Disclaimer – The ideas of Orcs and Uruk-Hai are not mine, nor are Lurtz and Ugluk. Making no money… that would be nice but it won't happen.

A/N – Horrid assignments, exams and performing plays has somewhat distracted me, sorry, still - here's the next installement! Thanks to Amarth, Womba Warrior and Phantom for the reviews, I try to keep my minions/readers happy!! On with the show!

Chapter 8 – Misunderstandings

Gorplak almost fell again but Nudlik strengthened his hold around her waist and pulled her closer to him to keep her upright. With the gentleness of a lover he wiped the blood from the laceration on her forehead that slowly tricked in dark tributaries down into her eyes. Gorplak closed her eyes in pain, still reeling from the beating she had received. Her head felt as though it would surely explode, the pressure against her skull growing with any move she made, pulsing and throbbing. She was barely aware of the close hold that was around her, nor the tender fingers wiping the blood from her face. Still barely believing she was safe, her body was still tense to take any more blows that were aimed at her, but as none where forthcoming she lowly relaxed against her saviour. Nudlik felt her melt onto him, and feared the worst.

"Gorplak?" He called her name, relieved as she slowly opened her eyes and focused them with pain and difficulty. He managed a brief, twisted smile; of course she was still alive, she had always been such a fighter. He gently stroked her plume of hair, taking care not to jar her too much; he had seen most of the fight and knew how much she must hurt. Gorplak was still, trying to remember a time without pain, when it didn't hurt to breathe, to think.

For hours it seemed she stood there, head resting on Nudlik's strong shoulder, waves of pain washing through her from head to toe, but slowly it ebbed, and she felt ready enough to face the world alone. Nudlik seemed to sense her decision and loosened his grip on her as she braced herself against him, and slowly, gently, stood by herself.

To promptly fall over.

Fighting a threatening blackness that momentarily cruised through her, Gorplak reminded on the floor, pain biting her once more. In an instant she felt Nudlik beside her once more, comforting and stable. She tried to raise herself once more but he physically pushed her back.

"You'd better stay where you are." He offered. Gorplak hated to admit it but he was right, she couldn't fall any further from where she was. How she hated this. She had been so naïve, and now she was so helpless, and Nudlik of all people was there to see it. Still, she thought to herself, it could be worse; Vashlash could be here to witness her disgrace.

"Gorplak!"

Gorplak winced. That voice. So here it was, her worst dream, coming true.

Vashlash paused a little way from her friend, taking in the blood, Gorplak prostrate on the floor, the sight of Nudlik so close to her and instantly jumped to conclusions.

"Found a replacement for me so soon Nudlik?" She sneered at him, and glared hatefully at Gorplak. By stealing Bagshash by rumour she had not expected this. Luckily Gorplak missed the vengeful stare. Nudlik frowned in confusion of her words, but realization finally dawned. He glared at Vashlash for a few moments, sad to see his favourite female so untrustworthy of him.

"Drusbruk attacked her again."

Vashlash's own realization was visible as her red eyes opened wide. The she rushed towards her friend, guilty from assuming the worst.

"Poor little goblin," She cried affectionately, fussing around Gorplak, smoothing hair and stroking skin. Gorplak took the attack passively at first but as Vashlash's ministrations increased it took all her power to remain silent. Her saviour came to the rescue again.

"Vashlash, go and get Ugluk, he needs to know about this." Nudlik said, grasping Vashlash's hands so they couldn't do any more damage to the fragile Orc between them.

"We don't need Ugluk," Vashlash began vehemently, "All we need is Drusbruk, a quiet clearing, assorted weaponry and lots of time." This raised a small smile from Gorplak, as had been Vashlash's intention.

"Go and get Ugluk." Nudlik repeated. For a moment Vashlash didn't move and seemed close to making another comment, but eventually stood without protest. Clasping Gorplak's hands once, she left. Nudlik watched her go. Gorplak watched Nudlik, finding a time to voice her question.

"You two were a couple weren't you?"

Nudlik didn't respond for a few moments, but eventually he nodded, confirming her suspicions.

"It must be hard…" Gorplak began, thinking of Vashlash's actions, but Nudlik cut her off.

"She has always acted so coldly. That's what drew me to her. But underneath she has so much life and emotion." Silence fell between the two companions for a short while, before Nudlik continued. "You'd think I would grow accustomed to it, especially now."

Gorplak smiled in sympathy. "How we suffer at the hands of those we hold dear." She spoke philosophically. With her words came another pain, and this one was not physical. Nudlik saw her look of grief.

"I assume you and Bagshash become closely acquainted during his stay?" The hardening of her face at his name answered his question better than words could. He placed a comforting arm lightly around her shoulders. "He will come back, don't fret over it."

Gorplak shot him a look. "You think I want him back? After what he has done. Would you take Vashlash back so easily?"

"I haven't lost her, why shouldn't I take her back?" Nudlik frowned. "What do you mean?"

Gorplak closed her eyes. She though Nudlik knew, but it seemed he was oblivious to Vashlash's adultery. But how to break it to him gently.

"Nudlik, you remember after the marching orders were given last night. You were looking for Vashlash and I pointed you off to the woods? She wasn't alone. She was with Bagshash."

Nudlik interrupted briefly. "They spoke for a while. She told me all about it." Gorplak shook her head, but regretted it as pain coursed through her again.

"They did more than speaking."

Nudlik rounded on her swiftly, this time taking a firm grasp on her shoulder so she had to swallow a cry. "What do you mean Gorplak?" He asked, frowning again.

"I saw them. Together." She paused, seeing the memory a little more vividly than she would have liked. "He hit her, then fed upon her blood." She met Nudlik's eyes, inwardly flinching from the anger she saw there. "I saw it. That's why you couldn't find her in the woods. She was with him."

There was a pause as Nudlik digested her information. And then… he laughed and hugged Gorplak happily.

"I did find Vashlash, " He said against her hair. "Bagshash had gone and she told me everything. You needn't worry, Bagshash and Vashlash…"

He was interrupted.

"GET OFF HER!"



Vashlash went at a slow jog, eyes darting around and looking for Ugluk. Finally she laid eyes on the huge Uruk-Hai, staring out over the river, looking back at their enemy who were slowly gaining on their position.

"Sir!" She called out quietly and immediately the figure turned to silence her. Red eyes met orange eyes and Vashlash glowered in anger at the sight. Bagshash.

Bagshash wasn't overjoyed to see Vashlash either. He had hoped to avoid her on the rest of the trip, how ironic that she should be the first to discover his return. He walked away from the river, not wanting any conversation to be overheard by the sharp-eared monsters on the river. "What do you want Vashlash?"

"Nothing from you." Vashlash spoke quickly and angrily, their last meeting still in her mind. But this was not the time; Gorplak needed helping and that was uppermost in her mind. She spoke again, less angry this time. "Drusbruk attacked Gorplak again."

Bagshash feared the worst. Images flashed through his mind, images of Gorplak lying broken and twisted, dying, dead…

"Where is she?" He growled. Vashlash saw the hatred flash across his eyes; not hatred for her but for someone else, Vashlash pitied Drusbruk once Bagshash got his hands on him. So his feelings for Gorplak still ran strong? She indicated for Bagshash to follow her and ran back.

The few moments it took for them to reach her felt an eternity to Bagshash. And the sight that greeted him filled him with more hatred than he could possibly imagine.

"GET OFF HER!" He hadn't even realised he had screamed the words as he sought to wrench the son of an elf that dared lay a finger on his Orc. Wrapped in another's arms was not one of the images that had struck him, so he grabbed Nudlik by the scruff of the neck and pulled him from Gorplak. Nudlik protested wildly and lashed out at Bagshash but Vashlash held him back while he shouted madly. Through the chaos a lone voice pleaded for calmness. Vashlash heeded Gorplak's words and took a gently hold on Nudlik's shoulder.

"Leave it." Nudlik still glared at Bagshash, certain he would win in a straight fight, but he slowly conceded to his lovers point. "Let's go." She pulled him away and they left, Bagshash's eyes following them. Gorplak couldn't even look at him.

Why? She thought she was over him. She was so certain the healing process had begun. So why did it hurt so much to see him standing in front of her?

Why? Why wouldn't she even look at him? Bagshash wanted more than anything to see luminous eyes meeting his with a shy smile. He bent over her, but still she avoided his gaze. He studied her face; the cut on her cheek had healed since their last meeting, but a new gash ran across her forehead above her left eye. Raising a hand he reached out and stroked her rough cheek, seeing a shudder run through her but no other reaction.

His skin against her cheek almost made her cry out. The longing was still strong inside her but he had no right to do this to her, not after what he had done.

"Gorplak?" She shuddered again as he spoke her name, whether with pleasure or hatred she didn't know.

"Look at me Gorplak." His tone was almost pleading. Slowly she turned her eyes to his, fearing what she might see.

Compassion.

Orange eyes filled with compassion, burning into hers as though his own life would heal her.

"Gorplak, are you well?" He asked. She nodded, and was surprised as Bagshash pulled her towards him and enveloped her in a gentle embrace. She was too weak and too confused to resist. She felt lips brushing her hair. "I was so worried. So worried." Bagshash spoke rapidly, confessing what was within him. "I was wrong Gorplak. Wrong. What happened between us, it was no mistake. I'm sorry for pushing you away. I'm sorry. Forgive me."

She struggled to understand his words. "What?"

He relaxed his grip so he could see her face, her eyes. He cradled her cheeks in his hands. "It was so rushed I thought it was wrong. But I was wrong. I missed you like I miss dark in the day."

Gorplak shook her head. "No." Bagshash was confused but still held her. She tried again. "You can't do this to me. Not now."

"I don't understand."

"Get off me."

Bagshash did not relinquish his hold.

"GET OFF ME!" Gorplak cried, batting his hands away. "It's too late for us." With a shock, Bagshash dropped his arms. He was silent with shock, staring at the female who meant so much to him. Gorplak herself struggled for breath, struggled for the right words, but they escaped her.

"It's too late." She repeated again, fighting to restrain the urge to reach out and stroke the ugly face that stared at her so unbelievingly.

"It's because of him isn't it." She barely heard his words, but she saw the anger rising in his eyes again. She closed her eyes and shook her head in exasperation.

"Don't blame this on anyone but yourself Bagshash." She started to turn away but in a moment he was beside her again, trapping her in an embrace and harsh lips bruised hers. Gorplak surrendered to the feeling she had craved since that first morning, loosing herself, forgetting…

No, she couldn't forget. Her head pounding and not because of the fight she pushed herself out of the embrace. Edging back she found her feet, grateful they didn't collapse beneath her again. "Leave me alone. Go and find your other female."

"And you run to your pitiful little Orc male. Be glad he's still alive." Bagshash called out after her spitefully, ignoring a chewing feeling at his insides which he might have called pain had he known any better. Gorplak had a name for it, and wished she didn't, it hurt more than any physical wound ever could. Both treasured the feeling of the others lips, possibly for the last time.

Gorplak ran, and neither could express how much they loved the other, nor how hurtful their parting comments had been.



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Oh dear, everyone's got the wrong idea about everyone else, but how long until the lovers forgive each other? Is there anything to forgive? And will Drusbruk get what's coming to him? Oh, I'll have fun with that chapter!! Well they say the course of true love ne'er runs smooth! Until next time dear reader!