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Battle of the Chamber of Mazarbul

2009-07-11T07:22:03Z

74.76.189.55: /* The Battle */

{{unnamed}}
{{battle|
image=[[Image:Fotr1117.jpg|300px]] The Battle of the Chamber of Mazarbul as depicted in [[Peter Jackson's The Fellowship of the Ring]]|
name=Battle of the Chamber of Mazarbul|
conflict=Battle of the Chamber of Mazarbul|
date=January 15, 3019 T.A.|
place=The [[Chamber of Mazarbul]] and the [[Bridge of Khazad-dûm]] in [[Moria]]|
result=The [[Fellowship of the Ring|Fellowship]] escapes, [[Gandalf]] and the [[Balrog of Moria]] continue to fight in the [[Battle of the Peak]]||
side1=The [[Fellowship of the Ring]]|
side2=The [[Orcs of Moria]] The [[Balrog of Moria]]|
commanders1=[[Gandalf]]|
commanders2=None|
forces1=[[Gandalf]] [[Aragorn II]] [[Boromir]] [[Gimli Elf-friend]] [[Legolas]] [[Frodo Baggins]] [[Samwise Gamgee]] [[Meriadoc Brandybuck]] [[Peregrin Took]]|
forces2=Unknown number of [[orcs]]. At least one [[Cave-trolls|Cave-troll]]. One [[Balrog]]|
casual1=[[Samwise Gamgee]] and [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] lightly wounded|
casual2=Many orcs killed|
}}

The '''Battle of the Chamber of Mazarbul''' was a skirmish between the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] and the [[Orcs of Moria]] which took place on [[January 15]] [[Third Age 3019|T.A. 3019]]. It was a significant event in the [[Quest of the Ring]], resulting in the separation of [[Gandalf]] and the rest of the Fellowship.

== Prelude ==

After being turned back by a snow storm at the [[Redhorn Pass]] and unwilling to risk the [[Gap of Rohan]] for fear of capture by [[Isengard]] the Fellowship attempted to cross the [[Misty Mountains]] through the abandoned [[Dwarves|dwarven]] city of [[Moria]]. [[Gimli]] hoped to encounter, or at least discover the fate of, [[Balin|Balin's]] [[Khazad-dûm#Recovery|expedition]] to re-establish [[Khazad-dûm]] with which the Dwarves had lost contact. At the end of their third day in Moria the Fellowship took refuge in the [[Chamber of Mazarbul]]—the site of [[Balin's tomb]]—and learnt of his failure from the [[Book of Mazarbul]]. Immediately afterwards they heard the sounds of drums and horn blasts. Gandalf was able to ascertain that a band of [[orcs]], including several black [[uruks]] of Mordor, and at least one [[cave-troll]] were approaching one of the chamber's two doors.

== The Battle ==

The Fellowship intended to make an escape through the east door which was to their knowledge clear of enemies, however since the other door opened inwards and could not be locked or barred they were forced to hold their ground until they could put off pursuit. [[Boromir]] attempted to wedge the door with broken swords before the orcs arrived however a large cave-troll was able to break through with its foot. [[Frodo Baggins]] managed to force the troll to withdraw temporarily by stabbing its foot with [[Sting]], but the orcs were able to breach what remained of the doors and flooded in.

In the ensuing melee [[Gimli]] and [[Samwise Gamgee]] are each recorded as killing one orc each, [[Legolas]] two with his bow while [[Aragorn]] and [[Boromir]] are said to have slain "many" . The orcs then retreated and Gandalf judged the time right to make an escape. However before the Fellowship could reach the door a "huge orc chieftain" forced passed Aragorn and Boromir and pinned Frodo to the wall with a spear. To the astonishment of his companions Frodo's [[mithri]] shirt saved him from injury and his attacker was quickly beheaded by Aragorn, finally routing the orcs.

Gandalf stayed behind to hold the door while the rest of the Fellowship fled down a dark and narrow stairway. As they reached its foot they saw a bright white light from the doorway and Gandalf swiftly descended the stairs to join them, he told them he had "met [[Durin's Bane|my match]], and nearly been destroyed" and then urged the company forward.

After a brief rest where Gandalf discusses his encounter with what the Fellowship will later discover to be a [[balrog]] they continued their retreat towards the [[Bridge of Khazad-dûm]], along the way being occasionally fired upon by orc archers. Upon reaching the bridge the Fellowship turn to see the balrog closing in on them and realise its nature. Legolas, Gimli and Gandalf are all described as becoming physically distraught at the realisation. Nevertheless Gandalf regained his composure and ordered the rest of the Fellowship to cross the bridge while he held the rear.

In order to secure the Fellowship's retreat Gandalf broke the bridge with his staff, sending the balrog falling into the chasm beneath. He too falls, however, as the balrog's whip catches his legs. The remaining members of the Fellowship assumed he perished in the fall and upon escaping Moria appointed Aragorn their new leader. In actuality both Gandalf and the Balrog survived the fall and continued their duel amongst the many caverns and tunnels underneath the mountain, eventually culminating in the [[Battle of the Peak]].

== Portrayal in adaptations ==

=== [[Peter Jackson's The Fellowship of the Ring]] ===

* The Battle of the Chamber of Mazarbul is expanded a great deal in the films, to aid the movie's dramatic flow and pacing, and to make the battle something more meaningful for the Fellowship on screen. The entire Fellowship takes part in the skirmish.
The battle begins when a large group of Moria orcs breaks through the chamber door, after Legolas and Aragorn have shot a few orcs outside the room through holes in the closed door. A furious, fairly prolonged battle ensues. The cave-troll enters the scene early on, breaking into the chamber and nearly killing Sam, who ducks under the troll's legs just in time. The fighting continues, with Legolas, Aragorn, Boromir and Gimli killing many orcs. Sam is able to kill (or at least knock out) a few with one of his iron pans and kills at least one with his sword, along with Merry, early on in the battle. Frodo and Pippin seem to be participating in the fight as well. Peter Jackson likely wanted to involve the entire Fellowship in the skirmish to make it something meaningful to each member, as well as to the group as a whole, it being the Fellowship's first real battle together (in the book, the Fellowship never fights together like this). At one point during the fight, Legolas climbs up onto the Cave-troll's shoulders and shoots its head with two arrows, but to no avail. While swinging madly around the chamber, the Cave-troll smashes [[Balin's Tomb]].
* It is source of debate as to whether or not the "black Uruks of Mordor" described by Tolkien are present in the film.
There are a few orcs that physically look slightly different from the rest, though they wear the same armor. Some have argued that perhaps the Mordor Uruks sent to Moria by Sauron had taken up the Moria orcs' way of life, adopting their armor and weaponry and, thus, have a similar appearance (see [[Moria orcs]]).
* In the film, it is the Cave-troll that chases after Frodo and hits him with a spear (despite Aragorn's brave stand against the troll in an attempt to protect the hobbit), rather than an orc-chieftain.
Jackson likely wanted to bring the Cave-troll into the center of the action, adding greater interest to the battle. It is Legolas who at last kills the Cave-troll by shooting it through the throat with an arrow.

Following a momentary victory, when most of the orcs have been killed or fled the chamber, the Fellowship hears the sound of more orcs approaching and flees through a break in the eastern wall of the chamber, running back through the [[Twenty-first Hall]] (see [[Chamber of Mazarbul]] for notes on geographical changes). The action is extended further in the film, as the Fellowship are soon surrounded by hundreds of Moria orcs, before the Balrog enters the hall.
* Gandalf never has his encounter with the Balrog in the Mazarbul chamber in the movie.
Jackson likely wanted to reserve the revelation of the Balrog for a more dramatic moment on film.

In the [[Peter Jackson's The Fellowship of the Ring Special Extended Edition|extended cut]] of the film, an important character moment is added to the fight, in which Aragorn saves Boromir from an attacking Moria orc. This further develops the relationship between the two men.
Another moment is also only found in the longer cut, in which the troll continues to chase Sam after nearly hitting him with its giant club, and almost steps on the hobbit before Aragorn pulls the troll away with its chain.

== Related articles ==
* [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]
* [[War of the Ring]]
* [[Khazad-dûm]]
* [[Chamber of Mazarbul]]
* [[Bridge of Khazad-dûm]]
* [[Balin's Tomb]]

== References ==

* [[The Lord of the Rings]]: [[The Fellowship of the Ring]] Book II: Chapter 5: [[The Bridge of Khazad-dûm]].

[[Category:Conflicts of the Third Age]]

Thorin

2009-07-11T03:33:35Z

74.76.189.55:

{{dwarves infobox
| image=[[Image:John Howe - The King Under the Mountain.jpg|250px]]
| 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= [[Thorin's Halls]], [[Erebor]]
| parentage=[[Thrain II]]
| lineage=[[Durin's line]]
| hood=Sky blue with a long silver tassel
| gender=Male
|}}

<center>{{quote|Oh, great King under the Mountain!" "Balin, it's only Thorin|[[Balin]] and [[Bilbo Baggins|Bilbo]], ''[[Rankin/Bass' The Hobbit]]''}}</center>
'''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 house during their exile from [[Erebor]], and later helped reclaim their kingdom and briefly became [[King under the Mountain]]. This adventure, "[[The Quest of Erebor]]", was the basis for ''[[The Hobbit]]''.

==Life==
===Youth===
Born at the Lonely Mountain at the height of its 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 devastated by the loss and left his people, wandering south with a single companion, [[Nár (companion of Thrór)|Nár]]. Thráin meanwhile led the exiles to [[Dunland]], where they eeked out a meager living.

===The War of the Dwarves and Orcs===
[[Image:Angelo Montanini - Thorin II.jpg|thumb|200px|left|''Thorin'', by [[Angelo Montanini]].]]
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 [[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]]. At the [[Dimrill Dale]] 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.

===Another Exile===
After the war, Thráin and Thorin led their people east to live in the [[Blue Mountains]]. In [[Third Age 2841|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, the alliances broken and the axes of his people few. A great anger without hope burned him as he smote the red iron on the anvil.

But at last years later, by a chance Thorin met [[Gandalf the Grey]] in the town of [[Bree]]. In [[Third Age 2850|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 Quest for Erebor===
Thorin gathered a group of twelve Dwarves, including his [[sister-son|sister-sons]] [[Fíli]] and [[Kíli]]. [[Thorin and Company]], as they called themselves, hired [[Bilbo Baggins]] as their "professional treasure seeker". Thorin was at first extremely reluctant, unsure whether 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.
[[Image:Darrell Sweet - The Death of Thorin Oakenshield.jpg|thumb|250px|''The Death of Thorin Oakenshield'' by [[Darrell Sweet]]]]
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 by the [[Bard|brave townspeople]] of [[Lake-town]]. Here Thorin's greed overcame him and he refused to share his wealth with the Men of Lake-townany, and with their ally, [[Thranduil]]. He was furious when Bilbo stole the fabled [[Arkenstone]], the Heart of the Mountain, in an attempt to make a truce with the beseiging [[Lake-men|Men]] and [[Wood-elves|Elves]]. Thorin sent for his cousin Dáin Ironfoot, and he came with five hundred Dwarves from the [[Iron Hills]].

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.

===Death===
After being borne to safety by [[Beorn]], Thorin made his peace with Bilbo by commending the hobbit's bravery and good character. Thorin died of his wounds shortly after, and was laid to rest under the Mountain. The sword [[Orcrist]], which he had obtained earlier in the Quest, was buried with him, as was the 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.

Since Thorin did not have any children, the kingship of Durin's folk went to his cousin [[Dáin II Ironfoot]], who left the Iron Hills to become [[King under the Mountain]].
==Etymology==
Thorin's name comes from two dwarves of the Norse Mythology: Thórinn and Eikinskjaldi. Thórinn means 'Bold'.
==Portrayal in Adaptations==
In all his screen adaptations, Thorin is depicted as having a forked grey beard. Little is changed about his role, since he already is the most prominent of the thirteen dwarves.
[[Image:The Hobbit (2003) Thorin.JPG|right|thumb|200px|Thorin in the [[2003]] video game.]]
'''1968: ''[[The Hobbit (1968 radio series)|BBC Radio's The Hobbit]]'':'''
:Thorin's voice is provided by [[John Justin]].

'''1977: ''[[Rankin/Bass' The Hobbit]]'':'''
:Thorin's voice is provided by [[Hans Conried]].

'''1979: ''[[The Hobbit (1979 radio series)|Mind's Eye's The Hobbit]]'':'''
:Thorin's voice is provided by [[Tom Luce]].

'''2003: ''[[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|Sierra's The Hobbit]]'':'''
:Thorin's voice is provided by [[Clive Revill]].

== Genealogy ==
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree | | | | | | | | |DAI| | | | | | |DAI=[[Dáin I]]}}
{{familytree | | | | | |,|-|-|-|+|-|-|-|-|-|.| | | }}
{{familytree | | | | |THR| |FRO| | | |GRO| | |THR=[[Thrór]]|FRO=[[Frór]]|GRO=[[Grór]]}}
{{familytree | | | | | |!| | | | | | | | | |!| | }}
{{familytree | | | | |THN| | | | | | | |NAI| | | |THN=[[Thráin II]]|NAI=[[Náin son of Grór|Náin]]}}
{{familytree | |,|-|-|-|+|-|-|-|.| | | | | |!| | }}
{{familytree |THO| |FRE| |DIS| | | |DII| | THO='''THORIN II OAKENSHIELD'''|FRE=[[Frerin]]|DIS=[[Dís]]|DII=[[Dáin II Ironfoot]]}}
{{familytree | | | | | | | | | |!| | | | | |!| }}
{{familytree | | | | | | | |,|-|^|-|.| | | |!| | | | | }}
{{familytree | | | | | | |FIL| |KIL| |TH3| | | | | |FIL=[[Fíli]]|KIL=[[Kíli]]|TH3=[[Thorin III Stonehelm]] }}
{{familytree/end}}

{{sequence
|prev=[[Thráin II]]
|next=[[Dáin II Ironfoot]]
|list=[[King of Durin's Folk]] [[Third Age 2850|T.A. 2850]] – [[Third Age 2941|2941]]
}}

{{sequence
|prev=[[Thrór]], 170 years earlier
|next=[[Dáin II Ironfoot]]
|list=4th [[King under the Mountain]] [[Third Age 2941|T.A. 2941]]
}}

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

==References==
* ''[[The Hobbit]]'', passim.
* ''[[Unfinished Tales]]'', [[The Quest of Erebor]]
* ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]]: Dúrin's Folk

{{Template:Thorin and Company}}

[[Category:Dwarves]]
[[Category:Longbeards]]
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]