Author's Note:
I hope you enjoy this story as much as I will enjoy creating it. I hope Mala will make a special place in your heart, the way she has in mine. Her personality will only grown as time moves on, and you will see her blossom like a flower. This story will intertwine with the occurences in The Hobbit, of course with addition of Mala.
Some Info:
Near Harad: northern Harad (near Gondor)
Far Harad: southern Harad
Mother: Ahi Khazis
Father: Daldikir Khazis
Harad is located toward the south of Middle Earth, and this is where it will begin. Mala had been sheltered her entire life, so she's unaware of the different types of creatures out there. She had heard scary stories of monstrous beings as a child, but had never seen a Orc in person. During this time of Middle Earth we move closer to the beginnings of the first few books of the Hobbit series.
Harad is an ally to Mordor during this time, and the Orcs are collecting people in order to add them to their army. Mordor's ranks had grown weak after the occurences of the War, and they need to be re-supplied.
Anyway after all that...this is the story about how a human woman melted a selfish Elven King's heart ;).
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Chapter I: 2936
Mala daughter of Daldikir and Ahi Khazis grew up south of Harondor and Mordor, on the coasts of a small town in Far Harad. As a child she remembered the ravishing heat during the summers, the moist coastal air creating humidity. The echoing of the crickets in the tall grass, and the loud squawks of seagulls. Her curly black hair used to frizz up from the heat, and her mother had refused to let her wear it out.
The summers of her early age consisted of games she would play with many of the other children of Harad. They would chase each other trough the tall grass that grew near the rivers and streams, their laughter echoing around them.
Mala had always been a rather quiet child, but during those moment she thrived. She even encouraged some of the more shy children to play along with her, and hesitantly they obliged.
Her days had been spent laughing in the sun, unaware of the dangers and troubles of the world around her.
The country of Harad suffered greatly throughout the ages. Most of the country consisted of hot planes of sandy desert, and food was scarce. The cities that did manage to somewhat prosper were ran by violent warring lords.
Often times these Black Númenórean Lords would make sure to ingrain their rule by destroying and killing their subjects.
Now Mala's days consisted of long hours on the shores, catching fish. Both of Mala's parents were fishermen, and as such she was also expected to learn the trade. Since Mala was their only child, she took on the role of the oldest son.
Besides that role she was also expected to learn how to become a lady.
This meant that after Mala spent long seemingly endless days in the sun, she was expected to study.
Harad had a class system like any other place, and Mala's family was at the bottom.
Despite the fact that Mala's parents were unable to afford any type of education for their daughter, Ahi taught her how to read. Her mother had received lessons from kind strangers as they passed trough the southern lands, and Ahi found it important to teach her daughter in turn.
The first few years of Mala's life during the Third Age of Middle Earth was quiet, consisting of long days working.
Her hands had become worn from work. Torn from twisting rope to make nets, and from pulling scales off fish.
On Mala's eighteenth birth year of 2936 however, everything changed.
It was another hot summer day, and she was exhausted from work. The sun was setting slowly on the horizon, and the heat continued to move in waves. Mala had her long black hair tied back in a long braid, and carried a basket constructed of rivergrass on her head.
She took careful steps down the road, her sandal covered feet kicking up dirt with each step. This summer had been harsh for her family, and business had been bad. The river near which they resided was practically empty due to overfishing, and Mala feared for her family's safety.
Mala had barely made her way to the market in the past few weeks, unable to consistently catch enough fish for even her family.
Her father had returned home early from fishing, taking care of Ahi.
Her mother had fallen ill with a horrible cough, and Mala feared for her mother's life. It had been weeks since she showed the first symptoms, and now she wasn't even able to leave the solace of her bed.
She pondered over their future, as she made her way back to their simple hut. Mala's usually caramel colored complexion was a deep mocha, due to the harsh sun rays.
She had tired circles underneath her hazel colored eyes, due to sleepless nights. She tossed and turned all night, thinking of ways in which to support her family. Mala was old enough to have a family of her own, or seek a job in a much larger city. Mala had been battling the idea in her head for a few months now, but she still didn't feel anymore sure. It could either mean saving her family, and securing income, or sure death.
Mala had always been regarded as a beautiful woman, and perhaps she would be able to marry a man of high status.
With her workers hands however, she was unsure. Most ladies took pride in their soft, sating skin, and perfect complexion. Just as Mala moved closer to her town, she caught sight of black smoke on the horizon. It practically covered the setting sun, and immediately her footsteps increased.
Mala's parents raced through her mind as her steps increased, and she hurried to town. As she got closer to the town, she saw the flames engulfing many of the huts and wooden buildings. Mala watched as frantic townsfolk attempted to quelm the ever rising flames, to no avail.
The other thing that immediately caught Mala's attention, was the ironclad monsters (Orcs).
Their teeth were sharp and disgusting, as they snarled inhumanely. Their clawed hands reached up and grabbed whatever life was in their way dragging them along, or into a cart behind them.
The cart was pulled by two even larger monstrous beings, their bodies covered in humps. Their bags were crooked as they pulled along the cart, letting out loud groans.
The people on the back of it looked beyond frightened, and Mala recognized a few young boys amongst them.
Mala made her way past the scorching flames and screaming townspeople, toward her own hut. Mala didn't care about the contents of her basket at this point, and just wanted to make sure her family was ok. When she finally arrived at her hut, she found it astray.
The door was wide open, and their were signs of struggle. Mala's eyes immediately began watering up as she frantically looked around the three room hut for her parents. She found her mother in her bed, Ahi's body shaking with sobs.
"They took him Mala. The Orcs took your father with them. I think they're going to use them for Mordor's armies. Your father is too old, he's going to die." Mala immediately consoled her mother, taking the frail woman in her arms.
Mala could feel the raging temperature of her mother's skin throughout the hug, and her heart was only filled with more grief. They wouldn't make it without Daldikir.
Her mother was too weak to be of much use, and despite the bad fishing conditions, her father helped a great deal. Mala moved back from her mother, stroking away the curls that clung to her feverish forehead.
Her mother was practically delusional with fever, her eyes red and wide.
Mala took a deep breath, and let her thoughts settle for a moment. If she stayed here with her mother, they would die. Without Daldikir their family would certainly starve, or her mother be taken by fever at least.
If Mala made her way to face the monstrous beings called Orcs, she would possibly be snatched up herself, and taken away.
Her mother then would certainly be met with death...either way there was a grave chance of death. Mala sighed softly, stroking her mother's moist cheek.
"Mother...what would you have me do? I do not want to leave you alone, and yet I cannot abandon father to be met with an ill fate."
Her mother's eyes were filled with feverish confusion, and she remained quiet. Just then a cold shiver ran down Mala's back, as a gruff voice called out. "Look trough all the hut's to make sure you didn't leave anybody of use you idiots."
The voice was unlike the animalistic shrieks that had erupted from the Orcs. With a loud sound a Orc entered the hut, and Mala immediately looked around to find a weapon. She took hold of a large spoon and moved forward.
The Orc eyed her, it's lips moving apart to reveal a disgusting grin. Mala was filled with fear, but also surprising courage. She wasn't going to abandon her mother or home so easily.
Mala ran forward to meet the Orc, who pulled out a large sword. Mala's large spoon flew across the hut, hitting one of the walls. She avoided the Orc's large sword by a hair, but instead crashed into his large hand. It enclosed her throat and Mala could feel her airway getting crushed.
The corners of her blue eyes began going black, and she fought back aimlessly against the large being.
Her short nails dug into its unnaturally blue blackish skin. The last thing engrained in her memory was her mother's scream, and the Orc's laugh.