December 18 (Monday Evening)

Atti and Nadine arrived at 7pm. Orlando had finished supper, rushing out the door, but not before giving his mum a hug and a fairly usual “Don’t wait up for me” speech. Samantha was in tow, prepared to embark upon the “Black Friar” on Victoria Street.

Andre had the music pumping, Jamroquai, “A funk Odyssey”. The song “You give me something” was blaring. “Like the sunbeams from a perfect summer day Heaven only seems a step away.. When I'm with you, I just celebrate I'm hoping my message gets through, There's never been someone like you”

Orlando leaned out of the window, howling the lyrics. A heavy weight had been released from his shoulders with the conversation with Mum. For a moment, all seemed to be going along the course he had plotted for his life, though Erin was never out of his thoughts. I will call her, tonight. I must speak with her…I must let her know that I haven’t forgotten her or what we shared…that I want more.

Atti turned down onto Queen Victoria Street, parking, which was always a trivial game. The old pub made Orlando smile with fond memories. It had been a place both he and his mates had spent a good deal of time within, when they wanted a break from the noisy, hectic club scene, back in younger days.

The ancient pub had been built in 1905 on the site of an old Dominican Priory which dated to the 13nth Century. Being on a corner, the building was angular. The pub was broken into several rooms, the main one inhabited by Orlando and Atti had once been a chapel.

Atti found a parking spot two blocks from the pub. The four set to walking, Orlando still grooving to the music and lyrics he heard within his head. “Are you sure you haven’t been drinking yet, mate?”

“Not yet, but I look forward to a good stout ale and I intend to fill myself on it, man.” Orlando laughed as he opened the door to the pub for Andre, Nadine and Sam. The interior was decorated in rich greens and reds with bronze castings of merry Munks and the process of beer making. Orlando pulled up to the bar and ordered four pints. The bar keeper remembered him, instantly.

“Bloom. Pleasure to be seein’ ya again, mate. Hear ya have a tremendous success with the films and all. Drinks are on the house tonight, mate. Good to have you back.”

Orlando gave him a salute. “I look forward to breaking the house of that rule.” He laughed, bringing four tankards back to the table. He slid in next to Atti, Sam and Nadine talking amongst themselves.

“So, going to tell me about this girl you lost your blooming mind over?” Atti lifted his drink.

“I have told you all there is to tell you, really. I can’t stop thinking about her, man. Its like, completely bizarre, you know? She is even there in my dreams. I am infected with her. I think I love her, man. I really do.” Orlando smiled as he took a drink of his own. It feels so good to be back in a familiar place again. Old memories, good memories are all about me. My perspective is finding it’s place, once again.

“Love comes and goes with you, Orli. Intense and dull, that’s your fluctuation. How are you so sure this is someone you want to be with? I remember when Jemma was the flavor you tried to sell me on. So, what’s your answer? And don’t outface me either.” Atti raised a sharply lined brow.

Orlando slid an arm around Andre. “Well, it’s something like this, man. I can’t stop thinking about her. I can’t stop dreaming about her. I keep thinking of ways to tell her what I have in my heart and nothing ever seems good enough.” Orlando smiled. “She is real. She brings me hope, Atti. Erin brings me a sense of desire, more than just a roll about. Erin.. even her name is beautiful, isn’t it, mate.”

“Now your just being all foolish.” Andre laughed, taking a swig of his ale. He turned to look at his friend, seeing a light shine brightly in his eyes. “Aye, it is a beautiful name. She must be quite the woman to make you smile so. Don’t think Jemma ever made you smile so.”

“What a load of swagger, that is.” Sam slammed her empty tankard on the table. “All we had to hear for a fortnight is how wonderful Jemma is…how fantastic she makes him feel. I don’t think you know what love is, Orli. Don’t think you ever will, at this rate. Your looking for what you can’t find, wrapped up in a pretty little package.” Samantha wiped her mouth of the ales’ froth.

“Is that so?” Orlando finished his tankard, signaling the bar keep over. “Why don’t I invite you to keep your trap shut when it comes to my love life, big sister.”

“How can I do that when you keep putting your foot into your own arse.” Sam shook her head. “Unlike most, I have known you all of your life. Your forever looking for the next rush, the next intensity. Love doesn’t work that way. A woman doesn’t work that way.” Sam was regarding him sternly as the Bar Keep refilled their tankards with fresh, stout English ale. “This one sounds like she is on a fine path, working hard serving people in need at Hospital. Why do you want to mess her life for the sake of your latest feelings?”

“I didn’t ask you for your counsel, Sam.” Orlando spied her, his eyes cold.

“You haven’t asked for it in some time. I could have told you that your commitment to Jemma was a fleeting moment in the making, if you would have.” Sam took a drink. “You’re my brother, my flesh and I love you. But you go through women like ale in a tankard. You don’t know what the real meaning of commitment is. Your not ready for it. Maybe someday, but not now.”

“Is that your official take on it, then?” Orlando lit a cigarette, watching his sister through the flame.

“I know she makes you happy, right now. But are you so sure she is looking for Mr. Right Now?” Sam leaned back, watching Orlando, the smoke curling past his lips.

“I love her, Sam.” He stated plainly. “That’s the long and short of it.”

“You have loved so many times, I wonder what your base for comparison is. Its your life, Orli. I want you to be happy. Do as you like and take the road for wherever it leads you.”

For Wherever it may lead…

Orlando sat back, sighing softly.

“Aw, shit. Here comes trouble on high heels. Jemma just walked in.” Andre buried his head, eyes cast down at his slowly depleting tankard.

Orlando ordered a double shot of whiskey from the bar keep, pausing till he received and drank the contents. Standing, he excused himself from his company and signaled Jemma to a booth a short distance from his sister and friends.

Jemma had gone all out with her appearance. Her flagrant attempts to attract him, made Orlando snicker. Every piece of clothing was skimpy and designer. Once upon a time, he found that attractive…but things had recently changed. “Jemma. Good to see you.” He kissed each side of her cheek as the two sat down, some what secluded from the rest.

“Good to see you too, Orli. Glad to see you back from the states. Ghastly place, even if it is the center of fashion for the country.” Jemma shrugged, sipping a white wine.

“So, here I am as you requested. You had something to tell me about your hasty departure last night. Care to elaborate?” Orlando ordered another ale.

“I love you, Orli. I am still ready to spend my life with you. Something has changed since you went to Australia to pursue your acting. I cant put my finger on it, but I cant deal with it if we are to share a life together. Don’t I please you anymore?” Jemma laid her cards out on the table.

“Look at you. Your beautiful, willful, aggressive. Your everything I wanted a year ago. But that beauty has become skin deep. That willfulness has become bitchiness. The aggressiveness has become demand.” Orlando was blunt, his words colder than he wanted to display. “Jemma, I still love you, deep in my heart. But I haven’t been in love with you for sometime now. I guess New York just showed it more than I thought it would.”

“So it has nothing to do with that American trash, Erin?” Jemma raised her wine glass to her lips, sipping slowly as her eyes locked to his.

“I mind you to keep her name out of this.” Orlando found himself defensive.

“You shagged her, didn’t you?” Erin glared at him reproachfully.

Orlando felt himself want to fidget beneath her gaze, lighting up another cigarette. “That is neither here, nor there.”

“I forgive you if you did.” Jemma smiled, delightfully.

Orlando smelled the trap. “None of that has anything to do with the point, Jemma. You were an amazing catch, beyond even my thought and desire when first we met and made these promises. I just don’t feel it now.”

“Acting has changed you, Orli. I don’t think you know what you want or who you want. You have the world at your fingertips and now your looking to better deal me. You like honesty, intensity? There you have it.” Jemma glowered.

“It has nothing to do with acting. I could give a shit less if I was adored or despised by the masses.”

Jemma cut him off. “Bullshit, but continue the speech you have been practicing all day.”

“It is not bullshit, Jemma. I played a part in a few different productions before the Rings started to film. I was able to tolerate a lot of your shit simply because you were beautiful. I considered myself lucky that you would even condescend to be with me. Now I realize that my feeling like a lucky dog during our relationship wasn’t healthy for me. I don’t love you like that anymore. The fascination is over. I am glad you had the balls to do what I could not.” Orlando glared deep into her eyes.

“That’s the way of it then?” Jemma finished her drink, uncrossing her legs and bringing herself to a stand.

Orlando nodded. In an instant, Jemma let her hand fly, connecting with his cheek. Orlando rose, his features stone cast. “Did that make you feel better, love? Well then, to answer a previous question. Yes, I shagged her. I have every intention of doing it again. How is that for a slap in the face?”

Jemma turned and brusquely walked out of the pub. Orlando rubbed his cheek. Her hand had stung him harshly across his face. He wasn’t proud of what he said and instantly regretted the tenacity of it.

“Smooth move, Orli. Very smooth.” Atti laughed, setting a tankard before him. “So, that settles it, then?”

“You could say that. You could definitely say that.” Orlando took a strong pull, running his fingers through the unruly tufts of his mahogany mane.

Amy and Erin shared a quite dinner. Erin picked at a salad, not really caring for the casserole her best friend had thrown together. Her eyes were downcast, focusing on the creamy blue cheese dressing she had globbed on, her arm resting along her bent knee.

“Billy called, he sends his love.” Amy brought her plate to the sink, putting some coffee on.

Erin looked up, slightly startled. “You didn’t tell him anything did you?” Oh god, if she told him..he will tell Orlando…I don’t need that right now. I don’t need his pity. I am fine. I survive, I always do.

Amy bit her lip slightly, her back turned to Erin. “Um, no. He wasn’t on for long, he was on his way out with Dom. Just checking in. He did ask me if I would come out and visit him on set for The Return of the King. So, I figure I could go out there when you hit England. Billy said if he gets time off, he will fly out to England with me to visit with you during that time, if you like.?”

Erin seemed visibly relieved. “That sounds good, I am sure it would be fine with Sierra and her husband.” She paused a moment thinking of one of her oldest friends with soft memory. “I cant wait to see them. Time can’t go by fast enough. Ah, well. I am going to flip through channels, let me know when the coffee is done.”

Amy nodded as Erin left the table. Damn, I hate lying, especially to Erin. Amy cleared her throat as she set up two coffee mugs.

Erin flipped through the channels, pausing a moment on MTV. She closed her eyes softly and thought of that first moment, that first intimate contact. The video on the music channel blared a familiar and significant song. “Whenever, Where Ever” By Shakira.

“Lucky you were born that far away

So we could both make fun of distance

Lucky that I love a foreign land for

The lucky fact of your existence

Baby I would climb the Andes solely

To count the freckles on your body

Never could imagine there were only

Ten million ways to love somebody

Le ro lo le lo le,

Le ro lo le lo le

Can't you see...I'm at your feet

Whenever, wherever

We're meant to be together

I'll be there and you'll be near

And that's the deal my dear

There over, hereunder,

You'll never have to wonder

We can always play by ear

and that's the deal my dear”

Amy leaned along the doorjamb into the living room. Erin was curled up on the couch, watching the video on TV, enraptured. She knew, intrinsically what was going through her best friends mind. She is recalling every touch, every movement..every time he looked into her eyes. Why is it that only women ever recall these things in such detail? Maybe if men had strong emotions, they would get it…

“Lucky that my lips not only mumble

They spill kisses like a fountain

Lucky that my breasts are small and humble

So you don't confuse them with mountains

Lucky I have strong legs like my mother

To run for cover when I need it

And these two eyes that for no other

The day you leave will cry a river

Le ro lo le lo le,

Le ro lo le lo le

At your feet, I'm at your feet

Whenever, Wherever

We're meant to be together

I'll be there and you'll be near

And that's the deal my dear

There over, hereunder

You'll never have to wonder

We can always play by ear

But that's the deal my dear

Le ro lo le lo le,

Le ro lo le lo le

We can fly, say it again

Lo ro lo le lo le lo le

Tell me one more time

That you'll live

Lost in my eyes”

Erin bit the side of her nail softly, though her eyes were focused on the TV, her thoughts were elsewhere, across the ocean…in England.

“Whenever, wherever

We're meant to be together

I'll be there and you'll be near

And that's the deal my dear

There over hereunder,

You've got me head over heels

There's nothing left to fear

If you really feel the way I feel

Whenever, wherever

We're meant to be together

I'll be there and you'll be near

And that's the deal my dear

They're over, you're under

You've got me head over heels

There's nothing left to fear

If you really feel the way I feel”

Amy came around the coffee table and sat down, offering Erin a hot mug of coffee. “You alright, hon?”

“No, but what good is that going to do for me, now?” She took a sip. “Why did I have to run? What would have happened if I stayed…God, why do I think these things?”

“Love makes you think the wildest things…its not unusual to second guess. What is done is done. The question now should be, how can we get it undone?” Amy watched her over the rim of her cup.

“Its too late for all that. I just don’t want to sit and pine away for the rest of my life on the one that got away. I wish I hadn’t met him…but I feel so privileged to have spent even a moment as the focus of his eyes. Orlando has the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen, almost ethereal and yet, warm. When he looked at me, I felt like the only woman in the world. Actors. They make you believe what isn’t real.” Erin rested her head on her palm, looking to Amy. “Enough self pity. How is Billy, other than excited if you can get the time off to visit him?”

“Billy is fine. But you cant shut me up like that. Whether or not Orlando knows it, he loves you too. I just hope he doesn’t realize it too late to do right by it.” Amy gave a narrowed, authoritative glance.

“I would give it a hope, Amy. But I don’t gamble and if I did, I wouldn’t blow my savings on a long shot horse. Lets crank up some music and get drunk. We don’t have to be sober again until tomorrow morning.” Erin feigned her best smile.

“Sounds good, wanna play a drinking game? How about the Alphabet and Music one? I always get ripped at that.” Amy rose, heading to her always stocked liquor cabinet.

“You always get plowed because you suck at anything that isn’t sung by Bowie or Ozzy. But yeah, I’m game. Bring it on.” Erin sat her coffee down and rubbed her hands together, mischievously.

Orlando stumbled up the driveway with Andres help. He was coherent enough to belt out a few words amidst mindless laughter from a host of jokes only he had apparently heard.

“I have to call her, Atti. It cant wait. I have to hear her voice, man.” Orlando staggered, his arm around Andres neck and shoulder, drawing him in closer. “You cant call anyone like this, mate. Your pissed.” Andre laughed. He had only enough to make him buzzed while Orlando drank to forget his troubles.

“I am not pissed. I am just fine, man. I have to call her, I have to tell her, you know?” Orlando broke away from Andre, tumbling forward and sitting down with his back to the front door. He withdrew a cigarette and his cell phone. Flipping it open, he blinked to concentrate on the lighted number pad. Leaving the lit cigarette between his lips, he withdrew his wallet and the number Lij had left for him. He strained to dial it, using the glowing ember from his fag to clearly illuminate Lijahs handwriting..

“Orli, you really should get inside, mate. You will catch your death out here. Let me ring and Sam will let you in. That is, if she is still speaking to you.” Andre laughed. Sam had stormed off with Nadine to frequent another pub as Orlando became biligerently drunker.

“I have to do this, man.” Orlando brought the phone to rest between his ear and shoulder. His legs were drawn up against his chest, parted as his other hand draped over his knee, enshrouding him in cigarette smoke.

The Number you have reached, 011-169-845-555-5559 in the Country Code United States, City Code New York, is no longer in service. No forwarding number or additional information is available at this time.

“Bloody hell” Orlando threw his cellphone, hearing it smash into pieces on the walkway. He banged his head back against the door, unruly tendrils of dark mahogany fell in cascades before his eyes. Orlando raised his thumb to the bridge of his nose. “Bugger me, Andre. What am I going to do, her number is not in service.”

“You sleep it off and try again in the morning. Call Lij, maybe he gave you the wrong number, you know, mate?” Andre shook his head, rarely seeing his old friend in such a state of despair.

“I can’t do that, man. I need to talk to her, you know? I have to tell her I was wrong. I have to tell her that I understand why she ran because I have been running all this time. I want us to run toward each other, not in opposite directions. I have to tell her, man. Help me to tell her, Atti, please.” Orlando looked up, his eyes tormented and unwavering.

“Alright, mate. Do you have her friends number? Maybe that girl, Amy will have a number.” Andre leaned down on the step.

Orlando shook his head. “It was on the memory on my phone.” He blinked back desperate tears, drawing his hand along his eyes to wipe away the evidence before it fell along his cheeks. “Bloody hell, mate. If this is meant to be, why is everything standing in the way?”

“What comes easily to you, Orli, goes just as easy. Maybe this is exactly what you need to feel to fight for what you want.” Andre offered an outstretched hand to help his friend up. Orlando accepted, flicking the cigarette out onto the lawn. He produced his keys as Andre helped to get him into the house. “Get on up to bed and call me when you wake up. We have plans, remember? Go on now. Things will look better in the morning.”

Orlando stumbled, looking into the house and then, back to Andre. “Take me to Doms house, man. You remember, we were there last time I came home. It will take us a few minutes, there is no traffic and all at this hour. Billy is there.”

“Orli, mate…listen to me. This is not the way it needs to go. Your not in the right state for this. Its nearly half after 2 in the morning, Dom and Billy are probably long asleep now. Sleep it off, mate.” Andre patted him softly.

“Fine, Atti. I will drive there myself. My car is still here, I’m alright to drive.” Orlando closed the door behind him.

“Damn you’re a stubborn goat, mate. Your in no shape to drive. Look, I will take you there..but only because you will kill yourself if you get behind the wheel. What would the world do if Legolas dies before Two Towers and Return of the King are premiered? You better love me, mate and hope they don’t call the cops on us.” Andre shook his head. This was against his better judgement.

Orlando slipped back into the car, flicking the radio. “Thanks, Atti. I do love you, man. You’re the best friend I could ever ask for.” He paused as a familiar song came across the airways. “Whenever, Where Ever” By Shakira. Orlando laughed, smacking Andres hand away as he attempted to change it. “This is the first song we ever danced to, man. Leave it. This is right. Fate is smiling, finally.”

The car sped off into the night. Traffic was light and the trip lasted under a half hour at good speed. The duo pulled up to the apartment, both looking several stories up to see if the lights in Dominic Monahagns apartment were still on. Luck was on their side.

Orlando rushed up, stumbling to the call box, ringing hastily. No answer. Orlando rang again, pushing the button with annoyingly rapid succession. Dom leaned out the window, screaming out, “What Gives?”

Orlando stepped back, waving emphatically.

“Billy, Orli is here. Buzz him in, mate.” Dom slipped back into the apartment and the buzz came inside of a moment. Orlando and Andre ran in, climbing several flights of stairs.

Billy opened the door as Orlando screamed out, “BIIILLLYYYY”.

“What in the bloody hell are ya doin’ here at this hour. We were hoppin’ off to bed, mate.” Billy was forced into Orlandos embrace. “Aww, Bloody Hell, ya stink of spirits, lad. Yer pissed!”

Orlando grabbed Billys wrists, pushing him into the apartment as Andre followed, closing the door behind him. “Listen to me, man. I tried to call Erin but her number is not coming up connected. Can you call Amy…can you get me Erin? Please, mate?”

Dom came into view. “Orli, mate are you alright and all? Andre, good to see you again!” He listened a moment, turning a serious glance to Billy. “You have to tell him, mate.”

“Tell me, what, Billy?” Orlando stumbled, his hand bracing along the edge of Doms couch.

Billy turned to Dom. “Nah, mate. He is pissed. We will just let it pass. Right. Orli, take some coffee an’ sober up a bit, lad. Now, I know ya missed me, lad. But ya don’t need to be ringing the bell like a banshee at almost 3 in the morn.” He laughed.

Andre went with Dom to prepare some coffee, leaving Billy and Orlando alone.

Orlando shook his head, lighting up a cigarette. “Listen to me, man. I need to talk to her. I need to tell her how I feel, before I lose the nerve…before she forgets about me.”

“No one can ever ferget about you, mate. Be sure of that.” Billy sat on the arm of the couch, looking to a severely inebriated Orlando. On set, cast calls were often so early and the previous days wrap ups were so late, it was rare to get a drink in. So, Orlando like most, were enjoying as much libation as possible on this brief break before the grind was set to begin again.

“I love her, man. I see that now. I understand. I have to tell her.” Orlando pleaded as Dom and Andre returned and sat upon the couch, talking amongst themselves.

“Lad, its damn near 8 in the morn in NY, let it be. We can call her another time.” Billy shook his head, reassuringly.

“Bloody hell, Billy. I need to talk to her. Get me her number, please mate.” Orlando pleaded.

Billy looked to Dom and sighed softly. “She isn’t at home, mate.”

Orlando tried to clear his blurry thoughts. “Then Amy must know where she is, man. Please.”

“She is with Amy. They are going to be sharing an apartment and all, after what happened.” Billy tried to sidestep the issue as much as possible. A contrast to his normally honest and brusque manner.

“Then lets call Amy. I don’t have my cell with her number on it and all or I wouldn’t be here.” Orlando looked at Billy, reading a grave expression. “Wait, what happened to Erin?”

Billy looked down to the ground, running a hand through his short cropped hair.

“Billy, mate. Please if something happened to her and you know, tell me. Don’t fuck around.”

Billy paused before making eye contact with Orlando. “I spoke to me Amy this afternoon. Liv, Viggo and Lij were at Erins place, today. I don’t know how to put this, mate. So I am just gonna say it and all. Fergive me, ahead of time.” Billy took a labored breath as Andre and Dom looked on. Orlando sat up. “Erins now ex boyfriend…he beat her pretty badly. An’ then he raped her. Sometime last night.”

Orlando stared straight ahead as Billys words sank into him. “Beat? Raped?” He rose, his eyes growing wide with anger, his features becoming more animated, more aggressive. “Beat and Raped? Bloody Fucking Hell!” Orlando let his hand fly, punching through the wall in Doms’ apartment.

“Mate, come now.” Dom rose but not before Andre could rush to his side.

“Orli, your with friends, mate. Put your fists down.” Andre put his hands to Orlandos wrists, pulling them down to his best friends side.

“This cant be happening? This cant be right.” Orlando was seething, every pent up emotion threatening to explode. “Beaten and raped? Erin…my Erin, the woman I love. God damn it all to hell..” Orlando could barely catch his breath. “If she didn’t leave my side last night.. If I hadn’t started to regret…this wouldn’t have happened.”

“Listen to me, mate. Ya have nothing to do with this. Ya have nothing to blame with John and Erin. No one could have known he was that type and all. If that were the case, none of us would have let her head home, alone. Ya know that.” Billy tried to comfort Orlando.

“What if it were Amy we were speaking of? How would you feel, Billy? What would you do if another man put his hands on the woman you love. Bloody hell, I love her Billy…and she was beaten…raped…and I couldn’t protect her from that. Do you know what that feels like?” Orlando could not catch his breath, his rage and emotion bubbling over.

Andre put his arm around Orlando. “Listen to me, Orli. We will do whatever we have to do to make this right. You want me to book two seats for the Concorde for the morning? Tell me now. What do you want to do?”

“She cant love me now. She wont. I let her go, I let her run off and I didn’t stop her. I should have followed her, should have had the limo take me to her place. I might have been able to stop it, you know mate? I might have been able to..protect her. This is my fault, see it or not. If I would have gone after her…” Orlando stumbled, his rage centering about his actions.

“Lets go to her and all. Lets get on the next plane.” Andre shook Orlando. “Tell me what you want to do, Orli. Tell me and I will make it so.”

“This has nothing to do with yer chasin’ her or not, mate. Yer not this guy John. Ya couldn’t have stopped it, even though yer thinkin’ ya can.” Billy braced a hand on his friends shoulder. “We will call Viggo in the morning, he will know what to do. He always does.”

“No, man. We are going to call Viggo now. I need to speak to him. I don’t care what time it is, neither will he.” Orlando lunged, grabbing the phone before Billy could stop him. From memory, Orlando dialed despite Billys loud protests. He turned to Andre. “I am heading back to NY in the morning. I know you are performing so don’t worry. Just drop me at the airport.”

“He is out of control, mate.” Billy put his hands up in the air, addressing Dom.

“Cant say as I blame him, and all.” Dom shook his head, leaning back on the couch, inspecting the wall Orlando had put his fist through.

“Hello? Viggo, cheers mate.” Orlando exhaled, rubbing his eyes.

“OB, its damn near the crack of dawn, you alright?” Viggo answered groggily. It was a well known fact that Viggo preferred to sleep in when he had the chance. But then again, who doesn’t?

“You told me I could call you anytime if I needed. I need you, Vig. Look, Billy told me about Erin and all. I don’t know what to do, man. I feel responsible. I am heading back to NY in the morning. I love her, I see that now.” Orlando le his voice trail off.

Viggo cleared his throat, gathering his wits about him. “OB, listen to me. That probably isn’t the best idea and all, right now. I know you want to charge off and be the knight in shining armor. I hear your new declarations and I am glad you have some clear sight for your future and all…”

Orlando interrupted. “Don’t try to talk me out of this, man. I have to do this. I cant just sit here and twiddle my thumbs and all, not when I know she has been…brutalized.”

“Orlando, listen to me. She had a pretty bad encounter. Erin needs to get her head straight, get her life straight. If you charge up on your white horse, you are going to wreck any chance the two of you have.” Viggo was being stern. “Give her a chance to deal with what just happened, to find her path. Coming to her now, with all your declarations of love and desire are going to make her wonder if it is pity for what happened or genuine love. You cant make yourself a fixture in her life right now. Not with your commitment to the filming and all. Let a little time pass, give her a chance. Give yourself a chance to deal with all of the things going on in your head.”

“How can I do that, man? How can I let her sit there after all this has happened…after I came to realize just what I feel for her.” Orlando rubbed his eyes, pacing about Doms’ apartment. “If I don’t go there now, how can I be a man?”

Viggo broke in to Orlandos words. “Being a man has nothing to do with rushing in, swords blazing. It has to do with right action and right timing. Your balls are in a twist right now. I don’t blame you. It was hard for me to not go out and find this guy after I saw what he did to her. But its not as easy as all that, OB. Give her some time to work through this, give yourself some time to work through these new feelings you have inside of you.”

Orlando raised his voice, unsatisfied with what one of his most trusted friends was saying to him. “If I don’t do this now, how can I do it later? Viggo, listen to me, mate.”

“OB, I hear you. I hear you loud and clear. You are going to do what you need to do. But you are asking me for counsel and this is what I give. Call her, write her..but give her time. Give yourself time. Make sure you mean what you want to say to her, now more than ever.” Viggo was smoking, Orlando could hear the pronounced exhalations.

Orlando flopped into a chair, his hand pressing along the line of his brow. “Right, mate. I hear you. Look, I have to do some thinking. I will let you get back to sleep and all. And thanks again, Vig. Love you, mate.”

“Alright, OB. Ring me later on and let me know what your course of action is. I will come for you at the airport if you decide to come in to NY. Eitherway, I am here for you, man.” Viggo yawned crushing his cigarette in the background.

“Right. Night, mate.” Orlando clicked the phone, setting it on the ying yang coffee table in front of him.

“Orli, what’s the verdict, mate? What would you have me do?” Andre placed a supportive hand on his shoulder. Billy and Dom looked on, amidst their yawning.

“I don’t really know what to do. Man, I have never been this unclear about anything in my life. Viggo is urging me to give her time, to give myself time. But time is slipping through my hands.”

“Viggo never lies, to any of us, mate. He is all about the truth of the moment, the truth in all things. Give his words some consideration.” Dom leaned back.

“Aye, mate. I side with Viggo on this one. I know yer all into the moment an’ what has happened is painful an’ unfortunate. But if ya rush off to her rescue, she might never forgive you. Women are a difficult puzzle, even for a gaffer like me, mate.” Billy added, looking to Orlando. “Ya know, Erin is comin’ to England, middle of next month, round the time of your birthday. I could arrange something with Amy and all, to get the two of you together. A month would be enough time fer her to sort things out an’ fer you to be thinkin’ straight.”

“Screw all that psycho babble shit, no offense Billy, Dom. What do you feel you need to do, Orli?” Andre knelt down beside Orlandos chair.

“Decisions have never been this hard for me. But then again, I haven’t always shown the best judgement.” He paused a long moment, his head beginning to ache. “I will wait and see what happens. I cant take the chance that I could bugger all this up if I rush in. I will give her time to settle before I tell her what is in my heart. Its all I can do, right now.”

“Time is always a question. It brings us clarity and at the same time works against us. We will see what happens an’ take it from there.” Billy sighed softly as Orlando rose.

“Right. Thanks, mates. Atti and I will get out of your hair now. I will see you on the plane to Australia.’ With that, Orlando and Andre walked out, heading for the car as Dom and Billy looked on.

“Your sure about this and all?” Andre said, pausing with the car door open.

“No. But if everyone is cautioning me this way then it must be my thinking that is wrong. I need to get home and get some sleep, I feel a sickness coming over me. Like Viggo said, I am committed to the filming and lets not forget the promotion. I have a schedule of interviews tomorrow with BBC and some mags. I cant really blow those off, as much as I want to. I wasn’t thinking of any of that a moment ago. But I don’t know what to think anymore.” Orlando had his arms braced over the roof of the car. Reluctantly he slid down into the passenger seat, closing the door behind them.

“Time is never a friend, no matter what the world might say.” Andre muttered to himself as he slid into the car. Roaring the engine to life, the headlights cut through the darkness ahead of them on a long deserted highway. Orlando studied the inscription on the gold ring he wore about his forefinger. The Elvish was deeply set and beautiful as his finger traced over it, slowly. To Wherever it May lead…

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