I had collected my riding tack and had taken it to the cabin I had noticed upon our arrival, and now is my chance to see inside it. There is a rack for my weapons and riding gear on the porch and Azog opens the door. Practically bouncing with excitement and curiosity, I rush inside to look around. The sight that greets me is rather homey and comforting. There is a king sized bed at the far end of the room, covered in soft looking Quilts, although not furs and hides like at the keep, I add mentally, and two basic pillows. There is a small fireplace about halfway down the right-hand wall, a small fire eating away at the logs Azog had given it. There is a closet to the left of the bed and a table and two chairs close to me. There's a small, woven rug in front of the fire and an armchair atop it. There is also a small stove looking thing directly to the left of us, more for use than for looks. "Do you like it?" a voice murmurs in my ear, causing me to jump. A deep laugh resonates from Azog's chest, humoured at my reaction. "It's amazing Azog," I say, stepping further into the room. "Azog, where do Lunam and Tenebrae go when they aren't being ridden?" I ask, suddenly worried for them.

"They do what they please, and will come when I whistle," he replies, obviously not concerned all that much about them. I nod, still looking around and absorbing my surroundings. "Come Tahlia, we have had a long day. Sit down and eat, I had chefs from the keep bring it here earlier. We can't have their hard work go to waste," he says, voice smooth and soft as silk.

I sit down at the table and start to eat, Azog having already started. Like the feast last night, it consists mainly of meat and a few potatoes. I savour the food, the taste making me all the hungrier. I look over at Azog and he, like me, has potatoes. I had not seen any other orc eat plant matter at the two meals I had eaten with them He looks up and I look back down at your plate, trying not to blush, shovelling more food in my mouth. He smiles, acting like he had noticed nothing, although I am fairly sure he did indeed know, as he had a tendency to notice everything. We eat the remainder of our meals in silence, and both myself and Azog seem happy enough to do so. I see Azog stand up and put his plate on the stove and head over to the chair by the fire. I copy him. The only difference being I still have half a mug of ale left so I make your way back to the table, pick up the mug and perch on the side of the bed closest to the fire. "Uh, excuse me Azog, when we get back, will I still have to wear the lead?" I ask, immediately hearing how stupid the words sounded out loud. He didn't seem to think so though. "Have you learnt your lesson?" he asks back. Trust him to answer a question with a question, I think, although I try to retain your calm exterior. "Yes Azog, I think so, I am sorry for my behaviour. Can you forgive me?" I reply innocently.

"Then I see no reason for you to continue to wear it, do you pet?" he states.

"No. I really don't," I blurt out, slightly sharper than you intend, "S-sorry A-Azog, I d-didn't mean it i-in a rude way, I promise." I stumble over the apology, hoping he wasn't too mad.

"I know Pet, it has been a long day, and you have had quite a bit of ale. Come, let me braid your hair," he is not mad, why is he not mad?! I ponder. I stifle a yawn as I put your now empty mug down on the ground beside the bed and toddle over to sit in front of the chair Azog is sitting in, leaning against Azog's legs. I leave him to fondle and braid my hair as I relax in the warmth of the fire. After what feels like forever, Azog finishes and taps me gently on the shoulder, making me jump slightly, "Come now, you are exhausted, let's call it a night." Azog says softly. Too tired to argue, I stand up and remove my boots, cloak and trousers. Azog removes his boots and the outer-most layer of his clothing and we both climb into the bed. As soon as he gets under the covers, I nestle into his torso, making him tense momentarily before wrapping his huge arms around me, adding to the warmth of the room. "Tahlia?" Azog murmurs.

"Hmm?" I hum.

"If I let you leave me, to go where ever you wanted to, to live with other elves, would you?" he wonders, innocent as a lamb.

"No, I don't think I would. I wouldn't fit in with them. I'm not overly elfish," I explain, moving closer to him.

"No, you aren't very elfish in nature are you?" he chuckles, hugging me a little tighter, "Why stay? You are an elf; you are, like the rest of your kind, noble, graceful, beautiful, a good fighter. So why not take the opportunity to get away from an army of filthy orcs?"

"Orcs are in no way filthy, you are all quite clean in my opinion," I joke, tracing the scars on his chest. Azog laughs, "Quite clean until we go to war, then we rarely bathe to frighten the enemy." It is my turn to giggle.

"I wouldn't leave. You are too kind and I want to repay you for your generosity," I say, on a serious note.

"Then stay, that is all the repaying I want," he says tenderly.

"I will," I yawn, dozing off as I say it, "Goodnight, Azog." As I fall into a deep sleep, I hear him mutter, but I can't quite hear what he says.


Azog POV

I watch her sleep for half an hour more, her red-brown hair an amazing contrast to my pale skin. I look closer, and it seems as if her hair has a dim glow to it, illuminating my face in an opal glow. My eyes widen slightly, this can't be; only legend contains such beings. I must read more about this, and look after my pet even more than I already have. No harm shall come to her, not as long as I live.