Of Dis the Dwarf-woman

Dis is the only Dwarf-woman mentioned in the histories of Middle-earth. King Elessar, after the War of the Ring had histories of all peoples recorded and, for whatever reason, Gimli son of Gloin only mentioned Dis. From a genealogy (p. 361, The Return of the King) it is noted that she was the mother of Fili and Kili who played prominent roles in the journey to Erebor (otherwise known as The Hobbit). No other distinguishing characteristics are given about her other than she was born in 2760 Third Age. However, there are some interesting tidbits we learn about Dwarf-women in general.

Only a few Dwarf-women existed, not even a third of the total Dwarven population. They seldom journey unless a great need arises. "They are in voice and appearance, and in garb if they must go on a journey, so like to the dwarf-men that the eyes and ears of other peoples cannot tell them apart. This has given rise to the foolish opinion among Men that there are no dwarf-women, and that the Dwarves 'grow out of stones'" (p. 360, The Return of the King). Nice use of the appendix material by Peter Jackson in The Two Towers extended edition movie if you've seen it. Gimli is explaining to Eowyn about Dwarf-women and quotes this almost verbatim. I'll admit I first thought that was a bit of over-the top Gimli-ism's by Jackson but apparently not so. 

Because there are so few Dwarf-women, some of those choose not to marry or will not take husband if they cannot have the one they, want fewer than one third of Dwarven-men marry. Couple that with the male Dwarves are often occupied by there crafts and not interested in marriage this can lead to a precariously difficult to sustain population. "It is because of the fewness of women among them that the kind of the Dwarves increases slowly, and is in peril when they have no secure dwellings" (p. 360, The Return of the King). I think this sheds light on Mîm the Petty-dwarf's situation whom encountered Turin long ago in the First Age. 

Middle-earth timeline: Third Age, 2760

Today's reading comes from: The Return of the King, page 360