We Need You

Summary: Nharia let her temper get the better of her. Her Commander has something to say about that
Warning(s): Spanking using a switch; spoilers for the game; some references to violence
Author’s Note: Written for the July challenge Just Keep it Short on Discipline Fic

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It had been a long, tiring mission that wasn’t over yet. But they’d finally had the chance to stop and take a break. Finally been able to rest for the night, even though they had to remain on their guard against the unholy alliance that had formed between orc and demon. 

Nharia placed her bow against one of the trees, allowing her hand to linger on the trunk for a few moments. “I am sorry we could not do more to protect you,” she whispered, able to feel the remnants of the poison still roiling beneath the surface. But the forest spirits were purging the last of it, like a sickness being healed from a diseased body.

“You did what you could.” Ovolin’s gruff voice broke into her reverie.

Nharia glanced towards her comrade, who’d settled beneath the shade of a large tree. Sweat had run down his face, beneath his red hair, and he grunted as he shifted into a more comfortable position. “Thank you.” Nharia spoke in a quiet voice, though it was enough to carry to her friend’s ears. “You fought for the forest and the spirits here when you didn’t have to.”

 Ovolin shook his head and held up a thick hand to stop her words. “I might not understand the relationship you elves have with the forest, but I saw enough to know how much it hurt you. And as your friend, I fought to keep you from being harmed anymore.”

 Nharia nodded. “Still, I appreciate it.”

 “Nharia. I would like to speak with you.”

 She’d heard the Commander approach before the elf reached her. Now, she looked up into Mylaela’s thin, elfin face. Like the rest of them, the Commander was pale and drawn. Her skin was mottled with bruises and marred with cuts. She wore her exhaustion like another wound, her face pale and drawn with dark circles under her eyes that made them look bruised.

 “Of course.” Nharia rose to her feet and followed the Commander, until they stood a short distance away from the company; still within eyeshot, if any of them cared to look, but any conversation would carry only to the ears of their fellow elves.

 Mylaela turned to Nharia and studied her face for a few moments. Finally, she spoke in a low voice. “I need to know I can trust you to keep a clear head. I understand how much pain the orcs poisoning the forest caused you. I truly do. But instead of taking the responsibility I’d given you and scouting, you let your pain and grief guide your arm. That is behaviour I expect from Ovolin, not from you.”

 Nharia looked down, skin flushing, feeling like a naughty child being scolded. “I understand, Commander. It will not happen again.”

 “I will make sure of that.” Mylaela was silent for a few moments and then said, “Go and cut me a switch.”

 Tensing, Nharia darted a glance towards Mylaela’s face, swallowing hard. “Commander. That’s not necessary.”

 “I agree that it shouldn’t be necessary, but you’ve left me with very little choice. Cut me a switch, Nharia. Now.” The Commander didn’t raise her voice, but she clearly expected to be obeyed. She drew her knife from its sheath and held it out, hilt first.

 Shoulders slumping, Nharia took the knife. She could claim that the forest wouldn’t allow her to remove a branch for the purpose of punishment and she might even be believed by the Commander. But she didn’t have to commune with the forest spirits to know they would approve of what was about to happen. With a quiet sigh, she took the knife and walked over to the nearest tree. After briefly communicating with the spirit, she cut a branch free and stripped it quickly and carefully, removing all of the leaves and nubs. Then, she carried it over to Mylaela and held both switch and knife out.

 The Commander took both items from Nharia and sheathed the knife, then swished the switch through the air a few times. She nodded in satisfaction and then focused on Nharia. “Lean against the tree trunk.”

 Taking a deep, slow breath, Nharia turned her back and leaned forward against the tree trunk. She braced her hands against the rough bark and arched her back.

 The switch whistled through the air and landed against Nharia’s bottom, leaving a line of fire behind that burned even through her britches. She gasped, unable to help tensing up as the switch was pulled back. Then, as the second stripe burned across the fullest part of her bottom, she couldn’t help crying out.

 After the switch had landed six times, Nharia’s entire backside was throbbing and burning and tears were in her eyes. She let out a quiet sob as the switch began to fall again, delivering another six stripes from the crest down to mid-thigh.

 There was the sound of the switch falling to the ground and then the Commander was gripping Nharia’s shoulder. “It’s over,” she said. “You took that well. No more letting your anger get the best of you.”

 “Understood.” Nharia wiped at her eyes and then slowly straightened up. Wincing, she cast a glance towards the rest of their company. They would have seen what happened; known that she’d been punished. It was deserved, of course.

 “Let’s return to the others,” Mylaela said quietly. “We need to rest before we continue our mission.”

 Nharia nodded and followed her Commander back over to the rest of their company.

The End