UT states that Gandalf's intention in motivating the Quest for Erebor, were two-fold.
1. He wanted to rid the north of Smaug, a potential weapon of Sauron and
2. He knew a dwarf kingdom in that area would sap crucial resources and attention of Sauron in the coming conflict.
PD - good to see you here.
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I don't feel safe in Middle Earth no more... I don't want to die in the ruling ring war... I want to sail away to a distant shore... and make like an ELF man
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