Iron Hills

The Iron Hills form a low range well east of the Lonely Mountain, running roughly east to west along the northern edge of the plains of Rhovanion. The river Carnen, the Redwater, rises in them and flows south to join the Celduin. Mirkwood is far to the west, and the empty lands toward Rhun lie south.

Dwarves of Durin's folk settled the hills while Erebor was held, and the colony survived the coming of Smaug because the dragon never troubled it. Gror son of Dain I founded it, and his line kept it through the wars with the orcs.

Dain II Ironfoot fought at Azanulbizar in TA 2799 as a young dwarf and killed Azog before the East-gate of Moria. A hundred and forty-two years later he brought five hundred mail-clad dwarves west to Erebor when he heard that Thorin was besieged, arriving in time for the Battle of Five Armies. Thorin died in that battle and Dain took the kingship.

In the War of the Ring the Iron Hills again sent fighting strength west to Dale and Erebor, and after Dain's death at the gate his people held the mountain until the siege broke. The Appendices count the Iron Hills folk as part of Durin's people rather than a separate house, and Dain's descent from Dain I made him the nearest heir when Thorin died at Erebor leaving no son.

Events at this place

1. TA 2941 · The Hobbit

   Dain marches to Erebor

   Five hundred dwarves came from the Iron Hills to support Thorin against the Elves and Lake-men, and fought instead against goblins and Wargs.

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