I would like to say that I know not a single thing about surviving in the wilderness, so if there are inaccuracies forgive me. I would also like to say if you notice any things that were never cleared up or something along those lines that I am dumb and I forget the words I write as soon as I write them. There may be a few inconsistencies.
sandradee27 thank you very much! i appreciate it! :)
SeleneMoon21 aw i'm happy my writing has that effect on you! write your heart out!
I awoke to an annoyed Malukh shaking me and intentionally jostling my bad shoulder, barking things I wasn't conscious enough to understand. I hissed as I attempted to bat away his hands with a groan, covering my head with one arm. Everything hurts, my head most of all. What.. happened? I opened my eyes to the best of my ability, immediately seeing Malukh's dark figure looming over me, haloed by the bright light coming from the window. I winced at the sheer intensity of it, waiting for my eyes to focus on his face.
When they did, I noticed he did not look happy. Not one bit. His face was covered in that thick, black paste again with the same tribal signs as before. He shook me again when I didn't say anything.
"Get. Up!" He snarled, yanking on my shirt roughly and forcing my head to wobble side-to-side.
I whined, his voice sounding far too loud in my mind. The words bounced off of the walls in my cranium painfully and I wanted to do nothing more than bury my head in my pillow. God, what is his fucking problem? Can't it wait a few more minutes? I tried to pull away and do just that, bury my head in my pillow and go back to sleep, but he was fast as lightning. He tugged me up so that I was sitting upright and the blankets pooled around my waist. An empty bottle was sat in my lap as well.
"Get up or I'm leaving without you." he warned, pulling away and fumbling with something noisily in the background.
That woke me up. My green eyes snapped open and I searched out my aggressor with annoyed eyes.
"What's got your panties in a bunch this morning?" I hissed, grabbing the empty bottle and placing it on the nightstand before tearing the blanket off of me. I looked down, realizing I was still wearing my dirty, muddy boots in bed. There were dirt smears on the sheets from where they had rubbed against it. What the hell?
Come to think of it, I barely remember going to sleep last night.
"Many things, and you being several of those things." he grunted from the floor, digging through his pack without sparing me a glance. I blinked in confusion, though his attitude annoyed me more than anything. I didn't even do anything to him.
"I'm sorry, can you clarify?" I retorted sarcastically while rubbing at my now irritated shoulder with my free hand. "Just what did I do to you?"
Malukh shot up from his crouched position to look at me in bewilderment and a series of emotions crossed his features in the span of a few seconds. Disbelief, realization, anger and then.. Acceptance? He seemed genuinely upset, but by what I couldn't tell. My memories from last night were vague at best. Jeez, I didn't realize I drank so much. He just stared at me and my confused face for a few seconds, his fists clenched at his sides. And then he shook his head as if deciding against something.
I just watched the whole ordeal with confused eyes, unsure of what exactly was going on with him. Well, he's being weird this morning. Then again, Malukh is frankly kind of weird in general - he's a freaking fictitious creature. I can't claim to understand how he thinks in the slightest.
"Just get dressed and tell me when you're done so I can adjust your sling." he said quietly as he turned his back to me. I watched him take out our new backpacks and begin to fill them with things from the sack.
"Oookay." I trailed off, staring hard at the back of his head as I stood up and walked over to the dresser where my armor remained. "What, no baths before we go?"
"It's too late. You already slept in two hours past when I wanted to head out. We are missing daylight." Malukh stated and his tone told me it wasn't up for debate.
"Right, well when I start stinking up the place in three days you're gonna regret this." I began to undo my sling, wincing as my arm was freed and an ache so deep in my joints had me damn near groaning.
I began to attempt to put on the articles of armor with difficulty seeing as I only had one good arm, doing my best to avoid brushing against my shoulder.
"There is a river along the path if it bothers you so much."
I shot him a look I knew he wouldn't see. "What, in the middle of the road? What if someone sees me?"
"Then.. they see you. Is there a problem with that?" He asked, confused.
"You might not care if strangers see you naked but I do. That's when you're most vulnerable, you know." I grumbled, hissing suddenly when I jerked my arm. "Shit— ow!"
Malukh turned around at my cry and immediately approached, bringing his bags over to put on the floor beside us. He swatted my struggling hands away with a grunt, his expression resigned.
"Let me do it." he ordered, not giving me much of a choice. I pouted, feeling more and more useless each day. "If you needed help, you should have just said so. These buckles.. tch, all wrong."
I stood there feeling vaguely like a mannequin as he readjusted my crappily done armor, tugging and pulling me every which way. After a minute of silence, Malukh said, "If anyone stares too long, I'll scare them off. You are paying me to do this, after all."
I glanced up into his face and found he looked surprisingly earnest. He wasn't just making fun of me. It was a simple statement, yet my cheeks began to feel hot anyway. I tore my eyes away, forcing them to instead watch how he buckled my armor. I needed to learn.
"..Would you look?" I asked meekly, regretting the words as soon as they came out. What the hell am I thinking?
Malukh stopped his ministrations briefly, hands hovering above my chest. "What?"
Suddenly this entire thing felt too intimate with him standing so closely, looking down at me like that; I was getting a bit antsy.
"What did yo—"
"Are you almost done?" I interjected, looking up and to the right, away from him. Where is this shit coming from? I'm a shameless flirt no matter what world I'm in, I guess. Well, that wasn't flirting .. but I can't stop trying to provoke him. I want.. something and I don't know what.
"Yes." he said tersely, tugging a bit too tightly on the last few buckles. "There. Give me your arm." Malukh ordered as he bent down to retrieve new materials for my sling from his bag.
I, of course, held out my arm to the Orc, who had somehow ended up my bodyguard and doctor all in one, bracing myself for more discomfort. He came up with a familiar red bottle and some gauze, before shoving the vial into my hand.
"Drink." He ordered, popping it open with the flick of his finger.
And drink I did. Malukh clearly wasn't in the mood for any arguments by the sour look on his face, and I wasn't going to be the one to piss him off. Not any more than I apparently did last night, though I have no idea what that is. I put the bottle to my lips and downed it like a shot of vodka, wincing as it slid down my throat just the same.
Malukh took advantage of my oncoming high and began to neatly wrap up my arm into a new sling attentively, his eyes hard and focused as he did. I felt the burst of euphoria start in my shoulder and spread outward, so strongly I didn't feel the pain at all as he finished up the sling, standing up to his full height. He had to bend over when interacting with me sometimes, being as tall as he was. I looked up at him with tired eyes, feeling the current of magic wash away whatever hangover I seemed to have from last night.
"You sure this stuff ain't just magical vodka?" I asked hazily.
"Vod.. ka?" he blinked. "That some sort of Cyrodiil thing?"
I sighed. I guess they don't have vodka in Tamriel. Maybe I can invent it, I thought with a smirk as I looked up at him.
Malukh grunted and flicked me on the forehead.
"Hey— ow!" I cried, hand flying up to protect the offended spot.
"Don't look at me like that." he demanded, not harshly, before leaning down to retrieve our things.
"Like what?" I asked incredulously, rubbing at my irritated skin.
"Let's go. We've got a long day ahead." he ignored the question, picking up a medium-sized, fur-trimmed bag and handing it over to me. "This is yours. I have already prepared it for you." Then he turned on his heel, beelining for the door.
I blinked, looking at my newly acquired backpack in confusion. This guy really doesn't like being asked questions. I quickly went and retrieved my sword, which was still resting beside my bed before sheathing it onto my belt. I then chased after him, all the while trying to figure out how to even wear my new pack. My armor clinked noisily as I hopped after him, heavy bag in arms.
"Hey!" I whined while looking for any sort of strap on my bag. "You didn't answe—"
"It was intentional." he interrupted.
Malukh never did answer my question as we left our room and the Orc went straight to the bar where Orgnar was currently sweeping. He dug in his pocket briefly, coins jingling from the movement, and slammed a few onto the countertop. Orgnar looked at the gold and then up at my companion with a pleased smile.
"For last night. And to fill up our waterskins." Malukh clarified, turning to face me and holding out his large hand. "Give me your waterskin."
I sighed and opened up the bag in my hands, trying to ignore my irritation. He sure liked ordering me around. Then again, he would be the one keeping me alive for the next three days, so it would have to do. I rummaged through the various items he'd placed inside until I found the weird, leathery-brown material I assumed was the waterskin and pulled it out, holding it towards him with a blatantly displeased expression. He met my eyes as he went to take it from me and shared a tense moment as I clutched it harder than necessary, forcing him to yank it from my hands. Malukh snorted in amusement before he handed them over to Orgnar, who proceeded to fill up our waterskins with fresh water. He returned them to Malukh, who then returned mine to me, shoving the thing into my sternum roughly.
I squeaked despite myself. I hated the smug little smile on his face as he focused his attention back to Orgnar.
"We will be taking our leave." The Orc said while strapping the waterskin to his belt. I watched and attempted to do the same. Thankfully, I figured it out and saved myself some more embarrassment.
"I thank you for your business." the innkeeper used his free hand to scoop the coins off and into his pocket. He turned his attention to me, giving me a cheeky grin. "I thought you'd be in bed for a few hours longer, lassie."
I shot a glare at Malukh's head. "So did I."
"Well, it was a pleasure meeting you folks. Don't see many strange pairs like yourselves here in Skyrim, but I wish 'ya well out there. Safe travels." Orgnar dipped his head politely, continuing his sweeping.
"Thank you. And you do the same, okay?" I said with a genuine smile, glancing over only to find Malukh had already begun walking towards the exit without a word.
I mouthed a sorry and gave a quick little wave to the innkeep as I followed my brutish companion out the door. The feeling was strangely bittersweet as we bid farewell to the Sleeping Giant Inn and to Orgnar. The innkeeper was surprisingly very kind and now that he wasn't just some meaningless NPC.. it kind of sucked to just say goodbye. I couldn't help but feel a bit down as we stepped into the fresh Riverwood air.
All I could think about as I saw that the bridge was farther than in the game was just how tired I would be by the end of these three days. And that I would have to actually talk to the Jarl myself when we do get there since Malukh isn't coming into town with me. That thought alone sent a pang of nerves through my gut. Me, a normal ass person, speaking to what is essentially royalty. I just might vomit. I twiddled my thumbs as we began the walk down the road towards the bridge, my mind elsewhere.
At least, until I saw a vaguely familiar face.
Faendal, the wood elf involved in that strange little love triangle, passed by carrying a stack of logs. I had to do a double take when I realized I was seeing an actual elf. I'd sacrificed this man to Boethiah more times than I can remember. I tried not to stare at him too hard as he passed us in a flash but I was in awe. He was the first elf of any sort I'd seen since well.. my arrival in Skyrim. In the game they all just looked like freaky aliens to me but in person, this elf was very beautiful, if a little old.
Malukh snorted above me suddenly, immediately catching my attention. I tore my eyes away from the elf to look up at his bestial, painted face, noting the sheer difference of the two.
"You favor the pretty men, do you?" he insinuated, lip curled in mock disgust. "You were pretty obvious."
"W-What?" I balked. I hadn't stared that hard, had I?
"Tch."
"N-No! Well, sometimes! It's not even that.." I sputtered. "I've just.. never seen an elf before, is all. And why are you watching me, you creep?"
"Never seen an elf? What, you live in a hole before you found yourself in Skyrim?" Malukh grumbled the last part.
"Maybe I did. What does it matter?" My chest felt tight and I was keenly aware of how nervous him prying into my past made me because.. Well, I didn't fucking have one! Not in this world, anyway. "You were the first Orc I've ever seen, too."
"There are plenty of Mer races over in Cyrodiil. How is that even possible?"
"You know, for someone who asks so many questions, you sure don't like being asked any yourself." I shot back defensively, jittery with nerves now. "Where are you from, anyway? You haven't told me a thing about yourself."
Malukh visibly stiffened at the sudden turn of our conversation, forcing his gaze straight ahead and away from me. We were finally approaching the bridge now and these past few minutes alone had felt like hours. God, and I've got three days of this?
"Well?" I turned to glare at him when he didn't respond fast enough for my liking.
He grumbled, rubbing at his neck and blatantly avoiding my gaze. He looked damn nervous and on the edge of being annoyed, but I wasn't wrong. He hadn't told me a damn thing. I was travelling alongside a stranger and not only that, an Orc. Those don't even exist in my world.
A few minutes passed as we crossed over the bridge and he had yet to say anything. I finally resolved that I would be getting no answers from him today, maybe ever. Whatever happened in his life, he was not eager to share, it seemed. I sighed and kicked a rock, watching it bounce quite a distance away while holding onto the straps of my pack.
Up ahead was the sign giving various directions to nearby villages and holds. I looked up at the winding path that led up the mountain, towards Bleak Falls Barrow. The Barrow was leagues away and loomed ominously in the distance, only the shadow of it visible through the dense currents of snow. It was a bit disheartening knowing I'd have to come back this way again because there was no way for me to go now. I'd already made my bargain with Malukh to escort me to Whiterun. What reason would some girl with no fighting ability have to go to an old tomb full of bandits? Exactly. Nada.
Malukh immediately turned to the right onto the lower path that led along the river and straight to Whiterun as soon as we crossed the bridge. I followed after him, wondering if that lone wolf lurked somewhere above us like in the game. The thought alone made me twitchy. I pulled my pack tighter against myself.
"Largashbur." Malukh said suddenly, and I squeaked in surprise, earning a strange look from him.
"W-What?" I asked in confusion.
"I'm from Largashbur." He repeated, looking ahead.
"The Orc Stronghold?"
"Yes. I'm surprised you know of it, being from Cyrodiil. They are pretty secluded." He replied with a raised brow, and for a second I could have sworn he was actually impressed.
"Well," I snorted. "What I lack in strength, I make up for in knowledge." I tapped my forehead with my index finger, a cheeky grin plastered onto my face.
Malukh just scoffed and looked away. I couldn't stop smiling for some reason. Getting him to open up even a little bit felt like a massive achievement. I stared at the side of his face, probably looking dorky as hell. Largashbur, huh? Isn't that the one plagued by giants and other misfortunes? Well, he wouldn't know that yet and I wasn't going to be the one to tell him.
Still, this little tidbit brought a lot of insight into his character. He had probably been raised smithing ore and mining, the usual things a young Orc man trains in, as well as fighting. Though this brought up another question.
"So… if you were born in a stronghold.. shouldn't you still be there?" I asked, knowing full well I was pushing my luck.
"..My reasons for leaving were my own, girl." he snapped, pointedly meeting my eyes for emphasis. "That's enough about that."
"Oookay." I paused. "How old are you? You look pretty young."
To my surprise, Malukh suddenly let out a frustrated groan. I blinked, watching as he ground his teeth together in annoyance. Gee, maybe I really should just cut it out while I'm ahead.
"Are you going to ask these pointless questions the entire trip?"
I frowned. "They aren't 'pointless', Malukh. I barely know you and.. I want to. What's wrong with that?"
Malukh stopped in his tracks, a wild look taking over his eyes. "Everything is wrong with that! Look at me!" He barked, gesturing to his body with both hands.
I stopped walking and looked at my companion, getting a bit spooked by all his yelling. His outburst actually surprised me. I chewed on my cheek as I did what he said and just.. looked at him. Up and down. It was a tense few seconds before I sheepishly said, "You.. are very fit..?"
"Don't you get it?" he asked, his face genuinely shocked. "I'm an Orc! Your kind considers us savages! You shouldn't want anything with me. And everything they say about us… it's mostly true." he tore his eyes away and I was taken aback. He looked.. ashamed.
Frankly, I didn't know what to do. We were stopped, the only others sounds being that of the rushing river water and the birds in the trees above us. I was clutching tightly to the straps of my pack, trying not to look scared shitless. What did he mean by 'the things they say about us'? The thought of rapists, bandits, and worse crossed my mind. Is he trying to tell me something, indirectly?
I must've taken too long to answer because Malukh forced himself to look at me and when he saw my face, a dark expression took over his. He scoffed, turning away to continue down the path.
"I told you. You don't want to know me." his deep voice was bitter.
An intense burst of annoyance flared up in me suddenly. I must be the most stupid girl in the world to attempt this, but he needs to know if we are going to continue traveling together.
I closed the distance between us in a few quick steps, my good hand flying out to grab his muscular bicep and pull him to face me. His arm was rock hard beneath my fingers and I really tried not to notice how much that pleased me. I dropped my hand from his arm as soon as he was facing me, fearing to do anything more than that lest I face his wrath. His face held barely masked surprise and anger as he looked down at me, fists clenched, probably pissed I had dared to touch him at all.
"Can you hold on just a minute? Firstly, you don't get to decide what I do or don't want; I do. And I want to get to know you! Who cares what they say about Orcs? Half of Skyrim is made up of a bunch of racist Nords, of course they're gonna say whatever hateful thoughts they have about your kind. Does every shitty, bigoted thought a Nord has that's spoken into existence make it true? Hell no!" I cried while shaking my head, eyes wet with tears despite the fierce tone of my voice and I looked towards the ground instead of his face. I would lose all confidence if I looked at him right now.
"I haven't known you long, no, but I do know that you've done nothing but help me, time and time again. I know that you are good. Whatever your reasons are for keeping distant, that's fine. But I… I would like us to be friends." I finished softly, trying to stop my lip from wobbling as I finally forced my eyes to meet his ever so slowly.
I was on a roll today, it seemed, for Malukh actually looked completely caught off guard, like he hadn't expected me to go off like that. We just stared at each other in silence for .. way too long. I wasn't sure what I had expected when I went to grab his arm but I wasn't expecting silence, that's for sure. I didn't know what to do with myself now that my speech was over, staring so awkwardly up at him the way I was. His mouth opened and closed a couple times, face uncertain. I couldn't take it anymore.
I turned away, wiping at my eyes aggressively with a forced chuckle.
"Sorry, that was.. That was too personal, wasn't it?" I asked, feigning indifference. "Let's just move on."
I didn't wait for an answer before I started walking, eager to get away from him. What the fuck did I just do, really? I must look like a damned idiot now. We barely know each other and I'm probably acting so clingy. I should have just let him stew in silence and wait until we get to Whiterun before I do something so cringy. I could only pray that he didn't just decide to dip now and leave me to fend for myself.
The river to the right of me was a loud and welcome distraction for my addled mind, and I tried to focus on the sound of the rushing currents instead of my beating heart. I wasn't even sure if Malukh was still following but god knows I'm not going to check. My face was unpleasantly warm as I stared down at my feet and the steps they took.
"Wait."
His voice was closer than I expected, so close that I actually gasped and my head swiveled to see its owner. Malukh was walking alongside me, eyes staring intently at my face. I couldn't tell what that expression was on his face, but it sent a pang of something through my belly.
"I .. Thank you." he cleared his throat. "Forgive my temper. I .. I have been distant because of many things, but mostly the fact that we will part ways very soon." It sounded like it was very difficult for him to admit to my face, every word coming out gruffly, and he was gesturing with his hands uncomfortably.
It was kind of cute.. Seeing such a large, masculine person act so.. Well, awkward. My blush was alive and well, though I felt my face fall as I registered his words. So, he does intend to leave afterwards… Of course he does. And then I will be left with nothing. You don't get Lydia until after you kill the fuckin' dragon and that is never going to happen.
I wasn't sure how to respond. Should I try to coerce him to stay, maybe offer to pay off his bounty with some of my share? Because I need him. Not just to use as my meat bag but .. to be my friend as well.
"Do you.. want to leave?" I asked sheepishly, still embarrassed. "There would be more coin in it for you if you stay." I added quickly. People like money.
"It is not a matter of wanting." Malukh admitted a bit resignedly. "I cannot. I am a wanted man, girl. Surely you have realized this?"
I snorted obnoxiously. "I realized it when you slammed into me with a huge sack of who knows what and all but begged me not to scream!"
"It was gold. I wanted to use it to start a new life in Cyrodiil but .. that is over now. The Imperials confiscated it while they all took turns punching and kicking me. Now, they are likely using it to fund their little war." Malukh paused, raking an inquisitive eye over me. "You do not seem to care about my criminal history much."
I shook my head. "Listen, as long as you don't hurt me, I don't care. You should pay off that bounty with your share of the reward, Malukh. Don't you want to be a free man again?"
Malukh frowned and rubbed the back of his neck. "I .. am not sure it would be enough. I doubt the reward for delivering a message would be a very big one."
I blinked. "Well then… why did you agree to escort me? Isn't that the only reason you came?"
"No." Malukh grimaced.
"No?" I prompted.
"It isn't." he added with a grumble.
"Are you going to tell me?" I asked, already knowing the answer. He had said more in these past five minutes than in the entire time we've been together. He was done for today.
"No."
"Alright." I smiled, still feeling extremely pleased at this turn out. "Well, if it matters, I hope you stay."
We didn't say anything over the next few hours, but the silence was amiable for once. The walk grew painfully tiresome by hour four and when sundown came around by hour eight my feet were blistered and sore within my boots. At one point, we had to stop so I could take a potty break, which had been fairly awkward. I did my best to keep complaining to a minimum, lest I annoy Malukh too much, but it was becoming fairly difficult to keep my mouth shut at this point. I was starving, my waterskin was nearly empty and frankly I was too tired to continue any further. This journey was only making me realize how out of shape I am, if my sweat covered brow was any indication.
The river was still beside us and I wondered if we had even made any progress at all. It sure didn't look like it. I'd been staring at the same scenery for hours. We'd had no trouble so far with animals or bandits but I had seen some wildlife in the trees across the way. Just a family of deer and the occasional rabbit or two, but no wolves. In the game, I was constantly being harassed by fucking wolves or bears but I guess they're scarce as can be in real life. Not that I wanted to encounter any but jesus, it's dull out here.
I brought up my waterskin to my lips, noticing how light it felt in my grasp and tipped it back. A single drop landed on my tongue, so I shook the thing to try and get every little bit out. I smacked my lips in disappointment when nothing else came, shooting a look at my companion who had been a few feet ahead of me at all times. His pace had been brutal and I'd had to jog to keep up with him because of his long ass legs carrying him twice the speed of mine. He seemed completely unbothered, trudging along like he was born to do this shit. Well, I'm not and I need to stop sometime, dude.
"Malukh…" I whined, raising my waterskin to wave it around. "Can we please stop already? I can barely keep up with you!"
He chuckled lowly up ahead. "We have barely gotten started, girl."
I balked. "Barely.. Barely even started? It's been like ten hours!"
"Unless you want to arrive to a burned down city, we should make haste." he chided, not sparing me a glance. "That is the goal, is it not?"
"I haven't eaten since yesterday, damn it! Tell me we've got some food somewhere." I grunted almost desperately, my stomach twisting painfully at the mention. I pulled my pack off of my good side to avoid touching my shoulder and shoved the empty waterskin inside, before rummaging around in search of rations. There was nothing.
I vaguely registered that Malukh had removed his pack as well, reaching in and pulling out something. "I wanted to see how long it would take before you asked."
My head snapped up, eyes wide. "You what?"
"You surpassed my expectations, even." he smirked as he stopped to hand over what looked like a piece of jerky.
My mouth dropped in realization. This guy.. He was just toying around with me! I scoffed as I slid my pack onto my back again and took the rigid length of dehydrated meat with my good hand, feeling betrayed.
"You're a real dick, you know that?" I grumbled, taking a bite and tearing off a hefty chunk. "Friends don't withhold food from each other."
Malukh burst into laughter as he turned to keep walking, a deep, hearty one that even I couldn't stay mad at. You win this time, jerk. Still, I was grateful for the food, even if I could eat a horse right now and still be hungry. I scarfed down the morsel and sighed, keenly aware of the darkening sky above us.
"No, really, Malukh." I tried again. "I need to rest. I am not as well-traveled as you are and it's getting dark."
"I am aware. We must find a place to camp. We cannot just stop right here, in the middle of the road."
It took a solid ten more minutes of walking for us to find what barely passed as a cave in the lining of the wall to our left. It was more like someone had taken an ice cream scoop and dug out a chunk of the wall, leaving this small crater. Malukh deemed it a decent spot to rest though, and I trusted his judgement more than my own. He had me wait as he scoured it out to make sure no predators had already made this their home and I just stood there in the open, wishing for more jerky. Only when he gave me the all-clear did I approach, moving to sit on one of the fallen logs that rested perfectly in the center. It was a bit small, and my butt barely fit, but I was just happy to sit down.
Malukh was doing a bunch of things that I probably should have helped out with but thinking about standing up again was too much. I kicked out my legs before I took off my boots one-by-one and god, did I wish I had socks right now. My feet were red and ached deeply in the joints, so I rubbed at them with a groan. Only having one hand was really starting to get on my nerves. It was making me want to test out my arm and just deal with the discomfort so I can have use of both arms again.
Malukh laid out his bedroll and set his pack beside it before he suddenly disappeared out of the small cave for several minutes, so long that I began to grow worried. I was just about to call out for him when he appeared around the entrance of the cave carrying an armful of sticks and branches. I sighed in relief, returning my attention to my feet as he approached and dropped the pile a few inches from my log. He crouched down and began his attempt at lighting a fire.
Unsurprisingly, it didn't take him long. I could tell he was used to doing these things, likely from traveling alone for however long since he'd left his stronghold. A fire burst to life with the assistance of a few puffs of air from his mouth and I pulled my feet in a bit closer to myself to avoid the sheer heat of it. I dragged my eyes up just as Malukh sat back on his haunches, hands resting on his thighs briefly before he moved to stand again. The firelight lit up his features nicely, I thought distantly.
"Still hungry?" he asked, voice rumbling. "I can find us something larger to eat."
I was but.. It was late. I didn't really want to risk anything. Then again, Malukh wouldn't appreciate me doubting his abilities in the slightest, I'm sure. I uncertainly twiddled my thumbs.
"I don't want you to go through too much trouble. You did all of this yourself. I would feel a bit bad.." I said quietly.
"Don't be foolish, girl." he admonished sternly. "I doubt you can kill a rabbit at three hundred yards. Of course I have to do most of the work. I will return shortly. If anything happens, scream and I'll come running."
I could only nod as he turned, unsheathing the war-axe on his waist with a sharp metallic sound and disappearing into the night once again. I set about laying down my bedroll as well, removing it from where it was strapped on my pack and doing so a few feet away from Malukh's own bedroll. I would prefer to be close to him in case anything sneaks in and tries to kill us. And also because.. I just wanted to be close to him. What's wrong with that? I also took this time to snoop through his huge bag and yoink some of those jerky sticks and put them in my pack. He had a cooking pot, a torch and some furs shoved haphazardly inside.
And then.. I was just alone. The fire crackled, casting strange shadows on the cave wall and adding to my budding paranoia. What if something does come? What if I scream and he isn't fast enough? I sat myself down on the log again and just .. stared out into the night, looking at the rushing river not too far away from our little camp. The sounds of crickets and other nightly creatures filled my ears, but in particular I was listening for wolves. I know that this area typically only has wolves, deer, and smaller creatures, like foxes and rabbits, etc, etc.
Twenty minutes passed where I just sat warming my hands at the fire, too afraid to rest without my orc companion present. It was around this time that I heard a faint howl in the distance. Thanks to its proximity I knew that I was safe and I wrapped my arms around myself with a sigh. I don't know what I would do if they wandered this way. Suddenly, three more howls filled the night air and they were damn close. Too close. I jumped, clutching my arms tighter.
Hold on a minute, was that just outside the cave? I stared outside with wide eyes and hastily shoved my shoes on despite the pain before I placed my hand on the hilt of my sword nervously, hoping Malukh would return soon. The approaching crunching of leaves and twigs sent me shooting up from where I sat, heart rate spiking and hammering in my chest, drowning out the other sounds. To call out or not to call out?
"Malukh?" I called uncertainly, trying to peek around the curve of the wall.
The sound continued and I was utterly terrified. A pack of wolves was not how I intended to go.
"Malukh, you better say something!" I warned, trying to keep my voice even as I did so.
I about screamed as the familiar Orc rounded the corner with surprising speed, carrying a dead rabbit in each hand. I drew my sword out of instinct before I realized it was him. He stopped in his tracks, looking me up and down with a scrutinizing gaze.
"Good, but your posture is all wrong." he commented as he proceeded forward, rocks and twigs crunching beneath his boots.
I audibly sighed, sheathing it back onto my hip. "Why didn't you say anything? I thought something was coming to kill me!" I demanded, frustratedly returning to my seat.
He chuckled, obviously pleased by my fright. "Forgive me." Malukh plopped down onto his bed roll with a dull thud, and I watched the dead rabbits swing with the movement.
The sight of them made me kind of forlorn, but I tried to remember that it necessary for our survival in this world. Though looking at their hollow eyes, opened mouths and wounds didn't do much to make me hungry.
"These were quite difficult to catch with just an axe. I am surprised I even managed to get a second one." Malukh suddenly held out his game to me, a bit distractedly. "Hold them for a minute."
I cringed. "H-Hold them?"
He narrowed his eyes at me, giving me a glare that had me reaching out to take them with my only hand willingly. I shuddered as soon as the fur brushed against my fingertips, the weight of both rabbits lowering my arm a bit. I am quite lacking in muscle. This was a first for me, definitely.
"Did you see any wolves out there?" I quietly asked.
"A small pack. They were headed in the direction opposite of us. I am sure they will be long gone by the time we start cooking these." he informed me, though it did little to soothe my concerns.
So they were close, and now we're ringing the dinner bells.
Malukh began to pull out a few things, including the cooking pot, dagger, and spices. He arranged the pot so that it lay flat on the ground and wordlessly held out his hand. I figured he wanted the rabbits back so I eagerly handed them over. Watching the process as he chopped off the head, tail and legs of each rabbit, skinned them and removed the guts was almost too much for me. I had to cover my mouth and try very hard not to throw up all over my feet. None of this seemed very sanitary, though I didn't know a thing about cooking rabbit, so I kept my mouth shut.
Malukh then went and found some lengthy sticks and speared the rabbits onto them, one for each of us. He handed mine over to me before he sat back down and started toasting his over the fire. I merely mimicked his actions, praying that I didn't end up sick by the end of the night. The smell was heavenly to my surprise and I found myself salivating at the thought of a meal other than jerky.
We ate our rabbits off of the stick in silence and I was surprised by how quickly I scarfed it down, thankful for something hearty in my belly, even if it was a bit bland. Meat was meat, and I was in dire need of some replenishment. Malukh tore a huge chunk off of his rabbit with his teeth, making eye contact.
"You need to fill up your waterskin while we have a fire going. You will have to boil that water." he told me as a matter of fact, chewing rather noisily.
"Okay." I said tiredly, my eyes beginning to droop.
Over the next ten minutes I had finished my meal, adding my stick to the fire as kindling, before hastily filling up my waterskin outside. I didn't want to be out there in the dark for too long. As I boiled my water, Malukh finished his meal as well, tossing his stick into the pile.
"I will take first watch." he told me. "I would prefer you to take watch while you are not half-asleep. I have a few hours left in me."
I chuckled softly, meeting his eyes, the fire warm against my skin. He stared right back, hands dangling from his knees.
"Thank you, Malukh. Really."
He just grunted dismissively. "Thank me when we reach Whiterun."
"I will thank you now, tomorrow and the next day." I stood before I kicked off my boots again, approaching my bedroll.
I awkwardly shuffled down onto the rough, leathery material, my sling making it difficult to do even this, facing towards the cave wall. If anything were to come in and kill me, I'd rather not see it coming. As I did, muscles I didn't even know could get sore made themselves known and I audibly groaned.
"You are not going to remove your armor?" Malukh asked from behind me.
"Too much work." I replied as I slid myself into the roll, my bulky Imperial armor making it difficult for me.
I grunted as it wound up and poked into the back of my neck uncomfortably when I finally settled onto my side. My eyes were already heavy and I was glad that not even the sheer discomfort of this position could keep me awake.
"Goodnight." I whispered, not expecting a reply.
My mind was gone before he could say a word, a deep, dreamless sleep taking over me, the thought of sparkly, green eyes and dark, black dreadlocks on my mind.