Thorin II (Third Age 2746 - 2941), also known as Thorin Oakenshield, was the King of Durin's Folk from T.A. 2850 until his death in T.A. 2941, being the son of Thráin II, grandson of Thrór and older brother to Frerin and Dís. Thorin led Durin's Folk of the Blue Mountains during their time in exile. In T.A. 2941 he led the quest for Erebor accompanied by twelve Dwarves, Bilbo Baggins, and Gandalf the Grey; he briefly became King under the Mountain until he perished following the Battle of Five Armies.

Appearance

Thorin wore a sky-blue hood with a long silver tassel. Around his neck he wore a golden chain, upon which he attached his grandfather's key.

It was Thorin, but you could only have told it by his golden chain, and by the colour of his now dirty and tattered sky-blue hood with its tarnished silver tassel.
—J.R.R. Tolkien

History

Youth and Exile

Thorin was born in T.A. 2746, presumably in the Lonely Mountain where his grandfather, Thrór, was King under the Mountain. Thorin was still a youngster (aged c. 24), by Dwarves' reckoning, when the dragon Smaug descended upon the mountain of Erebor in flames. Smaug left the mannish town of Dale in ruins and killed many dwarves who were inside the mountain. Thrór and Thráin (Thorin's father) escaped using a secret Back Door. Meanwhile Thorin was one of the few Dwarves who were not inside the mountain at the time. Thus the surviving Dwarves of Erebor were driven into exile and Thrór, Thráin, and Thorin fled south.

The War of the Dwarves and Orcs

Weary, elderly and disillusioned, Thrór departed from Dunland with Nár. They came to Azanulbizar and the Eastern gate of Moria, which they found was open. Whilst Nár stayed behind (and urged his companion to do the same) Thrór approached and entered the gate, and was murdered by Azog. He added insult to injury by branding Thrór's brow with the name 'AZOG' in Dwarf runes. Thus it was that the War of the Dwarves and Orcs began following the return of Nár, who bore the news to Thráin.

The war was fought long and hard between the two races, ultimately ending in a pyrrhic Dwarven victory at the Battle of Azanulbizar in T.A. 2799. Both Thráin and Thorin were wounded during this battle and Frerin (Thorin's brother) was killed. When his shield broke, in its stead he used an oak branch to block the blows of his foes.[9] Despite victory no Dwarf dared to re-enter Moria out of fear of Durin's Bane.

In memory of this, Thorin swore to always bear a plain shield of oak with no device until he should be hailed king,[11] and thus he earned the epithet Oakenshield.

Return into Exile

Thráin, Thorin, and the other survivors of Durin's Folk left Azanulbizar and returned to Dunland. However they soon began to wander Eriador before settling at last in the Blue Mountains. Here they prospered in their own fashion, forging iron objects and increasing their numbers (albeit, due to a scarceness of Dwarf-women, very slowly, and by wandering Longbeards who heard of his dwelling). Nonetheless they all still longed to return to the Lonely Mountain.

By this time Thráin was in possession of the last of the Seven Rings of power. It is possible that as Sauron's power grew so too did the ring's influence over Thráin. His burning desire for gold and to return to the Lonely Mountain became too great and in T.A. 2841 he set out to return. Thorin, then aged ninety-five, was never to see his father again, as Sauron captured and imprisoned Thráin in Dol Guldur. Thus it was that in T.A. 2850, following Thráin's death, Thorin became the King of Durin's Folk. Thorin and his people were content living in the Blue Mountains and Eriador but as the years waned Thorin's desire to return to Erebor grew.

The Quest for Erebor

A New Hope

“Listen to me, Thorin Oakenshield ! [...] If this hobbit goes with you, you will succeed. If not, you will fail. A foresight is on me, and I am warning you.”
—Gandalf

The fortunes of the House of Durin changed when Thorin met Gandalf by chance in T.A. 2941.[note 1] They then proceeded to go to Thorin's Halls. There they discussed their tales and Gandalf formulated a plan. Gandalf knew that Sauron could have potentially used Smaug with devastating effect. Therefore both he and Thorin had a shared interest in removing Smaug. Gandalf wanted Thorin and a company of dwarves to travel to the Lonely Mountain taking Bilbo Baggins with them. Gandalf's instinct was that the Quest of Erebor would only be successful if Bilbo accompanied them.

Therefore Gandalf invited Thorin and other Dwarves to Hobbiton of the Shire, instructing them to look for a smial whose door was marked with the sign of the thief (as the dwarves had gotten it into their head that Bilbo was a thief). Thus Thorin found himself in Bag End, where they perused the hobbit's hospitality. However, Thorin and the dwarves were not convinced; it was not until Gandalf revealed Thrór's Map and key that Thorin was convinced that the quest would be profitable to him. Even after the 'Unexpected Party' Gandalf only persuaded Thorin to take Bilbo on the morning that they set off.

Thus it was that in T.A. 2941 Thorin set off for the Lonely Mountain with Gandalf, Bilbo Baggins, Fíli, Kíli, Balin, Dwalin, Dori, Nori, Ori, Óin, Glóin, Bifur, Bofur, and Bombur. A short time into the journey the adventurers found a Troll's cave. Here they found a hoard of treasure which included blades made in the ancient city of Gondolin. Bilbo found a knife that he named Sting, Gandalf acquired Glamdring and meanwhile Thorin found Orcrist.[15] Whilst Thorin and Company were in Rivendell Elrond read the inscriptions on the blades and informed them of their sword's histories. He also read the moon-letters on Thrór's map; it read 'stand by the grey stone when the thrush knocks [...] and the setting sun with the last light of Durin's Day will shine upon the keyhole.'

The Return of the King Under the Mountain

Upon reaching Esgaroth, the closest settlement to the Lonely Mountain, Thorin was greeted warmly and the men of Lake-town hailed the return of the King under the Mountain.[2] They soon reached the Lonely Mountain itself and “with the last light of Durin's Day” they found the secret side-door, using the key to open it.[17] Thorin sent Bilbo in to carry out his duty as their 'esteemed burglar'. This enraged Smaug who sought to destroy the burglar and take out his vengeance on the Lake-men.[18] The dragon was slain by Bard who pierced an un-armoured spot on the dragon's underside.

Upon hearing the news of the death of Smaug, Thorin fortified the main entrance to the mountain. Hosts of Wood-elves and Lake-men approached the mountain led by the Elvenking and Bard respectively. Thorin refused to consider Bard's claim to a share in the treasure until the Elven-host had withdrawn. Refusing to send away the Elves, Bard pronounced the mountain under siege until Thorin would give them their part of the treasure. Then Thorin sent for his cousin, Dáin Ironfoot, who brought more than five-hundred Dwarves from the Iron Hills.[20] Bilbo sought to bring an end to the dispute; to this end he secretly gave the Arkenstone to Bard and the Elvenking to use in making a deal with Thorin. When Thorin heard about Bilbo's actions he was furious and cast him out of the company.

Death

However all disputes were cast aside when the army of Bolg, Azog's son, suddenly attacked. Thus the three armies of Elves, Men, and Dwarves united against the two armies of Goblins and Wargs: the Battle of Five Armies had begun. As the battle drew on, Thorin leapt from the front gate and rallied all Elves, Men, and Dwarves to him. The armies of the free peoples of Middle-earth emerged triumphant. Nonetheless Kíli and Fíli were killed and Thorin was gravely wounded. On his deathbed Thorin apologized to Bilbo for his angry words and deeds. He commended his good character, courage and friendship, saying that “if more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.” With that, he died. He was laid to rest deep within the Lonely Mountain. Bard of Dale placed the Arkenstone upon Thorin's chest, whilst the Elvenking laid Orcrist upon Thorin's tomb.

Personality

Thorin did not live to enjoy his triumph or his treasure. Pride and greed overcame him in spite of my warning
—Gandalf

Thorin was capable of being stubborn, proud, and greedy. According to Gandalf he was, from the beginning, contemptuous about the notion that Bilbo should go with him on his long-desired adventure to the Lonely Mountain; he thought that Gandalf was trying to mock him and make him look foolish. Indeed, Thorin found it difficult to accept the advice of Gandalf at all, believing that he should have been drawing plans for war and battle rather than planning to use a Hobbit as a burglar. But he gradually came to respect the Hobbit's value to his quest, as Bilbo again and again proved his stealth and courage. Thorin's most coveted prize was the Arkenstone, something which Bilbo believed was not only the heart of the mountain but the heart of Thorin also.

Etymology

Thorin's name is one from the Dvergatal. It means 'Bold'.

The epithet 'Oakenshield' also comes from the Dvergatal. Eikinskjaldi means 'Oakenshield', and it has long been considered the name of a Dwarf. However, because the name appears twice, both in Dúrinn's and Dválinn's line, it has also been suggested that it simply means 'with an oaken shield'.

Other Versions of the Legendarium

In early manuscripts of The Hobbit, the name Gandalf was used by Tolkien for the character who later would be named 'Thorin Oakenshield' in the published works.