Thorin Oakenshield

The exiled Dwarf-king who leads the quest for the Lonely Mountain.

Thorin Oakenshield is a Dwarf in J. R. R. Tolkien's 1937 novel The Hobbit, leader of the company of Dwarves who set out to win back the Lonely Mountain from the dragon Smaug.

Quick Facts

Series: Tolkien
Race: Dwarf

Facts from the source article.

Background

The son of Thráin II and grandson of Thrór, he becomes King of Durin's Folk while they live in exile from Erebor, which Smaug had taken, treasure and all, about 150 years before. On Gandalf's advice, Thorin and twelve other Dwarves hire Bilbo Baggins as a burglar to steal their treasure back; above all Thorin wants the Arkenstone, the Heart of the Mountain.

On the journey he finds the Elven blade Orcrist in a troll hoard and uses it against the goblins beneath the Misty Mountains. When the Wood-elves of Mirkwood capture the Dwarves, Thorin insists that the others not disclose their quest to their captors. After Bilbo organises their escape in barrels, Thorin marches up to the leaders of Lake-town and identifies himself as King Under the Mountain.

In Erebor he gives Bilbo a small coat of mithril mail as the first part of his payment. After Bard the Bowman kills Smaug, Thorin refuses Thranduil and Bard any share of the hoard, fortifies the Mountain, sends to his cousin Dáin Ironfoot for help, and drives Bilbo out for using the Arkenstone as a bargaining chip. An invasion of goblins and wargs then unites the rivals in the Battle of Five Armies.

Thorin is mortally wounded in the battle and makes peace with Bilbo before he dies. He is buried with the Arkenstone, Orcrist is laid on his tomb, and Dáin succeeds him. Commentators read him as an example of avarice who frees himself from it at his death.