Thorin
Thorin II Oakenshield (Third Age 2746 – 2941, lived 195 years) was a King of Durin's folk for 91 years, from 2850 to 2941. He was the son of Thráin II and the older brother of Frerin and Dís. Thorin led his people during their exile from Lonely Mountain (Erebor in Sindarin), and later helped reclaim their kingdom and briefly became King under the Mountain. This adventure, the "The Quest of Erebor", was the basis for The Hobbit
The War of the Dwarves and Orcs
Born at Lonely Mountain at the height of the Dwarves' glory, Thorin was just 24 years old when his people were driven into exile by the dragon Smaug. He fled with his father Thráin II and his grandfather King Thrór, but his grandfather was devasted by the loss and left his people, wandering south with a single companion, Nár. Thráin meanwhile led the exiles to Dunland, where they ecked out a meager living.
Twenty years later, Nár returned with horrible news. He and Thrór had journeyed to Moria where the King of Durin's folk had been captured and butchered by the Orc-chietain Azog. To add insult to injury, Azog had carved his name on Thrór's severed head in Dwarven runes, releasing Nár only so that all Dwarves would know that an Orc now ruled Moria.
Filled with righteous anger, Thráin gathered togethered a massive army of Dwarves and began the War of the Dwarves and Orcs. One by one the Dwarves destroyed the Orc warrens in the Misty Mountains until the reached the East-gate of Moria. In Dimrill Dale (Azanulbizar in Khuzdul) the Dwarves fought the bloody Battle of Azanulbizar. Thorin was 53 years old, young for a Dwarf, but he fought admirably. At one point his shield was broken and he was forced to use an oak branch to defend himself, which is how he got the epithet "Oakenshield". The Dwarves were ultimately victorous and Azog was slain, but they took horrible losses, included Thorin's brother Frerin. They were also unable to take back Moria, as Dáin Ironfoot had peered beyond the East-gate and saw that Durin's Bane still haunted the mines.
After the war, Thráin and Thorin led their people east to live in the Blue Mountains. In 2841 Thráin left with a small group to see if they could retake Lonely Mountain. While some of the companions returned, Thráin was never seen again by his kin.
Years later, by chance Thorin met Gandalf the Grey in the town of Bree. In 2850 Gandalf had gone on a secret mission to the dark fortress of Dol Guldur and in the dungeons he had found a Dwarf so diminished he no longer knew his own name. The Dwarf had given Gandalf his last two possessions, a map and key to Lonely Mountain. Suddenly realizing he had found Thráin, Thorin's father and the missing King of Durin's folk, the Wizard convinced Thorin that now was the time to defeat Smaug and retake his kingdom. He also convinced him that he would need a burgler for the job.
The Hobbit
As recounted in The Hobbit, he and twelve other Dwarves visited Bilbo Baggins on Gandalf's advice to hire him as a burglar, to steal back their treasure from Smaug. He especially wanted the Arkenstone, and was furious when Bilbo stole it to use as a bargaining counter with Thranduil, the Elvenking, who also laid claim to the treasure. The conflict was averted by an attack of Goblins and Wargs, and the Dwarves joined forces with the Elves, the Men of Lake Town and the great eagles to defeat them in what came to be called the Battle of Five Armies. During the battle Thorin was mortally wounded, but before he died he made his peace with Bilbo by commending the Hobbit's bravery and good character. His last words were, "If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world. But, sad or merry, I must leave it now. Farewell."
Thorin bore the Elven blade Orcrist into his final battles. He came upon it in a Troll stash (after barely escaping with his life from those very Trolls). He used it throughout the Quest of Erebor and it was buried with him, along with the Arkenstone, after his death.
Portrayal in Adaptations
In the 1977 animated version of The Hobbit, Thorin is voiced by Hans Conreid.
See Also
| Preceded by: Thráin II |
Kings of Durin's folk | Followed by: Dáin II Ironfoot |
| Preceded by: Thrór, 170 years earlier |
King under the Mountain | Followed by: Dáin II Ironfoot |
