All Has Changed, Except What Will Always Stay The Same
By Summer
Sequel to All Had Changed: Nothing Stays The Same
Class: Slash
NC 17 Rating
Writer’s note: Ok, enough already, here is the happy ending!
2/2
Disclaimer: Don’t own them
Beta Read By ?
Pairing: Aragorn/Frodo
Time: Post Quest, Minas Tirith

Several weeks had passed since that dark night, the night Frodo had revealed 
that everything in his life had changed forever and had not spoken a word since. 
The Fellowship did not have to be told that Frodo was in the process of fading.  
If things did not change, Frodo would pass into the next life.

Everyone had tried to do their part.  Legolas often came, singing spiritual songs, 
in the hopes of giving Frodo renewed strength.  But Frodo only lay in his bed, 
staring at the ceiling, lost in his own private pain.

Gandalf had gone into deep mediation and prayer, as if trying to conjure up 
some spell that could save the hobbit he had come to love as a son, but so far no 
foreknowledge came with the solution.

Merry and Pippin had tried entertaining Frodo with childhood games and happy 
memories, but Frodo’s eyes seemed dull and vacant and he seemed to no longer 
able to hear the world going on around him.

Faramir and Eowyn came by the Houses of Healing bringing flowers and tokens 
given by the citizens of Minas Tirith in the hopes that one gift would bring a 
light back into the hobbit’s eyes.  It didn’t.

Gimli would come in the afternoon, and not knowing what words he could offer 
to his dear little friend, he would sit quietly in a chair and hold Frodo’s hand.  
He did not speak, but his eyes never strayed from Frodo’s.  It was almost as if 
Gimli was trying to will the hobbit back to life with the power of his mind and 
heart.

Sam himself barely left Frodo’s side.  Often he would take Frodo to the nearby 
gardens showing his master the beauty within the stone walled city.  Sam was 
the only one that Frodo seemed to even respond remotely to.  Though Frodo did 
not speak, his eyes would follow his devoted gardener and watch his every 
footsteps. But still Frodo was silent.

And then Frodo stopped eating.  Time was running out.

***

Strider entered the room, his clothing worn and dirty.  Blood stained upon his 
shoulder, where months before he had been injured when he had taken a fall off 
a cliff.  The Guards had begged their King to allow them to clean the old clothes 
or to throw them away and make new ones.  But Aragorn stubbornly refused 
and simply put the clothes on, and with a small black box in his hand, headed 
for the Houses of Healing.

Leaving his guards at the entrance, Aragorn met Gandalf in the hallway.  The 
sad and fearful gaze of the white wizard told Aragorn all he needed to know.

Gathering Frodo’s limp form into his arms, Aragorn moved to the fireplace, 
seating himself in an empty chair and pulling Frodo closer into his arms.  For a 
long time, Aragorn simply rocked the hobbit, listening to the warm fire crackle 
and spit.  Feeling Frodo’s cold and limp hands, Aragorn pulled the blankets 
closer to Frodo’s body.

Staring into the blue eyes, Aragorn could see the life fading within them.  It was 
time. But what could he say and what could he do to stop this hobbit from 
dying?

It was then Aragorn remembered the words of Elrond before he and his 
daughter headed back to Rivendell.

“Do not mourn this loss, Aragorn.  Find another to love, someone that is just 
waiting for you to reach out.  Do this with a guiltless conscience.  For if you 
turn this love away, not only will you walk the rest of your life alone, but this 
love will fade and his spirit will never find peace. Namarie, My son! May you 
always walk in the light and may you be greatly blessed.” Before parting, 
Elrond took something out from his pocket and handed a small black box into 
Aragorn’s hands.

Was this the love that Elrond spoke of?  He had always been attracted to Frodo, 
that he would not deny, but it wasn’t until he stood at the Black gate and was 
told that Frodo had been taken by Sauron and that he was dead, that Aragorn 
had realized he was in love with Frodo.   He decided then that if Frodo was 
dead, then he would not be far behind.     *For Frodo!*

“Frodo…Frodo.  Please don’t do this.  Do not leave us behind.  Do you not 
know how much we love you?  How much we need you?”

No, no this was wrong.  Aragorn stopped and stared out the window to see the 
stars staring and twinkling back at him.  As if trying to tell him something.  
Aragorn smiled and kissed Frodo lightly on the forehead and decided to take a 
chance of a lifetime. 


“Do not leave me. Frodo.  Do you not know I love you.  I cannot bare to lose 
you again. Stay and let me love you for all the days yet to come?”

At first Aragorn thought that Frodo had passed too far to hear his words, but a 
moment later a pair of blue eyes were staring up at him.

Aragorn smiled and nodded.  “Frodo.  How could I not care for you?  You are 
one of the bravest people I have known.  Your heart and wisdom, your kindness 
to all, it is you who has guided my footsteps ever since we parted Amon Hen.  
No matter how far apart we were, you were always there. Will you leave me, 
alone now?  I know so much has changed, so much that it is tearing you apart, 
but dearest love….there are some things that will never change.  My love for 
you. I am still Strider, your Strider.  Look into my eyes and see the Ranger who 
loves you!”

A tear slipped from Frodo’s eyes and then it was almost as if there was a 
clearing within those depths. The kindling of life started to return, but there was 
also great fearfulness.

“Strider?”  He could smell the pine cones and dirt, and in the dim light coming 
from the fireplace, Frodo saw no crown upon this Ranger’s head only familiar 
clothes that he had thought lost. The sad azure eyes, the scent of blood and 
sweat.  Strider?

“Stider, I thought I lost you?”  whispered Frodo, thinking as if he was just 
awakening from a dark dream.

Aragorn smiled and held Frodo closer to his chest.  “Never.”

“Where have you been?  Strider? I‘ve been looking for you everywhere?”

“I haven’t been far, Frodo.”

And then in a span of a breath, there lips touched and somewhere within the 
broken and wounded body of a Hobbit a strong force of energy seemed to burn 
once more.

“I have been so blind my love.  But my eyes are unveiled. For as long as I live, 
we will never be parted again and though I must be King, at night, every night I 
shall be your Strider.  That is my promise and my eternal vow.”  reaching into 
his side pocket, he produced a small black box and handed it to Frodo.

“This is for you.”

Curious, Frodo’s hands shook slightly as he opened the black box. Frodo’s eyes 
widened to see within a golden necklace with a sphere -- like pendent with 
diamonds and a blue sapphire in the center.  On the back of the medallion was 
an inscription in elvish.  Aragorn smiled and spoke the elvish words, then 
translated them to the common tongue.  “It means, time cannot be stopped, 
death is inevitable but true love is forever.  It belonged to my mother and was 
given to me after her death but I left it in Rivendell when we set out on our 
quest.  Elrond gave it to me, before he left. He told me to give it to the one I 
love. You.”

Frodo held it in his hands and then slowly he looked up and smiled. “Strider, I 
love you too.”

***

Frodo began to eat the next morning, spoon-fed by Aragorn himself.  He still 
had a long hard road before him, but with gentle prodding and lots of love, the 
Fellowship now had hope.  Although Frodo would never truly heal from his 
wounds, he would live for many years to come.

As the days passed and Frodo began to rebuild his strength the spells of 
unhappiness lessened, even in the darkest of nights. Particularly because each 
night Aragorn returned from court not in his royal robes, but in the clothes of a 
ranger. Still, even at the happiest moments, Frodo’s cheerful mood would 
suddenly vanish, bringing back a deep sadness.  On one of those nights, lying in 
his ranger’s arms, Frodo revealed to Aragorn his darkest fears.

“I feel like I am standing on the edge of a cliff.  Waiting for the end…the end of 
the Fellowship.  I just can’t bear it, Strider.  To see Gandalf cross the sea, to 
never see Gimli or Legolas…or my cousins…Sam.  Why must everything 
change?  Why must I lose everything, was not losing the Ring enough?”  This 
revelation had filled Aragorn with fear that Frodo would have a relapse. Sure 
enough by morning, Frodo once again began to fall into a deep depression.

Two days later, after second breakfast, Frodo was just about to take a nap, when 
a smiling Aragorn and Gandalf entered his chambers.

“What are you smiling about?  What is it?”  asked Frodo, wondering if Aragorn 
had more presents to bring him.  Instead Aragorn fell onto the bed and wrapped 
his arms around and tried to bestow a gentle kiss to his lips.  Feeling quite warm 
and a bit shy with Gandalf staring at them from the doorway, Frodo pushed 
Aragorn away gently, shaking his head.  “No, no! Don’t distract me, answer my 
question.”

“We have some news for you my hobbit.” Aragorn grinned deciding to let 
Gandalf give the news.

“Gandalf?”  Frodo asked looking quite puzzled as he gave the wizard his full 
attention.

The grand wizard moved to the foot of the bed and cleared his throat. “I am now 
head advisor to the King of Gondor.”

Frodo looked to Gandalf and Aragorn in confusion. “But, I thought…you were 
going to go into the west?  To leave with the elves?”

Gandalf shrugged and wondered if he should recount the visit with Gwaihir, the 
Great Eagle, yesterday where he had been given a delightful message from 
Manwe.

“I have consulted with the powers that be, and have been granted the privilege 
to remain in Middle-Earth for a time.  Not forever of course…but a hundred or 
perhaps two hundred years.  I do believe I have great value and use, especially 
words of utter wisdom to pass on to the new King.”

Aragorn raised an eyebrow but did not dispute Gandalf, for he was far too 
happy himself that the old Wizard not only intended to stay in Middle-earth but 
settle here in Minas Tirith as his head adviser. He had always been quite close 
to Gandalf and had always thought of him as the dearest and most treasured of 
friends he had in this life.

Frodo laughed in delight and gave his wizard an exuberant hug.  “Oh Gandalf!  
You’re staying here?  You aren‘t going to leave me?”

“As if I would leave my favorite hobbit.” Unable to help himself, Frodo began 
to laugh in pure bliss, hugging Gandalf and Aragorn repeatedly.  His desire for a 
nap forgotten.

Frodo had received word a few days ago that Elrond was heading to the Grey 
Havens with Arwen, and of course Bilbo was going with them. Frodo had been 
slightly sad that his Uncle had chosen to leave Middle-Earth, but he knew that 
Bilbo would only be truly content with the elves. It had been then that Frodo 
had started falling into a melancholy as he waited for the end of all he had 
known this past year.

“Oh Gandalf!  I am so happy!”

Gandalf laughed and nodded.  “So am I.” For Gandalf would not inform Frodo 
how deeply sad leaving Middle-Earth would have been to Gandalf.  He had 
grown quite fond of Middle-Earth, especially, a  few chosen inhabitants.  He 
had never been so relieved or filled with joy as when Manwe had granted him 
his wish to remain In Middle-earth until the passing of all those he had come to 
love.

Not even an hour later, Frodo received even more wonderful news. Legolas 
came into his room and informed Frodo that he wanted very much to return 
home to visit his father, but that in the autumn he had every intention of 
returning and taking his place as first Councilor to the King of Gondor. So far 
Legolas had heard no call to the sea, and vowed that he would not leave Middle-
Earth until the King of Gondor and the Ringbearer had passed.  Gimli entered 
the room shortly after to inform Frodo that he had also decided to remain, as 
Aragorn and Frodo’s personal guard.

Frodo had been shocked into silence and then he had burst into tears of 
happiness.

When spring came at last, Frodo tearfully bade his cousins and Sam goodbye.  
Merry and Pippin longed to return home though it was clear that they were torn 
by the parting, not wishing to leave their beloved cousin and dear friends.  It 
was Pippin who came up with the idea that would help to mend the painful 
parting.

“Merry, why don’t we stay in the Shire in the spring and summer, and then in 
the autumn and winter we come back to Minas Tirith.  Six months we stay in 
Hobbiton and six months we come back and live with Frodo.”

It ended the dilemma and the two hobbits promised to return a month before 
Yuletide.

As for Sam, it was clear the gardener was also distressed and was indeed quite 
heartbroken that his Master had no intention of ever returning to Hobbiton.  
Sam could not deny that he longed to return home, but he also did not wish to 
be parted from his master.  He intended to ask Rosie for her hand in marriage 
once he returned to the Shire, provided she was not already married.  If he wed 
Rosie, it did not seem he could follow Merry and Pippin’s plan of splitting the 
year with The Shire and Minas Tirith.  However, Sam promised he would 
return, he just didn’t know when since his future seemed so unclear.

“Oh Mr. Frodo, who is going to look after you?”

“Strider will, and Gandalf.  I’ll be all right Sam.  Really.”

“I’ll miss you, miss you something awful.  Oh Mr. Frodo!”

“My Dearest Sam, you cannot always be torn in to!”  Frodo had whispered to 
him at the main gates of Minas Tirith.  Sam only cried even harder, and Frodo 
bestowed a gentle kiss upon his forehead.

“I’ll write you every week!”  Sam replied.  Frodo only smiled and when his 
cousins and Sam passed the gates, Frodo waved them goodbye with a sad smile.  
A tall shadowed form joined the hobbit’s side and placed a gentle arm around 
his shoulders, pulling him closer to his body.  Frodo turned and looked up and 
smiled at his Ranger.

“Strider, my Sam has left me.”

“Frodo, some things change...It is the way it must be." Frodo nodded and then 
allowed himself to be pulled completely into Aragorn's arms. Although Frodo 
did not cry at the gates, later that night in the King's private chambers Frodo 
wept all throughout the night.


***

Months passed, and all seemed to settle in Frodo’s world.  Although he missed 
his cousins and Sam dearly, Frodo found solace in Strider’s arms.  In the 
mornings, while Aragorn was busy tending to his kingdom, there was always 
Gandalf to visit.  Every day he spent luncheon with Gimli.  Frodo’s appetite was 
returning and though he still had a long way to go to be considered a proper 
hobbity weight he was before, his skin glowed with renewed health and he 
seemed full of energy.

The letters that came nearly every week from Sam also helped to heal Frodo’s 
state of mind.  Even hearing of Saruman’s mischief in the Shire did not stop 
Frodo from being delighted at hearing Rosie Cotton, who was still single, had 
agreed to wed Sam.

Frodo truly believed that this was to be his happy ever after, but this was not to 
be.  As promised a month before Yuletide, Merry and Pippin arrived but to 
Frodo’s shock with Sam and Rosie in tow.

“Sam?  I don’t understand?”

Unable to look at his master, Sam shyly stared at his feet.   Moving forward, 
Rosie spoke up for her husband.

“Sam told me everything about your quest and how much you suffered Frodo.  
You know you are truly missed in the shire, and I am sorry you could not attend 
our wedding, but many of your family and friends are glad you found happiness 
here in this grand place.  After much debate, Sam and I spoke a great deal and I 
made a suggestion and he did me the honor of agreeing.”

Frodo smiled at Rosie and then turned back to Sam.  “Sam?”

Sam finally looked up and shrugged his shoulders. “Well, I was thinking, well, 
Rosie said that though Mr. Merry and Mr. Pippin have a great idea about 
splitting their stay with Hobbiton and here. I thought, six months is just not long 
enough, so--¨ Swallowing Sam looked at his feet.

Rosie quickly touched his shoulder and gave her husband a gentle smile of 
encouragement. “So we, My Rose, said it would be fine with her, that we could 
stay a year here and then spend a year in the Shire and well, as long as it would 
be all right with you Mr. Frodo, I mean I don’t want to be imposing--“

Before Sam was even able to go on, he had an armful of one happy hobbit. “Oh 
Sam! SAM!”

Rosie watched with a happy smile and tear-filled eyes.

***

Frodo moaned in delight, feeling the hard cock deeply imbedded inside of him.  
He rocked gently against the   body underneath him and sighed as he felt the 
beginning stirrings within his own member.  The fireplace crackled nearby, but 
its heat was not quite needed at the moment.

The hobbit mopped his brow and pressed down further, wanting to feel every 
part of the body underneath him.

Aragorn watched in delight as Frodo did most of the work.  This way of love 
making seemed best for them, as it allowed Frodo to feel more in control. It was 
important to Aragorn that Frodo have control and he thought Frodo also enjoyed 
this since inheriting the One Ring had done all it could to take power away from 
the hobbit.

Holding the hobbit’s hip with one hand, he held Frodo’s member with the other, 
gently pushing and stroking it in reciprocation of what Frodo was doing for him.  
They had made love many times, and though the first time had been a bit 
uncomfortable for Frodo, since then things had gotten better.

Aragorn loved having Frodo atop of him, it allowed him to stare up at that 
angelic face and look deep into those incredible, wide blue eyes.  In the 
beginning, Aragorn had been afraid that Frodo would tire of him, that though 
his love for Frodo would stand the test of time, he wasn’t certain that Frodo 
would find complete happiness with him.  That doubt had long since passed and 
Aragorn knew that their future was indeed to be one of peace and great passion.

Soon Aragorn felt himself drawn up in the waves as they began to overtake him, 
and he thought for sure he was going to pass out from the sharp and 
overwhelming orgasm, but moments later he found he was still awake. He did, 
however, need to catch his breath.

Frodo’s own orgasm came suddenly and the hobbit cried out calling Strider’s 
name above him as his seed spurted all over Aragorn‘s chest.

Aragorn pulled Frodo down and held his love close to his chest, as they both 
tried to collect themselves, in the aftermath of their lovemaking.

“Frodo…”  Aragorn asked as he finally caught his second wind.  “Do you still 
feel cold and empty?”

Frodo grinned in contentment, humming in his throat, his eyes were closed as 
his body started to drift into the realm of a serene sleep.

“No Strider…”

“You no longer think all has changed?”

“No,”  Frodo chuckled without opening his eyes.  Frodo laid his head against 
Aragorn’s collarbone and continued.  “All has changed, except what will always 
stay the same. I can live with that.  Oh yes, Strider, I can live with that."

Aragorn chuckled and gently nuzzled Frodo’s cheek.  A few minutes later they 
were both sound asleep.

THE END