The siege has gone on for three months. The stalemate still stands.  Even Y/n has trouble coming up with a strategy for this battle.  The defending marines don't seem to get cocky and try to push his forces back.  He contributed this to Vala. Who seems to know that he uses tactics.  No doubt she knows a feign retreat to draw someone's forces out.

However. Iris is getting better with her magic. Not at the level she desires. But she can raise the dead. One at a time however. She wants to be able to raise multiple corpses at once. 

However. She finds herself unfocused.  Her want for acceptance and love.  Something she thinks she lacks in.  In reality in the past two months. Orcs have gained respect for Iris.  She has gone through trials in order to gain acceptance. Even though she doesn't thinks she has their acceptance.   

She keeps beating herself up about her feelings for Y/n. She feels as if she wants to use him to replace the feeling of love that Osmond once gave her.   

She takes a break and looks at the index of  her book to find something interesting.  She noticed that there was a section called useless spells and potions.  She questioned why it was even there then. 

She flipped the pages there and looked through them. Iris chuckled at most of the spells and potions found. But one caught her attention. A love potion.   She questioned why it was there at first, then remember that an Uruk made this book. 

She pondered what to do with this information. She remembered the pain she felt with Osmond. She didn't want to go through that again.   She bookmarked the page and got to work.  It required fairly simple things. All easily accessible.  She finished making the potion. Then pondered on how to get him to drink it.

Iris decided to take a subtle approach. 

Y/n was in his tent, trying to come up with a strategy to get past the bridge.

Iris: Y/n?

Y/n turned to face her.

Y/n: Hey Iris. Need something?

Iris: I was wondering if maybe*pauses* we could take a walk and have a picnic? 

Iris in head: That is by far the dumbest thing I have ever said.

Y/n: Sure, why not. I could use some fresh air. 

Iris: Okay. I'll get some food and drinks. 

Iris got some food and drinks and put them in a basket. Then the two headed to the  nearby woods and found a nice open spot. 

They talked for a bit and ate some food. Y/n put his drink down and walked away for a moment.

Iris pulled out the potion and hesitated for a second before pouring the potion into the drink and tossing the bottle into the bushes, out of sight. 

Y/n came back.

Y/n: I needed this to be honest. I've been trying to come up with something for three months now.   I needed to take a break. But I've been stubborn about it. Thanks.

Iris felt her heart skip a beat. She looked at the cup. She began to regret her choice.

Iris: Don't drink it!

Y/n stopped in his tracks.

Y/n: Why?

Iris: I...I...I...*sigh* I'm sorry. I was looking in the book and found a...love potion. 

Y/n looked at her in confusion.

Y/n: Why would you-?

Iris began to tear up.

Iris: I...I *sob* didn't want you to hurt me like Osmond! *sobs* I'm sorry! *sobs* *softly* I don't want my heart to break again. 

Y/n approached her. She looked up at him with tears in her eyes. 

Y/b kneeled down and pulled her into a hug.  Iris was surprised. But a few seconds later she returned the hug and continued to cry consistently apologizing.   A few minutes later she stopped crying.  She kept her hold on Y/n, not wanting to let go. 

Iris: *very softly* I love you.   

Y/n didn't respond and lifted Iris up.

Y/n: I'll carry you back to camp.

Iris blushed a deep red.

Iris: Okay. 

Y/n began carrying Iris back to camp. Iris found this quite relaxing.  She rested her head on his shoulder. 

Iris: I'm sorry I ruined the trip. 

Y/n: On the contrary. I still quite enjoyed that.

Iris: Why?

Y/n: I got to hear you say that you love me.

Iris blushed and buried her head into his shoulder.

Y/n: I won't hurt you like Osmond did. I promise.

Iris: Thank you. 

Y/n: It's kinda cute that you went through the trouble to make that potion.

Iris: It wasn't cute, it was selfish of me. I tried to take you're choice away.  I tried to force you to love me.

Y/n: It wouldn't have changed anything really. I love you too.

Iris: I overcomplicated things didn't I?

Y/n: Yeah. But that's okay. I don't blame you, after all, you didn't want to go through the same thing twice.

Iris: You're so understanding.

Y/n: I built my army on the basis of trust. I've learnt to understand the pain of my troops. It gained me their loyalty.  

Iris: Put me down for a minute. 

Y/n listened and placed her on her feet. 

Iris: Lean down.

Y/n listened.

Iris pulled him in and kissed him. Y/n didn't know what to do and just let instincts take over.  He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her against him. A few seconds later they parted.

Iris: *chuckle* Surprisingly not bad. 

Y/n: I've never done that before. 

Iris: We should probably head back. If we're gone for too long. The others will worry.

Y/n: You're right.

Iris took Y/n by the hand and began walking towards camp, leading Y/n along. 

Iris found a new found happiness. And had a weight lifted off her shoulders.  Now she can focus on her necromancy study.  

Y/n feels a bit more relaxed. And can think with a clearer head now, so that he can come up with a strategy to push the defenders back.