Unlike The Lord of the Rings, which focuses on characters of different races, The Hobbit centers on a group of dwarves, a wizard, and the titular hobbit. The plot focuses on Thorin Oakenshield and his company’s journey to reclaim his kingdom conquered by an evil dragon, Smaug. Who are the 13 dwarves and Thorin’s company?
The 13 dwarves from The Hobbit are Thorin, Fili, Kili, Balin, Dwalin, Ori, Nori, Dori, Gloin, Oin, Bifur, Bofur, and Bombur. The 13 Dwarves plus Gandalf and Bilbo make up Thorin’s company.
Due to the number of dwarves in Thorin’s company, it’s easy to get confused and forget who is who. Here is a closer look at each member of Thorin’s company in The Hobbit:
Thorin Oakenshield
Considered one of the most powerful dwarves ever, Thorin is the Son of King Thrain II. He led the exile out of Erebor after the dragon Smaug decimated their home and took over the area.
Many years after fleeing Eribor, he fought in the great Battle of Azanulbizar outside the gates Moria during the wars between the Orcs and Dwarves. During the battle, his shield shattered and he relied on a fallen oak branch as a replacement. This garnered him the moniker “Oakenshield,” which stuck even after his death.
Thorin’s father, King Thrain II, would later venture into the dungeons of Dol Guldur, where he was captured by the necromancer, and later died. Before passing, Thrain gave Gandalf a map and key to enter the Lonely Mountain, who would later pass these onto Thorin. Thorin, taking over leadership for Durin’s folk, decided to use his father’s last gift to reclaim Erebor.
Thorin’s company, along with Bard from the village of Dale, defeated Smaug and reclaimed Erebor. After reclaiming Erebor, two armies of orcs arrive to take Erebor and the battle of the five armies ensues. Thorin perishes during the battle, alongside Fili and Kili.
Fíli and Kíli
Fili and Kili are Thorin’s nephews who join the company in the quest for the Lonely Mountain. They are sons of Thorin’s younger sister, Dis, and heirs to the throne. Both brothers get more time to shine compared to the other dwarves, some of whom don’t get individual scenes.
Fili and Kili are the youngest in the company and are often sent out as scouts. They, along with Bilbo Baggins, discover the Front Porch and the side door leading into the Lonely Mountain. [spoiler warning] Unfortunately, both die in the Battle of the Five Armies as they try to defend their uncle in battle.
Balin
Distantly related to Fili, Kili, and Thorin Oakenshield, Balin is a noble dwarf from the line of Durin. Balin is the older brother of another company member, Dwalin. He is also the oldest member of the company and served as an advisor to the deposed king.
After the events of The Hobbit, he would later journey to the Mines of Moria in an attempt to reclaim the dwarven kingdom and find the last of the magic rings bestowed upon the dwarves. His reign as the Lord of Moria came to a quick end, however, as he was slain by orcs. His tomb would later be found by the Fellowship of the Ring.
Balin is also cousin to Gimli, the dwarven member of the Fellowship.
Dwalin
Balin’s younger brother, Dwalin became known as one of the sturdiest fighters in Thorin’s company. He is also the first of the dwarves to arrive at Bilbo’s house at Bag End.
Dwalin survived the Battle of the Five Armies and would later serve under King Dain II Ironfoot, the King Under the Mountain, who took over Erebor after Thorin’s death. Although it isn’t mentioned in The Hobbit, it is implied that Dwalin and Dain II fought the forces of Sauron during the War of the Ring. The participation of the dwarves of Erebor is mentioned briefly in the appendix of The Lord of the Rings.
Oin
Oin is the elder brother of Gloin and is the cousin of Balin and Dwalin. He is one of the few dwarves who put faith in Bilbo Baggins during the beginning of their adventure, betting that the hobbit would join Thorin’s company. With Gloin, he would often be assigned the task of lighting the company’s campfire.
After the Battle of the Five Armies, Oin would serve under King Dain at Erebor. Several years later, he joined Balin in the quest to recapture Moria. He would later be killed by the Water in the Water.
Gloin
With his brother Oin, Gloin set the campfire for Thorin Oakenshield’s company to the Lonely Mountain. He was with Thorin when they first met Gandalf the Grey in Bree and did not trust in hobbits to join their crusade to recapture Erebor.
Gloin did survive the Battle of the Five Armies and later lived Under the Mountain, serving King Dain II Ironfoot. During the events of The Lord of the Rings, Gloin would journey with other dwarves to Rivendell and take part in the Council of Elrond. His son, Gimli, would later join the Fellowship of the Ring.
He died at the age of 253 during the 15th year of the Fourth Age.
Dori
Brother to Nori and cousin to Ori, Dori is often regarded as the strongest member of Thorin’s company, he would often be in the front of the line of combat during the group’s adventure to Erebor. He survived the Battle of the Five Armies and later in the Battle of Dale during the War of the Ring.
His exact date of death is never mentioned.
Nori
Unlike Dori, Nori did not do much to distinguish himself from the rest of Thorin’s company. He was the first to notice Bilbo’s absence following their run-in with goblins and wargs in Goblin-town. Nori also fought and survived in the Battle of the Five Armies.
According to Gloin, during the Council of Elrond, Nori was still alive and living a wealthy life in Erebor. It is widely assumed he fought in the Battle of Dale during the War of the Ring although it is not stated whether he survived or not.
Ori
Ori is a cousin to Dori and Nori and is also distantly related to Thorin Oakenshield. He has no significant contributions during the journey to recapture the Lonely Mountain from Smaug but he does fight and survive in the Battle of the Five Armies.
He would later journey to Moria with Balin. After burying Balin, Ori would write down the last known events in the Book of Mazarbul before being slain by the orcs and goblins invading their kingdom. Gandalf and the Fellowship would later find the book, still tightly clutched in Ori’s skeletal arms.
Bifur and Bofur
Cousins Bifur and Bofur were originally from Moria aka Khazad-dum. Unlike the other dwarves in Thorin’s company, they are not of Durin’s folk, and their original lineage is never revealed in The Hobbit or The Lord of the Rings. Both would fight and survive in the Battle of the Five Armies and the War of the Ring.
It is never stated whether they died in the War of the Ring or if they lived to see the Fourth Age.
Bombur
Also related to Bifur and Bofur, Bombur is not of Durin’s folk but he did move to the Lonely Mountain, where he was similarly exiled with Thorin and the others. He is notable for being the fattest of the dwarves in the company and slept through most of the group’s adventure to Erebor.
He did survive the Battle of the Five Armies. During the events of The Lord of the Rings, it’s stated that he grew so fat that it now required several dwarves to lift him up and transport him from his couch to the dining area. It’s unknown if he fought during the War of the Ring.
Gandalf the Grey
Gandalf is one of the 5 wizards in Middle Earth and part of Thorin’s company. He appears in The Hobbit as a counselor to Thorin and a member of the White Council, a group of leaders dedicated to stopping Sauron. He is the one who convinces Thorin to use the map and key and take back Erebor.
Later, Gandalf and the dwarves visit Bag End to recruit Bilbo Baggins. He later departs, having to deal with Sauron’s spirit — then called the Necromancer. Gandalf stays with Thorin’s company until the end of the quest.
Bilbo Baggins
Bilbo is the main character of The Hobbit and a wealthy hobbit living in Bag End. He is the son of Bungo Baggins and Belladonna Took. Even as a child, Bilbo dreamed of going outside the Shire and go on an adventure.
It was this boldness and desire to go out that convinced Gandalf that Bilbo was the right choice.
After the events of The Hobbit, Bilbo returns home and stays there up to his 111th birthday. This launches the events of The Lord of the Rings, where he gives the One Ring to his cousin Frodo (whom he refers often to as his nephew). He then departs and lives for a while in Rivendell, under the care of Elrond.
Following the War of the Ring, Bilbo departs with Frodo to the Undying Lands.