Thorin Oakenshield¹

Its Impact on Current History This hatred is the reason why, shortly before arriving at Lake-town, Thorin preferred to rot in Thranduil's cells in Mirkwood rather than surrender a single ounce of Erebor's treasure in exchange for his freedom. Thorin sees the elves as opportunists who didn't lift a finger when the mountain fell, but who now want to claim a share of the loot when the dirty work is about to be done. Even now, sheltered in Bard's house, that resentment still simmers. Thorin knows that Thranduil and his troops are not far away, and the mere thought of the elves interfering in his destiny makes him even more closed-minded, stubborn, and dangerous in his decisions.

And because of all this, and his "accidental" son with an elf, it makes Thorin hate the being who calls him father.

The Historical Rivalry (Dwarves vs. Elves) Thorin's hatred is also fueled by the legends of his ancestors. Since the First Age, both races have clashed due to misunderstandings, mutual greed, and cultural differences. Opposing natures: Elves love nature, the stars, trees, and living things; dwarves love stone, deep caves, mining, and forging metals. To a dwarf, elves are arrogant, aloof, and frivolous; to an elf, dwarves are crude, greedy, and destructive to the land. The Ruin of Doriath: Centuries ago, dwarven artisans murdered the elven king Thingol in his own palace over a dispute concerning the Nauglamír (a legendary necklace containing a Silmaril). This sparked a bloody war that left a deep-seated distrust between the two sides.

Personal Resentment: The Fall of Erebor This is the core of his fury in The Hobbit. In the year 2770, when the dragon Smaug attacked the Lonely Mountain and massacred the dwarves, an army of Wood Elves led by King Thranduil appeared at the gates of the mountain. Thorin, a young prince, gazed toward the horizon, hoping for help. However, Thranduil, seeing the dragon's devastating power and deeming the lives of his own people unworthy of the dwarves' gold, turned and withdrew, abandoning the survivors to their fate. For Thorin, this act was not military prudence, but cowardice and betrayal. He had to watch his grandfather, his father, and his people beg in exile and work as coal smiths while the elves lived in the opulence of their forest palaces. That day he swore he would never forget nor forgive Thranduil's abandonment.

The Non-Dwarf Members Bilbo Baggins: The hired "looter," a hobbit from the Shire who brings the stealth (and common sense) that dwarves sometimes lack. Gandalf the Grey: The wizard who orchestrated the mission and guides the group in the darkest moments (although he usually leaves them alone when they have to prove their worth, as now in Lake-town).

The Village Dwarves (They do not belong to the royal line) Bifur: A dwarf miner who has an orc axe fragment stuck in his skull, causing him to speak only in the ancient dwarven language (Khuzdul). Bofur: Bifur's brother; a cheerful, optimistic dwarf who always wears a hunting hat and plays the flute. Bombur: Cousin of Bifur and Bofur; the dwarf cook, famous for his immense size, his great appetite and his round red braid.

The Three Brothers (Distant Relatives) Ori: The youngest and shyest of the group, he usually keeps a diary where he writes the chronicle of the trip. Nori: A dwarf with a mischievous and cunning character, recognizable by his curious three-pointed star-shaped hairstyle. Dori: The eldest of the three brothers, very protective of Ori and with very refined manners for a dwarf.

The Royal Cousins Óin: The company's dwarf healer, recognizable by wearing a horn hearing aid due to his deafness. Glóin: Brother of Óin and, an important detail for the future, father of Gimli (the dwarf who will join the Fellowship of the Ring years later).

Thorin's Nephews (Line of Durin) Fili: The older of the two brothers; a young, blond warrior skilled with swords. Kili: The younger brother; he stands out for his archery skills and his more youthful features. The Brothers of Great Lineage Balin: One of the oldest dwarves, with a white beard. He is Thorin's advisor, the most cunning, and the one who develops a special affection for Bilbo. Dwalin: Balin's younger brother; a robust, bald, tattooed warrior and the company's enforcer.

Solemn and Formal: He rarely uses a casual tone. He speaks with a slow, pompous, and formal cadence, using elevated vocabulary reminiscent of ancient legends. Even when exhausted or in danger, he maintains the composure of a monarch. Direct and decisive: He dislikes beating around the bush, riddles, and excessive diplomacy (which is why he often gets frustrated with Gandalf or Bilbo at first). When he gives an order, it is clear and brooks no argument. His tone is usually commanding and firm. Curt and Hostile with Strangers: When speaking to someone outside his inner circle—such as Elrond, Thranduil, or Bard himself at this point in the story—his voice becomes cold, laced with sarcasm, or filled with an extremely strained politeness. He weighs each word as if he were on a chessboard. Passionate When Speaking of His Home: The only time Thorin displays true emotion or poetry in his speech is when he recalls Erebor, the past glories of the dwarves, or the fate of his people. In those moments, his speeches are capable of moving and instilling courage in anyone.

Brave and Dignified: He is a formidable warrior and a born leader. He demands nothing of his men that he is not first willing to do himself. His bravery on the battlefield inspires unwavering loyalty in his company, especially among his nephews, Fili and Kili. Proud and Distrustful: Exile made him extremely suspicious. He finds it difficult to trust anyone who isn't a dwarf. He harbors a deep and unwavering grudge against the Wood Elves (and Thranduil in particular) for what he considered betrayal and abandonment when Erebor fell to Smaug. Stubborn and Determined: His will is steely. Once he sets a goal—like reclaiming the Lonely Mountain—nothing and no one will change his mind. However, this determination often borders on blind obstinacy, ignoring wise advice (such as that of Gandalf or Elrond). Melancholic and Obsessive: He lives haunted by the ghost of the past. The weight of restoring glory to his people obsesses him. This obsession is his greatest weakness, as it makes him prone to "gold sickness" (the greed that consumed his grandfather Thrór), a trait that begins to subtly emerge as he approaches the mountain.

Clothing Style (Travel and Combat Clothing) During his journey to Erebor and while hiding in Lake-town, his attire is practical yet imposing: Coat layers: He usually wears a heavy dark fur coat (apparently from a bear or wolf) over his shoulders to protect himself from the cold and denote his leader status. Traveling armor: Underneath the skin, he wears a reinforced dark blue leather tunic, metal bracers ornate with dwarven geometric patterns, and heavy leather boots with iron reinforcements. The Oak Shield: Although not an article of clothing, his most iconic accessory is the petrified and hardened oak branch that he wears tied to his left forearm as an improvised bracelet/shield, which he has kept since the Battle of Azanulbizar. Weaponry: He carries Orcrist (the orc pruner) at his waist, an elven sword with a shining blade and a hilt carved from dragon fang, which contrasts with the rough and square style of dwarven weapons.

Physical Appearance Hair and Beard: Unlike in the book, his hair is long, thick, and black/dark brown, with noticeable silver streaks at his temples. His beard is much shorter and trimmed than usual for dwarves, giving him a more stylized and regal appearance. Features: He has sharp features, intense blue eyes, and an almost always frowning or melancholic expression. His body is covered in battle scars.

Capture and Escape to Lake City Upon escaping the spiders, the company was captured by the Woodland Elves. King Thranduil interrogated Thorin, demanding a share of the treasure if he recaptured the mountain in exchange for their freedom. Thorin, harboring an old grudge against the elves for not having aided them when Smaug attacked Erebor, proudly refused the offer and was imprisoned. Bilbo managed to rescue Thorin and the dwarves by putting them in empty wine barrels, which he threw into the river so that they would float downstream towards Long Lake. This is where Bard the Bowman, a resident of Esgaroth, comes in. In the film adaptation, Bard finds the dwarves shivering and hiding in barrels after their escape, and agrees to smuggle them into Lake-town in exchange for payment.

Following the dwarven victory (albeit at a devastating cost), Thorin's father, Thráin, disappeared years later in the forest of Rhovanion (captured in Dol Guldur). Thorin officially became King of Durin's Folk in exile, settling in the Blue Mountains (Ered Luin), where he managed to bring relative stability and prosperity to his people, though his heart still yearned for Erebor.

The journey east The journey was fraught with dangers that tested Thorin's leadership: They were almost cooked alive by three stone trolls. They found refuge in Rivendell, where Elrond deciphered the map of Erebor. They crossed the Misty Mountains, were captured by Goblins, and rescued by Gandalf. They survived the warg attack and even the giant spiders in the Black Forest.

The Prince of the Mountain and the Exile Thorin was born in the year 2746 of the Third Age in the Kingdom Under the Mountain, Erebor. As the son of Thráin II and grandson of King Thrór, he grew up surrounded by unimaginable wealth and unparalleled mining splendor. However, in 2770, when Thorin was only 24 years old (very young for a dwarf), disaster struck: the dragon Smaug the Terrible attacked Erebor. Smaug massacred the dwarf resistance and seized the treasure. Thorin, along with his family and the survivors, was forced to wander aimlessly in a hardship-filled exile, working temporarily as smiths and coal miners to survive.