The Making of…

Chapter 60

Epilogue

Let’s see… How long had it been? Two years? No… It was a little more than that. For the sake of argument, everyone was saying two years though. Two years since we finished the principal photography stage of The Return of the King, two years since I’d left New Zealand. And now here we were, back and in the middle of the last day of post production filming. Most people had already officially finished, but there were still a few scenes to go – for me, there was only one. One more scene before I said goodbye to Rana forever. It wasn’t a particularly important scene, just a battle in front of a green screen. Very little dialogue or interaction with other characters… Just another scene. Normally I would have had it in a few takes, but Peter had kept me going for nine.

“And… Cut.” I looked up in surprise from where I had been ‘stabbing’ one of the Stunties. It was over. “Well done guys, that was Kira’s last scene.” Our director announced, smiling at me. It was over.

I looked around as the people gathered behind the cameras started clapping and I smiled shyly, trying to hold back the tears that pooled in my eyes, blurring my vision as I turned back to the set, looking past the stuntmen and extras for one face. Viggo smiled at me as he sheathed his sword and walked over to me, and then I was in his arms, burying my face in his shoulder as he held me, comfortingly rubbing my back. He didn’t say anything as I wrapped my arms around his neck, holding myself to him. This was just as hard for him, only he had one more scene to do before he and Aragorn parted ways. He gently kissed the top of my head and pulled back, smiling at me and nodding in the direction of the cameras – meaning that Peter was waiting to speak to me. I nodded weakly and untangled myself from his arms, drying my eyes on the sleeve of my costume as I made my way over to our crazy-haired director. He hugged me tightly as I tried in vain to hold back my tears.

“Thank you Pete.” I choked as the tears came and I could do nothing to stop them.

“Thank you Kira.” He insisted, and I was instantly reminded of the last time we did this… It didn’t seem so long ago now. I knew he needed to move on to the last few scenes, so I pulled away and smiled weakly. “I’ll talk to you later, ok Ki?” He sighed, patting my shoulder as I nodded. Then he moved back to the cameras and started talking about the next scene. I knew this was Viggo’s one, but I had some time before they started shooting, so I headed back to the makeup bus.

As I dressed out of my costume for the very last time and got my makeup removed, I looked around at all the photos that surrounded me. The bus hadn’t changed at all since we’d left, apart from the fact that Viggo and I had added a few photos since we’d arrived back. I removed my contact lenses and sat back in my chair, looking at all the stuff we’d done in the past few years, and in the years before that. These films had been such a huge part of my life, and now I was leaving them. What was I going to do now? More films? None would ever be as big as these, but it was an option. There was no rush to move on though, I had my life with Viggo, and that was enough for now. I smiled and picked up my ring from the dressing table in front of me, slipping it onto my finger and staring at it as the light caught in the tiny faucets of the small diamond, sending glittering little squares dancing across the walls of the bus.

“Hey Ki?” Karl poked his head through the door of the bus, interrupting my daze. “They’re about to start Vig’s scene out there.”

“Ok.” I smiled, standing and following him out of the bus. Rylee was waiting for him outside and he slipped his arm around her waist as we walked back to the set. I shoved my hands into the pockets of my jeans as I went and stood behind the camera as Orlando, Brett and Viggo received their final instructions from Peter, before he moved behind the camera and called ‘Action’. They were just doing another battle scene, but Peter kept asking for more takes. I was beginning to realise that there was nothing wrong with the acting… Pete just didn’t want to say cut. When he eventually did, the applause started, and I smiled at Viggo as he looked up. Orlando and Brett patted his back as he walked over to Peter and hugged him. After a few seconds, he pulled away, said something quietly to Peter and then walked over to me. He was clearly upset, we all were, and I pulled him into a tight hug. He hugged me back for a brief moment, before pulling away.

“I’m just going to head back to the bus.” He sighed, badly hiding his attempt to hold back tears. I nodded, understanding that he needed a moment alone. He walked away and I watched him, before turning back to only half pay attention to Peter instructing Orlando and Brett on their last scene. I stood there for a few minutes, before I heard a car horn. No… That wasn’t a car horn…

“Oh my God!” I half-laughed, half-gasped as I saw our makeup bus drive through the massive doors of the studio, with Bernard behind the wheel, grinning like a maniac. I’d never before seen that bus actually move – it had always just appeared wherever we went. Bernard proudly parked it bam smack in the middle of the studio and climbed out, closely followed by Viggo who was laughing his head off. I noticed he’d gotten changed out of his costume as he hugged Bernard enthusiastically. Suddenly, behind us I heard a shout, and I turned to see the entire team of male Stunties, standing on set, all shirtless – um, wow – and they proceeded to perform the traditional New Zealand Haka. I couldn’t help laughing at the most ridiculous and at the same time emotional goodbye display I’d ever seen. But I had to admit – Viggo was a popular guy. I smiled as they finished and Viggo went up and head butted every single one of them – and there must have been well over twenty… He was going to have one hell of a bruise on his forehead tomorrow. He looked up and spotted me, and I dashed over to him as he held his arms out, catching me in a tight hug and spinning me around.

“Love you Ki.” He whispered.

“Love you too.” I sighed, standing on my toes so I could kiss him. As I pulled back, I laughed as I heard Pete shooing the Stunties off the set so they could get back to filming.

We stayed around the set, watching the last scenes until the early evening, when there was only one last scene to go – Elijah’s. It consisted of Frodo sitting at his desk back in Bag End, finishing his book. I sat curled in Viggo’s lap in a nearby chair as we watched the scene. Peter kept asking Lij for another take, it was always ‘one more’, but he kept going. We knew he’d gotten the perfect take on the third or fourth go, but Pete had kept asking for one more. Finally, he quietly said ‘Cut’, and then Elijah sat up, and then went and hugged Peter. I felt Viggo’s arms tighten around me as I leant against his chest. Peter pulled away from Elijah and pushed his glasses up his nose.

“Ok everyone… That’s a wrap.” He smiled, wiping away his tears with the back of his hand as everyone applauded. I wanted to go and hug Peter, but we had the final wrap party tonight, so I’d have time then.

***

“Come on you, we’re going to be late.” Viggo smiled, wrapping his arms around my waist to pull me away from the mirror in our hotel room.

“Just a second…” I mumbled as I gave my hair a final tousle and smoothed the silky black fabric of my dress.

“You look perfect.” He murmured, kissing my cheek. “Now hurry up.”

“Ok, let’s go.” I smiled, quickly kissing him and grabbing his hand as I pulled him towards the door. We made our way down the stairs to the function room where the wrap party was being held. It was much smaller than last time – only the cast and a few other people (Erin, Raven and Rylee to name a few) were at this one. As we entered the room we found music playing quietly in the background as people stood around talking, with a camera crew mingling amongst the small crowd. Viggo and I made our way around, talking and catching up with people, until I heard someone tapping a microphone.

“Hey guys.” Peter smiled as we turned to look at him as he stood in the centre of the room, “You probably know that I’m going to stand here rambling about how much everything you guys have done means to me – so pull up a chair and let’s get this show on the road.” He grinned as I sat down and pulled Vig down onto the chair beside me. I couldn’t help but get a little watery-eyed as everyone stepped up and said their goodbyes. Viggo and I were going to be the last two. Dom finished making his emotional speech and nodded to me, so I stood and walked up to him, hugging him before he handed me the microphone and everyone finished clapping for him.

“I’m really not that good with making speeches.” I began, “I’m a lot better at reading someone else’s words then coming up with my own… But I’ll give it a shot.” I laughed weakly and glanced around the room, “It’s really great to see you all again, and I suppose we’re not going to be together again until the premiere… So I guess I should say thank you. Thank you for making the past few years the best years of my life.” I glanced down and ran one hand through my hair before regaining my composure and looking up again. “It really has been great, being a part of these films. I’ve met so many amazing people and you’ve all changed me in some way, and made me a better person.” I smiled, “You’re all my family, and I’m going to miss you all so much when we all go our separate ways again. Of course, there is the one person I’m not going to be saying goodbye to… I suppose I should say thank you for helping me find the man of my dreams… God that sound so cheesy, but it’s true.” I laughed, smiling at Viggo. “Thanks guys, you all turned my life upside down, and I couldn’t be happier about it.” I sniffed, wiping away a tear that had escaped my eye as the crowd of my friends clapped and cheered, causing me to blush slightly as Viggo stood and walked towards me. He hugged me tightly and kissed the top of my head as I handed him the microphone and moved to go sit down but he caught my hand and pulled me back. I looked at him questioningly and he smiled as he slipped his arm around my waist and held me to his side.

“I really just want to echo what Kira has said.” He spoke into the microphone, “I’m never going to forget the time I’ve spent working here with you guys, and it’s undoubtedly been the best experience of my life.” His arm tightened its hold around my waist as I looked up at him and listened to him speak, trying not to cry anymore as he carried on. Everything he said seemed to spark some memory from me, and I buried my head in his shoulder as he started to come to the end of his speech. “And yeah, when I was out here I found the person I want to spend the rest of my life with.” He looked down at me and smiled, “And I guess being back here has reminded me how much I want that, so I guess there’s not really much left for me to say except one thing.” His smile grew even wider as his arm fell away from around me and he took my hand in his – and then he got down on one knee.

“Oh my God Viggo… Not again!” I exclaimed in alarm as he laughed.

“Kira, you know what I’m going to say and you know my reasons.” He grinned, “And I know that there’s a pretty big chance that you’ll say no, but I love you, and I’m just going to keep on asking – because you know I’m as stubborn as you are. I already have the ring on your finger; I just need you to say yes. So what do you say? Why not take it the whole way?”

“Vig…” I sighed as he squeezed my hand. I was horribly aware of how everyone had fallen totally silent as they watched us.

“Kira Forest, will you marry me?” He asked quietly, as if it was only us two. And for a moment, it was, it was only me and Viggo as I bit down on my bottom lip. No. It would be easy to say no. To scurry away from the commitment I was faced with. Did I want to though? Was I willing to dump my stubborn attitude for the man kneeling in front of me?

The answer to that was easy.

“Yeah ok…” I muttered reluctantly with a slight nod.

“Ki?” He looked at me uncertainly, as if he wasn’t sure he’d heard me correctly. I laughed and looked down at him.

“Yes. Yes Vig.” I grinned as his face overspread with a smile of pure joy and before I knew it, he had stood and I was in his arms. I laughed even more as he held me and I wrapped my arms around him. I heard people clapping and cheering as he spun around with me still locked in his arms. He set me on my feet and then his lips were on mine – kissing me as if no one was watching. Who cares if they were? I pulled him closer as I kissed him back; he broke away a few seconds later, gasping for air and grinning his head off.

“I love you.” He laughed.

“I love you too.” I giggled, unable to believe that I’d actually just agreed to marry him… I was such an idiot… But I was a happy idiot. It took me a moment to realise that everyone else had crowded around us, raining down their congratulations as Viggo kissed me again. I felt like this was some mad dream I was about to wake up from, and I’d find myself lying in bed back home… But this had all really happened. I’d flown to New Zealand, I’d been a part of the biggest trilogy of films ever, and I’d fallen in love. I smiled against Viggo’s lips as he pulled away and leant his forehead against mine.

I took a moment to look away from him so I could glance around the room at all the people I’d met over the past few years. It felt like I’d known them all my life, and I was sure I’d know them for the rest of my life, no matter what we went on to do. I felt Viggo gently kiss my neck, drawing me away from my thoughts as he brought his lips to mine again. I smiled and hugged him tightly, wanting to hold on to this impossibly perfect moment forever. Forever is an awfully long time in some respects, but to me it wasn’t long enough.

I guess you could say after that, Viggo and I lived happily ever after, but where’s the fun in that? If life wasn’t as insane and imperfect as it is, then it would be no fun. Yes, we had our difficulties, but we always managed to work it out, one way or another – and after another year of me postponing the inevitable, he finally got another ring on my finger.

Life hadn’t been particularly easy for me before I came to New Zealand, but is it easy for anyone? After meeting Viggo, it certainly flowed smoother, because suddenly everything started making sense. It took me a few years to come to a conclusion about my experiences, but I managed to come to one that seemed right – and after discussing it, Vig even agreed with me on it.

The main thing I’d learnt from all the heartbreaks, all my travels, and from meeting Viggo, is that life is rarely perfect, but sometimes it gets pretty damn close.

[Please go to the next chapter ~]

Werewolf65

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