Dwarfish Honour by A J Dalton

A large tree in the middle of green woodland. Large white text reads: Dwarfish Honour. Smaller text reads: Discussing disabled characters in fairy tales and folklore.

Would you measure a warrior’s worth
by the rewards they’d earned
or the trophies they’d spurned,
by the number they’d slain
or the many they’d spared;
praps you’re persuaded by the songs
of their kin who survived them.
Or you’d celebrate their renown
and vaunted prowess in battle
when it is really those without
such advantage who show more
courage in not fleeing the field
when outmatched by every other foe.
See – it is those of whom you’ve not heard
that might more truly deserve
your prayerful thoughts and earnest hymns
your hushed tales, be they ever
so tall, by the warming hearth
of our time-wearied feasting hall.
Would you have me tell you their names
though your lips are unworthy
to speak them, your ears deaf
and your mind too dull to grasp
what it genuinely is
to have known Thorin Oakenshield,
last of his ancient and noble line.

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About the author:
A J Dalton (www.ajdalton.eu) is a UK-based writer. He’s published the Empire of the Saviours trilogy with Gollancz Orion, The Satanic in Science Fiction and Fantasy with Luna Press, the Darks Woods Rising and Digital Desires poetry collections, and other bits and bobs. He lives with his monstrously oppressive cat named Cleopatra.