Disclaimer: I don't own these characters. Tolkien does.

This is a slash between Aragorn and Frodo. If you don't like this then leave now. You Have Been Warned

// = Thoughts

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Aragorn leaned against the tree heavily. The hobbits were not far off, cooking breakfast and tending to some minor wounds received from a fight with a band of orcs a day passed. Strider himself had received a cut across the face and another one his left forearm. Neither was very deep but they did prove to be trouble now and then. He closed his eyes, relaxing for the moment that they had to spare. After a few moments, though his eyes were closed, Strider could tell there was someone close to him.

"Yes Master Frodo?" said the Ranger in his normally gruff and commanding tone. Aragorn then opened his eyes. Frodo flashed a partial smile.

"I am sorry to bother you Strider but do you want help in tending your wounds?" asked the young hobbit quite timidly.

// He asks about everything…// mused the man to himself ere he looked Frodo in the eye.

"I will not lie to you. It would provide a challenge for me to do it myself. I would welcome the help." Frodo's face lightened only a fraction as he knelt, now eye level with the Ranger. The hobbit set aside his supplies that he had brought over his with him. Gently, Frodo dabbed the slash across Strider's face. Strider flinched slightly, shifting to sit up straighter for his benefit as well as the hobbit's. It was then that the hobbit noticed fully the Ranger's facial features.

// He is suited for the wilds // thought the hobbit as he continued to wok slowly. Strider's eyes were on the hobbit the whole time, which caused Frodo to flush then move faster. Master Baggins set aside the cloth and picked up the ointment. He rubbed a minimal amount on the cut with gentle fingers as to not harm his guide.

"You have skilled fingers Master Baggins. Perhaps you would be up to the challenge of healer one day." Commented Aragorn once the hobbit had lowered his hand from his face. Frodo's bright blue eyes looked back into Strider's brown ones.

"Perhaps. My Uncle Bilbo was always on adventures and I so wanted to go with him. Now that I'm on my own, it is not as fun." Frodo said before reaching down to collect a second cloth. The Ranger's face showed nothing but it was slightly more carefree than it had been before. At Frodo's bidding, Strider pulled back the sleeve of his shirt to allow Frodo access to tend it. Removing the bandages was slightly touch but the hobbit did it as carefully as he could. He heard a hiss from the man as the bandage had stuck to the wound and reopened a part of it. Immediately, Frodo's hand was over the wound so that it would not have a chance to bleed too greatly.

"I am sorry for that" murmured Frodo as he waited for the wound to behave once more

"It is all right. I was expecting something similar to it. It was no fault of yours Frodo" replied Strider after a moment or two.

"Still, I could have been gentler" Frodo removed his hand slowly and found the wound no longer bleeding. Once more, he picked up the cloth and cleaned the wound, which produced a slight hiss from Strider.

"Hurry up you two. Breakfast is nearly done" called Sam to the two only a short distance away from them. Merry and Pippin already things ready for breakfast which Sam started serving a moment after.

" We will be right there Sam" called Frodo back to his friend. Then turning back to his work, he finished cleaning out the Ranger's wound, bound it and smiled.

"There. Now we won't have to worry about inflection or anything of the sort."

"Thank you" said the man, rolling his sleeve back down and into place once more.

"You are quite welcome. Let's get some breakfast before Merry and Pippin eat it all" smiled the hobbit from the Shire as he picked up his supplies and headed back over to the three.

// Such a kind heart…// sighed Strider to himself as he stood then joined the hobbits by the fire.

TBC…

Like it? Didn't like it? This is my first attempt at slash so please be nice to me. I don't own anything!