Dáin

Dáin is a name that appears in J. R. R. Tolkien’s legendarium for two distinct dwarven kings. The first, Dáin I, is a son of Grór and a grandson of Narvi; he ruled the Dwarven realm of Nogrod in the First Age and was an ancestor of later dwarven lines. Little is recorded of his deeds, but he is mentioned in the “Quenta Silmarillion” as part of the genealogies that link the houses of the Durin and the line of Durin’s folk.

The more prominent Dáin is Dáin II Ironfoot, a 4th‑Age dwarf who became King of the Lonely Mountain after the death of Thorin Oakenshield. He is the son of Grór, brother of Gróin (father of Balin), and therefore a great‑uncle of Thorin. Dáin first appears in “The Hobbit” when he leads a contingent of Erebor’s forces to aid the Wood-elves at the Battle of Five Armies, where his skill with an axe and steadfast courage earn him renown. After Thorin’s death, Dáin is elected king, a choice supported by both dwarves and the allied peoples of the north.

Under Dáin’s rule, Erebor experiences a period of peace and prosperity, and he maintains strong ties with the Kingdom of Dale, whose lord, Bard II, is his son‑in‑law. Dáin also plays a minor role in “The Lord of the Rings,” providing counsel to the Council of Elrond and sending aid to the northern realms during the War of the Ring.

Both figures illustrate Tolkien’s theme of enduring kinship and the importance of leadership within dwarf societies, linking the early mythic ages with the events of the Third Age.