Okay, folks, here's chapter five. It's kinda short, but two very important things happen in this chapter, so it's worth it.

Disclaimer: I don't own LOTR. Also, if anything in this or one of the other chapters resembles something from any fandom besides LOTR, that resemblance is purely coincidental.

Now, back to Shagrat.

- 5. Bonding Hands and Fluttering Hearts -

Weeks passed, and Shagrat quickly became an excellent hunter, bringing back at least two large kills from every hunt. He also learned much of the Uruk-hai's history, from their origins to the songs and stories that were still with them. Finally, after about two-and-a-half months, Eytukan deemed Shagrat ready to "come of age" and gain his permanent place among their People.

"It's alright. You'll be fine." Isthey assured his brother as Nia drew patterns on his skin with some sort of yellow orange powder.

"Are you sure, Isthey?" Shagrat asked.

"Yes, I am." Isthey said with a laugh, "You've got the easy part. All you have to do is stand there."

Shagrat closed his eyes as Nia drew on his face.

"There." she said, stepping back to admire her work. There wasn't a bit of him visible that she had missed. She had braided his hair down his back, much like Isthey's, and woven his silver cords into the braid. He wore nothing but a simple loincloth, like he had when he first came to the Uruk-hai. His condition had improved much since then. His arms and legs were more muscular and his chest had filled out nicely, with muscles rippling down his front and back, brought out by Nia's drawings on him. All in all, he was a handsome young Uruk, and Nia looked at him now with admiration.

These two had become especially close over the course of Shagrat's learning. They grew to enjoy each other's company in everything they did together. Sometimes they would even plan things to do just so they could see each other. They hunted together and flew on their Seylán together or just sat and talked together. They had become the best of friends, something Shagrat had never dreamed he would have with anyone, save maybe Sauron or Isthey. Yet every time he saw her, Shagrat felt something stir inside him. It wasn't a pain, it was more like a warm fluttering inside him. He felt this feeling now as he looked at her in awe.

Gone was her leather and animal hides, gone were her necklaces with teeth and bones, and gone was the wild and feral look about her. She wore a long dress made of some thin, lightweight material that hung on her flawless curves as though it was a part of her. It was the color of the sky at twilight, and it had no sleeves. Nia's bare arms were dressed with bracelets of woven grasses and small beads. On each arm, she had a few silver bands around her wrists. She wore a necklace similar to Shagrat's leather one, except hers was covered in small sparkling stones, and it had parts that hung down onto her chest. Shagrat thought it looked like a miniature waterfall on her neck. He also noticed the brightly colored flowers in her hair. All in all, she had never looked more beautiful, he thought.

He was brought out of his reverie by Isthey giving him a light tap on his shoulder.

"It's time." he said softly. Shagrat noticed now that Nia had left. He nodded and allowed Isthey to lead him forward. Isthey led him up the back side of the hill where the clan was gathered beneath an enormous willow tree. The stars shone overhead, but a few torches were lit beside the tree. Isthey left Shagrat's side and Shagrat continued on his own. He walked up to where Eytukan stood at the back of the tree, where the clan couldn't see them.

"Are you ready?" the chief asked, taking Shagrat's hand in his. Shagrat nodded and allowed Eytukan to lead him around the tree. He and Eytukan stepped onto a large flat stone in front of the tree and Eytukan turned to address the clan.

"My people," he began, in the Uruk-hai language, "It was thousands of years ago that our first ancestors settled here, and their children came of age beneath this very tree. Their children learned and grew in this land, and built upon it the legacy of our great people. Now, thousands of years later, we are still here, about to see one of our children pass into adulthood. Like those who came before him, he has grown and learned in the ways of our people." This wasn't entirely true, but no one cared on this occasion.

"Now, in the name of the Valar, I name you Shagrat, Son of the Uruk-hai People." He placed his hands on Shagrat's shoulders, which wasn't hard since he he was taller than Shagrat. Mo'at approached from behind and placed hers on his back. Isthey and Nia came to either side of him and placed one hand on his back and one on his chest. The rest of the clan came forward and placed their hands on the backs and shoulders of these four, those farther back putting their hands on the shoulders and backs of those in front of them. It seemed as though Shagrat could feel a connection to all of them through their hands, and he grasped the full significance of this event. At last, he was where he belonged. He was no longer different or an alien. He was one of them.

Later that night, after Shagrat had washed off and reclothed himself, Nia beckoned him to follow her. She led him down to the side of a small river, where a huge glade of willows grew. She led him into it and stopped when she reached what must have been the center. Moonlight shone down into the small clearing, and luminescent things in the water gave the clearing a soft, romantic glow. Fireflies danced about, heedless of the two orcs, or even the fact that they were orcs. The crystal clear water sparkled with the light of the moon and stars on its glossy surface.

"What is this place?" Shagrat asked softly, looking around in awe at the huge, ancient willows.

"This is Khálané Maraghûn." Nia said just as softly, "The Glade of the Voices."

"Voices?" Shagrat asked. Nia nodded.

"They are the voices of those who came before. Listen." As she said so, a breeze blew through the glade, and Shagrat thought he could hear faint singing on the wind. He had a sudden thought and opened his mind like he had done when bonding with Nyra. The singing became clearer, and Shagrat was able to tell that the words were in the Uruks' tongue. There were many singers that he could hear, young and old, male and female, all singing one continuous song together. It was a mystic, otherworldly sound, and one of the most beautiful things Shagrat had ever heard.

"I hear them." he whispered. Nia smiled and came to stand beside him with her hands on his shoulders.

"You are Uruk-hai now, Shagrat." she told him, "You may make your bow from our trees." She turned away and caught a large firefly in her hands. "You may also choose a woman." she said. "Sarna is our best cook."

Shagrat felt that strange fluttering again, stronger than ever, as he said, "But I don't want Sarna." Nia looked at him and continued.

"Firri is a strong warrior." He could feel the fluttering throughout his whole body now, and words were forming in his mind, words that he knew he wanted to tell her but was too afraid to on his own. He could feel them making their way to his tongue, preparing to escape.

"Yes, she is." he agreed. "But I've already chosen." Nia paused as she let her firefly go. Shagrat moved closer to her.

"But this woman must also choose me." He hoped those words summed up everything he'd come to feel for her over the past two-and-a-half months. A smile spread on her face as she spoke the words he most wanted to hear. She leaned in close and whispered in his ear.

"I already have."

And before he could react, she took him in her arms and pressed her lips to his. Shagrat's eyes went wide with shock. He'd never even heard of this before. But he immediately caught on and returned the kiss, his heart skipping beats as he did.

She pulled back and laughed quietly at Shagrat's giddy face. She, too, had developed feelings for him, and had finally been able to reveal a small part of them to him. It was obvious now that he felt the same way for her as she did for him. But she had to be sure.

Shagrat couldn't believe his luck. She had the same sort of feeling for him. He didn't know what to call it. It was deeper and more powerful than just friendship. He struggled hard to think of the right word to use to tell her how he felt about her, what had been trying so hard to escape the confines of his heart, what he had heard stories of, but never thought he would have until now.

They both thought the word at the same time, and so confessed their feelings for each other in unison, each's heart skipping beats as they heard the other say the three most wonderful words they could ever hear.

"I love you."

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Yaaaay, finally! Some orc romance that doesn't involve es-ee-ex!

So, my dear reviewers. How did I do on my first romance scene?