The Lord of the Rings franchise has captivated many fans with its intense plot line and interesting characters. For the high fantasy genre-loving fans, the series just hits the spot. A world full of mysterious creatures, such as the Elves, Goblins, Hobbits, Orcs, and many more, sure gets you hooked.
Among the various creatures in the series, there stands out a certain group, despite their small height. No, not the Hobbits, but The Mighty Dwarves.
They might just be a tad bit taller than the Hobbits but are much stronger than them. They have high endurance and high stamina, making them one of the strongest characters in the series.
Here we have discussed some of the powerful Dwarves in the series.
But wait! First we must know about who the Dwarves are.
The Dwarves were the inhabitants of Middle Earth. With a sturdy physique, the Dwarves were very strong and had great endurance. They were able to resist extreme heat and cold and heavy burdens were nothing to them. The quite stubborn, secretive but loyal Dwarves had pretty good artisanal skills, especially with metals and stones. They even had a longer lifespan than the Men, surprisingly up to two hundred and fifty years.
And Middle Earth is a fictional setting in the world of the Lord of the Rings series. It is depicted as a large continent that occupied the central regions of Arda. It was situated between two continents: Aman and the Land of Sun. Ocean Belegaer separated Middle earth from Aman in the uttermost West parts whereas the East Sea separated it from the Land of the Sun in the uttermost East parts.
Middle Earth was the name used for the habitable parts of Arda after the final ruin of Beleriand, east across the Belegaer from Aman.
Origins and History of Dwarves
The Dwarves in the Lord Of The Rings series, are based on the German myth about dwarves. If you were to look into their origins, you could find that the general myths and the ones shown in the series are different from each other. Let’s look into those to know more about the Dwarves.
The German Myth
The German myth depicts them as small humanoids that dwelled in the mountains, mainly mining and blacksmithing. They were mostly described as short and ugly creatures who lived inside the earth, often in seclusion from the outer world.
In Norse mythology, The Poetic Edda poem Völuspá described dwarfs as the product of the primordial blood of the being Brimir and the bones of Bláinn. However, the Prose Edda compared the dwarfs to maggots that festered in the flesh of the primal being Ymir before being gifted with reason by the gods.
The origins based on the series
Although based on German myths, the series takes a different route when it comes to the dwarves’ origins.
The creator of Dwarves was Aulë the Smith. The Dwarves were not considered to be the children of Ilúvatar. Aulë created the Seven Fathers of the Dwarves. They are the ones from whom all the other Dwarves descended. However, they all resided deep beneath mountains somewhere in Middle Earth.
When Aulë set forth his desire to create more humans, Ilúvatar scolded him. In repentance, he swung his hammer to destroy the dwarves. However, the dwarves begged and cried for mercy. Upon taking pity on the dwarves, Ilúvatar spared their lives and included them in his plans for Arda. Ilúvatar granted the Dwarves life, hence they are known as the Adopted Children of Ilúvatar.
However, getting their life spared, the Dwarves had to pay a specific price. Illuvatar told Aulë to keep the Dwarves asleep until his children’s Elves woke up. He wanted the Elves to be his firstborn, so he didn’t want the Dwarves to wake up first. Aulë laid the dwarves to sleep in their chamber beneath the mountain and only woken after the Awakening of the Elves.
The Seven fathers woke up in their places with their wives, except Durin I, who woke up alone. This is where the origin of the dwarves started. So, now let’s dive into the history of Dwarves.
First Age
In the first age, the Dwarves allied with the Elves. They prospered from trade. In this stage, Dwarves from Belegost invented the famous Dwarf- mail of linked rings
And fashioned the finest steel in the world. They also constructed the hall of Thingol, Menegroth. They were rewarded with the pearl Nimphelos.
Second Age
In the second age in history, around the year 40, Forebears and Broadbeams from Nogrod and Belegost left destruction behind. They came to Khazad-dûm, increasing their wealth and power. In this age, Dwarves had the least participation in most of the important events.
Third age
The most prominent event of this age was the awakening of Balrog. After centuries of greedy digging for mithril and other minerals, the Dwarves came across Balrog. Balrog had been sleeping in the depths of the Misty Mountains since the First Age. But because of the work done by the Dwarves, they woke Balrog. The Dwarves fled the Khazad dum because of Balrog’s attacks. Khazad-Dum was then called Moria, also known as the Black Pit.
Now that you have become familiar with the Dwarves, let’s get straight into the list of some of the Powerful Dwarves in Lord of the Rings.
1. Gimli
Gimli was the son of Glóin and a nephew of Óin, both former companions of Bilbo Baggins. He was a descendant of Durin the Deathless, but he was not a member of the royal family.
Being the strongest dwarf, Gimili had some immense physical strength. He was able to carry the weight of his armor as if it was nothing. Just like other Dwarves, he had great strength, stamina, and endurance. He was a very powerful warrior and an excellent ax wielder.
In his time, Gimli fought many battles. He was the only Dwarven member of the FellowShip of the Ring. He was involved in many battles and killed many orcs. During the War of the Rings, Gimli along with Legolas ventured into the Glittering Caves beneath the mountains of Helm’s Deep. There Gimli started his kingdom and earned the title Lord of the Glittering Caves.
He allied with Legolas and Galadriel. Their friendship brought the two races, The Elves, and the Dwarves together. The elves called him the “elf friend”. Along with this, he also fought in the Battle of the Black Gate which was the last major siege during the War of the Ring.
With such great achievements, Gimli is deemed to be the strongest Dwarf in the history of Middle Earth.
He was the first and only Dwarf to ever set foot on Valinor when Legolas took him to Undying Lands After Aargorn’s Death.
2. Durin the Deathless
Durin the Deathless is among the strongest dwarves. After waking up during the Year of Trees he traveled and descended to the southern end of the Misty Mountains. He finally reached Lake Mirrirmere, where he started his first kingdom of the Dwarves. He named it Khazad-dum.
He is considered to be the greatest to ever live in the history of the Dwarves. The mighty Durin wielded Durin’s Axe and Durin’s Helm. Any average dwarf would have a lifespan of 195 years, some exceeding the 250 years mark. But Durin here is no ordinary. He lived for 2,395 years, which exceptionally exceeds the average lifespan of the dwarves. This is why he is known as Durin the Deathless.
I wonder if any of his friends came on his 2395th birthday?
There’s a legend that says Durin will return six more times and all of them will come from his line of Durin folks. It is also said that his last reincarnation will mark the decline of the Dwarves.
3. Azaghal
The King of Broadbeam Dwarves, Azaghal is one of the most powerful dwarves. On top of being the king of one of the seven dwarf clans, Azaghal is also the Lord of the Dwarven realm of Belegost in the Blue Mountains in the First Age.
Born in the First Age, Azaghal was the first one to wear the Dragon-helm of Dor-Iomin and passed it down to Maedhros. During his reign, Morgoth tried to destroy the Elves and Men and also unleashed the dragon Glaurung.In the Battle of Unnumbered Tears, Azaghal led the main retaliation force to fight against Morgoth’s armies. In doing so Azaghal saved Beleriand from getting attacked by Morgoth.
Being one of the powerful dwarves, Azaghal had immense strength and powers. In the Battle against Morgoth, he was able to inflict serious wounds on the dragon, forcing it to retreat. However, it cost him his life.
The Dragon-helm of Dor-lómin was originally made for him by Telchar, the great smith of Nogrod.
4. Telchar
Telchar was no king or lord of Dwarves. He was a smith among the dwarves and a powerful one. His skills and craftsmanship were famous and a true representative of the Dwarves’ main occupations.
Coming from the First age, Telchar was an apprentice of Gamil Zirak. From forming weapons to armor, his skills were on par with Celebrimbor and Feanor, who were skilled elf craftsmen.
He made many creations for great names such as King Elendil, Beren, Azagahl, and so on. The Dragon-helm of Dor-lomin, which he originally made for Azaghal, the King of Blue Mountains, was also worn by Turin Turambar. He also forged the Narsil Sword used by King Elendil’s son, Isildur to cut the One Ring from Sauron’s hand.
The ancient dwarf, Telchar, was the master behind making one of the knives that Beren used to steal Silmarils from Mogoroth’s crown. Being such an excellent craftsman, Telchar was surely a prominent smith of all time.
Isildur’s heir, Aragorn, later reforged Narsil and renamed it Anduril.
5. Thorin II Oakenshield
Not only a powerful but a beloved and great leader, Thorin II Oakenshield has made it into the list of the powerful Dwarves. Also known as the Mountain King, Thorin was one of the main characters of the series.
Born to the Dwarf Prince Thráin II, Thorin was soon exiled from the Lonely Mountains along with some group of dwarves. While in exile, he worked on himself and grew up to become a great warrior. The brave, smart, and intelligent dwarf, Thorin also led a group to regain his homeland.
Being a righteous man, he was a great friend and a valued companion. He was best known for his deeds as a leader and for forming an alliance of Men, Dwarves, and Elves in the battle. Once he caught the Dragon Sickness, which brought his darker side out. However, he soon recovered from it and his true self was returned.
Being a powerful dwarf, he was able to kill two of the strongest Orc Lords, Azog and Bard. However, on his journey to reclaim the Lonely Mountains, he was killed in the Battle of Five Armies.
6. Gloin
The son of Gróin, Glóin was one of the Dwarves that accompanied Thorin II Oakenshiled in his journey to reclaim the Lonely Mountains in the Quest Of Erebor. He was the father of Gimli, the strongest dwarf to ever exist and a member of the Fellowship of the Ring.
Along with Thorin, Gloin was exiled from the Blue Mountains. After Gandalf persuaded Thorin to begin his journey to reclaim The Lonely Mountains, Gloin joined him as well. Gloin didn’t really like Hobbits in particular and referred to them as fools. But during their journey, Gloin came to form a friendship with Bilbo, who was a Hobbit.
A strong warrior, Gloin fought bravely in the Battle of Five Armies and assisted his friends in defeating the enemies. After the battle, they finally reclaimed their homeland, and he settled there for the rest of his life. An excellent fighter, Gloin was noted for his skills with the tinderbox.
7. Oin
An elderly Dwarf, with a high level of intelligence, Oin was the son of Groin and brother of Gloin. He was one of the descendants of the royal line of Durin. With his high intelligence and combat skills, he was among the powerful dwarves.
He too, like his brother, joined Thorin in his journey to the Lonely mountains. He and his brother Gloin, were usually in charge of preparing the fire as Gloin was very skilled with the tinderbox and together they would make fire for the company when they camped.
He was one of the most observant dwarves in the group. He was also an excellent healer. He was very protective of his patients and his fellow group members. A loyal companion and great friend, Oin used to look out for signs that showed them the way to their homeland, which helped them to navigate their ways.
Son of Groin and brother of Gloin, he descended from the royal line of Durin Óin and his brother Glóin was usually in charge of preparing the fire for the Company as they were the most skilled out of the others. He fought in and survived the Battle of Five Armies. Later he settled in the Lonely mountains with Kin.
Highly intelligent and an excellent healer, Oin is Gimli’s nephew and one of the most observant of all dwarves. He was very protective of his patients and his fellow dwarves too and always looked for signs which might show them the way or indicate that it was time to go back to the Lonely Mountain.
Forty-eight years later, Oin along with Balin and Ori, and many other Dwarves went to Moria to recover the realm for the Dwarves of Durin’s Folk. Unfortunately, he was attacked by Moria Orcs and was likely ripped apart and eaten.
8. Fili and Kili
The youngest of the thirteen Dwarves, Fili and Kili are among the strongest of the Dwarves.
Fili and Kili were the nephews of The Great Thorin. Together they were a force to be reckoned with. The brothers accompanied Thorin in his journey to reclaim the Lonely Mountains along with Gandalf and Bilbo Baggins.
They were the two most active Dwarves in the company and were strong warriors with excellent swordsmanship. They each carried a spade, presumably to forage and to aid in building firepits, barriers, and traps.
Sadly they couldn’t make it to the Lonely Mountains as they were killed in the Battle of Five Armies. Many fans were saddened and kind of shocked at the unusual death of the brothers.
9. Dwalin
The youngest son of Fundin and brother of Barlin, Dwalin was a member in the company of Thorin to regain the Lonely Mountains. Being a dwarf he was indeed a powerful one.
Dwalin fought in the Battle of Five Armies alongside his company. He survived the great battles and after receiving his fourteenth share of Smaug’s hoard. Afterward, he chose to live in Erebor under the rule of Dain II Ironfoot.
Dwalin didn’t join Balin’s expedition to resettle Moria. He rather stayed behind and lived in Erebor throughout his life in the Fourth Age in Middle earth and passed away. He is among the dwarves who lived beyond the average lifespan of the Dwarves, i.e 250 years. He lived for a great age of 340.
10. Balin
Balin is considered to be one of the powerful dwarves. He was the son of Fundin and the elder brother of Dwalin. He was one of the thirteen Dwarves who accompanied Thorin II.
He was a Dwarf leader. Known for his wise counsel and willingness to listen, he was a great companion and a loyal friend. He was one of Thorin’s closest friends and advisers. Balin was related to Thorin and was a descendant of the noble House of Durin.
After reclaiming the Lonely Mountains, Balin along with Oin and other Dwarves set Moria to reclaim their lands. Balin became the lord of Moria. But soon within five years, it was taken by Orcs, and Balin was killed there along with his companions.
That’s the end of our list of some of the powerful dwarves from the series, Lord of the Rings. But besides them, there are some other dwarves in the company that is considered powerful as well. Well, anyhow the presence of Dwarves with their strengths and unique personality certainly elevated the series.
