Hi everyone! I hope y'all all had a wonderful Christmas! I am really glad everyone seemed to enjoy that spoof Christmas chapter. I also have a question for my readers. It won't happen for a while yet, but how explicit or non-explicit do you want things to happen between characters? I might do something like keep T-rated, but make AO3 more explicit. I have not really decided yet so please leave an opinion on what y'all want. Enjoy
I blinked open my eyes feeling dazed. There was no more burning, but why was everything so unbalanced? I lifted my up a bit only to let it flop back down at the spinning sensation. I groaned putting a hand on my stomach at the terrible ripping sensation. It felt like my stomach was trying to eat itself. I jerked slightly as Gothmog came into view leaning over me. He set an overly warm hand on my cheek.
"Do you hear me Airawende?" He demanded. I made a sound of affirment and pain. I stared at him foggy with a cramping stomach and dizziness. I lifted my hand weakly and set it down on the hand that he had resting on my cheek.
"I'm so hungry" I whimpered. He looked back at me emotionlessly. I hated that so much. I wish he was easier to read.
"Very well, Airawende, I will send someone for something" He finally said removing his hand. I nodded trying and failing to smile watching as he disappeared out of my line of vision. I gripped my stomach as it made a loud gurgle and continued its painful path. I closed my eyes hoping to fall back asleep, but I was wide awake even if I was dizzy and confused. How long had I been sleeping and what was that agonizing memory?
"Sit up and eat" Gothmog said coming back into view with an orc trailing him holding a tray. It set the tray in front of me and I winced at the loud clang of a eating utensil on the bowl. I struggled up on one elbow and weakly reached for the spoon. It looked like it was just soup broth. "Get out" I heard Gothmog snap and glanced up to see the orc hurrying away.
My arm was shaking badly and I couldn't manage to keep any of the broth in the spoon. It kept shaking out before I lifted it very high. I dropped it suddenly crying out at sudden burst of intense pain in my stomach.
"Stop being so weak" Gothmog said from where he was standing and staring at me struggle.
"Do you think I'm doing this on purpose?" I wheezed out shock taking over my common sense. He didn't seem to take any offense at my question and just barely tilted his head contemplatively.
"I'm surprised you would still try and push limits. Mairon told me pain makes children temperamental, but have you not been disciplined away from that?" He finally answered. I lowered my eyes meekly trying to process his words with nausea roiling in my stomach from the smell of the broth.
"I'm sorry" I finally bit out wincing as another sharp cramp hit me. "Please help me" I added quietly trying to keep my head up.
"You will be stronger if I don't" he answered staying where he was observing everything. I tried to blink away the dizziness, but it only made me feel more dizzy. I reached again for the spoon trying to force my hand to stillness. I was able to get at least some broth up. I think the best food I've ever eaten. I dropped the spoon with a loud clang as my stomach decided to twist with pain. The bowl tipped over at my jerky movement of putting a hand on my stomach and spilled its contents across the bed.
I stared at the spilled broth on the covers my heart in my throat and hunger pangs ripping through me. I let out a cry of dismay upon touching the damp spot.
"You clumsy fool" Gothmog said his body glowing in what I guessed was irritation. I let out a little noise of distress still staring in horror at the empty flipped over bowl. "You must not be that hungry if you let your food disappear so carelessly" he continued as I turned terrified eyes on him.
"No, please" I said feeling moisture begin to gather in my eyes. Upon his refusal to get more I felt myself begin to cry.
"Cease at once Airawende" he ordered narrowing his eyes. I tried to halt and suck in a deep breath, but it was unsuccessful and just caused me to cry harder.
"please, I'm so hungry" I begged my stomach growling and twisting inside.
"cease your incessant noise making" he snapped and I could feel more heat start to emanate off of his increased glow. Fear made me start trying to concentrate on calming down. I closed my eyes as my head spun around in circles and tightened my hand into a fist around some of the blankets.
"Well you have learned something at least" Gothmog said after I stopped crying as his glow decreased. We looked at each other in silence a moment before he turned and went back across the cavern to the door. Hope and despair warred in my mind as I wondered if he left to bring more food. I laid back down completely as I waited trying to suppress the nausea roiling in me.
I hadn't realized I fell back asleep until I heard Gothmog speaking my name in front of me. He grabbed one of my hands, gentler than usual, and placed something in it. I blinked trying to reawaken my mind. I was holding a piece of bread. My stomach let out a loud gurgle and I sat up quickly. I choked upon the fresh wave of dizziness from the speedy movement. I looked at the bread in mild surprise and then wasted no time showing it bit my bit into my mouth.
It was gone much too quickly, but my stomach didn't hurt so much anymore. It still was twisting and sending shots of pain into me, but not near to level it had before I ate.
"Thank you" I finally muttered quietly glancing up at Gothmog where he had returned to his observational spot.
"I have things to do Airawende. Wait upon my return" His red eyes bored into mine a moment before he turned.
"W..wait" I stuttered out.
"Talking, yet again, without my leave Airawende" he turned back to me and felt myself freeze up in terror. "Go on" he said waving a hand.
"I will be bored with nothing to do" I squirmed under his intense gaze. I was surprised he wasn't furious with me after what he said. He looked at me and then down at the bed.
"Very well, I will send someone to help you and bring you to me soon" he turned and I didn't dare say anything else as he disappeared for the third time today out of the cavern.