Dornessiti (Hobbit Short Story)

Chapter 1

Translation
Dornessiti (Khùzdul) - Princess
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"Thorin," sighed Dis, looking at her older brother.
"What?" He replied, setting down his glass of brandy. Dis quickly moved the bottle out of her brother's reach before he poured himself another glass.
"Could you please at least consider it." Thorin looked up at his younger sister with his piercing gaze.
"Why would I want a child that's not my own?" He asked, not taking his eyes off Dis.
"Because it's not going to do you any good living here alone," she replied.
"I have you," replied the dwarf stubbornly. Dis ran a hand through her curly black hair, sighing again.
"I know Thorin, but it'd do you some good. You were brilliant with Fili and Kili when they were younger, and now you're turning into a grumpy old man. Please just consider it."
Thorin nodded eventually, not wanting to upset his little sister any further. He stood, gently hugging Dis.
"I'll consider it, beag namad (little sister) but no promises," he said comfortingly. Dis gave him a gentle smile.
"Alright, now cheer up you grumpy old sod," she chuckled softly. Thorin couldn't help but smile.
"Once again, no promises." Dis rolled her eyes, punching her brother playfully.
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A few days later
Thorin looked up at the orphanage, trying to hide his nervousness. The large brick building looked foreboding and daunting even for the adult dwarf, so he dreaded to think what it looked like to a child. The women who ran it invited him in, walking him down the plain corridors to the room where the children were waiting. Shouting and screaming could be heard as most of the children ran and played, throwing toys at each other and hiding behind the sparse furniture. Some of the littler ones were at small tables, colouring on crumpled paper with stubs of crayons. Most were dressed in grubby looking clothes and had dirty faces, Thorin guessed it had been a while between baths. Barely any of the children registered the dark haired stranger as he entered the room, scanning the room with his slightly sad blue eyes. Slowly, his gaze settled on a small figure, curled up in one of the corners.
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She was small for her age, with wide dark blue eyes and a terrified expression. Her long hair was brown and matted, falling in a tangled mess down to her waist. She wore a ragged long sleeved top and trousers, covering everything apart from her hands and face. Her pale, thin face was littered with bruises and her bony hands had scars on every finger as well as various nicks and cuts. Thorin slowly approached her, the small girl immediately scrambling back against the wall as soon as he got close.
"It's okay little one," said Thorin, his voice as gentle as he could make it "I will not hurt you." He crouched down a little way away from the girl, not getting too close. She looked panicked, trying to move back further despite the wall at her back.
"Shh, it's okay, I promise I won't hurt you," he hushed "My name's Thorin."
"H-H-Hazel," stuttered the terrified child. Thorin gave her a soft smile.
"That's a pretty name. How old are you Hazel?" He said, trying to encourage conversation. The tiny girl paused for a second, looking down at her hands and counting her fingers, whispering the numbers to herself.
"F-Four," she replied after a moment, looking back up at the dwarf's face. Thorin nodded and glanced around at the other children, who were still running and shouting as if nothing would stop them. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Hazel flinch at a particularly loud shout. He looked back and saw how tightly she was curled, pressed against the wall as if she could melt into it and disappear.
"Are you afraid Hazel?" He whispered softly, barely audible over the playing children. The small girl nodded, bringing her knees up to her chest and hugging them, clearly terrified. Thorin went to comfort her but one of the women came over. She towered over Thorin, not that it bothered the dwarf as he drew himself up to his full height, her thin figure and harsh glare reminding him somewhat of a snake.
"Is everything okay Mr Oakenshield?" She enquired, her voice a cold hiss.
"Yes," replied Thorin honestly "I was just talking to Hazel here." The woman frowned for a moment, glancing at the small girl in the corner before looking back at Thorin. Out of the corner of his eye, the dwarf saw Hazel flinch, triggering something protective inside his heart. He wasn't surprised she was scared, even the women looking after her were viper like and harsh, opposite to the matronly angels they were meant to be.
"There are many children to adopt if you wish to look around, I wouldn't just speak to one," the woman suggested. Thorin frowned, shaking his head.
"No, I'll stay here thank you," he declined, managing to maintain a polite demeanour. He wondered how many times Hazel had been denied a loving family by these women, how many times another child had been adopted in her place.
"Hazel's a little... tricky," said the woman "And seeing as you haven't adopted before..."
"I will stay here. Thank you." Thorin interrupted curtly, his manners dropped to the dust as he felt Hazel's fear growing more and more. The woman glared at Thorin for a moment, irritated at being cut off, before turning on her heel and leaving them. Thorin turned back to Hazel, his hardened expression immediately softening.
"Shh, Hazel, don't listen to her," he said, his voice returning to its gentle tone as he crouched back down to her.
"T-the o-o-other k-kids are b-b-better. Y-you s-should g-g-go s-see them," stammered Hazel, looking down at her scarred hands. Thorin shook his head.
"No Hazel," he said "I want to talk to you." For a moment he could have sworn a tiny smile flickered across the girl's face.
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For a while they spoke, Hazel's speech always hesitating and nervous but Thorin didn't mind. Midway through a conversation Hazel stopped, looking at something over Thorin's shoulder. He turned, his eyes settling on what he was looking at. One of the older children was running around with a small blue teddy and what looked like a pile of rags.
"What's wrong Hazel?" He asked gently.
"T-t-they t-t-took th-them," whispered Hazel.
"Is that teddy yours Hazel?"
She nodded.
"A-and L-Lucy," she murmured.
"What?" Asked Thorin. Hazel pointed to the little pile of rags, her hand trembling.
"L-Lucy." She sniffled for a moment "Th-They r-ripped h-her u-up."
Thorin frowned as he saw tears forming in her dark blue eyes.
"Oh Hazel, it's okay little one," he comforted softly "I think I know someone who could fix her."
"R-Really?" Asked Hazel, hope coming into those tear filled eyes.
"Yes," smiled Thorin. He got up, looking over at the older children.
"N-no, w-wait, th-they'll g-g-get m-mad," said Hazel, looking scared.
"I won't let them get mad at you Hazel," said Thorin softly.
"P-Promise?" She asked hesitantly. Thorin nodded.
"I promise."
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Thorin put on his customary scowl, making his way over to the group of older children. The small blue teddy sat on the table, next to the pile of rags that was once a toy.
"Oh look," said one of the children "It's that weirdo that's been talking to the stuttering freak."
Thorin's scowl deepened.
"Don't call her that," he said, his voice almost a growl.
"Don't call her a stuttering freak?" Piped up another "But that's what she is, waking up screaming in the middle of the night. Staring off into space before bursting into tears. She's such a crybaby."
Thorin could feel his hands clenching at his sides, a flicker of anger crossing his face.
"Leave her be," replied Thorin, trying to contain the anger bubbling up inside him like lava "You know nothing about her. And I take a very dim view of bullies. You are not better than her. You are not more important than her. You have no right to treat her badly. So stop insulting her and hand over her possessions now."
"We know she's a little freak," jeered a third. The first child picked up the two toys and threw them down at Thorin's feet.
"Why would we want her baby toys anyway," he spat. Thorin picked the toys up, frowning as he looked at Lucy. Hopefully Bofur would be able to fix her.
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Hazel looked up when she heard Thorin approaching, grinning so widely he thought her face would split in half. He felt a little warmth in his chest when he saw her little eyes sparkle happily, handing the two teddies to her.
"Th-Thank you s-sir!" She smiled. Thorin couldn't help but smile in return, sitting back down with her.
"Call me Thorin, little one," he said "I don't like using titles, even though I have many."
Hazel nodded, hugging her teddies tightly, still smiling even though it made her cheeks ache.
"S-Sorry Mr Th-Thorin."
Thorin smiled softly, knowing that was as good as he'd get. Hazel looked at him curiously for a moment, her little eyes looking over the dwarf in front of her. He didn't seem so scary now, and he'd stopped frowning so much so she could see his blue eyes, which seemed gentle and kind, albeit a little sad. She plucked up the courage before saying quietly:
"Wh-who are y-you going t-to a-adopt?"
Thorin couldn't help but smile as he looked meaningfully at the little girl in front of him.