The Forgotten Chieftain's Wife Chapter 1
2 ½ years later:
Durotan intuition had been correct everything had changed that faithful day. Over two years had passed and nothing stayed the same since.
After Gul'dan's failed attempt to enlist the Frostwolves into the Horde under the parley he decided to leave behind a gift as a gesture of good faith and sample of the bounties this new world he spoke of had to offer. The gift was the human slave he'd brought to accompany him called Lyanna, but she was no ordinary slave. Lyanna was princess to another world.
Over three years ago life for Lyanna was simple in Azeroth. As the King's younger sister she'd had the entire world at her feet. In her prime at eighteen years of age basically the only concern necessary for her to worry about was who her brother might arrange for her to marry or helping to look after he care of his children when his wife were unable. Life was good at least from the point of view of others.
In truth Lyanna was bored leading such a provincial life. While being royalty may appear glamorous from afar to her it was too repetitive for her tastes. Every day going like the one before. Lyanna was the fairest in all of the kingdoms. Possessing this beauty attracted dozens of suitors for her hand in marriage. They clearly desired her, but she was the opposite. None of them called to her in the least.
Lyanna wanted adventure in the great wide somewhere. She wanted it more than she could tell. For once it might be grand to have someone understand. Desperate for others to see she wanted so much more than they've got planned.
Until one day, unexpectedly, she was ripped away from it all literally in a flash.
Lyanna had left gone on a solitary hunting trip by herself, not an uncommon occurrence for her. Not only was she the most beautiful, but also she was one of the best hunters and accomplished rider. She'd been taught both at a very young age resulting in her archery becoming unmatched by anyone whom challenged her. Lyanna didn't suspect anything out of the ordinary would happen to her.
Lyanna was in the middle of tracking a small herd of deer when, suddenly out of nowhere, she heard a voice like she'd never heard before. It was deep, rasping, harsh, and piercing. The same description could be said for the language echoing all around her drowning out all other sound. Lyanna's horse startled throwing her from its back as it reared bolting from the danger. She'd been so distracted there was no way for her to steady the horse while remaining in the saddle. She hit her head hard on a boulder when she fell knocking out. The last thing she saw before losing consciousness was a dark hooded figure with glowing green eyes standing in the shadows of the trees.
The next thing Lyanna knew, when she awoke, she was chained at the neck a prisoner to an unfamiliar species in a world completely unfamiliar.
For nearly what she assumed was a year Lyanna faced countless acts of cruelty, abuse, and neglect at the hands of the orcs especially the leader of the Horde, Gul'dan. Merciless Gul'dan took immense pleasure in her misery watching her struggle. He dragged her everywhere with him facing ridicule and resentment originating from orcs under his rule. Most orcs treated her as if she weren't even present. If they did acknowledge her it was only to jeer at or spit on her…or worse. Lyanna tried escaping numerous times, but it was all for not. She never made it far before she was caught. When she was Lyanna was beaten as punishment. The princess lost count how many times. After one of these unpleasant beatings put her within an inch of losing her life Lyanna concluded to resign her to the conditions she was trapped in just to merely survive.
Throughout it all, despite hurtles stacked against her, Lyanna persevered keeping her pride and strength enduring with great resolve. Living among them for so long she didn't once shed a single tear. She kept her memories of home close to her heart never letting go hoping beyond all hope she would find a way back to Azeroth someday.
During that time Lyanna studied as much as she possibly could about the orc culture, their way of life. She discovered the majority, if not all, of the orcs were strict about following tradition. Learning their crude language was hard, but Lyanna was an avid student even in Azeroth so she threw herself into the task until she mastered it whole.
When Gul'dan presented her to the Frostwolves Lyanna thoroughly expected them to show her the same mistreatment other clans had. She was surprised to find something else entirely.
Instead of keeping Lyanna a slave they'd freed her breaking the chains. At the beginning things were awkward living among them. There was distrust initially from both sides. Eventually Lyanna was allowed to prove her worth to them as a skilled hunter and fighter earning not only their respect, but trust as well with them receiving hers in return. They carried honor deep inside their souls accepting not rejecting her.
Also, a gift far more valuable the most precious in all the worlds.
Love.
Speaking of which…
Shifting on the bed of furs, reaching behind her, exhaling softly warm with affection, Lyanna breathed "Durotan…I can feel your eyes." She didn't need to open hers to know what her husband was doing.
Indeed Durotan was transfixed on her for a while. Brooding in his own thoughts tenderness washed over him as his gaze roved her body. Mesmerized admiring his mate's beauty. Watching her sleeping peacefully in the light and heat of the fire was calming to him in these troubling times on Draenor weighing heavily on him. Particularly the swell of her belly heavy with their child.
Unlike those in his the Frostwolf Clan, whom tolerated Lyanna, Durotan was in intrigued from the start. Infatuated by what an enigma she was her uniqueness fascinating him. Overtime the pair became close their shared curiosity bringing them together. She leant support to him in his father's untimely death, forcing him to become the Frostwolf Chieftain too early, and as one of his confidantes in the struggles he fought in the following two years. All he ever wanted for his clan was for them to live in peace as they always had on Frostfire Ridge until catastrophe drove them out. His strength of will, compassion, and dedication to his people enchanted her. Love blossomed between them, merging their souls in more ways than one creating the point of no return.
Engulfing her petite hand in his larger one, Durotan said "I thought you were asleep."
"I was," said Lyanna, groaning, as she rolled her body to lie onto her back, searching for a comfortable position with little success. Durotan's hand released her own settling over stomach, his massive fingers and palm completely covering it. He silently connected with his child felling it move inside at his touch. "Dreaming about how we met."
Durotan tensed closing his eyes feeling her pain. She'd been having dreams like this length of the journey from the northern territory's to join the Horde. He wanted so badly to help her heal the traumatic wounds left on her by the Horde. Unfortunately, there were just some things he was incapable of doing even with him being a strong Chieftain. The singular thing possible was to provide comfort, ease both heart and mind.
Stroking the soft skin of his mates protruding belly, Durotan said "You need not be afraid, Lyanna. You are no longer a slave. They can't hurt you anymore."
Shaking her head in denial, Lyanna said "How can you be so sure? If any of them decided to they could-."
"You are my wife," stated Durotan, firm. "To harm you they would have to challenge me to a Mak'gora. None of our people can stand for such dishonor. Neither is losing the fight. It would bring disgrace to their clans. This is why I doubt the other orcs would not dare to try."
Typical Durotan. No matter what he always finds a way to make her fears disappear however temporary.
Smiling, Lyanna said "There are times where your wisdom and understanding astound me still, My Love."
Sighing Durotan stretched beside Lyanna on the furs content as he felt Lyanna press closer against him. Inwardly he winced at the hard ground he could feel beneath. In the past she'd had plenty of food to nourish the growing life within her sleeping on warm clefthoof skins. Now all that kept her flesh separated from rocks was rabbit fur and the clan had walked with barely any food at all. But she never complained. Lyanna laid her head on his shoulder tracing her fingertips over the muscles of his broad chest while her other hand rubbed softly where the baby rested.
"I've thought of a name," said Lyanna.
"Well, keep it to yourself, wife," teased Durotan, taking her hand in his. "I'll choose a name when I meet him…or her."
"Oh," chuckled Lyanna, "And how will the great Durotan name his son, if I do not travel with him?"
"A son," said Durotan, propping himself on an elbow at this declaration, mindful of Lyanna as he sat, regarding her. "Are you having visions like Drek'Thar now?"
Shrugging, Lyanna smiled softly, saying "It's a trait the women in my family have. I just…feel it."
"Can you hide your fat belly," he asked, nodding to her stomach, brow arched, a twinkle in his eyes.
Lovingly punching Durotan in the shoulder, grinning, Lyanna retorted "Better than you can hide your fat head."
Laughter burst forth from Durotan, the sound of Lyanna's combining with his a lifting their spirits. Again they lay back together Lyanna safely sheltered in the loving embrace of his strong arms. Those arms were capable of crushing her with one swing, but Durotan was careful to be gentle with her. After all he always was. The night the bonded was certainly no exception. In a soothing manner he slowly ran the fingers of one hand in her long hair the other once more protectively over what she believed to be their son.
"I meant what I said, Lyanna," murmured Durotan, serious, voice laced with affection. "No harm will come to you. You're safe with me. Whatever happens."
"Whatever happens," said Lyanna. The two then exchanged a soft kiss full of promise before sinking into a deep slumber. This time with Durotan's presence holding her as an anchor the nightmares ceased.
Needless to say what she'd imagined and what in fact was were far from what Lyanna ever intended to have in mind.
Authors Note: Well, what do you think? ;)