Ghruz was already exhausted from their conversation with the queen, whose questions never relented. They learned of a concept called ‘gender’. Strange and pointless. All orcs were equal, but this didn’t seem to be the case with the elves.

They weren’t prepared for the elven city. The carriage trundled through the largest steel gates the orc had ever seen, leading to a pure white marble and gold city. Its borders were integrated seamlessly with the surrounding giant ashwood trees, even built on or through their boughs. Great vines crept up each and every building, wrapped around the gold and silver pillars that adorned the area. It looked overgrown, yet controlled.

The orc peered out the window to watch the citizens move to and fro with purpose. People would occasionally throw dirty looks their way, or whisper to others as they stared at the curious orc.

“Ignore them. People are often unkind to which they don’t understand.” Titania said honestly. “Things will change soon enough. I have plans.” The orc shuddered at the emphasis on her last word. Silence drew itself between them for the rest of the way to the palace.

The carriage stopped suddenly, and the door was opened. A woman draped in the most extravagant fabrics stood before them, arms spread in a deep bow.

“My queen. I hope your trip was a most productive one.” The elven woman straightened up, glancing over to the queen's company, and cocked an eyebrow, but said nothing.

“Indeed. We’ve made new friends in Elhunar; there will not be a war this year. I’ve also made myself a new friend.” She indicated to the orc. “Ghruz, meet Silviana, my head attendant.”

The orc simply nodded in polite recognition. Staring intently at Silviana, they offered a grunt.

Titania gracefully stepped out of the carriage, motioning for the orc to follow. When Ghruz got out, they could see the hundreds upon hundreds of men and women bowing in respect to their queen. As they walked up the pearly white palace steps, the orc never felt so out of place, catching every dirty look directed at them. At the top of the stairs, the queen spun on her heel and addressed her citizens.

“If you have an issue with my esteemed guest here, then perhaps you should complain to me, as she is directly under my protection. If you question my judgement, you will say your piece directly to me, right now.” Titania commanded, her voice booming throughout the plaza. No one dared to speak, and everyone averted their gaze. “That’s what I thought. Silviana my dear, to me!”

Titania spun back around, and walked into her palace. Ghruz followed close behind, doing their best to ignore the eyes burning holes through them. Inside was no less grand or lavish. Red velvet draped the marble walls, with veins of gold throughout the stone. Ghruz badly wanted to be back in their familiar shack.

Ahead of them was an ornate throne. Golden leaves trailed up the side and twisted behind it. Titania paced towards the throne, her gown threatening to dirty itself on the floor, but it never made contact. She placed herself on the throne neatly, surveying the large hall. Ghruz stood to the side, as if to avoid any and all attention. They had started to feel exhausted; they were surrounded by more people than they had ever met in their life.

The queen beckoned the orc to come closer. “Ghruz,” her voice laced with sweetness, “please, come stand beside me. I will be with you after I have dealt with stately matters.” The orc nodded and walked up every second stair, the giant person trying to hunch over and make them seem somehow smaller. “Good. Now, Silviana, please regale me with what has been happening since my leave.”

The pair talked at length about various offers from suitors, small businesses asking for aid, and so much more. Ghruz spaced out, and thought of when they would be able to leave. They were missing the hunt already.

They snapped out of their daydream when the queen spoke their name. “Silviana, Gruz will be my personal guest. She is under my personal protection. Please show our esteemed guest her room, and have her fitted in appropriate attire for dinner tonight.” Silviana nodded to the Elven queen’s request, and motioned for Ghruz to follow. The orc nodded pacing down the stairs, following Silviana throughout the palace.

“You don’t belong here. This is no place for a savage.” The elven woman spat out.

“Then why are you here?” Ghruz almost regretted the words as soon as it left their mouth. They wanted to get out of here as soon as possible, and making enemies wasn’t going to make that any easier. Still, they couldn’t help but be amused by the horrified look the elf wore. Silviana stopped in front of a large ornate wooden door, carved with an image of an elf surrounded by vines.

“In here, now. I will send for a seamstress, and you will be ready for our lady by dinner. Understood, pig?” she hissed. Despite their anxieties, Ghruz stood tall, and held their head up.

The hunter glared down at the elf with a fire they had not shown since being forced into this arrangement and balled their hands into a fist. “Call me pig one more time, and I will part your head from your shoulders with my bare hands.”

Silviana flinched, horror on her face. Before she could reply, Ghruz stomped past her, and slammed the door in her face. They exhaled heavily out of their nose, their shoulders slumped. “Garoshka, please spare me from these elves.” They surveyed their surroundings and sighed in resignation. A room for them, as luxurious and extravagant as the rest of the palace.

They missed their shack more and more by the second.