(Untitled)

[lothiriel]

As the evening progresses, Lothiriel returns to Haldir's side. They're taking turns to watch him, and she has insisted on taking the night watch, pointing out, sensibly, that it frees up the men to stand guard

Comments

[faramirofgondor]

Faramir returned to Haldir's room after a short break to stretch his legs and roam the halls, senses on edge, constantly fearing another attack. He's heard about Alcawyn, and he's not happy

[boromirthereal]

Manly hug

Brother! It is a relief to see you. I have been worried. Are you okay?

Noticing the mark just as you do

.............

What devilry is this?

[faramirofgondor]

I'm fine, Boromir. Well, actually, as fine as I could be with no sleep and visions of that room, and what's happened to Haldir... you saw the room, I take it? *shudders*

And I don't know what the mark means. It could simply be a bite from that creature, or it could have delivered a poison to him. I honestly don't know. I suspect the latter though, considering how deeply Haldir has gone into himself. If Ungoliant wanted to unnerve us, unfortunately, she's succeeded. I don't know if the damage is permanent, but I have to believe it isn't. I can't accept any other alternative.

He fell silent, focusing his thoughts towards Haldir, wanting to believe that somehow he could make himself heard... Haldir, you need to come back to me. You wouldn't make me go through a year of betrothal alone, would you? Celebrimbor will have your ring ready any time now, and I want you to be awake and aware when I give it to you...

[haldiroflorien]

Through the din of the dreaming place and memories that surround him, words are felt, heard as if from above in the sky...then right next to him...Faramir...everything goes quiet and a stab of shock...betrothal...Faramir, would wish this? In the new sudden silence Haldir can only stand still as the words betrothal, and ring, echo around him. The part of him that watches, remembered that he never looked to that, he had only desired Faramir to keep the ring that he had and had expected no more to come of it...and outside...a shaking breath was exhaled from the elf's lips. For a moment, the eyes saw the room and then went distant again...Faramir...gohena nin...im ú beria le...leithian nin... another shaking breath and the elf's eyes glittered for a single moment before a streak of a tear ran down the still face.

[faramirofgondor]

Faramir watched the tear streak down Haldir's face, and felt his hope begin to wash away with it... Release you? You would ask this of me? You have reached the end of your endurance? Haldir, if the pain is that great, if it is too unbearable to go on in a place where evil always lurks, waiting to pounce... As his brother and friends watched silently, hopefully, Faramir pushed deeper with his mind, closer to where Haldir sought his refuge. I wish only for you to have a good life, a happy one, to be content in your existence. If this isn't possible... yes. I would release you. Because I love you, and your peace means more to me than you might yet realize. I would release you if you asked it of me once more.

Faramir opened his eyes, and looked slowly around the room, lingering on each face his eyes met, yet avoiding looking directly into their eyes.

I would release you. And then, I would follow you. And I would find you again. Perhaps I would not be able to bring the ring with me, but I would bring the meaning of it

[haldiroflorien]

Haldir had not felt ashamed of himself in a very long time, but as he felt the distant words ripple towards him he was humbled by Faramir's words and would have hung his head in his shame if he still had power over his body. It was like a cold bucket of water, striking him hard. Never had he felt more like the arrogant uncaring elf others had always thought him to be. The poison was subtle, he couldn't feel it, but it had slowly drawn him farther inside, taking away what he needed most to do now, take Faramir in his arms and simply touch him.

No. Butterfly light, the feathery brushes against Faramir's mind as Haldir tried to reach for him, touch him in the only way left to him. No. Im al-innas...no. I cannot agree...gohena nin an pettha nín... Im meleth le. Im meleth le, Faramir... Trying to slow his thoughts into coherent speech, let Faramir feel the shame coming from the elf, Forgive my words...please. It was selfish of me...cannot ask this of you... Soon the bond began to weaken again, the poison of the spider was

[faramirofgondor]

Faramir could feel the whisper of the tie returning, the bond with Haldir distant, struggling.

No, not selfish. I could never think of you as that. Rest now, for a time. Don't struggle. Let me help.

He sought strength within himself, focused on his own inner light, then bent to place a kiss on Haldir's head. Lips brushed lightly past a pale ear tip then pressed against his head, directly over the blue mark. His eyes closed, he sought out that which was not meant to be there, drew it towards himself.

Whatever you choose to do, Haldir, it should be your own choice. Not anothers. I will honor your decisions, but I will not abide her making you a prisoner of your own soul. And this world is not such a terrible place, if you choose not to let it be. I promise you now. All the pain she's put you through, all you've suffered in your long life, I will match it in equal amounts with contentment and then some. The scales will be tipped. Faramir slowly broke the kiss, and leaned back on the bed, exhausted. He waited to see if

[boromirthereal]

Keep trying Brother.

It will work....