Did you miss me? Let's see what happens next? How is Ash doing? Will Rimkaur finally give Azog a pass?

Chapter Fifteen

'The Orcs are coming'

'Lempo' by Korpiklaani

He watched the small figure intently. He always did, even from afar, anytime he'd caught that scent he'd look for her whereabouts. Her stance was straight, confident, the way she discussed the matters with a division commander - assured, direct. Without a doubt a female any ruler would be proud of, would treasure... Yet another gust of the Northern winds, swept the snowflakes into the whirlwind, ruffled her hair and soared away, he caught that aroma once more...

His eyes still on her a realization had dawned, - she didn't need him. Not for one thing...

Someone's touch drew him out of his thoughts, the taste of these musings was bitter and the Pale Orc took solace in distraction.

Ash rubbed his eyes sleepily. 'Da...' He exhaled in a yawn and curled into Azog's lap. The male's remaining arm wrapped around his only child.

The way she transformed that day chilled the blood in his veins... The primeval, vicious strength that radiated her entire being. The gruesome gash left not even a scar on the boy's back. The father released a sigh, it was one of relief.

It is then he realized to the full extent of it, he owed her his life... For saving it...

And then - his soul, for bearing his child.

The sapphire gaze fell, the Orcling has dozed off again.

How the filth got so close was another matter yet now the more pressing one was a repercussion they would face for doing so, for attempting to kill a child.

His child..!

How crushing it was to suppress the desire to chase them immediately, snap the necks, rip out the lungs of every one of those rotten cunts... Azog's teeth gritted and Ashlûk stirred in his sleep. The fingers slid over the toddler's bright locks, gently, carefully. Distracted once more he marveled at the child...

She bore a son, his son, a gift any male would move mountains for. They were, him and Rimkaur, bound by him... His exhale quivered.

...The scouts found the army's whereabouts. Quite a large hoard. They did not retreat far. Arrived at his doorstep to wage war... The Defiler exhaled once more, attempting to reign in his ever present fury.

Then war they will get. He isn't killed easily. Azog's cheekbones lifted his skin, the eyes took on that familiar sinister light.

x x x

Rimkaur leaned back, the bright tresses mixed with the grey fur of her collar, the softness tickled her cheeks. The stare examined the ceiling of her father's dwelling illuminated by the dancing flames.

The sudden sounds nearby made her nearly jump out her skin.

'Expecting someone else?' Sâkaf snorted, but as his gaze landed onto his sister it bore a touch of concern.

The golden stare fell in return yet rose with unexpected swiftness. Her lips parted, a few moments past anything was yet to come out...

'Ever since, it's as if a light is burning within you little sister...' He was younger, not by much, but Sâk didn't lack neither in stature nor perception.

'Who you're calling little?' Mischief sparked as she pouted selecting a playful route instead of answering directly.

'I mean it...' Her brother did not let up. 'Every time he is near I hear your heartbeat tenfold...' The young Orc's eyes narrowed a degree. 'You know, he can hear it as well..?'

Her expression changed if only momentarily. The lips contorted then pulled back into a tight line. How can you hide anything from an Orc..?

'You aren't alone Dolpanardur...'

The nickname that usually made her smile this time elicited an embrace... Rimkaur held onto her brother, a few drops slid down the smooth of his armor...

'I will stand by no matter what decision you come to...' Sâkaf reassured her.

Narbai came in and the partial darkness took care of the tear trails.

x x x

The path led around and behind the fortress. After a short trot it began to climb upwards. A small troop has left the stronghold astride heading North-East. Rimkaur's gaze was directed downwards as the heavy rain lashed at her leather hood, the drops turned into rivulets cascading down the straps of her boots. An unusual warm up for this time of year... It was sure to morph into blizzard by nightfall as the altitude increased. The human didn't wear the black armor, choosing the hunter attire instead. The Orcs were armed yet this wasn't a war party. Most of the forces were left to protect the fortress from any more 'accidental' Dwarven visits, including Sâkaf and Shapogatâr.

Rim straightened her back. She felt confident even more so now that Naur will join them. They could use the additional strength in numbers.

It was father's idea to be safe, he wouldn't put her at the forefront even though he didn't have a full idea what lay dormant within her. And all she wanted to do was to ride to the valley's edge and gut everyone... Every last Dwarf! Ash remained home with Narbai. Didn't cry, just pouted when she'd hugged him goodbye. He was already so grown...

She was even more so confident with Azog behind her. The King has returned. And he was literally a Warg's length aback. His stare on her back, she felt it... The darkness within Rim turned her head, just a barely noticeable degree. He was staring, blatantly, openly... The water streamed down over the rifts of his scars and the relief of the leather. She caught herself in an exhale, slower than usual. The cheekbones rolled under the woman's skin, she could not hear his thoughts...

As predicted the remaining water began turning to icicles as the Sun had nearly finished its descent. The trail reached a plateau. The group had transfixed, without seeing it all they knew they weren't alone any longer. The darkness as if parted letting free of a form. An Orc strode forth. His approach ended on one knee.

'Gothlob.' Nothing but one word he uttered.

Azog watched concealed by darkness, the left corner of his lips began creeping up. In the short span of time after the battle this little thing managed to extend the Gundabadian influence. He enjoyed watching her be the head of the army, enjoyed staying in the dark... Till the time was right.

Naur met the party himself. The Orc wasn't much over six foot tall but very burly. And unlike all Orcs, able to grow body hair. Some said he wasn't full blooded, some whispered he morphed to Wolf by night but Naur joked it was the cold of his homeland that made him so. He had a full beard and shoulder length locks. Unlike Gundabadians Boshoks left their hair to its own devices.

He bowed and Rimkaur answered with a nod remaining astride.

'What do I owe this visit to Durlobizub?' The leader's eyes narrowed with a certain tweak within them.

Rim stayed silent for a reason. Pogalm stalked forth and the seasoned highlander couldn't foresee the way he reacted. For a moment he froze... Were his eyes giving way?

They always resided on the outskirts of the Gundabadian territory, seldom coming in contact with their inhabitants and only twice their ruler. They did not answer to them until seeing the opportunity of the empty throne he made a mistake to venture into the fortress. More so his predecessor did. Now his head decorated the Gundabadian regal seat...

And now it meant he answered to Azog the Defiler...

He was such an unpleasant company even death didn't want to keep it?

'Azog...' The Boshok nodded.

'Naur.' The Pale Orc's expression of contempt did not change. He dismounted and so did the rest of the troop.

x x x

By the time the leaders had left the tent their expressions have grown less tense. By all accounts Naur had no choice. He could have refused yes... But then how could he be sure that his head won't be next to decorate the spears on Rimkaur's... Azog's throne. Could he also be branded a coward by his own..?

The bonfires reflected the raven color of Pafund's coat as the redhead stroked it. The Warg's demeanor changed since recently, her eyes were brighter, she wagged her tail as a little pup sprinting the courtyard... Pogalm massive form pushed through the bushes, she sniffed her daughter then pressed her snout against Rim's chest. Unexpectedly the friendly gesture had morphed into a terrifying snarl. The steps behind the woman halted.

'Didn't know our agreement included me giving my life.' Naur kept a distance away from the matriarch. Rim instead met the Warg's burning glower. Her expression changed yet not enough for the Orc male to notice. Both wolves backed away but remained in the vicinity.

'You will not loose it, it you fight accordingly.' The response elicited a chuckle from the grey Orc. He paused then.

From the distance the narrowed sapphire watched the exchange. The Defiler controlled a snarl.

'I'd lay it down for you yet not... Him...' Naur continued.

'Do not make the mistake thinking just because we come for aid we are weak.' Her voice was as frigid as the surroundings when she interrupted the confession.

'Do not make the mistake to disrespect my King again.' The queen advanced and instinctively he took a step aback faced with the eyes that reflected the light of the Moon.

'Your King.'

Whenever someone was off guard their thoughts had crept into her mind, his, made her press her lips.

'Do not come if you do not wish. I do not desire to watch my back for my own kind.' Rim let out lowly as she spun. Naur was unaware his thoughts were an open book... He grunted in response.

The Boshok really did not have a choice. Those eyes terrified him to no end.

x x x

She met his stare on approach. There was a flicker of astonishment before she spun to rest beside him. Azog was speechless. Small body against his shoulder his arm moved slowly around her waist. She sat there and watched it creep up as the light of the fire reflected his bone white skin.

There were hardly any appropriate words in Black Speech, the Orc's brow furrowed as he plunged deep into his thoughts for a transient moment.

'Znûgizg Gazoghâshizub...' A phrase he used out loud for the first time. She was the only one he could really talk to, and without it he felt helpless... Helpless, crushed all this time till arriving in Gundabad that frozen morning. She hasn'r been this close since then...

The hope stirred her numb limbs but her heart was shut.

Helpless, still...

The words took her off guard, she did not face him yet he felt every inch of her tense. Azog meant everything... Sending her away, putting her in danger more than once even if inadvertently, not being there when she needed him most, for her death and for dying himself...

The goosebumps as if joyous to run free claimed her back at the sound of her nickname. Her lips quivered. Rimkaur didn't leave, did not stride off into the darkness... Truthfully she didn't want to breach the gates of past, let the pain seep back in...

The yellowed stare regarded her, he attempted to remain inconspicuous. Azog's nostrils flared, the jaws compressed against one another lifting the bones. A male knows another's intention when he sees it in full truth. He watched his mate... He wanted her.

'He made a 'proposition' half a year ago.' Rim's lip corners drew down in a scoff. 'As if I need a male for an effective existence.' The human made a dismissive gesture with her eyes.

Two emotions clashed at once within the Pale Orc, the truth and the inevitable dismay at her statement but also the uncontrollable anger at the insolence of the Boshok leader who thought he could... His fist clenched with such strength, the fingers dug through the parched semi-frozen earth, the nostrils flared he straightened to his full height his stare so arcane as if he himself was the shadow of death he had evaded.

'Come with me Hûnizub...' Rim stood in turn tugging his arm towards the tent.

Even if she did not desire his presence, his company she'd stand it. She showed respect, obedience and even love when it was needed. How can a King be regarded as one when he cannot keep his mate reigned in? She wouldn't let that happen. She also knew her attention would stop any advance on Azog's part, would prevent any quarrel between him and Naur. As much as she didn't care for the latter's advances or his forces, she knew her father was right, strength was also in numbers.

One more thing she had to admit to herself, if barely... In the abyss of her heart, deep down she reveled in how Azog reacted...

...Azog opened his eyes. What he desired wouldn't happen easily. The large male rubbed his face, the pitch black still had its hold on the range. The furs next to him were empty. The cold that was not of the morning seeped into his bones. He left quietly, pitching his nose to catch the scent. He'd find it anywhere, even a small trace... Hers was ingrained in his memory, for a lifetime. Unknowingly his fist clenched. He passed all the tents following the edge of the forest, then deeper and deeper into it... The fear, a selfish one perhaps clenched its algid fingers around his heart, for a moment he found it hard to breathe...

Barely visible at first the small fire attracted his attention. A tiny clearing. He paused, as if afraid. Not of the agony of death... That he'd welcome from her. But as if afraid to disturb what he witnessed...

Black as the blood that flowed in his veins the fluid matter emitted her palms. It wasn't soft like ribbons of smoke yet more stark, as if it had edges... It flowed slowly around her as if creating a protective circle.

The limbs moved forward as if guided not by his muscles. Eyes widened... Enchanted, he stared at the tresses of raven feather brushing against her back.

The Orc felt his blood run cold when all at once the ribbons flew in his direction halting at the edge of the light. These felt different... Unlike the ones that enveloped him and Ash when she held him. He exhaled acquiver and closed his eyes, he would welcome death...

The sapphire blue once again shone in the blackness of the early morning, the lids lifted and just as rapidly the arcane matter vanished, as if retracted. Rimkaur lowered onto a boulder. She was silent. Little by little the ink relinquished its hold on her strands.

'I killed him...' She uttered quietly. 'Just like I promised...' Her moment of weakness. She was a little red-haired child once more.

A lump wedged in his throat, there was nothing he could say that would have been enough for everything that was Rimkaur... For everything she meant to him. Azog wanted to hold her. It hurt physically not being able to take that step, to wrap his arms around the small body, make her safe again... Why couldn't he?

The dark stare plummeted, then lifted again. 'Rimkaur...'

Sounds from the campsite had diverted their attention.

x x x

'The little runt had bled out.' Dain sounded assured addressing one of his kin. His jaw squared he began pacing the clearing. A few spacious tents were erected behind a large hill that prevented them from being visible unless you're right on top. He had guards and scouts all over yet the Orcish retaliation did not come. The stout Dwarf pressed his lips. His idea was to advance immediately after that red-haired runt had been killed... Yet Fili panicked. The Ironfoot shook his head to ward off the dismay. The boy hasn't been the same ever since... He should have returned to the Irons Hills but one thing took away his peace. The fact that the fire-haired witch was still alive. And that child in the hills bore a striking resemblance...

Less of that filthy blood around the better.

Why he decided to march on Gundabad at this particular time? Perhaps because rumors of the Highlander tribes have reached... The weaker throne meant disarray and disarray meant an easy victory... He clenched his fists just thinking about seeing the blood of that creature stream down her face.

'Fecking sprite...' The weathered leader cursed under his breath alluding to Thranduil's intervention at the Lonely Mountain.

'You will be avenged Thorin.' The Ironfoot lips set into a tight line.

'We're wasting the momentum!' He grumbled seeing Fili pace by. 'It's been a few days and the filth haven't shown...'

'I'd rather go back into the mountain.' The straw-haired Dwarf appeared absentminded, the words as if escaped his lips on their own.

Dain attempted hard not to grit his teeth, his jaw clenched with fury fueled strength. 'You would abandon the chance to avenge your uncle?!'

'I have a bad feeling about this...' Fili's forehead split by a few deeper wrinkles. 'I have a bad feeling about this...' He walked off mumbling the same thing over and over under his breath.

The Ironfoot had reckoned that perhaps the scent of the battle, the proximity of the revenge would instill some life back into his cousins nephew... The last thing he needed was to go back into the mountain and that cursed gold.

x x x

Dwarves could only wish to have the Orcish sense of sight, hearing, smell... Only when the party was nearly to the crest the guard sounded the alarms... Perhaps they all have been too relaxed after the Orcs didn't come storming in the first few hours after what'd transpired. The hefty figure flew out the tent as swiftly as that stature would allow him. Dain mounted his boar and so did his division commanders including Fili. He had brought enough numbers yet still the unknown made his jaws clench a tad. That was untill he saw the Orcs.

'Looks more like a surrender party to me!' Dain released a hefty chuckle slapping at his ride's hide.

The group of only ... seven! He grinned. Concealed by leather hoods they rode forward at a steady pace. The smaller one towards the front brought in a feeling of uncontrolled hatred. No doubt it was her... The Dwarf's eyes stared blatantly forth protruding further out the sockets. He'll let them get closer and then...

But then they did...

The Ironfoot heard someone drop their sword. The weapon clanked against the rocks hidden beneath the fresh snow.

The redhead hex had removed the hood. The Orcs stared silently while the winds that as if appeared out of nowhere, flapped their long hair against the furs. The clouds had obstructed the skies and in the partial darkness the eerie sight sent a chill down his spine. Their eyes, they shone against the blackened silhouettes, as if hypnotizing, as if penetrating your soul as if getting ready to...

The Dwarven leader snapped out of the stupor yet the words of hatred didn't leave his tongue easily, they as if lodged there in the windpipe...

'Dain...' The chilled voice spoke his name out loud yet instead it as if rang in his ears. Again and again... And as if propelled by those frigid winds, her form was suddenly near, hand at his throat. He stared into the bottomless blackness but the worst was the red fluid dripping from her teeth...

He gulped. His blood...

A scream fought it's way out but to no avail... It was nothing but a gurgle. Sputtering, scarlet fluid... The shaking limb went up to his neck to find there was a gaping hole in place of his throat...

Dain's body propelled itself out of the cot so rapidly he couldn't tell top from bottom for the longest few minutes. A dream... The cold sweat streamed down his back... So lifelike he swore there was the salty taste of blood on his tongue. The hand instinctively groped under his chin...

A commotion outside did not elicit a surprise, he knew this time...

The Orcs were coming.

Black Speech:

Dolpannardur - little Fox

Gothlob - Queen

Durlobizub - my Queen (lit. my Ruler(f.))

Naur - Wolf

Znûgizg Gazoghâshizub - I regret, my Wildfire (Azog's Nickname to Rimkaur)

Hûnizub - My Heart (My Love)