I only own my OC. Everything else is not mine.
I´ve tried to make Richard as realistic as possible, which isn´t easy. In all interviews I have seen he gives such intelligent and thoughtful replies that its hard for me to actually do him justice in my fanfic. I will try though.
It was a busy evening in LA. The world premiere of the Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug was about to start and the journalists and fans were already crowding the red carpet. No, the black carpet, Bernice was reminding herself. Bernice Brentwood was a journalist of Entertain Now, she was quite new to the business, but she had been able to snatch this important job at the premiere due to her collegue getting sick in the last minute. Bernice was incredibly nervous. She had been a Lord of the Rings fan since her childhood and now, at the end of her twenties, Peter Jackson had filmed a new fascinating triology. Most of the actors would be there, but Lee Pace would not attend due to other appointments. That was all the info Bernice had gotten from the editorial staff.
The fans were lining up at the carpet, the security already had their difficulties securing the area. And then it started. Manu Bennett was the first to catch Bernices attention. She had seen him on TV before and the fact that he had also played Azog in the Hobbit movies had totally surprised her. He was quite goodlooking and he seemed to know it very well. He passed the black carpet blinking at the women who caught his eye and seemed to have a great time. Bernice was supposed to get interviews of Evangeline Lilly, Orlando Bloom and Richard Armitage. Bernice felt as if she might faint when she thought of interviewing Orlando Bloom. In her teens she had started watching Lord of the Rings because of Orlandos character Legolas and now she was standing here, actually able to interview him. The whole evening when by her as if it wasn´t real, Bernice watched Manu Bennett pass and smiled at Aidan Turner and Dean O´Gorman, who were of course, walking the black carpet together. Aidan was such a sweet guy, he was her age and Bernice could see various fangirls going crazy seeing him. Finally she caught a glimpse of Evangeline Lilly. She liked the actress, but she was annoyed by the fact that Peter Jackson had merely created the character Tauriel because he needed a female badass actress in the movie. Tauriel was no part of the Tolkien world and Bernice disliked it that she was in the movies. But Evangeline Lilly seemed to be a nice person and the interview was also held in an easy and friendly atmosphere. Evangeline seemed to be pretty full of herself, Bernice noticed. She knew that her character, Tauriel, would develop a big deal in the last movie. The actress was physically fit, she had a gorgeous toned body and the dress also was beautiful. Bernice looked down at herself and frowned about her own outfit, a black suit and pants, simple and boring.
Sighing deeply she looked up and looked for her next interview partner, Orlando Bloom. Bernice friends at home had already told her to go for it, since Orlando had recently split from his wife, Miranda Kerr. Bernice just shook her head, she was more realistic than that.
The interview with Orlando was nice. It was short and full of distractions because the fans and reporters fought for some attention. As Bernice asked him if it had bothered him that his "father" Thranduil was actually younger than him in real life, he even laughed. He denied it and finally Bernice wrapped it up and gratefully smiled at Orlando who had stayed calm and focused through the whole interview, like the professional he was.
Bernice now waited for Richard Armitage who played the dwarf king Thorin Oakenshield in the movie. She had never heard of him before the movie and had been impressed by his skills as an actor. It was kind of weird that the dwarf - short, hairy and stubborn - was so incredibly attractive and that Bernice thought Richard Armitage to be quite average. As he finally stood before her, being guided to the reporters by his publicist, Bernice had to look up quite far. Richard Armitage was a tall man, ironicaly playing a dwarf. And there was Bernice first question.
'Richard.' Usually Bernice hated it to call people she did not know by their first names, but she was told that she should interview the actors on first name basis. 'Thank you for stopping by. Many of our followers have been interested in you since the movie and before, tell me, how is the sudden attention and the growing fandom effecting your life?'
Richard was quite pleased by this question and Bernice could imagine how many unprofessional questions he had had to endure during the promotion of the Hobbit.
'Well, it is fascinating how many people are following Peter Jacksons movies. I am incredibly thankful for the amount of fans who support this movie and also the people involved in it.' Richard answers and Bernice smirks, noticing that he did not really answer the question concerning his private life.
'Isn´t it ironic that a tall man like you was cast to be a dwarf in the movie?' Bernice asked with a smile and Richard laughed.
'Yeah, it is quite ironic, although the dwarves are really not all the same size either, so it was actually fine by casting many different kinds of human with different kinds of faces, body height and shapes.'
The way Richard Armitage was answering Bernices questions deeply impressed the young woman. The answers were intelligent and thoughtful and in no way shallow.
'You are an actor of the "old school", meaning that you actually learned to act, sing and dance. Do you think we will see you in some kind of musical movie in the future? Maybe Cats?' Bernice could not help but refer to the musical Richard had actually been a part of. As she had first seen a part of the musical and saw Richard dancing like a cat, she had not know wether to be fascinated or shocked. Damn, the man could dance! And it had looked fantastic!
Again, Richard laughed quietly. It was a very nice and deep laugh and it was audibly coming from the heart. 'Maybe some day. Right now I have a few movies to do on my list, but maybe the next projects will be something to sing and dance to.'
Time was running up and his publicist looked at Bernice gesturing her to come to an end. With a sigh Bernice nodded. She had really enjoyed the few moment with Richard Armitage. He was polite and considerate and he had something that made Bernices stomach turn a somersault.
'I really look forward to it then. Thank you very much, Richard.' Bernice smiled at him and felt her cheeks blush as he smiled back at her warmly. She followed him with her gaze and listened to him as he was interviewed by another reporter and was asked how a dragon would sound like. Richard blew into the microfone and it did sound like a dragon, what made Bernice smirk amused.
'Hello? Earth to Bernice?' the cameraman waved a hand in front of Bernices nose. 'We are free to leave. Lets wrap it up.'
Bernice only nodded silently and moved into the cinema. She was one of the lucky ones who had gotten tickets and actually got to see the movie. While she walked into the building she glanced over her shoulder to look for Richard Armitage. As she realized what she was doing Bernice shook her head. At first she had not been nervous about meeting him, he had only been another actor to interview. But actually meeting him face to face and talking to him had swept Bernice off her feet. Good God, Bernice, you are dreaming like a teenage girl. Get a grip! She watched the cast of The Hobbit pose for a group picture. Richard had his hand on Evangelines waist and she held his hand in place as she turned around to make room for another person. Bernice frowned at the contact and scolded herself immediately for feeling jealous. Evangeline was so perfect, of course Richard was drawn to her. Sighing deeply Bernice walked to her seat and skipped through the various tweets about this particular event.
#Benedict Cumberbatch is so handsome... BenedictC.
#Just saw Evangeline Lilly, she is so hot! LegolasTauriel.
#Richard Armitage just passed me, I think I'm gonna faint! ArmitageFan.
Bernice smiled as she read the last tweet. She could understand the fan writting this. A few hours back she would have laughed about this ridiculous statement. As she looked up the cinema had filled completely and the movie was about to start. It was one of the best movies Bernice had ever seen. She could not help but watch Thorin even more closely than before, sometimes searching for Richard in the full cinema. After a while she spotted either him or Luke Evans, the two actors wore almost identical suits that evening.
Bernice laughed wholeheartly at the scene of the dwarves in the barrels and how Bilbo forgot to follow the barrels out of the palace at first. Martin Freemans skill of comedy was awesome. Lateron she watched a scene she already knew from the trailers.
'You have no right to enter that mountain!' Bard was exclaiming in the movie.
'I have the only right.'Thorin whispered back and his hoarse whisper sent shivers down Bernices back. Wow, that was sexy! Bernice cuddled up into her seat and got caught by the movie´s magic until the end. Good thing that Lee Pace was not at the premiere, his character Thranduil had been awfully disgusting. Bernice almost felt as if he had wronged herself and not the fictive dwarves of Erebor. Peter Jackson had made another masterpiece.
Days later Bernice was called by her boss, who told her that she would fly to the European Premiere of the Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug in Berlin. Bernice was incredibly nervous about that, she had never been to Germany before. She decided to take a couple of days off before the premiere and to spend the weekend in Berlin, already cheking out some nice local places. As she arrived in Berlin on Saturday she quickly realised one thing. Germany was freaking cold. First thing she did in her hotel, the Adlon, was take a warm bubble bath. Later that day she strode through the nearby downtown. The Germans were not like she expected them to be. They were nice and most of them spoke good english. Bernice scolded herself for her prejudice and soon found a small and homely coffeehouse with two nice looking armchairs at the window front and sat down in one fo them, ordering a coffee. So far, so good. She took out her note pad and wrote down a few questions she would have to ask the actors and VIPs on the black carpet in front of the Sony Centre in Berlin. The front had already been decorated, she had passed by the location before. She was not paying attention to her surroundings and jumped as a deep voice adressed her from behind.
'Excuse me, Miss. Is that seat taken?'
That voice sounded familiar, but Bernice did not realise who it belonged to before she looked up and froze in midmotion. With huge eyes she looked into the face of Richard Armitage, who looked down at her questioningly. After a few embarassing moments which felt like ages Bernice found her voice.
'Sure. Please sit down.'
'Thank you.' Richard sat down across of Bernice and pealed out of his jacket. 'Its really uncomfortable out there.'
Bernice smiled at his comment. 'Yes, it is.'
'Is there anything you can recommend? Although I take it that you´re not from Berlin either.' Richard joked and Bernice smiled smitten. She was about to answer as Richard looked into her face more closely. 'I am sorry, I swear this is not a line, but do I know you?'
Bernice felt her heart miss a beat. He had recognised her! They had only spent a few minutes together that evening and he had met countless other reporters after her. And he still remembered her!
'We met in L.A. a few days ago. At the premiere.' Bernice stammered and Richard nodded remembering the event.
'Yes, the reporter from Entertainment Now. I remember. So you are here for the European premier I suppose?' at Bernices nod he smiled. 'Then we will meet again soon. Just so I know, how can I adress you then?'
Bernice realised in shock that she had never introduced herself. 'Oh my goodness, please forgive my manners. My name is Bernice Brentwood.'
'Bernice Brentwood, nice to meet you.' Richard smiled. 'It feels odd that I do not need to introduce myself to you.'
'So you have not gotten used to the fact yet that you are popular now?' Bernice stated and earned a smirk from Richard.
'Are you interviewing me already? I thought I had a few days time.'
'Oh no, I am sorry, I am just being curious.' Bernice apologised and blushed. 'I should not bother you with such questions.'
'Miss Brentwood, I was teasing you. Of course you can ask me things.' Richard smiled. 'And no, I have not gotten used to the fact that more and more people recognise me on the street and scream bloody murder at me on the black carpets.'
Bernice chuckled. She remembered the screaming fangirls in L.A. and winced at the thought of having to spend another night outside with crazy fangirls. But who was she to judge, she was a crazy fangirl herself. She just did not show it openly.
'So? Have you gotten any plans for the weekend?' Bernice remembered that Richard told one of the reporters in L.A. that his family and friends would come to Berlin. 'Will you spend the weekend with your family?'
Richard seemed surprised that Bernice remembered, but he nodded anyway. 'They will arrive in a few hours, I´ll pick them up at the airport and we´ll have a family weekend before the premiere.'
'That sound lovely.' Bernice gazed down at Richards fingers. No wedding ring. So family would be parents, sibblings etc. She had already tried to get some background information on Richards relationships, but she had not found much. The actor seemed to be very private about his life which Bernice liked alot. Some fans, especially on twitter and tumblr, desperatly tried to prove him being gay, going so far to stalk him and his supposed boyfriend and pointing out nonsense as proof that he was in fact attached to some other male actor, but Bernice dismissed such rumors. Some people had just too much time on their hands and stuck their noses into places they did not belong. Fanatically following him and practically bullying him into admitting that he was supposedly gay was merely disgusting.
'Whats your plan for the week end?' Richard asked her back.
'I guess I´ll be doing a little bit of sightseing, preparing myself for the black carpet...you know write down questions and stuff.' Bernice grinned and while she hoped that she would run into Richard and his family, she also wanted him to enjoy the weekend in peace, without any reporter involved.
Their talk was interupted by the waiter who brought Richard a coffee to go. Politely thanking the waiter Richard stood up and smiled at Bernice one last time.
'It was nice meeting you, Miss Brentwood.' he said in his warm and deep voice.
'Likewise, Mister Armitage.' Bernice smiled back, feeling disappointed that he actually left. She watched him walk down the street and lowered her gaze as he was about to turn around the corner. She did not see that he turned around briefly before he past the corner.
The weekend had past without any further excitement and on monday evening Bernice was preparing for the press conference in the Sony Centre. This time she dressed into a black dress and gave her looks a little more of thought. Who the heck am I doing this for? For Richard? Who are you kidding, Bernice. Bernice scolded herself, but she tried to look nice anyway.
At the Sony Centre she looked for Richard all evening, until she saw him walk down the red carpet in a black suit with a blue shirt and a blue tie. It was a dark blue like he had worn as Thorin in the movie and it looked perfect on him. Bernice felt as if she would faint if she would look into his blue eyes this evening. Great, Bernice. You´ve got a crush like some bloody teenager! ...
Bernice was nervous as she watched Richard walk towards her that evening. This time, he did not need to be guided by his publicist, he saw Bernice and walked right up to her.
'Miss Brentwood.' he greeted her warmly and Bernice felt hot shivers run down her spine again.
'Mister Armitage. Ok that sounds funny.' Bernice exclaimed without thinking and made Richard chuckle. She loved his chuckle.
'Any new questions you would like to ask me?' Richard cocked his eyebrows.
In fact Bernice had watched him since he had arrived and did indeed have some questions. 'I admire you very much for keeping for private life safe from the public eye...' Bernice started and saw him blink at her. '...but the attractive young man over there seems to be related to you.'
Richard turned around to where Bernice was pointing at and laughed quietly. 'He is my nephew.'
His nephew. So he was fun uncle Thorin...ehmmmm Richard, in real life, as well? Bernice noticed that he had not told her his nephews name, but did not ask any further.
'Your parents are here as well. I hope that they enjoy Berlin and that they are incredibly proud of their son?' Bernice smiled as Richard looked down at his feet sheepishly.
'They have a good time, Berlin is awesome! About the proud part...you will have to ask them that yourself.' Richard grinned and Bernice swallowed heavily. She was already phantasizing about interviewing Richards parents - maybe after a sleepover - No! Bernice, shut up!
Bernice jerked out of her phantasy world in time to see Richards publicist push him towards the next reporter.
'It was nice meeting you again, miss Brentwood.' Richard smiled at her one last time. 'Until we meet again - next year.'
Richard waved akwardly before turning to the next camera. Bernice could only nod and smile dreamily. Next year. Oh, she so looked forward to that...
I actually wrote this one a year ago during premiere week...Its not my best work and I apologise, but I am not very good at modern AU stuff^^ (So, Hermione Granger, thank yo so much for yor review and I hope that you are not disappointed! This was the only modern fic work I had stocked, but who knows, maybe one day I'll have a better one:).) Maybe I will continue this after the last premieres this year!