Faramir seated himself on Aragorn's right, as was his right as the Steward of Gondor. Directly across from him was Eomer and beside Eomer was Legolas. Immediately to Faramir's right were the twins, Elrohir and Elladan. The seating arrangement continued down the length of the table so that everyone, in order of rank or personal position, was as close to the new king as possible. Though an informal person by nature, necessity and position forced Aragorn to sit at the head of the table and stare down the length at friends and comrades.
Eomer's face was tinged pink, but whether from embarrassment or wine was anyone's guess. He seemed decidedly uncomfortable. His dark brown eyes roved the length of the table, never settling on any one person for long and avoiding Faramir completely. If anyone besides Faramir noticed, they were all too polite to mention it.
Legolas' eyes were bright with something that those who knew him well might have interpreted as mischief. He tucked in to his meal with far more enthusiasm than some might consider politic for an elf and his eyes seemed to stray constantly down and left, as though looking at Eomer's lap.
Why that bothered him so was something Faramir refused to consider. Just as he refused to consider a great many things going on around him. Mostly he was busy not considering why he wanted to put so much distance between himself and the king of Rohan and why he also wanted to punch Legolas. He glanced up from his plate in time to witness Eomer's sharp intake of breath and his sideways look of pure astonishment cast at Legolas.
Legolas offered a slow wink in response. "King Eomer, perhaps after dinner you and I could visit the stables? I have grown fascinated by Rohan stallions since you gifted me with Arod and I would learn more about their breeding and lineage."
Eomer's tongue touched his upper lip briefly before his brown eyes shifted towards Aragorn, judging his ally's reaction. As Aragorn seemed oblivious to the innuendo, Eomer exhaled softly. His brown eyes met Legolas' blue ones and he opened his mouth to tactfully decline. Strong fingers dug into his thigh and he winced. A hint or warning in Legolas' eyes forced his tongue to respond positively to the offer even as his mind reeled.
"Faramir, I had an audience with the chief healer and he has given leave for you to return to you own chambers to complete recuperation from your injuries. He has recommended that you delay travel for another fortnight, however, and I bow to his expertise." Aragorn either did not notice the exchange or chose, for his own reasons, to ignore it.
A fortnight? Faramir wanted to scream his annoyance aloud. Schooling his features into an expression of neutrality, he kept his reply bland. "I am pleased, Lord, to hear that I have been given leave to return to my own quarters. The extra time spent here shall be put to good use as I will have time to make arrangements for a more permanent relocation."
"I knew you would be pleased by the news," beamed Aragorn. "We have much to do, before you depart, and I would not send you to Osgiliath ill-prepared. I have asked that Princes Elrohir and Elladan accompany you. They are skilled in many areas and I feel they will be able to offer you sound counsel."
Faramir felt the color drain from his face. The last thing he wanted was the presence of the twins in Osgiliath. In fact, having them with him defeated the purpose of his departure from Minas Tirith. "I would not have you deprived of your own counselors, Sire."
'Nay, Steward, your king will be deprived of nothing. Gandalf is here, and our father is soon to arrive with Glorfindel and Erestor. We will only be bored and in the way without Orcs to hunt. Tis better that we go with you to Osgiliath. My brother and I have some skills beyond swordsmanship, as you shall soon discover." Elrohir's head tilted sideways as he smiled at Faramir.
"Of course, Prince Elrohir," Faramir whispered.
Elladan's eyes widened slightly. "You can tell us apart, Steward, after such a brief meeting?"
Faramir turned away quickly and looked down at his partially empty plate. "Indeed, Lord, t'is not hard to discern which is which, if one studies body language."
"Ah, yes, of course, and a Steward of Gondor and a Captain of Gondor's armies would be an expert on body language, I would imagine," cooed Legolas.
Eomer coughed in to his goblet and received a glare from Faramir for his efforts. "Indeed, Prince of Mirkwood. I have spent many years in the wilds, acting as a spy and leader of the rear guard. I understand body language far more than you realize."
Eomer's eyes came up and met Faramir's squarely. For a moment, their gazes locked, brown and green eyes clashing together in silent combat, then Eomer's brown eyes shifted and the spell were broken. When the meal was ended the diners scraped back their chairs and pipes were lit. Singers cleared their throats while musicians tuned their instruments. Eomer, who would have happily remained rooted to his chair like a potted palm until the end of the age, was given no such opportunity.
"Come, Lord," Legolas' hand rested heavily on the king's shoulder. "Let us away to the stables where we can discuss Rohan's fine stallions."
Unable to sit still any longer, Faramir leapt from his own seat. "If my liege will excuse me? I must begin packing."
Startled, Aragorn removed his pipe from between his lips, and answered Faramir rather slowly. "You have a fortnight, Faramir."
'Indeed, Lord, and that is barely enough time to sort through a lifetime of belongings."
Aragorn nodded his head, indicating that Faramir should go, if that was his wish and turned to Gandalf, who joined him with pipe in hand.
"Please excuse me, Aragorn," Eomer rose and bowed. With out looking back, he followed Legolas from the dining hall.
The twins excused themselves from Aragorn and hastily followed the three.
"How long do you think it will take them to convince Eomer and Faramir that they are suitably matched?" Aragorn arched an eyebrow Gandalf.
"Do you think they are?" Gandalf frowned. "I am not so certain as the elves in this matter, my friend. You were raised among them and are used to the ways of elves, but Faramir and Eomer are men, with men's ideas and prejudices. I doubt that the match making of three meddlesome elves will alter the course set up on by those two."
Aragorn shook his head ruefully. "Mithrandir, can it be that you are blinded by men's ideas and prejudices, as you put them? What was begun by men shall be finished by elves."
It was the wizard's turn to frown. "Do you mean to say that there is something already between the two men? How extraordinary. I thought the twins were up to their usual mischief."
"Nay, my Steward is a cunning man in his own right I am truly glad that he is a friend and not an enemy. Though, I believe his trap has nearly removed his own hand."
The two old friends lapsed in to a comfortable silence as a bard began to sing a song of Halfling warriors.
The cool air on Faramir's skin refreshed him. He'd begun to feel stifled, as he'd sat in the hall, surrounded on all sides by elves and lovers. He gazed at the heavens and counted the stars, a habit he'd developed during his years in the wilderness. He found solace in the infinity of the dark skies, the black velvet canopy dotted with tiny points of light served as a grounding force in his life when he was troubled. He heard voices below him and frowned, turning his gaze from the sky to the level below him, he watched as Eomer and Legolas paused near a battlement and turned to face one another.
He would have turned away, if his feet were not frozen to the stone. He watched with mingled horror and jealousy as Legolas took Eomer's face between his long hands and brought his lips towards the man's. The two were lost for a moment in their mixed shadows and their shapes blurred until one could not be distinguished from another. Faramir was grateful for that, for he did not need to see to know. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply, willing away his emotions, willing himself empty and void of thought or feeling.
"T's rude to spy," hissed a voice and Faramir's eyes flew wide and his head whipped around.
To his left he saw Elrohir and Elladan. Elladan leaned dangerously far over the wall and stared with great intensity at the scene below him. Elrohir stood behind him, with hands upon his narrow waist. As the two below drew apart, Elladan straightened.
"Legolas is making a fool of himself," Elladan snarled. "See how he fawns over that man?"
"Eomer makes Legolas happy, Elladan. He told me that the night spend with Faramir and Eomer were the most satisfying night of his life."
"Ai, but it required both men to satisfy him. How long do you think the man will be able to satisfy Legolas? He is a man, after all, and what knows a man of an elf's needs?"
"Apparently a lot, brother, for Legolas has vowed to return to the Mark when Eomer departs."
Faramir pressed himself deeper in to the shadows, melding his body to the stone. The last thing he wanted was sharp elven ears and eyes to catch him spying. The twins would haunt him forever if they knew of his presence.
Placing his arm around his brother's shoulders, Elrohir placed a light kiss on the pointed ear. "In time, brother, Legolas will grow tired of Eomer and return to us. In the meantime, come away, let them have their privacy."
Faramir watched them go. His heart was heavy in his chest as he stepped again to the wall and peered down. He watched as Legolas grazed his knuckles over Eomer's bearded jaw. The elf would break Eomer's heart, he knew, but there was nothing he could do about it. Faramir had made himself plain enough to the King of Rohan and now he could do or say nothing, less his intentions are misunderstood. And, besides, who was he to stand in the way of Eomer's happiness, even if it was fleeting? Faramir made his way back to his own quarters. He was looking forward to being in his own bed again after so long an absence. Though, in his heart, he knew he would not sleep.
"Legolas," Eomer placed his hand against the elf's chest to push him away. Beneath his palm he could feel sinew and a steadily beating heart. He longed to give in, to fold himself within that embrace and, for just a moment, forget how much he ached inside. "If I have mislead you, then I apologize. Lord Faramir and I were in the wrong. We should never have made the terrible wager."
"Nor should you have gone to Elladan and Elrohir and asked them to help you get Faramir in your bed." Legolas smiled but he did not move.
Eomer ducked his head, silently admitting his guilt, and, ultimately, his shame. "I wish they had not shared that secret with you." Lifting his head, he met Legolas' gaze. "Though, if you know, why have you decided this night to seduce me?"
"I am not trying to seduce you," Legolas replied as his eyes lifted to the battlements above him. "I am trying to help you."
"How? By making innuendo at the King's table? By kissing me openly on the battlements where any and all can see?"
"Aragorn knows and cares not, for he was raised among elves. And only those eyes I wished to see saw."
Eomer's heart stopped beating. Had Faramir seen? Reluctantly he lifted his eyes to where Legolas looked. "Did he..Did Faramir witness our kiss?"
"Aye, he did, and more besides." Legolas turned Eomer's head so that they were again staring at each other. "He has gone, mellanin."
"So you thought to make him jealous and thereby, what? Make him admit that he loves me or desires me? Legolas, you do not understand what you have done. I am ..Even if Faramir has feelings for me, he would never speak of them. Not now, not after what happened in my rooms. Certainly not after witnessing your passion for me. Legolas, whatever may have been or could have been is now moot. Your actions, my actions, they have negated any possibility of Faramir and I coming to terms with what happened between us."
"Then what happened was only lust? Have I misread the tenderness I saw between you?"
"Nay, Legolas, at least not from me, you did not. I care deeply for Faramir. But today, I hurt him. I humiliated him and for that, I fear, I shall never be forgiven. Now you have come to try to make him jealous. In his pain, he will seek out any excuse to avoid me; he will make haste for Osgiliath and endeavor never again to set eyes upon me."
"I am sorry, then, Eomer, for I only sought to help. I thought that if he believed that I would hurt you he would come to your rescue and declare himself for you."
"Nay, Faramir would do no such thing, for though Gondor's king was raised among elves, the steward was raised among men. Besides, if he thinks that I prefer elves to men, then he would never be the one to gainsay the relationship. Have you learned nothing of men since you have walked beside us?"
"Jealousy is a powerful weapon, it may still be turned to your advantage, if you let it," pressed the elf.
"Nay, I will not use such a thing against my friend. You method is too cruel. Please, I beg you, if you are truly my friend, leave this matter be. If I chose to work out my differences with Faramir, let it be on my terms. Or his, for I have wronged him and well aware of it am I. The meddling of elves will drive a wedge between us that cannot be breached, I fear."
Legolas stepped back. "You have my apology, elf-friend, for I did not mean to hurt either you or the Steward of Gondor. Will you forgive me?"
"Aye, Legolas, I cannot be angry with you for I know you meant no harm. Tell..please tell the Princes of Rivendell that I forgive them as well. I know you only wanted to help, but I fear you do not understand men at all." Eomer placed his hand on Legolas' shoulder and squeezed it affectionately.
"I bid you good night, then, your highness." Legolas bowed before he turned away from the king. The elf thought the man was making a mistake, but he did not wish to cause harm to either of his friends. If what Eomer had said was true, then even as Faramir watched the staged scene, chances were that he had chosen a different course of action than one the elves had planned. And if that were the case, then Eomer had lost the chance to regain his love's trust. For that Legolas would never be able to forgive himself.
Faramir jumped as the pounding on the door increased in loudness and intensity. A harsh voice shouted his name through the door and Faramir blinked at the candles burning low in their holders. He'd been staring at them for longer than he realized and must not have heard the first knock on his chamber door.
"Faramir!" Again a fist slammed in to the thick wood.
Eomer? The steward frowned as he turned towards the door. His movements were sluggish, as though he moved beneath deep water. Whatever could the King want at this late hour? He unlatched the door and stepped back quickly as Eomer rushed in to the room.
His eyes were wild and his mouth was pursed tight. "What took you so long? I've been pounding on the door for a candle mark or more."
Faramir nodded to the guards standing silently outside his door before he closed the portal. "I was busy. What drags you away from your elf?"
Eomer sighed and sat on a chair without asking. "I do not have an elf. You witnessed something tonight that had nothing to do with me."
Faramir laughed. "Odd you should say it had nothing to do with you. Was that your twin, then that I saw sharing sweet kisses with the Prince of Mirkwood?"
"Nay, Faramir, t'was I you saw. But t'was not my wish. Legolas staged the show, for your benefit. I cannot guess what else you were lead to believe, but I have come to set matters aright between us."
"What I saw or was lead to believe is of no consequence, Lord, for your business is your own. I am glad you have come, actually, for I have been thinking and my thoughts concern you." Faramir dragged a stool over so that it was opposite of Eomer and sat down.
Eagerly, Eomer sat forward, his dark brown eyes alight. "How do your thoughts concern me, Faramir?"
"As you know, your sister and I became friends while we were both in the house of healing. Since she is not wed and I need a wife, I thought to ask for her hand. As governor of Osgiliath, I need a mate who is strong and intelligent and brave. Your sister has demonstrated that she possesses all of those qualities. The marriage would benefit you as well, for it would strengthen the alliance with Gondor by blood and not mere words. If you agree, I will take the proposal to King Elessar on the morrow."
Eomer had expected a wide range of emotions or thoughts. What he had not expected was Faramir's cool appraisal of his sister, Eowyn. Nor had he expected to be hit with a marriage offer. He listened in astonishment to the way Faramir discussed her as he would a brood mare coming in to season. "You would ask me for my sister's hand?"
"Of course, who else would I ask, Lord? You are her guardian. She and I will make a good match, I think."
"Bastard."
Faramir drew back at the epithet. "I beg your pardon, your highness?"
"You ask me for Eowyn's hand after having made love to me? You would expect me to give you my blessing...my sister...after what ..." Eomer was unable to finish so great was his anger and astonishment.
"I will honor her, your highness, and we shall make a happy life together. She will want for nothing as the wife of a governor." Faramir presented his arguments as logically as possible as he stared in to Eomer's deep brown eyes.
Eomer clenched his teeth against a variety of words. Anger would not serve him here, though he wanted more than anything to wipe the floor with Faramir. Rising slowly to his feet he circled Faramir once before coming to stand directly in front of him. "Do you love her?"
"I feel great affection for her," Faramir responded. "Love will come in time, I believe."
"Not good enough, Faramir. Look at me and tell me that you love her. Assure me that you can give her your heart; that it does not belong to another."
Faramir found himself unable to raise his gaze to meet Eomer's stormy eyes. "You know I cannot tell you that for it is not true. I can promise you that she will be honored above all others."
"Honored above all others? You can say this knowing that she only gets half a man? What kind of brother would I be if I were to give her to you knowing you as I do?"
"What of it? An evening spent with you and the elf has changed nothing. I am the steward and there are expectations." Faramir rose and would have stepped around Eomer had the king allowed it.
"I am told that Aragorn is aware of what happened in Legolas' chamber and that he cares not. Does that change your mind?"
"Legolas intends to follow you back to Edoras. Does that change your mind?"
"You heard what the elves intended you to hear, Faramir. You are not the only one who can play at games. But your mechanizations have caught us both. What do you say to that? Can you look at me and say that there was no spark between us? Can you say that you will find that same spark in the arms of my sister?" Eomer paused and drew a deep, calming breath. "How can I give you my sister when I want you for myself? Would you drive that wedge between siblings?"
"You sent Elladan and Elrohir to snare me, Eomer. They brought me to your rooms and then...then.." He stopped, too embarrassed to go on. "I responded to them, they saw to that. Nay. T'was not their fault. The fault lies in me. I have trespassed where I did not belong and now I feel lost."
Eomer stepped forward so that their shoulders touched. "You are not lost, my love. I was wrong to play a vile trick on you. I did not know how you felt. I did not know of another way to get you alone, in my bed. I would have you there, now, but on your terms."
Faramir tilted his head a fraction and felt Eomer's warm breath on his cheek. He wanted to say no and he wanted to say yes. And it was all a confused mess of emotion and desire warring with duty. He had always been the dutiful son and second brother. As a captain, he'd only disobeyed orders once in his life, when he set Frodo and Sam free in Osgiliath. He made a split second decision and leaned closer, offering his lips to Eomer.
Tentatively, afraid that if he moved too quickly Faramir would change his mind; Eomer brushed his lips across the steward's. When Faramir did not pull away, he pressed his advantage and brushed his tongue over the full bottom lip. Faramir parted his lips and pressed closer. Eomer's arm wrapped possessively around his waist and pulled until their bodies were molded against one another.
Eomer dragged his mouth away from Faramir's and lapped along his jaw. Faramir tilted back his head, allowing greater access to the tender flesh of his throat. Eomer's beard tickled and prickled his flesh and Faramir groaned as pleasure washed over him. This was what he'd wanted, this feeling of completeness and belonging. He dug his hands into Eomer's dark hair and pressed his face closer, seeking more contact as a warm tongue swept over his jugular.
Slowly they moved across the floor, wrapped in one another's embrace until they were beside Faramir's bed. Frantically they began tugging at laces and straps until both men stood naked and shivering in the cool air. Faramir ran his hands over Eomer's collarbones, tracing along old scars until he encountered flat nipples. Leaning forward he placed soft kisses over Eomer's chest and belly. He knelt down, giving Eomer one last long look, and then tilted his head to take Eomer's cock into the heat of his mouth.
Eomer groaned as Faramir's tongue brushed against his slit. His hands dropped to Faramir's red-gold hair and held him steady as Faramir began a sensual assault on him that left his knees shaking. He held on as Faramir sucked him deeper in to his mouth, pushing until his cock brushed the back of his throat and then swallowing. Eomer tried to hold himself still, but his hips bucked forward roughly of their own accord and Faramir's head rocked backwards.
Faramir released Eomer's cock with one last swipe of his tongue. "I want you to take me."
Eomer's brain refused to find words for the joy his heart felt as he laid Faramir on the wide bed. He gazed at the muscled body with a hunger he'd never known. The broad chest was lightly coated with springy curls and he could not resist running his tongue over them as he kissed his way to a puckered nipple. Strong fingers dug in to his shoulders as Faramir's head tossed from side to side.
Eomer raised up for a moment and positioned Faramir's legs over his shoulders. The head of his saliva slicked cock pressed against Faramir's tight opening and he pushed forward slowly. Faramir sucked in a deep breath at the sharp sting and Eomer paused for a fraction of a second before plunging deep.
He leaned over his lover and kissed his cheek and then his mouth. The tight heat enveloping him was so intense he felt he could come right then. He shifted so that his knees were beneath Faramir's ass and began to pump in and out of the willing body. Beneath him, Faramir groaned and cluthced the sheets in his fists. As his body tightened around Eomer, the king shuddered. Reaching between them he began to stroke Faramir in a matching rhythm.
The steward began muttering and thrashing from side to side as his passion built. The king's warm palm stroking his length pushed him closer and closer to the edge. Eomer's cock thrusting in and out of his body stretched him completely. Each thrust of the king's cock prushed his prostate and he keened his pleasure aloud.
"Now, love, now," he chanted as he spilled his seed over Eomer's fist.
Eomer came seconds later as Faramir's body tightened around him and spasmed. His back arched and he plunged deep and shook with the force of his release. He collapsed panting atop Faramir.
The king kissed the tip of Eomer's nose and rolled away. "When you leave for Osgiliath, I shall depart for Edoras."
"There is not such a great distance between the two," Faramir replied as he snuggled into Eomer's embrace.
"Not on Rohan's stallions," Eomer grinned.
Faramir snorted. "That pun has not improved,
your highness, with the restating."
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