Disclaimer: All recognizable characters and settings are property of Tolkien enterprises and Peter Jackson productions, and all information was gathered either via the internet or the book. Any corrections to misinformation in this story is appreciated greatly. Enjoy!
Thror thought himself an agreeable Dwarf. He was firm, grounded, loyal and proud; he was a rich King who demanded respect, who had purpose in all he did. He was in a good place in his long life.
But now, as he looked down upon a human child no older than his own grandson, he thought himself maybe to be going slightly out of his mind. The King looked at her very odd clothing of nothing more than an odd looking dress with a purple and green creature, maybe a dragon, stitched on it and the word "Barney" going across the front, Her dark hair was a knotted mess, her brown eyes looking up at the old Dwarf in defiance and fright, tears brimming, her feet bare and a blanket clutched in one arm and one of his guards having a firm hold of he other.
Thror sighed a heavy sigh, bringing his hand to pinch the bridge of his great nose. He was getting too old and it was too late, or early depending on who you ask, for him to be dealing with thieves.
"So you thought to take from the King Under the Mountain, eh?" the old king rumbled, his voice echoing through the mostly empty halls "Mighty young to start a career in crime lass?"
"I-I didn't steal, Mr. Mountain Guy." the young one sniffed, holding tighter to her blanket "Honest, I di-"
"The little creature is lying your majesty!" the dwarf who held onto her "I found her in the treasury myself, foolishly kicking your precious gold!"
"Nu-uh! He's the liar! I was only in the money room because I fell outta my bed!" The child defended, stomping her foot. The guard gave her a hard stare, about to retort before the king stopped him.
"You want me to believe that you fell out of your bed, and you were magically in our 'money room' as it were." The King gave the small child a long look. He wasn't glaring or being harsh, just a calculating, calm look. King Thror was many things, and a grand detector of lies was one of them. People had a way about them when they were telling him something unhonest. Their posture changed, or their voice. It was rumored he could even hear the quickening of your heartbeat.
"Grandfather?" a voice from the side piped up. Thror looked up from the girl to see his own grandson, seemingly already dressed for the day, coming from behind the pillar.
"Thorin, what are you doing up at this late an hour."
His grandson shuffled his feet slightly, looked down like he had gotten caught trying to steal sweets from the kitchens again. The King raised a thick eyebrow at Thorin's sudden change in posture. The lad was but ten years young, his face still clean of a beard and his actions hesitant, still unsure of himself at his young age.
But Thror could see his potential, he felt it in his belly, and his belly was never wrong.
"The human speaks the truth." Thorin said, looking up from his boots, quite keen on veering the conversation topic from himself "She truly did fall from the ceiling."
"I've got the scratches to prove it too mister!" The girl quipped, showing her freshly scraped hands and picking her skirt up just enough to show her knees to show they were injured as well.
Thror looked at the pair, the guard rolling his eyes and the grip on the child's arm growing tighter, and contemplated his options. He could have the child executed for stealing from the royal treasury, as the guard had told him, or he could believe his grandson, and let the child go. He wondered what that would do to his reputation as a mighty King who ruled with an iron fist.
But for some reason he couldn't fathom, neither Thorin nor the strange child had a lie on their lips throughout the entirety of the conversation.
"Do not make me regret this decision, young one, for most people do not get to see a second chance with Dwarves."
A smile lit the child's face, revealing two missing front teeth.
"My King-"
"Do not question my judgment guard, I trust my grandson. Unhand the child and get back to your duties." The guard, huffing and puffing the whole time, bowed to the king and to the prince, and left in a stormy mood.
"What is your name child?" Thror asked, turning towards the young girl.
"Johnna McDougan, Mr. Mountain King"
"Child, have you a home in the neighboring town of Dale?"
"Uh, no. But I live on 3218 Sycamore Avenue in Cambria California." The child smiled brightly, obviously proud she had remembered her whole address.
"...I am afraid there is no such place as this 'California' here in middle-earth child."
Johnna looked confused, and fear lit in her eyes.
"We can't be in the middle of the Earth, we'd burn up silly."
The King paused a moment, deciding it best not to question what exactly the possibly insane child could mean by that.
"Thorin, in the morning, take two guards and escort the young girl to Dale. She's had a rough night, it would be best just to keep a close eye on her for now."
"...Yes sir." Thorin muttered, looking toward the girl before taking his leave.
Thror looked to a guard, and ordered him to take the girl to the servants quarters for the night.
And that was that, the mighty King Under the Mountain thought to himself. He would never hear from the child again, hoped her mental illness would pass, and that her parents would give her a right beating for being out so late.
He would never see Ms. Garcia again.
Or so he thought.
Hello all!
So, yes! A Thorin love story! And I know, I know, it's a "girl falls into middle-earth" story, but with a slight twist! I really wanted to be original, so I sorta took a different route with it. She's young, but so is Thorin? What? Why would I do that, she'd be old and dead by the time all the action started!
All in good time faithful readers, all in good time :P
This chapter really isn't my best work, but I forced myself not to trash it completely, because I know myself too well, and I would never start writing it again if I did. So don't be TOO critical, and don't write me off just yet! The best is yet to come!
