Thorin's hall

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This article describes a concept which is mentioned in J.R.R. Tolkien's works, but was never given a definite name.
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General information
LocationNorth of the Gulf of Lune, west of the river Lhûn, and north of Little Lune
People
LanguageWestron, Khuzdul, some Sindarin

Thorin's Halls was the main western realm of Durin's folk, led by King Thráin II and later Thorin II Oakenshield.

Location

Located in the northern Blue Mountains (Also called Ered Luin) beyond the Little Lune river, the city likely was built not far from the old city of Belegost. Which would have been located just a few miles south from the Little Lune.

History

Establishment and Thráin's reign

The halls of Thorin were established in the year 2802 by Thorin's father King Thráin II, after moving from the hills of Dunland. Several years before Thráin, had led a host of Dwarves from his house and others in a great war against the Orcs; who had murdered Thráin's father, King Thrór.

For nearly forty years Thráin ruled his people in the Ered Luin, but in the year 2841, after being driven to obsession by his ring of power, he left the Ered Luin with a small group of followers to return to the Lonely Mountain. The Lonely Mountain (also called Erebor) was the realm of King Thrór before the great dragon Smaug sacked the mountain and killed or drove away its inhabitants. Thráin was determined to kill the dragon and take his father's realm back. But in 2845 while encamped on the eves of Mirkwood Thráin was captured by the servants of the Necromancer and taken to Dol Guldur; where he was tortured till his death many years later. His followers including Balin and Dwalin did not know where he had gone, and after searching for days they returned to the Ered Luin.

Thorin's rule

Thorin was made ruler of Durin's folk, and under his leadership his people prospered in a fashion. Their trade increased as well as their numbers from both birth, and from wandering people of their own house who heard of Thorin's realm and came to him.

Matěj Čadil - Thorin in Blue Mountains

Thorin ruled in the Ered Luin for nearly one hundred years, until after meeting Gandalf the Wizard -who helped him concoct a plan to take back Erebor from Smaug- left his halls for the last time on a quest to take back his former home. After many months Thorin and Company reached the mountain. They took the mountain as theirs and Thorin declared himself King under the Mountain after Smaug was killed by Bard of Dale, but after a great battle with Orcs and Wargs Thorin was mortally wounded, and died. Never being able to enjoy the realm he gained.

Dissolvement as the Capital

After Thorin's death, his cousin Dáin II Ironfoot of the Iron Hills became king of Durin's folk; and when news reached Durin's folk in the Ered Luin that Erebor was retaken, it is believed that most of them moved to the Lonely Mountain. therefore, Thorin's Halls became a sub-realm of Durin's folk.

Portrayal in Adaptations

File:Thorin's Halls.jpg
The Thorin's Halls as depicted in The Lord of the Rings Online.

2007: The Lord of the Rings Online:

Thorin's Halls is one of the major cities in the game, referred to as "Thorin's Hall". Following the death of Thorin, many Longbeards move away and the rule of Thorin's Hall falls to the Dourhands - the clan of Dwarves who are slowly corrupted by the Dark Lord. In T. A. 3016 King Dain sends a company of Longbeards to reclaim Thorin's Hall and Dourhands are thrown out, Dwalin becomes the ruler and maintains his position until T.A. 3019. Thorin's Hall is where the Dwarven characters begin their journey in Middle-Earth: the city itself is safe from dangers, but outlying outposts face the threats of wild beasts, remaining Dourhands and occasional Goblins.

References