Chapter 11
Frodo shivered, leaning against Sam. “I wish I wasn’t so much of a bother. Everyone must really be upset with me for holding up the mission.” he sighed.
Sam tried to think of something clever to say, but he knew that there wasn’t much that could be said to make his master feel better. “You’re bearing a great burden…and well…you’re going to be out of sorts Mr. Frodo. Its just hard really to carry such a thing and we all know that you’re going to suffer from time to time and we’ll have to take care of you. We know that. Everyone knows that. Don’t feel bad,.” Sam reassured him gently and stroked Frodo’s hair as the Ringbearer buried himself against the Gardner.
“It hurts…” he sobbed. “I can’t stop itching……and…when…when will they be ready?”
Sam used a cool cloth to dab at the blood that Frodo had drawn while itching. He sighed, he’d done his best to prevent Frodo from reacting to the allergy … done his best . “Soon, Mr. Frodo.” he soothed gently…hoping that he was right.
Frodo whimpered, he was feeling completely miserable and all he wanted to do was crawl under a rock and hide. He hated that this was happening…After what had occurred with Aragorn he wanted to be strong and whole…he wanted to talk to the man and show him what he was like when he wasn’t suffering. “Maybe someone else should take the Ring, Sam…” All he wanted was to close his eyes and drift off…
“No Mr. Frodo.” Sam looked at him straight in the eye, “No…you -must- keep the ring. You know what Gandallf said…it came to you. You have to resist it and keep on going. I’ll be with you. We’re all here to stand by you and don’t you worry. Mr. Frodo?…” he realized just then that Frodo had fainted. “Mr. Frodo?” he shook his master gently. “Wake up …!“ Sam turned towards the door where Gandalf was standing. “Gandalf…he‘s passed out…” Sam cried.
Gandalf hurried over and tested Frodo’s eyes by pulling them open, “You’re quite right Sam…he must be in greater pain that I thought. Come…let me pick him up. Strider and Boromir should be finished organizing the bath by now.” Sam let Gandalf pick up the hobbit who lay limply against the wizard.
The two of them hurried the hobbit outside to a secluded area near the stream where Boromir and Aragorn had stacked a few rocks together in a circle to hold the mud…and were mixing the mud with water and athelas. Aragorn saw that Frodo had passed out and rushed over…he was however….splattered with mud himself though Gandalf let him take the hobbit and stroke his cheek gently. “Frodo?” Frodo didn’t move, though he was breathing…he smiled a little when Aragorn’s fingers touched his cheek and nuzzled into them. Aragorn looked at Sam, “What happened?”
“I don’t know, Strider…he just fainted…”
Frodo’s eyes fluttered open at the sound of Aragorn’s voice, “Aragorn?” he whimpered. “Aragorn is it over?”
“No Frodo…we haven’t even started…you fainted.”
Frodo smiled as he saw the mud across Strider’s chest. The man had taken off his shirt and he found he was leaning against his skin. It was a nice feeling. “Oh…but…” he blushed…he was in the ranger’s arms…wrapped in a blanket yes…but completely naked. He looked around to see Sam, Boromir and Gandalf. “We’re not alone…” he curled his fingers into the Ranger’s hair. “Please…I don’t want anyone else…” his lips quivered as he buried his face away, shivering.
Gandalf laid a hand on Sam’s shoulder. “I think Aragorn can take care of this. Boromir….Sam…come.” he motioned with his hand and led the other two away.
Aragorn sat down on a Stone and simply held the hobbit for a while in his arms. Frodo lay there trembling…tears building up as he was finding it too hard to endure any longer. When the others were out of site the Ranger smiled. “Everything will be alright, Frodo.” he assured the hobbit.
“I don’t think so…” Frodo whimpered…“I really don’t…”
Aragorn shook his head softly and tilted Frodo’s chin so that he’d have to look up at the ranger. “It will.” And then to further convince the hobbit he lowered his lips to Frodo’s parched ones, caressing the heated face with one hand. Using his tongue…he ran it once or twice about the lower lip…and then the top one. Frodo parted both lips in surprise…mumbling something unintelligible. “I promise.” the ranger murmured as he captured the small tongue that licked out suddenly. The kiss deepened…and Frodo’s fingers clutched the Ranger’s hair as he gasped for breath once it was over. Aragorn trailed kisses down the side of Frodo’s face and then held him gently.
“How…” Frodo said at last...no longer shivering…and his body was tingling from the kiss…his mind completely focused upon the man who held him. “How do we start this?” He cringed a bit in pain as his legs rubbed together when the ranger held him. He’d passed out earlier because there was a certain part of his body which was burning with pain from the allergic reaction. He whimpered.
“I know this is not going to be pleasant for you my little one…so I was thinking. I could…” Aragorn frowned at Frodo’s expression. He wished Frodo would tell him what was happening…but he had a feeling that he was going to have to find out by himself and there was only one way of doing that. He was going to have to work his way over Frodo’s entire body. The ranger felt his own member become aroused at the thought…and he wondered if Frodo could feel it. This was going to be a difficult few hours.
Aragorn laid Frodo down for a moment. “Rest here…I have to remove my pants.”
“Remove your…” Frodo’s mouth dropped open and his eyes opened wide. Strider was already out of his shirt…how was he going to deal with the man completely naked?
Aragorn smiled as the hobbit stared. He’d thought of turning around to spare the hobbit’s modesty…but Frodo was not turning his head away. Frodo had an almost desperate expression in his eyes…the hobbit -wanted- to see him. Aragorn stood where he was and slowly began to unbuckle his belt while Frodo stared…completely mesmerized…
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