The Student

Chapter 10 - Wait, was that an elf?

Humanity has a particular sound when it's in a hurry. It sort of sounds like a cross between singing, buzzing, and yelling. I heard all three of these cacophonous noises as I exited my flight from Auckland. I was early and very glad for that. I had managed to avoid the terrible airline food, instead catching a quick catnap.

These three sounds, anyway, were all around me when I left the plane. Mostly Aussi and Kiwi voices, I heard a couple of French women talking about some unknown big sister that was very loose when it came to morals. There was a group of American student also, and I smiled at their excitement. I had felt the same way about being in New Zealand. I still felt that same way. I was so glad to be here.

My step held a spring to it, and my newly shorn hair bounced lightly against my neck. I raised an uncertain hand to the chin length tresses. I had been threatening to cut my hair for years, and when the salon around the corner was having a special, Eve dragged me down and made me cut my hair, and dye it, red.

It didn't look bad at all. Just . . . different. I hoped that it was so different that Orlando wouldn't recognize me tonight, when Viggo had the party he had been threatening me with for a month and a half. I hoped he like my hair very much.

Exiting the gate, I merged into the mass human exodus for the baggage claim while keeping an eye peeled for a certain actor/photographer who was simply Viggo to me, but that one guy from 28 Days to the rest of the world. He had said he'd meet me at the baggage claim, under the car rental sign. My eyes flicked around the room, settling on the car rental sign, but with no Vigg under it. I sighed. It had been a bumpy flight, and I hadn't eaten anything. I was exhausted, and it was only 7 o'clock at night.

I pushed through the crowd around the turnstile and grabbed my bags. All two of them. I had traveled light because Vigg had told me that he'd buy anything else that I didn't need besides the necessities. Turning, I pushed my way back out and stood at the edge of the crowd, looking very forelorned.

A man with long, whispery blond hair walked by. I followed him with my eyes. Man, he looked so familiar. I caught his breeze, and there was the scent of pine, spicy cologne, and a bit of hair gel to him. This was even more particular. He smelled like Orli. He stopped by the turnstile and scanned the crowd, but turned back, and looked directly at me.

My jaw dropped. It was Orlando, and he was a blond! Spotting me, he came up and swept me up in a huge hug. I buried my face in his neck and the hair hanging there as I giggled at the thrill of his arms around me. He spun again and I laughed louder before he finally set me back down. Swatting at my nose with his fingertips, he smiled gently into my eyes. "Hey you. Long time no see."

I giggled. "Nice hair Orlando. I really like this look on you." He grinned and flipped his hair over one shoulder. I laughed. He flicked his hand up to my head and pulled down on one of my much shorter curls.

"You're new look is also stunning Laura. I really love the red." He smiled wickedly. "Hopefully, we can see what else we can light on fire." My face burned red with his comment and I could feel the color creep slowly down my neck and to my chest. What a wonton thing to say! But, then again, this was Orlando. He grabbed the bags that I had dropped in my rush to have my arms around him, and lead the way out to a car parked on the curb. This was no Mustang. Instead, it was a stretch limo and I gaped as a smartly dressed driver opened and closed the door for us, being kind and courteous. I had been treated nicely before, but this was amazing.

Once we were settled on the plush leather seats of the vehicle, I finally gave into the growing urge and pulled Orlando to me for a kiss. We took our time to get reacquainted with each other's bodies and minds. Pulling away, Orli smiled against my moist lips. Looking into my eyes, he kissed me again lightly. "God, I've missed you terribly. Have you missed me?" He gave me his best puppy-dog look, which was pretty good, and pulled back a bit.

I grinned. "No, not at all. I only talked non-stop every single time you called and then spent an hour afterwards obsessing over how you sounded and how much I missed you.", I joked, laughing lightly.

He frowned. "Oh. Sorry I asked."

Laughing, I swatted at his shoulder and leaned into his chest. "Of course I've missed you. More than life itself, you know." He chuckled and wrapped a strong arm around my shoulders as we settled into the short ride over to the studio.

Movie sets have always been in my life. My uncle was acting before I could walk, and ever since the fateful trip to New York, I was always begging to visit Viggo and his wife and hang out on the set. I had met many interesting people that way, and a lot of movie people knew of me. I loved the whirl and mysticism of the whole experience.

This excitement was clear in my face as Orlando helped me out of the car, then held on to my hand as we walked around the set for a while, Orli introducing me to sound technicians and prop people and make-up artists. We stopped for a bit when one of the gaffers and Orlando got into a discussion about some sports teams over in England, and I listened with rapt attention. Orlando was a completely different, extremely extroverted being around this guy. I like the change, but I like the first Orlando better.

We moved on when they both agreed to disagree, and we met up with Ian McKellen, in a wig and a beard. I didn't recognize him at first when he came up, but the second I heard his voice, my jaw dropped and I gasped. Taking in my reaction, he chuckled, throwing his beard expertly over his shoulder. He gave me a quick hug.

"Your hair cut is charming Laura. I trust it wasn't too hard to get all your hair cut off. I know that if I always had long hair, I'd go crazy."

Laughing, I shook my head. "No, it was an on-going decision that took me three years to manage." We all laughed and my gaze flicked to Orlando. His blond hair was so beautiful on him. It was hard to imagine what he looked like without the wig. I finally understood the film's point in keeping his hair in a mohawk. His hairline in the wig was much higher and gave him a pronounced forehead that was very regal looking. I watched him as he chatted easily with Ian and was once again struck by the beauty of that mouth. I blushed as I remember the feeling of those very lips on mine, and on my face. He turned and caught my gaze, and my blush.

Ian also saw both and was very accepting to the fact that we were holding hands. He smiled in secret before slapping Orlando on the shoulder in farewell and giving me another hug before moving on.

We continued our path until we reached a huge soundstage and I squeaked as a plane flew over. I brought my hand to my eyes to block the light from the setting sun as a huge 747 flew low over the building. The airport was less than two miles away. `That must be a bitch to film with.' Orli called my voice from the doorway of the building and I followed him into the dark interior.

All around us were props, costumes, and lighting gear. There was a rack of clothing with "ELF" written on a piece of paper stuck to the end. I saw an array of natural greens and browns and some black clothing hanging on it. Orlando made a beeline for the rack and pulled off a couple of hangers. They were tied together at the hook of the hanger, and a sign reading "Legolas" was printed clearly in black permanent marker, was taped to the metal. I strained my eyes in the dark of the building to try and see what else was on the rack, but my poor sight wouldn't allow it.

"Come on. Let's go check out the scene they're filming." Orli draped the clothes over one shoulder and picked up my hand again, leading me towards the far end of the building, which seemed to be quite busy.

They were filming a scene in a place called Rivendell, he told me. I shrugged and asked what that was.

He stopped dead in his tracks and turned a horrified glare on me. "You've never read the books, have you?" He practically sneered at me and I backed up a couple of steps in slight fear. He was really taken back by it, and he frowned for a second more before shrugging. "Whatever. I'll have to get you a copy. It's bloody wicked." Winking, he pulled us over to an arch that a very familiar form was standing on.

It was Vigg! In `ranger' clothes! He was talking to some dark haired elf girl, but I couldn't tell who it was because her back was turned to me. "That's Liv Tyler. She's Arwen, Aragorn's love `interest.'" He made the little quotations with his fingers as he leaned in close to my cheek. I nodded, blown away by the beauty of the scene. They were speaking in low tones, but I could tell that it wasn't English. Orlando also answered that one for me. "It's Elvish. It's a language that Tolkien actually made up himself. A lot of us get to speak it."

I turned my head and looked into his eyes. "Even you?"

He nodded proudly. "Yup, even me. It's wicked. It's like a cross between some Gaelic lingoes and some French and even a little Italian. It's very romantic."

I smiled and gave him a sweet smile. "Tell me something romantic in Elvish. Please?" I gave him the puppy dog eyes and he laughed before his brows furrowed and his face set into a mask of thought.

"Um . . . " He was still thinking, but suddenly, he smiled wide and turned me around completely, bringing a hand between our bodies and leaning close to my lips and eyes and forehead. "Ah, Aniron Laura." I giggled. He had said my name with an accent that wasn't English. I loved it. I was about to ask for another line when his lips swoopewn own on my own and claimed my mouth for the second time that day.

This kiss left me feeling breezy and light-headed. I didn't even hear when the director man called "CUT!" and my uncle descended upon me with hugs and words of affection. I was brought to my senses when Vigg tapped my cheeks lightly.

"Hello? Is there anyone in there?" I blushed and blinked, slowly focusing on the world around me. Vigg half-turned to the man behind him. "Jeez Orli. I thought you'dled led her!" Orlando blushed too, but Viggo just laughed before hugging me again. This time I actually responded and we embraced tightly. I had missed him almost as much as Orli. Setting me back on my feet, he turned and let Orlando stand next to me once again. "Come on, I want you to meet some people Laura."

He pulled me over to the director, Peter Jackson, and introduced us. Peter was a real sweetheart and gave me a hug instead of a handshake. "Anyone who's a relative of Viggo Mortensen is a friend of mine." He told me while Vigg chuckled in the background. When Vigg mentioned letting me be in a few scenes, Peter was very agreeable and said that I should be a hobbit.

I frowned at this when Orli explained that they were short creatures with curly hair and big, hairy feet.

I raised a hand defensively to the mop of hair on my head. "Hey, it's not that curly." I pouted lightly while everyone around me laughed. I felt like an outcast, but when Orli squeezed my hand reassuringly, I was fine with these people.

Someone cleared their throat loudly behind me and we all turned, to see Liv Tyler standing with her arms crossed and her face set in a mask of annoyance. "Are we going to finish this scene or not, because I have stuff I have to do tonight." She spit out the last word and I unconsciously stepped back a pace. She was being a real bitch.

Peter's smile faded and he nodded, sighing deeply. I could tell that this woman had been an annoyance before. He signaled everyone to take their places again and I watched the scene play out, and end with a kiss between Liv and Vigg. I mentally winced when I thought about how he was old enough to be her father, but brushed it off. She was an elf and forever lived with that face, so it made enough sense all right.

When the shoot was finally called to a close for the day, Viggo rejoined us and excited explained that he had managed to `rent' half of the `Viper's Den', one of the most exclusive nightclubs in all of Wellington, for a party for me. He said that most of the cast, and a huge part of the crew would be there. I nodded mutely, silently hopping that Liv wouldn't be joining us. I didn't bother to put this into words because I didn't want to offend anyone.

I turned to Orlando as I realized that he had said something. "I'm sorry. What did you say?"

He chuckled. "I asked if you'ke tke to head to my apartment of Viggo's to change. The choice is yours."

I wasn't oblivious to the fact that both men were watching me intently, waiting for my answer. On the one hand, I hadn't seen my uncle for a month and a half and I missed him badly. On the other hand, it was Orlando we were talking about here, and I would have given my favorite Bare Naked Ladies CD to have the opportunity to see his home. I ultimately played the situation safe. "I think I'll stay with Viggo, if it's okay with you Orlando." I gave him a pleading look, begging him with my eyes to not be mad at me.

He smiled in return and I knew it was all right. I had a few days anyway, and I would be able to see him in his natural habitat later.

"Well, if you're coming with me, the bandwagon is leaving now. I'm all sweaty and I need a shower." He sniffed an armpit, comically making a disgusted face. We laughed with him. "Yeah, I have to go grab my keys and stuff, but I'll be back in five."

Nodding, Orlando and I watched as he jogged off in the direction of the exit door.

We turned simultaneously, both grasping hands in between our bodies. I could feel the tension that was buried beneath Orli's hands. He was a tense man at that moment and I could almost see the thoughts of steamy, passionate couplings through his eyes. He blushed crimson when I let go of his hand, and reaching around his back, grabbed his ass for good effort before I pulled his mouth viciously down on my own. He gasped in surprise, giving me an entry into his mouth, which I exploited thoroughly with my tongue before I finally let go of his butt and hugged him.

He stood stunned as I plundered his body with my hands and lips, silently chuckling under his breath at my outlandish behavior. I brought my lips to his ear and blew the blond hair, which was clumping around his head, out of my way. Licking a path around the rim, I breathed low and clearly. "You're coming tonight, right?" He nodded and I kissed his ear lobe. "Good. I'd have to beat you up other wise."

I head Viggo call my name and pulled away, taking a step back. Orlando just stood there with a cocky expression on his face, knowing the effect that he had on my mind and my body. I was completely all right with his domination, as long as he let me control the passion every once in a while.

Vigg asked if I was ready to go and I nodded once before smiling jauntily and blowing a kiss at Orlando, and turning to leave. I heard the Brit laugh and I left the sound stage for the night.