Sunlight, Moonlight and the Cerulean Stone:

The dynamics changed at the beach house after the barbecue, but everyone was happier for it. Charlie and Elijah started sharing a bedroom, so Dom and Billy didn't have to share when they came to visit. Orlando didn't have Charlie to cuddle with on lonely nights, but he slept better and felt a lot less smothered as Charlie started devoting a lot of her time and energy to Elijah. There were more musical evening and barbecues where the food actually made it onto to the plate. It was almost an ideal time.

Orlando still missed Viggo and he often thought What if I had told him about Charlie? But then the doubts and remembered pain from when Legolas' name was the one on Viggo's lips, kept him from picking up the phone. When he wasn't working, he spent a lot of time basking in his roommates love for him, but he also took long walks on the beach, taking only his journal with him. Into this slim volume he poured his doubts, fears and confusion about Viggo. He also wrote of his love for the lanky actor.

Elijah watched Orlando and gave him his company when it was needed. He would send Charlie after Orlando on his really bad days, finally secure enough in her love to let her go to her best friend. Elijah began writing music and also started a story line for a script that he had been rolling around in his head for years.

Charlie was like a mother hen with two chicks. She lavished her love upon Elijah and Orlando. She often felt surprise that she didn't miss her old freewheeling lifestyle at all. The men in her life provided plenty of excitement. And as she got to know Billy and Dom, she included them in her circle of adoration.

The beach house became Billy and Dom's place to meet and work on the script they were collaborating on. There was rarely a weekend that they weren't there. The bonds forged in New Zealand became stronger and more enduring.

Charlie began planning the reunion with her friend, Ciel. Ciel was a tall elegant redhead with warm brown eyes. She was always dressed perfectly, and her makeup and nails never had a flaw. At first Elijah looked upon Charlie's former lover with a great deal of suspicion, but this was put to rest when Ciel came to one of their barbecues bringing her lover, Tanya. Tanya was a fitness trainer at the hotel that Ciel did most of her parties at, The Westin Bonaventure. She was about as tall as Elijah, with spiky brown hair and piercing blue eyes. Charlie would sometimes tease Ciel that they ended up with twins for their lovers. Elijah and Tanya hit it off immediately as their music tastes were similar. Tanya would tease Elijah that she was going to whip him into shape and he would blush. He wondered if he was ever going to find a friend that didn't find his blushes fascinating.

They decided to use the Bonaventure as Ciel had complete faith in their staff and facilities. Charlie consulted Ciel for many hours and getting help from Elijah and his movie contacts, they decided to rebuild the banquet hall from Rivendell in the California Ball Room at the Bonaventure. The production company that Peter Jackson had used for LOTR were generous in allowing sets and costumes to use at the reunion. The wait staff were all to be dressed as Elven courtiers. Charlie made Elijah swear to secrecy about the party theme. Poor Elijah was constantly being badgered by Orli, Billy and Dom about the secret plans. Elijah, however would have rather faced Shelob for real than upset the woman he loved, so he kept his peace in spite of their haranguing.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Orlando became more and more tense, as the day of the reunion approached. Endless scenarios between him and Viggo played themselves out in his head, and very few of them seemed to have happy endings. He spent more and more time on the beach alone. The night before the party, Elijah followed him out to the rock cropping that was his favorite place to watch the sun set. "Orli, is it okay if I join you?" Elijah asked softly, not wanting to startle his friend.

Orlando looked up with tears shining in his deep brown eyes, "Sure, 'Lij. You know I would never turn you away. Isn't the sky beautiful tonight? I was just trying to imagine how Vig would see it. He always found new ways to see the most ordinary things."

"Are you okay, Orli? I have really been worrying about you," Elijah asked softly, as he sat beside Orlando and put his arm around the older man's waist. "You seem a lot like you were before Milan, tense and so sad."

Orlando put his arm over Elijah's shoulder and they leaned into each other. Orlando avoided Elijah's question, merely saying, "Sometimes I can feel Legolas' delight in the things he sees through my eyes. His favorite things are sunsets and sunrises, I always feel a tremor inside as I watch. I wish I could be with him again as I was in Lothlorien, Elijah. His sorrow is my sorrow, but when we are together they negate each other."

"I wish I could say I really know what you mean, Orli, but I think I understand. You are whole when you are with him, right?" Elijah said with compassion.

Orlando looked at Elijah in surprise, "That's it exactly, 'Lij. How did you know?"

"Legolas and I had a long conversation about it, Orli. That's how we ended up all of in bed, to bring some healing to Legolas. Well, not the only reason, but that's how it came up," Elijah smiled at the memory, "It seems that when elves are sundered from their bodies, they don't leave those needs behind. I wonder if you are suffering from his pain too."

Orlando nodded, "When I see him in the mirror, he looks sad. It must be awfully lonely in there, everything second hand and no physical sensations. Plus he isn't getting any sexual satisfaction through me either. It's been a terribly long time. And I am nervous about tomorrow night too. Seeing Viggo again... I don't know, 'Lij, if it weren't that Charlie has worked so hard on all this, well... I wouldn't go."

Elijah had thought that might be the problem, "Charlie and I have discussed that Orli, you don't have to go if you don't feel you can. Or if you want to go, Charlie will go with you to offer her strength and support. I don't mind at all, in fact in a way it will be good because I am not sure I can handle all the conjectures about my sexuality that is going to crop up through all this. I know it was a topic of discussion before and I really would prefer not to deal with it. Charlie's and my relationship is too new to deal with the rumor mill." Actually Elijah didn't really care about any of that stuff any more, but he wanted Orlando to feel free to cling to Charlie if he needed to and thought this was as good an explanation of his willingness as any.

Orlando was touched at his friend's willingness to help him this way, "How does Charlie feel about this, 'Lij? I would think she would want to be on your arm in her moment of triumph."

Elijah grinned, "Well I admit that arriving on my studly arm certainly beats out arriving with Orlando Bloom, number one heartthrob. I am sure she will manage to live with it." Elijah loved teasing Orli about his sex symbol status. "But seriously, Charlie wants to be there for you just as I do. And it's not like I won't see her during the evening."

"Then I will take you up on it, I can always count on Charlie to keep me grounded. Thanks 'Lij." Orlando turned and grasped Elijah's hair and pulled him in for a spine tingling kiss. Elijah gasped and Orlando grinned, saying, "That was for the heart throb shit!" He stood and brushed sand off his butt, then walked back to the house whistling.

Elijah looked after him, his heart beating wildly. Damn it, I knew I should have had Charlie tell him! He's too fuckin' attractive and I need to be a good boy.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The night of the reunion was clear and beautiful. The stars shone bright in the sky and as they arrived at the Westin Bonaventure.

The California Ball Room was gorgeous, set pieces had arrived 3 days before and the crew that had set them up originally arrived to reassemble them into the Rivendell Banquet Hall. There were fountains, fairy lights and the wait staff were thrilled to be dressed in original wardrobe and sporting elf ears. Ciel was everywhere, dressed in a stunning green silk halter dress, checking on food, music, and entertainment. There was a discrete karaoke set up for music and entertainment between the band's sets.

Elijah went ahead to make sure all the arrangements were perfect and Charlie stayed at the beach house to deal with Orlando's panic attacks. He was dressed in black silk trousers and a matching vest worn over a white poets shirt. Checking on all the arrangements proved unnecessary, but calling Charlie to reassure her that everything was perfect, helped her deal with her nerves as well. Elijah returned to the ballroom and found Billy and Dom had arrived early as well. "Mates! What are you doing here so early?" he asked.

Billy, who was wearing grey slacks and a white v-necked sweater, grinned, "Charlie didn't want you to have to deal with this alone, so she called in the reinforcements. Dom and I are the crack elite force in charge of special assignments."

Elijah grinned back, "Cracked, I will agree with, the rest is up to debate."

"Oh, you hurt me, man, you really hurt me," Dom gibed back. He was dressed down in jeans and a grey turtleneck. They spent the next 1/2 hour trading insults, until the band arrived and then they trouped over to talk to them while they warmed up.

All the cast members except extras had been invited, as well as the production staff and crew. The press waited outside to see the glitterati arriving, but were firmly barred from entering the Ball Room by security staff dressed as Urukhai.

Most of the cast had arrived and the party was going great, but Elijah was worried because Orlando and Charlie hadn't arrived yet. He knew that Charlie would never arrive this late to the party she had planned so meticulously unless there were problems. Orlando must have gotten cold feet again.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Out in the lobby, Viggo was struggling with his own cold feet. "What am I doing here? This is ridiculous..." he muttered to himself as he ran a hand through his now auburn hair. He had let his hair grown, so now it fell to his shoulders past the collar of this white button up shirt. The top three buttons were undone and glimpses of his tanned chest were shown occasionally. The shirt was tucked into black slacks that were comfortable, yet not quite dressy. He walked over to the attendant at the ballroom entrance, "Mortensen, uh, one."

The attendant, dressed as an elf maiden, looked over the list and checked off his name, "You are all set, Mr. Mortensen."

Hesitating, he then asked, "Is Orlando here yet?" Viggo was glad she was looking at the list and so couldn't see his flushed skin.

She shook her head, "I am sorry Mr. Mortensen, but Mr. Bloom has not arrived yet."

"I am sorry, one more question please. Is he bringing a date?" Viggo hated to ask, but he really needed to know.

She looked at the list once more and said, "Yes, it says 'plus one' after his name."

Viggo turned away and sighed deeply, "Plus one..." He walked into the ballroom that was done in silver, gold and midnight blues. He barely noticed his surrounding though, as he headed straight for the bar, intent on getting a straight scotch.

Elijah saw Viggo enter and head to the bar. He felt badly that they had lost touch after the shooting, but his loyalties were with Orlando. Deciding that maybe the best thing for Orlando might be some open communication, he walked over and stood next to him. "Hi, Viggo. How have you been?"

Viggo glanced over at Elijah and grinned slightly, "Not bad... been better. I heard that you, Orlando and that new guy in his life, Charlie, are sharing a place by the beach... it nice?" Viggo was trying his best to hide the jealousy that he felt. For months he spent sleepless nights, awake in his bed picturing the three of them in some way, shape or form, all tangled together in bed.

Elijah could see the conjectures behind Viggo's nonchalance. Those imaginings were only slightly off in some ways, so he took a deep breath and colored slightly, "Uhhh... Viggo? About that... things aren't always what they seem to be."

Seeing Elijah's flushed face, Viggo held up his hand, cutting him off as he said, "You don't have to explain it to me 'Lij, he's got a new guy in his life, and he seems happy. If he's happy, then I'm happy." He sighed and took a heavy swallow of scotch.

Elijah's brow furrowed as he tried to find a way out of lying or betraying Orlando and still getting the information out that he wanted Viggo to know. "Charlie is not Orlando's new guy, Vig. I think you should try to talk to him and meet Charlie."

Finishing off his drink, he set the glass on the bar and shrugged his shoulders lightly. "Elijah, is he happy?" Viggo asked the younger man, with a serious look.

"Sometimes he is... Most of the time he is... well content. But there are times I really worry about him. He holds a lot inside of him, strange stuff. I can't explain it, Vig. He is... well lonely," Elijah was doing some serious footwork trying avoid betraying confidences. He really wished he could just blurt out the truth.

Viggo shut his eyes and grimaced, "He didn't look all that lonely with Charlie in his arms, last time I saw him. You know, I almost didn't come to this, but Henry told me he wouldn't forgive me if I didn't."

Sighing, Elijah put his hand on the older actor's arm, "Viggo, we were pretty close in New Zealand, remember?"

Viggo hung his head and looked down at the bar, "Yeah, I remember... You know, I feel that he's here, all around me... the memory..." His voice trailed off, and then he glanced at Elijah, "Henry threatened to kick my ass if I didn't show up, so I'm here... If not for him, I wouldn't be."

Elijah sighed again, deeper, "I am glad he did, Viggo. You need to be here tonight." Elijah squeezed Viggo's arm warmly, "You remember that I don't lie, right? I mean, ever?" Elijah asked earnestly.

"Yes, I know that, what exactly are you trying to tell me, 'Lij"

"When you saw Orlando dancing with Charlie, it wasn't what it looked like. They have been friends since Orli was 7 and Charlie was 5. They are just very affectionate. Please talk to them..." Elijah felt he was drawing closer and closer to the edge of betrayal.

Viggo sighed, "Maybe... But he seemed happy, and I don't want to intrude on that, so I won't... If he's happy, truly happy, I'll walk away from my forever love... He's beyond the distant star for me... and I saw him do something I hadn't in a long time... I saw him smile. He pushed away from the bar and walked toward Hugo, who was yapping with Miranda. He gave them a subtle wave as he wandered over.

Elijah wanted to kick his poetic ass right then and there. He moaned at the stubbornness of those he cared about and ordered a beer.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Hugo smiled at Viggo as he approached, "It's good to see you, Vig. I stopped at your exhibition in Norway, but you had already returned to the States. Your work was incredible as usual."

Miranda blinked her incredible eyes. "Which one was it this time, Viggo? I did see your Selva exhibit, that was a nice one," she said with a dazzling smile, as she leaned on Hugo's arm in friendship.

Viggo flushed slightly and replied, "That was my drinking phase when I painted Selva, I think, or when Henry was born. I forget which, Miranda." Turning toward Hugo, he said, "Thank you, did you see the new one or the Lord of the Rings series? I've left them both in Norway for the moment... I have to see about getting them returned."

"I saw the Lord of the Rings series. It was evocative, bringing back many memories. What is your new series like?" Hugo asked with great interest.

"Well," he said, rubbing the back of his neck, "it's more landscaped, sunrises, sunsets. Stuff I liked..." he hesitated, for he had almost said doing with Orlando... but then continued. "and still like to do actually, when I get a chance."

Hugo said, "It sounds fantastic, I would love to see it. Next time it's up for exhibition, of course."

Miranda grinned, "Me too, actually. It seems different. By the way, I did see some of the Lord of the Rings exhibit in ArtTimes... It was written up very well."

Viggo nodded politely, "Thanks Miranda... Hugo, I appreciate your interest. So, you guys have any idea who threw this together and what's up with the band... They don't expect any of us to sing do they?" The last was said with a raised eyebrow.

Hugo grinned, "Well Elijah seems to be acting as an unofficial host, though he keeps looking anxiously at the doorway. As for the band, they are on break. But they actually have a karaoke set up over on the small stage for these breaks, if you care to entertain us."

Viggo looked over at Elijah who was indeed looking at the doorway with a worried look in his blue eyes. Shaking his head, Viggo grinned, I will make you a deal... if you can get Cate to sing, then I'll sing something. He figured that Hugo might rise to the bait, but he was not worried as he was fairly sure that he would never get Cate up on that stage.

Miranda looked at Viggo hopefully, "Come on, Vig, I've heard that you are really good. I think that you should."

"Cate first, " Viggo said as he shook his shaggy head.

Hugo looked intrigued with the challenge, "I think I will take you up on that, Viggo." He headed over to the buffet tables where Cate and Liv were catching up and nibbling on hors d'oeuvres. Viggo stayed with Miranda and listened to all her news.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Cate looked up as Hugo approached. "Hugo... you look like a man with a mission," Cate said softly as she smiled.

Hugo had a mischievous grin on his face. He lifted one eyebrow and said, "Madam, I have indeed got a mission. You love lovely, by the way. I love you in blue. And you, Liv, you are of course a vision, as always." Hugo leaned over and kissed both of the ladies on the cheek.

Liv giggled, "Well, I think I am going to go tease Elijah out of his doldrums, since you obviously have important business together" Liv dimpled at them.

Cate blushed a bit and turned to Liv, "You know, your ada has something up his silky sleeve and I will be getting to the bottom of it."

Liv smiled sunnily, "If anyone can, dear Grandmama, it would be you."  She ran lightly across the ballroom to join Elijah, who was drinking his beer with a gloomy look.

Cate followed Hugo to a table and sat when he pulled out a chair for her. Hugo then made an elaborate bow, "May I fetch you anything, My Lady?"

She gave him an amused smile, "Actually you can do something for me, you can tell me what it is you are up to. You have this mischievous look in your eye... the same kind that Orlando had when he filled Karl's shampoo bottle with green food coloring... so, spill it..."

Hugo snickered at that memory, "Yes, well this isn't quite on par with that. More on the nature of a challenge, I have received assurances from the King of Men, that if a certain Lady of the Wood will sing us a song, then he would as well. How could I pass up this challenge I ask you? The very honor of elves everywhere is on the line." He pursed his lips and his eyes were twinkling merrily.

Cate sat back in her chair. "I will not be singing in front of these people... I don't sing," she said as Miranda walked up.

Miranda smirked, "Oh, so that wasn't you singing in the shower in the trailer that afternoon?" Cate blushed fiercely, Miranda continued, "Uh huh, that's what I thought. You should sing... maybe sing something with some oomph!"

Cate turned and frowned at Miranda, "I do not sing with 'oomph', I do not sing except in the shower." She flushed as she turned to Hugo, "You cannot truly expect me to do this..."

Hugo's smile grew wider, "But Cate, my dear... we cannot let a mere mortal win in this. Think of the stakes, think of eternity." His face became almost demonic in his glee.

Cate leapt to her feet. "I will not sing!" she said stamping her little foot.

Hugo thought quickly, refusing to lose this quickly. Standing he said, "Well, he didn't specify that you had to sing alone... What if Miranda and I sang with you." He smiled beguilingly at Cate.

Cate grinned suddenly, "If you want me to sing with you, then I get to pick the song." She held out her hand.

Taking her hand, Hugo's smile faded as he felt the jaws of the trap spring shut, "Of course, My Lady, of course."

"Then let's go sing..." she said, pulling Hugo and grabbing Miranda's hand. She pulled them straight up to the stage, as Viggo looked completely shocked that Hugo had gotten her to agree... When they got to the stage, Cate pulled Miranda over to the DJ and Miranda giggled insanely as she heard which song Cate requested.

"You should never have agreed to this..." Miranda said, holding out the microphone to Hugo.

"Oh crap," Hugo murmured under his breath, but manfully followed them onto the stage. He took the microphone with an expression of loathing.

Cate smiled ever so sweetly at Hugo as the song lyrics came up on the screen and the intro to 'It's Raining Men' started to play. She took center stage and had an amused smile on her lips as she challenged Hugo with her eyes. She sang the song like Bonnie Tyler, and grinned at Miranda who was back to back with her, both of them singing.

Hugo stood like he had been hit with something, nudging him Miranda said, "You're not singing..."

Coming out of his daze, Hugo grinned, "Fine, you asked for it." He copped an attitude, sang in falsetto and gestured dramatically.

The cast members and crew gathered around and shouted out encouragement and wolf whistles. Hugo and Cate had made this party. It soon became a battle between Hugo and Cate for who could be the most outrageous, Miranda shook her head and backed out of the line of fire quickly. Hugo draped his arm around Cate and made a diva pose as they launched into the final chorus.

Viggo burst out laughing at the three of them. He couldn't believe that Hugo had gotten Cate up there in the first place, but then for them to be singing that song. And Hugo singing in that voice... Sean Bean and him were laughing so hard they had to hold each other up. They looked at each other with tears in their eyes as the trio went into the last chorus. Viggo tried to stifle his laughter.

As they ended the song, Cate and Hugo curtseyed with great flair and Hugo handed her off the stage. "Care to come with me, to collect on this wager?" he asked, winking at her saucily.

Cate climbed down and shook her head, "No, I think I am going to the Elven Ladies Room to laugh myself into tears. She kissed his cheek and hurried off.

Chuckling, Hugo stared across the room at Viggo and smiled a long, slow smile. He then sauntered over to Viggo and Sean who had beet red faces. "Hi ya, Big Boy. I think you owe me for services rendered," Hugo said with a credible Mae West imitation.

Sean hurried off, choking out something about needing to see John and Miranda. As he vanished, Viggo turned to face Hugo, "Well, that was interesting, to say the least." Ribbing Hugo lightly, he continued, "Feel the thunder, hmmm?"

Hugo grinned, "I think it was satisfactory, I am not one to take a challenge lightly. So Mr. Mortensen, are you ready to pay the price." This was said in his Agent Smith voice.

"Don't have much of a choice, do I?" he asked with a sheepish grin.