The next day Luce awoke to being alone in the tent. She wasn't complaining she was just curious as to why her husband didn't return. What business did he have to attend to? Was she not allowed to know these things? Running a hand through her hair Luce contemplated if she even wanted to know.
Rising from the bed and stretching Luce spotted fresh fruit and meat had been set on one of the tables. It was a lot of food. More than she could even eat in a week and she liked to eat.
Deciding to at least change her clothes first. Luce walked over to her trunk and opened it. She could wear a dress but if she was going to be walking around a camp all day she wanted to be comfortable. Luce stripped herself of her clothing and checked her reflection in a mirror.
"Rise and shine my new sister-"
Luce hurriedly tried to cover herself to no avail. She scrambled for her clothes.
"Well You most certainly aren't an Orc. Although I'm sure my brother won't be able to take his eyes off of this site." The female Orc teased Luce as she crossed her arms and studied the human.
Luce hurriedly put her clothes on. Just as she was about to demand that she explain herself her husband walked in. She thanked the Gods she was dressed this time. It didn't stop a deep blush from tinging her cheeks.
Atturdan looked at his sister then back at Luce. His sister standing there smiling. Luce looked embarrassed.
"Have you two met before?" He asked curiously, motioning between the two of them.
Luce shook her head.
"No brother we haven't. Your little wife here is flustered because I saw her naked. I don't know why we pretty much have the same thing. Except my chest is way bigger than hers."
Luce's mouth dropped open. She couldn't believe she had just said that. Atturdan looked at Luce and smiled.
"Do not tease her sister. It is not nice. You want her to like you. Not despise you."
Semner laughed and walked over to Luce.
"I am Semner. It is a pleasure to meet you."
Luce bowed and introduced herself stumbling over her words.
"I um...my… my name is Luce. Nice to meet you as well."
Semner started laughing.
"You've never been with a man have you? No need to answer I can tell."
Luce wanted to bury her face into a pillow and hide for the rest of her life. She couldn't necessarily do that so she searched her mind for something to say but nothing came out.
"Semner, leave the girl alone. Humans have different customs. Mating is not done before a woman finds a husband unless she is not a respectable woman. Am I right?"
Luce looked at Atturdan. Was he too trying to tease her?
"When you are a princess pre-marital relationships are frowned upon. Women who aren't can love more freely. I don't think it makes them any less respectable. If anything I think it makes them admirable to be able to figure out what it is you like."
"Ooo you hear that brother? She may be a virgin but at least she is somewhat curious. That will make for fun for when the two of you ya know-"
"Okay Semner that is enough. I came to retrieve the both of you. I have a gift for Luce." Atturdan outstretched his hand waiting for Luce to take it.
"Can I put my boots on first?" She asked timidly. Atturdan nodded his head and looked at his sister who was smiling way too hard.
"Sumner she isn't a shiny new toy."
"I don't think that at all. I'm glad to have another woman around. Although why are you wearing so many clothes?"
Luce looked down and checked her appearance. She was wearing leggings a tunic and her riding boots. How was she wearing too many clothes?
"I'm not wearing to many clothes. In fact, if my father were here he would be yelling for me to be wearing more clothes."
Semner nodded her head and hummed. Her brother had told her about the relationship between King Lannis and Luce. He sounded like a terrible man who was teetering on the edges of sanity. Semner walked over to where Luce was standing.
"You are one of us now. We will have some clothes made, so you can look the part."
Luce smiled and nodded her head. She turned towards her husband and looped her arm through his. She inhaled. He smelled good. She thought Orc's were supposed to smell bad and have poor hygiene. How misinformed she had been.
Stepping out of the tent Atturdan lead his wife through a maze of more tents even a marketplace. Where more Orc's stopped to greet their Chief. He was sure to introduce her to all. Luce wasn't met with any looks of disapproval, for that she was thankful. This arrangement was hard enough.
After a few more minutes of walking the game to a large stable like area. Luce could not see what was inside. Her husband released her arm and asked her to close her eyes. Luce did as she was asked. She couldn't remember the last time she was surprised by something. She was excited. Atturdan so far had been nothing but pleasant even perhaps a little sweet. She was definitely starting to like being here. More so than back in her home lands.
Luce closed her eyes as Atturdan lead her. His words of caution making her heart flutter a little. He wasn't supposed to be nice. He was supposed to be mean so she could be mean and isolate away from everyone.
"Okay you may open your eyes now."
Luce opened her eyes and gazed in front of her. There stood a very large all black Dire wolf. Its eyes were a blue. Against the dark coat of the wolf they were beautiful and vibrant. Luce took a few steps forward and the wolf bowed its head. Luce turned back around and looked at Atturdan and Semner.
"Is he for me?" She could barely contain her happiness. Her eyes gleamed with excitement. Atturdan returned her smile and approached the wolf.
"He is yours. You are my wife now and it is custom that I give you a gift. He is still a little young but that is fine. You are small, so he will be perfect to learn on right now. This does not mean you cannot ride your horse. I just wanted you to feel welcome here."
Luce let out a squeal of excitement and ran over to the wolf to pet him. Atturdan watched thoroughly pleased he had been able to make her happy. Semner approached him.
"Who knew the infamous Atturdan could have a soft side." She bumped his elbow with her own.
"You have been seeing my soft side for years."
"I know; it is nice to see you care for another."
Luce turned back around and faced them both.
"Does he have a name?"
"That will be for you to decide. I am very sorry to have to leave you Luce. I will see you again later."
He turned to leave but Luce stopped him.
"Wait." She called out as she walked up to him and gave him a hug. She quickly pulled away and turned back around to face Semner.
"So what do you think would be a good name."
Atturdan held back the urge to smile. He nodded at Semner and made his way out of the stables.
"You can name him anything you want. A saddle is being made for you but you can try to ride him without one if you like."
Semner offered her a hand and helped her up onto the wolf.
"It's so much higher than being on a horse!" Luce exclaimed.
"It's just like a horse. Give him a command and watch him go."
Semner retrieved her Dire wolf and met Luce outside.
"Have you thought of a name yet?"
Luce nodded her head.
"I believe I have." Semner lead Luce out of the crowded area to a field that would be better suited for riding.
"Well go on tell me."
"Artemis."
"Isn't that the name of a human moon goddess?"
Luce nodded her head.
"It's a female name."
"So, I've always thought it a nice name. Besides Atturdan said it was for me to decided. I have decided to call him Artemis."
"Very well then Luce. Let's see what you and Artemis can do."
A few hours later Semner showed Luce how to properly care for her Dire wolf and was walking her towards the training grounds when they ran into Shelur. Shelur was deeply in love with Atturdan. The two of them had even been intimate with each other. Atturdan had never made her his. He never completely trusted her.
Luce sat on one of the wooden post that made up the fence when Shelur approached them.
"So this is the human wife of the new Chief." Shelur smiled sweetly. Luce was on guard.
"You will her address her properly Shelur. Show your queen some respect."
Shelur laughed.
"Or you'll what? Tell your brother? That's all you can do seeing as you're an Orc who can't fight."
Luce frowned. Who was the woman? Shelur whipped her head and looked at Luce.
"I can't imagine that you would survive mating with Atturdan. I couldn't even imagine a thing like you would please him. You are tiny and frail. Why he chose you is beyond me."
Luce let out a chuckle. Whoever this she-orc was did not understand who she was messing with.
"You're right it is beyond you. It is not for you to understand. Only him and I."
Shelur didn't mask her surprise very well.
"You dare speak to me in such a way."
"Shelur I suggest you walk away now and avoid being reprimanded. Atturdan will not take kindly to your harassment of his bride." Semner rose from her spot on the fence next to Luce.
Shelur backed away.
"You are lucky little human. I would challenge you to Mak'gora if I thought it would be worth it."
Luce was familiar with the term. Fight of honor to the death. She was not afraid to die. She was not afraid to fight. Is this what this she elf wanted? A fight. It was only her first day here and already had made an enemy. Maybe she should just keep her mouth closed and deal with it. She couldn't fight everyone. She had promised herself to choose her battles.
So Luce remained quiet. Shelur snarled.
"You are weak and Atturdan being with you makes him look just as weak."
Luce tried. She had tried to keep her mouth closed but she was not weak. She was so very sick of people judging her. If not for being a woman, then now not being good enough. Fuck this.
"I accept your challenge. That is if you are officially challenging me." Luce got up and brushed passed Shelur. Shelur laughed.
"You will die today. After I watch your soul leave from your eyes I shall feed your corpse to your pretty little Dire wolf."
Atturdan was currently in his general's tent talking strategy when Semner came running in.
"What is the matter Semner? I have no time for games."
Somner was trying to catch her breath. She held up a finger as she sucked in oxygen.
"Luce met Shelur...Mak'gora...accepted." Was all she could sputter out. Atturdan's face hardened. He immediately rushed out of the tent and towards the training field. When he got there the was just about to start.
Luce was at one end of the field hair tightly tied up holding a very large great sword. Shelur was holding an ax. A trumpet sounded and Shelur charged Luce who remained still. He could not stop the fight. It was against the law. He had heard Luce boast about fighting but her brothers were not Orcs. Her brothers were most certainly not Shelur. The greatest female fighter they had. Who had even bested some male Orc's.
Shelur continued to charge Luce. Luce to then began to run. Shelur picked up her ax over her head and brought it down to strike Luce. She was not so lucky. Luce slid between her legs and cut off her left foot as she did so. Causing her to fall on her side. Luce stood up the sliding on the dirt had caused her tunic to rip. She pulled it off. Leaving her in nothing but wrapping around her breast and her leggings. Her perfectly toned abs exposed and covered in dirt. Blood trickling down her arm and torso from the sliding in the dirt. Luce picked up her sword and walked over to Shelur. The crowd was no longer cheering. It was eerily quiet.
Luce had her game face on. Atturdan couldn't help but feel more attracted to her in that moment. Her war face was absolutely beautiful. Walking closer to Shelur who was screaming in pain, Luce picked up her sword and drove it impaled it through her wrist.
Shelur screamed. Luce removed the sword and walked around to her other wrist. She impaled that one too.
Luce leaned down and looked her in the eyes.
"Are you in pain?" Luce roughly tapped her face. Shelur's screaming had died down.
"This is the part where I'm supposed to kill you. But I'm not going to. I'm going to spare your miserable life so you can watch me. So you can be jealous and loathe me entirely. I do not care if you like me. But do you see her-"
Luce turned and pointed to Semner.
"I happen to like her. If you so much as blink at her wrong, I will challenge you again and I will murder you. If you have plans to sabotage my marriage, I will challenge you again and murder you. You have no idea why I am here. You love your people then you should understand why a union such as this came to be. Get yourself cleaned up."
Luce stood up and aggressively pulled the great sword out of Shelur's wrist. Causing her to howl in pain again. Luce felt a little dizzy. Taking a few steps Luce stumbled and fell to her knees and then on her back. The last thing she remembered was seeing Atturdan's face standing over her, then her world went black.
Luce woke to sharp shooting pain on the right side of her body. Her eyes tried to adjust to the brightly lit room. With a groan she sat up.
"You need to rest more, lay down." Atturdan helped her lay back propping up a few pillows so she could sit up slightly.
He handed her a chalice filled with water that she hungrily gulped down. The cool water soothed her dry aching throat. She handed the cup back to Atturdan.
"Do you remember what happened?" He asked with concern in his eyes.
Luce nodded her head.
"I fought a she Orc. I did not kill her did I?"
Atturdan shook his head.
"No but you had every right to. Even if you didn't fight her. She knows the law. She shouldn't question it. You held your own little one. I couldn't be prouder."
Luce smiled. She had never been praised for her fighting ability by someone whose opinion mattered. Why did her opinion matter?
"How long have I been sleeping?"
"Only a few hours. Enough to worry my poor sister. I had to order her to go back to her own tent."
Atturdan let out a small chuckle. He rose from his spot next to Luce and retrieved s small tray of food.
"If you are going to be active you need to eat. You barely touched your breakfast this morning. Eating gives you strength. We eat a lot here. Your brother D'artagnan told me that you like to eat as well."
He set the tray down on her lap. Luce began to pick at the food. They fell into a comfortable silence.
"Why?"
"Why what?"
Luce stopped eating. Was she getting to comfortable? Was she beginning to develop feelings for him. She honestly didn't even know. She had never liked a man before.
"Why are you being nice to me? Do you feel sorry for me? I don't want to sound ungrateful but I don't want your pity."
"I do not pity you. I'm being cordial because you are my wife whose father has a very strong army. It would not serve me well to mistreat you. Besides you have a spark that I admire. You have a brave heart. Just because I am an Orc doesn't mean that I'm not capable of caring. If we are going to be married it is best to try and make it a good one no?"
Luce searched his face for some sort of sign that he was lying.
"So you are really trying to make this work. Even though I am human? You don't feel stuck with me just because you need my father's army?"
"No little one, I don't. You're not so bad. There have been other human Orc marriages before. I do not disapprove. You will find that most orcs here don't. Whatever you have been taught about Orcs forget it. I will apologize in advance for any she Orc that I have lain with. If they ever attack you again I will have their heads."
Luce looked at her lap in a poor attempt to hide her blushing face. She ate a little more of her food then yawned.
Atturdan removed the tray and returned to her side.
"Semner told me the name you picked for your Dire wolf. I like it."
Luce smiled and leaned back into her pillows. She winced in pain.
"Drink this so you will sleep and heal."
Luce took the cup from his hands.
"What is it?"
"It is a healing potion. It will help you sleep. For when you wake up tomorrow I would like to finish showing you around and get to know you a little better."
Luce sipped out of the cup and smiled agreeably. If he could put forth effort so could she.
Her eyes began to feel heavy. Luce handed the cup back to Atturdan and turned on in uninsured side and closed her eyes. She was facing Atturdan when she fell asleep. The fires light dancing on her face brought him joy. She was very pretty. Atturdan brushed some of her hair out of her face. He liked the way her skin felt. Soft and fragile. Little Luce was definitely growing on him.
Luce was currently being bathed. Semner had insisted in bathing Luce herself. She didn't want her to re-open any of her injuries. Luce tried explaining that her injuries were only scrapes and bruises but Semner was very insistent and Luce liked Semner, so she let her give her a bath.
"I want to ride Artemis again today."
"Absolutely not! My brother will worry and that will make me worry."
Luce turned around to face Semner.
"Oh. I wouldn't want you to worry. You're like a nervous ball of energy."
Semner playfully smacked Luce's head.
"Ha! You should've seen my brother worry over you last night. You know I've never seen him like this with a she Orc before. Are you a witch? Or some kind of Mage? I think you put a love spell on him. He probably scared our healer half to death the way he stood over her as she tended to you."
Luce laughed.
"I have no magical abilities. Unless you consider drinking and my harsh wit magical!"
"You drink? I wasn't aware human women were allowed too! I know exactly what we should do today."
Luce looked at Semner questioningly.
Semner dumped a pitcher into of Luce's head and laughed.
Luce shrieked.
"Semner that was cold drinking water!"
"I know!"
Luce stood up out of the tub and toweled off. No longer embarrassed to show her body.
"You know; you are a pain in the arse."
Semner stood up and handed Luce some clothing.
"I know. Now put these on. I stayed up all night making them for you."
Luce looked at the straps of cloth and leather. Unsure where to begin. Semner huffed and grabbed the clothing from her.
"Let me help you. You're like a little orcling learning to walk."
Semner helped her put on the clothing. The top was leather and covered her breast. Leaving a little cleavage out. Straps crisscrossed down just until right above her belly button. Her shorts were a combination of leather and cloth and reached mid-thigh. Luce looked down at herself and blushed.
"Do you not like your clothes?" Semner asked.
"I do I just feel like maybe I should have more on."
Semner laughed.
"You don't need more on. This type of clothing allows you to move more freely. Especially since you are such a good fighter. I heard a few whispers of maybe perhaps you having a training class."
Luce scanned her body one last time.
"Are you sure this is appropriate I mean I don't want Atturdan to feel like I'm advertising. Even though ya know we aren't exactly..." Luce trailed off. Unsure how to word her thoughts.
"Even though you haven't lain together, that's what you are trying to say right?"
Luce nodded her head.
Semner sat her down on the bed, she also sat next to her. Semner placed her hands on her shoulder.
"You do not worry about incurring his wrath or pleasing him. Just worry about being you. Atturdan is not your father. You have freedom here. You do not need permission to do or say things that make you, you. Now we can go visit Artemis but no riding okay?"
"Okay!"
Semner hugged Luce and then dragged her out of the tent to go visit Artemis.
Luce had decided to bathe Artemis when Semner promised to return a few moments ago. She had a bucket and a thick heavy brush stroking his dark coat. Artemis turned his head and licked her face.
"I can't believe you aren't fully grown yet. I can't imagine you being any bigger."
Luce continued to brush and clean his coat. Humming as she worked. Artemis begin to growl his fur standing up. Luce looked towards the opening of his stall to see what was the matter. There stood Shelur standing there with anger on her face glaring at Luce.
Luce gazed down to where a missing foot should have been but it was there. The only indication that she had been in a fight was her wrists. They had been bandaged up.
"You look surprised." Shelur replied from the entrance to the stall. Artemis snarled and snapped his teeth.
"Why are you here? Do you want me to kill you this time? Or are you here to apologize?"
Luce patted Artemis' head and continued to rub him down.
"I will never apologize for fighting you."
Luce smirked and stopped what she was doing. Throwing down the brush she approached the exit to the stall but Artemis nudged her back.
"I see your wolf has taken to you already. Aren't you a perfect little thing." Shelur said with disgust.
Luce did not feel like doing this today. She wanted a peaceful day. She wanted to relax and not have to worry about looking over her shoulder.
"Look I get it. You hate me. I'm a human. Apparently you really really like or love my husband. I don't give a fuck. So listen to me good because clearly you weren't listening when I spared your life yesterday…"
Luce moved around Artemis who was right on her heels. She moved until she was standing in front of Shelur.
"Stay they fuck away from me. I won't bother you. So don't bother me. Leave Semner alone and stay the fuck away from my husband. It is essential for your people my father comes to his aide. If you care you will find someone else to fight over." Artemis snapped his jaws again it made Shelur jump.
"I'm not in the habit of repeating myself. I spared you this courtesy because you were under stress yesterday. I will not speak about this with you, again. Now get out of my sight before I let Artemis have a mid-day snack."
Shelur hung her head and excited the stables. Luce let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. Looking around she saw no sign of Semner. She knew Semner didn't want her to ride but she was riding. The confrontation with Shelur had made her blood boil. She put Artemis back into his stall and ran to get her bow. It would be unwise to ride without being armed.
Luce was back at the stables in no time. Her bow on her back. She had even changed her clothes. She was not comfortable in the clothing Semner had made her.
She mounted Artemis swiftly and had him leap over the back fence and into the forest.
Not even 5 minutes later Atturdan and Semner walked into the stables to retrieve Luce. Only to discover she and Artemis were gone.
Atturdan looked at Semner who just shrugged her shoulders. Some Orc children came inside playing a game of tag.
Semner called them over.
"Did any of you see the human girl?"
The smallest of the 3 spoke up.
"She yelled at Shelur then jumped the fence with a bow on her back."
Semner nodded and dismissed them. She went to go get her wolf.
"No Semner you stay in case she comes back. I will go and find her."
Atturdan grabbed his wolf and set out in search of Luce.
Luce didn't know how long she was riding. She didn't care. She was angry. That bitch Shelur didn't know what she was capable of. Luce was a raging ball of anger. She had always been known for her fiery temper. She was trying to be good and not make the other Orcs hate her but she was going to have to make an example out of Shelur she knew it. Who else was she going to have to deal with because she had married the Chieftain?
She didn't even want to be married to begin with. If she was being honest with herself the thought of being married and having sex scared her. It scared her probably how most men get scared before their first battle.
"Fuck!" she cursed aloud which caused Artemis to stop. She hopped down swiftly and walked over to a tree and punched it. She continued until all knuckles on both hands were bleeding. She screamed again and fell to the ground and started crying. She didn't even hear the quiet footsteps of Atturdan as he approached her from behind.
"Did you fall off of your mount?" He asked worriedly.
Luce whipped her head around and glared at Atturdan.
"I did not fall. I don't need your concern. I am not a child."
Her words stung a little. It was his job to be concerned. She was his wife so he was responsible for her. Atturdan sat in the grass next to her and grabbed her hands.
"You realize some of these may be broken?"
Luce sobbed and nodded her head.
"I'm starting to feel it now. I wasn't thinking. My anger gets the best of me sometimes." Luce plopped down beside him.
"Why were you crying? I know this transition is not easy. I do not know how to help you unless you tell me what is wrong."
"I'm overwhelmed. I wanted to drive me dagger through Shelur's face until she was unrecognizable."
Atturdan grimaced. He thought this was solved yesterday. When she bested Shelur and spared her life. He saw that he was going to have to intervene.
"Look at me little one."
Luce looked at Atturdan. Her honey colored eyes dull and a little lifeless.
"She is jealous of you. She is the only lover who I've had in the past that is upset about our union. If I wanted Shelur, I could have her at any time. That is exactly why I do not. Shelur does not love me. She craves power. I do not want you to worry about her anymore. I will handle it. What I said last night to you I meant. I'm willing to try. Do not let anyone else tell you differently. If I did not desire you I would not try to see you smile. Little Luce I have a confession."
Luce wiped her eyes using the hem of her tunic.
"What is it?"
"The moment I saw you by the quarry I knew that I wanted to see you again."
"Why?"
"I do not know. I've always liked pretty things."
Luce laughed. It did make her feel good to hear him say he desired her. It felt nice to be wanted. She had always felt unwanted. Atturdan rose from his seat bringing Luce up with him. He whistled for his mount.
"You will ride with me. Your hands are injured so you won't be able to grip Artemis properly. Besides these woods can be dangerous at night. I would never forgive myself is something happened to you."
Luce didn't argue she let him place her onto his wolf and even settled into him when he mounted.
"Will Artemis follow?"
"He is a very smart wolf. Very protective of you. He will follow wherever it is you go."
Atturdan held his wife tightly and set off back to the encampment.
A/N: Here is Chapter 2! To the guest who asked me was I going to do a story based on the movie. Most likely not. I feel like it would require a lot of research for the correct setting and people and I just don't have the time. I need to finish my other stories. I hope you all enjoy this chapter. Let me know what you think!
