Thorin

2007-08-27T05:23:38Z

24.184.160.102: /* ''The Hobbit'' */ spelling

{{dwarves infobox
| image=[[Image:Angelo Montanini - Thorin II.jpg|300px]]
| name=Thorin II Oakenshield
| othernames=Thorin II, Thorin Oakenshield, King of Durin's Folk, King under the Mountain
| life=[[Third Age 2746|T.A. 2746]] - [[Third Age 2941|T.A. 2941]]
| realm=
| parentage=[[Thrain II]]
| lineage=
| robes=
| gender=Male
|}}
'''Thorin II Oakenshield''' ([[Third Age]] 2746 – 2941, lived 195 years) was 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 clan 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|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 [[Angerthas Moria|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, earning him 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.
So '''Thorin''' became king and seemed content to stay in Eriador. There he labored long, and trafficked, and gained such wealth as he could; and his people were increased by many of the wandering Folk of Durin who heard of his realm in the west and came to him.
The years lengthened. The embers in the heart of '''Thorin''' grew hot again, as he brooded over the wrongs of his House and the vengeance upon the Dragon that he had inherited. He thought of weapons, armies, and alliances, as his great hammer rang in his forge; but the armies were dispersed and the alliances broken and the axes of his people were few; and a great anger without hope burned him as he smote the red iron on the anvil.

But at last years later, by a chance meeting 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 [[Thrór’s Map|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 [[Bilbo Baggins|burglar]] for the job.

== ''The Hobbit'' ==
[[Image:Darrell Sweet - The Death of Thorin Oakenshield.jpg|thumb|250px|''The Death of Thorin Oakenshield'' by [[Darrell Sweet]]]]
As recounted in ''[[The Hobbit]]'', Thorin gathered a group of twelve Dwarves, including his nephews [[Fili]] and [[Kili]], and his distant cousin [[Balin]], who would briefly become [[Lord of Moria]]. [[Thorin and Company]] hired [[Bilbo Baggins]] as their "professional treasure seeker". Thorin was at first extremely reluctant, unsure if the [[Hobbit]] could offer anything to the group, but ultimately relented to Gandalf's advice. While at Bilbo's [[Bag End|home]], Gandalf gave Thorin his father's [[Thrór’s Map|map]] and key.

Bilbo proved to a key member of the company, saving the Dwarves many times, often despite Thorin's suspicious and overbearing nature. Eventually the company reached Lonely Mountain and the dragon [[Smaug]] was overcome. Here Thorin's greed overcame him and he refused to share his wealth with anyone. He was furious when Bilbo stole the fabled [[Arkenstone]] in an attempt to make a truce with the beseiging [[Lake-men|Men]] and [[Wood-elves|Elves]], but all disputes were set aside when [[Goblins]] and [[Wargs]] from the [[Misty Mountains]] suddenly attacked. The Dwarves and their allies were victorious in the [[Battle of Five Armies]], but Thorin was mortally wounded. Before he died, he made his peace with Bilbo by commending the Hobbit's bravery and good character:

<blockquote>''"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."''</blockquote>

Since Thorin did not have any descendents, the kingship of Durin's folk went to his cousin [[Dáin II Ironfoot]], who left the Iron Hills to become [[King under the Mountain]].

== Orcrist ==
: ''Main article: [[Orcrist]]''
Thorin bore the Elven blade [[Orcrist]] during the Quest of Erebor. He came upon it in a [[Trolls|Troll]] stash after barely escaping from those same Trolls. After his death it was buried with him, along with the fabled Arkenstone. It was said that the blade glowed when enemies were near, so the Dwarves of Erebor were never taken by surprise by any enemy.

==Timeline==
* [[Third Age 2746|2746]] Birth of Thorin.
* [[Third Age 2751|2751]] Birth of Thorin's brother Frerin.
* [[Third Age 2760|2760]] Birth of Thorin's sister Dis.
* [[Third Age 2770|2770]] Smaug attacks the Lonely Mountain. Thorin and his family wander homeless for many years.
* [[Third Age 2790|2790]] Thorin's grandfather Thror is slain by Azog in Moria.
* [[Third Age 2793|2793]] The War of the Dwarves and the Orcs begins.
* [[Third Age 2799|2799]] Battle of Azanulbizar. Thorin is wounded and earns the name Oakenshield for using an oak branch as a shield.
* [[Third Age 2802|2802]] Thorin and his father Thrain settle with their people in the Blue Mountains.
* [[Third Age 2841|2841]] April 21: Thorin's father Thrain sets out for the Lonely Mountain.
* [[Third Age 2845|2845]] Thrain is captured and imprisoned in Dol Guldur.
* [[Third Age 2850|2850]] Gandalf finds Thrain. Thrain gives him the map and key of the Lonely Mountain and then dies.
* [[Third Age 2941|2941]]
** March 15: Thorin meets Gandalf in Bree. They begin to plan the quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain from Smaug.
** April 26: Thorin & Company arrive at Bag End and meet Bilbo Baggins.
** April 27: Thorin & Company set out on the quest for the Lonely Mountain.
** Late May: Thorin finds Orcrist in the hoard of the Trolls Tom, Bert and William.
** June: Thorin & Company visit Rivendell and meet Elrond.
** Summer: Thorin & Company are captured by Orcs in the Misty Mountains. Bilbo becomes separated from his companions and finds the One Ring.
** Autumn: Thorin & Company become lost in Mirkwood. Thorin is taken captive and brought before King Thranduil. Bilbo concocts an escape plan.
** September 22: Thorin & Company arrive in Lake-town.
** Durin's Day: Thorin & Company enter the Lonely Mountain. Bilbo sneaks into Smaug's lair. The next day Bilbo speaks to Smaug. The Dragon leaves the Mountain and attacks Lake-town and is killed by Bard.
** Late Autumn/Early Winter: Men and Elves come to the Lonely Mountain seeking a share of the dragon's hoard. Thorin refuses. Orcs and Wargs from the Misty Mountains attack and the Battle of the Five Armies begins. Thorin leads his Dwarves from the Lonely Mountain and is slain. He is laid to rest under the Lonely Mountain.

== Portrayal in Adaptations ==
In the 1977 animated version of ''[[Rankin/Bass' The Hobbit|The Hobbit]]'' Thorin is voiced by [[Hans Conreid]].

== Genealogy ==
<code>
[[Dwarves of Erebor|Dwarves of]] [[Dwarves of the Iron Hills|DWARVES OF THE]]
[[Dwarves of Erebor|Erebor]] [[Dwarves of the Iron Hills|IRON HILLS]]
_____________________
| |
[[Thrór]] [[Grór]]
| |
| |
[[Thráin II]] [[Náin son of Grór|Náin]]
| |
__________|_______ |
| | | |
| | | |
'''THORIN II''' [[Frerin]] [[Dís]] [[Dáin II Ironfoot]]
'''OAKENSHIELD''' | |
___|___ |
| | |
| | |
[[Fíli]] [[Kíli]] [[Thorin III Stonehelm|Thorin III]]
[[Thorin III Stonehelm|Stonehelm]]
</code>
{{sequence
|prev=[[Thráin II]]
|next=[[Dáin II Ironfoot]]
|list=[[King of Durin's Folk]]<br><code>III</code> 2850 – 2941
}}
{{sequence
|prev=[[Thrór]], 170 years earlier
|next=[[Dáin II Ironfoot]]
|list=4th [[King under the Mountain]]<br><code>III</code> 2941
}}

== See Also ==
* [[:Category:Images of Thorin II|Images of Thorin Oakenshield]]

{{Template:Thorin and Company}}

[[Category:Dwarves]]
[[Category:Longbeards]]

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Thorin