So, this is my first story on here, so reviews would be much appreciated. Constructive criticism is fine, but no flames please. Saying something in a story is wrong or bad without any reason as why or suggestion on fixing it is worthless to a writer.
Prologue
Jora, daughter of Lord Halvar and Lady Eda of the Grey Mountains, had always known that she was no normal Dwarf. Most dwarves, male and female alike, had a stocky, short build, grew at least some degree of facial hair, had light to medium skintones, mostly brown or black hair. A few were blonde, a cherished color, of course, red-heads were exceedingly rare. Hence why Lord Dain Ironfoot of the Iron Hills was so renowned for his bright red hair and beard. Also, almost all dwarves had an affinity for mining, gems and gold.
Jora was short, even for dwarven standards. She had always been tiny, her parents said. They found her as an infant, alone in the foothills of the mountains, and never discovered who her parents were. At first, they had assumed her to be a newborn who simply been born early. That accounted for her size, but it not for the differences that appeared as Jora grew up.
Jora never grew stocky or plump like the other dwarflings. She always stayed thin and willowy. Her hair grew in wild, kinky, fiery curls that her mother struggled and fought to tame into traditional dwarven braids. She loved green growing things and their uses. She loved the blue of an open sky, the warmth of the sun, and the way stars and the moon glimmered in the inky black of night. She liked precious metals and gems too, but she liked them for the way the shone and sparkled rather than for their material value. She took little joy in learning to fight like the other children, though she did become quite skilled at throwing knives. While she did not enjoy fighting or sparring, she did always keep at least one throwing blade on her person for self-defense.
At first, Jora was her parent pride and joy. They had two infants already, but Jora was different. She was smart and learned everything put before her very quickly. She learned to read and write early for dwarf child. They were always showing her off to their guests, but as Jora grew up, and Lord Halver and Lady Eda had other children, they began to realise just how different Jora was. She few of the same interests as other dwarflings. And she never spoke. Her little mouth would open to form the words, but no sound ever came out.
Bit by bit, they stopped bring her out at gatherings and feasts. They would have the nursemaids bring out the other children, but Jora would be left behind. Soon, the nobility nearly forgot about young Jora, and her brothers and sister soon nearly forgot Jora was one of them. They began treating her and more like a servant or paid companion, rather than their sister. Their parents, bewildered by their mute daughter, never said a word.
There was whispers among the courtiers that Jora's being mute was a sign of her birth parents being cursed by Mahal, and, of course, rumors that the Lord and Lady would be cursed by association. The lord and lady never had the heart to get get rid of Jora, (they believed that Mahal would bless their generosity of taking her in) but they never treated her the same as the others. But Jora never complained.
Through the years, Lord Halvar and Lady Eda had several children; first was their son and heir Olin, then three years later, came their daughter Elin. Then, six years later, they found Jora. Because dwarflings grew much slower than human children, Olin and Elin were roughly the equivalent of two or three years old and were still far to young to remember that day. Eight years after Jora, came the twin girls, Ama and Ema. Last but not least, twins boys Jordi and Jarni came two years after the twin girls.
Out of all her siblings, Jora was closest to Elin. When Elin was the equivalent of ten years old and Jora was around seven or eight years old, Elin declared to the nursery that Jora was her official companion. It was a common custom among royal and high-ranking noble families to arrange for lower noblemen's daughter to be "companions" for their daughters because girls were so rare among dwarves. These companions would play, learn, and to some degree, serve the daughter they were companion to. They would grow up together in the same room, and have the same tutors. When they grew older, the distinction would grow between them as the companion would ready the daughter for fine parties and such before readying herself. She would have to give the lord's daughter a certain level of deference, and, sometimes, her family would be paid for her services to the lord's daughter. With Elin and Jora, however, they became the best of friends, and Elin never forgot that Jora was her sister. She always stuck up for Jora, though it often was for naught.
Jora occupied the old nurse's bed in Elin's room and soon began taking lessons in reading, writing, basic arithmatic, sewing, embroidery, dancing, deportment and music with her older sister. She also was given duties in helping to care for the younger children so that their parents and Olin and Elin, as the eldest children, would be able enjoy feasts and dances without having to worry about the babies.
So the years passed, and Jora grew to be a willowy, graceful young woman, always small for her age. Her curls grew less frizzy and more defined, but were still as wild as ever as they reached the small of her back. Her eyes were a grey-green and her skin fairer than all of her family's with a faint dusting of freckles across her nose. By all accounts, she was a sweet-tempered, pretty young dwarrowdam, though too slender for most dwarrows' taste and her face stayed free of facial hair. Then, there was the fact that she was mute. Most were too superstitious to want close association with Jora, in spite of her standing as daughter of the Grey Mountains' lord.
Between her duties to Elin and the younger children, Jora soon learned to find solace in books, music and gardens. She loved poetry, any kind of poetry. She did not discriminate; she read both human and dwarven authors, along with a few elvish ones, when they were slipped into an assorted collection. Jora played both the harp and the violin with great skill, and kept one of the best flower and herb gardens in the Grey Mountains.
Five years passed since the reclaiming of Erebor. Thorin Oakenshield was King Under the Mountain with Fili and Kili as his princes and heirs. Much had been accomplished in that time. The old city had been almost entirely cleared of the dragon's damage and stench, the mines were, shaft by shaft, being reopened and producing great yields, and dwarves from all kingdoms were returning to their home of old. Erebor, in a few short years, was prospering.
With his kingdom doing so well, Thorin's mind turned to other matters, such as his nephews and finding potential mates for them. Thorin was much too set in his ways of confirmed bachelorhood to take a wife, but Fili and Kili were still young dwarrows, and Thorin wanted to see them settled happily ere too long. Especially Fili; as Thorin's heir, it was important that he continue the line of Durin. At the advice of his chief counselor, Balin, Thorin invited all the noble dwarrowdams of marrying age and their families to come to Erebor for Crown Prince Fili's consideration. Of course, Prince Kili was free to choose one of them as well (hint, hint).
Naturally, both princes protested this act of their uncle's, but soon changed their attitudes to reluctant acceptance of the circumstances. At least, they were allowed the luxury of choosing from the prospective brides.