Writer's Notes:

Hi all, thanks again for your reviews/follows/favorites! Work is getting busier and after this chapter I hope I can still upload one more before Easter weekend. This story finally reaches the point which I have been longing to write! Drama and tension! I haven't think too much when I started this project, and now I truly felt I have assigned a tough task for myself. I needed more time than I've initially estimated to build up a sturdy foundation for my characters to develop relationships. I don't want to rush, especially when we are talking about an elf falling in love in the most extraordinary circumstances. It is a self-discovering journey for my characters as well as myself, and I must admit I am truly enjoying it. Hope you can share my happiness as well =)

Thank you again WickedGreene13, Raider-K, kristin and TheRadiantFire for your reviews!

Disclaimer: I do not own Tolkien's work, of course.

Chapter 14 - Remedy

Clear footsteps echoed between the walls of the tenebrous alley as the man swiftly passed by. The air was chill and the man ducked his face further under his blue woolen scarf. As he approached the end of the dim deserted alley, his surrounding gradually lid up and mixture of men's voices and music got louder and clearer. A few seconds later, he reached the bright exit and took a sharp right turn to the main street. Contrasted with the short cut he had just walked through, the main street in downtown area was dazzled with flashing advertising signs and crowded with people gathering in front of bars and pubs. He maneuvered through the crowds, occasionally sidestepped to avoid bulky men or squeaky girls who swayed towards him due to too much alcohol.

Among the large crowd the man still stood out easily. His curly chestnut hair shown a brighter red hue under the streetlights, and his statuesque figure and handsome face drew attention as he walked along, from guarded, suspicious glares from males and suggestive, lustful eye-batterings from females.

He finally slowed down and stopped in front of a pub decorated in black wood and large glass windows, with the pub's name "The Blue Wisp" in gilded golden font inscribed at the top of the shopfront. As he pushed through the glass door he was instantly enveloped by warm air and sweet smell of food and wine. His eyes fell onto the far corner searching, and immediately he saw the familiar figure who had also spotted him and waved back. He went through the tables, gave a quick nod to the bartender who had acknowledged him, and took the seat in front of his friend.

"Got dragged on by the conference call?" Karl asked while signalling the waiter for drinking menu.

"No, the call ended on time. I just wanted to have a quick follow up chat with the architects before I fly to London tomorrow." Marcus took off his thick suit jacket and pulled away his scarf. He received the menu from the waiter, took a quick glance and ordered a single malt Scotch. Karl took a sip of his own whisky, peered at the scarf on the table but said nothing.

"So how's our new Chief Designer doing?" Karl continued lightheartedly.

Marcus looked bemusedly at his friend, "You are in the same company with all the little birds around feeding you information. You probably know better than me."

"But those are only second or third hand information," he whined, "You are the one who directly work with him for most of the time. Your opinion weighs more."

"He is great," Marcus stretched a bit and continued, "His design is exemplary and unique. He is patient, logical, mature, and can bring in a very different perspective when tackling problems. The team leaders hold very high regard on him." The waiter brought and put down Marcus' whisky, which he quickly held up and took a large gulp. He felt the cold liquid burning down his throat. He relished the scorching sensation and craved for more. "Yesterday Tony told me that our Chief Designer had a surprising knack for combat skills as well. They think they can ask him to help doing motion capture instead of hiring a stuntman."

Karl whistled, "So he is well-versed in both art and combat? Oh man, is he even human?" He jested while his companion said nothing. "How about you? How do you think of him? Personally?"

"When does my feeling matter?"

"Aww come on, you are our Managing Director, of course it matters."

Marcus took another gulp, "I don't like him. And I think the feeling is mutual."

Karl chuckled, "Not used to work with someone more talented and better looking than you?"

Marcus snorted, "I admit I have some ego issues, but mine has not inflated so much as to reject people who is better than me." He took a small piece of sausage from the platter in front of him, "He is just …. Weird. Flawless to a point that borderline creepiness."

"That I concur. Apart from his too stunning looks, that guy emits some kind of … I don't know… aura? That screams unnatural." Karl took a bite of the cheese, "But Shannon trusts him. Unconditionally." An irritated look flashed across Marcus' face for a millisecond which Karl did not fail to pick up. He took another bite and continued, "She still didn't learn her lesson well it would seem."

"What do you mean?" Marcus stabbed another piece of sausage with obviously too much force.

"You know what I mean," Karl smirked, "I had been worrying how long would it take her to move on. My worries seem to be unnecessary, which I am grateful for."

"You mean that's okay for you?" Marcus raised his voice. "She said she only met that guy this summer, and he moved in with her already! And now he tags along her like a leech wherever she goes!"

"Well, if you are worrying about him drying her bank account, I think it is more like the other way round. He is filling her account with the money he has made."

"Perhaps that is just a facade? Or maybe he is trying to earn her trust and aim for her money?"

Karl chewed slowly as he gave thought to his friend's accusation, "Or perhaps he just adores her? He is suspicious and creepy, but my gut feeling tells me he won't harm her." He glanced at his friend who pulled a distasteful look, "Okay, gut feeling sounds lame. But come on, why can't you accept that Legolas helps her just because he likes her? Shannon is beautiful and charming, it is easy for guys to fall for her." Karl looked pointedly at Marcus, "You, among all people, should know it well enough."

Marcus didn't respond. He twirled the golden liquid in his glass, mesmerized by the gleaming ripples that he created. Taking cue that his companion wasn't going to continue the topic, Karl moved on, "So how are you two doing?"

"Who?"

"Andrea. Your girlfriend."

"It's Emma. I broke up with Andrea two weeks ago," Marcus replied nonchalantly.

"Whatever," Karl rolled his eyes, "I will give up remembering your girlfriends' names. What a waste of effort."

"That's true. Save your time and don't bother anymore," he chuckled darkly.

Karl took another sip from his glass and peered at him over the rim, "Are you really enjoying? Your hard-earned freedom."

Marcus glared at his best friend who had no problem staring back. It was obvious that Karl wouldn't let him dodge this time. He sighed heavily and ran a hand through his hair, "...No..." he reluctantly replied. He braced himself for the series of mocking that was going to launch at him after his admittance, but instead he met the sorrowful gaze from his companion. This could not get even worse.

"Quit that," the larger man spatted, "I don't need your pity."

Karl slowly touched the rim of his glass, "You and Shannon are the closest thing I have to family," his voice lost the usual playful tone as he continued. "When I told you I was the happiest person on Earth to receive the news of your engagement, I had truly meant it."

"Sorry to disappoint you."

"You don't need to be so defensive."

Marcus looked at his empty glass. He clicked his tongue and ordered for a refill. Only after he flushed down half of his Scotch did he managed to utter, "I've royally screwed up, haven't I." It came out as a statement and no further affirmation needed.

"Well… yeah, you have." Green eyes laid upon the blue scarf across the table, "You should put that away by the way. No need to rub salt on your own wound." Marcus instinctively clutched on it protectively. The scarf was a handmade gift from Shannon back in university. It was a bit worn out and Marcus had put it aside for years. He found it from the bottom of his cupboard a few days ago and since then he found himself unwilling to part from it anymore.

"Do you want her back?" Karl asked casually.

Marcus glanced at him uneasily, "Isn't it too late to ask?"

His friend tilted his head and rubbed his chin, "Maybe not."

"What do you mean?" His fingered clutched reflexively tighter around his scarf.

"I mean what I said." Looking at the clueless expression of his companion, Karl put his hands up dramatically, "Oh come on! You seriously didn't notice? Seriously?"

"Notice what?" Marcus hissed impatiently.

"They are not together yet."

Marcus wrinkled his forehead with surprise, "How did you know?"

"Did Shannon ever refer Legolas as her boyfriend?"

"No…" Marcus temporarily lost in thought, "She always refer him as her... 'friend'",he frowned, "But he is practically living with her!"

"That doesn't mean she is sharing her bed with him," Karl shrugged, and Marcus knew he had a point. He himself had waited through their first year before she was willing to get intimate with him. Now thinking back that was a true feat of self-restraint and patience. That was history. Perhaps she has changed, he shook his head lightly. "Are these all you have to support your proposition?"

"One more. Her eyes."

"What happened to her eyes?" Marcus was completely baffled.

Karl leaned back and scratched the back of his neck, "How come you are a genius when doing business but can be a complete idiot at the love department?"

Marcus knew his friend was toying him now, leaving him in suspense. He breathed in and out and suppressed the urge to shout. He desperately needed to get more information. "So what is it about her eyes?" he tried patiently again.

"The way she looks at him says all. She is not totally in love with him yet. For sure she is infatuated with him, but not there, not yet."

"How can you be so sure?" Marcus asked skeptically.

Karl's smirk was gone as he regarded his friend solemnly, "Because I've seen before with my eyes. How she had looked at you back then, when she was deeply in love."

That totally silenced him. Yes he remembered. He remembered those lovely, chocolate eyes, full of love and joy like never-ending summer followed him wherever he went. How could he rip away the heat and affection from those beautiful eyes? He was so accustomed to them that he started to grow numb, which he had regrettably interpreted as his love for her was gone. Since their breakup he never lacked of female companions, as his looks and social status would have guaranteed, but none of them could last long. He casually grasped any opportunities offered to him, indulged himself in physical pleasure and passion as much as he could, but no one could perfectly fit in the gaping hole in his heart. It took him some time to realise the hole within him was carved in the shape of his ex-lover, and his quest in search of true love was deemed futile since the day of their breakup. Guilt-ridden and shameful, it had crossed his mind numerous times to barge into her office, knelt in front of her and begged her to take him back. However all his courage he managed to muster would evaporated once he looked into her eyes, now full of hurt and mistrust and hate, like a blizzard in the midst of the most unforgivable winter.

That evening of Thanksgiving was a hard blow. It was him who proposed to visit her place. He had made sure Karl would tag along so that she wouldn't slam the door right in front of his face, and also to provide emotional support for himself on his mission of redemption. How could he possibly imagined his place was already usurped by some mysterious blonde? And who gave him the right to go all protector-and-saviour mode when he discussed (or ranted, with all good reasons) business with her? As if to top up his punishment by some higher beings, he actually needed this usuper to save his company, and forced to witness their close bonding everyday while had to play nice and civil with him as he was their long-sought Chief Designer. That's karma, he was absolutely sure. Was is not too late to redeem himself? To take back what had been his? Guilt, regret, self-hatred, despair as well as hope, love and excitement came down to him all at once and overwhelmed him.

Karl tapped his fingers at the wooden table while he waited his best friend struggling in his internal battle. After a while he decided to speak up, "Marcus, you may not like to hear this, and I know I kinda contradict with what I said before...but don't raise too much hope." His friend glared at him through his eyelashes, waiting for him to further explain. Karl licked his lips and continued, "That guy surely has a thing for her. The way he acts around her, as if… as if she is the most important thing in the world and only her matters to him while others just fall back as background, is way too obvious. I can't tell if he makes his move yet or not, but if he does, let's be frank, your chance is slim. If he is a character in the game, his ability scores for all attributes would have freakishly maxed out."

"Thanks bud. That's really encouraging."

"I just don't want to plant false hope in you."

Marcus contemplated his words, twirling his glass in his hand. Karl was the most perceptive person he had ever known. When came down to people and relationships, he was always right. Why didn't he listen to him before he made that fatal decision? Was it too late to remedy? You will never know if you don't try, his businessman side kicked in. You have nothing to lose for trying. You can't get even more worse than now.

"No risk, no gain," Marcus' eyes gleamed with a new found determination as he turned his attention back to the man in front of him, "As you said, it is too soon to give up, not without putting up a good fight."

"Ha! That's the spirit of the alpha of our pack!" Karl laughed cheerfully and raised his glass. Marcus grinned, raised his glass in return and finished the liquid from it. Excited with his new found challenge, the gears in his head started to work in full speed, outlining possible options and tactics he might use. He put down his glass and enquired, "Karl, can you help me with something?"

"Sure, buddy. Anything that is legal."

"It's legal," Marcus rolled his eyes, "Can you help me to dig up his background?"

"Wooo…. To know your enemy, right?" Karl quipped.

"Yeah… 'If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles', a quote from Sun Tzu," Marcus snickered. "But not because he is my personal enemy. He is now a member of our management team, official or not. By normal procurement procedure we should have done a background check before hiring him. Of course things back then was a bit rush and Shannon insisted he should have as little ties with us as possible…" Marcus titled his head and tapped his head with his finger, "Actually that has been bugging me on and off. What is she trying to cover for him? She never gives a satisfying answer. That isn't like her."

"She may not like it if she knows you hire people to check on him."

"She won't like it of course. Another thing for her to add to her 'I-hate-Marcus' list," he smiled bitterly, "But she will understand, eventually, that it is the right thing to do for the company."

Karl slowly nodded, "Fair enough."

"Thank you," Marcus sank back to his chair. He finally seemed to find his bearing again. Not without a good fight, he silently promised himself.