I do not owe anything related to LORT or tolkien's work.

Any comments/reviews are welcome – thanks!

The Dating Scene Curse

True beauty is a rare thing, not all of us are blessed with the elegance of Audrey Hepburn, the sexiness of Marilyn Monroe, the electric-ness of Bridgett Bardot. And neither was Serena for that matter. Its both a blessing and a curse this dating scene, to meet a nice man but the trouble involved in the moments leading up to the date sometimes makes it more trouble than its worth. There.

Trouble.

Full stop.

As Serena pulled herself into yet another dress, time was getting on and she was more than painfully aware of that.

"Fuck!" Serena toppled over a high-heeled shoe she threw aside in a moment of anger that another dress looked dated, another failed attempt to look sexy without making it look as if she tried hard. She felt the tears verging and knew this was becoming so bloody stupid. Taking a final look in the closet to see if there was a dress lurking in the darkest recesses of the wardrobe, she was surprised to actually see one.

Taking it out she could see it was a black cocktail dress in velvet with a low neckline and long thin sleeves. Pulling it on, she knew it was the dress. Clingy in the right place, revealing a bit of leg, provocative in the right way – she smiled, her earlier tantrums forgotten as she now decided how to wear her hair.

Up?

Down?

Hmm – maybe up as it gives her cheekbones and elongates her neck.

Jewellery.

Bit of diamonds?

Sure, why the hell not?

She pulled on her necklace of diamonds, a sparkling chain that sat at the base of her throat. Two slender droplets hung from her ears added more sophistication. So far, so good.

She carefully applied her makeup and inched closer to the final effect, this night had to be perfect.

The bell rang, causing her heart to leap from the sofa where she sat, wringing her hands. With nerves raw, her muscles weakly made her stand and walk to the door of her apartment which stood over the shop. She opened it and there he was, so handsome, so beautiful, so....perfect.

"Hello." He smiled, a rich smile that made her knees weak.

"Please, come in." She stepped back, allowing his tall frame to enter, she could get a closer look at what he was wearing, a black suit and a dark red shirt with a couple of buttons undone at the collar, giving her a tantalising peek at the creamy skin and the broad collar bones. His hair was tied back loosely, allowing her to truly appreciate the beauty of his face unlike the painting. She was thankful for once that her bedroom was tidy because when he comes back here, she'll jump his bones.

"You look stunningly radiant." He commented, his eyes sliding over her body, noting how the dress empathised her womanly curves, usually concealed by her jeans and t-shirts.

"Thank you, you don't do too bad yourself." She grinned, he chuckled and glanced at his watch, "Shall we?"

"Let me get my purse." She headed into her bedroom and picked up her black clutch purse and scanned the room to make sure it was ready for their arrival, hopefully this evening.

She joined him by the door and turned the lights off, locking the door and walked down the steps to step out onto the pavement to see a black car waiting for them with their own private driver. The driver tipped his hat and opened the door as she slid in, it wasn't until Legolas joined her did she ask, "Where are we going? " "Just a little somewhere I thought will be nice." He evasively answered, clearly not wanting to tell all just yet.

It was only a short drive away and it wasn't until she realised she passed Harrods did she knew that they were obviously heading somewhere very fabulous and expensive.

When they pulled up outside The Ritz, she knew she was right.

"Holy...." She breathed as she stepped out onto the red carpet, he joined her and gently wrapped his arm round her waist, a smile on his lips as he watched her child-like awed expression.

"This is going to cost a bomb. I should warn you now that I haven't a lot of money to pay my half here." Warned Serena, never one to let someone else pay the tab.

Legolas's expression was one of shock, "I refuse to let a lady like you pay for anything at all, and in fact I heartily encourage you to order what and as much as you want. Money is of no worry for I am comfortably well off."

"Sorry." Serena apologised, feeling as if she was a school girl being told off for a naughty comment. A squeeze round her waist from his arm told her he had forgotten about it and lead them into the bright, dazzling foyer where they were greeted and shown to their table, lit with candles and aligned with countless cutlery.

They were handed the menu and asked if they wanted any wine to which Legolas ordered, specific to the type and year, clearly knowledgeable of wines and his particular favourites. It wasn't until she eyed the prices of the dishes did she realised how much money must Legolas must be comfortable with. An earlier attempt of ordering just a salad was shot down by one of his stern looks and a recommendation of a fish dish. She agreed and Legolas ordered.

Legolas was right, the fish was heaven, it melted in her mouth and the wine was out of this world, all the mean time aware that Legolas watched her, curious at her reactions to the orgasmic desserts, the herbs of the fish, the explosion of taste from the Mediterranean tart. The way the silver fork disappeared into her sweet mouth, and how her lips closed as she chewed, the colour lipstick doing arousing things to a man's mind.

Lust can be a powerful thing, it can disarm all situations, gives the most unworthy a chance to redeem themselves to a form of beauty. Need and want destroy reason and love as they were all too aware as they talked and dined. As the midnight hour drew closer and the thoughts of turning home to the bed for other reasons other than to sleep preoccupied their minds, Legolas paid the bill and suggested a walk along the river, drawing out their agony longer.

"Are you cold?" He asked, he drew her closer to him, aware that her teeth were clattering.

"No." she lied, he grinned and leaned forward to her ear and whispered, "Never play poker Serena, you'll only loose your shirt."

She smiled, all too aware that the same thought occupied both their thoughts, that maybe they did want her shirt off, and his trousers and other items of clothing for that matter.

"Come here." His husky voice coerced her to him, as he pulled her against his chest and wrapped the jacket round her, sharing both their body heat. And if by instinct, Serena looked up to see he was watching her, his eyes ever sparkling and a smile was upon his lips. He lowered his hear and arrested her at once, his fiery lips scolding her own, chasing away the cold bite of the winter December wind. His firm hands seemed to burn through her dress, searing her flesh as she pressed closer against him, wanting to savour every shed of warmth from him, he was like a wall of flesh, keeping her safe and sound, making her forget her troubles as he held her to him, his lips grinding her own, then like kisses of snowflakes trailing down her neck. She was lost and with him, she most certainly didn't care. A groan escaped her lips as his hands trailed down her back to rest on the provocative curve of her waist. She was lost to the world.

"Serena is that you?" a faint voice intervened. She ignored it until Legolas pulled away, frowning as he turned to see who dared interrupt that perfect moment.

She blindly looked to see a taxi pulled over and a cheery face staring out the back window. She waved and slowly Serena realised it was Sue.

"I tried calling you but you weren't in. I really must be taking the paintings over to the museum for insurance tomorrow." Sue called out.

"Go and join her." Legolas smiled.

"What? I want you not her." She frowned as he stepped away and walked over to the taxi to speak to Sue.

Serena bit her tongue and joined them to see Legolas open the door to get her in. "Just a moment." She called, he turned and closed it. "You take the taxi back with Sue, you'll be safe."

"Legolas...." She moaned but a kiss pressed to her lips made her lose track of thoughts.

"I'll call you." He promised, "Not good enough." She pouted, her libido doing the talking.

His eyebrow quirked up as he smiled, knowing what it is she wanted he leaned close and whispered in her ear, "I shall think of you tonight as I lie in my bed alone, of the things that weren't to be till next time....perhaps?" his warm breath teased her ear as she smiled, a slow blush crept over her cheeks.

"Perhaps." She replied, he nodded and indicated for her to step in the taxi.

"Thank you for tonight." She thanked him, he smiled, "No problem, truth is, I enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed your company."

"As have I. Oh! Tomorrow, are you doing anything?" she remembered, tugging her coat tighter around her, she looked at him standing before her, the cold wind didn't even seem to effect him.

"Tomorrow? No why?" he smiled.

"Would you like to come over for dinner with me and my employees? Just that I'm cooking and we're having a small party as it's our last day before Christmas." She explained, she watched his face look delighted as he nodded, "That sound good."

"Come over at six, my place?" she asked, her voice board lining begging.

"Six it is. I look forward to it Serena. Goodnight." He kissed her once more and opened the door to reveal a rabid looking Sue, her tongue was positively hanging out for the juicy gossip.

"Bye." She smiled and slid in, the door closed and the taxi slowly pulled away, she weakly waved at Legolas who under the streetlights, smiled and waved back. God, he was too perfect.

Throughout the whole taxi ride back to The Muse, Sue kept asking questions which were answered by Serena who sat, half in a daze. She tried to figure out Legolas, what made him so perfect, what were his flaws – did he have any? Serena still have a long way to travel to be with this perfect, immaculate stranger even finding out that he is too, flawed in the deepest, darkest way. Love will only be half the battle when the full story comes to light and Serena will then judge more than one matter at hands. But for the moment, this period of time is guilt-less and lust riddled, with a smidgen of desire to top it. What will turn out to be a fatale combination.

"So you didn't sleep with him?" Sue asked for the umpteenth time as Serena opened her door to The Muse.

"No because you somewhat prevented that." She frowned, feeling disheartened and hating Sue at this moment in time.

"Did I? Oh crap. I'm sorry, I didn't know." Sue gasped but Serena waved it off, "It was for the best. Maybe we were rushing into it, maybe I was expecting too much."

"What with a man like him, pwoar...." Sue grinned.

"I'll leave you to get the paintings, just close the door to lock it on your way out yeah?" Serena smiled and headed upstairs. She threw herself down on the bed and stared at the ceiling for a long period of time, she could hear Sue pottering around downstairs and finally the door closed with a loud click.

Darn that woman!

If she hadn't intervened, Legolas would be lying next to her naked.

Naked!

She closed her eyes and tried her hardest to imagine what he looked like naked but somehow the image remained permently fixed at his face.

Fuck!

Frustrated she rolled over to ring Legolas but realised she didn't have his number.

Double Fuck!

She groaned and dropped her head back into the pillow, wishing she could wrap up tight against his warm, bare chest. Sleep took her, dreams came to her of sweet smiles and blues eyes.

Little did she know that Sue has committed a task that will bring about the true meaning of the story. Whilst she was lying in bed, Sue has taken all the paintings to the London Museum for insurance valuation and dating, ready for sale. And somehow the painting of Legolas was one of them. Was this really a modern painting done in the style of old or did the painting have more secrets to reveal, ones that Serena will not like?