Thráin

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This article is about the father of Thorin II Oakenshield. For the first King under the Mountain, see Thráin I.
Thráin II
Dwarf
Turner Mohan - Thrain son of Thror.jpg
"Thrain son of Thror" by Turner Mohan
Biographical Information
TitlesKing of Durin's Folk
LocationLonely Mountain
LanguageKhuzdul
BirthT.A. 2644
Lonely Mountain
RuleT.A. 2790 - 2850
DeathT.A. 2850 (aged 206)
Dol Guldur
Family
HouseHouse of Durin
ParentageThrór
ChildrenThorin, Frerin, Dís
Physical Description
GenderMale
GalleryImages of Thráin

Thráin II (Third Age 26442850, aged 206 years) was King of Durin's Folk for 60 years, from T.A. 2790 to 2850, during their exile from Lonely Mountain. He was the son of Thrór and father of Thorin II, Frerin, and Dís. Thorin II would later be known as Thorin Oakenshield.[1]

History[edit | edit source]

Thráin fled with his father and a small group of companions when the dragon Smaug in T.A. 2770 descended on Lonely Mountain and sacked the Dwarven kingdom. King Thrór, Thráin, and the others eventually settled in Dunland and scratched out a meager living. Thrór was devastated by the loss of Erebor and left his people to journey north. He took a single companion, Nár, but left his son with his Ring of Power, along with the map and key to Lonely Mountain.

In T.A. 2790[2] Nár returned to tell Thráin that his father had been captured and butchered by the Orc-chieftain Azog when they had journeyed to the mines of Moria. Even worse, Azog had beheaded Thrór and carved his own name on Thrór's forehead to show the Dwarves that an Orc now ruled their ancestral home.

Thráin sat for seven days without speaking, until he stood and said "This cannot be borne!".[1]

War of the Dwarves and Orcs[edit | edit source]

Filled with righteous anger, by T.A. 2793[2] Thráin had gathered together a massive army of Dwarves to wage the War of the Dwarves and Orcs. The army included the exiles of the Lonely Mountain, Thráin's kin from the Iron Hills under his uncle Grór, and even some Dwarves not of Durin's folk (probably the four Dwarf clans from the Orocarni in the east). One by one they assaulted the Orc-holds of the Misty Mountains, destroying their great warrens in Mount Gundabad and eventually facing Azog himself in Dimrill Dale (Azanulbizar in Khuzdul) before the East-gate of Moria.

In T.A. 2799[2] Thráin and his army fought the bloody Battle of Azanulbizar. Thráin was blinded in one eye and suffered a leg-wound. While the Orcs were vanquished and Azog slain, the Dwarves took heavy losses, including Thráin's son Frerin, his cousin Náin, and Fundin father of Dwarven hero Balin.

King Thráin II wanted to enter Moria and reclaim it, but the Dwarves not of Durin's folk refused, saying that the city was not their Fathers' House; they had honoured Thrór's memory by fighting, and this was enough. Dáin Ironfoot had peered within the East-gate and also warned Thráin that Durin's Bane still dwelt within Khazad-dûm.[1]

Wanderings and imprisonment[edit | edit source]

After the war, Thráin and Thorin led the exiles of Lonely Mountain west to live in the southern Blue Mountains where they settled in T.A. 2802.[2] Over the next forty years Thráin grew increasingly consumed with the lost riches of the Lonely Mountain. This may have been partly because of the Ring of Thrór.

In T.A. 2841[2] he left the Blue Mountains with a small group that included Balin and Dwalin. Travelling east, the group was constantly harassed by wolves, Orcs, and other fell creatures. In 2845,[2] while camped under the eaves of Mirkwood, Thráin disappeared and would never be seen again by his kin. The King of Durin's folk had been captured by Sauron's agents and was taken to the fortress of Dol Guldur in southern Mirkwood. There Sauron tortured Thráin, took back the last of the seven Dwarf-rings, and left him in the dungeon to die.

In T.A. 2850,[2] while on a reconnaissance mission to Dol Guldur, Gandalf came upon Thráin, who was so diminished that he could not even remember his own name. Thráin gave Gandalf his last two possessions, the key and map to the Lonely Mountain, and shortly thereafter died. Gandalf left him without knowing who he was.[1]

Legacy[edit | edit source]

Much later Gandalf met Thorin Oakenshield near Bree and realized that the Dwarf he had found in Dol Guldur was Thráin, the vanished King of Durin's folk. Gandalf and Thorin discussed reclaiming Lonely Mountain, and Gandalf gave much assistance to Thorin and Company, including the map and key to Lonely Mountain, along with a suggestion that they include a burglar in their quest.[1]

Gandalf mentioned to the Fellowship, as they were debating about going into Moria, that he had been in the mines before looking for Thráin.[3]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

Þráinn is a dwarf from the Dvergatal. It means "Stubborn".[4]

Genealogy[edit | edit source]

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Náin II
2338 - 2585
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dáin I
2440 - 2589
 
 
 
 
 
Borin
2450 - 2711
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Thrór
2542 - 2790
 
Frór
2552 - 2589
 
Grór
2563 - 2805
 
Farin
2560 - 2803
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
THRÁIN II
2644 - 2850
 
 
 
 
 
Náin
2665 - 2799
 
Fundin
2662 - 2799
 
Gróin
2671 - 2923
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Thorin II
2746 - 2941
 
Frerin
2751 - 2799
 
Dís
b. 2760
 
Dáin II
2767 - 3019
 
Balin
2763 - 2994
 
Glóin
2783 - Fo.A. 15
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fíli
2859 - 2941
 
Kíli
2864 - 2941
 
Thorin III
b. 2866
 
 
 
 
 
Gimli
2879 - Fo.A. 120+


Portrayal in adaptations[edit | edit source]

Thráin in adaptations
Thráin II in Guardians of Middle-earth  

2012-14: The Hobbit (film series):

The young Thráin during the Dwarves' reign at Erebor is portrayed by Thomas Robins in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.[5] During the scenes from the Battle of Azanulbizar in the same film, he is allegedly played by Mike Mizrahi,[6] though no footage seems to appear of him in the Theatrical Version of the films. Finally, in the Extended Edition of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, he is portrayed by Antony Sher at old age in Dol Guldur, and by Mike Mizrahi at young age, during the Battle of Azanulbizar.

2013: The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug:

In the Extended Edition of this film, Thráin Is first seen in a flashback to the Battle of Azanulbizar during the prologue while Gandalf and Thorin discuss his possible whereabouts. In this flashback, Thráin insists Thorin stay back as he leads a charge toward the Great Gates (though he is not seen again during the battle or its aftermath).
Old and delirious, Thráin is again seen later at Dol Guldur when Gandalf arrives to investigate. He tracks the Wizard, and ultimately attacks him in a fit of madness. Gandalf is able to overtake him and calm him. Thráin warns Gandalf to not let Thorin near the Lonely Mountain because he has learned that Smaug is in league with The One. He ultimately helps Gandalf navigate through the fortress before Azog and several other Orcs attack. The two of them try to escape but are eventually stopped by the shadow of the Necromancer. Thráin tells Gandalf to tell Thorin that he loved him, and is swallowed up the shadow, which then reveals itself as Sauron to Gandalf.

2013: Guardians of Middle-earth:

Thráin is a warrior-type "guardian" with four abilities: Hammer throw, Dwarven valor, Lethal blow and Durin's Wrath.[7]

2021: The Lord of the Rings Online:

Thráin appears in an extended flashback depicting the Battle of Azanulbizar, which closely follows the description given in the books.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "Durin's Folk"
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Third Age"
  3. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "A Journey in the Dark"
  4. Chester Nathan Gould, "Dwarf-Names: A Study in Old Icelandic Religion", published in Publications of the Modern Language Association of America, Vol 44 (1929), issue #4, pp. 939-967
  5. "Actor Thomas Robins (Deagol and Young Thrain) talks to TORn" dated 17 September 2013, TheOneRing.net (accessed 18 September 2013)
  6. Peter Jackson, "Production begins in New Zealand on The Hobbit" dated 20 March 2011, Facebook (accessed 23 December 2011)
  7. "Guardians of Middle-earth: Thráin", Guardians of Middle-earth official website (accessed 16 July 2012)
Thráin
House of Durin
Born: T.A. 2790 Died: T.A. 2850
Preceded by:
Thrór
King of Durin's Folk
T.A. 27902850
Followed by:
Thorin


Kings of Durin's Folk
Durin I* (Y.T.) · Durin II* · Durin III* (fl. S.A. 1600) · Durin IV* · Durin V* · Durin VI* (until T.A. 1980) · Náin I* (1980 - 1981) · Thráin I (1981 - 2190) · Thorin I (2190 - 2289) · Glóin (2289 - 2385) · Óin (2385 - 2488) · Náin II (2488 - 2585) · Dáin I (2585 - 2589) · Thrór (2585 - 2790) · Thráin II (2790 - captured 2845, d. 2850) · Thorin II Oakenshield (after 2845 - 2941) · Dáin II Ironfoot (2941 - 3019) · Thorin III Stonehelm (T.A. 3019 - Fourth Age) · Durin VII (Fourth Age)*
* Kings of Khazad-dûm · Kings under the Mountain
The Hobbit film series
Source material: The Hobbit · The Lord of the Rings
Films An Unexpected Journey (extended editionThe Desolation of Smaug (extended edition) · The Battle of the Five Armies (extended edition)
Music An Unexpected Journey (Special Edition) · The Desolation of Smaug (Special Edition) · The Battle of the Five Armies (Special Edition) · "Song of the Lonely Mountain" · "I See Fire" · "The Last Goodbye"
Tie-in books An Unexpected Journey Official Movie Guide · Visual Companion · Movie Storybook · Annual 2013 · Chronicles: Art & Design · Chronicles: Creatures & Characters · The World of Hobbits
The Desolation of Smaug Official Movie Guide · Visual Companion · Movie Storybook · Annual 2014 · Chronicles: Art & Design · Chronicles: Cloaks & Daggers · Smaug: Unleashing the Dragon · Activity Book · Sticker Book · Ultimate Sticker Collection
The Battle of the Five Armies Official Movie Guide · Visual Companion · Movie Storybook · Annual 2015 · Chronicles: Art & Design · Chronicles: The Art of War · Activity Book
Video games Kingdoms of Middle-earth · Armies of The Third Age · Lego The Hobbit
Characters Bilbo · Thorin · Gandalf · Balin · Fíli · Kíli · Dwalin · Dori · Nori · Ori · Óin · Glóin · Bifur · Bofur · Bombur · Smaug · Radagast · Elrond · Galadriel · Saruman · Azog · Bolg · Thranduil · Legolas · Tauriel · Bard · Bain · Tilda · Sigrid · Master of Lake-town · Alfrid · Dáin Ironfoot · Necromancer · Bert · William · Tom · Beorn · Thráin · Thrór · Goblin King · Gollum · Frodo