Ch 10 – Merrymakings
The party had lasted a night and a day and as everyone else was sleeping off their hangovers or finding other ways to amuse themselves. Trolls, orcs, human, night elves, dwarves, and blood elves were again side by side.
Grekko took advantage of the quiet cool morning to go meditate on a hill top. As the sun rose it warmed his skin and he relaxed there. Today was a good day. Horde and Alliance again had an uneasy pack thanks to one woman's cry for help. Rhenn, though she was not a diplomat in the true sense of the word, was a woman who had brought the two factions back together after more than four years of war between the factions.
He took a cleansing breath and rose to his feet bringing his staff with him. He walked to the river and walked along the banks. The river Nazferiti was calm and deep between Elwynn and Duskwood. He looked about. There was no danger where he was from gnolls, murlocs, or defias. He looked across the river and saw the great white wolves and spiders of Duskwood. The animals there were of the shadows and fearsome.
Suddenly the water rippled just upriver of him and a head surfaced. It had thick reddish hair and was swimming in the crystalline waters of the river. The form leaned back exposing taut nipples, pale skin, and large breasts. The form was female and a human woman by her skin. No blood elf would be that large.
He blushed as he realized her was captivated as her arms stretched out to move her along lazily. She suddenly sat forward and glided toward the shore where he stood. He was frozen as she walked out of the river only yards from him and totally nude. His mouth went dry as he realized then who the nymph of the waters was. Rhenn of the Tuskarr was exactly as he had envisioned her.
He made to walk away backing from her. She had not noticed him and was going about drying herself. Her alabaster skin was almost like fresh milk in the early light. The sun had not yet touched the valley yet and he swallowed.
A crack made him freeze as he realized his foot had caught a branch and broke it. He closed his eyes and sighed wondering if this angel would fly away from him. She whirled on him her knife in hand ready to fight the intruder off even as naked as she was. He looked down as she crouched. "Forgive me lady." He whispered. "I did not mean to startle you." He was surprised. She was a fighter when challenged. He did not account women would be.
She straightened and shook her head. "How are you this day priest?" She asked as she started to pull on her clothing. He turned at that point from her, though he knew it was too late. He had seen far too much. Perhaps it was for himself not for her that he did it.
"Well." He said. "An odd hour to be bathing? Did you find the showers of the cathedral not to your liking?" The showers and bathes of the great cathedral of light were hot spring heated and were amazing to sit in after a battle. He wondered why she choose the icy water of the river instead.
"I do not do well in stone walls." She said. "The water reminds me of home."
True enough. She had cold mountain rivers and lakes and the frigid water of the Frozen Sea about her. He swallowed and looked toward Duskwood. "Did they warn you about the other shore?"
"Ventris did. Full of dark beasts and spiders." She chuckled. "I think he was trying to scare me."
"No, he is correct. It is not a place to wander alone."
"I can look after myself."
She shrugged and walked to him. "You seem uncomfortable. Are you well?"
"Yes." Grekko said turning to face her. He smiled. "It is well it was me who found you. Who knows what one of the Horde would have done with you."
"They will not harm me. I am under Thrall's protection. They know better than to cross him or Saurfang." She gathered her skirt in her hands and started walking up the hill.
He nodded and followed. Something caught his eye. "Rhenn run."
"Why?" she asked turning and then she saw the three defias at his flank.
She turned as thought challenge them, but Grekko raised his staff. "No go." He barked at her.
She turned again and changed into a wolf that was nearly invisible as she ran in the grass. One for pass the shimmer as a trick of the light if they were not paying attention. Once she was safe Grekko engaged the three. He killed two easily with searing light that burst from his hand and was on the third when he heard a yell behind him. He turned slightly and raised his staff to deflect the knife aimed at his back, but the strike fell short of its mark and the man gave a cry of pain and arched back as he fell to the earth.
Grekko grabbed the other and snapped his neck before he turned and looked at the body behind him. A smoldering charred mark was on the man's back. Rhenn stood her hand extended and her eyes closed. He looked at her wonder what spell she had cast that dropped the man instantly.
He eyed her. "My thanks." He said quietly. "Though I had it well in hand."
She snorted and shook her head.
They arrived at the city just in time for Nebyuleh to come to them. She smiled warmly at them. "Grekko, the King has called you to attend him. Rhenn you are asked to attend Thrall and see if he requires anything until the ball this evening."
"Ball?" Grekko asked. "I am not attending a ball."
"Yes, you are." Neb said firmly. "If I cannot weasel out of it neither can you."
"So what are you besides eye candy for the Horde?" Grekko asked folding his arms as he watched her. The night elf scoffed and glared at him. "Hey, I am not the one in a bra and a skirt higher than my thighs."
She growled at him and he smirked at her.
Rhenn sighed and made her way to the Cathedral of Light to change. Dressed in a dress of green she walked out and found Thrall standing with a fellow orc beside him. Thrall smiled in welcome and nodded to Rhenn as she bowed to them. "Is she not beautiful Saurfang?"
The warrior regarded the girl a moment. He then bared his tusks in a half smile. "She is pleasant for a human, but too small for my liking."
Thrall smiled. "You will have to forgive High Lord Saurfang, my lady. He left his manners at Warsong Keep." He turned back to the warrior who was leaning against his great ax. "Lady Rhenn brought us back together in peace Saurfang. Also your eyes deceive you. She is not fully human."
"How does everyone know this?" She asked.
Thralls hand lifted and touched her sensitive ear tip. "For starters humans do not have pointed little elf ears." He smiled as she blushed at his gentle almost affectionate touch. His hand moved to her face and cupped her cheek softly. His thumb glided over her cheekbone lightly. "These are also not human. You face is too delicate for a full blood, but your skin remains pale, not colored, so I would assume you are the product of a mating with a blood elf and a human."
She looked down. "I never knew my parents. I was left to die on the seas Tuskarr family told me and drawn up as a gift to them."
Thrall's hand moved quickly to her chin and forced her to look up at his gaze. "You are a gift. Let no one tell you otherwise. Even if you were abandoned fate saw your greater purpose. I am glad to know you. The Gods smile upon you Rhenn."
"Go'el." She whispered. Looking at him.
"What did you say?" Thrall asked taking a step closer. He was surprised she could speak Orcish to him.
"Go'el. It is your name is it not?" She asked boldly.
He smiled. "Yes, among my people." He smiled. "You never cease to surprise me Lady."
"Atha'ah." Saurfang said, also clearly impressed.
Thrall nodded. "I agree. It shall be her name among us."
"What does it mean?"
"Go'el? Redeem."
"No, the name you gave me." She asked looking at his eyes.
"Atha'ah. Blessed by the Gods." Thrall said and let his hand drop.
Saurfang shifted. "Since we have the lady for the day, perhaps she can offer us a tour of this town. I have often wished to see within the white walls."
Rhenn nodded and they followed her as she led them about.
It was sunset when the three who had come to the Park decided to stay and talk in the peace of the shady grassy area. Thrall and Saurfang went to dress for the ball as did Rhenn.
When Rhenn exited the cathedral again Thrall was there waiting for her. She had expected Neb or Grekko, but the Warchief himself was there. He bowed to her. He wore armor that was more symbolic than functional that the blood elves had made for him of mithril, gold, and thorium. She bowed to him and he regarded her in her dress of dark blue that dipped in the back to her mid-spine and had thin straps over a dress line that if anything made her bosom look bigger. Her hair, looking copper in the light, was up and fell in several ringlets about her head. Her circlet shown in the dying light molten bronze was upon her brow.
"Atha'ah." He greeted. "You are even more beautiful and I did not think that was possible." He reached up and shifted a curl so if fell better upon her shoulder. It was then his hand slid to the back of her head and he dipped stealing a kiss from the startled woman. She gasped and froze feeling the tusks close to her face and knowing if she moved she could be injured.
He released her after a moment and gazed at her dazed. "I should not have done that. Forgive me for my boldness." He said.
She took a breath. "Of course." She smiled and he offered her an arm as they walked toward the Park together.
The kiss, however, did not go unnoticed. Grekko had been in the shadows when he saw Rhenn descended. He made ready to go to her when Thrall came to her and kissed her. Shocked he watched and then shook his head. Her body was not that of a lover, soft and wanting, but was stiff and surprised. It did nothing, however to unsettle the jealousy and anger he felt.
The ball was beautiful with ice sculptures carved by the masons of the town and all kinda of food imaginable.
Thrall released Rhenn to talk with King Varian with Saurfang beside him. Grekko sipped his wine as he watched Rhenn mingling with the crowd. The girl had no idea what kind of stir she made when she walked into a room.
Everyone turned to look at her including the King of Stormwind and the King of Ironforge. The red hair dwarf watched her as he spoke with Thrall, Saurfang, and Varian.
About three hours into the party Rhenn looked about and then made a quiet exit. Only one man noticed her leave as she moved wraith like in the halls of the keep. She walked quickly and soundlessly through the deserted streets to the cathedral grounds.
There she walked up the stairs and quickly found her room on the third story of the housing complex.
She walked into her room and quickly removed the dress and started unpinning her hair as she went to the window. She pulled on
a comfortable robe that she could breathe easier in. She opened it to look out at the city below her. She could hear the sounds
of the party even from where she was. She sighed and took a deep breath before she started drinking the cool honey mead she had
brought with her. She sipped it from the mug she had it in. She sighed leaning back against the cool stones. The Cathedral hummed
with an energy. She could feel it. She leaned her head against the stones clloking her flushed face.
A knock startled her. She looked back toward the door. "Come in." She called.
The door opened to reveal a formal dressed Grekko. He looked at her. The lights of the town behind her made her thin robe show
the perfect shadows of her legs. She had them drawn to her chest as she sat on the sill. He bowed. "I came to see if you were well."
He said softly stepping towards her. The robe so backlit did nothing to hide her long willowy limbs or the outline of her lithe body.
"I am well." she said turned toward him. She rose to her feet and walked toward him. "Your concern is touching Grekko. My thanks."
He chuckled. "You are tipsy." He said coming closer. His smile broke into a grin as he watched her.
"Not really. I just am enjoying my mead." She said with a smile and took another sip to prove her point.
"Come let me look at your wound then." He said. He had not checked it this day since he had been about the King's business.
Though the stab mark had healed well, daily checks and poultice changes were helping with the scarring. She dropped on the bed and
looked untied the laces behind her. The top came loose to her waist. Grekko took a breath. She moved a pillow to hide her bosom for modesty, but not before he got an eyeful of the perfect orbs. It was not as though he had not seen them before and he had seen many as a lover and in his professional capacity. He knew she was doing for his benefit since she seemed too comfortable without a top. Apparently in her culture it was acceptable.
He took a breath and knelt beside her. He unwound the bandage about her body holding the poultice in place. He quickly made another with an ointment he used and a thick bandage. He pressed it to the wound and then reached for a rolled bandage. He wrapped the roll about her and then stopped part way.
"What?" she asked looking at him.
"I..." He coughed lightly. "Seem to be distracted at the moment." He said. He looked up at her. Praying to the Gods that he would not frighten her he leaned up and pressed his mouth to hers in a soft kiss.
Rhenn was startled, but did not pull back. She hesitantly returned the kiss though she did not know what she was really doing.
Grekko shifted so he sat beside her on the bed as he kissed her mouth. Feeling her become a little nervous he pulled back and looked at her eyes. She was watching him, but her eyes were darker, though unsure. "You are beautiful." He whispered. His hand reached up and pulled the rest of her hair from the pins. Her hair fell like a copper waterfall in the low candlelight of the room. He cupped the back of her head and watched her as he watched him.
He leaned forward again this times his hands caressed down her back and up her front gliding along gently so as not to terrify her. He shifted his head to kiss her cheek and back to her ear. He smiled as she sucked in her breath feeling his lips against the sensitive point. He nuzzled down her neck as he felt her own hands touch his face. His hand cupped her breast under the pillow. Her warm smooth skin against his calloused hands made him want, no need more of her.
She gasped startled as his thumb touched her nipple. He sat back a little, but kept his hand where it was. He moved his finger lightly and felt the pebbled surface rise against his hand. Poor girl. Her body was betraying her and she did not know why. Her eyes held panic as well as the dark wanting.
"Are you frightened of me?" He asked.
"No." she said. She looked at him. "You would not hurt me."
It was true. At any point she wished to stop he would do so unconditionally. He suddenly realized how protective he was of her. That was why he was wanting her. He did not trust Thrall and would not see the orc harm her. He also had to admit that the other reason was jealousy. He realized he could not stand any man touching her in a way that he felt was his. He wanted her for his own. Not a quick roll in the hay, but as his lover and more, his mate.
He leaned forward again and pressed a soft kiss to her lips as he moved the pillow away from her. She did not resist this nor did she resist him gently pushing her back against his arm. His large hand cupped her neck and the back of her skull.
She looked beautiful there. Her skin was the color of honey in the low light. He nuzzled her throat again and smiled as he kissed her collarbone. "You smell like cinnamon." He said softly.
"I am sorry if it offends you…"
"Would I be nuzzling you like this if it offended me?" He asked as he nuzzled the tops of her breasts. They were smaller while she was on her back, but no less beautiful. He looked at them and then looked up at her eyes. He brushed a wayward hair from her face.
He then kissed the breast and pulled the pert nipple between his lips. She gasped in surprised pleasure and then moaned softly as he licked it while holding between his lips gently. He knew he needed to be slow and gentle with this. Women who had a rushed first time with a man just wishing to have his own pleasure often did not wish to repeat the experience for some time. His wife had been that way. Grekko had been the first she had let touch her since her first time with a young man in her mage class and even then she had insisted it be their wedding night.
Grekko released the nipple and looked at the girl whose eyes were half shut in pleasure. He smiled and kissed between the fleshy orbs. She opened her eyes and looked at him. Her eyes held love and wanting now. She was so innocent and generous in love he almost felt bad about having experience. And yet it would save her from a traumatic experience.
He smiled and pressed a hand under her knees and kept the other about her back. He lifted her up and laid her fully on the simple quilt that was on her bed. He pulled the shirt he wore and linen shirt beneath over his head and then lay beside her. He watched for signs of alarm as he pulled the robe down her body revealing her inch by inch to his gaze. Gods of the Light she was beautiful.
His head dropped back down to hers as she reached for him feeling suddenly chilled without him near. He kissed her and found her mouth open to him. His one hand remained behind her head while his other shifted down to her knee. His finger glided upwards to her thigh. Again not encountering any resistance he touched her where she had the ache for him to do so that she could not explain. She was not shy or ashamed as he kissed her and he touched her softly. She opened to him fully then. Body, Mind, and Soul.
"You are so soft." His soft voice permeated the sensual sensations he wrought upon her. She could not say a word to him, but she answered in a low whisper moan that was not words by a sound that only enflamed him more.
He continued to kiss her as he shifted again. She could feel him moving and then he settled over her, placing his body in intimate contact with her own. Then he shifted once more she felt his naked flesh against her own.
"Grekko?" She asked looking up at him as he hovered above her on his elbows. He looked at her hair spread over the quilt like a living thing and her face alight with wanting, and more wanting him. He lowered a hand. She felt it brush her thigh.
"Don't be afraid." He said gently. The next part would hurt her and he hated himself for it.
"I could never be afraid of….Oh!" She gasped as the sudden pain of his invasion registered to her. She winced as he stretched her and filled her. He had moved quickly to minimize her pain. To take her slowly at that point would have been torture. A single tear escaped her eyes as she looked up at his face. Though he kept still watching her he could still see the pain in her eyes. As seconds passed the pain eased and she reached a hand to his cheek to reassure him she was well. The trust in her eyes nearly undid him. Ahrianna had looked at him like that as well. The look of love and trust. He took a breath to steady himself. He bent and kissed her softly and then kissed her brow. She was his now. No other would have her. She was his mate. He kissed each eyelid tenderly before he shifted a little.
She shifted her hips beneath him as the pain eased into a dull ache taking him deeper. He made a low sound in his throat as he began to move in tight, deliberate strokes within her.
After a moment she matched his rhythm digging her fingers into the solid muscle of his upper arms as her body ached for something she could not name. As he began to move faster he gentle sat up slightly bracing himself on one hand as he coaxed her right leg up around his waist. He shifted his hands and did the same with her left caressing it when it was in place. He sat back on his knees and smiled at her watching her breasts move in time with his thrusts. He knew she would not peak this time around with him if he did not help her and coax it from her body.
He tenderly reached between them and touched her intimately once more. He knew well the key to unlock her needs though he knew she had no idea what those were right now. She whimpered as she was thrown into a maelstrom of sensations she had never known before. She cried out softly in pleasure as she reached her small hands to touch his face above her. He watched her climax rip across her features as his male pride swelled knowing he was the first to take her there and beyond. He groaned feeling her muscles within her contract against him.
He thrust once more as he shuddered with his own completion. He shut his eyes and his face tightened. She reached up and touched his face gently. After a moment he opened his eyes panting softly. His heart nearly came undone once more as the look she gave him was one of concern as though she thought she had hurt him.
Smiling reassuringly since he could not yet find his voice he bent and kissed her tenderly. He shifted to the side bringing her with him. He caressed her sweaty hair out of the way in a tender gesture and nuzzled her as he watched her fall asleep in his arms. It felt right, very right to have a woman in his arms again. He kissed her brow and settled down to hold her as he too felt sleep come upon him as his body hummed with the exhausted excitement of a man who had made love. He was content.