Middle-earth dwarf characters

This is a list of Dwarves from J. R. R. Tolkien's fictional universe of Middle-earth.

A

Azaghâl

Azaghâl was king of the Broadbeam Dwarves of Belegost during the First Age. He was slain by the dragon Glaurung after wounding him in the Nírnaeth Arnoediad. The Helm of Hador was originally made for him by Telchar.

B

Balin

Main article: Balin (Middle-earth)

Balin was one of the twelve companions of Thorin Oakenshield and Bilbo Baggins on the Quest of Erebor. He was the son of Fundin and elder brother of Dwalin. Many years after the death of Smaug, Balin led an expedition to recolonise Khazad-dûm, where he found Durin's Axe. Although the colony began well, Balin was slain after only a few years, shot by Orcs on November 5, 2994, as he looked into Kheled-zâram. Thirty years later his tomb and the Book of Mazarbul that told of his expedition and death were discovered by the Fellowship of the Ring.

He will be portrayed by Ken Stott in Peter Jackson's forthcoming adaptation of The Hobbit.

Bifur

Bifur was one of the twelve companions of Thorin and Bilbo on the Quest of Erebor. The cousin of Bofur and Bombur, he was not descended from Durin. He was fond of raspberry jam and apple-tart, wore a yellow hood and played the clarinet. He gave the trolls quite a fight before getting sacked and helped trying to rescue Bilbo, and was set down uncomfortably near the fire as a reward. He survived the barrel-ride in a drier and less bruised state than most of the other dwarves, but still couldn’t move after the ordeal.

He will be portrayed by William Kircher in Peter Jackson's forthcoming adaptation of The Hobbit.

Bofur

Bofur was one of the twelve companions of Thorin and Bilbo on the Quest of Erebor. The cousin of Bifur and brother of Bombur, he was not descended from Durin. Bofur liked mince-pies and cheese at tea, and like his cousin Bifur, played the clarinet and sported a yellow hood. He didn’t have as rough a barrel-ride as most of his companions, but was still too stiff to help de-keg the other dwarves. Along with his brother Bombur he was nearly trapped at the bottom of a cliff on the Lonely Mountain by Smaug before being rescued by the others.

He will be portrayed by James Nesbitt in Peter Jackson's forthcoming adaptation of The Hobbit.

Bombur

Bombur was one of the twelve companions with Thorin and Bilbo on the Quest of Erebor. The cousin of Bifur and brother of Bofur, he was not descended from Durin.

"Poor, fat" Bombur is frequently shown as having been the last in everything, foolish and making mistakes: he tumbled with Bifur and Bofur onto Thorin when they enter Bag End last, he entered Beorn's house last and yet earlier than intended, and he also fell into the Enchanted River after being asked to go last. Trusting neither mountain paths nor ropes to hold his weight, he chose to stay and guard the company's camp while the others moved up Erebor. However, he was forced to use the ropes to escape the rampaging dragon Smaug. Bombur slept at several key moments in the book. When he fell into the Enchanted River, he was entranced and slept for days, causing his already despairing companions to carry him. During the siege of Erebor, Bilbo used Bombur's sleepiness to his advantage, promising to take Bombur's midnight watch and allow him to sleep. As well, he was asleep when his barrel was opened at Esgaroth and when Bilbo discovered the secret entrance to Erebor. His weight was problematic during their quest. He played a drum.

Many years later, in The Lord of the Rings, Frodo Baggins enquired after Bombur and learns that he had grown so fat it took six young dwarves to lift him, as he could no longer move from his bed to his couch.

In the 1977 Rankin/Bass version of The Hobbit, he was voiced by Paul Frees; contrary to the book he is depicted as being stabbed by a goblin and dies in Bilbo's arms.

He will be portrayed by Stephen Hunter in Peter Jackson's forthcoming adaptation of The Hobbit.

Borin

Borin was a Dwarf of Durin's Line, the second son of King Náin II. He was the ancestor of both Balin and Gimli Elf-friend of the Fellowship of the Ring.

D

Dáin I

Dáin I, the son of Náin II, was the last King of Durin's Folk united. Under Dáin I, attacks by dragons on their mines in the Ered Mithrin continued, and he was killed by a cold-drake in T.A. 2589 and succeeded by his sons Thrór, who established the realm of Erebor, and Grór, who held rule in the Iron Hills.

Dáin II Ironfoot

Main article: Dáin II Ironfoot

Dáin II Ironfoot was a descendant of Grór and lord of the Dwarves of the Iron Hills. Dáin joined his father's contingent in the Battle of Azanulbizar, at which time he slew Azog. After Thorin's death in the Battle of Five Armies, Dáin was proclaimed king of Durin's Folk. He fell in the Battle of Dale and was succeeded by his son Thorin III Stonehelm.

Dís

Dís was a female Dwarf, daughter of Thráin II and sister of Thorin Oakenshield. She was the mother of Fíli and Kíli, and the only dwarf-woman ever named in the annals, in respect of the valiant deaths of her sons.

Dori

Dori was one of the twelve companions of Thorin and Bilbo on the Quest of Erebor. He was the brother of Nori and Ori. It fell to Dori to carry Bilbo in the tunnels of the Misty Mountains, but Dori dropped Bilbo and the other dwarves blamed him for "losing their burglar." Later, during the escape from the Wargs when they all climbed trees, Dori climbed back down to help Bilbo, who could not get up on his own. When the Eagles carried them off, Bilbo grabbed hold of Dori's legs as they went. In The Hobbit, Dori is described as "a decent fellow, despite his grumbling," while Thorin described him as being the strongest member of the company.

He will be portrayed by Mark Hadlow in Peter Jackson's forthcoming adaptation of The Hobbit.

Durin the Deathless

Main article: Durin

King Durin I of Khazad-dûm, better known as Durin the Deathless, was the eldest of the Seven Fathers of the Dwarves, first created by Aulë the Vala.

Durin II

Main article: Durin

Durin II was King of the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm.

Durin III

Main article: Durin

Durin III was the first bearer of one of the Seven Rings, although this was not known to outsiders until the end of the Third Age.

Durin IV

Main article: Durin

Durin IV was King of the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm.

Durin V

Main article: Durin

Durin V was King of the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm.

Durin VI

Main article: Durin

Durin VI was King of the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm when the Balrog was aroused deep beneath the city and killed Durin.

Durin VII the Last

Main article: Durin

Durin VII was a descendant of Thorin III Stonehelm of Durin's folk, who was lord of the Dwarves of Erebor and the Iron Hills in Wilderland.

Dwalin

Dwalin was one of the twelve companions of Thorin and Bilbo on the Quest of Erebor. The son of Fundin and younger brother of Balin, Dwalin was the first Dwarf to arrive at Bag End. He wore a dark green hood and a golden belt, had a blue beard, and like his brother Balin, he played the viol. Dwalin lent a hood and cloak to Bilbo when they set out on their journey. After the events in The Hobbit, Dwalin ruled Thorin's halls in the Blue Mountains. He died in the year 91 of the Fourth Age at the age of 340, very old even for a Dwarf.

His name is taken from Dvalin, a dwarf from the Poetic Edda and other Norse mythology.

He will be portrayed by Graham McTavish in Peter Jackson's forthcoming adaptation of The Hobbit.

F

Farin

Farin was the son of Borin and father of Fundin and Gróin.

Fíli

Fíli was one of the twelve companions of Thorin and Bilbo on the Quest of Erebor. He and his brother Kíli were the sons of Dís, Thorin's sister. He had a blue cloak, a yellow beard and a long nose, the longest of all the Dwarves on the Quest. The two brothers were described as being young in Dwarf terms, younger than the rest by some fifty years. They also had the best eyesight and so were often sent scouting or searching. The brothers are consistently described as cheerful, the only two to have come out of the barrels at Lake-town "more or less smiling." After the battle with the spiders he is forced to cut off most of his beard because it is covered in webbing.

Although Chapter 8 of The Hobbit describes Fíli as the youngest, in Appendix A of The Lord of the Rings his birthyear is given as T.A. 2859, whereas Kíli's is 2864. Both brothers fell at the Battle of Five Armies, defending their uncle Thorin, and were buried with honour.

He will be portrayed by Dean O'Gorman in Peter Jackson's forthcoming adaptation of The Hobbit. Rob Kazinsky was originally cast in the role but dropped out citing personal issues.

Flói

Flói was one of the Dwarves who entered Moria with Balin. Killed 2989 by an orc archer, he had slain a great chieftain. Flói was buried under the grass at Mirrormere at Dimrill Dale. His death was recorded in the Book of Mazarbul.

Frár

Frár was one of the Dwarves who entered Moria with Balin. His death in 2994, while defending the bridge of Khazad-dûm, was recorded in the Book of Mazarbul.

Frerin

Frerin was the second son of Thráin II and the younger brother of Thorin Oakenshield. He perished at a young age when he joined in the Battle of Azanulbizar, the climactic battle of the War of the Dwarves and Orcs, beneath the East-gate of Khazad-dûm.

Frór

Frór was a Dwarf of the line of Durin who was killed with his father Dáin I by a cold-drake in the Grey Mountains. The kingship of Durin's folk clan then passed on to Frór's brother Thrór, who founded the kingdom of Erebor. However, the greater part of Durin's folk followed their younger brother Grór to the Iron Hills.

Fundin

Fundin was the son of Farin, brother of Gróin and father of Balin and Dwalin, two of Thorin Oakenshield's companions on the Quest of Erebor. Fundin was killed beneath the East Gate of Moria in the climactic Battle of Nanduhirion during the War of the Dwarves and Orcs. In the aftermath of the battle, all the bodies of those who fell were stripped of their armour and weaponry by their kinsmen, and were burnt upon pyres of wood, Fundin among them.

G

Gamil Zirak

Gamil Zirak was a Dwarvish smith and master of Telchar of Nogrod. Gamil was a great craftsman, whose work was found in the treasuries of Thingol.

Gimli

Main article: Gimli (Middle-earth)

Gimli, the son of Glóin, was chosen by Elrond to be one of the nine members of the Company of the Ring. He remained with Aragorn throughout the War of the Ring, fighting at the Hornburg, Pelargir and Pelennor Fields. His friendship with Legolas and love for Galadriel earned him the title of Elf-friend.

Glóin, son of Thorin

Glóin, the son of Thorin I, succeeded his father as the king of Durin's folk. He expanded the mines of the Ered Mithrin, and further abandoned Erebor.

Glóin, son of Gróin

Glóin, son of Gróin, was one of the twelve companions of Thorin II Oakenshield and Bilbo Baggins on the Quest of Erebor. He was a descendant of Durin the Deathless, and brother of Óin. Glóin and his son Gimli were sent to Rivendell as an embassy from Dáin II to bring news of Erebor, Moria, and what they knew of Sauron's plans; they arrived in time to attend the Council of Elrond. The name Gloin is found in the Voluspa. He was a playable hero in the Dwarven Faction in the Electronic Arts Real-Time Strategy game The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II, and specialized in attacks that would either destroy or disable the opponents' buildings.

He will be portrayed by Peter Hambleton in Peter Jackson's forthcoming adaptation of The Hobbit.

Gróin

Gróin was the son of Farin and the father of Glóin and Óin, as well as the grandfather of Gimli.

Grór

Grór was the youngest son of King Dáin I, and brother of Frór and Thrór, and father of Náin. When Thrór left the Grey Mountains to reclaim the Kingdom of Erebor, the majority of Durin's folk followed Grór to the Iron Hills, even though his brother remained king.

I

Ibûn

Ibûn, the son of Mîm, was one of the last of the Petty-dwarves.

K

Khîm

Khîm, the son of Mîm, was one of the last of the Petty-dwarves. He was slain by Andróg, a man of Túrin's company.

Kíli

Kíli was one of the twelve companions of Thorin and Bilbo on the Quest of Erebor. He and his brother Fíli were the sons of Dís, Thorin's sister. He had a blue cloak and a yellow beard. The two brothers were described as being young in Dwarf terms, younger than the rest by some fifty years. They also had the best eyesight and so were often sent scouting or searching. The brothers are consistently described as having been cheerful, and the only two to have come out of the barrels at Lake-town "more or less smiling."

Although Fíli is described as being the youngest in Chapter 8 of The Hobbit, in Appendix A of The Lord of the Rings his birthyear is given as T.A. 2859, whereas Kíli's is 2864. Both brothers fell at the Battle of Five Armies, defending their uncle Thorin, and were buried with honour.

He will be portrayed by Aidan Turner in Peter Jackson's forthcoming adaptation of The Hobbit.

L

Lóni

Lóni was one of the Dwarves who entered Moria with Balin. His death in 2994 was recorded in the Book of Mazarbul.

M

Mîm

Mîm was one of the last of the Petty-dwarves who lived together with his two sons, Ibûn and Khîm, at Amon Rûdh in west Beleriand. Although he harboured the company of Túrin, he also betrayed them to Orcs, as a man of Túrin's company had slain his son Khîm. Mîm was eventually slain by Húrin at Nargothrond.

N

Náin I

Náin I was the son of Durin VI, and succeeded his father as King of Khazad-dûm. When his father was slain by the Balrog, Náin attempted to continue the kingdom, but was himself killed the following year. The remainder of Durin's Folk fled Khazad-dûm, and the city was renamed Moria. Náin was succeeded on the throne by Thráin I.

Náin II

Náin II was a King of Durin's Folk, son of Óin. Under Náin, the Dwarves lived peacefully in the Ered Mithrin until they were attacked by dragons. He was succeeded by his son, Dáin I. He had a younger son Borin, from whom several of Thorin Oakenshield's companions were descended.

Náin, son of Grór

Náin, son of Grór was killed at the Battle of Nanduhirion when Azog the Orc Chieftain broke his neck. The rule of the Dwarves of the Iron Hills passed to his son, Dáin II Ironfoot, who avenged his father's death by killing Azog.

Náli

Náli was one of the Dwarves who entered Moria with Balin. His death in 2994 was also in the Book of Mazarbul.

Nár

Nár was the companion of Thrór during his ill-fated attempt to reclaim Moria. After Thrór's death, Nár bore the ill tidings to Thrór's son Thráin II.

Narvi

Narvi was a dwarf of Moria who built its West-gate in the Second Age. His name was inscribed on the door by Celebrimbor, writing in Sindarin language on Narvi's behalf. The inscription reads Im Narvi hain echant. Celebrimbor o Eregion teithant i thiw hin: "I, Narvi, made them [the Doors]. Celebrimbor of Eregion drew these signs."

Nori

Nori was one of the twelve companions of Thorin and Bilbo on the Quest of Erebor. He was the brother of Ori and Dori.

He will be portrayed by Jed Brophy in Peter Jackson's forthcoming adaptation of The Hobbit.

O

Óin, son of Glóin

Óin, son of Glóin succeeded his father as King of Durin's folk, reigning from 2385 to 2488 Third Age.

Óin, son of Gróin

Óin, son of Gróin, was one of the twelve companions of Thorin and Bilbo on the Quest of Erebor. Along with his brother Glóin, he was counted on to start the campfires, though the brothers bickered over the task. He was also one of the Dwarves who entered Moria with Balin. He was killed by the Watcher in the Water while trying to escape via the Western Door.

In Peter Jackson's movie The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, Óin is played by John Callen. He wields a spear and uses an ear trumpet.

Ori

Ori was one of the twelve companions of Thorin and Bilbo on the Quest of Erebor, and brother to Dori and Nori. He was also one of the Dwarves who entered Moria with Balin. He was among the last members of Balin's colony to be killed, as is known by his entering the last records in the Book of Mazarbul before their final hopeless stand against the Orcs. This book was later discovered by the Fellowship of the Ring.

He will be portrayed by Adam Brown in Peter Jackson's forthcoming adaptation of The Hobbit.

T

Telchar

Telchar was a Dwarf of Nogrod in the Blue Mountains. He was one of the greatest smiths of Middle-earth. Among his works were Angrist, Narsil, and the Dragon-Helm of Dor-lómin.

Thorin I

Thorin I was the son of Thráin I, and succeeded his father as King of Erebor and King of Durin's folk. He left Erebor with the greater part of his folk, moving to the Ered Mithrin. He was succeeded as King by Glóin.

Thorin II Oakenshield

Main article: Thorin Oakenshield

Thorin II Oakenshield was the King of Durin's Folk who led the expedition to destroy Smaug in T.A. 2941 and was slain in the Battle of Five Armies.

Thorin III Stonehelm

Thorin III Stonehelm was the son and heir of Dáin II Ironfoot of Durin's folk, who was lord of the Dwarves of Erebor and the Iron Hills in Wilderland. He became King under the Mountain when his father was killed during the War of the Ring in T.A. 3019. Thorin III helped rebuild Erebor and Dale, and prospered. His realm became a close ally of the Reunited Kingdom of King Elessar.

During his rule, Gimli led a number of Dwarves south to Aglarond, where a new lordship was established, most likely a colony of Durin's Folk under the vassalage of the King of Erebor. Thorin III had a descendant, Durin VII the Last, who was held to be the final reincarnation of Durin the Deathless. It is unclear whether Durin VII was a son of Thorin III or a later descendant.

Thráin I

Thráin I, sometimes called Thráin the Old, was the son of Náin I, and succeeded his father as King of Khazad-dûm. When his father was slain by the Balrog as his grandfather Dúrin VI had been killed before, Thráin fled Khazad-dûm together with the remainder of Durin's folk, migrating to Erebor, which he founded in T.A. 1999. He was succeeded as King by Thorin I.

Thráin II

Main article: Thráin II

Thráin II was the father of Thorin Oakenshield and the son of Thrór. After the death of his father he went wandering, and was captured by the Necromancer in Dol Guldur at which time the last of the Seven Rings of Power was taken from him.

He will be portrayed by Mike Mizrahi in Peter Jackson's forthcoming adaptation of The Hobbit.

Thrór

Thrór (T.A. 2542 − 2790) was a King of Durin's folk, the son of Dáin I, father of Thráin II, and brother to Frór and Grór. He became king in 2589 when a cold-drake killed Dáin I and Frór. The following year he returned to reoccupy Erebor as King Under the Mountain, but many of his people followed his brother Grór to settle instead in the Iron Hills farther east.

Thrór and his people prospered in Erebor, but their success attracted the attention of Smaug the dragon, who in 2770 attacked the mountain and drove the surviving dwarves away. Thrór and his people then wandered abroad, becoming increasingly poor and desperate. In 2790 Thrór committed the ring of his house to his son Thráin and with his companion Nár sought to re-enter Moria. He was captured there by Azog the Orc, who tortured him and chopped off his head. His body was thrown out the east gate, hacked to pieces and fed to the ravens in full view of Nár. This started the War of the Dwarves and Orcs.

He will be portrayed by Jeffrey Thomas in Peter Jackson's forthcoming adaptation of The Hobbit.

References

• Tolkien, J. R. R. (1977). Christopher Tolkien (ed.). The Silmarillion. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 978-0-395-25730-2.
• Tolkien, J. R. R. (1937). Douglas A. Anderson (ed.). The Annotated Hobbit. Boston: Houghton Mifflin (published 2002). ISBN 978-0-618-13470-0.
• Tolkien, J. R. R. (1954a). The Fellowship of the Ring. The Lord of the Rings. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. OCLC 9552942.
• Tolkien, J. R. R. (1954). The Two Towers. The Lord of the Rings. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. OCLC 1042159111.
• Tolkien, J. R. R. (1955). The Return of the King. The Lord of the Rings. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. OCLC 519647821.

See also

• Dwarves