Chapter 149

Liv Tyler had already discussed with Peter Jackson about using a location for the kiss scene.

Although Peter Jackson was not entirely satisfied, he reluctantly agreed. After all, this was a fantasy adventure film, not a romance, and people weren't there to watch the elf princess and Aragorn kiss.

If it had been Martin's kissing scene, it might have drawn a lot of women to the theater. Maybe if he showed some muscles, it could help...

Peter Jackson glanced at Martin from a distance, dismissing the thought.

After filming the scene, Liv Tyler eagerly trotted over to Martin, eager to show off her success.

"How did I do?" she asked.

"You were great," Martin replied.

"So, how are you going to reward me?"

"What reward do you want?"

"Well, let me think. How about we go camping for a night today?"

"Camping?" Martin asked.

"Yes, I know a quiet spot nearby."

"Alright!" Martin agreed.

Nightfall.

Liv Tyler, wearing a mask and sunglasses, slipped out of the hotel in the town and made her way to the meeting spot she'd arranged with Martin.

Gordon, with a stern expression, was waiting there in an off-road vehicle.

Liv opened the car door but noticed Martin wasn't there. She asked, "Where's Martin?"

"He's already waiting by the woods. I'll take you there," Gordon replied.

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go, Gordon!"

Half an hour later, the off-road vehicle stopped at the edge of the woods.

By then, some tourists had left, and Liv could see Martin standing with two tall horses beside him.

"Horseback riding? That sounds fun!" Liv said excitedly.

Under the dim sunset, Martin and Liv mounted the horses and slowly rode toward the woods together.

As they rode, Liv commented, "Winter in New Zealand doesn't feel like winter at all. It's nothing like I expected."

Martin, curious, asked, "Isn't it the same in Los Angeles? I thought you were used to it by now?"

"No, I actually don't live much in Los Angeles. I spend more time in New York," Liv replied.

"Isn't it cold in New York during the winter?"

"Yeah, it snows a lot, sometimes so heavily that they need snowplows to clear the roads."

They rode further until a series of mountain peaks came into view.

"Where are we heading?" Martin asked.

"We're almost there," Liv responded.

They dismounted at the foot of the mountain and tied their horses in a sheltered spot. Since New Zealand doesn't have dangerous wild animals like wolves, leopards, or snakes, there was no concern about the horses being in danger.

Ironically, the strongest land predator in New Zealand below humans is the rat.

As they climbed partway up the mountain, a hot spring appeared before them.

Martin tested the temperature with his hand. It wasn't too hot and was perfect for a soak.

"How did you find this place?" Martin asked, surprised. "This hot spring must be a local secret. Not many outsiders could find it."

"Peter told me about it," Liv replied.

"Peter? Peter Jackson?" Martin was even more surprised.

He paused, thinking, Does Peter know about my relationship with Liv? Did he reveal this place to set the mood for us?

He quickly dismissed the thought. It didn't make sense. After all, Peter's wife and children were also part of the crew.

Martin smiled and shook off the concern. It wasn't a big deal.

"Martin, come on in!" Liv called out, her voice full of excitement.

Martin looked over to see Liv had removed her extra clothes and stepped into the hot spring.

Under the moonlight and surrounded by mist, Liv's beautiful face appeared like a flower, her pale neck visible, and her figure, faintly seen beneath the water, was alluring.

Laughing, Martin undressed and joined her in the water. He swam toward her.

Liv giggled as Martin embraced her, her hands slowly sliding from his shoulders.

Martin, speaking in fluent Elvish, teasingly said, "You said you'd give up the immortality of the elves and give your heart to me?"

This was a line from The Lord of the Rings.

Liv responded in Elvish, "Yes, my heart is still the same. I would rather spend my life with you than spend eternity alone."

Under the night sky, the two became one.

At the foot of the mountain, Gordon leaned back in the off-road vehicle, quietly standing guard.

Elvish is a language created by J.R.R. Tolkien in his books.

I must say, this genius not only invented an entirely new language (Elvish), but also crafted a completely new writing system.

"Scene 128, Act 24, action!"

"Are you ready, Legolas?"

Elijah Wood walked over, his signature baby face filled with concern.

Martin took the bow and arrow off his back, stepped on a rock with one foot, his blonde hair flying in the wind, looking every bit the hero.

He confidently said, "My bow will protect you until the battle is over, Frodo."

They were preparing to film a battle scene.

Peter Jackson had originally planned to recruit 15,000 extras from the New Zealand army for the scene. However, the New Zealand soldiers had been sent to East Timor to handle a local conflict, and the civil war was over.

So Peter had to advertise everywhere, looking for young people who could ride horses to serve as extras. Fortunately, there were many horse farms in New Zealand, and plenty of young people who could ride. Eventually, enough people were gathered.

The battle began.

Martin moved into his position, nimbly leaping across rocks, occasionally taking shots with his bow.

"How on earth does Martin make all his movements look so... beautiful?" Richard Taylor asked, adjusting his glasses and staring at the monitor in confusion.

Peter Jackson, also watching the monitor, replied, "I don't know, I don't care. All I know is Martin will make this film a classic. I'll do anything to keep him in top shape!"

Peter Jackson's words were loaded with meaning.

At that moment, Martin and Elijah Wood's scene was interrupted.

To be more specific, Elijah Wood had an accident.

As Martin's clothes flew up during a jump, a stone was kicked into the air. Elijah, who had been following closely, lost his balance and was about to fall.

According to the rehearsal, two extras playing orcs were supposed to rush in with knives and hammers.

This was supposed to be a scene where Frodo, played by Elijah Wood, would shout a warning, and Legolas would pull his sword to defend him. However, the plan was thrown off track when Elijah lost his balance and blocked the orc attackers.

Just when everyone thought the scene would fall apart, Martin reacted.

With impressive skill, he caught Elijah before he could fall, then performed a graceful spin—like a ballet dancer—and unsheathed his sword in one swift motion.

The two orc extras were both struck in the chest, and Martin softly commanded, "Lie down and face up!"

The extras immediately understood and collapsed as they had rehearsed, covering their injuries.

"Perfect!" Peter Jackson exclaimed, snapping his fingers and pointing at the monitor. "That's why I'd do anything for Martin!"