“Elen…” he whispered. “Elen, my guiding star, my light… my love.” He sat up and turned to her. He took in the bandages on his body, the fresh cuts on his and her palms, and paled. “Elen…. You didn’t…”

“Hush. It was my choice. We are bonded now, you and I”.

“Oh, Elen….” He stroked her cheek and bent towards her, wrapping her in his strong arms, giving her at first a tender kiss which deepened into a passionate, longing kiss. She surrendered herself to him, completely, and as he rose from the blankets and picked her up to carry her to the bed, he was fully erect and pulsing once again, but this time, she wasn’t afraid. She knew he wouldn’t hurt her. He gently laid her on the bed, and, with her gesture of assent, parted her legs as he lowered himself into her. She gasped as he entered her, and he moaned in pleasure. He paused, looking down at her, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. The kiss that he gave her then said everything she could ever want to know, everything that couldn’t be put into words. It was a kiss of love, of apology, and of a promise. The two moved together in harmony, their life forces and bodies entwined. He was gentle, strong, and tender and she relished every moment in his arms. Eventually, spent, they lay in each other's arms, listening to the sound of the birds outside, and the burble of the stream.

“Elen..” Lurgak pulled himself onto his elbow and traced the curves of her collarbone. She smiled at him, resting her hand on his hip.”But what I don’t understand, my sweet, is how you knew.”

“About the bond?” He nodded, and smiled. “It was Eldra.”

At that name he jumped upright, his fists clenched. “Eldra? That hag?”

Shocked, Elen nodded, sitting upright. “Yes. She helped me perform the bond. But I don’t understand, she’s just an old woman, what..”

“No, my love. No, you don’t understand. She’s a hag. A crone. The orcs don’t touch her because they’re scared of her.”

“But then…why….”

“To use you, to get to me. I don’t know how, I don’t know what she has planned, but I’m a ‘traitor to my people’. She wants me gone.”

“Lurgak. If that was the case, why didn’t she just leave you to die on the floor? Instead, she helped me to save your life.”

“Yes, Elen. She did.” He crossed back over to her, and stroked her face gently. “And that’s what makes it all the worse. She wanted to use the one person I love to hurt me.”

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

“How, Lurgak? I will never hurt you. I swear it.”

“I don’t know, my love. But never trust a hag.”

Elen reached up and pulled him to her. “But you can trust me.” She placed his hand over her heart. “Trust this.” Lurgak nodded, and melted into her embrace.

As night fell, Lurgak smiled at her, and led her out into the meadow.

“Look up, my sweet.” Elen raised her head to look at the stars. “What is a night sky, without stars?” Lurgak turned her head to him. “Nothing but a void. You are my star. You shone the brightest when I was in the mating rage. It was your name, your voice that called me back. So yes, my love. I trust you. Now, and for always.”

Days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months, and Elen and Lurgak lived happily together, a quiet existence at the edge of the village. Elen avoided the other orcs as much as possible, and took to reading, sewing or spinning quietly in the meadow by day, and wrapped in the warm embrace of Lurgak at night. He was always gentle but always passionate and deep. One day, as she was spinning, she felt a sudden pain in her stomach that made her drop her spindle. Bending over to pick it up again, she felt another spasm of pain, more intense than the last. Helpless, writhing in agony, she heard, rather than saw the approach of Eldra.

“Ah.” The old woman’s crackly voice sounded above her. “At last. Took you long enough.”

“What… what’s happening to me?” Elen spoke through gritted teeth. Eldra laughed, kneeling down by her head.

“Why, my dear. You didn’t think that mating every night with your beloved orc for months wouldn’t have any consequences, did you?”

“You mean…”

“I know humans are thick, but are you really this stupid? Yes, my dear, you have a little orc growing in that sweet belly of yours. Not so little, actually. First it will tear your womb. Then break your bones. Finally, it will claw its way out, leaving you crying, desperate for death before the end. But it doesn’t end there, oh no. You will be lying in shreds, in agony, and there is nothing you or your beloved Lugrak can do about it. You will bleed out as your own child takes your life-force. You will beg for it to end. If Lugrak cares for you, he will kill you himself to spare you the agony. And how will that leave poor Lugrak? A broken orc, the one thing in this world that he cares about dead, and by his own hand. You have brought about his end, my dear. And don’t think about trying to abort the child. It’s too late for that. I think you have about a day left before this child is born. Oh, orc gestation is very short, did I not mention that? Spend that time saying goodbye to your loved one, my dear.” Eldra stood up, leaving Elen still sprawled on the floor, the pains in her stomach still rising.

“Wait….” Eldra looked over her shoulder at Elen. “At least tell me…why?”

“He’s a traitor to his kind. A non-orc. I have no use for him. This is a fitting punishment. I should thank you, my dear, for being such a willing executioner.” With that, Eldra turned, and left.