The Forgotten Chieftain's Wife Chapter 5
Under Blackhand's direction the Warband immediately went to work building camp in the Black Morass. Clearing the swamp around to create space for the Warband to flourish. Scouts and hunters were sent out to get a lay of the land and catch some game in their new home.
For a certain part of the day Durotan busied with putting together the tents for his clan mates. He wanted to make sure that his Frostwolves had warm places to rest and rejuvenate themselves once nightfall came. When Durotan was done he went to where his tent was standing to see his wife and child. The tent of the Frostwolf chieftain was among the first to be put up signifying his importance and rank in the clan. But that wasn't the only reason. Two of them were lying in the tent right now.
Outside of the tent stood Orgrim guarding the inhabitants. Initially Orgrim had assumed he'd have gone hunting for game, but his best friends family took precedence. When he saw his friend Durotan coming Orgrim nodded his head in greeting.
Returning the gesture, pointing with his eyes to the flap of the tent, Durotan said "How are they?"
"Recovering," said Orgrim. "Drek'Thar is in there checking on them again and you know Draka is never far away when Lyanna's in danger."
Durotan was pleased to hear and see that his closest confidants were watching over his family. It put him at ease.
The tent flap opened revealing Draka as she exited having heard Durotan's voice from outside.
After thumping her chest respectfully, Draka said "You can go in now, Durotan."
"Thank you, Draka," said Durotan. "Take your bow and join a hunting party. See what you can find out there."
"Yes, my Chieftain," said Draka.
As Draka left to comply Durotan entered the tent.
Palkar was standing off to the side as Drek'Thar was tending to Lyanna and the baby. Speaking of which the two were lying comfortably on some furs. The soft earth underneath Lyanna's back was a great improvement compared to the horrid conditions from a few nights ago.
Lyanna appeared to be quite worn out from the strain of the birth and the trip that brought them all there. Drek'Thar having to gently sit her up as he assisted her in drinking a tea with healing herbs emphasized this to repress the pain and eliminate any life threatening ailments. Lyanna couldn't do it on her own. She needed to sleep, but she was holding on tightly to their newborn baby boy gazing down at him with absolute adoration. At present the baby was asleep safe in his mothers embrace.
Turning towards Durotan, having heard him come in, Drek'Thar said "Lyanna's going to be fine, but she needs her rest. She shouldn't be disturbed for long."
"I agree," said Durotan, "but I would like to be with my wife and son. I trust you understand, Drek'Thar."
"Of course, but I'll be returning to check on Lyanna regularly as a precaution so she doesn't relapse," said Drek'Thar.
Nodding, Durotan said "I wouldn't expect anything less."
Drek'Thar rose to his feet. Then he and Palkar left the tent. The second they were gone Durotan walked over to kneel beside his wife a stern yet stricken expression on his face.
Smiling weakly at him, Lyanna breathed "I'm sorry, Durotan."
"Why didn't you tell me you were feeling poorly," sighed Durotan, wrapping one of her hands warmly in his.
"I didn't want to burden you. You already had so much weighing on your mind. Anymore distractions would've added to your stress taking you off task and that is unacceptable a waste of precious time and resources that couldn't be expended. The clan needs you to remain focused in these troubled times," explained Lyanna.
Brow furrowed, Durotan said "True, but what about you Lyanna? You could've died today. I nearly lost you. You and the baby both."
"But you didn't," countered Lyanna, smiling at how he is fretting over her condition. "I survived as did our son. All that matters now is that we are together and shall remain so. Remember whatever happens."
"Whatever happens," echoed Durotan, kissing the back of her hand.
Lyanna laughed.
The baby squirmed a little in her arms stretching in his swaddling's, but didn't awaken from his nap.
The sounds the baby made drew Durotan's attention to it. His face softened eyes appearing to glisten a little as his heart filled with joy of the fact he was now a father. But his eyes and mind refused to ignore the green hue of their sons skin.
Aware of the identity regarding the source of her mates discomfort cupped her beloved's cheek.
"Hey," she said, softly, "it's going to be all right."
Shaking his head, Durotan chuckled "When you say it, Lyanna, how could it not be."
Lyanna lightly flicked him on the forehead for that.
Durotan and Lyanna kissed with him completely placing a palm over the baby's body from under Lyanna's arm.
Orgrim interrupted their private moment as he announced himself bearing news.
"Durotan."
Durotan and Lyanna separated.
"What is it," asked Durotan.
Grim, Orgrim said "The scouts have returned. They've spotted some villages filled with small teeth. Gul'dan already knows. He's sending war parties out to round up the locals as slaves and fuel for his fel. We've been commanded to go along on a couple of them. You need to choose who goes and who stays."
Lyanna's heart sunk as she discerned what this meant. From this day forth hundreds maybe thousands of her people were to be rounded up like cattle to the slaughter all for the purpose of Gul'dan's twisted ambitions and ideals.
So it begins.
Elsewhere a lone sorcerer raised his head having sensed a major shift in the balance of this world. Darkness had come, a darkness called the fel.
Authors Note:
I think we can all guess who the young sorcerer at the end is. ;)