Editing Lonely Mountain (section)

==Fictional mountain==
{{Further|Tolkien's maps}}

Erebor stands hundreds of miles from the nearest mountain range. Tolkien's rendering of Thrór's map in ''[[The Hobbit]]'' shows it with six ridges stretching out from a central peak that was snowcapped well into spring. The whole mountain is some ten miles in diameter; it contains an immense wealth of gold and jewels.<ref name="An Unexpected Party" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1937}}, ch. 1 "An Unexpected Party"</ref>

=== Origins ===

Erebor becomes the home of the Folk of [[Durin]], a clan of [[Dwarf (Middle-earth)|Dwarves]] known as the [[Durin's folk|Longbeards]], after they are driven from their ancestral home of [[Moria (Middle-earth)|Khazad-dûm]]. In the latter days of the Third Age, this Kingdom under the Mountain holds one of the largest dwarvish treasure hoards in Middle-earth.<ref name="Durin's Folk" group=T/> Dale, a town of [[Man (Middle-earth)|Men]] built between the two southern spurs of Erebor, grew in harmony with the dwarves.<ref name="Fonstad 1991">[[Karen Wynn Fonstad|Fonstad, Karen Wynn]]. ''[[The Atlas of Middle-earth|The Atlas of Middle-earth (Revised Edition)]]''. [[Houghton Mifflin]], 1991. pp.&nbsp;110–111</ref> The Kingdom under the Mountain is founded by Thráin I the Old, who had discovered the Arkenstone there. His son, Thorin I, leaves the mountain with much of the Folk of Durin to live in the [[Ered Mithrin]] (Grey Mountains) on account of the great riches to be found in that range. After [[Dragon (Middle-earth)|dragons]] plunder their hoards, the Longbeards, led now by Thrór, a descendant of Thorin, return to Erebor to take up the title King under the Mountain. Under Thrór's reign, Erebor becomes a great stronghold where the dwarves are numerous and prosperous.<ref name="Durin's Folk" group=T/><ref name="Harper 2006"/>

=== Erebor in ''The Hobbit'' ===

[[File:Elvenking, Erebor, Esgaroth.svg|thumb|upright=1.5|Sketch map of Northeast [[Mirkwood]], showing the Elvenking's Halls, the Lonely Mountain of Erebor, and [[Esgaroth]] upon the Long Lake]]
{{further|The Quest of Erebor}}

In the [[Third Age]], while the young [[Thorin II Oakenshield]] is out hunting, the [[Dragon (Middle-earth)|dragon]] [[Smaug]] flies south from the [[Ered Mithrin|Grey Mountains]], kills all the dwarves he could find, and destroys the town of Dale. Smaug takes over the mountain, using the dwarves' hoard as a bed. King Thrór, his son [[Thráin II]], and several companions escape death by a [[secret passage|secret door]]. While Thrór and Thráin later perish, Thorin lives in exile in the [[Ered Luin]], far to the west. On a journey, he meets the [[Wizard (Middle-earth)|wizard]] [[Gandalf]]. Together they [[The Quest of Erebor|form a plan]] to reclaim the mountain. Gandalf insists that burglary is the best approach and recommends the [[hobbit]] [[Bilbo Baggins]].<ref name="Harper 2006">{{cite book |chapter=Lonely Mountain (Erebor) |last=Harper |first=Amelia |pages=384–385 |title=[[J. R. R. Tolkien Encyclopedia]] |editor-last=Drout |editor-first=Michael D. C. |editor-link=Michael D. C. Drout |isbn=0-415-96942-5 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |year=2006}}</ref>

Bilbo, Thorin, and [[List of The Hobbit characters#Thorin's company|Thorin's company of twelve other Dwarves]] travel to the Lonely Mountain to regain the treasure. They plan to use the secret door, whose key and map Gandalf had obtained from Thráin, whom he had found at the point of death in the pits of [[Dol Guldur]].<ref name="Harper 2006"/><ref name="An Unexpected Party" group=T/> On [[Middle-earth calendar#Durin's Day|Durin's Day]], when the setting sun and the last moon of autumn are in the sky together, the day's last sunlight falls on the door and exposes its keyhole. The Hobbit enters the mountain and steals a golden cup.<ref name="Harper 2006"/><ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1937}}, ch. 11 "On the Doorstep"</ref><ref name="Inside Information" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1937}}, ch. 12 "Inside Information"</ref>

Smaug, enraged by the theft, emerges from the mountain and flies south to destroy [[Esgaroth|Lake-town]], which he suspects is the source of the "thieves". During this attack Smaug is killed by [[Bard the Bowman]]; Thorin claims the mountain on learning of Smaug's demise.<ref name="Gathering of the Clouds" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1937}}, ch. 15 "The Gathering of the Clouds"</ref> However, the Men of Esgaroth, supported by [[Thranduil]] and the [[Elf (Middle-earth)|Elves]] of [[Mirkwood]], march in force to the mountain to demand a part of the dragon's hoard as recompense for the destruction. Thorin, mad with greed, refuses all claims and sends word to his second cousin [[Dáin II Ironfoot]], chief of the Dwarves of the [[Iron Hills]], who bring reinforcements. Before battle can begin, an army of [[Orc (Middle-earth)|Orcs]] and [[Warg (Middle-earth)|Warg]]s descends on Erebor. Dwarves, Elves, and Men join ranks against them, leading to the Battle of Five Armies. Thorin's nephews [[Fíli]] and [[Kíli]] are killed, and Thorin is mortally injured;<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1937}}, ch. 17 "The Clouds Burst"</ref> he dies shortly afterwards. The title of King under the Mountain passes to Dáin.<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1937}}, ch. 19 "The Last Stage"</ref>

=== Erebor in ''The Lord of the Rings'' ===

With the restoration of the Kingdom under the Mountain, the area becomes prosperous again. Dale is rebuilt under Bard's leadership, and Dwarves and Men reforge their friendship. Some of the Dwarves, led by [[Balin (Middle-earth)|Balin]], leave Erebor to reclaim the ancient Dwarvish Kingdom of Moria.<ref name="The Council of Elrond" group=T/> They established a colony there but five years later Balin is killed by an Orc, and soon afterwards Moria is overrun by Orcs and the rest of the Dwarves are killed.<ref name="Durin's Folk" group=T/> [[Gimli (Middle-earth)|Gimli]], a dwarf of Erebor and the son of [[Glóin]], one of Thorin's twelve companions, is chosen to represent his people in the [[Fellowship of the Ring (characters)|Fellowship of the Ring]]; he helps [[Aragorn]] regain the throne of [[Gondor]].<ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1954a}}, book 2, ch. 3 "The Ring Goes South"</ref>

In the [[War of the Ring]], an emissary from [[Sauron]], the lord of [[Mordor]], twice comes to Erebor and speaks to Dáin. The messenger asks for assistance in finding Bilbo Baggins and retrieving [[The One Ring|a stolen ring]], and in return offers Moria and three of the [[Seven Rings|seven Dwarf rings]] to Dáin, who declines to reply.<ref name="The Council of Elrond" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1954a}}, book 2, ch. 2 "[[The Council of Elrond]]"</ref> Sauron's northern army, including many [[Easterling (Middle-earth)|Easterlings]], then attacks; Dale is overrun, and many Dwarves and Men take refuge in Erebor, which is promptly surrounded. Dáin is killed before the gates of Erebor defending the body of his fallen ally King Brand of Dale. Dáin's son Thorin III Stonehelm and King Bard II withstand the siege and rout Sauron's forces.<ref name="Durin's Folk" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1955}}, Appendix A, "Annals of the Kings and Rulers", 3 "Durin's Folk"</ref><ref group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1955}}, Appendix B "The Tale of Years"</ref>