his own men to know he would be powerless for a few minutes. When his gaze met the girl’s again, his tone wasn’t quite as harsh, but neither would it have been considered friendly by any stretch of the word either. “You are to act as if you are still in great pain, and you will pretend until you are home alone. Even the servants in your household are not to know the truth. Do you understand me, child?”

The Governor readily agreed. “Yes, my lord. I will tell no one,” he said quickly. This had been a long shot coming to Rahl but apparently the dark wizard was feeling generous today. “Thank you again.”

When Rahl addressed the little girl her eyes widened a bit, she was still nearly delirious with fever but she managed a nod. “Yes, milord. It will be our secret,” she whispered.

Faramir smiled a little as the girl spoke so weakly; the poor thing was obviously exhausted. “She will likely sleep for a week anyway,” he murmured and the governor smiled at him slightly.

Already having second thoughts, but pushing them forcefully aside, Rahl gave Faramir one final less-than pleased look before he rested his hand on the girl’s chest and murmured a few enchanted words. He felt his powers leave him even as the heat from the girl’s body dissipated and her breathing became steady and easier. The leg was still obviously broken, and he fully expected the governor to ask him again to heal it, but even Faramir’s pleading blue eyes would not change his mind this time. He’d turned away many requests for help, granting only a few requests when it suited him, and never anything more serious than the girl’s infection, but turning the girl away in front of Faramir seemed an invitation to make the man hate him. He told himself he didn’t want Faramir’s eagerness in bed to dim, but deep down, he knew it was more than that. When he pulled his hand away, he managed an awkward smile at the child and brushed damp hair back from her face. “Feeling better are you?”

The little girl gasped when the first wave of magic washed over her. Her skin no longer felt clammy and her head began to clear, even the throbbing in her leg eased to what would be normal for a broken bone. She sighed in contentment, her eyes almost slipping closed and then opening again to smile brightly up at the dark haired man. “Yes… so sleepy though,” she whispered.

The governor sighed in relief. “She has been unable to sleep for days,” he murmured. “I thank you for this my lord, I will be forever in your debt and as always your most loyal governor. If you need anything from my lands you need only ask. But… my lord… is there nothing that can be done for her leg? The healer said she would have a limp from it and… well… I fear it may be difficult to secure a marriage contract for one damaged,” he said the words carefully.

Faramir looked up from the little girl to glare at the man. Really. A marriage contract? The girl was only about 8 years old, there was plenty of time for that, and a limp should not cost her suitors as pretty as she was.

“You push your luck too far,” Rahl snapped, rising from the couch, his eyes dark with anger. “I helped you this time to ensure your loyalty and that of this child when she comes of age, but do not think I care about how or if you manage to marry her off.” His hands clenched at his sides and had he had his powers, the man would quite possibly be feeling a searing pain in his gut just for being impertinent. He wondered if Walne was testing him just to see the scope of his powers – or lack thereof at the moment. The man couldn’t know, however, that he had momentarily given them up – it was a wizard’s secret and Walne was certainly no wizard. “Walne, I suggest you take your child and leave. Now. Or all her suffering will be visited tenfold upon you, your wife and any other of your kin I can manage to find. Do I make myself clear?”

Walne paled and nodded swiftly. “Yes, my lord, I am sorry… you have been most generous I should not have pushed for more. Please forgive me… it is a father’s wish to see his daughter be perfect,” he whispered.

Faramir almost growled at the man and finally couldn’t stand it anymore. “Your daughter already is perfect,” Faramir snapped. “Be grateful for her life and the time you get to spend with her instead of burying her in a few days time had Lord Rahl refused you!” Faramir saw the look Rahl gave him and dropped his head immediately. Likely he would pay for that outburst later but the man irritated him to no end. The girl should have no trouble finding suitors, bad leg or not and if a man didn’t want her because of it then he wasn’t a worthy husband for the girl anyway as far as Faramir was concerned.

Surprise registered in Rahl’s face at Faramir’s words, but he quickly turned away from Walne so neither man would see it. “Never ask me for anything again,” he said quietly. “You are in my debt, Walne, and you would do well to remember that.” Already, the first trickling of his powers were beginning to drift back to him, making his fingers tingle. With a slight twist of his hand, he tested them, eager for proof that he and his castle were no longer unprotected and a blanket from the back of the couch slid easily down on the girl. He relaxed somewhat at the sight, then waved his hand at his ‘guest.’ “Why are you still here, Walne?”

Walne nodded. “Yes, my lord, I will,” the man nodded as he gathered up the girl and turned to leave. “Thank you again, my lord.”

Once they were gone, Faramir looked up at Rahl. “I am sorry for my outburst but it… angered me what he said about finding her a suitor. I know I should not have done that… or interfered,” Faramir said softly, expecting Rahl to punish him.

“No, you shouldn’t have,” Rahl agreed, crossing the room and coming to stand just in front of Faramir. Rather than strike or put a punishing spell on him, however, he cast his usual one that made Faramir want his touch, then slid a hand over his neck, his fingers coming to rest at the top of Faramir’s spine. “I wish you would stay out of my business, especially when there is more to it than you know.” He moved closer, so their lips were almost, but not quite touching, and continued. “For example, there is a price I have to pay for healing, one that you are unaware of, and one that puts not only me, but the entire castle and all those who are loyal to me at risk. You as well, were vulnerable for a while there, completely without my protection.”

Faramir was surprised that Rahl didn’t cast some sort of punishment spell on him but the spell that made him desire the man even more. He leaned into the man’s touch and licked his lips as he listened. “I… don’t understand. You’ve healed me before so easily…” Faramir said softly, his body already responding to Rahl’s and his breathing picking up.

Rahl pulled away, seeing that his magic was back fully now, judging from the way Faramir was responding to him. “Aches and pains are easy to heal,” he shrugged. “And I heal you only because you are very cooperative with my demands. Anything else – broken bones or near-fatal injuries or even certain diseases take their toll. They drain my powers completely. The more serious the affliction, the longer I am vulnerable, and you you know how I hate being vulnerable. The seeker, I feel, will most likely devise a plan much like this – trick me into healing someone, then strike when he knows I am without my powers. The wizard with him will have told him how this works.” He ran his hands over Faramir’s side, then let them come to rest over slender hips. “The seeker has his own type of magic. It will work on me, when most other magic has no affect. My worst fear, my nightmare is that I will face him with no magic of my own. I would stand a chance at hand to hand combat, but he would use his magic on me whether I had my powers or not. That is why I rarely heal anyone of anything serious. It is for everyone’s protection.”

Faramir was shocked and simply stared at him. “I… Gods, I had no idea. I thought… it was simply a matter of choice, I had no idea it drained your powers. What if the Governor had other plans? Obviously his daughter wasn’t faking being ill but…” Faramir’s face burned red as his thoughts trailed of into a number of scenarios. “I would have tried my best to protect you though. Your life and your magic are worth more than mine and I would have done all I could to protect you, my lord. I hope you know that,” Faramir whispered.

Dark eyes studied Faramir behind thick lashes and Rahl almost believed the man. “No, I do not know that,” he said softly, looking down at his desk and tracing a finger over the edge. “Very few people know of this little secret and to be honest, I am not sure why I told you. I could have held my own against Walne if he tried to harm me. I am sufficient enough with a sword when I must be to fight off an old out of shape governor, but it I was almost wondering if you somehow knew my secret and were part of the set up. I was wondering if you would fight with me or beside me, especially since you were without enchantment when I healed the child.”

“I would have stood with you. You forget yet again I am not of your world… I had never seen the governor before today,” Faramir said softly. “I did feel pity for the girl though… but if you recall I suggested she visit a healer within the city. What she had I’ve seen in field hospitals during long sieges before. The wounds were not cleaned properly… she was lucky to have lasted as long as she did being so young. I’ve seen strong soldiers succumb quickly. So you see, I was never in league with them,” Faramir said softly, meeting Rahl’s eyes so he could see the truth.

Rahl came closer to Faramir once again and took his face in both hands. His brow was furrowed and his expression somewhat confused as their gazes met and to his surprise, Faramir didn’t even try to look away. “You are an enigma, Faramir,” he said softly. “I know I am the one who brought you here, but I get the feeling your presence was preordained by some power I have yet to understand.” He leaned forward and pressed his lips over Faramir’s in a gentle kiss, one very much like the ones he had offered during their more tender encounters. “I wish I understood you. I wish I knew where your heart truly lies.”

Faramir was caught up in the look Rahl was giving him, as if trying to read him. Faramir refused to look away, meeting Rahl’s eyes like no one else would truly do. He’d realized in his time in D’Hara that he was the only one who ever looked Rahl directly in the eye. He wasn’t sure if it was foolishness on his part or the trust he’d grown to have in the other man. The kiss he was given was sweet and gentle and made Faramir’s heartbeat skip. He could hardly explain how he felt about Rahl, he was so different than anyone Faramir had ever known. He trusted him and cared about the man, which he supposed was odd. Slaves generally didn’t care about their masters, they may be loyal but caring… well, that was as his father would say his weakness and compassion. He knew there were depths to the man before him that no one could imagine and even though he was with the man daily every single day and almost every single moment of those days, he still did not truly know Rahl. But he wanted to. “Is there a way you could use your magic to look and see that I hold no ill will against you?”

Chewing on his bottom lip for a moment, Rahl ran the pads of his thumbs over Faramir’s cheeks, then shook his head. “Only if I were to delve into your mind, and you would suffer greatly for it,” he said, releasing his lover and backing away. “Remember I read Bergan a few weeks ago? He was ill for the rest of the day, and I have no wish to do that to you. A wizard cannot heal someone who is ill by his own magic. I can heal you when our sexual encounters bruise or mark you, but sickness and injuries are very different, and nowhere near as pleasant.”

Faramir watched as Rahl moved away from him and sighed. “Then you have to learn to trust that I speak the truth,” Faramir said softly. “I do not want to anger you, but I do grow very tired of you constantly accusing me of lying to you. I would gladly take illness and pain over being called a liar all the time,” Faramir’s voice was slightly frustrated and almost pleading. “It has been almost a month… have I not proven that I am loyal to you and that I do actually like, even crave your touch because it is incredibly satisfying… even when you do hurt me.”

Rahl turned quickly to face Faramir, his lips drawn down in a deep frown. “No one has proven themselves loyal to me,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “My own father offered up my life to save his own. Even when the wizard who killed him called him a coward, he still tried to shield himself with my body. My first lover professed his unending devotion to me and took one look at my… at a part of me I can never fix, and couldn’t decide whether to laugh or try and keep his dinner down. Every slave I take into my bed, bewitched or not, looks at me with a deep layer of horror in their eyes no matter how much my spells have made them want me.” He took a step closer, holding Faramir’s gaze and reaching out to grab his upper arm in a vice like grip so he wouldn’t turn away. “And the magic I work so hard to keep strong is the only protection any of us have, though I know there are servants and possibly even guards who would kill me in a heartbeat should my spells waver. So, no, Faramir, you have not proven anything to me other than I have the skills to please you in bed.”

Rahl’s anger was to be expected, though the words that he spoke made Faramir’s heart ache for him. He suspected his own father might have used him in the exact same way had the situation arisen. The words about his lover, made Faramir wonder if everyone in this world were as shallow as that governor had been, thinking no one would want his pretty daughter because of a limp. Before he could make any response, Rahl grabbed his arm and held him in a painfully strong grip. “Then I shall keep trying to prove myself to you, because I do not lie and never have,” Faramir said staring deeply into Rahl’s eyes. His own anger as well as his lover’s anger coupled with how close their bodies were was starting to arouse him. “Damn you… how do you do this, it can’t all be magic. You make me so angry sometimes, yet all I want to do is kiss you senseless?”

“Keep trying to… I make you angry? You… by the…” Rahl was, probably for the first time in his adult life, at a complete loss for words. He was angry and confused and by the Gods, he had never been more turned on his life. A primal growl filled the room as he shoved Faramir hard against the wall behind him. His lips descended with no warning and he forced his way into his lover’s mouth, their clashing teeth doing nothing to slow his progress. With no concern at all for Faramir’s robes, he waved his hand in the air and the fabric was literally ripped to shreds, falling around their feet in soft little piles of green that stood out starkly on the golden rug beneath their feet. “Whom do you think you are to speak to me in such a manner?” he hissed. “And by a dragon’s breath, _why _ do I allow it?”

Faramir was startled when Rahl shoved him against the wall, but a low moan sounded as soon as a hot mouth was on his own, devouring his lips and making him even more aroused. He shivered as his clothing was torn from him and he shifted his hips immediately seeking out friction against his lover. “A man who has never lied to you,” Faramir growled in return. “A man who wants you… craves you even, if by my own need or through your magic… the result is the same. Look at me…” he whispered and Rahl did look down his body to see the evidence of Faramir’s arousal. “A man who doesn’t want you wouldn’t react this way… not even with lust charms and you know it. You already say I react differently than your other slaves… why can you not accept that there is a person in this world who does want you!”

“Because no one wants me!” Rahl didn’t give Faramir a chance to respond. The sight of Faramir’s arousal, hard and leaking between them had surprised him, not to mention the way he was rocking his hips and saying words that simply didn’t make sense. He quickly turned Faramir around, pressed his chest against the wall and kicked his legs apart. “You want the pleasure I can give you, with my magic. You want the pain I can give you that you are afraid to ask anyone else for.” Rahl parted his robes and spelled lubricant on his already aching erection. “But you do not want me, Faramir!” As he said his lover’s name, Rahl lined himself up and thrust forward, burying himself to the hilt in one smooth motion, and the word became a moan of pure, unadulterated pleasure.

Faramir didn’t flinch as Rahl yelled at him and when he was spun around, he thought he probably looked like a cat in heat as he arched his back for his lover. He wanted this, he wanted Rahl and he wished the man would understand that. He didn’t want just the magic or the shameful pleasure from pain, he wanted this man. He barely managed to suck in a deep breath before he was penetrated roughly, his lover buried deep inside him at once. He moaned as well, his hands scrabbling against the wall for something to hold onto, finding a wall scone he really hoped was imbedded well as he grabbed hold. His hips thrust back, forcing his lover even deeper. “Gods, yes,” Faramir whimpered.

Rahl was gritting his teeth and thrusting so hard he was nearly lifting Faramir off the floor. He couldn’t help but notice just how wonderfully responsive his lover was, meeting him thrust for thrust. Faramir certainly played his part well, he thought, so convincing, so desperate in trying to make Rahl trust him. He thrust hard and deep, holding Faramir steady with one hand, as the other skated up his spine, leaving thin red lines behind where his fingernails dug just hard enough to be painful into sweat slicked skin. “You talk too much,” he hissed against his lover’s ear. “I only brought you here to spread your legs for me, not to give me more headaches than I already have!”

Faramir was forced up onto his toes and holding on desperately to the sconce above him as his lover pounded into his willing body. Rahl made Faramir almost crazy with lust it seemed, his body reacting to the man like he had to no other. He only wished that Rahl would really see the truth, would see that Faramir would be with him voluntarily if the man would only look. He startled a little at the thought. Voluntarily. He… he had begun to think of Rahl as a lover, truly a lover and not just his master. He swallowed hard at the realization and cried out when fingernails dug into him, burning a path up to his shoulders. He rocked back, widening his stance and offering Rahl even more access to his body. “Yes, my lord,” Faramir said softly, not sure continuing to fight would be a smart idea and at the moment it was hard enough remembering how to say his own name let alone much else.

Hands moving to Faramir’s shoulders to keep him in place, Rahl moaned loudly as he drove in even deeper thanks to the long legs that parted so willingly before him. He pressed forward, forcing Faramir flush against the wall, feeling every jar of his lover’s body as slender hips slammed against the molding that ran waist-high along the length of the room, thinking of little other than just how good it felt to at least be with someone who wasn’t terrified of him, someone he actually could respect. “I should put a silencing spell on you,” he growled. “Except that I love to hear you begging me to let you come.” His teeth scraped over Faramir’s neck as he spoke, then down next to his own fingers, where he buried his face against warm skin and bit down as he felt his release drawing closer.

When Rahl forced him against the wall, Faramir cried out from the pounding of his pelvic bones against the unforgiving molding that ran along the wall. He knew that would hurt for ages after but at the moment he didn’t really care. One of his hands released the sconce and pressed flat against the wall for a moment. He wanted to lower his hand and slip it between himself and the wall to cup his arousal, mostly to keep it from being rubbed raw against the wall. When sharp teeth bit into him, Faramir cried out again and bucked against his lover. “Please, let me touch myself. Please… let me come, my lord,” he whispered, knowing that the wilder Rahl became the closer he too was to orgasm.

Breathing hard, Rahl pulled away and seriously considered denying Faramir’s request. The thought of just how incredible it felt when they came together, when his lover’s gripping internal muscles contracted so hard around him it almost hurt, however, he gave in. Reaching down, he grabbed Faramir’s right leg and hiked it up in the air, simultaneously allowing him even more access and pulling Faramir away from the wall. Though Faramir was now forced to stand on only one leg, Rahl held him steady even as he continued to slam into him with renewed vigor. The new angle not only made the inner passage around him tighter, but changed his thrusts just enough so that he was literally slamming into the tiny bundle of nerves he knew would carry Faramir over the edge and drag him along shortly thereafter.

When Rahl didn’t give him permission to touch himself but maneuvered him into a different position, Faramir almost breathed a sigh of relief. He thought that he’d made him mad enough to deny his release, but thankfully he hadn’t pushed too far. The new angle made him forget all about touching himself, he grabbed the sconce with both hands again and was murmuring encouragement like ‘yes, oh gods, right there, perfect, so close’ to his lover as his sweet spot was slammed into over and over again, sending shockwaves rolling throughout his body. Within moments his muscles began to contract and he knew he was going to come even if Rahl didn’t give him permission. “Gods, I’m not sure I can hold back this time,” he warned, knowing he may be punished for it but though he had grown to have quite a lot of control it was dangerously slipping now.

Rahl changed his thrusts from deep to shallow and tightened his grip on his slave’s leg. He could feel just how close Faramir was and he himself was almost as desperate for release as his partner. He had just enough presence of mind to create an invisible hand like form that wrapped around the very tip of Faramir’s cock, then, as an added bonus (for his own sake only, or so he told himself), he made the hand warm and wet inside its grip, much like a lover’s mouth and began working it over the stiff flesh between wide spread legs. “Come then, and make it good,” he panted, sucking hard at Faramir’s neck. “Who knows how long it will be before I allow you to come again.”

The grip of Rahl’s hand on Faramir’s leg was almost painful and sure to leave a deep bruise but Faramir seemed to hardly notice it now. Everything he would notice later when the fog of lust and desire wore off, but for the moment he felt nothing but want and need. When Rahl used his magic to make something wrap around his cock, Faramir screamed. It felt like a mouth on him, wonderfully wet and warm and sucking at his flesh. “Oh gods!” When Rahl told him to come, Faramir barely had to even give it a thought before his already tense muscles constricted painfully, drawing his body tight as a drum for what seemed like forever but was merely seconds. Within the span of a heartbeat Faramir cried out, thrusting his hips back to take Rahl in as deeply as he could as his muscles clamped down and his cock spilled hot and slick against the wall. His inner passage tightened and milked his lover, coaxing him to follow him over the edge.

Tilting his head so that his cries were muffled between broad shoulders, Rahl spilled hot and wet inside his lover’s depths. He leaned forward, pushing Faramir hard against the wall, but the hand that had been stroking him protected his more sensitive organs from harm, something Rahl did without even thinking. He held on to Faramir tightly, one hand still supporting a now trembling leg, the other having somehow worked its way up and over Faramir’s as it held on to the scone above their heads. It took him nearly a full minute to catch his breath, and he only realized he was possibly really hurting Faramir when his legs started trembling. If his own were so strained, he could only imagine Faramir’s, with all his weight having been forced onto one limb. He carefully released the leg he was supporting and rested both hands on his lover’s hips to steady him. “Faramir?”

Rahl’s muffled cries against his back and the feeling of his cock throbbing and pumping its release inside Faramir, made him whimper. Gods, what this man did to him. Rahl truly had no idea. He was trembling from head to toe and the leg supporting him threatened to collapse on him, but he held tighter to the sconce even as the muscles in his arms screamed at him. Though he couldn’t help but smile when he realized that Rahl’s hand was covering his own and the magic was still between him and the wall, protecting his softening arousal from the hard stone. He gulped in air trying to catch his breath too, his vision dark around the edges and sparkles of light danced across his vision. He almost lost his balance when Rahl released his leg and he realized as he put weight on it that it was tingling. “Ngh,” Faramir murmured trying to get his tongue to work. He swallowed, his throat dry from panting and crying out and licked his lips. “Yes, my lord?”

Rahl’s anger had completely disappeared. He shifted his hips back, slowly slipping from inside Faramir’s warmth and let his hand slide down the arm still held up high on the wall. He folded Faramir’s arm beneath his own and wrapped both arms around him, sighing contentedly. His chest molded against his lover’s back, their sweat mingling, their breathing synchronizing, as their bodies seemed to melt together. The mouth that had just bitten Faramir was now kissing the reddened skin and he had to smile at the deference Faramir still showed even though he must have been exhausted and sore. “See what happens when you anger me?” he murmured teasingly, licking his way up his lover’s neck. “Was it worth it?”

Faramir sighed regretfully as Rahl slipped from inside him, and then found himself wrapped in a tender embrace. His fingers ached where he’d held so tightly to the sconce and he simply leaned back against him, feeling their breath begin to fall into sync and their heartbeats begin to match in pace. He murmured in contentment as Rahl’s mouth kissed his shoulder and closed his eyes as a warm tongue worked its way up his neck. He shivered and chuckled a little. “Would you be angry if I said that yes, actually it was?” Faramir asked softly.

Laughing softly, Rahl closed his eyes for a moment, charmed in spite of himself. His hand moved to lie flat over his slave’s stomach and rubbed small, soothing circles just below his navel. “I think you might have just exhausted my anger for the afternoon,” he sighed, pulling away and turning Faramir easily in his arms. His expression was relaxed, and he actually gave Faramir a rueful smile. “Though you do have a knack for making it snap back to life. Now that I know you enjoy it, I shall have to try harder and make you really work for it.”

Faramir smiled although a little tiredly as he was turned in Rahl’s arms. He might have stumbled in exhaustion if the man hadn’t had such a good hold of him. “I should not have pushed you,” Faramir said softly wishing he could touch Rahl in return. Faramir’s eyes were serious as he looked into Rahl’s for a moment. “S… some of the things you said earlier. I want you to know something because I think it is important. I do not pity you for what your father did. I pity him, it was wrong and he was a coward to use you as a shield… but I also understand how it must have felt. I have told you how my father views me, and I suspect were it he and I in a similar situation he would do the same thing. So I can understand, have sympathy for how that feels… but never pity you. So if I offer you compassion, please do not be offended and think it is born out of anything other than true empathy because I know exactly what it feels like to be made a tool of my father but not really a son. It is why I became so angry at the governor earlier.”

“Your father must be a fool,” Rahl whispered, pressing a gentle kiss against soft lips. He gave a somewhat haunted smile and pulled away, though he kept a firm hold on his lover. As usual, he uttered a spell and cleaned them both, then, rather than try and move, he willed the couch across the room. A moment later, he was lowering Faramir onto the couch and laying nearly on top of him, his thick robes, wet with both their sweat, laying heavy between them. “Surely you exaggerate? I cannot imagine someone truly not caring if you lived or died. My circumstances were… different. I deserved what I got, but you… you are a good man. You proved that earlier with the girl’s father.”

As was yours. Faramir thought as Rahl kissed him. He shivered as the cleaning spell washed over him and was only mildly startled when the couch came to them. He laid down carefully and was surprised and happy that Rahl joined him this time. “My father believes that my compassion is a weakness, my love of books rather than hours training with weapons another weakness. He only allowed my education because he discovered I was quite good at strategy,” he whispered. “But I do not believe anyone deserves having their family, their blood turn on them that way. Parents are supposed to care for us, love us and protect us, not use us for their own means.”

Leaning up on one elbow, Rahl regarded Faramir silently for a moment, then shook his head. “I am not sure what parents are supposed to be like,” he confessed, “but I would hope yours were nothing like mine.” As he spoke, he trailed his hand over his lover’s body, enjoying the silky feel of still damp skin beneath his fingers, though he was starting to get uncomfortable with just how normal their coupling and touching afterward felt. It felt nice, being next to Faramir like this, his anger and their sex having combined to exhaust him, but, he realized, it also made him feel intensely, insanely vulnerable. As soon as he realized that had to be what that odd feeling in his gut was, he pulled back, quickly got to his feet and adjusted his robes. “I… Gods…” His eyes widened and he had the grace to look somewhat appalled. He’d hurt his slaves before, hurt them badly, but he’d never really felt remorseful about it. He leaned over and ran a finger lightly over the darkest bruise on his lover’s hip. “You bruise easily. Look at you. Do they hurt?”

It felt nice being held and touched this way, his body relaxed and satisfied even if sore. Rahl could be so very gentle with him sometimes after being very rough and Faramir always enjoyed that dichotomy. When Rahl pulled away and got up quickly, Faramir’s brows drew together as he looked up at his lover. “Yes, I do bruise easily,” Faramir agreed. “I… yes, the ones here hurt,” Faramir whispered as Rahl’s finger moved over one of the bruises. “I will live but may be sore for a few days… they were still worth it,” Faramir grinned.

Rahl frowned and ran the pad of his thumb over Faramir’s hip, noting with satisfaction that every bruise on his body disappeared nearly instantly. “Worth it indeed,” he smiled. “Though, I would not be so quick to speak your mind next time. I was angry with you, but not furious. Even I don’t want to see how you look if you make me feel that way. I might… I sometimes lose control.” He looked across the room as he spoke, and willed the remnants of Faramir’s robe to him. He’d hurt slaves in the past, but the very idea that Faramir at least claimed to trust him made it very hard for him to even imagine letting himself go too far, no matter how angry he might be. The robe mended itself and folded neatly on the couch beside Faramir’s feet. “I think I am done for the day. We are going back to my rooms with a few books and perhaps even a nap.”

Faramir gasped when the magic rolled over him and took away the bruises immediately and along with that the muscle pain. Now that he knew what it cost Rahl to do such things, Faramir was touched. “I… will be more careful, I have what my brother calls a simmering temper. Something that angers me I may not speak on it for a long time before I finally cannot take it anymore. I particularly do not like being accused of lies, we all have our little reasons for things like that,” Faramir said softly. His father was his reason for a great many of the negative things in his life, that being yet another one. He sat up and pulled on his robe and stood, feeling much less exhausted than before but still tired. “My lord?” When Rahl looked at him, Faramir smiled. “Thank you for healing me… again.”

Rahl nodded and waved off Faramir’s thanks. “The last thing I need is a slave who can barely move,” he shrugged, nearly believing the lie himself. “Besides, little injuries like this barely affect me. Just be careful that you never get really hurt, because I am unwilling to put myself at risk if you are clumsy.”

Faramir laughed. “I am graceful as a swan,” Faramir teased and then purposefully bumped the end of the couch with his knee. “A swan with a bucket on my head perhaps,” he grinned, enjoying the look on Rahl’s face from his joke.

Though he tried not to laugh, Rahl couldn’t contain himself and nearly snorted with the effort holding it in even as he thought he much he appreciated someone actually joking with him. Most people were too terrified of him to even speak but Faramir – Faramir had never been one to hold his tongue, obviously. “Come on, then, my handsome swan. Choose a few books and let’s get out of here. You have worn me out with your stubbornness and that ridiculously delicious body of yours.”

Faramir was smiling as he followed Rahl to the door, picking up the books he’d chosen before the Governor had arrived. He made sure to clear his face to a neutral expression by the time Rahl unlocked the door and followed his master ‘meekly’ as he always had.

Chapter 11

That afternoon and evening was spent just as many before had been. Reading, discussing their books, a nap together in Rahl’s large bed and dinner. Faramir was slightly surprised that they didn’t have sex again that night, usually no matter what they did before sleep but instead they just crawled into bed together and both fell asleep quickly. Rahl still didn’t hold Faramir in his sleep, even after a month but Faramir would always creep close to Rahl and the other man hadn’t seemed to mind too much since those first days.

It somehow reassured Faramir feeling the press of Rahl’s back against his chest though, he wasn’t sure why, it was just so. Like many things about Rahl, Faramir had no idea why he felt the way he did.

Part of the reason for Rahl’s improved mood could be attributed to nearly four weeks of nearly dreamless sleep. It seemed that every time the cold fingers of his nightmare reached out to touch him, something drove them away. He had no way of knowing it was Faramir’s soothing presence that relaxed him and drug him back from the edge of the nightmare. Had he known, he would have denied it, and claimed it was simply that he’d been working harder than ever, because he simply did not have it in him to admit that he might possibly need someone else, especially a mere slave.

On this night, however, talk about his father had reawakened memories he rarely allowed, and long before sunrise he felt himself falling into his nightmare yet again.

Unconsciously reaching down to feel for Faramir’s arm across his stomach, he relaxed somewhat when their fingers met, but the nightmare this time was too strong for a little contact to push completely away. Nearly half an hour passed before it returned, and it began, as usual, with Rahl standing in the uppermost room of his castle, high in the tallest tower, looking around him at all the land and the people he ruled.

Faramir was in a deep sleep but somehow a part of him sensed that something wasn’t right. He moved a bit closer to Rahl and pressed his face against the nape of his lover’s neck and curled his body around the wizard. If they’d been awake, likely Rahl would have made a remark about it.

Rahl leaned back into Faramir’s embrace as the dream deepened. He was standing in front of his father in the dream, yet he was no longer the child he’d been when his father had been killed. Though he still wore his robes, he couldn’t feel the tight pull of skin across his stomach and groin and knew without looking that his body was free of scars. The old wizard Zeddicus was cursing his father, and his father, somehow larger and darker than Rahl remembered, was pushing his son forward, chanting even darker curses back. As he watched in terror, Zeddicus raised his hand and a ball of flames suddenly appeared. The ball was flung in his direction, but Rahl ducked out of the way in plenty of time. His father, however, hateful coward that he was, grabbed Rahl by the shoulders and shielded himself. As the flames hit him directly over his heart, he felt as if every nerve in his body had been immersed in the very fires of hell. His hands beat at the flames, desperately trying to extinguish them, but they served only to fan and heighten his agony. Even as he screamed, the flames seemed to freeze upon his skin and rather than burning, he felt a cold, sharp pain in his chest, piercing his heart easily, then severing his spine as he collapsed, helpless and broken, dying on the cold stone floor of his own castle. The room filled with laughter and Rahl looked up to see not the wizard who had been there only moments before, but a younger, darker face, a face that looked oddly familiar – he knew without a doubt it was the face of the seeker who was destined to kill him.

As he lay sleeping, Rahl’s breath became harsh and he whimpered at the first touch of the flames. In all his years of this same nightmare, he’d mostly managed to hold his screams in until the very end when he would wake up in a cold sweat clawing at himself or the air around him. As usual, his screams on this night were mostly in his head though his teeth were gritted together and he was covered in sweat with the effort of holding them in. Long strands of his hair stuck to his face and neck, and in his dream they were simply more scorching tendrils of fire branding across his skin. His fingernails raked across his neck, trying to pull them away at first, then later, trying to press what felt like slivers of ice against his burns. As he saw who his attacker really was, he clawed at Faramir’s arms to free himself, and shot straight up in bed, screaming as the pain and the realization that death had finally come for him settled in his heart.

Faramir had sensed that something wasn’t quite right, his bed partner was becoming restless and he found himself starting to wake as Rahl started to struggle. His arm around Rahl’s waist suddenly felt sharp stinging pain from his lover’s nails biting into him and he was jerked awake by Rahl’s scream and the sudden movement of the bed. He immediately looked around the room to see if anyone had broken in on them and saw a wild, frightened look in his lover’s eyes. “What is it, my lord? Are you all right?” Without thinking, Faramir reached out and carefully brushed the hair back from his lover’s cheek.

Still caught up in his dream, Rahl didn’t recognize the man beside him for who he really was. Without thinking, he closed his hand on thin air and by the time his fingers met, a silver dagger was against his palm. All his spells of protection were forgotten and in that moment, he knew that he was about to die. He pushed Faramir’s hand away and practically leapt on top of him, the dagger against his throat, a single drop of blood already pooling at the tip. He was looking down at this strange young boy who had crept into his dreams, not the man he had stolen from another world and shared his life with for the past month. “How did you get in here? How did you disarm my spells?”

Faramir was so shocked he didn’t even try to fight against Rahl, obviously the man was still caught up in his nightmare and he yelped when his lover forced him back on the bed with a knife at his throat. “My lord… please,” Faramir said softly, trying to get his lover’s attention. When whatever dream seemed to grip Rahl still hadn’t faded, Faramir reached up and touched his cheek. “Darken Rahl, I am not your enemy,” he said firmly as his thumb brushed against his lover’s skin. “You will regret killing me, you know you will… please, my lord, do not do this.”

Rahl’s hand was trembling, his fingers white where he was clutching the blade and the only thing that kept him from ending his ‘enemy’s’ life was his need to know how he’d gotten past the most powerful of his spells. The blade had dug just a little deeper by the time Faramir’s words seemed to trickle in, the man’s tone and gentle touch breaking past the walls of his nightmare and reaching out to him as no one else ever had. He took a deep breath and only then realized he hadn’t actually breathed in since he’d screamed. The oxygen seemed to clear his mind somewhat, and he suddenly saw who was beneath him. Eyes wide with horror, he dropped the knife and froze, staring down at his lover, filled with the realization of just how close he’d come to killing him. “Gods… I…” He made a strangled sound low in his chest and nearly collapsed against the man, gasping for air and holding on to him so tightly it nearly strangled them both. “Faramir… I… you… it wasn’t you. It was him. I was trying to kill him, not you,” he rambled. “Not you.”

For several heartbeats Faramir was terrified that Rahl would not recognize him through the haze of whatever nightmare had gripped him. It seemed though that realization finally began to dawn on his lover and the knife clattered to the floor before suddenly he was wrapped in strong arms, crushing his breath from his lungs and Rahl of all people was rambling and shaking. “I know… I know,” Faramir whispered, disobeying Rahl and wrapping his arms around the other man. He’d longed to touch his lover but never for a reason like this. Rahl was deeply shaken and Faramir caressed his back, and up to his neck, his fingers running lightly through his hair and gripping the back of his head gently as he held him. Faramir even rocked his body from side to side. “Shh, it was a nightmare… you are safe,” he whispered soothingly.

For a few precious moments, Rahl let himself be soothed, lost in the warmth of the arms of someone who at least didn’t hate him – he hoped – and taking solace in the gentle touch. “No, I’m not safe,” he murmured against Faramir’s neck. “And neither are you apparently.” He somehow squeezed Faramir tighter, surprised at the catch in his own voice. “I nearly killed you. Gods… I. Nearly. Killed. You.” The thought shouldn’t have affected him so much. The thought of one less slave to feed should have been a relief, if anything. Then why, he wondered, couldn’t he seem to let go of the man? “You shouldn’t be here,” he said softly, each word seeming to physically hurt. “I should send you to sleep somewhere else. Somewhere where you can’t be harmed.”

Faramir might have found it darkly amusing in another situation, the fact Rahl had threatened to hurt him or even kill him so many times and when he’d almost done so accidentally was so shaken about it. It told Faramir more about the man than countless hours of sex and discussions ever could. Though Rahl claimed he was a dark wizard and a bad man, Faramir knew that he truly wasn’t as bad as he imagined himself to be. At least not to him anyway. “Forgive me, my lord but I do not wish to sleep away from you. I know you disbelieve me but even now, even after this… I would rather be with you and hold you like this when your dreams turn dark. I will never speak of this if that is your worry. This is between us and only us,” Faramir said softly, his hands practically petting the man’s hair that was so very soft.

Rahl let himself believe his lover’s words about wanting to be there, if only for a moment. He pulled away, eyes still dark with anguish both from his dream and from the actions that followed. With the very tip of his index finger, he traced over the thin line left behind from the blade and watched it mend before his very eyes, the spell weakening his powers for only a few moments. When there was no trace left, he realized there was nothing between them but the thin sleeping breeches he’d taken to wearing since shortly after Faramir had become his bedmate, and that the upper part of his scar would be visible if Faramir looked down. He turned quickly, jerking the sheet up to cover him and drew his legs up to his chest. “Of course you will not speak of this,” he said, trying for his usual disdainful tone and failing miserably. “I can take this memory away from you if I choose, but you never speak to anyone but me. I am…” Sighing, he ran a hand over his forehead then let his fingers trail back down to toy with his bottom lip, the memory of the fire and ice still making his skin tingle. “I suppose I could put another layer of protection on you for the next time…”

Faramir almost sighed in frustration when Rahl moved away from him to cover himself. He wondered if he should just tell him that he’d already seen the scars that very first night and that they didn’t bother him in the least. But he thought that a fight now would not help matters any. “I know your powers, my lord and do not doubt that you could take this memory as easily as plucking a single hair from my head. But you will not need to, I swear on my honor,” Faramir whispered. “If you believe I need protection you may do as you please but even now… I understand what happened and will not cringe from you. It was a dream… a vivid and apparently painful dream… we cannot control them so we must live with them. I too have had experience with unpleasant dreams, though none since I have come here, thankfully. I wish I could take yours away as easily.”

Giving Faramir a somewhat suspicious look as he wondered if the words were just to calm him, Rahl twisted the edge of the sheet in his hand for a few moments and made his decision. He reached out, rested his hand over Faramir’s heart and put several spells in place – spells that would keep him safe from another such attack. Rahl could still kill him of course, but only after removing the enchantments he’d placed and they were complex enough to ensure that even he couldn’t lift them when he was half asleep. He had the absurd urge to simply lay on his back and pull Faramir against him, but reasoned that that was only to be expected – he had, after all, nearly lost control of himself and that thought scared him more than almost anything else could. He was a powerful wizard, and if he one day completely forgot himself, there would be devastation untold for hundreds of leagues. Shaking his head at himself he reached up and pushed a strand of Faramir’s hair over his shoulder. “No one can take this dream. It is my destiny, or so it has been foretold. I am trying to change it, but the dream will return unless my fate changes, I think.” He tugged the sheet under his chin and continued. “And you? Who haunts your dreams, Faramir?”

Faramir gasped when the magic flowed over him and he stared at Rahl, truly wishing he were still in his arms. Leaning into Rahl’s touch as he brushed a lock of hair away, Faramir smiled wistfully. “Perhaps one day you will succeed in changing it then,” Faramir said softly and turned onto his side to regard the man beside him. “It is not so much a specific person who haunted my dreams… they never focused on just one thing as yours do. Mine would show things sometimes before they happened or how they could happen unless just one single thing was changed. They saved me sometimes, frightened me at other times. As a small child, I saw my mother’s impending death in my dreams,” Faramir said softly. “I think that was why Gandalf wanted to tutor me, to find out more about my dreams. There is some talk that on my mother’s side of the family there is Elvish blood… the Elves in our world are somewhat magical folk, not like you but they are very attuned to nature, can sometimes invoke it to their will and often are seers. I am not sure I believe the stories though,” Faramir said softly as he looked up and met Rahl’s eyes. “Too bad I never dreamt of you… or maybe a good thing, may have been a few embarrassing mornings with my men in the woods.”

Rahl’s expression was incredulous as Faramir described the elves, but then he actually burst out laughing at the implication of what might have happened had Faramir actually dreamed of him. No one in his life could make him laugh like Faramir. Even the puppets and soldiers he’d bewitched as a child held little humor and as he grew older, he was either treated with deference or fear, and few dared do more than throw a polite, if terrified, smile his way. “You amuse me,” he grinned, letting his hand trail down between Faramir’s legs and teasing the sensitive flesh he found there. “Tomorrow, over breakfast, I want to hear more about these Elves… and about your mother. The Elves sound fascinating and your mother… I had no idea she was not alive and waiting for you. I somehow simply pictured her staring out the window and wondering where you’d gotten off to.”

Faramir smiled when Rahl laughed, feeling pleased that he had managed to clear his lover’s mind of the nightmare and help him relax. He sucked in a breath when a warm strong hand cupped his flaccid member that suddenly began filling and hardening under the touch. He squirmed a little and nodded. “I will tell you all I know of both then… but when you are touching me like that, please do not speak of my mother… it feels… wrong,” he said laughing even as his hips rocked into Rahl’s touch.

Rahl laughed again, this time quite loudly. He abandoned his quest and lay down on his back for just a moment before thinking better of it and rolled over onto his side, facing away from his lover. Pulling the sheets up against his chin, he did, however, raise his upper arm in expectation of Faramir’s arm sliding through to wrap around him, as always, resting above his scar. “We should rest, though I plan on resuming those touches first thing in the morning,” he yawned. “Who knows? You might even wake up with me inside you.”

Faramir huffed a little when Rahl stopped teasing his flesh but didn’t complain. He was after all quite exhausted from earlier that day and the fact that the adrenaline rush of waking with a blade at one’s throat was wearing off. When Rahl laid back and rolled to his side he smiled when the unspoken invitation was made. He scooted forward and wrapped his arm around his lover and chanced pressing his lips against Rahl’s neck. “Mmm, now that promises to leave me with very pleasant dreams indeed,” Faramir murmured, smiling against Rahl’s shoulder.

A somewhat silly smile made Rahl’s lips twitch as he felt soft lips against his skin. One part of him enjoyed it even as another part was thankful he had spells protecting him, as Faramir’s teeth were quite close to the artery in his neck. “Indeed,” he murmured, sliding down in the bed, snuggling back against his lover, and pressing his forearms across his lower stomach so Faramir’s arm couldn’t stray down to the more undesirable parts of his body. His hand rested over his lover’s this time, however, and he didn’t even notice as he quickly drifted off to sleep. Even if he had, he might have pulled away… or he might not have.

Faramir was still smiling as Rahl snuggled against him and he began to drift to sleep. It was perfect being able to touch him like this. He knew things would change in the morning and he would have to return to asking permission first, tonight was unique and he understood that. Sleep well. Faramir thought and hoped there would be no more dreams this night except pleasant ones.

Chapter 12

Faramir had begun to grow accustomed to the routine of his new life. He missed spending time outdoors, missed the woods he had spent so much time in as a Ranger and missed the feeling of warm sun on his skin and missed his dear brother but… life in D’Hara wasn’t so bad. He didn’t feel completely like a prisoner… perhaps because his ‘prison’ was so lavish and the fact that he had sex in an abnormally high amount with a man he was starting to truly like, not just desire. Yes, there were things like Rahl’s temper that he didn’t like but no one was perfect and Rahl had seemed to calm some or Faramir was just growing accustomed to his moods. Either way, Faramir found himself basically… happy.

He had plenty of books to read. No one berating him. No worries about being attacked by orcs constantly and… he could sleep in a real, very decadent bed with an absolutely gorgeous if touchy bed partner. Things could have been much worse he supposed and counted himself fortunate that he was here and not captured by minions of Sauron instead.

This day began like many others, hot, sweaty sex followed by baths and breakfast and a walk to Rahl’s library. Only this morning when they passed by a window they passed each morning, the sheer beauty struck Faramir. It was spring in this world and it seemed he had not noticed in the previous days how glorious this world truly could be. The view was stunning and he stood at the window, enjoying the sight of green trees, lush grass and flowers. D’Hara was a beautiful place and Faramir didn’t notice that Rahl had gotten so far ahead of him before the guard cleared his throat, obviously afraid to say something but wanting to.

“I just remembered a story you might like about…” Rahl turned toward Faramir and was surprised to find that he was walking alone. Normally, he would have been worried that someone was trying to get to him via his favorite slave, but for some reason, on that day, he was suddenly only worried about Faramir’s well being. His robes flared out as he turned and quickly retraced his steps, calling out Faramir’s name at the top of his voice. He passed several guards and began snapping orders, angry that no one seemed to know where the other man was. “If someone has taken him, every guard on this floor will pay very, very dearly,” he warned the guard nearest him. “And if any harm has come to him, your lives will be forfeit – every last one of you.”

Faramir turned from the window upon hearing Rahl’s voice bellowing just up the hallway and the guard looked absolutely ready to jump out of his skin. His job was to stay with Rahl but if he had walked ahead of Faramir and left him, it would take hours trying to find the man again. If Rahl heard him speak to Faramir he’d lose his tongue, he was sure of it, so he’d stood within sight of the young man but not too close… just wanting to make sure that the castle didn’t decide to swallow him up.

Rahl’s voice made him jump and he looked from Faramir back toward where his master was coming.

Faramir sighed. “Oh for pity’s sake,” he murmured under his breath and began heading toward Rahl’s voice, when the irate man turned the corner looking almost frantic, Faramir looked at him oddly and bowed his head. “My lord?”

Rahl’s knees nearly felt weak as he saw Faramir, though his anger spiked with he saw the look on his face. “Where in the name of…” He stopped just short of running over his lover and, gritting his teeth, grabbed his forearm. “You are never to leave my side when we are in this castle,” he gritted out, nearly shaking with the effort not to simply spell Faramir over his knees and teach him a lesson right then and there. “I had half my army searching for you. Do you have any idea, any idea at all, what happens to nonmagical people who try and wander these halls alone?”

Faramir gasped when Rahl grabbed his arm roughly and shook his head. “Half your army, my lord? I… was only right here at the window for a few moments. I… I did not know… what happens to nonmagical people?” Faramir asked finally once his mind sorted what Rahl had said. Were there some sort of malevolent beings or something? Faramir had never seen any if there were, though he had read of them in his world. “I was not entirely alone, my lord. I stopped to see the view, your land is so beautiful and… I didn’t realize I lingered. Bergan looked… lost. He started to pass me and then stopped but he would not speak to me. He just stood over there watching and waiting… I don’t understand, my lord?”

Jerking around to stare at the guard Faramir mentioned, Rahl nodded at him gratefully. “You are never suppose to leave my side,” he said in a hoarse voice. “And if you ever do it again, you will be dismissed – painfully – but this time, you made the right choice, Bergan. You kept my wandering, all too fucking inquisitive slave from being lost, and obviously you followed orders and did not speak to him or he would know what is happening.” He glared back at Faramir again, not releasing his arm, and started down the hallway toward the library. Keeping Faramir safe meant a lot to Rahl – more than he could say, and he did reward those who served him when they did something well or proved their loyalty. He stopped again, and held out his hand. Out of nowhere, a small jeweled dagger appeared. “Bergan. You know the consequences if you ever try to harm me, but this is for you. For keeping my slave safe. Had you not been here, I would have lost him to the castle, and even I might not be able to find him again if that happened.”

Faramir felt badly for Bergan as Rahl berated him at first but then he told him he made the right choice. Faramir tried not to narrow his eyes at the rest of Rahl’s words about his inquisitiveness and was jerked along behind the man like an errant child. Then suddenly Rahl stopped, a dagger appeared in his hand and Faramir almost flinched when he called the guards name. The guard tried to keep his face impassive but Faramir saw the flash of fear. Then Rahl gave him the dagger as a gift.

Bergan stared at his master. He had served Rahl for years and rarely was he ever rewarded. Several times he was read which was horrid afterwards or he was punished for mistakes. He almost gaped at the man and bowed before taking the dagger. “Thank you, my lord,” he said softly. He realized then that the slave was definitely different than the others to Rahl and he decided that he would watch him more carefully. The man did tend to look around at his surroundings in the castle more than he watched where he was going really… so he decided that from now on he would keep a better watch on him.

Turning his attention back to Faramir, Rahl made his way back down the hallway, Bergan falling easily in step behind them. He muttered something about a leash and a bell as he practically drug his lover along beside him and by the time they reached the library door, he was already trying to decide which other spells he could cast for his slave’s protection. The locks clicked into place one by one behind them, and Rahl, who hadn’t spoken to Faramir since he’d first found him, released his arm roughly. “I have lost dozens of slaves to this castle,” he snapped. “They have tried to run, or they have been too injured after our… too injured to keep up with me, but never have they simply stopped to look at something. Don’t you dare ever scare me like that again, do you understand me?”

Faramir almost stumbled; Rahl was moving so swiftly and practically dragging him to the library. When they arrived inside, Faramir turned to look at his lover. “How could I get lost looking out the window?” Faramir asked and then found himself stunned. He scared Rahl? “You… you were afraid for me?”

“I…” Rahl frowned, not even having realized he’d admitted having shown weakness. “Afraid I would have to find and train another slave, is more like it,” he growled, though that wasn’t exactly what his heart was telling him. “In all your reading, did you never once read about this castle? That the castle is magical in itself, that it changes from moment to moment and only those who possess magic or are with someone who does or have a special purpose on the master’s orders are safe?”

Faramir frowned when Rahl growled at him. “I liked it more before when I thought you were afraid for me,” Faramir muttered mostly to himself. “No, I hadn’t read about the castle, there doesn’t seem to be a lot written about it other than a special room just for practicing advanced magic. It just described it vaguely and sounded interesting but… that was it. Really, this may have been something nice for you to tell me before I almost get myself swallowed up into the walls or something,” Faramir groused and backed down a little. “I am sorry… I… I should not have said that. You chose not to tell me for whatever reason and I shouldn’t have disobeyed. I… I just… never mind. I am sorry, my lord,” he whispered. He’d almost said how much he missed the outdoors but he was afraid Rahl would take it wrong and think he wanted away from him so Faramir just sighed.

Crossing the room in only a few steps, Rahl grabbed Faramir’s robes and drug him close until they were chest to chest. “You would do well to watch your tone with me, pet. It is a courtesy I have never allowed anyone else, spending the day among my books, touching them, actually reading them, yet you carry on like some ungrateful servant who burns our dinner for a week then wonders why she is having to scrub the dishes rather than cook.” His temper was returning in full force thanks to Faramir’s words and he pushed the man roughly away before he did something he might regret. Stalking toward the library door, he knew he needed to get away from his lover, if only for a few minutes, for both their sakes. “I am going for a walk. You are not invited.”

Faramir stared into Rahl’s eyes that were dark and dangerous looking and he had to swallow back a lump in his throat. All of this because he stopped to look out a blasted window! When Rahl stopped to spell the locks on the door open, Faramir looked at him pleadingly. “I stopped to look out the window because it was so beautiful and because… I miss… I have not been outside this castle in over a month. I was a Ranger, I spent much time outdoors and I miss it sometimes. Miss the sunlight on my skin and your world is so beautiful… I’m sorry,” Faramir said as he bowed his head, expecting Rahl to finish unlocking the door and leave.

Rahl stopped, hand in mid air, with only 2 locks to go. The room was perfectly silent for a moment and he thought about all the times Faramir had tried so hard to keep him happy. It was quite possible, but much more difficult to protect himself and his people when he was outside the castle, so he rarely left, and when he did, thanks to his magic, it was a matter only a few moments travel to take him from one city to the next. “So… what? You wish to serve in my army rather than my bed?” he asked, keeping his voice steady. “Or you wish to return to your duties back in your world? Which is it?”

“Neither,” Faramir answered, surprising even himself. “I was just missing the feeling of being outdoors but I know… aren’t there any gardens in this place?” Faramir stopped his train of thought. “Where I am from you can’t walk thirty feet without coming out in some garden or other… don’t… don’t you miss the feeling of the sun on your skin? You are so golden skinned, I imagined that you spent a lot of time in the sun,” Faramir said finally. He was more curious than anything and he should not ask for too much, he knew that but a day or two spent in a warm inviting place would probably do Rahl much good as well. “You too could use some time to relax in the sun in a beautiful place. You work so much… it seems… unfair that I sit here reading while you toil over those ledgers and documents. I know you are at war with this seeker person but… do you ever take time for pleasure… uh… other than sex?”

“No, I do not,” Rahl said shortly, turning around and wondering both how Faramir didn’t see what was going on, and if he realized he’d just said he didn’t want to go home. “I have no time for anything else. There is a man out there who is determined to kill me, Faramir. It consumes his every waking thought, and so, if I am to live, it should consume mine as well.” As usual, his hand went up to his face. Though the scars were no longer there, he felt them in times likes these, when he was agitated or uncomfortable. “I have sex because it relaxes me. That is the only pleasure I have time for. I…” He closed his mouth with a snap and sighed, then turned back to the door and finished spelling it open. “Come with me. And by the dragon’s breath, STAY CLOSE.”

Faramir thought of his father and how he never left the citadel and his study, rarely venturing even out into the gardens around their home. He didn’t want to see Rahl that way; he was so much more than that. Faramir was surprised when Rahl said for him to come with him, only moments ago he’d told him he was not invited but apparently something of what he said made him change his mind. “Yes, my lord,” Faramir said practically running across the room to join his lover.

Rahl stepped outside the library and had to bite back a smile at the look on Bergan’s face. It almost looked as if the man thought he might be called in to fetch Faramir’s body. Rolling his eyes, he started to head down the hallway, but stopped, turned to his slave, and grabbed his arm. “No more walking behind me where I can’t see you. Stay within my eye sight at all times.” He addressed Bergan before Faramir could respond. “And you, Bergan… you may speak to him, if only to make sure he doesn’t lag behind. Just don’t ever touch him.” With that, he continued his way toward a part of the castle he’d rarely visited in all his years as master of the palace, dragging Faramir beside him and knowing his guard would follow.

Faramir was probably as surprised as Bergan when Rahl told him he may speak to him if just to make sure he was where he was supposed to be. He almost laughed nervously but with Rahl’s mood he knew better than to do that. He had no idea where Rahl was taking him but he hadn’t punished him yet so maybe he hadn’t completely messed up their entire day. He knew better than to ask where Rahl was taking him and wished that his hand would simply slide down his arm and take his hand so that he didn’t feel like such an errant child.

They walked for several minutes, Rahl’s pace quick and efficient as usual, the thought of stopping to look or enjoy his surroundings never occurring to him. When they finally reached the western side of the castle, he led Faramir down a final flight of stairs and stepped out onto a small grass-covered area with a dozen trees sheltering it. There was a strange haze in the air; Rahl’s magic acting as a shield around not only the castle, but this area as well, and on the far end, there was a small herb garden. Otherwise, there were few other plants or trees. “What kind of trees and flowers and such did you have in your city?” he asked, sounding almost bored even as he looked around appreciatively and breathed in the fresh air.

When they moved quickly down the halls, Faramir had no time to observe everything he wanted to. Tapestry’s and pieces of art that hung along the walls were just a blur to him as Rahl practically dragged him past it all. After what seemed a long time they went down a staircase and spilled out into a small garden. It was sparse, only a dozen trees and grass and a small patch of herbs and Faramir turned to look at his lover. “Well… there were roses, daisies, hollyhocks and day lilies that I recall from the flower garden, I believe my mother may have planted those… there were a few fruit tress too. I remember the apple tree vividly because Boromir and I would climb it and pick the fruit,” Faramir said remembering the garden near his own chambers in the citadel.

Rahl did his best to look uninterested, but he rarely had the chance to do things for others for no real reason, and it was, oddly enough, making him feel rather warm inside. Waving his hand and muttering, he filled the garden with just the plants Faramir mentioned in an instant and turned to face him. “Well? Anything else? Is this what you were missing and if I allow you to visit this place, will you stop wandering off? I have more important things to do than punish you, you know.”

Faramir’s face broke into a huge smile as suddenly flowers bloomed all around them, the scent of them making that small homesick part of him start to disappear. He turned slowly, looking all around and smiled even more brightly. “A bench to sit on would be nice… ours were always marble but far from comfortable,” Faramir said walking toward his lover, still smiling happily. “May I have permission to touch you, my lord?”

Automatically taking a step back as Faramir approached, Rahl narrowed his eyes at the man and waved a hand toward the garden. A bench, this one of ornate gold with thick cushions and curved arms on each side appeared just below the apple tree, and yet another spell was woven to keep it from getting wet when the rain spell was activated. “I… touch me?” His gaze moved over Faramir suspiciously, trying to remember when he’d cast his last spell over the man. “Why?”

“I would like to thank you properly, that is why,” Faramir said happily. “A hug or even… a kiss… or anything else you might like as well, but the hug and kiss are as much for me as for you because you’ve made me very happy,” he explained as he stood smiling adoringly at a man that was unaccustomed to being adored. Instead of punishing him, Rahl had given him a gift that he truly cherished and he wanted to thank the man without getting hurt by his magic in the process.

Rahl would have never even considered allowing anyone else to even ask what Faramir was asking for, but he had to admit, so far the man had behaved well. Lowering his defenses – some of them anyway, but never all – he stood stiffly and looked as if he was getting ready to be burned at the stake. “If it will keep you from complaining,” he sighed, though the look on his face in no way matched his words. He expected a quick kiss and squeeze of his arms, and averted his gaze so he wouldn’t have to see Faramir’s eyes as he did so, knowing the happiness would be erased as he forced himself to thank his master properly. Still, it felt odd… almost… nice for someone to make such a request, especially someone he desired so greatly.

Faramir was still smiling as Rahl grudgingly allowed him his request and moved closer. His body pressed against the firm body of his lover and his hands rose, one gently caressing the side of Rahl’s face while the other slipped into the soft hair at the nape of his neck. Faramir moved closer, his lips brushing lightly over Rahl’s and then pushing forward kissing him fully, his lips moving against his lover’s, licking at Rahl’s lower lip and sighing softly from just this small taste of the man.

Completely unconsciously, Rahl’s stiffness slowly drained away and he found himself leaning into the slightly taller man. His arms came up and rested awkwardly on Faramir’s hips, then somehow simply slid around his back seemingly of their own accord. The kiss – and the hug – lasted much longer than he’d expected, and he was slightly dazed when Faramir pulled away. He reasoned that one of his spells must have went a little off, but didn’t move away though he could feel Bergan’s gaze on them both. “I… Yes… Well… You must really like the garden,” he managed.

Faramir was slightly dazed when he pulled away from his lover and laughed softly. “I do and I like the wizard who made it possible by wanting to keep me happy even though I do not deserve it. Thank you. You have no idea how much this means to me,” Faramir whispered softly, oblivious to Bergan in the doorway watching them with a flushed face. He’d never seen his master do anything nice for anyone before, yet he had thanked him and given him a gift and now he was giving this young slave a garden seemingly of his own. It was nothing to Lord Rahl to do these things, his magic was powerful but the fact that he even considered them was… amazing. He realized he had a newfound respect for Rahl’s slave… the dark wizard may not be any more softhearted than he ever was but… the young slave seemed to have brought the wizard a sort of balance to all that anger he had inside him. He even found himself smiling at the pair of them but quickly caught himself and averted his gaze.

Rahl started to agree – or possibly disagree – about how deserving Faramir was, but decided not to, since he wasn’t sure what his opinion really was at the moment. That damnable spell that had turned sideways and did strange things to his mind seemed to still be hanging around, because he hadn’t completely pulled away from the embrace yet. “Non magical people can traverse the castle hallways as long as they have a purpose,” he said, keeping his hands on Faramir’s lower back. “I will give you permission to visit this garden any time you like, but you will get lost if you stray from the path we took to get here. I just… I do not want you here all the time, but you may stay here until lunch if you like.”

“I will not abuse this privilege,” Faramir said softly, still holding his lover close. “But… I would like you to visit with me here sometimes. You know sex in the warm grass under the sunlight can be quite fun, especially here where the nature is made by magic,” he whispered and leaned forward to tug gently on Rahl’s bottom lip. “That bench looks comfortable as well,” he teased as he leaned back to look into dark blue eyes.

His mouth was suddenly very dry and in Rahl’s mind, the bench underneath the apple tree had a whole new appeal. He forgot his earlier sour mood and, in fact forgot that they weren’t alone. He turned toward the tree, his cheek still pressed against his lover’s so that Faramir’s gaze would follow his and he smiled wickedly. This time, he didn’t even bother waving his hand. As he and Faramir looked toward the bench, a pair of handcuffs connected by a long golden chain appeared over one limb of the apple tree and a black flogger with a half dozen strands draped over the back of the bench. “This entire garden is getting more interesting by the minute,” he murmured, kissing Faramir’s cheek.

Faramir grinned as the cuffs and flogger appeared and laughed softly as Rahl kissed his cheek. “I believe you just might be right,” he whispered. He turned to look into Rahl’s eyes, they were sparkling with amusement and desire and Faramir knew his own were too. “Do you have to rush back to your study now or… can I at least send you back in a much more relaxed mood, my lord? Or, perhaps if you go now it will give you incentive to return to me more quickly?” Faramir’s words were teasingly said, knowing that Rahl could do as he pleased whenever he pleased but it was a fun game at least to pretend they were actual lovers, at least for Faramir. He found himself at times wishing it were true… that Rahl saw him as more than a slave, if not an equal at least as someone truly cared for.

Rahl leaned back a bit and frowned, though he kept his hands on Faramir’s back. “I… you… Why? I… I don’t understand you at all, Faramir. I have given you your garden, I can summon a few books, and we were both satisfied physically less than an hour ago. Why in all the Midlands would you wish for me to stay?”

This again. It always came back to Rahl doubting Faramir’s desires. “No, I suppose you do not understand me at all,” Faramir said softly. He leaned forward and brushed his lips against Rahl’s again, since he’d given permission earlier Faramir wasn’t about to waste any chance to touch the man of his own volition. “If I say my true reasons we will just end up in another argument. You accusing me of lying and me denying it as always but I actually do like spending time with you.”

Gasping as Faramir kissed him again, Rahl felt slightly dazed when he pulled away. Before he could say anything, he let his instincts guide him and suddenly found his hand on Faramir’s neck, renewing the kiss with the same breathless need he’d taken him with earlier that morning. Faramir did something to him, and a part of Rahl wondered if the man was really a wizard of some sort he’d never heard of before. He explored every single bit of his slave’s mouth, some more than once, and when he finally had to draw another breath, he found he’d pushed Faramir against the side of the castle and was pressing hard against him. His head tilted forward and he rested their foreheads together, trying to catch his breath. “I… I suppose I could stay for a short while,” he conceded. “If… If only to show you around the garden a bit more.”

Faramir was surprised that Rahl had not accused him of lying this time, that he hadn’t argued. It felt… wonderful. The next kiss was deeper and made his heart skip in his chest and his pulse pound in his ears. When his back hit the solid stone of the castle wall, Faramir moaned against Rahl’s lips as his own hands sank into his lover’s hair, holding and caressing and loving every single moment. From chest to thigh he could feel Rahl’s body against his, burning into him and it made him shiver as they drew apart for breath. “I would enjoy that very much, my lord,” he whispered against kiss-swollen lips. “Though, another kiss like that might just make everything around us burst into flames right here and now,” he teased softly, his fingers still toying with his lover’s soft hair.

At the mention of flames, Rahl jumped and pushed Faramir away from him so quickly both men almost fell. He was torn between actually checking his lover for burns and simply staying out of the fire’s way should there indeed be one. It took him a moment to make sense of what the words really meant. By the time he did, he was shaking and pale, and despite the cool air, his forehead was covered in a thin sheen of sweat. “You mock me?” he hissed, backing away from Faramir and looking at him with wide, angry eyes. “You actually tease me about the one thing I hate more than the seeker? How dare you?”

Faramir was stunned and fell back against the castle wall as he stared at his lover. “What?” he asked in confusion. “Mock… I… what are you talking about? I was just being… well trying to be seductive. Your kisses make my blood run so fast in my veins I sometimes feel like I am just going to burst… that was what I was talking about… I… I… are you all right?” Faramir asked pushing away from the wall behind him and reaching out toward Rahl. “You’re so pale… I… Gods…” then it dawned on him what the scars were he’d seen the first night. “When your father died it was fire… Oh Gods, I am so stupid,” Faramir whispered.

Rahl batted Faramir’s hand away then rested his own just above his hip, the very thought of fire making the phantom pain of his scars flare to life as if they’d happened only yesterday. “Fire,” he said in a voice that didn’t sound at all like his own, “is not seductive. It kills and it maims and there is nothing in my world or yours that causes such agony.” Doing his best to get a grip on his emotions, he fisted his hands so hard his fingernails dug into his palms. A thin trail of blood rolled from between his fingers and dropped onto the grass beneath his feet, but he didn’t even seem to notice, he was so lost in the memory of the wizard’s fire scorching his skin. And Faramir, the man he had let get closer than anyone, had somehow found out and was mocking him, perhaps even trying to drive him mad with the memories of the long months he’d spent under the healer’s care as they’d scrubbed and dressed his wounds. He turned on his heel and headed back toward the door they’d emerged from only a few minutes before. “I must go. I cannot stay out here any longer. It is a waste of time.”

Faramir felt tears spring to his eyes when Rahl batted his hand away. All he wanted to do was offer comfort for something he hadn’t meant to do. He swallowed hard at the emotion in his lover’s voice and wanted nothing more than to hold him but Rahl certainly would not allow that. Not now. They had been getting along so well and now he’d ruined everything with a simple slip of his tongue! Faramir wanted to scream but simply stared at Rahl as he backed away from him, looking pained and haunted. As the man disappeared through the doorway, Faramir allowed the sob he was holding to be released and fell to his knees on the soft grass. Why did it hurt him so much to know he’d unintentionally hurt a man who was by all intents holding him as nothing more than a slave? He tried to reason through his tears and heartache that it was because he had always felt a deep empathy and compassion for people but Rahl wasn’t just anyone. Not anymore. Faramir saw him as so much more than a dark wizard, he saw him as a man who had been hurt and hurt badly. Not just physically, he now realized. And with that realization came another one that made him weep even harder… he loved him. As twisted and strange as it was… he loved Darken Rahl.

Chapter 13

Faramir couldn’t say how long he had sat and wept in the grass but when he finally managed to wipe his eyes and try to stand, his legs were asleep and he ended up just laying down and waiting for feeling to come back to his legs. The garden looked different from this angle, so he spent his time just gazing at everything he could see, everything that Rahl had done for him just hours ago and now he had ruined everything. I never meant to hurt you.

He fell asleep, exhausted from his tears and it was very late in the afternoon when he awoke. No lunch had been delivered, so apparently Rahl did not stop to eat today or that was part of his punishment. He stayed on the ground and wondered if he should try to go back to Rahl’s bedchamber of if he should remain where he was? Before he could try to work out what was best he heard footsteps on the stairs. They sounded odd though. Certainly not Rahl’s determined step and not one of the guards whose heavy armor caused their steps to be somewhat loud on the castle floors.

A tall slender girl with long, dark hair stepped into the garden, looking around her in awe. She’d been to this garden before many times to tend to the herbs her mother had planted there years before but never had she seen it like this. There was color all around her and the smell of fresh flowers, and it was, without a doubt, the most beautiful place she’d ever seen. She almost forgot her purpose in coming here – which would have been a tragedy, since she would never have even made it back to the kitchen had she tried to return without fetching the master’s slave. “Oh, there you are…” Her smile was shy though friendly and she wondered why the man was laying on the ground. “You should go inside. Lord Rahl will be served his dinner shortly and he sent word that you should join him at once.”

Faramir was somewhat surprised to see a young girl come into the garden. He had only seen guards and only a few servants in his time there. When the girl actually spoke to him Faramir’s mouth almost dropped open. She was the first to ever do so in this place. “Oh..thank you,” he said sitting up and then standing a bit stiffly after being on the ground so long. “Lord Rahl said I should be able to find my way back but… I don’t wish to get lost, will you be coming with me?” he asked the girl who had already wandered over to one of the rose bushes.

Wishing with all her heart she had the nerve to pick the deep red rose before her, the girl shook her head. “Only as far as the kitchens. I was sent to find you, so that’s all the castle will let me do, but since we’re both walking the same way, we can go that far together.” Her natural curiosity began to get the better of her and tilted her head to one side. “Why were you laying on the ground? Are you being punished? Or did Lord Rahl throw you out a window?”

Faramir laughed at the girl’s curiosity and shook his head. “Neither, I think. Well, I am not entirely sure about the punished part…” Faramir trailed off and sighed. “But definitely was not thrown out a window. I’ve been here all day so I laid down and fell asleep,” he explained, though he left out the part that he’d exhausted himself with tears. Though if things continue going this badly jumping out a window might not be a bad idea. He gestured for the girl to walk with him and they began making their way to the doorway and back up the staircase. “Did… Lord Rahl seem to be in a particularly bad mood?” he asked wondering what he had to look forward to tonight. Or rather, NOT look forward to.

“Well, he normally offers me a smile when he thinks no one is looking,” the girl said thoughtfully, “though he would never admit it. Today, though, he barely said anything to me… just told me to go to the garden and find his slave. When I offered him one of the pastries my mother had just made, he didn’t even hear me, but he’s like that sometimes, so, I don’t know… he didn’t seem like himself, but you can never tell with him. Once, when I was little, I got really sick – something was wrong inside my head and it hurt so badly I couldn’t move, but he fixed me and… Gods, that was supposed to be our secret, his and mine, not mine and yours, because he told me I couldn’t ever tell anyone, but I forget sometimes and…” She stopped, drew in a breath and put a hand over her mouth. “My mother says I talk too much. I think she might be right. Oh, I’m Corrine, by the way and you’re Faramir, Lord Rahl’s latest slave. Do you think he’ll keep you for a while? You seem nice, even if you don’t say much.”

Faramir blinked at the rapid-fire chatter from the girl and wondered if she’d even stopped to take a breath between some sentences before plowing on. He found himself grinning a bit, especially when she said Rahl sometimes smiled at her. He could easily see that the young girl would charm even Rahl. He looked at her when she finally drew a breath and smiled. “It’s all right, I won’t tell anyone… and I think Lord Rahl would disagree about my not talking much. You could say the reason I was in the garden all day by myself had a lot to do with my saying too much,” Faramir explained. “It is nice to meet you Corrine. You are the first in the castle besides Lord Rahl to speak with me, it is nice to hear someone so… cheerful. You know… between you and me, the garden back there… I saw you looking at that rose. I don’t think it would hurt anything if you took one… perhaps for your mother. I used to take mine flowers when I was young,” Faramir said as they topped the stairs and turned into a long hallway.

Corrine’s eyes sparkled at the idea and she nodded eagerly. “Really? I think I might just do that next time I go back to the garden. I go there a lot to get herbs for the kitchen – I work in the kitchen though once, I got to work in the hallway outside of the kitchen and I saw Lord Rahl with two of his pleasure slaves trailing behind him and I wondered why he might need two and I started to ask him, but my mother came out then and wouldn’t let me and I never got to work in the hall again. That was when I was very little though. Now I know why he might want two. I turned fourteen 3 weeks ago, and I’ve learned an awful lot since then, mainly because the other girls tell me, but they’re all scared of Lord Rahl even when I told them he fixed me that one time, but then I remembered I wasn’t supposed to tell but they promised to keep quiet about it. Oh… where was I? Yes, the rose, I think I’ll pick one for her next time, and maybe if Lord Rahl is in a bad mood, you can pick one for him too? It might make him less grumpy.”

Faramir laughed softly as Corrine chattered on and found himself at least feeling somewhat better than before. When she mentioned two pleasure slaves his face went red with embarrassment and he looked down. “Yes, well… even at fourteen I imagine there are some things your mother wouldn’t like you knowing about,” Faramir warned a little. She was such a precocious girl that he wondered how it was that her mother kept her in line at all at times. Rahl’s temper was quite hard to predict and he hoped she held her tongue better with him. When she said that a rose might make Rahl less grumpy Faramir laughed again and shook his head. “Maybe a whole bouquet would work wonders then,” he said smiling at the girl.

Corrine nodded and smiled up at Faramir. “I bet you could get a whole bouquet from that garden too,” she said, clearly in awe. They reached the kitchen and she stopped just outside its doors. “I’ve never seen it so beautiful. There were so many pretty flowers and trees and… oh, no ! You don’t think someone is trying to trick Lord Rahl do you? Like… that horrible old wizard who hates him so much? Maybe he bewitched the garden so Lord Rahl would come out and he was lying in wait to kill him! Don’t you think you should warn him? He’s grumpy but that doesn’t mean he should be killed like his father was.”

Faramir shook his head quickly. “Oh no… no it is nothing like that at all. Please, don’t worry. Lord Rahl did that himself this morning… I…” Faramir’s throat tightened at the memory. “I said I missed the gardens of my homeland and so he… he did that for me to not be so homesick,” Faramir said though his voice was a bit strained. “Please, keep it as a secret though, I doubt he wants anyone else to know he did that.” Faramir thought for a moment that he’d just made a huge mistake; obviously this girl could NOT keep a secret to save her life. Oh well, what was one more mistake on his part?

“Oh.” Corrine nodded understandingly, but still looked a bit confused. “You want to go home? You don’t like Lord Rahl either then? Even after he made you that pretty garden? He’s never made anyone else a garden before.”

“No, I mean yes, I do like Lord Rahl and no I do not wish to go home I just wished to go out in the sunlight again. I’ve been here for over a month and only ever been to Lord Rahl’s study and bedchamber and once to the laundry to get clothing when I first arrived. I come from a place that is very beautiful and I was accustomed to being outdoors a great deal… so I missed it. But I actually like Lord Rahl… probably more than I should given my position,” Faramir said, trying to explain himself.

“I like him too,” Corrine whispered. “Not many people in the castle do, because they think he’s mean, but someone so awful wouldn’t have made my head better or made you an enchanted garden with sunlight and roses, would he?”

“He is misunderstood I think but not mean, not really. He has a temper that gets out of hand sometimes I think but… I think deep down that Lord Rahl is a good man despite all his words of being a dark wizard,” Faramir said softly. “I wish he would see that there are people like you and I who do like him and for my part… care for him a great deal.” The last words Faramir mostly said to himself but he was sure that Corrine had heard him the way her eyes widened.

Corrine abruptly threw her arms around Faramir in a quick hug. “I think that’s good. He needs someone to care for him,” she said softly before pulling away “He’s been alone for a very long time and the people that were supposed to love him either died or hurt him. My mother says his father used to whip him when he didn’t do a spell right. She said she remembered him when he was very little practicing for days without sleep to get them right, but Lord Panis always managed to find something wrong with it. She also said that … uh oh, speaking of my mother, I hear her coming. I’ve got to go.” With that, before Faramir could even respond, Corrine had turned toward the kitchen and was waving. “You should go too, or he might get grumpier and then everyone would be mad.”

Faramir was so shocked that the girl hugged him, that he barely had a chance to pat her on the head before she pulled away. Her words about Rahl’s past made more and more things make sense to him. Rahl’s need for perfection and his need to control the outcome of things made much more sense now. Plus his love/hate relationship with his father was much like his own had been. He swallowed hard at the thoughts and forced himself to smile at Corrine. “I’m on my way… and thank you Corrine. I enjoyed our chat as we walked,” he said smiling and then turned to head in the direction he remembered Lord Rahl’s chambers to be. He was a bit more relaxed now but had no idea what Rahl’s mood might be.

Despite his intentions, Rahl had accomplished very little work after he’d left Faramir alone in the garden. He couldn’t seem to stop his mind from replaying their last words to one another and bounced back and forth between believing Faramir had truly not known what he was saying, to feeling sure the man was a spy or dark wizard in his own right.

One moment he would find himself getting ready to utter the words that would send Faramir back to his own world, but the next, he would feel sick at the thought of never seeing his slave again, never knowing the exquisite warmth of his body and the way it responded so beautifully to every touch.

After hours of debate, he had come to no real conclusion but had to admit he missed being able to look up and see Faramir in the same room. Finally giving in to what his heart instead of his head desired, he’d sent for Faramir to be brought up to his rooms. As he waited he paced, hands worrying scars he could feel through his clothes as well as the ones that no longer could be seen.

When Faramir arrived at the door to Rahl’s bedchamber, he stopped and stared at the door for a moment even as Bergan stood silently beside it not looking at him but fully aware of the slave’s presence. He’d never actually approached a door in the castle before, did he knock? He lifted his hand to do just that when suddenly he heard the locks unclick and the door swung open on its own. Ah. Rahl was apparently back in the chamber now. He entered silently, keeping his head somewhat bowed, not sure what to expect and wishing that he could beg forgiveness for hurting the man.

“I suppose you found the garden satisfactory,” Rahl said as the locks began clicking back in place. He was never one to mince words, but it wasn’t easy saying the words, especially since he really wasn’t sure what Faramir’s true nature was like. “That is fortunate. I think you should spend a lot of time there until I figure out what to do with you. I am sure you would like to go back home this instant, but I have yet to figure out whether you may return home or if I shall just add you to the dozens of slaves in the slave’s quarters.”

“Yes, my lord. Thank you again for the garden,” Faramir said softly and then looked up at his lover, hurt by his next words. “I… do not wish to return to it so soon… I already told you I wanted it to be a place we could both go. Please, please forgive me, my lord,” Faramir said softly, he moved toward Rahl just a little and stopped himself. “If you want me to beg on my knees, my lord I will. Please… please do not send me away.”

Rahl shook his head, nearly taken in by Faramir’s words and the heartbreakingly soft sound of his voice. At the last moment, however, he hardened his heart and shook his head, remembering that he had nearly broken his rule and let Faramir get close to him. He wasn’t going to be taken in a second time. “Yes, you could not pretend to care if I sent you away, could you?” he asked, turning away and not looking into wide, hurt blue eyes. “I do not want you to beg, Faramir. I told you before that I brought you here for my pleasure. You provide that pleasure, so your feelings or your plans or the little words you think will torment me have no affect on my actions. I have said more than once that you have a big mouth and this morning was no exception.”

Faramir bowed his head and looked at the floor. “Yes, my lord,” he whispered, not knowing what else to say. “I… I am sorry for what I said, I did not realize… I… I meant no harm, truly,” Faramir said as he continued to stand before Rahl with his shoulders slumped forward and his head down. He wanted Rahl to punish him, oddly enough, so at least he knew the man wasn’t so angry that he couldn’t stand to touch him. This was worse than any of the other punishments he’d ever had really, Rahl being so distant and threatening to send him away.

Keeping his back to Faramir was the hardest thing Rahl had had to do in years. He ran his fingers over a book they’d been reading the night before, one they’d laughed and talked about for hours, and frowned at the memory. Finally, he turned around slowly and settled his gaze on the man before him. “I wish I could believe you,” he shrugged, carefully keeping his voice steady and even. “But there are so few people I truly believe in, and I barely know you. It was, perhaps a good thing you reminded me that letting my guard down for even a moment can hurt.”

Faramir winced and shook his head. “I did not mean to hurt you, I would never purposefully hurt anyone, let alone you,” Faramir said finally raising his tear filled eyes to meet Rahl’s. “I know you do not believe me, you never do,” Faramir said softly as he looked into suspicious eyes. “But I do speak the truth. I would never have said what I did if I’d known… I was only trying to tell you how amazing your kisses feel to me.” Faramir could see he wasn’t getting through to the man and simply stopped speaking. He felt horrible and the way Rahl continued to look at him as if he were nothing to him at all now felt worse than anything Faramir could have ever imagined.

“Yes, my ‘amazing’ kisses,” Rahl said softly. The words made him feel strange – he wanted so badly to believe them, but he just couldn’t. “In all my years as an adult, I have put enchantment spells on my lovers so they would not fight me. And they didn’t, no matter what I did to them – they just accepted it. But every time, I could see the fear in their eyes and the horror at my touch. Then you come along, claiming you want me to touch you, you ask to touch me in return, and you say, among other things, that I have ‘amazing’ kisses.” He took a step closer to Faramir and met his gaze. “You tried too hard, pet. Even my bewitched slaves simply tolerated me, they certainly never wanted me or my touch. But I must say, you are a superb actor. You nearly had me believing you earlier this morning.”

“That is because it was all true. I am actually a horrible liar but you refuse to believe the truth even when it is staring you in the eyes,” Faramir said tipping his chin up and looking almost challengingly at Rahl. “I have never lied to you. Not once. I don’t need your bewitchment spells because I want you all on my own. I crave your touch; you feed my desires as much as I try to feed yours. What I said was a mistake an honest mistake… I never meant to hurt you but my words have never been false.”

Gods, Rahl thought, he looked so sincere! And truly, he could prove no lie thus far. He could always read the man, but he no desire to see him suffer the illness he would be afflicted with afterward – especially since the first time was so much worse than subsequent ones. “You do feed my desire,” Rahl smiled. “You are the consummate lover, Faramir, enjoying taking whatever I wish to give you and even asking for more.” As he spoke, he walked over to the small table in the corner of the room and gestured for his slave to be seated. As Faramir headed toward him, Rahl continued. “But you see, if I truly believed you, I would be vulnerable. I would let you get close to me, maybe even let you convince me to drop a few of my protection spells like you did this morning, and then you spring. You might even kill me. And since I refuse to be vulnerable, and I have no desire to die… I cannot allow your words to affect me. Now… you should simply sit down and eat your dinner while I decide what to do with you.”

“I have no desire to kill you or harm you in any way. I have no reason to,” Faramir whispered as he sat down solemnly and placed his hands in his lap as he stared at the plate on the table. He had missed lunch but now he didn’t feel particularly like having a meal either. He did as always and filled first Rahl’s, then his own glass and then placed his hands back in his lap. The food on his plate was most likely delicious like all the food had been but Faramir only felt his stomach twist painfully.

Sighing as he watched Faramir, who truly seemed remorseful, Rahl shook his head and turned his back on the little scene. “There is no need to wait for me. I have no appetite and I’m tired. Unless you ate some of those apples in the garden, however, I assume you must be starving.”

“I have not eaten but I do not feel like eating,” Faramir said softly, his head still bowed. “May I be allowed to take a bath or just… go to bed? Or… do you wish something else of me?” he asked in a sad almost pathetically hopeful voice.

Rahl thought again about sending Faramir to the slave’s quarters, but the thought of being alone, however mad he was, not to mention the idea of the other slaves touching the new addition to their ranks made him alternately jealous and angry. Until he got everything settled, he would just have to learn to tune out the dejected tone in Faramir’s voice and reject his rather obvious attempt to offer himself. “Do whatever you like,” he shrugged after nearly a full minute of silence. If only he could know the truth, maybe he could forgive his lover’s words and things could go back to the way they were that morning when, despite the seeker and his inane threats, Rahl had been the happiest he’d ever been. “I don’t care. I have my spells in place and I am tired. I do not wish to be disturbed. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, my lord,” Faramir said softly. He slid his chair out and stood and walked to the bathing chamber and went inside. Once inside he hung his head and took a deep shuddering breath. He had ruined everything in one stupid sentence uttered in a moment of passion meant to be a compliment on Rahl’s kissing skills. He shook his head and began to fill the tub with water surprised when it changed from cold to hot in an instant. He hadn’t expected Rahl to cast the water charm for him… but was grateful he had. He removed his robe, sinking down into the hot, steamy water and allowing himself the luxury of tears again. He’d fallen in love with the man, how stupid could he possibly be? A man who thought he was a liar. Who thought that he pretended to care for him and thought he would kill him at any moment. His father had been right… his compassion and empathy and caring for people was truly his biggest downfall.

Staring out the window as Faramir passed him, Rahl listened as he drew a bath and slipped inside. It was second nature now to heat the water for their baths, and without even thinking, he waved his hand in Faramir’s direction and was rewarded with a whiff of steam that slipped under the door. He wanted to join him, or at the very least, watch him, but his fear of giving in to his feelings was simply too great. Faramir distracted him to such a degree after only a few weeks that it was frightening. He dominated Rahl’s thoughts morning, noon and night and even now, he felt oddly guilty for treating him this way, just in case Faramir was telling the truth. Guilt over a slave? Ridiculous. But, nonetheless, it was true.

Cursing softly under his breath, Rahl quickly undressed, slipped on a pair of breeches that covered his scars and slipped between the sheets. He closed his eyes at once, determined not to talk to Faramir any more that night, and pretended to sleep.

Faramir spent a long time in the tub, the water was tepid by the time he actually began to wash himself and his skin was pink and beginning to wrinkle on his fingertips by the time he drained the tub and dried himself. His eyes were red rimmed but Rahl wasn’t likely to notice that anyway. His head was aching horribly and he felt very self-conscious when he finished drying and had no clothing to cover himself to sleep in. He’d slept in the nude since arriving in Rahl’s world so he simply slipped back into the other room and stopped at the edge of the bed. Rahl was already asleep, so Faramir slid in under the cool sheets and lay looking up at the ceiling. Normally he turned on his side and snuggled close to Rahl’s back but it was likely that Rahl had replaced protective charms on himself and Faramir might be painfully reminded of that if he got too close. So he rolled over and faced the opposite wall and tried not to cry anymore that night.

Chapter 14

A few days passed since the incident in the garden and Faramir found himself left alone most of that time and without even being asked for sex by Rahl. They seemed to almost tiptoe around one another when they were in the same room and anytime they did talk it always seemed to result in some sort of argument or Rahl simply dismissing anything Faramir had to say as a lie or as a ‘disturbance’. It came to the point that Faramir almost resented the garden because it was where everything had fallen apart yet each day it seemed that was where he was banished.

He was sitting on the ground simply staring at the different color flowers when he heard footsteps but he wasn’t sure who they were. Likely it was Corrine again, she’d come a few times in the last few days to collect herbs and once to collect a few flowers for her mother. Faramir imagined it was just her again and simply pulled his knees up and rested his chin on them as he watched the flowers dance in the magical breeze.

The strain of both wanting and not wanting Faramir was beginning to take its toll on Rahl. He would often catch himself wandering around the castle in the middle of the day simply to stare out of a window toward the garden. He made sure Faramir never saw him, but it was driving him mad, having the man in his bed every night but not allowing himself the pleasure of touching him. His sleep had turned restless again, but this time, he’d put a spell on Faramir that muffled his hearing. If Rahl woke up at night screaming again, Faramir would never know, and that suited Rahl just fine.

This day, he was back to trying to convince himself to simply let Faramir return to his world. Thinking a snack from the kitchen might help, he took the long way around, stopping by the first floor to gaze out at the garden. It was then that Corrine, the kitchen servant’s daughter, caught him watching. They talked for a moment, for she was one of the few people in the castle who wasn’t terrified of him, and when she asked him why Faramir was so sad, he had no idea what to say. He felt bad for a moment, then was filled with anger that his slave was dragging the household staff into affairs that clearly had nothing to do with them. Corrine was suggesting Rahl bring or make Faramir a flower as he stalked away from the girl and headed toward the garden, planning on telling Faramir once and for all that as of that night, he would be back with his beloved brother. Throwing open the door, Rahl’s breath caught in his throat and he physically hurt at the sight of Faramir looking so dejected in the middle of such a colorful and happy place. “What? Now you don’t like the garden?” he snapped. “You look as if someone died, not as if you were in one of the most beautiful gardens in all the world.”

Faramir startled so much when the door was thrown open and Rahl’s voice snapped at him that he almost slammed his own chin into his knees. He looked up at Rahl, surprised that the man was actually there and shook his head. “I do like the garden,” he answered, though not terribly forcefully. “I was just… lost in thought.” He started to say there was little else for him to do than think in the garden since Rahl left him there for hours every day. It was beautiful. But even a beautiful prison was still a prison. With no conversation, no touches from Rahl, not even a punishment in days it truly felt worse than any prison Faramir could conjure. He unfolded from his position and stood, bowing slightly to Rahl. “My lord, do you require me for something?” Faramir asked hopefully.

Only the truth. Rahl shook his head to rid it of the ridiculous thought and nodded. “Yes. I am sending you home today.” He came down the steps and stood in front of Faramir, inexplicably hurt by his own words. “You have disrupted my life for long enough and now you have silly little servant girls wandering around worrying about you. I’ve had enough.”

Faramir stepped back, feeling as if he had been stabbed in the stomach. His hand actually went to his heart though and he stood there for a moment trying to will away the pain. His throat had tightened and he could barely manage to speak. “I… but… but I…” he stammered and tears gathered in his eyes, one teardrop managing to fall that he wasn’t able to hold back. “I do not wish to return home.”

The words angered Rahl even further, for reasons he couldn’t even begin to explain. “Your wishes are not my concern,” he snapped. It was only then that he noticed the teardrop making its way down Faramir’s handsome face. He wasn’t… he couldn’t be serious could he? He couldn’t really want to stay. “What is that?” He pointed toward the wet trail the teardrop left behind and his voice rose even higher. “You have nothing to prove to me, Faramir. You are free to go home, back to your family, free to sleep with whomever you want and go wherever your heart takes you. How could you not want that? And why are you still pretending to want to be with me?”

“Because I do!” Faramir blurted vehemently. “And it is a tear, one of many I have shed over a man that would rather believe the worst in me when I have not given you any reasons to doubt me. A misunderstanding is all this was, days I have been pining for a kind word from you, a touch, even a punishment… and now you want to send me home? You do not feel anything for me do you? Not anything at all?” Tears were flowing freely now and Faramir scrubbed at his face angrily. “I cannot believe I let this happen, I can’t. How I could have fallen in love with a man who will never even believe I even LIKE him is… ridiculous. Maybe you should send me home! Because this is the worst form of torture to be near you and unable to even feel your touch!”

Rahl’s face was positively murderous at Faramir’s impertinence. Besides his father, no one had ever dared speak to him with anything but respect, and here Faramir was, practically yelling at him and talking about…What?

Gritting his teeth, Rahl replayed Faramir’s words in his head, trying to figure out what angle the man was trying to play now. Love? Rahl didn’t believe in it. Oh, it existed for other people he was sure, but to someone in his position, it was a death sentence. This time, the Ranger from Gondor had completely overstepped his boundaries and carried his little game or plot or whatever it was entirely too far.

Rahl was on top of Faramir in an instant, one hand on his forehead and the other fisted in his tunic to hold him still. “Enough! Feel anything for you? FEEL ANYTHING FOR YOU? I cannot afford to feel anything for you, Faramir! I cannot afford to want you as much as I do, and most of all; I cannot afford to listen to your ridiculous lies for one more moment. If I have to draw your feelings out one by one and show them to you, then by the Gods, that is just what I’ll do!” A few words were uttered under Rahl’s breath and he was hit with a flood of Faramir’s thoughts. Faramir was angry and frustrated, but he wasn’t lying. When those most basic of emotions washed over him, Rahl gasped, but then saw deeper into his slave’s mind. He heard Faramir in his head, saying words he’d never spoken aloud; words about love and happiness and truly, truly wanting Rahl to touch him, to kiss him, to love him back.

With a ragged gasp, Rahl jerked his hand away and stared at Faramir with wide eyes. “You… ,” he stopped, scratched furiously at his bottom lip and tried to regulate his breathing. “You… are a fool.”

Faramir yelped when Rahl suddenly lunged for him, but he simply stood his ground, thinking that if he were to be punished at least he was going to be paid attention to. Instead, Rahl touched his forehead and clutched his robe painfully tight at his chest. The man was seething; yelling at him and suddenly fell silent. Faramir’s head spun as if he were falling over a cliff edge and a stabbing pain flashed violently behind his eyes. When Rahl released him, Faramir stumbled and then fell to his knees retching violently as his stomach twisted viciously from the invasion of his mind. His head was pounding and the sunlight he had enjoyed earlier that morning now made him almost blind with pain. “What have you done to me?” he gasped as another wave of nausea hit him so hard he doubled over.

Rahl stood staring stupidly at Faramir, trying to make himself believe that he hadn’t imagined the words or the feelings he’d found in Faramir’s head. So many times he’d read others, and though he usually stopped when he read their loyalty, he often got other feelings as well. Many hated and feared him, and he didn’t mind that… as long as they had no intention of turning against him. With Faramir, however, there was no hatred or fear and Rahl had actually been at a loss to understand what had just happened. His expression softened just a bit as Faramir retched and fought for breath. “I… I read you,” he whispered, slowly lowering himself to his knees beside his lover. His hand lifted to catch Faramir’s hair and keep it away from his face. “I read you and… and you weren’t lying.”

Faramir barely managed a smirk before he was ill again and gasped for breath as he wiped at his mouth. “Can I say I told you so?” he asked giving Rahl a sidelong glance. “I have cursed myself a fool since the moment I realized I loved you… but that doesn’t make the fact change,” he whispered. He finally had to close his eyes and take a breath. “How long… ugh” he was about to ask how long before the effects of the reading would wear off but he was already heaving again. This time though, Rahl was beside him, holding his hair away from his face and Faramir was slightly surprised by that but in spite of everything, touched by it as well. Well he did this to me, he can damn well help me. He thought angrily before practically turning himself inside out again.

Frowning, Rahl brushed his fingertips over Faramir’s damp forehead, still lost in thought, but having the presence of mind to be half-amused by the backtalk. “A day or so,” he said softly. “Sometimes longer if it’s the first time.” A wet cloth appeared in his hand, along with a cup of some foul-smelling mixture of teas, herbs and roots. Rahl couldn’t heal Faramir from this, but he could at least use nonmagical remedies to make the ordeal more bearable. “Drink this.” His voice was firm again, and he took back control of the situation. “It will at least get us back to my chambers, where you can lie down.”

Faramir frowned deeply when Rahl said a day or so perhaps longer and gave the man he loved a bitter look from narrowed eyes. “You really should be glad you are magical and I love you… because I can forgive you for this… but do not ever do this to me again, please?” Faramir groused and begged at the same time. He sat up slightly as Rahl put the cloth to his forehead and sighed but flinched from the smell of the drink. “Ugh… that… are you certain?” he asked as Rahl frowned and pushed the glass toward him again. Faramir finally took it and drank it down. He started to drink slowly but the smell forced him to have to drink it quickly. The horrible brew did actually settle his stomach after a few moments though and he sighed deeply. “The smell of that is horrible… but I feel a little better,” he whispered and started to stand. He felt weak as a kitten and was thankful when Rahl’s arm came around him to help him.

Holding Faramir steady, Rahl was still somewhat at a loss as to how to deal with him. His anger had completely disappeared, and had been replaced with confusion and a weary kind of gentleness. “I… yes… no, I have no desire to see you ill… that is why I… Gods, I am not explaining myself to you!” When Faramir sagged a bit, Rahl held him closer and ran the cool cloth over his cheeks and neck. “Can you make it back to our room? I can cast a spell or… or carry you or… something. We just need to get back there so I can… think.”

The idea of being carried was a nice one but Faramir was afraid he might be sick again. “I can walk… slowly,” Faramir said softly. His throat was beginning to ache a little from the violence of his being ill. “Can you cast that spell long distance, may not kill your enemies but it might make them wish they were dead,” Faramir tried to tease as they made their way slowly back inside. Once inside the darkness of the castle stairway, Faramir felt a little bit better, the dark helping the pounding of his head a bit. “Gods, I do not want to give the servants more work… but my stomach is turning again,” he muttered.

Despite everything, Rahl laughed, both at Faramir’s words as well as the fact that, as sick as he was, he still had his usual sense of humor. “That would be too easy, would it not?” he asked as he guided Faramir to a corner of the hallway and pressed a hand against his lower back, rubbing absentmindedly. “I will clean it up. Go ahead if you need to… though, if you do, know this is happening because you left me no choice. This is what happens when you push me too far.”

“If you’d just believed me…” Faramir began but wasn’t able to continue. There really was nothing left and he simply dry heaved for several moments, clutching his stomach as the pounding in his head returned. “Gods,” he muttered afterwards and tried to stand back up from where he had bent double. “I didn’t want to leave you… that is why I fought you,” he whispered.

Rahl leaned back against the wall behind him and magically made the cloth he’d been carrying cooler. He stood there, rubbing his slave’s back with one hand and holding him steady with the other as the cloth neatly draped itself over the back of Faramir’s neck. “I could not believe you,” he sighed. “You have no idea what a bad idea your allowing yourself to develop feelings for me is. I still cannot believe it but…” He shook his head when he knew Faramir was about to protest and rolled his eyes. “Well, I cannot. You should stop loving me at once, and you should go home to your brother and your Rangers and the castle you grew up in.”

Faramir might have laughed bitterly if he felt up to laughing. Instead he sighed as he leaned against the wall with his lover. He felt horrible and his back ached from heaving but he just looked at Rahl. “I cannot just stop or I would have saved myself a great deal of pain already,” he said softly. “Please, please let me stay. I promise to behave… I promise I will not let how I feel be revealed to anyone. Besides… I think you need someone who truly cares for you and is not just loyal because they have to be or are afraid,” Faramir said softly.

Lord Rahl’s hand drifted over Faramir’s face, one finger curling underneath his chin. His thumb rubbed lightly over his slave’s jaw and he stared at the man as if he was some exotic creature he’d never in all his life seen or heard of. “You truly care for me.” He repeated the words slowly; they didn’t exactly roll off his tongue as easily as his spells or curses or orders normally did. “I really wish…” The words trailed off and he sighed. “Hold on to me. You’ll never make it back at this rate. I can get us there quickly, but the spell is somewhat unpleasant.”

Faramir felt horrible, he was sweating and his body ached, his head was pounding and his muscles ached from the strain of heaving but yet the moment Rahl touched him so gently, it seemed all of that disappeared for just a moment. Rahl finally understood, knew and accepted that Faramir didn’t hate him, that he did care for the man and hadn’t been lying. He offered a small pained smile, unable to do more because he felt so poorly but it was a relief. He nodded. “Nothing could be more unpleasant than feeling this ill, and even so, I won’t be able to tell much difference I imagine,” Faramir said softly and moved closer, clinging to the wizard. “Thank you.”

Pulling Faramir against him, still frowning Rahl nodded and closed his eyes. The transport spell was one he very, very rarely ever used, since it appeared as if flames were surrounding him, but it was handy now and then to fall back on in times of need. He had, after many, many years, learned to close his eyes and block out the flames, though to him, he still felt as if his old scars were burning anew. The few people he had transported with him, however, said they’d felt very little – only a moment of what felt like hot air blowing over them, but Rahl figured they were only trying to keep the truth from him so he wouldn’t be angry. With Faramir in his arms, he muttered the spell and a moment later opened his eyes to his own chambers, breathing hard from the flames he felt sure had burned him this time.

Faramir felt slightly more disoriented as suddenly they were whisked from one area of the castle to another. His head spun but he managed to keep his stomach from turning from the feeling of vertigo he had for a moment as they arrived in Rahl’s chambers. When Rahl looked at him as if worried, Faramir smiled a little. “It wasn’t so horrible,” he murmured, though he leaned heavily on his lover. “But I really do need to sit down I think… my head is spinning.”

Rahl’s free hand moved over Faramir’s robes, assuring himself there were, indeed, no lingering flames. They stood just in front of one of the windows in his chambers, and he had only to take a step backwards to get to the window seat. He was still confused by Faramir and these feelings he’d developed and on top of everything else, he felt somewhat angry… and thrilled. Someone actually loved him. Really and truly loved him. It was an odd feeling, one he’d never really known. He’d spent his entire life having never heard the words, and now he felt them.

His brow furrowed and he slowly sat down, then pulled Faramir into his lap. “Do you want to sit here, or lie down?” he asked softly, still unsure of just how this new development was going to change anything.

Faramir folded easily into Rahl’s lap and rested his forehead against his lover’s shoulder. “Here is fine… if I close my eyes my head does not hurt so badly,” he whispered. “This is truly a vile spell,” he added dryly. “I am sorry for causing you so much trouble…” Faramir paused and took a deep breath as he waited for another wave of nausea to pass, this time it faded and he was able to at least keep a bit of dignity. “Are you still angry with me?”

Rahl waved his hand and the room was suddenly dark except for the few rays of light that filtered in through the small gap in the curtains behind them. He thought the lack of light might help, and oddly enough… he did want to help. “Yes,” he said softly, leaning back against the wall and wrapping both arms around Faramir. “Though I am not mad about what you said in the garden anymore. I see now that that was simply a mistake. I am quite unhappy… and confused about your feelings though. They complicate matters, and complications make me angry.”

Sighing softly, Faramir looked up at Rahl. “How does it complicate things? I mean, I would understand if you loved me things becoming complicated but how does it change anything if I love you?” Faramir was confused. He couldn’t see how it could or would matter to Rahl who didn’t love him and had just a short time ago wanted to send him back home. “You… are you going to make me leave?”

Their gazes met and after a moment, Rahl shook his head. “No. At least not yet.” He couldn’t seem to stop touching Faramir now, and though to him, it felt like a weakness, he was too mentally exhausted to fight it. “I’ve never had anyone around who loves me, so I’m not ready to just let you go yet. It really is a terrible idea though. You don’t really know me, haven’t seen what I’m capable of, haven’t seen my…” He bit off his last words and tucked Faramir’s hair behind his ear. “But no. I am not sure what I am going to do with you, but I’m not sending you away.”

Faramir looked into Rahl’s eyes, his own filling with relief as his lover said he wasn’t sending him away. “I… know enough to know that you are a complicated man. Maybe it isn’t the brightest idea but I will never use it against you, use how I feel and I will be loyal to you. Loving someone doesn’t mean you have to agree with everything they say or do you know…”

“I just…” Rahl leaned his head back against the wall and closed his eyes. “When you fall out of love, you must tell me. I have no desire to see you this sick again, but I will read you if it is necessary. You’ll either realize your feelings were fleeting or something will change your mind and I need to know when that happens, all right? Then, maybe things will feel ‘normal’ again.”

Faramir was saddened when Rahl said he would fall out of love. “And if I never fall out of love with you?” He asked softly. “I will tell you of course if I do… I hadn’t intended this to happen. I always enjoyed the sex… perhaps a little too much,” Faramir admitted. “You fulfill desires in me I always thought were dark or even perverted… but I don’t feel either of those things with you. Maybe part of that helped me fall in love with you but that is not the sum of it. It is not lust confused with more. You are beautiful to me, your eyes make me want to please you. Your touch makes me shiver in anticipation and your voice alone could make me come easily, but it is not just those things. I enjoy talking with you about magical theory, your world, maps and books and strategy and even the few chess matches we’ve had, I’ve enjoyed them so much because of that intelligence you have and your natural cunning. You also make me feel safe, like now,” he whispered and rested his cheek against Rahl’s.

If anything, Faramir’s words made Rahl even more confused. He tilted his head just a little and pressed a kiss against the dampness of Faramir’s neck. “Safe?” His laugh was soft, but bitter. “You are without a doubt the first person who has ever felt that around me. And as for falling out of love? You will. I promise. I haven’t been alone all my life without a good reason, you know. There is very little about me to love, but Gods…” He closed his eyes and breathed in his lover’s scent. “While it lasts, Faramir, I have to admit I will enjoy hearing it.”

Faramir leaned back and looked at his lover for a moment, his head feeling slightly clearer than before, though he still felt feverish and sore. “Yes, safe,” he said smiling a little. “And I am glad to be the only one who has ever said that to you and to be the one who loves you.” Faramir took a deep breath and rested his head back against Rahl’s shoulder and snuggled to him a little. “I am starting to feel a little bit better… that isn’t saying a lot but perhaps I could take a bath before your dinner is served. I do not think I will be able to… maybe just a bit of tea or just plain water?” Faramir asked. Usually they had wine with dinner but he knew he would not be able to manage that tonight.

Rahl nodded. “Yes, yes… anything you like,” he said absently, still reeling from their conversation. “I…” He stopped, started again, then began rubbing at his lower lip. “I wish I hadn’t had to read you. You have been cooperative for the most part, and I do not enjoy seeing you suffer in this manner.” It was the closest thing to an apology Rahl could manage, and he hoped Faramir got the idea.

“It is all right,” Faramir said softly. “I did push you… I am not accustomed to not speaking my mind and you are not accustomed to others speaking their mind that way… it is understandable. Just, as I asked before, please do not do it again,” he grinned a little. “I would even kiss you to prove I forgive you but… I really, really don’t think that would be pleasant at the moment,” he teased and started to stand. His dizziness hit him again and Faramir gasped. “Oh… moving too much is not a good idea.”

It was a strange feeling, knowing that someone really cared for him, but stranger still was the fact that Rahl was also feeling oddly protective of the man before him. Not wanting to lose the first person to love him, he supposed, but still… very odd. He automatically stood and reached out to put his arms around his lover. “I… I can help, I… I suppose, if you tell me how. Do you want a spell or shall I help you in there or…” He sighed and shook his head. “Not that this changes things between us, not really. I just… I am still trying to figure out how to deal with all this.”

“Can you just… help me a little. My legs feel sort of weak and my head spins when I move suddenly. I don’t want to fall and kill myself,” Faramir said softly. He realized that Rahl was trying to adjust to this and nodded slightly, despite the headache. “I know… and I appreciate your help,” Faramir said looking at his lover. He could see emotions in Rahl’s eyes that were moving so quickly he could barely catch them all but most surprising was a level of concern he hadn’t expected. They moved slowly to the bathing chamber and once inside, Faramir took a deep breath and looked at Rahl. “Could you heat the water for me?”

Rahl nodded and waved his hand. “Of course.” Steadying Faramir with one hand, he quickly unfastened his robe with the other and despite the circumstances, couldn’t help from admiring the muscular form before him. “You know, perhaps it would be easier on us both if I made sure you fell out of love with me sooner rather than later,” he suggested as he helped Faramir into the bath. “Then things would not be so awkward.”

Faramir looked at the man oddly when he made his suggestion and hardly noticed he was now naked before his lover. “Seeing how you weren’t being very nice to me when I fell in love with you, I shudder to think what that would be like,” Faramir said frowning. “Why can you not just be happy that someone cares for you, cares about what happens to you… you like loyalty and who could be more loyal than one who loves you?”

“I… just be happy?” Rahl looked faintly horrified at the prospect, but the more he thought about it, he more appealing it seemed. And, Faramir did have a point about who could be more loyal than someone who was in love with him. “Well. I never thought of that. Perhaps I can give it a try. You do understand that I cannot love you back though, don’t you? Everyone I have ever loved has died a horrible death, and while it has never mattered much before, you have been good to me and deserve better. Besides…” His voice trailed off and he shook his head. “I don’t even really know what love is. I know you were thinking you loved me, but I don’t understand it, so I certainly cannot feel it.”

Faramir’s heart ached when Rahl said he couldn’t love him back but he understood somehow. “I know… I do not expect you to. I didn’t exactly plan this but I’ve always known that what goodness you show to me is to keep your property where you can continue to use and enjoy it. I am not expecting more,” Faramir said looking into his lover’s eyes. “I want to simply be here with you, be a small part of your life and help make sure you continue to live and be a part of my life. So before you kept thinking I was in league with that seeker person… now he is really and truly my enemy,” Faramir explained.

A rare, honest smile touched Rahl’s lips and though he had a hard time believing Faramir’s words, he now understood them to be true. He willed a stool beside the tub and gently settled his lover in the water, then sat down, still fully dressed beside him. “Then… I suppose you are serious,” he concluded thoughtfully. “I must confess that ever since I spirited you away from your world, I have wanted no other slaves, so I will concede that for as long as you love me, I will not take another into my bed. I would think that since you have these feelings for me, seeing me with another would sadden you, would it not?”

“It would more than sadden me,” Faramir said as he sat back a little in the large tub and closed his eyes for a moment as the hot water made his aching back and stomach muscles ease just a bit. His head still hurt but that he imagined would continue a while, it wasn’t everyday someone went tearing through your thoughts. “It would sadden me but it would also make me extremely jealous. Thank you for suggesting that but… I cannot really expect it. You are my master and I really have no say in what you do… even if I do tend to poke my nose where it doesn’t belong,” he grinned a little when he saw Rahl ready to protest.

“But if I sadden you and make you jealous, then you might turn out to be not so loyal,” Rahl countered, completely abandoning his earlier idea of trying to make Faramir not love him. Throwing one hand in the air, he frowned and rubbed at his chin and jaw with the other. “This is confusing! It would have been better if you had simply not told me any of this and let me send you home!”

Faramir laughed softly and reached out to take Rahl’s hand. “Love is often confusing from what I’ve heard,” Faramir said softly. “Is it so horrible knowing I care for you? Is it so horrible knowing I would do anything for you? You are not the man you think you are, yes you can do bad things but that doesn’t make you a bad man. You want certain things for this world of yours and even in my own, not everyone agrees with their leaders… it is… just the way it is. Even Corrine the servant girl cares for you… she told me as much and I do not believe she is capable of lying,” Faramir said softly. “Just accept that there are those who believe in you, my love.”

It took a moment, but finally Rahl laughed softly at himself and nodded. “I will… try,” he agreed. Looking down, he ran his fingertips over the back of Faramir’s hand where it clasped his own. “But remember, you promised to tell me when your feelings change or go away. And in the meantime, I… I am going to try and accept your feelings, and I will allow you to love me for now. That being said, I do not wish to cause you undue harm – at least any more than is pleasant. I have read of sexual partners having a word they say when the pain is too much or becomes unbearable. I think you should have such a word so I don’t break you like I have other slaves.”

Faramir smiled when Rahl laughed and loved that his lover was touching him so sweetly with just his fingertips. “I will tell you though it will likely never happen and a word… I think something short perhaps a color… blue?” Faramir offered certain that he could never blurt out the color blue just in the midst of passion. “But I do seem to have a somewhat high tolerance for sexual pain at least… this… this spell however is a whole other story.” He released Rahl’s hand to gather a bit of water on his hands and splash water on his face and rub at his eyes, which he was sure were red rimmed from crying earlier and his tears from heaving so much.

“Blue.” Rahl nodded and committed the word to memory. He was about to delve more into the ‘high tolerance for sexual pain’ comment when he was distracted by watching as the water ran down Faramir’s face. Only then did he realize why his lover’s eyes were red. “You were upset,” he said, frowning and touching the corner of Faramir’s eye with his fingertip. “Because I was going to send you home? I meant that much to you to stay?”

“Yes, I have been crying quite a bit since the other day in the garden really. I felt horrible for hurting you and ruining things between us and terrified that you no longer wanted me,” Faramir said softly as he looked up at his lover. “I thought you were going to send me away and I would never see you again,” his voice was hoarse from the tightening of his throat at the very thought.

Someone felt horrible for hurting him? Not terrified or suicidal… but horrible? Gods, this love thing must really be terrible, Rahl decided. “I obviously still wanted you or I would not have allowed you to share my bed,” he sighed. “I could have just killed you or thrown you in with the other slaves. Instead, I… well, I did nothing. I’ve whipped slaves raw for far less than what you said to me.” He looked faintly surprised at his own words, but slowly continued. “Perhaps I should have done just that, punished you, and you would have fallen out of love. I would never have known, so I would no have to worry about losing this being-loved thing and you would have happily returned to your world, though maybe with a very sore backside. That would have been better, I think.”

“I expected you to punish me, even wanted you to, so I’m not sure it would have worked. I knew I angered you, even if it had not been intentional, and I do know your temperament,” Faramir smiled a little then. “So, I may have thought it justified and not fallen out of love… there are a great deal of what might have been’s to consider… why don’t we just consider what now is?”

“You are determined to do this, aren’t you?” Rahl said, though not entirely unhappily. “Love me, I mean. Fine.” He stood, paced the room a few times but kept a weary eye on Faramir. “I am not sure how I feel about it, but each new experience brings knowledge, so I will try and adapt to this whole being loved idea.” Suddenly looking quite pleased with himself, he smiled at his lover. “So, the nice thing to do would be for me to eat while you are in here, would it not? So you do not have to see or smell my dinner? Is that not what someone who is loved would do for the one who loves him?”

Faramir risked nodding his head, even if it hurt when Rahl asked if he was determined. He watched as his lover rose and paced the room. Faramir laughed softly, though wincing a little from it. “Yes, I think you are right. The smell of the food might not be a good thing for me, just the thought of it… makes me a bit queasy at the moment,” Faramir agreed. “Why don’t you go eat and just leave me some tea or water. I will be fine here, I won’t drown,” he grinned, “And you won’t go hungry and I certainly don’t want that. You are grumpy when you do not eat,” Faramir teased.

Rahl’s eyes narrowed angrily for a moment, before they widened in amusement. “That was the type of humor one uses on the one they love,” he concluded, quite pleased with himself for catching on so quickly. “Very well. I will go enjoy my dinner and read up on the whole concept. Come back into the bedroom when you wish.” He waved his hand again, making the water warmer, then headed toward the bathroom door. “Oh… or… I suppose, you can call for me if you need more assistance,” he said vaguely. “This time anyway, since I am responsible for your illness.”

Faramir smiled at his lover when he realized that he was only teasing him. “If I feel as if I may fall, I will call you, otherwise I shall meet you once I am finished here and we can sit and read together if you like. I found a book that might help you understand love… especially the unconditional sort a bit better,” Faramir said softly. “It was one I read earlier in my time here.”

“I would like that,” Rahl said as he headed out the door, still somewhat uncomfortable, but slowly coming to terms with this new development in his already complicated life. He wondered if any of the other slaves loved him, and quickly decided they didn’t, then decided to at least try and do as Faramir said – be happy with what they had. He was certain it wouldn’t last long, but while it did, he intended to explore it fully.

Humming softly to himself, he unlocked the door to his bedroom and allowed the servant who had been waiting out in the hall to serve his dinner. If the servant or his guard looked a bit startled at the noise, they hid it well, but Bergan, who had scrambled from where Rahl and Faramir disappeared earlier to his station, wore somewhat of a knowing grin.

Chapter 15

Faramir remained in the tub for a long time, just allowing his aching muscles to relax and the spinning of his head to settle a little. He still wasn’t feeling wonderful by any stretch of the imagination but at least he wasn’t retching every time he blinked. He cleaned himself as best he could, including his mouth with a small glass of water and a brush that Rahl’s magic had left beside the tub.

He spent the time thinking about Rahl, not that he didn’t spend most of his time thinking of the wizard anyway, but this time he thought of how the man had no idea what love was, or how to even accept it. It explained a lot, though it made Faramir very sad. He might be the same way had it not been for Boromir and Gandalf growing up.

What Faramir wanted most was to show Rahl how truly wonderful it could be to be loved and maybe one day, Faramir would be lucky enough for Rahl to love him back. Anything was possible; he was here in a world he should not be, that should be proof enough that the incredible can happen to anyone.

When the water started to grow cold, Faramir decided it was time for him to get out and tried to get up, only to find his head spin horribly. He took a few deep breaths and tried to steady himself to try again, not wanting to begin retching again. Finally, he gave up and called out to Rahl. “My lord? Can… you help me?”

Dark eyes lifted from where they’d been staring at the plate before them and gazed toward the bathroom door. Lord Rahl nearly jumped out of his seat, and even though one part of him reiterated that Faramir was just another slave (though, even that part had to admit he was an exceptional one) and he, Lord Rahl, didn’t ‘jump’ for anyone, he was nevertheless in the next room in record time. He knelt by the tub and frowned at the man before him. “You are still sick. I told you this would last for a few days.”

Faramir looked up at Rahl and gave a weak smile. “Yes, you did…” he murmured. “If… if you could just help me stand I think maybe the dizziness will pass.” He felt ridiculous really, naked and wet and hanging onto the side of the tub like it was a lifeline. His arms and legs felt weak and his stomach was churning again. “I don’t want to get you all wet,” Faramir warned sadly when Rahl reached for him.

“That’s easy enough to take care of,” Rahl confided with a wave of his hand. Before Faramir could protest, Rahl reached into the water and scooped his lover up in his arms. Thanks to the spell he’d just cast, his robes repelled the water and with a few more murmured words, Faramir was dry as well. “You should drink some tea and lie down. You seem better than most of the ones I read already. They can barely talk. Perhaps it isn’t affecting you as badly as most for some reason.” As he spoke, he carried Faramir easily into the bedroom, then gently lay him down on the bed.

Faramir imagined that the reason it hadn’t hurt him as badly as others was because he wanted Rahl to know the truth and hadn’t tried to hide anything from him as he was read. Still, he felt awful. Rahl’s magic was comforting though, the drying spell enveloped him in warmth and the fact that Rahl’s arms were around him, holding him close helped more than he could ever put into words. He rested his cheek against a strong shoulder and sighed. “I think you are right and… I think it didn’t hurt me as badly because I wanted you to see the truth,” Faramir said softly.

“A truth I am still not sure how I feel about,” Rahl said nearly under his breath. He warmed the cup of tea he’d left sitting by the nightstand and caused the pillows behind Faramir to fluff so that he was propped up enough to drink. “What else do you need? I have… I have never taken care of anyone before, so I have no idea what would help.”

Faramir had heard Rahl’s words but didn’t comment on them. “You are doing a wonderful job so far,” Faramir said as he leaned back into the soft pillows and closed his eyes for a moment. He reached for the cup but Rahl handed it to him instead. He smiled in thanks before taking a small sip. “You could sit down beside me,” he suggested. “Just stay close and read and talk to me. My head aches but silence doesn’t seem to help it either so I may as well focus on something else.”

“You want me to stay close…” Rahl’s sigh sounded a bit forced, even to his own ears. He was almost flattered that Faramir wanted him there, but was loathe to admit it. Willing a book and a chair across the room, he sat next to the bed and got lost in thought for a moment as he watched Faramir. “I. Yes. This is a new book, one delivered just today from the booksellers. I will start at the beginning…”

Faramir thought it would have been far nicer if Rahl had joined him on the bed, but this was sweet as well. He reached out and put his hand on Rahl’s knee as he opened the book. “Thank you. I love hearing your voice… so this is perfect,” he said smiling. His head still hurt but with the dim lighting and Rahl’s soft voice reading to him he thought that he would begin to if not feel better at least not feel worse.

Arching an eyebrow at Faramir as he made the effort to reach out and touch him, Rahl stumbled over his words a bit as he began. Before too long, however, he was reading quietly, lost in the book, but still looking up every so often to steal a look at his lover. After reading for over an hour, he paused. “Do you need some more tea, or shall I continue? You look rather… pale.”

Faramir drank his tea as he listened to Rahl’s voice, his fingers moving idly on his lover’s knee as he began to grow interested in the story. He was still feeling horrible though and as time passed it seemed the tea might not have been such a good idea after all. Instead of soothing his stomach, his stomach now had something to rid itself of. When Rahl stopped and asked if he needed more tea, Faramir looked at him sadly. “No, actually, I’m beginning to feel ill again… perhaps tea wasn’t a good idea after all,” he said trying to push back the feeling of queasiness.

Rahl frowned and produced a wet cloth, which he carefully laid over Faramir’s forehead. “I cannot heal you, but I could make you sleep,” he suggested. “I don’t know if it will work, but maybe if you sleep for a long while, you will miss the worst parts?” He shook his head and began worrying his bottom lip and chin again. “Though of course, if you were to be ill in your sleep, you could strangle yourself…” He leaned back in the chair and stared thoughtfully across the room. “Perhaps one of the healers? Since you are sick because of magic, magic cannot cure you, but I’m sure the healer might have something to help. I could always threaten them if they don’t help. That always seems to work best.”

The wet cloth felt good against his clammy skin and Faramir sighed. “I do not fancy a death of strangling on my own fluids,” Faramir said shuddering a bit. Faramir laughed though despite himself when Rahl spoke of threatening a healer. “I doubt a healer can heal this… I suspect it is much like an illness that must run its course,” Faramir said looking up into surprisingly compassionate blue eyes. “I just need you and as much as I hate to ask but some of that absolutely vile concoction you gave me earlier. It did settle my stomach. And if you have anything for head pain.”

The very things he asked for suddenly appeared in Rahl’s hand. The wizard held them out eagerly, uncomfortable with his role as caretaker, but also not enjoying seeing Faramir suffer as he normally did in other situations. Regarding the other man silently for a moment, he cleared his throat and moved closer so Faramir could take his offerings. “This… you needing me. It is part of the whole loving-me thing? You want my company when you feel ill, whereas you would not want someone’s company you did not love?”

Faramir blinked when Rahl’s magic so easily produced the items without either of them having to move. “You know that magic of yours is quite handy,” Faramir teased a little, thinking of the other times it had benefited him in bed or against a wall or… well… any other place Rahl had taken him. When Rahl moved closer, Faramir took the tea for his stomach from him and nodded a little. “Yes. Your presence comforts me; just being in the same room with you makes me feel more relaxed and content. If I am away from you, I worry, especially since you do have enemies set on killing you,” Faramir admitted. “I know I cannot be with you all the time but… it makes the times I am with you feel more special.” He drank down the tea, making a face from the horrible taste but immediately his stomach started to feel better. He followed it with the headache medicine and closed his eyes for a moment, hoping the healing tea would make it possible to keep the other down.

“That makes sense,” Rahl nodded, watching Faramir closely and hoping the medicines would take effect at once. “Corrine, the child from the kitchen, has a cat that she keeps close all the time. I have seen her pet and talk to the creature, so I assume she feels much toward it like you to do me. She likes to be around it for no other reason than she cares for it and it makes her happy. Her reasoning makes a bit more sense now.”

Faramir started to feel marginally better from the medicines and opened his eyes, only to grin at his lover. Yes, Rahl could definitely be likened to a particularly picky cat with his glares and his attitude as well as the sharp claws when angered. He found himself chuckling a little then. “You realize you just compared yourself to a cat… I think it is a fair comparison. Cats are beautiful, smart, and tend to have a bad attitude if their needs are not met,” Faramir grinned at his lover.

After a moment of silence, Rahl actually laughed. “If you think I have a bad attitude now, I pity the day when you see me really angry. I have reigned myself in these last few years – to a degree anyway, when parts of the castle started exploding and a few trees outside my window were reduced to enough toothpicks to satisfy both your world and mine for ever.” He stood, stretched and yawned. “It is getting late. Do you think you can sleep now?”

Faramir laughed too, feeling a bit better just from that alone. “I hope to never see that then, or at least be underneath something very large and heavy to protect me,” he teased. “I am feeling well enough to sleep now. Again that tea works wonder even if it smells and tastes like… well… nothing I’ve ever wanted to taste before,” Faramir said as he moved to slide down under the covers and make room for Rahl. “Will… you let me snuggle close tonight? I… I have missed being close to you these last nights,” Faramir asked hesitantly.

“S… snuggle?” Rahl shook his head at once before crossing to his side of the bed and making the room darker, feeling only slightly guilty as the remembered the last few nights when he’d kept his distance from his lover for what he knew now was no good reason. He sat on the side for a moment, still wearing his robe and turned to look at Faramir curiously. “You may touch me again if you like, and rest close against my back like you normally do if you wish. Is that what you mean? Or did you have something else in mind?”

“No, that is what I wanted, to be able to touch you and be close to you,” Faramir said softly. “I love touching you… it is why I ask if I may have permission so often,” he added as he saw Rahl thinking things over. “You have a very attractive body, I love touching your arms and your chest when I rest against you,” he whispered then, looking up at Rahl. “And I absolutely love it when you touch me too.”

Rahl gave a bitter laugh as Faramir spoke. “A very attractive body, indeed,” he muttered. As usual, he pulled the sheets up over his waist and quickly discarded his robe, careful as he was every night to keep his scars hidden. He lay down on his side and lifted his arm. The thought never even occurred to him to face his lover. “I will do my best to remember you like it when I touch you and when you are good and manage to keep your more opinionated thoughts to yourself, I will touch you now and then.”

Faramir knew better than to address the issue of Rahl’s scars. The wizard didn’t know he’d already seen them, so he remained silent. He scooted closer and wrapped is arm around his lover when he lifted his arm. “Thank you, I will try my best to behave. I sometimes manage to go an entire day without saying something I shouldn’t,” Faramir said softly. His head was still aching a bit so he rested his cheek against the back of Rahl’s neck and sighed softly as he closed his eyes. “Goodnight, my love,” Faramir whispered.

A smile that was starting to get less and less rare on Rahl’s face made his lips twitch again and he tentatively rested his hand over Faramir’s. Other than when he’d been angry, they’d had sex every night, but tonight, he didn’t even give it a second thought, though he knew he could order Faramir to get on his hands and knees and spread his legs. This, however, he thought, was nice too. His anger and subsequent confusion had exhausted him, and as Faramir’s breath ghosted over his neck, he closed his eyes and drifted asleep.

Chapter 16

The few days following their second argument in the garden and Faramir’s illness from being read were spent allowing Faramir to recover. The headaches and nausea finally passed on the third day but Rahl had still kept his distance somewhat.

The pair hadn’t had sex in almost a week which was strange given they sometimes had sex several times a day. Faramir knew Rahl still wanted him but was struggling with a new emotion… guilt. He could see it in his eyes when Rahl would look at him. He’d see the desire, flare in the man’s eyes immediately followed by a look of guilt that made Faramir feel almost as guilty for having pushed him in the first place. But now… Rahl knew. Faramir no longer had to hide how he felt and it felt wonderful to be believed for a change.

As dawn crept closer, Faramir awoke, his body pressed close against his lover’s. His body had responded to the heat and closeness of Rahl’s but also from the dreams he’d had. He missed being touched, it didn’t matter that Rahl sometimes caused pain with his touch because Faramir enjoyed that as much as his gentle touches. He just wanted the man and loved him even more now since he’d waited so long to allow Faramir to recover. He smiled sleepily and snuggled closer, pressing his lips against the back of Rahl’s neck. The man still wore protective spells but not nearly as strong as before.

“You wouldn’t happen to be awake would you?” Faramir asked as his hand ghosted over his lover’s abdomen and his lips teased across a strong shoulder.

Slowly opening his eyes, Rahl had to fight back a shiver the soft kiss against the back of his neck threatened to bring on. He was grateful that the hand wandering over his stomach never delved down further than the waistband of the breeches he slept in and had nearly even began to relax when Faramir explored the exposed parts of his body. The gentle touch made his usual morning arousal even more prominent and his hand drifted down to cover his lover’s. An entire week without sex was nearly unheard of for Rahl, and he’d considered sending for another slave until Faramir recovered, but none held the same appeal as the man beside him. “If I hadn’t been, I would be now, with you practically molesting me in my own bed,” he teased.

Faramir laughed softly. “Molesting you? Oh, you have no idea the things I’d love to do with my mouth and my body and yours… mmm,” Faramir whispered. “I’ve missed your touch… I feel much better now you know,” he added, as his thumb caressed Rahl’s hand over his own.

Rahl sighed and licked his lips, nearly moaning as his already swollen cock brushed against the crease of his groin. Turning over to face Faramir, he couldn’t keep from smiling, though his eyes were dark and his face already slightly flushed. “I do not think I have ever gone a week without sex,” he mused, leaning over Faramir and nipping along his jawline. “So you better not be teasing me.” Rahl’s hand ran down Faramir’s body and encountered an erection that was just as impressive as his own. “No… it seems you are quite serious.”

Faramir was smiling too when Rahl turned to face him. It was dark in the room but not so dark that he could not see his lover’s eyes and smile. Faramir arched into his touch and gasped when a strong hand wrapped around his arousal. “Mmm, no teasing… I’ve missed this… missed you.” Faramir leaned forward and brushed his lips against his lover’s cheek, his nose and finally his lips. “I want to feel you inside me, want to know exactly who I belong to, claimed and marked as yours and no one else’s,” he whispered.

At Faramir’s words, Rahl growled and nearly climbed on top of him. “Oh, I will mark you, Faramir, and there will be no doubt to whom you belong.” The room darkened even more as he spoke and it was nearly black despite the early hour before he slipped out of his pants. There was a soft shuffle, then the clink of golden chains as he spelled open a drawer and a long gold chain with several tiny matching clamps suddenly appeared in his hands. He still didn’t like to let Faramir’s hands wander too much, especially when they were having sex, so he captured both wrists and held them together on Faramir’s stomach. “Can you keep them to yourself and on the headboard, or shall I bind them?” he asked settling on his knees between wide spread legs and finding Faramir’s eyes even in the darkness.

Faramir shivered when Rahl spoke of marking him and quickly the room darkened and he knew that his lover was undressing. He moaned a little as bare skin touched his thighs and Faramir heard the drawer open. The golden clamps caught in what little light there was and glinted in the darkness and his arousal throbbed between them at the thought of what they might be for. He spread his legs for his lover and obediently nodded his head. “Yes, my lord, I can keep them to myself,” he whispered, determined to do just as his lover wanted him to. He was already so hard he practically ached, and arched his hips up.

A drop of precome leaked out of Rahl’s slit and landed on Faramir’s stomach as he leaned forward. He brought their straining flesh together, shifted his hips and, keeping his eyes locked with his lover’s, he thrust out his tongue to lick a teasing circle around Faramir’s right nipple. As soon as it got hard, he covered the small nub of flesh with his mouth and applied suction, pulling and reddening already sensitive skin as he backed away just enough to cause Faramir the first twinges of pain.

Faramir moaned when hot flesh met his own and then cried out arching his back as his nipple was teased a sucked. His fingers tightened on the headboard as his body strained for even more. Rahl’s mouth was hot and sensual, and then sharp teeth tugged at his nipple, sending a jolt of pain mixed with pleasure all the way to his aching cock. A low moan fell from his lips as he watched the dark head at his chest. Gods, this man had no idea what the simplest of his touches did to him. “Gods,” he murmured, rocking his hips, enjoying the friction of his body moving against Rahl’s.

Rahl released Faramir’s nipple and quickly brought the clamps to the now swollen skin. Each clamp was fitted with a small rubber-like cover that gripped the flesh and wouldn’t slide off. Pinching the back of the first clamp, Rahl fitted it over the hard nub of Faramir’s nipple and released it, letting it pinch down hard and fast.

The feeling of the clamp biting down on his already swollen nipple made Faramir cry out and arch his back even more. The feeling seemed to travel straight to his groin and a drop of precome leaked out against his lover’s shaft. “Gods, yes…” he breathed as his hands tightened even more on the headboard railing. He already wanted Rahl more than anything he could ever want and yet couldn’t wait for more. His hips rocked again, letting his lover know that he was certainly enjoying things thus far.

Chuckling softly to himself, still amazed that Faramir so obviously wanted what all the other slaves only tolerated, Rahl gave the first nipples twin the same treatment. When both clamps were attached, he attached one more to his navel, then held up the remaining three. He sat back on his knees and let one finger trail over the vein on the underside of Faramir’s weeping flesh. “Now, my lovely little slave, wherever shall I put these?” A bit of flesh just below the head of Faramir’s cock was pinched between thumb and forefinger and Rahl watched Faramir’s reaction closely. “Here perhaps?”

Faramir was almost squirming under his lover, but forced himself to settle as the initial pain and jolt of desire flooded through him. He was breathing hard as he watched his lover sit up. What little light was in the room, made Rahl’s skin practically glow and Faramir again thought how handsome the man was. He bit his lip when Rahl asked where to place the other little clamps, and Faramir hissed from the pinch, his cock leaping between them almost violently. “Oh Gods, if it pleases you, my lord,” Faramir said softly, knowing the words would please Rahl.

Rahl’s breathing became quicker at Faramir’s words and the heat pooling in his groin seemed to spread. “Oh, it pleases me,” he said softly, wrapping his fingers around Faramir’s cock and tugging gently with one hand even as his other attached the vicious little clamp to the delicate skin just below the cockhead. “And, judging from the way your cock is as hard as stone and leaking against my fingers, I’d say it pleases you as well.”

Moaning as the little clamp was set, pinching the sensitive flesh, Faramir looked up at his lover and smiled a little, even as his body thrummed with desire. “Oh yes, my lord, very much so,” he answered obediently. He moved his legs slightly, bending his knees and giving his lover even more access to his body. “But I am yours, my lord, your pleasure gives me pleasure too,” he whispered, letting his lover know that he wanted to make him happy.

For the first time, Rahl completely believed Faramir’s words. Faramir could – and certainly would – change his mind, at some point, he was certain, but for now… Gods, it was arousing having a willing partner he didn’t have to spell into a near coma just to enjoy himself. A thick leather cock ring appeared in his hand and he held it up so Faramir could see it, then it was quickly fastened in place. “Then I think there will be a lot of pleasure for us both over the coming months,” he murmured. His fingers moved down further and he cupped Faramir’s testicles in his palm. “A week without sex for you as well. Your balls are so full and heavy, pet. They must hurt already, and I haven’t even put the last clamps on.”

Normally, Rahl would have been angered by Faramir’s words but this time, the wizard knew they were true. It felt good to be able to speak the truth without being hurt or disbelieved. He gasped when Rahl’s magic flared and a leather ring was in his hand. Oh, he had enjoyed that before. His cock surged at the memory and he whimpered as it was fastened in place. “Gods, yes, but I have a feeling it will have been well worth the wait,” he whispered, wriggling a little as a strong hand cupped his sensitive flesh.

“Indeed,” Rahl whispered, his voice hoarse and low. His middle finger and thumb met just above Faramir’s balls and pulled them far away from his body. The last two clamps were attached quickly, each just over the lower part of his scrotum, so each tug of Rahl’s hand would pull at the chain, causing all the clamps to pull and bite down even harder. He was so aroused, he could barely think, and reached down to stroke his shaft a half dozen times as he watched his slave writhe before him. “If you think they hurt now,” he said softly, “wait until I come all over your cock and balls. They’ll get even fuller and harder and all the while, I’m going to be tightening each of the clamps, one by one.”

Faramir whimpered when the last two clamps were put in place, it wasn’t comfortable in the least but the pain wasn’t unbearable either. He enjoyed these games with Rahl and even when Rahl hurt him, sometimes badly, he always healed or took care of him afterwards. So it was always well worth any pain at all… and shamefully the pain seemed to arouse Faramir more. He writhed under his lover, watching and licking his lips as Rahl stroke himself. “Oh Gods, just the very idea makes me want to come,” he whispered honestly. He practically ached with want, he wanted to feel Rahl all around him, inside him, touching him, his body rubbing against his own, his mouth… he wanted everything.

Licking his lips and panting for air, Rahl leaned over Faramir, resting his weight on one arm. His other hand slipped between them and he fisted himself in earnest this time, avoiding Faramir’s erection except for a teasing brush of the back of his hand now and then, over the heated shaft, or, more often, just above the clamp hooked beneath the head, so that the chain would pull on every clamp that was attached. “You’re not going to be coming for a long while,” he whispered, brushing the swollen tip of his cock along the crease of Faramir’s thigh. “So I wouldn’t get my hopes up too much just yet.”

Faramir was writhing under his lover, his eyes unsure what to watch, Rahl’s eyes and face or his hand fisting his own shaft. He moaned when the clamps bit into his flesh, especially the most sensitive areas that left a sting behind even as the pleasure coursed through him. “Gods… yes, my lord,” he whispered. He knew that Rahl would keep his word too, but the anticipation and holding back was often well, well worth it.

Rahl rubbed his thumb over his slit and gathered a drop of moisture. The digit then moved up to run lightly over Faramir’s bottom lip, spreading the fluid from side to side before he reached back down and tugged harder on his shaft. He was even more aroused when he realized Faramir wasn’t even considering fighting him or pulling away. This was, he thought, the first time he’d had sex without any type of spell on his partner, and even though they’d just gotten started, it was turning out to be one of the best, most erotic experiences of his life.

Faramir moaned and licked his lips wantonly, tasting his lover and desperately wanting more. He wanted Rahl so much he was almost dizzy with need, his aching shaft pulsed against the tight leather band and the clamps on his sensitive skin were biting into him and sending jolts of pleasure and pain through his body. “Gods, you taste so good…” he whispered, licking his lips again and shifting his body under his lover. “I’ve missed you so much, your taste, your touch…”

“No one has ever…” Rahl’s voice trailed off and he closed his eyes, biting off the last words. He sealed his mouth over Faramir’s to quiet them both and carefully wrapped his fingers around both their cocks, squeezing them together and this time, avoiding pulling on the clamps. When he pulled away, he settled back on his legs, surprised and somewhat irritated at himself for being so open. One hand rested on the inside of Faramir’s thigh as the other worked furiously between Rahl’s own legs. In a matter of moments, he was moaning loudly, his release spurting out over Faramir’s shaft and stomach.

Faramir was surprised by Rahl’s passionate kiss, it stole his breath and then his lover’s long fingers wrapped around his own shaft. He looked incredible, even in the darkness, Faramir could see and feel what Rahl was doing. Faramir was whimpering into the kiss and breathless when Rahl finally drew away. “Yes…” he whispered as he saw how close Rahl was, his eyes unable to look away and biting his lip, wishing he could come too but despite how much his body was ready for it the binding on him prevented anything more than a few drops to escape.

Leaning back, his backside resting against his heels, Rahl closed his eyes and milked himself through the last of his orgasm. It was unsettling how much Faramir truly seemed to want him – a feeling he didn’t understand completely since it was apparently much more than lust – but one he was reluctant to jeopardize. Part of his plan to at least explore Faramir’s feelings involved taking him to new heights in bed, which is exactly what he was getting ready to do. His index finger trailed through his own release as it cooled on Faramir’s stomach, then he moved his hand down to rub the liquid over his lover’s opening. “I read that, as pleasurable as magic is, fingers are better to open you up,” he said softly, returning to gather more of his come and barely pushing it inside the too tight
passage. “Is that true?”

Faramir stared at his lover for a moment, completely caught up in the sight of Rahl’s pleasure. When his lover’s hand moved between his legs, Faramir widened them even more and shifted his hips so that his lover had better access to his body. He was surprised though when Rahl spoke of using his fingers. He’d never in all their times together touched him that way. “It is true,” Faramir said softly. “The magic is a bit cold and… somewhat rough though I’ve never really minded it.” He gasped when fingers slipped inside him. “But your fingers are warm and solid and… oh, yes… mmm, yes much better.”

Never having bothered with preparing someone without magic, Rahl was shocked and amazed at how tight Faramir actually was. His cock was still half hard and as he worked a second finger in beside the first, he felt himself quickly getting fully hard again. It didn’t seem possible that he could fit into such a tight place, as Faramir’s muscles were already constricting around his digits and he’d just gotten started. He did his best to keep his composure however, and managed a sigh and a “but this takes so much longer,” before he added a third finger and began stroking himself again.

Faramir gasped as another finger was added and relaxed his muscles as much as he could, though his lower body was still tense from the need to come. He found himself chuckling a bit when Rahl complained about how much time it took, but rocked his hips a little, his body loosening enough to take another finger. “Yes, but this way you get to feel just how tight I am, how hot I am and how much I want you,” Faramir whispered huskily as more precome dripped from his own shaft onto his stomach.

Rahl’s slowly thrusting fingers faltered for a moment before he laughed softly under his breath. “You, my handsome slave, are a tease,” he declared. “And while I admire your tenaciousness in speaking your mind…” His hand turned and he found Faramir’s sweet spot easily, as the descriptions in all the books he’d read were quite helpful. “I would, if I were you, pick my battles carefully.” As he spoke, he rubbed hard over Faramir’s prostate, his fingers relentless for nearly a minute before he paused. His tone had been amused, and not angry in the least, which would have shocked him had he had the presence of mind to notice.

Faramir had smiled at his lover but then Rahl’s finger moved and found that perfect spot inside him and he found himself gasping and almost thrashing under his lover as he tortured him sweetly with it. Gods, he ached to come and wanted to so badly but the binding and Rahl’s warning not to had held him in check. Faramir’s fingers slipped against the headboard; sweat making it difficult to hold on. “Gods, oh…” he mumbled as he shifted his hips of their own accord. He knew he looked wanton and knew he looked every bit the part of a whore right now but he didn’t care. He wanted Rahl to desire only him, and he would do anything to make sure of that. “Please… my lord have mercy and please fuck me,” he whispered urgently.

Nodding as he pulled his hand away, the dark wizard reverted back to magic again. A pillow suddenly appeared beneath Faramir’s lower back and Rahl’s cock was slick a heartbeat later. He reached up, pulled the clamp chain lightly just above Faramir’s navel and pressed the tip of his cock to his lover’s entrance. “Take me in,” he coaxed, knowing that as soon as Faramir moved down to engulf his aching flesh, the tug on the clamps attached to his cock and balls would increase tenfold. “You want me, come and get me, Fara.”

The sudden feeling of the pillow under his body made Faramir yelp a little and laugh though his laughter was short-lived when Rahl’s fingers pulled on the chain. He gasped and squirmed and then moaned when Rahl spoke. “Gods, yes,” he whispered. Pushing against the headboard, instead of holding onto it, Faramir shifted his hips and felt his lover’s slick shaft that was pressed against him begin to slip inside his passage. “Oh yes…” he moaned, rolling his hips again and feeling his lover slip deeper inside. The warmth and heat was incredible. The clamps on his cock and balls were biting him but the pain was muted and overwhelmed by the sheer pleasure of being filled.

Something about Faramir’s moan made Rahl think he might as well just come right then and save himself all the exertion. Apparently, the other man could perform his own brand of magic, because he could make Rahl nearly desperate enough to beg when he wanted to. He met Faramir halfway, thrusting in deep and forcing the last few inches of his cock into his lover’s incredibly willing body. Before Faramir could even begin to adjust, Rahl reached up and twisted the right nipple clamp off, then, while the flesh would still be sensitive and sore, he worked at pinching and tormenting it with his fingers, knowing he would be overloading Faramir’s senses.

Faramir cried out as Rahl thrust into him deeply, it was a bit rough but he didn’t mind rough at all. The burn and stretch of his inner muscles made another wave of need rush through him and then suddenly a clamp was gone, the release making him whimper and squirm and then Rahl was pinching him. He screamed and arched his back, drawing his lover even deeper as his inner muscles contracted around his lover’s shaft. “Gods, please oh please… love please…” he whimpered almost nonsensically as his body hovered on the edge, binding or not he was so close to coming it was painful.

Rahl stilled, shaking with the exertion of holding his release back and tried to regain control of himself. His hands ran up Faramir’s body, soothing him as best he could, and he moved his hips back just slightly, so only the very head of his cock was still inside his lover. “You beg so beautifully,” he said softly, “but I don’t think you’re ready to come yet. I don’t think you want it quite enough.”

Faramir’s hands pushed against the headboard trying to force his lover back inside him. He was desperate and needy and growing more frustrated as Rahl teased him. He growled at Rahl with frustration and then whimpered when his arms were stretched to their limits and Rahl was still just barely inside him. “Gods, please… please move,” he murmured. “I need you… fuck me. Fuck me hard so I feel it for days.”

Even beneath the haze of his lust, Rahl was impressed with Faramir’s self control in keeping his arms up. Without a word, he slammed back in hard, lifting Faramir’s hips up off the pillow with the force and tore the second nipple clamp off with his teeth. As soon as it dropped from his mouth, he was sucking the abused skin and thrusting deep inside the body of this man who inexplicably loved him… and was obviously willing to give him anything. “Days,” he panted in agreement. “You want to feel me for days…”

Faramir screamed as he was filled again roughly and at the same instant the clamp was gone and a hot mouth was sucking hard at the abused nub. Rahl was inside him, around him, it seemed like the man was almost inside his head, Faramir’s body, everything he was belonged to this man, this wizard who had claimed him. He cried out again as his body arched under Rahl. “Please, my lord, my love… let me come… please,” he begged.

Rahl pounded into Faramir just as he’d asked, drawing closer and closer to the edge with every inward thrust. Sweat dripped from his forehead and temple down onto his lover’s skin, and he forgot about everything – hiding his scars, killing the seeker, his inability to understand the feelings he had stirred in the man beneath him.

His body had a mind of its own at that moment, and took completely over. Long fingers trailed down to the cockring that prevented Faramir’s release and as he thrust especially deep, he snapped the ring open and commanded Faramir to come.

Faramir was almost incoherent with lust as Rahl pounded into him, his body was aching and sore from the clamps and the cockring holding back his release and his arms ached from the strain of holding them above his head but Gods, the pain was all worth it each time Rahl’s cock slammed into him and brushed his sweet spot. He was moaning and babbling nonsense by the time long fingers slipped between their bodies and he arched so hard he almost threw his lover off his body as he came between them, screaming out. It was so incredible it felt as if his very soul was being ripped from inside him as his body strained under his lover. After a few moments, Faramir collapsed against the bed, panting and on the very edge of passing out.

Holding on hard to Faramir’s hips, Rahl practically rode the man through his orgasm. He held their bodies flush, his cock staying buried balls-deep inside his lover and crying out as Faramir’s inner walls clenched around him. Even though he held back as long as he could, with the last twinge of those muscles around him, he came with a loud cry, filling Faramir’s passage so full, he knew as soon as he pulled out, his come would be leaking from the well used opening and down onto the bedsheets.

He leaned back on his haunches, regarding Faramir quietly. One hand trailed over Faramir’s stomach, then carefully, gently, Rahl released the clamp from beneath the head of his cock, this time letting his thumb run lightly over the swollen skin, soothing instead of tormenting.

The feeling of Rahl’s cock throbbing inside him as his release pulsed into Faramir’s body made his own incredible orgasm last even longer. Gods, no one had ever made Faramir come like that before. His body felt completely wrung out and relaxed, even the twinges of pain from the clamps and rough handling were nothing compared to how boneless and dreamy he felt at the moment. He whimpered when the clamp on his cock was released and then lay moaning softly in pleasure as Rahl’s fingers almost caressed him, gentle and sweet against his abused skin. He licked his lips and looked up at his lover. “May I move my arms now, my lord?” he asked softly. His shoulders ached horribly but he wouldn’t move them until he had permission.

Rahl’s smile couldn’t be seen in the near-darkness, but he was again impressed with his lover. “Yes,” he said softly. “You may relax.” As he spoke, he slowly slipped from inside Faramir’s body, and, thinking that the man had been through enough and sounded exhausted, he put one finger on each of the remaining clamps that decorated Faramir’s scrotum. He numbed the area and the clamps disappeared. A moment later, the drawer across the room clicked shut, the clamps and their golden chain nestled safely inside.

Faramir’s arms fell to the bed instantly when Rahl told him yes. He tried to move them down from above his head and cringed in pain and decided to let the muscles relax first before he tried again. He lay there panting and still trying to catch his breath. The feeling of the last two clamps being released was different, Rahl had used magic then and Faramir sighed in relief as the slight sting of the clamps biting into he sensitive flesh was gone. “Mmm, Gods, good morning,” he teased sleepily as he looked up at his lover from heavily lidded eyes.

Amused at Faramir’s good humor, Rahl laughed softly, cleaned them both and lay down beside his lover. He lay so they weren’t touching but he had to admit he’d grown used to Faramir’s arm wrapped around him at night, so he wondered about reaching out and bringing it to his arm at the very least. “Good morning to you as well,” he murmured, pulling the sheets over his lower body and slowly letting the sun’s rays fill the room. “Obviously, you have fully recovered.”

Faramir grinned as Rahl laughed and tried again to lower his arms. It was a bit easier this time but still they were quite sore. He rolled his shoulders a little as Rahl cleaned them with his magic and then lay beside him. “Yes, I feel much, much better… especially now,” Faramir grinned rolling to his side to face Rahl. His hand reached out weakly and rested against the center of his lover’s chest. “I really did miss your touch these past days… but I think you came close to making up for that loss this morning. Perhaps later today I could get on my knees and show you how much I have missed your taste as well?” Faramir asked, arching his eyebrow. “Do you think you can get any work done with me under your desk pleasuring you?”

Rahl’s hand was just resting over Faramir’s forearm and making its way up to his biceps when the mental image filled his mind of Faramir beneath his desk. His fingers twitched and he moaned softly. “By the gods, Faramir, I think you are trying to kill me after all, despite your declarations of love,” he laughed. “But I am more than up to the task, as I am sure you will find.” He could feel Faramir’s arms trembling and frowned. “You said you wanted to feel me for days, yet I will still offer to help you should you need my magic. It costs me nothing to heal these small hurts and you suffered beautifully for me when you needed to.”

Faramir smiled when Rahl laughed and then looked at his lover seriously for a moment. “You should not waste your magic on me,” Faramir said softly. Now that he knew that it cost his lover his magic for even a short period of time, Faramir wasn’t comfortable with the idea of him healing him. He had asked for what he got and the pain wasn’t horrible. “I did ask for this and honestly just your touch, your hands on me just like that is comfort to me,” he admitted.

“It is only the larger things that affect me,” Rahl said, gently squeezing Faramir’s upper arm. “Something like this, I would barely notice. That is why I never heal broken bones and terminal illnesses. I would be defenseless for hours or days if I even tried that. That is how my father…” His words trailed off and his frown deepened. “I know my limits, but… if my touch truly does help, then I would not deny you it right now. You offered yourself to me freely this morning, and the least I can do is give you what you want, even if I do not understand it.”

Faramir watched Rahl’s face carefully and nodded. “All right… if you are sure, but I am not miserable and I would certainly still want you later even if you do not do this… I did after all… ask for the pain,” he teased as he looked at his lover mischievously. “If you do take away the pain now though… we can always get up to more fun things later tonight too… perhaps something to look forward to at the end of a tiring day?”

Rahl’s eyes widened and he thought for a moment he might swallow his tongue. He uttered the spell, however, and shook his head at the man beside him. “I shall have to remember to never let you have a slave of your own,” he mused. “I thought I was rough on them, but I am beginning to think you would just wear them out long before my little games could affect them!”

Faramir started laughing and shook his head. “I am more than happy with just you, my lord. Besides is it so bad to have someone want you as I do? I am attracted to you not just your body but your mind and intelligence you know. I love learning about your magic even if I cannot completely understand all of it since I have no magic of my own. I find you fascinating and I am attracted to men who intrigue me, perhaps that is why I am so drawn to you? The only way to show you how much I am attracted is by giving myself to you in any way possible.”

Rahl rested on this side and let his hand slip down to lay on Faramir’s hip, though he kept his arm crooked so Faramir’s hands couldn’t reach past his waist. “No, I am not complaining,” he chuckled, resting his head on the pillow and using his free hand to brush a few stray strands of hair from his lover’s cheek. “I just… have never found anyone who truly wanted me back. I think we are a good match in that respect. I enjoy taking you often and you, for whatever your reasons, enjoy giving yourself to me. I could not ask for a better gift at the moment.” His thumb trailed down Faramir’s jaw and he sighed. “You distract me from the seeker, though. On one hand, I am grateful, for I have been able to think of nothing but him for years. On the other, however, I am concerned that my distraction might be just the opportunity he has been waiting for.”

“I don’t mean to distract you,” Faramir said softly. “I would defend you with my very life,” Faramir added, despite the fact Rahl might disbelieve him. “I care for you and I do not want to lose you. I would do anything to make sure you stay in my life… and I promise to try not to distract you too much. I… I can help you with plans if you need, you have said before that I have a shrewd mind for strategy, use me in any way you need, not just my body, use my mind too. I want nothing more than to keep you alive,” Faramir said firmly. His last plan had failed but not because it was a bad plan and Rahl knew that. He hadn’t punished Faramir but he felt sure that the soldier Krenn may no longer be among the living after disregarding the plan of a ‘slave’ and letting the seeker get away because he waited to long to attack.

Pausing for a moment, Rahl thought over Faramir’s offer. He had many loyal guards, ones he knew were only with him for the sense of power they felt or who craved his protection. And it was well known that if anyone displeased him, they would suffer, so nearly everyone scrambled to do his bidding and keep him happy. But Faramir – Faramir and his proclamations of love, his ability to make Rahl laugh, his smile, the way he gave himself so freely and asked only for Rahl’s touch in return? That was, Rahl thought, the true test of a man. Though it was against his better judgment, he found that he did trust Faramir. Coming from a man who trusted no one completely, it felt like a monumental breakthrough. “I can think of no one I would rather have with me,” he said honestly. “You, at least have pure motives for however long you love me, so I believe you to be trustworthy in that respect. When we go to the office today, I will set you up a desk of your own. You may help me with the books, the collection of taxes, the inventory, and most of all, a plan to destroy the seeker.”

Faramir leaned up on his elbow and smiled brightly. “Really? You… you trust me?” he was so happy he hardly thought of not touching Rahl without permission. He leaned forward and kissed his lover impulsively, still smiling when he drew back. “Thank you, I promise to do a good job, better than good and I will help you formulate a plan against this seeker. I want him out of your life, I find myself jealous of how much time he takes up in your mind that I feel I should be the focus of,” he grinned then.

Rahl jumped a bit as Faramir kissed him and the hand that had rested on his lover’s hip automatically slipped between them to cover his scars. Faramir didn’t seem to notice, however, and Rahl was soon so caught up in his words, he relaxed again. “Jealous.” He said the word softly once, then again. “Most people would do anything to escape my notice, but you… as I said before, Faramir, you are an enigma. You want my attention, you want my touch, you actually want to be with me. I… tell me, were you considered ‘normal’ in your world?”

Faramir almost burst with laughter and shook his head. “I… my father did not think I was,” he said amused. “He often thought I was what one might call the runt of the litter. Gandalf also thought me to be… unique when I was his student so perhaps I am not entirely “normal”,” Faramir said with a slight shrug.

Shrugging, Rahl actually leaned forward and pressed a kiss to Faramir’s forehead. “Good. Had you been normal, I most likely would not have picked you, and I certainly would not have kept you, and then I would not have been able to find out more about this being-loved theory.” He yawned, and stretched, and his pants were back on a heartbeat later. “It is still early. Do you wish to nap a bit more before you start the additional duties you volunteered for, or do you want to go now?”

Faramir was so touched by the kiss to his forehead that he hardly noticed that Rahl used his magic to cover himself again. He too yawned and stretched out sore muscles. “Mmm, sleep would be nice but I think it would be best to begin the day on such a nice note, especially since I have much to learn about today,” Faramir said smiling. He sat up, completely oblivious to the marks on his body or the pain from them. His stomach growled and he laughed. “It also seems my appetite is completely back as well.”

Rahl sat up as well, thinking that Faramir was exactly right – the day had gotten off to an especially good start already. He reached out, trailed a finger over one of the bruises on his slave’s hip and smiled, feeling more than a little possessive. “You pleased me this morning,” he said, reaching for his robe and slipping it over his shoulders. “Both with the sex and your offer to help. Since I am doing my best to be kind and reward good behavior, I will offer you…” Pursing his lips, he looked around the room, then let his eyes wander to the window. “Would you like to have breakfast in your garden, perhaps?”

Faramir smiled when Rahl touched one of his bruises, not minding in the least. He watched as his lover dressed and stood, Faramir moved to follow and then paused smiling happily. “In the garden? Oh, I would love that… you will join me right?” Faramir asked, his smile faltering a little. He was slightly worried that Rahl planned to eat elsewhere or go straight to his library.

Arching an eyebrow, Rahl looked faintly surprised at the request, but finally nodded. “If you wish, I will join you.” He rested one hand on Faramir’s shoulder and gave him a faint smile. “You truly do enjoy my company,” he mused. “It is a bit disconcerting, but… .I think I like it. A little anyway.”

Faramir smiled and looked up at his lover. “Good. I much prefer the beauty of the garden with you in it with me,” Faramir said softly. He stood slowly and moved past his lover to retrieve one of his robes from the wardrobe and dressed, letting the soft fabric skim over his body. “I will be glad to do some work you know… I feel so decadent and lazy since I’ve come here… I believe the only thing keeping me fit from eating all the wonderful foods your cooks prepare is the sex we have,” Faramir teased.

Rahl laughed softly and squeezed Faramir’s shoulder. “None of the other pleasure slaves work. They just wait in the carriage house for my call,” he explained. “Besides, I could never trust them with anything of importance. After they leave my bedchambers, they usually wish for me to die a long, painful death, so…” He shrugged, trying to act as if it didn’t matter. “Anyway, this is a bit of a change and quite unexpected, but we shall see how it goes today.”

“I fail to understand that. You treat me the same as you do them… for the most part do you not? Especially when I first arrived here?” Faramir asked. “I suppose my taste for enjoying pain with pleasure is… a bit… more unusual than I thought it was. Men in my world talked of it sometimes… often whispered about it because it was thought of as a perversion really but I know I wasn’t the only man who enjoyed it… or woman really,” he added looking up at his lover. “I’m grateful though… I do not think I would like having to be sent off to be replaced by another slave every day or every few days. I could not argue of course, it is your pleasure that matters but I believe I would feel jealous of the other slaves.”

“I treated them… perhaps a little differently,” Rahl conceded, not wanting to explain how he had often taken his anger out on the slaves and how he had never healed them. The door locks began twisting one by one and when the door opened, Rahl reached for Faramir’s forearm as he always did, still concerned about loosing him in the castle. He began walking toward the garden, keeping his lover closer, Bergan following close behind them. “And as for the other slaves, I must admit you have kept my interest longer than any other ever has. I have no desire for any other. And, since you have foolishly developed feelings for me, I intend to explore them, to try and understand. As I said, you have done nothing to make me wish to see you sad, so I will have no other slaves for as long as these feelings persist.”

Faramir moved his arm slightly so that Rahl’s fingers slid down from his forearm to first his wrist and then the curve of his hand. He shifted again until Rahl’s hand was wrapped around his and he smiled. “That’s better,” he murmured. “Less likely to lose your grip on me this way,” he added as an excuse as Rahl looked at him oddly. “Thank you for this… for breakfast in the garden and… and for not taking any other slaves. I will continue to make it worth your while as well,” Faramir said grinning mischievously, letting the wizard know yet again that he desired him. It didn’t matter that they’d had sex less than half an hour before, nor that he was still sore because he’d distracted Rahl from healing him, he still wanted the man.

Rahl’s fingers felt… odd wrapped around Faramir’s, but he made no move to pull away. He was completely entranced by the other man’s smile and stopped so suddenly, Bergan nearly ran into them. Twisting Faramir’s arm just behind his back, Rahl held tightly on to his hand and pushed him up against the wall. “I’m sure you will,” he growled before he opened his mouth, pressed his lips over the full ones before him and kissed Faramir until neither of them could breathe. “And since we seem to have come to a mutual agreement regarding what we enjoy, I foresee it being worth both our whiles for quite some time.”

With that, he moved away, tugging Faramir alongside him and smiled. “Just remember… you promised to tell me when your feelings change. I will reward you for your good behavior by not forcing you to stay in bed after that. I might even send you home.”

Faramir almost squeaked at the sudden movements and his breath was forced out of him as he was pushed against the wall. The kiss was heated and incredible though and had caught Faramir completely off guard. He melted into it, despite the sharp pain of his arm twisted and pinned behind him that way. He even rocked his body against his lover’s wantonly for a moment and was breathless and smiling when Rahl drew away from him. He didn’t want to respond to what Rahl had said though when he spoke of his feelings changing. Faramir didn’t see that happening but he nodded anyway. “You are good to me… no matter what, that I will never forget.” They reached the garden stairwell and Faramir found himself for the first time actually looking forward to returning to the beautiful sanctuary Rahl had created for him.

A simple spell had assured them that their breakfast would be waiting in the garden. Rahl led Faramir over to the small table by the most colorful rosebush and sat down on the bench. Before Faramir could sit down opposite him, he moved over to the edge of the bench and tilted his head to one side. “You may sit here if you are cold. The Gods know you steal my warmth every night, so I suppose the daytime shouldn’t be different.”

Faramir had smiled happily upon arriving in the garden, it was as beautiful as ever and the table with their breakfast sat in one of the most beautiful spots. He found himself laughing and somewhat touched by Rahl asking him to sit close. Leaning over to the deep red rose bush, Faramir snapped off a beautiful rose and sat down next to Rahl, offering it to his lover. “I have nothing else to give you in thanks besides my willing body and my love and loyalty… so this will have to do as a gift of thank you for everything you have done for me,” Faramir said softly.

Rahl stared at the rose for a moment before taking it. When he did, he was nearly overwhelmed with emotions he didn’t understand at all. Swallowing the lump in his throat, he pretended to be studying something on the other side of the garden, his fingers clutching the rose so hard, the thorns would have cut him deeply had it not been for his spells. “Thank you,” he said softly, wondering how Faramir saw anything good in his situation since he’d been taken from the only home he’d ever known in the middle of the night without warning. “The gifts I usually receive are from those who wish to buy my favor – usually gold or gems or fine art. But this rose is by far the most beautiful. I think I shall cast a preservation spell so its beauty will never fade. Even after you return home, I will look at it fondly and think of you.”

Faramir’s smile faltered only a little when Rahl spoke of him returning home. His throat grew tight and he leaned over and brushed his lips gently against Rahl’s cheek. “And you wonder how I could love you?” Faramir said softly. He turned back to their breakfast and as always, poured juice for his lover first and then himself and pulled a bowl of fresh berries closer to them. “I noticed you enjoy these,” he said softly. “I like them as well, I’ve never had this sort of berry in my world but they are delicious.”

“I wonder indeed,” Rahl said under his breath, turning his attention back to their meal and the man beside him. He relaxed as much as he ever did and actually enjoyed having Faramir sitting so close from him. By the time their plates were empty, he was feeling more content than he could remember ever feeling – satiated sexually, full from their decadent breakfast, laughing and smiling in ways he didn’t even know he knew how to do. If he had ever truly known the feelings, he might have even said he was happy.

Their breakfast had been perfect, and Faramir found that he finally had a memory of this wonderful garden that he could truly cherish. When they finished their meal, Rahl seemed happy and relaxed as they began to leave and Faramir found himself smiling foolishly when he realized that Rahl still had the rose he’d give him in his other hand as he led Faramir to his study. It was for the first time a day that they hadn’t argued at all and Faramir hoped to keep it that way so that Rahl had no regrets about keeping him after all.

Chapter 17

In the days that passed, Rahl and Faramir seemed to fall into a slightly easier relationship. There were still times that Faramir angered the man with too many questions or with being too impertinent but the punishments, though not light, still turned into something sexual and very pleasurable for them both. The times when Faramir “behaved” were the times when sex with Rahl was the sweetest, almost loving, even if toys were used they were slowly introduced and less magic was used.

Faramir still did not have permission to really touch Rahl during sex nor had he seen him completely naked. Rahl would always steer his hands or mouth during oral sex away from the scars, even though Faramir already knew they were there. He was a tactile person though and wished that Rahl would let him touch his magnificent body the way he truly wanted to.

This morning was slightly different than the last few weeks had been. Rahl had meetings to attend to with his soldiers and while Faramir had proven helpful in planning things, Faramir suggested, given the way Krenn had reacted to plans from a mere slave, perhaps he should not be there when Rahl gave his orders. He could just await his master in the garden afterwards. Rahl had thought the plan was sound and so Faramir headed out before the soldiers scheduled arrival, his mind still remembering the sex he’d had that morning. Rahl had taken him roughly from behind and bound his arousal from root to tip using his magic. It had been incredible and Faramir felt himself twitch against his thigh. Oh, the things that man did to him, he thought happily as he started down the stairway to the garden.

By the time Rahl’s meeting with Krenn and the others was over, it was long past lunch and Rahl was in a foul mood. About half an hour into the meeting, when he realized it wouldn’t be a quick one, he’d spelled a book to Faramir in the garden, along with a note telling him to enjoy his morning and he would meet him later for lunch. It was a kind gesture, he thought to himself, one that a man made for his lover when things were going well. He certainly didn’t love Faramir back, but he did enjoy his company, and reasoned that their relationship would last much longer if he were kept happy. With that thought, he settled back down with their plans and Krenn’s ideas, and gave the man a few muscle spasms for being stupid when the occasion called for it.

Faramir didn’t know about the book until much later because his trip down the stairway ended up much less pleasant than it should have been. He was distracted, thinking about Rahl and the sex they’d had that morning and didn’t see Corrine’s cat bounding up the stairs, though he did startle out of his thoughts when he heard the young girl’s voice calling for the cat. Before he knew it, the cat was under his feet and he lost his own footing, stumbling and trying to catch himself on the stairs and not kill the cat in the process.

The next thing Faramir knew, he was laying at the base of the stairs with a panic-stricken young girl hovering over him. At first he didn’t feel the pain in his wrist where he’d tried to catch himself as the girl babbled at him, apologizing and trying to check him to see if he were all right. “I’m fine,” he muttered, groaning a bit as he sat up. Fine wasn’t exactly true but Corrine looked so worried. “I didn’t kill your cat did I?” Faramir asked, looking around and then found the answer out himself when the cat walked up and butted its head against his. “Ah, suppose not…”

Corrine patted Faramir awkwardly on his shoulder before snatching the cat up in her arms. She was blinking hard, trying not to cry as she looked at her new friend who still hadn’t managed to get to his feet. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered. Clutching at the cat so hard he yowled in dismay and glared at them both, sure that one of them had caused the problem, whatever it was. “Are you hurt? Oh, gods, Lord Rahl will be furious if you’re hurt! He’ll take Merry away from me or lock me in the dungeon, won’t he? He won’t like me anymore and he’ll never smile at me again! I bet he won’t even take the cookies I slip him now and then because he’ll think I’m a mean girl and he’ll hate me and my cat though if I was in the dungeon, maybe he could let Merry live with me and it wouldn’t be quite so bad, but… I’m so sorry! Are you hurt? Why won’t you answer me? Did you hurt your throat? Did you bite your tongue off? That would be awful if you can’t talk! I can’t imagine anything worse… Oh gods, I’m in so much trouble…”

Faramir couldn’t help but laugh at the girl’s babbling and soon winced from the pain of it. “I’m all right. Really,” Faramir said butting in since the girl was still babbling. “Do not worry. I will beg Lord Rahl not to punish you or Merry, it wasn’t either of your fault really. I wasn’t watching where I was going and merely tripped. It happens,” Faramir said trying to get up. He screamed in pain when he tried to push himself up with his right hand and realized then, his wrist was broken. He cradled the broken arm against him and looked up at Corrine, almost as frightened as she was. He could hide anything else from Rahl but this he couldn’t. “I suppose I was wrong about being all right… I… think my wrist is broken. Could you take my other hand and help me up?” Faramir had to grit his teeth against the pain suddenly throbbing in his arm.

Corrine’s relief that Faramir could actually still talk was short lived, especially because she knew that Rahl had uses for Faramir that in no way involved his voice. “Br… broken?” She shivered but carefully took Faramir’s other hand. “He is going to kill us,” she whispered. “I’ve seen what happens when a guard or servant accidentally touches one of Lord Rahl’s slaves and now I’ve gone and broken his favorite one! I… I should go and say goodbye to my mother before he finds out, because I imagine my punishment will be swift.” She hung her head and looked sadly up at Faramir. “I hope he doesn’t kill you too, Lord Faramir. You’re very nice, but I doubt that will matter if you can’t… you know… do what he makes you do.”

Faramir groaned a bit as Corrine helped him up, feeling pain lancing down his back as well from what would surely be sore muscles and bruises later. “He is not going to kill you,” Faramir said firmly. “This is nothing, really. Just a broken wrist, I was a warrior in my world, Corrine, I’ve had worse injuries than this. I’ll be fine and Lord Rahl will not punish you. Besides… I plan to tell him I am just clumsy. I will not let him hurt you or Merry or your mother,” Faramir said softly.

Regarding Faramir with wide eyes, Corrine shook her head. “You mustn’t lie to him, Lord Faramir. If he reads you, the thing you try to hide the most is that which he will see first, and if he finds out you lied…” She looked down scuffing her feet on the floor and twisted a lock of hair around her middle finger nervously. “Forgive me for saying so, sir, but Lord Rahl has granted you privileges he has never, ever granted to anyone else, not even his favorite courtiers or servants. If he finds out you lied to him, he will lose what trust he has in you, and he could very well go into a rage. His rages… when he gets that mad, he kills people, my Lord. I have seen it myself. Better to just tell him the truth or pretend you’ve no broken bone if you could do that…”

Faramir nodded as he considered Corrine’s words and sighed. “You are probably right, I just don’t want him to hurt you or Merry, it wasn’t your fault. I’ll do my best to protect you both; this was, after all, an accident and nothing more. You should not be here when he comes to get me for lunch though… it will be easier to protect you if you are not within his sight… especially Merry. You should take him to your room and lock him inside for a while… not for good,” he added as he saw the girl clutch the cat closer and her lip quiver. “Just for the rest of the day to make sure he’s out of sight where Lord Rahl will not see him.”

With that, Faramir painfully made his way over to the bench under the apple tree, Corrine still close at his side to make sure he didn’t fall again he supposed. “Really, Corrine, you must return to your duties,” he whispered as he sat down, trying to suppress a groan as he did so. He was truly starting to ache everywhere and as he looked down he saw the book that Rahl had sent to him. “Oh, Gods… perhaps he is in a good mood, look, he sent me something to read,” he smiled as he looked up at the girl. “Now, go, and don’t tell anyone about this, Corrine. Not even accidentally,” Faramir added.

Taking a bit of heart from seeing the book, Corrine bit her bottom lip and nodded. “I will do as you say, but if he punishes or kills you, Lord Faramir, please let me know. Though… I don’t suppose you can let me know if you’re dead, now can you? “ With those great pearls of wisdom, Corrine wandered off, whispering softly to herself, or perhaps to Merry. She had little faith that anyone, even this slave Lord Rahl treated especially kindly would be able to temper his anger, but she could hope.

Faramir found himself chuckling despite the fact it hurt as Corrine left, chattering to herself. He sighed as he looked down at the book and then noticed a folded piece of parchment lying with the book. He opened it using his lips and one hand. The note seemed somewhat terse and since Rahl mentioned the meeting was taking longer than planned he knew his master wasn’t going to be in the best of moods after all.

Closing his eyes for a moment, he took a deep breath, inhaling the beautiful scents of the garden and slowly let his breath out. He could possibly bind the wrist with something back in Rahl’s chambers and perhaps have some time to rest before his lover came for lunch. He awkwardly put the note inside the book and stood up, tucking the book under his arm and painfully making his way back to Rahl’s chambers. He hadn’t had a chance to really enjoy the garden this morning, but accidents do happen. Once he made Rahl see that, perhaps Corrine will be safe. She was after all just a young one and still very much a child and Rahl did like the girl. So he hoped he would be able to either hide his injury, though he had no idea how or he could at least talk his way around the girl or her cat being punished for an accident.

By the time Rahl had dismissed the last of his men and approved several more plans to rid himself of the seeker, he was tired, hungry and ready to just bend Faramir over the couch and fuck him hard and fast, in the hopes that that, at least, might lessen his frustration. Faramir usually had the ability to do that to him, but he was too impatient to just talk to the man that day and needed to physically release his aggression.

When he reached his chamber doors, he unlocked them from several yards away and had the sense that Faramir was inside. The door swung open by the time he reached it (almost as if it was afraid not to) and he slammed it behind him, locking it unconsciously the moment he stepped inside. “Take off your robes,” he growled, heading straight into the washroom. “And be quick. There is much to do this afternoon and you will be coming with me. I have dealt with fools all morning and I’m sick of it!”

Faramir was sitting on the edge of the bed, his wrist bound as tightly as he could get it using his left hand and teeth to pull the bandages torn from his old tunic tight around it. It wasn’t perfect, but it was the best he could do on his own. When the locks began clicking, he knew he had to make sure to do what he could to keep Rahl happy. As the man marched in, barely looking at him and disappeared into the washroom, growling the whole time, Faramir winced. Wonderful, he would surely see the bruises and his wrist immediately and Faramir couldn’t ease his way into his explanation. Damn. He closed his eyes for only a moment before struggling to remove his robe. He just managed to get out of the thing by the time Rahl opened the door again.

Automatically darkening the room somewhat as he entered, Rahl’s mind was still on his earlier meeting. Without even looking at Faramir, he glared out the window as he passed, making it rain to match his mood, and strode over to the darkest corner of the room to stand behind the couch. When he saw that Faramir wasn’t in position and waiting for him, he focused his attention on the man and frowned. “I said get over here,” he muttered, reaching inside his robes to stroke himself to full hardness with one hand as the other waved in the air and caused his familiar invisible force to grab Faramir by the wrist to drag him closer.

Rahl was in a foul mood indeed when Faramir saw him make it rain suddenly outside their window and turned to his lover. He started to make his way to the couch only to have Rahl’s magic seem to grasp his wrist. He couldn’t suppress and scream and looked at his lover with fearful eyes, unsure what to say. “I… I hurt my wrist earlier,” he said stumbling forward as the magic still guided him. “It should not prevent me from taking care of your needs though… I promise. Just… give me a moment, my lord,” he said trying to keep his voice steady as his wrist sent pain radiating all the way to his shoulder.

Rahl actually jumped at the sound of Faramir’s scream. As soon as he registered the words, he released the spell and quickly closed the distance between them, automatically reaching for Faramir’s hand to inspect it. It was bandaged, which he had failed to notice earlier and his fingers looked swollen. “What in the name of…” A flutter of his fingers unwrapped the crude splint and a frown touched his lips. Fingers that were absurdly gentle, given his tone and demeanor only a few seconds before, carefully brushed over the now exposed limb. “It is broken,” he said in a low, hoarse voice. Without a second thought, Lord Rahl did something he never, ever did – he closed his eyes and felt the warmth flow from his fingers into Faramir’s wrist… and he mended the bone neatly. It took mere seconds, but he felt his power drain immediately. Still holding the arm gently, he looked up, his earlier anger having now morphed into concern. “Does it still hurt?”

Faramir almost flinched when Rahl took his arm, worried that his anger would transfer from the meeting earlier to him now. When gentle fingers touched him though and the splint disappeared, Faramir loosed a soft breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. “I’m sorry,” Faramir said softly when Rahl said it was broken, before he could offer anything else the man had healed him! He stood there staring open mouthed at Rahl. He said he never healed broken bones. Ever. Because it drained him of his powers for too long. “I… I… n… no it… wonderful in fact but you… you should not have done that. I could have lived with it… what if you need your powers? I… I’ve put you at risk,” Faramir said worriedly as he stared at his lover.

“You put me at risk when I had to extend my powers to make you a garden,” Rahl said, trying to hide his surprise at what he’d just done. He released Faramir’s hand and crossed the room, where he closed the curtains without the use of his magic. “You put me at risk when you distract me with that wicked tongue of yours and that delicious body. I chose to let you do those things, just like I chose to heal you. I do not like to see you in… No. I… I only wanted you to be ready for me to use you if I wanted to, and it isn’t half as enjoyable if you’re broken. So, I am only looking out for my own interests, Faramir and I’ll not have you tell me how to use my powers. I will stay in here until they return and no one will know the difference.” He arched one eyebrow at this lover almost suspiciously. Old habits were hard to break. “Though I am still strong physically. Just… so you know.”

Faramir listened as Rahl walked away to close the curtains and frowned as his lover changed his words. It almost sounded as if he wanted to say that he didn’t like to see him in pain. He shook his head. “I wasn’t trying to tell you how to use your powers I just… didn’t think I was worth you putting yourself at risk. I also know you are strong physically, I can see your muscles and feel them every time we touch,” he smiled a little. “I am just sorry to have put you in a position to do that… it was an accident that I am very sorry for,” Faramir said softly.

“An accident?” Rahl’s eyes darkened as he turned back to face his lover. “You are not a clumsy man, Faramir. Who did this to you? Someone trying to get at me? Someone who wanted to test me? No one could have known I would heal you – I didn’t even know it myself, but one has to wonder. Did you let something slip to that affect? Do I need to have my sword ready for someone to charge into these rooms?” His confusion at his own actions was quickly fading into annoyance at himself for having let his ridiculous instinct override his good sense. “And why are you trying to cover for them?”

Faramir looked up at his lover from under his lashes and sighed. “No, no one is trying to get to you through me, it truly was an accident,” Faramir said again. “I… I was thinking about… well… about this morning and didn’t see Corrine’s cat… I… I tripped over him and fell down the stairs to the garden. Corrine was nearly beside herself in fear of you taking Merry away from her or putting her in the dungeons. I felt so badly for the girl, she would never do anything to harm anyone on purpose. I just… I didn’t want her to get into trouble,” Faramir said softly. “She is such a sweet girl, please do not take her cat away. I should have been paying more attention to where I was walking.”

Rahl’s eyes narrowed for a moment before he burst out laughing. “That damnable cat has slid out of my spell again!” Relaxing at once, he sat on the bed and wiped a hand over his eyes. “That ridiculous creature! He tries to trip everyone, so I put spells on him every time I see him to keep him from tangling anyone’s feet, but he keeps slipping out of them somehow. He is a sweet animal, however, and he keeps that child from chattering at me every time I pass the kitchen so I allow him to stay. I’m not going to hurt him, Faramir, just find a better spell, and I’m certainly not going to punish Corrine. She has as little control over the thing as I do over the seeker.” His laughter softened and he motioned for Faramir. “But you, pet, you tried to hide something from me. That makes me… unhappy.”

Faramir was surprised when Rahl began to laugh. “She was just so scared and… I just didn’t want her to get in trouble,” Faramir said as he went to his lover. Rahl was looking at him as he approached and stopped before his lover, completely naked and looked at him seriously. “I only tried to hide it to protect Corrine… I just could not see the girl hurt… I… I will gladly accept any punishment you wish, my lord.” Actually it seemed that Rahl’s earlier anger really had faded and now he was looking at Faramir no longer in concern or really anger but something else that made the younger man’s stomach flip.

Worrying his bottom lip between his teeth, Rahl looked at Faramir and shook his head. “It is my right to punish whomever I wish, in whatever manner I see fit.” He reached out, wrapped his fingers around Faramir’s wrist and pulled him closer. His free hand reached out reached out and his fingers closed around the sac that hung between his slave’s legs. “You will enjoy this, I think,” he continued, feeling his own arousal fill and lengthen, pushing up against his stomach, “but not completely, because I am serious about it making me unhappy. I wonder what else you might wish to hide from me because you think you are doing the right thing. Do you realize that could get us both killed?”

Faramir moved forward a little apprehensively and swallowed hard. “I am sorry. I… I was just worried and afraid and you know Corrine, she had me thinking the worst,” he admitted. He hissed when Rahl’s hand wrapped around his sac and he bit his lip for a moment as he felt his cock begin to fill just from that touch alone. It could so easily become painful, he knew that but it would likely still arouse him. “I promise I am not hiding anything else. I hid my love for you because I was afraid you wouldn’t accept it and now this, I have learned my lesson now I think,” he whispered.

Rahl released Faramir and pointed toward the cabinet across the room. “Over there, in the top and middle drawer, there are wooden paddles, plugs and a cock ring. Since I cannot use my magic at the moment, I want you to get one of each – you may choose – and bring them back to me.”

Faramir was almost disappointed when Rahl released him and he nodded. “Yes, my lord,” he whispered. He turned and headed to the cabinet, having never actually retrieved anything from it himself. Rahl always used his magic so Faramir had no idea what things might be inside. When he opened the first drawer he gasped, there were quite a few different sorts of toys, some looked very interesting indeed but he only selected the items that his lover asked him for. He started to choose a simple leather cock ring but looked over at Rahl and decided he had disappointed the man and should choose appropriately. Rahl was unhappy with him, so Faramir chose not the simple leather ring but something more elaborate with several metal rings attached to a leather strap. The rings would bind him all the way to the head of his arousal and there was no possible way Faramir could come through it without it being very painful. He went on and selected the other items and returned to stand before his lover, holding the items out in his hands.

Rahl took everything but the rings from Faramir and leaned back on the bed, resting his hands behind him. He wondered if he might need a cock ring of his own if this played out the way he thought it might and wished desperately for his magic to help stave off his release for as long as possible. Still, he didn’t regret healing Faramir, which was odd. As uncomfortable as he was without his magic, it had been an easy enough choice, especially since he could still hear Faramir’s scream ringing in his ears as he’d magically grabbed his arm. “Put the rings on,” he said in a low, steady voice. “Bind yourself for me and lay across my lap. You are not going to be able to sit for a week, and this time, even if I could heal you, I wouldn’t. Consider this your first real lesson.”

Faramir did as he was told, gasping as the cold metal touched him as he put the elaborate binding on himself. He was already starting to grow harder as he did so, and was at full staff by the time he was finished. He knew that Rahl would keep his word about not healing him, but he understood why. “Yes, my lord, I understand,” he said, slightly breathless as his breathing had picked up as he bound himself. He moved and lay down across his lover’s lap, positioning himself just right, the weight of the bindings around him pulling his cock down toward the floor as it hung between Rahl’s legs. “If it gets to be too much, may I use my word?” Faramir asked just in case.

No other slave had ever been offered a safeword, let alone had the nerve to ask if he could stop Rahl should the need arise, but Rahl didn’t hesitate. “Of course,” he said, running his palm over Faramir’s backside, almost petting the man as shifted uncomfortably, trying to adjust himself. He’d gotten harder as Faramir had put the rings on and was now almost wishing he had chosen to simply fuck him rather than this long, drawn out punishment. Telling himself it would be worth the wait, he concentrated on his breathing, his other hand resting across broad shoulders to help keep Faramir in place as he kept kneading and caressing the smooth curve of the backside resting against him.

Faramir found himself squirming a bit from the light kneading touch to his backside. The anticipation alone made him even harder within the binding and he moaned softly as he arched his rear up a little bit more and spread his legs and positioned himself more firmly in Rahl’s lap. “Thank you, my lord,” he whispered, quite certain he wouldn’t need the word but thought it was best to ask just in case. Faramir positioned his hands as well to help balance his weight and took a deep shuddering breath as Rahl’s hands passed over him again.

“If you trust me,” Rahl began, raising his hand and without warning, bringing it down hard on Faramir’s right ass cheek, “then you must trust me completely.” Another blow was delivered over the same area, which was already turning pink. “I use punishments to teach lessons,” – smack – “and should I have deemed it necessary to teach Corrine or her cat one, it would have been – smack what was best for everyone in the castle.” The next blow landed on Faramir’s other side. “I am a hard man, Faramir”, – smack “but I would not hurt the child over such a little thing.”

Faramir gasped as the first blow landed but didn’t try to squirm away, he deserved this and it was arousing as well. The next blow stung a bit so soon after the first but he would grow accustomed to it soon enough. His body was already beginning to enjoy it though, his arousal pulsed inside the bindings and his fingers curled against the floor. “She was so convinced you would and babbling, I tried to tell her that it was an accident but she was just so worried…” Faramir gasped as another blow landed. “I let her childish fears color my own judgment.” He bit back a moan as another blow landed, knowing that his pale skin was probably already turning a bright shade of pink.

Rahl paused to knead the flesh that was now swollen and getting redder with every passing moment. “I will speak to her,” he managed, rocking his hips slightly so his arousal brushed against Faramir’s side. “I will even let you accompany me so you will see that she will survive our little discussion.” As he spoke, Rahl reached beside him and got the plug, then began running the tip up and down the cleft of Faramir’s backside. “I am frankly quite disappointed that you claim to love me, yet you have so little faith.”

Faramir could feel the heat and hardness of Rahl’s length against his side and moaned softly as his lover moved against him. His backside was starting to sting but it didn’t even come close to taking his arousal away. In fact, it made him even harder, his cock leaking precome onto the floor even through the bindings. He smiled a little when Rahl spoke of taking him with him to speak to Corrine, but then all thoughts slipped from his mind as he felt the plug he’d chosen move against him. He arched his back a bit more wantonly and spread himself wider. “I am sorry…” he whispered. He did love Rahl but he also feared his unpredictable temper.

“Yes, you should be,” Rahl said, waving his fingers and only then remembering he didn’t have his magic. He pulled the plug away and moved it until it was in front of Faramir’s face. “Suck on this. Get it nice and slick, because it’s the only lubricant you will have.” His hand came down hard twice on the nearly glowing backside beneath it. “And be quick. We’re just getting started, pet.”

Faramir whimpered when his lover moved the plug away from him and he looked up slightly at the plug. “Yes, my lord,” he whispered and took the thing into his mouth, slicking it with his tongue and breathing hard through his nose when Rahl’s hand came down on his backside again in quick slaps. He rocked his hips a little and released the object that would soon be buried deep inside him. He wished it would be Rahl, the feeling of his cock sinking into Faramir was always the most incredible feeling in the world. The man seemed to be a perfect fit for him, but that would be a long time coming, Faramir thought.

Letting Faramir hold on to the plug for a moment, Rahl rested his hand over the other man’s entrance, feeling the heat radiating off his backside from the force of the blows. He was breathing a bit heavily himself and felt his cock twitch and leak against his robes as he studied each hand-shaped mark he’d left behind. Bringing his thumb up to his mouth, he wet it, then reached down, toying with Faramir’s tightly bound, full testicles with his fingers as his thumb slipped inside his opening and bent, seeking and finding his slave’s sweet spot with no trouble at all.

Faramir moaned when Rahl’s fingers touched his swollen and bound sac. He squirmed a little, gasping when a slick thumb pressed inside him and then crying out when it found that perfect spot inside him. Faramir shifted his hips, wanting more, his body begging for it. He might have come already had it not been for the binding on him and he whimpered as his lover continued to tease his body.

Pulling his thumb away, Rahl moved so that his fingers were wrapped around Faramir’s bound shaft. They moved lightly over the swollen flesh, telling him how painful this must be for Faramir, with the heated skin of his cock pushing between the coldness of each silver ring as it filled and grew beneath his ministrations. Teasingly, he stroked the tortured length, then pressed his thumbnail against Faramir’s slit. “Yes, I see you are liking this just fine,” he whispered, pulling his hand back up to lick two fingers and inserting them without a word. “Though that might change when I take the paddle to this lovely red backside of yours and hit you just over the plug. You might like it for a while, but at some point, it might get to be… uncomfortable.”

Faramir gasped loudly when Rahl’s hand wrapped around his already aching shaft. His head dropped forward and he closed his eyes for a moment as every nerve in his body seemed to be centered right there where Rahl’s fingers were teasing him. “Oh Gods,” he panted. He shivered when the hand was removed and before he could even think two fingers pressed deep inside him and he cried out, pushing his rear up even more like an animal in heat.

Never before Faramir had Rahl taken the time to touch anyone so intimately and he still marveled at the heat and tightness that gripped his fingers almost desperately. Forcing himself to pull away, he reached for the plug, pressed the flared tip against Faramir’s entrance and pushed it forward slowly and deliberately, watching closely as dusky wrinkled skin pinked and smoothed out around the thick toy, then winked closed again around the base. Though he was still unhappy with Faramir hiding the truth from him, and though this was supposed to be a punishment, he couldn’t stop himself from rubbing his free hand between his lover’s shoulders and asking softly if he was all right.

The plug Faramir had chosen wasn’t the largest in Rahl’s inventory but it was not small either. He did not want to be accused of being afraid to take a proper punishment after all, so when the thick plug was pushed inside him, Faramir moaned at the stretch and burn of it. The gentle touch between his shoulders though and Rahl’s voice almost soothingly speaking to him was a surprise and he had to smile just a little at the sweetness of it. “Yes, my lord,” he whispered. “If it were not for the bindings I’d have already lost control,” he admitted.

Though Faramir couldn’t’ see him, Rahl nodded in agreement. He could tell from the feel of Faramir’s erection just how close he really was and Rahl had to admit he wasn’t far behind. If he had his powers at that moment, he would have been wearing a cock ring of his own. Resting his hand between Faramir’s shoulder blades again to hold him steady, he gave the plug one final nudge, then reached for the paddle. “I think 10 blows for your hiding something from me, and another 10 for thinking you had the right to,” he said thoughtfully, resting the thin wood against Faramir’s backside and rubbing it in small circles, warning Faramir just where he was aiming for. “Count them off.”

Faramir whimpered when the plug was nudged deeper and hissed when Rahl placed the paddle against him. His backside really was quite sore from the spanking he’d already received and he squirmed. “Yes, my lord,” he managed just before the first blow landed, pushing the plug even deeper inside him. “One,” he snapped out on a gasp and the next three blows fell in quick succession making him whimper and rock his hips as the plug nudged at his sweet spot. It hurt as much as it felt wonderful and his jaw ached from gritting his teeth.

Rahl alternated the blows, never setting up a pattern either in the rhythm or the location. When he reached 10, he put the paddle down and rubbed his hand over Faramir’s nearly glowing skin. He’d whipped slaves before, but never touched them in such a manner during or after the punishment and was against surprised at just how warm Faramir’s skin felt. He was feeling something that could possibly have been mercy, but couldn’t exactly put a name to it. “I could stop here,” he murmured, giving his lover’s right ass cheek a light pinch. “But you must learn, Faramir – I have only just given you a little of my trust and you nearly lost it completely today, so this lesson… it must sink in.”

Faramir’s backside was aching and even the air in the room seemed to hurt by the time the first 10 blows had landed. He whimpered when Rahl’s hand moved over his heated and raw skin and shook his head. He whimpered and squirmed when Rahl pinched him. “I know. It is your right to punish me for this and… I deserve it for trying to hide things,” Faramir admitted breathlessly. He truly was starting to ache now from the position as well as his backside but his arousal was still raging. It was an odd feeling of passion, need, and pain that seemed to thrum through his veins.

“And you’ll never do it again, no matter what the reason.” Rahl said the words slowly as he brought his hand back up, making a statement rather than any form of a question. The next five blows were light, merely irritating already sore skin, and the next four were only slightly harder. Nearly every one rocked the plug buried deep inside Faramir, and despite the obvious pain the man was in, Rahl had only to shift his leg slightly to feel the man’s arousal, still hard and, judging from the moisture that seeped through his robe the last time he felt it, leaking steadily. As he lined himself up for the final blow, he made sure the paddle spanned both of Faramir’s buttocks, just where his ass met his thighs, and firmly on the base of the plug. This time, there was nothing light or teasing as the last nine had been, and the paddle landed with a loud slap of wood against flesh.

Faramir merely nodded in agreement when Rahl spoke and before he could say anything else the paddle came down on him. His backside flared with pain but not as badly as he feared it would. The following blows were not as hard as they could have been and merely made his rear flare with stinging pain a bit more and the plug inside him to burrow deeper. He found himself moaning and rocking a bit on Rahl’s lap, his arousal so hard he imagined it might actually break through the bindings were they not made of hard steel. He whimpered and then screamed when the last blow landed, harder than all the rest had been pushing the plug deeper and firmly against his sweet spot. He was shaking all over and would have come right then had the binding not held him back.

As soon as the last blow landed, Rahl put the paddle back on the bed and reached for the plug. He was nearly mad with the desire to be inside of his lover, and had to take a deep breath to steady both his voice and his hands. Long fingers wrapped around the base of the plug and his hand moved from Faramir’s upper back to his lower. “Relax for me… open up. I am taking the plug out,” he said softly as he began to pull.

Faramir’s muscles had clamped down tight around the plug after the last blow had landed and he had to force himself to relax as Rahl asked. He took several deep breaths and closed his eyes for a moment as his body released the thick phallus and he breathed a sigh of relief when it was gone, no longer torturing his sensitive sweet spot. He honestly felt as if he’d come even though he hadn’t. He wanted to beg Rahl to take him and to let him come but this was his punishment and he would take it as his lover wanted him to.

Discarding the plug, Rahl continued caressing Faramir’s backside, fascinated by heat and color. His thumb slipped back inside his lover’s entrance once, then twice, then pulled both hands away. “Now stand up and use your mouth to wet my shaft,” he ordered, arranging his robes so that just his good leg and his swollen length were exposed. The robe and the darkness served well to hide his scars, which, even now, weighed heavily on his mind. “And be quick about it. I want to be buried inside you long before the sting from the paddle begins to fade away.”

Faramir whimpered a little as Rahl’s hand moved over his backside. Gods, he wasn’t sure if he’d be able to sit down for a long time after this. When Rahl’s words reached his ears though, he wasted no time moving. His body ached from the position he’d been in and he almost fell to his knees between his master’s legs. Hearing his lover’s words of wanting to be buried inside him before the sting went away, Faramir thought that he could take hours and it wouldn’t matter. He glanced down at himself, his shaft was shining with precome and was disturbing how it was so hard it was pushing between the rings. He swallowed hard, wetting his mouth before leaning forward and licking his lover’s shaft, savoring the taste of the man he loved before taking him in fully. His head bobbed up and down as his tongue worked around the hard shaft, wetting his lover even more and moaning as he thought about how wonderful it felt to have Rahl inside him.

Rahl’s head fell back, determined not to watch as Faramir’s lips closed over his cock, knowing it would only make him want the man even more. His own juices mixed with his slave’s saliva and his shaft was glistening in no time at all. He was tempted to just let Faramir bring him off that way, with just his mouth, but the need to feel that warm backside against him just overrode that desire. His hand rested on his lover’s head and gently pulled him away. “Enough. Now. Come here. You’re going to ride me. I want to be able to see that glorious wet cock of yours when I allow you to come through those rings. If nothing else, that will be your lesson.”

Faramir actually moaned as his head was pulled away from his lover’s shaft and he looked up. Rahl’s eyes were dark and sparkling with lust and he nodded as he stood, starting to move toward the bed as instructed but then stopped and almost whimpered at the thought of riding that wonderful cock. He wished one day he could see Rahl fully again, because Faramir wanted to lick and touch and do anything he could to make Rahl feel as incredible as he made him feel. “Yes,” he whispered as he moved, his cock twitching at the very idea of coming through the bindings. He thought he might already have done so if it were possible but… maybe Rahl knew something he didn’t. At any rate, Faramir moved to be in position over his lover’s lap and slowly lowered, his hand positioning his lover so that all he had to do was move down and take him in to the already stretched opening. “Oh Gods,” he moaned as his head fell back and the feeling of being stretched made his muscles tense and as his sore backside rested against his lover’s thighs he whimpered at the pain and pleasure of it.

Gripping the blankets beside him, Rahl’s moan matched his lover’s as Faramir slowly took him in. His arms wrapped around the already sweat damp torso and his hips rocked slightly, working his cock up even further inside tight heat. He’d always enjoyed Faramir’s kisses, so it was only natural for him to tilt his head up and bring their lips together, letting his tongue ravish the heated muscles of Faramir’s mouth as his cock marked and nudged at his inner walls down below as well. Slowly, his hands began to roam over a muscular back and warm backside as he began to thrust, this time loosing what he thought of as all dignity and giving in to the soft cries he normally bit back when they were together.

Faramir absolutely loved this feeling of Rahl being inside him, of being able to hold onto his lover’s shoulders and of giving his lover as much pleasure as his lover gave him. He rocked his hips despite the pain in his backside and began to move, gasping when Rahl’s hips pushed up into him, nudging his already overly sensitive sweet spot. He gasped and then moaned low in his throat, almost a growl when strong hands moved down to his sore backside. Hearing Rahl voice his pleasure though was the most incredible feeling and worth every ache and pain… hearing his lover moan and cry out… oh yes, it was better than anything he could think of. His mouth gave to his lover everything he had, the kiss wild and passionate as he began to ride his lover, his body moving faster. Oh he needed to come but he wasn’t certain he would through the many rings around him.

Rahl broke away from the kiss, breathed, then resumed it time and time again. He hadn’t lost all control of himself, but he was closer than he’d ever been in his life to doing so as this Ranger from Gondor rode him with such abandon. Each time he would get close, he would still Faramir by gripping his hips, but would soon give in and push up into him hard only moments later, when it seemed he’d waited for hours. The last time he stilled his lover, he was panting and flushed, and his cock had leaked so much, it felt as if they’d used their usual oils and salves rather than just Faramir’s talented mouth alone to slick him. Holding Faramir steady with one hand, he brought the other between them, licked his fingers and trailed them over the silver rings. “You think you will not be able to, but you can come through this,” he whispered, letting his fingertips gently probe the flesh that had swollen out between each ring. “It will hurt, but it is possible.” He leaned forward, sucked Faramir’s left nipple into his mouth and tugged lightly at it. “There is a tiny, hidden clasp that will release you from the rings,” he continued when he pulled away and dug his thumbnail into Faramir’s slit, working it almost gently, “ a clasp you will not find. I could release your balls, or your shaft, or both, with just a flick of my fingers… but I won’t. I’m not sure you’ve learned your lesson just yet.”

Faramir was breathless from their kisses and the rapid movements of their bodies and swallowed hard when his lover whispered to him. The touch ached and he wanted so badly to thrust into his lover’s hand. He cried out when a hot mouth found his nipple and shifted his hips faster as he rode and ground his hips down, not caring about the pain in his backside at all. “Gods… I have, I promise I have,” he whimpered, feeling his release building and desperate now. He needed to come. “Please, oh Gods, you feel so good inside me, love,” he gasped as his head fell back and he thrust harder against his lover.

Growling at the need in Faramir’s voice that matched his own, Rahl wrapped both arms around his lover, held him close and twisted them both so that Faramir was on his back, legs spread wide and Rahl was kneeling on the bed between them. Almost instantly, a few drops of precome dropped from the crimson head of the bound organ between them onto Faramir’s stomach. With a sudden urge to taste another man – really taste him this way – Rahl ran his fingers through the liquid and brought them to his mouth. The realization of what he’d just done, not to mention the taste of it, was all he needed. Thrusting hard and deep, he flipped one clasp, the one on the ring around Faramir’s testicles, and wrapped his fingers around the others. “Now,” he commanded, slamming directly into his lover’s sweet spot and exploding inside him even as his fingers squeezed Faramir’s oversensitized flesh between each vicious little ring.

Faramir found himself suddenly on his back under his lover and wondering vaguely if Rahl’s powers had returned or if he was just so caught up in the moment he hadn’t even noticed his lover moving them. His cock twitched against his stomach, pulsing inside the bindings and he imagined for a moment what it would feel like to be buried inside Rahl, that instead of the rings binding him so tightly it was his lover’s body. His muscles tensed at the very thought and then seeing Rahl taste him, licking his fingers and the incredible feeling of being pounded heavily into the bed and a strong hand stroking him. “Oh Gods!” Faramir screamed when his lover commanded him and despite his worry that he could not come, bound as he was, he did and hard. So hard that his vision dimmed to almost black and white sparkles danced around him it seemed and he collapsed against the bed, feeling his lover pulsing inside him, his release filling him over and over again as he drifted into a wave of blackness for a moment.

Rahl felt as if he were almost trying to climb inside of Faramir as his orgasm washed over him. His lover’s scream made his cock pulse another half dozen times inside the confines of the tight muscles wrapped around him, and for the first time ever, as he collapsed down on top of the man beneath him, he wished he didn’t have his robes on, wished he could feel Faramir completely, skin on skin, Faramir’s release smearing over his stomach. As it was, however, his robes soaked up most of it at once and he nearly felt like cursing them as they fell down over his hips and between his slave’s wide-spread legs. “I should… I should take this off,” he said softly, as he leaned back and saw Faramir’s shaft, still swollen and red as it lay on his stomach. “I will try and be easy, though I’ve never removed one before and… oh. Maybe your not being conscious is a good thing, then…”

Of course, had Faramir been awake and aware he might have actually laughed at Rahl’s words but as it was it took several moments for him to even stir. “Gods…” he moaned as he realized the binding was being released from around him, “I… did I faint?” When Rahl looked at him oddly, Faramir sighed. “I… I… that has never happened to me before.”

“Yes, I think you did,” Rahl chuckled as he pressed the hidden clasps on each ring and slowly freed Faramir’s cock. It lay against his palm, still thick and warm, tiny indentions left behind by the rings so discolored and deep Rahl could still see them even in the near darkness. He slowly massaged the spent flesh, careful not to touch the head, which he knew would still be too sensitive to bring any pleasure. “I have had slaves pass out from the pain before, but you… I’m not sure what you did, actually. You were coming one moment, and the next, I was talking to myself, wondering if I had actually killed you.”

Faramir moaned as the clasps released and breathed a soft sigh as a gentle hand began to move over the sore flesh. “Mmm, it wasn’t from pain but from pleasure. It think it was just too much… sensation for me,” he said softly. “Gods, I’ve never known anything like that before… I know one thing, I’ll remember this lesson for years to come.” He smiled up at his lover but winced when he moved slightly. “Oh… and be feeling it for days to come I think too… my backside feels blistered.”

It was what Rahl would have said he wanted… in fact he had said just that. And he’d enjoyed it while it lasted, but something about leaving Faramir in pain after the sex was over felt wrong. He couldn’t put his finger on it exactly, but he felt the absurd need to make the pain go away. He didn’t have his magic and besides feeling vulnerable, he felt helpless as well. “Roll over,” he said softly, letting his hand trail over to Faramir’s hip. “Let me see what I can do. I can’t give you a spell – I really shouldn’t even be considering it if I could, but… perhaps I can at least make it feel less… blistered. I was quite angry when I had the paddle, I must admit.”

Faramir looked up at his lover with a puzzled look on his face. “This was punishment, I did not expect you to help with the pain… but I love you even more for offering,” he whispered as he rolled over onto his stomach. He hissed when he did so, his still sensitive organ rubbing against the sheets. He scooted up on his knees a little and pulled a pillow down to push under himself and take some of the pressure off that part of his body as well. “Laying like this already helps a little bit,” he murmured. “Maybe just… some cool water or salve… I don’t want to keep you up tonight shifting in the bed.”

Rahl looked completely at a loss for a few seconds, but nodded when he realized Faramir had just told him what would help. Wishing again for his magic, he slipped off the bed and headed into the washroom. “I just punished you,” he muttered under his breath. “You said your backside feels blistered, your cock has rings on it that will take hours to fill back in, I made you pass out… and still you love me? What is wrong with you?” As he talked to himself, he got a cloth, the softest one he owned, wet it with cool water and headed back into the bedroom where he stopped and picked up a small jar of salve. As he settled back on the bed next to his lover, his robes settling around him, he couldn’t help wincing at just how red and bruised Faramir’s ass looked. “I have never taken care of anyone like this before, so if I make it worse, you should tell me.”

Faramir grinned as he heard Rahl muttering to himself as he left the room. He couldn’t catch all of his words but he did hear some of them. He’d love him, no matter what, he just wished the man understood that. His heart leapt in his chest when Rahl admitted he had never taken care of someone before and thought that it was the sweetest thing the man could have said to him at the moment. Faramir smiled over his shoulder at his lover. “I will tell you, but I am sure you will do fine… you do sometimes touch me tenderly you know,” he whispered. “Just cooling it down a little may help… even if not, I’ll live. It was… not so terrible really, I enjoyed it as you very well know but… I promise I won’t forget the lesson behind it. I will never keep things from you ever again,” Faramir said solemnly to let Rahl know he was serious.

Rahl gingerly unfolded the wet cloth and, with great care, laid it over Faramir’s still glowing skin. “I just… I don’t like not knowing what is going on in my own home. Though this was an innocent mishap, it could have just as easily been some trap by someone who thinks they can get to me by harming you.” He lay beside Faramir, propped his head up on one arm and rubbed his lover’s lower back as he spoke, not even realizing he was doing it. “Had it been anyone else, I probably would have killed them for touching you, let alone hurting you.”

“I should have known better,” Faramir said softly. “I did not really think you would hurt Corrine but… I wasn’t exactly sure how you felt about animals. We’ve never discussed them before so I was afraid for the silly thing,” Faramir said sighing. “And Corrine didn’t help matters any, the girl with her babbling and being so scared made me scared,” Faramir laughed at himself then. “She’d talk a balrog into submission… err… a demon of fire in my world is a balrog,” Faramir explained. He sighed softly as the wet cloth lay over him and he took a deep breath. “That feels a little better already.”

Laughing loudly, Rahl couldn’t help but nod in agreement with Faramir’s description of Corrine. “Animals are…” He shrugged, picked up the cloth and turned it over to the cool side was once again against Faramir’s skin. “I love animals. They either love you or hate you, and you don’t have to guess which – it’s clear by the way the look at you, unlike people. I control heart hounds from the underworld and even allow cats and a few dogs to stay in the stables with the horses, though I rarely go out there. As for Merry…” He shrugged, and his face turned pink as he admitted the truth about Corrine’s cat for the first time to anyone. “How do you think she got that cat? His mother abandoned him just after he was born and I couldn’t bear to leave him. Spells worked to keep him fed and warm, but I didn’t have the time to tend to him. Corrine was 10 and one day she just happened to find him outside her door. So, no, I wouldn’t harm Merry, or Corrine – she’s taken wonderful care of him, and he needs her. Besides, she isn’t a bad child.”

Faramir almost gaped at his lover as he told him of Merry and found a slow smile spread across his face. “And you claim to be a bad man,” Faramir murmured as he looked at his lover. “You may have a temper my love and you may be powerful and strong and frightening when you are angry but you are also… underneath it all a man who does care about not just animals but your people. Not everyone sees it… but I do. I see the man you are deep inside, the man I love,” Faramir whispered.

Rahl had no idea how to react to Faramir’s words, since he had never had them directed at him before. He rested his arm across Faramir’s back and, in his own clumsy way, lay over him for a moment, though he did avoid his backside. His robes were still between them of course, and he wasn’t exactly snuggling, but it was as close as he knew how to get. “I do care for my people,” he said softly. “No one seems to understand that. Perhaps this love-thing lets you see what others cannot.”

Touched by the odd hug as Rahl had attended him, Faramir smiled happily. “Even before I realized I’d fallen in love with you I understood that you cared for your people,” Faramir explained. “Maybe that is one of the reasons that made me realize you were more than what you were on the surface.”

Pulling away, Rahl sat up and reached for the jar of salve as he considered Faramir’s words. More to him than what was on the surface? He didn’t know – he didn’t even really know what was inside him, other than darkness and magic and, so often, this nearly unmanageable anger that somehow seemed tempered when Faramir was with him. He carefully removed the cloth from Faramir’s backside and dipped his fingers in the salve. “This will help,” he said softly, letting his fingers trail over the edge of the reddened skin before him. “I… I enjoy spending time with you, Faramir. You are my slave, I know, and my willing bedmate, but I do care for you more than I care for most. I might like you a little… though I will have to give that more thought to be sure. I do think it is more than your body I enjoy, however.”

Faramir moaned when Rahl began to apply the salve, it felt cooling on his raw backside and he closed his eyes for a moment, enjoying the feeling of it soothing him. He smiled when Rahl said he enjoyed spending time with him and then chuckled a little when Rahl said he might even like him a little. “Being wanted for more than my body is a nice thought,” Faramir admitted. “Though I’m very glad you want my body too… even when you are punishing me like today. I know I angered you and again I am sorry for that… at least you understand the reason why. I do hope you talk to Corrine and explain to her that you’d never hurt her cat. The poor girl is incorrigible and certainly had me scared out of my wits,” Faramir said and looked over his shoulder at Rahl. “I feel as if I understand you better now though… so all of this, even the raw backside was more than worth it to learn my lesson and to learn more about you.”

Rahl shrugged and kept applying the salve gently. “The more you learn, the less you will wish to stay here with me,” he warned, “and I have no intention of letting you go until I tire of you, so you might want to rethink that. If you truly love me, you should make no effort to learn more. To do so would only mean your feelings would change, and I am not yet done exploring this being-loved idea just yet. You would be kept here against your will and would be miserable, just like everyone else I allow in my life.”

Faramir turned slightly onto his hip and looked at Rahl. “The more I learn the more I love you,” Faramir said seriously. “I love you more knowing that you gave the cat to Corrine, I love you more seeing how gently you are taking care of me. I love you more not less,” Faramir said honestly. “Love is something that… you do not control and it grows stronger each day… even when you upset me or hurt me, I still love you,” Faramir said softly.

Dark eyebrows nearly met in the middle as Rahl tried to process this. “Why?” He got more gel and let his fingers trail between Faramir’s buttocks, letting the salve seep down to cover his opening. Rahl was an intelligent man, but Faramir seemed to be talking in some foreign language with all this talk of love and loving him more. He’d never known the emotion and was having a hard time coming to terms with it on any level. “Of all the people in your world and mine, why would you choose me of all people? And how can you love me more simply because I have no desire to kill a cat or see you in pain? Why does all that matter?”

“Because it shows that you are more than just a dark wizard, you are more than you believe yourself to be. You are not the man you think you are and just the fact you think that you are bad, despite the good in you shows you have a conscience you may not always follow it… but you are not inherently a bad man, Darken Rahl. You are a man worthy of love even if you do not believe it or even understand it,” Faramir said softly, leaning on one elbow and reaching down to lay his hand over his lover’s. “I know what true evil is, I have seen it in my world… you are not evil.”

Rahl frowned as he looked down at Faramir’s hand resting over his own. “You are a good man, Faramir,” he said softly. “I should never have brought you here. You should not have to deal with the darkness of two worlds.” He sighed and vowed that the first thing he would do when he got his powers back would be to cast a spell that would send Faramir back to his own world should the seeker – or anyone else – finally accomplish their goal of killing him. If he died, Faramir would be alone in this world, and Rahl refused to leave him at the mercy of all who hated him – as his former lover, Faramir would be subject to all that Rahl’s enemies had wanted to do to him.

When the salve was completely applied and had already started drying he sat back and let his fingers trail over the back of Faramir’s thighs. “You should rest, Faramir. I cannot sleep until my powers return, but there is no reason for you to stay up as well.”

The salve that Rahl had put on him was already soaking into his raw skin and making him feel much more comfortable. He shook his head when Rahl said he shouldn’t have brought him. “You couldn’t know what sort of man I was when you saw me,” Faramir said softly. “And… despite missing my brother, I do not miss my world all that much.” He lay back down and waited for Rahl to return the salve to the nightstand and watched him for a moment. “You could rest here beside me, even if you cannot sleep you can at least relax… and just enjoy an afternoon without all the problems you had to deal with this morning. You were quite upset when you came in… would you care to talk about it? I imagine the reports were not good… did they accept the plan though?” Faramir asked as Rahl watched him. He’d helped with offering ideas on ways to catch the seeker and some that were formulated to impede his progress and send the man off on wild goose chases to keep him from his main goal of seeking out Rahl as well as the peaceful take over of a few border villages that were in need of food from times of drought. Faramir had suggested instead of taking them under D’Haran rule by force, giving them a reason to want to come to them of their own free will. The people would be won over, would be happy and loyal because of it and would not shelter the seeker.

Automatically shaking his head, Rahl hesitated for a moment then wondered why he couldn’t just sit with Faramir. He was simply so used to putting distance between himself and everyone else, he’d automatically started to decline the invitation, but maybe…

A small smile played on his lips as he settled on his side of the bed against the headboard and reached out to pull the covers to one side on Faramir’s side of the bed. As long as he was there, he reasoned, he could keep Faramir from having to move too much as he got comfortable. “Get settled and I will tell you why I was angry. And why, if I hadn’t had plans to meet you for lunch, the guards would be carrying a few of their very ill or injured guards from my study. In fact, even now, if only I had my magic…”

Faramir rolled onto one hip so that he could see Rahl better and smiled as he was covered gently. He listened intently as Rahl spoke, offering his opinions sometimes but mostly just letting the man speak about his meeting and his anger from it. It was what lovers did, Faramir thought to himself, listening to each other and giving them an outlet for their frustrations, anger and even doubts. His hand sneaked across the covers and took Rahl’s in his own, caressing it gently as his lover spoke.

Chapter 18

After Faramir’s accident and the resulting punishment, Faramir and Rahl did have a talk with Corrine about her cat and Rahl explained that he would never hurt an animal. He asked Corrine of course to keep what he said a secret and Faramir found himself having to not grin because it was likely the girl wouldn’t keep it a secret at all. Then again, it wasn’t so bad for people within the castle to know that their master, though he had a temper and could be cruel and dole out punishment he was not the type to hurt an animal. Faramir thought that perhaps it would be best if Corrine didn’t keep the secret and let them see that Rahl wasn’t as horrible as everyone thought. Powerful yes, but not evil enough to hurt a child or an admittedly frustrating yet lovely cat.

It was a few more days before Faramir could sit down without wincing but he never asked Rahl to heal him and never expected him to. He had not trusted his lover as he should have and he deserved what he’d gotten. Besides a part of Faramir liked the slight sting each time he took a seat, remembering how incredible he’d felt during that punishment as well. There were times where he purposefully would stand not because of the pain but because those thoughts were terribly distracting. Once the pain faded, Faramir still remembered his lesson that day. To not hide anything from his lover, though he was still hiding one thing. The fact he knew of Rahl’s scars already. He hadn’t been brave enough to let his lover know about that little fact yet.

This morning however when Faramir woke he found himself watching Rahl sleep. Generally, Rahl slept on his side, turned away from him but this morning he was on his back and Faramir found himself itching to touch and kiss the lovely expanse of tanned skin. He wanted to taste his lover, to make him feel as good as Rahl always made him feel. He thought perhaps that he would be safe in doing so… Rahl had seemed to allow Faramir’s touch perhaps altering his spells a bit for him. He wasn’t about to pass up this opportunity, it might get him into trouble but… Faramir was prepared to face those consequences too. So he leaned down and brushed his lips lightly against Rahl’s chest, over his heart and then moved to tease his nipples gently with his lips and tongue. Rahl moved under him a little, encouraging Faramir to be braver. He moved until he was between his lover’s legs, kissing and licking his stomach, surprised Rahl hadn’t awoken yet.

Though it wasn’t exactly comfortable, the breeches Rahl slept in kept a constant slight pressure over his lower body, assuring him that his scars would never be seen. Still, he’d always curled in on himself, never facing his bedmate, whoever he might be, just in case the fabric slipped down or he forgot to keep the room as dark as he needed to. Faramir liked the morning sun, however, so the rooms were never completely dark in the mornings. This alone should have told his subconscious mind to keep his back to the man beside him, but a part of him, – either a part that wanted to know Faramir would love him no matter what or wanted to push Faramir away for good – allowed him to forgo his fetal position that morning, despite the faint light in the room. Soft kisses his body recognized but his mind didn’t made him stir, but he didn’t turn away; instead, he sighed softly and shifted in the bed, not even realizing he was encouraging Faramir with his actions. He only vaguely realized someone was moving next to him, and, rather than wake up and cast a killing spell as he once might have, he merely smiled and licked his lips, murmuring Faramir’s name sleepily and drifting back to sleep at once.

Faramir found himself smiling when Rahl murmured his name and continued kissing his lover’s body, tasting his skin for the first time really other than the few times he’d taken Rahl into his mouth in the past weeks. That had always been somewhat rough and fast and though enjoyable for both of them, Faramir wanted to show Rahl so much more. To show him love and tenderness, things he knew Rahl had never really had in his life. He closed his eyes for a moment, praying that Rahl wouldn’t be too angry with him, or hopefully distracted enough that Faramir wouldn’t be punished too severely. Slowly, his fingers traced along the waist of his pants, untying them and pushing them down just enough to expose his already half hard arousal. He could see the scars in the dim light but Faramir didn’t turn away from them. He simply pressed a tender kiss against his lover’s abdomen before moving to take Rahl’s cock in his hand, stroking slowly and licking the tip teasingly before taking it more fully into his mouth.

Rahl’s breathing quickened and he shifted on the bed again, this time crooking one leg to the side and pushing his hips slightly forward, craving the surprisingly warm and soft friction against his lower half. He felt cool air against his skin, and would have woken up then if warm lips and an even warmer mouth hadn’t covered him, chasing away the chill. Still mostly asleep, he reached down, felt Faramir’s hand on the bed beside him and rested his own fingers over it. In his mind, he was suddenly sitting in his chair in the corner of the room, robes carefully parted to free his arousal, but hide everything else, and Faramir was on his knees before him, pleasuring him with his mouth. “Mmmm,” he breathed. “Feels good…”

Faramir was touched beyond belief when Rahl’s hand settled over his own and he felt his lover’s arousal begin to grow even harder and lengthen between his lips. He sank down even further until the tip nudged the back of his throat and dark hair tickled his nose. He drew back slightly and began to move, using his tongue to press against the head of his lover’s arousal. He set up a slow; leisurely pace, enjoying the flavor of his lover’s skin and the way that Rahl reacted to him. He was enjoying it, there was no question about that. Faramir looked up and watched Rahl’s face as he continued his ministrations. He loved looking at Rahl; he was undoubtedly the most handsome man Faramir had ever met, especially this way. Relaxed with a half smile playing on his lips.

The dream playing in Rahl’s mind was growing more and more vivid. His hips began rocking slowly, keeping pace with the delicious warmth wrapped around and tugging at his length and his free hand fisted in the blankets as if they were the soft fabric of his robes. With every passing moment, he grew more and more aroused until finally, his back was arching up off the bed and he released Faramir’s hand to rest his own over soft brown hair.

“Fara… Faramir… I…” The hand clutching his ‘robes’ lifted to grasp the handle of his chair… and found nothing but thin air. He paused, confusion darkening his face, his fingers still searching. Holding on to the chair as he found his release was second nature to him – the deeply carved wood would bite into his skin as he clutched the arm, giving him something to concentrate on so he didn’t loose all control and cry out through his release. The pain kept him grounded, kept him sane enough to assure himself that, no matter who was servicing him, his robes never revealed more than he wished for them too. But this time, there was no arm to hold on to, and after another moment of fruitless searching, he opened his eyes and realized where he was… and what Faramir was doing. Without thinking, the hand on his lover’s head slipped down to his neck and Rahl was squeezing and pushing Faramir away hard. “How dare you?” he hissed at the man. “How dare you touch me when I am unprotected like that!?”

Faramir was completely shocked when Rahl shoved him away roughly, so hard that he almost fell off the end of the bed. “I…” Faramir looked at his lover, hurt by the implication that he would even dare hurt him and frowned. “I would never hurt you and I think you know that,” Faramir snapped. Sitting up and looking at his lover. “I only wished to pleasure you and give you a pleasant way to wake up… I woke and… and wanted you so much. I… I thought it would be enjoyable for you,” Faramir said looking at his now furious lover.

Gritting his teeth, Rahl jerked up his breeches and slid from the bed, already chanting the spells that protected him. He’d allowed holes in the spells so Faramir could touch him when he liked, but those holes were quickly closed and mended. “I thought you knew the rule,” he growled, slipping into his robe and pacing the room almost frantically. His first instinct was to simply leave his chambers and go somewhere he could be alone, but something kept him there, wanting to work out what Faramir had been trying to do. “I was doing you a favor by allowing you to touch me, because I thought I could trust you, to keep your hands only on the parts of my body I exposed to you. How dare you take it upon yourself to undress me in my sleep, Faramir? Just who do you think you are?”

“The man who loves you,” Faramir said shaking his head and sighing. “Why do you do this? Why hide yourself from me at all? Do you think I won’t want you anymore if I see your scars? Well I have news for you, I’ve wanted you since the first night you took me and I saw your scars then,” he said angrily and watched as Rahl’s eyes snapped up to his own. “Yes, that night you removed your robes completely and I saw you, I looked over my shoulder and I saw the scars and they do NOT bother me in the least. I’ve always known they were there and not once have I cared about them. I care that you were hurt and scared at all by a horrible wizard and your blasted father who had no honor and no bravery in him… but that is all. I love you, your scars, even your horrible temper… I love you and I really wish you could understand that,” Faramir was almost breathless by the time he was finished and simply sat on the edge of the bed, waiting for whatever punishment was to come yet again for something he’d done wrong.

Rahl’s hand automatically moved down to press against the scar on his lower stomach. All these weeks he’d been so careful to keep his scars hidden – no one had ever seen them since the healers who had treated him (and treated him badly, he now knew) all those years ago when he was a child. He couldn’t look away from Faramir as the man confessed and the words made Rahl sick to his stomach even as they allowed something inside him to thaw. Faramir had seen his scars. Had seen them and still wanted him, wanted to touch him, have sex with him, be with him… and still loved him. How was that possible? He remembered all too clearly how the healers had whispered that he would never be fit to take a lover, for anyone who shared his bed would surely be sickened by scars that would mark him until the day he died. He remembered how his first slave had accidentally touched the scar on his leg and Rahl had first punished him so badly the man had nearly died, and then erased his memory and sent him away from the castle so Rahl would never have to see him again.

Torn between the memories of those reactions, not to mention the pain the scars had caused both mentally and physically, Rahl was not prepared to deal with Faramir’s revelation. “You never told me,” he said softly, not looking away from his lover. “I thought I had hidden them from you all this time.”

“I started to tell you before but… seeing your reaction to me this morning after we’ve been getting along so well… well… perhaps you can understand why I was afraid to say anything. I do not know what I thought would happen this morning, I suppose I hoped you would be so caught up with what I was doing that you wouldn’t even notice,” he shrugged. “I suppose it was foolish to hope that,” Faramir looked down at his hands in his lap and then back up at his lover. “I just… wanted to make you feel as good as you always make me feel. I wanted to touch you and kiss you from head to toe and let you feel how much I love you,” he whispered as a tear slipped down his cheek and he quickly wiped it away. “What sort of punishment should I prepare for?”

Startled more by the single tear Faramir so quickly tried to hide than what had just happened, Rahl could only stare at the man in silence for a moment. When he finally looked away, it was only to cross the room and stop before his lover. He took Faramir’s hand and pulled him to his feet. Slowly, Rahl let the back of his finger trail over Faramir’s neck where a bruise had already formed. “That first night, when I had you brought to me, I wondered how easily you would bruise,” he whispered, healing the dark mark with a spell so simple he didn’t even have to say the words aloud. His finger trailed up and traced the imaginary line the tear would have made had Faramir not wiped it away. “I wanted to have my way with you, hurt you, use you, and I still do, but… but not like this. Now that I see your tears, I find that I do not like them at all.”

Faramir was slightly worried when Rahl came close to him and pulled him to his feet. He wondered what sort of punishment it would be this time and worried that this time he had gone too far, that this time he would not enjoy it as he had in the past. He barely managed not to flinch away when Rahl touched his neck, it was sore where he’d pushed him away so roughly and then he felt the healing spell. He sucked in a shocked breath and stared into dark blue eyes, his own still fighting back tears. He swallowed hard when Rahl said he did not like to see his tears. “I… ,” his voice broke and Faramir simply looked at his lover for a moment. “I would never do anything to hurt you, not on purpose, you know that… I just wanted… to show you how much you truly mean to me,” he whispered, fighting to keep any more tears from falling. “I love you, all of you. This world… I do not understand what people here seem to think is important. That governor worrying about his daughters limp, you worrying about your scars… Corrine thinking that she is not as good as the other girls her age because she has been sickly her whole life… I do not understand it. It is not this outer shell that is so important, though I do think you are a gorgeous man, the most handsome I’ve ever met in fact, but… it is here,” Faramir said placing his hand over Rahl’s heart, so gently even the renewed spells could not activate, “Here that is the most important.”

Rahl put his hand over Faramir’s and pressed it hard against his heart. “There is nothing here, Faramir,” he said softly. “The goodness you want to believe I possess is not in there. Can you not see that I am as scarred on the inside as I am on the outside? It is only the inside is easier to hide. Your world must be a lovely place indeed if this ‘outer shell’ as you call it is of so little importance. It would be so inviting to those with imperfections that are so difficult to hide.”

“I did not say that my world was perfect. Far from it, and there are those who do not often get along among themselves but we are so often at war with true evil that we or at least I and I know my friend Gandalf and a few others I know see the goodness inside a person. We have many races in my world, Elf, Dwarf, Man, Wizard and Hobbit that work together against the evil invading our world… we have to see beyond our differences,” Faramir said smiling a little. “But my love, you are wrong when you say there is nothing here. Perhaps it is buried, perhaps it is battered to and scarred as well… but there is a goodness in you that I can sense. I can feel it even now, the way you are looking at me,” Faramir whispered.

Rahl framed Faramir’s face with both hands and rested their foreheads together. His eyes closed and he just breathed in his lover’s scent for a few moments before he sighed and pulled away. “I have said it before, but I will say it again. I have no idea what to make of you, Faramir. Half the time, I don’t know whether to throttle you or kiss you.” He frowned and let his hands drop, then he turned toward the window, looking out across the fields. “I think I would have been a different man without these scars,” he said softly, tracing the one on his stomach through the soft fabric of his robes. “A better man, most likely.”

Faramir was touched at the way that Rahl held him and then watched sadly as his lover looked out the window. He moved closer and offered a small smile. “We cannot change the past, unfortunately,” Faramir said softly. “But those scars are not who you are, it was something that happened to you and nothing more.” He stood for a moment looking at Rahl. “Do you find this unappealing?” Faramir asked pointing to a small puckered area of skin on his shoulder from an arrow wound he’d had years before.

Rahl’s hand lifted up and his thumb rubbed lightly over the scar Faramir was referring to. “That is hardly the same,” he sighed. “One little scar on an otherwise perfect body. What I have… they are not small. You cannot have seen them very well that first day, or you would not even think of comparing them to this tiny imperfection, which, no, by the way, I do not find unappealing. I find nothing about you unappealing, and that is part of the problem.”

“Large or small it doesn’t matter to me,” Faramir said softly. “You see this as a tiny imperfection, you can’t know how I see your scars, love. To me they are the same, a tiny imperfection on an otherwise perfect body. Do you not see yourself in mirrors? You are gorgeous. The most beautiful and expressive blue eyes I have ever seen, your lips are full and make me want to kiss them all the time, your hands… make me ache for them to touch me… your chest. Gods, I could spend all day admiring it, licking and finding each spot that makes you moan… you are more than just those scars and I love all of you,” Faramir said softly.

Tilting his head to one side, Rahl thought about Faramir’s words and had to admit he looked sincere. “The healers… when I was younger, they saw the scars and they looked disgusted. They left the room at once, and though I was most healed by that time, I heard them sigh and shake their heads, saying I would never be able to have a real lover, one that wasn’t bewitched, first because of my temperament, and then, even more, because of my scars.” He reached up and twirled a lock of hair around his finger, still unsure of just how to react to such a new and uncomfortable situation. “Why do you see them differently, when the healers themselves were so out of sorts about them?”

“Clearly your healers in this world are idiots,” Faramir said grinning a little. “I do not see them as you I see them as something horrible done to you. You were a child when it happened as well… that was certainly not your fault, but most of all… they are just one part of you… I love you despite your temperament why not love you despite your scars?”

Chuckling softly, Rahl slid an arm around Faramir’s shoulders and tugged him forward so he too could see the landscape beyond his window. “What is it you want from me, Faramir? I cannot prance around our chambers naked – no matter what happens, I will never be comfortable displaying myself in such a manner. Would you consider it a fair compromise if I just removed all my clothes and lay beside you for a while? Perhaps we could work up to your touching or seeing the parts I had rather keep hidden.”

Faramir laughed when Rahl spoke of prancing naked. “I could never in my wildest dreams imagine you prancing, my love.” Faramir looked at his lover, rather than the scenery though and smiled. “I would consider that a very fair compromise, I just want to show you how much you are loved. I think, seeing that I am not bothered by your scars might help you see and understand my love for you,” Faramir admitted. “Come back to bed… please?”

Rahl hesitated, then reluctantly took Faramir’s hand and let him lead them back to bed. He crossed over to his side and silently removed his robe, then took a deep breath before removing his breeches. Despite Faramir’s assurances, he was in no hurry to share this part of himself and nearly felt sick to his stomach with dread. He lay back stiffly on his back, teeth clamped together, eyes focused on the ceiling. “I… am not sure I can do this,” he admitted. “Would it not be easier to leave things as they were? Could you be satisfied with that?”

Faramir was relieved when Rahl offered his hand and he watched as his lover undressed, though keeping his eyes on his lover’s face rather than his lower body. He wanted to make sure Rahl was ready for him to see the rest of him, even if Faramir had already seen. “I suppose I could, I was satisfied before, daily in fact,” he teased a little, trying to relax his lover. “If this becomes too much for you, I’ll get your breeches for you,” Faramir said softly. “I just want you to see and to know that… nothing about you disgusts me.” Faramir laid on his side beside Rahl and propped himself on his elbow. “May I kiss you?”

Unused to the feeling of vulnerability as well as the position he was resting in, Rahl merely nodded. The blankets were still covering him, but every muscle in his body was tense. He felt ridiculous, displaying himself like this, and was fairly certain Faramir would at least give up on his quest to prove the scars didn’t bother him once he’d seen them up close. He didn’t release his spells just yet, though he did lessen one of a dozen that would have prevented Faramir from getting too close without a nasty little shock.

Once Rahl finished murmuring a spell, Faramir leaned closer and kissed his lover sweetly. He didn’t push for too much, just a tender brushing of lips at first, which grew bolder with each press of lips. His hand moved to caress Rahl’s shoulder as they kissed and slowly moved down just a little to his collarbone. He made sure his actions were slow and steady before he drew back for breath. He wanted to relax Rahl and was willing to take his time to do so.

To his surprise, Rahl started relaxing under Faramir’s touch. He forced himself to release his death grip on the blankets and slowly slid one arm around Faramir’s shoulders. His hand rested in the middle of his lover’s back and he concentrated on nothing but the kisses. He didn’t even jump as tentative but gentle fingers moved over his skin, though he did have the urge to wrap his fingers around Faramir’s so he didn’t continue. Pushing that thought aside, he lifted his head up just a bit to meet Faramir’s lips again and let his other arm rest against a broad shoulder. “Your kisses are… distracting,” he murmured.

Faramir smiled against Rahl’s lips. That is the idea, love. “Good,” he murmured in response and kissed his lover again, this time more deeply as his hand traveled from collarbone to nipple, where he began to tease the small nub between his index and second finger lightly. “I enjoy it when you do this to me,” he murmured. “Do you enjoy it as well?”

“No,” Rahl said even as his back arched slightly up off the bed and his eyes widened. No one had ever been allowed to touch him in such a manner and he thought he should hate it, but… he couldn’t quite bring himself to do so. “Maybe a little,” he amended, waving his fingers and lifting yet another spell, managing a smile as he did so. “You are not terribly frightened of me at all are you, my handsome Ranger?”

Faramir found himself chuckling a little when Rahl said no yet his body arched into his touch. “Mmm, not terribly no, you do scare me sometimes but… no I am not all that afraid of you, more afraid of hurting you or disappointing you to be honest,” he whispered as his lips trailed to Rahl’s jaw and down his neck. “I love it when you kiss my neck… I wonder if you will enjoy this too?”

“Most likely not…” Rahl drug in a deep breath as Faramir’s lips moved over his skin and the room was suddenly filled with a soft moan he vaguely realized was his own. As always, his body reacted at once and he drug his lover closer, cursing under his breath when the last of the spells put a barrier of air between their bodies. To the spell, it might seem as if Faramir was trying to crush him, but to Rahl, it was as if he couldn’t get his lover close enough. A heartbeat later, all of his personal protection spells were dismantled and for the first time he lay with another, their bodies fully touching and his mind not obsessing over that fact.

Faramir smiled again when Rahl said he would not like it and then suddenly he moaned and pulled him closer. The flare of magic between them, scared Faramir for a moment but soon it too was gone and he was fully against his lover, skin to skin to the waist down at least. “Mmm, I think you do like it,” he said as he nipped gently at his lover’s earlobe and then moved lower, sucking on warm skin. His hands skated down from his lover’s chest to his stomach, tracing the muscles there and even lower still to his waist where he stopped. He knew the next part would be difficult for Rahl so he waited, continuing to kiss his lover and lick his skin, until he was sure Rahl could let him go on.

Though he tried not to, Rahl’s hand slid off his lover’s shoulder and trailed down his arm to rest of the hand that was so slowly making its way toward Rahl’s lower body. He held onto long fingers tightly for several moments while he convinced himself that only a coward would back away from this, and if worst came to worse, he could always erase Faramir’s memories. Another deep breath filled his lungs and his fingers inched back up over Faramir’s biceps, coming to rest on the back of his neck where he pulled the other man in for another kiss. Silent permission to continue was all he could manage at the moment, but he felt sure Faramir understood him perfectly.

Faramir stopped the progression of his hand when Rahl’s laid on top of his own and he simply waited for his lover to decide it was all right or tell him that he couldn’t go on. After a bit, Rahl’s hand moved and he was pulled down into a deep, wonderful kiss. Faramir’s hand remained paused for a moment as he lost all train of thought as Rahl kissed him and then his hand began to move lower. His hand moved below Rahl’s waist and simply brushed past the bumpy and slick skin of his scar until he reached his lover’s arousal. He hadn’t lingered on the scar, not wanting to make Rahl uncomfortable but also trying to show his lover he wasn’t going to avoid it either. His fingers wrapped around the hard shaft and stroked it a few times until he drew back for breath and smiled at his lover. “I love you.”

Rahl’s heart stopped when Faramir’s fingers brushed over his scar, not lingering as if they wanted to explore, but not skirting around it either. He let out a soft breath when the exploring fingertips moved on and his hand stiffened reflexively on his lover’s arm as his arousal, which had wilted in the face of his anger and humiliation was slowly stroked back to fullness. “I… believe you must,” he said softly, his gaze locking with the blue eyes before him. He wasn’t sure what it was he felt for Faramir, but he was glad, at least, that the issue of his scars had at least been touched upon even if Rahl couldn’t completely go through with letting Faramir see everything just then. He was fond of the man, wanted him around, and felt guilty for hurting him earlier, but judging from the way Faramir was looking at him so tenderly, it seemed as if he wasn’t holding a grudge. “I am… ,” his voice hitched as Faramir’s hand stroked him again, “sorry about earlier.”
“So am I,” Faramir whispered. “I should have waited until you were awake… but I am glad we talked. I think you see now that you do not have to hide away from me.” Faramir let his hand continue to stroke his lover as he leaned down and licked across a small nipple, teasing it with his lips and teeth and tongue until it was a hard nub and then moving slowly to the other. “You do this to me and it drives me crazy, makes me want you so much I can hardly stand it,” he murmured.

Gasping as yet another new sensation assaulted him, Rahl could only nod in agreement. Finally, when he spoke, his voice was none too steady. “I… know the feeling,” he whispered. “So all this time when I was teasing you, you were taking notes, were you?” As he spoke, he rolled over on his side and slid one arm beneath Faramir’s head but didn’t pull away from his lover’s steadily working hand. His own hand slid down to caress Faramir’s backside and he arched forward, his nipple seeming to chase Faramir’s mouth each time he moved. “You are a sneaky little thing aren’t you?”

Faramir laughed softly against warm sweat slick skin, enjoying the sound of Rahl’s voice being so unsteady and breathless. “Mmm, perhaps so,” he whispered. Faramir arched against Rahl when he moved, his own arousal rubbing against his lover’s thigh as he continued teasing his lover. “I can be sneaky I suppose,” he teased as his hand changed its stroke, his thumb dipping into the already wet and leaking slit. “You are enjoying this though… despite your claims of not liking to be touched… you like my touch. That is extremely arousing and self satisfying you know.”

It took Rahl a moment to realize Faramir was right. His entire body stiffened in surprise for a moment and his eyes widened. He’d enjoyed using others, enjoyed taking his pleasure and going on his way, enjoyed controlling them, but he’d never craved their touch like he did Faramir’s. “I… You’re right,” he breathed, giving a small shiver of pleasure at the pressure on the head of his cock. “I do like your touch. I’ve never liked anyone’s touch before but… Gods, Faramir, what are you doing to me? You’re getting my body as well as my mind to respond to you somehow, and I truly don’t understand.”

“I think you instinctively respond to me because you know I want you, truly want you, and would never hurt you,” Faramir whispered. He slid down Rahl’s body, kissing his way down to his navel where his tongue dipped inside and he nipped with his teeth at the muscled flesh. Gods, the man’s body was magnificent. “This time I will ask… may I pleasure you with my mouth?” He asked as he looked up Rahl’s body. He hadn’t pushed the covers down from his lover too much and prayed that he was giving enough pleasure that if the covers did shift Rahl would not mind as much.

Torn between desire and nervousness, Rahl swallowed back the lump in his throat and, after a moment’s hesitation, nodded. “I… first let me…” His fingers circled in the air then came to rest on Faramir’s head. “Protection in case I… I don’t want to hurt you,” he murmured. “In case… well, just in case.” Despite everything, he fully expected to see disgust or mockery in Faramir’s eyes, and couldn’t bear to look at his lover any longer. His eyes closed again, and he lay back on the bed, wanting to feel Faramir’s mouth on him, but at the same time dreading Faramir’s reaction when confronted so closely with the imperfections he would be seeing up close for the first time.

Faramir smiled when his lover set a protection spell on him and nodded. It made his heart break a little thinking that his lover needed it but he appreciated the gesture all the same. “Thank you, love,” he whispered and waited for Rahl to resettle on his back. He slowly began to kiss and nibble at his lover’s stomach again and continued to stroke his sex to relax Rahl before he moved down lower, past the scaring, only lightly drawing his tongue along the edge of the burns and down to his lover’s weeping arousal. He licked the tip, moaning as he tasted him. “Gods, I love doing this for you,” he murmured before his lips sealed around the tip, his tongue dipping into the slit, coaxing more of the slick fluid onto his tongue.

Every muscle in Rahl’s body stiffened as Faramir continued and he nearly jumped as, rather than avoiding the uppermost scars, a soft, wet tongue traced over them. It was the sweetest, most meaningful gesture Rahl could have dreamed of and he was so touched, he couldn’t find the words to express himself. Instead, his fingers gently massaged Faramir’s head as that delicious mouth and tongue wandered further down. With only the blankets to cover him, Rahl should have felt vulnerable, but as his body responded just the way Faramir meant it to and a few more drops of his own juices coated Faramir’s tongue, the scars were, for the moment at least, forgotten.

Part of him wondered what Rahl might be thinking or feeling and Faramir hoped it was all good things as he continued to take his lovers arousal into his mouth. He sunk down slowly, teasing with his tongue until he felt the tip nudge the back of his throat. He relaxed himself and took his lover in even more, his throat muscles working around the head. His hands moved, one tangled with Rahl’s fingers that were clutching the bed covers and the other moved to rest on his lover’s hip where the scars were. He hoped that would be all right as he caressed with his thumb against the sensitive skin and continued pleasuring his lover with his mouth. He wanted to bright Rahl right to the edge and then have him take him needily.

Pleasure was quickly overriding everything else as Faramir so expertly tended to him, and Rahl even smiled as his lover caressed his hip. It was, to him, the most intimate of gestures, one he had never, ever allowed anyone else, and one that, no matter where or how they ended up in the future, one he would always cherish. His hips rocked slowly as his swollen sex pushed past full, soft lips and beyond. Another trickle of precome slid down Faramir’s throat and Rahl squeezed his lover’s hand, warning him that he was starting to get close. He had just enough presence of mind to make invisible hands that were exactly like his own knead Faramir’s backside and a warm wet muscle that was suspiciously like a tongue brush over his opening, so they would both be ready for more at the same time.

Faramir moaned around the hard flesh and rocked his hips when Rahl used his magic to touch him and he startled just a little as what felt like a tongue licked at his opening and even began to push inside. He increased the pressure and speed of his movements, drawing his lover as close to the edge as he dared, his own hips moving with the phantom hands and tongue. Finally, he had to pull away for breath and because he could feel his lover’s muscles tensing. “Gods… oh,” he gasped as the magical tongue pushed deeper. “Gods, I need to feel you inside me, now. How do you want me, love. Riding you or on my back or my knees… whatever you want. You know I am yours.”

The very mental images of each position was nearly driving Rahl wild. “Your knees for now,” he said, his voice still unsteady. “But face away from me until you get close.” Getting on his own knees, with his backside resting against his heels, Rahl waited for Faramir to get into position and pulled him close. He kept his hips back for a moment, and simply held his lover closer, holding him steady and marking his neck with teeth and tongue and letting not one, but two, imaginary tongues work their way deep inside him, far deeper than even his fingers could reach.

Faramir moved when Rahl spoke, settling on his knees and looking toward the headboard. He was surprised when he was pulled close that way, pulled upright and his neck marked and sending jolts of pleasure straight to his cock. When the magic working inside him moved deeper and then seemed to double, Faramir cried out, his hips rocking and thrusting into thin air. “Gods… oh love,” he moaned as his own hand reached back and caressed Rahl’s thigh and hip then reached to pull his backside close against him. “Please… want you… need you so much,” he babbled as his head fell back on Rahl’s shoulder.

Rahl’s hands slid around Faramir’s body, pressing against the juncture where his torso tapered down into his groin and he impatiently shrugged the sheets away from his body. His cock, full and hard, slowly came up to nestle against his lover’s opening and he shifted his hips, leaving a trail of moisture behind as the head moved over warm skin. One hand moved down and cupped Faramir’s balls as the other moved up to rest against his chest and then, with the tongue-like forces still holding Faramir open, Rahl carefully, slowly, slid inside.

Faramir rocked his hips as he felt his lover’s cock against him, so wanting it buried inside. He whimpered and then moaned deeply when Rahl’s hand cupped him and suddenly his lover was starting to slide inside him as he was held open. “Oh yes… yes,” he panted as he was slowly filled, his muscles molding around the thick cock slipping deep inside him. Rahl was being so careful, but Faramir wanted more. He rocked his hips back, grinding against his lover as best he could as his muscles tightened and released convulsively around the thick flesh. “Please… fuck me hard… need you so much.”

“By the Gods,” Rahl muttered, his own need matching Faramir’s perfectly. The mouth that had been marking Faramir’s neck suddenly opened and the wizard bit down just hard enough to just break the skin. His arms tightened, holding his lover immobile as he gave in to both their basest desires and pulled his hips back, then slammed up hard into the warm, gripping passage. His hands moved back down, gripped the inside of firm thighs and held them far apart, the spreading and tightening of muscles in Faramir’s lower body making his passage contract even more. He had just enough presence of mind to keep working his spells on Faramir, though they held little rhyme or reason as they normally did, and whatever thoughts raced through Rahl’s mind manifested themselves in a spell that went to work directly on his lover. The false tongues were removed, but seemed to reappear in front of Faramir, licking at his balls, then wrapping around the skin just above them and tugging away from his body. A small invisible band wrapped itself just behind the head of Faramir’s cock and squeezing it tightly, and a thin, slick rod pressed against Faramir’s slit and was steadily pushed inside. It was only about 2 inches long, but more than enough to distract it’s victim and keep him from coming. All the while, Rahl was thrusting hard and deep, and despite the awkward angle of their lips, he found Faramir’s mouth and thrust his tongue inside.

Faramir cried out when Rahl’s teeth bit into the juncture of neck and shoulder, the pain of it jolting through his body and blend perfectly with the overwhelming pleasure he felt. The feeling of his lover slamming into him roughly and so deep that Faramir thought he might split open was perfect. His body was tense and as he was maneuvered to move his legs further apart, he moaned as his muscles tightened more around his lover, the friction and burn of it feeling amazing. When Rahl’s magic shifted attention, Faramir found himself crying out, the slick feeling of those magical tongues against his balls and then the feeling of pressure at his tip and the rod slipping inside him, holding him rigid and distracting him from coming too soon. “Oh, Gods, please…” he whimpered as his hips rocked with Rahl’s. He turned his head slightly and reached up with one arm, coaxing Rahl’s mouth to his own, kissing him hard though the position was awkward.

Sucking hard on Faramir’s tongue and returning the kiss with just as much need and desire as his lover, Rahl lost himself in the mindless rhythm of their coupling. After a short while, he had to stop, too close to coming, and held Faramir still, only the tip of his cock inside. He didn’t allow Faramir to move at all, knowing one shift of his hips would be all it would take to finish it. As he regained control, he stroked Faramir’s shaft, feeling the stiff rod inside holding him perfectly erect, and let his thumb push on the tip moving the rod inside it’s own tight passage and stimulating nerves he felt sure Faramir didn’t even know he had. “That’s it, Fara,” he whispered. “I don’t want you to want to come, I want you to feel like you’re going to die if you don’t. Perhaps then I will allow it.”

Faramir cried out in disappointment when Rahl pulled away and stopped, his entire body was frozen in place and had Rahl not had his magic he would have likely not been able to stop from moving his body. He whimpered as his lover worked the rod inside him, sending jolts of pure need though his body. “Gods… gods I think I already am to that point,” he teased as he looked at his lover and smiled. “The things you make me want and need“ he whispered. He still could not move within the confines of Rahl’s spell but gods he wanted to.

Rahl smiled, gave one sudden, hard thrust up into his lover, then pulled out completely. He released his spell and leaned back, only now noticing that there were no blankets to cover him when Faramir turned around and the room wasn’t nearly as dark as normal. He actually raised a hand to darken it, but stopped, hand in mid air. “Turn around,” he said softly, sitting back and spreading his legs out before him. “Want to see you as you come, and…” He took a deep breath, stroked himself once, and gave Faramir an almost hopeful smile. “I want you to see me… I think.”

Faramir cried out from the single hard thrust and wanted his lover to stay there but Rahl pulled away. When the spell was released, Faramir almost collapsed back against his lover. Then he heard words he never thought he’d hear, they’d faced each other before many times during lovemaking but never without something between them. The soft ‘I think’ at the end of Rahl’s sentence made Faramir heart skip in his chest at the rare vulnerability in his tone. “Yes, love,” he whispered, shifting on the bed until he faced his lover. His eyes did not immediately go to his scars, instead they roamed over his lover’s face and down to his gorgeous chest, as Faramir’s hand reached out and touched him over his heart and they skimmed all the way down to the thick arousal. “Gods, I think you need to come just as much as I do,” he teased as he reached out and gently stroked his lover’s hard and dark red arousal.

He’d watched Faramir’s eyes and expression closely as they’d roamed over him, and Rahl saw absolutely nothing that made him question his lover’s earlier words. There was no laugher or disgust, just something Rahl didn’t understand, and something he hoped would never go away. Hissing softly as his arousal twitched against his lover’s palm, Rahl smiled and reached out, hands on Faramir’s hips to guide him closer. When Faramir was straddling his thighs, the wizard’s hands moved down, parted the muscles of a firm, perfect backside and pushed up as Faramir’s own weight helped him sink down. When he was fully impaled, they kissed and Rahl moved again, this time just a bit slower.

Faramir looked at Rahl with nothing but love and desire and when he was pulled forward into his lover’s lap, Faramir smiled and then gasped as he was filled yet again. Their kiss was breathtaking and matched the slow movement of Rahl’s body against his own. Faramir moaned into the kiss as each slow thrust brushed against his sweet spot and his arms wrapped around his lover, his fingers buried in soft dark hair. When they pulled apart to breathe, Faramir was panting and rocked his hips, grinding down a little as he both rode his lover and his lover thrust into him. “You give me such pleasure… I cannot possibly explain it,” he whispered, his eyes were heavily lidded as he tipped his head back, enjoying the feeling of Rahl’s arms around him. “I can only hope I give you as much pleasure as you do me, my love.”

Unguarded in a way he so rarely allowed, Rahl licked at Faramir’s clavicles, then dipped his tongue in the hollow area between as he whispered, “You, my dear Ranger, bring more pleasure than I ever knew possible.” He was having a hard time looking away from Faramir like this, skin glistening with sweat, eyes dark and blown with pleasure, cock standing hard and thick between them, a tiny drop of gold peeking out of his slit where the rod pierced him. He needed to come, though, needed it badly, and finally slipped a hand in between them. He wanted to do this himself, not use his magic. He began stroking Faramir’s shaft in time with his thrusts, and took a hard nipple between his teeth, sucking hard on the small nub of skin.

Faramir smiled at Rahl’s words and then cried out when a strong sure hand wrapped around his shaft. He almost screamed when sharp teeth worried his nipple and his head fell back further as he thrust against his lover, riding him with abandon as he babbled nonsensical words. When Rahl’s thumb moved the rod inside his shaft, Faramir screamed and arched his back as he came hard between them, splattering Rahl’s chest and stomach with his seed. “Gods… I couldn’t wait any longer,” he whimpered as Rahl continued to thrust inside him and his muscles clamped down around the thick length.

The only thing that kept Rahl from coming at the same time was his enthrallment with watching Faramir loose all control. He was nearly taken by surprise, but before he could even speak, his own orgasm was being torn from him, inner muscles as tight as any vice squeezing his shaft and dragging him over the edge. His head fell back as well and his fingers dug into pale skin as he spilled deep inside his lover, his cock twitching and pulsing until his balls were empty and exhausted. Panting for air, Rahl simply rested his head against Faramir’s chest and closed his eyes, hating that he lost control so easily with this man in his arms, but marveling in it as well.

Rahl’s orgasm seemed to make Faramir’s last longer and he reveled in it. Gods, what this man did to him. He continued to rock his hips, his muscles milking the pulsing shaft inside him until there was simply nothing left. “Gods,” he murmured as he struggled for breath. “This was definitely worth our earlier argument,” he teased when Rahl finally looked up at him. Faramir brushed his hair back from his face. “I hope once you grow more comfortable with me this way that sometimes you will join me in the bath as well… I’ve wanted to ask before but knew you would refuse.”

It was automatic, a hard habit to break. Rahl shook his head at once and said, “Bath? No, I…” Then he caught himself and a slow smile spread over his face as he realized there was nothing he needed to hide from Faramir now. He might not be comfortable with it at first, but he thought that now, it was at least doable. “I would like that,” he amended, pressing a kiss against Faramir’s sweat damp neck. “I would like that very much.”

At first, Faramir thought Rahl was going to refuse but then he changed his mind and he found himself smiling foolishly. “I would like it very much too,” he said softly. Now that the adrenaline rush of his orgasm had passed, Faramir realized he had several aches. His neck where Rahl had bitten him, his cock was aching from the rod still inside making him too sensitive and he shifted uncomfortably as his legs ached under him. “I may need your help laying back down, otherwise I might just fall,” he joked as he looked at his lover. “I honestly am not sure if I’ll be good for anything else the rest of the day… all I want to do is curl up in bed and be lazy now.”

Rahl returned Faramir’s smile and reached for him at once. Even as he did so, he waved the fingers of his free hand and invisible, feather light fingers gently scooped his lover up and laid him back on the bed. A moment later, he was lying beside Faramir, hand resting on his stomach, rubbing small circles over his skin. “I’ll take this out myself,” he said, wrapping his fingers round Faramir’s softening length and gently pulling the short rod out. “There are some things better taken care of without magic.”

Faramir felt as if he was floating on a soft breeze for a moment as he was laid back on the bed and he found himself smiling at his lover. Rahl was being so sweet and tender with him and he gasped softly when the rod slipped from inside him. “Mmm, yes…” he whispered when Rahl’s hand lingered a bit, stroking his still sensitive skin. “That was… rather… different,” Faramir grinned, his fingers moving against his lover’s unscarred hip gently. “I inspire all sorts of ideas don’t I?”

“You really do,” Rahl chuckled. He rested his head on the pillow and frowned when he saw the bite mark he’d left behind. Tracing his finger along the edges, it disappeared almost at once and he lay back. “We should rest for a while, then get that bath,” he yawned, stretching his arms out above his head. Realizing he was fully exposed, he automatically reached down for the blanket and only realized it was a little late for that when his fingers had closed on the fabric. Hesitating, he pulled it up anyway and tucked it over his hips. “It might take a while,” he shrugged, “but I will try.”

Faramir sucked in a breath when the sting from the bite on his neck disappeared swiftly and he rolled to his side to face his lover. He watched silently as Rahl covered himself and nodded. “You are fine, love. I do not expect you to be… what were your words… ah, prancing around the room naked,” he grinned. “I’m just glad that you let me be this close to you and show you how I feel. I think you have not known love before but you will know it now,” he whispered.

Wondering what would be the one thing that would end up making Faramir change his mind about being in love since his scars hadn’t done it, Rahl simply smiled and hoped that whatever it was, it wouldn’t rear its ugly head for a long, long time. He wasn’t sure what love was exactly, but he liked the way Faramir looked at him, cared about him, and truly seemed to want to see him happy. It was odd and different and absolutely wonderful. “What I’ve seen of it so far,” he said, pressing their lips together, and then laying back on the bed “has been incredible. Thank you for that.”

The kiss was incredibly sweet and chaste after what they had just done and Faramir found himself grinning happily. “Good and you are very welcome,” he whispered, moving closer and resting his head on Rahl’s shoulder. “And thank you, for allowing me to love you and to stay and be here with you.” There was a knock at the door announcing breakfast and Faramir sighed. “Do you really have to work in your study today?” he asked, only half pleadingly.

Faramir laying against him felt oddly comfortable and Rahl cast a less than pleased look across the room toward the door. He knew the servant would leave everything under Bergen’s care, so he made no move to unlock the door just yet. His arm automatically rested around Faramir’s shoulders and he realized that this would actually be a comfortable sleeping position, rather than sleeping with his back to his lover every night. Smiling at the thought, he closed his eyes and breathed in the scent of Faramir’s hair. “I suppose I could do something else if you like. What do you have in mind?”

“You have not had a day off since I have been here, even in times of war I allowed my men free days to enjoy,” Faramir said softly. “Perhaps we could just… spend the day reading or take our lunch later in the garden or perhaps dinner. I imagine the sunset from there would be beautiful. You could give me a fuller tour of the castle… tell me about the history here or simply stay here in bed with me and be decadent and lazy for the whole day,” Faramir offered. “I know that it is important to you to stay updated on the seeker’s whereabouts but the reports yesterday put him hundreds of miles from D’Hara’s borders… so I would think a single day of rest should not cost you much on that front.”

Rahl’s fingers traced an invisible pattern over Faramir’s arm as he considered the idea. “You would like that? Us spending the day together then? It would make you happy?”

Faramir smiled and looked up at his lover. “Yes, it would make me very happy. You find it so strange that I like being with you, don’t you?” He asked smiling. “Really, when you aren’t mad at me, you are wonderful to be around… I love listening to you, especially when you talk about your world. Your voice, the things you are passionate about… I very much enjoy being with you.”

Laughing loudly, Rahl shook his head in wonder at his lover’s audacity. He was growing to like it more every day. “Well, don’t make me mad and I will be wonderful all the time,” he quipped, before pressing a kiss to Faramir’s nose and then starting to sit up. “Lay here. This morning, the first day off I can ever really remember taking, we’re going to have breakfast in bed.”

“I do try not to do it on purpose, you know,” he pouted a little and then laughed as Rahl kissed his nose. He leaned up on his elbow and watched as Rahl sat up. “Oh, breakfast in bed is a very good start to any day,” Faramir said still grinning. Rahl seemed to be in quite a bit better mood than Faramir could remember the man ever being and it felt wonderful to be the one that had brought that smile to his face and sparkling amusement to his eyes. Faramir felt as content and happy as he ever had in his life.

Quickly shrugging into his robes, Rahl unlocked the door from across the room and threw a quick spell back to pull the covers up over his lover. The guard came in with their breakfast, looked faintly surprised as Rahl actually smiled at him. He left quickly, knowing how his master’s mood could change in the span of a heartbeat. As soon as he left, Rahl locked the doors back, removed his robe again and slid back into bed. A spell made the trays of food lift off the table and he offered his hand to Faramir. “I cannot believe I’m doing this,” he muttered, though he was smiling as he did so. “I haven’t figured if you are a good or a bad influence on me just yet.”

Faramir laughed when Rahl said he wasn’t sure if he was a good or bad influence and shook his head as he took Rahl’s hand. “Oh, love, it is just one day out of hundreds you have spent toiling in your study. One day where you can relax and think of nothing but enjoying yourself will help clear your mind and will make you even more productive tomorrow. I promise,” he said smiling. Faramir sat up and Rahl’s magic fluffed the pillows behind him as he settled and a tray of food then settled across his lap. “Oh and look, your favorite berries and sweet cream… the day is getting better already,” Faramir said smiling happily.

Chapter 19

Tucking a lock of hair impatiently behind his ear, Rahl frowned and made another note in his latest book of spells. Unlike his late father who only ever followed spells in the old wizard’s books, Rahl spent hours or sometimes even days creating spells of his own. The right words and gestures, when put together carefully, could accomplish anything from covering the entire world with snow to breaking any other wizard’s protective spells and killing those the wizards were protecting.

He was thinking, specifically of course, of the seeker, whom the prophecies said he had no power over. He could kill anyone in the world; it seemed, with a simple spell – anyone except another wizard. Protection spells weren’t easy to cast or maintain, which was why a part of Rahl was always steadily probing his own spells that kept his castle and those who lived in it safe, making sure there were no weak spots.

Several weeks after he’d finally allowed Faramir to see his scars, Rahl had woken in the middle of the night, this time not by a nightmare, but by an idea. He’d been working for so long on trying to kill the seeker and the wizard who traveled with him; he’d failed to even consider that the boy had a family. A brother, if he recalled correctly, who could very well be put to good use with the right spell.

Unable to wait for morning, Rahl gently untangled himself from his lover’s embrace (which was easier said than done since he’d stopped turning his back toward Faramir as they slept), wrote him a note explaining where he’d be and even produced a rose from the garden to lay with the note, hoping it would put a smile on Faramir’s face.

With that, he was off to the Garden of Life, a room at the center of the Palace where the power of magic was heightened. The room was built for the specific purpose of using the gift of magic and the best place by far to create new spells.

He wrote another line down in his spell book, but just as his pen lifted to write the last word, something crashed din the hallway. Probably Corrine’s cat, but just in case, Rahl knew he couldn’t afford to not make certain. In doing so, he left off the last word of the spell. When he came back, rolling his eyes at Merry and cursing under his breath, he didn’t even notice the missing letters.

Faramir had grown accustomed to sleeping every night next to Rahl. Even when they had argued in the garden they had still shared a bed, though they hadn’t slept closely in that time, Faramir always knew his lover was there and could still steal heat from his body as they slept. The Ranger tended to get chilled in his sleep and had grown used to Rahl chasing those chills away. This night, even though he crept closer to Rahl’s side of the bed there was no heat. No solid body that he could snuggle against. No softly citrus scented hair and… no Rahl. Faramir blinked when instead of the scent of his lover the scent of a rose got his attention. He blinked several times in the still darkness of the room and rose up on his elbow. “My lord?” he asked softly. He frowned and moved slightly, his hand brushing against the parchment on his lover’s bed pillow. Faramir wished then for Rahl’s talent for magic when he had to move to the table and use the small enchanted stone there that Rahl had shown him how to use once. He touched the stone and dim light cast around the room and then he touched it again, his fingers lingering on the oddly warm surface until there was enough light to read the parchment. The note explained that Rahl had awoken with the idea for a spell and would be back in time for breakfast. Faramir sighed softly and went tot he wardrobe to get one of his robes and picked up a book. He would read until Rahl returned then because he was certain he would not fall back to sleep now. He picked up the rose and smiled at the sweet gesture, sniffing it before setting it aside and curling up on Rahl’s side of the bed to read.

In the Garden of Life, just as Faramir was curling up with his book, Rahl was reading his spell over one final time. The spell would allow him to control Michael, the seeker’s brother, who held a position of power in the small village he’d grown up in. He was so far away, however, the spell had to be powerful, and even more so because it had to reach beyond the boundaries of the Mid Lands.

Taking a deep breath, Rahl slowly began reading the spell aloud, letting his mind reach across the miles in search of this man who would, like it or not, have a part in the death of his brother.

The spell seemed to be working perfectly, light radiating out from the dark wizard in a soft blue glow, his own natural abilities heightened by the room itself. One missed word, however, was all it took – the word he’d failed to write down when the castle cat had overturned a vase in the hallway. As soon as Rahl started the next sentence, he realized something was wrong. The spell faltered, its’ entire purpose altered by the word that wasn’t there, and every bit of the power Lord Rahl had been projecting bounced back to him with a vengeance.

Every window in the room exploded into thousands of deadly shards of glass and Rahl’s spell book itself was hit with the brunt of the backlash, bursting into a ball of flame which burst almost at once. Rahl was thrown across the room, temporarily blinded by the very fire he hated so deeply, though the pain that ripped through his body made blindness the least of his worries. As he slid down onto the floor in an ungraceful heap, he had the presence of mind to unlock the locks on the door so Bergan could reach him and hopefully, find a way to help.

Faramir had no idea what was going on deep within the chamber Rahl was in, but he heard a resounding boom that even rattled the paintings hanging on the wall of the bedchamber. “Gods…” he stood and went to the window to see if it was storming but the night was clear when he looked outside. He shook his head, wondering what could have caused the loud sound and a part of him beginning to worry about Rahl. Had his magic done that? Faramir began to fret and started pacing the room. He had no idea where the magical chamber was that Rahl had went to and worse still he could not travel the halls without knowing where he was going nor without being invited. He would simply have to wait on Rahl to return and ask him then what the noise had been. For some reason Faramir felt unsettled though, as if something was very wrong and couldn’t seem to stop pacing the room. He even went so far as to make the bed just for something to do.

Meanwhile, Bergan rushed into the Garden of Life to find shattered glass scattered everywhere and his master crumpled on the floor. He’d never seen Rahl’s magic do such a thing and he wondered if another wizard had been able to hurt him from a distance? He knelt at his master’s side and saw the man was dazed. “My lord, I will… take you back to your chambers and call a healer to come to you,” Bergan said, hoping that Rahl understood enough that he could pick him up and not be killed by Rahl’s own protection spells… if they were even still in place after what had happened.

Barely conscious, Rahl managed to lift his hand in Bergan’s direction. He simply nodded, then suddenly remembered his own spells. They hadn’t protected him because the spell that had caused the explosion had been his own, yet they were still firmly in place. He hesitated even then to lift them for Bergan – just in case someone had gotten to him – but realized he had little choice. He was almost certain he was bleeding internally and his chest ached so badly he could barely breathe. He’d been protected from the glass and the fire, but the force of the explosion had done more damage than he could fathom at the moment. Though it took every ounce of concentration, Rahl gritted his teeth and lifted his own spells so his guard could touch him and take him to safety. “it’s… safe,” he whispered. “Help me.”

Bergan swallowed hard when Rahl whispered ‘help me’, he had never heard his master utter those words before and carefully but quickly lifted the man into his arms. He had no idea what to do really, he knew little about healing himself so he carried Rahl as fast as he reasonably could up the stairwells to his master’s bedchambers. “I will take you to Faramir, I think he will know what to do…” he reminded Rahl that he was forbidden to speak to the slave but in this case he knew it was allowed. It seemed to take ages though Bergan knew every shortcut in the castle, having planned with Rahl for years the best routes to take his master to safety should anyone invade the castle. When he arrived at the door, of course it was locked and Rahl was nearly helpless in his arms. He kicked at the door roughly.

Faramir startled out of his pacing and nearly tripped over his own feet when he heard the loud bang on the door. “My lord?” he called out, afraid to open the door for anyone but Rahl.

“Faramir it is Bergan… Lord Rahl has been hurt!” the guard said only loud enough to be heard through he door, not wanting any others in the castle to hear.

Faramir went to the door and started to unlock it but stopped. “How do I know it is you… how do I know you are telling the truth?”

“You gave master a rose in the garden that he keeps in his study on a shelf inside a glass case. You gave it to him to thank him for the garden he made for you,” Bergan said quickly. “Lord Rahl gave me a dagger for staying with you when you could have been lost, now open the door.”

Upon hearing those things, Faramir quickly unfastened every lock on the door, not nearly as fast as Rahl could with magic but when he swung the door open he almost cried out when he saw his lover in Bergan’s arms. “Gods, put him on the bed,” Faramir said quickly, taking Rahl’s hand that was hanging loosely. “What happened?”

Only vaguely hearing the words, Rahl felt his heart lighten at the sound of Faramir’s voice and used the last of his strength to wrap his fingers around his lover’s, glad for the safety and comfort they offered. “Faramir.” The word was barely intelligible around the blood that filled his mouth and ran from the corner of his lips. “Fire. Spell didn’t…” He coughed up more blood and would have strangled on it if someone – he couldn’t be sure if it was his lover or his guard – turned his head to the side. “Hurts. Think… ‘m dying.”

When Rahl coughed up blood, Faramir gasped and quickly turned his lover’s head to the side to clear it from his lips. “Quickly, Bergan get me towels from the washroom,” Faramir said. “No, love, no… no you are not dying,” he whispered. “Shhhh, just concentrate on breathing, love. Let me do the rest.” He pushed his own hair away from his face and realized his hand was covered in blood. Bergan handed him a towel in moments and he wiped his hands and then took a thankfully damp washcloth and wiped Rahl’s face gently. “Bergan, I want you to find a healer… a real healer with a gift for it,” Faramir said, meeting the guards eyes. “Do you know of one truly loyal to our master?”

Bergan nodded as he laid several more towels on the bedside. “Yes, yes I know of someone,” he said as he rushed out of the room, closing the door behind him. Faramir quickly went to it and set several of the locks but not all of them before returning to Rahl’s side. He brushed hair back from Rahl’s face and tried to hold his own emotions in check. “Where do you hurt?”

It would have been easier, Rahl thought, to tell Faramir where he didn’t hurt, since about the only things that hadn’t been nearly destroyed by the explosion were perhaps the bottoms of his feet. “Chest…” he whispered. “Head. Stomach. Bleeding… bleeding inside…” His words were cut off as another round of coughing racked his already broken body and he could do little but cling to his lover’s hand. “No healers. They… don’t trust anyone but you…”

Faramir felt tears well up in his eyes and he shook his head as Rahl coughed and squeezed his hand so weakly. “I cannot heal you inside, love. I… I do not know what to do,” Faramir said softly. “I need a healer to help me.”

Rahl still couldn’t see, but he could hear the pain in Faramir’s voice. “Watch him then. Don’t let him kill me though…” He tugged on Faramir’s hand and pulled him closer, too tired to keep talking. It took him nearly a minute to regain enough breath to speak. “Don’t worry… spell… I have a spell in place. If I die, you will…” He turned his head aside, coughed again and felt even more blood trickle down his cheek, but he didn’t release Faramir. “You will wake up in your world … won’t be stuck here…” Before he could even finish the thought, he ran out of air and slid into unconsciousness, never seeing the stricken look on his lover’s face.

Faramir winced when Rahl asked him not to let the healer kill him. He shook his head, not knowing that Rahl really couldn’t see him and leaned closer to his lover as his voice grew weaker. The wet sound of the cough made Faramir wish he knew some sort of healing magic and he gasped when Rahl spoke his last words. “Oh Gods, I don’t care about that… all I care about is you,” he said softly, though Rahl was already oblivious to him. In that short time, Faramir cleaned away the blood again and carefully unfastened Rahl’s robe. When the knock came on the door, Faramir reluctantly left his lover who was struggling to breath and wheezing to unlock it after he verified who was there. He let Bergan in who had a young healer with him. He questioned the healer for a few moments, afraid to keep aide from Rahl but also afraid the healer could do more damage. Once he was satisfied with the young man’s answers he returned to Rahl’s side, taking his lover’s hand in his own and kneeling beside the bed. “If you do more damage to him, I’ll make sure you suffer so much you will beg me to let you die. Magic or not, I’ll rip you apart, do you understand?”

The healer was startled by the slave’s words and simply nodded. “No more harm will come to him… I swear it,” he said. “I… I cannot do anything, he has too many protective spells.”

Faramir sighed. “Love, wake up,” he whispered into Rahl’s ear and shook him just a little bit. “Wake up… we need you to lift enough of your spells so you can be healed. Please, love, please… do this for me,” he whispered.

Rahl heard voices, but could only distinguish Faramir’s, asking him to do something. Forcing his eyes open, he realized he still couldn’t see and reached blindly out for his lover, who was startlingly, and thankfully, leaning just over him. He clutched at Faramir’s robes and tried to hold still. “I… the spells. Who… I cannot see who… do you…” A sharp pain in his side made him moan softly and grit his teeth. “Do you trust him?” he whispered against his lover’s hair.

Faramir blinked when Rahl said he could not see and felt his heart almost stop for a moment. He swallowed hard and took his lover’s hand, squeezing it gently. “I do trust him… Bergan trusts him as well and we are both here to make sure you are protected. We need you to drop some of your spells love, he cannot do anything to help you until you do,” Faramir said softly for only Rahl to hear. “I promise I will not let him hurt you.”

Licking his lips and trusting in the only person he had any trust in, Rahl lifted a weak finger from where it rested on the bed and whispered a few words. He felt the spells lifting one by one and before the last one fully fell away, he drifted back into unconsciousness, the hand holding Faramir’s robe dropping slowly away.

Faramir reached out and clutched at the hand that fell to the bed and looked up at the healer. “Now, his spells are gone but do not think he is completely unprotected. His vision is gone from the spell… and he is bleeding internally. Can you truly do this without making things worse?” He asked the healer seriously and the young man nodded.

“Yes, I may be young, but I can do this. I must work quickly though, my magic is drained by the castle itself… another protection on the house of Rahl,” the young man explained and began to chant a spell as his hands moved over Rahl’s body, not touching him, just skimming over the top of his robes. Blue light seemed to flow from the healer to Rahl slowly and Faaramir watched as the young healer broke out in a sweat as he worked. After a few minutes the man began to weave on his feet and pulled away.

He was panting when he looked up at Faramir. “I… have done all I can for now but he is not completely healed yet. I will have to wait and regain my strength before I can do more but most of the internal damage is fixed. He needs more healing though and his vision will still likely be impaired until I can try again,” the man said weakly.

Bergan stepped forward and took the man’s arm. “I will take you back home and you can rest until your strength has returned and come back to finish your task then,” Bergan said softly. “You are exhausted.”

Faramir looked slightly sympathetic at the younger man. “I am sorry I forgot to ask your name.”

“Darien… I am Bergan’s brother,” the young man explained.

Faramir was relived then when he said who he was and smiled. “Thank you. Please… go get some rest and I will tend him until you can return.”

The pain that seemed be everywhere was slowly lifted and bit by bit, Rahl felt consciousness returning. Before he was even aware of it, his hand tightened on Faramir’s and he began breathing easier. He tried to speak, but his mouth was too dry and it took him a moment to orient himself. “Faramir?” He turned his head toward the healer who was breathing heavily even as he cast his protection spells again, not even realizing he was clinging to his lover.

“I’m here,” Faramir said softly. “The healer has done all he can for now, but he will return when his strength does to make sure you are fully healed. For now you will just have to rest and let me take care of you. Bergan is taking the healer back home now, it was his brother Darien,” Faramir explained as he carefully sat down on the edge of the bed, still holding Rahl’s hand. “He said you should be able to see but your vision would still be unclear… if you need anything I will get it for you. Do you need anything? Water or perhaps a healing tea?”

“Water.” Rahl tried to lick his lips, but his mouth still tasted of blood. His eyes slowly opened and he could just make out Faramir’s face. “I will be fine now. He has stopped the bleeding and I can see again. I just…” He closed his eyes again, hating himself for being weak, but knowing he was in no position to protect either himself or Faramir should something unexpected happen. A spell fell from his lips automatically and his chamber door locked, the last one clicking slowly but firmly in place before he could continue. “Stay with me for a while?”

Faramir turned and poured a glass of water, not even realizing that Bergan had brought it and left it there for him. “Here love, I’ll help you tip your head up, I don’t want you to sit up just yet,” Faramir said leaning down and helping his lover. “And of course I will stay, you have me worried sick.” He watched as Rahl winced as he drank. “Here, spit it out into this towel… there was a lot of blood,” Faramir said, unable to completely repress a shiver at the memory of his lover coughing up blood. “How did this happen? Should I have the guards stand ready for an attack?”

Rahl tried to shake his head, but ended up coughing instead after he spit into the towel. grateful for his lover’s support when Faramir simply held him and helped him drink more water. “No. One of my spells… something went wrong. I got distracted, missed a word…” He drank more water then lay back down, resting his head on the pillow. “The spell came back, hit me… there was fire… Gods, Faramir, there was fire, just like…” He shivered violently and reached reflexively for Faramir, pulling him close with surprising strength. “Wizard’s fire. I thought for a moment it was wizard’s fire and I was going to die.”

Faramir set the glass and soiled towel in the floor and turned back to his lover as he rested. He was surprised by the strength of Rahl’s grip when he grabbed him and he gasped. “Oh love,” he whispered, brushing soft dark hair back from his lover’s face. “But you did not and you will not die,” he whispered. “Just rest, rest and heal and let me hold you and take care of you.” Faramir moved a little closer on the bed and reached out. “Would you like me to remove your robe and clean you a bit, you are still covered in blood and sweat… you can’t be comfortable. I can get a clean robe for you or a clean pair of the breeches you liked to sleep in before and you can lay here with me and rest, sleep or I can even read to you… whatever you like, my love.”

Exhausted and still a bit disoriented, Rahl released Faramir and pressed one hand over his lower abdomen, forgetting completley that he was no longer hiding from his lover. “No, the robe must stay. You of all people cannot see my scars. You will want to go home and I don’t have the heart to force you to stay… not anymore.” His eyes drifted closed once more and he frowned. “Want you to stay, Faramir. I am… I think I am happy when you are here.”

Faramir stared at his lover for a moment in complete surprise. “Darken… love, I’ve already seen your scars, remember… you have been sleeping without your sleep pants or a robe for a few weeks now. Remember that morning we fought… you were so angry but I explained that I love you no matter what and we had… well… whenever we make love it is incredible but… it was quite spectacular that morning and we stayed in bed most of the morning… remember, love?” Faramir asked, frightened that Rahl had lost his memory of one of the most special days of Faramir’s life.

The memory came slowly back to Rahl and he opened his eyes again. “You saw them,” he said with a half smile. “And you didn’t want to leave. You loved me anyway.” He nodded, holding on to the memory and finally moved his hand away. “Yes… If you would help me bathe, I would feel… better, I think. I…” Another bout of coughing racked his body and he rolled over onto his side. “If there are new scars… you will not mind?” he asked almost pleadingly, something he never would have done had he been completely aware of everything.

Faramir smiled in relief when Rahl remembered, his shoulders sagging with the release of tension. “Yes, I love you anyway,” he answered and then gasped. “Oh love,” he whispered as he rubbed his lover’s back. “I think some of the blood got in your chest…” Faramir murmured. “No, I will not mind if you have new scars though it seems most of the damage this time was inside you rather than outside,” Faramir explained. “All the blood was mostly from your coughing it up… in face I cannot find a single cut on you, despite Bergan saying there was broken glass everywhere.” He waited until Rahl’s coughing fit subsided; rubbing his back and helping him lay back down before he began to strip him. Faramir worked slowly, removing only the top part of his robe. “I need to get some warm water… oh… are you able to use your magic or should I ask Bergan to send… Corrine’s mother with warm water from the kitchens?”

“No, no one else…” Rahl’s fingers moved against the bed sheets and he whispered spells to not only produce a basin of warm water by the bed but a book and tea as well. “I don’t want anyone else to see me like this. “ He blinked, rubbed at his eyes and his memory seemed to fade again. “Will you stay Faramir? And keep everyone else away?”

“Yes, love,” Faramir said, surprised that Rahl seemed to already forget that he offered to stay. “Did you hit your head when you were hurt?” Faramir asked. He leaned down and lifted Rahl’s head gently from the pillow and felt the back of his head. His fingers came away red with blood and he had felt a large knot forming. “No need to answer that,” Faramir frowned as he wiped his hand and wet another cloth. “I need to take care of the cut on the back of your head… it may sting a little so promise your magic will not hurt me?”

“My magic…” Rahl slowly let his gaze travel over Faramir’s face and this time, his smile was more genuine. “I have no spells against you anymore,” he whispered. “I let the last one fall a few weeks ago… never done that before with anyone…”

Shocked, Faramir just looked at his lover for a moment before smiling lovingly at him. “Thank you,” he whispered and leaned down to brush his lips sweetly against Rahl’s. “Tell me if this hurts too much, love,” he whispered before helping Rahl turn his head to the side and cleaning away the blood that was starting to mat in his lover’s hair and staunching the flow of blood from the knot. He pressed the folded cloth against the wound and had his lover lay back against it. “I will not fasten it, so do not move around too much,” he whispered.

Doing just as he was told for a change, Rahl tried to relax, wishing a wizard could heal himself. “I meant what I said earlier. If I die, you will go back to your home. i would not endanger you by keeping you here without my protection. “

“You are not going to die,” Faramir scolded lightly, though he knew the potential for it had certainly been there this morning. “I do appreciate you thinking of me that way… but I am not going to lose you, I just refuse to. So Darken, you must simply learn to put up with my fussing over you and taking care of you until you are well again,” Faramir told him as he sat back and resumed working on cleaning his lover’s chest. “And, since that knot on your head keeps making you forget things, I will just have to remind you over and over again how much I love you.”

Rahl’s smile widened and he reached up to touch Faramir’s arm. “Don’t call me “lord” anymore,” he said softly. “I like it when you call me Darken or… love. That’s nice too. You are clearly more than a slave these days, especially given the way you talk back to me.” Before Faramir could respond, Rahl squeezed his wrist. “It really is nice… to have someone love you, so I am glad for the reminders.”

Faramir hadn’t even realized he’d been calling his lover by his given name and swallowed hard when Rahl said that he liked it. He smiled and even laughed a little, his face coloring. “Clearly, I am a bit bossy when I am worried or upset,” Faramir admitted with a grin. “And it is a good feeling to love someone as well,” Faramir said softly. He waited until Rahl released him and set to work cleaning him again, wiping away blood and traces of ash as well. “There is ash, you said you saw wizard fire… was there a fire?”

Yes… fire. There was an explosion. I am… glad Bergan brought me to you,” Rahl whispered, shivering as the water touched his skin despite the fact that it was hot. “Before… I would have had no one else to go to and would not have trusted anyone, even Bergan to bring me a healer.” He shivered again, this time violently as he remembered the last time a healer had touched him, when he was much younger and in even more pain than he’d been in after the explosion. “I would have stayed there and hoped for the best.”

“Then you likely would have died,” Faramir said sadly. “I am glad I was here… but I do trust Bergan. He is loyal to you and I can tell it is not just because of your magic and so I trust his brother as well… he is young, likely why he could not do enough tonight. Barely even old enough to shave I’d gather,” he said grinning and continuing to clean his lover. “You know, the boy is young enough that he will be the sort to influence… someone to shape as an ally,” Faramir said softly, “It may be worth some thought, I know you do not trust other wizards but… he seemed sincere to me and Bergan did not even get mad when I threatened him.”

“That is a good…” A painful breath made Rahl pause – “idea. I will speak with him, perhaps read him, when I get my strength… wait.” He blinked, wondered if his memory was failing again and frowned. “You threatened him? I cannot imagine you threatening anyone.”

Faramir smiled when Rahl said it was a good idea though the smile faded as he realized Rahl was struggling to breathe. He shifted a bit on the bed and used the warm damp cloth to lie over his lover’s chest to soothe him. “Yes, I told him magic or not that I would rip him apart if he hurt you.”

Had Rahl not still been in pain, he would have laughed. As it was, he merely smiled, though somewhere deep inside him, he was perfectly delighted that Faramir had chosen to protect him. His breathing came easier and he rested his hand over Faramir’s as it lay against his chest. “You are a good man, Faramir,” he said, wheezing slightly. “I am glad I kept you.” Closing his eyes again, he gave his lover’s fingers a slight squeeze. “I should go back and fix my spell, but I’m so tired. I think… think I will rest for a bit. Will you stay?”

Faramir smiled when Rahl’s hand rested over his own and said he was a good man. “I’m glad you kept me too,” he whispered and then shook his head. “You, my dear, are not going anywhere until you are well,” he said sternly. “And yes, Darken, I will stay with you, always.” He was concerned that his lover’s memory seemed to still be fuzzy, the bump to his head obviously having the man addled. He continued to clean him and worked his way to his lover’s waist. “I need you to lift your hips for me a little and I will get this dirty robe off of you and get something clean for you to wear.”

It only then occurred to Rahl that a simple spell would clean him and remove his robe, but he was enjoying the feeling of Faramir’s hands on him too much to give it up just yet. His lover’s words rang in his ear about staying always. “Always, Faramir is a very long time. You will wish to leave one day, and our lives will go back to normal.” He lifted his hips up as he spoke and felt his robe being removed. Without thinking, his hand came down and covered his scar, as if it had a mind of its own. Sighing led to another round of coughing and when he was finished, he lay back on the bed, struggling for air. “I do not… look forward to… that day,” he managed before dozing off again, growing more and more exhausted with every breath.

“Yes, it is a long time and let us not talk about either of us leaving or dying or anything else depressing like that. I came close to losing you today and I am still trying to deal with how badly that frightened me,” Faramir said as he worked to remove the robe. He frowned and felt his heart ache when Rahl struggled for breath again and coughed. He sounded terrible and Faramir wished he knew how to help him more than he was. He felt helpless and frustrated with his own lack of magic. When the robe was gone, he was surprised that Rahl still felt the need to cover his scar, his hand only able to span a small portion of it across his lower abdomen. Faramir couldn’t say anything else though because his lover dozed off again and the former Ranger sighed and continued to clean him and redressed his lover in the soft pants he used to sleep in.

Rahl was clean from head to toe when he next opened his eyes and Faramir was putting the basin of water on the nightstand. Reaching out to wrap a hand around Faramir’s wrist, he tugged gently. “You know how I have allowed you to sleep with your head on my shoulder recently? And let you put your leg and arm across my thighs and chest?” He smiled just thinking about it, and let his eyes drift up to his lover’s still slightly blurry face. “If you wanted to…” He had to pause for air and figure out a way to get his point across without making himself sound too needy in his own mind – “I would allow you to lie next to me like that now. It might… it might make you feel better.”

Faramir turned to look at his lover when he awoke again and reached out for him. He found himself unable to suppress the grin that crossed his lips as Rahl spoke and nodded. “Yes, of course,” he whispered. “Thank you, it would make me feel better.” He wasn’t about to tease his lover, all of this was new to Rahl really and Faramir didn’t want to make him feel uncomfortable for wanting or even needing his touch right now. He had after all, almost died. Faramir stood and removed his own robe, which was wet with water and stained with blood. He crossed to the other side of the bed and slid into it, pulling the covers on top of them both and snuggling up against his lover’s side. “You are not too sore for me to hold you?”

One arm came up to rest comfortably around Faramir’s shoulders, hand on his bicep, in what was now a familiar embrace. “I will manage,” he said softly, melting against his lover, drinking in the warmth and strength and the gentle touches that, from what he could tell, were all given freely and out of love. Rahl didn’t understand it, couldn’t fathom how it would feel to the one loving instead of being loved, but he couldn’t deny that it felt wonderful, especially after he’d nearly just lost his life. “Wake me when the healer returns. I should be well after he works his magic on me again, then he and I will have a talk.” His eyes drifted shut again, and then a moment later he shook his head. “And you. You should be there. I want to know what you think.”

“Oh I will be there, you will have a difficult time getting me from your side for a while, Darken Rahl. I almost lost you today and as you know I can be a very stubborn man,” Faramir chided warmly. He leaned up and pressed his lips to his lover’s forehead and then moved to rest his head against his shoulder. “I love you so very much,” he whispered. It was terrifying really to think he almost lost his lover to a dangerous spell and he was determined that he would do everything he could possibly do to make sure nothing like this ever happened again. “Now, rest, love. I have you… you are safe,” he whispered.

Chapter 20

The rest of the day, Faramir spent close to Rahl’s side, giving him healing teas or rubbing his sore muscles or simply reading to him until he fell asleep again. He had treated the gash on his head with a healing salve, one of the same ones that had been used before on him after some of their more creative lovemaking sessions. Rahl was still a bit addled it seemed even after rest and was extremely tired so he spent much of his time dozing. It was early the next morning before Bergan knocked on the door, announcing that Darien had returned.

Faramir woke Rahl with a soft kiss and smiled at his lover. “Darien is here, love. Are you ready for him to finish your healing?”

Trying to blink away the fog that seemed to surround him, Rahl looked up at Faramir and returned his smile. He still had his powers, but his mind wasn’t as sharp as normal and his body still ached nearly everywhere. While not exactly helpless, he would stand little chance if the seeker happened to find a way to get inside the castle just then.

Nevertheless, he felt safe, with Faramir watching over him with such devotion and taking care of his every need. Even when he slept, he sensed his lover was near and thought that this wonderful sense of security was worth nearly getting killed for.

Nodding slowly, he wrapped his fingers around Faramir’s and unlocked the locks on the door with his other. “You will still watch you, won’t you? Just in case someone got to him since he was here before?”

“Oh yes, I will be right here, love,” Faramir said firmly. “I will not let anyone hurt you, though I doubt he will.” Faramir watched as Darien entered with Bergan close behind.

“I am sorry I was unable to finish this until now… you were gravely injured, my lord,” Darien said, happy to actually see Rahl conscious at least. “I only regained my powers fully this morning,” he explained as he took a place opposite of Faramir.

Faramir nodded in greeting. “We understand, we know that healing drains you as well as the castle does,” Faramir said softly. “Shall we begin?” He asked mostly to Rahl.

“My head,” Rahl said, wincing. “I cannot think straight and Faramir says I am having trouble remembering.” He smiled fondly at his lover, though he didn’t even realize it. “He has taken good care of me though. I owe my life to you both, apparently.”

All of the men in the room exchanged surprised looks from Rahl’s words and Darien took a deep breath. “It is my honor, my lord. I… your internal injuries were so bad I did not check elsewhere yesterday, I will make sure you are in top shape before I leave here today,” he assured.

Leaning over the bed slightly, Darien began to murmur a chant, his hands moving inches over Rahl’s body and a blue white light emanating from him to Rahl as he moved from the top of the other wizard’s head and down all the way to his lower abdomen. It took several minutes as he worked slowly and Faramir kept a close watch on both Rahl and the other wizard as well as a tight hold on his lover’s hand.

Darien began to waver a little at the end but managed to pull away from the spell not as exhausted as the day before. “There,” he said panting a little with sweat beading on his forehead. “I think, that should have done it,” he whispered breathlessly.

Rahl gingerly sat up and rubbed a hand over the back of his head. He felt better, and it didn’t hurt to breathe anymore. He was still a bit tired, but everything seemed to work well again. He looked at Faramir, kept his face perfectly straight and furrowed his brow, actually in the mood to tease his lover a bit despite their small audience. “You are one of my slaves, I suppose? Or are you the healer?”

Faramir gasped when Rahl sat up on his own for the first time since they’d gone to bed the night before but soon he frowned and looked at Darien accusingly. “Did… what did you do wrong?” he asked angrily, already starting to pull away to circle the bed read to attack the man.

Darien had held his hands up pleadingly and shook his head, and then paused as he looked from the angry slave to his brother Bergan and back at their master.

Unable to restrain himself any longer, Rahl tightened his grip on Faramir’s hand and laughed. “That wasn’t very nice of me,” he confessed. “Of course I remember who you are, Faramir. You’ve been the one watching over me since my accident… but I must say, I find it terribly sexy to see you so protective. Perhaps we can talk to Darien later and get… reacquainted now that I am healthy again? It has been hours since I’ve had you.”

When Rahl tightened his grip on his hand and laughed, Faramir narrowed his eyes and glared at his lover. “That was not funny,” he grumbled.

Darien cleared his throat and offered a weak little chuckle at the way that Rahl was actually acting so… human. The man was laughing and smiling at the slave and he seemed… happy. This was not the man everyone feared, he was a powerful wizard, no doubt but… he seemed kinder than Bergan ever made him out to be. “We’ll leave you then… I would suggest nothing to er… strenous for a few hours at least though, my lord,” he warned, blushing brightly as his brother ushered him out of the room.

“Darken, you are very naughty to worry me like that…” Faramir said still frowning.

Rahl reached up and tucked a lock of hair behind Faramir’s ear. “I am sorry,” he said softly. “I am not really used to anyone caring as much as you do.” His hand slipped down to rest on the back of Faramir’s neck and he pulled him in for a soft kiss. “I have never apologized to a slave before, but for you, I will make an exception since you do care so much.”

Rahl did not do apologies really and when he apologized and kissed him so sweetly, Faramir had a hard time staying angry with him. The kiss deepened for a moment and Faramir was almost breathless when Rahl pulled away and whispered to him. “I do care, I love you and… and I thought I was going to lose you just yesterday. Then to think you had forgotten me… Gods… I should have lied and said I was your master come to think of it,” he laughed then and nipped at Rahl’s bottom lip. “You truly feel better now?”

“Almost like my old self,” Rahl said softly. The sound of the locks clicking into place filled the room and he lay back, bringing Faramir with him. “I think if I had lost every last bit of my mind and memories, I would still know that I answer to no master. “ His hands moved over Faramir’s body and pulled him closer until he was practically sitting in Rahl’s lap. “Would you like me to show you how much better I feel, Faramir?”

Faramir heard the click of the locks and moved slowly, his body coaxed to move on top of his lover, practically straddling his lap. “I’ve been so worried about you,” he whispered. “It would be a good way to reassure me that you truly are all right, though Darien said not to do anything too strenuous,” he said remembering what the young wizard said as he left.

“Well,” Rahl whispered, actually too tired for their usual vigorous antics, but more than willing to explore the gentler, softer side they sometimes shared, “you could lay over me and I could very, very slowly open you up while you kiss me. You could rock your hips so that your cock brushes oh-so-lightly over mine as I nibble at your neck, renewing all the marks I’ve kept on you so everyone knows to whom you belong. Then, when you’re ready, you could just slide up, spread your legs wide, and let me push up into you, fill you so full you can barely think… but you know you don’t need to think, because you only need to ride me… that doesn’t sound too strenuous, does it?”

Faramir swallowed hard and licked his lips. “Uh, no… no..it… sounds wonderful,” he whispered, already starting to be affected by the way Rahl’s voice sounded when he spoke. Gods, the man’s voice alone could arouse him beyond belief. Without a word more, Faramir unfastened his robe and let it fall away, then frowned because he’d put the sleep pants on Rahl to keep Bergan or Darien from seeing his scars. “I want to feel your skin against mine… will you use your magic to banish these,” Faramir asked, tugging at the string at the waist, “or would you rather not?”

Laughing softly, Rahl did just as he was asked, and before either of them could take another breath, they were both naked. His hands met at his lover lower back, pulling him ever closer, caressing up and down over the curve of Faramir’s spine. “Do you want my hands on your skin, or my fingers in you?’ he whispered, lips moving over the soft stubble that covered the handsome face next to his own. “Or I can make a dozen hands just like mine to touch you all over, inside and out and just concentrate on that delicious mouth of yours…”

“Oh Gods,” Faramir murmured as he tipped his head back, enjoying the heat of his lover’s body, the touch of his mouth on his skin, and those hands… Gods, those hands he loved so much. He shivered and laughed softly. “You give me too many wonderful choices, love,” he whispered. “I feel like a child in a room full of sweets… I cannot choose,” he teased and wriggled his hips against his lover. “Oh… Gods,” he whispered when Rahl’s lips and tongue moved over a sensitive spot just below his ear. His own hands moved over his lover’s chest, his shoulders and up into soft hair as he turned to kiss his lover. “I want your hands I think, I want you touching me… I want you taking me, no magic this time,” he whispered.

Surprised, but oddly touched, Rahl didn’t even think of refusing Faramir’s request. Reaching over to the nightstand, he got the salve they used as a lubricant on the few times he didn’t use his spells to prepare his lover. He opened it with one hand, dipped his fingers inside and massaged the smooth skin of the backside he’d kneaded, abused, invaded and caressed more times than he could count over the past months. Deepening the kiss, he made no move to open Faramir just yet, enjoying the way their bodies were moving together with just the rocking of his hands and hips, Faramir caught between them, their bodies doing a slow, sweet dance they seemed to fall into so easily when one or both craved gentleness rather than their usual rough coupling.

It didn’t matter to Faramir how they made love, rough and fast, with toys or without, even with pain and held back release, he loved it all but tenderness from Rahl always seemed to make Faramir’s heart swell in his chest. He felt cherished when Rahl made love to him slowly and so thoroughly. He knew the man liked him, certainly enjoyed him but he knew that Rahl didn’t love him and didn’t believe he could love. But sometimes… times like this, Faramir felt loved. He moaned against his lover’s lips as his hips shifted and their arousals brushed together. Faramir felt the tension and anticipation of arousal but also completely relaxed. It was perfect, especially after the fear of almost losing this man he loved so dearly. He couldn’t seem to stop kissing Rahl and thankfully his lover didn’t seem to mind that a bit.

After several minutes of simply kissing, Rahl dipped his fingers in the lubricant again and slid them down between the cleft of Faramir’s backside. His middle finger ran lightly over the small puckered hole he found there, pushed a little of the salve inside, then went back for more. He was always careful when opening his lover without magic, the feel and pace of preparing him by hand so new he was nervous about not doing it right. Holding Faramir steady with one hand on his lower back, Rahl deepened the kiss, pushing both his tongue and his finger inside the tight warmth of his lover’s mouth and lower passage, both offered so freely.

Faramir moaned into his lover’s mouth and rocked his hips a little as he felt a slick finger push against his opening and the cool salve slipping inside. His tongue moved with his lover’s and rocked his hips again as the finger returned again, slowly pushing inside him. He sucked at Rahl’s tongue, drawing back just a little as the finger pushed deeper and he shivered in his lover’s arms as his body relaxed a bit more and the finger slid even deeper inside him. It was so perfect that Faramir wanted to capture this moment in his memory forever, being held so sweetly against the man he loved, the anticipation of making love thrumming through his veins and the exotic flavor of his lover on his tongue.

The few times they’d taken things slow like this were the times Rahl felt the most vulnerable. He had sometimes taken lovers gently, but not often, and this, worrying about Faramir’s pleasure and safety was an added element he was wholly unfamiliar with. A few months ago, he would have said such concerns would be a burden, but… somehow, they weren’t, at least not with Faramir. Shifting his hips, he felt Faramir’s cock, the tip now wet and glistening between them, rub over his stomach, leaving a warm, wet trail behind. His own sex responded in kind and he moaned into the kiss, stealing his lover’s very breath as he gently worked a second finger in beside the first, shuddering at just how tightly both inner and outer muscles gripped him.

It was complete bliss to Faramir, his body against his lover’s their seed mingling on their stomachs and their mouths devouring one another as his lover prepared him for so much more. Rahl was rarely gentle with him and the times he was, Faramir treasured those moments. He loved fast and rough and everything else they did but this… made his heart feel as if it would burst from his chest from the sheer joy of it all. As if Rahl cared for him, even loved him, even if his mind knew that wasn’t the fact, his heart and his body refused to listen. Gasping for breath as he drew back from the deep kiss, Faramir smiled. “Gods, I love you so much… I was so afraid I would lose you,” he whispered softly. He’d already said the words to his lover, but he meant them with every fiber of his body.

Rahl could see just how much the thought of losing him hurt Faramir. His fingers slowly slipped from inside his lover and his other hand moved up to rest on the back of Faramir’s neck. “You didn’t lose me,” he whispered, his eyes searching the blue ones above him and looking perfectly sincere. “I don’t think you will. No one has ever cared for me like you do, my sweet Ranger, and that feeling of being cared for and loved is not something I will give up easily. If anything like this ever happens again, or if the seeker does reach me… know that I will fight my hardest to come back to you.”

Faramir moaned softly as Rahl’s hand moved away from his entrance and he looked into serious blue eyes. “You better,” Faramir whispered seriously. “I cannot lose you… I refuse to let any damn prophecy or seeker or even your own magic take you away from me.” Faramir leaned down and buried his face against his lover’s neck, holding him close for a moment, just needing to reassure himself again that Rahl was in fact healed.

Closing his eyes and resting his cheek against Faramir’s hair, Rahl simply held him for a moment, at a loss of what to say or do. His embrace seemed to be enough, however, as Faramir soon began to relax, and the thought that this wasn’t unpleasant after all went through Rahl’s mind. For the first time, he wondered if maybe Faramir wouldn’t tire of him, if he really did want their relationship, as one-sided as it was, to last. “Shhh,” he whispered, pressing a kiss to his lover’s temple. “I am not going anywhere if I can help it. I truly do want to stay with you.” As he spoke, he shifted his hips down and lifted Faramir’s lower body up, repositioning him. Faramir’s opening was well slicked, and combined with Rahl’s own leaking fluids, the wizard had no trouble slipping just the head of his arousal inside.

Faramir was touched by the sweet kiss to his temple and found himself smiling just a little. When Rahl moved him so easily, even without the use of magic, Faramir was taken with how strong his lover was, and moaned as he felt the hard length of his lover begin to slip inside him. He looked down at his lover, breathing heavily and wanted to shift his hips to take him in fully. Instead, he simply stared into lust darkened blue eyes, amazed by the affection he saw in Rahl’s gaze.

Rahl gave Faramir the half smile he often wore when he was feeling unsure of himself or awkward. His hands moved over every inch of skin he could reach, caressing and gently kneading and his hips tilted up, allowing his shaft to steadily impale his lover. Both arms wrapped around Faramir’s torso and Rahl slowly sat up, driving himself even deeper into the gripping passage and positioning himself so their chests were flush and they seemed to share one heartbeat. Faramir’s own weight caused Rahl’s flesh to pierce him even more deeply and the soft moan that filled the room was testament to just how much pleasure Faramir was giving the dark wizard.

Faramir let his head drop back in pleasure as Rahl’s hands caressed his body and matched his lover’s moan as Rahl sat up, driving himself into him, his muscles relaxing and taking his lover in. Gods, it felt as if it had been ages since they had made love though in reality it had only been less than a day and a half. Faramir’s arms wrapped around his lover’s shoulders, sinking into his hair and he leaned forward to kiss Rahl, even as his body took his lover in even more and his muscles tensed around the hard shaft inside him, giving him as much pleasure as he could return. The kiss was deep and passionate, Faramir sucking on his lover’s tongue as he began to rock his hips.

Completely unhurried, Rahl vaguely wondered if his near-death experience had affected him more than he cared to admit. Joining with Faramir, as he was, seemed to make him feel more alive than any of their normal rough coupling ever had. He couldn’t seem to get enough of the man, drinking him in with every kiss, every touch, and every slow, steady thrust up into him. On one hand, he wasn’t quite sure what he felt toward Faramir other than a deep attraction and fondness, but on the other, he was certain he’d never been more physically connected to another person in all his life. He stopped thinking, simply let his body take over, and found himself raining dozen of kisses over Faramir’s face each time they broke the seal of their lips. He was panting for air and sweating, though he was certainly not exerting himself by moving quickly. “Faramir, you make me feel things no one else ever has,” he murmured. “I am not sure how or why… but I am grateful.”

Each thrust seemed to be even deeper than the last and Faramir simply clung to his lover, rocking his hips in tandem and loving every moment of it. Rahl was always an exceptionally talented lover that could do things to Faramir’s body that no one ever had before but this… this was different than anything they had shared. There was a level of tenderness involved that he couldn’t seem to get enough of. His own shaft was leaking heavily between them as it rubbed against his own and Rahl’s stomachs. “Gods,” he gasped as they drew apart for break and Faramir felt his heart skip when Rahl spoke. “Oh love, so am I… I want to give you every bit of joy I can,” he whispered, rolling his hips and moaning from the feeling of his lover’s shaft pressing firmly against his sweet spot.

They moved together for longer than either thought possible, whispering softly, and Rahl was frankly amazed at his own patience, especially when he realized he was enjoying their gentle, steady rhythm so much. Eventually, however, he found himself having a hard time holding his release back. He rested one hand on Faramir’s back and worked the other between them to wrap around the heavy, swollen shaft against his stomach and began tugging each time he thrust upward. A tiny shift of his hips was all it took to realign himself and both push in past and drag out over Faramir’s sweet spot, a maneuver that sent them both closer to the edge, if their individual reactions were any indication. “You are so beautiful, Faramir,” he whispered. “You feel like you were made just for me, the way you’re wrapped around me right now.”

Faramir shivered when Rahl worked his hand between them, the extra stimulation of strong fingers gripping him, forced a moan from his lips. It was incredible the slow rocking their bodies were doing together but when Rahl shifted, Faramir cried out, as his body felt as if it were almost vibrating with need. “Gods,” he gasped, moving his hips faster, unable to help himself. He wanted to tell his lover that he too was beautiful but Rahl rarely accepted compliments well, even now that he knew Faramir found him attractive. “I was, my love, I was made for you… I firmly believe that now,” he whispered before crying out when an especially deep thrust made him nearly come undone. “Oh Gods… I cannot hold back,” he whimpered as he felt his release building rapidly.

Rahl tightened his hand on Faramir’s now slick shaft and aimed each thrust perfectly. Every time he brushed over that certain spot inside his lover, already tight muscles would clench around him, and he too was on the edge all too quickly. When he got close, he often muffled his cries against Faramir’s skin, or sometimes even bit at his shoulders or neck, though he almost always healed him afterward. This time, however, he was simply too far gone to do either. His head fell back and a low moan came from deep in his chest. His eyes rolled back for a moment, then focused on Faramir again, who was riding him in earnest now, meeting him thrust for thrust. “Come with me,” he panted. “Stop holding back…” Before he could even finish, he gave one final hard thrust up and felt his cock twitch and pulse, spurting his release deep inside this man from another world who had bewitched him so thoroughly, though neither of them even knew it yet.

When Rahl moaned, Faramir thought he would lose control then. Usually his lover bit back any noises of pleasure or sometimes even bit him to muffle himself but this time he moaned so beautifully that Faramir almost lost control that very moment. The panted words were all he needed to hear and as Rahl thrust deep inside him, Faramir came between them, his cock pulsing in his lover’s hand and coating both their stomachs with his seed. He was shuddering even as his lover’s cock twitched inside of him and his own muscles milked it rhythmically. “Oh Gods, love,” he whispered breathlessly as he let his head fall forward and rested it against his lover’s shoulder. “Gods, oh… don’t move just yet, just let me feel you inside me a little longer,” he whispered as he felt Rahl’s muscles tense to move them.

After a moment’s hesitation, Rahl was more than happy to comply. He was exhausted though, and this time called on his magic to lift them both and position his back up against the headboard. When they were settled, he leaned back, murmured a cleaning spell and slipped his hand from between them, only to lock his arms behind Faramir’s back. His eyes closed and his head tilted to one side, smiling at the way his lover’s breath heated his already warm skin even further. “For as long as you wish,” he murmured, more than happy to sit still and enjoy the warmth Faramir was offering.

Faramir was too exhausted to startle from the magic moving them both and found himself just smiling as he held his lover and tried to catch is breath. Faramir leaned back a little to look into his lover’s eyes. “Gods, the things you do to me,” he whispered before resting his head back on his lover’s shoulder. He stayed that way until his lover’s softening arousal finally slipped from his body and he sighed softly before moving to settle at his lover’s side. “I am so glad you are better now… I was so scared. But I don’t think I can question you are feeling much better,” he teased as his hand moved lazily over his lover’s chest.

Laughing softly, Rahl nodded. “Much better indeed,” he agreed. “You… do you get pleasure from this as much as you do our other encounters? I mean, the rougher ones, where I have to heal you afterward… or do you enjoy those times more?”

Faramir leaned up and looked at his lover for a moment, unsure how to answer his question. “I… I enjoy them both really. The rougher encounters are… exhilarating and… passionate and I do enjoy the pain coupled with the pleasure,” Faramir explained. “But… when you touch me tenderly it… it feels as if… as if you care about me, as if… I am connected with you in a wholly different way. It isn’t better it is just… wonderful and different.”

Once more at a loss for words, Rahl rubbed his lips and chin and stared at something above Faramir’s head. Faramir felt as if Rahl ‘cared for’ him. Perhaps he did, in his own way, but he couldn’t seem to say it. He didn’t dislike the man, certainly was fond of him, enjoyed his company, enjoyed his body… but beyond that, he didn’t understand what it was he felt. “Wonderful and different,” he said softly. “That is good to know. I was merely curious.” Knowing he needed to change the subject before Faramir asked him something he was truly uncomfortable over, he thought back to the incident that started all this. “I know what was wrong with my spell. I knew it the minute the words were out of my mouth. I really should get back there, fix it, and try again. I feel it in my bones that the seeker draws closer.”

Faramir smiled at his lover when he said he was curious and sat up more in the bed to look at Rahl. “You can’t be serious? You were nearly killed a day ago,” Faramir argued. “At least… Gods, at least take me with you or… or something. I cannot stand waiting here to know if you were hurt again,” Faramir said hurriedly. “Please, I will… I will stand out in the hall with Bergan if I must I just… I just need to know you are safe and if you need me I will be there this time… besides I’ll be worried sick,” Faramir was babbling in fear and even took Rahl’s hand between both of his own. “Please, if you must do this let me come this time?”

“And if it fails again, have you hurt?” Rahl shook his head at once, the very thought of what happened to him happening to Faramir making him feel ill. “Faramir, you cannot be serious? The blast was not nearly as bad as it could have been. At worst, it could pass through the walls of that room, and you could be injured. I will not hurt you or put you in a position to be hurt. It would…” His words drifted off at the stricken look in Faramir’s eyes. “Faramir, I cannot put you in danger.”

“Please,” Faramir said softly, squeezing Rahl’s hand in his own. “I… I just can’t stand the thought of you going alone and this happening again. I… I couldn’t bear having you brought back into this room lifeless and covered in blood,” he said softly. “I… I… maybe I could at least be down the hall or… or somewhere close enough… please, love,” he whispered, not realizing how desperate he sounded.

Rahl frowned and slipped his arm around Faramir; pulling him closer, surprised once again at deeply and in how many ways Faramir cared for him. He didn’t think he could ever get used to it, someone truly worrying about him, and no matter how many times he experienced it, it always came as a bit of a surprise. “I suppose I could put a few extra spells of protection on you,” he murmured, soothing his lover by running his hands up and down along his spine as he thought out loud. “You have nearly as many as me these days, but I could add more… perhaps draw in the castles protection a bit and channel it towards you, just in case…”

Faramir went easily into Rahl’s arms, his face nestling against his lover’s neck. “Gods, thank you,” he whispered. “You can remove it afterwards, I just need to see and be sure that nothing goes wrong. I… I worry that it wasn’t your spell but someone else doing something, some other wizard like the one with the seeker… I just… I hate to sound so needy I know it makes me sound weak but I just don’t want to lose you. Even if I do return to my world I doubt I would ever know happiness again in my life. I do love you, Darken, more than anything. More than my love of my home world, more than my brother who I miss dearly, I would give up anything for you…”

Rahl took Faramir’s hand in his own and pressed it between them. “Faramir, I wish…” He sighed, wishing he understood what Faramir was feeling, to love someone with all your heart, to worry about them, want them to be happy, to just need them. He didn’t of course, but did want to at least make his lover feel better. “You are not weak,” he said softly. “And I know you love me. I can feel it and see it. I don’t understand it in the least, but I know that for you at least, it is very real.” He pulled back just a bit and tilted Faramir’s face up, pressing a gentle kiss against soft lips. “When all this is over with the seeker, I would like to learn more about loving someone and perhaps one day I will know how to give you back all you have given to me.”

Faramir returned the sweet kiss and smiled a little as Rahl said he could feel and see he was loved. It did not matter that Rahl didn’t love him in return, Faramir thought; he loved Rahl enough for the both of them. “You give me enough, never doubt that… I know you have never known love but you… you tolerate mine and you let me be with you and you take care of me and care for my safety and comfort, that is enough,” he whispered.

“Do I really?” Rahl whispered, suddenly filled with doubt. He had no trouble speaking honestly with Faramir, given all they’d shared – plus it helped to know that he could simply take this conversation from Faramir’s mind should he say too much. “Give you enough, I mean? Sometimes I wonder, because the fondness I have for you feels… natural and the attraction – well, there has never been a question about that. But I don’t feel that I give you very much at all sometimes.”

Faramir smiled when Rahl said he was fond of him. “Yes, love. I am happy here with you and when I have wanted for things… you’ve always provided them for me,” he whispered. “I am just glad that you want me and that I can be with you like this, that I can help you with your plans, help you with your ledgers and be a part of your daily life. You’ve given me a safe place to live, you protect me, all my comforts are more than met and you give me physical pleasure beyond anything I have ever known before… I feel you have given me a great deal my love.”

Rahl gave Faramir a rare smile, one that made his eyes sparkle and his lips turn up at both sides; one that showed just how happy he really was at the moment, even though he couldn’t put it into words. “I am glad you are happy,” he whispered, brushing his lips over his lover’s cheek. “Now… for those protection spells.” He started murmuring every spell he could think of, some more than once, and never even took note of the fact that when he was done, Faramir actually had more spells on him than Rahl himself did. He would have said it was merely an oversight had anyone called him on it, but of course, no one would ever know, not even, it seemed, Rahl himself.

The smile on Rahl’s face almost took Faramir’s breath away, rarely did the man truly smile but when he did, he was so incredibly handsome. The sweet kiss to his cheek made his own smile widen and he could feel warmth wash over him as spell after spell was cast on him. It seemed to take a bit before Rahl was satisfied and they both dressed to go down to the Garden of Life, Faramir had only read about but never visited. He was apprehensive but, Rahl knew what he was doing, he was a powerful wizard and Faramir had to trust in his lover that he wouldn’t get hurt again.

Chapter 21

In the days that passed after Rahl’s injury, Faramir stayed even closer to his lover than before. He was always with Rahl, not returning to his own garden during times when Rahl met with his soldiers though staying silent even when the others angered his lover with their arguments and bickering amongst themselves.

They had spent the morning in Rahl’s study, going over plans after hearing that the seeker had made it into D’Haran territories. Faramir wished that there was a way to keep the seeker far from Rahl but he knew they must battle eventually and end this waiting and fear.

Faramir was bent over a map, looking at the locations of the various garrisons of D’Haran soldiers when a knock at the door sounded. It was a little early for lunch, Faramir thought as he looked up at his lover.

Annoyed at the intrusion, Rahl slammed his hand down on his desk and glared at the door as if that alone would make his visitor go away. And it very well could, he thought, if he felt like putting a spell behind it. “What?”

“It is only me, Master Rahl, Demmin. I am sorry to disturb you,” was heard from the other side of the door.

Rahl’s annoyance immediately turned into a rare smile that normally, only Faramir had ever seen. The locks unlocked at once and he stood, then strode over to the door to meet his guest. “Demmin!” he grinned, placing a hand on the larger man’s shoulder. That in itself was unusual, for Rahl normally never touched anyone but Faramir these days. “My friend, how I have missed you! I was beginning to think you had died in battle or the seeker had found you and let his confessor touch you!”

Demmin shuddered at the very thought and bowed to Rahl even as he too put his hand on the man’s shoulder affectionately.

“Never, my Lord. I would never leave your side. It hurt me to leave you unprotected for as long as I have, but I knew you had entrusted me with an important task. I am only glad to return home so that I may further serve you.”

Faramir jumped a bit when Rahl had slammed his fist on his desk but stood ready to do anything he could to protect Rahl if he needed to. When a deep voice spoke and Rahl actually smiled Faramir was puzzled. He stood from where he was leaning over the map and stared as the large soldier entered the room, Rahl treating him with… affection and friendship that he never treated anyone with… except perhaps Faramir himself. He knew he was staring as the too men spoke, a strange feeling churning in his gut as his lover smiled so freely at this other man. He was unsure who this man was and why he was here now… and found himself wishing he would just leave and stop touching and looking at his lover with such familiarity.

Demmin leaned closer to Rahl and started telling him of his journey, making sure his master knew of just how daring and courageous he had had to be to accomplish what Rahl had sent him to do. He’d retrieved one of the boxes of Orden and carried it safely with him in a large leather satchel draped across his shoulders and resting near his heart, the safest place he knew to put it. He was starting to pull it out when he noticed the third man in the room. “My Lord… I did not realize you had a… guest.” His features hardened and he looked at Faramir with distaste, deciding he was nothing more than a common pleasure slave sent to Rahl’s library for a quick encounter. “My apologies… I did not realize I was interrupting one of your liaisons.”

Rahl looked up at Faramir, gave him a hurried smile and shook his head. “We’ve not time for introductions now, Demmin, show me the box.” His hands began grasping at the leather satchel Demmin carried, paying no mind that it was still attached to the man himself.

Faramir glared at Demmin, not liking the way he was so familiar with Rahl and just generally not liking the man one bit. He couldn’t dispute that he wasn’t a pleasure slave really, he was but he was also Rahl’s lover, confidant these past months and helped him with strategy. Faramir moved from the maps he had been going over and looked at the larger man. He moved closer to Rahl. “Now you have two of the three, love,” he whispered. Rahl had insisted that Faramir no longer call him, my lord and Faramir was more than happy to call him ‘love’ in front of this man.

Faramir’s familiarity was natural and welcomed by Rahl, and he barely blinked at the endearment. His smile was turned toward his lover and he slipped an arm around his waist, pulling him closer. “Demmin, you know I am not a patient man,” he snapped – but not as angrily as he might have at anyone else. “Let us see that box!”

Demmin was speechless at the little exchange between Rahl and the man next to him, a man Rahl obviously was comfortable and affectionate with. That was so out of character, Demmin actually stepped back, wondering if somehow, Rahl’s protection spells had failed and he’d been… changed. The look in the man’s eyes, however, caused him to shudder. Friends or not, he knew Rahl would have no qualms about reading or hurting him; it was more often than not, the only way he knew how to get his point across. “My Lord, do you think this… this slave should see it? Should touch it? I ask only because I am concerned for your safety…”

Faramir’s eyes narrowed as this Demmin called him a slave again. It grated on his nerves the way the man said it so distastefully. “Why? Is the box hexed in some way? Darken, can you be certain that this man is loyal to you?” Faramir asked, still glaring defiantly and very little like a slave at the man.

Demmin’s hand went to his sword at once. “You dare call Master Rahl by any other name?” he hissed. “Who are you and what have you done to him?”

Rahl glared at Demmin and waved a hand in his direction. The sword in the guard’s hand suddenly disappeared and he was left clutching thin air. “I suggest, my old friend, that you show this man a bit of respect. He is my… companion, and I will not have you threaten him. Our history together, Demmin, allows you certain… privileges, but they can all be taken away with one wave of my fingers. Do I make myself clear?”

Demmin gasped and stared at Rahl as if he’d never seen him before in his life – and he was beginning to wonder if this was his master after all. “But…” He composed himself, thinking he should play along for the moment anyway, and take care of the slave later. “I meant no disrespect, my lord. I only…” He jumped as Rahl’s face grew even darker and the satchel around his torso suddenly was jerked off him by unseen hands. A moment later, Rahl had the box of Orden in his hand and was actually holding it so his slave could see it as well. “Master Rahl, may I place it with the other box for you?”

Rahl simply waved his hand and moved away from both men to sit at his desk and study his prize. He was lost for the moment in the wonder of the box and paid little attention to the other two men in the room.

A smug smile appeared on Faramir’s face as Rahl chastised Demmin though he was a little surprised with just how obsessed Rahl seemed with the box. He had been searching ages for the thing, however, so he should have known. He watched his lover carefully, hoping that the box was not hexed. “Where did you find it? The last missive sent to the hunters was that it may be in the Agaden Reach region,” Faramir asked, wondering if his own message sent via Rahl’s hand was the reason the box was able to be located.

Glaring at the slave, Demmin drew up to his full height and crossed his arms over his chest. “I do not answer to slaves,” he hissed under his breath so Rahl couldn’t hear him. “I am Master Rahl’s closest friend, his most trusted confidant and I answer to no one but him.”

“As Master Rahl told you, I am not a slave, I am his companion,” Faramir said through gritted teeth. “And I am the one who has been working on the puzzle of where the boxes were located… do you think all pleasure slaves work on maps? Perhaps it is just my hobby then?” Faramir snapped, irritated at the man.

Demmin’s eyes narrowed though he was careful not to let Rahl hear him… just in case. “You are a passing fancy that my Lord will soon tire of and you will be sent to the slave quarters just like the rest of his ‘companions.’” He had no real frame of reference – Rahl had never brought a slave into his libraries for longer than it took to fuck him, and he’d certainly never let one see his maps or called one his companion. Something was off here, Demmin knew it, and though Master Rahl might by annoyed with him at first, he knew that one day, when this upstart young slave was sent on his way or beaten or even killed, then he would receive praises for seeing through the man. “You would do well to close your mouth. I have known him since we were children together and we have shared more than you could ever imagine. Don’t you dare think you know him better than I do.”

Faramir felt slapped when Demmin called him a passing fancy. One of his worst fears was that Rahl would grow tired of him and Faramir swallowed hard. Rahl had never spoken of this man, which seemed odd. If they were truly friends would Rahl not have mentioned him? “It seems strange to me that I have been with Darken for almost a year now and he has told me much about his childhood, his father and so many other things… but in all that time he has never once mentioned you to me. Are you so sure you are so important to him?”

A large hand automatically reached for his sword again, only to find it was not there. Demmin barely restrained himself from simply grabbing the slave before him and snapping his neck. Only the fact that Rahl was still in the room and might not like his plaything to be broken stopped him. “He sent me out on the most important mission of all, one that will save him and give him all the power in the world. What have you done for him besides part your legs and perhaps open your mouth?”

Faramir shook his head and smiled almost evilly for him. “And who do you think sent you information on where the boxes might be? I too was working on the same thing as you… and sending reports where they were likely to be located based on intelligence reports from troops and those loyal to our lord. I just happen to give him the additional benefit of my body as well as my mind, my loyalty and my love.”

“Your… love?” Demmin actually sputtered and looked at the man like he’d lost his mind. He was loyal to Rahl, his most loyal subject and best friend, but Lord Rahl had power and magic and cunningness… he’d never in all of Demmin’s years, had love. He honestly thought Rahl would not do well with it. Besides, since when did slaves help with strategy and…

Before either of them could speak, Rahl lifted his eyes from the box in his hand. “I know that the two of you would not be fighting right in front of me,” he said smoothly, a low, dangerous undercurrent in his voice. “I expect you to be great friends, since you are my most loyal supporters and it would make me very… unhappy… if you did not get along.”

Faramir startled a little at Rahl’s voice, so angry he almost forgot his lover was in the room. “Forgive me, love, I… it seems Demmin has it in his mind that I am nothing but a slave and I was attempting to clarify myself with him,” Faramir said, trying to be as diplomatic was possible. He was a slave of sorts but not the way Demmin imagined him to be.

Rahl sighed, stood and tucked the box safely in a large pocket inside his robes. He made his way back over to the two men, not trying to hide his impatience. “Demmin.” His voice was steady but his eyes were dark. “Is there a problem? Or did you not hear me tell you to treat this man with respect?”

Demmin paled and ran a hand nervously over his face. Rahl terrified him when he was like this even more than when he was in a rage. “My Lord, I only…” He cleared his throat, straightened his shoulders and took a deep breath. “This man speaks to me as if I am beneath him, and everyone knows I am your second in command. He… he proposes to take my place at your side? Is that his plan?”

Faramir felt vindicated when Rahl joined them, reminding Demmin to treat him with respect. He gave the larger man a smug look that wasn’t normally seen on his face, but it felt good to be made to feel like at least somewhat of an equal and not so much of a slave as he did when he first came to D’Hara. He watched Demmin’s reaction and a part of him felt a bit sorry for him. “Gods,” Faramir sighed. “I do not propose to take your place as a commander but you also spoke to me as if I were beneath you… take what you give as they say,” Faramir snapped.

“You are beneath me,” Demmin muttered. Before he could even take a breath, Rahl was on him, his face so close for a moment Demmin thought he might be kissed. The look in Rahl’s eyes, however, were not exactly conducive to anything nearly as pleasant. “You are my closest friend, Demmin,” Rahl whispered, his voice nearly a caress over Demmin’s skin. “You are like my brother, and I know you think you are looking out for my best interests.” He pulled back just a bit, but kept their gazes locked. “But I will not warn you again.”

Demmin merely nodded, knowing he was treading on the thinnest of ice. “I am… sorry, My Lord,” he said softly. “Please forgive me. I have looked after you for so long, I do not relish seeing anyone else do it.”

Feeling even better after Rahl scolded the other man and Demmin apologized, Faramir felt himself relax just a little bit. Besides, how would he feel if Boromir suddenly took a lover and didn’t tell him about it? So he tried his best to think of things that way, though it wasn’t easy. Faramir hadn’t realized he was quite possessive and jealous until now. “I suppose we can both agree that we only have Darken’s best interests at heart,” Faramir said looking at the man again and offering a brief nod.

“I have had his best interests at heart since we were children,” Demmin said. He held up one hand and bowed to Rahl when the other man’s gaze turned toward him again. “I merely am stating a fact, my Lord. One you know to be true.”

Rahl hesitated, then sighed. “I need to know more about how you found this, Demmin, and I will attribute your rudeness to having been gone for so long. We need to talk, but I am not going to spend the rest of the day settling arguments between the two of you.”

His gaze wandered back to the box and a wave of impatience at both men washed over him. At that moment, nothing but the box mattered. Waving his hand and already heading back to his desk, he let his fingers trail over the box, once again lost in thought.
“Since the two of you cannot seem to control your tempers, Faramir, please go to your garden for a while. I need to speak with my commander alone.”

Faramir opened his mouth ready to argue really but he could see the look on Rahl’s face. He snapped his mouth shut and gave Demmin one last glare before heading to the doorway. He turned back to look at his lover for a moment and had to bite his tongue against a scathing remark when Demmin smiled smugly at him. He left the room, muttering to himself about being sent away like a child to their bed chamber for acting out and it was probably lucky that he was so caught up in his anger that he didn’t notice Bergan bite back a snicker behind his back as he disappeared down the hallway.

Rahl spent the rest of the afternoon getting every last detail out of Demmin about where he’d been, what he’d seen and heard, and how he’d found the second box. His earlier annoyance at the man was soon forgotten and their easy camaraderie was soon renewed as if Demmin had never been away. Still, Rahl felt something was missing – he’d grown used to having Faramir with him and found himself wondering what his take would have been on many of the events and rumors Demmin shared with him. He couldn’t put it into words exactly, but not having Faramir next to him made him feel a little out of sorts. It was nearly dinnertime by the time they left his study. The were walking side by side, still talking and sharing an occasional smile about a reference to some long ago remembrance. Rahl automatically led Demmin to the garden to fetch Faramir, not even really noticing where they were going.

Faramir was surprised that Rahl had spent so long in the study with Demmin and after a few hours passed, his mood darkened even more. He’d been sent away like an errant child! He was angry at Rahl for that but more so at Demmin. If they were such great friends why hadn’t Rahl mentioned it before? He paced around the garden and nearly destroyed an entire bouquet of flowers as he picked one here and there and set about shredding the poor thing in his hands as he paced.

Meanwhile, as they walked down the hallway, Demmin stopped for a moment, forcing Rahl to do the same. “I must ask you something, old friend,” he began and looked at Rahl for a moment. “Tell me how you met this Faramir? I… I cannot help but worry that he could be a problem, perhaps you are not seeing past his pretty face?”

Rahl rubbed at this bottom lip and gave Demmin a knowing smile. “He is more than a pretty face,” he explained, resting a hand on the other man’s shoulder. “And I know you only worry for me, so I will put your mind at ease. I saw him in the palantir. He is not even from this world. I sent for him, brought him to my bed, but found him to be a more than pleasing companion in more ways than just the bedroom. He has proven himself many times over, and is as devoted as you, I think. Perhaps even more so.”

Demmin frowned when Rahl said this man was even more devoted than he was. “I doubt that he is more devoted than I am, I have been with you for years, my lord. I have served you unswervingly in those years and will continue to do so, this man… how can he be more devoted a servant?” Demmin asked truly curious how Rahl could even think that. The man was not from their world, did not know their ways and did not have the history that Demmin did with his master.

Clasping both hands behind his back, Rahl began to pace back and forth across the short hallway. He didn’t particularly like anyone knowing his business, but Demmin was a dear and devoted friend, and he trusted him implicitly. He gave a half smile and shrugged. “He loves me,” he said simply. “Not just loves me, but is in love with me. He said some time ago, says it often, and he has proven it time and time again.”

Demmin stared at his friend in shock. “And you just believed him?” he asked but then saw the look on Rahl’s face. “Ah, so you know for certain,” he murmured, knowing the pain of a reading himself. “I do care about you as my friend but… that sort of love is dangerous and distracting,” he said after a moment. “You cannot afford distractions with the seeker past the boundaries and within D’Haran territory. I plan to take men out in search of him myself in the morning. What can he do besides distract you from what needs to be done? You say he is more valuable than just for sex… he claimed that he was the one who figured out where the box of Orden was… is this true? If so, why is he not being put to more use as a commander?”

“He did narrow down the search a great deal, even used the clues we have so far to find the very town you found the box in,” Rahl nodded, casting his gaze in the direction of Faramir’s garden. “As for dangerous and distracting – I did not say I loved him back. I said he loves me. He started out as a slave, but is now more of a… friend, I suppose, as well as a lover and an advisor. His ideas are sound and he is quite intelligent. In his own world he was a captain of many men, an army of his own, but my men, as you well know, would be wary of him. They do not know him or trust him like I do, and will always see him as a mere slave. Besides… he is content to simply be with me, and… quite honestly, I like to see him happy, so I allow it.”

Shaking his head, Demmin sighed. He was impressed the man helped him find the box they had been searching for and glad that Rahl did not love the man back. That made him feel somewhat better. “I suppose you are right… though I have never known you to care so much for a persons happiness… well… at least not openly as you show it for him. I have seen you do kind things for others even myself over the years so I know you are a good man, always have believed that, but… it is still surprising. Forgive me for being so nosy, I have been away almost a year and come back to find you in surprisingly good spirits and with a man I did not know acting so familiar with you. In all my years I have never called you by your first name as he does… I find it disrespectful, you are my leader and my master, even as a child I never broke that protocol. It… frankly, took me off guard,” he explained.

Laughing softly, Rahl realized his old friend had a point. “He is respectful, always has been, but I do understand how you feel,” he conceded. “Calling me by my first name is a fairly recent event. I was trying out a new spell a few weeks ago, and was gravely injured. I nearly died – and think I would have had he not been there. He questioned the healer before he would let the man touch me, then nursed me back to health while the healer regained his strength to come back a second time. He was so worried for me, Demmin, and never left my side. So when he called me by my given name, I decided he had more than earned the right to call me whatever he likes – which is often my name, but sometimes nice little endearments no one has ever directed at me before. I find that I do not know how to react oftentimes, but… I am getting used to it.”

Surprised that Rahl had been hurt, Demmin looked at him seriously for a moment. “I am glad you are well then,” he said softly. “I owe him then, for saving my oldest and dearest friend’s life. I am still not sure I like him,” Demmin admitted. “But I will try to be on my best behavior, though you do know my temper, my lord. When I am pushed I push back, and he seemed to enjoy pushing me earlier.” He began to walk again when he saw Rahl glance down the hallway again, obviously wanting to get to where he was going.

Rahl was silent until they reached the door that led out to Faramir’s garden. As Demmin opened it and stepped back for Rahl to exit, the dark wizard stopped and wrapped one arm around Demmin’s shoulders. He tilted his head and moved closer until his lips were next to the other man’s ear. “Do not make me choose between the two of you,” he said softly. “I need you both, but I cannot stand this constant bickering.” With that, he pulled away and looked out into the garden without waiting for an answer.

Demmin nodded, when Rahl said he did not wish to choose between he and Faramir. He may have a history but he did not ever share his friend’s bed… and he knew that Faramir had that advantage on him at least.

When the door to the garden opened, Faramir looked up and dropped the poor flower he’d plucked to pieces. He hoped it was only Rahl but his smile faltered when he saw the large man, Demmin enter behind his lover. “I was beginning to worry you’d forgotten me,” Faramir said, trying his best to keep his voice light, though a part of him was still annoyed at the other man for monopolizing his lover’s time and now he was here in his garden that Rahl made for him.

Rahl crossed over to his lover and looked down at the shredded flower that lay on the ground. He had the grace to hide his amusement, however, and merely rested one hand on Faramir’s lower back. “Forget you? That would be hard to do, since I ordered your favorite dinner tonight to thank you for your help in finding the second box. Besides…” His hand rubbed up and down Faramir’s back, and his missed the look of surprise on Demmin’s face. “I miss not having you with me. There is much Demmin told me I would like to share with you. Your experience as a captain in your world would be of great benefit in helping us plan our next move.”

Faramir couldn’t help but move into the touch and looked at his lover, forgetting Demmin for the moment as his own arm slipped around his lover’s waist. “You know I would be glad to help in any way possible,” Faramir said softly and smiled a little at his lover. “My favorite dinner as well… I think I can forgive you for making me wait so long to see you again,” he teased a little then, though his smile immediately slipped away as he looked at Demmin coolly. “Will… will your friend be joining us then?” Faramir asked, fervently hoping he was not.

Blue eyes searched Faramir’s handsome face before Rahl answered. “Please remember, he is my friend, Faramir. He has saved my life twice, has been with me for nearly all my life, helped me when I was little and my father used his magic to hurt me and I could not heal myself.” He looked from Faramir to Demmin and back to his lover agian. “He will not be joining us simply because I am in no mood to play peacekeeper between the two of you all evening.”

Faramir felt his face color when Rahl answered and Demmin too looked somewhat embarrassed as well. Faramir hung his head a little and nodded. “Yes, love,” he answered not wanting to discuss anything further with Demmin still there. Demmin thankfully seemed to take the hint though.

“I will be leaving in the morning and I would like to speak with you before I leave, my lord to determine what my course of action should be. If you will excuse me, I would like to return to my chambers and get cleaned up. It has been a long day for me… I… am thankful to you Faramir for saving our master’s life recently. I had not known of the accident… I am glad you were there for him,” he said. He bowed slightly to Rahl. “My lord.” He turned and left, feeling as if he’d had the final word with Faramir at least and knew the man was probably stewing a little now.

Oh of all the… Faramir had to bite his tongue and though it was true he had cared for Rahl during an absolutely terrifying time the way that Demmin had acted as if he were the bigger man by being so polite irked Faramir. He sighed and looked at his lover seriously once the door closed behind Demmin. “I am sorry for causing problems but he just… that man just gets under my skin for some reason,” Faramir said, not admitting that he was jealous.

Rahl tucked Faramir’s hair behind his ear and let his hand slide down to rest on the curve of his neck. “He is the only other person in the world who truly cares for me,” he explained. “I had hoped you two would be friends, and… I did tell him not to make me choose between the two of you. I am asking you the same thing, Faramir. Please do not put me in that position. I could put a spell on you both and force a friendship, but I really don’t want to do that.”

Faramir looked up into Rahl’s eyes and sighed. “I do not want that either, because it would not be real. I just… he was so… and you,” Faramir paused as he tried to explain how he felt. “I was well… am jealous of him. He obviously knows you better than I do, has known you longer and… I… feel threatened by him. You and he have never um… you two have never been intimate have you?” Faramir asked and in his mind a chant was raging please say no, please say no over and over again.

Jealously was the last thing Rahl expected, especially since he had taken no lover since Faramir had been delivered to him. This time, he couldn’t help but smile, and realized that Demmin was probably jealous too, just in another way. “No, Faramir, Demmin and I have never been intimate,” he said softly. “He has never shared my bed, we have never kissed, and I have never allowed him to see the scars that shamed me. Demmin and I are just good friends. He serves me, commands my armies, and tries, much like you, to keep me safe.”

Faramir relaxed a little when he realized that Demmin at least had not been intimate with Rahl. “Oh… I… Gods, I… I suppose I was foolish but he was rude to me and I just… could not help myself,” Faramir explained. “I suppose I could have handled things better but… you do realize you made me look like a child sending me away like that,” he murmured.

Rahl raised one eyebrow and was torn between laughing and growling. “First of all, it sounds as if you are actually scolding me. Second of all, you were acting like a child, so I had no choice. Had I not needed to talk to Demmin, I would have sent him away, not you.” He gave in and finally smiled before placing a kiss at the corner of his lover’s mouth. “And third – you have this beautiful garden made especially for you and Demmin has nothing but a small room with a bed and a chair. I would not think spending a few hours here would be any great chore.”

Faramir had the grace to blush when Rahl spoke and looked down. He deserved that he supposed. Then Rahl kissed him and he returned the small smile. “You are right, I should have behaved better. I… I’ve never behaved like that but… I do not think I’ve ever felt that jealous before. It… felt as if a knife was twisting in my stomach, thinking that you had someone else… someone… someone not a slave. Someone who had come back and now would… would replace me.”

Surprise was evident on Rahl’s face when Faramir’s words registered. In truth, he hadn’t even considered replacing Faramir with another slave since their first few days together, and even then, it was simply because it had been the way he’d always operated. After a startlingly short while, however, he realized that no one had ever come close to satisfying him like Faramir did both inside and outside of the bedroom, and from there, their relationship had changed in too many ways to count. He moved in, wrapped both arms around his lover and placed a kiss on the side of his neck. “I suppose I should tell you the truth,” he whispered. “You are irreplaceable, Faramir. There is no one else I want, slave or no, and you know in your heart you have become more than a slave to me.”

Faramir swallowed hard when Rahl spoke, his words making his heart skip in his chest. He closed his eyes and captured his lover’s lips in a deep kiss. He rarely initiated kisses but this time he couldn’t stop himself. He couldn’t explain how wonderful his lover’s words made him feel, so the only thing he could think of was to show him. When he drew back for breath he was smiling happily as his fingers wove through his lover’s hair. “I love you, so very much. I wish I knew more ways to tell you and show you,” he whispered.

Having trouble looking away from Faramir’s now red and kiss-swollen lips, Rahl returned his lover’s smile and wondered what it would feel like to say those words himself. The phrase “I love you,” though, had never once slipped past his lips and the feeling had never touched his heart as far as he knew, but it must be wonderful indeed, he thought, to make Faramir’s eyes sparkle in such a manner. “You could start by being nice to Demmin,” he suggested.

Faramir frowned a bit at Rahl’s suggestion but nodded. “I would do anything for you… so yes, I will try my best, love,” he whispered. He smiled a bit mischievously as a thought struck him. “And he has agreed to try to be nice to me as well? Or am I going to have to try to be the mature one?”

Rahl laughed and shook his head. “He has agreed as well. And if you try really, really hard, I will make sure you are justly rewarded when we go to bed tonight.” He pulled Faramir close again and pressed his lips against his lover’s ear, whispering softly. “Perhaps a nice, warm mouth might just appear around your cock tonight after I handcuff you to the headboard and see just how many fingers I can fit up inside that tight little hole of yours… or we could try those new nipple clamps the jeweler made last week on those perfect little nipples you have. Poor Demmin will get no such reward – merely my thanks. I think that makes you the winner no matter what happens between the two of you, don’t you?”

Faramir moaned from just the thought of Rahl doing those things to him and shivered in his lover’s arms. “Oh, Gods, yes… I believe you are right, love,” he whispered breathlessly. “Perhaps… we should go to dinner now… or at least return to your chambers?” Faramir asked, rocking his hips against his lover and licking his lips.

Long fingers slipped down to entangle with Faramir’s. They fit together naturally, and neither man pulled away as Rahl shifted his hips and let his smile grow wider. “Dinner in our chambers, I think,” he said, tugging his lover toward the door. “And I feel particularly messy tonight. If I drop any dessert on me, you might have to clean me off… with your tongue.”

Faramir practically ran to keep up with his lover as they headed to the door and he laughed as his lover spoke. “Oh, now that sounds interesting… perhaps… dessert in bed then?” Faramir suggested, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

“I think that can be arranged.” Rahl had two of the three boxes he’d been seeking, there had been no sign of the seeker for weeks, he was feeling more relaxed and hopeful than he’d felt in a long time, and… Faramir was with him. He didn’t try to figure out which was more important, but if he had, it would have been an easy enough choice.

Chapter 22

The day started out as any other had in recent months. Rahl and Faramir woke before dawn together and spent the early part of their morning exploring one another’s bodies and exhausting themselves back to sleep until breakfast came. They shared their meal together and then headed for Rahl’s study where Rahl went over his spell books and ledgers and reports from captains in the field while Faramir explored maps and ancient tomes about magic and history of D’Hara.

During his reading Faramir found a passage about a scroll that held a spell that could possibly defeat the magic of the seeker’s sword. His head snapped up as he realized what he read and he immediately told his lover what he’d found. They were both excited about the possibility of the spell and scroll actually existing. The library where the ancient scrolls of the house of Rahl were stored in a tower room and even Faramir was far too excited to look around them as they went up the long winding staircase to the tower.

When they reached the library, Rahl maneuvered them both around dozens of shelves to the back of the room where the oldest of the scrolls were carefully preserved. He reached for the one they would need, cast a spell over it so it wouldn’t be quite so delicate, and quickly unrolled it. They moved toward the window where there was more light and he handed one side to Faramir. Faramir wouldn’t understand the magic of course, but it didn’t feel right not to share this moment with him, when he’d been directly responsible for finding the clue that had led them here. “This is it… this spell, if done correctly will drain the magic from the seeker’s sword and kill him the first time he tries to use it.” He smiled at his lover and threw both arms around him. “Thank you, Faramir. You may have just saved us both.”

Faramir stared at the strange markings on the parchment, not understanding them in the least but he knew Rahl would. “If it works…” Faramir said softly as his lover actually hugged him. Rahl did not give hugs really, he either held him for kisses or for sex but rarely actually hugged him so Faramir naturally sank into it holding his lover in return. “Gods, I hope it works, the entry I read did not say if it actually worked or not in the past.” Faramir drew back and looked into his lover’s eyes and smiled. “Can it be cast from a distance?”

“A very short distance it seems,” Rahl explained. “And if…” He stopped abruptly as he heard a noise at the door. Despite all his spells on them both, he pushed Faramir behind him – something he would never to do anyone else – and shoved the scroll into his hands. “Who’s there?”

Faramir was startled when Rahl shoved him behind him and clutched the scroll in his hands. Surely it was just Bergan or a servant or one of the captains, but Rahl’s stance had Faramir worried as if he sensed something Faramir could not. “I thought I heard Bergan’s voice,” he said as he realized what the sound was.

The door opened and Krenn was standing in it. “It is just I, my lord, I have important news for you that could not wait,” Krenn said as he closed the heavy door behind him. “I bring news of the seeker and I know you are eager to hear what I have to say.”

The hair on the back of Rahl’s neck rose and he glared at the man before him. He always locked the doors from the inside when he entered a room but this time, he’d been so excited about the scroll, he’d simply forgotten. Something was wrong, but he couldn’t put his finger on it. “Why were you not announced?” he asked suspiciously. “Bergan knows better than to let someone just walk in on me and you know better as well, Krenn.”

Krenn advanced into the room and laughed. “That I might know, if I were actually Krenn,” he said as the glamour slipped away and before them stood a young man that Faramir did not recognize but he knew in his heart was the seeker.

Faramir moved from behind Rahl to stand at his lover’s side. “How… how did…” he wanted to ask how the man got in but it was obvious that he’d used a spell. He was alone though, the other two they had been seeking were not with him and that gave Faramir some hope.

So this is it, Rahl thought, his magic rolling in him and making his fingers tingle. Some, but not all of his magic would work on the seeker – mostly only spells he’d learned in the underworld. He was sure Zeddicus had protected the boy from many, but there were a few tricks even the old wizard didn’t know Rahl possessed. “Stay back, Faramir. He is here for me…” His gaze never left the man in front of him even as he smiled. “Aren’t you Richard? Come to fulfill the prophecy fools like Zeddicus have filled your head with?”

Faramir shook his head. “I will stand with you, my love,” he said softly. Faramir laid the scroll down on a nearby ledge and turned to his lover, he had no weapons of his own but he would fight by his lover’s side. “Give me a weapon, I will not stand idly by and watch this,” Faramir whispered for only Rahl to hear.

Richard smiled and nodded. “I have come to fulfill my destiny and yours… you know you will die by my sword, Rahl. That is why you fear me… all of your magic and deception and you fear me,” Richard said as he drew his sword and held it before him. “I had hoped to find you alone, I have no wish to kill your slave but if they interfere, I will.”

Amazingly to Rahl at least, his fear was more for Faramir than for himself. It was an odd feeling to say the least, one that was totally unexpected, and one that he would consider later, when this was over. He didn’t want Faramir to fight – he merely wanted him to stay back out of harm’s way, but he knew his lover better than that. A wave of his hand caused a sword from a cabinet in the corner of the room to sail from its hiding place to Faramir’s hand. It distracted the seeker for a moment, and Rahl took full advantage. An underworld spell was uttered and a blue light flew across the room toward his potential assassin, but merely bounced back and showered both Rahl and Faramir with sparks of light. A second spell did the same. “Zeddicus and the sword… they protect you well,” he observed. “I would expect no less.”

Richard was taken aback slightly by the sword that came to the slave’s hand, he imagined he might gain an ally if what he’d heard about Rahl’s slaves was true. Before he could say anything, Rahl sent two spells his way but the sword and the protective spells Zedd had cast on him were holding for now. Richard smiled. “Of course I would not come without protection against your magic… I learned that lesson once if you recall,” he answered. He looked to the slave and offered a kinder smile. “You do not have to fight for him, wouldn’t you like your freedom? Freedom from his games and the pain he puts you through?”

Faramir laughed and shook his head. “You are a fool if you cannot see that I have no wish to be free. I already am free and I will not stand by and watch you kill the man that I love nor will I side with you, seeker!” Faramir snapped, readying himself with his sword. He had no magic of his own but he did have protective spells over him, cast by Rahl himself so Faramir felt he could hold his own against the seeker if he had to.

Despite the direness of the situation, Rahl’s smile widened and he felt so very proud of Faramir… and happy that the man loved him. It was a gift indeed, one he wanted to give serious thought to returning once this seeker problem had been taken care of. “He is no slave,” he said, surprising everyone in the room. “He is my lover, and he is loyal to me.” Another spell, this one much more powerful than the first two, was cast, and when it was repelled by the wizard’s web around the seeker, it bounced back, much like the spell that had nearly killed him. The force of it caused Rahl to take a step back and pull Faramir with him. “You can be free as well, Richard.” Rahl’s voice took on an eerily calm, soothing edge that he used when he wanted something. “You can serve me and have an army of your own. All you have to do is put your sword down.”

The man that he loved? Richard barely heard Rahl, he was shocked by the mention of love, having thought that Rahl was incapable of anyone loving him. This man did not look possessed and claimed to be free of all things… that was not what Zedd had told him would be the case. He shook his head at Rahl’s words, taking a step closer to the wizard. “Free? Do you really expect me to believe that? You will kill me if I lower my sword, just as you have been trying to do since the moment I was born!” He said angrily. “You speak of a lover and loyalty, you killed my father, you turned my brother against me… and you murdered my mother… and you expect me to believe you would just accept me into your army. I am not a fool!” Richard’s anger drove him forward, lifting his sword, directed toward Rahl but Faramir was the one who stepped forward first.

Faramir rushed at the man trying to keep him from Rahl and engaged him, his sword ringing loudly as it clashed with the seeker’s. Faramir managed to hold his own against the magical sword. The man was smaller than Faramir in build and height but it seemed as if he was huge, the force of his blows driving Faramir back. He realized it was the power of the sword and redoubled his own efforts, knowing that Rahl would seek an opportunity to use magic against their enemy.

Startled by Faramir’s distraction, Rahl nonetheless knew he was a gifted swordsman and knew he had to trust him. He cast every dark spell he could think of and cursed under his breath as one by one, they either dissipated or were thrown back at him, weakening his own spells of protection. Finally, he gathered his strength and prepared to cast two of his most powerful spells at once. “Leave him alone!” he yelled as he spelled a sword of his own into his hands, unable to simply stand by and watch the two men fight any longer. He thrust the sword forward, hoping to at least distract the seeker and cast his spells, desperately clinging to the hope that they wouldn’t be thrown back at him by Zeddicus’s magic. As soon as they left him, however,
he knew the were going to do just that. A force like a stone wall was thrust toward both him and Faramir, weakening their defenses and knocking him against a book case which fell to the ground behind him. He began casting more protective spells on Faramir at once, but he had the sinking feeling that the old wizard’s magic had wormed its way inside the webs around them both and would keep any other spells away.

Faramir stumbled back as Rahl’s attempt to disable the seeker rebounded off the man’s protective spells. He regained his footing, not wanting to be back on his heels as the seeker advanced. The man was not a well-trained swordsman really, he hacked with the blade and when he raised it above his head, opening his body to attack, Faramir lunged forward. His blow landed as if he were hitting a wall though, he managed to just barely break the man’s skin rather than run him through because of the protective spells. They sent him backwards, stumbling as if time had slowed but in reality it all happened within moments. His own spells rebounded on the seeker as the sword of truth pierced his chest. He fell against a bookcase, crumpling to the floor in pain and could only seek out his lover’s eyes one final time as he felt his body began to grow cold.

Rahl was still casting spells on Faramir, leaving himself more vulnerable than he’d ever been in his life as he saw the sword pierce his lover’s heart. He was filled with a rage like nothing he’d ever known before and a sorrow so deep he felt as if his own heart had been ripped from his chest. He nearly flew across the room to Faramir’s side and gathered the dying man up in his arms, not even noticing the tears that were freely flowing down his face, and not even caring that his back was toward the seeker. It became clear in an instant – in his dream, the seeker had driven a blade through his heart… just as he had done now, by piercing Faramir with that damnable sword. How could he have missed it for so long?

Richard was stunned by the force of the spells protecting the slave, throwing him back against the opposite wall even as he found a small hole in the spells that had been weakened by Rahl’s rebound spells. He sat down hard, unable to move for a few moments as he stared at the scene before him. Zedd had told him Rahl loved no one, that the man would kill him as soon as he was incapacitated in the least, yet the dark wizard was not even looking at him, instead, hovering over his slave, holding him tenderly. It… wasn’t what he’d expected.

Faramir knew he was dying, knew he had failed his lover. “I…” he coughed and winced from the pain. “I am sorry, love… I tried,” he whispered. When Rahl held him though and looked so terrified and so lost, Faramir tried to offer a smile. “You will still defeat him…” he whispered as everything started to grow dark.

Chapter 23

Shaking his head, denying what was happening right before his eyes, Rahl held his lover closer and smiled. “I’m sorry I brought you into this hateful mess,” he whispered. “You should never have been caught between us.” Without the faintest hesitation, he let his fingertips ghost over Faramir’s dear face and down to his heart, just above the wound. “I love you so much,” he whispered before he uttered the spell that would heal his lover and take away every bit of magic he possessed for many days to come.

Faramir’s vision was fading and he knew the last thing he would see in this world would be his lover’s sad blue eyes, then he felt Rahl’s magic pour into him, the warmth of it, the healing power and he gasped. “No… oh gods, no… do not do this…” he struggled and then was stunned by three simple words. Rahl loved him. He blinked at his lover and gasped as he felt the injury seal and the blood stop running down his chest. “Your magic…” he whimpered sadly, tears springing to his eyes as he realized that he might just live long enough now to see Rahl killed and then his own life would be over anyway. He struggled to sit up, watching as the seeker did the same across the room. “Take the sword, don’t let him kill you,” he whispered, “I want to hear you say those words again… “

Never in his life had Rahl felt such profound relief. He had no magic whatsoever, no protection, little chance against a seeker who not only possessed wizard’s spells but the sword of truth… and he couldn’t have cared less. He smiled at his lover and pressed a kiss against his lips. “I will say it every day,” he promised, “at least a dozen times.” With that, he gently slipped his arm from beneath Faramir’s shoulders, took the sword and turned to face seeker. “You nearly killed him,” he said, in a voice that would have made every man in his army cower and pray for mercy. “I understand you wanting to kill me, but he is off limits to you and that damnable sword.”

Faramir returned teh quick kiss and smiled as he tried to get up, still stunned from what had happened and the wonderful words he’d heard from his lover’s lips for the first time. He was even more terrified now that Rahl had to face the seeker without his powers, knowing that he himself had put his lover in danger by trying to fight against a man protected with magic and a magical sword.

Richard stood across the room, finally getting his bearings and stared at the two men. Rahl… loved the man named Faramir… loved him enough to use his magic to heal him and the man loved him enough to risk his life for him. This was not what he’d been told Rahl was like at all. It was confusing and he stood for a moment just staring at the man as he spoke. He raised his own sword and shook his head. “I had no choice, he challenged me…” Richard said as he advanced on Rahl.

“He challenged you because he loves me,” Rahl hissed, moving in a half circle, never taking his eyes off the other man. “The same as you would do for your precious Confessor if someone was trying to murder her!” His anger was not so much that the seeker had gotten into the castle or was trying to kill him, but that he was trying to take the one person Rahl loved away from him, even though he’d only just recognized his feelings for what they were. “He is innocent! Not even from this world, and you nearly killed him!”
Richard for the first time felt a twinge of guilt. Kahlan meant everything to him… if he were in Rahl’s place, how would he feel? He knew exactly what it would be, what it had been when the woman he loved was threatened, complete rage. He moved, circling the other man, trying to decide what weakness he could find besides his lover. That… was not the kind of man he was, killing a man’s loved ones for revenge wasn’t what the seeker stood for. Doing what Rahl did to him… that was meaningless revenge wasn’t it? But Rahl killed innocents… many of them. He shook his head, trying to clear it. “My father was innocent so was my mother for that matter… I was a baby when you ordered my death… how is it different?” Richard advanced then and swung his sword high at Rahl, the sound of the two blades clashing, rang in the room.

Faramir kept watch from the edge of the room, trying to find a way he could help his lover without getting in the way. There had to be something he could do! He couldn’t stand here and watch this and do nothing at all.

“Everything I have done, I have done for the greater good,” Rahl growled when they each stepped back. He held his sword steady; no novice with it by any means, but unused to fighting without his spells. “Would you not order the death of someone whom you know will dedicate his life to killing you? Would you not wish for safety for yourself and the ones you love?” He stepped forward again, and nicked the seeker’s arm but was rewarded with a sharp jab of steel just above his hip for his efforts. It stung and began bleeding almost at once but he barely noticed, he was so intent on taking the other man down and keeping him away from Faramir. “And, you foolish, stupid boy. I did not kill your father! That ridiculous wizard you travel with killed him! I would know, – I was there!”

Richard stumbled back when Rahl said that Zedd killed his father. “What? You… you ordered Demmin Nass to kill my father!” He yelled as he moved to avoid another slashing blow from Rahl’s sword. They had both drawn blood but at this rate they would be there all day hacking at one another, Richard thought angrily. He needed to focus, but his mind was in a jumble now. Zedd didn’t kill his father!

Faramir gasped when he saw blood spill down his lover’s hip and thigh and moved quickly. He could not stand there and do nothing at all. When Rahl circled again, his lover was no longer standing on the rug at their feet but the seeker was. Faramir moved as quickly as he could and with all the strength he could muster he yanked on the corner of the large ornate rug, throwing the seeker off balance and sending the younger man stumbling backwards into one of the bookcases that rained down parchments and books around him.

The distraction was all it took for Rahl to gain the advantage. He might not have his magic, but he had years of experience and practice behind him, and had been skilled with a sword before Richard was even born.

His blade came down, pierced the seeker’s side and then rested against his neck. “I ordered Demmin Nass to kill the man who had the Book of Counted Shadows. That man was not your father. Your father died when I was but a child. I was standing at his side when the Old One cast wizard’s fire at him. I screamed in agony as I burned right along beside him and watched him die the most horrible death you could imagine.” The blade pressed deeper against Richard’s skin and Rahl reveled in being able to watch as he finally learned the truth. “Our father died cursing Zeddicus’ name, much as I did every time the healers tied my hands so I could not touch the burns he had left on my skin.”

Faramir’s mouth dropped open, he was in as much shock as the seeker seemed to be as he stared at the two men. They were… brothers? He looked from one to the other, seeing a mild resemblance but only a mild one. Why would two brothers be set on killing one another… why?

“You lie!” Richard screamed even as he felt the blade of the sword cutting into him. “We are not brothers, my father was George Cypher!” Even as he said the words though, bits and pieces of things he’d learned on his journey to D’Hara made more sense and he used his leg to kick at Rahl, and managed to move away fast enough that the other man couldn’t take his head off. He began moving faster, fighting both with Rahl and the need to deny his words. “Panis Rahl was not my father, you are just trying to deceive me, trick me into letting my guard down!” He began swinging wildly, forcing Rahl to block him but was unable to push away from the bookcases.

It felt like they fought for hours, but Rahl knew it was only a few minutes. Fighting against the lethal combination of the seeker’s self-righteous anger, the magic of the sword and the old wizard’s spells was exhausting him; however, and he knew he couldn’t keep this up for much longer. The blade sliced across his chest just as he jumped away and he vaguely thought that if he made it out of this alive, his poor lover would have even more scars to see every time they made love. He couldn’t help but smile at the thought, but kept his attention firmly on his nemesis. “Our father heard the prophecy – that one of his sons would kill his firstborn – namely me – and yet he still visited half the women in the village, not giving a damn about me, the son he was suppose to love and protect! You, Richard, had brothers and sisters scattered about over half of D’Hara!” He thrust forward, caught the other man’s tunic with his blade and shook it off. “Why do you think magic works so easily on and for you? Like me, you are our father’s son!”

Richard stumbled a little as he stared at Rahl. “It… it cannot be true,” he whispered. “The same blood that runs in me… no…” he shook his head and winced when something heavy hit him in the back distracting him. As the book fell near his boot, Richard glanced down and a symbol on the cover made him think of what Zedd had told him. How he should be a wizard, that he had more magic in him than he knew… Gods, could it possibly be true?

Faramir felt his heart break for his lover as he fought and told the story of his childhood. He shook his head, trying to find a way to help again. He looked at the books around them; books were something he’d always loved, found solace in as a child. He picked up a large tome and threw it at the seeker, hitting him squarely in the back. The man’s magic was protecting him still but Faramir continued to throw books at the man.

Richard tried to move away from where the man was throwing books at him, distracting him more than hurting him really. “It doesn’t matter, none of this matters… I was sent to kill you and I will and I will be forced to kill all those loyal to you as well… you know this to be true! You know the prophecy!”

Rahl’s eyes darkened and then he gave the seeker a cold smile. “I killed in the name of doing what I felt was right. And you are going to do the same thing – kill those who serve me and are loyal to me – because you think it is right. Tell me, brother,” Rahl pressed the blade even harder against flushed skin. The blood on his arm and chest was flowing freely now, and he’d managed to get it on his hands, making the sword slippery. But he was so very close, he couldn’t stop, could only grip it harder as he yearned to see what thoughts would go through the other man’s head just before he killed him. “How are we so different, you and I?”

Richard’s eyes widened as he looked into Rahl’s, seeing a reflection of himself in some ways. He could not seem to answer the man. Killing Rahl… what did it serve? Did he even know what he planned to do once the man was dead? Take his place? He wasn’t a ruler, never desired to be one. What did he truly want?

Faramir saw the blood on Rahl and almost whimpered. “Please… Richard… a prophecy is just a story… one version of the future that could happen but change one thing and another story is made… what do you desire most in the world? Killing Darken Rahl? Or is there something else you desire more? Forsaking what you want for the sake of some prophecy that was told before you were born… it is ridiculous. There were prophecies in my world… I was one who foresaw the future there and these things changed… with each decision made differently they changed. Change this one,” Faramir said staring at the man and praying he would understand.

Wishing this would just be over with so he could go back to his life with Faramir, Rahl chanced a glace of gratitude up at his lover. The momentary lapse was all the seeker needed to turn, and the sword fell from Rahl’s blood-soaked fingers. He lost precious moments by willing the sword back before he realized he no longer had his magic and then cursed under his breath as he lunged for it.

When Rahl dropped his sword, Faramir cried out and rushed forward toward the two men. “Please! Stop,” Faramir held up his hands beseechingly to the seeker. “Please, Richard. If you have any honor in you… end this, no one must die today, have enough people not died for this prophecy?” Faramir begged as he watched the two brothers stare at one another.

Richard hesitated when Rahl moved to get his sword, his attention on the other man, Faramir. He looked from him to the man who claimed to be his brother and was unsure what he wanted at that moment. Revenge would not bring his loved ones back.

Rahl slowly stood, surprised at Richard’s hesitation and warmed by Faramir’s endless efforts to save him. He stood staring at his half-brother and reached down to give Faramir’s fingers a gentle squeeze. “I have no desire to kill anyone else,” he said softly. “I don’t care about the boxes or the power anymore. My attention has been divided between what I wanted in my old life and what I want in my new one, and I can honestly say I only want to be with this man beside me. We can destroy the boxes, Richard, and you and Kahlan can live together back in the Midlands. I promise no harm will come to either of you.”

Richard wavered for a moment on his feet and shook his head. Could it be that simple? Or could this be a trick? “You have tried to deceive me before, Rahl,” he said warily.

Faramir’s fingers wrapped around Rahl’s feeling warmth flood through him at his lover’s words. When Richard responded, however, he sighed. “Is everyone of your bloodline so stubborn about the truth?” Faramir asked irritably. “Richard… peace… isn’t that what you both want for your world? Peace? Damn the prophecy… there is no reason for this to continue… we… we can leave this place if you want us to, all we want is to be together,” Faramir said looking at his lover for confirmation.

Rahl nodded at once. “He’s right. We can leave all this behind. I don’t care.” A spark of hope that he might survive this after all flared to life and wondered if he might just get that chance to know what it felt like to love someone long term. “Richard, I know I cannot defeat you without my magic and you know you don’t want to kill me without knowing the truth. You aren’t a murder at heart, and you don’t want to kill your own brother. You know you’ve been lied to by those you trusted, yet I can see it in your eyes. You don’t really want to do this until you’re sure… and by the time you’re sure, I’ll have my powers back and you won’t stand a chance.”

Richard considered Faramir’s words and found himself laughing at Rahl’s and shaking his head. He was the seeker of truth and yes, he did need to know the truth just as Rahl said. He sighed and lowered his sword. “All I have done these past years is try to defeat you. I only want people to be free and for there to be no more war, no more killing, no war, just… just life. If I kill you, I am no better than you or the men who made us who we became,” he said shaking his head. “If I do just walk away… who is to say that another won’t rise in your place? Who is to say that Zedd will not wish to finish you if I fail?

Faramir squeezed his lover’s hand worriedly. “Send us away then… send us to my world?”

Turning his attention away from Richard for the first time in nearly half an hour, Rahl looked at Faramir with wide eyes, then smiled and nodded. “His world. Yes.” He looked back at the seeker hopefully. “This is no trick, Richard. Faramir and I will leave you in peace – you can be with your confessor, and there will be no more death.” He released Faramir’s hand and slipped an arm around his waist. “For nearly all my life, I have feared being caught like this, with no powers when you finally came. I kept my magic honed and sharp, ready to use at a moment’s notice, yet when it came down to it, I found myself in the exact situation I’d always been terrified of, by my own choosing. Please, Richard, I’m not asking for myself… I’m asking for Faramir. He loves me, and I love him, and I need the chance to show him that.”
Faramir moved to put his arm around Rahl as well and looked hopefully at the seeker. “Please, Richard… let us go away where you can never hear from us again. None but the three of us need ever know.”

Richard scratched his chin for a moment and shook his head. “You do mean it, the man I was told you were would never have sacrificed his magic for someone else… but you have no magic now and I have no idea how to send you to his world or… how you brought him here in the first place,” Richard explained. “I do not think it is wise for me to let Zedd or even Kahlan know about this. They will believe it is another trick but… somehow I know you speak the truth.” Richard never thought in a hundred years he would be standing here, talking to Rahl and even considering letting the man go after all he’d done.

Rahl thought for a moment, then smiled. “Leave us here. Bring us food and water, enough for the week, a few things from our bedchambers, and the palantir, then leave us here in this room. No one ever comes up here, and my magic will return in a few day’s time. I will send us both back to his world the same way I pulled him into ours, and no one will ever know. You can take the castle, the servants, everything. Just leave us alone. I will even leave the palantir with you to do with as you wish, so you know I can never return.” He pulled Faramir closer and felt his heart jump in his chest. This was so… permanent, it should have been terrifying, but it was exhilarating instead. “There is a certain cat who might try and trip you to death, but other than that… with my spells lifted… there should be no problems. I can speak with my first in command he will have no trouble leading the servants and guards into your service.”

Faramir found himself smiling hopefully as his lover spoke. “And bring us bandages and healing salve so I can treat his wounds,” Faramir said looked over at Richard. “When you return at the end of the week we will be gone, you can bring an entire congingent of men and your wizard to check. Lock us here… just lock the door and leave us here… we… we will be gone as soon as Darken’s powers return,” Faramir added.

Richard stared at the two and finally sheathed his sword. “All right… I feel as if I have lost my mind but… but it makes sense. I know your magic is gone for now… and Gods, I am taking a leap of faith here believing you will hold to this plan,” he sighed and looked up at Rahl, really looked at him and nodded once he felt he saw what he needed to. “You are not lying… though I know it I scarcely believe it. Who can I trust to aid me in finding what you need?”

“Bergan is just outside the door. Revive him and let me give him his orders. He will do anything you ask him too.” It looked like it was really going to happen – he was getting a chance to have everything he had never known he wanted, and of all people, the seeker was giving it to him. He smiled at the younger man thoughtfully for a moment, deciding to do what he could to help him as well. It was the only way he could think of to thank him for this wonderful give. “You are afraid to be with your confessor, aren’t you? Intimately, I mean. You are afraid she will enslave you, whether she means to or not.”

Richard nodded and headed toward the door, still unsure what to make of this turn of events. He stopped and looked at Rahl for a moment, curious what he was driving at. “Yes, a confessor’s powers unfortunately keep them from truly being with the one they love and… I do not want to… to be the reason she loses such miraculous powers,” Richard admitted.

“There is one way.” Rahl shrugged, then winced when it pulled at the wound on his chest. “Since you are allowing me the privilege of being with the one I love, I think the honorable thing to do would be to allow you the same courtesy.”

Richard’s hand left the doorknob and he turned to look at Rahl fully. He was still suspicious of the man but wondered if it could be true. “How?”

“I had a potion made once,” Rahl explained, though he did leave out the part about why he’d had it made. “It makes one impervious to the confessor’s touch. But in the ancient scrolls that tell how and why the wizards created the confessors, there is one passage. If you truly love her, love what and who she is, with her terrible powers, her fear, her anger, her kindness – every single part of her…” He couldn’t help but look at Faramir as he spoke, “Like this man loves me, then you have nothing to fear. You can make love to her and her touch will have no affect… other than the obvious one.”

Richard stared at Rahl for a moment, completely dumbfounded. Wouldn’t Zedd tell him about this if it were true? “Why… if this is in the old scrolls then… then why hasn’t Zedd told me about this?” Richard asked, feeling as if Zedd may have betrayed him in more than one way.

Faramir felt for the man and wondered if perhaps the wizard Zedd wasn’t using Richard for his own gains or his own revenge of some sort.

“Yesterday, I would have spun you a tale about Zeddicus using you for his own agenda, but today… today I am too tired,” Rahl said softly, finally allowing himself to lean on his lover. “It may have been that he did not know, it may be that he truly is not the man you think him to be. Either way, if you come back with Bergan tonight with everything we ask for, I will show you the scroll. It is in this very room.”

Richard nodded, understanding Rahl’s exhaustion, he was exhausted as well from their fight, and bleeding from a few spots as well as Rahl was. “I will return soon then,” he said and unlocked the door to leave.

“Gods,” Faramir sighed after Richard left. He had no idea what else to say other than to wrap his arms around his lover and pull him over to a small couch to sit down. “Here, lets put your leg up where you are hurt,” Faramir said softly and before he could even begin to tend his lover’s wounds he stopped and looked into brillant blue eyes. “Gods, I love you,” he whispered and kissed Rahl firmly.

Rahl wrapped both arms around his lover, closed his eyes, and kissed the man he loved. He was happy, relieved, and on the verge of starting a brand new life where no one even knew of his father, let alone associated them with one another and feared him on principle alone. Exploring every inch of Faramir’s mouth, he moaned softly and pulled him closer when they had to stop for air. “And I, Faramir, love you just as much,” he smiled, trailing his tongue over kiss swollen lips. “Now that I finally figured out what this ‘love’ is, you are going to bask in it. I have a whole lifetime of it saved up, and it’s all for you.”

Faramir was smiling breathlessly as he looked into his lover’s eyes, his lips still tasting of Rahl’s kiss and he sighed happily. “Gods, I love hearing those words,” he whispered. “I never thought you would ever love me, I hoped but… I never really believed it would be possible. When Richard first came here today I was so afraid but now… Gods, I feel as if it was the best thing that ever happened aside from finding you in the first place of course,” he grinned.

“I have to agree,” Rahl said, abandoning his normally stiff demeanor in favor of actually snuggling close to his lover and relaxing against him. “It all made sense to me when I saw you. I’d dreamed for years of his sword going right through my heart.” He looked up, cupped the side of Faramir’s face in one hand and met his gaze squarely. “And it did. In killing you, he took my heart as well – I would have been as good as dead. So maybe the prophecy came true after all. Whoever made it just didn’t know that there was more.”

Faramir’s smile slipped away and he shook his head, even as he leaned into his lover’s touch. “Oh Gods,” he whispered. “I thought the last thing I would see in this world were your beautiful eyes filled with such sadness. Thank you for saving me but I could have killed you myself I was so angry that you risked your magic that way to save me,” Faramir teased though he was somewhat serious.

Rahl placed a finger over Faramir’s lips to shush him. “Faramir, if I hadn’t, and if you had died, Richard and I would have fought to the death. The prophecy would have come true in all likelihood just the way we always thought it would. My way…” He smiled, and let his finger drag down over his lover’s chin and neck. “… was much better don’t you think?”

Faramir kissed Rahl’s fingertip and sighed. “Yes, your way was better… but still, I thought for certain I’d sealed your fate and that it would be my fault if you died… I would not have been able to handle that,” he whispered, even as he shivered from his lover’s touch.

Rahl combed his fingers through Faramir’s hair and let his eyes travel over every part of his face. “For the first time in my life, I can understand how you feel,” he whispered. “How a life without love has no meaning, like mine had all this time. All the power and magic and gold in this world didn’t matter one bit to me when I saw you lying there.” He laughed softly, and rested his hand over Faramir’s heart, where the sword had pierced him. “And even then you argued when I tried to heal you.”

Faramir found himself smiling as he looked into his lover’s eyes. “Now you truly understand how I’ve felt all this time,” Faramir said softly. “How I would give up anything… even my life for yours because I love you.” He leaned down and kissed his lover gently. “I do not know how to explain where I have been when we return to my world you know… but the only thing that matters is that we will be together.”

Feeling boneless and relaxed unlike he’d ever felt before, Rahl’s smile grew brighter as he tried to envision their new lives together. He wondered where they would live, what they would do, whether Faramir’s family – especially his beloved brother – would accept him. He’d never really known what a family was like and was suddenly sure that he wouldn’t fit in. “Do you wish for me to leave my magic behind?” he asked softly. “There is a way, and if you ask it of me, I would do it. I don’t want to cause you trouble in your family… or your world like I have in this one.”

Faramir was taken aback by the question. Rahl was so deeply tied to his magic that Faramir just stared at him for a moment in shock. “I… I…” he shook his head, “I see no reason to do that… there are, after all, wizards in my world,” he laughed and shook his head, “My father may even find it fitting that I found love with a wizard the way he always called me a wizard’s pupil… though I must ask you not to use your powers to kill him even when he insults me. It is just what he is like.”

Rahl arched an eyebrow and his upper lip came up in a snarl. He sat up straight and there was no doubt about how he took that bit of information. “He insults you? I will bind his tongue to the roof of his mouth and put a spell on his nether regions that will feel like a hand squeezing his testicles until they burst each time he dares… “

When Rahl sat up, Faramir shook his head. “Love, he has done it my whole life, it does not bother me… any longer. You do not have to do that but… well… as long as it didn’t hurt him I suppose…” Faramir paused and shook his head laughing. “Gods, no… no… I shouldn’t even think that. You are a bad influence on me, love,” he teased and looked at Rahl seriously. “I fear if you use your magic he will have you taken to the dungeons… he is very suspicious of magic.”

The dark-haired wizard set his jaw and gave his lover a full pout. “Can’t I at least give him a cramp when he does it?” he asked sweetly. “Just a little one?”

Laughing at the look on his lover’s face, Faramir could not help but kiss his lover when he pouted so adorably. He’d never seen Rahl do that before but it was the sweetest thing he had ever seen. “Maybe a little one, so he’d have no idea,” he laughed.

“Deal!” Rahl’s good humor returned and he marveled again at how free he felt. The thought of freedom led his mind to wander to just that subject in Faramir’s case. “You are the steward’s son in your world,” he said almost to himself. “My coming in from nowhere… I would be your… ?” His face paled and he swallowed the lump in his throat. “Slave? Servant? As I was your master here – at least in the beginning – you would be mine in Gondor?”
Faramir found himself laughing again and shook his head but his next words made Faramir’s smile slip away. “What? Oh Gods, no. No you will be my mate, my equal,” he said seriously. “And… well… if you chose you… well, if you would you could… could be my husband?” Faramir asked nervously. He knew Rahl loved him but he wasn’t sure how he would feel about no longer being his master really.

Had a stranger seen the look on Rahl’s face at that moment, they would have thought he was looking upon the gods themselves. His mouth dropped open, his eyes were wide and he was completely speechless. After a few moments of silence, he licked his lips, ran his fingers over his bottom one again and again, and willed his heart to slow down. “You would take me as your husband?” he said softly. “With no spells to bind you to me, you would show your entire world that we are mated? You would not be afraid or ashamed for anyone to know?”

The look on Rahl’s face was priceless and Faramir’s nervousness subsided seeing the absolutely joy in his lover’s eyes. He smiled happily. “I would take you as my husband and want all of Middle Earth to know you are mine and no one else’s. I have never been ashamed of you and you know that I have rarely been afraid of you either… perhaps when we first met months ago but you have proven to me that you despite all your claims of being a dark wizard have a good heart. I would want everyone to know the wonderful man that I love.”

Rahl’s arms wound around Faramir’s shoulders and he buried his face against the warmth of his lover’s neck. “Then, yes,” he whispered, pulled away again to look into sincere blue eyes, “my dear, sweet, perfect Ranger, it would be my honor to be your husband and have all the word know that I feel the same way about you.” He leaned forward, letting his hand slide down the side of Faramir’s neck and tilted his head, barely brushing their lips together. “I love you, Faramir. More than anything or anyone I have ever known, I love you with every last piece of my heart.”

Faramir returned the hug, holding his lover close, careful not to press too hard against his injuries. He was smiling happily as Rahl spoke and returned the sweet brush of lips. “And I love you just as much,” he whispered. “I cannot wait for you to meet my brother and Gandalf, I think you will like Gandalf a great deal. He was my teacher after all,” Faramir whispered. “Um, when Richard returns can we ask him to retrieve the box in the second dresser drawer? I am unsure where to find those things in my world… and I’d be too embarrassed to ask.”

Furrowing his brow, Rahl pictured their second dresser drawer and the box within it. If he remembered correctly, there was a small paddle on a golden chain, a cock ring that, when Rahl uttered a certain spell would turn into a silver gates of hell… and one of Faramir’s favorites – a pair of nipple clamps with rubber teeth and tiny screws on the sides used to tighten them. He laughed loudly, thrilled that Faramir wanted to keep at least that aspect of their relationship active. “I think that is a very good idea, love. A very good idea indeed.”

Faramir was blushing but grinning mischievously at his lover. He did enjoy that part of their relationship and somehow as strange as it seemed those things were special to him now. They were a part of what they shared together here in this world that they could take with them. “Good…” Faramir said softly and leaned in to brush his lips against his lover’s. Before he could say anything else he heard the door being unlocked. Richard entered, carrying a large basket and Bergan entered behind him with another.

“This should be enough for the week,” Richard said setting everything on a small table that had been shoved into a corner during their fight. “Bergan has the healing supplies and clothing for you both and a young man named Darian has requested to see you,” Richard said as he picked up an overturned chair and sat down. “Do you need anything else? I have to return soon to Kahlan and Zedd and tell them that I have succeeded,” he grinned and offered a wink at that.

Rahl stood up and looked at the man – his half brother – that he’d hated nearly all his life. He didn’t look like anyone special, and certainly not like the monster Rahl had picture him to be. Of course, being with Faramir had changed his outlook on a lot of things, not just the seeker. “There are a few things we would like from our rooms. I will tell Bergan, and we will happily see Darian. In the meantime, I have… I have no idea how to thank you. I will never forget that you nearly killed my lover… er… my soon to be husband, but at least he is alive and well now, so I can at least see past it to say thank you.”

Richard gaped a bit when Rahl said that they were to be married. “Husband… well… that was unexpected. I will go back now then and carry out my part of this plan. I find it strange to be saying this to you of all people… but good luck to you. And… thank you for telling me about Kahlan… I suppose perhaps we owe each other our thanks. I likely will not see you again after this… there are things I wish I could ask you but there is no time,” Richard stood and took a deep breath, not looking forward to facing the winding staircase again. “I still cannot believe this ended relatively peacefully.”

Faramir smiled. “I am grateful it did,” he said looking at his lover and then back to Richard. “We wish you and your lady well too.”

The smile Rahl offered Richard was sincere. He moved next to Faramir and wrapped an arm around his waist, for the first time in his life not afraid to show affection. “Goodbye, Richard. The scroll I promised you will be by the door when you return in a few days and we will be gone. Good luck to you both.”

Richard smiled and nodded. “Goodbye,” he said as he left the room and Bergan walked over behind him to lock the door behind him.

Chapter 24

“You said you needed items from your chamber, my lord? Darian is waiting downstairs. I will send him up when I go back down. Is what I brought enough?” Bergan asked, gesturing toward the table with the medical supplies as he looked at how much dried blood covered Rahl’s chest, arm, hip and thigh.
They spent the next few minutes giving Bergan a list of items they would need, and Rahl also thanked him for his service, then told him where to find various valuable items to take for himself and various members of the castle staff. “The castle is full of many riches, and you deserve more than your fair share, Bergan. You have always been loyal, and…” His face flushed and he leaned harder against his lover as the weight of all he’d done seemed to press down on his shoulders. “I am sorry for all the times I read you and punished you for things beyond your control. Now… go, please. I seem to be weaker than I first thought.” That was true enough, but he mainly wanted Bergan to leave before he embarrassed himself further with apologies and regrets over his treatment of the man.

Faramir tightened his grip on his lover and smiled at Bergan. “Thank you again, Bergan for everything you have done for us both,” he said too. He had found himself smiling foolishly when Rahl described exactly where the glass encased rose he’d given him months ago was in his study and Bergan had taken the information with a small grin himself. “Please find Corrine at some point and tell her goodbye for me, tell her if she chooses to stay… I hope this is all right, love, but… the garden and everything in it is hers,” Faramir said softly.

Bergan memorized the information as quickly as he could and found himself stunned when Rahl apologized to him. He had only given him a gift once in all his long years of service and had only ever thanked him a few times. This… this was not anything at all like he expected either. “You cared for me and my family for many years, feeding, clothing and giving us worthy work to do. You may have been a harsh master at times, but we were loyal to you and will always be if you ever return.” With that he turned and unlocked the door to go downstairs again.

Rahl turned and rested against his lover as soon as Bergan left. He’d been thrilled at Faramir’s choice of gifts for Corrine and loved him all the more for thinking of it. He looked around the room and sighed. “I really am tired. That damnable sword cuts with both its blade and magic. As soon as Darian leaves, I need to rest or it’ll take even longer to regain my powers.”

Faramir moved quickly and lifted Rahl into his arms, carrying him back to the sofa where they rested before. “You need rest and healing. I have a feeling that is why Darian is here… I imagine Bergan went to get him to send him here to heal you again,” Faramir grinned at the surprised look on Rahl’s face.

It had never occurred to Rahl that Darian would want to help him again. He’d honestly thought the man was going to ask for something. He relaxed against the couch; still smiling at the way Faramir had lifted him so easily, and closed his eyes. “That would be nice,” he nodded, rubbing at his bottom lip. The cuts on his hip and chest hurt the most, and he was reminded of how so many years ago he’d been forbidden to touch his wounds. His fingers rubbed idly at the pain across his chest and he wrapped his hand around his lover’s. “I cannot believe this is all over,” he sighed. “All the hatred and fear I’ve carried for so long just… they’re just gone. Tonight would have been the night of my death had you not been here. The seeker would have killed me.”

“Perhaps not, if I had not been here you would not have lost your powers to begin with,” Faramir said softly. “Lets not speak of what might have been, it is over and… this is a new beginning for the two of us. You’ll have a new life, a new home, and more love than you can possibly imagine. I plan to spoil you just as you have always spoiled me… will that do for a start at least?” Faramir asked as he squeezed his lover’s hand.

Rahl lifted Faramir’s hand to his lips and kissed the back. “That will do,” he said softly, letting his eyes fall closed again. He was still rubbing at his wound and fighting to stay awake, surprised at just how exhausted he was. Of course, he’d never healed such a grievous injury before, never been so emotionally drained and never fought off someone who wished to kill him with every fiber of his being without the use of his powers. “You have given me so much Faramir. The only thing I have to give to you is myself, but I want it to be in your world, not this one, if you will have me. And I don’t mean give you my heart, since you already have that.”

Faramir looked at his lover for a moment, uncertain about what he meant. He was worried about how tired Rahl seemed and shook his head in confusion. “You know I love you and I want to marry you so yes… I,” he paused a moment and looked at his lover. “Wait… what… what do you mean have you?” He was confused; he had Rahl’s love — that was all he’d ever wanted anyway. He trapped both of Rahl’s hands in his own to keep his lover from reopening his wounds and looked at him worried that his injuries were worse than he first thought.

Blue eyes were revealed again as they slowly opened and regarded Faramir in amusement. Had anyone else held both his hands immobile, he would have panicked, but with Faramir, he simply smiled and didn’t even try to pull away. “All these months, I have taken you in every manner possible. When we start our new life, I would like you to take me, if only once. I have never let another this close to me, and certainly never even considered letting anyone have full control over me in such a way, but… I would like to feel you inside me, Faramir. I would like to give you absolutely every part there is to give of myself.”

Complete shock was probably the only thing that Faramir could register at that moment. “You… but you… but I… truly?” Faramir stammered and looked at his lover. “I… um… well,” he swallowed hard and took a breath. “I’ve never actually… uh… you of course yes but I’ve never actually done that before. I… have always… been the less dominant partner as you can imagine from our time together. Are you sure that you are ready for that? You do not have to you know, I am more than happy with things as they are,” Faramir said softly, honestly surprised that Rahl would even consider offering that.

Rahl nodded at once. “I am happy with the way things are too,” he agreed. “And honestly, I… some of the things I do to you – the clamps and rings and floggers – I don’t want that. I know it’s selfish and wrong and terrible of me, but my father used to hurt me to make me angry and exercise my control over the magic. That is one of the reasons I am so powerful – I have more control than any other wizard in history, so the power builds on itself. I should be grateful to him, but…” He took another deep breath and shook his head. “What I am trying to say is that I do not want to go through that again, but… I do want to know what it’s like to be with you in every way. Perhaps just once, and… hopefully nice and easy as we sometimes do, but yes… I want you to take me.”

Faramir was shaking his head when Rahl explained about how his father hurt him. “Gods, I don’t think I could use those things… I mean, I love them being used on me but I do not have the same confidence with such things as you do,” he said smiling. “But… if you want to know what it is to be together that way for me to claim you as I make love to you, then yes, I believe I’d like that as well. Very much so actually, but… first we have to get you well…” he teased then and leaned down to brush his lips gently against his lover’s.

Returning the sweet kiss, Rahl was about to speak when they heard a knock at the door. He automatically waved a hand in the air to unlock the locks, then frowned in annoyance when he realized he was powerless. “The first step to getting well is letting Darian in, I suppose. Then perhaps we eat and you can lay with me? The rug beneath the window is thick and soft – I have slept on it many times while I’ve been in this room reading late into the night, and Bergan brought several blankets. Should be comfortable enough as long as we lie together.”

Faramir almost laughed, every time they kissed it seemed someone else came to the door. He watched in amusement as his lover tried to unlock them without his magic. “And you thought to give up your magic,” he murmured as he pressed another kiss against his lover’s lips and stood to go to the door. He let Darian in, locking the door behind him and walked with the young wizard over to Rahl.

“My lord,” Darian said politely as he bowed his head. “Bergan said you were hurt in battle… I came hoping I could perhaps speed your healing if not heal you completely as I did last time,” Darian said softly. He felt he owed Rahl for all the training the wizard had given him in recent months, the spell books he had been allowed to read and the use of the Garden of Life for learning even more advanced spells.

Rahl sat up slowly, touched that the healer would want to offer assistance. “Before you exhaust yourself, Darian, I want to thank you for helping me, both now and before, when I nearly died. You are a talented wizard, and had I taken the time to notice that earlier, I could have trained you myself. As it stands, however, I will write out a spell for you. When you leave here, you will be tired, but you must find the strength to do this quickly, before Zeddicus and the others explore the castle. I am not hurt badly, so you should have the power to do as I ask. Just go to your rooms, stand in the middle and cast the spell. Everything you will need to advance your skills are connected by an invisible net – the most powerful books, the means to harness the Garden of Life to its full potential, even my supply of herbs and potions. The spell will give you full control over them all, and no other wizard may use them. I am leaving them all to you. You should learn from Zeddicus, as he is powerful and wise, but I still hate him enough to make him have to find his own library and potions.”

Darian and Faramir both frowned at the thought of the man who hurt Rahl being able to even enter the castle. “Yes, my lord. I… Gods, I have no idea how to thank you other than to offer you healing again. I did not expect… anything in return I only wished to help because you have been good to our family. Had you not taken Bergan as your personal guard I do not know how my life would have turned out,” the young wizard said. “My brother said I must hurry… let me cast the spell and once your body is healed your magic will return faster for you,” Darian said softly.

Faramir nodded in agreement and moved out of the young man’s way so he could do what needed to be done, though still holding his lover’s hand. He watched in fascination as Darian began the chant and saw that this time the connection of his power over Rahl’s body was stronger than before. The blue light was brighter than it had been when he healed Rahl the first two times, obviously because Rahl himself had given Darian small pointers and more advanced spells. Now Rahl was actually reaping the rewards of that generosity.

Rahl watched Darian closely, feeling proud of how much he’d learned is so short a time, and knowing that his instruction and attention had been a part of his education. When Darian finished, Rahl was as good as new, though still physically exhausted. “Thank you. You did very well, and I see you even remembered the trick I taught you to make sure there is no pain with when the deeper wounds are closed. I see such power in you, Darian, much like I had at your age, and you control it well. I think you will be on the wizard’s council one day if you stay on Zeddicus’s good side.” He sat up slowly. “Now… I will write out that spell for you and then you can be on your way.”

Faramir helped Rahl sit up, noticing that his lover was still obviously tired though no longer injured thanks to Darian. He smiled gratefully at the young man as he retrieved a quill and parchment from the desk. He watched in silence as Rahl wrote and smiled when Darian bowed to Rahl and thanked him again. “No, Darian, thank you for coming to help,” Faramir said smiling.

Rahl thanked Darian again as well, asked him to spell the locks closed on the door behind him when he left and advised him to hurry to his rooms and cast the spell even as he hoped Zeddicus saw the magical artifacts he surely coveted disappear before his very eyes. When the young wizard had left, he looked over at the table of food Bergan had left, then back at his lover. “Did you hear Bergan say that he would stay outside this room until we were gone just in case the seeker had a change of heart? All these years and I worried about his loyalties, yet… here he is, when I have no power over him, still trying to keep us safe.”

Faramir laughed softly at Rahl’s question. “Yes, I did hear that and I also heard he and Darian thank you. You know, Corrine is quite a little talker and she has informed me just why Bergan and Darian are both loyal to you,” Faramir said as he moved over to the table and quickly made up two plates of food as he explained that Bergan and Darian’s parents had died when Darian was but a child. By offering Bergan a post as his personal guard, Bergan was able to remain in living quarters close to the castle allowing him to raise his brother rather than having to leave him in an orphanage. Once he had filled the plates and two glasses with some of the juice they both liked, Faramir returned to the sofa. “So you see, they are loyal because you kept them together as a family, you may not have even known you did it, but you did and they are grateful for that,” Faramir said as he handed his lover his glass and plate of food.

His lips twitching and only just managing not to smile, Rahl gave Faramir his most innocent – and seldom used – look, then took a plate and began picking at his food. “Why… I had no idea,” he lied. “I thought he just looked handsome in the captain of the guard’s uniform.”

Faramir looked over his glass at his lover and narrowed his eyes. “Mmm, I see,” Faramir said flatly, “you do know that innocent look does not work well on you, my love. It always gives you away,” he teased. “At any rate… you knew, so why are you surprised they are loyal?” He asked curiously as he settled back and took a bite of cheese.

Nibbing on a piece of fruit, Rahl shrugged and wondered how it was that Faramir had seen him so differently even from the beginning. “My father ruled by enslaving everyone – his guards, the servants, even the stable hands. He had wizard’s webs around every one of them, and at the slightest infraction – from dropping a roll on the floor of the kitchen to allowing a shoe to fall off a horse in the barn, the web would hurt them.” He shifted on the couch and let his leg touch Faramir, shivering as he remembered just how cruel the webs could be. “That way, he didn’t have to watch over them all the time. If they were really bad, he simply gave them to a Mord-Sith for training. They were loyal to him, but only because they had no choice. When he died and I finally healed enough to take his place, I didn’t put the webs back… but neither did I free them, or pay them, or show them many kindnesses. I suppose… I never gave them reason to like me, so I am surprised that they might. I expected them to turn at the first chance they got, so I made sure they feared me. I killed many, many men, Faramir, sometimes just to prove a point. I know I am not like my father, but neither am I this grand wizard Zeddicus either, the one everyone adores.”

“I do not adore him because he hurt a child and did not try to do anything to help you when he did so. I do not find a man like that grand I find them petty,” Faramir said angrily. “Why did he hate you so much to do that? I do not understand, if Richard is your brother why does he like him and hate you. Could he not have done something to help you then? I despise him for that and no one can convince me he is good.” He looked up at his lover. “I also do not blame you for not changing things much from your father’s rule… and frankly they knew his cruelty of the webs, you freed them of those if not freed them completely… perhaps the people were grateful for that small kindness alone?”

“Perhaps,” Rahl said after a moment. “As for Zeddicus, I only remember laying there, screaming from the burns as he inspected my father’s body and ignored me for what seemed like forever. I had not known true hate until that moment. I begged for his help, begged for him to at least ease the pain because I knew he could, but he said I should consider it restitution for all the pain I had yet to cause. He said he knew I would, as I was my father’s son, and then he walked away.” His gaze was affixed to the opposite wall as the images filled his head and he nearly forgot where he was. “That is how I remember it, anyway. The healers said I went a bit mad after it happened though.”

“Of all the ridiculous,” Faramir couldn’t say anything else really, he simply growled and shook his head. “It is a good thing that we are leaving this world because if I ever saw this wizard I would… well I couldn’t fight him… but I’d certainly love to find a way to tell him exactly what I think of him… make him see what a horrible, horrible thing he truly did. Blaming a child for future transgressions that might never even happen. What a load of… .” Faramir finally realized he was ranting and sighed. “I’m sorry, love but Gods no wonder you hate the man. Anyone would in your place!”

It took Rahl a moment to focus back on the present and turn his attention to his lover. “I often wonder if things would have been different had I not been there that day,” he admitted. “If I didn’t hate the man so much, perhaps I would not have done so much to defeat him and destroy all that he had done.” The food forgotten, he rubbed at his chin and lower lip, then shook his head, trying to rid himself of that memory. “But now you know how I already feel about your father. That he would dare hurt you… well, at least you understand why I would like to cast a few dozen spells over him, do you not?”

“Yes, but my father only insults me, he does not beat me or torture me. Sometimes his punishments were harsh, like making me stand for hours on end in one place when I did something he disliked but he is quite mild in comparison to the men you’ve dealt with in your childhood,” Faramir said softly. “Mine is well… Gandalf used to call him a bit of a bully but with no head for a real fight,” Faramir shrugged. “He is a good leader though and I respect him… and I wish I could please him but I have learned long ago that if my name is not Boromir even if I am perfect I will not be perfect enough.” Faramir had at least learned to deal with that part of his life and his strained relationship with his father mostly because of Gandalf. “I suppose if it weren’t for Gandalf I likely might be more bitter about it… I set more store in what he says about me than by what my father says.”

The thought made Rahl smile until a second, darker thought bit at it’s heels. “If Gandalf is as good and wise as you see him, he will likely hate me.” The very idea nearly made him sick to his stomach. “I do not exactly inspire goodness, Faramir, and certainly not everyone sees me the way you do. If he hates me… perhaps I should not go to your world after all… the last thing I would want to do is come between you and this wizard who has treated you so kindly.”

“Do not think that way, Gandalf will not hate you. He is a grumpy old wizard and it might take you a bit to grow accustomed to him but as long as you do not hurt me or use your magic to hurt our side of the war effort, he will like you. He has friends among all the races in Middle Earth and I think you might benefit from meeting him. He can teach you things even I cannot, he knows more about the history of our world than anyone save the Elves,” Faramir said as he took his lover’s hand in his own. “You trust me, do you not? Please, you are a good man, and as long as you stand with our side and not Sauron then you will be accepted.”

Rahl laced their fingers together and rested his head on Faramir’s shoulder. “Just as you have stood with me since the day you got here, with no questions asked, I will be by your side. I will do anything I can to help with your war, even if it means joining with this Gandalf and facing Sauron himself, if you would wish it.”

Faramir shivered when Rahl spoke of facing Sauron himself. “We shall just take it one day at a time when we arrive there. There will be questions where I have been for the last year… questions that I am not really able to answer without revealing too much I think,” Faramir said softly.

“There is a way…” Rahl’s chewed on his bottom lip for a moment, gave Faramir’s hand a quick squeeze and went to the east side of the room. He picked up a long scroll, unrolled it and quickly skimmed over the spells there. “If you want to avoid all questions – well, except one about where and how you managed to find me – I could take us both back to the very night I took you. You would remember everything, and your men would never even know you were gone.”

“But what about you, love?” Faramir asked as he crossed the room to look at the parchments though he only understood one or two of the markings that he’d seen before and Rahl had explained to him. “If I return back to my place in the woods… what about you? And… oh Gods… that first night I arrived here. I smelled of wood smoke because we had a fire. We… in my world, fire is all we have for heat, for cooking and for light. You and Gandalf can create light but… everyone else depends on fire. Will… will that be difficult for you?”

Faramir’s words made Rahl’s back stiffen at once. It felt like someone had kicked him in the stomach – here, he had forbidden the use of fire, but in Faramir’s world, he would have no power to do so. The very thought made him ill. His fingers automatically moved down to rub over his robe where his scars lay and his other hand came up to rub at his bottom lip. “I… no. I cannot…” He looked up, eyes dark in a face paler than even when he had first seen the seeker. For the first time ever, he realized he had someone he could depend on, someone who would lend him his strength. It made him only a little less nervous, but it did help. “As long as you are with me, I will be fine. It might take a while, but… I will manage.”

Faramir moved closer and wrapped his arm around his lover. “I will be with you, and… inside our home, wherever we make it, you can always do as you do here and use your magic for light and warmth… and stay far from the kitchens as you do here,” Faramir explained. “I will do everything I can to make sure you are safe and you are not uncomfortable.” He understood well his lover’s fear and he would not force him to adapt to his world, rather let him become comfortable on his own if he ever did. “When you return with me… I will need a way to explain you to my men… aside from that, I think everything will work out fine for us,” Faramir whispered, pressing his lips to his lover’s temple.

Rahl leaned into his lover and tried not to shiver. He had rather face the seeker a thousand times over than be confronted with fire, yet… if he wanted to be with Faramir, he had no choice. So… there were no second thoughts. He would learn to deal with the first. Faramir’s men, however, were another thing. “You could tell them I am from some far off land, traveling alone because all my men were killed or…” He worried his bottom lip for a moment and smiled in resignation, hating the idea, but knowing it was only fair. “I brought you here as a slave. It would only be fair if you presented me as one. You could say I escaped from my master or you killed him and claimed me. I would play the part with no questions asked.”

Faramir shook his head. “Oh no, love, I am not particularly that headstrong and I did not do well as a slave, you would be horrible at it,” he teased. “Hmm, I found you lost in the woods… that makes sense, our woods can be easy to get lost in and it wouldn’t stir suspicion among my men. When we arrive back, if we go to the same time I left all my men will be asleep save a guard. I can just get up and take a walk in the woods, if you can target the spell enough to put you just outside my camp perimeter?”

“I think I can manage that,” Rahl agreed, still laughing at Faramir’s little jab about his ability to take orders. “But what will your people think? Will they not ask questions about why you are even talking with this stranger from another land… or why he can’t seem to keep his eyes – or his hands – off you?”

Faramir laughed and shrugged. “They may find it strange but I doubt they will question me… or I could just tell them I’d been seeing you in secret,” he teased.

Taking Faramir’s hand, Rahl led him back over to the couch and sat down. “So no one in your world should know I have powers then? If Gandalf is the wizard you sayhe is, he will know – will he keep our secret?”

“I did not say no one need know… I just think it would be best not to flaunt them too much in front of my father. And Gandalf is trustworthy and would understand why my father would be one to avoid magic with,” Faramir explained. “As for others… as long as you use your magic in aid of our cause none should have a problem with that. I just do not want to see you targeted by enemies because of your powers either,” Faramir said softly, squeezing Rahl against his side a little.

Rahl thought for a moment and tangled their fingers. “What would I do in your world? Because I thought that if… oh, never mind. I am a wizard, I will do what wizards do and help you win your war. I have seen enough of the underworld to perhaps surprise this Sauron with some tricks of my own…”

“What is it, love? What would you like to do?” Faramir asked, unsure what Rahl was driving at. His lover seemed to love his magic and to use it often and researched new spells as well, so he had just assumed that was what he would continue to do, even in his world.

Shaking his head, Rahl looked down at their entwined fingers and actually looked embarrassed. “I think it might make up for some of the things I’ve done here – and refused to do – if I were…” He took a deep breath and let his hair fall forward to hide his face, feeling a bit ridiculous. He had been, after all the dark lord of his own world and to make such a drastic change would be laughable to anyone who knew him. Still… no one in this new world would know him. “If I were a healer,” he said softly. “I could perhaps find a way to regain my power more quickly, or sustain it or…”

Faramir was surprised when Rahl looked so embarrassed. He reached out and tipped his lovers chin up to look into his eyes. “You wish to be a healer?” Faramir smiled and nodded. “If that is what you want, love then that is what you can do. You may do whatever it is you want to do. I have no expectations save having you by my side and loving you until my dying breath,” Faramir whispered honestly.

Rahl’s embarrassment faded and his smile spread from ear to ear. He wrapped both arms around his lover’s neck and closed his eyes. “Your dying breath was almost a short while ago,” he shuddered. “I will put protective spells on you again – and on your men and your home if you wish it, but most of all Faramir,” he pulled back and gazed into serious blue eyes before he continued. “You MUST be careful. I just found you, you know, and I don’t want to let go.”

Faramir wrapped his arms around his lover in return and nodded. “I will be very careful, I want us to be together for many years and I hope that those years will be years of peace, not war and darkness,” Faramir whispered. “And, you need to rest if your powers are to return for us to leave this place.” Faramir knew that though Darian had healed Rahl, the wizard was still physically exhausted from his battle and injuries.

Stifling a yawn, Rahl nodded and stood, offering Faramir his hand. They made their way over to the rug he’d spoken of earlier and started to lie down in just his robes. “I suppose no one will come back,” he said, realizing that he’d never really said goodbye to anyone but Bergan and his brother Darian. There really was no one else to say it to, however, except maybe Corrine. “I am tired,” he admitted, slipping out of his robe and folding it over a chair. “And don’t worry… I may sleep for quite some time. My powers were completely drained; more so than they have ever been, but I am hoping a long night’s sleep will rejuvenate them a bit quicker than expected. Just… just stay near? I sleep better when you’re next to me.”

“You know I always snuggle up to you at night, why would this one be any different?” Faramir asked as he began arranging the blankets that Bergan had brought them into pillows and a sort of nest like bed for them on the rug. Faramir removed his robe as well, both his and Rahl’s were covered in bloodstains and he set it aside as he moved to his lover. “Come, love, lay down and I will keep you warm,” he said softly as he drew Rahl over to the blankets.

They lay down together and Rahl automatically put his arms around Faramir, something he’d been doing for months now without even realizing why. The blankets were pulled up around them, and his hands moved over his lover’s back and arm. Tonight he knew he wouldn’t have nightmares, for his worst one had already come true and the reality had been worse than the dream could ever have thought of being. For the first time in his life, he relaxed completely and said the words he’d always wanted to say, but never thought he would have the opportunity to. “Good night, Faramir. I love you.”

Faramir smiled as he settled into his lover’s embrace, his own fingertips tracing over his lover’s skin. “And I love you, goodnight, Darken.” Faramir snuggled closer, closing his eyes and feeling his lover’s heart beating against his hand. Their lives were going to change… but they would be together and were to be married. That thought made Faramir’s smile broader as he started to fall asleep.

Even before Rahl’s eyes closed, he thought he felt his magic trying to come back. Perhaps, he thought as he snuggled against Faramir and tangled their legs, giving everything one had for the sake of the one they love was considered something extraordinary. Either way, he didn’t really care if he had to wait a day or a month. As long as Faramir was alive and well, nothing else mattered. His fingers tingled where they touched his lover’s skin and just as he drifted off, he thought he felt the blankets stir just a bit and pull up to their chins just as he wished them to.

Chapter 25

Life in Gondor had been even more than Rahl could have hoped for. There was no one wishing him dead, no one who hunted him day and night, and he never had to worry about anyone’s loyalty. He met Faramir’s friends and family became close to Gandalf and Faramir’s bother, Boromir, and even enjoyed the company of the king, Aragorn, who happened to be Boromir’s lover. He saw Elves and dwarves, orcs and even the fall of Sauron himself.

Most of all, he loved and was loved. He had never been so happy in all his life. Formerly lonely and, he thought, bereft of any emotion except anger, he had discovered a whole new world as Faramir’s mate.

The night before had marked their tenth anniversary. They’d made love long into the night, slow and sweet, hands mapping out bodies each knew so well, breath and sweat and words mingling, bodies moving together as one. Ten years as Faramir’s husband was more than Rahl felt he deserved, yet it wasn’t nearly enough to satisfy him.

These days, Faramir only spent a few hours each day training the new, younger Rangers and Rahl whiled away the time in the Houses of Healing, healing anyone who needed it. The act still drained his powers, so he was careful, and almost never drained himself completely, just in case Faramir might ever need him again. He enjoyed healing in this life as much as he’d enjoyed causing pain in the other.

When they’d appeared in Gondor, Rahl had decided he would never hurt Faramir in any way, either physically or emotionally. Faramir, however, had suggested, after they’d been in their new home for only a few weeks, a little something that reminded him of old times and Rahl, after only a moment’s hesitation, had happily agreed. These days, most of their encounters were deliberate and tender, but every so often, one or the other of them craved a bit of change.

As wonderful as their lovemaking had been the night before, Faramir seemed to have other plans for their ‘after-anniversary celebration’ as he’d gotten home before Rahl and left the door to their ‘playroom’ slightly ajar.

When Rahl saw the open playroom door, he smiled and went straight to their bedroom where he changed from his healers clothes – a long white tunic and tan breeches – to simple tight black pants that didn’t even come close to hiding the scar on his stomach. He didn’t give it a second thought, however, as he stepped inside the dimly lit room.

There were candles in the room, but none too close. The tiny flames no longer affected Rahl the way they had when he’d first arrived in Middle Earth. Slowly but surely he had gotten over his fear with Faramir’s help, and while he still preferred to light their rooms with magic, he did agree that it was sometimes more interesting when he focused his powers solely on his husband.

Faramir was in the middle of the room standing naked and already aroused, hands behind his back, already in the headspace of their former master/slave relationship.

“You look amazing,” Rahl said, closing the door behind him. He came closer and ran his finger down his husband’s chest, stopping just above his navel. “How long have you been waiting like this?”

Faramir had heard the door open while he waited for his husband and smiled. The night before had been absolutely wonderful but their anniversary had also brought back memories of how they met and fell in love in the first place. Throughout the day while Faramir spent time restocking the armory and checking inventories he had plenty of time to think and remember how the two of them met. And when he got home he decided that this would be a treat for them both and a way to stretch out their anniversary celebration just a day longer.

“I have been here about an hour, my lord, ready and waiting for your return,” Faramir said softly, his head bowed slightly and looking up from under long lashes at his husband.

Only Rahl’s eyes showed his love for the man before him. He never tried to hide that – and was fairly certain he couldn’t have even if he’d wanted to. The rest of him – from his face to the way he held himself – was stern and hard, betraying none of the man he had become over the last decade. He moved closer, put his lips just in front of Faramir’s but didn’t quite let them touch. “Arms up, feet apart,” he whispered. “You know the position.” Even before Faramir could move, Rahl had cast a spell for leather cuffs that hung from the ceiling and another pair that was bolted to the floor just far enough apart to make Faramir’s leg muscles tremble when he’d been held there for a while. The cuffs waited, ready to snap into place the moment Faramir’s wrists and ankles were within reach.

Faramir shivered when Rahl’s voice took on that commanding tone and he moved into position as he was instructed. He licked his lips and did not jump at all when the cuffs snapped into place loudly in the room. He did however suck in a deep breath in anticipation, as his arousal that had grown somewhat as he’d prepared himself and with the thoughts of being with his husband had ran through his mind as he waited, twitched and grew harder. He was accustomed to the position actually, it was one of their favored ones and could sometimes hold himself without the cuffs, though the magic of them often helped him keep his balance better.

Rahl stayed close, smiling when his lover shivered, loving the fact that he could still get such a reaction even after all these years. He spelled a table nearby and summoned a few ‘toys’ to lie on top of it, just out of Faramir’s sight. Nipple clamps, the one they’d used in Rahl’s own castle long ago still shone brightly thanks to preservation and cleaning spells that were meticulously applied after each use. He rarely used his magic to actually put them – or any of the other decorative items on, instead preferring to approach them in a more hands-on manner, as he did tonight. Gathering the clamps and their connecting chain in one hand and a small, stiff leather ruler in the other, Rahl circled his husband once, then moved again, coming to a stop just behind him. His fingers tangled in soft hair and he pulled Faramir’s head back just hard enough to hurt. “I think I’ll blindfold you for now, just so you won’t know what’s coming,” he whispered thoughtfully. “I know you much you love surprises.”

Faramir saw the clamps and smiled a bit. The small golden items were a favorite toy of theirs. He kept his eyes forward as Rahl circled him, remembering the anticipation and fear he felt the very first time Rahl had done that. How his fear warred with his desire and how now though he knew there was nothing to fear he still felt anticipation growing. When Rahl pulled his head back by his hair, Faramir moaned only a little and arched his back. “Yes, my lord,” he whispered. “Thank you for considering what I like.” His answers were not what they would be if they were in bed together. In this room, he answered to his husband as if he were still a slave. When they left this room the charade ended but while they were in it, he was yet again a slave in Rahl’s domain.

“Such a good pet.” A blindfold appeared in Rahl’s hand and he tied it himself covering Faramir’s eyes completely then pushing his head forward again. Quietly, he circled back around in front of the man and without warning slapped the ruler hard against his left nipple, which turned red and stiffened at once.

Faramir closed his eyes behind the blindfold, knowing that even if he were just asked to close his eyes, he would but this was just as fun and he was not tempted to peek either. He leaned his head forward, bowing his head slightly and thanked his lover for his compliment. In a moment, he was unsure where his lover was in the room, though having to strain to hear the whisper of soft fabric against his lover’s legs and he startled and yelped a little when the ruler smacked against his tender skin. His nipple immediately hardened under the stimulus and Faramir gasped a bit from the sting of it, rocking on the balls of his feet.

The ruler landed against the same nipple four more times, then the first clamp was quickly put into place before the sting could even begin to go away. Rahl’s right hand slid up Faramir’s neck, holding his head in place, while his lips sealed over his slave’s mouth, ready to swallow each moan and gasp, stealing the very air Faramir breathed. He held his lover steady as his free hand tightened the screw on the clamp, making the tiny rubber jaws bite down on already sore skin.

Faramir found himself arching into the blows of the ruler, despite the sting, his arousal grew even harder and he moaned deeply when the first clamp was put in place. “Gods,” he murmured and then he found his lips sealed against his lovers as he moaned and tried to rock his body against Rahl’s despite the bindings holding him in place. He moaned against his lover’s mouth as the clamp was tightened even more and he thrust his hips forward seeking any sort of friction against his arousal.

Breathing heavily, Rahl felt the fabric of his breeches tighten across his hips as his arousal grew harder and fuller each time Faramir moaned. He stayed just out of reach of his lover’s shifting hips, allowing him only the slightest friction against his already weeping sex before moving away. Never breaking the kiss, he attached the second clamp and twisted the screw just a bit tighter than the first. “You suffer so well,” he whispered, letting his lips glide over Faramir’s chin and jaw line, only to fasten just below his ear. “You are the most exceptionally beautiful man I have ever known, Faramir, whether you are laying beside me, begging for my cock or like, this, hard and needy and desperate for me to hurt you.”

Faramir whimpered against his lover’s mouth at the fleeting touch of his sex against the soft fabric of Rahl’s breeches. Gods, this man made him want like no one ever had and ever would, even after ten years of marriage and their year together in D’Hara. When the second clamp was added, Faramir moaned into the kiss, swaying in his bindings. He was breathless and panting when Rahl drew away again and Faramir let his head fall back as his lover’s lips moved over his flushed skin. “You make me want so much all I can do is give myself to you and you always make me feel wonderful,” he whispered. It was true, even when something was pushing close to his limits Rahl seemed to always know when it was close to too much for Faramir. In all their years together, Faramir had never needed to use the one word phrase they had assigned all those years ago.

Reaching down between Faramir’s legs, Rahl caressed him gently, pulling his balls down and letting his thumb trail over the taut, delicate sac that was so full and exquisitely sensitive to the slightest touch. His other arm wrapped around his lover, grounding and reassuring him, fingers rubbing his back and backside; his lips continuing to mark smooth warm skin. He whispered a familiar spell and out of nowhere, a length of rope appeared and wrapped itself just above his hand, where Faramir’s testicles were pulled away from his body. Tiny loops hung down in a perfect circle from the bindings and when Rahl moved his hand away, he did so especially carefully, knowing the pain would be just beginning. “So tender, aren’t you, love? So full and heavy and already wondering how in the world you’re going to be able to come. And I’ve not even put the weights on yet.”

Moaning as Rahl’s hand wrapped around the delicate sac, Faramir let his head fall back further, giving himself over to his lover. When he felt the rope wrap around him, he hissed and shivered in his lover’s arms, knowing what will come next. “Gods, yes,” he whispered in response. He knew what pain would come, but also knew the pleasure that would come as well in its wake. Breathing heavily as his lover prepared him, Faramir whimpered when the first weight was added and his sac was pulled away from his body. He shivered again, his body automatically wanting to pull away but he held himself still, grateful for Rahl’s arm around him.

Deciding his hands could be put to far better use than toying with the weights, Rahl let his spell hook them on to each loop slowly, one by one as he kissed his husband’s mouth, his neck, and occasionally leaned down to bite gently at the clamps that encased his nipples. The advantage of magic, he’d learned, was that he could comfort while he hurt, not just after, and he’d made a fine art of leading Faramir along the thin line between pleasure and pain and never letting him stumble. His hands rested on his lover’s backside, sometimes holding him steady, sometimes rocking him just enough to make the weights sway, and sometimes moving to stroke his swollen shaft. He was just as hard, and finally, slipped one hand between them to unfasten his breeches and stroke himself, letting his hand ghost over Faramir’s hip so there would be no doubt in his lover’s mind as to what he was doing.

Faramir was trapped in a web of pleasure and pain as the weights pulled at the tender skin yet he was distracted from it by the hot mouth that was on his own and then his neck and his chest. He cried out when Rahl nipped at the clamps gently, feeling the jolt go straight to his cock. Biting his lip hard, Faramir could sense exactly what his lover was doing as Rahl’s hand slipped between them. He desperately wanted to see the sight of his lover stroking the hard flesh for him. It had been a difficult step so long ago showing Rahl his scars did not bother him and now all these years later they were not even thought of anymore by either of them. He loved watching Rahl touch himself this way, loved that his husband trusted him so much, loved that he did this for him. This time though the blindfold prevented him from seeing, but he could hear and he could sense it, and feel the brush of fabric and his lover’s hand against him. He licked his lips wishing he could taste his lover… needing something since he could not see him.

Rahl’s thumb smoothed over the tip of his cock, gathering the drop of fluid there. “I see what you want,” he murmured, lifting his hand and pushing his thumb past kiss-swollen lips just as the last weight was added. When he pulled back, the digit ran over Faramir’s bottom lip, wetting it with his own saliva. “There, now. Isn’t that better?”

Faramir’s tongue laved the thumb, tasting his lover and moaning softly then louder when the other weight was added. His lips were wet and he licked at them again when Rahl drew away. “Much, my lord. Thank you,” he whispered, keeping up their game.

Smiling, Rahl pulled away and circled his ‘slave.’ “Just like old times,” he said softly. “You’re just as responsive as when I used to put those ridiculous spells on you to make you want me. And all that time… you wanted my anyway.” He stopped just behind Faramir and held his hips, seeing the strain of each muscle in his arm and shoulders as the restraints held him immobile. His cock, now weeping a nearly steady stream of precome was pushed against and between the cleft of Faramir’s backside, up and over his entrance, leaving a wet, glistening trail behind. “I wonder… should I leave you here like this for a while, or shall I take what is mine?” The question was, just like Rahl’s spells from so long ago, a ridiculous one, as he could never bear to leave Faramir alone when he was
bound in any fashion or uncomfortable. Still, it had it’s desired affect as his touch gave Faramir just a momentary sensation of just how he’d feel if left alone in this state for even half an hour.

“No. You never needed those spells, even the first night I was attracted to you even if I didn’t want to be,” Faramir admitted. Faramir could feel his lover move from in front of him. The shift of air around him, the brush of fabric, the faint sound of bare feet moving over the floor. He shivered when his lover pushed against his backside and he arched his back in reaction, feeling the slick precome and the heat of his lover’s shaft. “I belong to you, my lord, please have mercy on me… I want you so much,” Faramir whispered.

Rahl’s fingers, suddenly slick with oil, moved over Faramir’s backside and gently probed around his opening. His free hand snaked around to tug on the chain that connected his nipple clamps and an unseen hand brushed over the weights, making them clink together, each little note adding to the sound of both men’s already unsteady and heavy breaths. “You want me,” he repeated as his finger pushed in to the knuckle and he gave the chain another yank. A second finger slipped in beside the first and scissored, stretching his lover slowly, his lips pressed against Faramir’s ear. “You, my love, have me – have had me for so long now… but it is still so lovely to hear you beg.”

Faramir arched more into the touch as warm fingers moved against him and he whimpered when at the exact same moment the clamps bit at him and the weights moved between his widespread legs sending jolts of pain searing through him, followed by pleasure as at the same moment a slick finger pushed inside him. “Oh Gods!” Faramir cried out as arched his body. “Yes, want you so much,” he whimpered as a second finger joined the first, spreading him wider. He smiled when Rahl said he had him but still liked hearing him beg. It was exhilarating like this, Rahl controlling him with his body, his magic and his love. Faramir would do anything for this man, not just sexually… absolutely anything.

Nearing the end of his endurance and seeing that before too long Faramir would be in real pain, Rahl wasted little time in removing his fingers, pushing his pants further down on his hips, slicking himself with a quick spell and running the blunt head of his cock over his lover’s entrance. The restraints holding Faramir pulled his legs even further apart and down so that his hips moved back, but Rahl’s hand was resting on his stomach both to keep him from falling and judge the strain on already tensed his muscles. A heartbeat later, he was buried balls deep inside his lover’s warmth, both arms now holding him securely, the restraints now supporting his limbs more than holding him captive.

When the fingers withdrew, Faramir hoped that Rahl truly was going to take him and not toy with him more. His husband could be wicked sometimes and tease him until he could hardly stand it. He heard the swish of fabric though, the soft slide of it down his husband’s legs and he knew that Rahl was beyond his own patience. Thank the Gods for that. Faramir gasped, as his body was maneuvered by magic and his husband’s strong hands and then suddenly, without any warning at all his lover was buried deep inside him. Faramir cried out, his muscles clenching around the thick column of flesh inside him. “Oh Gods, yes… yes,” he whimpered, unable to move himself in this position so all he could do was use his inner muscles to coax his lover to move.

Rahl stood shivering; his forehead resting between Faramir’s shoulder blades, soft moans falling from his lips with every clench of gripping muscles around his length. Gritting his teeth, he used his magic to tighten the clamps just a little tighter as he ground out his next words. “You are a wicked man, Faramir, and an impatient one at that, clamping down around me the very instant I get inside you.” Unable to wait, he pulled hips back, watching his cock slide out until on the head was still inside his lover, then pushed back in, hard and fast. “Just for that…” Another weight was added to the ones already dangling between long legs, and Rahl’s hand moved down to fondle Faramir’s dark and full sac.. “And you will be so, so very sorry if you come before I give you permission.”

Faramir hissed as the clamps tightened and he wriggled as much as the bindings let him though he knew he couldn’t get away from the little stinging pains. He smiled when Rahl called him wicked but could say nothing more as his lover began to move. The first thrust sent him reeling and then he screamed as another weight was added to the others and Rahl’s hand moved over the sac. Gods, it hurt but felt sooo good at the same time. Faramir whimpered when Rahl warned him not to come until he had permission. “Yes, my lord,” he whispered brokenly, his voice barely above a whisper as all the sensations of pain, need, desire and pleasure flooded through him.

Long fingers traced over Faramir’s neck and chest, finally making their way to his head where the blindfold was gently pulled away. Turning his lover’s face to the side, Rahl kissed him, the angle somewhat awkward, but not uncomfortable, and began thrusting slowly and deeply, his own arms more than the magic, now nearly completely supporting the willing body before him. Without warning, his fingertips brushed over the clamp on Faramir’s left nipple. The golden teeth quickly unlocked themselves and fell, pulling the chain that was attached to the other clamp and letting the blood flood back to the undoubtedly painful nub of skin it had been holding. Rahl wasted no time in pinching at the formerly imprisoned flesh, having little mercy since he knew Faramir was enjoying this as much as Rahl himself was.

When the blindfold fell away, Faramir found himself blinking rapidly to focus but soon was so wrapped up in a kiss that they sunk closed again. His body was completely supported in his lover’s arms, his cock dripping precome with every deep thrust. Faramir cried out when the first clamp fell away and whimpered as Rahl teased it mercilessly causing his cock to twitch and his muscles to clamp down around his lover again, milking his hard cock inside him. “Gods… please,” he murmured, not even sure himself what he wanted… to be allowed to come or to keep feeling just like this, on the edge of complete bliss.

Rahl, as usual, couldn’t get enough of his beloved husband. His hands touched Faramir everywhere, his lips kissed and suckled, his chest slid against Faramir’s back, and his cock delved deep inside to his very core. The second clamp was removed, but instead of worrying the newly freed nipple, Rahl’s hand moved downward to wrap around his lover’s swollen flesh. The weights clinked together with every thrust and his other hand tugged on the imprisoned testicles before resting again back on his stomach. His own thrusts were loosing their rhythm and he felt his cock swell even more inside the tight confines of Faramir’s passage. “Almost…” he whispered, pressing Faramir harder against him and thrusting even deeper. “So close…”

Faramir was completely lost, he was so breathless that his chest almost ached from breathing so heavily and his heart was pounding loudly even in his own ears. He was so close to losing control that he had to desperately fight against it with every thrust from his lover. Gods, it felt so good to be filled this way, desired as much as he was by Rahl. When the second clamp fell away and blood rushed to the abused flesh, Faramir shivered from the sting of it and then a warm hand wrapped around him. He wasn’t sure he could hold out as Rahl wanted him to. It all felt so good. He could feel his lover swell inside him, knew that Rahl too was close as the thrusts were deeper and more erratic than before. “Yes… yes, want to feel you come inside me,” Faramir whispered encouragingly.

Unable to control his own body at that point, Rahl gave in as he’d only ever done with Faramir, putting every little part of himself into their lovemaking. He began thrusting with wild abandon, his head falling forward, burying against his lover’s shoulder and his hand slid down to the rope that bound and pulled Faramir’s balls down far below their natural position. With only a touch, the weights disappeared. Rahl thrust up hard one final time, released the rope completely, and whispered “Now!” Faramir’s passage was flooded with his release, Rahl’s cries now hoarse and desperate in the confines of their small room, seeming to bounce off the walls and vibrate back onto damp, sensitive skin.

It was a good thing magic and Rahl supported him at the moment because Faramir doubted he could keep his feet the way his lover was pounding into him. It was rough and fast and oh so good. He screamed when his sac was pulled down from his body once more and then a final thrust and Rahl’s whispered request sent Faramir over the edge. His entire world seemed to shatter and reform in seconds as his release, held back for so long shot through him. His own cries matched his lovers and he was shaking violently as his inner muscles milked his lover’s shaft. His vision dimmed, as stars seemed to sparkle in his vision as his lungs struggled to draw enough breath. Gods, what this man did to him!

Rahl’s arms tightened around his lover and he simply held him close for long minutes as they both caught their breath. When he finally pulled away, he was mesmerized as a few drops of his release seeped out of Faramir’s entrance and down his thigh. The magic restraints held him steady once more as Rahl moved to stand before rather than behind his husband and then gently released him as long arms wrapped around his waist and held him close. “Hold on to me, love,” he murmured, kissing the sides of Faramir’s mouth and supporting him completely. “Don’t try to stand… just wrap your arms around my neck.”

He loved the feeling of Rahl holding him, Faramir thought as they both tried to calm their breathing. When Rahl pulled away, he whimpered a little, his body was decidedly sore now but Gods it had been well worth it. He smiled tiredly at his lover as he appeared in front of him though. To be honest, Faramir likely could not have been able to support his own weight after all that, so he was ever so grateful that his lover knew this. He wrapped his sore arms around his husband and practically fell into his arms as the magic released him completely.

Their game now over, Rahl smiled as Faramir leaned into him. Faramir was taller, larger, but Rahl had no trouble lifting him even without magic, and truth be told, this was one of his favorite moments, when Faramir depended on and needed him, and above all, trusted him to take care of him. There had been little trust in Rahl’s life before the man in his arms had appeared, and he never for one moment forgot that Faramir’s trust was nearly as incredible a gift as his love. Gently laying his husband down on fresh sheets as he whispered sweet endearments, rather than clean them with magic, Rahl simply summoned a warm, wet cloth and set about wiping away the remnants of their lovemaking.

Faramir too enjoyed these moments, being close to his lover and truly cared for. It made him feel special, and though he knew they were already the center of one another’s worlds, it made him feel more so when Rahl forsake his magic and took care of him this way. “I love you,” Faramir whispered as he was gently tended to. His body ached from the strain on his muscles from being bound, his entrance felt raw and his balls were tender and throbbing as his nipples ached from just the air against his skin but it was all well worth it. Each pain reminded him he was alive, he was loved beyond measure and he gave his lover pleasure that only the two of them understood.

Stretching out beside Faramir, Rahl leaned up on one elbow and gently pushed the hair back from his forehead. “And I love you, my husband,” he said softly. “More so with every passing day.” His hand drifted down to rest over Faramir’s heart, where he could feel the steady, reassuring beat that often lulled him into now dreamless sleep. “What do you want me to take?” In their first years together, he had healed Faramir immediately and completely after every one of their ‘games,’ but now, he always asked first, knowing that sometimes, a little twinge or ache actually made the memories of their encounters all the more erotic for days afterward. His powers had grown in this world, and even healing the direst injury or disease on one of his patients did little to deplete them.

Faramir smiled as his lover settled next to him. “Just take the edge off… I do have to ride tomorrow on a short patrol with the new recruits,” he teased a little. “But not completely it will be nice to remember tonight during the patrol when I am asked a million questions about the war.” He grinned at his lover and rested his fingers over Rahl’s on his chest. “One of my Ranger’s told me that I tend to stare toward the Healing Houses, he says he has never seen one married as long as we have been look forward to going home to his husband as much as I do. What about you? Do you think about me during the day between healing patients?”

Rahl immediately did as Faramir asked and took some of the soreness away. His thumb rubbed over his lover’s chest, and his fingers stilled, enjoying the warmth of the hand covering them. “No,” he said, shaking his head. “I don’t think of you between healing patients. I think of you while I’m healing patients, between healing patients, when I’m having lunch, when I’m walking to the Healing Houses, when I’m walking home, when I’m casting a spell to teach the younger healers how to treat wounds with and without magic… actually, I think of you every moment of every day.” Laughing softly, he rolled his eyes at himself, then smiled at his husband. “I am not the man you fell in love with,” he mused. “That man would never have admitted that, you know.”

Faramir laughed softly and shook his head. “No, he wouldn’t have,” he whispered. “But I am very glad he just did,” Faramir said drawing his lover’s hand up to his lips and kissing it gently. “I too think of you all day. Wonder what you are doing, how you feel, miss you, want to tell you a funny story as soon as it happens and have to file it away to tell you when I arrive home. I never thought I would find what we have together… love as deep as ours and a passion and shared desires such as ours. I should have known years ago that the man I would one day love wasn’t of this world,” he teased.

A soft chuckle filled the room. “You should have known indeed,” he whispered. “Gods, I cannot believe I just… took you from everything you knew, like I had the right… and then for so long I fancied that I actually owned you.” His fingers carded through Faramir’s hair and his voice grew even softer. His eyes, normally a deep shade of blue, grew even darker and shone with happiness. “I am sorry for so many things I did then, but never that. As wrong, as arrogant, as selfish and terrible as it was… it was – no you are – the best thing that ever happened to me.”

Faramir smiled and nodded as he leaned into his lover’s touch. “You were the best thing that ever happened to me too. I do not regret any of what passed between us at first other than the pain of us hurting each other in our misunderstandings. No one in my life ever wanted me the way you did though. No one ever just looked at me and said ‘I want him’ the way you did. It… was a very foreign thing to me. You know how my father was so I never thought of myself as much of… well… as a catch one might say until you made me feel otherwise,” Faramir admitted. He’d never told his husband that it had been quite flattering for a man who didn’t think much of his own looks or abilities to be desired the way Rahl had so clearly wanted him.

“I don’t see how that’s possible,” Rahl said in wonder. “You are the most beautiful, perfect being I have ever seen – even to this day, in either of our worlds.” He couldn’t resist smiling as he continued. “Your father could not see how lucky he was to have you in his life. Though I did have a bit of fun giving him that little leg cramp every time he insulted you, I did feel almost sorry for him. To have missed out on so much that you were trying to give him. I think you had a much harder time than I did. At least my own father never even pretended to care about anyone, unlike Denethor. Gods, I hated – hated it when he compared you to your brother.”

Faramir sighed and nodded. “I loved Boromir but I hated being compared to his shining example all the time too,” he murmured. “The leg cramp… I can’t say I did feel sorry for him really, perhaps I have more of an evil streak than everyone thinks,” he laughed softly and rolled to his side to look at his lover and trail his hand over his skin. Faramir licked his lips and smiled. “I am just glad you took me to your world, glad we have this life together… and I look forward to many more years loving you, my husband.”

“With all the spells I have over us,” Rahl grinned, “we’ll have many more decades, rather than years.” He slid one arm beneath Faramir’s head and pulled him close. From sending demons of the underworld to get a perfect stranger to use for sex to this – a happy, loving, incredible marriage, seemed impossible. But the strong heart beat against his own, the smooth, warm skin and firm muscles that rested against him were real, and wonderful and, Rahl smiled as he thought again, like he did every night, had saved his life in more ways than one. “This love-thing is pretty amazing, you know. I had no idea what it was until you came along, and now… knowing you love me is the thing I am most proud of.”

Faramir laughed. “Forever couldn’t be long enough,” he grinned as he sank into his lover’s arms. “Mmm, yes, this love-thing certainly is amazing, the most amazing part for me is being loved in return as much as I love you.”

Rahl entangled their fingers and brought Faramir’s up to his lips for a kiss. “I don’t deserve you, but I’m never letting you go,” he whispered, then yawned and snuggled closer. “But I’m working on it. Love is funny like that, I guess. It makes you want to be a better person, no matter what world you live in.”

Faramir smiled and nodded. “Good, because I have no intention of letting you go either,” he whispered in return. He snuggled close and smiled as Rahl’s magic pulled the covers over them both and the light in the room dimmed. He pulled Rahl closer, slipping his leg between his lover’s and pressing their bodies close. “We should take a nap and have dinner later,” he murmured. “Sweet dreams, Darken.”

Smiling as he did so often now, Rahl nodded and pressed a kiss to Faramir’s forehead. “You too, love,” he whispered. “You too.”

The End.

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