Dwarves of the Iron Hills

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Dwarves of the Iron Hills
Race
General Information
MembersDain II Ironfoot, Gror, Náin son of Grór
Physical Description
Lifespanaround 250 years
DistinctionsShort in stature, beards, well-armoured in combat
Average heightFive feet or less

The Dwarves of the Iron Hills belonged to the house of the Longbeards, otherwise known as Durin's folk. About half a millennium before the War of the Ring, the Dwarves of this house dwelt in the northern Grey Mountains, but they were greatly troubled by dragons in that region. After King Dáin I was slain by one of these dragons, his surviving sons led an exodus into the east. Dáin's elder son Thrór recreated the Kingdom under the Mountain at Erebor, while his younger brother Grór led a part of the people further into the east, to settle among the Iron Hills.


The Dwarves became strong and prosperous in their new home. And becoming the greatest realm of the North after the sacking of Erebor. They became well-known for making a metal mesh that could be used for making flexible items like leg-coverings. But more than anything these Dwarves became such a strong people that they were the only realm capable of stopping Sauron from attacking Rivendell and taking back the lands of Angmar.

These Dwarves of Durin's folk were known for being some of the most fierce and elite of all Dwarf armies. Their main weapon of choice seemed to have been the mattocks, though they also carried a short broad sword with a round shield.

Not much is said on whom were enemies of these dwarves, but it seems likely that the Easterlings were one of them, since their empire was near and around the Iron Hills, and possibly Dragons. Considering they lived in the wastes to the North.

History

Early History

Founding of Gror's Realm

Gror, son of Dain I and his people were forced to leave their home in the Gray Mountains due to attack of Dragons. He settled in the Iron Hills during the year 2590, where he became the first Lord of the Iron Hills. During his reign the realm became the strongest in the North, being the only realm standing between Sauron and his plans to destroy Rivendell and taking back the lands of Angmar. Also, following the Sack of Erebor many of Durin's folk fleeing from Smaug and those wandering in exile came to the Iron Hills, bolstering their numbers.

War of the Dwarves and Orcs

During the War of the Dwarves and Orcs many Dwarves from the Iron Hills fought several battles, but they are mostly remembered from the Battle of Azanulbizar in the year 2799. Naín and his army came to the battle in the most crucial moment, when the main Dwarven army was being decimated by the great host of Orcs. With these fresh reinforcments, the Dwarves were able to route and destroy their opponents, fighting their way all up to the steps of the East-gate of Moria. There, Nain dueled with Azog, the Orc commander, resulting to his death. Later in the battle,Dáin II Ironfoot killed Azog out of vengeance for his father, achieving recognition because he was very young for dwarven standards.

After the coming of Smaug, most of the survivors of his attack went to the Iron Hills, except for Thrór and his small company of family and followers, who thought that they were the only survivors of the attack.

The two Dwarven peoples remained on friendly terms with one another. Years later, when Thrór's descendant Thorin Oakenshield sent to the Iron Hills for aid in restoring Erebor, Grór's grandson Dáin II Ironfoot (named after his illustrious ancestor Dáin I) sent many armoured Dwarves. As events developed, the Dwarves of the Iron Hills proved crucial in winning the ensuing Battle of Five Armies. Thorin died in that battle, and with him the royal line of Thrór. Through his ancestor Grór, the Kingship of Durin's Folk then fell on Dáin. As Dáin II Ironfoot, he removed from the Iron Hills, and re-established a kingdom under the Lonely Mountain.

It is possible, though not canonical, that the Dwarves from the Iron Hills, fought in the Battle of Dale against the Easterlings during the War of the Ring, but Tolkien never stated that they specifically did.


Sources