Un-beta! Again if you want the job PLEASE email me! I really need an Editor for this chapter and the rest of the story. Sorry for the mistakes!
Last Hope of Mankind
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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 brings? 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 by killed by the family that he only knows by calling him a traitor?
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"I find hope in the darkest of days, and focus in the brightest. I do not judge the universe."
--Dalai Lama
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"Talking"
"Elfish and Black Speech"
"(Translating in either Elfish or Black Speech)"
'thoughts'
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Chapter Sixteen
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Kaghed and the rest of his band of orcs gathered their new belongings prepaying themselves for the ride home, wherever their families had fled. All they knew that they headed north towards Rhovanion (1). Hopefully the rest of the tribe would be safe at Fangorn Forest home of the Ents (2), the usually place to retreat at if anything ever goes wrong.
Fangorn Forest is a both a haven and a dangerous place. The Ents would do everything in their power protect the last of the trees. Killing anyone that ever harms it; would even hunt any orc, elf, man, dwarf, goblin if they believe you are a threat. It was even said among themselves if the reason why it is forbidden to burn any wood. Those that would know if this was a fact are dead now; it was now a long forgotten memory.
The human slave was going in and out of unconscious, Kaghed noted. The boy needed medical care, but none of them had the time to give it him. The humans could come back anytime now. It was now or never. Quickly Kaghed tied the boy's hands and feet tight enough that the only way to get them untied was to cut them.
Kaghed then grabbed the human over his shoulder, flapping him onto his stomach at the back of a warg. Landed heavily, the warg growled. Ignoring the human boy and the warg, Kaghed leaped on top of the warg, making sure that the boy would not fall off.
"Mo bartom (We ride)!" Kaghed yelled. The orc band rode out.
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The band of orcs didn't stop until later that night. Their wargs thirsty from battle and the nonstop run in full speed. Kaghed suddenly stop his own warg, jumping off as he did so; followed by his men behind. Without looking at the human, Kaghed slightly pushed the boy off the warg's back and landed onto the ground with a thud.
The boy hissed as he landed. He didn't dare to move from where he landed. He was confused and scared.
The orcs behind Kaghed laughed at the wimp, one kicking at the boy's chest as the orc passed.
"Enough!" Kaghed said, watching his men. It was one thing to attack a human, but one that hurt and weaponless? Disgraceful. "Make camp!" The orcs followed his orders. Kaghed grabbed the boy by the back of his neck dragging him into camp that everyone was at. "No one touches the slave!" he bellowed.
The band didn't speck after that. There was no need to. It was not a time to feel hate against the humans, it is a time to mourn the lost of their brothers.
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The human boy is awake again, but yet the young boy lie still on his back, pretending to be still asleep. The Warlord admit to himself that the boy was good. Only he notice that the boy's breath was different then a moment ago. Everyone else was obscure that the boy was awake.
Kaghed knew that the boy would get up on his own; either by hunger or from boredom.
Hours past and Kaghed sat there still watching the boy, he will admit it to himself that he himself bored. How long can this human lay there? Seeing that the boy wasn't going to get up anytime soon, Kaghed grabbed a piece of his own raw meat that he was eating, getting up from where he sat and walked towards the wounded human.
The human's body stance as he felt that someone was walking towards him.
Kaghed kneeled beside the human, the meat covering above him; as dark blood drip down on the human's face.
The boy yelped in surprised and wince in pain as the boy shot up into the air, slapping himself with his bound hands. And then froze coming face to face with a grinning orc. He touched his face feeling something dripping from his cheek. Seeing it was blood, his eyes widen.
All around the two, the orcs laughed at the sight. How dumb can the human get?
Kaghed couldn't help himself; he started laughing at the dimwitted boy with the rest of his men.
The human boy didn't know what was funny. Was the orc playing with him? And why was there blood on him? He looked again at the orc, seeing that the orc held a raw meat in his hands. The boy gulp; is that meat human or animal?
Without a word, the human watch as the orc cook the piece of meat into the fire that they sat near to for a few seconds before giving it back to him.
The boy looked at the hardly cooked meat and back to the orc. Kaghed knew that the boy was hungry, for they haven't fed him for the whole day. Wordlessly the boy slowly took the stick that the meat was stabbed with, flinching at the touch of the orc hand as he did so.
"Eat." Kaghed ordered the boy. The boy jumped again hearing the orc spoke for the first time in Common that he could understand. Kaghed watch as the boy forced himself to eat the meat slowly. The boy chewed, his face cringe in distaste of the raw flavor that also had no seasons in it.
After he was finish, the boy looked back at the Warlord. "Where are you taking me?" the boy asked him. So the boy finally got his courage back, Kaghed thought to himself.
Kaghed cocked his head. Either this boy has a death wish or was foolishly brave.
"Answer me Orc!" the boy snapped. "I don't care what you do to me! Kill me, torture me! I dare you!"
Kaghed couldn't help himself. He laughed. The boy has spirit!
The boy suddenly felt foolish. Here he was ordering an orc to tell him what to do, where the orc could easily walk up to him a strangle him. He really didn't want to die, but he must show no fear. His father taught him better then that.
"I won't kill you boy." Kaghed told him. It felt weird of him specking the Common Speech, for his voice held an accent that told him that the Common Speech wasn't his native language. "You are now our slave. It is better for you expect your fate sooner then later. It would be easier for you."
"I am not your slave. I rather die then be your slave!"
Kaghed grinned showing his sharp teeth. "Would you rather be a war prisoner, child? We torture our prisoners." the boy slightly gulp at the thought. "And they all die in the end."
"They will find me." the boy said slowly.
"Who, child? Everyone believe you are dead. Eaten by us.," Kaghed knew the rumors that the told about them. Stealing children from their beds; raping women; slaughtering men, women and children in their sleep; eating their enemies flash like common raged wolves.
"No." the boy's voice is cracking. "My father will come for me. And when he does, you and everyone of you will be killed."
Kaghed laughed, knowing that the boy's words were hallow. "You know as well as I do, child that is not true. Your father isn't coming after you. To him, you are dead."
Kaghed left the boy to his thoughts.
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"We should kill the human." Gashel said, nodding at the human boy that sat alone on the other side of camp. The boy didn't know what they were saying, even though the human was only a five feet away. Kaghed looked up at the old orc in a disapproval. "He is slowing us down."
"No." Kaghed said firmly. "He is now my slave. I shot him and he lived. He is mine. If anyone is going to kill the human, it will be me."
The others in the group kept quiet, knowing the laws. What the Warlord spoke was the law, however Gashel isn't one of them. He did not live though his whole life learning and obeying the laws. He is from Mordor, the first born that was born in Mordor after Morgoth took over breeding them into Black Magick. For the past millennia since Kaghed took over the throne, the two orcs were always fighting over decisions like this.
"He is weak. Look at him! What use will he be for you, Zotan-lufutatar (Warlord)? Going to adopt him as well?" Gashel pointed at the human. Kaghed could tell that the boy knew that they were specking about him. Kaghed knew that Gashel wasn't only specking about the salve, but son as well.
"He is still young." Kaghed answered. "He is human, he is nothing to me but a slave."
"Ah yes. Still human." muttered Gashel sarcastically. "That is always the excuse with you, Kaghed. You are weak!"
Kaghed looked back, and everyone else. Never has anyone have the guts to speck his name in such a fowl hiss.
The two orcs stood up with, unleashing their swords at each other.
"Do you wish to fight, Gashel?" Kaghed asked him. "You are old, where I am young. You will not kill me."
Gashel knew that the Warlord was right. He knew this is foolish. He put back his sword and walked out, not looking back.
Kaghed sighed in relief, putting back his own sword and sat back down. There will be no bloodshed tonight.
Everyone was silent.
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0o0o0o0o0o
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They didn't stop though the night and half the day.
Mokûrz was thirsty, hungry and tired. The only comfort he had for the past day were the quick gulps of water that Brura given him of those precious moments when the group stopped to refill their water skins and to let the wargs to drink their fell afterwards, they started to run.
The unnamed warg cub still lay in his arms. The young female was restless from where she sat in his arms. Unlike he, she was able to sleep soundly knowing her Master would not let her go and get trampled.
"Fangorn Forest!" someone called out suddenly.
Mokûrz's head shoot up at the voice. Fangorn Forest? Did he heard that right?
He had heard about this cursed Forest. It was guarded by the Ents; who killed orcs. Why would they go there? But then again, he could see why: who would think of looking for a tribe of orcs in a this Forest?
The wargs didn't stop as they approach the forest, moving side to side missing the trees. As they traveled in high speed, until finally they started to slow down.
"We are here, Mokûrz (Estel)." Brura said to him, as they stopped.
The first thoughts that Mokûrz thought was 'finally'!
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Mokûrz helped Brura set up camp; like everyone else that fled. Mokûrz was surprised that everyone knew what to do and where to set everything at. Everyone knew where to place their new homes as if it went by rank. Mokûrz, Brura, her daughters and few other women helped each other build Kaghed's home. There was no small talk, everyone thought the same thoughts. What if their men never came home?
Mokûrz didn't know what will happen to him if Kaghed too is gone like his brothers. Who will take care of him?
Mokûrz banish these thoughts from his mind. After the last fabric was sat in place, Brura looked back at him.
"Help me, you will." she said. Mokûrz sighed. He so wanted to climb into Kaghed's bed and sleep.
Mutely Mokûrz followed the orc woman to a clearing that was marked as Kaghed's and his new home. The orc woman and the human child worked together as again they build the Witch Healer's home; Log after log standing up, tying up fabric made from fur into its place, placing the fire stones inside, putting the beds at one side around the campfire.
At last after a few hours later, Mokûrz sighed in relief. He can finally go inside the new home and sleep!
"Mokûrz (Estel)," Brura said looking at the tired human. Her eyes sparkled in amusement.
Mokûrz's eyes flared. What does this orc bitch want now?!
"Chores you must complete there is." Brura said, trying not to laugh at the look that Mokûrz had given her. If looks can kill, she would be dead before she hit the ground.
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Finally at the end of the day, Mokûrz fell in a loud thud as he landed hard on the bed in Kaghed's home. His whole body ache; his arms and legs feel as if they are going to fall off any moment and his body altogether felt like he's on fire. How the hell he survive the ordeal of setting up camp and all the chores Brura made him to do is a mystery to him.
The young warg jumped onto top of the bed, after her Master; snuggling close to him.
Painfully he rolled onto his back, covering himself with the thin blanket. The bed smelt like Kaghed, which a pain plug of guilt wash over him. His right hand petting his new companion.
Mokûrz didn't think about Kaghed all day… is he alive or dead?
The young human sighed, tirelessly as he eyes started to drop as he feel into a deep sleep.
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0o0o0o0o0o
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"My Adar (father) did what?!" Elladan yelled in surprised. His father went with his brother to look for Estel. Why didn't he tell him that! When did they leave? How did they get out of the city? All the gates were watched!
Elladan sat alone on his father stair, staring at the knelling elf that told him that he's father went after his brother. Somehow they both went unnoticed through their 'tight' security. Somehow he found himself not surprised.
"Your Adar (father) went after your brother to looked for the human boy." the elf repeated.
"I heard you at the last time." Elladan snapped at the elf guard. "And I thought your men were watching the gates!"
"All the gates were watched!" protested the elf, put stopped. "Oh…."
"You forgot about the eastern gate didn't you?" Elladan said bitterly knowing what the gate the elf was thinking about.
"The eastern gate is hardly used, sire!" the elf said fearing the now Elfin Lord.
"I don't jukkete (fucking) care! It is your jukkete (fucking) job to make sure NOTHING get in or out!" Elladan knew he was better slightly hard on this guy, but come on! "Just tell me. How did my father and brother walk pass your guards and yourself? Were you drunk or you were jukkete (fucking) women all night long?!"
The elf didn't know what to say.
"I thought so." Elladan leaving the trembling elf to his thoughts. He will till to the sad looking elf in a later time, after he cools off.
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"I heard of what happened." Dyalain said stopping Elladan's thoughts. The temporary Elfin Lord looked up at the older elf. How the older elf found him in his hiding place, Elladan would never know.
"My father told you didn't he?" Elladan asked him, knowing what the elf would say.
Dyalain didn't speck for a moment, thinking of what to say to the younger elf. "He did not tell me of what he was planning. Only told me to watch over you while he is gone." he said.
Elladan looked away. So he's father does blame him for Estel's disappearance.
"How is your wound?"
"It is healing well." answered Elladan, not wanting to tell him more then what he should. In truth, it still pains him, but it felt a lot better after his father's magick healing.
Dyalain knew that the Elfin Lord's son was lying to him, but didn't comment about it.
Suddenly Elladan got up and started to walk away.
"Where are you going?" Dyalain said, watching the young elf walking away from him.
Elladan didn't stop. He didn't want to let Dyalain see his tears.
(End of Chapter)
Words: 3,721
(1) Rhovanion: also known as Wilderland was a large region of northern middle-earth. The Great River Anduin flows through it and immense forest of Greenwood the Great was a part of it. Properly speaking Rhovanion was the name of a small region east of Greenwood, which later was the Kingdom of Rhovanion, but known as Wilderland by the Third Age. In the Third Age, Rhovanion is home of the Fangorn Forest and Mirkwood.
What to learn more look up Rhovanion in: lotr (dot) wikia (dot) com (slash) wiki (slash) Rhovanion
(2) Ents: also called Onodrim by the elves, are very old race that appeared in Middle-earth at the same time as the elves. They are created by Eru Ilúvatar (the supreme God of Middle-earth). Ents were envisioned as Shepherds of the Trees to protect the forest from orcs, Dwarves and other perils. The Elves themselves have tales of teaching the trees to talk and they also taught the Ents to talk; although the Ents where sentient beings at the time, they did not know how to speck until the Elves taught them. Ents are tree-like creatures, having became like the trees that they herded. They vary in traits, form everything to height and size, colouring, and the number of fingers and toes. An individual Ent more or less resembles the specific species of a tree that they typically guard. For example: Quickbeam guards the Rowan trees and thus he looks very much like a Rowan tree.
Treebeard (also called Fangorn in Sindarin, the name Fangorn Forest is named after him) is the most known Ent; for it is said that he's the oldest of the Ents. There is a debit of who is the oldest between Treebeard and Tom Bombadil (a humanoid immortal). According to Treebeard there are two others that including he was the first of their kind: Finglas and Fladrif.
Author's Notes: What's this? Another update? Yes it is!
Thanks for the great Reviews! I'm so happy I got this chapter done. I really hope you all are enjoying this story as much I do.
As I reread the whole story, I found that my orcs were like flower loving hippies. I really don't want that, so I type up their darker side of them. Hope you enjoy it.
Please REVIEW!
--FireChildSlytherin5
