The Sword And The Song

[Jutra 51]

Most have already read this first part of the story - I leave it here in a spoiler for you to re-read or read for the first time.

Please note the continuation rewrote a small bit of the first story so I've added that part at the bottom of this first post.

For the sake of interesting story telling, Jarkarll and myself will be posting each part of the story that (for the most part) is our character's point-of-view of the story.

This story is rated "SSSS" for super sappy sugary story. The authors recommend having both a toothbrush and a shot of insulin handy as the content of this story is likely to either cause you massive tooth decay or sugar shock. You have been warned.

Jutra stared out at the stars, contemplating her fate. Flattened, sold or abandon she wondered which one it would be.

A few passings ago everything was fine, great actually, Targoth Jarkarll had just dropped of a huge sack full of coco beans and raw meats for her. The usual group had just gotten back from a raid. The Targoth had to go into the city to help find housing for another orc. He was so very bub'hosh leading the army, keeping her stocked up for feeding the nation and taking care of such things as housing for them.

She sighed then turned back to her burrow, she was going to use this time to clean up after working in the garden. Jutra really loved her "bath" room. Ugroth has created it for her after listening carefully to her describe what it was and what one looked like, she was taking her cues from the huge one they had back home in Dunwood. Though the concept of bathing was totally lost on him, he created it for her anyways. She climbed out of her sweat and soil crusted top and skirt and into the nice hot water of her bath. She was just finished rinsing out the soap in her hair when the Rex and his son with "too many titles" came sauntering into the room in full armour save their helmets. Jutra froze in mid-rinse at the sight if both of them in her bath room with her unclothed.

This wasn't embarrassment, or horror she felt, this was total mortification being seen like this, especially by the Rex - that orc, time and time again had said and done things (possessed or not) that filled her with dread and by the way they both sauntered in, this could not end well for her no matter what. Her stomach had at this point jumped onto her chest and her heart was pounding so loud, the sound deafening her to anything they might be saying. Thud, thud, thud, thud her heartbeat in her ears, she finally got the courage to tell tell them to get out. Thud Thud Thud Thud, neither of them had made a move to leave, she knew she had no clout with these two but surely they would respect her need for privacy while bathing? Apparently not, for while she could not hear anything they were staying due to her current heart-pounding state, she did venture a look at them when she heard armour clattering, instead of moving out of her bath, they were taking their armour off grinning like two little cubs about to get into mischief. She in no way, shape or form wanted to be that mischief!

She gathered her courage once more, and at the top of her lungs shouted for them to "Git out". What happened next wasn't expected but for the distraction she took it. Jarkarll had come running in to her bath, with his sword out ready to defend Jutra's honour.

She didn't hesitate for even a song, with both unarmoured orcs eyes on Jarkarll and Jarkarll trying to make heads or tails out of the situation in front of him, she quickly went to the side of her bath, jumped out and wrapped a towel around herself, she then quietly rushed around them all, out of the bath and into her room to dress in a nice clean set of leather clothes. With her heart still pounding in her ears, she went to her large living area to await her uninvited guests properly.

She heard footsteps then saw the Rex, wearily she eyed him. Since she was standing between the hall doorway and the couch she had hoped when he started walking towards her he was going to walk around her to sit on the couch. The Rex instead bent down and heaved her over his shoulder and brought her back down the hallway into her bath!

Keeping her eyes on the floor, she noticed from her position over the Rex's back that there were now 3 sets of armour on the floor plus a loincloth - oh Krug, she thought, her heart again started pounding too loud for her to hear anything around her. The Rex put her down. No one touched her. When it looked like no one was going to touch her, she slowly got her whits about her. She looked around for Jarkarll, and her heart nearly stopped. She smirked snidely to herself, the Rex might have the loincloth of Krug but Jarkarll was giving his true blessing. Surprised at herself she tried not to blush and averted her eyes back to the floor, she tried to figure out what was being said between her heartbeats. She only caught part of a statement "'s too small. Jarkarll lat shud slice lat's wrists like da Shara". With that said, the Rex and his son picked up their armour and left.

She frowned. "too small, slit his wrists?? while she tried to figure this cryptic message out, Jarkarll picked up his items and also left. What was too small that would make the Rex suggest to Jarkarll to slit his wrists? She thought and as she came to what she thought was the obvious conclusion, a pain like she never felt started stabbing at her heart. The Rx was referring to her! She was the only thing that the Rex could mean when talking to Jarkarll and something being too small. But why would he need to slit his wrists? Another jagged sword ripped through her heart. He was speaking about all the time Jarkarll was spending with her. The Rex must not approve of them being together or being seen together and it would be much better for Jarkarll to slit his wrists, then be seen with the weak orc that was too small. She fell to the floor in sobs. Oh Krug what has she done? Had she ruined his reputation being with him? Sure there was talk about them - but she thought it didn't matter here. Maybe she was wrong. Well of course she was wrong, why else would the Rex suggest such a thing to the Targoth. She should have known better, she was so very unworthy of him.

She ran crying to her room. Jarkarll quickly donned his loincloth and armour the Rex and his son “with too many titles” had stripped off him. “Sakah dem both fur wuteber dey did tu her “ (F*** them both for whatever they did to her), his thoughts raged but he remained calmed. Worry of his Jutra was overriding his concern for what the Rex was blahing about. He stopped mid thought and frowned.

“Mine?”... My Jutra? Was she his? His orc instinct kicked in and klomped him mentally over the head, Yub … she’s mine (Yes..she’s mine). With this settled, he went on to deal with the situation at hand. No amount of teasing or blah or even the Rex himself was going to stop this need in him to halt whatever was hurting her. Hurrying over to her door , he knocked as softly as possible with his big fist, only rattling the frame and door slightly.

There was a knock on her bedroom door. She wiped her eyes of tears and went to answer it, It was Jarkarll, he said there was someone he wanted her to meet. She frowned a bit, why would he do that, clearly he shouldn't be seen with her. The Rex was pretty clear about slitting his writs so where was he taking her? Jutra went through everything she knew about Jarkarll to see if their was something she missed. No he was a very honorable orc, she didn't understand what this was about.

She nodded and followed him out of her burrow. He continued through the valley, through the Strigzgoi, out passed the city gate, at this point she started thinking again. "where wez guing?" (where are we going?) she asked wearily. “Lat will see", (You will see) he said.

He picked her up and put her on his shoulders and they continued on. On and on they went, a passing came and went and with that her guesses at to what awaited her. Was he going to get rid of her to save his reputation? It was possible, if his stories about his past were any indication. No, she dismissed that thought, he was always an honorable orc now so he wouldn't do it. Maybe this “someone” he wanted her to meet was going to do it for him. So he could keep his honour.

She frowned at this thought and again her heart started aching from the jagged sword sawing through it. I'm so sorry for doing this to you she though inside her head. I never wanted to bring dishonor to you. She quietly wiped at the tears in her eyes the Targoth could not see since she was above his head on his shoulders. Maybe he wasn't going to get the someone to hurt her, maybe he was going to sell her to them? That would take care of his troubles. She wouldn't be around and he wouldn't have to slit his wrists or live with the guilt of having her killed.

Would he feel guilty ending her life? The hurt in her chest was making breathing difficult. He finally stopped at a small house that had a sheep farm - there may have been more things but it was dark out. Jarkarll lifted her down. He was looking around for someone but there wasn't anyone here, maybe he would just leave her there, that would also work wouldn't it? He had them set up a "camp" to wait for this someone. And so here she was looking up at the sky wondering what her fate would be.

[Jarkarll 314]

A moon ago, Jarkarll had met up with Syrila, one of the Rex’s mates at her ranch and farm near his favourite hunting spot. She had given him a sack of coco beans to give to Jutra, as they were one of the few things Jutra couldn’t grow on her own. Jutra’s cookies were renowned in the warnation, and the many cubs that played around her home were always knocking on her door for more. Syrila had suggested bringing Jutra back to her place for a visit and to met Rekenara, her helper. Jarkarll thought the journey there might help ease some of the tension from the Rex`s teasing and; he thought with a smile, the valley nearby was perfect for a picnic. Getting there as late as they did, Jarkarll wasn’t surprised to see no one there. He figured they might have been away getting supplies and hoped they would meet up with Syrila and Rekanara the next passing. He set up a ‘camp’ and settled in for sleep, he wanted a night to rest up before tackling what was now hanging heavily between them.

[Jutra 51]

The sun was just coming over the horizon as the quiet bleating of sheep in the vicinity roused Jutra from her sleep. Remembering the events of last night she rose quickly and looked around.

“Guess he didn’t want to flattening me during the night” she said to herself, “ though what honour would there be in flattening a sleeping orc?”

Looking around again and seeing nothing but the deserted farm they had camped at, she walked over to a stray sheep that had gotten out during the night, gently leading it back into it’s pen. Scanning the area one last time, “He’s not here, he’s sold me or I’m abandoned” she thought. “Being with me brought him dishonour, guess this was the nicest way to deal with it..” Jurta was just wiping away a tear when she heard rustling nearby. She hide behind a tree on the farm until she saw it was Jarkarll, creeping out from behind the tree, she waited for him, unsure of what to expect.

[Jarkarll 314]

Waking up ahead of Jutra was luck that Jarkarll planned to capitalise on. Quietly leaving the campsite, he set out to find the perfect spot for his picnic. He traveled till he found a single pine tree in the center of an isthmus, the sun reflected beautifully on both sides, so if all went according to plan, Jarkarll would see the sunset with Jutra in his arms. He set up the light blue blanket on the ground, knowing Jutra would get a kick out of him picking his favourite colour over hers. As much as he liked to please her, the thought of sitting on a pink blanket made him shudder. Straightening the blanket one last time, he went back to see if his little one was up yet. “yub, mine, (yes, mine,) the thought putting a huge grin on his mug.

Seeing Jutra hiding behind a tree as he approached, replace his grin with a small frown, why was she hiding, when he got closer she revealed herself and was looking quiet nervous. Wanting to get to the bottom of this he approached her without comment and in his usual way picked her up and put her on his shoulders.Turning, he headed back to his picnic spot.

[Jutra 51]

Jutra was in her own world while riding on Jarkarll’s shoulders. So far he’d treated her like he always did, no change of manner or courtesy. She thought about this, could she have it all wrong? Made assumptions that weren’t true? Frowning, she went though everything that had happened in her bath room. For the life of her she just couldn’t find an alternative reason for what had been said.

They travelled for three long songs or so, quiet out of the way of the farm they had camped at. As she scanned ahead she caught a glimpse of light blue lying on the ground. As they made their way towards it, she saw it was a blanket set up for a picnic, this elevated her mood somewhat.

“Light blue and not pink” she grinned, his idea of a joke.

Arriving at the blanket, Jarkarll set her down upon it. Smiling broadly he nodded to her satchel indicating she should take out some of the food she always carried.

Finding a spot on the blanket, she brought out the bread, melons and dried meat . Then felt around for the little jar she had tucked in as a last thought before leaving on this trip. Finding it, she set it along side with the rest of the picnic items.

“Pickels” she said, as an explanation of what they were. Jarkarll drops his huge body down next to Jutra, and with a swipe of his big paw takes the jar, looking at it curiously.

Jutra clears her throat to get his attention, ”Abut last passing at me burrow “ (about last passing at my burrow) she started, looking a bit forlorn.

Jarkarll nods, his eyes focused on the pickle jar, “Eurhur... wud aboud id?” (Yeah...what about it)

Me didn’t really ‘ear eberting dat was said ...but wut Rex says about me being so small lat should want to slit lat wrists - dis true? (I didn’t really hear everything that was being said,..but what the Rex says about me being so small you should want to slit your wrists - is this true?)

[Jarkarll 314]

“Wu.. Wud? Cuz lat small id dat wut lat erd? Nub, truzt me da Rex vere blahin boud oda ting. ( Wha...what? Becasue you’re small, is that what you heard? No, trust me, the Rex was talking about something else.)

Jarkarll pauses for a second, “Sakah id” (F*** it) he growls and blurts “ Da Rex vere blahin boud me tool, e vere blahin dat id small.” (The Rex was talking about my tool, he was saying it was small.) He grunts loudly and drops his head, feeling like a beaten pug, awaiting Jutra’s reaction to this.

[Jutra 51]

Jutra stares at him in disbeif. “Da Rex say dis? Dat lat tool is tu small?” (The Rex said this? That your tool is too small?) She snorts and crawls over to Jarkarll gently taking the pickle jar out of his hands and setting it on the blanket aways from them. She reaches up and puts her hands on each side of his great bald head so that he gaze has to fall on her., “I swear tu Krug...,” ( I swear to Krug...) She pauses, making sure he sees her seriousness. “I swear to Krug, when I peeped lat tooI, me gruk dat da Rex may hab da loincoth of Krug.but …’” (I swear to Krug, when I saw your tool I thought that the Rex may have the loincloth of Krug but....) she pauses, moving to put her lips to his ear, “...lat got his blessing. ” (....you got his blessing.) She moves over to his big nose and gives him a rub with her own, smiling brightly.

[Jarkarll 314]

Jarkarll looks into Jutra’s eyes as she rubs her nose against his. He then cradles the back of her head with his hand, and with the other rubs her thigh softly, whispering in her ear,. “Blessing o’ Krug... Jutra... lat muzt be da blezzing” (Blessing of Krug....Jutra....you must be the blessing.) Jutra grins and whispers back, “Lat be zo, Jarkarll lat be zo”. (You are mine, Jarkarll, you are mine.)

Jarkarll’s belly growls from hunger. Untangling himself from Jutra, he puts her down on the blanket and gets some dried meat from the other side of it, he plops himself back down next to Jutra who’s now munching on some dried meat.

[Jutra 51]

“So...” she says smirking, “ lat nub take me ‘ere to hab me flattened or abandoned or sold den? (you didn’t take me here to have me killed or abandoned or sold then?)

Jarkarll looks at Jutra in horror, “Jutra - I neber du dat, me rada leeb eberyting, me hab agh ‘ab erned in da Strigzgoi den luze lat. (Jutra...I would never do that, I’d rather give up everything I have and have earned in the warnation then lose you.)

Jutra eyes widen at Jarkarll ‘s declaration, and whispers ” lat would du dat? Lat would gib up eberting ...fur me ...eben if ... if da Rex says nub to uz?” (You would do that? You would give up everything... for me... even if... if the Rex says we can’t be together?)

[Jarkarll 314]

Jarkarll gulps the last piece of meat in his hands, wiping them on his legs, turning to face her, he picks her up and places her in his lap, wrapping his arms about her body he whispers in her ear, “ Me du anytin fo lat... Lat mo important u me den any of it... Jutra.. me lub lat...” ( I’d do anything for you... You’re more important to me than any of it... Jutra... I love you...)

Jutra’s eye widen for just a second at both the close contact with Jarkarl and his declaration, she then instinctively relaxes into his embrace and murmemr “Lu..lub me?... lat really lub me? Me nub gruk orcs gruk wut lub waz.” ( Lo... love me? .... you really love me? I didn’t think orcs knew what love was.)

Jarkarll whispers back “ Me gruk id Jutra, Me lub lat. ull me kan gruk boud id lat.

Lat is da ash ting I gruk when me wake and da last ting me gruk when me sleep, when me wid lat everyting is bub’hosh, when I wid out lat eberting is nub’hosh. I nub want to gruk wut lib would be lyke widout lat. Dis to me iz lub. I lub lat .” ( I know it Jutra, I love you. All I can think about is you. You`re the first thing on my mind when I wake up and the last I think about when I go to sleep, when I’m with you everything is great, when I’m not with you everything is terrible. I don’t want to know what it’s like to be without you. This is love to me. I love you.)

[Jutra 51]

Jutra looks at Jarkarll, seeing the sincerity in his eyes, she looks down at the blanket then back up to his face and whispers ... fur lat...me gib eberting. Lat all me gruks about. Me rather stop breating then lib widout lat., “me lub lat.” ( For you... I’d give up everything. You are all I think about. I’d rather stop breathing then live without you, I love you.)

Jarkarll, thrilled with her confession, jumps up, taking Jutra with him. He swings her around and around while laughing and chuckling. Jutra giggling and laughing along with him. The two finally stop and drop to the blanket.

Jutra sets about fixing the food items that were toppled during their little dance, while Jarkarll grabs some slices of melon to munch on. Jutra takes her time, reflecting on what this now means.

She didn’t want to be a mate or a life mate - “one of many “ or “favoured one of many”, was not what she wanted for herself. There was no way she would ever accept such a relationship. Orc culture allowed any orc to mate with whomever they wanted whether mated with the person/orc or not. No re-precautions, if anything the outcomes of such behaviour were boasted about!

As contrary to Orc thinking as it was, she wanted an “One and Only” union with him. They were an integral part of her halfling upbringing. She paused a moment to decide on how best to start the conversation, taking a deep breath she began.

“Jarkarll.... lat had a lifemate befur...” (Jarkarll.... You had a lifemate before...)

[Jarkarll 314]

Jarkarll sighs “Dat vud zhe kalled id bud me neba kalled id lifemate.” ( That’s what she called it but I never called it that.)

Oh? it wasn’t hosh? (Oh? it wasn’t good?)

Nub, Peep me jut vunted u keep me bluud alibe, in caze me gu flat den zumash cuud pazz on me bluud. Ash muun me peeped er klompin, zhe ver bub’hosh klomper agh me tuut dat id vere tyme u pazz un me bluud. So me ad a cub, agh me kalled id Moksha. Afta dat zhe tryed u ged Moksha u da buut, but afta Moksha got in da portal, da nubflat cayme agh flatted her.

( No, See all I wanted to do was keep my blood alive, in case I were to die, then someone could pass on my blood. One day I saw her klomping, she was a great klomper and I thought that it was time to pass on my blood. So I had a cub, and I named it Moksha. After that she tried to get Moksha to the boat, but after Moksha got into the portal the undead came and killed her. )

Did lat lub ‘er? (Did you love her?), she asked thoughtfully.

Jarkarll grunts, “Nub, me nub lubed er. (No, I never loved her)

Lat say lat lub only me? (You’re saying you only love me?)

Cradling Jutra in his arms, he looks her straight in the eyes, “Me lub lat agh unly lat. (I love you and only you.)

[Jutra 51]

Jutra revels upon hearing this, she gives his nose a quick rub with her own then reaches for the dried meat, finding and eating a slice, she then asks, “Jarkarll did me eber tell lat about da halfling’s Ash and Unly’s?” (Jarkarll did I every tell you about halfling’s One and Only’s? )

[Jarkarll 314]

“Another halfling thing?”, thought Jarkarll with a silent chuckle, his little Jutra, though a full orc was raised by halflings. This alone would have been disturbing to most orcs, but to Jarkarll it made her even that much more special. It intrigued him how much of their habits and traditions she hung on to even though she was living among the orcs. Hearing her stories always put a smile on his face, and since they made her who she was, he indulged whatever quirk or custom she had because of it. He wondered if it didn’t suppress some of her natural orcish instincts at times.

“Nub” Jarkarll says upon reflection, “lat neba blahed boud id u me.” (No, you never spoke to me about it )

[Jutra 51]

Jutra finds a melon slice and munches it. She then begins her telling.

Halflings respect da seasons, agh celebrate da ‘arvest. A hosh ‘arvest takes:

Patience, weddur, soil, water, protection, devotion, seeds agh wurk Each ob des tings are represented in an ash agh unly union. (Halflings respect the seasons, and celebrate the harvest. A great harvest takes: patience, weather, soil, water, protection, devotion, seeds, and work. Each of these things are represented in a “One and Only” union.))

“Patience,” she states, A hosh crop nub happen ober ash passing, dey take bub’hosh tyme before lat can ‘arvest it, Ash agh Unly’s develope ober tyme. it’s nub happens in a passing. (Patience: A good crop can not happen over one passing, they take a long time before you can harvest it, One and Only’s develop over time. It doesn’t happen over a passing.)

Rain or sun da hosh ‘arvest gitz and nebs both – Ash agh unly stands tall in dere trust dat dere their union wedder all tings bedder togedder. (Rain or sun, the great harvest wants and needs both- One and only’s stand tall in their trust that their union will weather all things for better or for worse, together.)

Soil is da burrow they lib in, - Tu halflings, da symol ob famlee iz da burrow agh itz blazing fireplaze. A bub’hosh furnished burrow means a bub’hosh famlee libs dere. (Soil is the burrow they live in, To halflings the symbol of family is the burrow and its blazing fireplace. A well furnished burrow shows a cared for family lives there.)

Water is the tyme they take tu care agh nourish each udder.. Lat nub care fur lat crops dey flatten. Each ash needs tu take tyme to strengthen de bondz between the union.

(Water is the time they take to care and nurture each other. If you don’t care for your crops they die. Each one needs to take time to strengthen the bonds between them.)

Protection is da fencez around da crops to keep out lib stocks and monsters. Lat protect de union from invaders az well. (Protection is the fences around the crops to keep out both livestock and monsters. You protect the union from invaders was well.)

Devotion is loyalty and faithfulness tu each udder. Ib lat out working on anudder’s farm den lat nub taking care of latz ownz. (Devotion is loyalty and faithfulness to each other. If you’re out working on another's farm then you are not taking care of you own.)

Seeds iz de liddle tings in life – Du da de liddle tings in life as they in turn into da bub’hosh tings in libe.(Seeds are the little things in life. You take care of the little things as they turn into the big things in life.)

Wurk iz making the udder feel lub, cherished, agh special. Ib nub done once ib done ober and ober, ib neber ends. Lat can nub have a hosh ‘arvest or a hosh Ash and Unly withoud continual wurking on id.(Work is making the other feel loved, cherished, and special. It isn’t done once, it’s done over and over, it never ends. You can’t have a good harvest or a good One and Only union without continually working on it.)

When ash du des tings wid a ‘arvest o wid an Ash agh Unly union , da ‘arvest or union. be bub’hosh. (When one does all these things with a harvest or with an One and Only union, the harvest or union will be successful.)

Jutra picks up another melon slice and nibbles on it waiting for Jarkarll’s reaction.