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Peter Jackson's The Hobbit trilogy (2012-2014) featured computer-generated shots of the Lonely Mountain, Dale, and other Dwarven cities.
Peter Jackson's The Hobbit trilogy (2012-2014) featured computer-generated shots of the Lonely Mountain, Dale, and other Dwarven cities.
Erebor is seen in flashbacks as the elderly Bilbo Baggins recounts the beginnings of his adventure, along with Dale.
Erebor is seen in flashbacks as the elderly Bilbo Baggins recounts the beginnings of his adventure, along with Dale.
Erebor is described as the stronghold and subterranean realm of Thror, King under the Mountain, most powerful among the Dwarf lords and the strongest Dwarf kingdom in Middle-earth beneath the Lonely Mountain and it's ruler being considered the lord of all Dwarf mansions. Alongside it's neighbor, Dale, a great prosperous city of Men and Esgaroth, prosperity became commonplace in the Dwarven realm. Eventually, the Dwarves of Erebor uncover riches beneath the earth, making their realm into a great kingdom, and benefiting Dale. While the Dwarves are mining, the Arkenstone is discovered, which Thror proclaims the King's Jewel, while forging a golden statue in his likeness.
Erebor is described as the stronghold and subterranean realm of Thror, King under the Mountain, most powerful among the Dwarf lords and the strongest Dwarf kingdom in Middle-earth beneath the Lonely Mountain and it's ruler being considered the lord of all Dwarf mansions. Alongside it's neighbor, Dale, a great prosperous city of Men and Esgaroth, prosperity became commonplace in the Dwarven realm. Eventually, the Dwarves of Erebor uncover riches beneath the earth, making their realm into a great kingdom, and benefiting Dale. While the Dwarves are mining, the Arkenstone is discovered, which Thror proclaims the King's Jewel, while forging a golden statue in his likeness.
Succumbing to greed, Thror denies his potential ally, Thranduil, the Elven king of the Woodland Realm, ownership of the the White Gems, which creates a rift between their peoples, with Thranduil warning the Dwarf lord of his vast horde of gold luring evil in the future. With Thror losing himself in his greed, he spends longer time periods in his lower halls with his gold, must to his grandson's fear. The Elven king's prediction came to be true as the vast wealth attracts the dragon, Smaug, noticed by Thorin, who lays waste to the city of Dale, unhindered by Girion, despite the use of Black Arrows. Thorin rescues Balin from incineration and rallies his troops for a confrontation with Smaug, who bests the marshaled army. Thorin survives and rescues his grandfather, who in avarice, fled to his treasure hoard, losing the Arkenstone.
Succumbing to greed, Thror denies his potential ally, Thranduil, the Elven king of the Woodland Realm, ownership of the the White Gems, which creates a rift between their peoples, with Thranduil warning the Dwarf lord of his vast horde of gold luring evil in the future. With Thror losing himself in his greed, he spends longer time periods in his lower halls with his gold, must to his grandson's fear. The Elven king's prediction came to be true as the vast wealth attracts the dragon, Smaug, noticed by Thorin, who lays waste to the city of Dale, unhindered by Girion, despite the use of Black Arrows. Thorin rescues Balin from incineration and rallies his troops for a confrontation with Smaug, who bests the marshaled army. Thorin survives and rescues his grandfather, who in avarice, fled to his treasure hoard, losing the Arkenstone.
Thorin leads an exodus of Dwarves from their stolen homeland, Thorin sees Thranduil and his soldiers approaching, pleading for help. Thranduil, bitter over his rift with Thror, withdraws alongside his forces, making Thorin hateful of Elves for a long period. Thorin leads his people across Rhovanion and into Dunland, where he works as a blacksmith to provide for his people and leads them into the Blue Mountains. But he never got over the events that transpired with his home, lacking forgetfulness and forgiveness over it.
Thorin leads an exodus of Dwarves from their stolen homeland, Thorin sees Thranduil and his soldiers approaching, pleading for help. Thranduil, bitter over his rift with Thror, withdraws alongside his forces, making Thorin hateful of Elves for a long period. Thorin leads his people across Rhovanion and into Dunland, where he works as a blacksmith to provide for his people and leads them into the Blue Mountains. But he never got over the events that transpired with his home, lacking forgetfulness and forgiveness over it.
After losing Erebor, the Dwarves became a nomadic people, residing in human settlements. After their losses in the Battle of Moria, with both the king and the prince gone, Thorin led his people into the Blue Mountains, where they ultimately established a new colony. Many accepted the Blue Mountains as their new home, with Thorin's nephews, Kili and Fili born in there, several viewed Erebor as their true home.
After losing Erebor, the Dwarves became a nomadic people, residing in human settlements. After their losses in the Battle of Moria, with both the king and the prince gone, Thorin led his people into the Blue Mountains, where they ultimately established a new colony. Many accepted the Blue Mountains as their new home, with Thorin's nephews, Kili and Fili born in there, several viewed Erebor as their true home.
Thorin later pursued rumors of his father being spotted in the wild near Dunland, after disappearing in the conflict in Moria against Azog. Clinging to false hopes, he went searching in vain. Unknown to him, Azog, having survived his duel with Thorin, set a price on his head, spreading the message through the wild. Gandalf found a copy of this, and showed it to Thorin to Bree. His suspicions of darkness rising aroused, Gandalf convinced the Dwarf exilarch to undertake a quest to reclaim Erebor. The reluctant and mistrustful Dwarf prince, stated he requires the Arkenstone to exert his authority over the other Dwarf Lords and marshal an army against Smaug. Gandalf offered to call upon a burglar to help sneak it past the dragon. Thorin called upon his people, and twelve of his kinsmen answered. Gandalf bade them to the burglar's home, which he marked. Meanwhile, Thorin sent a call for emissaries from all seven Dwarf kingdoms to come to his halls, asking their aid in the Quest of Erebor, which he was denied. Thorin was taken aback by Gandalf's suggestion to use a Hobbit as the burglar, but nonetheless agreed to meet him. However, Thorin's attempts were unsuccessful and instead, settled with the other twelve dwarves who answered his call.
 
The Quest of Erebor
Thorin later pursued rumors of his father being spotted in the wild near Dunland, after disappearing in the conflict in Moria against Azog. Clinging to false hopes, he went searching in vain. Unknown to him, Azog, having survived his duel with Thorin, set a price on his head, spreading the message through the wild. Gandalf found a copy of this, and showed it to Thorin to Bree. His suspicions of darkness rising aroused, Gandalf convinced the Dwarf exilarch to undertake a quest to reclaim Erebor. The reluctant and mistrustful Dwarf prince, stated he requires the Arkenstone to exert his authority over the other Dwarf Lords and marshal an army against Smaug. Gandalf offered to call upon a burglar to help sneak it past the dragon. Thorin called upon his people, and twelve of his kinsmen answered. Gandalf bade them to the burglar's home, which he marked. Meanwhile, Thorin sent a call for emissaries from all seven Dwarf kingdoms to come to his halls, asking their aid in the Quest of Erebor, which he was denied. Thorin was taken aback by Gandalf's suggestion to use a Hobbit as the burglar, but nonetheless agreed to meet him. However, Thorin's attempts were unsuccessful and instead, settled with the other twelve Dwarves who answered his call.
 
==The Quest of Erebor==
 
In TA 2941, Bilbo Baggins and Thorin's company traveled to the Lonely Mountain to regain the treasure Smaug had stolen. Set into the side of the mountain was a secret door, five feet high and wide enough for three to walk through abreast. Gandalf had managed to obtain the door's key, which fit a key hole which could be found only when the setting sun and the last moon of autumn (also known as Durin's Day) were in the sky would the light shine upon the keyhole. Bilbo entered the mountain himself, stumbling upon the dragon Smaug, who he met for the first time. The company tried to eliminate Smaug themselves by burying him under molten gold made in the forges; however, the trap failed.
In TA 2941, Bilbo Baggins and Thorin's company traveled to the Lonely Mountain to regain the treasure Smaug had stolen. Set into the side of the mountain was a secret door, five feet high and wide enough for three to walk through abreast. Gandalf had managed to obtain the door's key, which fit a key hole which could be found only when the setting sun and the last moon of autumn (also known as Durin's Day) were in the sky would the light shine upon the keyhole. Bilbo entered the mountain himself, stumbling upon the dragon Smaug, who he met for the first time. The company tried to eliminate Smaug themselves by burying him under molten gold made in the forges; however, the trap failed.
Smaug was enraged by the actions of Thorin and Company and, to punish them, set his eyes on destroying Lake-town and its citizens. When Smaug came to the city, the Master packed up his treasure and left by boat. He was however crushed under Smaug's carcass when Bard slew him, but not before the dragon conflagrated the whole of the town and many of its people.
Smaug was enraged by the actions of Thorin and Company and, to punish them, set his eyes on destroying Lake-town and its citizens. When Smaug came to the city, the Master packed up his treasure and left by boat. He was however crushed under Smaug's carcass when Bard slew him, but not before the dragon conflagrated the whole of the town and many of its people.
Battle of Five Armies
 
==Battle of Five Armies==
 
The survivors fled by boat to the shore, where they lived in tents before Bard came and ordered them to leave for the ruins of Dale. Thranduil came to his aid, but only with the intention of recruiting the people of Lake-town to his cause of forcing Thorin to surrender some of the riches of the mountain to him. Bard convinced Thranduil he could reason with Thorin without the need to go to war. However, Thorin, overcome by the gold sickness, refused, sending Bard away. Without any other option, Bard and Thranduil joined forces, leading to a small siege around Erebor. During the night, they were visited by Bilbo, who Bard recognized from Lake-town, who gave them the Arkenstone, believing that they could use it to their own advantage.Meeting at the front gate, Thranduil and Bard ransomed the Arkenstone; however, Thorin did not believe it was the stone he was searching for until Bilbo revealed it was the true Arkenstone, revealing the truth. Enraged, Thorin nearly killed the hobbit, believing it was betrayal until Gandalf intervened, demanding Thorin release Bilbo and remarking that set an ill example as King under the Mountain. The dwarf king released Bilbo but banished him from Erebor, refusing to ever accept help from Wizards or Hobbits again.
The survivors fled by boat to the shore, where they lived in tents before Bard came and ordered them to leave for the ruins of Dale. Thranduil came to his aid, but only with the intention of recruiting the people of Lake-town to his cause of forcing Thorin to surrender some of the riches of the mountain to him. Bard convinced Thranduil he could reason with Thorin without the need to go to war. However, Thorin, overcome by the gold sickness, refused, sending Bard away. Without any other option, Bard and Thranduil joined forces, leading to a small siege around Erebor. During the night, they were visited by Bilbo, who Bard recognized from Lake-town, who gave them the Arkenstone, believing that they could use it to their own advantage.Meeting at the front gate, Thranduil and Bard ransomed the Arkenstone; however, Thorin did not believe it was the stone he was searching for until Bilbo revealed it was the true Arkenstone, revealing the truth. Enraged, Thorin nearly killed the hobbit, believing it was betrayal until Gandalf intervened, demanding Thorin release Bilbo and remarking that set an ill example as King under the Mountain. The dwarf king released Bilbo but banished him from Erebor, refusing to ever accept help from Wizards or Hobbits again.
Dain Ironfoot arrived at that moment, and a small skirmish ensued among the Dwarves, Men and Elves. Gandalf attempted to reason with Dain, telling them they were all fighting the wrong enemy and the true one was heading its way, led by Azog, who was sent to take Erebor for his master, Sauron because of its' strategic position. However, the elves and men began to fight the dwarves, who appeared to have the upper hand until three Were-worms dug through the ground, as the Forces of Dol Guldur emerged. To Dáin, Thranduil and Bard's horror, Gandalf had spoke the truth upon watching Azog's armies emerge.
Dain Ironfoot arrived at that moment, and a small skirmish ensued among the Dwarves, Men and Elves. Gandalf attempted to reason with Dain, telling them they were all fighting the wrong enemy and the true one was heading its way, led by Azog, who was sent to take Erebor for his master, Sauron because of its' strategic position. However, the elves and men began to fight the dwarves, who appeared to have the upper hand until three Were-worms dug through the ground, as the Forces of Dol Guldur emerged. To Dáin, Thranduil and Bard's horror, Gandalf had spoke the truth upon watching Azog's armies emerge.
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After Thorin overcame his gold sickness, the Dwarves emerged from the mountain, the company joined in the Battle of the Five Armies. Thorin decided to lead an assault towards Azog's command tower in Ravenhill. Dwalin, Balin, Fili and Kili commandeered a Dwarven war chariot, following Thorin through the frozen channel of the River Running. Azog, intending the entire battle as a trap for Thorin, tried to stop his friends from reaching him, sending ogres, a Troll and Wargs after them. Bofur, astride a Troll, managed to help them against the Troll, but the Wargs forced Dwalin, Fili and Kili to take the mounts and leave Balin behind to fend off his foes while they went to Ravenhill.
After Thorin overcame his gold sickness, the Dwarves emerged from the mountain, the company joined in the Battle of the Five Armies. Thorin decided to lead an assault towards Azog's command tower in Ravenhill. Dwalin, Balin, Fili and Kili commandeered a Dwarven war chariot, following Thorin through the frozen channel of the River Running. Azog, intending the entire battle as a trap for Thorin, tried to stop his friends from reaching him, sending ogres, a Troll and Wargs after them. Bofur, astride a Troll, managed to help them against the Troll, but the Wargs forced Dwalin, Fili and Kili to take the mounts and leave Balin behind to fend off his foes while they went to Ravenhill.
During the showdown between Azog and Thorin, the Eagles, Radagast and Beorn arrived, quickly dispatching the Gundabad army. During the battle, both Thorin and Azog mortally wounded each other, resulting in their deaths.
During the showdown between Azog and Thorin, the Eagles, Radagast and Beorn arrived, quickly dispatching the Gundabad army. During the battle, both Thorin and Azog mortally wounded each other, resulting in their deaths.
Aftermath
 
==Aftermath==
 
In the wake of the battle, a funeral was held for Thorin Oakenshield, Fíli and Kíli, with members of Thorin and Company, Beorn and Radagast in attendance while those in the city of Dale honored those who had fallen in Battle. The mountain was garrisoned by the Dwarves of the Iron Hills and portions of its wealth were distributed to various parties like the Men of the Lake, who set up permanent residence in Dale and elected Bard as the new Lord of Dale.
In the wake of the battle, a funeral was held for Thorin Oakenshield, Fíli and Kíli, with members of Thorin and Company, Beorn and Radagast in attendance while those in the city of Dale honored those who had fallen in Battle. The mountain was garrisoned by the Dwarves of the Iron Hills and portions of its wealth were distributed to various parties like the Men of the Lake, who set up permanent residence in Dale and elected Bard as the new Lord of Dale.
The Elves of Mirkwood stayed just a short time to receive their share of the treasure before returning to their forest homeland. With Thorin and his immediate family members dead, Dain succeeded him as King under the Mountain. His job done, Bilbo Baggins parted ways with the Company and returned home to the Shire with Gandalf with his secret magic ring always close at hand.
The Elves of Mirkwood stayed just a short time to receive their share of the treasure before returning to their forest homeland. With Thorin and his immediate family members dead, Dain succeeded him as King under the Mountain. His job done, Bilbo Baggins parted ways with the Company and returned home to the Shire with Gandalf with his secret magic ring always close at hand.

Revision as of 05:45, 8 November 2021

"I shan't call it the end, till we've cleared up the mess." — Sam
This article or section needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of article quality.
The name Lonely Mountain refers to more than one character, item or concept. For a list of other meanings, see Lonely Mountain (disambiguation).
Lonely Mountain
Mountain
J.R.R. Tolkien - Smaug flies round the Mountain.jpg
"Smaug flies round the Mountain" by J.R.R. Tolkien
General Information
Other namesErebor (S)
LocationNorth-east of Rhovanion
TypeMountain
DescriptionA large mountain apart from any other ranges.
People and History
InhabitantsGenerally, Dwarves. It was once occupied by Smaug the Dragon.
EventsSack of Erebor, Siege of Erebor
GalleryImages of the Lonely Mountain

The Lonely Mountain, or Erebor, was a mountain in the north-east of Rhovanion. It was the source of the river Running and a major Dwarven stronghold, the Kingdom under the Mountain, at the end of the Third Age and well into the Fourth.

History

The Longbeards had control of Erebor since at least the early Second Age.[1]

With the awakening of Durin's Bane in the capital of Khazad-dûm, Thráin I led a group of Dwarves to Erebor. Once there, the dwarves dug caves and halls to form an underground city, thus establishing the Kingdom under the Mountain in T.A. 1999.[2] During Thráin's rule many riches were mined from the depths of the mountain, including the Arkenstone. The increased prosperity of the region led to the founding of the town of Dale, built by Men between its slopes.

Thráin's son Thorin I abandoned the Mountain in T.A. 2210 for the Grey Mountains; but after the War of the Dwarves and Dragons, in T.A. 2590, King Thrór led a group back to the Lonely Mountain, re-establishing it as the capital of Durin's folk.

Sack of Erebor

The Coming of Smaug by Donato Giancola

The great dragon Smaug had lust for the Dwarven riches and in T.A. 2770 he descended on the mountain driving out the Dwarves and destroying the town of Dale. The Lonely Mountain was empty for almost two hundred years, save Smaug who slept in the innermost chamber on a great pile of wealth.

In the year T.A. 2941 with Gandalf's council, King Thorin II and a small company of friends and family actually made it to the Lonely Mountain. After the Dragon Smaug had realized that the Dwarves had been helped by the Lake-men he went to their town of Esgaroth intent on destroying them, only to be killed by a man named Bard.

Return of the Longbeards

With the help of a Hobbit named Bilbo Baggins Thorin and company were able to retake the city and the treasure, therefore allowing Thorin to proclaim himself King under the Mountain. But after refusing to give any of the treasure to the Men of Esgaroth, and the Elves of Mirkwood, Thorin and Company were placed under siege (not to be confused with the later Siege of Erebor.)

The Battle Under the Mountain by Matt Stewart

Things nearly came to blows when Thorin's cousin Dáin Ironfoot (Grór's grandson) arrived as aid to his kinsman and nearly went to battle against the besiegers. But Gandalf interceded and warned them all of a great host of Orcs and Wargs coming to take the mountain. So the Elves, Men, and Dwarves made an alliance, and fought a bloody battle against their foes in the valley before the gate. In the end the defenders were victorious against the Orcs and Wargs. Thorin was mortally wounded during the battle, but finally, after so many years of longing, Dáin returned the Longbeards to the Lonely Mountain.

The Longbeards would set about the task of rebuilding their kingdom, which included various improvements to the Mountain itself. Gloin would tell Frodo Baggins of creations such as towers built on the Mountain, and roads dug deep underground.[3] Yet neither the Lonely Mountain nor its occupants would escape the eye of the great Shadow that rose in the last years of the Third Age.

During the War of the Ring, Easterlings invaded the Kingdom of Dale. The Dwarves aided the Men of Dale who gave a great battle at the feet of the Mountain for three days, before King Brand and King Dáin were killed at its very gates, forcing Men and Dwarves to retreat into the mountain. They held out for several days until word reached the ears of the Easterlings that the great hosts of Sauron in the south had been defeated. When the besieged saw this they came forth from the Lonely Mountain, and attacked their enemy driving them from Dale across the Running.[4]

Erebor and Dale continued to prosper into the Fourth Age.

Geography

The Lonely Mountain by Jef Murray

The Lonely Mountain was possibly 3,500 meters tall, as it was snowcapped at spring. Geologically, it was rich in metals and jewels.[5]

The mountain was star-shaped with six ridges radiating as spurs from the peak.

The south-western spur contained Ravenhill housing a Dwarven guard-post. Between the two western spurs was a narrow vale which was the exit of the Back Door, behind an overhanging cliff. Rough steps ascended to the top of the southern ridge along a narrow ledge turning east behind a boulder into a steep bay.

Inside, the mountain was dug with passages and tunnels leading to cellars and halls and mansions such as the great chamber of Thrór near the Front Gate. A secret tunnel led to the "bottommost cellar".

The main entrance into the mountain was the Gate of Erebor on the south side, opening onto a valley between two great spurs of the mountain. The River Running sprang from beneath the mountain and issued from the Front Gate, forming a waterfall that fell into the valley below.

Inside the gate was a broad paved road that went alongside the river in a wide curve leading into the mountain. Not very far from the entrance was the Great Chamber of Thrór where feasts and councils were held.

In the Lower Halls, there was a vast chamber called the Great Hall of Thráin at the root of the mountain. From there a secret passageway led to a hidden door in the western side of the mountain. The Back Door was invisible from the outside except on Durin's Day, when the light of the setting sun would reveal the keyhole.

Etymology

Erebor is the Sindarin translation of "Lonely Mountain" and can be analyzed as ereb + or(od).

Portrayal in adaptations

The Hobbit film trilogy Peter Jackson's The Hobbit trilogy (2012-2014) featured computer-generated shots of the Lonely Mountain, Dale, and other Dwarven cities. Erebor is seen in flashbacks as the elderly Bilbo Baggins recounts the beginnings of his adventure, along with Dale.

Erebor is described as the stronghold and subterranean realm of Thror, King under the Mountain, most powerful among the Dwarf lords and the strongest Dwarf kingdom in Middle-earth beneath the Lonely Mountain and it's ruler being considered the lord of all Dwarf mansions. Alongside it's neighbor, Dale, a great prosperous city of Men and Esgaroth, prosperity became commonplace in the Dwarven realm. Eventually, the Dwarves of Erebor uncover riches beneath the earth, making their realm into a great kingdom, and benefiting Dale. While the Dwarves are mining, the Arkenstone is discovered, which Thror proclaims the King's Jewel, while forging a golden statue in his likeness.

Succumbing to greed, Thror denies his potential ally, Thranduil, the Elven king of the Woodland Realm, ownership of the the White Gems, which creates a rift between their peoples, with Thranduil warning the Dwarf lord of his vast horde of gold luring evil in the future. With Thror losing himself in his greed, he spends longer time periods in his lower halls with his gold, must to his grandson's fear. The Elven king's prediction came to be true as the vast wealth attracts the dragon, Smaug, noticed by Thorin, who lays waste to the city of Dale, unhindered by Girion, despite the use of Black Arrows. Thorin rescues Balin from incineration and rallies his troops for a confrontation with Smaug, who bests the marshaled army. Thorin survives and rescues his grandfather, who in avarice, fled to his treasure hoard, losing the Arkenstone.

Thorin leads an exodus of Dwarves from their stolen homeland, Thorin sees Thranduil and his soldiers approaching, pleading for help. Thranduil, bitter over his rift with Thror, withdraws alongside his forces, making Thorin hateful of Elves for a long period. Thorin leads his people across Rhovanion and into Dunland, where he works as a blacksmith to provide for his people and leads them into the Blue Mountains. But he never got over the events that transpired with his home, lacking forgetfulness and forgiveness over it.

After losing Erebor, the Dwarves became a nomadic people, residing in human settlements. After their losses in the Battle of Moria, with both the king and the prince gone, Thorin led his people into the Blue Mountains, where they ultimately established a new colony. Many accepted the Blue Mountains as their new home, with Thorin's nephews, Kili and Fili born in there, several viewed Erebor as their true home.

Thorin later pursued rumors of his father being spotted in the wild near Dunland, after disappearing in the conflict in Moria against Azog. Clinging to false hopes, he went searching in vain. Unknown to him, Azog, having survived his duel with Thorin, set a price on his head, spreading the message through the wild. Gandalf found a copy of this, and showed it to Thorin to Bree. His suspicions of darkness rising aroused, Gandalf convinced the Dwarf exilarch to undertake a quest to reclaim Erebor. The reluctant and mistrustful Dwarf prince, stated he requires the Arkenstone to exert his authority over the other Dwarf Lords and marshal an army against Smaug. Gandalf offered to call upon a burglar to help sneak it past the dragon. Thorin called upon his people, and twelve of his kinsmen answered. Gandalf bade them to the burglar's home, which he marked. Meanwhile, Thorin sent a call for emissaries from all seven Dwarf kingdoms to come to his halls, asking their aid in the Quest of Erebor, which he was denied. Thorin was taken aback by Gandalf's suggestion to use a Hobbit as the burglar, but nonetheless agreed to meet him. However, Thorin's attempts were unsuccessful and instead, settled with the other twelve Dwarves who answered his call.

The Quest of Erebor

In TA 2941, Bilbo Baggins and Thorin's company traveled to the Lonely Mountain to regain the treasure Smaug had stolen. Set into the side of the mountain was a secret door, five feet high and wide enough for three to walk through abreast. Gandalf had managed to obtain the door's key, which fit a key hole which could be found only when the setting sun and the last moon of autumn (also known as Durin's Day) were in the sky would the light shine upon the keyhole. Bilbo entered the mountain himself, stumbling upon the dragon Smaug, who he met for the first time. The company tried to eliminate Smaug themselves by burying him under molten gold made in the forges; however, the trap failed. Smaug was enraged by the actions of Thorin and Company and, to punish them, set his eyes on destroying Lake-town and its citizens. When Smaug came to the city, the Master packed up his treasure and left by boat. He was however crushed under Smaug's carcass when Bard slew him, but not before the dragon conflagrated the whole of the town and many of its people.

Battle of Five Armies

The survivors fled by boat to the shore, where they lived in tents before Bard came and ordered them to leave for the ruins of Dale. Thranduil came to his aid, but only with the intention of recruiting the people of Lake-town to his cause of forcing Thorin to surrender some of the riches of the mountain to him. Bard convinced Thranduil he could reason with Thorin without the need to go to war. However, Thorin, overcome by the gold sickness, refused, sending Bard away. Without any other option, Bard and Thranduil joined forces, leading to a small siege around Erebor. During the night, they were visited by Bilbo, who Bard recognized from Lake-town, who gave them the Arkenstone, believing that they could use it to their own advantage.Meeting at the front gate, Thranduil and Bard ransomed the Arkenstone; however, Thorin did not believe it was the stone he was searching for until Bilbo revealed it was the true Arkenstone, revealing the truth. Enraged, Thorin nearly killed the hobbit, believing it was betrayal until Gandalf intervened, demanding Thorin release Bilbo and remarking that set an ill example as King under the Mountain. The dwarf king released Bilbo but banished him from Erebor, refusing to ever accept help from Wizards or Hobbits again. Dain Ironfoot arrived at that moment, and a small skirmish ensued among the Dwarves, Men and Elves. Gandalf attempted to reason with Dain, telling them they were all fighting the wrong enemy and the true one was heading its way, led by Azog, who was sent to take Erebor for his master, Sauron because of its' strategic position. However, the elves and men began to fight the dwarves, who appeared to have the upper hand until three Were-worms dug through the ground, as the Forces of Dol Guldur emerged. To Dáin, Thranduil and Bard's horror, Gandalf had spoke the truth upon watching Azog's armies emerge. The three Free Peoples almost did battle with one another, but then Orcs attacked and the Dwarves, Elves, and Men joined ranks together with the Great Eagles against the Orcs, in what became known as the Battle of the Five Armies. The battle extended to the city of Dale, meant to serve as a distraction. As Dáin and his people fought, they were lost without Thorin's absence. After Thorin overcame his gold sickness, the Dwarves emerged from the mountain, the company joined in the Battle of the Five Armies. Thorin decided to lead an assault towards Azog's command tower in Ravenhill. Dwalin, Balin, Fili and Kili commandeered a Dwarven war chariot, following Thorin through the frozen channel of the River Running. Azog, intending the entire battle as a trap for Thorin, tried to stop his friends from reaching him, sending ogres, a Troll and Wargs after them. Bofur, astride a Troll, managed to help them against the Troll, but the Wargs forced Dwalin, Fili and Kili to take the mounts and leave Balin behind to fend off his foes while they went to Ravenhill. During the showdown between Azog and Thorin, the Eagles, Radagast and Beorn arrived, quickly dispatching the Gundabad army. During the battle, both Thorin and Azog mortally wounded each other, resulting in their deaths.

Aftermath

In the wake of the battle, a funeral was held for Thorin Oakenshield, Fíli and Kíli, with members of Thorin and Company, Beorn and Radagast in attendance while those in the city of Dale honored those who had fallen in Battle. The mountain was garrisoned by the Dwarves of the Iron Hills and portions of its wealth were distributed to various parties like the Men of the Lake, who set up permanent residence in Dale and elected Bard as the new Lord of Dale. The Elves of Mirkwood stayed just a short time to receive their share of the treasure before returning to their forest homeland. With Thorin and his immediate family members dead, Dain succeeded him as King under the Mountain. His job done, Bilbo Baggins parted ways with the Company and returned home to the Shire with Gandalf with his secret magic ring always close at hand. Repopulated with Dwarvish colonists from each of the seven Dwarf kingdoms, Erebor was soon restored to its former glory and flourished once more, as did its neighbor-city Dale. In time, Erebor retook its place as the most powerful Dwarf kingdom in Middle-earth.

The Lonely Mountain in adaptations
The Lonely Mountain, as it appeared in The Hobbit film trilogy  
The Lonely Mountain in The Lord of the Rings Online  

2018: The Lord of the Rings Online:

After a minor appearance depicting the Siege of Erebor, Erebor proper was added in 2018 as part of Eryn Lasgalen and the Dale-lands. After the breaking of the siege, it is now ruled by King Thorin Stonehelm who must deal with some of the enemy's army still remaining near his lands. Other than the main hall of Erebor, players can also visit the living quarters, the burial tombs as well as several hidden chambers within the Mountain.

References

Route of Thorin and Company
Bag End · Green Dragon · The Shire · Lone-lands · Last Bridge · Trollshaws · Trolls' cave · Rivendell · High Pass · Front Porch · Goblin-town · Goblin-gate · Eagle's Eyrie · Carrock · Beorn's Hall · Wilderland · Forest Gate · Elf-path · Mirkwood · Elvenking's Halls · Forest River · Lake-town · Long Lake · River Running · Desolation of the Dragon · Ravenhill · Back Door · Lonely Mountain · Great Hall of Thráin
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