Hey readers! Well, we are finally up to this point of no return so to speak. Let's see what happens. :)
THANK YOU SO MUCH for all your support! :) You make me happy dears.
Chapter Five
'Forgotten'
'Do what you want' by Evanescence
"Is that... what I think it is..?" Bilbo's awe filled eyes gazed into the distance at the proud peak of the Lonely Mountain.
The eagles have set them atop a steep outcrop that jut high into the blue morning sky, the entire vastness of Mirkwood was visible from that altitude. A tiny grey bird floated across the landscape chirping cheerfully as the Dwarves exchanged their hopes.
"Yes." Bilbo nodded in approval resting his thumbs in his pockets. "I believe the worst is behind us." A small smile has lit up his weary face. That joyous expression, however, vanished rapidly. She'd never said a lot, but the Hobbit was sure the girl would have expressed her thoughts at this point. His frantic gaze darted the compact platform.
"Where is Rua?" Bilbo cleared his throat professing his worries.
"Yes. I was just thinking the same thing." Bofur's always cheery face was taken over by a deep frown.
"We must go back." Fili's hefty boots thumped the smooth rock as he stepped through the crowd. " The Orcs..." His face blanched.
"There is nothing we can do now." Thorin's hand landed onto his nephew's shoulder. "We cannot go back."
"You know lads, I haven't seen the lass nowhere in the trees." Balin scratched his forehead.
"That's even worse..." Bofur's eyes dilated. "That means she was on the ground when the riders came!"
"They kill her or they... Worse..." Fili's hand clutched his hilt. "Uncle..."
"I said." Thorin spun sharply. "We cannot go back. Our task is upon us, we have no time." His cold blue eyes pierced his successor.
"We helped her enough if ye ask me." Dwalin crossed his arms. "A shame she met her fate as she did but it's not yer fault lad." The balding Dwarf nodded to the young Durin.
The trio of supporters lingered behind for a few moments gazing into the ground sadly as the rest of the group descended the steps etched into the side of the cliff.
x x x
Rimkaur shook off the dirt that clung to her cloak, the cloud burst into the air dispersing unhurriedly through the already dust permeated air. Her veins still coursing with the adrenaline fueled ire she ground her jaws contemplating the next move and suddenly all was incredibly clear. She will follow them...
Follow the Orcs...
She had overheard the details about the Dwarven quest... Perhaps that could be the pretext for her return. Rim's thin fingers came together to form the tightest of fists... The Master will have to explain himself.
She was about to scale the hillside when a faint scraping sound attracted her attention. As light as the rustle of wind it started and stopped unexpectedly... She spun scanning the meadow once more, the fires were burning out, upturned trunks and snapped branches littered the brow... By the edge of the cliff, right near where the crumbling earth trickled into the abyss gradually, under one of the pines, two scintillating dots glowered in her direction.
The mix-blood took a step. The owner of the burning eyes, - a black Warg, trapped... He scowled in an attempt of a threat yet she felt the despair radiating off him... Her stare fell, can she leave him to die..? Was he someone's..? Rim's eyes met the wolf's embers one more time before she'd vanished from view.
The human have returned hauling a massive branch. A muted growl as her greeting she smiled hopefully, the wolf lived still... She stuck her tool underneath the fallen trunk as it's middle was propped on the other uprooted tree. This way perhaps, she could use it as a lever.
An hour later Rimkaur collapsed of exhaustion as the black beast was finally able to struggle free.
She was inundated with irritation once again recalling the fact that for some 'mysterious' reason her strength could not reach its' full potential. The mount of inky fur coming to loom above her brought her back out of her musing, the canine's upper lip trembled curling into a snarl and Rimkaur realized she did reek of Dwarf. She had attempted to scoot away when something plopped to wet her cheek, the Warg's scabrous tongue tickled. The human grinned and swatted.
"Narnûlubat." A smirk tipped her lips. "Now I smell of Warg." The beast's head descended to roughly brush against her locks.
"Beautiful... Aren't you..?" The woman marveled. She'd missed that, riding horses does not compare. Even though she's been on her father's mount only a handful of times. "And a female too." Rimkaur's embers locked the matching ones, she halted for a moment taking in a quivering inhale.
"Pafund." A light shone from the depths of her eyes as she ruffled the matted fur.
The human leaped upon her ride deftly, in a sudden rush of air. her cloak flapped at her back resembling the wings of a bat.
"Can you follow them for me, Pafund?" Her body bent inline the wolf's. "Follow the others."
Her mount executed the command at once sprinting swiftly into the dark void of the mountainous night.
x x x
"Attack them now." Narzug hissed. The newly appointed commander stared anxiously to the master who stood rid of any movement glaring through the fog as an ancient statue watching over the woodland.
"Shar." Azog spun abruptly. "The beast stands guard." A scowl pulled at his grey lips. "We kill them on the road." The patience he already had little of was depleted, replaced with gnawing ire. He was near his prey at last yet again something stood in the way.
A crashing noise came from the depth of the grove unexpectedly setting everyone on edge. Something rushed through the trees and at once a colossal brown Warg leaped into the clearing. His snapping jaws inches from the Orc master's unwavering, furious glare. A grey-skinned rider bared his teeth wrangling his beast.
"They are gathering at Dol Guldur." He bowed without dismounting. "The master summons you."
Azog's rage peaked. He waved the messenger away leaping onto his own Warg. Grudgingly he complied this order.
No one had smelled or sensed they had other company. Rimkaur's Warg flattened herself against the ground as they observed quietly. Pafund turned out to be incredibly agile and they made the distance to reach the campsite.
As Orc hunters cleared out the patchy woodland they had someone on their tail.
x x x
The narrow bridge spun the abysmal rift, overgrown with scraggly trees and bushes, the vegetation clambered over to the crumbling ruins overtaking the vast structure. The Moon left the protection of the cloud cover and the entire landscape was illuminated with an eerie, bluish glow. The remnants of the fortress emerged out of the navy-black darkness of the early morning sky. Rimkaur surveyed the surroundings. That's were the pack had disappeared into, this dilapidated stronghold... A line ran her forehead. She inhaled deeply nudging the Warg toward the bridge.
"Who's there?" A stooped sentry aimed his spear at the approximating dark form. Upon seeing the wolf he scowled in irritation.
"Take yer beast downstairs, like ye supposed to." He dismissed, while Rim dismounted on approach. That caused the guard's body to become as straight as a board, he tensed catching the scent of a human female, the dark-red eyes flashed from beneath the concealment of his helmet.
"Hello there..." He greeted hoarsely. The soldier haven't laid eyes on a female in months. And this scent was inviting.
"I'm here to see the master." Rimkaur replied. The Orc frowned upon hearing the Black Speech. It did not add up... She smelled like a human, yet she spoke their tongue.
"Which one?" The words slipped his dark-grey lips as he chuckled darkly. "What's he to ye?"
"I am the commander's daughter. Here to see Azog the Defiler. Your master." Her words seeped through her clenched teeth. This soldier wasn't aiding her mounting ire.
Another much shorter male have suddenly relinquished the protection of the shadows shuffling towards.
"Half-blood's offspring you fool." He glowered at the sentry.
The shorter Orc bowed clumsily. "Follow me closely, hide your face." Hiisht's yellow eyes flicked side to side.
Hiisht had been around many years, holding different jobs, performing tasks and following orders. He had been very useful and gained much experience. Now his ancient age prevented him from hard work, but not from being able to boss the younger soldiers around.
"Take the beast to the pen." He spat back to the guard.
x x x
They ascended steps after steps till arriving at a dilapidated chamber. A singular grand window gaped in the northern wall.
"Master." Hiisht's voice trembled.
Azog sat on a large boulder, perhaps once a piece of a wall. Hearing the footsteps a scowl had distorted his already grim features. He wanted nothing more but to be left alone, for once.
"Mal?" His deep, thundering voice iterated the decrepit darkness.
"Lûb pizdurtab." The Snaga lowered his head gesturing Rimkaur to do the same.
As the human had stepped forward Hiisht shuffled away at once without waiting for dismissal.
As the master straightened his pallor skin caught a ray of moonlight morphing his scars into the bottomless rifts once again. His cold eyes ignited with a silvery blue light defeating the shadows in the room. The Pale Orc frowned upon seeing a small form.
An array of feelings that chilled her womb when her eyes landed onto his massive frame... The sound of his voice, his imposing appearance... Her limbs weakened, her gaze hesitated, not daring to rise to meet his... Rimkaur observed his right fist curl inwards on approach, his other limb, - the same knife-edged prong... The Orc's very presence commanded fear and obedience and instinctively she knelt.
"Master, forgive me, I have failed you." She uttered, a hint of loss present, her melodic voice a shuttered crystal, something beautiful that was rendered irreversibly damaged.
"Failed me?" Azog scoffed hoarsely. "Show yourself, soldier."
Rimkaur's lips shook uncontrollably. Her fingers ran over the smooth rocks, grasping in crevices they clenched harder until numb.
"Was I so easily forgotten, master..?" The mix-blood straightened her body gradually, the hold of his charm has been nothing but fleeting. Overcome with fury she tore off her cloak. The fiery shock of the copper tresses engulfed her shoulders, the eyes the color of the tarnished gold reciprocated his unwavering glare. The tiny red-haired child he remembered was no more. Before him stood a slender figure of a grown woman and no longer constricted by the thick fabric the scent of her skin hit his nose.
"Rimkaur..."
Her name slipped his lips and caused a shiver to crawl her back. Azog stood paralyzed. When his eyes locked the embers inundated with rage his whole world had seized to exist. There was an impenetrable darkness surrounding him and she was the light, the only light in the blackened void of his life. His heart thumped in his chest coming to life as a mechanism of a clock that stood still for ages covered with dust and cobwebs.
As he proceeded forth Rim broke the eye contact, looking into his eyes was unbearable. Her cheekbones lifted.
"Akh." She managed. "Rimkaur. Same one you banished... Tore from my family... To kill the Dwarf, remember?" She exhaled with a whistle. "Now, you take it upon yourself?"
The Pale Orc's brows drew as he as if contemplated for a moment. "Narzug follows them."
"Then, I will go with." Rimkaur had finally managed to gaze up. "You must... You must let me complete the task.
"A female with a group of fifty male Orcs." Azog's sneered advancing still.
"Should have thought about it twenty years ago." The woman shot back measuring his massive frame with her glare.
"You, are to return to Moria." The Pale Orc's eyes flashed, he was so close now she was washed over with the warmth radiating off his body. The sensation it evoked, his closeness caused her to tremble and her gaze had plummeted once more. Rim's nails dug into her palms leaving the half-moon marks etched deep into the pallor skin.
"I can take care of myself. I-I will finish this." The human spun abruptly, she'd fully intended to find Hiisht and the Warg pen when his fingers encircled her arm having a different outcome to her venture in mind. The touch was like a bolt of lightning driving deep through and suddenly she stood motionless breathing aquiver.
Unforeseen to the Orc the woman leaped up pushing off the crumbled rocky wall, her boot came in contact with the back of his knee. Taken off-guard the Pale Orc's tendons released the muscle as he knelt. He found her tiny dagger resting against his artery, blackened eyes burned through him. A dark smirk contorted his features, without an effort he twisted her arm, the weapon was freed immediately its bouncing clink iterated the chamber. His massive arm snaked around Rimkaur's waist haling her entire body off the floor with ease. She struggled wildly feeling his breath scorch her nape, her head jolted aback in an immediate, sharp movement, Azog snarled licking at the blood flowing from his nose. He bunched up her blouse and shoved the human against the wall forcefully. This was quite enjoyable to him, how feisty and stubborn she was.
"Hûmal?" A wicked smirk peaked a corner of his lips, the sapphire flame burning within his irises had grown tenfold.
Rim attempted to wiggle free. "Release me!" She hissed exasperated.
Her chest heaved as she strived to control her breathing. She wanted to run as far away if she could, yet in an odd way she wanted to stay. The sudden closeness of his body stole her breath away and in turn made her furious, furious at her own body for reacting in this way. Not able to meet his stare she watched the trickle of blood snaking his upper lip. When his fingers unclenched and instead his hard torso held her up all was a haze, her lips parted when she watched his eyes ignite. Rimkaur's thighs encircled Azog's torso to meet a purr vibrating his chest. He was used to submission, he expected it. The Orc wasted no time in running his palm over her smooth leather encased legs. Slender arms clutched his shoulders as her nails dug into his already scarred skin, they left welts in their wake. The human brought her face forth feeling his feverish breath on her lips, her palms slipped down to his pecks pushing away in a teasing manner. When his onset loosened all he felt was an annoying ache in his thigh as he was forced to kneel once again. Azog stared in a fleeting confusion as she stood over him. A shadow flicked past her eyes she grasped his chin.
"I said, I can take care of myself. Master." Her jaw was tight, chest heaved as veins pumped the adrenaline at a breakneck speed. Rimkaur exhaled audibly, her thumb slid up trailing the male's upper lip, she wiped off the thickening blood. Without breaking the eye contact she rested the digit in her mouth. Spinning abruptly she vanished into the gloom of the corridor.
Azog's muscled frame knelt incapacitated for a short while before a small smirk curled up the left corner of his lips. In the mirk of the chamber his eyes were the two scintillating dots afire in amethyst flames. This feral, feisty creature just begs to be tamed... Overpowered... Fucked. She had awakened sensations inside him the Orc knew nothing of, desires he forgot he ever had. And to think she was right there all along, right under his nose until he had send her away. The king's teeth compressed together to emit a sharp, unnerving sound...
The Pale Orc's towering frame stood straight as he inhaled sharply following her scent.
Rimkaur nearly sprinted over stairs and collapsing hallways. Her inner voice had suddenly came alive within her mind. What was that? It gasped, appalled. You tasted his blood... Are you insane? How will you ever be able to look into his eyes again!
"I will not." She attempted to calm her mind, when a different side had interjected suddenly. But you had enjoyed it... That viscid, salty, bitter taste... Yet so sweet! You want him. You want to be marked by him.
Shocked at her own thoughts Rim came to a halt. Her breathing hitched, jaw hardened as she covered her face in her quivering palms. For years she shamed any male that was bold enough to approach, she held the confidence to put them in their place but the sensation that flooded her over when she'd met Azog's eyes set her heart aflame. The deep, primeval urge drove her mad...
"Ughhh." The young woman grunted audibly. "Lorzlob!"
The soft echoing noise aback made her bolt forward and she'd nearly upturned the large-eared Snaga.
"Hiisht!" Rim grasped his arms. "Warg pen, now!" Before he had a chance to resist she dragged him down the corridor.
x x x
"I told ye I smelt it." A lanky, dark-skinned Orc nudged his companion. "What in Angmar's name is wrong with yer nose?
"Yer mad." The shorter, lighter-skinned comrade chuckled. He fiddled with his lengthy, jugged spear, testing his strength. "Ther nuh females her'." His grin turned into a mock frown.
"We're stuck here in this reeking hole. No fun..." The third guard had chimed in with a deep sigh. He crouched by a gate from behind which the sounds of snapping jaws and growls carried over.
The trio froze at once. Hiisht had creeped out of the shadows followed by a figure a tad taller than the small Snaga. The sentries' eyes dilated.
"Cut my throat and bleed me dry!" The tall one gaped. "I was right!"
"Human at that." The shorter one nudged.
"You touch her and you're dead." The Snaga rolled his mustardy eyes. "Commander's daughter, ye horny fools."
The guards' eyes flashed still as the third troublemaker bowed pompously chuckling in an overwhelming excitement. Even seeing a female was like a gift from the higher powers.
"Where is the black Warg?" Rim uttered unfazed by the attention.
"No beast leaves without master's permission." The dark-skinned winked. "Yer shouldn't leave already."
The human unsheathed her curved dagger slowly inspecting it she trailed the blade with the tip of her finger.
"I might have to grant you your wish, if you don't." The irate glare shot up to the ruby eyes of the lanky guard. His lips stretched into a sly grin, he nudged his comrades. "You and that knife?" A sneer distorted his mouth.
As if a blow of the chilling wind had washed over all guards stood at attention at once as straight as they were able. Their gazes directed into the ground as the master had strode in deliberately. His massive muscles rippled underneath his skin, he surveyed the chamber purposefully. Rimkaur's panicky gaze flicked left to right yet there was nowhere to flee.
"Ska." He addressed her simply as her fingers fiddled with the cloak. Rim knew not to oppose the master in front of the subjects to avoid the severe repercussion, yet... She hesitated. He must have counted on that... Bastard. When Hiisht had skillfully blended into the shadows once again she released a lengthy sigh. Azog gestured the woman towards the upward leading steps. As she ascended gravely, unsurely, she sensed his stare fixed onto her trembling back.
"Thuh only female here and he's got'er." The third guard deflated slumping back down.
"Ye doubt it?" The second shot back angrily. "He's thuh mustuh."
"If she'd be my mate, I'd kiss the dirt her feet walked on..." The lanky sentry sighed dreamily.
"The only thing you'd kiss is yer life goodbye as she'd put that knife to use." His brother grinned nudging him. He grasped his throat with both of his palms feigning the terrible injury. The trio punched and nudged each other sneering and grinning until someone's grumpy hiss had put them back to their duties.
x x x
He'd led her to what seemed the highest still standing part of the fortress. Steep, spiral steps ascended to a compact room. Rimkaur spun and without meeting his gaze she took a deep breath resolving to pretend that the events of a few minutes ago had never transpired.
"You forbid me from following your enemy." She paused with an exhale. "I suspect you will not permit my travel to Moria alone. As a company of male Orcs is something of a death sentence..." She sneered. "Hûmal?"
"I will bring you." Azog's limbs felt as if a powerful current was cursing through them. She was at his arm's reach...
His words forced her to swallow anything she'd prepared to shoot back. The young woman frowned as her stare met the ground yet again.
"Two days." The Pale Orc nodded. "Do not leave."
When he felt the soft gush of air as she spun the male turned, his intent stare trailed her slender frame disappearing into the tower.
x x x
Spending hours in her compact space despite his firm order Rimkaur had decided to venture. She slipped down the staircase as noiseless as a shadow but she wasn't alone.
"Mistress..." Hiisht snapped back to life. The Snaga crouched near the archway. "Master will have my head if you leave... Besides it is better for you." The short Orc sighed. "Better he thinks of you... Better he does not notice much..."
Rim sighed and descended onto the last step beside her guardian. She sat motionless for quite a while.
"Who do you speak of Hiisht?" She commenced staring at the fingers clasped in front of her.
"Tha mastuh we all serve." The Orc retorted.
"Azog is the master."
"I shedn't be sayin' nothing, mistress..." A soft quiver crawled up the Snaga's back. "The Master serves the One. The dark power that brings war upon our enemies." Hiisht's eyes flicked nervously, he was sure she knew. He had revealed way too much already. However, the old Orc believed she must be protected. A young and innocent creature like her... He had known her father when she was just an imp.
"Where is this master?" Rim's voice lowered instinctively.
"Everywhere." Hiisht uttered ominously.
Contemplating his words she connected the dots quickly. The change she'd seen as a young girl. Things she could never understand or refused to believe. That master had something to do with it... He is the one responsible for it. The rot that took over Azog's mind. The realization evoked a sigh and a shudder. For years she thought of the reason, the culprit... She refused to believe the one she worshiped and respected was at fault. Who was the One... She had to find out.
"Do not worry," Rim smiled, patting the Snaga's shoulder. "I will obey his orders."
x x x
Hiisht slept peacefully as she covered his small body with a pelt. His breathing was low and steady. Rimkaur had slipped a sleeping tincture into his drink.
Cautiously she proceeded along the darkened corridors, steps, arches. The twisted, thorned bushes were taking over the crumbling walls as nature claimed what was hers to begin with.
Hearing distant voices and a scuffle echoing close she slipped around the corner. The corridor ended in a courtyard, decorated with a tall archway, a bridge span the bottomless pit. Rimkaur stepped into the open relinquishing the concealment of the mirk. She gazed up, her pallor skin caught the silvery light as she marveled at the large, bright stars. The massive arcane shadow spread out at once engulfing the space forcing her to back up in shock and terror. She'd nearly sidestepped to tumble into the darkness.
"What pity." The raucous hiss iterated the vast opening. "Death awaits you soon."
Rimkaur gulped staring up, she didn't know where to focus her glare. The eerie entity chilled the air forcing her to tremble uncontrollably. She summoned her courage, her fists balled at her sides.
"Let him go!" Rimkaur demanded through her teeth.
Something akin to a chuckle emitted the mirky blackness. "How sweet." The shadowy form travelled into another corner fluidly. "You mirror it."
"You must... Let him go!" The young woman persisted striving to stomp her confusion and fear. "Lead your own armies."
Another laugh-like noise left the darkness of the Shadow, it slithered closer, its tentacles swirled around her. "Silly human." The hiss feigned pity. "You will bleed pure sorrow. Your tears will feed the blackened void of this world when I'm done with it." The dark master swished through the entire courtyard as his fleshless form produced an eerie noise, the cloud tightened around Rimkaur once again forcing the air to deflate her lungs.
"If mortal flesh was one of my attributes sharlob," The blackness became nearly impenetrable. "You'd be a slave chained at my feet, ready for the every, twisted, whim." Rimkaur was gasping for breath, her lids had become weary and her entire body seemed to be filled with lead instead of blood. Something algid grasped her arm roughly, it haled her out of the murk and suddenly she saw stars again, the air was cold but no longer stifling. An enraged roar bellowed behind her, the shadow emitted a wicked cackle as Azog scowled flipping Rim's slacked frame onto his shoulder. The Orc hadn't uttered a single word carrying her down the steps deeper into the fortress.
Black Speech:
Narnûlubat - Thank you
Shar- keep quiet
Sharlob - human woman
Pafund (Rim's Warg name) - Abyss
Lûb pizdurtab - Commander's daughter
Akh - yes
Hûmal? - now what?
Ska - come
Lorzlob - Foolish girl (woman, female)
Hiisht (the friendly Snaga)- name translated as 'ash.'