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Chapter Two
'Him'
'The Final Masquerade' by Linkin Park
"He is there! He's come back!" Bûrz sped through the chamber grasping Rim's upper arms. "You must come with!" The young Orcess breathed out in one sitting, her features darkened from all the blood that flushed to her face.
"Who?" Rimkaur stared incredulously at her panting friend.
"Durbûrz. Ye silly imp." The female poked Rim's shoulder playfully.
The human shook her head at the Orcess' feverish excitement as the latter confiscated her brush and began fixing her coarse black locks vigorously. She'd rather stay in but Bûrz would literally drag her out by her braids if she would even attempt to refuse.
What her father feared deeply did come to happen. Everytime she ventured to the spacious common cavern something had transpired. The fact that Rimkaur was only twelve years old did not come to stop the potential suitors as all other females her age had grown and matured, nearly ready to bear offspring. Rimkaur however still resembled a child, petite and flat chested. Her bright, voluminous hair and her extremely pallor skin attracted those pesky males. Dwelling in the mines with the lack of constant sunshine transformed it to be as pale as lily petals, a high contrast against all the grey and black tones of other females. And a chance of having a mate unlike the other appealed to many males.
The young human felt alienated from her peers for those exact reasons, even Bûrz was on the verge of mating. Which explained the latter's excitement to see the aforementioned young Orc. It's not that Rim wanted to swiftly follow suit, she did not bear a drop of interest in the opposite sex. The girl simply wanted to be left alone.
The vast cavern was crowded as on any occasion. Bûrzkaur shuffled on the spot coyly, spotting the object of her affection she reached over behind her and Rim no longer resisted.
While her friend played a staring game with her brave suitor the human girl supported the wall in the corner attempting to seem as inconspicuous as possible. That wasn't of aid however as her scent and appearance stood out from the rest. A male approached stalking towards as she feigned ignorance. He drew the air in feverishly, his deep red eyes came to their sinister light appearing ablaze in the torch lights. His clawed finger poked Rimkaur's chest shoving the tiny female against the wall.
"Waiting on me, sweetheart?" The Orc's narrow nose trailed her jawbone and the girl's palms pressed flat against his chest as she shoved with force. His uneven, yellowed fangs were exposed in a sneer he leaned forth scraping her cheek with his incisors.
His face was gaunt, the nose pronounced and slightly tipped, the eyes and the deep-grey skin made his look resemble that of a bat.
When the instigator leaned close once more and his pelvis made a lewd gesture against her hips Rim's lips began to shake pitifully.
How dare he this disgusting, insolent scum..!
"Let her go!" The older Bûrzkaur pushed her way through the throngs shoving the male away. Yet he stood his ground snarling back at the Orcess. Baring her own canines she landed her fist into his jaw yet only to be backhanded herself. The force of the impact forced her body to flip and tumble the uneven surface. The attacker returned his attention to the human.
Rim steeled her features watching her friend's prone body. Her thin arms inched up the male's shoulders as a barely discernible arcane blackness flicked within her irises. The female's knee connected with his groin and the next thing he knew the Orc male was splayed flat on the ground. Blinking hard the assailant clutched his crotch howling in agony as Rimkaur stood over him clenching her small hands into fists. A deep and feverish inhale inflated her chest, it felt incredibly good to be able to do this. This feral strength that rose from within, she welcomed it. For a moment the male contemplated if he should snap at someone else, if the girl had been aided. All at once something had reflected the torch flames he pounced freeing his dagger, his face contorted in a humiliated scowl. Bested by a tiny female... The blade sliced the air with the fatal intention, the human dodged the blow yet the serrated tip caught her palm...
A roar that resembled a warrior's bellow resounded the chamber as this time Durbûrz flattened the male into the ground. His fists pounded into the grey flesh. Teeth flew, bones cracked before the caretaker had a chance to intervene.
x x x
The corridors were filled with gloom. She walked this path many times and that's why she was able to find her way in an almost complete darkness, unlike most of her peers her sight and sense of smell was that of most humans. Rimkaur headed back to their dwelling compressing the wound to halt the bleeding the best she could. The deep-red liquid dripped down her thin fingers rapidly and momentarily she felt faint. The laceration snaked up her palm to end at the wrist, it nearly resembled an additional lifeline. Leaning onto the scabrous tunnel wall the girl's eyelids leaded, the chilled underground air streamed into her lungs in a whistling inhale. Rim tottered forcing herself to proceed. She came to an intersection of where the Northern corridor intersected the Eastern one and that's when she sensed she wasn't alone. Still watching the rivulets of red trickle onto her boots the girl realized, horrified to no end, that her blood must have spread her scent all over the passage. Emerging from behind the corner was a massive Orc and the tiny human's stomach brimmed with algidity.
How should she react..? She had never seen him so close. Rimkaur chewed her bottom lip clutching her wounded palm to her chest.
The Pale Orc stared down at the tiny frame topped with a shock of the bright, wavy hair. The overwhelming scent of human blood filled the onerous air drawing him nearer. He watched her closely and eventually her gaze lifted, lashes fluttered in uncertainty. The small female appeared confused. Azog inched closer and the young one stood still compressing her hand. Her neck craned tipping her face up gradually as she gazed at his colossal frame. Silently the Orc crouched ripping a part of her sleeve he wrapped the cloth firmly around the laceration. She watched him attentively and her lips began to twitch uncertainly, a curve of a tiny smile began to form. When the master finished she nearly grinned.
"Narnûlubat Dorguz." Rim blushed dropping her gaze timidly but the large male reciprocated the gesture with his lips tipping into a smirk. Slightly emboldened by the master's warmth the girl pouted.
"Father won't let me have a weapon..."
"Good." Azog nodded.
Rimkaur frown deepened, she crossed her arms out of the habit but wincing at her aching palm she left them slacked by her sides instead.
"But... I-I need one. Who else is going to protect me from those flâgîtu if not myself?"
Azog's bright eyes measured her petite frame. The child was indeed bold and friendly, perhaps too friendly living amongst the Orc kind. Any other imp would scamper away at his sight.
"I will." His eyes smiled at her and Rim's grew wider upon that remark. She'd gotten even more confident gingerly lowering onto his knee.
"I made this." She beamed jiggling a bone and bead bracelet that decorated her right wrist. The little human gazed up and the large Orc's sapphire-blue eyes still held a hint of a smile. As lucid as the deepest pools of glacial water they canceled the darkness. She wished she had eyes like that...
Her stare traversed his scars again, down his shoulder and as if for the first time they landed onto the stump of his left arm and the horrid metal prosthetic. Her tiny palm extended towards the prong trailing it until it disappeared into his flesh. Thin fingers tickled up his bicep slowly, Rimkaur's lips formed a tight line, her brow furrowed. She opened her mouth pausing for a brief moment.
"He lives?" She inquired quietly. As the master nodded her amber eyes lit up with silent rage.
"Then one day, I will kill him."
x x x
How could creatures both so different could have possibly known that they both will have to live up to their promises.
Rimkaur made her way down the familiar hallway. Her wiry arms were wrapped around a large basket filled with Warg fur yarn. Her step mother needed this to fashion her a new winter tunic. She'd worn that 'one-sleeved' one ever since the previous incident. Besides her growth had picked up the pace.
The Northern passage they resided in was the second largest in the mines, it made its way the deepest into the womb of the mountain. Small niches and dead-end corridors littered the walls seldom lit by many torches. She wasn't far from home so Rim did not bother lighting her small torch and someone's rotten mind had used the darkness as an advantage. Her basket landed onto the cold stones with a barely audible thump, she released a stifled whimper when someone's thick fingers grasped her throat. It was the same male that slashed her palm just a few months prior. An ear-splitting shriek tore her chest but he covered her mouth swiftly, the human teeth sank into his palm in return. The Orc's fangs bared he thrust her against the wall with force and Rimkaur felt the back of her head become wet with pooling blood. The attacker snarled pinning her with his torso he planned to enjoy this. His mouth gaped letting his tongue slip up her neck readying to sink his fangs into her now moist skin.
"Ye smell sweet." The Orc's chest shook with a raspy growl as she thrashed in his strong arms. Feverish wafts of his hot, fowl breath forced her into a shiver. Her muted scream iterated the corridor and her cheeks were scorched with tears.
"Shut yer trap." He sneered. "And I might consider being gentle." The male's palm dropped to her hips fumbling over her tunic.
" A brîzbag of your sort ought to tug at his own cock." A guttural rumble thundered from aback and without expecting it the male released his captive. A bitter-cold trapped his neck.
"I-I... M-m-master... I... She... She wanted..." The Orc stammered and choked struggling to get the words out.
The assailant's feet left the ground, eyes rounded bulging out the sockets, the end of his life was the sickening sound of the snapped vertebrae echoing the corridor. The corpse slacked to the ground. The Defiler did not accept palliations.
Rimkaur peeled her back off the wall as dizziness took hold she staggered her limbs faltered and gave in. Azog caught her gathering the small human up. Torn sobs heaved her ribcage finally escaping with muted, hoarse sounds. She cried curled up to his chest. The child so tiny, so helpless... Compassion flooded his heart. Snug against his muscle her arms too short to reach around his neck Rim's palm plopped against his chest instead just like she did when she was nothing but an infant.
"Shhhhhh." He murmured with an awkward gruffness lowering his face into her locks. "You are safe now."
x x x
Years had sped by and the human grew. She hadn't seen much of the master through the following years his presence in the mines grew seldom with every passing month. Something had preoccupied him in the distant, dark wood. Her own father had to accompany the king many times as he recently and once again was promoted. When she laid eyes on Azog it was always from a great distance and their gazes had never locked... She recalled a kind face yet now his scars grew more pronounced, his eyes became obscure, overcast by something profound. An unseen, crushing weight seemed to make home on his shoulders.
Yet every time she thought of master all that came were the kind memories. He had saved her life and honor and she was to always be grateful.
Bûrzkaur was beyond elated as her and her young suitor had mated meanwhile Rimkaur had spent majority of her time aiding the elder. She hadn't found anyone. A lot had attempted yet now she had a stiletto strapped onto the inside of her thigh for the inevitable instances when someone wouldn't take 'no' for an answer. The young human was aware that when she sees the one meant to be her mate she would be overtaken by the sensation - the mental and physical connection that cannot be overlooked...
Narbai had described it so many times...
No male in the mines brought her heart to beat out of her chest. Perhaps because she was only a quarter Orc or perhaps there was something out of sorts...
x x x
"Hmmm." Narbai looked her step-daughter over pursing her lips a tad. She appeared to be plotting something. All at once her jade eyes came to light as she darted to the corner. The Orcess returned after fetching a long leather string adorned with Warg claws and canines as Rim stared with incredulous suspicion. Her ma set off on working the contraption into her lengthy locks. The dark-copper tresses grew to reach Rimkaur's hips.
The young woman rolled her eyes complying to her mother's wishes. "What's that for?" She sighed in defeat.
"Mmmmm." Narbai hummed happily.
"You think that a male will think me more suitable?" Rim's cheekbones lifted then a sarcastic smirk teased a corner of her mouth. "Ma, it will not work. I do not like anyone regardless..."
Narbai's forehead creased then she frowned deeper. "Don't you want to make me happy?"
Rimkaur spun lifting her mother's hand to her cheek she turned the slender wrist and kissed the palm. "I do ma... I do. But... No one I see forces my heart to wake." The human's expression grew saddened. "I do not know what is wrong..."
Her mother's long fingers caressed her silky locks, she smiled tenderly reassuring that all will be alright.
Unexpectedly, as always, they heard the approximating steps, her sire had returned from yet another ride. This time however Rimkaur stepped back. The human gazed down with a coy smile as her father's arm encircled Narbai's waist then slid to the Orcess's stomach. He gave his mate a peck then flashed a smile to his daughter.
"Alright..." Rim rolled her eyes. I will leave you two alone." She grabbed her cloak and strode out briskly heading to Foshâlob's chamber. The elder 's ought to be busy today.
x x x
A several months later
Rimkaur rested in Fosh's cavern, a random imp in her lap fiddled with the Warg's claw string entwined in her tresses. A several tiny rascals always flocked to the elder's chamber and the human was more than happy to entertain the troublemakers.
Lifting her gaze it landed onto her father. About to smile Rim simply straightened, something in his eyes had halted the happy gesture.
They sat alone in the narrow and murky dead-end corridor. Rimkaur glared into the ground fiddling with a thin bone someone had tossed out. Her cheekbones lifted as she clenched her jaws again and again simply unable to comprehend... This was completely bizarre, so unlike him, unlike what she had always remembered...
"Father..." She began. "I-I... What can I possibly accomplish..? Why me..?" Tears began to tweak her darkening eyes.
Shapogatâr's stare examined the rugged stone floor. He didn't favor the thought one bit however one possibility alleviated the worry... She'd have a chance to have a different life.
x x x
Azog's body rested against the deteriorating rock wall. The abandoned fortress was vast and he could always find a place to be alone. The broad fingers clenched around a leather flask as he swigged the fiery liquid. All at once his ice-blue alit, his head rotated in the counter clockwise motion loosening his muscles. Just as the young human noted the tattoo scars did appear more distinct, his features were overcome with an unknown obsession. The arcane force that loomed over the fortress loomed over his mind as well. The Pale Orc lifted his prosthetic examining the deadly metal tip as if seeing it for the first time. An enraged scowl had contorted his already grim features forcing his lips to vibrate. Azog dropped his head back swigging the remnants of the liquor he tossed the empty pouch aside furiously. His massive body twitched straightening gradually as it came to life as a stone giant who lay dormant for centuries. His blood boiled with the renewed desire for vengeance yet he was under more than just an obligation. He needed someone. Someone inconspicuous. Someone who could get very close.
"Shapogatâr." He bellowed.
The former mercenary dared to gaze up at his master his brow knit, his lips parted searching for words.
"Master... She is just a girl, she can't even protect herself..." His head tilted downward in the sign of respect.
Azog's algid eyes glowered. "Loyal to Orc yet bearing the appearance of a full-blooded human."
Was there a point to argue with his king even if he appeared overcome with insanity. The half-blood's thoughts ran mad as his knuckles turned white clutching the hilt.
As the master's stare continued to burn through him Shapogatâr nodded curtly heading beneath to the Warg pen.
x x x
The young woman recalled then what she had said eight years ago, she remembered what she had promised unknowingly. She would kill him, she will, whatever it takes. Rimkaur's face grew overcast. If that's what he wishes. She will exact master's revenge for him. She will take the life away from the one who was by his procreators' side when Dwarves attacked Moria, the one who rendered her master one-armed, the one Azog loathed the most...
And now so did she.
Little Rim's got a mission! Sounds dangerous. :P
Note: Orc children mature faster than human kids.
Black Speech:
Durbûrz - strong, mighty
Narnûlubat Dorguz - thank you, master (lit. My master)
Flâgîtu (pl) - Idiots
Brîzbag - horny shit
Foshalob - (lit) baby woman