Dáin II Ironfoot or King Dáin (TA 2767 - TA 3019) was a Dwarven King of Durin's Folk, the fifth King under the Mountain, and the Lord of the Iron Hills during the War of the Ring in Middle-earth during the late Third Age. He fought alongside King Brand, the King of Dale in the northern battles against the Easterlings during the War of the Ring and died along with him, but his sacrifice helped defeat Mordor's allies in the north, which helped shield Rivendell, Mirkwood, and Lothlórien from the northern attack of Sauron's war on Middle-earth.

Contents 1 History 1.1 Early Life and War of the Dwarves and Orcs 1.2 Battle of the Five Armies 1.3 King of Lonely Mountain, the War of the Ring, and Death 2 Portrayal in Adaptions 3 Non-canonical roles and appearances 4 References 5 External link

HistoryEdit

Early Life and War of the Dwarves and OrcsEdit

Dáin was the son of Náin and the grandson of Grór, the youngest son of Dáin I of Durin's folk, and was lord of the Dwarves of the Iron Hills in Wilderland. He followed his father, Náin, in lordship after Nain was killed by the great Orc chieftain Azog during the Battle of Azanulbizar, the final conflict in the War of the Dwarves and Orcs. Almost immediately after the death of Náin, Dáin rushed up the steps and slew Azog himself, thus avenging his father's death. He was a very young Dwarf at the time, being only thirty-two years of age, by the dwarves reckoning, he was still a stripling. Dáin's feat was heralded as a magnificent and glorious triumph for one so young. Dáin alone looked past the gate into Moria, and had the wisdom to know that it was impossible for the Dwarves to return at that time. His kingdom at the Iron Hills was so great that they were the only people truly capable of dealing with Sauron's forces at that time.

Battle of the Five ArmiesEdit

Dáin was the second cousin of Thorin Oakenshield, and responded to Thorin's call for help during the quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain. Dáin set out with five hundred Dwarves, and his army wore large and heavy war armor, with iron boots, and those dwarves were strong, even for dwarves. He arrived just in time for the Battle of the Five Armies.

King of Lonely Mountain, the War of the Ring, and DeathEdit

After Thorin's death, Dáin became King under the Mountain and King of Durin's folk, the first not in a direc

t line. Dáin was a wise and just ruler and brought much wealth to the mountain realm and was on good terms with the Men of Dale in the south, and probably the Elven king of Northern Mirkwood as well, which ensured peace for many years to come. Dáin participated in the War of the Ring's northern campaign but was killed during the Battle of Dale in

TA 3019, defending the body of King Brand of Dale before the gates of the Lonely Mountain. He was, by then, an extremely old Dwarf, at the age of two-hundred and fifty-two, but far from feeble. He was still among the greatest of the Dwarven warriors, a direct descendant of Durin and his prowess in battle was nearly unmatched. Indeed, Gandalf is said to have remarked upon the feat after learning of his death. After his death during the war, his son, Thorin III Stonehelm, succeeded him.

Portrayal in AdaptionsEdit

In the upcoming films of The Hobbit by Peter Jackson, Dáin will be played by the Scottish comedian Billy Connolly.

Non-canonical roles and appearancesEdit

Dáin appears in the real time strategy game The Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle-Earth II, fighting on the Dwarven team as King Dáin. His great axe in the game is Barazanthual, which was one of the finest weapons ever made by Dwarfdom and was rightly feared by all his enemies.

Preceded by: Grór

Lord of the Iron Hills TA 2805 - TA 2941

Succeeded by: None (title abandoned)

Preceded by: Thorin II Oakenshield

Kings of Durin's folk TA 2941 - TA 3019

Succeeded by: Thorin III Stonehelm

Preceded by: Thorin II Oakenshield

King under the Mountain TA 2941 – TA 3019

Succeeded by: Thorin III Stonehelm

ReferencesEdit

• The Lord of the Rings: Appendix A pgs. 1075 & 1079
• The Complete Guide to Middle-earth

External linkEdit

• Dain_II_Ironfoot at Tolkien Gateway