— Ch. 1 · The Awakening In Stone Chambers —
Dwarves in Middle-earth.
~5 min read · Ch. 1 of 7
Aulë, the Vala of earth and metals, grew impatient waiting for the Children of Ilúvatar to appear. He secretly forged seven fathers in stone chambers scattered across Middle-earth. These figures slept within far-flung regions until their destined awakening arrived. Durin I was the first to awake in Mount Gundabad during the Years of the Trees. This event occurred before the creation of the Sun and Moon but after the Elves had risen. Aulë taught these new beings Khuzdul, a language he devised specifically for them. The creator Ilúvatar eventually sanctified the Dwarves and granted them souls. Before this divine intervention, they lacked true spiritual existence because they were made by a Vala rather than the supreme deity. Each father founded one of the seven clans that would shape the future history of their people.
Slow Breeding And Warlike Nature
Dwarves lived for approximately 250 years yet bred at an incredibly slow pace. No more than one-third of their population consisted of females who did not all marry. They began having children only late in life, often starting around age 90. Thorin Oakenshield remained a child until his 20s and became a stripling in his 30s. Dáin Ironfoot killed Azog when he was just 32 years old despite being considered young. Only one female dwarf named Dís appears in Tolkien's texts as Thorin's sister. These warriors fought fiercely against enemies including other Dwarves. Their primary weapon was the battle axe though they also utilized bows swords shields and mattocks. Highly skilled smithing allowed them to craft weapons and armor superior to most others. Sauron gave seven Rings of Power to Dwarf lords which caused wrath and greed for gold. None of these rings brought longer life or total domination over the Dwarven will.