Posted: December 2, 2005
Title: Beneath the Stars
Author: Sairalinde and Anorienbean
Type: FPS
Pairing: Faramir/Haldir
Rating: NC-17 for graphic m/m sex
Disclaimer: No money was made from this, and this in no way is meant to imply 
anything about the sexual preferences or practices of anyone mentioned within 
this story.
Warnings: This is basically a hurt/comfort/Love story, but it starts out as a 
*very* dark fic, containing violence, rape, and torture. If this bothers you, 
please don’t read.
Summary: Haldir is captured and abused by the Haradrim. Faramir is captured as 
well, but afforded a little more care, because he has value in the Haradrim’s 
eyes. Unspeakable tortures are bestowed on the Elf, yet Faramir saves him…in 
more ways than one, without even knowing it.

~~~

Faramir struggled against his captors, knowing in his heart that it was a lost 
cause. 

"This one should be fun to break...as fiery as his hair!" 

“This one is not for breaking, Nasir,” Altair said firmly. “This one…is the 
Steward of Gondor’s youngest whelp. He is to be used for bargaining, if you use 
him for your games we will have nothing left to bargain with. Remember, he is a 
man, not an Elf.” 

Faramir spoke enough Haradrim to understand the conversation though his captors 
didn’t know that. He was confused by what they were talking about however and 
thought maybe he didn’t understand as much as he thought he did. //Games? 
And…why would it matter if I wasn’t an Elf?// He decided to keep his knowledge 
of their language a secret, perhaps it would serve him later. 

As he was guided along, he felt a strange feeling move over him. As if he knew 
this place, despite the hood that was covering his face. Moving from outside in 
the sunlight and into a dark, damp place he began to recognize where he might 
be. Even the scent of the air was oddly familiar to him. 

After what seemed an eternity in darkness, he heard the jingle of keys and the 
squeak of a door opening and slamming back against a wall. The echo told him 
that his suspicions were right they were in a cave. One he thought perhaps he 
might know. Once the hood was pulled from over his head, Faramir's eyes took a 
moment to adjust to the darkness of the tiny cell he was in. He spun around to 
face his captors, but was immediately knocked backwards by strong arms. 

"Welcome, son of Gondor!" they snickered as they shut the door to the cell, 
leaving him standing in the center of the tiny room.

Faramir smiled inwardly despite his situation. He did in fact know these 
caves...he knew exactly where he was...now all he had to do was figure out his 
captors weakness and make his get away. He was certain these men did not know 
the caves quite as well as he did. Turning to assess the changes to the small 
cell since he had last been there, he saw a form huddled in the corner. 

Immediately his heart went out to the poor soul. By the look of his clothes, he 
had been there quite a while. Carefully, he moved toward the silent form and 
felt his heart nearly stop in his chest as frightened blue eyes rose to meet his 
own. 

Those eyes seemed to reach into his very soul and stir *something* within him. 
For several long moments he was stunned motionless, his breath catching in his 
chest in a way he'd never felt before. After what seemed a long time, Faramir 
managed to pull his gaze away from the startling blue eyes and his eyes moved 
over the other prisioner. He gasped as he saw the pointed tip of an ear poking 
out from under slightly tangled, and matted pale blond hair. 

Moving closer, he dropped to his knees slowly to not startle the Elf and smiled 
sadly, "Master Elf? I...I will not harm you...seems we are both in the same 
predicament. My name is Faramir," he said softly. 

Haldir’s eyes held the newcomer’s for a moment, wishing with all his heart that 
his words were true. //‘I will not harm you.’ Gods…if only… If only one person 
here wouldn’t hurt me…// Quickly, his eyes dropped and he steeled himself for 
whatever would come next. //It’s a trick. He doesn’t *look* like them, but he 
must be trying to trick me…to gain my trust so he can join in the fun of 
torturing an Elf.// Shivering, he tried to make himself smaller, to hide away 
from yet another man, who no doubt had some new terror to bestow on him. His 
breath caught in his throat, and he closed his eyes, waiting for strong hands to 
haul him to his feet and drag him back into one of the other rooms for yet 
another ‘game’. 

Faramir felt his heart drop as he watched the Elf draw even further into 
himself. //Gods, what have they been doing to you?// He felt anger well up 
inside him at their captors, but pushed the feeling down so as to not frighten 
the Elf further. 

Very carefully, he shifted just the slightest bit closer and hoped that he would 
yet again open his eyes. //He had such lovely eyes.// Faramir shook his head at 
the odd thought and tried his best to remember Mithrandir's lessons. Maybe the 
Elf didn't understand Westron? 

"Suilad, mani naa essa en lle?" (Hello, what is your name?) He asked struggling 
slightly and hoping he had gotten it right and not just insulted his new, 
hopefully, new friend. Continuing trying his best to remember words he had 
almost forgotten Faramir added, "Lle quena i'lambe tel' Annúnaid?" (Do you speak 
Westron?) "Please, speak it...I doubt my Elvish is very good...I'm not even sure 
if I'm not mixing the words up," he added smiling and hoping to get the blond to 
look at him. 

Haldir’s eyes opened in shock, but he kept his face buried in his arms for a 
moment. In all his months here, no one had ever tried communicating to him in 
his own language. //He is educated. Maybe he *is* different? Maybe he’s not here 
to hurt me?// Swallowing his fear for the moment, he slowly lifted his eyes and 
looked into the startlingly blue ones before him. 

“I….I am Haldir,” he managed. “I…did they send you to…to do something else to 
me? I…I only got back in my cell a few hours ago…please just….just give me a 
little more time.’’ //Gods…I’m begging! I’m actually begging this man not to 
hurt me! How will I ever face my Lord and Lady again? Or my brothers? Or….or 
anyone else?// Tears of shame filled his eyes. He’d fought as best he could 
against the Haradrim who took such pleasure in torturing him almost every day, 
but they’d learned exactly how to restrain him so that he could barely move, and 
he always ended up back in his cell, bleeding, sobbing, and very nearly broken. 
//Please…just….not yet. Give me a moment’s peace.// 

Faramir was shocked as the Elf, Haldir, began to speak. //Hurt him?// His brow 
furrowed as he watched Haldir's eyes fill with tears. "I'm not here to hurt 
you...I am a prisoner here, just like you. I got separated from my patrol and 
was captured this morning," he explained softly. "I am a Ranger from Gondor. 
Gods, Haldir...what have they been doing to you?" he asked, his heart clenching 
in his chest as he noticed dried blood on the Elf's lower lip. Faramir was 
suddenly filled with an overwhelming sense of protection for this Elf whom he 
hardly knew.

Haldir’s shoulders slumped in relief at Faramir’s words. //They took a Ranger 
prisioner? Gods…they’ll hurt him as they’ve hurt me. And we’ll both die here!// 
He breathed a little easier, letting himself believe the young man’s words. He 
*looked* like a good man…unlike the Haradrim who’d held him prisioner for the 
Valar only knew how long. His eyes…the bluest he’d ever seen…they looked honest. 
And kind. And it had been so long since he’d seen any kindness. Running his 
tongue gingerly over his sore and swollen lips, he tried to straighten up, but 
the lashes across his back caused him to whimper in pain. He closed his eyes 
again and waited for it to pass. “They…they like to see how badly they can hurt 
me,” he whispered softly, “…to see who could make me scream the loudest. It is 
their favorite ‘game.’” 

Faramir clenched his fists against his thighs and looked at Haldir sadly. "For 
what it is worth...I am sorry. Is...is there anything I can do to help? Anything 
at all?" he asked softly. He looked around the cell for something, *anything* 
and saw a torn and very dirty blanket on the floor, a cot, and a small bucket 
with what looked to be somewhat murky water. 

He felt anger well inside him again at the Haradrim for their abominable 
treatment of their prisoners. Gondor didn't treat prisoners from Harad this way. 
There wasn't anything to really clean Haldir up with. He looked back at the Elf 
for a moment. "They beat you...and then don't treat your wounds?" he asked 
suspecting he already knew the answer. 

Leaning against the wall, Haldir looked up at Faramir and shook his head, trying 
to ignore the pain that raced down his back at the gesture. “The only time they 
ever touch me is to beat me,” he said, letting his eyes drift back down to his 
bloodied hands. “That’s one of the things they love about torturing Elves. They 
don’t *have* to take care of us. We heal rather quickly in most cases. I clean 
my wounds as best I can, but…they won’t bring me supplies or fresh water unless 
I beg. And I will *not* beg for that. I do have one scrap of pride left…it is 
all I have, and I will keep it for as long as I am able.” 

Faramir frowned when Haldir described his treatment and nodded in understanding 
about his pride being all he had left. It was all any prisoner would have left. 
"Would...would you object to my asking on your behalf? They may not allow 
it...but I can at least try. They think the men of the west are weak 
anyway...they would take great pride in my begging so soon after my capture. It 
does not matter to me. At least not yet...I've only been here a few hours. 
How...how long have they kept you here like this?" he asked softly. He hoped 
that Haldir would agree to let him at least try and ask the guard. He hated to 
see anyone suffering, and he could tell from the set of Haldir's shoulders that 
he was in a great deal of pain and making an enormous effort not to let it show. 

The mere fact that this handsome young Ranger would do that for him outweighed 
his delight at the mere thought of fresh water. //Gods…they will have a hard 
time breaking this one. I don’t think I can bear to see them trying.// His eyes 
rose to meet Faramir’s once again and he studied his face for a moment. “I lost 
count after the first few months,” Haldir whispered. “The days run together, but 
I think I have been here at least 4 months…maybe longer.” His gaze drifted over 
to the bucket of filthy water and he couldn’t keep the longing from his 
expression. “I…I would not ask you to beg on my behalf,” he said sadly. “I will 
not die from these wounds. You…you shouldn’t worry yourself with me. But, I 
thank you for the thought. It is the most kindness I’ve been shown in a long, 
long time.” 

When Haldir told him how long he had been there Faramir shook his head. Four 
months of beatings is a very long time for anyone to survive...even an Elf. He 
could tell that Haldir was still battling with his pride by his response. 

"Well...I don't know about you, but they have to give us something to 
drink...and quite frankly if they want a mere man to survive, they can't expect 
me to drink that." he grinned slightly as he tipped his head toward the bucket 
that had drawn Haldir's eyes. "So...if I can procure some drinking water from 
them...I'm sure I might be able to save enough to clean your wounds. If I can't 
get clean rags from them, my under tunic is clean," he smiled warmly at Haldir, 
and without waiting for an answer walked to the door of the cell and banged on 
it a few times before a guard appeared. Faramir spoke to him for a few minutes, 
pleading with him and the guard left. He stayed by the cell door waiting and 
hoping what he had told him had worked. 

Haldir slid back in the shadows as far as he could when he heard the guard 
approaching, but he heard every word of their exchange. //Why is he doing this? 
Why is he wasting his time on me?// He breathed easier as the guard finally 
walked away, even though it was the one guard, Altair, who’d at least *tried* to 
save him from the worst of the games. 

Altair had been the one to remind the soldiers that if they raped Haldir, he 
would fade, and they would no longer have anyone to play their games with. He’d 
apparently felt sorry enough for Haldir to slip him an extra crust of bread now 
and then, and he was the one who had brought the dirty blanket to the cell as 
Haldir had lain shivering and in pain one cold night a few weeks ago. Altair was 
the captain of the unit that had captured Haldir, and while he seemed to have a 
little compassion, he could not afford to let it show in front of his men. His 
lashes were the lightest, and sometimes Haldir could swear he saw shame in the 
captain’s brown eyes just before his own eyes closed in pain. 

Keeping his eyes on Faramir, Haldir bowed his head in thanks. His dry, cracked 
lips were craving the water more than he’d ever craved anything in his long 
life, and his body was already aching to be clean, to have the blood washed 
away, if for only the rest of the day. 

After several long moments the guard returned and warned Faramir to stand well 
back from the doorway. 'Do I look like an idiot?' He thought mildly amused and 
stepped back, holding his arms out to his sides to keep from getting himself run 
through for simply *looking* like he might fight. 

The guard entered and set two buckets of fresh water on the floor of the cell 
and collected the bucket of murky water, making a face himself as the smell of 
the acrid substance assaulted him. Faramir simply looked at him, and then the 
guard laid a large cloth over one of the buckets. 

Once the guard left, locking the cell door behind him, Faramir finally moved 
forward to look at the items. The cloth had a slight bulge in it and he opened 
it to find a small jar of salve. He frowned, wondering why after all this time 
they would give salve for Haldir to be treated...but no one had been here before 
apparently to do it. The Haradrim didn't seem to want to touch the Elf other 
than to beat him. 

Gathering the cloth and salve and picking up the bucket, he moved over to Haldir 
in the corner. "Got more out of him than I thought I would," he mused. "We can 
probably use this cloth as a blanket, it's almost thick enough, if you don't 
mind me treating your wounds with pieces of my undertunic?" Faramir asked, 
settling on his haunches beside Haldir again. 

Haldir couldn’t help but cringe when Faramir approached, but the young Ranger 
hadn’t harmed him yet…maybe, just maybe, he wouldn’t. He was stunned that he 
*wanted* to treat his wounds…but then again, who’d want to share a cell with 
someone so filthy and covered in blood? 

He looked down to see the salve in Faramir’s hands and he wondered if it would 
possibly bring him a few moments free from the pain. It’d been so long since he 
hadn’t hurt, he could scarcely remember how it felt. //Thank you Altair. I still 
hate you, but at least my suffering doesn’t bring you the joy it brings your 
men.// 

“You don’t have to dirty yourself or your clothes,” he said softly. “I’ll try to 
stay out of your way.” He had no doubt the young ranger had seen wounds on the 
battlefield, but he didn’t wish to expose him to even more violence. Seldom did 
a day go by that they hadn’t beaten him with whips or belts or canes, and they’d 
even managed to capture a few wargs. They’d had great fun in watching the beasts 
attack their prisioner, and Haldir bore not only the scars from the beatings, 
but had several vicious bites all over his body as well. //He will probably want 
another cell when he sees the wounds…and who could blame him?// 

Faramir sighed and shook his head. "You know, Haldir, it's one thing to be 
proud...it's another to just be downright stubborn. I'm offering you my help, 
and my friendship if you will take them. I know you have been here a while...and 
have no reason to trust me, but I'd like to help you if you will let me. I can't 
stand to see anyone in pain, so please, if you won't do it for yourself...do it 
for me?" Faramir said hoping he had said the right thing. 

He wanted to help Haldir, he would want to help anyone in a similar situation 
but found for some reason, he truly did not wish to see the Elf in pain. If he 
could take his pain away and bear it himself, he would, and the thought almost 
frightened him. There was just something...something in those sad blue eyes when 
they had looked at him, as if they had looked into his very soul. He wanted to 
help him, and if he could protect him from further beatings, Faramir would like 
to try. Maybe now that he was here...maybe they would not take all of their 
aggression out on Haldir? 

A small smile touched Haldir’s lips. Faramir’s eyes were shining, and the Elf’s 
breath caught in his throat as he gazed at his new friend. //Gods, he’s 
beautiful. I’ve never seen such light, such kindness, in all my life.// “I…I 
would appreciate your help, Faramir,” he nodded. “I apologize for my manners. I 
think I have forgotten how to be nice somewhere along the way.” He gingerly 
stretched out his legs, trying to gather his strength to stand. “Just…give me a 
moment. I am still a bit weak.” 

Faramir wasn't sure if he should offer to help Haldir to stand or not. He didn't 
want to make Haldir feel worse just by trying to be helpful. He watched pain 
flicker in his new friend's eyes and sighed softly. "Just take your time," he 
whispered. "If...if you like you can use my shoulder to lever yourself up...it 
may take a bit of strain off your injuries." He thought that might be the safest 
route, allow Haldir to make the decision for himself and not just pull him up 
like Faramir wanted to. He would need to think about a plan on how they could 
get out of the caves. It would take time to figure out the guard’s routine's but 
after seeing what they were doing to Haldir, he was sure time wasn't something 
either of them had much of. If they started playing their 'games' with Faramir 
he might not be strong enough to escape. 

Looking at Haldir once more he felt his heart clench in his chest and knew 
without a doubt he *had* to get Haldir out of there. He knew Elves were more 
resilient than men but...four months of this? He had already decided, when he 
escaped, he would take his cellmate with him. 

Gritting his teeth against the pain, Haldir nodded gratefully at Faramir’s offer 
of assistance. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he knew Faramir wouldn’t laugh 
at him, wouldn’t think him weak for asking for or accepting help. //No one with 
eyes like that could be cruel. How could I have thought so in the first place?// 

Placing one hand on the Ranger’s shoulder, he took a deep breath and tried to 
get his legs to cooperate. His fingers automatically tightened on Faramir’s 
shoulder as he slowly pushed himself up. The pain was almost unbearable as the 
wounds on his back reopened, and he felt fresh blood soak into his tunic. His 
forehead broke out in a thin sheen of perspiration and his face grew paler by 
the second. As soon as his legs were underneath him, he concentrated on not 
collapsing back to the ground and held on to Faramir’s shoulder for long 
moments. “I’m…sorry, Faramir,” he breathed. “I…I just got back in here a few 
hours before you came. I didn’t realize the simple act of standing would hurt so 
much.” 

Faramir watched sadly as Haldir struggled to pull himself up. He could see how 
much pain he was in and was almost angry with himself for even asking him to 
move. 

He felt the Elf's hand tighten on his shoulder and shook his head as he spoke. 
"There is nothing for you to be sorry for. Nothing at all, Haldir," he said 
softly. Reaching up, he placed his hand over Haldir's on his shoulder for a 
moment and then slowly rose keeping the contact, not wanting to let go in case 
Haldir wasn't able to stay on his feet. He faced Haldir for a moment and spoke 
softly. "I hope...that we can alleviate some of your pain," he whispered. He 
waited patiently as Haldir tried to steel himself for the pain of cleaning the 
wounds. 

The contact of Faramir’s hand over his own almost brought Haldir to tears. It 
was the gentlest touch he’d had in months, and he swallowed back the lump in his 
throat. //He’s only being kind…If I don’t disgust him now, I certainly will when 
he sees my wounds. I can only imagine how hideous they are.// When the stinging 
in his back and legs had become more bearable, he nodded toward the cot on the 
other side of the small cell. “I suppose that’s the best place?” he asked 
hoarsely. “I don’t think I can stand much longer. Maybe later…after I’ve rested, 
but not now.” 

"It's alright, Haldir. Here...let me help?" Faramir said trying to consider how 
to help Haldir without hurting him worse. "Just...since I don't know where all 
your injuries are, how about you slide your arm around me and hang on and I'll 
help you get over there. Just take your time...obviously, I'm not going 
anywhere," he tried to tease to take Haldir's mind off the pain for a moment. 

He waited for Haldir to make the first moves, not wanting to push him too 
quickly. Faramir could tell from his short intakes of breath and the way he was 
holding himself so stiffly, that he was in far more pain than he was willing to 
admit to. He knew that all too well. All warriors hid their pain; it was the 
only way to survive sometimes. Never show weakness; never show anything that 
could be an advantage to the enemy. Be they Elves or men, all warriors are 
taught those things but now neither of them were warriors anymore, they were 
prisoners. 

Haldir smiled once again at Faramir’s words, despite the pain it caused where 
his lip had been cleanly split. The young Ranger was like a ray of sunshine in 
the small room that had become Haldir’s world in the past months, and he began 
to wonder if he wasn’t hallucinating. 

His arm slid from Faramir’s shoulder to rest around his waist. He took the first 
step gingerly, and clung to his new friend when the pain raced up from his legs. 
The guards had been particularly vicious that morning, and he’d ended up with 
welts and deep lacerations from his shoulders down to his waist…then they’d 
turned him over and proceeded to whip his chest. 

Just as they were working their way further down, Altair called them away for 
their morning patrols, and two of the larger guards had thrown him roughly back 
into his cell. “Just like a nice, *slow* stroll in the gardens,” he breathed, 
trying to erase the look of concern on Faramir’s face. “Nice and….*SLOW*, right, 
mellonamin?” 

Faramir tried to smile encouragingly at Haldir, despite his heart feeling as if 
it were twisting in his chest. //I am so sorry. I wish I could make them stop 
doing this. I'll get you out of here. I'll get us both out.// He nodded as 
Haldir spoke, "That's right, nice and slow," he whispered. Trying to think of 
something to help distract Haldir from his pain, he decided to ask a few 
questions as they made the short, painful trek toward the cot. "A stroll in the 
gardens...so where are you from? Mirkwood or Lorien? I couldn't imagine you 
being from Imladris that's so far away," he asked hoping his questions would 
distract Haldir from at least some of the pain he was feeling. 

“Lorien,” Haldir managed past gritting teeth. “I am…rather, I *was* a 
Marchwarden of the Golden Wood. I only hope my Lord and Lady and my family think 
me dead, for I know I can not face them again.” His last words trailed off, as 
if he were speaking more to himself than to Faramir. He kept one hand on the 
wall to steady himself, but Faramir was taking the majority of his weight, as he 
was holding the Ranger as close as he could, unconsciously craving the warmth 
and the gentle touch he offered so freely. 

"Cannot face them again? Haldir...none of *this* is your fault. Of course you 
can face them, you've done nothing to be ashamed of I'm sure. You've endured 
their 'games' for four months, I am sure that your family and your Lord and Lady 
will always be proud of you, no matter what. And your family, I'm sure, loves 
you very much. I have a brother...I'm certain that once he finds out I didn't 
return from my patrol that he will be beside himself. Please...don't let our 
captors win. Don't let them take away the joy of one day being reunited with 
those who care about you," Faramir said softly as they reached the edge of the 
cot. He stood patiently waiting for Haldir to rest a bit before moving onto the 
cot. 

Haldir looked at Faramir in surprise. //Could he possibly be right? Will they 
still welcome me, even after I’ve begged these men for my freedom, begged them 
for a moment free of pain?// “But I’ve…I’ve let them hear me scream…and beg for 
mercy. Not exactly the kind of marchwarden, or brother, they will welcome back.” 
Before Faramir could answer, he looked back down at his feet. “Maybe you are 
right, my friend…to lose that hope of seeing them again *would* be to let them 
win. Maybe they will forgive me for my weakness.” 

Before Faramir could respond, Haldir realized they’d reached the cot. He turned 
back to his friend and looked at him questioningly. “You don’t have to do 
this….Treat my wounds, I mean. They …they aren’t exactly pleasant…and have not 
truly been cleaned in weeks.” 

Faramir stared at Haldir for a moment and his arms ached to wrap around his new 
friend and simply hold him and tell him that everything would be all right, but 
he didn't know that. He didn't know if tomorrow he would be the one to face 
their games. "Haldir...would you think less of me if they pulled me into the 
hall tonight and beat me like they have you, and I screamed and begged for 
mercy? I don't think you would, and I don't think that your family and friends 
would either," he said softly and nodded. "And...I know I don't *have* to treat 
your wounds, I want to. I want to help if I can. I'm a soldier; I've seen a lot 
of things that weren't pleasant. Please? I can't stand seeing anyone in pain 
like this, allow me to at least try and give you some respite?" Faramir had 
never thought that he would feel grateful for being captured, but from what he 
had seen today he knew if he had not been taken prisioner then Haldir likely 
would not have survived much longer. True, he hardly knew the Elf but for some 
reason the very notion of *this* Elf dieing broke his heart. 

Haldir shook his head as Faramir spoke. “No,” he whispered as he sat down 
cautiously on the edge of the cot. “I would certainly not think less of you, I 
promise you that.” //But I pray to the Valar that they never touch you. I would 
much rather be their plaything, than see them do to you what they have done to 
me. Your kindness has already helped me more than you could possibly know, and I 
will do anything I can to keep them from harming you.// 

Only moments ago, Haldir thought, he would have given anything to have one day 
pass without a beating…but he could not bear the thoughts of the guards turning 
their attention to Faramir in his stead. He was too beautiful, too noble and 
caring to be broken as Haldir had been. Haldir would survive…he wasn’t sure if a 
mortal man could…and he wasn’t willing to take that chance with Faramir. //Gods, 
I wish you hadn’t been captured; Faramir, yet at the same time, I am grateful 
beyond words to have you next to me. It’s selfish, I know….I only hope you can 
escape before they lay their filthy hands on you, but just having you here for a 
few hours has made me feel better..// Shaking his head, Haldir forced himself 
out of his reverie and tried to smile at Faramir. “I would appreciate your 
treating my wounds,” he said softly as he began to unlace his tunic. “Thank you 
again for offering.” 

"No need for thanks. I'm sure you'd do the same if our roles were reversed," 
Faramir said softly. As Haldir began to remove his tunic, he noticed how 
difficult it was for him to raise his arms, probably pulling the abused skin of 
his back tight and causing even more pain. "Here. I'll do this part, save your 
energy for when I start cleaning the wounds...if it's as bad as I think it is, 
you'll need your strength," he whispered. 

He felt slightly awkward working at removing Haldir's garment, but it would be 
better if he helped. After a few moments he had it opened enough to pull over 
Haldir's head. Leaning forward, Faramir took hold of the back of his tunic and 
rolled it up slowly and carefully, not wishing to drag it over Haldir's back. He 
then pulled it forward over his head and pulled it down his arms to keep from 
hurting him worse or forcing him to lift his arms in the air. "There we go," he 
whispered softly. "My brother, Boromir, taught me to do that when I was young 
and had fallen out of a tree into a large patch of poison ivy." He tried not to 
react to the myriad of marks on Haldir's skin. Deep cuts, bruises, scrapes, the 
imprint of a boot heel on his chest...and ...bite marks? "What...what bit you?" 
he asked in confusion and drawing back to look into Haldir's eyes. He'd expected 
the marks from whips, and beatings but...not that. 

Haldir knew he should, by all rights, feel terribly self-conscious in front of 
Faramir, yet he either simply didn’t have the strength, or knew, deep down, that 
the young Ranger would not judge him. He looked wearily down at the bite marks 
on his stomach and thigh and winced at the memory. “The guards grew bored a few 
days ago and locked me in another cell…with a warg. It was a fight to the death, 
and I had only one weapon…a small dagger. I had grand ideas of killing each of 
them with that dagger,” he mused, “but by the time I killed the warg and they 
opened the cell door, I could do nothing but lie there and watch as they took 
the dagger away and threw me back in here. That was the third warg I had to 
fight. They seem to be getting…larger. Or maybe I am getting weaker.” 

Faramir was stunned for a moment and crouched down in front of Haldir so he 
could look into his downcast eyes. "The third one? Gods, Haldir. I...I have no 
words to express my anger at them, nor my disgust. I'm sure you in Lorien don't 
treat your prisoners like this and we don't in Gondor. I...I cannot understand 
how anyone could draw pleasure from someone else’s pain like that. I...I am 
sorry," he said softly. 

Standing back up, Faramir pulled his over tunic off and laid it aside, and then 
tore a section off his undertunic. The material was quite soft, much softer than 
the material they'd been brought. He walked over and picked up the bucket and 
salve and knelt before Haldir again. "This will probably sting," he whispered. 

Haldir nodded and took a deep breath. “Go ahead, mellonamin (my friend),” he 
said. His eyes traveled slowly over Faramir’s face, and he forgot his pain for a 
moment as he noticed the soft laugh lines around the young man’s mouth and the 
way his eyes crinkled in the corners…as if he laughed often and without 
reservation. 

The Silvan Elf had never been attracted to anyone of the race of men in all his 
long years, and, with the exception of Estel, he had almost determined that he 
hated them all, especially since he had been captured. But Faramir…Faramir was 
different. //If only I were free, and unscarred, I think I would like to know 
this gentle man as more than a friend….if he would be amenable to that. But I 
will probably die here…and I am no doubt enough to disgust anyone in my current 
state.// Quickly pushing his thoughts away, Haldir’s eyes widened and he forced 
a smile to his lips. “I…I am sorry. Please…continue. I was simply…lost in 
thought for a moment.” 

Faramir had paused for only a moment, as Haldir seemed to be thinking about 
something and smiled gently. "I'll try my best not to cause you more pain than 
necessary," he whispered. Swallowing back his anger at the men, no, monsters, 
who had done this to Haldir, he began to slowly and as carefully as possible 
clean the wounds on Haldir's chest, and sides and even as low as his stomach. As 
he took note how low the wounds traveled he bit his lip. //How could they do 
this? Gods, making him fight a warg, not once but *three* times? What sick 
purpose does it serve?//

He listened carefully for any sharp intakes of breath, and each time paused to 
allow Haldir a moment before continuing on. The process was slow, and he knew 
painful but some of the wounds were quite deep and needed to be cleaned. Once he 
had finished with the majority of them, he reached for the small jar of salve 
and hoped it would be enough to treat all of his wounds. He decided to start 
with the worst first, and then if there was enough, he would treat the lesser 
wounds. 

Haldir gritted his teeth as his wounds were cleaned, and tried his best to hide 
how much pain he was in. He was grateful beyond words when Faramir seemed to 
sense the worst of the pain and paused, giving Haldir time to gather himself and 
prepare for the next wound to be addressed. 

The wounds from earlier that morning were especially sensitive, and even though 
Faramir was being incredibly gentle, Haldir soon had a thin sheen of 
perspiration covering his face and his fingers were clenched firmly around the 
metal sides of the cot. As gentle fingers begin to apply the salve, his pain 
lessened, and he gave Faramir a weak smile. “I’m feeling better already,” he 
said softly. “Thank you again for getting this…and for helping me.” 

"I'm glad to be of help, I'm sure you'd have done the same for me or anyone 
else," Faramir whispered. He tried his best to be as gentle as possible but he 
could tell that Haldir was in a lot of pain. "I'll be done soon," he said 
softly. Once he was finished with the task of putting salve over the wounds on 
Haldir's chest and stomach, he tore more pieces from his undertunic and placed 
them over the worst of the wounds. Some of which had started bleeding again 
while he cleaned them. Setting back on his heels, he looked up at Haldir. "Your 
back as well?" he asked softly. 

“Aye,” Haldir said as his face colored with shame. He was a warrior, yet he now 
bore countless scars that would probably never fully heal. //What must this 
Ranger think of me? I just pray to the Valar that he might escape before he 
hears me screaming. I don’t think I shall be able to meet his eyes if he hears 
*that*.// 

With a resigned sigh, Haldir gingerly turned and lay on his stomach on the cot, 
turning his face to the wall so as not to see the disgust in Faramir’s eyes. He 
took a deep breath and closed his eyes, wishing again that he had had the 
opportunity to meet this gentle man under different circumstances. There was a 
wound on his leg from his last encounter with the warg, but he decided not to 
mention that one, and he doubted it was visible. His breeches had been torn, and 
he’d bound the wound as soon as he’d returned to his cell. Besides, he reasoned, 
this poor Ranger had seen blood and ragged skin…a filthy, bleeding Elf was not 
something a man would run across every day, and doubtless he had seen more than 
enough already. 

Faramir bit his lower lip to suppress the gasp he almost emitted when he saw 
Haldir's back. //If I could cut out their black hearts, each and every one of 
them, I would.// Instead of voicing those thoughts, he took a deep breath and 
took the rag, wetting it and then moving back to start working on the many of 
wounds and deep cuts across the Elf's back. He paused before touching him, "This 
may sting, brace yourself, mellonamin," he whispered softly. He did not wish to 
inflict more pain on Haldir but there was little choice, some of the wounds were 
infected. 

Haldir bit bottom lip to try and stifle the moans he knew would inevitably 
escape when the worst of his wounds were treated. He wound his fingers around 
the edge of the cot again and nodded. “I am ready,” he whispered softly, still 
facing the wall. “I don’t think you could possibly hurt me as much as they have, 
so you don’t have to be careful. I know you probably wish to get this over 
with…or that you had never offered to do this, and I am so sorry you are having 
to…to dirty yourself. Please…fell free to stop anytime you like. I would 
understand if you have had enough already, Faramir, and would not blame you in 
the least if you need to distance yourself a bit.” 

Faramir's hands stilled and he sighed heavily before he spoke. "Haldir, I do 
wish to get it over with but only so I don't hurt you anymore than you already 
have been. I am not dirtying myself, nor am I disgusted with YOU in any way, I 
am disgusted with what has been done to you. This...what you have endured…," he 
paused at a loss and began again, "I held my tongue earlier when I first saw 
your back, but if I were able I would kill each and every one of your 
tormentors. I would cut out their black hearts for what they have done to you. 
You did not deserve this. I may not know you well but I am a good judge of 
character. I do not wish to distance myself from you at all, and if they came 
here tonight to take you I would offer myself in your stead. You cannot take 
much more of this until you have time to heal, mellonamin," Faramir spoke softly 
but firmly. He knew Haldir's words were colored by the pain and despair he was 
feeling after spending months being tortured, but it broke Faramir's heart 
nonetheless to hear the Elf speak that way. It was not his fault.

Haldir’s eyes opened and he stared at the wall in shock for a moment before 
turning to face Faramir. //He is not disgusted? He does not think I’m weak?// As 
Faramir’s final words sunk in, Haldir ignored his pain long enough to turn on 
his side and clutched at his friend’s hand with every bit of strength he had. “I 
will *not* let you go in my stead, Faramir,” he ground out, shaking his head. “I 
could not stand to see you hurt as well…please, please do not even say that. I 
beg of you not to even *think* that. I will survive…I swear I will. But it would 
break my heart to see these marks on you.” His face colored once again, but he 
spoke nothing but the truth. He barely knew this Ranger, but he was so fair, so 
gentle and kind, that Haldir knew without a doubt it would tear him to pieces to 
see him marked as he himself was, especially if it was done to protect him. 
“Please, Faramir, I beg of you…I will do anything. Just do not offer yourself up 
for me…Please, just….*please*, my friend, do not offer yourself to them.” 

Faramir was shocked when Haldir rolled over and took his hand. He closed his 
eyes for a moment as the Elf spoke, shaking his head. He wished to argue but 
Haldir's pleas touched his heart and he felt tears gather in his eyes as he 
opened them again to behold the earnest look on Haldir's face. "You…all 
right…but I swear to you, Haldir…I swear that I will get you out of here. I 
promise you, *we * will escape," he whispered. Leaning closer to Haldir to make 
sure his words were not overheard, he continued. "I know these caves, Haldir. I 
have been here before, not as a prisoner of course…but I know them well. As soon 
as I am able to form a plan and determine the best possible time, I will get you 
out of here, get both of us out. Do you trust me?" he asked. 

Haldir felt relief at Faramir’s words, as well as a thin ray of hope that they 
might actually escape. He stared intently into the Ranger’s blue eyes, not even 
realizing he was still holding on to his hand for dear life. Without even 
searching his heart, the words fell from Haldir’s lips before he realized it. “I 
do trust you,” he said softly. “I believe that if anyone can get us out of here, 
it is you.” His pains forgotten for the moment, Haldir simply stared into the 
blue eyes before him, realizing that Faramir must feel as though the Elf was 
ready to climb in his lap and curl up against him, which, Haldir had to admit, 
didn’t seem to be such a terribly bad idea. Swallowing the lump in his throat, 
he looked down and suddenly realized that his sudden movement had reopened some 
of the wounds on his back as they began to bleed and sting anew. “I…I do trust 
you,” he repeated as he released Faramir’s hand and stared at the floor. 

Faramir felt his heart almost stop in his chest as Haldir stared into his eyes 
so intently and he took a deep breath when Haldir said that he trusted him. He 
hadn't realized that he had been holding his breath as the Elf stared into his 
eyes. "Good," he spoke finally. "I promise I will not fail you as long as there 
is breath in my body, I will not fail you my friend." 

After a moment, Haldir settled back onto the cot and Faramir continued treating 
his wounds, attending to the ones that had begun to bleed when Haldir had moved 
and cleaning those he had yet to treat. After many long moments, he finally 
began to apply the salve, and covered the worst of the wounds with bandages from 
his undertunic. "There we go, hopefully the salve will make you feel much 
better. There isn't much left," he said as he leaned over Haldir and wiped at a 
small gash over his eye. Cleaning it carefully as well, he dabbed a bit of the 
salve on it. It wasn't a very bad injury but he knew it was probably painful. 
"You'll wish to sleep now I'm sure," he said standing up and pulling back on his 
tunic. "I will sleep on the floor. You take the clean cloth they gave us as a 
blanket, I don't want you getting the wounds dirty from that other blanket," he 
said frowning at the pitiful excuse of a blanket. 

Haldir couldn’t help the small smile that touched his lips as Faramir so 
tenderly tended the wound above his eye. The cuts on his back were feeling much 
better, and he hated the thoughts that there wouldn’t be enough salve for the 
next day…after his next beating. At least maybe the soothing ointment would 
speed the healing a bit…although he was an Elf, he did often need more than one 
day to heal…though he rarely got that anymore. 

As Faramir gestured toward the blanket, Haldir sat up carefully and shook his 
head. “You take the cot,” he said. “I…I rarely sleep anymore. They…they like to 
sneak up on me when I’m asleep and…” He paused for a moment trying not to 
remember all the times they’d awoken him with a hard kick between the legs, or 
as they grabbed a handful of his hair and drug him toward the cell door. Or the 
time he awoke as he was being hoisted in the air by ropes tied to the top of the 
cell, arms and legs outspread so they could beat him without having to go 
through the trouble of transferring him to another cell. “They…do things when I 
sleep. So I just sit in the corner and doze. I’m quite used to it by now. You, 
on the other hand…I know men need more sleep than Elves. You should curl up 
underneath this blanket and rest while you can, and I will stay close and wake 
you if they try to sneak in.” 

Faramir gritted his teeth and shook his head. "In...your sleep? I...no. You take 
the cot; you rest, and allow me to guard your sleep. You are injured not me. I 
may be a human but I am also a Ranger and I have spent many a night on watch. 
Please...you won't heal sitting in that corner. You need rest...and I will be 
here this time to guard it. If you trust me, you will allow me to watch over 
you. If I become tired I will wake you to take my place. So you must keep the 
cot. I'll settle down right here beside it and watch the door," he bargained, 
hoping that Haldir would agree. Several of the wounds on his back were infected, 
and rest would most certainly help now that they were clean. 

Haldir started to protest, but realized that in the shape he was in now, he 
could never escape with Faramir, even if he found a way out tonight. And it 
*had* been so long since he’d slept. //Maybe for a few hours…just a few, then I 
could watch over him while he rests. If I could only sleep for a while, I could 
heal, and not be such a burden to him.// With a resigned sigh, Haldir smiled at 
Faramir and nodded as he carefully pulled his tunic back over his head. “Aye. 
But I am only doing this so that I won’t be a burden to you when we escape. And 
only if you swear to wake me should you become tired.” 

"I swear it, Haldir. And...you will be no burden...but please, you do need the 
rest. I can see it in your eyes," Faramir whispered. He covered Haldir with the 
clean sheet of material and almost felt silly as he realized he was tucking the 
Elf in. He blushed brightly. "Sorry...force of habit. My brother and I have 
guarded one another's sleep when we were younger after our mother 
passed...and...tucking each other in was well...nevermind, sorry." He felt his 
blush burning all the way to the tips of his ears and looked down at the floor 
for a moment before turning and settling in the floor beside Haldir's cot and 
staring at the door of their cell. "Sleep, my friend." 

Haldir was shocked at the measure of comfort he felt as Faramir gently tucked 
him in. He smiled and realized his eyes were incredibly heavy already at the 
mere notion that he might possibly sleep undisturbed for a few hours, yet he 
found it difficult to look away from the copper colored, wavy hair and handsome 
profile of his new cell mate….and new friend. //His mother must have passed away 
when he was young. I wonder what his life was like? If his father or brother 
made up for the loneliness he must have suffered after his mother was gone?// 
Before he could dwell on his thoughts, his eyes closed for a moment, and he felt 
himself drifting off to sleep. 

Moments later, a cell door down the hallway slammed closed, and Haldir jumped, 
cursing, and causing the entire cot to rattle in its frame. //You must 
relax…they are not here…Faramir is keeping watch…// He trusted Faramir not to 
leave, and not to fall asleep…but what if they took him? Haldir’s hand slowly 
reached out and rested on Faramir’s shoulder, wanting to keep him close, to make 
sure that they wouldn’t take him away. Without a word, he simply gazed at the 
Ranger, hoping that he would allow this barest of contact as Haldir slept. 

Faramir cursed under his breath as he realized Haldir was just falling asleep 
when a door slammed and startled him back from the fringe of sleep. As he felt a 
tentative hand rest on his shoulder, he smiled and reached across his chest to 
lay his hand over Haldir's. Their hands shifted at the same time and he felt his 
fingers slip between Haldir's. Closing his eyes for a moment, he tangled his 
fingers more fully with the Elf's. "Sleep, Haldir," he whispered, "I will guard 
your slumber, mellonamin." 

Faramir could not believe the torture Haldir had endured these last months, and 
he couldn't help feeling protective of him. He reasoned with himself that he 
would feel that way for anyone in the same situation but he knew he was lying to 
himself. Even beneath the grime, and the bruises, he could see how beautiful the 
Elf was. He was inexplicably drawn to him, from the first moment Haldir's 
startling blue eyes had met his own, Faramir had felt drawn to him. He did not 
know why he felt this way but he would do everything in his power to formulate 
an escape plan as quickly as he could. He did not care if he, himself escaped, 
his only care was to get Haldir away from his tormentors as soon as possible. He 
listened to Haldir's breathing even out and watched the door, his silent vigil 
lasting late into the night. 

Hours later, Haldir began moaning softly in his sleep. His fingers tightened 
around Faramir’s and he moved restlessly on the cot. It was still many hours 
before daybreak, and his tormenters were lazy…they never came for him until late 
morning, but he found himself caught in a half-sleep, half-awake state, one 
moment knowing that he should sleep while he was relatively safe, and the next, 
dreaming that they were taking him away again, to the room with the whips and 
blades, the belts and restraints. In this particular dream, however, not only 
had Haldir been captured, but his brothers as well. As he was being beaten, 
Orophin and Rumil were beside him, screaming in agony and begging for their 
tormenters to stop. “No,” he whimpered, “no…please...” 

Faramir shifted when he heard Haldir moan and turned to look at him, even as 
fingers tightened around his own. "Haldir?" he asked softly and then realized 
the Elf was most likely having a nightmare. He leaned closer and whispered to 
him quietly. "You are safe, mellonamin. Rest easy, Haldir. They aren't here," he 
whispered hoping his words would help. His hand ached from how tightly Haldir 
was gripping him but he would not pull away. Faramir suspected that he needed 
some sort of grounding touch and would not abandon him for such a small thing. 

Haldir relaxed slightly under Faramir’s touch, the softly whispered words 
soothing his soul for the moment, but as soon as the young Ranger stopped 
talking, Haldir was once again caught up in his nightmare. His eyes opened 
abruptly and he gasped, seeing someone so close to him, and he automatically 
pressed himself back against the wall, crying out as his freshly treated wounds 
ground into the rough stone. //Faramir…It’s Faramir. He won’t hurt me…he’s not 
one of *them*.// 

He released Faramir’s hand, and not even letting the thoughts of how pathetic he 
would look in his new friend’s eyes reach his mind, he pushed off the wall, and 
wrapped both arms around Faramir’s neck. He buried his face in the Ranger’s neck 
and tried to calm himself, but the dream had been so real…and he was so 
completely exhausted, it was a loosing battle. He could do nothing more than 
cling to Faramir, sobbing quietly as he reveled in the first touch he’d had in 
months from someone who didn’t mean to cause him pain. 

Faramir was startled as Haldir had come awake and pressed himself against the 
wall. His eyes widened for a moment as he saw pain lace across Haldir's face 
briefly before the Elf launched himself forward to wrap himself around Faramir. 
His arms automatically went around the shivering Elf, careful not to touch his 
injuries, Faramir held him gently. "It's a nightmare, Haldir. Just a nightmare," 
he whispered. "I've got you, you are safe //for now at least// relax, relax dear 
one," he crooned softly. He shifted his body up onto the cot and held Haldir 
close and rocked him slightly as he felt warm tears against his neck. He wasn't 
sure what to do, so he simply held him and whispered calming words softly to his 
shaken friend. 

Haldir *knew* he should feel ashamed, *knew* he was making a fool out of 
himself, but Faramir’s arms around him felt so safe, so soothing, so…right. He 
was a warrior, one of the best and strongest in the Golden Wood, a Marchwarden 
of the highest order, yet he was sobbing uncontrollably…and Faramir wasn’t 
laughing at him, wasn’t pushing him away, wasn’t telling him to control himself 
and stop sounding like an Elfling. He relaxed into the embrace, but couldn’t 
bring himself to unwrap his arms from around Faramir’s neck. Instead, he curled 
up like a child in the Ranger’s lap, feeling truly secure…a feeling he’d almost 
forgotten completely in the past weeks. Exhaustion fell over him like a thick 
blanket, yet still, he clung to Faramir. “Stay with me?” he asked between great, 
hiccupping breaths as his face stayed buried against the warm skin of Faramir’s 
neck. “I…I mean…would you just…just….hold me for a while? I don’t mean to be a 
bother. I didn’t realize the nightmares would take hold of me if I slept, but…if 
you would stay here…they might stay away…” His voice trailed off, and he held 
his breath, realizing how pathetic he must seem, but knowing that he would not 
find sleep again if he were alone. 

Faramir drew back slightly and looked into Haldir's eyes, smoothing golden hair 
away from his face. "Yes, as long as you need me, I will stay," he whispered. 
Shifting, he moved over Haldir's body without breaking contact with him and lay 
against the wall facing toward the door and toward Haldir. "This way I can see 
the door and still keep watch. I am not yet tired, so you go back to sleep. I 
will hold you and do my best to protect your dreams," he said smiling kindly. 

Nodding gratefully, Haldir was too worn out to even realize that his own back 
was toward the door….something he’d never let happen after his first week in 
this cell. He felt safe in Faramir’s arms. He *did* trust him, and he knew 
without the faintest doubt that Faramir would be the one to wake him, instead of 
his tormenters when the time came. His head rested on a firmly muscled arm, and 
Haldir released his hold on Faramir’s neck only to slide one arm around his 
waist. “Thank you mellonamin,” he whispered. His eyes were already closed again, 
and he snuggled closer, burying his face in Faramir’s chest, and was in a 
peaceful and healing slumber moments later. 

Faramir wrapped his arm around Haldir protectively as the other acted as a 
pillow for the weary blond head. "You are welcome, Haldir," he whispered. "Get 
some sleep." When Haldir snuggled closer Faramir smiled. 

He really should not be enjoying this as much as he was, he was comforting a 
friend that was all, but each time Haldir moved closer Faramir felt *something* 
flicker within him. //He is your friend and you are protecting him. That is all. 
Nothing more and nothing less.// 

He took a deep breath and released it slowly as his eyes settled on the door 
once more and he listened for footfalls in the passage outside their cell. He 
was determined to stay awake as long as possible to give Haldir plenty of time 
to sleep. Throughout the night, he would soothe his friend with soft words and 
gentle touches whenever Haldir would moan or shiver in his sleep. It was all 
Faramir could offer and he offered all of his warmth and compassion freely to 
Haldir. His anger with their captors grew with each shiver, and his mind went 
over plans for their eventual escape as he kept his watch. 

***** 
Chapter 2

Haldir slept throughout the night and early morning, waking several hours after 
the sun had risen. The small window of his cell had admitted precious rays of 
sunlight that warmed the small room slightly, yet it was Faramir’s warmth that 
had sustained him throughout the night. He slowly opened his eyes, realizing 
that he was having much less pain than he’d had since his capture. 

His face was still buried in the folds of Faramir’s tunic, and his arm was still 
wrapped securely around the Ranger’s waist. Not only that, Haldir realized, but 
two strong, yet incredibly gentle arms were wrapped around him, holding him just 
as securely. He truly had had a healing sleep, thanks to Faramir. Rare was the 
day the Haradrim did not drag him from his cell, but it seemed that maybe today 
he would have some peace, as the sun was high in the sky, and it was well past 
the time they usually came for him. 

Occasionally, they would leave…for whatever reason, Haldir never knew, but if 
they did not come for him before noon, they usually left him alone for the rest 
of the day. It sometimes meant a worse beating the next day, but right now, here 
in Faramir’s arms, he would take what he could get, and be grateful. 

“Faramir?” he asked softly, unwilling to move away just yet. “Are you awake, my 
friend?” 

Faramir looked down from watching the door across the room and smiled. "Yes, I 
am awake. I promised I would watch over you," he whispered. "How are you 
feeling?" he asked, shifting slightly so he could look into Haldir's eyes. He 
found himself smiling as Haldir looked up at him. All throughout the night, he 
had held the Elf close, whispering to him when he needed solace, and watched the 
door, praying that they would not come for his friend again. 

“Surprisingly better,” Haldir answered with a smile that matched Faramir’s. “All 
thanks to you. I haven’t had a healing sleep in a very long time. Between that 
and your attention to my wounds, I almost feel like my old self again.” He had 
absolutely no desire to, and, despite how he knew he must look, Faramir didn’t 
seem to mind being this close to him. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, 
smiling even wider when he realized that his wounds must have knitted together 
during the night. Even the wound on his leg felt better, even though Faramir 
hadn’t treated it. “I don’t think they will come for me today,” he said softly, 
trying not to get his hopes up, but reveling in the feeling of being pain free 
for the first time in months. 

"I hope they don't," Faramir frowned, wondering how exactly *he* would react 
when they would. He was feeling quite protective of Haldir and though he 
promised not to offer himself in his place...he could not keep silent when his 
friend and cellmate would be dragged off to be tortured. //Deal with it when the 
time comes.// 

"I am glad you are feeling better. Truly I am," he said not realizing his arms 
tightening slightly around Haldir in somewhat of a hug. After a moment, he 
realized that Haldir had needed him in his sleep, but he probably didn't need 
him now. He was, after all a warrior, one who had gone through quite a lot, but 
Faramir didn't want to embarrass him. He let his arms fall away and smiled 
again. "Suppose you might want to get up," he whispered, feeling a blush stain 
his cheeks. 

Haldir looked down and sighed as Faramir released him and his own arm slid away 
from Faramir’s waist. He didn’t *really* want to get up…not just yet. And for a 
moment, it almost felt as if the Ranger had pulled him closer. But Faramir was 
most likely not relishing the fact that he’d been forced to lie in bed with an 
Elf all night long. Haldir couldn’t help but wonder if he had a mate back at 
home, and if he’d had to picture holding the one he loved, rather than a scarred 
and dirty Elf who had practically begged him to share the small cot the night 
before. Still, he hesitated for a moment, feeling better and more rested than 
he’d thought possible. “I think you are in need of sleep, my friend. I will 
gladly watch over you now that I am able.” He slowly sat up and smiled down into 
sparkling blue eyes, resisting the urge to brush a lock of hair back from 
Faramir’s forehead. “I will leave the cot to you. Please…make yourself 
comfortable.” 

Faramir felt the most irrational desire to pull Haldir back down to lie beside 
him again but closed his eyes for a moment to force the thought away. When he 
opened his eyes, he looked up at Haldir and smiled. "I cannot say sleep would 
not be welcome. Perhaps we can take turns watching over one another? It will 
give us a bit of purpose here in this dark place," he whispered. "Though I've 
been awake so long now, I think it may take me a bit to fall to sleep. Will you 
tell me of your home? Or...we can share stories if you like...help me relax a 
bit. I think I've stared holes through that door last night," he grinned and 
found himself infinitely proud when Haldir's movements didn't seem to be as pain 
ridden today. 

Haldir laughed softly, feeling oddly at peace, even though their situation had 
changed very little since the night before. They were still trapped, he would 
still most likely be beaten the next day, but at least he was no longer alone, 
and he had some hope once again. He stood up and gingerly stretched, still 
unable to fully believe how little pain he was in this morning. “I would love 
for us to learn more about each other,” he said, looking around the small cell 
and wondering where he could sit so Faramir would not have to strain to see him. 
He wished he could simply curl back up against him, but was certain Faramir 
would not want that. “Do you mind…I mean, would it make you uncomfortable if I 
sat on the end of the cot? I think it would be easier to talk if we could see 
one another, and if I face you and sit on the floor, my back will be toward the 
door…and I don’t want that.” 

Hearing Haldir laugh was probably the most beautiful thing Faramir had ever 
heard. Knowing that he'd made the Elf laugh with his poor jest and drew the 
eyes, that had been so frightened and dark the day before when they'd met, to 
sparkle with some small amount of joy, made him feel incredibly happy. Faramir 
leaned up on his elbow to look at Haldir, resting his chin in his hand he 
smiled. "By all means, go right ahead. Besides this cot was yours first," he 
grinned. 

Haldir nodded and sat on the end of the cot. It wasn’t long enough for Faramir 
to stretch out with him sitting there, and he reasoned that Faramir had held him 
all through the night, so the least he could do would be to make the young man 
comfortable. He reached underneath Faramir’s legs and rested them in his lap as 
Haldir’s own legs curled up underneath him and he leaned back against the wall, 
turning slightly to face his cell-mate. “You first,” he smiled. “Where do you 
call home?” Biting his tongue, he managed to refrain from asking if Faramir had 
a mate…it was really none of his business…he knew any feelings he had toward the 
young Ranger would be one-sided. Still…he could enjoy those feelings. He’d been 
alone for a long time, and he could at least dream. 

Faramir sighed as Haldir pulled his legs into his lap, enjoying the feeling. 
He'd been quite tense all through the night watching over Haldir and now that he 
was relaxing his muscles were letting him know about it. He smiled at Haldir's 
question. "Gondor, I grew up in Minas Tirith...I guess you could say I'm quite a 
'prize' to our captors here. I am the Steward's youngest son. I am a Captain in 
the Ithilian Rangers; my brother Boromir is Captain General of our armies. I am 
sure he and my men are wondering what happened to me. If they don't find a body, 
there is some chance we might not need to form an escape plan...my older brother 
can be quite relentless. If he thinks me still alive...we may yet get out of 
here by his hand," he explained. 

//Thank the Valar…maybe they won’t hurt him if they know what a valuable 
prisioner he is.// Haldir’s shoulders sagged in relief and he realized that he 
already cared deeply for this kind young man…much more deeply than he should. 
//Whether he shows it or not, he pities you…how could he not? Maybe, if you had 
met him before….but you didn’t, and if we indeed *do* escape, we both have very 
different lives to lead. You will likely never lay eyes on him again.// Pulling 
himself from his reverie, he smiled again and nodded. “I had long since given up 
hope of being rescued,” he said. “Yet I find my hope renewed. I am truly sorry 
you were captured, but I find myself with more peace than I have had since my 
first days in this prison.” 

"I have a firm belief that everything in life happens for a reason...though some 
things...I can't seem to figure out," Faramir said frowning as he thought of how 
Haldir had been treated. I can’t say I’m happy to be here, I’d be a mad man if I 
said that,” he grinned, “but I am glad that my arrival has given you some 
measure of hope. And I was serious when I promised we would get out of here...we 
will." Faramir shifted slightly and stretched a bit. "So what is the Golden Wood 
like? I have heard they don't allow men there, how is it you know the common 
tongue so well?" he asked curiously. 

“I have traveled to many cities in the course of my duties,” Haldir said as he 
settled Faramir’s legs more comfortably in his lap. “I have guarded the Golden 
Wood for many centuries, but I have also fought many battles in these troubled 
times, and encountered countless races. My friendships with those I have fought 
beside have gained me much knowledge over the years…knowledge that did me little 
good when the Haradrim overtook my patrol, to be honest.” His eyes grew dark for 
a moment before he continued. “But the Golden Wood…I do not have the words to 
describe its beauty. If we do escape, and if you would wish it, I will take you 
there, and show you what very, very few men have ever had the privilege to see.” 

Faramir smiled, "I should like that. I have always been curious about the Elven 
realms. Gondor is so often besieged that I have not had the opportunity to 
travel much. A few trips to Rohan and that is about it," he said softly. 
Haldir's hand rested against his lower leg and he could feel the warmth from his 
slender fingers through his breeches. "I suppose that in a life as long as 
yours, there is ample opportunity to learn new things and make many friends over 
that time." He found himself curious to know if Haldir had a mate but was unsure 
how to ask. It certainly wasn't his right to know...but curiosity got the best 
of him after a moment. "You had spoken last night of your family...do...do you 
have a mate waiting for you back in Lorien?" he asked forcing himself not to 
blush at his own boldness. 

Haldir’s face flushed as he shook his head. //At least now I can ask the same 
thing of him.// “No…I have no one waiting for me but my brothers,” he said 
quietly. “I have lived alone for a very, very long time. I have yet to find my 
life’s mate. I was with someone for a while, but he grew tired of me after a few 
hundred years and found someone else. I was surprised at how little it hurt me…I 
suppose he was not the one I was meant to be with, or I would have been 
devastated.” Worrying his bottom lip for a moment, Haldir looked down at his 
hands and tried to make his voice sound casual. “And you? Do you have a…mate?” 

When Haldir said he did not have anyone waiting for him, Faramir felt his heart 
leap in his chest and wondered at himself. Then when he spoke of someone who 
left him, he found himself wondering why anyone would leave someone like Haldir. 
"I am sorry," he whispered and before he could stop himself the words spilled 
from his lips, "I find it hard to believe anyone would not wish to stay with you 
forever," he continued, blushing furiously. "I...I mean...well...it...after a 
few hundred years you'd think...oh nevermind, I think I've embarrassed us both 
now," he said looking down. After a few moments he whispered, "I have no one 
waiting either...only my brother and my father," he whispered softly. 

Haldir’s face was a bright red as Faramir spoke and he was momentarily at a loss 
for words. “I…honestly find it hard to believe that no one is waiting for you 
too,” he said softly as his fingers idly toyed with the hem of Faramir’s 
breeches. “I…I suppose we are both waiting for someone special. Do you…do you 
think you’ll know when you meet the one you’re meant to be with? I’ve often 
wondered if I’ll see him, and somehow drive him away, or that I’ll feel 
something for him and he’ll find me …unworthy.” //And I only hope that *if* he 
could love me back, that he is half as handsome and kind and gentle as you, 
Faramir. Gods, if only….if only there was a chance we could be more than 
friends…if only I could find the words to tell you how beautiful you are…// 

Faramir looked up, his embarrassment fading as Haldir spoke. "Unworthy? Haldir, 
you do yourself a disservice, you are far too beautiful and kind to be 
considered either of those. You have been here at the mercy of those monsters 
for far too long I think," he said stronger than he expected to. Sighing softly 
as he saw Haldir look up at him with disbelieving eyes, he attempted a smile. 
"And finding love…I don't know to be honest...some say love can be like 
lightening striking, others say it creeps up slowly, but those I have talked to 
have all said the same thing. When you find the one person you truly are made 
for, you are complete in every way. As if they were the missing part of 
yourself," he said softly. //I wonder if what I keep feeling when I look into 
your eyes might be that...or am I mistaking caring for more?// Faramir sighed 
and unsuccessfully attempted to stifle a yawn. Blinking he shook his head, 
"Finally starting to catch up with me," he said smiling. 

//’The missing part of yourself’…you have no idea how long I’ve wanted to find 
the one that completes me, Faramir. I have almost given up hope…but once again, 
you somehow manage to make me believe there is actually something left to hope 
for…Though how you can see any beauty or kindness in me is beyond me. Maybe once 
there was beauty, but it has long since been erased…or hidden under these scars 
that I will bear for the rest of my life. But I will never forget your kindness 
or your words for as long as I live. // Haldir shook his head and closed his 
eyes. //You are making it worse. You *know* he pities you…even your own family 
will pity you when you return…*if* you return.// “You watched over me all 
through the night,” he whispered as Faramir tried not to yawn, and forced 
himself to stop thinking about love and forever, when they were not yet assured 
of tomorrow. “Close your eyes and let me watch over you, won’t you?” He gently 
lifted Faramir’s feet, planning on letting him stretch out completely. “I will 
stay out of your way, mellonamin, but I will stay close enough to wake you if 
they return.” 

Faramir sat up slightly and shook his head, "Don't go," he said quickly, feeling 
yet another blush stain his cheeks, "I...just...it can't be comfortable on the 
floor. Just sit here, I think we've established I don't bite," he grinned trying 
to cover how needy his first statement had sounded. "Please...just, this cot 
isn't the most luxurious thing on Arda but it is at least off the cold floor. 
You are still not completely healed and sitting on that cold floor will just 
undo all we have done," he said softly. 

Haldir’s eyes met Faramir’s for a moment, and he rested back against the wall. 
“Very well,” he smiled, feeling his heart pounding in his chest. //I will relish 
the chance to be able to touch you while I might. After…after they finish with 
me tomorrow, you might find yourself wishing for me to stay away.// He knew the 
wounds Faramir had seen the day before had had a few hours to heal at least, and 
a few hours to an Elf in terms of healing was equal to a substantially longer 
time for men. He seriously doubted Faramir would want to share the cot with him 
after seeing him as he looked fresh from one of his captor’s ‘games’. “Do you 
have enough room?” 

Faramir smiled sleepily. "I am fine, if you wish lay down like I did beside you 
last night. You can stay awake but still take rest at least. May help you regain 
your strength and heal even more. I don't mind...besides it's chilly in here, I 
wouldn't mind the extra warmth...this cloth they gave us isn't exactly up to the 
task of a blanket," he teased yawning again. He lifted his legs from Haldir's 
lap and scooted aside. "Come on...lay down with me and share your warmth and 
return the favor of watching over my sleep this time," he said smiling 
encouragingly. Part of him knew he was making excuses to keep the Elf near, but 
he didn't see the harm in it. 

Without a moment’s hesitation, Haldir crawled up to lie beside Faramir on the 
cot. //After all, it *is* cold in here. If nothing else, we should at least keep 
each other warm…it’s the only friendly thing to do.// He pressed his back 
gingerly against the wall, and looked at Faramir as his face flushed again. He 
wanted nothing more than to wrap his arms around the man and mold their bodies 
together, but he knew he would make a complete fool of himself if he did that. 
Smiling shyly, he waited to see if Faramir simply wanted him to lie close beside 
him, or if he wanted to rest against him….or…//Gods…I have never been so unsure 
of myself! But he isn’t as broken as I was last night, nor as afraid. He would 
not need me to hold him as he held me last night. Or was that what he meant by 
sharing my warmth? Or…Gods!// 

Faramir smiled as Haldir took the place he had laid in all night to watch over 
his friend. Snuggling closer, Faramir rested his head against his own arm curled 
beneath himself and slid his other arm under Haldir's to wrap around him gently. 
Closing his eyes, he smiled sleepily, "Thank you, mellonamin," he whispered as 
he felt sleep begin to overwhelm him. 

Haldir’s eyes widened in surprise, which soon turned to pleasure, and he would 
have been embarrassed beyond all measure if Faramir’s eyes had been open to see 
how wide his smile was. His hand moved to rest on the small of Faramir’s back, 
and he gave in to the urge to let his fingertips rub small, soothing circles 
over the tense muscles as he managed to drag his eyes away from the Ranger’s 
peaceful face to stare at the cell door. “Thank *you*,” Haldir whispered, 
unconsciously pulling Faramir just a bit closer. “Rest well, my friend.” 

Faramir smiled sleepily against Haldir's chest and let himself relax into his 
friend's arms. He knew without a shadow of a doubt that Haldir would watch over 
him and gave himself over to sleep. His body shifted closer to the source of 
warmth on it's own accord and he unconsciously twirled a lock of golden hair 
around his fingertip. His sleep was sound, and near dreamless, except for vague 
images of sparkling blue eyes and golden hair flashing in dappled sunlight. A 
dream he would take heart in and hope it was a glimpse of a future where Haldir 
is free of this dark, damp place filled with pain. 

*****

Chapter 3

Haldir smiled each time Faramir shifted in his sleep, as he seemed to snuggle 
closer and closer, without ever waking up, a fact which Haldir didn’t mind in 
the least. Except for the wound on his leg, he was barely in any pain at all 
now…the healing sleep Faramir had offered him had almost restored his peace of 
mind as well as healed his body. His arm was wrapped securely around the young 
Ranger, and he’d only looked away from the cell door to stare at the fair face 
before him, marveling at the graceful beauty of the man in his arms. 

Several hours had passed with no disturbances, and he figured that the Haradrim 
had spent the day fighting, or scouting…he didn’t care as long as they left him 
and his new companion alone. //Gods, I hope they don’t try to hurt you, 
mellonamin. I hope they will see your value and leave you in peace.// 

The soft scrape of the door at the end of the hall caused Haldir to stiffen and 
automatically pull Faramir closer. //They’re back. Surely it is only to bring us 
food…surely they are too tired for their games today?// Lowering his head close 
to Faramir’s ear, Haldir’s hand moved from around the young man to rest on his 
shoulder. Shaking him gently, he whispered, “Faramir. Wake up, my friend. They 
will be here in a few moments.” 

Faramir felt warmth along his entire body and vaguely registered that his back 
was cold, after a moment the voice and a gentle shake also registered in his 
mind. //Haldir.// He opened his eyes and looked up at his friend. "Here?" he 
whispered and immediately stiffened in worry for his friend. Haldir couldn't be 
taken away now! He realized then how tightly he was holding the Elf and released 
him. Sitting up, he turned and faced the door in a way that his body seemed to 
unconsciously block whoever entered from seeing Haldir. As if that alone would 
keep him from harm. "What time do you think it is?" he asked, glancing toward 
the tiny window that provided them with some small measure of fresh air in the 
tiny cell. 

Trying to keep his voice calm, Haldir swallowed the lump in his throat and 
prayed that his instincts were correct. He noticed the way Faramir was trying to 
shield him, and felt his heart warm. //I will not let you go in my place, 
Faramir. I cannot.// He placed a gentle hand on Faramir’s shoulder and moved to 
sit beside him. “It is early evening, I think,” he whispered. “Which usually 
means they will be too tired for their games, and this is simply the guard 
bringing food. If they don’t take me in the mornings, they usually don’t take me 
at all until the next day, so I doubt they are here for either of us.” 

Faramir felt himself relax slightly and nodded. "Good. It also helps us to know 
when the best time to escape is...while most of them are gone," he whispered in 
Elvish, not sure how close the guard was to the door. His instincts to protect 
Haldir automatically surged within him again as he heard the key in the lock. 
They both remained where they were on the cot, side by side as the guard entered 
carrying a bucket and a tray. The bucket had fresh water and he removed the old 
one casting the pair on the cot a wary glance as he saw the water had not been 
used for drinking but for cleaning the Elf's wounds. He'd always thought the 
Gondorians were too soft hearted, and this was proof. He didn't even know the 
haughty Elf but a few hours and he was using their water for cleaning him. Then 
again, maybe the man just couldn't stand sharing a cell with the Elf without 
cleaning him up a bit. 

Haldir held his breath until the guard cast them both one final, weary glance, 
then shut the door behind him. He immediately relaxed, relieved that they were, 
indeed, going to have one day free from the usual torture. //Fresh water? They 
must realize that Faramir’s life is worth more than mine…maybe at least, they 
will keep their filthy hands off him.// He stood slowly, resting his hand on 
Faramir’s shoulder in an effort to try and make him stay seated just in case the 
guard returned, as well as using him to steady himself. Hearing no signs of 
anyone coming back, he smiled. “You must be hungry. I know I am.” 

Faramir was grateful beyond words that Haldir had been left in peace for one 
day. He watched as Haldir stood slowly, using his shoulder for aid and noticed 
him limp toward the food that had been placed on the floor. "Yes, I am hungry 
too," he said standing up and moving toward the tray. Taking one of the small 
cups, he scooped fresh water out for Haldir and then himself. "Here...take this 
and sit back down, you seem to still be sore. I'll bring the food to the cot and 
we can eat there," he said handing Haldir the cup and then picked up the tray. 

Drinking the water gratefully, Haldir nodded and made his way back to the cot. 
His sleep had done wonders for him, but his leg was still stiff and sore from 
the wound on his thigh. He sat down and watched as Faramir crossed the room with 
the tray holding more food then he’d seen in weeks. “This is the first fresh 
water I’ve had in a long time,” he smiled, draining the cup. “Maybe your words 
to Altair last night made him decide to treat us with a little more compassion.” 

Faramir almost frowned when Haldir said 'us', the guard had given them the salve 
only because Faramir had practically begged, and the other provisions he was 
told were for himself, though he suspected the guard knew exactly why Faramir 
had begged for them. "Maybe so...I hope that perhaps they will leave you be for 
a while as well," he whispered though doubting it. If they used Haldir for 
releasing their tensions, their anger, their aggression when a battle went 
poorly or for whatever reason, he knew deep down they would not stop. "Would you 
like more water?" Faramir asked, noticing that Haldir had already drained his 
cup. Not even waiting for the Elf to answer, he set the tray on the cot and took 
Haldir's cup back to the bucket and refilled it. "Here...I can't imagine they 
expected you to drink that other." 

Closing his eyes as he forced himself to sip the second cup slowly, Haldir 
nodded. “I had only to beg for fresh water, but I could not bring myself to do 
it,” he said softly. Altair took pity on me now and again, and would bring me a 
cup full, or an extra piece of bread, but to be clean *and* have something to 
drink…these are luxuries I have not had in many, many weeks. I don’t know how I 
will ever repay you for your kindness, Faramir….I have even begun to heal again 
thanks to you.” 

"I understand why you did not beg them, Haldir. If I were in your position, I 
probably would have done the very same. I suppose I did use my 'weaknesses' as a 
crutch when I begged them. I grew up in a noble house...youngest son of the 
Steward...how can I possibly survive like that...sort of thing. They don't need 
to know how long I've been a Ranger, or how my father and brother raised me," he 
smiled. "Here," he said handing Haldir the bowl that contained the larger 
portion of their food. 

Haldir took the bowl and made quick work of the cold soup as he grinned at 
Faramir. “I think you are much, much stronger and wiser than they give you 
credit for, mellonamin,” he chuckled. “I think we may manage to get out of here 
yet.” //And I think I will miss you for the rest of my days when you leave me 
and return to Gondor.// 

Faramir smiled, "Ah well, my station as the youngest son doesn't exactly give me 
all that much to work with...but at least it is something. I have never cared 
for court or titles but if they help me here...I've seen enough whining nobles 
in my life to be able to pull it off when I need to," he teased. "We will get 
out of here...I promised you that, and we will. When the time is right, which I 
hope is soon," he said taking a bit of his own soup. It had little flavor but it 
was food. He handed a chunk of the hard bread to Haldir that was much larger 
than his own, knowing that Haldir needed the food more than he did at this 
point. 

Taking the bread, Haldir brought it up to his lips and started to dig in. He 
noticed that his piece was much larger that Faramir’s and immediately began 
shaking his head. Tearing off a chuck, he handed it back to Faramir. “I see what 
you are doing,” he smiled. “But we are in this together, and you need your 
strength as well as I. Eat, my friend. It isn’t much, but it is the best they 
have given me in months, and I have more than enough to fill my stomach.” 

Faramir eyed the bread for a moment before taking it and setting it on the tray. 
"You need to heal, you need the food more than I do, such as it is. I'll just 
set it on the tray and we can decide if we are still hungry later. We can always 
split it," he said softly. He had hoped Haldir hadn't noticed what he was doing, 
he didn't want to offend him, and was greatly relieved when Haldir had smiled 
about it. Faramir just could not help himself. Haldir had already been through 
so much, and just little things like that seemed the least he could do. But the 
Elf was right. Tomorrow could be the day they come for Faramir instead. They 
both needed their strength. From now on he supposed that would be the hardest 
part. The fear and the worry that the person sitting next to you would be taken 
away...beaten and tortured...or would it be yourself? Either way, it left a fist 
of cold dread in the pit of Faramir's stomach. He'd already grown to like and 
care about Haldir. He would rather they did come for himself, even though he 
knew he could not heal as quickly as the Elf, he did wish to spare him...for at 
least another day. 

//Gods, what a noble man he is. He has no idea what they are capable of…and I 
pray to the Valar that he never does. I wonder…does he offer this out of 
friendship or pity? Or does he simply not wish for me to be a burden any longer 
than I have to?// Haldir chewed quietly on the hard bread as he stared down at 
the floor. //I wonder if we can at least be friends after this is over, 
assuming, of course, that we both survive?// With a sigh, he shifted on the cot 
and forced a smile back on his face. The smile was quickly erased as his leg hit 
the edge of the cot and he winced. “I think,” he began, telling himself to 
ignore the throbbing, “that since we are apparently going to have the day free, 
we could both use some more sleep in the coming hours. We should be prepared 
when the opportunity presents itself, whenever that might be.” 

Faramir was watching Haldir as he ate. He had found that his eyes hardly ever 
left the Elf, though it was easy to see why. Despite everything, Faramir found 
him beautiful. As he watched, he saw Haldir shift and wince as if in pain. "I 
think that you may be right about the rest but I also think you are in pain. Why 
didn't you tell me your leg was hurt?" he asked setting his bowl down and 
reaching out toward Haldir's torn breeches. 

Haldir’s eyes widened as Faramir reached out toward him. “It…it is nothing,” he 
said softly as his fingers closed lightly over Faramir’s wrist. “The wound on my 
leg is one of the more disgusting ones….it was from the warg, and you had enough 
on your hands dealing with the wounds I couldn’t see. There is no need to 
trouble yourself. It will heal when I sleep again, I think.” In fact, the wound 
on his leg was the one that still ached. He knew it was badly infected, but it 
was deep, and angry, and he honestly believed the sight would further disgust 
his new friend, even though he’d managed to disguise his feelings thus far. His 
fingers were still wrapped around Faramir’s wrist as their gazes met. 
“I…Please…it is the worst of the injuries. There isn’t much you can do.” 

Faramir looked up into worried blue eyes and shook his head, "Haldir, it is not 
nothing if it pains you...and...I told you last night neither YOU, nor your 
wounds disgust me. I consider you my friend and I only wish to help you. If you 
wish to wait until later after we have eaten, fine. But please, at least let me 
put what little is left of the salve on it and clean it properly. If it is 
infected, then it will never get better if it isn't cleaned, you know this," he 
said softly. "If you wish to treat it yourself, I understand, and I will guard 
your privacy while you do so then. I...I only wish to help you," he said 
pleadingly and laying his other hand over the top of Haldir's which still 
gripped his wrist. 

Haldir’s hand was engulfed in warmth and he felt his heart skip a beat as he 
looked into Faramir’s eyes. //I could fall in love with you, Faramir. Were it a 
different time, a different place…// His fingers tightened around Faramir’s 
wrist and he was at a complete loss for words. The lips before him looked so 
soft, so kind, so very sweet…Blinking away *those* thoughts, he released his 
hold on the man, and nodded. “It…it is not privacy that concerns me,” he said. 
“I…I would be grateful for your help. Your touch is gentle, and I would welcome 
anything to make this pain go away. Please…eat first, then I will lie back and 
trust myself to you, my friend.” 

Faramir swallowed hard as Haldir's eyes met his own and the words 'I will lie 
back and trust myself to you' made his heart almost stop in his chest. //I think 
I am beginning to understand why each time I look at you my heart skips a beat. 
Why I wish to protect you so.// He knew that he'd been lost the first moment 
he'd looked into those deep blue eyes and now he was more than certain. After a 
moment, he sat back and nodded pushing away his previous thoughts. "Thank 
you...I don't like to see you in pain," he said softly and picked up his bowl 
again to finish eating. 

//’I don’t like seeing you in pain.’ I only hope you, at least, have escaped by 
the time they come for me tomorrow, because I’m not sure I can hide how much 
pain I’m in when they return me.// Haldir wondered if Faramir were this caring 
with all his friends, and decided that he most likely was. //He barely knows me, 
yet he gives me his share of the food, doesn’t like seeing me in pain, takes 
care of me as one would take care of someone they cared deeply for. I know all 
men aren’t like this…he is a rare find indeed.// 

Quickly draining his bowl and the last of the water in his cup, he eyed the last 
of the bread. He was still starving, but had no desire to eat the last of their 
meager meal by himself. He reached over and tore the bread in half and offered 
it to Faramir. “Share this with me?” he asked softly. 

Faramir smiled and nodded, "Thank you." He wished that Haldir would take the 
whole piece for himself, but he knew there would be no way to convince him to do 
so. Chewing the bread slowly, Faramir leaned against the wall at the head of the 
cot. He changed from the common tongue to Elvish so he could speak of their 
escape plans. "How many of them usually come for you?" he asked softly. He 
feared that someone among the Haradrim might know some Elvish and pick up on 
what they were discussing. 

“Usually only three now,” Haldir said as he settled back against the wall. “At 
first they always sent more…but that was when I was stronger. They’ll probably 
send at least five tomorrow…they’ll know I’ve had a full day to heal. I always 
try to fight them, but…sometimes, after days of….of the games, I have very 
little strength left.” His face colored slightly as he confessed his weakness, 
and he toyed with the final bit of bread. “When they come, Faramir, I will go 
with them quietly this time. Please – you must remember your promise not to 
offer yourself in my stead. It would be….easier on me if I know that you will 
hold to your promise.” 

Faramir frowned and sighed deeply. "I will hold to my promise, though I do not 
wish to. I do see your point though, the longer I stay unharmed, the more chance 
we both have to get out of here. If both of us are battling injuries it will be 
more difficult. I don't like it...but...I fear it will be the only way for us to 
escape. I do know that Gondor's armies are mounting an offensive in several more 
days. If we time our escape right, we might be able to get away more easily 
because the Haradrim will be distracted trying to hold their position in these 
caves. Plus...I know my way around them. If we can get out of this cell and into 
the main passage way, I know a way that we can get out undetected if they have 
not found it," he said softly. He hated the idea of Haldir being hurt again but 
resigned himself to the fact that there was little choice. 

Haldir reached out and clasped Faramir’s hand, glad, at least that he wouldn’t 
have to worry about him when the guards came the next morning. “Thank you,” he 
smiled. “You have no idea how much of a relief it is to hear you say that.” He 
shifted again and drew in a sharp breath as his leg hit the metal edge of the 
cot again, automatically squeezing Faramir’s hand until the pain passed. “I…if 
you have finished, I think maybe some of that ointment would help. I thought my 
night of rest would heal me completely, but the infection in my leg must be 
worse than I thought. Are you sure you want to do this? It is…not pleasant.” 

Faramir felt himself wince right along with Haldir as he hit his leg against the 
side of the cot. He felt him tighten his grasp and tightened his own to offer 
him comfort. "Yes, I want to help you, Haldir. There are many things in life 
that aren't pleasant but that have to be done. You need to heal, were you a man 
you could lose your leg," he said softly. Standing up, he pulled Haldir forward 
slightly as his other hand picked up their tray. "Just lay down and try to 
relax," he whispered. Crossing the small cell, he set the tray by the door and 
then returned to the cot. Reaching under it, he pulled out the small jar of 
salve. There was only a small amount left and he prayed it would be enough. He 
went to the bucket and reached under his tunic to tear a piece of his undertunic 
off, and then poured clean water over it and returned to Haldir's side. "I'll 
cover you with the sheet if you like, and you can just lower your breeches 
enough for me to treat the wound. I do not wish to take your dignity in this, my 
friend," he whispered gently. 

Haldir lay back on the cot and nodded. At least he would get to keep his last 
shred of self-respect with Faramir, though he suspected that too would be gone 
the next day when he was returned to his cell. He waited for Faramir to pull the 
sheet over his lower body and reached down to unlace the leather laces on his 
breeches. 

Slowly, he lifted his hips and slid the thin fabric down his hips. Gritting his 
teeth as the material pulled away from the gaping wound on his leg, he felt a 
cold sweat engulf him. “It’s…it’s very tender,” he ground out between clenched 
teeth. 

Faramir sucked in a breath as he looked at the angry bite wound. It was deep, 
and it was infected. "I can see that it is...you are very lucky you are an Elf," 
he scolded softly. "This...Gods, just cleaning it is going to hurt, dear one...I 
am sorry. Just...hold onto something," he warned as he wrung the wet rag over 
the wound to let fresh water pour over it. He bit his lip as he saw Haldir's 
muscles tighten and he wished that he could give him something, anything for the 
pain. The wound had not closed and he wondered at that. "How long ago did this 
happen?" 

The pain in Haldir’s leg was momentarily forgotten as the words ‘dear one’ 
filtered through his mind. //It is most likely a term he uses with anyone to 
soothe them…don’t read more into it than that.// He blinked and focused on 
Faramir’s question, although the warmth that had suffused his body at the sweet 
endearment lingered. “It was…two days ago, I think. Maybe three. I tried to 
clean it, but you saw the state of the water they gave me, so I doubt it did 
much more than make matters worse.” His knuckles were white with the strain as 
he held on to the metal rim of the cot and tried to ignore the pain as the water 
trickled deeper into the gaping wound. “I *thought* it would have healed by now. 
I guess I am weaker than I thought.” 

Faramir frowned and wanted to curse those monsters for not even allowing Haldir 
to clean his own wounds. Leaning closer, Faramir looked at the wound trying to 
see what could be preventing it from closing. He swallowed hard and sat back 
looking at Haldir sadly. "I think...I think there is something in the wound," he 
whispered softly. "I...I don't want to hurt you...but I may have to." 

“Something….*in* it?” Haldir swallowed back the bile that rose in his throat. 
That would explain why it hadn’t healed, even with a full night of sleep. Taking 
the edge of the blanket, he rolled it up into a large wad and took a deep 
breath. “Do what you must mellonamin,” he whispered. “I trust you.” With that, 
he put the material in his mouth and clamped his teeth down, determined that he 
would not scream in front of Faramir. 

Faramir watched as Haldir prepared himself for the pain he'd have to endure. "I 
need...something to use as tool. If I had a dagger or...oh, I have an idea," he 
said softly. Sitting back he pulled his tunic off and began folding back the 
material cross the chest area. Pushing upwards from the back of the fabric, he 
could see the boning within the front of his tunic protrude. "We...use heavy 
padding that is secured on the ends with boning in our soldiers tunics. 
It...helps protect our soldiers from minor injuries and sometimes even prevents 
major ones. It's not much, but, the boning is clean and it is sturdy. I might be 
able to use it to remove whatever is embedded and not cause more damage," he 
explained and looked up triumphantly when he finally managed to pull the long 
piece of white bone from the material. It was thin but flexible and strong. He 
curved it over itself and tested it a few times to see if he really could grasp 
with it. "I think this will do it. I...wish there were a way to clean it 
properly but...I think it's probably cleaner than my own hands. Are you ready?" 
he asked worriedly. 

Haldir nodded and closed his eyes. “As ready as I’ll ever be,” he murmured 
through the cloth in his mouth as he took another deep breath and tried to steel 
himself for the pain he knew would come. 

Faramir also took a deep breath and wished he had more light to work with. He 
leaned over the wound and as gently as possible, slid the boning into it, 
grasping whatever was embedded in the tissue and muscle and carefully as he 
could withdrew it. Several times the item slipped from his grasp and he had to 
try again. He could see the agony in Haldir's eyes and kept whispering to him. 
"I am sorry, almost done. You are doing so well, dear one. Just a little bit 
more," he whispered as he finally managed to pull what looked to be a warg tooth 
from Haldir's thigh. "Gods," he gasped and threw it and the boning aside with a 
shudder. As quickly and as carefully as he could he continued to clean the wound 
of the fresh blood and yellow pus, which pulling the tooth out had withdrawn 
with it. Faramir felt his meager dinner try to come back on him and swallowed 
hard. "Almost done," he whispered again and then smoothed the salve over and 
within the wound, then bound it with a bandage torn from his undertunic, which 
the side of was nearly gone to the chest now. "I'm sorry," he whispered again, 
feeling horrible for having to hurt Haldir even more. 

Haldir lay pale and shivering on the cot, weak from the pain the procedure had 
caused him. He opened his eyes and moved his hand to pull the fabric away from 
his face as he gave Faramir a feeble smile. “Nothing…to be sorry for…” he 
murmured. “It will heal now. I’m …sorry you had to do that though, my friend. 
You look as pale as I feel.” 

Faramir shook his head. "You look pretty pale yourself. I am far from a field 
surgeon...by any stretch of the imagination. I'm sorry if I wasn't gentle 
enough...I did try to be. I didn't wish to hurt you anymore than you already 
have been," he said softly. He could feel tears sting at his eyes and looked 
away, pulling on his tunic and then moving away from the cot to throw the dirty 
rag along with the tooth and boning onto the tray. //Let them see. The 
monsters.// He kicked at the door and walked back to the cot to wait on them to 
remove the tray. "Do...do you need some water...or...well not much else I can 
offer. Space perhaps, so you can rest?" he asked suddenly feeling unsure of 
himself. 

“You were as gentle as you could possibly have been,” Haldir said softly, 
thinking that he saw Faramir’s eyes fill with tears for just a moment before he 
turned away. “I…honestly, I would like to get some sleep. I think it would speed 
my healing, but…Gods, I hate to ask you this…” His voice trailed off and his 
face colored. //I cannot ask him to hold me again. We are warriors, not children 
who are afraid of the dark.// “Never mind, mellonamin. I just need some rest. I 
doubt you are tired already.” 

"Hate to ask me what?" Faramir asked seeing Haldir's face color and not 
understanding why. "I am not tired, though I did intend to watch over your sleep 
again. The same as last night, I think it is a good arrangement. I watch over 
you and you...watch over me," he said softly. 

Haldir stared at the young Ranger for a moment, wondering how on all of Arda he 
could be so caring, so gentle and compassionate, when he should, by all rights, 
be concerned only by his own escape. Instead, he was promising to help a perfect 
stranger, caring for him and watching over him as he slept. “I…like that 
arrangement as well,” he smiled. “I was going to ask that you do that…watch over 
me so that I might heal. I will only need a few hours, then I think I should be 
strong enough to watch over you for the night.” 

"We shall see then. I am quite awake now from my rest today...so I'll watch over 
you and once you wake up you can take over for me," Faramir smiled. "Would...do 
you wish it as we did last night and today...for me to share the cot...or for me 
to sit in the floor? The cot is more comfortable but I know you are hurting, if 
you rather rest alone that is fine as well. Whatever helps you the most is all I 
care about," he explained. 

“I honestly don’t think I could sleep with you on the floor again,” Haldir said 
shyly, realizing that Faramir didn’t think him weak. Gingerly pulling his 
breeches back up over his thighs, he continued as he laced them up. “It’s 
just…the nightmares. I kept dreaming of the things they did, or the wargs, or 
being captured, or my family being hurt….but you seemed to keep the dreams away. 
If you’re sure you wouldn’t mind…I would be honored to share the cot with you 
again.” 

"And I would be honored to guard your dreams, dear one," Faramir said smiling 
brightly. Carefully crawling into the cot, he made sure he didn't cause Haldir 
even more pain by jostling him. "Rest and dream of happier times, mellonamin," 
he whispered, brushing a lock of pale gold hair from Haldir's cheek. 

Haldir smiled and curled against Faramir, feeling safe and warm, and loving the 
feeling of the gentle fingers moving in his hair. One arm snaked sleepily around 
Faramir’s waist and he gave a contented sigh. Burying his face in the soft folds 
of Faramir’s tunic, he felt his exhausted body relax once again into a peaceful 
slumber, a small smile on his face as he realized how good it felt to be in 
Faramir’s arms again. //Oh yes, Faramir. I could love you so easily…maybe…I 
already do…// 

Faramir couldn't repress a soft sigh as Haldir moved closer and curled up 
against him. Running his fingers through his hair, he looked up from the 
beautiful face resting against him toward the door. //Please don't come for him 
tomorrow. Please, just leave him be. He's been through enough.// He hoped his 
prayers would be answered but he didn't have much hope in them. He knew the only 
hope was what he could guarantee. If he could somehow get a weapon...then they 
could make their escape. His mind rolled over the possibilities until he felt 
Haldir shiver in his arms from his dreams and whispered to him. "I am here, my 
dear one. I won't let anything happen to you while you slumber. Rest easy," he 
whispered. And then paused as he looked down at Haldir's face. //My love. For 
that you are, my dearest love.//

*****
Chapter 4

Faramir lay holding Haldir close and listening to the sounds in the outer 
passage way. His friend's breathing was low and even and he was glad to see him 
resting after everything that had happened. After several hours, he heard sounds 
outside their cell, the footfalls of their guards and tensed. 

"Haldir....someone's coming," he whispered shaking him slightly. 

Haldir’s eyes flew open and he froze. //No…it’s too soon!// He noticed there was 
very little light coming through the window above Faramir’s shoulder…//They 
never come for me in the evening…never…Gods, don’t let them be here for 
Faramir!!!// He closed his eyes and said a silent prayer to the Valar for 
Faramir’s safety, then turned toward the cell door, still locked safely in 
Faramir’s embrace. His heart began to pound in his chest as his back pressed 
against the young captain, trying to make sure Faramir didn’t try to shield him 
from their wrath as well as reveling in the protective embrace that he was loath 
to give up so soon. Unable to suppress a shiver, he stared, wide-eyed at the 
door, holding his breath as he waited for the inevitable sound of the lock 
turning and the door flinging open. 

Faramir wrapped his arms protectively around Haldir and held him close as he 
turned toward the door. They both listened in silence as the footfalls passed 
their cell door by. Faramir felt himself relax slightly but then heard another 
cell down the hall unlocking and the door banging back against the wall. He felt 
Haldir flinch in his arms and he pressed his lips close to his ear. "They have 
someone else it seems," he whispered softly. "Poor soul." 

He felt sorry for the now pleading captive in the other cell, they could hear 
the sounds of scuffling and cursing as they were dragged from the cell and along 
the passage past their door and onwards. As sorry as he felt for the other 
prisoner, he could not help feeling relieved that it was not Haldir that they 
had come for. 

He felt Haldir shiver in his arms and whispered again, "I've got you now...they 
won't hurt you right now," he whispered reassuringly knowing that he would not 
be able to keep that promise another time. When they came for Haldir next time, 
he would not be able to protect him and it broke his heart. 

The only thing that seemed to keep Haldir grounded was Faramir’s arms around 
him, and the soft murmurs and reassurances that were whispered in his ears. 
Without further thought, he turned back around and buried his face in Faramir’s 
chest, shivering violently as the screams began. Despite the sounds down the 
hall, he *felt* safe, and he was desperate to hold on to that feeling for just a 
little longer. Deep down, in the part of him he didn’t want to acknowledge, he 
was thankful that at least this time, it wasn’t him or Faramir. Seeing Faramir 
hurt would surely hurt a hundred times more than the beatings he had received 
almost every day, but just for now…they were both safe, and for that, he was 
more grateful than he could say. 

As Haldir had rolled over and buried his face against his chest, Faramir felt 
his eyes well up with tears and rested his chin against pale golden hair. He was 
grateful that it wasn't Haldir being hurt, but with each scream from the other 
prisoner, he felt his heart rip in half. Haldir *had* endured this same 
treatment. "I am truly a horrible person because I am glad that is someone else 
screaming and not you, dear one," he admitted softly and pulled Haldir closer to 
himself. His hand traveled lightly up and down Haldir's arm as he spoke. "I 
should not be glad at another's pain, but while I feel sorry for them, I am glad 
that it is not you." 

Shivering in Faramir’s arms, Haldir simply snuggled even closer and moved his 
head to the crook of Faramir’s neck. //I don’t know why he cares, but I am so 
thankful that he does, if only for this moment, if only for today.// His arms 
were locked around the Ranger and he flinched each time he heard the loud 
screams, but he closed his eyes and shook his head. “You are not horrible,” he 
said softly as he fought back his tears, his face still buried against Faramir’s 
neck. “I…I was thanking the Valar that they hadn’t come for either of us. I 
thought it was selfish, but Gods…it feels so….strange not to hurt, if only for a 
day…so good to feel safe for a change. I…” His words were cut off by a 
particularly loud scream from down the hall and he burrowed back against 
Faramir’s chest. “I couldn’t stand it if they took you,” he sobbed quietly. 
“Please…say what you must, tell them again of your title, of your bloodline…just 
don’t let them take you, Faramir. I could not bear it.” 

Faramir's tears finally fell as Haldir spoke and he nodded as they slipped down 
his face. "Anything. Anything for you, Haldir. If it would pain you so to see me 
hurt, I will do whatever I can, but...if it comes to a choice between you and 
myself...I cannot make that choice. Please, I couldn't. Please understand that I 
cannot choose myself over you. You....your life is worth more than mine...you 
are an Elf...immortal. One of the first born...please don't ask me to choose 
myself over you, because I could not. I am mortal and I have prepared myself my 
whole life, knowing that death would one day take me, be it on the battlefield 
or old in my bed. Please, do not ask of me what I cannot give," he pleaded. 

“I will make the choice,” Haldir whispered as his tears soaked the front of 
Faramir’s tunic. “You will not have to chose, I swear. I could not live knowing 
that you gave yourself to them in my place. It would surely kill me to hear them 
doing to you what they are doing to that poor soul down the hall. I will survive 
whatever they do to me, I will, but I would not survive hearing them beating 
you.” //I love you, Faramir….I love the way you’re holding me, calling me your 
dear one, protecting my dreams, the way you smile. I think I loved you from the 
first moment I looked at you. I know you can care for me as no more than a 
friend, and I know I will never be able to tell you, but I do…I do love you, and 
I will die before I let them touch you.// He continued sobbing quietly, holding 
on to Faramir for dear life. 

Faramir pulled Haldir even closer and simply rocked him in his arms. He had no 
words anymore, as each scream rent the air they flinched into one another's 
embrace. After what seemed an eternity, the screams died out to whimpers and 
they heard footfalls in the passageway again, as the other prisioner was dragged 
back to their cell. Faramir could see under the door of their own cell as feet 
passed, the dragging legs of the one they had tortured for the last few hours. 
"It is over," he whispered to Haldir as they heard the cell door slam shut and 
the other captive weeping softly down the hall. 

Haldir slowly looked up into Faramir’s eyes, his own eyes red and swollen. 
“Finally,” he murmured, trying to block out the sobs that wafted back to their 
ears. He listened for the guards to walk by their door again and relaxed again 
for the first time in hours back into Faramir’s arms when the footfalls had 
passed without stopping. 

“We’ll be back for you tomorrow, Elf!” The words were cackled from the beyond 
their cell door and Haldir trembled once again and closed his eyes as the front 
door of their prison slammed shut. 

Faramir tensed when their captors called out to Haldir and he shook his head. "I 
have to get a weapon....somehow....we have to get out of here, Haldir. I can't 
stand by and watch you being hurt...I simply cannot. I don't know how yet, but I 
intend to find a way. I will get us out of here...I promise," he whispered as 
Haldir drew closer shivering from the threats. 

Drawing in a deep breath, Haldir nodded. “I know you will,” he whispered. “I had 
given up hope before you came, but we *will* escape, I have no doubt.” Forcing 
himself to breathe and relax, he realized he had soaked Faramir’s tunic. Only 
then did it register in his mind that Faramir had been crying as well. //Gods, 
how he must pity me! How pathetic I must look to his eyes!// “I…I am fine now,” 
he murmured hoarsely. “If you want to sleep now, I will watch over you. I was…” 
Closing his eyes, he knew he couldn’t lie…not to Faramir. “I was afraid…I just 
kept remembering everything they’d done…and…I’m sorry. I am fine now, truly.” 

Faramir sighed softly, "You have nothing to be sorry for, and being afraid after 
what has been done to you is perfectly natural, Haldir," he whispered. Slowly 
tipping Haldir's face up to look into his eyes, Faramir smiled sadly, "I know 
you are not fine, you are still trembling, dear one. Please, just rest. I do not 
think any less of you for reacting the way you have, you do know that don't you? 
You are the strongest person I have ever met, to have endured such treatment for 
so long, and to still be the kind, beautiful Elf that you are. I am not yet 
tired, you rest. Sleep while you can, build your strength for when we can get 
out of here. I need you, Haldir. I cannot escape on my own," he whispered. 

Gazing into mesmerizing blue eyes, Haldir could barely find his voice. For a 
single moment, he forgot where they were, forgot their captors, forgot his 
wounds, and he wished, more than anything, that he could simply press his lips 
against Faramir’s, hold him tight and never let him go. He looked down quickly 
as his face flushed, and he curled back up against the Ranger’s warmth, hoping 
that his thoughts hadn’t been apparent in his eyes. “I am no longer strong nor 
beautiful,” he said softly, “but I will not fail you, Faramir, and I know that 
you don’t think less of me. When the time is right, we *will* escape. I know 
that.” 

Faramir frowned and shook his head. "You are strong and you are beautiful...to 
me," he whispered so very tempted to press a kiss against Haldir's forehead but 
afraid to do so. Instead, he simply hugged him tighter against him. "We will 
escape...do you know how I know? Because you will show me your Golden Wood, and 
I would very much like to see it. And...I wish to see you in the sunlight, away 
from this dark place. I can only imagine what your lovely hair would look like 
in the sunlight," he whispered boldly and almost feeling silly for it, but he 
wanted Haldir to know he did see him as beautiful. For some reason it felt 
important to Faramir that Haldir know for certain that he did not look at him as 
he did others, though he wasn't sure he could tell him why. //He would think I 
was mad if I told him that I was in love with him.// 

Slowly, Haldir’s face tilted up and he looked at Faramir in disbelief. //Maybe, 
once we are free from this place, he *could* love me, despite the scars and my 
obvious lack of courage?// “I would love to show you the Golden Wood,” he said 
shyly as a soft smile touched his face. “And I would love to see you in the 
sunlight as well. //I have no doubt you would be even more breathtaking than you 
are now.// Maybe…maybe our….friendship will not come to an end after we escape 
this place and…you could also show me Minas Tirith?” 

Faramir smiled, "Our friendship will not end, of that I am certain, " he said 
softly. "I would be honored to show you my home as well, and anywhere else you'd 
want to go with me." Faramir took a deep breath and tried to force the words 
that he wanted to say from spilling from his lips. He wanted to tell Haldir how 
he felt, that he could not imagine leaving his side. He had been in a few minor 
relationships in his life, but he had never felt the depth of emotion with them 
as he felt simply holding Haldir close. //Can you love someone so deeply, so 
quickly? Apparently, you can, because I do love you. From the moment your eyes 
met mine...but I don't think you are prepared to hear those things yet.// He was 
drawn from his thoughts when he heard the prisoner who'd been beaten earlier 
whimper again. "When...when they...when they beat you...they don't...do 
they...Gods, I can't even ask it. You had no marks other than the warg bite 
below your waist...they do not...harm you… more than beat you do they?" he 
fumbled the question badly and bit his bottom lip in frustration.

Haldir’s head rested comfortably on Faramir’s arm and he realized how much 
trouble Faramir was having asking this question. //Gods, no…I know you could 
never love me if they did *that*.// “No,” he said, shaking his head, and looking 
down at his fingers, which were playing idly with the folds of fabric on 
Faramir’s tunic. “They haven’t raped me. At least…not yet. They wanted to…they 
started to on my first day here, but Altair – the guard who brought the clean 
water and the ointment – he reminded them that I would fade if they did…*that*. 
That they would lose their plaything. So…they decided to leave me alone. The 
other prisoner though…I think he is an Elf as well, and I think they take him. 
Once he fades….well, one of the guards revels in telling me that they will have 
no choice but to take their chances and….and…take me…when the other prisoner 
dies.” //I only pray that you, at least, will be long gone if that comes to 
pass.// 

Faramir stiffened and his arms tightened around Haldir. "Fade? I...I thought 
that was a myth," he gasped. "I...Gods they cannot do that to you, 
I...I...lo...no...Gods no," he rambled slightly not even realizing how tightly 
he was holding Haldir. His heart felt like it would break in two and he felt 
tears gather in his eyes once again. "I will do everything I can to keep that 
from happening to you," he said softly against Haldir's hair. 

Slightly shocked by the fervor in Faramir’s words and his embrace, Haldir 
nevertheless held him back just as tightly, loving the way they fit together, 
and loving the feeling of having someone truly care for him for the first time 
in a long while. He had decided weeks ago that as soon as the prisoner down the 
hall was too weak to pleasure them, or he faded beyond their grasp, that he, 
Haldir, would be next. As disgusting as that thought was, he’d resigned himself 
to his fate, but now…now he was scarred, but untouched by the Haradrim in an 
intimate manner, and there was hope, something to look forward to should he 
escape. Faramir *seemed* to care for him, and Haldir could easily imagine how it 
would feel to be with Faramir in every way…Gods, he wanted that. //We must 
escape…we must, before they ruin me completely for Faramir. At least now there 
is a chance, however slim it may be.// 

Faramir finally realized how tight he was holding Haldir and relaxed slightly. 
"I am sorry, you need your rest. Let us not speak of this anymore tonight. Go to 
sleep, dear one. I will watch over you, //I will always watch over you, until I 
draw my last breath I will love you//" Faramir took a deep breath and looked 
back up at the door. He wished he had a weapon, a means of protecting Haldir 
from the monsters on the other side of their cell door. //Soon. We will escape 
here soon. The Gondorians will mount their offensive in two more days if I have 
not lost track, we will be able to slip away then. I am sure of it. Just two 
more days...please just hold the wolves at bay for that long.// 

Haldir tried to stifle a yawn and nodded. He knew Faramir would keep him safe…as 
safe as he possibly could, and he knew that no one would sneak up on him as long 
as he was in Faramir’s arms. “Don’t worry about me,” he whispered. “You just 
worry about a plan to get us out of here, and keep yourself safe. I will be fine 
now that….I have you.” His words drifted off, and he was sound asleep moments 
later, where the only dreams to find him were dreams of Faramir and the future 
they could possibly have, if, indeed, they escaped, and if, indeed, Faramir was 
interested. 

Faramir smiled and pressed a soft kiss against Haldir's forehead. "You do...you 
do have me," he whispered knowing that Haldir was already asleep. Again his eyes 
lifted to the door and he prayed to the Valar that tomorrow they would be too 
busy to come for Haldir. He prayed his Rangers would keep them busy. //Just 
another few days...please.//
~~~ 
Faramir lay awake all night, just as he'd done the night before, guarding 
Haldir's sleep. And just as the night before, Haldir had moaned and writhed in 
his sleep from nightmares, and just as before, Faramir held him close and 
whispered soft, soothing words and a few innocent endearments to calm the 
frightened Elf. 

When a few rays of dim sunlight began to appear on the floor of their cell, 
Faramir heard the scrape of the outer passageway door. He tensed listening as 
the footsteps came closer and he realized there were several pairs. //No...Gods. 
No!// He tightened his arms around Haldir and whispered, "Haldir...wake up, dear 
one. I think they are coming," he said giving the Elf a slight shake to stir him 
and hating himself for it. He decided he'd rather Haldir wake to a friendly face 
than theirs though. He didn't know what he wanted to do or say and though he 
didn't like it, he would hold to his promise to Haldir. But he would *not* be 
silent. 

One moment, Haldir was dreaming about his talan in the Golden Wood – he and 
Faramir were curled up together, wearing nothing but blankets around their 
waists, talking and laughing, and he was feeding ripe berries to Faramir one by 
one. The next moment, he was gently pulled from his dream, and automatically 
drew closer to Faramir, blissfully unaware, for the first instant of wakefulness 
where he was. “Meleth, it *can’t* be morning already,” he murmured. 

Slowly, his mind registered that his bed partner, while still the same person he 
was dreaming about, was fully clothed, and they were about as far from the 
Golden Wood as they could possibly be. //Gods…it’s morning already…they’re 
coming for me!// His first instinct was to simply cling to Faramir and pray that 
this was a dream, but he knew better…he knew this was real, and likely to be a 
replay of almost every morning from the past four months. Careful to keep the 
terror from his face, he looked up at Faramir for a moment and nodded. “You 
promised,” he said softly. “I will go with them…please, just stay here and don’t 
anger them…please.” 

Faramir felt his heart swell in his chest when Haldir's soft voice spoke the 
word 'meleth', until he realized he probably was not aware he'd spoken the word 
to *him*. Swallowing hard, he bit his lip and nodded. "I...I'll...I'll be here 
when you return, and I will take care of you, at least you will have someone to 
take care of you this time," he said for lack of anything better. The footsteps 
grew closer and they sat up together to face the door. 

The simple fact that Faramir would be here when he returned lifted Haldir’s 
heart a bit, but he couldn’t help but worry that Faramir would pity him even 
more when he saw the state he would be in. Taking a deep breath, he was grateful 
that he’d managed to at least gain Faramir’s promise…he would take solace in 
that fact when the pain was at it’s worst. 

Slowly, the door opened, and Haldir felt his mouth go dry. Five guards entered 
the room wearily…they knew Haldir always put up as much as a fight as possible, 
and now they had this Ranger to contend with as well. 

Without a word, Haldir stood, and gave Faramir an encouraging smile. “Avosto, 
mellonamin,” (Do not worry, my friend), he said too softly for the guards to 
hear. He took a step toward the guards and stopped in the middle of the room, 
where he removed his tunic and threw it onto the cot next to Faramir. After his 
first day, he realized that the clothes on his back were the only ones he would 
see for a while, and, rather than have them torn to shreds, he always left the 
shirt in his cell. Thankfully, the beatings to his lower half had been minimal, 
and through his breeches, and, thanks to Altair’s orders, he had not been 
ordered to remove *them*…yet. 

Haldir looked toward the guards and squared his shoulders. “I will not fight you 
today,” he said firmly. He’d already planned on making them mad enough at him, 
that taking Faramir instead would never cross their minds. With a sneer, his 
eyes met the first guard’s. “Do your worst, pig,” he spat.

Faramir gritted his teeth and glared at the guards as Haldir stood bravely 
before them. It went against everything in him to remain seated on the cot. His 
fingers wrapped around the edge, gripping it until his knuckles were white. He 
would not betray the promise he had made but it was killing him. One of the 
guards looked at him and he raised his chin and returned the glare. 

"We can't touch you, Ranger. We have our orders...but if they should change, 
I'll personally enjoy repaying you for this," the guard said indicating his eye. 

Faramir smiled slightly, "Perhaps next time we could try a fair fight since your 
friends were holding me down," he said defiantly. One of the other guards cursed 
him in Haradic and Faramir answered the curse, surprising all of them. He bit 
his tongue not to say anything in defense of Haldir knowing that it would only 
make his torment worse. 

Haldir had to bite his tongue to keep the smile from his face as the guards 
looked at Faramir in stunned disbelief. After a moment, he moved forward again, 
hands held straight out in front of him for the leather cuffs they always led 
him from the room in. The first guard eyed him suspiciously, but bound his 
wrists tightly in the cuffs and nodded. A second guard grabbed a handful of 
Haldir’s hair and jerked his head back as his put his mouth next to the Elf’s 
ear. “We are going to have a lot of fun today, Elf,” he smirked. “Our other 
plaything faded away last night…and, with him gone, and Altair on patrol, 
there’s really no one to protect your virtue, is there? Of course, we must 
‘play’ first…don’t think we’d forget *that*.” 

Haldir’s heart fell as the guard’s putrid breath wafted across his skin. //So it 
has come to this. I am so sorry Faramir…I was foolish to think we could be 
together…now I know there is no chance. I will still love you, but I will never 
burden you with that knowledge.// He prayed Faramir hadn’t heard the guard’s 
words as he was dragged from the room, his heart in his throat, and his stomach 
feeling sick at the very idea of what was to come. 

Faramir watched as one of the guards whispered against Haldir's ear and had to 
tighten his grip even more on the cot. Every fiber of his body screamed at him 
to push the guard away, to fight, to protect Haldir, but he knew there was no 
way. They were armed and he wasn't, and two against five weren't good odds at 
all with Haldir still recovering. His eyes fixed on the wounds on Haldir's back 
that were just healing and he wanted to scream at them to leave him be. Instead, 
he sat biting his bottom lip, watching them walk the stoic Elf from the room. 
Haldir wasn't even putting up any fight at all and Faramir felt his heart break 
for him. //I'd kill them all for you, if I could.// 

The guard led Haldir to a different room…not the usual ‘playroom’. Normally, 
they attached the cuffs to a hook high up on the wall, and then secured his feet 
with leather straps near the floor. This time, however, they lead him to a 
larger room with a huge wooden table in the middle. The far edge of the table 
had hooks, as did the front legs. //So…this is how they plan to take me. I hope 
that they will either kill me today, or that I shall fade quickly, and spare 
Faramir from having to tend to me. He is so caring and gentle…I think this would 
break his heart, whether he cared for me or not.// 

Haldir was roughly pushed toward the table, and he resisted the urge to fight. 
His face was ground into the wood as his hands were secured and, to his utter 
humiliation, he felt his breeches being pulled from his legs. Stifling a cry as 
dirty hands passed roughly over the wound on his leg, he closed his eyes and 
felt his legs being pulled apart and secured to the legs of the table. Taking a 
deep breath, he again prayed to fade quickly, and filled his mind with memories 
of Faramir’s smile…and dreams of things being different, so that they might have 
had a chance. The smile was still on his face as the first guard brought the 
whip down across his shoulders and the second began to undress.

Once the guards closed and locked the cell door, Faramir got up from the cot, 
unable to stay still as thoughts of what they were doing to Haldir ran through 
his mind. He heard sounds coming from down the hall, the unmistakable sound of a 
whip slapping against flesh, but did not hear a cry. 

He bit his lip and closed his eyes. "Gods, Haldir I'm so sorry," he whispered. 
He spotted Haldir's tunic on the cot and picked it up, clutching it to his chest 
as he paced. One of the guards looked in the cell and he cast him a dirty look. 
"Does it make them feel like bigger men?" he asked. The guard snorted and 
Faramir ground his teeth and cursed him in Elvish. 

How could he face Haldir? He'd just sat there and LET them take him...even if he 
had promised. They had to get out, but now, there was no chance for escape 
tonight. Not with the sounds from down the hall...they were beating him more and 
more. He could hear the lashes falling swifter and swifter and each one made 
Faramir flinch and his rage build. Until finally....finally he heard the most 
heart wrenching scream pierce the air and he fell to his knees. Rocking back and 
forth, clutching Haldir's tunic to his chest, he wept for the one he loved and 
could do absolutely nothing to save. 

The guards beat Haldir for over an hour, this time not only on his back, but 
from his ankles up to his shoulders and every point in between. He thought 
nothing could be worse than the pain he was in, until they stopped. The room was 
deathly silent for a moment, then the guards began to argue who would get to 
take the Elf first. 

As the first guard raped him, Haldir’s screams did nothing but encourage him to 
move faster and harder, and Haldir felt something in him begin to dim. He knew 
that although he would not die just then, he was fading already, and there was 
little that could be done to stop it. 

After the third guard took him, his body was filled with a strange numbness, and 
by the time they had all been satisfied, some more than once, his voice was 
hoarse from screaming and he could barely move. They quickly tired of him, 
seeing that the fight had gone out of him. The first guard unhooked his limp 
arms and legs from the hooks and two of them drug Haldir back to his cell where 
they unceremoniously threw him to the floor. 

“Here’s your filthy Elf back,” the second guard laughed as he threw Haldir’s 
breeches at Faramir. “He really wasn’t worth all the trouble…barely put up much 
of a fight as we fucked him…I was hoping for a bit more sport myself.” 

Faramir jumped up from the floor when he heard the commotion in the hall and 
quickly wiped the tears from his eyes. As the door flew open, Faramir had to 
duck as a pair of breeches, Haldir's breeches flew past his head, and Haldir was 
thrown into the cell battered and naked. 

Faramir couldn't contain his rage and flew forward toward the door snarling. 
"Monsters, all of you!" he yelled as they slammed the door. "I hope you all burn 
for this," he seethed, and cursed them in their own language.

Turning back to Haldir, he simply had no idea what to do. After all of that, 
would he even want Faramir to touch him at all? Going to the cot, he grabbed the 
cloth the guard from the first night had given them, and went to the shivering 
Elf. "Haldir? I...can...can I do anything?" he asked gingerly laying the 
material over him to give him back some sort of dignity. 

Haldir closed his eyes and curled up into a tight ball. He ached from head to 
toe, and all he could remember was how comforting Faramir’s embrace had been, 
how his gentle touch had soothed and calmed him almost at once. He was torn 
between not wanting to burden his new friend, and desperately yearning for any 
measure of comfort Faramir could offer, if, indeed, he was still willing. //I 
shouldn’t ask him to even touch me…but I will fade quickly now, and it would 
only be for a few days…maybe he would not mind? At least he will not have to 
worry about me…that should make his escape easier.// The pain was almost 
unbearable, and without even realizing it, Haldir’s hand had reached out and his 
fingers had curled around Faramir’s. “Help…me……?” he managed as he looked toward 
the cot, too ashamed to meet Faramir’s eyes. 

Faramir felt his heart break as Haldir's fingers wrapped around his own and 
nodded, trying to keep his tears from falling. "Of course, dear one, of course. 
I...I don't want to hurt you though,"