Fandom: Lord of the Rings
Character(s): Frodo B. | Samwise G. | Faramir | Smeagol/Gollum
Pairing(s): none
Warning(s): semi-dark imagery, mentions of violence, spoilers through LOTR: The Two Towers
The Halflings were both awake when Faramir returned to the room - and, judging by the impressive amount of food that had vanished from the table, they had been up for some time.
Sam jumped to his feet as soon as the door opened, stationing himself firmly at Frodo's side, one hand straying to his sword-hilt. The scowl on his broad face would have been intimidating had Faramir not been accustomed to staring down orcs, goblins, and even Nazgul on a semi-regular basis. As it was, the Captain merely smiled, hoping to make his own manner less threatening.
"I see you have eaten well." He said quietly, very aware of the way two pairs of eyes (one wary and blue, the other distrustful and brown) tracked his every movement around the room. "That is good. You need to recover your strength if you are to be ready for travel tomorrow."
Both sets of eyes widened, and the hobbits exchanged a brief, incredulous look.
"Travel, Captain?" Frodo said, turning back with a frown. "I don't - "
"You are free to go."
For two beings on a secret mission, tasked with bearing the doom of Men, Frodo and Sam were woefully unskilled in the game of subterfuge. Though they kept their own council close, and were undeniably cautious around anyone outside of their small circle, their faces were too expressive; too open and guileless to make them truly effective spies. Faramir had known within minutes of meeting them that they were hiding something significant; now he knew with one glance that Frodo was shocked speechless by his declaration.
"You need not fear me, Frodo." He said, sitting down at the table across from the Halfling and folding his hands in front of him. "I said that I would let you go - and I am a man of my word. I will hinder you in your quest no longer; I hope that I may be of help."
Frodo raised an eyebrow. "Do you indeed, Captain?"
"I do...though I know there is little cause for your to trust what I say."
The Halflings exchanged another loaded glance.
"Now see here, Captain." Sam growled, tearing his gaze away from his master to bore them into Faramir. "'Tain't as simple as all that." He set his jaw and crossed his arms over his chest imposingly. "How do we now you're not just saying this to make my master lower his guard? How do we know we can trust you?"
"Sam."
"No, Mr. Frodo! Beggin' your pardon, an' all, but no. He talks right pretty for now, but you can't trust him. Mr. Boromir..."
Faramir sat forward suddenly, and Sam cut off with a sudden blink of fear. "Boromir, you say." Faramir swallowed hard, that pale form in the elven boat flickering across his memory, and tried his best to keep his manner calm. "Boromir was...what?"
Sam bit his lip, looking anxious and desperate and furious all at once. The words were bubbling up inside of him, Faramir could see it.
He dipped his head. "Speak freely, Master Samwise. I am not a man that will punish others for telling the truth."
"Your brother was a good man, sir." Now Sam looked stricken, though there was still a current of doubt and anger burning below the surface.
"He was a good and noble companion." Frodo's voice was soft, his eyes fixed on his clenched hands.
"That he was, an' no mistake. But...Captain." Sam's eyes too slid towards the floor. "You didn't see what he did to Mr. Frodo, sir. What the Ring made him do. He..." Sam sighed. "That weren't your brother, Mr. Faramir, sir."
Faramir saw Frodo shudder as the Halfling's hands came up to rub at his arms - and, all at once, Faramir could see it. He could see Boromir knocking Frodo to the ground; could see those arms (always so strong; so strong) shaking the Halfling, tearing at the slight form to get at the golden lie hanging from Its chain, perhaps even beating its bearer when Frodo would not submit. The Halflings were small. They were not warriors. Boromir should have protected them; would have protected them, had he been in his right mind.
Faramir shivered, thinking of the lure of gold and the flash of steel that had lit the scene as he backed Frodo against the rough wall of Henneth Annun at swordpoint.
It had been so easy to capture them. Their inexperience in battle and tracking put aside, it had been child's play to simply carry the Halflings wherever he wanted to take them. (It would be easier still to beat them senseless and rob them of that which they carried.) Faramir looked at the Halflings' wrists - so slender and fragile, proportioned almost like a child's in size and appearance. It would be far too easy now to take them in his larger hands and snap and twist until they bent to the path he had so graciously fashioned for them...
"Alas for Boromir." He said quietly, a tear pressing hot and salty against his lids. "It was too sore a trial."
TBC...
A/N: Okay, folks - here we are at almost the end of the journey. Just one more chapter to go. Thanks to all of you who came along for the ride. You are awesome!
