vigorli

Title: Out of the Darkness...Light (2/?)
Author: DS
Pairing: Orlando/Viggo
Rating: NC-17
Summary: Orlando undergoes a terrible, life-shattering experience, but will
find a light at the end of the tunnel
Warnings: Mentions of rape and violence; extreme emotional suffering
Disclaimer: I have no affiliations with any of the actors, only the
plot is mine.
Feedback: I'd love to hear what you think.
Note: I originally began writing and posting this story several years ago,
but was sidetracked by real life and had to put the story on the shelf. I'm
back now and want to finish it, so I'm going to post it once again. I'm
starting at the beginning, for those who missed it the first time:)

CHAPTER TWO

“So, how’s it going?”

Viggo’s only answer was a weary lifting of the shoulders, disguised as a
nonchalant shrug. Orlando continued to sit slumped in the chair to which
Peter had banished him an hour before. Even though Viggo had moved to stand
in front of him in an attempt to get his attention, the boy’s eyes remained
fixed on a spot on the ground by his foot.

The older man decided to try again. “So. What happened last night? I
thought we were going to play poker.”

Indifferent shrug.

Viggo stood for a moment more, trying to decide what—if anything—he should
say. Finally, after realizing the boy didn’t want to talk, he lifted a hand
in a halfhearted wave and walked off to join Beanie and the rest of the cast
in the mess tent. Outwardly, he appeared as he normally did—calm and laid
back. But inwardly, he was seething. Viggo was mad.

Here he had totally rearranged poker night, even going so far as to kick
John out, just so Orlando could participate. And what did he get for
it—nothing!!! No explanation, no apology. Just a sullen shoulder shrug.
Kicking a stick out of his way as he stalked along, Viggo fumed. ‘The nerve
of the kid! And I even bought snacks!! Hmpphhhh!!! See if I ever do that
again!!! No more invitations from me!!!! Not in this lifetime!!!!
Hmmpphhh!!!’

With that final thought, Viggo entered the mess tent and, catching sight of
Beanie, Ian and the others, waved hello and stomped on over.

An hour later and back to work. Viggo and the others, including Orlando,
who been released from his banishment, gathered around as Peter discussed
his plan. The focus this afternoon—working on their reactions and facial
expressions as they exited Moria.

Ian, having already died onscreen, announced that he would stand on the
sidelines and provide “inspiration” to those less experienced in the acting
profession. Multiple groans.

“So you’d better make it good,” he said. “Make me feel like you really
miss me. Make me believe it!”

At Peter’s cue, the eight remaining members of the fellowship took their
places. Viggo watched as, one by one, his fellow actors transformed
themselves into hobbits, dwarves—well, dwarf—and an elf. Oh, and one
arrogant human. Dom and Billy were first and Viggo was amazed at how quickly
they went from joking about their surfing adventures of the day before to
crying real tears for their fallen comrade. Ian was pleased. And John,
what an excellent job he did of portraying gruffness and caring at the same
time. Sean Astin. Elijah. They were great, as always. Now it was Beanie
’s turn and his features bore just the right combination of sadness and
anger. And then Orlando…Orlando. The look on his face was—it was
heartbreaking. Shock, disbelief and a profound sense of loss—all rolled
into one. It was so real. Viggo was mesmerized, and in the ensuing
silence, he realized that everyone else was captivated as well. They’d all
stopped what they were doing and were watching the young man, who seemed
totally oblivious to being the focus of their attention. It was, Viggo
thought, haunting. And then, as quickly as he had become Legolas, he was
once again Orlando, though Viggo could have sworn he saw the remnant of a
tear in the corner of one of those beautiful, expressive eyes. But then,
the young man blinked, turned his head and walked away—off by
himself—leaving a stunned group of professionals behind.

Viggo was puzzled. This was not normal Orlando behavior. This subdued,
stumbling boy was the total opposite of the usually bubbly and vibrant young
man. It was at that moment that he realized that something was wrong with
Orlando. And he recognized—for the first time and with a certainty—that
whatever it was had to do with last night and the missed poker game.

He would be a big man and put aside his hurt feelings. He would find out
what was wrong!