Something occurred.

As Beltan’s chest was heaving, he suddenly swayed, and his limp form collapsed into a verdant patch of flowers, as his eyes began glazing over.

Just after, the fearless Elf ran up to him, not caring for her precious flowers at all, as she held his form gingerly, slowly nursing him through what a panic attack would be for an Orc, but times a hundred, going against their own innate nature.

As she was gently guiding him to a welcome calm, Beltan heard her speak, “Green skin?” The ever youthful Elf was gazing at his skin with open interest.

Beltan, having slightly recovered, feeling only a tad embarrassed from the situation, responded, “Yep, green skin. That’s because I’m an Orc.”

Her hands went to her mouth in shock, “You can understand me? But mother always told me others wouldn’t speak our language?” Her inquisitive nature shone a wonderful aura over her already endearing nature.

Beltan could only answer honestly, “Most Orcs wouldn’t know it, or care to.” He spoke solemnly.

“Why?”

An innocent response, knowing not the truth of the world, Beltan assumed. What should he say? ‘They’re too busy killing the Elves to learn it?’ “They’re… Too stupid… No… I...” He was basically speechless.

And as Beltan nearly broke, the Elf spoke, “Oh… They’re too violent?” A knowing answer, though still so innocent.

Beltan responded, “All Orcs are, that’s like the MAIN thing about us.” A gut wrenching feeling was coursing through him, as he was beating himself up about it.

Then, she denied it. “No you’re not. I know it.” How? How did she know?

“NO, you don’t. I wish it were true, but…”

As Beltan went to continue, the elf interrupted him, “I DO know it.” She emphasised her thoughts, before expounding upon them, “ I do… Because if you were, you wouldn’t have been looking at my flowers. And when you saw me… You would have done… Something else…” As she slowly trailed off at the end of her sentence, a blush came across her cheeks.

What was that about? She surely knew the consequences of being caught by Orcs, and clearly was much more knowledgeable than he’d assumed, so why did she seem so innocent? Beltan was confused, but as an Orc, that was sadly the usual, as pondered uselessly.

“Oh yeah! Mr. Orc, do you wanna meet my mom? She’s really pretty! Who knows what you might do…” Her words trailed off once again, though Beltan didn’t quite catch them this time, as her blush intensified, then she grabbed his hand, and began leading him towards her home.

As they were walking down the path, she introduced herself to him. “By the way, my name is Viridesca Adoriel Meridian-Greenleaf. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” A pleasant smile was upon her face as she beamed at him.

Beltan was nearly uncomfortable, despite obviously far outclassing her in strength, which made him suspect she had some hidden powers, as he followed her passively, but then he responded, “My name… Is Beltan Greatfang.”

…

After an hour of walking through the effervescent glade, they finally reached a cottage, with various animals scattered around it, and as they saw him, they began to freak out, before Viridesca calmed them all down with her voice alone.

So… A druid? Beltan was pondering again, but then was dragged into the cottage, with no animal resistance, and as he entered the supposedly small space, he saw that it was far larger on the inside.

Viridesca then called out, “Mother!! I’ve brought a friend from the Glade! Come meet him.” A devious grin was upon her face, as she heard her mother’s footsteps coming down the stairs.

Beltan, after a moment, laid his eyes upon the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen, far outclassing even the Guild Mistress, and as she saw his form, she began freaking out.

“Viridesca, watch out. Be careful.” As she spoke, she prepared to cast a spell, as Beltan braced for impact, as at the of the mother’s hand, a sickly black flame sprouted, and flew towards him.

“MOTHER, NO!!”

As Viridesca was screaming at her mother to stop, the black flame landed upon Beltan’s form, though a notification appeared before he registered the pain.

But there was no pain, or effect, as the flame flew directly the opposite of its own arc, returning to the mother, as she dismissed the flame to speak with her daughter.

Beltan was freaking out in the meantime. ‘A level 79 spell? She’s REALLY powerful.’ He needed to watch his steps around her. What was Viridesca thinking bringing him here?

But… After a while, the mother introduced herself and apologized, “My… My name is Viridia Adriela Greenleaf. I’m… I’m sorry for my outburst. I’m only used to Orcs coming at wartimes, and DEFINITELY not as allies. How did you even enter the Glade? You didn’t break any trees, did you?” She asked accusingly.

“Uhhh… Only a few, not that many…” He lied ineffectually, drawing a doubtful expression on Viridia's face.

“And the Glade STILL allowed you entry? I guess it didn’t mind. That’s a plus.” She calmed down a bit after hearing that.

Though Beltan was curious, insensitively so, as he asked a question, “Where does Meridian come from in Viridesca’s name?”

A saddened sigh was loosed from the mother’s face, as she spoke, “My previous husband. While it was through an arranged marriage, I still somewhat loved him… Though he was slain in the Greatfang incursion.”

Beltan’s gut sank, as he remembered the countless slaughters he, and his tribe, had committed throughout the ages, was it him? Or his father?