Legends of Skyrim: The Wood Orc (BOOK ONE)

XI - The Cursed Tribe

Almost half a year had passed since the events of Ysgramor's Tomb. It was a typical cloudy day in Riften, but today was different. For in the Temple of Mara, a marriage was about to take place. The Circle sat in the pews, other Companions filling the rest, as Durag and Aela stood before them, the Priest Maramal standing before them, in front of a Shrine of Mara, the Goddess of Love. "It was Mara that first gave birth to all of creation and pledged to watch over us as her children," he began the ceremony, "It is from her love of us that we first learned to love one another. It is from this love that we learn that a life lived alone is no life at all. We are gathered here today, under Mara's loving gaze, to bear witness to the union of two souls, Durag Ugrua, and Aela the Huntress, in eternal companionship. May they journey forth together in this life and the next, in prosperity and in poverty, and in joy and hardship."
Durag smiled as he felt Aela squeeze his hand. The two turned to each other, and both smiled upon seeing each others' faces. "Do you, Aela, agree to be bound together, in love, now and forever?" Maramal asked.
"I do," she smiled, "Now and forever."
The Priest turned to the Wood Orc and asked, "And do you, Durag, agree to be bound together, in love, now and forever?"
For a second, the words caught in his throat. He saw a flicker of worry in Aela's face, before he took a deep breath in and held her cheek. "Until death," he assured her, "I most certainly do."
She smiled brightly as Maramal nodded. "Then under the authority of Mara, the Divine of Love" he smiled, pulling out a pair of rings for the couple, "I declare this couple to be wed. I present to the two of you with these matching rings, blessed by Mara's divine grace. May they protect each of you in your new life together."
The Companions cheered as Aela took Durag and dipped him, before leaning in slowly for a kiss.

As the sun broke through the clouds, Durag finally began to stir. Rolling over, he found the pelt he laid beneath empty. Leaning up, he saw his wife kneeling by the stream not too far away. Sighing happily, he began pulling on his clothes. Hearing wet splashes, he turned to see her approaching with freshly caught fish, stabbed with her arrows. "Good morning, dear," she threw him one, "I hope you're hungry."
Luckily, the fire had not died out during the night, so Durag impaled his fish on the spit and slowly began to roast it over the fire. As he did, he felt Aela's body against his as she wrapped her arms around his waist, hugging him from behind. "What were you dreaming about?" she asked.
"Our wedding," he answered, turning back to her, "You were so beautiful, my love."
"And you were just as handsome." she smiled against his lips.
He kissed her before turning back to his fish. He'd leave it for a while longer. "How long until we reach this stronghold?" Durag asked, noticeably uncomfortable.
"Two hours, three at the most," Aela leaned on his shoulder and sat beside him, "Largashbur is near the southern mountains of the Rift."
She gently brushed a hand up his arm. "You're nervous about meeting your own kind again?" she asked.
"I'm nervous..." he admitted, "To be in the presence of those who worship Malacath."
Aela said nothing. She thought her husband's concerns were foolish, but she was unfamiliar with the Orcs and their devotion to the Daedric Prince so she thought it best not to pry. Instead, she sat with Durag until their breakfast was cooked. After eating, the two tore down their campsite and resumed their trek to the stronghold of Largashbur.

As the two crossed over a hill to it, they watched as a Giant came into view. it swung its club down at an Orc, who barely avoided the impact. Watching for a second, they saw the stronghold behind the battle, another Giant already slain. Rushing forward, Durag quickly pulled down his mask and climbed up a tree. Aela rushed forward and dug an arrow into the Giant's knee. It looked down and kicked her into a tree, seemingly unaffected. Just then, as it began to tower over her, Durag jumped onto the Giant's back and shot an arrow through its head. It ripped through the skin and stuck itself in the creature's foot. The Giant swayed forward and collapsed as Durag jumped off and rolled beside Aela. "Are you okay?" he held an arm out for her.
Before she could answer, she pulled herself up and stood in front of him, drawing her bow. The Orcs of the stronghold were all aiming arrows at the two. "Who are you that would be so stupid as to attack an Orc stronghold?" a female voice demanded.
"We mean you no harm," Durag stepped forward, removing his mask, "My name is Durag Ugrua, Harbinger of the Companions. We received a message to come here."
"No such message has been sent!" was the reply, "Leave, traitor, you and your pet Nord!"
Durag drew his bow and growled, "Call my wife that again, and I shall kill every last one of you in there!"
"Please, no violence," the gates slowly opened as an older Orc woman, not the one who had spoken prior, stepped forward, "I sent the message for you. Ugor, stand down!"
She turned back to the stronghold. Durag looked up to see the Orc woman grumble before lowering her bow. The rest reluctantly followed as she did, glaring at the Companions.