Thorin Oakenshield was the King under the Mountain and ruler of the Dwarven kingdom of Erebor in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth legendarium. As the leader of the Quest of Erebor which led to the death of the dragon Smaug and the re-establishment of the Kingdom under the Mountain, Thorin served as King under the Mountain until his death in the Battle of Five Armies.
Who was Thorin Oakenshield?
Thorin II Oakenshield was born in 2746 of the Third Age to Thráin II, son of Thrór, King under the Mountain. The kingdom of Erebor was founded beneath the Lonely Mountain in 1999 T.A. after the discovery of the Arkenstone. Under Thrór’s rule, Erebor became a prosperous and wealthy kingdom due to its rich deposits of gold and gems as well as its strategic location for trade.
In 2770 T.A., the dragon Smaug descended upon Erebor, destroying the neighboring city of Dale and driving the Dwarves out of the Lonely Mountain. Thráin II and Thorin escaped the sacking of Erebor and went into exile. For many years, Thorin wandered the wilds of Middle-earth with his father and other Dwarves who were now homeless and impoverished.
After his father went missing in 2841 T.A., Thorin took up the mantle as leader of the exiled Dwarves of Erebor. He worked to provide for his people however he could, laboring in human villages while harboring a burning desire to one day return to the Lonely Mountain and reclaim his homeland.
The Quest of Erebor
In 2941 T.A., the wizard Gandalf approached Thorin about embarking on a quest to recapture the lost Dwarven kingdom of Erebor. Gandalf believed that the time was right for the Dwarves to return to the Lonely Mountain and that Thorin, as Thrór’s grandson and heir, should lead the quest to kill Smaug and reclaim the kingdom.
Thorin agreed and assembled a company of twelve other Dwarves, plus the Hobbit Bilbo Baggins who Gandalf recommended as the fourteenth member of the company to serve as a burglar. Thorin led his Dwarf companions on the long and perilous journey to reach Erebor.
Along the way, Thorin proved himself to be a capable and determined leader despite his pride and stubbornness at times. He defended the company from Orcs and Wargs and led them through adversity and danger until finally reaching the Lonely Mountain.
Major Events of the Quest
- Narrow escape from Goblin captivity in the Misty Mountains
- Riddles in the Dark confrontation with Gollum and finding of the One Ring
- Taken captive by Wood-elves including Legolas, then escaped by Bilbo’s aid
- Reached Lake-town and gained support from Men to reach Erebor
- Thorin sent Bilbo as a scout into Smaug’s lair
- Smaug destroyed Lake-town and was killed by Bard the Bowman
By leading his companions through these exploits, Thorin proved his determination and strength as a leader worthy of ruling Erebor.
The Battle of Five Armies
With Smaug dead, the people of Lake-town came to the Lonely Mountain seeking compensation for their destroyed town. At the same time, legions of Elves led by Thranduil also approached Erebor, seeking the white jewels that Thrór had withheld from Thranduil long ago.
Thorin refused to deal with either the Men or Elves, barricading himself and his companions inside Erebor. This led to a tense armed standoff between Thorin’s Dwarven company, Thranduil’s Elves, and Bard’s Men at the foot of the mountain.
Soon that standoff exploded into battle when an Orc army led by Azog and Bolg arrived, aiming to take the Lonely Mountain for themselves. Elves, Men, and Dwarves were forced to unite against the oncoming Orcs and Wargs in what became known as the Battle of Five Armies.
Key Facts about the Battle
| Location | Valley below Erebor |
| Combatants | Dwarves, Elves, Men vs. Orcs & Wargs |
| Commanders | Thorin, Dain, Bard, Thranduil vs. Azog & Bolg |
| Outcome | Victory for Elves, Men, Dwarves |
| Casualties | Thorin, Fili & Kili among many killed |
During the battle, Thorin finally put aside his distrust of the Elves and Men and led his Dwarven troops with valor against the Orcs. However, he suffered mortal wounds after an epic duel with Azog. Before dying, Thorin made peace with Bilbo and apologized for his pride and stubbornness.
Who Took the Throne after Thorin’s Death?
With Thorin fallen in battle, the line of succession passed to his cousin Dáin Ironfoot, Lord of the Iron Hills. Dáin led a contingent of Dwarven warriors to reinforce Thorin during the Battle of Five Armies and fought bravely against the Orcs.
Following the battle, Dáin was crowned as King under the Mountain and ruled Erebor for many years into the Fourth Age. Under Dáin’s leadership, Erebor once again became a prosperous kingdom and ally to the Men of Dale who rebuilt their city under Bard the Bowman’s line.
Key Facts about Dáin Ironfoot
- Cousin of Thorin Oakenshield
- Lord of the Iron Hills east of Erebor
- Arrived with 500 Dwarf warriors during the Battle of Five Armies
- Fought and killed Azog during the battle
- Succeeded Thorin as King under the Mountain
- Ruled Erebor into the Fourth Age until his death in 3019 T.A.
Dáin proved to be a wise king who brought stability and wealth back to Erebor after the turmoil of Smaug’s attack and the Battle of Five Armies. The friendship between the Dwarves of Erebor and the Men of Dale also prospered under his rule.
The Significance of the Succession
The succession of the throne after Thorin’s death was significant for several reasons:
- It ensured a smooth transition of power and maintained continuity of rule in Erebor after the losses of Thorin, Fili, and Kili.
- Dáin’s leadership allowed the Dwarves to consolidate their hold on Erebor after the hardships of exile and war.
- His strong ties to the Longbeard clan boosted Dwarven unity and power in the northern region of Middle-earth.
- The friendship with Dale provided stability and prosperity to both realms.
- Erebor regained its status as a mighty Dwarven kingdom under Dáin’s rule.
Overall, Dáin’s succession marked the start of a new chapter in the history of Durin’s Folk after the tumultuous events involving Smaug and the War of the Ring. The line of Durin continued in Middle-earth through Dáin’s descendants.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Thorin Oakenshield was succeeded as King under the Mountain by his cousin Dáin Ironfoot after Thorin’s heroic death at the Battle of Five Armies. Dáin proved to be a capable ruler who brought peace and prosperity back to Erebor after the dragon Smaug’s attack. The succession ensured stability for the Dwarven kingdom and maintained the line of Durin as rulers of the Lonely Mountain into the Fourth Age. Dáin ruled Erebor for many fruitful years until his death against the forces of Sauron in the War of the Ring. But his reign provided a vital transition between the tragic end of Thorin’s quest to reclaim Erebor and the war against Sauron that culminated in the final defeat of evil in Middle-earth.