It was after a long day. The five year old girl was dragging a large fish, almost twice the size as herself, towards the slave quarters close to the lake. Hiding amongst the bushes and using a much smaller fish as a decoy, the little girl panted as she paused. Orcs had a history of stealing good catches from the Nurnhoth, which was why the girl was acting extra cautious bringing the large catfish she was lucky enough to harpoon back home. When a patrol of orcs passed without suspicion, the child took up both fish and pulled them into the little settlement of mud and straw huts she called home.
Several Nurnhoth looked at her with delight as the little girl cast the fish in the center of the clearing. A girl named Kandice cheered in glee, "That'll feed us all tonight!"
Two older Nurnhoth walked over and took both fish from the girl, retreating to prepare tonight's proper meal. The girl smiled wearily, before hearing a familiar voice behind her, "It is a shame you are coming of age to start working in the fields, Sari."
The girl turned to see her mother approaching her with a proud gleam in her eyes, "You are one of the best young anglers we have."
Sari stumbled over to her mother and hugged her, "Thanks, mum..."
As Sara Mosa squeezed her in return, another voice resounded, "Your little girl is really something, sweetheart."
Sara and Sari turned to see an older Nurnhoth in his forties approaching them, "It is a shame you can't remember who sired your child."
Sara sighed, placing a hand on her hip, "Now, papa, just admit Sari is a blessing regardless."
The man looked down to Sari with a gentle gaze, "Oh, Sari is just the sweetest thing. I just wish my daughter had not slept around in Gogor-"
"-Papa!" Sara blushed, carrying a gaze that seemed genuinely hurt. Sari's grandfather picked up on this and sighed softly. He gave his daughter a loving gaze before turning to find his own wife.
Sari blinked up at her mother, "Mum, what does he mean by sleep around? We need to sleep every night, right?"
Sara broke out into a nervous chuckle and rustled Sari's black hair, "I'll explain when you're older, baby girl."
Sari pouted, "You always say that!"
Sara simply took her child's hand to lead her to her house. For such a young child, Sari was able to pick up on the waves of sadness in her mother's expression, and the slump to her walk.
Before they could slip into their hut, the sound of a familiar horn echoed across the landscape. The mother and child turned to see a group of orcs shambling into the center of the settlement. Nurnhoth slaves crawled and slunk into the clearing to bear witness as a single man, Black Numenorean, took his place in the very center of the clearing. He towered, clearing his throat as Sara and Sari joined the edge of the crowd.
"Greetings," the man spat, "Nurnhoth scum."
Not a single outcry of offense was heard from the crowd. Everyone here was used to being belittled like this.
The Black Numenorean continued, "According to your overseer, productivity in your sector has slowed recently, by twenty percent." He shook his head, "That will not do."
Everyone waited in chilled silence. Sara protectively placed her arms around her daughter. She bent down whispering, "I will not let them hurt you."
Sari gulped, Sara had no such power, how could she be certain? The Black Numenorean spoke, "By order of Lord Aglarzor, on behalf of the Dark Lord Sauron, every Nurnhoth aged forty and older is to be decommissioned, and younger slaves brought in to replace them."
A ripple of woe rushed through the crowd. Sari followed Sara's gaze towards her grandparents, her grandmother weeping silently as her husband held her tightly. Sari echoed in dreaded confusion, "Decommissioned?..."
The Black Numenorean extended his hand, "Let the culling of the herd begin."
Immediately, screams broke out as the older Nurnhoth were being dragged away. One older man kicked and screamed as he was pulled away, "Curse Lord Aglarzor! Curse the Dark Lord Sauron! Curses! Curses to the-" an orc brandished a cruel, crude sword and killed him on the spot.
Sari jumped at the image, terror flooding her mind. Sara bolted forth, causing the girl to cry out for her mother. Sari watched as Sara ran up to her parents and hugged them both, wailing, "Papa! Mum!"
Sari watched silently as an orc approached the three. Without warning, the elderly woman was ripped from the hug. Sara's father ran beside his wife, taking her hand and following as they were led away. Sara fell to her knees as the man shouted, "Sara! We love you!"
Sara screamed, bawling as she extended her hand to the direction an entire group of Nurnhoth were being lead away.
"I can still work! Spare me! I beg of you! I can still work!" One outcry resounded as the mob disappeared. The Black Numenorean followed, a jagged spear in hand.
The sound of Sara's sobbing echoed across the clearing. A woman, one of the oldest remaining, walked over to the mourning woman and gently pulled her up, "Come on, dear, back to your house."
Sara seemed to barely process anything as the elderly lady guided Sara towards their hut. Sari was still with shock. She looked over to Kandice, who was huddled in a corner crying silently, "Mumma, mumma..."
Sari was numb with shock as the elder woman walked out and took Sari's hand, guiding her inside.
