A/N: Hey everyone! Been meaning to get this up for a while now, but I somehow kept thinking that it wasn't really finished. It's a bit short compared to the other chapters, but I figure everyone will live :)
Oh, and just a small minor change - I didn't realise that SEEf was actually NiSSh's father (not the ogre leader as I originally wrote). So yeah, just made TShNOO his uncle instead :)
Review responses down the bottom! Yay!
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Chapter 5: To Impress an Ogre
Nothing happened.
I began to tremble clutching my hands behind my back to hide the fact that I was shaking. No, it couldn't end like this. It couldn't.
Then someone giggled. I frowned, looking about me in confusion. The ugly ogre faces staring back at me were serious, expectant or greedy. None of them looked as if they were capable of laughter at the moment, and it also seemed as if none of them had heard it either. It had also been a high-pitched laughter. Ogre laughter was deep and grunting, even wheezing as TShNOO's had been.
The laughter had been from someone else.
My hands were clammy with fear. I licked my lips, somehow noticing one of the ogres standing to TShNOO's left doing the same. My heart exploded in a beating frenzy.
Then I heard the giggle again. What was that?
You're so funny!
I frowned. "What?" I said aloud.
TShNOO appeared startled but the look was quickly replaced by one of growing impatience and annoyance. "Your answer, Ogre-tamer?"
I swallowed nervously. He had practically growled the words. "I'm sorry. I… er, allow me to begin again.
"Oh, all right, the squeaky voice said, suddenly sounding sulky and bored. Fine. Take it.
My nose itched and I sneezed. Suddenly my hands began to feel like they were being tickled with downy feathers, faint at first and then becoming more firm. Something was being pressed into my hands. I almost fell over at the unexpected weight. The tickling stopped and all at once I realised that I now carried my magic book.
But my astonishment faded rapidly when I remembered where I was, and whom I was with. Yet now that my bargaining tool had somehow been delivered to me, my confidence began slowly rebuilding itself.
My back straightened and my head came up. "What is it that I can bring to your clan?" I said, my voice innocent yet firm. "Why, this of course."
I brought out the magic book from behind my back and immediately there were several loud grunts of shock and surprise. Nevertheless, my eyes never left TShNOO. He too looked surprised, and more importantly, very interested. It all depended on the ogre leader. From the looks of it, my plan was working.
"Only fairies can do magic," the large ogre said, his beady eyes gleaming with curiosity.
"I've never eaten a fairy," growled SEEf from somewhere off to my left. "But I'm sure they would taste delicious."
"I am not a fairy," I replied mildly, ignoring SEEf as best I could. "But I am a friend of the fairies. I have fairy blood."
"She speaks true?" TShNOO said to one of the ogres standing next to his throne.
The ogre he spoke to looked at me long and hard. Finally he nodded. "She's speaks true," he confirmed. But I was puzzled. I knew that ogres knew all your secrets just by looking at you. Why would TShNOO need someone else to use this talent if he already had it?
I shoved away my confusion. I couldn't afford to ask these questions of myself while my life was at stake.
Hurriedly I continued on. "I have also been living with a very powerful fairy. She has taught me many things." I didn't specify that those 'many things' weren't anything to do with magic.
"Your magic tricks are entertaining," the ogre leader rumbled at last, "but I can scarcely see that as a reason for passing up a human meal."
I smiled, hoping that I looked more confident than I felt. This was where it became difficult. "Oh, my magic tricks are not the reason I'm offering to keep my life. I am offering something of a more beneficial nature. I'm offering your clan my services" – I paused – "as your cook."
An dumbfounded silence met my words. I was certain every single ogre could hear my thumping heart.
"Our cook," TShNOO then said at last, sounding doubtful.
I nodded firmly. "Yes. Your cook. The fairy I told you about taught me a great deal of cooking skills. I was a cook's helper. I can prepare dishes that you can only dream of! I can roast meat until it's crisp and brown, boil it until it's soft and tender, and flavour it with spices until your mouth waters for more."
"And what's that in your hands?" he asked, pointing to my fairy book.
I pretended to be indignant. "Well, you can't expect a cook to be without her trusty recipe book, can you? It contains all the delicious meals I can make so that I may never forget them." The ogres were still looking dubious so I went on. "Just think. You spend all day hunting for something to eat. By the time you finally do catch something, you are simply too worn out to cook it properly. You have tasted cooked meat, yes?" There were a few nods. "And you have to agree that it tastes better cooked than raw, yes?" More nods. "Then this is where I come in: I will cook your meals for you so you don't have to. I will make it taste like nothing you've ever had before. All that I promise you, in exchange for my life."
There was a thoughtful pause as TShNOO considered my offer. I sneaked a look around me and was surprised to see that all of the ogres were looking pensive. Even SEEf.
"What can you cook?" TShNOO suddenly asked in a queer-sounding voice.
"All kinds of dishes," I said, keeping my voice light and cheerful. "Dishes fit to grace a king's table."
"Food fit for a king…" he murmured. He rubbed the bristles on his chin thoughtfully. His face then did something funny, which had me confused for a moment but then I realised he was only trying to raise an eyebrow. His mouth twisted into a poor imitation of an amused smirk, exposing his off-white fangs. It made him look rabid. "A human king, yes?"
"Yes, but you will find that that is easily remedied." My stomach lurched at the thought but I kept smiling, my cheeks aching with the effort.
There was silence as TShNOO considered my offer. My heart pounded like a drum.
"This is a strange bargain, Ogre-tamer, but an interesting one," the ogre leader said finally. A peculiar light flashed in his eyes. "However, I cannot agree to anything unless you give us a demonstration of your… talents."
I inclined my head in a sort of half-bow. "Only give me the ingredients I need and I promise you a sample of my skills." I then met the ogre leader's narrow-eyed gaze. "Do we have a deal? My life for my skills as your cook."
"If you do as you say, and if the food pleases me then yes, we do."
There was the sound of low grunting from all around as the other ogres present muttered to each other about their leader's decision. I could feel sweat on my upper lip, although I refrained from wiping it away. I could not afford to appear less than confident.
My thoughts then flew back to the strange laughter I had heard, and after, the squeaky voice. Who had it been? I listened again, but the only sounds I could hear were from the ogres.
I almost started as TShNOO then rose from his throne. Immediately the grunting and muttering ceased. All eyes trained on him expectantly. But the ogre leader didn't look at them. He was looking at me.
"You have a day to prepare, Ogre-tamer," he growled at last. "Tonight we will see if you are as good as your word. My nephew, NiSSh, will see that you get the things you need." A cruel smile then tugged the corners of his mouth. "But if you fail, know that I personally will rip out your throat."
My eyes involuntarily flicked to SEEf as he let out a throaty chuckle. He licked his lips, beady eyes gleaming with greedy longing. It felt has if he had wrapped his hand around my heart and squeezed. In that moment I pushed my fear to one side and became more determined than ever.
I could not fail.
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Review responses:
awaiting impatient person: thankee heaps ;)
NazgulQueen13: yeah, I know I should update more often... but I'm really shocking like that. My only excuse is no time - which is a really pathetic one hehehe. And fear not - I ALWAYS enjoy your stories! Never doubt it for a moment. But I'm almost as bad at reviewing as I am at updating! Oops.
Tayk: thanks for pointing that out to me. I can't believe I missed it! As you can see, I've changed it. Thanks again!
sophianwin: thank you. I'm happy that you liked it.
Lunaceress: lol I liked your guesswork :) Was this what you were expecting? I thought this was the most fitting way to go. By the way, what's going on with YOUR stories? Hmm? HMM? ;)
blue-hello-kitty: thanks
JoeyStar: lol hey dude! I so totally agree about first person - so normally I'm not a big fan. But hey, the entire story was told in first so I wasn't given an option :) I'm really happy that you liked and thanks for taking the time to read it! Hope your own stories are going well and I PROMISE to email you soon! I swear! By the way, we really need to kickstart our joint fics again. They ROCKED.
RoseGoddess9: hehehe. Yes, I do have a few surprises with the ring. Not a complete plan, but I hope it will be unexpected. I've left a few clues along the way - can you spot them? Be sure to tell me if stuff doesn't sit or flow very well. I'm not so good with picking up on it. Am so happy that you're enjoying it! And thanks for taking the time to leave a review. Hope you liked this chapter.
SoraWestler: oh dear... I feel like the worst friend. I haven't emailed you in AGES! I guess my laziness is currently winning over my integrity. Sorry! Sorrysorrysorry! But hey - thanks for your comments and I hope you liked this. Will email! PROMISE!
livingdead2010: lol here you go. Satisfy? And what are you talking about? cliffie's are GREAT!
InnocentAngel14: hi Nadia :) You know, I've discovered our name is a lot more common than I thought! I've met so many it's insane!
Metaphorical: hey there! lol I'm so glad you like my work. It's always good to know that you have a fan :P Plus being reassured that what you write doesn't suck lol - which is my constant fear. Looking forward to hearing what you think of this chapter!
Goldilocks31890: lol enthusiasm is a great confidence booster :) here you go.