... wherever they go

When Liandra woke up again, she was in a warm comfortable bed. Her body felt very sore, her jaw hurt, but still she had a lingering sense of pleasure. Images of her defeat flooded her mind, and she hoped at least some of those memories were just dreams. Nightmares, she corrected herself.

She wobbled out of bed, she heard voices talking. The bedroom itself looked almost tribal, furs and standards hanged on each wall, and war trophies and weapons dotted the place. She went in the direction of the voices...

Kendra and the man that stood besides her, and Captain Scro. Her first love, a stranger, and her husband. "... name your price, we are inclined to pay anything" The man said.

"No. She is mine." Their discussion must have ranged for a while now. But it stopped when the princess walked into their conversation.

"Liandra!" Kendra went to embrace her, and Liandra for a moment felt like crying in her shoulder. She didn't know why she didn't.

"This is Emperor Kendal... we are trying to set things right" The man bowed his head, but Liandra didn't do anything. She felt too numb still.

"Captain Scro, lets be reasonable." Emperor Kendal tried again "It will cause a war."

"Orcs live and breath war. We are ready to die in your service"

"But it can be avoided."

"Then I will live happily with my own until you need me, Emperor. That includes my Wife."

"Divorces can end marriages. You would be generously compensated."

"No. I would sell a ****, I wont sell my wife."

Liandra had of course seen loyalty before, but the loyalty the Orc had for her, an enemy, sounded almost absurd. it was absurd.

"Enough" the Orc stood, towering in height and mass the human. "Too much politics" he looked at her, and his eyes were filled with honor and emotion. "Life is simple. Liandra, I am your husband. I will protect you with my life and blood. My love is yours forever" She didn't doubt a single word. "Are you my wife?" she could almost see in him a green knight, gallant and true, cursed by a witch in his horrendous orc form.

"Yes... I am" Liandra said, and felt the shocked Kendra letting her go. She stood besides him, her slender body next to his muscular build, she felt much safer after he put an arm around her shoulder.

"I see. Captain, for your services I thank you very much" Her husband´s eyes widened "for your long years of service. If I could, I would name you one of my Barons. But I see now your path lies elsewhere. Princess, you are welcome to stay for as long as you want, but I imagine you will have pressing business with the rest of your family. If you excuse me" he offered them a bow, and Liandra couldn't tell if he was angry or sad as he left.