Bring me to life

Chapter 2

It had been almost two weeks from when she had been given to Faramir, and Kreshen had never left his room.

The boy had a huge library and he had allowed her to read some of his books.

When Faramir wasn't busy, he and Kreshen spent almost all day together. Talking. Laughing. Making love. As if they had known each other forever.

The girl was at ease with him now, taking care of him when he fought with his father and warming his nights.

One particular day, the boy had gone out at dawn, and when Kreshen woke up, she had dressed herself, brushing her long dark hair.

She was reading one of his books when he opened the door.

He was dressed in his ranger uniform and indeed quite dirty, but he smiled nonetheless when he saw her. "I'm dying to get a good, warm bath" he said, slumping on his favorite armchair and bending down to take off his boots. "We've been scouting the woods all day, it was chilly! I am almost frozen."

“I'll prepare a bath” Kreshen immediately offered, nearing him to kiss him on the lips and then vanishing into a door at the opposite side of the room.

She poured some scented oil into the hot water and prepared some blankets to wipe him, worried that he could catch a cold and then came back to him.

“Do you want me to prepare some clean clothes for you?”

"I won't need any clothes when I'll get out of that tub" Faramir grinned, abandoning the boots on the floor and then standing to near her. "I was hoping that you will so kindly offer to keep me warm.."

“I'm here to offer everything you need, milord” she playfully remarked, nearing him and looping her arms around his neck.

“I've missed you today…I felt so alone in that big, empty room…”

"I am sorry to hear that" Faramir said, returning the embrace. "I'll try to spend more time with you, for I've missed you very much too."

After a quick peck on her lips he took her hand to guide her to the bathroom, and then took off his clothes. "Will you join me in the tub? 'Tis big enough for two, I think."

Shivering for the cold, the girl followed him into the hot water, settling at his side, glued to him for the bath wasn't that big.

Without a word, she poured some soap on her hands, rubbing them on his neck and chest, gently massaging to take off the mud and dirt. She liked to take care of him. And maybe she just hoped that he really liked her company, too.

Faramir leaned into the touch, his eyes half closed, relishing both the warm water and her gentle ministrations. When he looked at her again he had to smile. He had already grown to care very much for that girl, and he was very grateful to her for all she was doing for him every day.

"Thank you." he said, still smiling. "I'd be lost without you taking care of me. No one else would."

“I think there would be a lot of noble maidens out there ready to take care of you” she smiled back.

“For you're indeed a wonderful, noble and fair man, Faramir. Every girl would like to be at your side. I'm sure of that.”

"Then let me tell you a secret" he smiled, wrapping his arms around her and kissing the tip of her nose. "I am perfectly content with you by my side, and I would never exchange your company with that of a spoilt, pampered and boring noble maiden. I've known a few and you are.. different. In a good way. Pleasantly different ."

“Maybe you think I'm different just because…you and I…” she began, thinking to the hot nights they had spent together and sighing.

“One day you'll find someone special, Faramir. And that day you'll forget me. Oh, I'm ready for that, don't worry. I'll go to sleep elsewhere and maybe your father would grace me with a light job. Maybe in the kitchens” she explained, looking away and trying to hide the sadness she was feeling inside. “That's life. I'm not there to be…loved, or cared for. I'm your… pet , and I must respect your life. What would a maiden say to know that you sleep with…a whore found in the middle of the street. One that slept on the floor, for her family was too poor to buy another bed…”

"I do not see you as a whore" Faramir replied, without averting his eyes. "Nor as some sort of toy to get rid of when you grow tired of it. My life has been very.. well-heeled, easy and comfortable if compared to yours, I don't think I can understand all that you've been through, but.. I really wish that you could be happy here with me, someway.. even if just a little bit. And I will not have you working, whatever happens, I will see to it personally ."

“Thank you” she just whispered. “I've been lucky I've been given to you, even if the people in my village looked at you and your brother as sexual maniacs, for they told me that especially your older brother is…somewhat harsh with women. But you've been so kind to me…And sometimes, when we're alone, for a moment I forget about my past, and about…my role here. It's just an illusion but to be with you in those moments it's…beautiful. I'm happy for I forget that I'm just your birthday present…”

Faramir stared intently at her for a while before replying, choosing the words carefully. "You are a person to me, Kreshen, and.. I try to treat you as such. I do not think about you as my birthday present" saying that he sighed, thinking back to what she had said about him and his brother, and curiosity eventually got the better of him.

"What did they say exactly about Boromir?"

“They say that he's got a lot of sons among the female population of Gondor” she explained, trying to remember exactly what they said.

“And that he's harsh to the women, he gives them orders and he just beds them, without even kissing them, or hugging them. They say that he just stands up, fastens his leggings, and walks away without turning back.”

After a moment, she gave him a quick kiss on the lips, smiling.

“I'm happy that your father had given me to you and not to Boromir…”

"Boromir is a very noble man" he replied, defending the beloved brother affectionately, "Though he struggles to hide his real nature and.. often thinks as a soldier would. He's been trained to fight since he had been able to wield a sword, he was but a child back then. They taught him that nothing matters save for defending his people and his city and.. fulfill his basic needs, sex being one of them" he continued, sighing. "I think he's never been in love, he says he has no time for such matters. He just has to find the right person, I suppose."

“I'm sure that he's a noble man, Faramir” she immediately affirmed. “But I'm just happy to say that with you…it's beautiful to make love. It would not be the same if you just thought to fulfil your basic needs ”.

"Indeed it wouldn't" Faramir whispered, smiling mischievously and leaning towards her. "And by the way, the water's getting cold.. don't you think we should maybe.. move to the bedroom?"