Drabble, Motivational Speaking

[fredbassett]

Title : Motivational Speaking
Author : fredbassett
Fandom : The Lord of the Rings
Rating : 12
Characters : Uglúk, Mauhúr
Disclaimer : Not mine, no money made, don’t sue.
Spoilers : None
Summary : Dying would have been less painful
A/N : 1) Written for the Tolkien 100 challenge Time After Time 2) Follows on from Birds of a Feather

“Keep walking.”

The rough voice penetrated red hot pain that gripped Uglúk’s body and mind.

The wound left by the Rider’s sword blade had not yet festered. That was one small mercy, but only Mauhúr’s fancy needlework skills and his stubborn refusal to let him die had got Uglúk this far.

Time after time he’d fallen, and time after time Mauhúr had hauled him upright.

So Uglúk simply set one foot in front of the other and kept moving slowly away from the trees.

Dying would have been easier. And a lot less painful.

“And stop feeling sorry for yerself.”

Comments

[liadt]

Aw, poor Ugluk, the wound sounds most unpleasant. One day something nice will happen to the orcs!

[fredbassett]

I hope so!

[grondfic.livejournal.com]

Heh! I am a bit in love with Mauhúr.

[fredbassett]

*g* Me too! He's developing a character of hiss own.

[hhimring]

Mauhúr is being very loyal, for an orc? Were they close before or are they growing closer because of the situation?

[fredbassett]

Interesting question! I think my reading of the orcs is more influenced Tolkien's text rather than Jackson's films, and from the Uruk-hai chapter, Ugluk's unit seemed to be quite a close-knit fighting structure, and his orcs seemed to have quite a lot of loyalty and trust. Tolkien made it clear, for instance, that Ugluk knew how to humour and inspire reluctant followers.

And the reference in text to 'Mauhur and his lads' being in the forest implied they knew each other well, So I guess I see them as fairly close comrades before the battle with the Rohirrim. And now, both being the sole survivors of the slaughter of their units would bring a certain closeness.

Ooops, I'm writing an essay! But Tolkien's orcs, and the 'bad guys' in the book have been a huge love of mine for over 40 years, and I think these drabbles are giving me an excuse to indulge this. I think I might have to write a longer piece for these two. I'm trying to stick as closely to book canon as I can at the moment with the inferences I'm drawing, but dunno how long that will last! They both seem to want to tell their stories....

Thank you for asking the question!

[hhimring]

Thank you for your explanation!
Yes, it's true, Ugluk's unit do seem to take pride in who they are and that creates fellow feeling!

[fredbassett]

I think that came over more strongly in the books than the films. I wasn't at all keen on Jackson's vision of the orcs.

[fififolle]

Aww!! I feel his pain.

[fredbassett]

*g* So does he!

[wulfila.livejournal.com]

I am really growing fond of these two. Mauhúr is quite amusing in his gruff way (and effective at ensuring Uglúk's survival, too).

[fredbassett]

I'm glad you;re liking them! I have a huge soft spot for these two now.