Legolas was no expert when it came to hobbits, but it seemed awfully obvious to him that Sam was in love with Frodo. The way the younger hobbit gazed at the Ringbearer, the way he stayed at his side almost constantly, the way he seemed ready to kill anyone who came near Frodo--why, when Legolas had met them in Rivendell he had almost asked aloud, "Are you the Ringbearer's boyfriend?" But luckily he had stopped his tongue in time. You never knew when such a suggestion would offend people.

So instead he asked Aragorn. They were leaving Lothlorien, where Legolas had watched Sam adjust Frodo's new cloak with the utmost care; it had taken the hobbit a full minute to get the fabric and the brooch just the way he wanted it. Frodo had allowed it, patiently, smiling at his fussy companion, but Legolas had thought it quite obvious that Sam just wanted an excuse to run his hands all over the Ringbearer. Therefore, he caught up to Aragorn, and said quietly, "Those little ones you picked up - do they, you know, swing the way we do?"

(For it was no secret that the elves would do anybody, and Aragorn had in fact taken advantage of this fact in past years. Even with Legolas - though Legolas figured, regretfully, he probably didn't have the right to start up that little relationship again, now that Aragorn had Arwen...)

Aragorn only shrugged. "I haven't seen them do anything except some very tame cuddling. Why? Do you fancy one of them?" He frowned at Legolas.

"No!" retorted Legolas. "They're cute, but - no, I only ask because it appears to me that Samwise is deeply in love with Frodo."

"Oh, that. Yes, everyone knows that."

"Does Frodo know it?"

"Well, no. Frodo might not. He has other things on his mind."

"What a shame." Legolas looked back at the curly-headed little ones again. "Cute couple."

Aragorn smirked. "I think you want to join in. I think that's what you want."

Legolas drew himself up haughtily. "Do not insult me, Aragorn son of Arathorn. Whoever I desire, I can get, quite without asking your help. Can't an elf just gossip sometimes?"

Aragorn laughed, and gave Legolas's hair a tousle (which infuriated the elf, who hated tangles). "Then I hope you'll tell me sometime who you desire, just for the *gossip* factor."

Legolas pulled away, and stalked ahead to scout for enemies. *Honestly, you ask a simple question*, he thought. He tried to ignore the trembling in his knees. *I don't want Aragorn anymore,* he repeated to himself. *Can't have him, won't ask, won't hit on him, won't get in Arwen's way... won't hit on hobbits either; they'd be frightened... damn it! Must stop thinking about sex.*

Still, as his keen eyes scanned the forest, his mind kept sending him flashes from past years, when Aragorn was in his late teens... the beautiful young man had slipped into Legolas's bedchamber one night and begun sliding his hands around the archer's muscled back and chest... whispering that he wanted him... ushering in a long summer of naked trysts under the trees...

Legolas sighed. Yes, but Aragorn was grown up now, the serious (not to mention scruffy) leader of a very important quest. Men grew up and forgot their youthful follies all too quickly. It was annoying sometimes to be an elf and to have such a perfect memory.

Late that night, Legolas sat in the branches of a tree over their campsite, keeping watch as the others slept - or pretended to. His pointed ears could pick out the difference between the breathing of each of his seven companions, and he knew without looking that Frodo was awake. Sure enough, the little hobbit soon slipped out of his blankets and began creeping out of the campsite.

"Frodo," whispered Legolas.

Frodo froze, and looked up. "Yes, Legolas?"

"Where are you going?"

"Oh - just to clear my head. Not far. Just, perhaps, those trees over there." He began edging away. "I won't be long."

"Be careful."

"I will." Frodo turned and made his way into the dark of the forest.

*Probably just going to relieve himself, though I don't know why he didn't say so*, thought Legolas, and he sat still, his ears telling him what Frodo was doing even after the hobbit disappeared from his sight. But the sounds he heard, too faint for any ears but an elf's, confused him at first. They were a repeated rustle, fast and rhythmic. Then he began to hear Frodo's breathing, also fast. With a shock (rather a pleasant shock), Legolas realized the hobbit was masturbating. As if to confirm this, a very soft whisper reached him from Frodo's panting lips: "Oh... Sam... please Sam... yessss..."

Legolas smiled. So, the Ringbearer *had* noticed his devoted friend. But then why wasn't he making out with Sam, instead of playing with himself alone? Surely he knew Sam wanted him - didn't he? Everyone *else* knew.

The sound of Frodo's orgasm reached Legolas's ears as a soft shuddering breath. The elf could even hear a gentle patter of a few warm drops against the leaves on the forest floor. Legolas sighed, and let his eyes drift down to where Aragorn slept, sprawled on his back, beautiful lips etched full and soft in the firelight. Sensing the tightness of his own erection, Legolas fought back the impulse to jump out of the tree, land on the Ranger, and begin writhing against him. He forced himself to look away, wishing he could stop thinking about sex. Damn the hobbit and his little fantasies.

Frodo was coming back now, tromping tiredly through the leaves. He glanced up and lifted a hand to greet Legolas on his way past.

"All well, young one?" Legolas whispered.

"Yes." Even in the low firelight, Legolas could see the blush on Frodo's cheeks. "Goodnight, Legolas." Frodo slid under his blankets, a few feet from Sam.

"Goodnight," the elf whispered in return.

But a few minutes later, as Legolas idly stroked the sensitive bulge in his trousers (still trying not to think about sex, of course), he heard the faintest whisper - clearly not intended for his ears: "I love you," Frodo whispered to the sleeping Sam. "Even if I never tell you."

Legolas' heart went out to the poor thing. Not only did he have this whole Ring business to deal with, but he thought he was a sufferer of unrequited love. Surely something would have to be done about this.

The next day, Legolas fell into step beside Frodo and Sam. "Might I have a word with you, Frodo?" Legolas asked.

He did his best to sound harmless, but Sam glowered at him anyway.

"All right," Frodo answered.

Legolas winked at Sam and took Frodo several paces away.

"My dear lad," Legolas said, crouching down to lay a hand on Frodo's shoulder and look into his blue eyes. (Damn! He truly was cute.) "I think you're lonelier on this trip than you need to be."

Frodo lowered his lashes. "I - I miss the Shire. There's no helping it."

"That isn't what I mean. You spend time alone when you might spend it with a friend." Legolas tightened his hand on Frodo's shoulder. "A good friend."

Frodo didn't answer, but he looked at Legolas with sudden alarm and fear.

Legolas sighed, realizing his mistake. "No, Frodo, I'm not coming on to you. I'm talking about Sam. I know how you feel about him. And believe me, he feels the same about you."

Legolas watched as Frodo's eyes widened, and a blush stained his face.

"Did - did Sam speak to you of this? I don't understand..." Frodo stammered.

"No. He didn't have to; it's obvious. And it's even more obvious what you feel. Come on, Frodo, I heard you myself. Last night. Everything - what you did out in the forest, what you said in your blankets beside Sam. You forget how sensitive an elf's ears are." Legolas smiled gently.

But this was too much for Frodo, who cringed with shame and covered his face with both hands. "No! Oh, this is awful. Please, Legolas, never tell anyone, never say anything to Sam..." Now he was crying, and his voice was broken.

Legolas stroked the hobbit's curls. "Frodo, you dear thing, don't be ashamed. I'm telling you, Sam feels the same!"

Frodo ventured to peek up from his fingers. "How do you know? Did you... hear him, too?"

"No," admitted Legolas. "But everyone can see it..."

Frodo shook his head and pulled away. "That means nothing! You don't understand; you're not from the Shire! We don't ever admit things like this; it's too shameful! Sam's just doing what he thinks he ought to, as my servant. He doesn't desire me. He would be horrified - he can never find out! Promise me, Legolas!"

The little creature could be convincing when he put his heart into it, Legolas thought. He sighed and said, "I promise he won't hear it from me. But really - would it make you feel better to know that others have acted on these desires? Such as, say, elves or men? Great leaders?"

"No! We're not elves or men, we're hobbits. You can't understand. Now please - don't ever speak to me of this again. I beg you. I can't endure it."

Moved by the tears on Frodo's fair cheekbones, Legolas nodded. "I'm sorry for upsetting you. It was meant as comfort."

"I know," Frodo said, wiping the tears off his face with the corner of his cloak. "I hold nothing against you. It's my own shame, and I thank you for being kind to me even after learning of it."

Legolas could only shake his head in pity. Frodo bowed slightly to him, then dashed back to the group, where he avoided Sam and fell into step beside Merry instead. Legolas saw Sam look back at him; there was clearly love and hurt written in the young hobbit's features. How could Frodo be blind to it?

Young people could be so stupid sometimes, Legolas thought. So sad and so stupid.

"You're quiet today," Aragorn commented to Legolas, a few hours later. "Not in a gossiping mood?"

"Don't taunt me," snapped Legolas.

"I meant it lightly," Aragorn defended. "Truly, Legolas, if I may say so, you've been acting like an ex-girlfriend this entire trip. What's wrong with you?"

"Oh, you think everything that bothers me must have to do with *you*," Legolas shot back, then realized that this didn't help his "ex-girlfriend" image any.

Aragorn only grinned.

"What I mean is," Legolas amended, "I'm concerned about Frodo. Not that you should care."

"Legolas..." Aragorn stopped walking, and his fingers touched the elf's cheek. "I'm sorry for teasing you. I've missed you, you know." His voice was suddenly a caress.

Legolas blinked in surprise.

"I hoped you wouldn't be hurt when you heard about Arwen," Aragorn went on. "I still think about you. Nothing can change what you mean to me."

Legolas's heart, which seemed to have stopped beating for a moment, surged ahead with tremendous thumps. He caught Aragorn's hand, and pressed a kiss into the man's palm. "Forgive me," he murmured. "I did think you regretted our - our earlier relations, and it stung me..."

"I regret nothing. I long for your company." The husky tone in which Aragorn said this left little to the imagination.

Legolas could only gaze at the Ranger's face in happiness.

"We may never return from this quest," Aragorn continued. "Should we die lonely and bitter, when we could have been together and stronger?"

Legolas shook his head; then, after glancing around to make sure the rest of the group was out of sight, he pulled Aragorn behind a tree, took the man's face between his hands, and kissed him roughly. Aragorn's mouth responded with heat; his tongue fought to pass Legolas's teeth.

After a few seconds their mouths broke apart to breathe, but they still embraced, bodies pressed together from head to toe. "How I've longed for you, beloved," Legolas gasped, in the man's ear.

"My beautiful prince," murmured Aragorn. "Thou art the envy of all lovers - man, woman, elf, or hobbit."

Legolas's grip relaxed. "Hobbit - oh, yes." He pulled back a few inches, to meet Aragorn's eyes. "Aragorn, if this quest is to succeed, I feel we must ease the hearts of our Ringbearer and his friend - the same way you've eased mine. I shouldn't speak of this, but..."

Legolas went on to tell Aragorn what he had seen and heard the previous night, and what he and Frodo had said to each other about it.

Aragorn was shaking his head in pity at the end of the tale. "Truly, our small friends are living in denial. But I think I have a plan."

Aragorn strode up to Sam (who had found his way back to Frodo's side, though Frodo was mysteriously not saying much to him), and beckoned him aside. Sam came to him, frowning.

"What's wrong, Mr. Strider?"

"Sam," said Aragorn, using his most ominous voice, "you wouldn't want anything to happen to Master Frodo, would you?"

"Of course not!" said Sam, insulted that Strider could even suggest this.

"Well. Are you aware that he slips out at night sometimes, alone, completely unprotected, into the forest?"

Sam's eyes widened. "Does he! If I were aware I wouldn't have let him! Oh, that Ring -- the awful things it drives him to do--" Sam began pulling at his hair.

Aragorn caught the hobbit's hands and patted them reassuringly. "Now, Sam, all is not lost. Just promise me, from now on -- no matter what happens -- you'll stay close by him. Don't let him out of your sight even for five seconds!"

Sam nodded miserably. "Mister Gandalf told me the same thing. Oh, I've failed him...to think I let Frodo go off, and not even knowing it..." Sam's eyes filled with tears.

Legolas was right, Aragorn thought -- these hobbits would cry at anything! But he continued patting Sam's hand. "Be brave, Master Samwise. And *never let him out of your sight*."

"Yes, sir," gulped Sam, and quickly looked over his shoulder at Frodo. Frodo was watching him, but looked away as soon as Sam caught his eye. Sam nodded to Aragorn, then ran back to Frodo's side and firmly glued himself there.

Aragorn stood and smiled.

Legolas approached him. "Think it'll work?"

"If hobbit hormones are anything like ours, my friend, *something* will have to give," Aragorn answered. And since no one was looking, he reached down and stroked Legolas's cock through the fabric of the thin elven trousers. The elf's gasp, and sudden stiffening, made Aragorn's mouth water.

"Later, my pretty," Aragorn purred.

"Later," Legolas breathed.

It was turning out a miserable trip for Frodo. After what Legolas had told him, he couldn't look at Sam without blushing crimson, and suddenly now Sam was not letting him have a moment alone. When he tried to slip out of the campsite after dinner to take care of his guilty desires, Sam jumped right up and followed him.

"No Sam, you stay here," Frodo begged. "I'll just be a moment."

"Begging your pardon, I'm not letting you out of my sight," Sam answered firmly. And he would not be swayed, no matter what Frodo said. He even kept Frodo within his sight when they went out to pee in the forest. (Which, though neither of them was about to admit it, was rather a turn-on.)

Frodo had to go to bed grumpy and still unsatisfied.

Meanwhile, Aragorn stayed awake after all the others had gone to sleep (except their faithful night watchman Legolas), and then he crept out of his blankets and entwined himself in the elf's arms, under the shadow of a boulder. Legolas's hands clutched hungrily at Aragorn's body, and he whimpered desirous words of Elvish deep in his throat.

"How I've wanted you all day," whispered Aragorn, and flicked his tongue seductively up Legolas's neck.

"I've thought of nothing else," Legolas whispered back, his hand finding the man's bulge, glad he was finally free to think about sex. All day he had been carrying his cloak draped over his arm, placed strategically in front of him, so that the others (half of whom were crotch-high!) wouldn't notice his dramatic erection.

He smiled against Aragorn's lips. "We're putting on a bit of a show, you realize," he murmured.

Aragorn stopped nibbling at his neck and asked, "How do you mean?"

"Frodo and Sam are awake," Legolas said, barely audible to the Ranger's ears; not at all audible to the hobbits.

Aragorn started to turn his head, but Legolas stopped him with a tongue kiss.

"Don't look," the elf murmured. "Let them think we don't know."

"Can they see us? Are their eyes open?"

Legolas allowed a very brief glance. "Yes, they can see. They know."

"Hmm." Aragorn found himself gyrating his hips against the elf's, strangely turned on by the idea of the little ones watching. "And you wish to give them ideas, is that it?"

"I wish to show them what they could be doing if they weren't so silly and stubborn," answered Legolas. His own lust caught fire then, having smoldered all day, and he squeezed Aragorn's buttocks, holding the man tightly against him. "Now, *please*... make me come." This he said just a tiny bit louder, just loud enough that anyone awake on the near edge of the campsite should have heard it.

And Frodo and Sam did hear it.

Neither one knew the other was awake. They were both lying on their side, facing the passionate two in the shadows, Sam on the outside and Frodo closer to the campfire. Frodo had stayed awake out of misery and frustration, and Sam had stayed awake to make sure that Frodo didn't escape again. Both had heard Aragorn's soft footsteps and had opened their eyes to see him wrap himself up in Legolas's limbs, and, shocked, both had stayed perfectly still.

Now they were a captive audience to the erotic play between the elf and the man. They heard them whispering inaudible words, saw them kissing, saw them touch each other *there*! And then they heard Legolas's lustful request: "Make me come." Frodo, watching and listening over Sam's sleeping back, felt trapped in agony and desire. Had Legolas been aroused by hearing him masturbate the previous night? Is that why he was letting Aragorn do this? But then why was Aragorn doing it? Clearly Legolas had not been exaggerating when he said great leaders had been known to do these things. Frodo's eyes fell to Sam's shoulder, and he almost groaned aloud in longing. Sam would never understand. It was so unfair. Sam, meanwhile, could hardly breathe. The sight of the two lovers in the shadows, and the faint sound of Legolas's musical voice reduced to moaning requests of lust, had hardened his member instantly and sent unbidden images into his mind. *If only Frodo would let me do something like that...* he thought, then squeezed his eyes shut. *No! Awful to think of Mr. Frodo that way. Very, very wrong. But I can't help it... I want him... and if it's all right for them two to do it, isn't it all right for us? ...But how could I tell him about this? He'd never believe it!*

Frodo's hand was creeping under his blankets, and he was thinking of rubbing himself off right there, even if it did mean needing a change of breeches in the morning. Possibly even Legolas was so occupied at the moment that he wouldn't hear... but then Frodo pulled his hand away as if burned, the shame returning to him. *Must stop thinking this way! It isn't fair to Sam. He deserves better than my carnal desires.*

But both of them kept opening their eyes, surreptitiously, to watch the scene unfold.

"You first, impatient mortal," Legolas murmured, and fell to his knees to tug open Aragorn's trousers. The man sank down to sit upon a rock, and spread his thighs wide apart, head tilted back in ecstasy. Legolas pulled Aragorn's hot cock out of the folds of fabric, and groaned as he began licking the shaft, torturously slow. Aragorn bit his lip to keep from crying out.

Frodo lay perfectly still, but it felt like waves were crashing over him, again and again, sending heat through every vein. *Oh, I want Sam to do that to me... or I'll do it to him... oh, why couldn't we have been born elves, or men?*

Aragorn lifted his groin, pressing his cock deeper into Legolas's mouth. The elf took the full length in, and sucked in his cheeks to wrap his warm flesh all around the man. His hand crept up to touch the sack underneath, and Aragorn whimpered.

Sam's body was damp with sweat, though the night was chilly and he hadn't moved for hours. *Touch me there*, he imagined saying to Frodo. *It would feel so good...*

With a long shudder, Aragorn came, flooding the elf's mouth with warm saltiness. He moaned as he did so, though not loud enough to wake anyone. Legolas rose up and hugged him tight, holding the gasping body against his own. He sent a flicker of a glance toward the hobbits, whose shallow breathing he could hear even over Aragorn's heartbeat. Frodo could not suppress a squeak when he saw the man's orgasm. His own member was now painfully hard, and wet at the tip. It was so unfair, so unfair... Sam heard Frodo's whimper, and twitched in surprise. He had been so busy fondling the image of Frodo in his mind that he had forgotten about the real thing. Guiltily, he turned over to see if his master was all right--probably having a nightmare.

Frodo saw Sam move, and quickly snapped his eyes shut. There was a moment of silence, then Frodo felt Sam's warm fingers brush his cheek. Frodo slowly opened his eyes, and looked at Sam.

Sam looked concerned. "You all right, Frodo?" he whispered.

"Yes," Frodo whispered back.

"Just a dream?"

"Just a dream," Frodo echoed, with a rueful smile.

There came a gentle moan from the shadows, and Frodo's eyes flicked irresistibly over Sam's shoulder to Legolas and Aragorn, who were now changing position -- Aragorn was releasing Legolas's cock from his trousers, and was stroking it with one hand while he kissed the elf deeply. This only took a split second to see, and Frodo quickly averted his eyes. But Sam had looked over his shoulder too, just for a split second, and had seen the same thing. Both hobbits looked at each other, then down at the ground, too embarrassed to speak.

"Well, goodnight, then," Sam mumbled.

"Goodnight, Sam," Frodo said.

Sam lay down, this time facing Frodo, and closed his eyes. Behind him came a faint moan and a "Yes... yes... yes" as Legolas reached his climax. Both hobbits kept their eyes tightly closed, cheeks burning.

Sam awoke early in the morning after a particularly hot dream, and found, with shame, that he had ejaculated in his sleep, and his breeches were sticking to him. He quickly looked at Frodo, who was just beginning to stir in the morning light. How could he clean this up, but still keep Frodo within his line of sight? He bit his lip, tore a handful of grass from the ground beside him, pulled it under the blankets, and stealthily began wiping up the warm mess on his lower belly. He remembered a flash of the dream--Frodo asking to see his cock, and then asking to touch it, and then asking if he could rub it against his inner thigh--and he felt a deep pulse of pleasure. Damn that randy elf and Mr. Strider! Putting wrong ideas in his head!

Frodo opened his eyes, and grimaced at the sunshine. He had not been blessed with any wet dreams, and was still feeling very frustrated. He looked at Sam, who was hastily pitching a handful of grass out of the campsite. Odd behavior. "Morning, Sam," he yawned.

"Morning, master," said Sam. "Well! I'd certainly like a bath in that stream. Care to come along?"

Legolas was reclining on a bed of moss nearby, chewing on a piece of lembas. His lips curved in a smile when he heard this invitation. Frodo and Sam climbed out of bed, stretching, and made their way to the stream. They caught Legolas' eye on the way past. He gave a friendly nod, but they both looked very flustered, and turned their eyes away. It was all Legolas could do to keep from giggling.

The two hobbits stripped down and quickly ducked under the water, staying several feet apart. Legolas rolled his eyes at their reluctance, and turned to smile at the sleepy Aragorn, who was wandering up to him.

"Well," said Aragorn, squinting down the stream. "They're taking a bath together; that's a start."

"And not daring to look at one another. Which is just silly," Legolas added.

"Hmm. In that case..." Aragorn's toe traced a line up the elf's leg. "We'll just have to give repeat performances."

All that day Frodo and Sam walked side by side, consumed with desires -- Frodo's more desperate than Sam's, since he had not had the release of an erotic dream. Though he tried not to, he couldn't help thinking of Legolas and Aragorn, and picturing Sam and himself in their positions.

Sam was thinking similar things, and was also wondering if he should say something about the elf and the man. Clearly Mr. Frodo had noticed them. Was he offended? Should Sam talk to the two and make them stop?

During an afternoon rest, Frodo found himself badly needing some time alone to take care of his persistent erection, but Sam was not allowing it. Frodo could have cried in frustration.

And that night, when they were laid down to sleep, once again Aragorn came to Legolas and they put on another display. This time they both pulled down their trousers to the ankles, and Aragorn sat with his back against a tree trunk, and Legolas sat between his legs, his back against Aragorn's chest. Aragorn gnawed on the elf's neck, while his hand reached around and squeezed Legolas's long, hard organ. What was happening to Aragorn's own member was not visible to the hobbits, but he certainly seemed to be enjoying it, whatever it was, from the way he kept moving his hips and moaning.

Frodo didn't dare touch himself -- he couldn't bear the shame of anyone knowing that he had done that -- but this scene was driving him to the brink. Lying on his side, he found himself pumping his hips rhythmically, like Aragorn was doing; the head of his cock rubbed against the fabric of his breeches, which felt so good that he couldn't seem to stop. Meanwhile, Sam, who had no compunction about masturbating, was thinking he couldn't stand it anymore; he would have to jerk off right there; but first he thought it was best to make sure Frodo was really asleep.

So he turned over and looked at him. Frodo instantly stopped moving, but allowed a glance from under his heavy eyelids. "Awake still, Sam?" he murmured sadly.

Sam sighed. "Yes, sir. Just checking on you. Go to sleep."

Both of them glanced at the tree, where, in the shadows, Legolas' beautiful pale body was twisting like a faintly visible ghost, with the man's darker hand stroking at the crotch. The two hobbits looked with suppressed agony at each other, then turned away and pretended to sleep again.

The same sort of thing happened the next night too, and the next. Neither hobbit could take much more of it.

"Mr. Frodo, I've made up my mind to say something," Sam finally said one morning, as they nibbled at their breakfast.

Frodo was instantly nervous -- had Sam suspected his desires? "Yes, Sam?"

"Mr. Strider and Mr. Legolas -- the things they get up to at night -- well, it's disturbing your sleep. Isn't it?"

Frodo, having gone pale a moment earlier, now felt himself blush to the tips of his ears. He couldn't meet Sam's eyes. "No -- it's none of my business, Sam. If it bothers you, by all means, have a word with them, but -- don't say anything on my account."

"I won't have you upset by anything at all," Sam insisted. "You're a modest and decent hobbit, and I care for you more than anyone, and if they offend you - why, I won't stand by and let it happen. Not on a quest like this, where you're the most important one here."

Frodo turned away, miserably. "Truly, Sam, I don't care. Legolas said -- well, never mind, but I understand it's normal for them."

"Legolas spoke to you of it?" said Sam, surprised.

Frodo covered his face. He had said too much already. "He just said, once, that even great leaders do such things."

"Why would he be talking like that to you?" Sam suddenly got angry, and jumped to his feet. "Why, he wasn't asking *you* to do it, was he? If that pervy elf tries anything, I'll kill him; I don't care if he's our ally--"

"No! It wasn't like that." Frodo reached out to stop Sam from pacing. "It was just -- mentioned in passing. Please, leave it be."

"Well. All right, I suppose," grumbled Sam.

They joined the rest of the group, shouldered their packs, and began walking. Sam was unhappy about how the conversation had gone. Clearly Mr. Frodo wasn't as turned on as he was, but was too polite to make the other two perverts stop. So apparently Legolas and Strider would just go right on torturing Sam with their tempting demonstrations.

Frodo was unhappy too -- in fact, he was inconsolable. Wanting Sam, suffering serious sexual frustration, and yet thinking that Sam found the whole thing disgusting, was too much for his heart and body to take, and finally a tear spilled from his eye and rolled down his cheek.

When he sniffled, Sam looked at him. "Frodo, me dear, what's wrong?"

"Nothing. Sam, I -- just give me a moment alone." Frodo broke away and began running into the forest, burdened by his pack. He heard Sam's feet crashing through the leaves after him.

"Mr. Frodo! Wait for me! Don't you leave me!"

Aragorn and Legolas looked at each other and smiled. Merry, Pippin, Boromir and Gimli began to step after the hobbits, concerned, but Aragorn stopped them. "It's all right -- you four stay here and start preparing lunch. Legolas and I will follow them." They set out quietly into the forest.

Frodo threw his pack into a bush, and kept running, faster now without it. Finally he slid under a tangle of branches, into a tiny clearing between trees and shrubs, and collapsed there, panting, tears on his hot face. Half weeping, half desperate with lust, he sat back against a tree, with his legs sprawled apart, and began rubbing himself through his breeches. He would do this even if he only had ten seconds, he thought bitterly. He had been achingly hard for far too long now, and couldn't think of anything else.

But Sam was too quick, and too good at following his trail -- his footsteps crashed closer and closer, and soon he tumbled into the clearing, calling, "Frodo! Mr. Frodo!"

Frodo let his hand drop, wearily, and just shook his head, looking up at the sky through the canopy of leaves. "Why are you doing this to me?" he asked, not sure if he was addressing Sam or just Life in general.

Sam threw off his pack and crawled to Frodo, breathing hard. "Don't ever run from me! Dear Frodo, I know you wish to be left alone, but if your life depends on it I'll follow you even till you hate me! Don't you see that?"

"Yes, I see that." Frodo gazed at Sam, and sighed. "But you would be the one to hate me, if you knew."

"If I knew what? I couldn't -- I could never hate you. I love you more than anyone, Frodo, don't you know that? What could you ever do wrong in my eyes?" Sam was an inch away now, near tears himself.

Frodo let his forehead rest against Sam's, and closed his eyes. "*Love*...dear Sam, if only I knew how you meant that."

(Meanwhile, Aragorn and Legolas, who knew how to move silently, had climbed into one of the trees and were watching the two from several yards away.)

"I mean it in every way," Sam insisted. "There's nothing I won't do for you."

Frodo chuckled. "Except leave me alone."

"You know I can't. Don't make me."

"It's all right, Sam. I won't make you. But... would you really do anything for me?"

"Anything," Sam repeated.

Frodo nuzzled Sam's cheek with his nose. "Anything? Even if I were... like Legolas and Aragorn?"

Sam's breath caught, and, already guiltily aroused by being so close to Frodo, he became quite turned on. "Aye, even then," he whispered.

"Really?" Frodo opened his eyes and looked into Sam's, an inch away. "Watching them, it didn't bother you?"

"Only as in 'hot and bothered,' Mr. Frodo. I... I wished it was you and me." Sam closed his eyes in despair, and pressed his face to Frodo's shoulder. "I shouldn't say that. But it's true."

Frodo's breathing was shallow. "Then you'd do... this... for me?" He took Sam's hand and led it to his own crotch, and pressed Sam's palm gently against his erection.

Sam gasped, and lifted his head. "Oh yes... you mean... you want me to?"

"I want it more than anything in the world, Sam," Frodo said. His voice was tight with desperation.

Sam carefully squeezed Frodo's cock through the fabric, and watched as his master's eyelids fluttered closed, and a moan escaped Frodo's lips. "Like that?" Sam said, his voice low.

"Oh yes," breathed Frodo. "That feels... so... good..."

"You're so big and hard," Sam marveled. "I love it, touchin' you like this..."

In the tree, Legolas's hand found Aragorn's crotch and stroked it gently. Aragorn smiled fondly at the elf before returning his attention to the hobbits.

Frodo moved his face so that his lips brushed lightly against Sam's. "The reason I keep wanting to be alone is to think about you," Frodo murmured. "To imagine you doing this... or a hundred other dirty things... how I love you, dear Sam..."

Sam couldn't resist any longer; he leaned forward and began kissing Frodo deeply. His other hand sank into Frodo's curls; Frodo's arms wrapped around him. Their lips were hot and soft, Frodo's damp from a few stray tears. Sam sucked the salt away tenderly, then flicked his tongue along Frodo's lower lip. Frodo closed his lips around it, and pulled it further into his mouth, where he slid his own tongue against it and swallowed Sam's saliva hungrily. Too aroused by having Mr. Frodo suck on his tongue, Sam moaned deep in his throat, and his hand began to move faster on Frodo's bulge.

"Sam," Frodo said, against Sam's mouth. "We shall have to remove my trousers, if we're to keep everything... clean..."

"Anything you wish," Sam answered, and immediately all four hands were fumbling at Frodo's fly. Between them, they tugged off his breeches, and his stiff cock popped out and smacked against his belly. Sam moaned at the sight, and ran one hand reverently across the mat of curled, silky hairs at the base. Frodo opened his legs farther, and Sam's hand slid below, to the soft sack, and cupped it.

"Yes..." breathed Frodo, his eyes closing again. "Oh, I can't bear it... you doing this to me... I feel as if I may explode..."

"I feel the same," said Sam, his mouth wet with desire. "I've done this to meself, you know -- and thought of you -- I know it's terrible, but I have..."

"It's a good thing you did," murmured Frodo, smiling at him. "The practice has paid off." Then, as Sam's fingers danced up his shaft, found a slippery wetness leaking from the slit, and smeared it slowly all over the tip, Frodo's mouth fell open and he cried out softly as if he couldn't stop the sound.

In the tree, Aragorn found Legolas's pointed ear and began sucking and nibbling the edge, while the elf's heartbeat thrummed under his tongue, and both kept their eyes on the pair of hobbits. "Finally," Legolas whispered breathlessly to his friend, "the voyeurism favor is returned."

"This is most hot," agreed Aragorn, purring into his ear.

"Oh, Frodo," Sam was pleading, "I won't be able to hold on much longer; I want you so much..."

"You'll have to," Frodo answered, and gave Sam a fierce kiss. He was now bucking his hips rhythmically under Sam's hand, wild with desire. "Because what I want... after I come in your hands..."

Sam moaned helplessly. He clutched Frodo's body tight against him.

"...is to unfasten your breeches," Frodo continued, so breathy and low that the two in the tree could barely hear him, "and taste you... and get you wet..."

"I am wet," gasped Sam.

"Get you even more wet... oh don't stop..."

Sam squeezed Frodo's cock tighter, and kept pumping at it.

"Mmm... yes..." said Frodo, "...and then... I want to make you come... all over me...right between my legs..."

"Oh!" was all Sam could answer. He fell to sucking Frodo's neck, while his hand rubbed and stroked madly.

"Oh yes... oh please... oh, more," gasped Frodo, and then his hips bucked violently, and he cried out, and Sam felt hot liquid spill over his knuckles and run between his fingers. His moans intermingled with Frodo's, and they writhed and sighed for what seemed a full minute before Frodo relaxed, breathing hard.

Legolas turned and bit Aragorn's shoulder seductively. Aragorn's hand seized the elf's rear and fondled him.

"And now, dear Sam," said Frodo, his voice beginning to sound normal again, "we must take care of you." He slid down and unfastened Sam's breeches, just as promised, and pulled them out of the way. Sam's member stuck out stiffly, and Frodo made a desirous sound deep in his throat. Sam echoed it as he watched his master, who brought his face close to Sam's genitals. Frodo brushed his lips against the damp tip, then took it carefully into his mouth.

"Oh Frodo..." Sam groaned, feeling Frodo's tongue slide around his head. "Oh, it won't be much longer, please..."

Frodo lapped his tongue up one side of the shaft and down, around and around, until Sam's cock was thoroughly wet. Then he licked his own palm, and brought it down to wrap around Sam. The saliva made it slick as he began stroking, pulling his face up to kiss Sam's lips again.

Sam gasped, every muscle trembling, ready to spurt all over Mr. Frodo, part of him still not believing that they were really doing this.

"Almost ready, Sam?" purred Frodo.

"Yes," echoed Sam.

Frodo tumbled onto his back on the ground, pulling Sam down on top of him, his hand still stroking him. Their lips fell together in a hungry kiss.

"Then come on me," whispered Frodo, and with a cry and a shudder, Sam obeyed. He felt great gobs of warm stickiness shoot out of him, covering Frodo's belly and cock, which lay half-erect under his own. "Mmm," sighed Frodo in his ear, "it's so warm..."

"I love you," breathed Sam into Frodo's ear. "I love you... I love you..."

Aragorn swore under his breath, opened his own trousers, and began rubbing himself against the elf's leg. Legolas smiled at the man's impatience, and began suckling Aragorn's earlobe.

Sam and Frodo's movements slowed down and finally stopped. Sam lay spent across Frodo's half-naked form, both of them breathing from between damp lips. Frodo's hand slid fondly over Sam's naked rump, then gave him a gentle push so that Sam fell onto the ground beside him. "The others will surely find us soon," Frodo said, regretfully.

"True," sighed Sam. "Wouldn't do to have 'em stumble upon us in this condition." Taking a handful of leaves and grass, Sam helped Frodo wipe most of the mess from his skin, and both hobbits put their clothes back on.

"Mr. Frodo -- er, Frodo, I mean," Sam said, shyly.

"Indeed; we may drop the formal titles now," said Frodo, smiling.

"Well -- what I wondered was -- can we find time again tomorrow, to do somethin' like this?"

"Tomorrow?" Frodo crawled over and gave Sam a deep kiss. "As if I can wait that long. I want you again already."

Sam chuckled, and hugged his friend tight. "Maybe when Mr. Strider and Legolas are occupied tonight, we can slip out and do likewise."

(Just then, in the tree, Aragorn was reaching his climax, trying to gasp silently against Legolas's neck. Legolas was whispering unspeakably hot things in his ear in Elvish.)

"A fine plan, my dear lad," answered Frodo. He got to his feet and helped Sam up. They found their packs, put them back on, and began walking through the forest toward the path they had left.

A rustle behind them made them spin around in terror. But it was only Legolas and Aragorn, strolling toward them, looking rather flushed and glowing.

"There you two are," said Aragorn. "Everything all right?"

"Yes, Strider. Thank you," said Frodo.

Aragorn's eyes moved to Sam. "It was good of you to go after him."

Sam blushed. "Well, just like you said, sir," he mumbled.

"Come along, then. Your friends are preparing some lunch for us."

Aragorn tousled Sam's hair, and led him ahead.

Legolas fell into step beside Frodo, who was still trying to wipe off his fingers with a leaf. The elf produced a small square of lightweight cloth from a pocket, and offered it to Frodo. Frodo took it, hesitantly, and looked up at Legolas.

"Special elven fabric," Legolas said. "Cleans anything." He winked.

Frodo shook his head, and began wiping his fingers with the cloth. Then he glanced bashfully at Legolas again, and allowed a timid smile. "Tell me you're just presuming, and didn't actually hear anything."

"Ah, one wouldn't need to hear, nor presume. The glow on your faces--and in your lips--tells plenty. I'm delighted for you."

Frodo's smile broadened. "I'll--I'll return you this cloth, when I've washed it."

"No rush, master hobbit." Legolas strode ahead and caught up with Aragorn.

Sam slipped back to be near Frodo, and the two paused for one last kiss before rejoining their friends.

"So you decided not to tell him we were watching?" Aragorn said to his elven companion.

"Nay, I hadn't the heart."

"But after all these nights when they watched us...?"

Legolas slid an arm around Aragorn's waist and hugged him close. "They didn't see our first time," he said. "Some things are too sacred to intrude upon."

"You have a great heart, Legolas Greenleaf," said Aragorn.

"And thee, Aragorn son of Arathorn."

"So! Same time tonight?"

"Yep. Looking forward to it."


End