*WARNING* Descriptive…situation…sorry no smut in this chapter.

SILENT DESIRES -- Chapter 17 ========================

It had taken some time to get Frodo relaxed enough to let Aragorn dress them both and allow him to return to the campsite. Throughout it all Frodo remained with his head buried against the ranger’s chest…not willing to look at anyone -even- Sam. It had been such a horrid ordeal…and he didn’t know what to say about it…or what to feel.

Finally Sam brought in a bowl of broth, “You can’t spend all day with out eating something, Mr. Frodo…your skin is not going to feed you, you know. Come on now, its not so bad, some bits of mushrooms and broth like you used to have back in the Shire when you were ill.”

Frodo had not let Aragorn go for even a moment, and the ranger was holding him while they lay in the makeshift bed. He still did not turn his face but mumbled softly in a raspy voice. “I’m a little…” he said at last, though very weakly, “A little hungry.”

He wouldn’t turn to the bowl though, and Sam had to hold it while Aragorn dipped the spoon into the dish and brought it to Frodo’s lips…coaxing a little with his eyes. “Come on now…”

Frodo turned his head only slightly and opened his mouth…he let the ranger slip the spoon in and he took the broth with a little sip and then turned back away again as he processed it. He didn’t speak but mumbled something inaudible against Aragorn’s chest.

“What is it Mr. Frodo is the broth too hot?” Sam asked worriedly.

“N--no Sam…” Frodo mumbled…”I…”

Frodo’s face turned red…as a deep blush fell over his neck and cheeks. “I need to go to the bathroom…” he said in a small voice. “I think…too much tea…” then he buried his face into Strider’s chest again.

Aragorn smiled gently and stroked Frodo’s curls. “Come on Sam, put the bowl down for now and let me take him outside so he can relieve himself.”

With that, Aragorn hefted Frodo easily into his arms and carried him out, wrapped in a blanket. Merry and Pippin looked up at the fire hopeful that their cousin was okay, and Sam went over to share the news with them. Boromir simply watched briefly and returned his attention to his conversation with Legolas and Gimli. Gandalf rose for a moment but Sam’s words calmed his expression and the wizard sat back down.

Frodo didn’t say anything until they got to an area Aragorn felt just right for such an activity and the ranger set him down gently, moving the blankets, so that the parts he needed to use were not covered. Frodo flushed even more…he’d been holding it for a while…he’d been too embarrassed about everything to mention it before…and Strider having to help him with -everything-….he bit his lip and closed his eyes…nothing was coming out…and he felt so utterly useless at that particular moment that he let out a huge sob.

Strider frowned a little, “Frodo?” he knelt down and turned the hobbit around to face him, tilting his chin slightly.. Frodo still looked away, anywhere but in Strider’s eyes. He felt utterly wretched.

A large tear fell from one eye…and then a flood soon cascaded forth as he cried and cried…He clung to the ranger as Strider held his small shivering body. “Strider…it hurts…” he said softly, he had tried to spread his legs, but he had not been able to endure the pain from the operation earlier. “I…I…I can’t do it…”

Strider smoothed back Frodo’s curls and leaned forward to kiss his forehead. “That’s natural, Frodo…I’ll help you…” he reassured his small patient.

Frodo shook his head, “N-no…” he protested…but in vain. The ranger was having none of Frodo’s modesty right now. He took a deep breath and steadied the hobbit with one arm. Aragorn deftly managed to reach down and hold him gently.

“Okay Frodo…”

The hobbit closed his eyes and leant against the ranger. That -had- helped…and he finally was able to relieve himself heaving a great sigh. Strider looked away trying to give him as much privacy as he possibly could…which was certainly not very much at this particular point. Finally Frodo -was- finished and Aragorn reached down with a little cloth that he’d brought with him and helped clean the hobbit and his own hand of. Very gently, he wrapped Frodo in the blanket once again and smiled up at him.

Frodo’s face was still quite flushed and his ears were burning red. “Th-thank-you….I don’t know what I would have done…”

“Don’t worry about it.” Aragorn said gently and lifted the hobbit back up. Then he grinned a little, “Its not an arduous task taking care of you, despite what you might think. The worst is over…”

“Is it Strider?” Frodo asked softly, reaching up to take a lock of Aragorn’s hair and twirl it in his fingers. “I don’t think so…this is….well…I think there will be more that I will have to face…much more.” The hobbit yawned.

He fell into a dark, fretfull sleep just then…and in his dreams black shadowy creatures would watch him from beyond...and take everyone and everything from him…including his own soul. All because he had the Ring. Frodo didn’t want it…he didn’t want it at all…but how could he ever live if the Ring wasn’t destroyed? He loved Strider…that much he was sure of…and no matter what happened to him…he’d always have these few precious days when he had Strider with him -every- minute of every day, looking over him and cuddling him. They had not quite done everything Frodo would have -liked- to have done….but he supposed he didn’t have the strength anyway.

The fever was down, and the hives and red splotches on his skin were going down. He had the strong arms of Strider to hold him and help him through the worst days. His best friend Sam…was there to make sure he ate and drank. And so Frodo was on the mend at last.

The final day that they were to stay at the hut, Frodo took Strider’s hand and gazed up into his eyes. “I love you.” the small hobbit said softly. And he meant it…with all his heart. He loved this man…this beautiful courageous man who had fought so hard to make sure that he didn’t succumb to the sickness that had claimed him. No matter what he had to face…he always had this moment.

Strider brought Frodo’s hands to his lips and kissed both of them. “I love you too, Frodo.” he whispered gently. And it was true, no matter what his feelings for Arwen were…he also had very strong feelings toward the hobbit who had so captured him.

“Will we have time alone later to finish what we started?” Frodo asked shyly…

“Incorrigable Hobbit. I expect so. But not all the time.”

Aragorn knelt down and the two shared a very gentle…very passionate kiss…not caring who was there to see. All that mattered at that particular moment was -them-.

Frodo sighed, gazing up at the man when the kiss was over. At least it would be some of the time, and one thing that he could look forward too on his dangerous mission. He finally did something that he hadn’t done in weeks.

He smiled. Not just any smile…a real smile. It lit up his face like a bright candlelight as he gazed up at Strider.

So the fellowship continued on their journey as all was well again…though the threat of darkness continued to hang in the air, and the Ringbearer knew that there was more danger to face….but he had something he didn’t before.

Love.

---THE END---

AUTHOR’S NOTE :This may in fact not be my only Slash story, so…look forward to more in the near future, but working on my other stuff at the moment.J