Coffee Shop Romance

Chapter 17

When we finally got back to the house, Billy casually mentioned that the two of us would be singing at tonight’s cast party. Orlando thought it was a grand idea, and said he looked forward to hearing us. Billy and I went into the back bedroom to practice. Viggo would be arriving a day late due to family issues, and wouldn't be able to play...but that didn't deter Billy at all. After a few minutes of just playing around with different songs I got comfortable enough to just sing with him. He had an amazing talent for singing...and don't even get me started on his guitar playing...let me just say that I think I watched his hands the entire time we were practicing.

I must have dazed, because I suddenly saw Billy's hand go across my line of vision. "You okay lass?"

"Yeah...sorry...I was watching you play. I loved to watch my Dad play all the time, and I like how your hands move on the strings."

"Oh." Billy blushed a few shades of red. It was cute how it extended into his hairline and I couldn't help but giggle. It didn't help, and he only darkened. "Well...you sound beautiful Sarah." Now it was my turn to blush and he was clearly enjoying it. "So what mad you want to become an actress?" He said changing the subject.

"Well...a few things actually. Um...when I was little my family and I were extras in a film. Both of my parents were active in the theater at university, and they liked to fly to NYC to see Broadway shows. My favorite one to see was Beauty and the Beast, saw it twice. Then my senior year in High School I finally had the nerve to audition for a role in "A Midsummer Night's Dream"."

"Did you get a nice part?" He offered me a drink from his water bottle.

"Yeah, I got Helena." I smiled at the memory and took a sip of water.

"Wow! One of the lovers? And that was your first audition?" He looked genuinely happy and surprised.

"Yeah...I threw myself into the role, drawing on real life experiences to flesh out the character. I connected with her deeply...she was just like me. On opening night I didn't even have the chance to be nervous, as soon as the makeup and costumes were on I was 100% focused on my role at hand. When we closed two days later I was so sad to see it end. I can't imagine how you'll feel when this press hype is finally over for The Lord of the Rings saga."

"Heh...well...that's why these reunions are so important...to keep the family in touch." He patted my cheek. "And now you're a part of the family!"

"Hardly!" I laughed, "I'm not nearly talented enough to be in your company."

"You give yourself too little credit lass." His eyes lit up suddenly, "I've the best idea! Why don't you perform a small bit of Helena's speech tonight! We can work it in with this song." He grinned and handed me the sheet music.

"How?" I was intrigued with the idea.

"Let's see..." He started chewing on his knuckle. "Ah that would work..."

I laughed, "So are you going to tell me your idea? Or shall I stay in the dark..."

"Oh no of course not fair Helena! I shall play the role of the handsome Lysander, and we shall begin with the scene where you find him asleep...soon after Robin Goodfellow places the charm on his eye..."

"And you wake up and fall in love with me."

"Aye, That is a funny scene...and I can woe you with a duet..."

"It could work...we'll have to edit the dialogue slightly...but I don't think that would be hard." For the next few hours we went over the play, I always keep a copy with me, as it is my favorite read. We worked out how we'd do the scene, and found ourselves laughing. I suddenly couldn't wait for tonight.


**Arriving at the Party a few hours later...**

"What were you and Billy so involved with back at the house?" Elijah asked. He'd been relatively quiet the drive to Peter's house.

"We were just working on the song for tonight...remember...the wonderful idea for me to sing a duet with him?" I laughed and kissed the tip of his nose.

"Oh..." He smiled. "I didn't think you'd actually do it." He laughed and took my hand, playing with the mood ring I always wore. "You'll be great."

"Thanks." 'If you only knew...' I thought. But Billy insisted the act to be kept between us, to make it even more funny. We stopped at a cute house, where a lot of cars were parked in front of. The back yard was just visible, and I could see that we were some of the last to arrive.

A man that could only be described as Hobbity came walking towards us. "Glad you guys could make it!" He smiled at me, "I hope you're Sarah...’cause Elijah's in trouble if you aren't."

I smiled and shook his outstretched hand, "Yes, I'm Sarah. Should I be worried about him?" I grinned at 'Lij as he playfully pushed the older man.

"No, no...but as the runt of our family I must pick on him when I can." He turned his attention to the others. "Billy, glad you brought your guitar! Since Viggo's not going to be here we'll definitely need some singing from you tonight!"

"Well actually Miss Sarah is going to be joining me." I smiled and blushed when Pete laughed.

"Well then we are truly in for a treat tonight! Everyone's out back, make yourselves at home." He walked back towards the house, and I followed Elijah and the others as they headed to the back yard.

When Orlando saw me he immediately ran up to me and swept me in his arms again, "Well hello again Love! Why is it that every time we meet you end up in my arms?"

"Just lucky I guess." I laughed with him. "Orlando?"

"Hmmm?"

"Put me down please." I smiled and nodded to Elijah who was standing next to us.

"But of course Milady!" He set me down and turned to 'Lij. "Sorry 'bout that darling!" With out missing a beat he picked Elijah up in similar fashion and twirled him around. I couldn't help but laugh at Elijah's childish laugh and feeble cries to be released. We ate at a large picnic table, filled with hamburgers and hot dogs and a variety of different sides. I had to fight Elijah for the last bit of potato salad...needless to say, Dom won when I suddenly stuck some on Elijah's cheek with my finger. Before he could wipe it away though, Dom leaned over and licked it off his face.

"Well guys...I'm sorry to say that this marks the end of our movie journey." Peter Jackson began. "It has been an honor and a privilege to work with you all over the past...wow, four years...for some of you it's been longer. I hope that this party becomes a time honored tradition, so let the entertainment begin!" He jumped down off his chair and handed each of us an envelope. "Each of you must come up with a different activity based on what's on your card." He explained. "Sarah, as the newest and youngest member of our family, you must go first. Stand up, and read what is on your card."

I blushed and stood up as the people around the table clapped and a Dom and Elijah whistled. "Okay...." I opened the seal and laughed. "I have to make up a game show based on the trilogy."

"Ooooo...nice one." Billy said.

"I need four volunteers." I said. "Okay..." I scanned the raised hands. "Billy, Orlando, Liv, and Andy." They all came up and sat on the chairs we'd set up. I thought for a second..."Lets see....Liv and Billy will be a team, and Orli and Andy will be the other." I looked to the rest of the people at the table, who'd all turned their chairs so they could see. "Welcome to "Who's Ring is it Anyway?" The game show where the loser gets thrown into the Fire's of Mt. Doom." I laughed when they all applauded. "Our game tonight is “Movie Quotes”, would you all please step to the side? Liv and Andy will start, now...I need from the audience is a public place where two people would meet."

"The loo!" Dom called out.

I laughed. "Well....alright then...Liv and Andy meet in a public restroom. Now, you two may only speak to each other using quotes from the three LOTR movies. When one of you stumbles, your partner will come in and take over where you left off...and well keep switching until we all grow tired of this game." I laughed, "Ready? Andy you start…Go!"

We all watched as Andy turned his back and pretended to be using a urinal. "My precioussss...." He said. And we all erupted into laughter.

Then Liv walked in, "You're late!" She said and pushed Andy.

"Where are we going?" He replied.

"Are you frightened?"

"Alright then, keep your secrets!" he retorted.

"Something draws near, I can feel it."

"Well shit." Andy laughed and stepped out of the way for Orlando.

"Mae Govannen." He said to Liv.

"Mae Govannen, Legolas Thranduil!" Liv replied.

Orlando smiled evilly, and let out the most awful shriek I'd ever heard. He was mimicking the Wraith cries...and did a damn good job. Liv burst out laughing and bowed to him before sitting back down. Billy waltzed up to Orlando and smugly said, "I smell it in the air!"

Orlando rolled his eyes, "It's a pity Bilbo didn't kill him when he had the chance!" He grumbled and jerked his thumb at Billy.

"Anyway...You need people of intelligence on this sort of mission, quest, thing!" Orlando turned a bright shade of red, and hung his head....yielding the win to Billy. Everyone at the table clapped and cheered.

Peter was laughing so hard he was almost crying. "That was excellent Sarah!" He gave me a hug before we all returned to our seats. We went through the rest of the cards, and found some of them to be quite entertaining.

Dom Monaghan topped us all with his version of Baby Gollum’s argument with himself from The Two Towers. "I'm sitting up front, No I am! We can't both sit up front! Mommy! Sméagol stole my lollipop! It was mine Precious!"

As the evening was winding down, Peter reminded us that Billy and I were supposed to sing. Billy went up front with is guitar and we began our rehearsed skit. Billy sat down on the ground and "went to sleep." I, or Helena rather, makes my entrance:

Me: "Billy?" I shook him gently, "Bills! We've got to start."

Billy: (as he wakes up) "And run through fire I will for thy sweet sake! Who will not change a raven for a dove?"

Me: "Wherefore was I to this keen mockery born?"

Billy: "Why should you think that I should woo in scorn?"

Me: "You do advance your cunning more and more..." (turn to leave)

Billy: "Stay gentle Helena; hear my excuse: My love, my life, my soul, fair Helena!" (picks up guitar)

Never knew I could feel like this
It's like I've never seen the sky, before
Want to vanish, inside your kiss
Seasons will change, Winter to spring
But I'll love you, ‘til the end of time

Come What may! Come what may, I will love you...until my dying day....

Me:

Suddenly the world, seems such a perfect place
Suddenly it moves, with such a perfect grace
Suddenly my life doesn't seem, such a waste
It all revolves around you.

Me and Billy:

And there's not mountain to high
Nor river, to wide
Sing out this song and I'll be there by your side
Storm Clouds may gather and storms may collide....

Billy:
But I'll love you

Me:
I'll love you

Me and Billy:

Until the end of time...


As Billy and I finished Elijah jumped up and swept me into the biggest hug. "That was wonderful babe!" He laughed and kissed me. We found ourselves surrounded by the rest of the cast, each one hugging us or kissing our cheeks.

"You have quite a talent, young lady." Peter said to me. "We'll have to make sure that we see you again soon..." He winked at Elijah and said we said good night to everyone. It was quite late, and we needed to get some sleep before they had their work tomorrow. The entire car ride home I was wired...I knew I'd have a hard time sleeping tonight.

As soon as we got back to the house Elijah and I went into our room to get ready for bed. Forgetting he was there, I changed into my nightgown right there in the room. "Sarah?"

"Yeah?" I sat on the bed and brushed out my hair.

"You did a great job today."

"Thanks. I was so nervous when I got there, but I relaxed pretty quickly." I blushed suddenly when he removed his shirt and pants, and walked around the room in his boxers. He was gathering some of his stuff up, since they'd be leaving in two days. I took out a book and leaned against the headboard and read until he finished. He told me very plainly he was done, when he took the book from my hands, turned out my table lamp, and wrapped me into a tender hug. We were both smiling...too much to kiss properly that night....