Title: Alone

Author: Nevraukowen/Fictitiousshore

Rating: PG

Pairing: E/F

Warnings: AU, character death, angst, general OOC-ness, no beta

Summery: Faramir is feeling alone after his brothers death.

The ringing of the bells resounded in the silence of the night. 'So, it's over then' Faramir thought to himself, looking up into the sky. His gaze focused on the moon, whose eerie light clung to the trees in the forest surrounding him. The wood was preternaturally silent and Faramir wondered if even the animals who inhabited it were taking a moment in respect for the dead.

His brother Boromir had been ill for months and none of the healers had held out much hope for the young man surviving the coming year. They were right apparently. For days he'd been told that the bell would toll when the time came, to lead Boromir's spirit into the next world.

Faramir closed his eyes against the tears. He'd promised himself not to stain Boromir's memory with tears. All the years of laughter and friendship deserved more than that. Boromir had begged him not to allow his death to ruin Faramirs own life.

If not for Boromirs' demands, Faramir could easily have seen himself wasting away without his beloved brother. Boromir had always been the strong one. His spirit like a flame, both hypnotizing and all consuming. Without him, Faramir's life was reduced to darkness. All he had now, was the pale light of his own soul. He was bound to get lost with so little to guide him.

A rustling in the woods alerted Faramir suddenly to the presence of another. He squinted in the darkness, trying to identify the figure approaching him.

"Eomer?", Faramir asked. His voice sounding loud and harsh in the near silence. When had the bell stopped ringing?

"Is this where you've been all night?", Eomer asked softly, "Everyone has been looking for you. Everyone has been worrying".

Faramir sighed and looked his friend in the eyes. There was sadness there, and empathy- Eomer and Boromir had always been close.

"He's gone isn't he?", Faramir asked the question with no real expectation of a response.

Eomer nodded, and his eyes fell to the grass under his feet. Faramir turned back to the stars, as though looking to them for a relief he knew better than to expect. After a few moments of quiet Eomer raised his head and held out his hand.

"Come back to the castle", Eomer requested amiably, "You can't stay out here alone all night."

Faramir made no move to leave, instead continuing to stare at the night sky.

"Boromir wouldn't have wanted you to be alone", Eomer cajoled in a soft voice.

Faramir's eyes fell back to Eomer's, "No, he wouldn't have", he agreed, "...but I am".

Eomer took a step closer and lay his hand on Faramir's shoulder. He leaned in so close that Faramir could feel the older mans breath blowing over his neck.

"You don't have to be", Eomer whispered into his skin.

Faramir turned around to face his friend completely; and upon closer examination, Faramir couldn't help but notice how Eomers skin seemed to glow in the moonlight.

As Eomer leaned in for a kiss, Faramir wondered if that glow was enough to light both their paths.

The End.

A/N: This fic only took about a half hour from conception to completion, so forgive me if it's confusing or boring.