Thorin's Heir

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by Kuruharan

Yes, their population was undoubtedly down but was it really down to the point that they couldn't have settled in an unoccupied spot they had recently liberated somewhere in the Misty Mountains? The implication of that would be that there were so few of them left they didn't have the ability to have a home anywhere. That would be nearly to the point of extinction, and even then you can still set up shop somewhere to wait for the end.

They did find another home, but not in the Misty Mountains. It was after the Battle of Azanulbizar that Thráin led his people to the Ered Luin. I would think the reason for that location was the old history between the Dwarves and that mountain range, and it was also a pretty safe, quiet place for them.

One factor in that decision to avoid the Misty Mountains might have been the proximity of Dol Guldur. Oddly enough, Dol Guldur was indeed the final resting place of Thráin.

[William Cloud Hicklin]

Well, Thrain led some of his people West. Another considerable number went with Dain to the Iron Hills.

[Kuruharan]

Originally Posted by Inziladun

I would think the reason for that location was the old history between the Dwarves and that mountain range, and it was also a pretty safe, quiet place for them.

That is probably true.

I still think this issue was generated by the fact that Tolkien was having to write backwards.

[Juicy-Sweet]

Thorin just doesn't seem much like a cuddly guy