Chapter Two: The Hearts Entwined and the Threat of Death

Talion stared blankly in the mirror of Ursa's room. Right now, she lay passed out on the bed, finding herself in need of a long sleep to settle her mind. The ranger had been focused on his reflection for some time. He did not pay any attention to the length of his stubble or the messiness of his long hair. Rather his mind had fallen elsewhere.

"Talion… you're going to be a father again."

That is what she had told him. She had reaffirmed what he should have known all too clearly. What ran through him now was an unbridled joy, the same as when Ioreth had announced she was pregnant with Dirhael. However similar the reaction, there were some major differences. He recalled fondly how he had panicked at the thought of being a father. He was no longer plagued with worries of ignorance on parenthood. Rather, Talion had completely different fears.

"This is no place for a child," said Talion, "I did not think I would be a father again. I… I am a corpse. Without you, I would fade away. I did not think a child was possible for either of us."

Celebrimbor said within him, "It is unexpected. Nevertheless, I did warn you there would be dire consequences. Just as you sought to protect Ursa, you must now protect this newborn. You will have to sacrifice much for them. They will haunt your mind, clouding you with fears as you desperately attempt to escape old horrors. They threaten to end all that we have accomplished and all that we seek. That as it may be, I implore you to turn your love into hatred for Sauron. If your wife and child are to survive, if they are to be happy… The Dark Lord must fall."

Talion said, "I know this well. I have not forgotten. How can I? I shall never forget or forgive the enemy. Sauron shall perish, but only once the Black Hand has paid dearly."

Celebrimbor said, "Then we must move soon. It's time to expand our army."

"I agree," said Talion, "However, there is something I wish to do first. After it is done, I promise you I will devote every moment to our hunt."

"What could be of such importance" asked the Wraith, "that you would delay our mission?"

Talion said, "A promise. A promise I will forever regret if I do not fulfill it now."

Talion said no more. Rather, he took his secret to the next room.

Ursa's eye, still aglow with Sauron's fires, stirred and flew open. She pulled herself up from her warm covers, feeling the bite of the afternoon air. For a moment, she felt a sense of relief. The sickness which she had feared would overtake her was not an ailment of the world or of the enemy. In its place, was a calm and subtle gladness. Within her stirred a son or daughter without name. She wondered how to nurture it, how to mother it, how to ensure it grew up strong and healthy. Her memories suddenly turned to her mother. She felt the crushing words of her mother again, as if she were still just a child. Those words had haunted her through all her years. How she wished to be rid of them!

It will be different for my child. I will raise them up with praises and wisdom. Talion will protect them and shower them in affection. Never will we seek to break this little one down.

Her heart now sunk. She thought of the trials that lay ahead. A moment later this fear expanded and engulfed her completely. Again, her blood came to burden her. A shrill terror overcame her as she felt the terror of all mothers in Middle Earth.

Will my child live?

What if my baby is born dead?

Even if it survived for a day, would it be sick? Would it die shortly after? No, she doubted it would even carry through. After all, her body was sickly as it was. Could an infant be born from such a weak mother? Could someone half Orc and half human successfully give birth? She did not know. It had never been done before. Would Talion's resurrected body cause troubles as well? What would a child of a Half-Orc and a man look like? Would it be deformed and scorned by the world?

Such fears threatened to destroy her. However, Ursa could not help but cradle her stomach, trying to protect the fledgling within her. She pleaded dearly for its safety, for its happiness. She begged and bargained with whatever forces oversaw the world. With whatever grace had given her Talion, she asked that her child now have it. Her happiness meant nothing now. She was blessed enough to have known it for the last year. She would accept eternal darkness if it meant saving her baby from it.

"Please…." she asked as she choked on tears, "Please don't kill my child."

Ursa stood with her arms crossed at the head of her old camp. She stared down the mud road that had only been recently carved out for the Orcs in Núrn. Behind her was the glistening Sea of Núrnen whose beauty she no longer could see clearly. Instead, her attention was focused on the caravan of wagons pulling in from her base in Mordor. Isulek, her right hand, now controlled both the fortresses of Goth and Udadruk. He sent her wagons of supplies such as Grog, horses, farm animals, and iron ore ready to be crafted. In turn, she sent wagons of the fertile soil of the coast, seedlings, and the thick timber she had begun to hew down.

Isulek….

Her memory of him was a fond one. It was Isulek who had supported her. In truth, he was her first love, although those feelings had faded. However, she still missed him dearly.

Alas, it is better you remain there. Better you never know my true dealings.

While Isulek was loyal to her, she doubted he would approve of her treason against Mordor and her dealings with the Gravewalker. With Isulek safely in Gondor's outer rim, she would not need to have him branded. For now, he was safe from her tyranny.

A powerful wind crashed against her, sending her long black ribbons of hair and the tails of her robe fluttering madly about. She scowled now as she looked forward to the ending of the road where the last wagon was climbing over. Her mind ached. It assaulted her with all manner of fears. She could not help but think of her child at every moment. She could not help but dwell on Talion. Ursa's mind was sorting through the massive inventory of her keep, plotting a war of bartering and attrition. It went ahead to the climax of the war. She saw the gathering of her forces, all Orcs in Núrn and her army camped outside Mordor. It returned to the immediate threat of the Black Captains. Great ships would need to be built to cross the sea and reach their dark fortress.

Ursa's mind could not stop to rest for even a moment. It could no longer be silent. Ever since Talion had freed her from Belos, plotting was what had kept her going. Only when alone with Talion did she have moments of peace. However, if the gears that turned so readily in her mind stopped too long, perhaps she could never start them up again. Perhaps she would return, as she so often did, to the dungeon where Belos had stripped her naked and branded her. Where he had personally whipped her until the flesh began to hang off her limbs. Where his henchmen tore out her eye and fed it to the Wargs. Six days of endless torture hat felt like an eternity. Would she return to the arena where she was shamed in front of hundreds of Uruks and forced to watch as the executioner prepared his final blow. She would be walking to her execution, standing beside the Hammer. There she hung on a noose, gasping so desperately for air as the rope crushed her throat. Her arms pulled on the rope trying to find the tiniest puff of air and her legs dangled about, begging to find anything to hold her up. There was Talion saving her on both occasions. There was Talion preparing to lop her head off for simply being an Orc. She begged to him for mercy, but his cruel gaze would offer her none. A rock smashed against her head as the Gondorians chased her out of town back into the wilderness. The heartless beatings of her mother bruised her as she whimpered and cowered in fear.

Ursa grit her teeth. Her heart was racing and a cold sweat coated her face and back. The harsh wind from the sea lashed out at her like a whip. A silent noose was back on her. The fire in her eye lit up as she scowled and defied the entirety of the world. The grass around her began to catch fire. The morning dew turned to steam.

"Ursa…"

A voice that drew her back to the world. A voice that beckoned warmly to her.

The fire vanished with the next gust of wind.

Ursa turned around to see her love standing in front of her.

"Ursa…."

His eyes were full of concern and worry.

"You are safe."

The harsh wind was silent. Talion's arms were around her. The warmth of his body gave her life. She could breathe. Her slender arms wrapped around his broad back as he pulled her in. He knew. Somehow, he knew she was suffering. Each day, he too was tormented by his helplessness to save those he loved. No words were needed to explain what tormented her or him. He was here to save her, if for but a moment. In return, she would save him. That was what it meant to be in love.

Ursa walked into her bedroom, past her armed guards. Her eye scanned around for the Gravewalker, but he had not arrived yet. She wondered where he had gone off to, where he went off to each day. It was one thing to be scouting out Orc outposts, but he had done none of that. For the last several days, he focused on some secret task. Whatever it was, Celebrimbor was forced into silence. Whatever it was, Queen Marwen and her daughter were also aware of it. Furthermore, it required their support.

Ursa put a finger under her chin as she wondered about it. She now began to suspect that it was something involving herself.

HUUUUUSSSHH

A nostalgic chill ran down her spine. She was back in the forest, beckoned by the lure that had preyed upon many Uruk. For her, it was both romantic and exciting. She turned towards her window where Celebrimbor and Talion stood as one, illuminated and proud.

"My lady," said Talion, "What keeps you awake at such an hour?"

Ursa smiled and answered, "I wait upon the return of my ranger. He slips about to and fro. Alas, he keeps his mistress vexed and waiting."

"M-mistress?" repeated Talion.

He heard Celebrimbor make a slight grunt of disgust.

Talion slipped through the window and into her abode. He walked up to Ursa and placed his hands around hers. She looked up at him in wonder, her golden eye waiting eagerly for his reply. It was enough to make his ears heat up.

He spoke, "I'm afraid I have not come to retire for the evening. I have come to fetch you."

She tilted her head and asked, "Fetch me?"

"We have a long journey ahead through orc territory. We must go through the cover of darkness."

"And where to?"

"The Queen's estate. There a wedding is being held."

Ursa's eye widened.

"I can wait no longer." said Talion, "I need you now. Will you marry me at the light of dawn? Will you be mine now and forever?"

"I will!" said Ursa without a second thought.

Celebrimbor appeared now beside his host. He turned to Ursa and said, "You are far too kind to him. A wedding is to be announced far before the day of celebration. Alas, your husband to be is far too fond of surprises."

Ursa said, "I've certainly never heard of a surprise wedding. Nevertheless, it is welcome. It will be done in the custom of the tribesmen?"

"It will," said Talion who wanted very much to strangle the wraith.

Ursa said, "I have once seen a Gondorian wedding. I wonder what our ceremony will be like."

Talion asked, "Do you Uruk have weddings?"

Ursa shook her head and replied, "We do not. After conceiving, our men and women go their separate ways. The father returns to his legion and the mother is left to care for her infant."

"I see…" said Talion, "Then we will have none of that. I was promised by Queen Marwen that this will be a grand wedding fitting for a king and queen."

Ursa gasped.

"All this for us? I… Always you are thinking of me. I don't know how to repay you."

"Exchange vows with me," said Talion, "That would be enough for me."

"I'm going to be married!" said Ursa in jubilee.

Talion was quite amused right then. His fiancé seemed completely lighthearted. She clasped her arms together and shuffled her legs as if she were wanting to dance. Even the Wraith managed a smile. Talion would not let it pass.

He turned to the Elf and asked, "Celebrimbor, are you happy? I did not think you would approve."

"As if you ever listen to me," said the Wraith, "I will admit your wife is… amusing."

Talion narrowed his gaze and said, "She's spoken for I'm afraid."

"Do not test me Talion."

In the thick of night, a single horse galloped through the cold hills. Its riders were without guard as they avoided the Orc patrols. Ursa looked up at the moon as its fullness began to show the first signs of darkness. Still, it gleamed proudly upon her. She turned to look at the sea. It was a mirror of the heavens. Although the stars were hidden, it shimmered as a celestial pearl was reflected upon it. Ursa's heart was racing as she thought upon her wedding day. She had imagined it at times when she lived among the race of men in Gondor. However, those dreams had quickly been buried. When Talion proposed to her, it was at a challenging time. Still, she was happy enough to receive his engagement ring and did not think upon their wedding. She believed Talion and Celebrimbor would focus only on the war. And so, this night was her night. The morning would be her morning. Although her child was always on her mind, her fears subsided for the moment. She would dream of the white day ahead of her.

The journey was long and cold. For Ursa, it passed in a moment. Talion road meticulously, guided by his instincts as a ranger. His sharp memory recalled each of the Orc patrols along the way. He knew when to let them pass, where to turn to avoid them, and when to pass them. Each turn of the hill, he rode with such care that Ursa never felt herself tossed about. It was not long before they came to the home of the Tribesman. A great hall surrounded by small homes and farmlands. This place was hidden from the Uruk and guarded by the great hunters. Ursa had yet to see it clearly. When last she visited, it too was dark. However, she knew in the morning she could truly appreciate the home of Marwen, daughter of the pirate lords.

Ursa and Talion strode through the main hall of Marwen's small palace. Ursa noticed the eyes upon her. The Queen's guards watched her with suspicion, just as they had on their last meeting. Seeing an Orc walking about the palace was unsettling to them. Even more, Ursa knew they realized her to be half-Orc and such, were filled with disgust. She tried to ignore their gaze and made the best of the evening.

The Queen's throne room was rather quaint in its small size. It was filled to the brim with all manner of furnishings. There were lanterns, chandeliers, closets, bookshelves, grand organs, tapestries, scrolls, and desks covered in maps and treasures. It was less the home of a great queen of land and more of the home of a queen of the sea. Ursa could not help but stand mouth agape at the sight of the queen. The last time they had met, the Queen had looked deathly ill, as if her skin was beginning to rot. Now, she seemed to be in her early forties, with shimmering black hair and a proud air about her. Talion had informed her of the change, but seeing it with her own eyes was quite different.

Both Talion and Ursa bowed in unison before the sitting queen.

Talion stated, "We thank you for welcoming us into your kingdom."

"A celebration in your honor," said Marwen, "is a small payment for the debt I owe you."

Talion said, "I hope you will not see it as such. I hope you will view us as allies and as good friends."

The Queen said, "All the more reason to accept your request."

Lithariel, standing beside her mother, said, "The Queen was overjoyed to hear about the wedding."

Ursa wondered if that was true.

Marwen said, "Well, the last wedding I have attended in all these years was my own."

Ursa asked, "That sounds like a fascinating story. I would love to hear it."

The Queen responded, "It was to a young pirate named Denovan. My father was a captain of the last Corsair fleet. I was his right hand, leading my own flotilla. Denovan fought for an enemy faction. The day came when our fleets clashed. I boarded his ship, the swords of my comrades about me. I dueled him for what seemed like hours when at last I disarmed him. He asked me to kill him honorably but I made him my gracious prisoner. Our marriage was a sign of peace, but not without its beauty. So swiftly we fell in love. Our marriage was on an island on the western banks, against the red setting sun. Naturally, this was long before I settled here with my fellow tribesmen."

Ursa smiled warmly. She said, "Thank you for entertaining us. It sounds like a love fitting for a great romantic tale."

"Ah… alas, I have lost myself in ancient memory" said the Queen, "Tonight and the morrow is for you."

Lithariel said, "Indeed, the hour grows late. Shall I escort you two to your room?"

Talion said, "I think that would be best. Nevertheless, I wonder if I will be able to sleep on the eve of the wedding? I feel terribly anxious."

Marwen said, "At the very least, your bride will be with you. I'm sure you two will find a way to pass the hours. The walls are quite thick, if such knowledge is of interest to you."

Lithariel quickly said, "Mother!"

Meanwhile both Ursa and Talion blushed, quickly hiding behind the princess.

Marwen added, "You must forgive me. It is amusing to tease those so readily in love. Sleep soundly tonight. You are safe here. Let no ill dream mar this night for no danger shall slip into these halls. Go now and find peace."

Talion bowed briskly to the Queen and made off with his fiancé.

As they turned to a hall of rooms, Talion looked ahead to the maiden they so closely trailed.

He asked, "Lithariel, forgive me for my curiosity but, what became of your father?"

Lithariel said, "I know very little of him. He died before the Queen took me in."

"You must know how he died."

She stopped in her tracks.

Swiftly, the ranger said, "I beg your forgiveness. It is not my place to ask."

The maiden said, "It is not for my sake I feel uneasy. It is for yours. Her husband did not remain in Núrn long after their marriage. Both were fixated on restoring the Corsairs to their former glory. To do so, Denovan smuggled spices on Gondor's rivers. He was captured by their soldiers and executed for his crimes."

Talion said, "I… I did not imagine."

Lithariel responded, "Please do not think the Queen bears a grudge. His death was in no part to the rangers of the Black Gate nor to the Captain of the Watch. You were a child as I was when it he died. Please think on it no longer."

"Very well," said Talion, "Goodnight Lithariel."

"And to you Talion," said the blonde woman, "and to you Ursa of Mordor."

"Lady Lithariel," said Ursa, "Thank you. For your advice last we met and for agreeing to all of this."

Lithariel smiled lightly and bowed to them. She strode briskly back to the Queen's throne room.

Queen Marwen now stood up from her throne. She stretched her arms, letting the long black sleeves of her fabric flap about. She removed the golden crown that sat on her forehead.

"Talion has no reason to feel guilt. None here think ill of Gondor," said the Queen, "Were not they the masters of these lands long ago? Many of the stone keeps, the rivers, and farmlands we use were of their making. In a way, aiding Talion is how we thank them."

The Queen let out a yawn and said, "In any case, I believe it is time I too retire."

Lithariel asked, "Mother, does none of this bother you?"

Marwen replied, "I was wondering when you would speak of this."

Lithariel said, "I do not wish to be hard-headed. I do not dislike Ursa. I wish her happiness. However, this marriage is… unnatural. She is Uruk, a creature twisted and cursed by Sauron. Half-orc or not, I struggle to approve of such a union. Worse, they are with child."

"It is only reasonable" said Marwen, "She is Orc yes. Their kind are all together evil. That may it be, this Warchief is certainly more charitable than the rest. What I find amusing is your issue with Ursa corrupting the marriage when the ranger is a corpse possessed by an ancient Elf lord. There is nothing suitable about their vows. I too fear that it will bring disaster. I fear for Ursa as a mother and as one who was a wife."

Lithariel said, "I do not wish to feel this way. However, I believe such a corruption of nature will end in tragedy."

"Perhaps so," stated her mother, "What then will you do? Will you wish happiness upon them or retribution?"

"I would choose happiness" said her daughter.

The Queen said, "Then tomorrow we will gift them with a wedding they shall never forget. Let it be a light in the darkness that now consumes Middle Earth."

"As you will it Mother," said Lithariel, "so it shall be done."

Author's Notes: In the game, Marwen's estate is painted as a stone fortress by the sea side. While magnificent, I feel it would have been discovered too easy so I moved it inland.

Marwen refers to herself as a corsair out of pride. However, one could argue she is actually a tribesman (and ex-pirate) descended from the collapsed Corsair empire.