Erebor

Erebor, known as the Lonely Mountain, was a great mountain and Dwarf-kingdom in the north-east of Middle-earth, east of Mirkwood. It was the seat of the Kings under the Mountain of Durin's Folk and held one of the richest treasure-hoards of the Dwarves, famed throughout the North.

Description

Erebor was a solitary peak rising alone from the surrounding lands, with the River Running flowing from its feet past the town of Dale and the Long Lake of Esgaroth. Beneath the mountain lay vast halls and treasuries delved by the Dwarves, including the great Front Gate and the secret side-door reached by a hidden path. The mountain's wealth drew both prosperity and peril.

History

The kingdom under Erebor was founded by Thrór of Durin's Folk and grew rich and renowned, trading with the men of Dale. Its prosperity ended when the great dragon Smaug descended upon it, slaying or driving out the Dwarves, sacking Dale, and seizing the hoard, upon which he lay for nearly two centuries.

The mountain was reclaimed in the quest told in The Hobbit. Thorin Oakenshield, heir of the Kings under the Mountain, led a company of Dwarves, with the hobbit Bilbo Baggins and the wizard Gandalf, to recover their home. Smaug was slain by Bard of Dale, but the dragon's hoard then drew armies into the Battle of Five Armies beneath the mountain.

The Restored Kingdom

After the battle, the Kingdom under the Mountain was restored under Dáin Ironfoot, and Erebor again became a strong and wealthy realm. During the War of the Ring it stood firm against Sauron's allies in the North; the Dwarves of Erebor and the men of Dale withstood a hard siege and, after Sauron's fall, shared in the victory.