We stand in the forest, my husband and I, staring at the sun breaking through the canopy of trees. It's been three days since we were wedded, since our wonderful and magical wedding night. But what has been set in motion beyond our love and lust, cannot be stopped. Will not be stopped. Adar made a promise to his children, and their devotion to their Lord Father must be upheld. They came here for a reason. They've pillaged villages, enslaved prisoners, digging, whipping, cutting, and commanding, carving out the road ahead, mapping the land to their new, dark future. And the darkness they brought with them, the darkness they will set free, will not rest until they are enveloped in its black embrace. 

I turn to look at Adar, his profile majestic in the blinding light. A light on borrowed time. Adar feels my gaze, turning his head.
"I do not ask forgiveness for what I am about to do. You know the plan," he says.
We've been over this several times; the hunt for the key to unlock flame and shadow. The looming battle for dominance of the Southlands.
"You don't need forgiveness, you need freedom. Long have you suffered, long have you slaved under monsters. It's time to be free of it all and be at peace. I'll turn the key myself if I have to."
I interlace my fingers with his, and he brings my hand to his lips, pressing a kiss to the back of it.
"I do not deserve you," he whispers.
"You deserve to be loved, understood and accepted. Your nature may be forever changed, but so is mine. This is who we are, this is where we are, at destiny's doorstep. And we're not knocking lightly, we're breaking down the gate, untamed force and unhinged minds."
Adar kisses my hand again, nipping at my fingertips with his teeth.
"Our consummation was pretty unhinged," he growls.
"It was perfect," I purr. 

He yanks me towards him, and I slam into his cuirass. He stares into my face. "Though I might dim the sky like a dark god, I could never snuff out the light in your eyes. They will light my path, our path, towards tranquillity." He kisses my forehead.
"You have the same light," I say. "What you have seen cannot be unseen, it will always be a beacon."
I reach up to kiss him, softly, like a leaf falling in autumn.
We stand there, hands linked, forehead against forehead, eyes closed, breathing quietly, the wind caressing our faces. The calm before the storm. 

Suddenly rustling sounds behind us, but we do not turn around alerted. We know who it is. What message he brings. 

"The tunnel is complete, my Lord," Grugzûk says.
Adar lets go of my hands, stepping up to the Uruk. "Your arm. Show it to me."
Grugzûk hesitates for a split moment, but offers Adar his arm, unwrapping the swathed fabric. His flesh starts to burn instantly, smoke rising from the skin.
"How does it feel?" Adar asks him.
"Like fire, Lord Father." Grugzûk shudders, skin simmering.
Adar takes the Uruk's arm gently, sliding his fingers around his forearm. "I wish you could feel it like I do." Adar looks to the sky, at the sunlight. "For soon it will be gone. And with it, the part of me that knew its warmth as well." His eyes mist. "I shall miss it."
Adar covers Grugzûk's arm, his charred skin stops hissing.
"Summon the legions. It is time," Adar commands.
Grugzûk bows in obedience before hurrying back to camp.
The order is given. Months of toil and terror will be put into action. There is no going back. Come tomorrow, we march into Tirharad. It's mostly deserted, people fled to the watchtower of Ostirith, but Adar expects some to come crawling, too frightened to stand against his army. I know Feiron won't be among them. Having survived the warg attack, so has his mind and mission. And I know that if it comes to it, I will counter his undertaking and break his perception. My shadow is ready to be unleashed as well. 

--- 

It's still light when we start to head back to camp, taking another way back than the trodden road where Uruks have been coming to gather wood for fire. We've spent some time among the greenery, knowing it won't stay that way for long. Our life will become grayscale, but it doesn't bother me. My dreams are still vivid, and the songs and poems I know will paint color in everyone's minds, if they care to listen. My tavern song is still being sung among the Uruks, hammering away at weapons. 

I made a circlet of flowers back among the light, among the tall and proud trees; white, yellow, and purple pretties adoring my crown.
"I will travel to the far reaches of the shadow to bring you back flowers, indis," Adar said.
"New life will grow in defiance of death," I told him, putting a white flower behind his ear.
"Always," he smiled. 

Between the trees, I spot a glimmering sight. Never having come this way, we are bound for new discoveries. I quicken my step, already knowing what I saw. Water.
I move aside branches to get to the edge of a small lake, its green-blue water still and clear.
Adar is behind me. "This is new," he says.
"Yes, and too good to be wasted," I grin as I pull my shirt over my head. I haven't had a proper bath in a couple of days, and knowing what lies ahead, I want to take advantage of the opportunity to go for a swim.
I undress in mere moments, Adar chuckling beside me. "I'll stand guard," he says, watching me wade into the fresh water. It's cold, but not freezing, and I dip down to my shoulders.
I turn around to look at my veru, smiling at him.
"Sure you don't want to join me?" I ask.
"I'm more layered with gear than you, it will take me forever, but trust me, Malwen, I'd already be in with you if I didn't."
I pout my lips. "Well, if you're sure." I submerge myself under completely, drenching my hair.
When I resurface, Adar's still standing on the shore. I can swear some of his weapons are lying on the ground.
I swim out towards the middle of the lake, turning around to float on my back. I feel weightless, the water drowning out any sound, only my breath sounding in my head. My nipples harden in the chill of the water, but it's not only the wind, just being naked around Adar is enough to get me going, and right now my mind is back to our wedding night.
Biting my lip, toes curling in the water, I'm unaware of not being alone in the lake anymore. Slight ripples bring me back to the here and now, jolting me up to get an overview, and lo and behold; Adar's making his way over to me, his chest bare, dark hair dipped wet. He's still wearing the flower, and a smile so sly, I can only titter at his determination to suddenly join me. 

"Couldn't stay away?" I ask him.
"Hard to resist when you float like an exquisite water nymph." He's right in front of me now.
We stand there in the deep, treading water. Then he reaches for me, bringing me close.
"This is how you looked when war and worries were years and miles away." It's not a question.
"Free from fear and fatal fights."
"This is how I look when I'm in love," I say. "I have no idea how I looked before you."
I look at Adar's scars, as I've done every day since we met, trying to imagine him once again without them, but no, this is the being I fell in love with. The son of the dark, the Uruk, the foregone elf. I don't want him perfect. Feiron was the epitome of flawless, and I knew I could never live up to that. I want my heart's chosen to be just as imperfect as myself. And he is. Two wrongs must make one right, and staring at Adar's face, wet and shining in the lake's light, I know we're both healing. And this war needs us headstrong and heedful come tomorrow. Side by side, steel by steel, we will face any threat. No room for wavering, this is our path. My road of revenge crossed his, and together we will ravage these lands. 

"I'm blessed with a gift I never thought I'd possess after I was captured," Adar says, his nose touching mine.
"And what is that?"
"Hope," he whispers huskily before crashing his lips against mine.
Hope I think as I moan into his mouth. Unfaltering hope. 

We bob in the water, limbs woven together like roots on a tree, kissing like our lives depend on it. We kiss till the skies cloud the sun, and the sudden dark brings us back to the lake. To the cold water.
"Maybe we should..." I start saying, kissing Adar's bottom lip, dragging at it with my teeth.
"...Swim towards the shore."
"I know we probably should, but that means you'll be getting dressed, and I rather you didn't," Adar gives me a devilish smile.
"Or I could just run around in the woods naked, I don't mind." We bob under the water up till our mouths, and when we come above the water I run my tongue over Adar's wet lips. He groans in response. I've been trying to ignore how hard he is, how much I want to slide him inside me, but it's rather impossible here in the deep.
"Yes, please, do not get dressed. Let the forest behold your starkness."
"So be it then," I smirk. 

We emerge from the water, the sky slightly darker. I wring out my hair, and run my hands over my skin to remove excess water. Adar does the same, and I watch him do it, tracing his hands as they run over his muscular thighs. His shaft is semihard, and my eyes stay fixed on it, mind running wild with what I want to do to him. 

He notices. "Hmmmm," he growls. "Forever the impish she-elf."
"Because you drive me mad with want," I tell him.
His eyes darken. "And what do you want to do?"
"I want to explore and worship your cock like an inexperienced nymph. I want to taste you and for you to tell me what you want. I want to be taught."
Adar catches on quickly; "So wingil, you want to please your master?"
"Yes," I say shyly. "I want to serve you however I can."
He stalks towards me, his cock wanton and turgid. "Kneel, wingil," he commands.
I fall to my knees before him, keeping my eyes averted, acting demure.
He brings his hand under my chin. "Look at me," he growls.
I raise my gaze slowly, meeting his molten eyes.
"Part your lips," he directs.
I wet my lips and open my mouth. A slight smile tugs at the corner at the right side of his mouth. He's enjoying this. He grabs his cock and brings the head to my parted lips, smearing his wet tip along my upper and lower lip.
"Do not taste until I tell you to," he orders.
I whimper, ready to dart out my tongue and relish him.

"So eager, wingil." He strokes his cock once, before letting go of his erect flesh. "Give me your hand."
I give him my right hand. He takes it and leads it to his phallus, indicating for me to wrap my hand around his shaft.
"This is your first time, yes?" he asks roguishly.
"Y-y-yes," I make myself stutter and sound insecure.
"Just mirror my move," he instructs.
I pump his shaft. I know he likes it firmer, but I tease. He groans anyway.
"Apply more pressure," he enjoins.
I do as I'm told, starting to jerk my hand up and down his cock.
"Focus on the crown," he says.
I slide my hand closer to the head, pumping his cock firmly.
"Such a docile wingil," Adar growls. "Now, take me in your mouth."
I look up at him with eager eyes, I don't have to pretend, I want to inhale him.
He chuckles darkly. "So willing," he croons.
I run my tongue down his shaft, drawing a delighted hiss from him. I circle his cock's crown with the tip of my tongue, tasting his pre cum. Salty delight paints my tongue and I moan. Then I suck him into my mouth and start bobbing my head. I fake inadequacy at first, making him grab my hair and pull me off him.
"Now, now, so greedy, yet so green. Use your mouth like your hand, be firm, focus on the head, but be prepared to take me fully. I want you to gag, wingil. I want to make you cry."
I mewl, so slick between my legs, I want to touch myself as I blow him.
"I can smell you, wingil. You will not sate your want, you will tend to me. Comply and you might be rewarded."
Good enough for me.
I take him in my mouth again, sucking, licking, tasting. His rigid flesh is so sensual, so hard, veiny, and throbbing, and I moan around this cock like a brazen, little nymph, living up to my role. 

His hold on my hair tightens, and he urges me to take him deeper. I comply and take more of his shaft. He groans and takes a full breath, and I whimper, so wet between my thighs, I try to muster friction between them to get some release, but he punishes me by ramming his cock even further into my mouth, hitting the back of my throat. I gag, like he promised.
"Look at me, wingil. Look at me when I fuck your mouth." 
I raise my teary eyes to look at his dominant gaze. "That's it," he says as I suck him harder, taking every thrust into my mouth. He's so hard, like iron, and stabs at the back of my throat over and over again, tears running down my cheeks, but he's my master, and I aim to please, and I want it.
I want him to unravel before me.
"Want to taste your reward, wingil?" he growls, panting.
I moan in reply, knowing he's so close. One, two, three thrusts and he roars, and I feel his hot, salty load burst into my mouth. I take it all, tasting his dripping desire with unhinged fervor. 

"You did so good, wingil," he praises as I drag my mouth up the length of his shaft, parting my lips to stick out my tongue to lick at his crown, lapping up the remnants of his seed.
"Such a fast learner," Adar says as he runs his hand through my hair. "Such a lustful, little learner.
I can smell your yearning. You want your master to reward you?"
I look into his eyes. "Please," I plead.
"Not here, not yet," Adar teases.
"Baukavard," I pretend to spit at him.
"Naughty. I should punish you for that." He looks possibly fiendish, and I want him to act it out.I touch cunt, dipping two fingers inside myself. Adar growls, and yank me to my feet. "I told you not to, do I have to tie your hands?"
I give him a playful look. He smirks, almost breaking character. "You're impossible." He brings my fingers to his mouth, tasting my lasciviousness.
"I will bind your hands, and I will punish you," he states, walking us over to his clothes. He finds a piece of rope and ties a tight knot around my wrists. "No touching till your behind is red as sunset."
"Yes, master," I comply as he gets dressed. He puts my flower crown back on my head, but that is all, gathering my garments in his hands, making me walk into the forest stark naked. 

Oh, how wish we could forget all about war and wrath and stay in this playful state of want forever. 

--- 

We walk on for a while, the sky dark by now, Adar's pretending to drag me along by my hands. I fake struggling, to resist his roughness, but fail miserably. This is what I fancy; to be handled hard by my mate. He's so handsome, I can hardly believe it. His hair is drying in dark, heavy waves, his piked ears peaking through the locks, his scars brutal, but beautiful. My cunt is utterly drenched, and his low growls are confirmation that he's fully aware.

Where will I be punished, I wonder. 

He tugs me towards him, turning me so my back is against his front. My clothes and weapons lie discarded on the ground. "You tease, wingil," Adar rasps beside my ear. "Your sex is shamelessly begging for release." He cups my cunt with his gloved hand, pressing it firmly between my legs.
I mewl, the steel cold and delightful against my slit.
"Such a needy, little thing."
"Y-y-y-e-s," I stutter, panting, his spiked gauntlet holding me firm, the pressure teasing me silly.
"You see that tree?" he asks.
I nod my head vigorously.
"Be a good wingil and go towards it, and bend forward."
I almost run towards the tree, leaning forward, resting my head on my tied hands before me. Adar walks up to me with firm steps.
I'm not prepared when he lands a firm blow to my behind. I cry out, feeling my cheek burn. He does it again. And again, the sting of his slap sounds in the forest. I feel utterly deprived of modesty begging to be spanked so openly. 

I'm so soar and soaked when he stops, spinning me around and pressing me against the tree. My red-hot butt cheeks scrape against the bark. He pins my tied hands above my head with his left hand, the metal of his glove cold against the tight rope. He clashes his mouth against mine as his right hand slides between my legs.
"Does your master make you wet, wingil?"
I moan in response.
"You've done good," he growls, slipping two fingers inside me, making me squeal. He pumps his fingers unabated into my cunt while kissing me sultry.
I grind against his hand, seeking release. I expect him to deny me my climax, but he finger fucks me fiercer.
"Come for me, wingil," he commands.
And I obey, screaming with deranged delight, clenching around his fingers, my cunt taking possession of his digits. "Mine," I growl, his fingers rubbing against that spot inside me, conjuring stars. 

Adar lets go of my hands, and I wrap them around his neck, claiming his lips. His fingers could easily summon another orgasm, buried inside me still.
"So the wife wanted to be a nymph?" Adar chuckles against my lips.
"Just a sudden fantasy that needed to be played out."
"Did I do well?" his eyes are dark, matching the sky, his dexterous hand teasing my womanhood.
"Mmmmm," I purr. "So ready to assume character. Or not; you've been my Heru all along."
He smirks. "Only because you asked me to."
He's right, I put my heart, body, and soul into his hands the very first time he touched me. It seems forever ago, and now we're married, heading into war, me fighting alongside a race I was sworn to eradicate. 

Adar brings his fingers to his mouth, tasting his prize, a fiendish look on his face. "Naughty, naughty she-elf."
I grin. And then I kiss him.
He grabs my behind, making me hiss, skin still burning. I punch him in the chest with my tied hands, but he just grabs me harder.
I close my eyes, his gauntlet a cool caress against my ass.
I wait for his next move, mind, and senses lost in a filthy fantasy. 

Suddenly I feel a cold blade along my wrists, cutting the rope. I stare at Adar with sudden vigilant.
"Get dressed," he tells me. "We're not alone." 

In my haze of raunchiness, I haven't noticed the sudden change in the sky, in the air. The forest feel thick with threat.
Adar hands me my shirt, and I pull it over my head, getting dressed in a hurry, strapping my daggers to my thighs.
I'm not sure where we are, which direction the encampment is. I haven't been here before. The land and woods are more wast than I can remember.
A branch breaks. 

Adar unsheathes his sword. I palm a dagger, staring into the dense treeline. A warning arrow whizzes by, landing beside my feet. I look at the lodged arrow, recognizing the feathers. Then I see him. 

"Well now, the whore is dressed and quiet," Feiron sneers, eying me. "Here I thought I had to come and save you, but to my great surprise, you actually enjoy being tied up and spanked."

He's been here all along. 

"Who would have thought that the modest elf maiden was such a quean?"
A snarl sounds from Adar. "Mind your tongue, soldier, or I will cut it from your mouth."
Feiron nocks another arrow to his bow. "Not if I fire this at you foul mouth first."
I step before Adar. "Do not threaten my husband." I flip my dagger in my hand.
"Husband? You wedded this beast?" Feiron shakes his head in revulsion. "You truly are a lost cause."
"To you maybe. But I've never been more seen than I am among these 'beasts'."
"Or heard. You should be ashamed of yourself, if your parents were alive they would disown you."
"But they're not. And I do not seek their approval. They accepted you, and look at us now, at opposite ends of warfare."

"You've chosen your side." Feiron looks at Adar over my shoulder. "But I came here to challenge your choice. Well, that's not true, I was out scouting, and then I heard someone in need, or so I thought, and there you were, pressed and pleasured up against a tree."
"Jealous much?" I ask him.
"You're nothing but a heedless hussy, I wouldn't touch you with a forging tong," he spits.
"I bet even the tong could have given me more pleasure than you did," I shoot back.
Adar chuckles at that.
"Shut up, orc!" Feiron shouts. "Face me. Steel against steel, can you do that?"
"No!" I exclaim. "There will be no fighting tonight, war will be upon you soon enough."
The bowstring is taut in Feiron's hand, but he will not fire it. He wants a duel. 

"I will find you, orc!" Feiron promises. "I will find you and gut you like a pig. Then I will take your wife, tie her up, and torture her for being a disobedient abomination to her race. I will make her squeal and beg for death. And there is no rest for the likes of you. Only eternal darkness. And I will bury you both in it, mark my words."
"Not if I destroy you first," Adar pledges.
"We'll see," Feiron gives us a sly leer, edging away from us. 

When he's among the trees, I send my dagger flying at a breakneck speed, the blade embedding itself into the trunk right beside Feiron's head. "Next time it will be your neck," I vow, watching him walk away. 

I might have mourned his death once, but now I crave it.