The Movie that Changed Our Lives (Elijah Wood/LOTR FanFic)

Broken Memory

I couldn't muster up the energy to get out of bed. The California sunshine streamed into my bedroom at noon, but I couldn't get out and enjoy it. It wasn't as though I was tired from all that filming from Chicago. Believe me, I was relieved in a way that it was over, yet missed hanging out with everyone; I was just done with all of that. I had caught up on all my sleep, and was taking a break from films for a bit. Doing press for all three movies, Two Towers, Gangs of New York, and Chicago, was going to be far too much work for me. I didn't know how I was going to handle all of that. In a month or two, my days would be constantly filled with interviews and photo shoots, and there was never going to be time for a break. I was already trying to fill up my free time with naps, to gain as much sleep as possible before it began.

I could never get out of bed anyway. I would stay in there for most of the day, depressed as I buried myself under the covers. I hadn't spoken to Elijah since that night long ago in Canada, and he hadn't called me since. Whatever the heck our fight was, it made him super pissed. And I didn't want to be the one to call and apologize, which is what I was assuming he wanted. I wasn't going to apologize for something I didn't do! There wasn't even anything to say sorry about! Elijah was the one who should have been begging me for forgiveness, not me.

I climbed out of bed and reached up my shelf to grab the golden trophy I had received that special night, Oscar Night. I crawled back into bed and curled up under the covers, gingerly touching the outlines and curves of the tiny statue's face and body. As my fingers brushed against the indentation near the bottom, KATHERINE O'HARA, 2002 BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS, LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING, I smiled at the thought of Elijah, of the memory of that March night.

I walked down the red carpet, shaking in my black heels and sweating in my midnight blue dress. I grinned and posed at all of the flashing cameras and photographers, taking pictures with other cast members of Lord of the Rings. I was exhausted and drained from the training from Chicago, but my nervousness and excitement soon overrode it. The other Hobbits were so sure that I would win my first Oscar from my nomination, even if I was running against amazing actresses. I was the newbie at this awards show, and everyone else here were professionals who would no doubt beat me in competition. Elijah laughed and told me not to put myself down like that, but it was true.

I relaxed as soon as Elijah's comforting hand rested gently on my waist. The memory of ten minutes earlier, when we were both in the car on our way, was still fresh in my mind. Unlike his shyness from the first movie premiere, he told me how beautiful I looked and I responded with a kiss and a fit of giggles. I could feel his hand slowly slip up under my dress and I gasped as the car stopped at the carpet, Elijah's hand quickly snapping away in dismay. "Later," I seductively whispered in his ear, thanking the driver and coming out of the car first.

Making our way inside the Kodak Theatre took a lot longer than I expected. We all stopped by for interviews and chatted with other celebs as we made our way closer to the door. Once we all stepped inside, I tried to contain my awe and excitement as the other Hobbits led me to our seats. Everyone from the movie was to sit together and take up a couple rows. We mingled with other actors and actresses until we finally were told to take our seats so the televised program could begin. I was wedged in between Elijah and Dominic, the smell of Dominic's strong cologne still up my nose.

I had resist my urge to clutch Elijah's hand for comfort. It would have no doubt paused my hand's jittery shakes, but the cameras could have captured the moment. Rumors would spread in a heartbeat and people would go insane. I didn't want to risk it any more than I already did by sitting next to Elijah and having his knee touch my leg. During the opening monologue, I humbly bowed my head and mouthed a thank you as the crowd cheered as the host began congratulating nominees. I took deep breaths as the program progressed, smiling whenever I saw us flash on the screen that showed audience members and their worries.