vigorli

Title: The Man Who Would Be King (1/1)
Author:

haldirlives2002
Pairing: VigOrli (and Vig/Stuart... in a way)
Rating: NC17 (for violence)
Warnings: Rape, Violence
Summary: Stuart drinks a little, okay a lot - Orli suffers the consequences - then Viggo arrives....
Disclaimer: Totally made up! Not making a dime.
Beta:

haldirlives2002 and

hippediva
Note: Thanks to Rudyard Kipling for the title that

haldirlives2002 came up with. The story idea came from

haldirlives2002 as well - I only painted the picture -

The Man Who Would Be King
By SmutCutter and HaldirLives2000
6/06

The flight was murder and Stuart was achy and might have been coming down with a cold. The night before he left for this shoot, he was up until dawn partying; his theater friends giving him a royal Aragorn send off. His head was thick and his sunglasses cut most of the glare. He tried to sleep but never could on airplanes. The stale canned air always gave him a headache.

The thick scripts were heavy in his carry on bag as he entered the terminal. His stomach was sloshing with too many cups of overly sweet coffee and no breakfast. He spotted a livery driver with his name on a sign.

“Hello.” Stuart smiled and stepped up.

“Welcome sir.” The young man smiled. “Your bags?”

“I checked them, there’re a lot.” Stuart smirked. “Sorry about that. Supposed to be here a while.”

“No trouble, sir. Right this way.” The smiling driver walked them to the baggage claim.

The back of the limo was a muffled cocoon. Stuart cracked a beer and sat back to watch the amazing scenery go by.

“Here for the movie, sir?” The driver was buzzing with excitement.

“Yes, I am. Where are we going?” Stuart asked when he noticed the lack of civilization on the other side of the tinted windows.

“To the mountains. Whole lot of nothing up there, well, ‘cept you lot now.” He smiled and winked and eventually pulled into a dirt lot. It was filled with trailers and cars and looked like a traveling carnival. The door was opened and Stuart stepped out into the morning glare carefully, the crisp air shocking his senses.

“Wow. You were right. Plenty of nothing.” He looked around at the desolate landscape, squinting behind his shades, and popped three mints.

“I’ll put your bags in your trailer… my lord.” The driver smiled too wide and laughed lightly, popping the trunk.

Stuart smiled. “I’m not king yet.” He hiked his bag onto his shoulder, crunching the Altoids loudly and walked toward the first cluster of people he saw.

Stuart noticed him right away; the tall gangly boy with the bright smile being teased about his ears. This one was too tall to be a Hobbit, then again, he was told about the minor miracle special effects that were going to be done. Stuart put on his best smile, popped a few more mints, and walked across the lot.

Some of the group was half in costume, all boys; comparing feet. He shook his head and took aim at the slender boy with the laughing dark eyes.

“You must be the fair Legolas.” He said but everyone looked at him like a space alien. He had spoken in Elvish. Stuart looked at the stunned faces. “Oops, sorry. Getting ahead of myself.” He lifted a hand in greeting. “Stuart… playing Aragorn.”

“You’re not king yet.” A short dark haired boy with impossibly large eyes joked and the others laughed as he stepped forward, hand out stretched. “Elijah, well, Frodo.” Stuart was surprised at the strong grip and was soon surrounded by the small group all seeming happy to see him. He noticed the elf was still at the fringe of the crowd, toying with his ears and getting lost looking at the mountains. Stuart lifted his eyes and stared.

“And you are?” He drawled and the boy snapped out of his reverie.

“Orlando… you were right, I am playing Legolas.” Orli bowed slightly, smiling bright. “Learning Elvish as fast as I can. Just shocked that you knew it.”

“Just the one line…trying to get the words right.”

Stuart felt his mouth go dry. Oh yes, he thought, it’s going to be good to be the king.

Several days of rehearsal had passed and Stuart was exhausted. This movie was knocking the starch out of him already and he felt raw all over. The sword weighed a ton and he was smudged with theatrical dirt and real sweat. He hated being dirty.

He walked into the trailer, slumped in the chair, closed his eyes and waited to be taken out of makeup. The woman came in and quietly cleaned him up then he hit the small stall shower. He heard the door open and close and knew it must be Orlando. Stuart could feel the kid’s energy fill the small space. He listened to him chatter with the makeup woman and smiled. God, the kid was a dream. Stuart dried and dressed quickly then stepped out to watch.

“From Elf to human in several pain in the ass steps.” He joked and sat back in his chair, running a comb through his wet hair.

Orli laughed. “Yea, if anyone finds out I’m just a filthy human, I’m liable to get my elf-card revoked.” He leaned forward and scrubbed his face clean. “Leave me any hot water?” He asked and patted Stuart’s shoulder as he passed.

“Plenty.” Stuart watched Orli for as long as he could. The boy unconsciously stripped in front of him and stepped into the shower. The make up woman left with a blush to her cheeks and Stuart smirked.

“You gotta watch that, Orlando.” He called out.

“Watch what?” Orli called back, head under the spray.

“Getting naked in front of strangers.” Stuart put the comb down and lit a cigarette.

Orlando stepped out, stark naked, toweling off. The scent of soap filled the small space. “Shit, I forgot she was here.” He walked past Stuart, locked the door, and rummaged for his clothes. Stuart licked his lips.

“Orlando?”

“It’s Orli… “ He turned, pulling on some very old sweat pants. “My friends call me Orli.”

“Consider me a stranger.” Stuart’s voice was low.

“Huh?” Orli walked over, shirtless, to lean on the chair next to Stuart. “You’re Aragorn. No stranger.”

Stuart watched a drop of water drip from Orli’s ear down his chest and wanted nothing more to lick it off. When it dripped over his nipple, he blinked.

“Orlando… Orli... “ He reached out a hand to catch the drop from Orli’s nipple and brought it to his own lips, then looked at the boy. Orlando smiled slowly. It tasted clean on Stuart’s tongue mingled with a dark musk.

“Oh. I see.” Slowly, Orli bent forward and claimed Stuart’s lips in a deep kiss. When the kiss was done, Orli didn’t move back. “There. Now we’re not strangers.”

Stuart smiled and laughed a little, leaning up for another kiss. He pulled the damp elf into his lap, wrapping his arms around him and running them up his scar. He knew the story of Orlando’s near tragedy and his fingers were gentle.

“My brave boy.” Stuart muttered as he melted into the kiss. Orli ran his hands into Stuart’s hair and felt the man’s cock press against him when a loud knock at the door made them jump.

“You guys done making out?” Elijah was laughing with Billy and Dom at his side.

“Fuck off, Lij, I’ll be right there.” Orli called out.

“Right, we’ll meet you at the bar.” Lij yelled back and they listened as the other’s laughed their way to their cars.

Orli sighed and looked at Stuart. “Wanna come out for a drink?” His hands smoothed Stuart’s curls.

“No, you boys have fun. I want to look over the script. Lines are such a bitch sometime.”

Orli nodded and slid off his lap. “How about this… I can help with lines tomorrow…when they are all rehearsing in the hills.” The words were punctuated with kisses and licks.

Stuart nodded. “The house Peter got me isn’t ready yet.”

“Mine is.” Orli smiled. “Meet me there in an hour instead?”

Stuart sat for a long time after the Elf was gone trying to calm his heart rate and talk down his cock. Fuck, he thought, it is GOOD to be the King.

Fucking Orlando was indeed a dream. The kid was responsive beyond belief and gave as good as he got. Orli could suck the chrome off a desk lamp, Stuart thought with a smile. When he had Orli face down in the bed, Stuart sank deep into that sweet ass and felt the boy tense and shiver. He was home. And, he had no intention of leaving.

Orlando had fallen into a familiar pattern. It had established itself in his life when he was at school. He stood looking at the cast list after the professor had posted it. His name was not next to the character he wanted and knew he could play! The professor had come up behind and witnessed his distress.

“Perhaps we can talk about it.” The professor drawled, pulling the sheet from the board with a hand on Orlando’s ass. Orli dipped his head and nodded; the scent of Polo and old cigars making his head spin.

He got the part.

In the darkness, Stuart lit a cigarette and sighed. Orlando was curled into his arms and starting to fall asleep.

“Hey Orli, you okay?” The boy had been incredibly tight. He felt Orli nod.

“Yea. Sleepy.” The kid yawned. “So much for learning Elvish.” He closed his eyes and drifted off.

Stuart smiled, kissed the top of his head and slept as well.

While reading more of the scripts, Stuart found he had many scenes with the delicious boy. But rehearsals were becoming increasingly difficult.

The sun was trying desperately to push through the dense clouds and the lighting tests were not going as planned.

Stuart stepped up to his mark for the tenth time, the King firmly in place in his mind and in his eyes. He lifted his head to deliver the pivotal line, mouth barely open.

“Cut!” Peter’s voice sliced through every thought.

“God DAMN IT!” Stuart threw the sword to the ground and didn’t notice Orli jumping back. The lighting crew ignored him completely as they reset for the next test.

Peter came up and placed a hand on Stuart’s shoulder and he wrenched out of the comforting grip.

“How many fucking times are you going to DO THAT?” Stuart turned on the director. “How in the mother-fuck am I supposed to stay in this character if you keep stopping me?”

While Peter tried to explain that this was not the theater, Orlando stood off to the side, mute and unmoving, watching his lover rant and rave like a spoiled child. Orli had done theater, lots of it, so he understood. But, he also understood the film making process.

“Fuck you, fuck your lights. Get a fucking stand in!” Stuart stormed off, tearing off bits of his costume, leaving an Aragorn trail. Orli swallowed hard as Peter shook his head and went back to the lighting crew. In the distance, Orli heard the trailer door slam. Quickly, he followed.

As he stepped into the trailer, he heard Stuart groan with relief as he relieved himself in the bathroom.

“Stuart, you okay?” Orli whispered as the toilet flushed. Stuart stepped out, face relaxed, reaching for a cigarette.

“Better now. Jesus, that makes me nuts!” He lit the cigarette and sat in his makeup chair, slumped forward. “You know theater. You just don’t yell in the middle of a scene that many fucking times!” He puffed madly. “It sends my entire body into...damn it... it sets off my bladder.” He mumbled.

Orli stifled a laugh. “You’re kidding.” He moved to stand in front of Stuart.

“I wish I was.” Stuart sat back. “I have been in fucking PAIN for the past hour and half thanks to that fucker!”

Orli reached out to smooth Stuart’s hair. “I’m so sorry.” He giggled anyway. Stuart’s eyes shot up.

“Not. Funny.” He crushed out the cigarette and left the trailer.

After two weeks Stuart and Orlando decided to move their extra curricular activities to his place; a nice house provided by Peter himself. Sure, they’d run some lines too, doing entire scenes without stopping, if they ever really got to it. Stuart hated lines in this film. They just seemed to trip him up and were too damn short. Once he got into something, they would reset everything for the reverse reaction and Stuart would be trying to stare at Orli but be faced with a huge camera inches from his nose. Not to mention the fucking Elvish crap. Yea, he learned one or two by heart to hopefully impress the others, but that was as far as his memory would let it go, which was alien to Stuart since he had memorized Shakespeare! It had to be Orlando. He’d take one look at the boy across from him, smell him, and every thought would go out of his head.

Dinner had been delivered; the scents of piping hot lasagna and garlic bread wafted through the rooms. This was going to be their first night of complete solitude in Stuart’s new home. He’d had the place cleaned and prepared by an army of people, also paid for by Peter. The director seemed to be going to great lengths to keep the actor happy and Stuart was not adverse to taking advantage of it.

He had showered and had everything set out. Stuart had a couple drinks to calm his nerves; he wanted everything to be perfect! He wrestled with a cork in the bottle of merlot for ten minutes when it cracked in half as the doorbell rang.

“Fuck!” He threw the opener across the room and grabbed the scotch on the way to the door. He ripped the door open and Orli jumped back, eyes wide.

“Did I come at a bad time?” He muttered and looked ready to bolt. Stuart softened and chuckled, shaking his head.

“No, no, not at all. Trouble with the wine…come on in.”

After the meal, which Stuart barely touched, they sat on the couch, face to face, and ran over the next day’s lines. Stuart was licking his lips with every sip of his drink, dying to dive into Orli as soon as possible. A couple of hours had passed; Stuart drinking more than he was reading while Orli sipped the amber liquid slowly.

“Hey, the ice is gonna water that down, baby.” Stuart slurred but thought he was sounding seductive. He could smell Orlando and wanted to eat him alive. “Here, let me freshen that up for you.” Stuart reached for the glass.

“No, it’s fine.” Orlando held it firm. He didn’t care for scotch much anyway.

“It’ll just take a second.” Stuart wrenched it out of his hand. The grab was sloppy and most of the drink spilled onto Stuart’s pants.

“God DAMN IT!” The glass flew across the room and shattered against the wall. His hand came up fast and backhanded Orli across the face with such force that the boy nearly fell to the floor. Orli’s hand flew protectively to his cheek, eyes wide with shock as he looked back at Stuart.

Stuart was shaking, tears coming easily.

“Oh god…Orlando…Orli…I… I…so fucking sorry… “ Stuart was sobbing, the alcohol flooding his body fast. He went to reach for the boy and Orli recoiled. Stuart’s hand was shaking.

“Orli…I… “ Stuart bolted up, stumbled a step and went to kitchen for a towel and some ice. He returned and held it out. “Here…I’m so sorry.” Stuart turned away; fell into a crouch, hands over his head, sobbing softer.

Orli put the ice to his cheek and winced. When he took it away, he saw a dribble of blood on the towel and tasted it from the cut inside he mouth where his teeth had torn the skin. He sighed looking at Stuart. He had been through this sort of thing before. It was a director who had just gotten a divorce and Orlando was his new star. The play opened and closed the same night. Orli never saw him again.

“Hey, it’s nothing.” He stood and moved to kneel in front of the man who was trying to hide.

“Orli, I’ve never…I don’t know…” He lifted his red rimmed eyes, tears coursing down his cheeks. “The pressure…the lines…I…“ He dipped his head back under his arms when he saw the ice pack still against the soft skin.

Orli sighed and gently smoothed Stuart’s hair.

“Hey…it’s okay. It is a lot of pressure.” He lifted Stuart’s face and smirked. “I’m a tough elf.”

Stuart was mortified. “Why are you being nice? Orli, I fucking HIT you! No one deserves that!” Stuart stood and ran a hand through his hair, his back to the boy. He reached for his glass then stopped himself. He hugged himself tight, hanging his head again.

Orli dropped the ice pack onto the table and stepped up to Stuart. He saw the man shaking and slipped his arms around Stuart’s waist, pressing his face to the man’s back.

“Orli, don’t touch me… how can you?” Stuart muttered. “You can leave if you want, I’ll understand.”

Orli turned him and took the man’s face in his hands.

“It’s nothing. You are working too hard.”

“And drinking too much. God I am so –“

“Shh. Stop. Come to bed.”

Orli lay awake for hours. You do what you have to for the show, he told himself. It’s what he always told himself.

Orlando walked onto the set the next day wearing sunglasses and a baseball hat. His shoulders were hunched over and he made a beeline for his trailer.

Elijah looked up from his coffee and smiled when he saw him. Then the smile faded. He poured a second cup and carried both to the trailer. His foot caught the door before it clicked closed.

“Hey no sneaking in on me!” Lij was all smiles as he put the coffee down. He looked into the mirror and watched Orli unveil himself. The bruise was bad and his left eye was darkened as well.

“Holy shit.” Lij quickly closed and locked the trailer door then moved to stand in front of Orli, blocking his view to the mirror.

“What the fuck happened?” Lij’s eyes were wide and he looked over the bruise.

“Oh, it’s nothing. Stuart was opening a wine bottle and I was standing too close. Bam! Got me right in the face with his elbow when he pulled the cork out. I feel like an idiot.” He smiled weakly and ducked his head. He had worked on the story all night. He didn’t sleep. Just sat there and listened to Stuart snore after he passed out rationalizing everything.

Lij bought the story. “Sounds like something you’d get yourself into. Well, no way in hell you’re working today.”

“Shit, that bad?” He gently moved Lij aside and looked at himself. He gasped. It looked much worse under the harsh make-up lights. “Fuck me.”

“You stay here, Elf idiot. I’ll get Peter.”

When Lij was gone, Orli leaned forward and looked at his face again. He picked up the coffee with a shaking hand, sat back and sipped.

Several days of test shots had to be rearranged which left Stuart and Orli with much free time. Stuart showered him with affection while they played house at Stuart’s place. Stuart apologized constantly while Orli kept reassuring him everything was fine. Orli ignored his shaking hands and made a concerted effort not to flinch when Stuart came close. He finally got it under control within three days. That was about as long as it usually took.

“Suck an elf! That’s what they said!” Billy was tilting back in his chair, in full Hobbit gear, script balanced on his lap. “It was a movie called the 10th Kingdom and the trolls way of swearing was ‘suck an elf’! You don’t remember that?” He laughed and looked around the circle.

Dom chimed in. “I do! Dreadful movie, but that part was funny.” He sipped his tea and laughed.

“You think that’s the thing then? Suck an elf as a way to alleviate…” Billy smirked.

“Tension?” Dom chuckled.

“We should ask Stuart.” Billy whispered as Lij walked up.

“What’s so funny THIS time?” Lij smiled as he sat and poured himself some coffee.

The relayed the Suck An Elf theory and the laughter rose around the circle. Orli finally stepped up, wrapping his long blonde wig in a bandana as he sat.

“Do I want to know?” Orlando asked. All fell silent, faces stern. Then they broke out in belly laughs and tried to tell him the story.

Stuart was dirty and exhausted. The fight coordinating was harder than any stage production he had ever been in. He would have to ask Orli for a massage again and that thought made him smile. He turned his head to the laughter and watched the Hobbits joking with the elf. The bruise on Orli’s face was gone and he was glad for the kid’s amazing healing powers. He smiled to himself and wondered if the kid’s ass healed just as fast.

His smile turned to a nasty sneer.

One Hobbit had taken Orli’s face and was kissing him hard while another fell to his knees and pretended to give him a blowjob. The third slipped behind him and began to hump his back.

With a laugh, Orli shoved them all off. “You can not suck an elf!” He laughed until tears fell from his eyes. “You at least have to take a number!” He joked more, wiping his face and smearing his makeup. “Eww, now I smell like a stinky Hobbit.” He rose and started to walk towards his trailer.

“Prissy ELF!” Billy yelled and dissolved into more laughter.

By the time Orlando showed up, the bottle of scotch was empty and dropped carelessly onto the floor. Stuart was passed out on the couch; face down and snoring. Orli sighed, dropped the bag of the next day’s scripts, and started to clean up.

“No one asked you to do that.” Stuart slurred still face down. He pushed himself up onto his elbows and tried to stand. Orli poked his head around the corner from the kitchen.

“Oh, I don’t mind. Making us some dinner.” He stepped back in to check on the boiling water for the pasta. He was suddenly nervous again.

Stuart stumbled in and stopped, leaning on the doorframe. “Well, aren’t we all domestic tonight.”

Orli smiled, thinking he was joking. A double take showed Stuart was sneering.

“Are you not hungry?” Orli’s voice was soft.

Stuart stepped forward and shoved Orli hard against the counter. “No, Miss Mary Sunshine, I’m not! Making enough for the fucking Hobbits? Thanking them for the blowjob?” Another push and Orli’s hands tried to grab the edge of the counter, knocking over a pewter jug of utensils. The clattering sound was deafening.

“Stuart! Stop it!” Orli’s voice was stronger than he felt. Stuart had caught him off guard and he didn’t have time to react or fight back.

“Stop it? STOP IT?!” He grabbed Orli and spun him around, one hand pinning Orli’s arm behind his back and shoving him over the counter. Stuart’s free hand wrenched off Orli’s pants; the belt buckle clinking against the cabinet doors.

Orli was kicking, screaming, his other hand pinned between his own body and the counter. His hand was going numb from the pressure and he tried to free himself.

“Fucking Hobbits. Stop squirming!” Stuart yelled and clipped Orli in the back of the head. Then, Stuart whipped out his cock and unceremoniously slammed it deep into Orli. Orli stiffened and stilled, wide eyed and mouth open.

“NO!” Orli finally screamed. Stuart grabbed a handful of Orli’s hair and shoved Orli’s face into the counter, grinding his cheek against the smooth wood.

Stuart fucked Orli hard and fast, hurling curses at him about his infidelity; which Orli denied between grunts and groans, trying to push the stronger, alcohol fueled, Ranger away.

Stuart came quickly with a loud yell and slapped Orli’s ass hard; the ghost of his handprint rising red and mean. He stepped back and gave Orli one last slap.

“That’ll show you who the fuck owns this ass!” Another nasty slap and he stumbled to the stove. He grabbed the pot of sauce and the handle burned his palm.

“FUCK!” Stuart howled and hurled the pot across the room. The sauce made a streak across the wall like an open wound.

“Fucking Hobbits… fucking ELF!” Stuart tripped over his own feet on the way to the living room.

Orlando was shaking and didn’t move for a long time. Stuart’s cum was dripping from his ass and down his leg and he couldn’t believe what had just happened. This was a first. In the blink of an eye, things went from calm domesticity to drunken rape. It was over as quickly as it started. His own cock was limp and never got hard; not even a little. His ass stung inside and out. Finally, Orli heard a thump in the other room and assumed Stuart had passed out again; sleeping wherever he fell.

With shaking hands, Orli pulled up his pants and quietly peeked into the other room. Stuart was face down again, this time on the carpet.

Orli stepped back, turned off the burners quickly and made his way on tiptoe to the front door, shoes in hand. He quietly put his jacket over his arm; his free hand was out to turn the knob. He ignored the tremor in his fingers and the thudding of his heart.

A hand shot out and grabbed his ankle.

“Orlando! Wait!” Stuart lifted his head, eyes red with tears. “Dear god, don’t leave me…I…I need help… please…“ Stuart didn’t let go as he buried his face back into the carpet, crying convulsively.

Orli tried to get free but Stuart’s grip was like iron. Panic was rising in Orlando and he pushed down the nausea.

“Let go, Stuart.”

“Orlando… baby…please…I need help!” He lifted his head again and Orli sighed. He dropped his shoes and jacket and watched Stuart curl into a ball, shuddering and crying.

The apologies came through choked sobs and pathetic tears. Orlando wasn’t sure why he stayed, but Stuart had begged. He knew Stuart was sick and he needed help. He said he would get it. He promised. He pleaded, bargained, screamed at the movie making process then screamed with the same vengeance at the fact that they were out of his favorite shampoo. More apologies.

He put Stuart to bed then spent the rest of the night cleaning up the kitchen.

At the same time, Peter sat in the darkened screening room watching the dailies. There was something not quite right. The Hobbits were perfect and he congratulated himself on the casting. But, the Elf and Ranger. They looked the same age and had the same build. He also noticed Orli flinching more and more when Stuart moved in close for a line. It was subtle, but noticeable. It was obvious that Orli was not comfortable and he made a note to talk to him about it.

In the early dawn, Stuart woke up. Orlando was at the ready with aspirin and water; which Stuart took solemnly. He lit a cigarette, sat up and hung his head.

“I did it again, didn’t I?” Stuart murmured, shaking his head. When he finally looked up at Orli, Stuart’s eyes were set back in his head, red from crying.

Orli nodded. He had not slept.

“Why do you stay with me?” Stuart asked with a crack in his voice.

Because it’s what I always do, he thought. “Because I know you don’t mean it. It’s the booze talking.” Orli’s voice was dark and he hadn’t moved from his side of the bed.

“But I keep hurting you! Jesus, baby… you don’t deserve that.” A large tear fell down Stuart’s cheek and Orli reached out and wiped it away. Stuart took the hand and pressed a kiss to Orli’s palm. “I love you, Orli. I’ll never be able to make any of this up to you. I am so fucking sorry.”

Orli finally uncoiled himself, put out Stuart’s cigarette and pulled him close. Stuart huddled into Orli’s chest and sobbed quietly.

“I don’t know what’s wrong with me. Baby, you got to know, I’ve never been like this before.” He ran a hand over Orli’s chest while Orli smoothed his sweat soaked hair.

“It’s alright, I’ll help you… we’ll get through this together.” Orli kissed the top of his head. “You must have a horrible headache. Sleep…rest…I’ll be here when you wake up.”

Stuart lifted his head. “I don’t deserve you. I love you, Orli.” And he kissed the elf gently, lay his head back down and dozed.

Orli licked the sick taste of stale whiskey from his lips and scowled. Instead of counting sheep, he counted how many times he heard those words.

A few days later, the scene was set for an intimate conversation with the Elf and Ranger. Peter hadn’t had the opportunity he wanted to talk to Orlando, so he was crossing his fingers.

Orlando stepped from the trailer in full costume. He pulled the script he had tucked under his arm and thumbed it open to his lines for one last look. He was quiet and everyone noticed it. His youthful exuberance and easy laugh had faded. It was chalked up to nerves.

“Nice tights!” Elijah snuck up and patted Orli on the back. Orli nearly jumped out of his skin.

“Don’t DO that!” Orli yelled and Lij put his hand on Orli’s shoulder.

“Sorry. It was just too easy.” He felt the elf shake and his smile faded. “Hey, everything okay?”

“Yea…fine.” The answer was too quick and Orli hurried to the set without another word, leaving Elijah standing, watching.

Stuart strode to the set smiling wide.

“I say we nail it in one take.” He was looking around the set, taking a deep breath. “Hey elf!” He smiled at Orli and walked over to him with open arms.

Orli stiffened in the hug. Peter scowled and called for places.

Another night in the screening room and Peter saw things clearer. They were just not clicking. The idea of getting rid of Orli never crossed his mind; he was too perfect. And, it was too late to replace the Ranger.

When Orlando showed up a day later with a black eye, Peter’s radar went off. They had to rearrange filming again and Peter, grim faced, walked to Orli’s trailer.

Orlando was at the makeup mirror, looking closely at his eye and whirled around, hands gripping the counter. His shoulders slumped when he saw it was Peter.

“Oh, you scared me.” He moved carefully to sit in the makeup chair.

“So I see. Orli, I’d like a word with you.” Peter moved to lean on the counter facing the boy. “Care to tell me what’s going on?”

Orli’s eyes got huge. “Nothing…surfing accident. My own fault; wont happen again.” Orli ducked his head and toyed with a button on his jacket.

“Talk to me, please. About Stuart.” Peter slipped his hands into his coat and blinked when Orli’s head came up fast. His eyes were filled with fear that faded quickly, but Peter saw it.

“You’re seeing him, aren’t you? Off the set, I mean.” Peter was blunt and he watched Orli nod slowly. Orli bit his lip and thought for a minute as if choosing his words carefully.

“Is that a problem? If it is –“

“No, no. That’s not it.” He motioned to the black eye. “Be honest with me; did he do that?”

Orli wanted to cry. The mere poke at his protective bubble was almost too much for him to bear.

“It was honestly an accident.” Orli didn’t look up. “Stuart’s just been under a lot of stress with all this filming and the role being so overwhelming…”

Orli rattled off his usual defenses that he told every director or producer. What if Orli had to leave the film? This was his big break, the biggest! Leaving would just look bad.

Peter held up his hand to stop the babble. “Its alright, I think I understand now.” Peter pushed off the counter and patted Orli’s arm. “Not to worry Elf, the true wizard here will take care of things.”

Orlando heard the door close behind him. He was shaking again. He caught his refection in the mirror and wondered when he had gotten so pale. He rose quickly and locked the door.

“Hey! Unlock this door!” Stuart’s good mood had faded and he was pounding relentlessly.

Orli stared at the shaking door and backed into his bunk. He sat slowly, hugging his knees and waited.

“FUCK! WHY IS THIS DOOR LOCKED?” Stuart was pounding with both fists. The sound reverberated through the entire trailer.

Orli didn’t move. He was paralyzed.

Minutes passed and he heard muffled voices and curses and Stuart walking away.

Orli slept.

The door opened slowly with barely a creak. Elijah stepped in, pocketed the passkey he got from Peter and relocked the door behind him. Orlando looked so small huddled into a ball under the thin blanket. He came awake suddenly, eyes wide and gasping.

“Hey, hey… it’s just me.” Lij was out of Hobbit gear and knelt by the bed with a smile. The bruise over Orli’s eye was fading to a sickening yellow and Lij watched fat tears fall down the gaunt face. He reached out his arms and Orli dove into them and hung on.

Viggo had looked over the script endlessly since he received it.

He’ll never forget the look on his son’s face when it was delivered and the sparkle of excitement when he saw the title and whipped through the first few pages.

“Dad, you HAVE to do this movie!” The boy was pacing the living room of the ranch like a caged animal, flipping through pages as he read frantically.

“I don’t know, Henry. I’d be gone a long time.” Viggo stood from the couch and looked out over the ranch. It was peaceful here and he would miss it.

“Come on… the script is good! The character is awesome. I’ve loved Aragorn ever since I read the books!” He walked to his father and pressed the scripts to Viggo’s chest.

“Just don’t say no, yet. Besides, dude, I’d get to see New Zealand!” Henry smiled.

Viggo looked down at his son and slowly slipped his hands around the scripts.

“Okay, read them over with me after dinner?”

“YES!” Henry bounced and ran off to shower before they ate.

Viggo felt the slick paper in his hand and watched the sunset. He liked his life the way it was and this felt like a freight train bearing down on him at an alarming rate. He just felt uneasy but something else felt right. The war in his heart and head was making him nervous. He moved back to the couch and opened the first script again.

Orli moaned out loud. He knew it was a mistake.

“Still with me, yea?” Stuart lifted his fist and smashed it into Orlando’s back again. He knew better then to hit his face by now, but anything under a costume was fair game. And, he knew Orli’s back was his weakness.

“You TRYIN to get me fired?” His voice rose along with the half empty bottle of scotch. Orli closed his eyes tight and pressed his face to the hardwood floor, wishing all of this was over. His back was full of bruises on top of bruises and stinging with the fire of fresh pain. Stuart had a temper. This he had learned.

Orli made a mistake. He came back to the house late from a script reading. Stuart, as usual had assumed the worst; Orli had been conspiring with Peter or worse, fucking the Hobbits. Orli knew if he just kept as still and as quiet as possible, his lover would pass out. They usually did.

“Fucking whore…” Stuart slurred and the bottle hit the floor. He delivered one more crushing kick to the Elf’s ribs and Orli bit his tongue bloody holding back the scream at the muffled crack in his side.

It took hours, but Stuart was finally snoring. Orli crawled to his ripped off jeans and pulled out his cell phone.

“Lij… help…”

“A drink, sir?” The perky stewardess was at him again. First Class can sometimes be a real pain. Viggo had been waving her off for the better part of an hour.

“Alright…sure… scotch on the rocks?” He relented.

The stewardess seemed elated at having a task and flitted away, returning in moments with the drink.

He had four before the plane landed, having memorized most of his early scenes. He was exhausted when he checked into the 5 Star Hotel and fell into a deep sleep.

“Where is he?” Dom shoved more toast into this mouth, already in costume, Hobbit ears, feet and all.

Lij was silent. He angrily stared into his cup of cold coffee.

He had spent the better part of the night at the local emergency room holding Orli’s hand as he was checked out and wrapped for the cracked rib. Orli was now fast asleep in Lij’s trailer. The door was locked from the inside.

‘Well?” Dom was still munching. Elijah had been staring into his cup the whole time, ash on his clove dangerously close to falling.

“He… he doesn’t film till his afternoon.” Lij mumbled and stubbed out cigarette. He put his cup down and headed off to his trailer.

Orli was staring at the ceiling. The meds barely worked and he was still in pain. The opening of the door made him cringe.

Lij stepped in and locked it behind him.

The firing had not gone well.

Stuart was drunk again and slurring obscenities as he cleaned out his half of the trailer. People stood back as they listened to the crashing and cursing inside.

He finally came out, bags in hand and slammed the door.

“Fuck you and your faggot fantasy film! Gonna die anyway and I don’t want to be part of a flop! I don’t need your goddamned money either!” He walked to the limo but the driver saw him coming and walked the other direction. “Two months of my life for this bullshit!” He turned back to the stunned crowd. “You think this is over!!?? Not by a long shot! You’ll be hearing from my lawyer!”

Thankfully, a cab pulled up and Stuart climbed in.

A week’s hiatus was called for everyone to absorb the fact that there would be a new Aragorn. Most people had gotten used to Stuart’s tirades and mood swings but a sigh of relief was felt through the entire production.

Orlando looked out over the ocean from his temporary home. Even the stunning sunset was doing nothing for his constant jitters. Elijah was at his side with a hot up of tea for each of them.

“Why aren’t you resting?” Lij joined him at the rail.

“Tired of resting.” Orlando took the cup but didn’t turn, still staring at the setting sun.

“You know, you are going to talk about this no matter how long I have to bug you about it.” Lij said in the same dead tone then smirked.

They both turned to look at each other at the same time, Orli finally cracking a small smile. He blushed and ducked his head.

“I know. I just, well, not sure how I got into this mess.” He sighed heavily and stared down at nothing. “Just a bit of fun, tension relief.” He smirked bitterly. “Then he hit me.”

“And apologized and made up for it for days, right?” Lij muttered.

Orli looked at him, brows furrowed. “Yea…how do you know that?”

Lij’s eyes grew dark, a memory washed over him and he shivered. “Been there, man. One minute it’s all fun and games the next…you’re in the fucking ER.” He sipped and didn’t offer anything else for a long moment.

“It just happens. They beg for help, you want to help, you think you CAN help.” Lij shook his head. “It’s a lose/lose situation, man.”

“This your idea of making me talk?” Orli murmured. His tea still untouched.

Elijah was silent for a long moment; then he slipped his arm around Orli’s waist and cuddled close. Orli felt Lij shiver.

“Like I said, man. Been there.”

They sipped their tea in silence as night fell.

Stuart paced the hotel room; scotch fueling his anger. Something was wrong with his passport and his agent was handling it the best he could. He suffered many bouts of the rough edge of Stuart’s tongue over the phone as he was trying to straighten things out. Stuart wanted to leave. He wanted to blow up the whole set! He couldn’t wait until he could talk to the press about the disaster the filming was! His agent told him to sit tight until the passport mess was fixed.

His agent was no fool. He knew he had to keep Stuart in one place and barred from the press until he calmed down. The passport story seemed the most plausible.

Stuart had tried to call Orli a hundred times and always met with his voice mail. He’d had the phone in the room replaced twice by now since he had ripped it from the wall and the bottles were being delivered every two hours.

Orli was hiding. He was either filming long into the night or sleeping on Elijah’s couch. More than once, he woke wrapped around the boy, face damp with tears after telling another part of the tale. Elijah knew this was what Orli needed. It had been what he himself needed not too long ago, and a friend had done the same for him.

Orli had finally begun to relax. He woke up early, aching from the night’s filming, and trudged into the kitchen to make coffee. As he poured the water into the coffee maker, a strange rattling buzz made him jump.

“What the hell…?” He yanked open the kitchen drawers until he found the source. His cell phone had been wrapped in a towel and shoved to the back of the utensils. He smirked and shook his head. He didn’t glance at the number as he flipped it open.

“Hello?”

“Oh my god! Orlando! Baby! Finally!”

Orli’s blood ran cold.

“Stuart… “ He didn’t know what to say and stared at the coffee machine as it dripped.

“Baby, you have no idea how long I’ve been…oh god – I needed to hear your voice…. I need you Orli.” Stuart was slurring.

“I’ve been working…lots of hours.” He was moving slowly, carefully, pulling out a cup from the cabinet, milk from the fridge.

“It’s fucking Peter! He’s been keeping you from me!” Orli heard the slam of a bottle. “I can’t even leave to come see you! My passport’s fucked up! Baby, come to me, please?”

Orli was shaking as he poured the coffee.

“Stuart, I can’t. I can’t just drop everything and fly out to you.”

“Orlando! I’m only a few miles away! I’m trapped in this fucking hotel room until my passport gets fixed! Don’t you EVER listen? Now GET OVER HERE NOW!” The sound of glass breaking make Orli freeze in his tracks.

“You’re still here?”

“Yes…baby I need you…please!” Stuart was crying with choked sobs. “They tore me away from you…I love you… you are the only one that can help me…fucking PETER! He did this! He –“

The phone was plucked from his ear and closed. Orli turned and looked into Elijah’s tired eyes.

“I should have hidden this better. It was him, wasn’t it.” His voice was low and dark.

Orli nodded. Elijah put the phone down and wrapped around his friend. They stayed like that, the phone buzzing on the marble countertop until Orlando stopped shaking.

Viggo knew nothing of this. He sat in the trailer silently being made up. He was in full costume and nervous about his first day of shooting.

The door opened and a tall slender boy stepped in and froze. Their eyes met in the makeup mirror and Viggo saw terror, pure unadulterated terror.

“Hi, you must be Orlando. I’m Viggo.” He lifted a hand to wave as the make-up woman hustled out and closed the door.

The trailer felt too small and Orli felt trapped. Not another one, so soon, he thought.

“Hey.” He quickly went to his wardrobe and pulled out his costume.

“So, um, can I ask you something?” Viggo lit a cigarette and turned to Orli.

“Yea, I guess.” Orli fussed with his other clothes, trying to look busy.

“Does anyone have a normal name around here? I mean, Elijah, Liv, Dominic...Orlando...Viggo?” He smiled as Orli faced him.

Orli smiled a little then started to laugh.

“No...no I guess not.”

“Must have been part of the casting process. If your name is Jack, you’re out of a major role.” Viggo smiled and sat back.

Orlando laughed. Really laughed. Viggo was dazzled by that smile and the sound of his relief. Orli slid into the chair next to him.

“So, let’s try this again.” Viggo stuck out his hand. “Hi, I’m Jack.”

“Hey Jack, I’m Ralph.” They shook and smiled.

“I don’t know... Ralph is rather exotic. I’d go for something easy, like Orlando.”

“Orli.”

“Orli it is.”

The shooting was going well. The older man took to the role of the King as if he had lived it. The atmosphere and morale around the set raised and tensions melted.

Orlando was still avoiding his cell phone like the plague. He had yet to return to his own home and didn’t tell Peter that Stuart was calling constantly. The man had enough on his plate without having to deal with his petty personal problems.

Orli and Elijah stayed home many nights; sitting up late and talking until Orli could finally fall asleep and not wake up terrified. Eventually, the phone calls stopped.

Then the gifts started to arrive.

At first, it was just flowers in his trailer. He smiled at first when he saw the blood red roses then trembled when he read the card. The vase ended up in the trash. Then more flowers, more exotic blossoms that made Orli gasp in appreciation. Rather than throw them out, he was handing them to the make-up girls.

He had changed his cell number twice but somehow, Stuart always found him.

Viggo was silent and never asked any questions. He watched Orlando go from a smiling laughing boy to a shaking mess when they entered the trailer and a new crystal vase would be sitting on the countertop bursting with color. Viggo suppressed the need to reach out and help, which was his nature.

They both dragged themselves to their trailer, Viggo holding the door open for the bedraggled elf.

“After you, dear prince.” Viggo stifled a yawn.

“Age before beauty.” Orli yawned as well. “Stop that, gonna make me tired.”

“It’s all your fault...you and your hair. It just has to be perfect.” Viggo teased and was rewarded with one of Orli’s smiles and a tired laugh.

“Bugger off.” Orli stepped into the trailer and froze. Viggo didn’t see him stop and slammed into him throwing Orli off balance and they both tumbled backwards through the door and onto the ground outside the trailer.

“Shit! Ouch! Are you okay?” Viggo was instantly checking Orli for injuries and saw the boy was white. “Orlando, what is it?”

The trailer door stood open and the scent of roses, tuberoses, lilacs and every flower in New Zealand poured out. It was overwhelming and even Viggo made a face. Then they heard the phone ring.

“What the hell?” Viggo stood and walked into the trailer, wrinkling his nose at the thick sickening sweetness. The cell phone was in an open black velvet box and playing a tune he didn’t know. He wanted to turn it off, but was afraid to touch it. He looked out the open door and Orli sat on the ground, still in full costume, hugging his knees. Viggo swore he was crying.

Viggo lifted the phone, turned it over and popped the battery off to stop the annoying ring then went back out to Orlando. He went to his knees beside the boy and reached out to touch his shoulder. Orli wrenched away from the gentle touch, then looked up suddenly, eyes wet and wide.

“I’m sorry...I didn’t mean to...“ Viggo could see his heart pounding from the vein in his neck. He nodded.

“I understand. I do.” Viggo’s voice was low and soft and his arms reached out and gathered the boy close, smoothing the long blond wig. Orli stiffened at first then completely gave up and curled into Viggo’s arms.

Elijah, out of costume, came running up when he saw the scene. He skidded to a halt and watched Viggo calming Orlando; making a face at the obnoxious scent pouring from the trailer. Orlando sat back and swiped at his eyes.

“Better?” Viggo gently massaged Orli’s shoulder, searching his eyes. Orli nodded.

“Yea, just a shock.” Orli didn’t look up. Wordlessly, he curled back into Viggo’s arms and Viggo held him tight. He looked up at the stunned Elijah and shook his head.

“I don’t need to know. It’s alright.” Viggo felt Orli shiver and watched his hand reach out blindly for Lij. He came to their side and gripped the outstretched hand. Orli lifted his head.

“Can you get that cleaned out?” Orli sniffed and huddled more into Viggo. He could not explain it, but he felt safe, protected. Lij nodded.

“You got it, buddy.” Lij kissed Orli’s knuckles and sprinted off to get the other Hobbits.

“Come on.” Viggo urged. “The ground is no place for a prince.” He helped Orlando stand and kept an arm wrapped around the boy’s shoulders as he led him to the food tent.

Orli barely heard the commotion near his trailer as he sipped his tea across from the Ranger. His wig and ears lay on the table like a deflated Muppet as he muttered the story.

“Then the flowers started showing up.” He finally stopped and drained his cup.

Viggo had stayed silent the entire time, nodding and humming in agreement as Orlando spilled the tale.

“And that pretty much brings you up to date.” Orli polished off his tea.

Viggo silently refilled his cup and put the pot down slowly, his eyes trained on Orli’s shaking shoulders.

“I think the first order of business is a new trailer. And you’re staying with Elijah?” His voice was soft. Orli’s hand reached blindly across the table, searching, until Viggo gripped it tight. Orli nodded.

“That seems the best plan of action. You do know Peter needs to know of this.” Viggo dipped his head to try and catch Orli’s eyes. Orli’s head shot up, shaking.

“No, please, no.” Orli licked his suddenly dry lips, throat tight. “I feel enough like a fool. Telling Peter would – “

“Would only help.” Viggo gripped Orlando’s hand tighter. His eyes locked with Orli’s and Orli stilled.

“Please. Don’t tell him.”

The next day, everyone received new trailers. Peter’s reasons were shady at best but no one questioned it. Viggo sat in the new trailer as it’s first resident and unpacked his things. The door opened and one pissed elf slammed it as he came in.

“You lying bastard! You promised.” Orli’s face was red. He threw his duffle bag into the other chair, hands gripping the back. Viggo stood slowly.

“I made no such promise.” He moved to the make up counter and crossed his arms. “Maybe I did it for purely selfish reasons. Maybe I’m allergic to flowers.” His face was passive as he watched the fight drain out of Orlando. The boy moved to the chair, shoving his bag to the floor and flopping into it, dropping his head into his hands.

“Now everyone knows.” He groaned. Viggo slid over to stand in front of him, hands gentle on the shorn head.

“Did you ever think you can’t take on the world single handedly? Everyone needs friends, Orli. Everyone needs help sometime.” He watched Orli’s head come up, eyes big and scared.

“Everyone knows.” He muttered. Viggo placed his hands on Orli’s face and smiled.

“Everyone knows I’m allergic to tuberoses.” Which was a lie. “Everyone here is very supportive, Orlando. Let go and let them help you. Stop trying to be so damned brave.”

One tear made a path down Orli’s face and was wiped away by Viggo’s thumb. Silently, he gathered the boy into his arms again and smoothed a calloused hand over his back.

“Now hush, and stop trying so damn hard.” He pressed a kiss to Orli’s temple.

Orlando stiffened and pushed back, shaking his head. “No...don’t do that.”

Viggo was shocked, then realized he must have done something Stuart did. He raised his hands and nodded. “Sorry... didn’t mean to step over any boundaries.” He bowed. “My apologies to the Prince.” He rested his hands on the counter behind him and smiled. Orlando let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding.

“It’s alright.. I.. “ He ran his hands over his head. “I’m sorry.” And he watched Viggo return to unpacking.

“Hey it’s okay.” Viggo stood and smiled. “I promise. You’ve been through some tough shit and I am not one to question you at all. So, relax, elf boy.” He winked when Orli smiled.

The rain that was not man made had stopped production cold. Viggo kept enough of a distance that Orlando missed him but was just as terrified of getting too close. They broke filming early and abandoned the set until things dried out.

Elijah was in the kitchen trying to cook and Orli stumbled in from a late afternoon nap. His sleep pants hung low and he scratched his head and yawned.

“Hey sleeping beauty.” Lij smiled then yelped and jumped back from the popping bacon.

“Trying to burn the house down?” Orli laughed and poured himself a cup of tea from the hot pot.

“No, I got hungry and we don’t have much here.” Lij stepped back up and poked at the bacon. It popped again and he jumped. “Shit! It’s alive!”

Orli laughed then they both stopped when headlights appeared in the driveway, casting an eerie light over the living room. They silently watched the lights blink out and listened to a car door slam.

“Fuck.” Orli put his cup down, already starting to shake.

“Relax, I’ll see who it is. Stay here.” Elijah abandoned the pan and went to the front door.

Orli reached over turned off the burner, ears straining to listen. He heard the shout accompanied with a laugh and stepped from the kitchen. He was ready to fling the pan at whoever had walked in until he saw a dripping wet Viggo loaded down with armloads of paper bags. Elijah was practically jumping for joy.

“It’s the cavalry!” He beamed and helped drop the bags on the coffee table, going to his knees and tearing at the greasy paper. “Fuck, where the hell did you find Chinese food out here?” Lij stuffed an egg roll into his mouth.

“It’s not Siberia.” Viggo laughed and shed his coat, shaking it out and hanging it by the door. “Call it a hunch you guys were hungry. And...“ He reached into a worn saddlebag. “Your new scripts, gentlemen. Complete with new dialogue and some other changes.” He plopped them on the table next to the food.

A phone rang and Elijah jumped up. “Shit, that’s mine.” He ran off and answered it. “Hello? Hey Pete! Yea, he’s here!” And he wandered off to the bedroom, egg roll in one hand, phone pressed to his ear with the other.

Viggo chuckled then looked at Orli. “I won’t stay long. Just was getting cabin fever so I volunteered to – “

His words were cut off as Orlando wrapped himself around the Ranger and kissed him hard. Viggo was taken aback but soon slipped his arms around the elf and returned the kiss. Orli tasted cigarettes and another egg roll as he melted into Viggo. Then another taste hit him hard.

Scotch.

Orli gasped and stepped back, nearly falling over the couch. “No.. fuck no... NO!” Orlando yelled.

Elijah snapped his phone closed and stepped into the room. He stopped dead.

“What the fuck! What happened?” He ran to Orli moving to stand in front of him and facing off Viggo. Viggo’s hands ran through his hair.

“I have no idea. One minute I’m covered in Orlando, next thing... “ Viggo stopped. “Shit.” He put a hand over his mouth and muttered through his fingers. “I had a drink with Peter before I came over here.” He looked at Orlando, eyes gentle.

“I’m sorry.” Viggo reached for his coat. “I’ll just get going.”

Orland snapped out of his stupor and went to Viggo quickly, stilling his actions.

“No...no...I’m sorry. Knee-jerk reaction. You’re not him.” Orli took a shuddering breath and re-hung Viggo’s coat.

“True. I’m not.” He whispered and smiled.

“Yea! You’re a better actor!” Lij was sitting cross legged on the floor digging into the feast.

Orli laughed a little. “Got ya there.” He blushed. “Come on, eat.”

With Stuart effectively out of the picture, Orli’s new target became Viggo. They worked together constantly, Orli bringing the new King up to speed. They worked late into the night in the trailer often.

It was raining again. Pouring down so hard they could not get back down the hill. Viggo took a long hot shower and lit a candle, settled back in his chair and listened to the rain on the tin roof. The door opened bringing in a damp wind and Orli shaking off raindrops like a wet puppy. Viggo smiled.

“Let me guess, it’s raining?” He chuckled.

“Ha ha, very funny.” Orli laughed and dropped his wet coat by the door. “We’re stuck here, you know.”

Viggo nodded. “I know. I was about ready to hit the hay.” He started to get up then was covered in damp elf. The kiss was urgent, hands slipping down the front of Viggo’s pants. Gently, but firmly, Viggo pushed Orli away.

“Don’t.” He spoke softly, watching the hurt and confusion cloud Orli’s eyes.

“Why not? Don’t fancy me?” Orli smiled weakly.

“I do happen to like you very much. But no. You don’t need to do this, Orlando.” Viggo sat back, hands resting on the arms of the chair.

“Do what?” Orli busied himself with nothing on the other side of the make up table. “I fancy you, you like me. We’re stuck here. I don’t-“

“You don’t have to do it.” Viggo interrupted. “You do this every time, don’t you? I am just guessing, but bedding your co-stars is a pattern with you, am I right? Obviously not a good one, if you look at what happened with Stuart. You don’t need to use your body to get what you want. Or to give people what you think they want.”

Orli froze and looked up, but didn’t look at himself in the mirror. Viggo stood and moved behind him.

“Look in there, Orlando.” He lifted the boy’s chin. “Take a good long look. Something happened to you, I don’t know what, but I have a pretty good idea.” Viggo shook his head. “It’s not you, it’s a habit. I’ve been there, in another way.” He kept Orli looking at his reflection, hands on the boy’s arms.

“You can have me, Orli. You can have me when you like yourself. You have the choice.”

Orli was stunned; mouth dropping open a little and he started to shake. How did Viggo see right through him to a part of himself he barely knew existed?

Viggo felt the shudder under his fingers. “Shhh, it’s okay. I’m sorry.”

Orli ripped away from Viggo and grabbed his coat.

“You don’t know me, old man. So you can’t handle a young guy like me to fuck... then fuck you!” Orli barely had his coat over one shoulder as he ran out of the trailer.

Viggo blinked as the door slammed then sighed. “Why did I have to be right?” He grabbed his cell phone to call his ex-wife. If anything, she’d understand.

Orlando was back at the railing of Elijah’s deck watching the sunset. He was alone. He opted out of a night of bar hopping with the Hobbits.

His mind would not let him stop thinking of Viggo and what he said. He still worked with the man, but when the cameras stopped, so did Orlando. He’d lost count of the number of directors and leading men he’d slept with. When he did, it just seemed to make things easier, solidify the connection between them during the production. What Orlando ignored was the empty feeling when the play closed. He didn’t much like half of the people he fucked. He liked sex; that was easy. It was all the emotional weirdness that got tangled up in it. Not to mention that dead feeling deep inside when he watched them walk away.

Stuart was not going to walk away. He was on his way to the airport when he threw a hundred dollar bill at the cab driver and told him to take him to the set. Another hundred got him past security.

He stumbled out of the car, chewing mints like candy, much like the first day he arrived. He was going to have Orlando, convince him to leave the production with him. They would start a theater company together. It was going to be perfect.

He saw Orli taking off his wig and walking to a trailer he didn’t know. Then, he watched an older man holding open the door for him and they silently stepped in.

“Fucker.” Stuart spat and walked a wobbly line to the trailer. He pounded on the door. “ORLANDO!”

The entire set stopped dead and the door opened. The older man stepped out. “Can I help you?” The stench of sweat and scotch almost made him recoil.

Stuart looked him over. He was dressed as Aragorn. Stuart spat at his feet.

“You bastard! Fuck him yet?” Stuart slurred loudly. “From what I hear, everyone does! Did you have to take a number or-“

He stopped and his face went soft when Orlando stepped out and right in front of him.

“Baby... oh baby. I’ve come back for you. Come on, I want to take you away from all this.” Stuart reached out for the boy.

One left hook and Stuart saw nothing but stars before he hit the ground.

Viggo and the entire crew stood in silence. Orlando rubbed his left hand, lips set in a grim line and he lifted his eyes to Viggo.

“I’ve made my choice.”

FIN