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When I agreed to become Jovak’s mate for real ... not that I really had much choice, given how deeply I love him ... I was a bit worried about what would happen to Laney. Would he insist she move somewhere else, like Amy’s, perhaps?
No, he did not. Nothing changed between Jovak and Laney. Except, maybe their bond became stronger. At times, he is like a father to her, providing advice and comfort. At other times, he’s like her big brother, gently teasing her while also showing her how to do many tasks.
And at other moments, Laney becomes the teacher and him the student. Like when I was grossly pregnant with Gronk, and Jovak came in the door and cheerfully told me I was swollen up like a full moon. Apparently, this is a compliment from the orc's viewpoint. It didn’t go over well with me, naturally.
Laney helped Jovak see his error and overcome the initial hurt feelings he experienced at another perceived rejection. Then he learned from his mistake and came and delivered the most heartfelt apology I’d ever known.
The two of them are wonderful together, and I count my blessings. I have many to count these days.
After our mating, the dark elf army moved closer. Jovak sent out riders to keep an eye on them, but the dark elves didn’t attack. They put up their stronghold a good distance away, outside of the lands the Shattered Rock tribe claims. On a clear day, you can see their castle from the top of Shattered Rock. It’s a worry for the future, but not for a sunny day like today.
Besides, I’ve found my happily ever after. The world might be a cold, cruel, and sometimes terrifying place, but my family is my safe space. My son, my husband, and my little sister. All of us living together, if not in perfect harmony, then a close enough facsimile to count.
Jovak no longer wanders. He is not the Longstrider any longer. His people have changed his nickname.
Now he’s Jovak the Kinfinder because he found his lost kin and saved most of them. Most of the victims of the tree have made a full recovery … physically. There seem to be some side effects. Amy tells me that sometimes Moldar wakes in a cold sweat, having dreamt of being with the tree.
When he was stuck with the tree, he shared some of his consciousness with it. It was a two-way street, and Moldar and the other victims believe that the evil that spawned the tree didn’t die with the tree itself. They think the evil lives on, and they are somehow connected to it.
But whatever problem comes along, whatever dangers we have to face, I feel no fear. I know that Jovak and I can handle it. Technically, the chief’s wife doesn’t have any official power, but many of the orcs in the tribe address me aschieftesswhen speaking to me. It’s a little embarrassing. What’s even more embarrassing is when Jovak tells the story of how he found me.
In reality, I’d been facing a single orc in combat, and by and large, I did more talking than fighting, trying to stall him so Laney could recover and escape. It was a fight where I was badly outmatched. I only got a good hit in because I tricked my opponent.
And to be honest, I wouldn’t have gotten that far if he hadn’t so terribly underestimated me.
But when Jovak tells the story, I wasn’t facing off against one orc, but a dozen and my bravery and skill were such that only their sheer numbers were going to overcome me. Worse, a lot of people think that Jovak is downplaying my skills, if anything, and they see me as some kind of wise Zen sword master, and I’m anything but.
I have been training with Jovak just to help me lose the baby weight. He doesn’t care. He says he loves my soft belly, but I care. Besides, as the chieftain’s wife, I don’t want to look like I’m soft. I have a reputation to uphold, after all.
“There,” Laney says, pointing at her handiwork. “Nowthatis how you tie a fly-fishing line.”
“It is a good knot indeed,” Jovak says. Then he gives her a mischievous look. “Of course, if I had such tiny and spindly fingers, I could probably do much the same.”
“Oh, what is it about a craftsman who blames his tools?” Laney snorts. “It’s the same thing of an orc who blames his fingers.”
“Hey,” I call from my rock. Both of them turn to face me. “Not all of us can survive on my breast milk. How about you two stop arguing and start catching our dinner?”
Jovak laughs, and Laney sticks her tongue out at me. Then she turns a grin on Jovak.
“How about a little wager, Jo Jo?”
I do believe Laney is the only one who could possibly get away with calling him that.
“A wager?” he asks, intrigued. “Of what sort?”
“How about we see who can catch the most fish before dinnertime?” Laney asks with a bit of an edge to her voice. “The loser has to wash the dishes for the next week.”
“Hmm,” he says, “I do hate washing dishes. Very well, I accept your wager.”
They shake on it.
“May the best orc win,” Jovak says.
“Hey,” Laney gasps. “No way. May the best woman win. And in case you don’t know, that’s me.”
Their good-spirited contest carries well into the evening. By the time the first stars wink into existence overhead, it’s clear Laney has more fish in her pile than Jovak.
“How are you doing this?” he gasps. “Are you a sorceress singing to the fish in their own language?”
