Thrain and the Dwarven Ring of Power

Thrain, heir of Durin's Folk, had received a Ring of Power from Thror years earlier. "It was believed by the Dwarves of Durin's Folk to be the first of the Seven that was forged; and they say that it was given to the King of Khazad-dum, Durin III, by the Elven-smiths themselves and not by Sauron, though doubtless his evil was upon it, since he aided in the forging of all the Seven" (p. 357, The Return of the King). Through the years it was not clearly known what happened to the Ring. Many thought Thror had it in his possession when Azog slew him and it was lost in the Dwarven-Orc War. But this was not so. It stilled passed to the heir of Durin's Folk.

It is thought that Sauron learned of the Ring and bent his malice on it given all the misfortunes of the House of Durin. He wanted the Ring since the Dwarves would not yield to his will. Dwarves were made to be a hardy folk and did not endure other wills to be imposed upon them. However, that does not mean the Ring was without effect. "The only power over them that the Rings wielded was to inflame their hearts with a greed of gold and precious things, so that if they lacked them all other good things seemed profitless, and they were filled with wrath and desire for vengeance on all who deprived them" (p. 358, The Return of the King).

"It was therefore perhaps partly by the malice of the Ring that Thrain after some years became restless and discontented. The lust for gold was ever in his mind. At last, when he could endure it no longer, he turned his thoughts to Erebor, and resolved to go back there. He said nothing to Thorin of what was in his heart; but with Balin and Dwalin and a few others, he arose and said farewell and departed" (p. 358, The Return of the King). From the start of the journey Thrain and his small company were assailed by wolves, Orcs, and evil birds. Eventually they were driven to the eaves of Mirkwood for shelter. After a dark night Thrain was missing in the morning; his companions search long but could not find him and returned to Thorin. Later it was discovered that Thrain was taken to Dol Guldur, tortured, and the Ring taken from him.

Middle-earth timeline: Third Age, circa 2800-2825

Today's reading comes from: The Return of the King, pages 357-358