Title:  Shelter 
Author:  Juniper 
Author's Email:  jenjuniper77@yahoo.com 
Pairings: Viggo / Orlando 
Rating: NC-17 
Summary:  Orlando and Viggo both have feelings for each other, 
but they manage to get confused (surprise surprise) along the way.
Disclaimer:  All in my head people….all in my head.


Part 1

Lightening flashed and the rain poured down in never-ending 
sheets as dusk began to fall over the town of Wellington.  The wind 
was unseasonably cold for the month of February.

*-*-*

Viggo sat entranced by the shadows created by the firelight.  It had 
been raining for several hours now, and it showed no sign of 
stopping any time soon.  Peter had already cancelled filming for 
tomorrow due to some flooding at one of the sets.  The power had 
been off for a little over an hour now, lending the night a 
melancholy ambiance.

The relaxed atmosphere gave Viggo the opportunity he had been 
looking for to analyze his recent thoughts.  Since coming to New 
Zealand, he had experienced many new and exciting things.  He 
embraced many of these new experiences, but there were some 
that were frightening for him also.

The people he had met were great.  Many of them were like the 
experiences he had.  He had embraced a few – not literally – such 
as Sean Bean, Ian McKellan and John Rhys-Davies.  He had a lot 
of respect for them and had grown to be good friends with them 
over the past couple of months.  But some of his fellow actors 
scared him.  The Hobbits were good souls, but completely 
unpredictable, which in itself is quite a frightening trait.  Orlando, 
however, not only scared him, but intrigued him also.  Viggo 
decided that was a dangerous combination.

Orlando was a very beautiful, very young man.  Viggo felt drawn to 
him like he’d never felt drawn to anyone before, even Exene.  His 
mind kept telling him ‘you’re straight…you’re straight’.  His body 
and heart kept crying out for Orlando.  Quite frankly, he didn’t know 
what he should do.

He rose from the comfort of the over-stuffed armchair he had been 
lounging in.  Picking up a lit candle, he started toward the kitchen, 
intending to find his journal.  Maybe if he got it down on paper, in 
some form, he would be able to figure it out.

Finding his journal on the table and liking the atmosphere of the 
darkened kitchen, he sat down and began to write.  An hour or so 
had passed when he heard knocking on his door.

Picking up his journal, he wandered toward the door wondering 
who would be crazy enough to be out on a night like this.

He pulled the door open while asking, ‘Can I help…’

The question died in his throat as he took in the sight before him.

*-*-*

Orlando Bloom stood nervously on Viggo’s front step.  He didn’t 
know what had possessed him to seek the older man’s company, 
but now that he was here, he was having second thoughts.  His 
brain kept telling him, ‘You’re just going to make a fool of yourself 
Orlando.  I don’t know why you bothered coming here.’

Realizing he was getting soaked as he stood there, he finally 
decided to knock on the door.  Viggo answered the door within a 
couple of minutes, a greeting dying on his tongue as he saw 
Orlando standing there.

Orlando was soaked through.  His teeth chattered as he glanced at 
Viggo’s hand, noticing the journal.  ‘I’m ss-sorry Viggo.  I didn’t m-
mean to interrupt y-your work.  I hate to b-bother you, but c-can I 
sp-spend the night here?’  A shiver passed through his body as he 
stood waiting for an answer.

‘God Orli – don’t even ask – come on in.’  Viggo pulled Orlando 
through the door, shutting it firmly behind him as he motioned 
toward the den.  ‘Go on in and sit by the fire.  I’ll get you a towel 
and some dry clothes.’

Orlando slipped his shoes off by the door and pulled his socks off, 
laying them out over his shoes.  He padded across the room to 
stand in front of the fireplace, leaving a puddle in the entryway.  

Viggo found him huddled and shivering as he walked back into the 
room.  The younger man had his arms wrapped tightly around his 
torso and was rocking back and forth on the balls of his feet.  Viggo 
walked up behind him.  ‘Pull your shirt off, Orli.’  

Orlando wasted no time following Viggo’s order.  He peeled his wet 
t-shirt off over his head and dropped the sopping garment onto the 
hearth.  Viggo wrapped a large towel around him from behind, 
briskly rubbing his arms.  ‘Go ahead and dry yourself off.  I’ve got 
some hot water here,’ he motioned toward a kettle setting near the 
fire, ‘would you like some tea?’

Snuggling deeper into the towel, Orlando still shivered.  ‘Please.’  
As Viggo left the room, he hurriedly pulled his sodden jeans off and 
draped them over the back of a chair.  Toweling himself dry quickly, 
he had barely pulled on the sweats Viggo had brought him before 
the other man walked back into the room carrying a mug and a 
teabag.

‘Sorry that this isn’t the good stuff, Orlando.  I’m not much on tea.  
All I’ve got are these teabags someone gave me last month.’  He 
moved toward the kettle, pouring some steaming water into the 
mug and over the teabag.

‘No problem, Viggo.  I’m just thankful for the warmth.’  Orlando still 
looked cold, even wrapped up in the too large sweats that Viggo 
had brought him.

‘What brought you here tonight, Orlando?’  Viggo asked as he sat 
down on the end of the couch.

Orlando sat on the other end of the couch, tucking his feet 
underneath himself and cradling the warm mug in his hands.  ‘I 
don’t like storms and I felt lonesome.  The Hobbits are too far away 
and I wanted to see you.’  He ended his sentence in a quite rush, 
taking a sip of the hot tea.
The men sat in silence as Orlando finished his tea.  Viggo was 
thinking about Orlando’s answer to his question.  So…Orlando 
wanted to see him, huh?  Interesting.

Glancing at the younger man, he noticed that Orlando’s head was 
lying on the arm of the couch and that his eyes were fluttering shut 
as he tried to stay awake.

‘Come on Orlando.  Let’s go to bed.’  Viggo pulled Orlando up and 
into the bedroom.  Pulling down the thick comforters on his bed, he 
sat Orli down and urged him to lie back.  He pulled the covers up 
tight around Orlando before leaning over to kiss his forehead.  ‘Rest 
well, elf.’

Orlando already appeared to be asleep as Viggo straightened up 
and removed his clothes.  He usually slept in the nude, but he 
figured that might shock the boy in the morning.  Leaving his boxers 
on, he circled around to the other side of the bed and climbed in.  
Just as he was about to drift off, he heard a soft voice say, ‘G’night, 
human.’

*-*-*

The rain was still pouring down as Orlando woke from a deep 
sleep.  For a moment or two, he was confused as to where he was.  
The confusion grew as he realized he had his arms wrapped 
around a warm body.  A warm, decidedly male body if the hardness 
pressed against his thigh was any indication.

He opened his eyes, finding a broad, lightly haired chest in front of 
his face.  A strong arm was slung over his shoulder and a palm was 
pressed against the middle of his back.  Raising his eyes, he was 
able to tell that Viggo was still asleep.

Closing his eyes, he nuzzled his head into the crook of Viggo’s 
neck.  Orlando sighed with contentment.  He was finally where he 
had wanted to be for several months now.  Twining his leg between 
Viggo’s, he relaxed enough to fall back asleep.

*-*-*

When Orlando next awoke, it was to an empty bed.  He stretched 
across the bed, feeling the coolness of the sheets next to him.  
Viggo had been gone for some time by the feel of the sheets.

Rising from the bed, Orlando found a pair of socks lying on the 
nightstand.  He went to the bathroom, and testing the light, found 
that the power was back on, at least for the time being.  Deciding 
he needed a quick shower, Orlando turned the taps on as hot as he 
dared and peeled off the borrowed sweats.  Climbing under the 
steamy spray, he washed his body and hair.  

He felt much better as he dried off and dressed.  He rinsed his 
mouth out as best he could without a toothbrush and headed 
toward the den.  As he walked into the room, he noticed that it was 
empty too.  His clothes were nowhere to be found.  

Oh no…what if Viggo found what he had in his pocket and got the 
wrong idea?  He sunk down on the couch and buried his head in 
his hands.

*-*-*

Viggo was surprised when he woke up with Orlando wrapped 
around him.  It was almost sensory overload.  As he lay there 
caressing Orlando’s back through the material of the sweats, he 
knew he needed to get out of this bed before he did something they 
might both regret.  He was sure Orlando didn’t feel this attraction.  
Hell, the boy was straight.  He even had a girlfriend.

Now as he sat here staring at the items he had found in Orli’s jeans 
pocket before putting them in the wash, he wasn’t quite so sure.  
How many straight men carried condoms and lube around in their 
jeans pocket?  Not any that he knew of.

He was still sitting at the kitchen table glaring at the offending items 
when Orlando stepped into the room.

Orli looked unbearably young as he stopped at the threshold to the 
room.  A light flush crept up his neck as he saw what Viggo was 
staring at.  ‘Viggo – I can explain…’

‘Orlando – you don’t have to explain to me.  What you choose to do 
is your own business.  I’m sorry I found them, but I had to check 
your pockets before I washed your jeans.’  Viggo wouldn’t look 
Orlando in the eye.  He was afraid that the younger man would see 
the jealousy that burned in his eyes.

‘Viggo – I…’ Orlando started toward Viggo, but Viggo raised his 
hand.  

‘No Orli.  I don’t want to hear it.  Let’s just forget about it, alright?’  
Viggo’s voice sounded slightly ragged.

‘Oh.  Okay.’  Orlando’s eyes welled with tears as he turned and left 
the kitchen.

‘I don’t want to hear about it because it’s not me.’  Viggo murmured 
as the younger man left the room.

*-*-*

Orlando stopped just outside the doorway to the kitchen and leaned 
against the wall.  ‘I told you that you’d just make a fool out of 
yourself.  He doesn’t want you.  He doesn’t even want to hear 
anything about it, idiot.’

He slid down the wall and let the tears fall.

Tbc


Part 2

Orlando sat next to the doorway to the kitchen.  ‘Fuck this.  I’m 
leaving.’  He rose and moved to the main entryway, where he found 
his shoes were mostly dry.  He pulled them on.  Taking one last 
look around, he opened the door as quietly as possible and 
stepped out into the rain.  The rain that had seemed so contrary to 
his mood when he had woke up earlier in Viggo’s arms, but now 
seemed to fit the day perfectly.

*-*-*

Viggo had arrived at work two days later to find his freshly 
laundered sweats and an impersonal thank you note resting in his 
makeup chair.  He still didn’t understand why Orlando had left so 
suddenly the other day.  He had expected some embarrassment 
from the younger man, but had figured that he would get over it 
quickly and might even confide in him.  But, Orlando had left before 
Viggo had quit feeling sorry for himself and come out of the kitchen.  

It had now been two weeks since the awkward morning and 
Orlando had yet to speak to him.  He recited his lines perfectly and 
without fail, but he hadn’t said a personal word to Viggo.  In the 
times they had been out together, everyone else had been there 
too.  There never seemed to be a situation in which Viggo felt 
comfortable bringing up that morning.  In the meantime, he found 
out that Orlando and his girlfriend had broken up and that Orlando 
had been dating girl after girl.

*-*-*

The Hobbits cornered Orlando at the pub.  They had all gotten 
there earlier, before Viggo, Sean and Ian.  

‘Orlando – what’s going on with you lately?’  Elijah asked, 
beginning the conversation the Hobbits had been planning all day.

‘What are you talking about?  Things have been great with me 
lately.’  Orlando was immediately on the defensive.  He did not 
want to talk about this.

‘Orli, we know that you and your girlfriend broke up, and you seem 
to be having fun with all these girls, but I don’t really get the feeling 
that you’re happy.’  Sean observed.

‘You don’t know what you’re talking about, Astin.  None of you 
know what you’re talking about.’ Orlando stated angrily.

Billy slid closer to Orlando, squeezing the taller man around the 
shoulders.  ‘Tell us Orlando.  Make us understand.’  He stated in 
his soft Scottish accent.  Across the table, Dom nodded at him with 
caring eyes.

‘There’s nothing wrong…’ His voice trailed off as a warm set of 
hands wrapped around his.  Tears welled in his eyes as he looked 
down, trying to hide from his friends.

‘Orli…’  Dom squeezed his hands.  ‘Talk to us.’

A tear slipped down his cheek as Orlando raised his head to look 
Dom in the eye.  ‘He doesn’t feel the same.  I was gonna tell him 
and he shut me down before I could…’  A sob escaped as Billy 
pulled Orlando’s head down onto his shoulder, rocking him back 
and forth like a child.

‘Who doesn’t feel the same, Orli?’  Elijah rubbed circles on 
Orlando’s back, trying to comfort his friend.

In the midst of the quite sobs, they understood one broken word.  
‘Viggo.’

Sean’s eyes grew large as he glanced at the others sitting around 
the table.  Each Hobbit wore an identical expression of concerned 
shock as they tried to comprehend what their friend was saying.

Sean reached across the table and pulled Orlando’s head up so 
that he could look him in the eye.  ‘I think you’d better explain this to 
us from the start.’  The other Hobbits nodded their heads in 
agreement.

Orlando tried to calm himself.  Sitting here with his friends, he 
realized that they truly cared for him and wanted to help him.  ‘It all 
started over a month ago…no – actually it started when Viggo 
arrived in New Zealand.  I’ve felt this strange pull toward him since 
we met.  I didn’t understand it for the longest time, but then I 
realized that I was attracted to him.’  He glanced around the table, 
seeing sympathy in the eyes of his friends.

Feeling a little braver, he continued, ‘You’ve got to understand…I 
may be flirty with everyone, but that’s just the way I am.  I usually 
mean nothing by it.  But, flirting with Viggo became more than what 
happened with everyone else.  I started to get feelings for him.  
Feelings I’ve never felt for anyone, much less another man.’

A sob hitched Orlando’s voice as he remembered the rest of the 
story.  ‘Remember two weeks ago when filming was cancelled 
because of the flooding?  The night when the power was out?  My 
girlfriend broke up with me that day.  I told her what I had been 
feeling for Viggo and we both decided it would be better if we just 
ended it and tried to find our happiness elsewhere.  I went over to 
Viggo’s that night and asked to stay with him.’

Elijah blinked and looked at Orlando questioningly.  ‘What did he 
say?’

In a quiet voice, Orlando continued.  ‘He invited me in and got me 
some dry clothes to change into since I had gotten soaked standing 
on his doorstep trying to build up enough courage to knock on the 
door.  He made me some tea and tucked me into bed before 
climbing in next to me.  I was tired and sleepy and decided I’d tell 
him about my feelings the next morning.  I may have been sleepy, 
but I remember him kissing me on the forehead before wishing me 
a good rest.’

Dom leaned across the table toward Orlando.  His eyes were wide 
with interest.  ‘It sounds like things were going good so far.  What 
happened?’

Orlando sat there in silence, rubbing his thumb across Dom’s 
knuckles as he analyzed it in his head.  ‘I woke up sometime in the 
night.  He was holding me in his arms.  I remember falling back 
asleep thinking, ‘this feels right’.  When I woke up in the morning, 
his side of the bed was cold.  I took a shower and went to find my 
clothes.  They weren’t where I left them and I began to panic.’

‘Why were you panicking, Orli?’  Sean asked quietly.

Orlando blushed as he told the last of his story.  ‘I had put some 
condoms and lube in my pocket before going over, you know – just 
in case.  Viggo washed my jeans and found them.  When I went in 
the kitchen, he sat at the table looking at them like they would bite 
him.  I tried to explain to him.  I wanted to tell him how I felt, but he 
wouldn’t even let me complete a sentence.’  Orlando’s voice broke 
as he finished.  ‘He wouldn’t even look me in the eye.  I disgusted 
him.’

Billy pulled Orlando’s head back down on his shoulder as the other 
man’s shoulders began to heave with silent tears.  ‘Oh Orlando.  
I’m so sorry.’

Elijah piped up, ‘Hey guys, let’s get out of here.  Let’s pick up some 
beer and head to Orlando’s and drown our sorrows in the comfort 
of home.’

Orlando managed a smile as he raised his tear-stained face.  
‘Sounds good to me, Lij.  Let’s go.’

As Dom, Elijah and Orli stood, Billy and Sean stayed seated.  
Orlando looked at them.  ‘Coming guys?’

Sean looked at Billy before turning to answer Orlando.  ‘Yeah, we’ll 
be there shortly.  We’re gonna wait here for the others and let them 
know where we’ll be tonight.’

*-*-*

Sean and Billy were still sitting at the same booth when Viggo, 
Sean and Ian arrived twenty minutes later.  As the three older men 
approached the table, the lively discussion the two Hobbits had 
been having died down.

Sean Astin nodded at them.  ‘Good to see you Sean, Ian.’  He 
glanced at Viggo.  ‘Viggo.’

Billy stood up.  ‘We’ll be leaving now.  Dom, Lij and Orli have 
already left.  We just thought we’d stay long enough to let you know 
not to expect us tonight.’

Ian noticed the chilly reception in the air.  ‘Why not young Hobbits?’

Sean glared at Viggo before turning to Ian.  ‘We have a friend in 
need of support tonight.  That he obviously can’t expect to find 
here.’

As Sean and Billy moved away from the table, Viggo grabbed 
Billy’s arm.  ‘What’s wrong Bill?’

Billy’s answer was definitely frosty as he replied, ‘Nothing that 
would concern you Viggo.’

*-*-*

After Billy and Sean had left, Viggo, Sean and Ian sat quietly at the 
table for several moments, trying to figure out what had happened.

As the server came to get their drink orders, Sean asked, ‘Miss, 
could you tell me if there has been any trouble here tonight?’

The young lady answered, ‘Not that I am aware of.  Nobody has 
been in here tonight except for that group over in the corner and 
your friends who were here earlier.’

‘Thank you, sweetheart.  Could you tell if there was a problem with 
our friends?’ Ian asked.

‘I’m not really sure, but they were huddled here for a long while.  
They seemed to be comforting each other.  Especially the tall, dark 
one.’  She replied.

Viggo looked at her sharply.  ‘Orlando…’

‘Yes.  That’s the one.  He seemed to be quite upset.’  She observed 
as she left them to get their drinks.

Viggo played absent-mindedly with a beer coaster.  What could 
have been wrong with Orlando?

As if reading his mind, Ian stated, ‘Viggo – he really looks up to 
you.  Do you know of anything that could be troubling our dear 
Orlando?’

Sean chuckled a little.  ‘I bet I know what it is.  I think he’s got a 
crush on Viggo.’

Viggo aimed one of his patented kingly glares in Sean’s direction.  
‘What are you talking about Sean?  He doesn’t like me.  He’s 
straight.’

Sean smiled at Viggo,  ‘Au contraire, Mr. Mortensen.  I probably 
shouldn’t be telling you this, but I heard Orlando and his girlfriend 
on the phone a couple of weeks ago.  Seems that the elf has 
developed feelings for someone new – a man, to be precise – and 
they set each other free so he could pursue the feelings.’

‘Damn.  I…damn.’  Viggo replied numbly.  This suddenly brought 
that awkward morning into new perspective.

Ian placed his hands on Viggo’s nervously twitching fingers.  ‘Viggo 
– what did you do?’

Viggo looked up guiltily.  ‘I think I may have lost the only chance I’ll 
ever have at getting what I truly want.’

The smile left Ian’s face as he asked, ‘You want Orlando, Viggo?’

‘I think I do.’  Viggo sighed as he looked the older man in the eye.

Ian still didn’t smile as he continued, ‘You must be sure Viggo.  You 
cannot get his hopes up only to decide that you do not want him.  It 
would crush him.’

Sean placed his hand on Viggo’s other hand.  ‘What say you, 
Viggo?’

‘He’s what I want.  He’s really what I want.’  Viggo stated, smiling 
as he realized the truth of his statement.

Ian smiled and leaned back in his chair as their drinks arrived at the 
table.  ‘Well then.  What shall we do to win you Orlando’s heart?’

The three men began to plot over their drinks.

Tbc


Part 3

Billy and Sean entered a silent house when they arrived at 
Orlando’s.  Elijah let them in, holding a finger to his lips to indicate 
the need for quiet.  Recognizing the questioning glance Sean sent 
his way, he motioned towards the hallway.  The three men made 
their way back to Orlando’s darkened bedroom.

What they saw broke their hearts.  Orlando lay curled on his side in 
a fretful sleep.  Dom had managed to get all of his clothes except 
his boxer shorts off and lay behind him, rubbing his back 
soothingly.  Seeing that he was asleep, Billy, Sean and Elijah made 
their way back to the main room.

‘We’ve gotta do something about this, guys.’  Lij whispered as they 
sat on Orlando’s couch.  ‘We can’t just sit around and watch him be 
miserable for the rest of the shoot.’

Sean leaned back, rubbing his hands over his face.  ‘What can we 
do?  If Viggo doesn’t want anything to do with him, how are we 
supposed to remedy this?’

Billy rose from the couch before pacing around the small room.  He 
stopped and faced the other two.  ‘Whatever we do, we must 
present a united front.  We need to support Orlando and keep him 
from further pain.’  He sighed as his voice broke.  ‘I don’t know what 
I’d do if the man I loved treated me like this.’

‘The man you love?  What’s this Bill?’  Dom asked as he made his 
way into the room.

‘Well – you know – hypothetically speaking…’  Billy blushed as the 
other three chuckled at him.

Sean sat up straight on the couch once more.  ‘We need to get to 
the bottom of this…find out exactly what Viggo thinks about the 
whole situation.  Maybe some wires got crossed somewhere.’  He 
sat there for a moment longer before rising to his feet.  ‘We will 
protect him in the meantime.  I need to get home.  Christine is 
probably worried and she might be able to shed some light on this 
whole situation.’

‘Somebody needs to stay with Orlando.  Who’s gonna do it?’  Elijah 
asked as they moved toward the door.

They all looked at each other as they decided who would stay.  ‘I 
think we should all spend a night here for the next week or so.  I’ll 
stay tonight.’  Dom sighed, resigning himself to a night on Orlando’s 
lumpy couch or sharing the bed with ‘Bed Hog Orli’.

‘Thanks Dom.  I’ll stay tomorrow night.’  Billy replied.

‘Aww.  Get out of here you gits – before I change my mind and 
make one of you stay.’  Dom pushed them out the door good-
naturedly.

*-*-*

Viggo, Sean and Ian sat at the bar for several hours, conceiving 
and discarding plots to earn Orlando’s affections.  The three men 
finally decided that the best course of action would be the direct 
tact.  

After saying their goodbyes at the pub, Sean and Ian left Viggo to 
implement the plan.  He had never felt as nervous as he did right 
now, driving to Orlando’s.  He hoped the young man was still 
awake and would be willing to talk to him.

Pulling up in Orlando’s drive, he noticed a soft light coming through 
the front windows of Orlando’s small house.  Steeling himself, he 
got out of the car and walked up the front walk.  As he reached the 
front door, he stopped for a moment.  Confident that Orlando would 
hear what he had to say, he raised his hand and knocked on the 
door.

*-*-*

Orlando woke with a headache from all of the tears he had shed 
earlier.  Stretching in his bed, he giggled when he heard a soft ‘oof’ 
from beside him.  He turned to find Dom lying behind him, half-
asleep and clutching his stomach.

‘God Orli – I give up a night of shagging to spend here with you and 
you have to sucker punch me?  You ungrateful fuck.’  Dom 
mumbled into his pillow.

‘A night of shagging, huh?  Did I miss something at the pub?  I 
didn’t see any skirts around.’  Orlando teased his friend as he got 
out of bed.

‘Where ya goin’?’ Dom asked as he rolled over.

Orlando stopped in the doorway long enough to reply.  ‘I’ve gotta 
get an aspirin.  My head’s splitting.’

He walked on to the kitchen, looking out the window as he filled a 
glass with water.  Seeing a car pull up in his drive, he made his way 
cautiously to the front door.  A knock sounded on the door as he 
walked out of the kitchen, swallowing an aspirin and gulping some 
water.

The water turned out to be a bad idea when he opened the door 
and saw Viggo standing there.  He almost choked on it as he tried 
to keep from spitting it in Viggo’s face in surprise.

‘Viggo – what are you doing here?’  Orlando asked as he stood 
there with one arm braced on the door.

‘Orlando – we need to…’  Viggo’s voice broke off as a supporting 
arm slid around Orlando’s waist and Dom’s head peeked under his 
raised arm.

‘Who issit, Orli?’  Dom slurred in his sleepy voice.

Looking at Orlando, standing there in his boxers and looking 
rumpled from sleep, being held by Dom, who also looked rumpled 
from sleep, Viggo began to think that maybe he had jumped to the 
wrong conclusion about the condoms and lube and Orlando.  
Realizing that the younger man was saying something to him, he 
paid attention long enough to hear Orlando say, ‘…were saying, 
Viggo?’

Viggo looked at Orlando with questioning eyes.  ‘It doesn’t really 
matter Orlando.  The waitress at the pub said you were feeling bad 
and I thought I’d come check on you.’

Dom was wide awake now and he straightened, pulling Orlando’s 
body closer to his.  ‘I think we have it all under control now Viggo.  
Thanks for your concern.’  He pulled Orlando away from the door 
and shut it as Viggo stood there looking stunned.

*-*-*

Once the door was shut and they heard Viggo’s car pull away, 
Orlando turned to Dom.  ‘What do you think you were doing, Dom?’  
He was shocked at Dom’s behavior in front of Viggo.

‘I think Viggo could use a little taste of jealousy, Orlando.  Let him 
think about what he’s missing.’  Dom smiled at Orlando, hoping to 
lighten his mood a little.

Orlando stood there for a moment before cracking a grin.  ‘Who 
would believe I’d ever date you anyway, Hobbit?’

‘Hey- I resent that.  There are plenty of choice males around this 
shoot that would jump at the chance to shag me.’  Dom laughed as 
they made their way back down the hallway to the bedroom.

As Orlando crawled under the covers, he couldn’t resist one final 
jab.  ‘Oh yeah?  Name one.’  Not expecting an answer, he reached 
over to turn off the bedside lamp.

A soft voice came from the dark of the other side of the bed.  ‘Billy.’

Orlando immediately turned the light back on.  He turned toward 
Dom, searching his face for signs of a joke.  ‘You’re serious, aren’t 
you?  For real, or just a guess?’

Dom sighed as he shielded his eyes from the light.  ‘For real.  For 
over two months now.’  He pulled his hand away from his face, 
grabbing Orlando’s wrist as he moved to turn the light back off.  
‘Orli – promise me that you won’t tell anyone.  No one else knows 
and we want it kept private.  I’m only telling you so you’ll know that 
there is someone who can understand what you’re feeling.’

Orlando reached over and hugged Dom.  ‘Thanks for sharing this 
with me Dom.  I’ll protect this secret.  Especially since there are 
some who are disgusted by the thought of it.’  His voice turned 
bitter as he remembered Viggo’s reaction to the condoms and lube.

He reached over to turn out the light and finally settled into the bed 
next to Dom.  Several minutes passed before Dom whispered, 
‘Okay Orli – spill it.  I know there’s something on your mind.  I can 
hear the wheels turning from here.’

Orlando sighed.  ‘Am I really that disgusting to him?’

Dom thought back over Viggo’s reaction earlier.  ‘He didn’t seem 
disgusted to me Orlando.  Maybe a little surprised, but not 
disgusted.’

A few more moments of silence passed before Orlando spoke 
again.  ‘Does it hurt, Dommie?’

Dom knew what Orlando was referring to.  ‘I won’t lie to you 
Orlando.  It hurts like the blazes the first time.  It’ll be a little 
uncomfortable at first almost every time, but it gets better.  You 
won’t mind the pain because the pleasure is more than worth it.  It 
overrides everything else.  I….I can’t describe it Orlando.  It’s just 
something that you two will have to work out on your own.’  He 
squeezed Orlando’s hand under the covers as he finished.

‘If he’ll ever give me the chance.’  Orlando sounded close to tears 
again.  All Dom could do was hug his friend.

And he whispered,  ‘Don’t lose hope, Orli.’

After Orlando fell asleep, Dom slid out of bed and into the main 
room.  He had a phone call to make.

*-*-*

Viggo managed to make the drive back to his house as images of 
Orlando and Dom wrapped around each other swirled in his head.  
Walking in his front door, he tossed his keys on the hall table as he 
passed.

The phone rung as he passed it, startling him.  He picked it up.  
‘Hello?’

‘Viggo – it’s Dom.’  A voice whispered from the other end of the 
line.

Viggo’s voice grew cool as he remembered the display of affection 
at Orlando’s house.  ‘Can I help you Dominic?’

‘Viggo – don’t get all snotty and cold on me you son of a bitch.  I’ve 
spent the night with Orlando, comforting him because of your daft 
actions.  You, of all people, have no right to take that tone with me.’  
The Hobbit hissed across the phone line.

‘Well, you seemed more than willing to ‘comfort’ him Dom.’  Viggo 
grated as his anger rose.

‘Why did you have to act disgusted with him?  If you don’t approve 
of his lifestyle or decisions, couldn’t you at least support him?  Like 
a true friend would?’  Dom sounded angrier than ever.

‘Don’t you mean sleep with him?  Like you did?’  Viggo shot back.

A stunned silence met his reply.  ‘So.  That’s what you think 
happened, huh?  Maybe if you’d get your head out of your arse for 
long enough, you could see what’s really in front of you.’  The call 
was disconnected as Dom slammed the phone down.

*-*-*

Viggo arrived at the cuntebago early the next morning.  As he 
walked in the door, he was surprised to find Orlando already there.  
His hurt and confusion from the night before were still on his mind 
as he greeted the younger man.

‘Thought you’d be late today, elfboy.  You had a big night last night, 
didn’t you?’  Viggo asked sarcastically.

Orlando glanced up from the script he had been going over.  ‘Big 
night, what…’

‘So, were the condoms and lube for Dominic?  What did you bother 
coming to me for?  Asking for advice?  Wanting someone else to 
make up your mind for you, as usual?’  Viggo turned away from 
Orlando and started removing his clothes as he questioned 
Orlando.

Hearing nothing but silence in reply, Viggo turned around to face 
Orlando.   What he saw would be forever imprinted in his heart and 
mind.  In that moment, he realized he was completely wrong about 
Orlando.  In that span of time he regretted every harsh word he 
said.  In that instant, he saw Orlando’s heart break.

tbc


Part 4

Orlando sat in a chair reading over the script for the day as he 
waited for Viggo to come in.  He realized that the Hobbits had 
rallied around him, and although he was appreciative of their 
support, he needed to straighten things out with Viggo.

That’s why he was here an hour before he was scheduled to be, 
waiting nervously and not concentrating on the script that lay in his 
lap when Viggo walked in the door.

Viggo met his eyes for a second as he closed the door behind him.  
The second was over with quickly as Viggo called him elfboy and 
asked him if he had a big night last night.

Orlando was confused and didn’t understand why Viggo was 
asking.  ‘A big night?  What…’  But Viggo didn’t give him a chance 
to finish his sentence.

‘So, were the condoms and lube for Dominic?  What did you bother 
coming to me for?  Asking me for advice?  Wanting someone else 
to make up your mind for you, as usual?’  Viggo spat as he turned 
and removed his clothes. 

Orlando stood and backed away from the older man.  He could feel 
the tears forming in his eyes as he made his way backwards, 
toward the door.  He needed to get out of here.  Needed to get 
away from the hate in Viggo’s voice.

Just as he made it to the door, Viggo turned around.  Orlando saw 
Viggo’s eyes flit over his face before meeting his own.  Orlando 
knew that his heart was in his eyes as he looked at Viggo, but 
frankly – at this moment – he didn’t give a flying fuck.  He stood 
there frozen for a moment.

Just then the door swung open behind him as Sean Bean entered 
the trailer.  Orlando dodged around him and bolted out the door as 
Viggo called, ‘Orlando – wait!’  As he moved to go after Orlando, 
Sean grabbed his arm.

Sean looked at Viggo.  ‘Let him go Viggo – some of the Hobbits 
approached me this morning.  They’re in a tizzy over this whole 
thing.  There’s a lot more going on here than we realized.  We need 
to convene with Ian before this goes any further.’

Viggo finished dressing and the two men went to find Ian in his 
trailer.

They knocked on the door and were actually surprised when they 
could hear Ian call for them to enter.  The Hobbits were usually 
playing their music so loud that you couldn’t hear yourself think, 
much less hear a knock on the door.

Viggo and Sean entered to find Ian sitting contentedly in his 
makeup chair, eyes closed as his beard was put on.

‘Ahh.  Blessed peace for once.’  The wizard-in-the-making stated.  
‘But at what cost?’  He opened his eyes to look directly at Viggo.  
‘Sit.’

Viggo sat down on a stool in front of Ian’s makeup bench.  ‘Ian – I 
really blew it this morning.’

‘I figured as much.  The Hobbits were blasting their music, as usual, 
this morning.  It was interrupted by a frantic knock about 15 minutes 
ago.  Sean Astin popped in and grabbed a box of tissues and it’s 
been deathly quiet ever since.’  Ian closed his eyes once more as 
the makeup artist adjusted his eyebrows.  ‘I’m beginning to miss the 
racket.  Tell me Viggo.  What happened?’

Viggo looked at the older man sheepishly.  ‘I drove over to 
Orlando’s last night, like we decided I would.  I was ready to tell him 
how I feel.  He answered the door in his boxers.  I about lost it right 
then and there.’  He chuckled as he remembered his immediate 
reaction to the sight.

Ian ghosted a grin as he replied, ‘I imagine you did.’

‘As I stood there talking to Orlando, Dom came up behind him, 
wrapping his arm around Orlando and acting possessive.’  Viggo 
started to get jealous again as he thought about what he had seen.

‘Viggo – did it ever occur to you that our Hobbits and our Elf are 
very close friends?  A hug between friends, especially when one is 
hurting, is nothing to be jealous of.’  Ian stated calmly as the 
makeup artist finished.  ‘Thank you, dear.’  He stated as she left the 
room.

Ian sat forward in his chair and grasped Viggo’s hands.  ‘What 
happened next?’

‘Well – I finally made it home, through my shock, anger and 
jealousy.  I had just walked in the door when Dom called me from 
Orlando’s.  He accused me of being non-supportive and not a 
friend to Orlando.  I…well, I kind of accused him of sleeping with 
Orlando.’  Viggo nodded as Ian and Sean both winced.  ‘He told me 
to get my head out of my ass and see things as they really are.’

Ian laughed as Sean smiled and said, ‘I always liked that Dominic.  
Straightforward and honest, he is.’

Viggo ran his hands through his hair as he said, ‘That’s not the 
worst of it.’

Sean lost his smile as he said, ‘You mean it gets worse?’

Viggo glared at him as he said, ‘Yes.  It does get worse.  Decidedly 
so.  It goes back to two weeks ago.  Orlando came to me the night 
of the floods and asked to spend the night.  I invited him in and he 
changed from his soaked clothing into a spare pair of sweats.  The 
next morning, I was washing his clothes when I found condoms and 
lube in his pocket.  He found me looking at them and tried to 
explain to me, but I told him it was none of my business.  He left my 
house before I could talk to him and I figured he was just 
embarrassed for me to find what I did.’

Ian and Sean glanced at each other.  They both had a pretty good 
idea of what Orlando had originally planned for that night and the 
following day.

Viggo continued his story.  ‘He hasn’t spoken to me since, other 
than to say his lines.  This morning, when I walked into the 
cuntebago, he was there.  All that I could picture in my mind was 
Dom and Orlando wrapped up in each other.  I accused him of 
having the condoms and lube for Dom.  I then preceded to ask him 
if he had come by for advice, for someone to make up his mind for 
him, as usual.’  He was cut off by a gasp from both men.

He glanced at Ian to see the wizard grow red in the face as he tried 
to control his anger.  ‘You fool.’

Viggo held up his hands in acceptance of the fact.  ‘I know…I 
know…As soon as the words left my mouth, I regretted them.  As I 
turned around and looked him in the eyes, I saw his heart break.’  
Viggo stood up and paced to the couch.

He sat down heavily and buried his head in his hands.  ‘Can I ever 
undo the damage I’ve done?’  Hearing no answer from his friends, 
he looked up to find them looking at each other in speculation.

Sean stood up.  ‘Well – I’ve got to go get into costume.’  He opened 
the door and left hurriedly.

‘Ian?’  Viggo looked questioningly at the older man.

‘We may be able to salvage this, Viggo.  It will take a lot of work 
and a leap of faith on young Orlando’s part, but I think it can be 
done.’

*-*-*

After his confrontation with Viggo, Orlando dashed across the set to 
the Hobbits trailer.  Hearing the music blaring, he pounded on the 
door.

Elijah jerked the door open laughing, ‘Hey – where’s the fire…’  He 
broke off as he looked at Orlando.

He called back over his shoulder, ‘Dom – turn the music off man!’  
He grabbed Orlando and pulled him inside the trailer.  Moving 
toward the couch, he turned toward the makeup girls.  ‘Ladies, can 
we have a while?’  Hearing Lij’s tone of voice and seeing the look 
on Orlando’s face was all of the incentive they needed to take a 
prolonged smoke break.

Lij pushed Orlando down onto the couch and kneeled in front of 
him.  When Orlando wouldn’t look up at him, he placed his hands 
on either side of Orli’s head and pulled it up to face him.  The look 
in Orlando’s eyes would have been enough to melt even the iciest 
heart.  ‘He hates me.  He thinks I’m nothing.’  Tears started to roll 
down Orlando’s face.

‘Damn it…where are the tissues when you need them?’  Sean 
asked.  He opened the door between the Hobbits and Ian’s end of 
the trailer.  ‘Ian, can I have this box of tissue?  It’s kind of an 
emergency.’  He grabbed the box without waiting for an answer and 
pushed the door shut, locking it behind him.

The Hobbits descended on Orlando.  Sean kneeled beside Elijah 
on the floor in front of Orlando.  Billy sat on one side, and Dom, 
who sat on the other side, was the first to speak.  ‘Oh god – 
Orlando – did this happen because of last night?’

Billy looked confused.  ‘Last night?’  He looked at Dom 
questioningly.

Dom decided to bite the bullet and tell the story.  ‘Viggo showed up 
at Orlando’s last night.  Orlando answered the door and I went and 
put my arm around him, offering support.’  Dom felt Billy’s hand 
cover his on Orlando’s back.  ‘I think he thought that I offered 
Orlando more than comfort…’  He met Billy’s eyes over the top of 
Orlando’s head.  ‘Fuck Billy – you know I’d never do anything like 
that with Orlando.  We thought a little jealousy would be good for 
Viggo.  Make him see what he’s missing.  Apparently it didn’t work.’

Billy patted Dom’s hand.  ‘I know you were trying to help Orlando.’  
Glancing at Orlando, he said, ‘And you know it too, don’t you 
Orlando?’

Orlando looked up at Dom with red eyes.  ‘You’ve never been 
anything other than a friend to me Dom.  I know you had my best 
interests at heart.’  Orlando sniffed.  ‘But he thinks that you and I 
have something going.  He thinks the condoms and lube were for 
you.  He thinks I only wanted his approval for a decision I couldn’t 
make on my own.’  Fresh tears began to stream from Orlando’s 
eyes.  ‘He hates me.’

The Hobbits looked at each other as Sean stated, ‘It’s a good thing 
Orlando only had the one scene today.  I think he needs to take a 
sick day.  I’m going to talk to PJ.’

Orlando murmured a ‘thanks’ as Sean left the trailer.

‘Will I ever be able to get over him, guys?’  He asked pleadingly.  
He was beyond the point of hoping for a relationship with Viggo.  It 
obviously wasn’t going to happen.  His thoughts now turned toward 
the impossible task of moving on.

Elijah answered as Billy and Dom continued to rub his back in 
soothing circles.  ‘Only time will tell, Orlando, only time will tell…’

*-*-*

As Sean Astin made his way to find Peter, he rounded a corner, 
running into Sean Bean.  Bean grabbed Astin’s arms as he 
steadied him.  ‘Whoa there Hobbit.  Where are you running off to so 
quickly?’

‘Orlando’s sick.  I’m going to tell PJ he needs the day off.  We’re 
mainly shooting shire scenes today anyway.’  Astin started to pull 
away, but Bean pulled him back.

‘You do know that this is all a big misunderstanding, don’t you?’  
Bean asked.

‘What are you talking about, Bean?’  Astin asked suspiciously.

‘This whole Viggo Orlando thing.  They’re both too in love with each 
other to see it.  Damn fools.’  Bean chuckled.

Astin looked shocked for a minute.  ‘In love – with each other?  But 
Viggo doesn’t… hey – how did you know about all of this?’

‘Oh – I’ve heard it all from Viggo’s point of view.  I think it’s all a 
misunderstanding that can be cleared up if they try hard enough.’  
Bean stated.

‘But you didn’t hear what Viggo told him this morning.  You don’t 
know how badly he’s hurt right now.’  Astin tried to maintain a 
righteous tone of voice.

Bean sighed as he looked at the shorter man.  ‘I do know what he 
said, and I know why he said it, and I know that he regrets it.  He 
thinks he’ll never have a chance with Orlando again, but I know that 
they can be good together if they’ll just get past this.  If they could 
only spend some time together.’

Astin looked at Bean thoughtfully for a moment.  ‘You really want to 
see them together?’  At Bean’s nod of agreement, Astin pulled him 
closer, whispering a plan into his ear.

tbc



Part 5

A soft knock sounded at the door of the Hobbits makeup trailer.  
Billy moved toward the door, opening it to see Viggo standing at the 
bottom of the steps.  ‘Billy.’  He stated.

‘Viggo?’  Billy’s Scottish accent turned the word into a question.

Viggo tugged at the hem of his tunic.  ‘Can I speak with Dom for a 
minute?’  He glanced past Billy to see Dom with his arm around 
Orlando yet again.  Elijah sat on the other side of Orlando, glaring 
at Viggo.  Orlando sat with his head in his hands.

Dom stood up and walked toward the door.  Stepping down the 
steps, he pushed the door closed behind him.  ‘This had better be 
good, Mortensen.’

They walked to an outdoor picnic table that sat in the shade of a 
huge pine tree.  Dom sat on the table and Viggo paced in front of 
him.   Finally the older man stopped.  ‘I’m sorry Dominic.’  He 
looked at the Hobbit, who was regarding him with gray eyes.

‘Sorry for what, Viggo?’  Viggo knew Dom wouldn’t make it easy for 
him.

‘I’m sorry for going off on you last night.  I’m sorry for getting 
jealous over nothing.  I’m sorry I’m not a better friend to Orlando.  
I’m sorry…’  He choked on tears as he tried to hold them back.  
Swinging around, he sat on the bench of the table and hung his 
head.

A moment passed before he felt a warm hand on his shoulder.  
‘Viggo – I’m sorry I acted the way I did.  I figured you’d get jealous 
last night, but I’m not the one you should be apologizing to.’  Dom 
squeezed his shoulder.  The younger man stood up and moved to 
stand in front of Viggo.  ‘He’s heartbroken Viggo.  He thinks you 
hate him.  I don’t know how he thinks anyone could hate him, but 
he thinks you do.  I’ve never seen a destroyed person in my life 
Viggo, but when he came into our trailer this morning, I think I 
caught a glimpse of what it would be like.’  He pulled Viggo’s face 
up so their eyes could meet.  ‘I know that I hold my share in that 
destruction.  I’m gonna walk into that trailer and I’m gonna 
apologize for my part.  Then I’m going to hustle Lij and Billy off to 
the set.  I want you to go apologize for your part then.’

Viggo smiled up at Dom, realizing that he was going to have his 
chance to make things right.  Rising from his seat, he offered his 
hand to Dom.  ‘Friends?’

Dom stared at his hand for a moment before wrapping his arms 
around Viggo and squeezing him.  ‘Friends.’

*-*-*

Dom walked nervously back into the trailer.  He fidgeted from foot 
to foot as Lij and Billy looked at him.  ‘Guys – can I have a minute 
with Orli?’

Lij stood up and walked to the door.  ‘It’s almost time to be on set 
anyway.  C’mon Billy.’  He walked on out the door.

Billy approached Dom and laid a hand on his arm.  He searched 
Dom’s eyes for a second before smiling at him.  Motioning toward 
Orlando, he mouthed the question, ‘He knows?’  At Dom’s nod, he 
leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on his lips before walking out 
the door.

Dom glanced at Orlando to see a small smile on his face.  It 
amazed Dom that Orlando could even find a smile in himself after 
what he’d been through.  After what he had unnecessarily been put 
through by one of his friends and the man he loved.  Dom didn’t 
think he’d have it in him if he were in the same situation.

He approached the couch and sat down next to Orlando.  ‘So – 
how are you feeling?’

‘Not too great Dommie.  Not too great.’  Orlando sighed as he 
leaned back into the cushioning of the couch, closing his eyes.

Dom decided the best way to face this issue was head on.  
‘Orlando – I’m sorry for what I did last night.  I’m sorry I put my arm 
around you like that.  I knew he’d probably jump to the wrong 
conclusion, but I did it anyway.  As a result, he lashed out at you 
and you did not deserve his anger.’

Orlando opened his eyes and turned his head to meet Dom’s gaze.  
‘I could have said something last night Dom.  I could have stood up 
for myself this morning.  Don’t blame yourself.  It’s not your fault.  
He was disgusted by me long before you did what you did.’

Dom sighed as he laid his hand on Orlando’s knee.  ‘I don’t know if 
I could be as forgiving if I were in your place Orlando.  But, I thank 
you for it.’

‘Maybe it’s for the best anyway, Dom.  He probably wouldn’t have 
wanted me after filming was over anyway.  Maybe it’s best to have 
a little heartache now versus a shattered heart later.’  Orlando 
didn’t look too convinced as he uttered the words.

Dom watched his friend with sad eyes.  ‘Orlando – I think there’s 
more to Viggo’s reactions than you think there is.  Can you promise 
me something, Orli?  Listen to what he has to say.’

Orli met Dom’s eyes for a moment longer before he lowered his 
head again.  ‘I’ll try Dommie.  I can’t promise that I will succeed, but 
I will try.’

Dom stood.  ‘I have to get to the set right now.  You rest here until 
someone can take you home.’

‘I’ll be fine here for the rest of the day.  You gits can take me home 
later.’  Orlando managed another smile.

*-*-*

Dom walked out the door to find a Hobbit huddle that included two 
humans and a wizard.  Sean Astin was holding court.

‘Okay.  Here’s the deal.  Peter gave Orlando the day off since we’re 
filming mostly shire shots anyway.  Viggo – you have the day off 
also.  Peter suggested that you make sure Orlando gets home 
safely since you live the closest.  Also – filming tomorrow will be 
blue screen shire shots, so Viggo and Orlando aren’t needed then 
either since the second unit isn’t ready to film.’  

Turning to look at Viggo, he said, ‘Basically, you and Orlando have 
four days off, including the weekend.  That will give you a good 
start to winning his trust back again.’  He looked rather proud of 
himself as he finished his speech.

Dom laid a hand on Viggo’s arm.  ‘I’m done in there.  He’s hurt, but 
he’s still Orlando.  He’s so open and is still willing to forgive.  Don’t 
abuse that trust, Viggo.’

Viggo turned as he heard his friends’ goodbyes and wishes of luck 
as he stood staring at the trailer door.  Behind that door was his 
future.  Behind that door was his heart.

Viggo took the first step in that direction.

*-*-*

Orlando lay stretched out on the couch as he heard a knock on the 
door.  ‘Damn Hobbits.  Forget your pipeweed?’  He called out.

The door opened and Viggo entered the trailer.  He pulled the door 
shut and walked to the couch.  He stood looking down at Orlando 
as the younger man finally decided to open his eyes.  ‘Oh – it’s 
you.’

Viggo could see the young man’s face turn red as he rolled over to 
face the back of the couch.  ‘What do you want?  Here to give me 
advice, old man?’

Viggo winced as he knelt in front of the couch.  He placed his hand 
lightly on Orlando’s shoulder, feeling him flinch away from his 
touch.  He groaned inwardly as he wondered how he had ever let 
things get this far.  ‘Orlando – I…’

‘Spit it out Viggo.  I haven’t got all day.  I called a cab and it’ll be 
here any minute to pick me up.’  He lied, hoping to get Viggo to 
leave before he embarrassed himself.

Viggo bowed, touching his forehead to Orlando’s shoulder.  ‘I want 
to apologize Orlando.  I’m sorry that I said what I did this morning.  
I’m sorry for freaking out over what was in your pocket.  I’m sorry 
for hurting you.  I…’  Viggo’s voice broke as tears slid down his 
face, wetting the fabric of Orlando’s t-shirt.  ‘I don’t know what to do 
to make you forgive me.  I don’t know how to make you trust me.’  
Hearing no reaction from the younger man, he sighed against 
Orlando’s trembling shoulder.  ‘I don’t even deserve your 
forgiveness or trust.’

He pulled away and stood up.  ‘I’m supposed to offer you a ride 
home.  We’ve both been given the day off, but I guess you don’t 
want anything to do with me.’

He walked toward the door.  Wrapping his hand around the 
doorknob, he turned back to Orlando.  ‘It all took me by surprise, 
you know?  Getting the call from Peter, coming here, making new 
friends, meeting you.  I’ve never felt like this before.’  He twisted the 
knob and walked out the door, shutting it softly behind him.

*-*-*

Orlando managed to lie as still as possible on the couch, but he still 
trembled as the older man rested his head against his shoulder.  
He could feel the warmth of Viggo’s breath through the fabric of his 
t-shirt.  He felt the wetness that plastered the soft material to his 
skin.  He felt each whisper and sigh the older man uttered against 
him.

He lay there with his eyes clenched shut, willing the tears not to fall.

With the echo of the closing door punctuating Viggo’s last words to 
him, he lost his control.  His shoulders started to heave and the 
sobs tore openly from his throat.

Orlando rose from the couch and hurried toward the door.  Flinging 
it open, he hopped to the bottom of the steps and ran to catch up 
with Viggo.

Wrapping his arms around Viggo from behind, he buried his face 
between Viggo’s shoulder blades and wept.  

Viggo wrapped his hands around Orlando’s and stood still until 
Orli’s grip loosened.  He turned in the younger man’s embrace and 
enfolded the slim figure in his arms.  He rubbed his hands back and 
forth along the length of Orlando’s spine, caressing and soothing 
him with a loving touch.

Orlando’s breath was a soft whisper that was almost lost in the light 
breeze as he cried.  ‘Take me home, Viggo.’

Tbc


Part 6

It had been a rough morning.  It was now, in fact – afternoon.  With 
the confrontation this morning and the discussions with the Hobbits 
and then with Viggo, Orlando was tired, literally physically and 
emotionally drained to the point of exhaustion.

He sat quietly in the passenger seat of Viggo’s rental car as he 
waited for Viggo to return from changing back into his regular 
clothes.  His mind was still reeling from everything that had 
happened in the last two weeks – the last two days – even the last 
two hours.  It still baffled him that Viggo might have some feelings 
for him.  It was hard to reconcile his actions two weeks ago with his 
actions today.

He fastened his seatbelt and turned in the seat so he could look out 
the window.  He watched with heavy eyes as Viggo exited the 
cuntebago to be met by the Hobbits.  He smiled as Viggo held his 
hands up in a gesture of surrender before the Hobbits all patted him 
on the back and walked off toward the set.

As Viggo continued toward the car, he was waylaid by Sean and 
Ian.  Orlando watched for a few minutes longer before exhaustion 
finally claimed him and he fell into a dreamless sleep.

*-*-*

Exiting the cuntebago, Viggo wasn’t surprised to find the Hobbits 
waiting on him.  Elijah spoke first as he shook Viggo’s hand.  ‘Take 
care of our elf, Viggo – he’s fragile.’  The young man offered him a 
small smile.

‘Make sure you feed him Viggo – he hasn’t eaten all day.’  Dom 
informed Viggo.

‘Don’t hurt him Viggo – we’d hate to have to hurt you…or try to hurt 
you.  I’ve seen you with that sword, but there’s safety in numbers 
and there are more of us than there are of you.’  Sean Astin joked.

Viggo held his hands up in the air.  ‘Guys – you have my solemn 
word on all that’s right and good in the world.  I will treat him with 
the utmost respect…’

‘Viggo – one more thing…you should take him out and walk him 
every so often.  We’re pretty sure he’s housebroken, but you never 
can tell.’  Billy managed to keep a straight face for all of ten 
seconds before he burst into giggles and the other Hobbits were 
guffawing.

Viggo shook his head as they all patted him on the back and 
headed back on set.

He started toward his car, where he could see Orlando’s dark eyes 
turned his way.  He smiled, thinking that he really didn’t deserve 
another chance with this exquisite creature, but thanking every 
power he could think of that he had another chance.

He was halfway to the car when Sean Bean caught his arm.  
‘Viggo.  I’m pleased to see that you are finally moving in the right 
direction here.’  Nodding toward the car, he continued, ‘Take him 
home, Viggo.  Make him understand why things happened the way 
they did.’

Ian rested a hand on Viggo’s shoulder as he nodded at Sean’s 
comments.  ‘Show him how you feel Viggo.  But be gentle and easy 
with him.  He’s going to need to trust you, and that may take some 
time to happen.’

Viggo smiled at the two men and thanked them for their advice 
before turning once more toward his car.  Walking to the driver’s 
side, he pulled the door open and slid into the driver’s seat before 
speaking.  ‘Well – I suppose that went fairly well.  Where do you 
want to eat?’  

Expecting some kind of answer, he turned toward the younger man 
when silence was his only reply.  ‘Orlando?’  

The silence was broken by a soft, snuffling snore.  Viggo smiled 
tenderly as he ran his fingers through the unruly curls on top of 
Orlando’s mohawked head.

Straightening in his seat, he started the car and drove toward 
home.

*-*-*

Viggo stopped and picked up sushi on the way home.  He knew 
that the younger man enjoyed sushi and he also knew that he could 
refrigerate it until Orlando woke up.

Pulling up in the drive, he parked the car and took the food in side, 
stowing it for later.  Knowing Orli would need more rest before they 
could talk, he walked into his bedroom and lowered the covers on 
the bed.  Stopping to close the blinds and curtains on the windows, 
he considered the darkened room.  It was dark enough to offer a 
comfortable rest, but not too dark as to be stifling.

Viggo walked back out to his car and carefully opened the 
passenger side door.  Orlando’s head lolled against the headrest as 
he unfastened the seatbelt.  Viggo slid one arm behind Orlando and 
one arm under his knees.  As carefully as he could, he lifted the 
younger man from the car, closing the door with his heel as he 
turned toward the house.

Viggo marveled at the irony as he carried Orlando over the 
threshold of his house.  He hadn’t even done that for Exene when 
they got married.  He once again used his heel to push the door 
closed behind him.

He carried Orlando into the bedroom and laid the sleeping form on 
his bed.  He pulled Orli’s shoes off and unfastened the soft, faded 
jeans that fit the boy so perfectly.  Pulling them down over his hips, 
he then unfastened Orlando’s shirt and pulled it away from him.  
When Orli lay in nothing but his boxers, Viggo positioned him on 
the bed and covered him with the sheet.

Viggo walked out of the room and pulled the door shut behind him.  
Making his way toward the kitchen, he unplugged the phone line to 
keep prying Hobbits from disturbing the conversations that would 
happen later.

In the kitchen, he pulled out the real tea makings that he had 
bought for Orlando.  He put a kettle on to brew and sat down at the 
table with his journal.  As he looked back over his entries since he 
had come to New Zealand, he made a decision.  Writing furiously, 
he finished his latest entry, scribbled a note to Orlando, and made 
his way out onto the front porch, where he settled down for a long 
wait. 

*-*-*

Orlando opened his eyes slowly, stretching, surprised when he 
realized he wasn’t in his own bed.  ‘Where am I?’ He asked, out 
loud.  Rising on his elbows, he looked around the room.  
‘Hmm…Viggo’s.’
 
Rising from the bed, he found his clothes folded neatly on the end 
of the bed.  He pulled his jeans and shirt on, not bothering with the 
fastenings on his shirt.  As he walked out of the bedroom, he could 
tell by the stillness of the house that it was empty.

His stomach growled loudly and he headed toward the kitchen.  As 
he walked through the doorway, his mind remembered the last time 
he was here and a shiver of nervousness trailed down his spine.  
He spotted a note on the table.

Orlando –

There’s sushi in the fridge and hot water in the kettle.  Make 
yourself at home.  If you notice, I’ve provided some reading 
material for your lunch.  

V.

Orlando walked to the refrigerator and pulled out the plate Viggo 
had put together for him.  Making a glass of tea, he sat at the table 
with one leg curled under himself.  He reached for the notebook 
and pulled it toward him as he began to eat.

“Today is my first day in New Zealand.  I’m still not sure how I 
ended up here, or what I’m meant to do while I’m here, but I know 
that all things happen for a purpose…”

Orlando realized that this was Viggo’s journal.  Realizing that Viggo 
meant for him to read it, he scanned through the entries.  Viggo 
mentioned him quite often in the journal.  Occasionally there was a 
“Orlando and the Hobbits got drunk again last night…”  or  
“Orlando’s girlfriend was here for a visit this weekend…”  

Orlando’s eyes stopped on an entry dated for the night that he had 
come to Viggo, asking to spend the night.  Thinking back on that 
night, he knew that the entry had been what Viggo had been writing 
when he knocked on the door.

“I really need to examine my feelings for Orlando.  It’s all so scary 
but so exciting at the same time.  I’ve never felt like this before, and 
I know that he would never feel the same for me.  He has a 
girlfriend, anyway.  However, the more I think of him, the more I find 
myself longing to be near him.  I want to smooth my fingers through 
his hair.  I want to hear his infectious laugh and see it sparkle in his 
eyes.  I want to find out if his lips are as soft as they look.  I want to 
know if he tastes like sunshine…”

Stunned, Orlando read the next entry.

“Orlando came over last night.  As I was washing his soaked 
clothes this morning, I found something that made me wake up and 
smell the coffee.  He has someone else.  After waking up with him 
this morning I had hoped to ask him if he would be willing to give 
me – to give us – a chance.  I have no idea who he’s with, but I 
don’t need to know who it is.  I only know that it’s not me…”

Ohhh…pressure was starting to build behind his eyes and his heart 
ached for Viggo as he read various entries over the last two weeks.  
“Orlando ignored me again today…”  “Orlando performed perfectly 
today…”  “It’s as if he can’t wait to get away from me…”

Finally, he came to last night’s entry.

“Orlando and Dom.  Can this really be happening?”  And then, a 
line farther down on the page, “Dom just called.  I accused him of 
sleeping with Orlando.  He told me to get my head out of my ass 
and see what’s in front of me.  I try to work through it in my head, 
but every time I close my eyes, all I see is Dom’s arm wrapped 
around my Orli.  My Orli…god – when did I get so jealous and 
possessive?  Orlando doesn’t want me.  He’s made that much clear 
over the past two weeks.”

On the last page he read:

“If you’ve read this far, then hopefully you’re willing to listen to what 
I have to say to you.  Hopefully you are willing to accept what I 
have to offer.  I apologize for being such a blind, insensitive fool 
and for not giving you an opportunity to explain yourself that 
morning two weeks ago.  

Since that day I have come to understand that I need you in my life, 
in whatever way you want to be in it.  If friendship is all you can 
give, I understand, but if there’s any love in your heart for me, 
please trust it to my care.  Please let me nurture it and help it grow 
to its full potential.  Please let me help you to love me, because I do 
love you.

I know that it will take time for a relationship to grow, for trust to 
replenish itself after I so carelessly smothered it.  I am willing to be 
what you need me to be to make you happy.

I am waiting outside for you.  All you have to do is let me in…

Yours -- Viggo”

Orlando swiped at the tears that were streaming down his face.  
God he had turned into such a girl over the last two weeks.  All he 
ever did was cry.  Rising from his seat and moving toward the front 
door, he decided that any tears he shed from now on would be of 
happiness, not sorrow.

tbc


Part 7

Viggo sat on the porch swing, watching as the sky changed from 
blue to red, fading eventually to a pale peach color as the stars 
began to shine in the darkening sky.  He was starting to worry 
about his decision to let his journal speak when he could not.  It had 
been well over six hours since he made his way out to the porch 
and he had not heard from Orlando yet.  

He was resigned to waiting this out however.  He knew that 
Orlando had been exhausted and needed his rest, and he wasn’t 
about to deny him that.  Making himself comfortable, he turned to 
sit sideways in the swing, with one leg tucked underneath himself.  
Draping his arm over the back of the swing, he lowered his chin to 
rest on his arm and closed his eyes.

*-*-*

Orlando stood at the front door for some time, rethinking Viggo’s 
words and feelings.  He watched the older man wait on the porch 
swing for what seemed like an hour.

As he stood there, his heart and mind were at war with each other.  
His mind was telling him to get out now, while he still had the 
opportunity…before it was too late.  His heart was telling him that it 
was already too late…he was in love with Viggo already.  Gripping 
the doorknob, he made his choice.  He had never been one to 
follow his head anyway.

*-*-*

Viggo heard the doorknob rattle as it was turned.  It was through 
sheer force of will that he kept his eyes closed and his body relaxed 
– that he didn’t turn toward the door.  He heard the soft tread of 
bare feet across the floorboards of the porch.  

The swing rocked slightly as weight settled behind Viggo.  The only 
noise for several moments was the rusted creak of the swing 
chains as the swing once again became still.  Suddenly the swing 
moved again and a warm body pressed against his back and hands 
ran along his arms to twine with his own fingers.  A slightly damp 
face buried itself in his neck and warm breath tickled his ear as 
Orlando whispered, ‘I love you, Viggo.’

Viggo let loose a deep breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding.  
Turning his head, he nuzzled his chin against the side of Orlando’s 
face.  ‘I love you too, Orlando.’

To anyone else, it may have seemed too early…too rushed.  But to 
them - the timing was perfect – the time spent apart too great 
already to be compounded.

Both men were content to sit in each other’s arms as the sun 
finished its descent behind the far off mountain peaks.

*-*-*

Viggo’s stomach growled loudly, matched only by his groan as 
Orlando released his hands and pulled his body away.  ‘What’s 
wrong, Angel?’

Orlando smiled at Viggo as he asked, ‘Did you even eat lunch, 
Viggo?’  He couldn’t keep from brushing Viggo’s hair back off of his 
face as the older man turned to face him.

Viggo grinned back as he answered honestly.  ‘I was kind of too 
nervous to eat earlier.’

The swing began rocking again as Orlando stood up and stepped 
backwards, pulling Viggo to his feet.  ‘C’mon old man…you need to 
eat.  There’s still a lot of sushi in the fridge.  Were you planning on 
feeding an army?’

Allowing himself to be led back into his own home, he smiled 
sheepishly.  ‘I knew you liked sushi, but I didn’t know what you 
liked.  I ordered a little of everything, just to make sure you’d have 
something to eat.’

Orlando stopped and turned toward Viggo.  He looked into those 
blue-gray eyes for a moment before wrapping his arms around 
Viggo.  ‘You are so sweet…who would have thought?’

He laughed as Viggo gasped in indignation.  ‘You didn’t think I’d be 
sweet?’  He tightened his hold around the younger man as he 
walked him backward into the kitchen.

Reaching the table, he released Orlando and pressed him down 
into a chair.  He walked to the refrigerator and pulled the sushi out, 
setting it on the table.  He pulled two beers out and popped the 
tops, setting one in front of Orlando.  He sat in the chair opposite 
Orlando and they began to finish the sushi.

The conversation flowed freely between the two men as they ate.  
Occasionally, Viggo would see Orlando’s eyes flicker toward the 
journal.  As they finished their meal, Orlando laid his hand over the 
open journal.  ‘I felt as if I were looking into your heart, Viggo.’  He 
raised his eyes to meet Viggo’s.  ‘Thank you for trusting me enough 
to share.’

Viggo laid his hand over top of Orlando’s.  ‘I couldn’t have said it 
any differently, any more eloquently than I already had.  It basically 
is my heart, Orlando.  There’s no question of trust or sharing.’  
Viggo used his grip on Orlando’s hand to pull him up and around 
the table to rest in his lap.  Placing Orlando’s hand over his heart, 
he finished, ‘It belongs to you already.’

*-*-*

Orlando felt breathless as he listened to Viggo’s words.  Feeling the 
steady beat under his palm, he placed his other hand at the same 
position on the other side of Viggo’s chest.  Looking down into 
those expressive eyes once more, Orlando lowered his head.  

The first brush of Orlando’s lips across Viggo’s was so soft that it 
almost wasn’t a kiss.  He pulled back and studied Viggo’s 
expression before pressing his lips once more against Viggo’s.  
Viggo’s lips were warm and firm.  Very different from any girl he 
had ever kissed.  Their lips puckered and released as they 
continued the kiss.  Orlando moaned softly when Viggo nibbled his 
lower lip.  He pulled back from the kiss, clutching at Viggo’s shirt 
and gasping for breath.

Needing no invitation, he lowered his mouth against Viggo’s yet 
again.  At the first touch of a tongue against his lips, he opened his 
mouth and allowed Viggo inside.  Viggo’s tongue explored the 
inside of his mouth, caressing his lips and tangling with his own 
tongue before pulling Orlando’s tongue into his mouth.  Their 
tongues danced together, advancing and retreating from one mouth 
to the other.

After several more moments of heated kissing, Orlando pulled back 
again.  ‘Viggo – this is overwhelming…’  He whispered breathlessly.

‘Ssshhh.  Don’t worry about anything Orlando.  We have all of the 
time in the world…all of the time in the world.’  He gently pushed 
the young man out of his lap and stood up.  ‘Let’s get some 
rest…you will stay with me tonight – won’t you?’

Orlando simply smiled and pulled Viggo back the hallway toward 
the bedroom.

*-*-*

Orlando finished undressing as Viggo used the restroom.  He 
straightened the rumpled sheets before climbing under them and 
lying flat on the bed.  Truth be told, he was a little nervous about 
spending the night with Viggo.  Sure – he had been here once 
before, but look at how that had turned out.

Viggo came out of the bathroom in his boxers and climbed into bed 
before switching off the bedside lamp.  He lay there for several 
moments before he realized how still Orlando was being.  ‘Orli – 
what’s wrong?’  He spoke in a low voice in the dark room.

‘I’m sorry Viggo – I don’t know what to do…’  The quiet voice drifted 
back to him from across the bed.

Viggo turned onto his side and opened his arms.  ‘C’mere Orlando.’  
As the young man slid into his embrace, he wrapped his arms 
around him.  ‘Just do whatever feels right to you Orlando.  That’s all 
I ask of you.’

With Viggo’s words, the tension drained from Orlando’s body.  He 
realized that Viggo wouldn’t push him any farther than he was 
willing to go.  He placed a soft kiss against the underside of Viggo’s 
chin as he whispered, ‘G’night Viggo.  I love you.’

Viggo smiled as he pulled Orlando closer.  ‘Sleep tight Orli.  I love 
you too.’

Within a matter of minutes, Viggo was once again listening to the 
soft snuffling snore of a sleeping Orlando Bloom.  His smile 
widened as he realized how lucky he was to hear the sweet sound.

*-*-*

Warm lips traced the length of his neck and questing hands 
mapped the plane of his chest as Viggo drifted into wakefulness.  
Grunting sleepily, he pulled his head back and looked down.  A 
smiling Orlando greeted his sleepy eyes.  Moving back closer, he 
sighed into the strip of hair on Orlando’s head.  ‘Thought you were 
a dream, Orli…’

‘Do dreams do this Viggo?’  Orlando suckled at the skin covering 
Viggo’s adam’s apple.  ‘Or this?’  His fingers carded through the 
dusting of hair on Viggo’s chest.

Viggo chuckled as he answered, ‘Well – there was that one 
dream…’  He broke off as Orlando swatted him on the arm.

‘Explain yourself please, Mr. Mortensen.’  Orlando pulled back from 
him to watch his face.

Viggo laughed again.  ‘You really want to know?’  At Orlando’s nod, 
he continued.  ‘I was in a forest, similar to the Lothlorien set.  I was 
wondering around with my camera, checking some angles when I 
caught a glimpse of movement from the corner of my eye.’  Viggo 
lowered his voice dramatically, delighting in the way that Orlando 
seemed to be hanging on to his every word.

‘Suddenly I was pushed against a tree.  Hot breath wafted over my 
neck as a warm body pressed against me.  I struggled a little, but it 
did no good.  Whoever held me, held me tight.  Growing a little 
nervous, I asked, ‘who are you?’  My only response was silence as 
I was whipped around to face the other person.  A hand came up 
over my mouth as I tried to say the name of the person who stood 
in front of me.’  Viggo smiled at an enraptured Orlando.

‘Before I knew what was happening, a hot mouth latched onto my 
neck and a warm hand slid down the front of my trousers, gripping 
me.’  Orlando’s breath hitched as he moved closer to Viggo.  As he 
slid his leg between Viggo’s, Viggo could feel his arousal pressing 
against his thigh.  ‘As his hand worked my erection, I gasped, ‘wait 
– wait’ but he refused to listen, pumping me harder and faster as 
his mouth moved over my face.’  

Orlando subconsciously moved his hips, rubbing his hardness 
against Viggo’s leg.  He closed his eyes and gasped, continuing to 
move his hips.  ‘What – what happened, Viggo?’  Viggo used his 
leg to pull Orlando closer and slid his hand down the boy’s ribcage 
toward his boxers.

‘He caressed and fondled me until I thought I would go mad with 
want.  My hips were bucking away from the tree and into his grasp 
as he continued my sweet torture.’  Viggo’s hand slipped below 
Orlando’s waistband and the younger man groaned as he wrapped 
his fingers around the dripping hardness he found there.  ‘He 
stroked me from bottom to top, twisting his hand just so…’  
Orlando’s breath caught as Viggo demonstrated, his hips moving 
faster and faster against the older man.

It was Viggo’s turn to gasp as Orlando’s hands pulled his boxers 
down and grasped his cock.  Orlando mirrored Viggo’s actions on 
his own body.  ‘Finally, he decided to put me out of my misery.  
With a last squeeze and a twist,’ Viggo squeezed and lightly twisted 
his hand on Orlando, ‘I came.  It was a massive orgasm.  It…’  He 
broke off as he felt the pulsing of Orlando’s cock and his palm was 
filled with warmth.

Stroking and squeezing Viggo’s cock, Orlando asked breathlessly, 
‘Who was it, Viggo?’

Viggo’s breathing quickened as he approached completion.  As his 
sac tightened, he opened his eyes and stared into the brown 
depths that had haunted him since that dream.  

‘It was you, Orlando.’  Viggo came over Orlando’s hand as his lips 
were possessed by the younger man.  As his lips were released, he 
stated huskily, ‘And the reality is far better than the dream.’

tbc




Part 8

Orlando smiled as he walked from the set toward the lunch tent.  
Life was good.  Passing through the last of the trees before 
reaching the clearing where the trailers and the tent were set up, he 
didn’t expect what happened next.  As he walked past the last tree, 
a large tree, someone grabbed his arm and pulled him around 
behind the tree.

‘Hey…mmff…’  His voice was muffled as a hand was pressed over 
his mouth to quiet him.  His eyes flashed with anger as he met the 
eyes of his abductor.

The anger changed to surprise and something else as he 
recognized Viggo.  With his free hand, Viggo placed a finger over 
his own lips, indicating Orlando should be silent.  Orlando, 
however, couldn’t resist teasing Viggo.  He swiped his tongue over 
Viggo’s palm, paying special attention to the creases and calluses 
he encountered.

Viggo’s eyes darkened as he regarded Orlando.  Pushing Orlando 
back against the tree, he pressed his lips to the younger man’s in a 
searing kiss.  His tongue swept into Orlando’s open mouth, tasting 
the sweet taste of lust.  

Pulling away from a gasping Orlando, he whispered, 
‘Sssshhh…you don’t want to alert the Hobbits, do you?’  He smiled 
wickedly at Orli.

‘God no – they’ve not given us a moment’s peace all week.’  
Orlando grinned.

Viggo laced his hand through Orlando’s.  ‘Follow me…’

*-*-*

Orlando had spent a nice weekend getting to know Viggo better.  It 
was only interrupted late Sunday afternoon when the Hobbits 
showed up.  Viggo and Orlando had been lying on the couch 
kissing and caressing when a loud banging noise filled the house.

Viggo groaned and moved from his spot lying between Orlando’s 
legs, tasting and sampling the smooth golden skin of his chest.  
Orlando reluctantly pulled his hands from Viggo’s hair and sat up, 
straightening the t-shirt he wore.

Viggo walked back into the room with a trail of Hobbits behind him.  
All of the Hobbits except Sean, that is.  Orlando was sure that the 
only reason Sean wasn’t with them was because Christine probably 
knew better than to let her husband interrupt the private weekend.

Elijah was speaking as they came into the room.  ‘…been trying to 
call since yesterday, but we couldn’t get an answer.’  He walked 
over to Viggo’s telephone saying, ‘I think your phone is out, 
Viggo…it kept giving a…oh.’  He plucked the phone cord up from 
where it was dangling, unattached to the phone.

Three Hobbit heads swung toward Viggo and Orlando.  Orlando sat 
on the couch, blushing as he looked at the floor.  He raised his 
eyes to meet Viggo’s before glancing at the Hobbits.  Viggo stood, 
reclining against the wall as he watched the expressions cross the 
Hobbits’ faces.  

‘We tried your apartment, Orlando.  There was no answer there 
either.’  Dom smiled at the two, shooting a glance at Billy as he 
spoke.  ‘Billy said we should leave you alone, but we had to know 
that things worked out.’

Dom and Billy sat on the couch with Orlando as Elijah sat in the 
overstuffed chair.  Viggo pushed away from the wall and walked 
around to sit on the arm of the couch behind Orlando.  Placing his 
hands on Orlando’s shoulders, he told the Hobbits, ‘Things worked 
out okay.  I think that we’ve overcome our problems.’

The Hobbits looked expectantly at Orlando.  He beamed at them 
before raising a hand to twine with one of Viggo’s on his shoulder.  
‘Things are more than okay.  Things are perfect.’

The smile on Orlando’s face and Viggo’s attentiveness did a lot to 
assuage the Hobbits’ worry and guilt that evening.  They stayed 
around until well after eleven o’clock.  Orlando hated to leave 
Viggo, but he really needed to go by his apartment for a change of 
clothes before shooting tomorrow.  Giving Viggo a chaste 
goodnight kiss and a smile, he whispered, ‘Love you, filthy human.’  

Shooting a surprised and admiring look at Orlando, he pulled him 
back for another quick hug.  ‘Love you too, prissy elf.’

And so the elf caught a ride home with the Hobbits.

*-*-*

That had happened at the beginning of the week.  It was now 
Thursday and both Viggo and Orlando were about to die for some 
time alone with each other.  Every turn had been countered by the 
Hobbits, who had good intentions in making sure the new couple 
remained happy.  There were, however, some things that Hobbit 
eyes should not be privy to.

The scene Viggo had set out in the Lothlorien set was one of those 
things.

He had snuck into the unused, darkened soundstage and had 
found a beautiful spot.  He managed to confiscate the special 
lighting that the techs had rigged for Galadriel, and had packed a 
picnic lunch, leaving it there at an earlier break.

As Viggo pulled Orlando into the soundstage, Orlando was bursting 
with curiosity.  Viggo hadn’t said another word after he began to 
pull Orlando away from the main area of the set.

Once they were safely in the soundstage and the door was locked 
behind them, Viggo stopped Orlando.  ‘Orlando – do you trust me?’

Orlando thought back over all that had happened since they had 
met, and even with what they had been through in the previous 
weeks, he did trust the man.  He knew that Viggo’s misconceptions 
were valid and he could easily see how mistakes could have been 
made.  Taking a deep breath, he uttered, ‘Yes.  I trust you Viggo.’

Viggo reached into his pocket and pulled out a silk cloth.  He 
moved to place it over Orlando’s eyes.  ‘May I?’

Orlando nodded and closed his eyes as the older man gently tied 
the silk around his head, careful to not tie his hair into the knot.  
The feeling of losing control was both frightening and arousing to 
Orlando.  A moment later, Viggo took his hands and led him further 
into the darkened building.

‘Step up, Orlando.’  ‘Take a step down now.’  Viggo gave Orlando 
instructions as they walked on through the building.  Finally they 
stopped and Viggo moved behind Orlando, carefully untying the 
blindfold.  Orlando obediently kept his eyes closed until he heard 
one last order from Viggo.  ‘Open your eyes, Angel.’

Orlando opened his eyes, amazed at what he saw.  There were 
hundreds of little white lights twinkling around the area, hanging 
from the branches of the trees on set, wrapped around the bushes, 
falling in waves from all around.  A large fleece blanket lay over a 
cushion of moss.  Two plates of food sat on the blanket.  Two 
glasses of wine waited nearby.

Orlando turned toward Viggo.  ‘It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever 
seen, Viggo.  I can’t believe that you did all of this for me.’

As Orlando turned toward him, with tears shining in his eyes, Viggo 
thought that while the setup was beautiful, nothing was more 
beautiful than Orlando in this moment.

*-*-*

The two men ate quickly, both feeling a sense of urgency that they 
didn’t understand, and a sense of anticipation that they did 
understand.

As the meal was finished, Viggo pulled Orlando into his arms.  They 
sat there quietly, Orlando reclining between Viggo’s legs, reveling 
in the feel of each other’s bodies.

Orlando sat up and turned in Viggo’s arms, laying himself along 
Viggo’s chest.  ‘Viggo…’

Viggo’s heart quickened at the husky but nervous tone of Orlando’s 
voice.  ‘Yes, Orlando?’

Orlando blushed, picking at Viggo’s tunic as he lowered his eyes.  
‘Have you ever…well…I guess what I want to know…’

Viggo squeezed Orlando, ‘Spit it out, Orlando.’

Orlando’s blush deepened as he started again.  ‘I was wondering 
if…if there would be the slightest, most miniscule chance that…’  
His eyes raised to meet Viggo’s before he dropped them again and 
quickly finished his sentence.  ‘youwouldwanttomakelovetome?’

Viggo sat there stunned as Orlando rested his forehead on his 
chest.  In truth, that was all he had been thinking about all week.  
‘Well…’

Orlando interrupted him.  ‘Forget it Viggo…you don’t have to 
answer that question.’

Viggo lifted Orlando’s face so their eyes could meet.  ‘Orlando – 
there’s nothing in the world that I want more than that.  But…’

Orlando sighed and tried to pull away.  ‘I knew there would be a but 
in that sentence.’

Viggo tugged him back and kissed his forehead.  ‘But---I want to 
make sure that you are completely ready before we take that step.’

Orlando raised his head and looked Viggo in the eye.  ‘I am ready 
Viggo.  I love you.  I want to show you how much.’  He pressed 
against Viggo, kissing him.

Viggo’s mouth opened under his and he stroked his tongue into the 
older man’s mouth.  The kiss mimicked what their bodies longed to 
do.  Tongues swirled – entering and withdrawing, attacking and 
ceding.

Viggo pushed a breathless Orlando away from him.  ‘Orlando…I 
want to do this…but we really don’t have time right now.  We have 
to be back on set in 15 minutes.’

Orlando flopped onto his back and pulled his arms up to cover his 
face.  ‘Viggo…’ he whined, ‘I can’t go back like this…’  Indeed, the 
young man had a massive erection that showed visibly through his 
leggings and tunic and jerkin.

Viggo smiled as he moved over Orlando.  Pressing a kiss to the lips 
that just barely showed under the arms across Orlando’s face, he 
moved down the younger man’s body.  As he reached the 
fastenings of Orli’s leggings, he took a deep breath and thought, 
‘Here goes…’

Orlando jumped as Viggo unfastened his leggings and he felt hot 
breath on his aching flesh.  ‘Viggo…’ he whimpered as he felt 
Viggo’s nose nuzzle against him.  

A hot hand encircled his cock and a wet tongue darted out to lap at 
the precome that had already gathered at the tiny opening.

Viggo rolled the taste around on his tongue for a moment before 
deciding that it was a fairly pleasant flavor.  Feeling braver, he 
swiped the width of his tongue from the root to the tip of Orlando’s 
erection.

Orlando gasped as he felt the first tentative touch of a tongue on 
his flesh.  The next swipe of Viggo’s tongue almost sent him over 
the edge.  He thought he would die when Viggo took his length into 
his mouth and began sucking in earnest.  A hot tongue continued to 
swirl around his flesh in Viggo’s mouth.

Viggo was adapting to the idea and the act of having a cock in his 
mouth.  It wasn’t really that odd.  It was indeed quite pleasurable.  
As he laved the organ with his tongue, he could feel it swell and 
twitch in his mouth.  Above him, Orlando moaned, ‘Viggo – it’s 
happening – I can’t stop it…’

Viggo pulled off for a moment.  ‘Let it happen, baby…’  His voice 
was husky from the actions he had been performing.  Wrapping his 
lips tightly around the head of Orlando’s cock, he folded his tongue 
over the tip and pushed down, taking the hot length down his throat 
once more and sucking firmly.  The intensity of Orlando’s moans 
signaled his orgasm as hot waves of semen spurted into Viggo’s 
mouth.  He swallowed reflexively, taking all the younger man had to 
offer.

Orlando’s tensed body finally relaxed and he ran his fingers through 
Viggo’s hair as Viggo licked him clean.  ‘That was bloody amazing, 
Viggo…you’ve got to feel that sometime.’

Looking up from Orlando’s groin, Viggo smiled.  ‘I’m willing anytime 
you are, baby…but there’s still not enough time.’

Orlando sat up and pushed Viggo back.  Running his hand down 
Viggo’s chest and into his trousers, he whispered hotly into Viggo’s 
ear, ‘At least let me do this…’

His hand gripped Viggo’s throbbing erection, slipping and sliding in 
the precome that was leaking already due to their earlier exploits.  
Orlando stroked Viggo mercilessly, squeezing and twisting in a way 
he knew would bring pleasure.  In a handful of strokes, Viggo spent 
in Orlando’s hand.  His eyes darkened once more and he felt 
himself twitch yet again as Orlando raised his hands to his lips and 
tasted Viggo.  ‘Mmmm…tastes good…’  Wiping his hand on a 
napkin, he leaned over to kiss Viggo, their tastes mingling in their 
joined mouths.  ‘Delicious…’

Leaving Viggo on the ground, Orlando jumped up and began 
packing things away.  As he hurried, Viggo stood and placed his 
hand on Orlando’s arm, ‘Why are you in such a hurry to leave?’

Orlando turned a megawatt smile toward Viggo.  ‘It’s really quite 
simple, Viggo.  The sooner we get out of here, the sooner we finish 
filming for the day.  The sooner we finish filming, the sooner I will 
be in your bed.’

Leaving a surprised Viggo standing there, Orlando walked toward 
the exit, only to turn around.  ‘Coming?’

Viggo chuckled his reply.  ‘Not yet…but I intend to.’

tbc
Part 9

Orlando opened the door and hopped out of the car before Viggo 
could even remove the keys from the ignition.  He jogged up to the 
front door and opened it with the spare key Viggo had given him 
before disappearing inside, shutting the door behind him.  Smiling 
at Orlando’s eagerness, Viggo calmly locked the doors of the car 
and made his way to the front step.

Orlando greeted him at the front door, pulling him inside and 
pressing him against the wall for a kiss.  Viggo toed his shoes off in 
the entryway beside Orlando’s previously discarded shoes.  
Clenching Viggo’s shirt in his hands, Orlando pulled Viggo away 
from the wall and down the hallway toward the bedroom.  As they 
passed the telephone a hand shot out to remove the hand piece 
from the cradle, letting it fall to the floor.

Spinning Orlando around, it was Viggo’s turn to press him up 
against the wall as he sucked at the smooth skin of Orlando’s neck.  
The incessant, annoying beep of the telephone brought them out of 
their frenzy long enough for them to both remove each other’s 
shirts, tossing them over shoulders into careless heaps on the floor.

Once more, the journey to the bedroom began.  Hands slid over 
soft warm skin.  Buttons were unbuttoned - zippers were unzipped.  
Jeans slid from hips, along sensitive thighs, brushing the insides of 
knees and catching on ankles on their way to the floor.  Briefs and 
socks were slung haphazardly across the bedroom floor, covering 
mirrors and obscuring books, even hanging on the lamp.

Orlando gasped as Viggo laid him on the bed, his inquisitive artist 
hands mentally cataloging each shape, each angle of the young 
body beneath him.  The exploration brought forth a writhing 
Orlando…an Orlando that mewled and whimpered and keened for 
more.  The actions were mirrored in Viggo when Orlando’s 
inexperienced hands began the same journey, discovering different 
sweet spots, driving Viggo mad with want.

Breaking away from Orlando, Viggo walked to the dresser.  Pulling 
out the top drawer, he removed the condoms and lube that Orlando 
had left there on that fateful morning that seemed so far in the past.  
As he crawled on the bed beside Orlando, he asked, ‘Are you 
absolutely sure about this Orlando?’

Orlando looked at his soon-to-be lover.  Pulling his face down so 
their lips could brush, he whispered, ‘Never been more sure of 
anything…’ before plunging his tongue into Viggo’s mouth.

Orlando lay on his back beneath Viggo as the older man kissed and 
caressed his way down his body.  When a hot mouth latched onto 
his nipple, he groaned and twisted beneath Viggo.  As Viggo 
suckled one nipple, his fingers pinched the other one into a tight 
nub.  Orlando squirmed as his body heated and hardened even 
further than before.  His hands ghosted along Viggo’s ribcage 
before dipping between their bodies to wrap around Viggo’s 
erection.

As Viggo subjected him to such sweet torture, he implemented 
some torture of his own, sliding his hands up and down the other 
man’s length.  As Viggo’s hands moved from Orlando’s chest down 
the front of his body, the younger man began to thrust against his 
body.

Viggo smiled enigmatically at Orlando before pulling away from 
him.  Orlando lay there stunned for a moment.  ‘Wha – where are 
you going?’  He stammered.

Viggo ran his hand from Orlando’s navel across to his tattoo, and 
then down to stroke along the length of Orlando’s cock.  ‘I need to 
prepare you Orli.  We can’t just do this…’  He reached for the bottle 
of lube.  Understanding and lust lit Orlando’s eyes as he realized 
that this was really going to happen.

Sitting back on his ankles, he snapped the bottle open, squeezing 
some into his hand and testing its texture between his fingers.  He 
covered his fingers in the slick substance and reached down to 
move Orlando’s legs apart and back.  He took a moment to gaze at 
Orlando, wanting to etch this moment into his memory for all time.

His mind recorded every detail.  Orlando lay back - smooth tanned 
skin shining with a sheen of sweat against crisp cool white sheets.  
A black strip of hair standing haphazardly along the rise of his skull, 
the front pointing down toward impossibly wide and expectant eyes.  
Even white teeth nibbling at the edge of a pink, kiss swollen lip.  
Smooth muscular chest interrupted only by small darker brown 
discs of nipples, rising and falling rapidly with each pant.  A small 
indent of a navel, offset by a sun that would forever be in orbit on 
hard abdominal muscles.  A black dusting of hair leading down to 
an erection that was displayed by the open posture he had been 
placed in.  His hands rest on his thighs, holding himself still as he 
waited for Viggo’s scrutiny to end.

The artist in Viggo demanded that he file this memory away for 
safekeeping.  It was the stuff that poems, songs, art – heck – 
dreams, were made of.  He lowered his slick fingers to the cleft in 
Orlando’s rear, sliding them along the crease, spreading the lube 
generously before carefully sliding a fingertip into Orlando.

Orlando lay there looking at Viggo as the older man appraised his 
body.  He couldn’t help but admire the strength in the body before 
him either.  His eyes took in tousled brown hair, a slightly shaggy 
but mostly kempt beard, a broad chest dusted with light hair.  Wide 
shoulders led to a chest that tapered into a narrow waist.  Tense 
thigh muscles drew Orlando’s eyes to Viggo’s cock.  To the 
erection that stood tall against Viggo’s stomach, reddened and 
twitching as he studied Orlando’s body.  Orlando vaguely noticed 
movement from Viggo before realizing that Viggo had slipped a 
finger inside him.

He tensed slightly, but relaxed as Viggo rubbed his stomach, 
tracing patterns around his tattoo.  Tight muscles loosened enough 
for the finger to move easily so Viggo added a second finger.  
Scissoring the fingers, he soon added a third finger.  Orlando’s 
eyes were squeezed shut, but he pushed against Viggo’s hands.  
‘Viggo – please – I need you – do it – please…’  His words were 
broken by sobs of want.

Viggo pulled his hand away from Orlando, who sighed reluctantly at 
the empty feeling.  His attention was taken by the sight of Viggo, 
however.  Viggo ripped a condom open and rolled it down his 
length.  He paused, glancing at Orlando, stormy blue-gray eyes 
locking on melting chocolate eyes.  Any doubts either man may 
have yet had disappeared in that instant.  Grabbing the bottle of 
lube again, Viggo squeezed some onto his erection, smoothing it 
over the length and width before placing the bottle on the 
nightstand.

Leaning over Orlando, Viggo placed the tip of his cock at Orlando’s 
stretched opening.  He gave a slight push, feeling something give 
and hearing a grunt from Orlando.  Twining their hands together, 
Viggo rested on his elbows, slowly rocking slightly deeper inside 
Orlando’s tight body.  ‘Orli – god – so tight – so hot…’ A constant 
stream of words flowed from Viggo’s mouth as he continued to slide 
centimeter by centimeter into his lover’s body.

At last Viggo rested buried deep inside Orlando, examining the feel 
of the tight ring of muscle that gripped his base.  Kissing the base 
of Orlando’s neck, he swiped his tongue up the graceful length, 
whispering ‘I love you Orli – love you so much – love you…’ before 
sucking an earlobe into his mouth.

Orlando’s heart beat wildly.  He had never felt this full or this 
complete before.  It was like he had found a part of himself that he 
didn’t even know was missing.  He could feel Viggo deep inside 
him, his cock pulsing in unison with the blood running through 
Orlando’s veins.  Orlando could feel his muscles loosening, his 
cock growing ever harder.  When Viggo sucked his earlobe into his 
mouth, a bolt of pleasure shot straight to his groin.  Turning his 
head roughly toward Viggo, he felt a slight burn across his 
cheekbone as it rubbed over Viggo’s stubble.  He claimed Viggo’s 
mouth in a kiss, sucking the soul right out of the older man.  As his 
tongue attacked Viggo’s mouth, he began to rock his hips.

Each rock of Orlando’s hips was punctuated by a moan from deep 
within Viggo’s throat.  Viggo unlaced his hands from Orlando’s and 
planted them on Orlando’s hips.  He braced himself on his knees 
and used his hands to pull Orlando’s hips into a higher angle.  As 
he did, his cock brushed over Orlando’s prostate, pulling a sharp 
gasp from the younger man.  Keeping Orlando’s hips at this angle, 
Viggo pounded harder and harder, brushing relentlessly over the 
spot, producing a keening wail from between those pink, swollen 
lips.  

Orlando’s head rolled back and forth and his body tensed as Viggo 
continued to thrust so deep inside him.  ‘Can’t wait – gonna come – 
love you – gonna…..aaaahhhhh….’  Orlando’s body bucked wildly 
one last time as he came, spraying warmth over both of their 
stomachs.  As his body relaxed, Viggo pressed him down into the 
bed, grunting as he pushed harder into the spasming muscles that 
clenched him so tightly.  The slickness coating his stomach 
provided extra lubricant as he thrust a final time, finding his release 
inside the warm willing body of his younger lover.

Viggo and Orlando rode out their orgasms, moving softly against 
each other as the waves receded.  Viggo pressed his lips against 
Orlando’s, tongue seeking entrance as their breathing returned to 
normal.  Orlando’s hands threaded through Viggo’s hair, pulling him 
as close as possible.

Realizing he was probably crushing Orlando, Viggo rolled to the 
side.  Both men groaned as his softening member slipped from the 
warmth of Orlando’s body.  Snuggling into Viggo’s arms, Orlando 
spoke quietly, as if he were almost afraid that a spell would be 
broken if he spoke too loudly.  ‘Viggo?’

Viggo pulled Orlando tighter against him, ‘Yeah Orli?’

Orlando nuzzled Viggo’s nipple as he spoke, ‘Promise me 
something Viggo….promise me that it will always be like 
this….promise me that we’ll always feel like this….that you’ll always 
be my shelter, Viggo…’  His voice drifted off as he began to fall 
asleep.

Viggo reached over to the lamp, pulling the briefs off of it and using 
them to clean them up.  Finishing, he tossed them onto the floor 
and whispered to his slumbering lover,  ‘I promise Orlando.  
Anything that’s within my power – I’ll do it to keep you with me 
always.’

Both men drifted off with a satisfied body and a contented smile 
upon their faces.

*-*-*

Orlando walked across the lot from the cuntebago to the 
soundstage in which they would be filming today.

‘Hey – Orli – wait up…’  Dom called as he hurried to catch up with 
Orlando.  Orlando turned to watch him approach, laughing out loud 
when Dom’s hobbit foot almost tripped him.

Dom’s face lit up when he heard the laughter coming from his 
friend.  ‘That’s a sound I am glad to hear…’

Orlando looked at Dom, puzzled at his meaning.  ‘What?  Did I miss 
something?  Did Lij do another tummy squeaker?’

Dom smiled at the memory.  ‘No…it’s just good to hear you laugh.  
There for a while, I wondered if I would ever hear it again.’  He 
paused to study Orlando’s face.  ‘Are you happy, Orlando?’

Orlando gazed at Dom, seeing the sincerity in his eyes, the honesty 
and intent in his question.  One corner of his mouth quirked up in a 
smile.  ‘I’ve never been happier Dommie.  I couldn’t ask for more 
than what I’ve got, here – now.’  His smile turned melancholy for a 
moment.

Dom’s quick eyes caught the shift in emotions.  ‘Here and now.  
Here is a great place, now is a great time.  Have you thought about 
then and there?’  He smiled as he asked the question.

Orlando’s smile returned, only a shade less bright than before.  ‘He 
says we’ll be together always, that we’ll always feel the way we do 
– but I can’t help but fear that someday he’ll wake up and wonder 
what he’s doing with a tosser like me. Ya know?’

Dom blinked, understanding the words immediately.  ‘Orlando – 
none of us are ever guaranteed a future.  All we have is what’s right 
here and right now.  We can hope and plan for the future, but this is 
all we really have.’

Orlando heard the wisdom of his friend’s words.  Perking back up, 
he wrapped his arm around Dom, squeezing his shoulder as he 
steered him toward the council of Elrond scene set-up.  ‘You’re 
right Dom.  You’re right about most things…but I beg to differ with 
one statement you made….it doesn’t hurt….it doesn’t hurt at all…’

The two boys made their way up to stage.  Orlando walked to his 
seat and sat down, leaving Dom standing there puzzled.  His mind 
searched for the reference Orlando was alluding to.  Doesn’t 
hurt….doesn’t hurt….doesn’t hurt….  OH!  Dom’s face lit up and he 
grinned wickedly at Orlando just as Peter called them all to their 
places.  Turning to walk back to his place behind the columns, Dom 
caught Viggo’s eye.  Dom winked at the older man and grinned 
when Viggo shot him a questioning look, his face blushing lightly as 
his eyes passed Dom to meet Orlando’s.

‘Dominic….if you would kindly take your place, we start in 5 – 4 – 
3…’  Peter called as Dom started and ran behind the column where 
Billy waited in place.  

‘Dom – is everything all right?’  Billy’s Scottish accent asked quietly.  

Dom pulled Billy to him and kissed him soundly on the mouth.  
Motioning to Orlando, who as Legolas was now vigorously 
defending Aragorn’s honor, he grinned.  ‘Right here – right now – 
everything’s perfect.’

tbc


Part 10

Orlando sat looking out at the sunset in New Zealand.  Watching 
the colors change and fade in the darkening sky, he let his sorrow 
go.  Scenes from the past flitted through his memory as he sat in 
the stillness of the night.

So many good times had originated in this place – this land – this 
cabin.  Love was discovered and nourished under this roof.  
Promises were made and honored on this porch.  Children were 
loved and played with within the walls of this building.

The here and now came and went, leaving some behind and 
sweeping others with it.

Clenching his eyes against the pain, a whispered word blew past 
his ear on the cooling breeze.  ‘Orlando…..’  Hearing Viggo’s voice, 
his eyes shot open, searching the surrounding area.  Realization hit 
him like a ton of bricks.

Tears streamed down his face as he heard the screen door of the 
cabin open behind him.  ‘Orlando – it’s time to come in now.  It’s 
getting cold out here.’  Dom’s voice brought him back to the 
present.

‘Why did he leave me Dommie?  Why did he go?’  Orlando turned a 
tear-streaked face toward his friend.

Dominic sighed, walking slowly across the aging floorboards of the 
porch.  The cabin was showing age now.  Shutters needed repair, 
the siding needed replacing, the roof leaked in spots.  In a twisted 
way, he could see why Orlando did nothing to stop the slow decay 
of the home.

He wrapped his arm around Orlando.  ‘C’mon Orlando…Billy’s fixed 
some tea…let’s go inside.’

Orlando reluctantly allowed himself to be led into the home he had 
shared for years with his lover.  A lover that had finally deserted 
him.  Waving away offers of a drink, he made his way into the 
bedroom – the bedroom that still held Viggo’s scent. 

This was the first moment that Orlando had to himself in some time.  
He walked around the room, pausing to run fingers over a paint-
splattered shirt.  Making his way over to the desk that Viggo used to 
sit at, composing as his gaze wandered on the scenery outside the 
window, he noticed Viggo’s journal lying open on the desk.

Fresh tears filled his eyes as he sat down in Viggo’s chair.  
Glancing out the window, he caught sight of the hammock in the 
backyard – his favorite spot.  Understanding finally dawned in his 
brain as he realized the reason Viggo had spent so much time at 
this desk.  He had been watching him in the hammock.  A small 
smile crept onto his face as he lowered his eyes from the window, 
to the journal that lay on the desk.

Wiping the tears from his eyes, he began to read the last entry:

‘It’s funny how this whole thing started with a journal – so many 
years ago.  It’s only fitting that it ends with a journal now.  

Orlando – you have always been the joy in my life – the reason I 
breathe.  I promised you all those years ago that it would always be 
good…that I would always be your shelter.  I’m sorry I had to break 
that promise Orlando.  It has been good, but I can’t always be here 
for you.

I know that my time here is short.  I can feel it in my bones.  It 
whispers in the wind.  My heart tells me to enjoy every moment I 
have with you, because it may be my last.

I have loved you from the moment I met you, and I will love you still 
– for all time.

It’s your turn to make me a promise now.  I ask that you continue 
your life Orlando – move on…be happy.  Remember the time we 
had together for what it was…not what it could have been.

Death is not the end, Orlando….I love you.     – V’

Orlando focused his gaze on the framed photos resting on the 
desk.  Each shot was a memory of their life.  Orlando wrapped 
around Viggo.  Viggo and Henry at Henry’s high school graduation.  
Orlando and Viggo hugging as the sun set behind them.  Orlando’s 
and Viggo’s entwined hands – modeling matching bands.  Orlando 
holding Henry’s first child.  All were mementos of a happy life.

‘Orlando…..’  The breeze whispered through the trees outside the 
window.  Orlando raised his tired eyes only to see his own 
reflection staring back at him through the darkened glass.  The face 
that stared back at him was aged – wrinkled with time.  The once 
thick black curly hair had begun to thin and fade.  The shining 
chocolate eyes had lost their sparkle.  There was no spark of life in 
Orlando’s eyes any more.  He silently wondered if the wind had 
whispered ‘Viggo’ in his voice at the end.

Over the years, the older members of the fellowship had passed.  
Ian – John – Sean – now Viggo…

Many happy years had passed since that February in New 
Zealand…but even 43 years were not enough.  Not enough time to 
spend with each other.  Not enough time to tell each other that they 
loved each other.  Not enough time to watch every sunrise – to 
share every sunset.  Not enough time to watch their grandchildren 
grow old.

Peter had known what he was doing when he cast his movies – 
God rest his soul.  He had chosen actors that shared the 
characteristics of the characters.  In the Hobbits, he had cast 
generous, fun-loving men who looked at life as a grand adventure.  
He had cast a wise man as a wizard - a stout-hearted man as a 
dwarf.  He had cast a compassionate Sean as Boromir.  He had 
cast a caring, regal, noble man as Aragorn.  He had cast a graceful, 
open, loving man as an elf.

Like Legolas, Orlando had a great capacity for love.  He focused 
that love on one individual for all of his life.  Also like Legolas, the 
loss of that love was his end.  Viggo passed on at the advanced 
age of 86 with Orlando still by his side.  Orlando tried to keep the 
final promise that Viggo had asked of him, but followed not two 
years later, found resting peacefully in his sleep for all time.

Those that knew them knew that theirs was a love that offered 
shelter for the other.  Those that loved them knew that very same 
shelter was extended to them.  

Indeed, the here and now came and went, only to be remembered 
by those left behind.

THE END…