The Orc's Son
Story by Azombie on SoFurry
Here is this weeks prompt: "At first I didn't tell you everything to protect you, but after awhile I realized I was really protecting myself."
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Taking a break from some larger projects.
Someone suggested I write more Orcs. So here is a story with Orcs.
The Orc's Son
Drak was raised a half orc, though his orc lineage didn't show much. He was frail from birth. His father, one of the hunters and traders of their village, nearly lost him as he was born. Rorrek would even call his son the miracle child. Even for the human, his skin would have been too pale. From the day he was born, his hair had been gray, which he now kept tied in a bun on his head. Although his young body betrayed him, his mind was as sharp as ever. To counteract his lack of strength, he was raised to help his father with counting money, keeping track of their stock, count what the farmers brought in and help around with bookkeeping.
The past few months he had been made to stay home while his father traveled to the nearby cities. It was nights like these that he stayed at his village tavern. The orc he'd been spending his nights with, Nagrub, sitting with him in the corner table watching the other orcs enjoy drinks and music after a day's work. Nagrub had his own darker hair similarly tied. He was a hunter, like Drak's father was years ago. The two were often seen like this when together, drinking ale, holding hands under the table as Drak leaned against his lover.
However, tonight was different. It had been the third month that he felt he should have been gone. Since he was a boy he would go on the trips with his father, even when Rorrek was home, he had become soft spoken. When asked, Drak would only get vague replies of, “Oh, nothing's wrong, son.” or “It's just getting too dangerous out there, is all.”
Drak sighed, frustrated, “Have I done something wrong?”
“The world is changing.” Nagrub said, his soft low voice vibrating pleasantly, “Perhaps he is only worried.”
“Does he not approve of us?” The smaller orc said, looking up at the other.
“If I must prove myself to him than so be it.” He grinned, “Maybe you should bring this up with him?”
Drak nodded, “You're right. I'll talk to him tonight.” He squeezed the other's hand.
“It will be fine, my love.” Nagrub said, leaning down to plant a kiss on Drak's forehead.
“Maybe he suspects that I know.”
Nagrub rolled his eyes, “Know what?”
“You know.” The smaller male looked up at the orc, “I don't exactly look like the others.”
“So you're a half orc, it's really okay.” Nagrub said, smirking, “So is Elza, and she gets along with everyone.”
He stared into the orc's eyes, “I never had any orc in me.”
“Oh, I don't know about that.” He grinned, “I'd say you still have a little orc left in you.”
Drak shook his head, “I'm being serious, Grubby.”
“You're thinking too much.” He said, leaning down to bonk his head gently with one of his tusks, “Relax and talk to him when he returns.”
“You're right.” He grabbed his own pint with his free hand, taking a sip.
Nagrub pulled his lover into a hug, wrapping his arm around the probably not an orc, leaning his head down onto the gray haired head. He laid his larger green skinned hand across Drak's middle. Drak pressed against Nagrub as the two cuddled, watching the crowd, sometimes joining in a chant or verse, raising their pint to honor a fallen hero in their history.
Drak didn't need to wait long for his father to burst through the doors. The older orc was accompanied by his wife, a human, and their daughter, Elza. They made their way to the bar without delay. Drak and Nagrub shared a glance and a nod.
“Wish me luck, Grubby.” Drak said, untangling himself from the other. Tugging the orc's tusk to pull him into a kiss.
“You don't need it.” Nagrub grinned, leaning back in his seat, drinking the rest of Drak's liquor.
Drak followed his father through the room. Their eyes met, which Drak immediately pointed towards the door. The older orc frowned, then nodded slowly. Drak headed outside into the cold air. The sounds of the tavern now muffled through the walls. He took a deep breath, getting himself ready for an argument.
The door opened briefly as his father joined him in the still air. They walked in silence a few yards to a small well, sitting beside one another on a log. They stared at the floor, not speaking for a few moments.
“I'm sorry I've been distant, son.” Rorrek stated, his deep voice that was always a paragon of strength sounded weak now.
“You have nothing to-”
“Yes I do.” Rorrek interrupted, “I need to tell you some things.”
“What is it?”
“Drak, you know I love you just as much as your brothers and sister.” He stared off into space, “But I need you to know that I..” He took a deep breath, “I'm not your father.”
Even though he'd known it, it hurt to hear. It wasn't the fact itself, it was the pain in his father's voice as he said it.
“I know.” Drak said as he pat the orc's shoulder, “I've known for a while.”
“Yes, yes. But.” He cleared his throat, stalling, “There's more. I don't think I can keep it from you.”
“What is it?” Drak shifted to face the older man.
“We've been trading with a family of miners in Kinshide.”
“I think I remember them, yes.”
“The last time you were they they recognized your hair, your skin. They were your parents.”
Drak leaned back against the well, nearly falling off, “Oh.” He felt his eyes well up, “You are hiding me from them?”
The old man sighed, his voice shaky, “I need you to know that when I found you, I was out on a hunt. I saw them abandon you.”
Drak was silent, his thoughts were scattered.
“They wanted to meet you now that you're healthy.” It was then that Drak heard a sound he had heard only once before in his life. His father sobbed, “They abandoned you! I couldn't just let them take you!”
Drak leaned over, hugging his father. He still hadn't felt the shock of the news, but he knew the orc needed his comfort.
“So yes, I hid you from them.” He lifted his head from his palms, “I know I should have told you, but they have no right.” He stood up, beginning to pace.
Drak stood up, watching him, “They must feel they do.”
“I know that.” His father threw his arms up in frustration, “Perhaps they are right, but I cannot simply let you have to talk with those, those people who left you to be taken by wolves!” His fists were clenched, His anger frightened Drak. It wasn't directed at him, but the force of it was palpable.
“This is a lot.” Was all Drak could think to say.
The orc looked at his son, his anger melted away, his expression falling into a worried frown, “I'm sorry.”
Rorrek walked over to the human, giving him a tight hug, “Truth is, I just don't want them to take you from me.”
Drak hugged the other, “No one will, you're still my father.”
Rorrek stepped back, gathering himself, “If you want to meet them, I can arrange it.” He looked almost defeated.
“Maybe.” Drak nodded slowly, “I think I need some time to think about all this.”
His father nodded, “Come on, let's go inside, I'll get you a drink.”
Drak nodded, following the orc, “I thought this might have been about Nagrub.”
“Nagrub? No, he's a fine young gentleman. Good hunter.”
“Wait, did you guys talk?”
“I think I've told you enough for one night.”
“Did he get that deer for us?”
“Son, you ask too many questions.” The orc grinned, opening the door for the human.
“I clearly don't ask enough.”