The Half-Orc and The Mage

A Letter.

Leora's POV

I was at my desk studying when a letter appeared on my desk. All Mages know how to send letters without the postal service or carrier animals. Assuming it was from Fleafiara, I left it for now whilst I was finishing up a section.

I was inturputed by Girsha opening the door. "Love it's dinner time." Girsha said as she took the pencil from my hand. "Okay, I'm coming." I said before looking up at Girsha. "Not right now, you better not be." Girsha joked, which made me blush. "Hey, what's this?" She asked, picking up the letter.

"My letter from Fleafiara." I said, but Girsha looked at it oddly. "It's different, especially the penmanship." I took the letter and read the address. It definitely wasn't from Fleafiara. I opened it quickly and read it out loud.

"Dear Grand Mage, Leora of Fleafiara's Class,

My friend, I regret that we have not spoken in some time. I have missed you. I am hoping you are well and able to attend a ball my wife, her Grace, Dutchess Phillippa of Dengok, and I are having at our new estate. You may bring a guest. All of our old classmates will be attending too. The ball will be tomorrow night.

I can not wait to hear from you.

Your friend.

Magister Ezin."

I looked at Girsha and beamed. "My love, this was the Mage I told you about! It's been so long. I do miss that boy!" I was so excited to see him again. "Girsha, we must go! It will be so much fun." Girsha looked at me nervously. "He's a Duke and a Magister? So this is like your old life, with all the fancy dresses and stiff dancing?" I nodded and took Girsha's hands. "Yes. But I promise you it won't be all that boring, especially with Ezin as our host." Girsha looked over the letter. "Grand Mage?" She asked, I knew I would have to tell her at some point. "Yes Girsha, Grand Mage, being such a powerful and respected Mage the school thought it only right that I was named a Grand Mage. I do not know entirely why. I am just me." Girsha smiled and kissed my lips softly. "Just you?" She kissed them again and held my face in her hand. "There is so much I don't know about your life, my love, I know it is a life with many versions of you. But this was the first you. I would like to meet her."

I smiled and took Girsha's hands. "Of course, I must warn you that noble families have rules and etiquette. I will write to Fleafiara to help us teach you, just the basics, but enough to get by." Girsha nodded and asked. "Are there many noble Mages?" I nodded and explained. "Yes, a Mage can be born to anyone, but once a Mage is an adult, a lot of them choose to join noble ranks. Being classmates with nobles does make you long for that life. My mother hoped I would meet a lord in that classroom."

Girsha nodded and helped me stand up. "Come on, let's eat." I nodded, and we headed to the kitchen. I wrote a letter to Fleafiara as I ate my Jambalaya that Girsha had made. "There we go all done." I said as I sent the letter to Fleafiara. Girsha smiled and finished eating her plate. "You know, since we've been together, you have been eating more and more food, you're growing the appiette of an Orc." Girsha laughed and kissed my lips. "I do love your cooking, Girsha." I smiled and kissed her again.

Girsha pulled me to stand up before pulling me onto her lap. I smirked and started to kiss her neck as Girsha grabbed at my shirt.

Our moment was inturputed by non other the Fleafiara poofing in. "Oh girls, I am so sorry. Shall I come back in an hour?" She said with a little laugh. "No, it's okay, Fleafiara." I said as I got off of Girsha. "You got my letter?" I asked her before taking the plates and going to wash them up. "Yes, I did, dear. How exciting that we get to go to a dutchess' ball! We must get both of you properly prepared. A lot of eyes will be on the two of you and for multiple reasons."

I nodded my head as I finished washing the dishes. "Yes, I think we should get started right away." I said before taking Grisha's hands and pulling her into the middle of the room.

"Now, first, I think dancing should be our lesson. Girsha, you shall lead since you are taller. Now wrap your arm around Leora like this..."

*******After many dance lessons*******

Girsha managed to learn the dances very quickly. I was very proud of her. "Well done, my dears, now let's talk about your clothes. Leora, I have brought you a dress from home. I know how you feel about new dresses, so this one is from my old selection, just done up to fit today's style." Fleafiara then pulled a beautiful blue dress with ruffled sleeves, a high waistline, and a frilley neck line out from her endless bag. "Fleafiara, it's beautiful. Thank you so much." Fleafiara smiled and pulled out all of the undergarments for the dress. She then pulled out a suit. "And this is for you Girsha, it is enchanted, so as soon as you put it on, it will fit you perfectly." Girsha smiled. "Thank you, Fleafiara, it looks very nice."

We quickly gave Girsha a crash course of etiquette. What to say, what not to say, where and how to stand, how to hold me, where it's okay to touch me.

"But I promise you, Girsha, we won't leave you alone to fend for yourself. I will keep an eye on you even if you think I'm not looking." Fleafiara said before turning the sofa into a bed. "Now let us rest, and we shall be off tomorrow afternoon."

Girsha and I both nodded before heading to our bedroom. "Nervous?" I asked Girsha. She shook her head and brought me closer to hold me. "It is a lot to think about, but I believe I can manage with you by my side."

I smiled and kissed Girsha's lips. "I am so happy you agreed to come with me." I said as we got into our bed. "Dancing with men is no match to dancing with women." Leora smiled and kissed my nose. "I agree."