Un-Beta-ed Chapter! Pm if you wish to beta this chapter. Please email the chapter. Thanks.


Last Hope of Mankind


-


Summary:
Estel age 11 has been captured by orcs. Why haven't they tortured him yet? Why did they take him to their village and treated his wounds? Was everything that he was taught about orcs since birth been false all this time? Are they any different from elves, humans and any other beings? And why has this orc child keep pulling his hair as if wanting to play with him? What would Estel learn from them that would help him during the War with the Ring and when he is King? Or will he in the end be killed by the family that he only knows by calling him a traitor?


-

One of the things about equality is not just that you be treated equally to a man,
but that you treat yourself equally to the way you treat a man.

--Marlo Thomas

-


"Talking"
"Elfish and Black Speech"
"(Translating in either Elfish or Black Speech)"
'thoughts'

-

Chapter Thirteen

-

Kaghed walked towards his home slowly taking his time. His mind is full of thoughts of uncertainty and hope. His thoughts dwell towards what he saw in the basin back at Brura's home, his upcoming role of being Mokûrz's father and the upcoming War that he and everyone else in the tribes know that will come to pass.

His people are dying. There is no more time to put a blind eye to this fact. For many millennia his people fought to survive, hid in the shadows. He knew his people's time are running out and soon his people will to go to war, either to ally themselves with the beings of Middle Earth or against them and those that serve the Great Eye. However, he knew that those of the free beings of Middle Earth will never ally with them nor will his people dishonor their ancestors to ally themselves to the Betrayers. The only choices that face them, is to kill any outsider that dares to endanger their people and fight to the last man, woman and child.

Either way, his people are few enough that if they do nothing or fight, in the end it would be their downfall.

Kaghed sighed at these thoughts. Never in his life have he have any memories of peace. The only peace he remembers the peace between the tribes, not with the others of Middle Earth, but that been many centuries ago. A time before his father was killed; murdered in the hands of his younger brother.

His thoughts then went to the human child. His teachings of what he was taught since birth and the fires of war that ran threw his very blood tell him to kill the human child, for it will endanger his tribe. But he couldn't. Just one look at the angelic face and the vision that the gods had sent him, tells him to save this child; to adopt this child as his son.

He knew that this child was the very key to save his people from extinction. But how, none of them knew.

Kaghed approach the foot of his home.

Yes he will adopt this child as his son. And in doing so, the child will became the heir of the Tribe and to his people.

-

"Kaghed!" Mokûrz cried in happiness as he saw his guardian stepped over the threshold into the ger (tent). Kaghed froze, as the human approached him. He was slightly startled of how this child cried in happiness just because he came back. Is this the feelings and joys of parenthood? He glanced up towards his bed and glared at the orc child that sat upon it.

Sheepishly, Proshnak got up picking up his stuff from his bed.

"Get out." Kaghed snapped at him. Quickly Proshnak left, leaving his Lord and his new friend behind.

Kaghed looked back to Mokûrz who looked at him in both fear and wonder.

"Kaghed—," the child began but stop and started to look at his feet.

"Yes sma ni (little one)?" Kaghed asked him kindly, getting lower towards the child's level so they look at each other more clearly.

Slowly Mokûrz looked up. "I have been thinking—my elfin family is gone now." Mokûrz said slowly. Nodding Kaghed listened. "I would be gladly be you bhûllûk (accept son). But you have to promise me that if I became your bhûllûk (accept son) you will help me find my family and if I do, you let me go."

Kaghed stare at the human child. Did he hear the child right? Is he really agreeing to adopt him?

"Are you sure?" Kaghed asked. The child nodded. Kaghed thought about what the child has said. Let him go if he finds them? Logically by adopting Mokûrz he will became his sole heir, but then again he did saw in the near future that he will have a daughter… If that part of that future comes true, then if Mokûrz finds his family, then he would still have an heir. "Afar angathfark (1) (By the forge of my soul) I will help you find your family and take you to them." Kaghed said, his voice holding neither argument nor flutter as he announced his oath.

Mokûrz knew that Kaghed spoke the truth and smiled. He now somehow felt better.

Kaghed too smiled. Mokûrz fought a shudder just looking at the tall orc. Even though he trust the orc, many times he frightens him especially when he smile, showing his canine teeth.

"The blood ritual will not take place until the moon is dark." Kaghed told him.

Mokûrz cocked his head at the side. When the moon is dark… does the orc mean the New Moon?

"Why wait for the New Moon?" Mokûrz asked him.

"New Moon?" Kaghed asked the child questioningly. What is a New Moon?

"I mean, why wait for the moon turn dark?" Mokûrz asked him impatiently.

"It the time when portal to the other side is fully open; the most powerful time to do such a ritual. I do know the ways of magick that calls upon during the Ritual; all I know that it always been that way."

Mokûrz nodded slowly. "When will the New—I mean when will the moon turn dark?"

Kaghed looked up as if calculating the days. "Five full days. When the sun turns into the moon, the highest peck of the night you and I will be father and son."

Mokûrz never thought of that way. In five days he will have a new father, not just foster father, but a real father.

"Will I have a mother?" he asked. He wondered why he only saw Brura. If Brura was his wife, then why does she and her daughters living alone away from them?

Kaghed closed his eyes as if in pain. 'Did his wife died long ago?' Mokûrz wondered.

Kaghed shook his head. "I have no mate." He said.

No wife? "Brothers or sisters?" Mokûrz asked hopefully.

"None at this time." Kaghed answered stilling thinking of his future daughter. What does she look like? What is her name? Who is her mother?

Seeing the sad look that Mokûrz given him he quickly answered, "But I think Danica would be happy to call you foshnudâg (baby brother)."

"Baby brother?" Mokûrz yelped in surprised. "I thought I was older then her…"

"Are you over 1,200 winters old?" Kaghed asked in a playful mock shocked. His grin grew as the shock look that Mokûrz was giving him.

"She's 1,200 years old?" Mokûrz asked awe. "No I'm only turning twelve soon."

"Then you are her younger brother." Kaghed said grinning.

"Duh, but still—how old are you?"

Kaghed never thought about how simple of aging compare to a human then of his people. Living for many millennia is was normal; however in the past few millennia there are fewer of those are is past three to four thousand years old. It wasn't because of dying of age; like the elves they cannot die of old age, but many die in battle fighting against the free beings and Mordor.

"2,951 winters old (2)." Kaghed answered. It took him a while to count how long he had lived. As it been that long? Has it been over 2,500 years since the death of his mother and father? Has it been over a millennia since he dual his uncle and killed him?

Mokûrz looked at Kaghed in a new look. How did an orc live that long without being killed? Adar (father) did say orcs were elves at one time. No one knew if longevity still lingers in their blood; not even Adar (father) knew. Mokûrz smiled at the thought; he finally knows something that the elfin lord did not.

"You surprised?" Mokûrz heard the orc asked him.

"Well yeah, but…hey you're around the same age as my brothers!" Mokûrz thought happily. Just thinking of his brothers given him warmth. This orc being the same age as his brothers, in a twisted way he was close to them.

Kaghed didn't know what to think after that comment. Being compared to a group of elves wasn't a good thing, but seeing the happy look at his future son he did not comment his thoughts.

"Perhaps young one." He said slowly.

The two fell into silence. Both Kaghed and Mokûrz sat side by side to each other next to the fire deep their thoughts. Not knowing what else to say to one another.

"Kaghed—," Mokûrz said moments later, staring at the flames not the orc that sat beside him.

"Yes?" Kaghed asked him.

"What happened to you mom and dad?"

Kaghed never thought that Mokûrz would ever ask this question. No one ever did; because everyone knew. Should he tell the child the true? If so how much?

"They are dead." Kaghed said simply.

"How?" Mokûrz questioned him.

"My father died in battle," Kaghed told him, keeping the details to himself. The child doesn't need to know them now. "And my mother died of a broken heart many winters later."

Mokûrz seemed to expect this, Kaghed noted as Mokûrz nodded. "My father died in a battle too. Killed by an orc arrow." The child confessed to him in sadness. "He died when I was really little, I don't remember him."

Kaghed didn't reply. He wasn't shock that Mokûrz's father died in battle. To Kaghed's people dying in battle was one of the many ways to die that was honored, but his own father was killed in the hands of his own brother. His brother stole that honor from him, being killed by his own kin. And to repay that honor to his father, he himself killed his uncle taking the throne.

"I guess we have something in common, our fathers I mean." Mokûrz said.

Kaghed slowly nodded. It seems that the human child is looking for similarities between him and himself and perhaps the difference between his people and the elves. To Kaghed, it was odd but understandable. The child is looking for sincerity in his situation, in any way that he could.

"The light is short of this time, Mokûrz. Get some sleep." Kaghed said.

"But it's too early!"

"We have a long day tomorrow." Kaghed explained. Mokûrz muttered under his breath. He stood up and walked up to Kaghed's bed (the only bed in the whole ger). Kaghed watched as his charge took off his boots, his shirt and climbed in the bed.

'I really need another bed.' Kaghed thought. Kaghed slowly walked up to the bed. Mokûrz was already half asleep.

"Mir burz sma ni (Good night little one)."

-
0o0o0o0o0o0o
-

Elohir was preparing his horse, Arianell (3) for an upcoming trip. It was the dead of night; no one was wake during these late hours, the time he preferred. He was going out to look for Estel. He left a note to his brother and father.

He knew that the trip that was the plan is foolish going alone. But he must. Estel is out there alone. He must be found him. It was his fault, he knew. A burden that he will carry for rest of his life until Estel is found.

Tying his pack at the horse's hip, making sure the blanket he sat on her back was safely put he then gracefully climbed on and head out towards the gates. He picked this gate for it wasn't known to be used nor guarded as much. The guards that was there are now elsewhere. A perfect time to escape without anyone knowing.

He didn't go far as a dark figure stepped out from the shadows in front of him. Arianell snorted in surprise and Elohir fought a yelp coming from his throat as he came face to face with his father, Elrond.

Elrond stood there watching his youngest son with a look that Elohir knew he was in trouble. He looked at his father, seeing he wasn't wearing his usual elfin clothes: instead he wore a dark green long sleeve shirt with a long leather jerkin with a tabard. He wore dark coloured trousers over an olive-green cloak with black leathered boots. Elohir also noticed his father carried his quiver and bow with his sword on his hip with at least three knives (that is clearly seen) either on his belt or chest. (4)

For whatever reason his father chooses to look like a Dúnedain, he was ready for battle. Why was his father here and wearing as if he was going somewhere?

"And where do you think you're going?" His father asked him.

"Going out for a ride." Elohir quickly replied.

"For how long?"

"Ah…" Elohir's mind was blank.

Elrond didn't allow his son to reply. "And when will you going to tell me? After you left for Valar knows how long and me finding the note you left in my office?"

Elohir suddenly felt more foolish then he ever felt in his life. He looked down to the ground not daring to look at his father.

"—without asking me to come with you?"

Elohir's head shoot up in shock and look at his father. "What?"

"I am coming with you of course." Elrond said as if it was the most obvious. Elohir watch as his father walked back into the shadows retrieving his horse, Emyr (5) and climbing on its back.

"But what about—,"

"Your brother is healing, he is of now ruler of Rivendell while I am gone." His father answered, heading out into the wildness beyond deep into Rivendell. Elohir led his horse to follow his father. He was shock that his father knew of his plans. And it also been years since his father traveled out from the haven of the Kingdom.

"But—," he began.

"Do you really think that I would let you, my youngest son go out in the Wild alone?" Elrond asked him

"No, but I—,"

"Stop shuddering, Elohir."

"Yes, Adar (father)."

"Quickly now! Estel is waiting!"

Together the two elves left the haven that they both call home heading into the far unknown looking for the young human child.

(End of Chapter)


Words: 3,642

(1) Afar angathfark: a common Orcish oath that translates to "By the forge of my soul!"

(2): Legolas in the LotR movies his age is 2,931. I wanted Kaghed be in the same age as Legolas, Elladan and Elohir. PLUS go into my Photobucket account and there is a GREAT picture of Elladan and Elrohir. OR try this URL: http : / / s 259(dot)photobucket(dot)com(slash) albums(slash)hh316(slash) FireChildSlytherin5(slash) Lord % 20 of % 20 the % 20 Rings (slash) ? action (equal) view & current (equal)ElladanElrohir(dot)jpg

Same username. If can't use URL or can't find me: look picture up by using these either of these key words: Elladan, Elohir, LotR, fanmade. OR just make is very easy type my username on the search box, click on my name under the picture and see ALL my pictures. Click "Lord of the Rings" Album and you will find it and other great LotR picters. Check out thise website too: bornofhope(dot)com

(3) Arianell: A female Welsh name meaning "silver". It is also a common Pagan/Wiccan name.

(4) I described in detail of what the Rangers in LotR wear. I found a great website that told you and shows you how to make them! It's really cool. If I ever have the money and know of a great tailer I so want to get a female type! PM if you want the URL.

(5) Emyr: a male Welsh name meaning "King".

Author's Notes: So, so, so SORRY for the wait! Wow, it had been so long. Like always work and writer's block suck. Been busy you see. And hopefully you like the chapter. It has been a long time since I had a nice juicy chapter like this one. It's long so I hope you all happy. :)

Please, please Review!

ALSO NOTE that one of the reasons why I didn't update sooner, is because I edited the story little bit. Nothing really big changes, so you don't have to reread the story.

AND ALSO NOTE I still don't have a beta for this story. Anyone wants it? Please email me if you wish for the job. And please go back and edit all the other chapters that is not beta-ed. Thanks.

Table of Contents in the Black Speech:

Bhûllûk (accept son)

Bosnauk/Narish (ally/friend)

Krank (father)

Lobmau (female warrior)

Loburuk (female orc)

Lûb (daughter)

Lûk (son)

Shardâg (human child)

Shatraug (witch)

Urukdâg (orc child)

-

"Good Orc(s) Challenge": To any Authors out there those wish to do this Challenge. The story must be about one or group(s) of orcs that are "good", different from the Orcs that we see from the movies & books. In the story, you must show the way these orcs live, their families and their way of life, such as: their customs, their religion etc. Also make a believable excuse WHY and HOW these orcs are "good". In this Challenge, you must write a reasonable way to get these orcs to help any LotR Character that you choose; doesn't matter where in the time line, it is your choice. The Plot of the story is also your choice. This Challenge is NOT a one-shot. It MUST be a more than one chapter story. Good luck.

Read and Review!

FireChildSlytherin5