I do not own LOTR movies and books. Only the OC's are mine. Sorry for any grammar mistakes. R and R!

Bold: black speech.

Italic: thoughts, past events or distant conversation.

Ethelred was lying in bed, staring at the stones of the ceiling. Her father had gone to war a few days ago and it left her feeling sad and empty. The girl had tried to harden her heart; she had spent the last 3 years without her family…a month or two would not kill her right? She could do this easily…

The young woman had told Baldred she'd leave and wouldn't wait for him; now, she wasn't so sure about her decision. Finding an isolated spot in the forest or a mountain to make her home didn't appeal much to her beside the fact that she would live in peace and could hunt. However, the people of Edoras, like everywhere she had been lately, didn't particularly appreciate her. They avoided her or glanced at her from afar… Few were speaking to her or interacting with her.

The women and children were scared and the men left in Edoras were distrustful of her.

She had no place here.

Ethelred finally sat in her bed: the sun was not rising yet… she often didn't need to sleep much now. Most of the time, she could sleep between 4 or 7 hours and it suited her just fine. Other times, she could spend the whole day sleeping if she needed rest…her body was adapting quickly to what it needed.

The young woman yawned, showing long, pointy incisive. She then stretched and hopped out of the bed and on her feet, before going to the basin of water in one corner of the room and washing her face. The girl then dressed herself with the tunic Leofhild had given her some time ago; she placed a leather belt around her waist and finally put her boots on.

Moving to the window, she opened it and suddenly froze; the air was permeated with the smell of leather, oil, male musk and iron…it was distinctly Orcs or Uruk-hai.

She glanced down in the court: the horses were neighing and pawing at the ground. The sun was now rising and people were getting out of their houses to begin the day. Scared, Ethelred looked around for the next few minutes, but could not see anything suspicious or giving hint of the enemy's presence.

Suddenly, Hell broke loose; she saw dark forms climbing over the walls surrounding Edoras, killing the sentries there.

The girl went out the window and let herself fall on the roof before starting to run on them toward the center of the town. Panicked screams were now heard around; Ethelred halted on a roof and hid there, looking at what was going on.

Frowning, the teenager watched as some of the beasts dragged the Rohirrims women into the central place while others fought with the men.

Ethelred remained there, frozen; she recognized some of the Uruk-hai… there was only one reason why they were there. If she'd go back inside and was subtle enough, she could leave the town without anyone noticing.

As those thoughts crossed her mind, guilt invaded her chest: it would be coward to do that. She closed her eyes; these people were her people and they were now being attacked because of her.

Making up her mind, she sprinted forward and jumped off of the house she was on and landed in the middle of the fight. She bent on herself a bit before abruptly turning and back handing a nearby orc. The smaller being went flying and rolling on the ground. Another jumped on her back; she grabbed it and threw him away, wrenching him from her shoulders. The orcs yelped in pain and looked at her fearfully.

Ah! she had missed kicking snaga's asses.

Ethelred narrowly avoided a blade, regretting the absence of her own weapons and swiped at her attacker in bear-like way, all claws out. She caught him on the side of the head, sending him to the ground. Enraged, she bent her ears backward and let out a loud roar.

Immediately, it was answered by a more terrifying, louder one; the young woman gulped down with difficulty. Everyone stopped fighting at once and the Uruk-hai and Orcs parted to let pass a huge Uruk.

Of course…it had to be him…Mauthak.

The tall beast growled again, more quietly this time and let the sound die to a low rumble as he advanced toward her, his eyes never leaving her form.

Ethelred could feel her heart beating like mad in her chest as the sound nearly made her deaf. He hadn't changed a bit; his hair was still in a half ponytail and he wore the same armor.

She slowly recoiled from him even at the large distance that separated them. In the corner of her sight, she saw Lughorn pushing his way between uruks and men to see what was happening. They exchanged a brief glance and she saw she was in trouble.

The girl adopted a defensive position, lowering her head and ears…growling low. The gesture made the approaching Uruk snap his teeth at her, reminding her who was in charge here.

The huge male finally stopped a few meters from her. He glanced around with calculating eyes and spoke in the common tongue: '' Ethelred… that's not a very kind way to welcome friends…'' He began in his deep voice.

Blanching, the girl looked around: the villagers had wide, horrified eyes and were now whispering among them, pointing at her. They understood.

Oh, the conniving son of a bitch… Now, she could not stay here no matter what.

He spread his arms open and gestured around them: '' What are you doing here…among…men…?'' He said the last part with a hint of disgust.

The girl refused to answer him with words and growled again, showing her displeasure. Mauthak's eyes narrowed in anger: '' I came to get you.'' He informed her.

Even though fear was taking whole of her being, she replied: '' I won't go with you.''

The Uruk-hai around groaned and whooped at the challenge.

A steady growl was building in both her chest and Mauthak's; without warning, the pair began to sprint toward one another.

They collided violently and Ethelred dodged his arm before punching him in the chest; it barely had any effect on him. He grabbed her forearm and threw her the other way with a roar. The girl flipped in the air and landed on her hands and knees, before attacking again. She swiped at him with her claws, but he avoided her hands each time.

The Orcs and Uruk-hai watching shouted to their leader; the humans were silently observing with frightened looks.

The pair tried to hit each other for some time; they exchanged blows for a few minutes.

In the end, Ethelred grabbed him around the waist and tried to push him backward; it didn't work so well. The male began to punch her in the back and finally shoved her down. She rolled on her side, quickly escaping his reaching hand, which she bit.

The Uruk captain growled in pain and lost patience; he picked her up and crushed her back to his chest, suffocating her. When she refused to abandon and kept trying to wriggle free, the male sunk his fangs in her neck.

She roared at the pain, but stopped any movement, afraid he would rip her throat out.

They stayed like this as Mauthak's soldiers yelled out to him and roared his victory. When he finally released her, he said loudly so all could understand: '' You will come with me without a fight now or I swear I will kill every man here, woman and child. ''

People stared at her with pleading eyes and Ethelred closed her own in a defeated manner: '' Just…don't hurt them…'' She whispered.

He put his lips at her ear: '' I won't '' he rumbled softly in Black Speech.

The Uruk kept her tightly against him and ordered to one of his lackeys to fetch a rope; it was rapidly brought over and her hands were tied together in front of her.

The end of the rope was given to Lughorn who was sending her apologetic looks; Ethelred averted her eyes. It was like before all over again…she was trapped.

She watched as Mauthak shook himself and ordered loudly: '' Take anything edible or useful and we're going. '' He gave a hard look at his men: '' Don't kill anyone unless they attack you. ''

He spun around to face her again and walked to her before grabbing her chin in one huge paw to raise it. She looked down as her ears plastered themselves to her head.

The male inspected her for some time and wiped away the blood from his bite. She winced and shook him off.

'' Things have changed, Kalsak.'' He told her.

Ethelred refused to speak; Mauthak sighed and shooed Lughorn away as he walked toward a house, probably to search it.

Xxxxxx

*many hours later*

The group of Orcs and Uruk-hai finally took dried meat and bread, a few weapons and five women. It wasn't so bad considering they were Uruk-hai… Normally, everyone would have been killed and the place burned. The Uruk Captain probably wanted to lay low.

Ethelred watched the women as they walked in single file, their hands attached like hers. They were sobbing softly and the girl felt sorry for them; no one deserved this treatment and what awaited them.

Mauthak pulled on her rope from where he sat on his Warg, making her stumbled forward a bit; she glared at him and hissed.

He growled in return, the meaning clear: you shut up and behave.

Their procession was a mix of people on foot and riding Wargs; she didn't know where their destination was, but they were heading North/East.

Lughorn appeared at her side: he nudged her with his knee, which was at her shoulder level. He was offering her his water gourd, she turned her head away.

'' You need to drink Vogalurz; you've been walking for a long time and we will travel for even longer.''

The young woman pointed her chin at the crying women a bit behind her: '' They need it more than me.'' She grumbled.

Mauthak, who had been observing their chat, nodded. Reluctantly, Lughorn spun his mount around and headed toward the girls.

'' We will cross a stream soon; you'll drink there. We'll also stop in one hour or two: Orcs and human females weren't made to walk long distances.'' The Pizdûr informed her.

Ethelred ignored him, knowing it was one of the things that annoyed him the most.

Frustrated, he rumbled: '' Your place isn't among Men, Thin-Fangs! I'm your mate damn it…And don't deny it. Your place is with me, at my sides. ''

The girl remained silent, but raised her tied hands and gave him a pointed look: Mate my ass.

He shifted on the beast back to better face her: '' That…is only a precaution; one you've earned yourself by attacking your fellows.''

Ethelred didn't reply and resumed sulking.

They kept advancing for two more hours and the group finally stopped for the night close a forest's edge. The Uruk captain knotted the rope around a tree and left her there to go see over his troop.

The teenager sat down unhappily and banged her head against the tree behind her. She stayed alone for at least an hour; they had lightened fires and were eating while she was attached here. Soon, footsteps came her way; the girl immediately knew who it was even though her eyes were shut.

'' I'm sorry it's like this, Vogalurz. Here, I brought you water and meat. '' Lughorn said softly, offering her dried meat and a gourd.

She nodded to him and slowly ate in a dejected way. The second in command remained sitting at her side, silently watching her.

The Uruk was staring at her with his large, green eyes, just like a curious cat. There was a mix of concern and sadness into them. Lughorn had often looked at her that way.

'' I missed you.'' He suddenly confessed.

The girl sighed deeply: '' I missed you too… Well, I'm not so sure right now.'' She grumbled.

''I- You know how Mauthak is.''

She rolled her eyes: '' Yeah…Believe me, I know.''

Someone arrived behind them: '' Leave us, Lughorn.'' A deep voice rumbled.

The smaller Uruk squeezed her shoulder, rose and went away. Mauthak stood in front of her, eyeing her down with a reproachful look.

Terror crept inside her stomach; he would hurt her…push her on the ground and take her brutally like he often did in the past. He would mark her again as he relieved himself.

However, he simply stood there: '' Why did you leave?''

She looked up at him: '' What a stupid question.'' She drawled.

The male growled and stepped threateningly toward her: '' You don't understand Ethelred…I know things were… difficult-''

''-They were and that's why I left. I was mistreated and abused by you. I'm human and it was not my place there!'' She cut him off roughly.

The huge Uruk stared at her and breathed deeply: '' I told you; things have changed or they will soon… I've a plan; I don't wish to battle with the race of Men or anyone anymore. I have many more people with me…we're leaving to a safe place to live in peace.''

This…was quite surprising; particularly coming from him.

'' Good for you, but I'm not coming; let me go.''

He shook his great head: '' You're my mate and I'm not leaving you. '' he said on a final tone.

Ethelred's panic flared to life again when Mauthak began to remove his thick armor of metal. Once it was done, the male knelt and crawled to her from.

This is it; it would happen again. The girl stiffened and curled up on herself, getting ready for the assault.

The uruk grabbed her around the waist and hauled her into his chest as he laid on his side: '' The nights are still cold; this way you'll stay warm even if you're away from the fires.''