Whoever You May Be Ch. 7

[cesi-19.livejournal.com]

Title: Whoever You May Be
Characters: Karl Urban, Liv Tyler, Orlando Bloom, Viggo Mortensen
Genres: Angst, Drama, Romance
Rating: R
Warnings: Violence, AU
Summary: Liv enjoys the power and pleasure of nobility, while Orlando suffers the harsh life of a commoner. The arrival of a Danish Lord may put them in their rightful place. Can you live a life, and keep a love that's destined for someone else? AU. VM/OB






Chapter 7- Ten Years Later



“Orlando, you are such an idiot!”

Orlando cursed himself as he cut through the dim fog. He quickened his steps as a twig snapped behind him. The unusually low fog wrapped around his feet as he glanced up into the clear night sky. A heavy full moon hung, brightly illuminating the darkness around him. There was another snap, a sudden hoot of an owl, and the ruckus of birds bursting from the trees.

He started to run a little faster as a cold chill blew in his path, breathing a sigh a relief as he saw the old wooden bridge. His fears were calmed as his mind drifted back to younger days when he and Dom would pass through this very same bridge. Cautiously, he started to walk across and a familiar longing enveloped him as he thought back to that night many years ago. He could still remember the smell of the rain and earth, the edge of Dom’s voice, and the strange look in Karl’s eyes.

Orlando halted as he came to the middle of the bridge and looked down at the water beneath. It was not raging and full as it was that day ten years ago, but more calm and gentle, almost inviting. For awhile he just stood there, gazing reflectively at the water, watching the moon glimmer and glow through the river. He enjoyed the rare peace and quiet, taking in everything in about the moment and committing it to memory for he didn’t know when he would feel such peace again.

It felt like an entire lifetime since Orlando felt so relaxed. For the past week he and everyone else it seemed, were busy preparing for Liv’s grand eighteenth birthday party. It was sure to be the envy of all the other noble girls, Liv had happily proclaimed once preparations started. And from the sleepless nights and cruel days, there was no doubt in anyone’s night that her wish would come true. Every little thing, down to the tiny details of the plates and silverware was commanded by the choice and taste of the celebrant.

Liv saw to it that every single thing was perfect and to her liking. And if even a single flaw was found, even if a poor servant made the honest mistake of putting the wrong thing at the wrong place, she would pronounce their worthlessness and stupidity with flare. Orlando had seen many servants silenced and rebuked because of Liv’s malcontent, and he felt as if he alone could find excuses for her. In fact, Orlando was probably the only servant besides his mother and uncle who didn’t find her a spoiled, ungrateful, abusive mistress.

“Just a few more minutes,” Orlando said to himself as he loosened his hold on the sack he carried. Orlando had volunteered to go to Talbothys earlier that day since Fran was too wrapped up in the kitchens. The kind cook had told Orlando to travel to Talbothays and check on the orders she needed in by tomorrow. Orlando agreed, not expecting the process would take so long. He glanced up beyond the trees, admiring the stars that shone so brightly against the black sky. He smiled in the joy of having at least a few minutes for himself.

Orlando froze as he felt a strong form press against his back, powerful unwelcome arms wrapping around his waist.

“What are you doing here by yourself?” Orlando sickened as he felt the man’s hot, foul breath stick to his neck as the man took in his scent.

“You know…you’ll get better business in the city…but then again...I never was one to share,” the man flickered his tongue over Orlando’s ear, smiling as the body before him shook.

Orlando's eyes widened with shock as he felt hands caress his thigh. Anger and fear surged through him as he fought his assailant, kicking and punching and screaming with all his might, but the man’s hold was too strong. Orlando gasped as the man spun him painfully around and crushed his mouth in full assault. Orlando’s screams were blocked by the man’s furious tongue and lips, sucking and biting and bruising wherever they could reach. He could taste the foul alcohol as the man devoured his mouth possessively, he could smell the awful mix of wine and cologne as the man pressed their bodies together.

Rage raced through Orlando’s entire being. He had never been treated like this, he never wanted any of this! He couldn't allow this vile, disgusting drunk take what dignity he had! Terror and confusion quickly overpowered his rage as he felt eager hands pulling him, forcing him down as the man rolled on top of him. Orlando gagged as the man took his lips once more.

Orlando’s eyes forced themselves shut as new uncontrollable sensations surged through him. Shame and guilt followed by moans of his first pleasure, as Orlando felt himself respond to the man. He jerked his head away when he realized that his lips pressed themselves willingly against his attacker’s, opening and tasting the intruder who explored him.

What am I doing? Orlando cried to himself as his eyes snapped open, breaking the kiss. This man was violating him, touching him, and he wasn’t fighting back! Orlando dared to meet the stranger’s eyes, dark and brimming with lust. Fear and disgust encompassed Orlando as he felt the man’s hand wander boldly between his legs. The stranger moaned as he felt Orlando struggle frantically beneath him, pleasure rippling thorough his body as the young man pushed desperately to get away from him.

Orlando felt tears mingle with saliva and alcohol as the man caressed him and felt him all over, kissing his neck and shoulder madly. Orlando screamed as the man thrust painfully down on him, utter fear tore through him as he felt the overwhelming evidence of his attacker’s pleasure pressing hard on him. Terrible stories jumped wildly from Orlando’s memory, stories of vile wicked men forcing themselves on young women, and even young men, taking what they wanted and leaving their victims broken and torn. He panicked as another violent kiss took the very breath from him, those stories…they were all happening to him at this moment.

He was going to be raped and ravaged by this man! Orlando fought back frantically as he remembered how one young man years ago, was found raped and near death. He had survived the rape, but not childbirth. The rape had produced a child which killed its bearer, and the child died soon afterwards. Orlando never forgot the incident, and now as the man pressed against him harder and harder indescribable hatred took hold of him.

Orlando ripped one arm free and swung it brutally across the man’s head. As the drunk fell off balance, Orlando kicked him furiously until he was completely free of the man’s hold. Orlando curled his fingers in as the man struggled to stand back up, swaying and staggering as he went after Orlando. Enraged at what this bastard almost did to him, Orlando took his ready fist and sent a direct blow to the eye.

“Fuck!” The man collapsed under the force, pain throbbing and searing all over his eye.

“Not me, you damned rapist!” Orlando shouted as he kicked the man once more before running full speed towards the manor, quickly snatching his fallen bag from the floor. Orlando fled as he heard shouts coming from deep within the woods, heavy footsteps heading towards him.

Orlando panted heavily as he ran like never before, not daring to see if the man even managed to get up. Pain scorched his hand from the maddening punch he threw, and Orlando smiled at the thought. He never felt so powerful in his life! The triumphant feeling was short-lived as the lingering taste of alcohol sent fear back into his heart. A sick feeling filled Orlando as he remembered how the man spoke to him, touched him… almost raped him, and worst of all…for a few moments he enjoyed it. Horror engulfed him as he thought of what could have been.

“He could have killed me…I could have died,” he thought as he entered the village. He kept his eyes away from the villagers, not wanting them to see the marks that would certainly be there. From the corner of his eye, in the dim lamp light he saw a little girl sitting at someone’s doorstep, playing with a tiny rag doll.

Orlando’s heart filled with gratitude as the little child disappeared from sight. He didn’t want to know if he was blessed or cursed with the rare ability to bear children, and in truth he didn’t want to find out. He knew in his heart that he would have rather died at the hands of his attacker, than to survive and find himself with child.

“No child deserves that wretched fate,” Orlando reminded himself in the darkness. The very thought of bringing an innocent child into his world tormented Orlando, not because he wanted to be alone, but because he wanted to spare anyone else of the life he endured.

Quietly he made his way closer and closer to the manor until it was only a few yards away. He avoided the other servants as he found his way to the kitchen entrance, breathing a sigh of relief as he saw the light flowing from within. He reached out a hand to open the door when he felt a familiar hand twist him around.

“Where have you been?” Bernard demanded as he eyed Orlando, “Did you lose your tongue while you were out, boy?”

Orlando stood still and silent as Bernard inspected him. His uncle’s grip tightened as the scent of alcohol caught in the air. Orlando felt Bernard’s fingers dig deeper into his skin as he was yanked closer.

“When did you learn to drink?” Bernard demanded as Orlando kept his head down, unable to answer, “The same time you got these?” Bernard pointed to the bruises marking Orlando’s neck and collar, “I knew it…it was only a matter of time, you’re just like your mother! A natural slut...who was it Orlando?”

“I did nothing,” he answered with downcast eyes.

“That’s what your mother said, and then she had you! Which one of them was it?”

“No one…”

“Who fucked you?”

“I told you…no one…”

“Whoever it is, ask for payment next time you…entertain,” Orlando paled as Bernard’s imagination raced wildly, “And if you ever---ever find yourself with a kid---get rid of it! I won’t have you adding to my problems.”

A cold tremor ran through Orlando at the cold words. Did his uncle really think of him that way? He hoped that even Bernard would think better of him than some street whore, and now here he was---telling him to act like one. No…he couldn’t mean it, no matter how much Bernard hated him, he couldn’t really mean what he said…right? Orlando tried to convince himself even as his uncle whispered hateful insults in his ear.

“Orlando?” A kind voice called from the kitchen as light poured from the door. Both men turned to see Fran and Andy standing at the door, watching them intently.

“Orlando, there you are! Come inside, there’s much work too be done,” Fran said casually, stepping in front of Andy.

“Go back to work boy,” Bernard whispered before letting go.

As soon as Bernard released him, Orlando dashed into the door. Almost instantly, Fran slammed the door right behind him, locking Bernard out.

“Goodness Orlando! What happened to you?” Fran asked as Orlando collapsed on a chair.

“Nothing…it’s nothing,” Orlando said, trying to cover up the marks on his skin uselessly.

“Are you sure?” Andy said suspiciously as he handed him a cup of water, “You look sick.”

“I’ll alright Andy, I really am.” He didn’t convince either of them as he fumbled with the cup.

Fran frowned as she took in Orlando’s appearance, her nose twitching at the smell on Orlando’s clothes. Something happened, she knew it on instinct, but she didn’t want to pressure the young man to confess. She gave Andy a knowing glace before he could ask again, nodding towards the hallway.

“Orlando, why don’t you clean yourself up dear? Come back when you’re done, I could use your help. Liv’s birthday is only a day away. Yours is too isn’t it?”

“Yes,”

“Ah…I’ll have to prepare for that one too. Eighteen years old…it’s a big year. Now don’t argue with me, or tell me not to do it Orli!” Fran said, knowing well what Orlando’s response would be.

“But Miss Fran, there’s no time…Liv’s party,”

“Liv this, Liv that. I’ve spent the last week catering for that child’s dream celebration…I think I can find time to make something special for you,” Fran said as she nudged Orlando towards the hall, “Let Andy bring you some clean clothes when you’re done.”

“Let’s go Orli,” Andy said leading him to the servant’s washroom. Orlando obeyed as he followed his old friend, vaguely aware of the many eyes that watched him.

“Get back to work!” Andy yelled, sending servants flying back to their duties. “Take your time Orli,” Andy’s voice was suddenly kind and gentle as he left the young man to clean himself up. Orlando mumbled a soft thanks before closing the door.

Instead of fetching Orlando’s new clothes Andy guarded the door like a watch dog, asking one of maids to retrieve the clothes in his place. He shot daggers at any young lovesick servant who dared walk past the door. Andy was amused when Orlando first told him of how much attention the other boys were giving him, it was cute and harmless at the start. But now the innocent glances had turned into awkward admiration. Whenever Orlando was in a specific room, all work seemed to cease and when he left, people started working again.

The poor boy had more suitors than anyone else Andy could remember. Unfortunately, none of them seemed suitable in Andy’s eyes. Orlando needed someone who could protect him and give him a better life. So far all of the braver suitors who had gone to Bernard were threatened beyond recovery. Andy frowned, he didn’t want Orlando to live the rest of his life under Bernard’s control…the boy deserved a little happiness.

The maid returned and Andy thanked her, entering the washroom briefly to hand Orlando the clothes. Andy once again escorted Orlando back to the kitchen, they had barely two days to deliver a grand party and they couldn’t afford work to stop just because Orlando entered a room.

“Just stay in here for awhile Orli,” Andy said as he pulled out a chair for the young man, “Fran will tell you what needs to be done,”

“Thank you Andy,”

“Anytime lad,” With that Andy closed the door, leaving Orlando by his lonesome.


******


“Oh…the dear boy,” Fran said as she saw Orlando sleeping soundly, his arms and head resting on the table even as he sat. Fran took a moment to sit beside him, amused by the serene sight. Pride swelled in her as she watched him. Orlando was a gem indeed, his core soul untainted by the hell his own family put him through. Fran couldn’t understand how Orlando could share the same blood as Bernard. The young man was nothing like his family, he seemed to be made for gentleness…there was almost something noble about the boy.

Fran touched the dark brown curls gently. He was lovely, that was certain. There was little wonder way so many---both women and men were ensnared by him. He had grown into a very attractive young man, with a beauty unlike anyone else. What endeared him even more was his modesty. Fran couldn’t remember a time where Orlando flaunted his beauty boastfully. If this boy were her son, she would be so proud, so happy! She couldn’t understand how a woman like Miranda could have such a child. Fran sighed as she started to gently wake the boy, feeling a little guilty about disturbing such a peaceful slumber.

“Orlando…Orli dear, please wake up...” Fran smiled as the mop of curls stirred awake, a pair of rich brown eyes fluttering open at her call.

“Miss Fran...I-I’m sorry, I must have fallen asleep…,” Orlando said as he sat up, ready for any orders she might give.

“You can make up for it,” Fran said as she placed a bundle in Orlando lap, “Put these on and tend to the guests.”

“Guests? At this hour?” Orlando took the bundle curiously, his eyes widening as he recognized the colors.

“Orlando, it’s already morning. You’ve slept the whole night,” Fran said gently, patting Orlando on the shoulder, “Put those on and I’ll have the food prepared for you to bring in.”

“Bring in? But Miss Fran, this is…this is for servants,”

“Aren’t you a servant Orli?”

“Yes, but this is the uniform for servants who formally attend to the family…”

“And their guests,” Fran added, “Please Orli…we can’t keep Lord Hugo and those Danes from waiting,”

“They’re already here?” Orlando asked as he fumbled nervously with the clothes, “Has Liv arrived from Marlott with Lady Cate yet? She’s been taking about nothing else except for meeting them.”

“Fortunately no,” Fran said as she fixed Orlando’s hair, pushing the thick strands away from his eyes, “And she’s been talking her little heart out about the party more than meeting those nobles if you ask me.”

“She can’t help her heart,” Orlando said as Fran pushed the uniform over his head.

“Sometimes I wonder if she even has one Orli…now there,” Fran stepped back as Orlando stood anxiously in uniform, “You look magnificent.”

“I’ve never done this before, what if I make a mistake? What if I embarrass Lord Hugo?” Orlando’s voice hitched as he spoke his father’s name, the memory of Bernard’s revelation springing anew.

“You’ve served breakfast to the family before. You’ll do just as well with their guests,” Fran smiled as she topped the tray with one last creamy pastry, “Just mind your place, tend to their every need, and they’ll love you.” Orlando gulped as a heavy tray filled with pastries was handled to him. He took a deep breath as Fran opened the door for him, smiling in encouragement as he stepped into the hall.

Orlando made his way quietly to the dining hall, unsure of what he’ll find. The long-awaited visitors had finally arrived, and now that they were here, Orlando wasn’t sure how to receive them. His hands shook unwillingly as pleasant, warm voices rang from the room. He glanced down as another servant smiled suggestively at him as he left the room. Taking another deep breath to steady himself, Orlando said a quick prayer and ventured into the room.

The group was a lot smaller than he had expected. Aside from Lord Hugo, there were only two others. One of them was taller and more built. He had dark blonde hair and green eyes, and smiled as his caught sight of Orlando. The servant boy made his way to Lord Hugo, offering the aromatic food without shaking too much.

“Thank you Orlando,” The young man smiled weakly as the lord accepted a pastry. Unknown to him, the dark blonde still kept his eyes on him, glancing every moment or so to his companion.

Orlando turned to find a very interested noble staring back at him. Orlando said no word as he placed a pastry on the man’s plate, disturbingly conscious of how close they were.

“You never told me you had a son Hugo,” The man said suddenly.

“This is Orlando,” Hugo answered politely despite his guest’s thoughtlessness, “As you know Sean, Olivia is my only child.”

Orlando thought he could take advantage of the moment to quickly finish the next guest and slip away. But as he turned to the next guest, he lost his breath.

His heart skipped and his mind went blank as he spotted what looked like a horrible black eye on the lord’s face. Sensing an unwelcomed on-looker, the Dane looked up, meeting Orlando’s brown eyes with his own blue ones.

He cursed as a tray of food crashed on the floor.

“Orlando!” Lord Hugo called out as the tray slipped from Orlando’s hands, crashing all over the floor.

“Viggo,” Sean laughed as his cousin radiated anger and embarrassment, a pile of food all over his lap , “You're worse off than I expected…you frightened the boy!”

Orlando couldn’t believe it! This can’t be him! No! Of all the people in the world…this was him? In this very house, eating at Lord Hugo’s table as a guest? A lord? This bastard was a lord? But no…there had to be a mistake, he couldn’t be the same one from last night! But that black-eye! And there was no mistaking those eyes…the same ones that had meet his under that brutal kiss….

“What are you doing?” Orlando snapped back to the present at the sound of Viggo’s harsh voice, “Can’t you even hold a simple tray in your hands?...What are you standing there for? Clean. It. Up!”

At that moment Orlando was torn between apologizing to him and breaking his nose. Reason got the better of him as he heard maids rush to help him.

“I’m…I’m very sorry my lord…my deepest apologizes,” Orlando said quickly. He grabbed the tray and left as fast as he could, cutting through a pair of maids handling their own trays. He was relived to find the kitchen empty as he slammed the tray down in frustration and full blown hatred.

“Viggo? That was the wonderful man everyone’s been speaking of?” Orlando gasped in disbelief, running his fingers through in hair as he remembered how Liv counted the days until his arrival.

“That was the man behind the name?”

He was horrible! Vile and arrogant and…bold! Orlando’s eyes darkened as he remembered how the Dane had freely roamed his body, caressed and kissed him as if he were a possession. How could that drunk, despicable man treat him like that! Speak and touch him like a cheap corner whore! Like a slut! For once, Orlando felt his entire being insulted. A lord? No! That shameless drunk can’t be a lord! This Viggo was a…a…

“A repulsive, disgusting, foul…bastard!!!!”

And Orlando was certain, there was nothing by heaven or earth that would change his mind.



TBC…..




A/N: Sorry to all the people who wanted a sweet meeting between Viggo and Orlando, but it had to be done this way. I hope you can forgive me...I promise to fix it...eventually. I hope you still like it : )