Thorin

Thorin Oakenshield is a fictional character in J.R.R. Tolkien's legendarium, most prominently featured in The Hobbit. He is a dwarf prince of the Longbeards, the son of Thrain II and heir to the throne of Erebor, the Lonely Mountain. After Erebor's loss to the dragon Smaug and his people’s exile, Thorin vows to reclaim his homeland and its treasure. The epithet Oakenshield accompanies his name in the legends, reflecting his reputed prowess in battle.

In The Hobbit, Thorin leads a company of thirteen dwarves, aided by Gandalf and Bilbo Baggins, on a perilous journey to reclaim Erebor. He is resolute, proud, and fiercely protective of dwarven honor, and he remains wary of outsiders, often clashing with Bilbo. The Arkenstone, a sacred gem said to symbolize kingship, tempts Thorin and strains his relations with Bilbo and the rest of the company, underscoring his stubborn drive to restore his people's sovereignty.

Thorin's quest culminates with the reclaiming of Erebor and the climactic conflict associated with the Battle of the Five Armies. He dies of wounds sustained during the fighting, his death marking the end of his personal arc but the beginning of a renewed dwarven kingdom under Erebor. In the aftermath, his people elect Dáin Ironfoot as king, and the line of Durin endures.

In adaptations, Thorin is portrayed by Richard Armitage in Peter Jackson's film trilogy, an interpretation that emphasizes his pride, loyalty, and eventual reconciliation with his companions.