Those Who Dream of Orcs

Clover and Ouhgan Chapter 10

         Ouhgan's  head fell forward, snapping him awake. He rubbed the bridge of his nose and could feel the bags under his tired eyes. He couldn't even remember the last time he had a decent night's rest. He massaged his shoulders, took a deep breath, and stared down at Clover. Her breathing was shallow, and she hadn't moved a muscle since the day he found her at the bottom of that mountain.

"Clover,"  he rested the back of his hand on her forehead. "Your fever has gone down, and your bruising is starting to heal. That gives me hope," he smiled, then settled back into his chair and fell asleep.

      "Ouhgan," Bula called, walking into the room.

Ouhgan's head snapped up; he hadn't realized he had already fallen asleep again.

"Bula,'' he replied, trying to sound awake. "Ouhgan you need to sleep. You're exhausted."

"I'm fine,"

"You're not fine. You haven't slept in days. It's been weeks since you've eaten, and you've lost so much weight,"

"I can't leave her," he grunted.

"Why? She's not going anywhere-,"

"If she wakes up, I need to be here,"

"You need to be here, Ouhgan," Bula soft whispers turned commanding and stern. "How do you feel about that elf?"

For the first time since Bula entered the room, Ouhgan looked up at her.

"Are you in love with her?" 

"What! no!" 

Bula glared down at him. 

"Then why are you always so concerned about her? You're literally starving yourself to death because you won't leave this room. Because you won't leave her!"

"I-" 

"She's not your responsibility, Ouhgan,"

"I know," 

"Yet you always make her a priority over me, your wife," Bula hissed.

"Bula!" he scrambled  to his feet, knocking the chair over. "You know that's not true."

"Do I?"

"Bula," a grunt rumbled deep in his throat. 

"Do I!"

Fearing and already knowing what his wife would say, he took a heavy breath  and asked.

"What can I do to make this better," 

He closed his eyes and waited.

It seemed like an eternity before she spoke again.

Ouhgan nearly winced at her words.

"Get rid of that elf. You have to make a choice. It's either me or her."

Those words were like a punch in the gut that nearly caused him to double over in pain. His head and shoulders slumped. But it was his heart that ached, not his gut.

"I'm your wife, I carry your child. Remember that husband."

When Ouhgan's eyes began to turn toward Clover, beckoning one more look. Bula grabbed his chin and turned his eyes back to her.

"Remember that," she repeated.

"I know,"he sighed.

"Well then, make your choice, Ouhgan. Now!" She ordered.

"Bula," 

"Now!" She hissed. "Now! Right now!"

A heavy growl rumbled deep in the back of his throat. Ouhgan had a family, a baby on the way. He had to do right by them.