Page 25 of Lonely Orcish Girl

"Thank you," she whispered. Still gazing at her new bracelet, she let Reed hold her hand. Then she shook her head slightly and met his eyes. "What's going on, Reed? Why are you here? What about your farm?"

"My farm isn't going anywhere in a few days. I had much more important things to take care of first," he replied.

"This bracelet? It's beautiful, but you shouldn't have… You know we can't… that there is no chance…" she stammered, looking completely baffled and lost. Despite her size and muscles, Katuri suddenly appeared fragile and vulnerable to Reed.

"No, the bracelet is just a symbolic gift of my gratitude and wishes, as I said. I still need to return to Stagmoor, but I came back to ask you… to go there with me?"

"Go to the village with you?" Katuri repeated, even more confused.

"Not just to go with me, but… to live there with me."

Katuri's eyes became round, and she opened her mouth. She stared at Reed for so long that he began to feel uneasy. Finally, she lowered her eyes to the ground and asked quietly, "You want me to be with you? Are you sure this is really what you want, Reed?"

Reed knew intuitively that she was trying to feel out if he was serious. If he really meant what he asked, or if it was just pity.

"Yes, I am, Katuri," he answered almost solemnly. "Listen, I don't have much, but I think it's enough to live a decent, honest life. I have a piece of land with good soil, where you can plantwhat you want. There are forests around the village full of game where you can hunt. And the people—"

Suddenly Katuri interrupted, "That sounds beautiful, and I’m grateful for the proposition, whatever your reasons, but your people will never accept me, Reed. An orcish girl living with humans? That's impossible."

This time Reed was ready for her resistance and intervened, "First of all, my reasons are my feelings for you. And second, it still seems impossible for a human man to be accepted by an orcish tribe, doesn't it? Yet, we know such a case! And I'll fight for you against anyone, just like your mother did for your father!"

Katuri only snorted, as if she still didn't believe him. But he was also prepared for this reaction.

"I know you think it may not be enough, or maybe you have other objections or concerns. I understand and respect them. And I promise you, if you give it a try but, after a while, someone is unkind to you, or you still don’t feel comfortable in the village… then we would sell everything that can be sold on my farm and move back here. Or we can move wherever we want—it wouldn't matter to me as long as we're together."

Katuri listened, her eyes moist and her expression moved. It was becoming increasingly clear to her why Reed had returned. The fact that he was back was slowly sinking in—it was starting to feel real for her. When he finished, she grabbed his shoulders and pulled him into a tight hug. Reed wrapped his arms around her waist and embraced her as well. He felt her ragged breath on his neck.

After a moment, Katuri sighed and said quietly, "Oh, gods! You really mean it?"

"Yes. I should have said this before I left, but I just didn't know how to handle all of this. I’m sorry, I take responsibilityfor that—for leaving you without a decisive promise. I hope you didn't suffer because of that."

"It's okay, Reed. It doesn't matter now. I hope I didn't hurt you either. I'm sorry too for what I said. I was just trying… to distance myself, so I wouldn't get hurt again."

"I know," Reed answered, feeling the stress slowly ease. "So… does that mean you agree?"

Katuri released him from the embrace and looked deep into his eyes. Reed expected that the decision wouldn't be easy for her, but her face showed an unexpected determination.

She took a deep breath and said seriously, "Yes, Reed. I don't know how it'll go, but at least I want to try. And just like you said… it doesn't matter where we are, as long as we're together."

Reed felt such great relief that he chortled uncontrollably. Katuri seemed surprised at first, but then she joined in and laughed softly as well.

"You can't imagine how happy I am, Katuri!" he said enthusiastically, but then became matter-of-fact again. "Okay, so we have a deal! But now we'll have to figure out how to transport your things to Stagmoor!" And he bit his lip.

"Well, that shouldn't be too hard, since you came back on that fine steed." Katuri pointed her chin at the horse and they laughed. "I have a small cart that I used to haul supplies here. Maybe it hasn't completely rotted away yet."

She went to the woodshed and, after quickly tossing aside a few items, found the wooden cart. It was indeed small, but Reed realized the horse could pull it easily. The first problem just solved itself.

Katuri told him that she needed to leave a message for her parents in case they came to her hut and didn't find her. She took out a piece of dried animal skin and wrote some words in Orcish with a piece of charcoal.

After some deliberation, they decided to spend the last night at Katuri's house and then pack and move the next morning, since it was already close to sunset. Later, as they lay half-naked in bed, hugging and cuddling, Reed felt like everything in his life was finally heading in the right direction. He was happy to be back in Katuri's arms and to feel her body against his—it felt perfect.

Katuri was silent for so long that he assumed she was already asleep, but suddenly, she whispered, "Reed?"

"Yes?"

"Are you going to tell the people in your village that I'm going to live with you… as your woman?" Her voice sounded uncertain.

"Of course!" he answered firmly. "I mean, it'll be obvious anyway. I have no intention of hiding what I feel for you, Katuri."

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