contains: angst/comfort, character death, shitty dads (cough cough denethor cough cough), childhood friends to lovers, fellowship! reader, lowkey a lot of intro stuff (sorry), kissing lol, faramir being a sap
summary: being the heir to the enedwaith throne, y/n grew up frequently visiting the regions' ally of gondor and grew close to the stewards' sons. after boromir's death, y/n returns to the white city, seeking faramir and the help of denethor.
a/n: hi!! it's been like four years since i posted last... but i want to write againヽ(‘ ∇‘ )ノ! sorry if this is bad lmao, i haven't written in forever
The city of Rivendell shone in the afternoon light and a crisp December breeze blew the last of the fallen leaves onto ground. It was an honor to be called to this meeting by Lord Elrond, though you feared the reason behind it.
Making your way up the winding cobblestone paths to the meeting area, a deep but familiar voice spoke up behind you.
"Lady Y/n, it is a pleasure to see you," Boromir smiled, happy to see you were sent in your father's stead.
"Please, Boromir, no need for such formalities," You grin, embracing him gently, "It is good to see you too, I've missed my visits to Minas Tirith."
A hearty laugh escaped the man's mouth, "I am sure it was not just the city you have missed," Boromir said teasingly, making you roll your eyes.
Unable to contain your smile, you asked sheepishly, "Has your father sent only you?"
Knowing what you were getting at, Boromir smirked, "Faramir was sent to guard the gates in Osgiliath in my absence. So you will have to put up with me for the time being."
Hiding your disappointment, you huffed out a laugh, "How ever will I manage?"
⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆
Boromir was dead, consumed by the ring. The grief was almost to much to bear, but thinking about Faramir's reaction to his older brother's death was a thousand times worse.
You didn't get any sleep that night, nor did the remaining few companions you had left. The memory of his death was too raw, like a wound that had been ripped open. Boromir was the older brother you were never blessed with, a steady pillar of strength and light for both you and Faramir. Now that light had been extinguished, and much of the hope you had left with it.
"Promise me you will take care of him"
Those were the last words your friend ever spoke to you. There was no need to say who 'he' was, you already knew. You knew that Faramir would need you now that his brother was gone, his father never sparing him a glance. So you promised, and you didn't intend on breaking it.
⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆
The journey to Minas Tirith was long and filled with apprehension. For three days you rode along side Gandalf and Pippin, desperate to warn the Steward of the eminent attack.
Finally, you reached the gates of the white city. Galloping up the streets, you could feel your heart beating wildly at the thought of the man you loved being so close.
Much to your dismay, Faramir was not in Minas Tirith when you arrived. Even furthering your and the White Wizard's frustration, Lord Denethor was less than cooperative. You knew he was a cruel man, having seen the way he treats his youngest son, yet you thought he was more sensible than this. Though, he is clearly driven by grief for his favorite son.
The memories of Faramir crying from the harsh words his father threw at him flashed in your mind. Feeling the anger bubbling up, Gandalf beckoned the three of you to leave.
Leading you outside, towards the edge of the courtyard, Gandalf turned muttered bitterly, "A thousand years this city has stood. Now, at the whim of a madman, it will fall."
You turned to face the wizard, "We must do something, or Minas Tirith will be destroyed. If we could just get to Osgiliath, perhaps Faramir could aid us."
He looked down at you, shaking his head, before shifting his gaze to the fiery mountains of Mordor in the distance, "No, my dear, our time has run out. Help must come to us."
⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆
After the blast of fearsome light erupted from Mordor, Gandalf instructed you and Pippin to secretly light the beacon of Minas Tirith. The climb up the tower was tiring, but you reached the top in no time.
"You light the beacon, I'll distract the guards. Got it?" You whispered to the hobbit, him nodding in response.
You made your way behind the two guards, keeping each step light. Using the hilt of your sword, you knock the guard closest unconscious and swiftly do the same to the second. Watching proudly as Pippin set the pile of wood ablaze, you started your way back down the watchtower.
As you reached the bottom, you heard loud, awful shrieks from across the valley. The Nazgûl, you thought grimly, quickly making your way to see where the ring wraiths were coming from.
Your body grows cold at the sight of Faramir's legion being attacked, picked off one by one. It was to far to make out faces, so you could only pray that Faramir was alive.
To your relief, you spotted a white stallion speeding towards the fleeing soldiers. Gandalf raised his staff, emitting a blinding, white light that scared off the Nazgûl. Knowing the enemy had been thwarted for the time being, you gathered Pippin onto your horse and raced down to the gates.
Gandalf was easily spotted in the sea of soldiers on horseback, his white robes shining in the sunlight.
You moved through the crowd towards him. However before you could speak, someone beat you to it, "Mithrandir," Faramir rode over to Gandalf, not seeing you, "They broke through our defenses. They've taken the bridge and the west bank. Battalions of orcs are crossing the river."
"It is as the Lord Denethor predicted," A soldier exclaimed from the crowd, "Long has he foreseen this doom.
"Foreseen and done nothing!" Gandalf grumbled, turning his horse to face you and Pippin. Faramir turned his head, his face morphing into one of confusion and then shock.
"Y/n," He whispered breathlessly, "What are you-"
His words fell short upon seeing the hobbit sitting in front of you.
"Faramir?" You questioned.
Gandalf understood, "This is not the first halfling to have crossed your path."
Faramir, shifting his gaze back to you, muttered, "No."
Upon hearing this, Pippin face filled with glee, "You've seen Frodo and Sam?"
As Gandalf continues his questions about Frodo and the ring, you can't help but scan Faramir's face and body for any injuries. To your relief, the man had no major wounds. You let out a breath, returning to the conversation at hand.
"Faramir, tell me everything. Tell me all you know." Gandalf spoke with urgency.
Making your way back up to the palace, you let Faramir and Gandalf discuss what happened in Ithilian with Frodo. Though deep in their exchange, Faramir couldn't resist glancing behind him where you rode with Pippin.
"You know him?" Pippin's voice brings you back from your thoughts, "Lord Faramir?"
You smile softly down at the hobbit, "Yes, I spent much time here as a child and have known both Faramir and Boromir for my entire life."
A pang strikes in your chest at the though of Boromir. Of the promise you made him.
"I will not leave Faramir to be alone, not anymore," You thought to yourself.
⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆
"This is how you would serve your city? You would risk it's utter ruin?" Lord Denethor spits, his words filled with utter hatred.
Faramir stood before his father, a pleading look on his face that made you frown, "I did what I judged to be right."
"What you judged to be right," Lord Denethor mocked, "You sent the Ring of Power into Mordor in the hands of a witless Halfling. It should have been brought back to the Citadel to be kept safe. Hidden, dark and deep in the vaults. Not to be used," He paused, as if he was forcing himself to continue, "Unless at the uttermost end of need."
The steward's greed for power was consuming him, making your blood boil. However, Faramir kept his composure, "I would not use the ring. Not if Minas Tirith was falling to ruin, and I alone could save her."
Your chest swells with pride at his words, knowing he was speaking the truth.
A sickly smile grew across Lord Denethor's face as he spoke, "Ever you desire to appear lordly and gracious... as a king of old. Boromir would have remembered his father's needs. He would have brought me a kingly gift."
"Boromir would not have brought the ring. He would have stretched out his hand to this thing and taken it. He would have fallen." Faramir pleads with his father."
"You know nothing of this matter!" Lord Denethor snarled, making your fleeting composure shatter.
Stepping forward, you growled, "No. You know nothing of this matter, Lord Denethor. You are blinded by the ring and cannot see that it needs to be destroyed, not hoarded by a false king such as yourself."
Taking a few steps further, you continue, "No man can resist the ring, not even your beloved Boromir. He tried to take it, not for his country- for himself. But he saw the evil taking over him and fought honorably till his last breath. Which is far more noble than anything you have ever done. Even now you force Faramir to risk his life out of pure greed. You are a monster, and coward who does not deserve such an incredible son."
By the time you finish, your breathing is ragged and your hands are shaking with anger. The lord seethes before you, lunging forward.
"Boromir was loyal to me! Not some useless woman!" He spits out before falling back onto the ground with a yell.
"Father?" Faramir reaches out worried.
"GET OUT!" Lord Denethor roars, flailing his arms wildly.
Taking Faramir's hand, you gently lead him out of the hall and away from his father.
You wind through the halls for a few minutes before stopping and facing Faramir. He's already looking at you, eyes filled with emotion.
"You're here." He whispers, as if he doesn't quite believe it himself.
You take a reassuring step towards him, "I'm here, and I am not going anywhere."
Faramir just looks at you for a moment, eyes boring into yours. He suddenly strides forward, pulling you into his chest. You wrap your arms around him, feeling his racing heart return to a steady rhythm.
You both stay like that for a long time before either of you speaks.
"Why are you in Minas Tirith?" Faramir's gentle voice breaks the silence, moving back to hold your shoulders.
"I made a promise to Boromir, as he lay dying, to stay by your side and watch out for you."
His face falls slightly at your admission, "You are here because of Boromir. I understand," He recoils his hands, taking a step back, "I can see how much you loved him."
"What? No," You reply in confusion, "Yes I loved your brother, but not in the way you presume. Boromir was the closest thing I had to a brother, or any sibling at that. His death takes a heavy toll on my heart, but I would have come to you whether he asked it of me or not."
Faramir looks at you, eyes wide in shock, but lets you continue.
"I have fought unspeakable enemies to get here. To see you." You huff, taking a deep breath, "The only one that has ever had my heart is you, Faramir."
You look at the floor, unable to meet his gaze for fear of his reaction. The hall where you stand is silent for a few seconds before you hear him step towards you. A hand lifts your face to look at his, the other moving to cup your face.
"You truly mean what you say?" He asks.
"I could not lie to you even if I tried." You whisper, looking into his eyes.
Faramir's lips connect with yours in a passionate kiss. Years of pining and wanting finally released. A hand moves to tangle in his hair, pulling his body closer to yours.
"I love you, more than anything," He sighs into your mouth, lips returning to yours. He pours every part of himself into the kiss, unwilling to part just yet.
After what felt like hours, you both parted with heavy breaths. With a contented sigh, you cup his jaw, running your thumb over his cheekbone.
The two of you stayed wrapped in each others embrace, not caring about the war raging around you. A surge of hope swept through you, knowing that you had the man you loved by your side.
i never understood the projecting period cramps onto characters meme because honestly i would never wish this pain upon anyone else
that being said. my solution to being in agony has been to imagine my favourite characters being beat up violently and im getting the same sort of satisfaction so maybe theres smth to it.
