Thorin

Youth and exile

Thorin was born in Third Age 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 and ended up to Dunland.

War of the Dwarves and Orcs

Disillusioned, Thorin's grandfather Thrór wandered to the Eastern gate of Moria, the old mansion of the Longbeards, now infested by Orcs. He entered it and ended up murdered and desecrated by the Orc Azog. These news were brought by his companion Nár to Thráin, thus the War of the Dwarves and Orcs began.

The war was fought long and hard between the two races, ultimately ending in a pyrrhic Dwarven victory at the Battle of Azanulbizar in Third Age 2799. Both Thráin and Thorin were wounded during this battle and Frerin (Thorin's brother) was killed. When his shield broke, he cut a bough from an oak tree to block the blows of his foes. 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, 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 Third Age 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 around Thráin 's disappearance and death (Third Age 2850) 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.

Quest for Erebor

A new hope

The fortunes of the House of Durin changed when Thorin met Gandalf by chance in Third Age 2941. 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 Third Age 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. 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."

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. 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. 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. The dragon was slain by Bard who pierced an un-armoured spot on the dragon's underside with a Black Arrow.

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. 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 apologised 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.

Appearance

Thorin had a white beard and 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. He wore a belt of gold and jewels, and his stockings were yellow. He was also said to be quite tall for a dwarf, though his height was otherwise negligible compared to other races.

Personality

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. 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.

Another one of his distinctive characteristics was that on important occasions he had the habit of going on "without telling any one there anything that was not known already". Once he referred to Fíli and Kíli as "sons of my father's daughter" rather than "nephews" or "sister-sons", for instance.

Weapons

Thorin was a formidable swordsman, archer, and skilled military leader, capable of rallying Men, Elves and Dwarves to his side in the Battle of the Five Armies. He was the owner of the elven blade known as Orcrist, The Goblin Cleaver, a legendary sword from Gondolin that was said to have slain hundreds of goblins. When orcs or goblins were nearby, it glowed blue. He used this blade throughout the entire Quest of Erebor, but was taken from him during his capture in Mirkwood. It was then later laid on his tomb, after his death to warn Erebor of any oncoming dark forces that would dare try to take over the Mountain

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".

Like many Dwarvish names, both Þorinn and Eikinskjaldi appear in the Norse poem Völuspá, but there they are the names of two individual dwarves.

Fans have speculated that Tolkien may possibly have been inspired by a Faroese ballad, "Regin Smiður", in which Sigurd uses an oak tree branch as a weapon:

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.

The statement that Thráin II and his son Thorin settle in the South of Ered Luin beyond the Shire in the year 2802 was added to the entry for the year 2799 of the Third Age in Appendix B in the second edition of The Lord of the Rings..

Films

1967: The Hobbit (1967 film):

Thorin Oakenshield is the commander of the garrison of Dale. He is not a royal.

1977: The Hobbit (1977 film):

Thorin's voice is provided by Hans Conried. Rather than remaining within Erebor until the Battle of Five Armies is nearly lost, he marched out with his companions to join the Dwarves of the Iron Hills in facing the allied armies of Mirkwood and Laketown. Upon witnessing the approach of the Goblin-Wolf army, Thorin abruptly addresses the elf king in friendly terms. The two then join forces with Bard and fight throughout the ensuing battle.

2012: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey:

Thorin was portrayed by Richard Armitage. Unlike many other adaptations where Thorin is depicted as white-haired, Thorin is portrayed as younger looking (in the original book he was the oldest of the Dwarves in the Company; in the movies he appears to be roughly in the middle of the thirteen age-wise). Thorin, however, does have streaks of gray in his black hair.

In the prologue which flashes back to the Sack of Erebor, Thorin is shown to be a natural leader, and is distressed when Thranduil and his army do not come to the Dwarves' aid. Later, during a flashback to the Battle of Azanulbizar (referred to as the Battle of Moria in these films), his natural leadership is again on display, when rallying the troops after maiming Azog the Defiler (Dáin Ironfoot, who killed Azog during this battle in the book, is not present at all).

Thorin shows up later than expected at Bag End. He is thoroughly sceptical of Gandalf's choice of Bilbo as the fourteenth member of the Company, but the Hobbit finally earns his approval after attempting to save him from Azog and his Orc pack. After this ordeal, Gandalf revives him on the Carrock.

Prior to obtaining Orcrist, Thorin wields a Dwarven sword named Deathless.

2013: The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug:

Thorin is captured by the Elves of Mirkwood along with all of the other Dwarves. He refuses to bargain with Thranduil on order to set them all free, still holding a grudge over the Elven-king not helping his people while Smaug destroyed their home.

After the Dwarves are caught trying to steal weapons out of the armoury in Lake-town, Thorin promises the people a share of the treasure if the Company is allowed to reclaim their kingdom. After Bilbo's audience with Smaug, he leads the Dwarves in a battle in an attempt to defeat the Dragon by drowning him in molten gold. The plan fails, however, and Smaug instead heads off in a rage to Lake-town.

2014: The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies:

While searching the treasure hoard inside the Mountain for the Arkenstone, Thorin increasingly falls prey to Dragon sickness. He begins to be paranoid that the other Dwarves are scheming against him. He orders the other Dwarves to put up barricades to prevent anyone else from entering the Mountain, even as the Battle of Five Armies commences. He eventually overcomes his sickness and comes to his senses, leading the members of the Company into battle.

On Ravenhill, he attempts to take out the Orc army's leader, and old nemesis, Azog (with the help of Fíli, Kíli and Dwalin). After his nephews are killed, Thorin takes on the Pale Orc one-on-one (and, in the process, gets Orcrist back from Legolas). He manages to get Azog to fall into a frozen lake, but the Orc stabs through the ice and mortally wounds him. With his last strength, Thorin plunges Orcrist into Azog's chest, finally killing him. Soon after, right before succumbing to his wounds, he makes amends with Bilbo, and dies right there on the lake.

Radio series

1968: The Hobbit (1968 radio series):

Thorin's voice is provided by John Justin.

1979: The Hobbit (1979 radio series):

Thorin's voice is provided by Tom Luce.

1980: Der Hobbit (1980 German radio series):

Thorin is played by Heinz Schlacht.

1989: Hobit (1989 Slovak radio series):

Thorin's voice is provided by Ľubomír Roman.

Games

1982: The Hobbit (1982 video game):

Thorin is the only companion of the player, Bilbo Baggins.

2003: The Hobbit (2003 video game):

Thorin's voice is provided by Clive Revill.

2007: The Lord of the Rings Online:

Thorin plays no role in the major storyline, but makes a brief appearance in a flashback taking place in Third Age 2941, just before the company sets off on their journey to the Lonely Mountain. He, along with his nephews Fíli and Kíli, are entombed within Mazal Akrâz, the Chamber of Glory, deep within Erebor.

2014: Lego The Hobbit: The Video Game:

Thorin appears as he is in the movies, but in the form of a LEGO minifigure. He is voiced by Richard Armitage through archive footage from the first two films.

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