Title: Almare Author: Saklani (saklani2@hotmail.com) Codes: Frodo/Aragorn Series: LOTR: TTT Rating: NC-17 Beta: The awesome Baraduin and Claudia! I bow low in appreciation! Summary: Separated by distance and hardship, can the love of a man and a hobbit survive? Disclaimer: Tolkein’s estate and New Line own everything! I am just a humble fic writer who writes because her Muse will not leave her alone. Nobody would pay me for this, so do not worry about that. Feedback: Always appreciated to saklani@wildmail.com or on whatever list I post this. Posting- I would be honored. Just let me know! Author's Notes: The word almare means bliss in Quenya. So, the Two Towers came along, and I saw my favorite pairing separated. Did I let that stop me from writing the pairing? HA! As if... Almare Soft voices filled the night air, reaching the ears of Aragorn, son of Arathorn. Parents comforted their frightened children, trying to ease them into slumber. Soldiers discussed the enemy in hushed tones, and small groups of people worried amongst themselves about their future. Aragorn leaned against a boulder, hearing, but not really listening to the people of Rohan. His wandered a thousand miles away to the fate of the one he loved. //Frodo, where does this bitter night find thee? How I wish I lay by your side and held thee in my arms.// He raised his eyes and looked at the stars. //There is nothing I would not give...// His hand strayed to the pendant around his neck. //Nothing.// “Does she much occupy your thoughts, Lord Aragorn?” Brow furrowed slightly in annoyance, he said, “No, my thoughts turned toward another.” She sat near him and studied his face. “Forgive me, I should not have intruded.” His stance softened slightly. "’Tis hard to know you cannot help the one you love most, especially when he is the one most in need of help.” “He?” Blue-gray eyes flashed a challenge at her. “Yes, the bravest of us. The one who carries the heaviest burden.” Face flushing, she looked away from his anger. Silence fell between them, and the whispers filled both their ears. Aragorn lit his pipe and inhaled the comforting pipeweed, his thoughts returning to Frodo. “And does she know how you feel for this other?” Eowyn asked, breaking his reverie. Cold fury, tinged with shame, filled his veins. “My life is not _your_ concern, Lady Eowyn.” This time, he failed to deter her. “You must tell her then. A woman’s love for a man like you runs deep, and she needs to know if her feelings are returned.” “How would you know aught of that?” he started to demand, but the look in her eyes jammed the words in his throat. “If I ever see her again, Lady Eowyn, I shall tell her,” he replied instead. Nodding, she rose and turned to go. “Good evening, my Lord.” “Goodnight, Lady Eowyn.” He watched her go and then returned hs eyes to the stars. ********** Frodo lay on his back, staring at the night sky. The Ring whispered in his brain, but its call failed to capture his attention. The memory of strong hands, a low, husky voice and tender lips filled his mind. //Aragorn, why did I leave you? Why did I decide to go on this journey without you? There is nothing I would not give to feel your arms around me.// His hand brushed over the One Ring of its own volition. //Nothing.// A tear ran down his cheek unnoticed. Another followed, tracking through the dust on his pale skin. “Are you all right, Mister Frodo?” Samwise’s voice echoed hollowly from a million miles away. “Do not worry, Sam, I shall be all right.” The sturdy hobbit swallowed hard. “Please, Mister Frodo, try to get some sleep. You need all the rest you can get. Even Gollum tells you so...” “I know, but sleep brings little peace for me now. Dark images fill my slumber, or else, I dream of...” His voice faded to nothing. “Dream of what?” Another tear escaped Frodo’s blue eyes. “What I have lost, and oh Sam, I prefer the dreams of darkness.” Words alone seemed insufficient answer to this declaration, so Sam grasped Frodo’s shoulder gently. “You still have me, Mister Frodo, and I ain’t goin’ nowhere.” Frodo’s lips curved upward at the corners for the briefest of seconds. “I know.” He reached up and patted Sam’s hand. “Now, get some sleep. You need your strength, too. I promise to try and rest.” “All right.” Squeezing his friend’s shoulder one more time, Sam moved away and stretched out on his cloak. Gentle snores soon sounded from where he lay. Frodo shut his eyes tightly, picturing Aragorn striding toward him, head thrown back and a welcoming smile on his noramlly stern visage. //Aragorn. Strider. My lover. My friend. How I need you now...// ********** The whispers faded away as the night deepened. Aragorn remained motionless, gazing at the sky. A soft breeze ruffled his hair. Sweet scent filled the air, tantalizing his nostrils. He struggled to remember where he knew the aroma from. “Fuumella,” Legolas whispered from his place near the fire. “I did not know it grew outside of Rivendell.” Aragorn blinked against a sudden stinging in his eyes. How could he have forgotten? Fuumella, their scent filled the air they day he first realized the depth of his feelings for Frodo. The hobbit had wandered off into the woods alone. Aragorn followed and found him seated on a log, his eyes downcast. When he heard Aragorn approach, Frodo lifted his head and gazed up at him. Aragorn’s heart belonged to no other once he fell into their depths. “ ‘Tis nothing but an echo of happier times,” Aragorn murmured, “which causes a terrible ache within me.” “For me as well,” Legolas said, “but it also reminds me what we are fighting for.” Aragorn turned to look at the elf. Their eyes met, and he saw the understanding in Legolas’ gaze. “Yes, you are right, old friend. You are right.” “Sleep. Even a ranger needs rest, and thee have not so much as closed your eyes in three days.” Resting his head back against the hard rock, Aragorn asked, “Do you think she shall understand?” “Understand?” A faint smile ghosted across Aragorn’s lips. “Nothing can I hide from you, Legolas. Do not pretend you know not of what I speak.” “Lady Arwen will understand and forgive.” Hand clenching and unclenching in distress, Aragorn said, “She offered me everything, and I propose to throw it in her face.” “No person can control where their heart shall lead them, and there exists no one more deserving of love than Frodo Baggins. Upon his small shoulders rests the fate of us all. Your love may ease the burden for him,” Legolas said. Anger twisted Aragorn’s face. “Then why am I not by his side? Why did the Ring’s power drive me from him? Is evil truly stronger than love?” “You know ‘tis not so,” Legolas said softly. “If you did not love him so much, you never would have let him go. The Ring could not convince you to follow. You chose the only path on which victory is possible and your love may survive- the hardest path of all.” Somewhere in the darkness, Aragorn heard an animal howl. The cry echoed in his ears, lonely and haunting. The animal howled again, seeking answer in vain. Unshed tears clogged Aragorn’s throat. “I am like that poor creature,” he whispered, “calling to someone who cannot reply.” As Legolas struggled to find the right words, a second animal’s voice sounded in response to the first. They sang to each other, one call fading as the other rose, until in unison, the sang as one. “Almare,” said Legolas. “Aragorn, do you not see? There is no cause for despair.” He smiled to find his words fell on deaf ears. A look of peace on his face, Aragorn slept at last. “May you dream of love,” Legolas said. ********** Frodo knew not where he found himself. He walked down a trail through a stand of trees taller than any he had ever seen. An ethereal bird song drifted through the woods, and he lifted his head to better hear the notes. //What is this place?// His feet carried him forward, seeming to know where they headed. Frodo let them go, content to wander. In this unfamiliar place, he felt no fear, no pain. The Ring ceased gnawing at his heart. Eventually, the trees began to thin until Frodo entered a large meadow. Lovely red flowers grew everywhere, spreading sweet perfume through the air. Delighted, he ran off the path, into the grass and flowers. He ran joyfully, tirelessly. Half-way across the meadow Frodo raced and then suddenly, he stopped with a gasp. Not fifty feet away, asleep in the grass, lay Aragorn. Frodo cried out in delight and rushed toward him. Hearing him, Aragorn opened his eyes and sat up in time to catch an armful of hobbit. His cloudy mind struggled to focus. “Frodo? How can this be possible?” Nestling his face in Aragorn’s neck, Frodo said, “Does it matter? We are together, who cares by what means?” Realizing he truly held his Frodo, words poured unchecked from Aragorn. “I love you. I hate every moment we are separated Promise me, no matter what darkness you face, you will remember my love.” “I will... I do. Even when the Ring tempts me most, I feel your love for me. Sometimes, only its light keeps me going.” They kissed, a tender touching of lips that soon dissolved into frantic passion. Aragorn lay on his back, Frodo’s legs encircling his waist. Tongues locked in sweet combat, they both succumbed to the overwhelming joy of being together. “Elbereth, Frodo, how I longed to hold you like this again,” Aragorn gasped, trailing kisses down Frodo’s face and neck. “I beg you, Aragorn, let me feel your hands on my skin,” Frodo whimpered. Aragorn eagerly rolled over and placed Frodo on the grass. He removed garments with trembling hands until all skin lay exposed. So enraptured was he by the sight that for a moment he failed to notice- “Frodo, the Ring... ‘tis gone.” “Good. Let it be gone. Touch me, Aragorn.” Unable to resist the plea in Frodo’s bluest of eyes, Aragorn lowered his head and kissed the full lips. His hands stroked from shoulder to knee and back up, causing Frodo to writhe underneath him. “More... I need more. Please, oh please, my Aragorn...” “All right,” Aragorn said huskily. he placed gentle nips and kisses down Frodo’s arched neck and across his collarbone. For a teasing moment, he hovered over a nipple. “Do not make me wait!” Frodo’s voice changed to a moan when Aragorn sucked his tender nub. Squirming desperately beneath the delicious sensation, Frodo lost his voice entirely when calloused fingers played expertly with the other. Aragorn’s desire quickly built to an unbearable level. He pulled back and tore off his own clothes. When he tossed away his shirt, a pouch fell from the pocket, opening slightly to reveal a clear salve inside. //This is magical,// Aragorn thought, //as if the Valar themselves arranged this meeting.// His thoughts dissolved into incoherence when small hands, coated in salve, began stroking his erection. “Ahhhhh.” Aragorn pushed Frodo back down before he lost control. Grabbing the pouch, he poured salve over the fingers of his right hand. Wasting no time, he began working one into Frodo’s small opening. The breach pushed the hobbit over the edge. Throwing back his head, he emitted a long, keening call and came, hips jerking rapidly. Aragorn growled at the sight. He waited impatiently until all tremors passed and then continued working his fingers inside Frodo. Only the barest shred of sanity held him together. For a moment, Frodo lay passive, catching his breath. His eyes burned up at Aragorn. He began moving with the fingers, impaling himself on them with hisses of pleasure. Frodo lay sprawled before Aragorn, hard and crying for him. Unable to hold out a moment longer, Aragorn positioned himself and pushed. Frodo arched up to meet him. Joining came swiftly and without difficulty or pain. A slide of flesh against flesh, and two merged into one. Both paused, savoring the connection. The moved together when they finally moved. Rhythm of breath. Rhythm of heartbeat. Slowly. Slowly. And then faster. Faster. Faster. Forgotten that they are a thousand miles apart. Together, always together. Melding of bodies. Melding of hearts. Faster. Where does one end and one begin? Faster. Time and distance no longer matter. Hardship no longer matters. Faster. Breaking point. Almare. Aragorn came with a cry that transmuted into a wild howl. Frodo’s voice joined his. They lay together, clutching tightly at each other. Aragorn disengaged his body from inside Frodo’s and rolled so Frodo again lay on top. Both panted for breath. “In all my life, never before did I feel for anyone as I feel for you, Frodo. With no other did love burn so brightly. It frightens me.” Frodo lifted his head and kissed Aragorn. “It makes me forget to be frightened.” Entwined, the two lay on the grass of the mysterious field. Contented and sated, they both drifted to sleep. ********** Samwise shook Frodo gently. “Wake up, Mister Frodo. I have some breakfast for you.” Frodo opened his eyes and looked up at his friend. He felt the Ring around his neck and heard its dark callings. Gollum’s incessant mutterings reached his ears. Frodo Baggins smiled and rose to face another day of weary travel. ********** Legolas shook Aragorn gently. “Arise, my friend. We must eat quickly and move on.” Aragorn opened his eyes and looked up at his friend. He remembered their desperate flight toward Helm’s Deep. The voices of Rohan’s people filled his ears. Aragorn, son of Arathorn, smiled and rose to face another day of weary travel. *********** And so, separated by untold miles and much hardship, they found renewed courage and hope. For love knows no distance, no barriers. Almare.