What happened to the Dwarves after the elves left?
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The Dwarves continued to thrive in Middle-earth after the Elves departed, with many of them returning to their ancestral homes, such as Erebor and Khazad-dûm, to rebuild and restore their kingdoms. Under the leadership of Durin VII the Last, the Dwarves of Erebor returned to Khazad-dûm to restore it to its former glory, marking a new era of prosperity and growth for the Dwarven race.
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
- What happened to the Dwarves in the end?: The Dwarves remained in Middle-earth until the “world grew old and the days of Durin’s race ended”, with many of them eventually fading away like the Elves before them.
- What happened to the remaining Dwarves after the Hobbit?: Four of the Dwarves from Thorin’s company were confirmed to still be alive during the War of the Ring, with Bifur and Bofur likely living in the Lonely Mountain, surrounded by their riches.
- Is Gimli the last dwarf?: No, Gimli is not the last Dwarf of Middle-earth, as his people continued to thrive in the Lonely Mountain after the fall of Sauron, with many of his kinsfolk living in the Glittering Caves of Aglarond.
The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings
- What happened to all the Dwarves?: Not all of the Hobbit Dwarves survived, with Thorin Oakenshield, Fíli, and Kíli perishing during the Battle of Five Armies, and Óin, Balin, and Ori dying prior to the events of The Lord of the Rings.
- What happened to the dwarves after The Hobbit?: After the events of The Hobbit, the Dwarves returned to Erebor and began to rebuild their kingdom, with Dáin succeeding Thorin as King under the Mountain.
- What caused the downfall of the Dwarves?: The Dwarves’ downfall was caused by their greed and ambition, as they dug too deep for mithril and disturbed a Balrog, which destroyed their kingdom.
Durin’s Line and Gimli
- Is Gimli Durin’s descendant?: Yes, Gimli is a remote descendant of Durin the Deathless, the chief of the Seven Fathers of the Dwarves and ancestor of the Longbeards.
- Is Durin related to Thorin?: Yes, Thorin is the great-grandson of Durin VI and the heir of Durin the Deathless.
- Who rules Erebor after Thorin died?: Dáin succeeded Thorin as King under the Mountain and King of all of Durin’s folk after his death in the Battle of Five Armies.
The Arkenstone and Other Artifacts
- What happened to the Arkenstone?: The Arkenstone was placed upon Thorin’s chest within his tomb deep under the Lonely Mountain, and was returned to the earth at last.
- What’s the Arkenstone?: The Arkenstone is a precious gem discovered at the heart of the Lonely Mountain during the Second Age, which held immeasurable beauty and became the heirloom of the line of Durin.
Other Characters and Events
- What happened to Radagast?: Radagast is a limited character in the original books, and his fate is not explicitly stated, but fans believe that he may still be living in Middle-earth, disguised from human eyes.
- What happened to the Orcs after LoTR?: The Orcs either escaped or were swallowed up by the ground beneath them after the War of the Ring, and it is likely that they ran away in terror and scattered across Middle-earth.
- Why are there no dwarf armies in Lord of the Rings?: The Dwarves had an army, but they were busy fighting at Erebor against the Easterlings who were sent by Sauron.
- What happened to Legolas after LOTR?: Legolas made a ship in Ithilien and sailed over the sea to the Undying Lands, inviting Gimli to join him, making Gimli the first and only Dwarf to do so.