King Durin III is recurring character in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. He is the King of Khazad-dûm and the father of Durin IV. He is prideful but greedy, as most of the dwarfs. He doesn't sympathize with the elves at all. Durin III is portrayed by Peter Mullan, first appearing the episode "Adrift".
History[]
Early Years[]
Durin III is a descendant of the great Dwarven Kings of Khazad-dûm, an heir to Durin I. He inherited the kingdom from Durin II.[1] He married a Dwarven woman and they had children together, which included his intended heir Durin IV. Durin IV was born with an imperfection that caused him difficulty in breath. The King held his son by the fire and kept his chin up every night to ease his suffering. One night, he gazed down at the tiny naked face and saw the great gray beard of old Dwarven-king; mighty and terrible as an army with banners. When Durin's mother woke, the King told her that she shouldn't cry anymore, as her son would live and move mountains. Durin's mother eventually died.[2]
Partnership with Elves[]
The Elf Elrond arrived from Eregion with a proposal of an alliance between the Elves and the Dwarves. He requested their help to craft a forge. He offered greatness in return. Durin spoke to his father about being certain Elrond didn't know, though the King wasn't entirely convinced. He didn't think it was a coincidence that an Elf showed up now. Durin had known Elrond for half a century and could sense if he was hiding something. The King was more concerned about Elrond sensing Durin was hiding something, but Durin trusted his friend.[3]
Elrond discovered Durin's secret mining of a new ore in the Mirrormere. It's lighter than silk, harder than iron, and would beat even the Dwarves' hardest blades and be dearer than gold. It could be a new beginning for their people of strength and prosperity. They have to keep it a secret because it's perilous to mine. His father has restricted their efforts in the name of caution.[4]
The mine collapsed on several Dwarves, but they were saved by Disa's resonating. Durin apologized to his father for being proud, stubborn, and wrong. The King recounted their people's belief that when a new King was crowned, all the voices of his forebearers flow into him, sharing their counsel and wisdom. The King lamented that he's with his son even in anger. There was nothing to forgive. Durin announced his invite to Lindon and the King urged him to accept. Even though Elrond has been forthcoming, their intuition told them something else was at work.[4]
Elrond learned the fate of the Elven race may lie within Mithril as the Great Tree had grown corrupted. Elrond confessed the truth to Durin. When he heard the fate of the Eleven race lie in his hands, he cockily agreed to bring the matter to his father.[5]
Elrond brought a proposal to the the King of an offer to furnish the city with game, grain, and timber from the forest for the next five centuries in exchange for access to the mithril mines. The King refused Elrond's plea for help as he felt it was going against nature. He didn't approve of the perilous mining conditions. Durin was dismayed as his friend is drowning, reaching for Durin to pull him to shore. Durin couldn't swat his hand away because his father worries for a rock fall. King Durin wouldn't risk the fall of Middle-earth for an Elf. He also forbade Durin's excavation of Mithril.[2]
King Durin discovered his son and Elrond had continued their mining efforts in secret. The King threw Elrond out of Khazad-dûm. Durin argued heatedly with his father where they spoke difficult truths to one another. Durin couldn't understand how he could be expected to move mountains when King Durin fell to pieces when he digs a single hole. He spoke of greatness for his son but suffocated any ambition, desire, and original thought within him. He viewed Elrond as a brother, but the invocation of his mother's name enraged the King, who believed Durin justified his betrayal of his own kind. Durin accused the King of betraying his kind by squandering their future so he could cling to the past, which profaned the crown he wore. The King ripped off Durin's golden crest, thus, disowning him as heir.[2]
Appearances[]
- Season One
- "Adrift" (First appearance)
- "The Great Wave"
- "Partings" (Mentioned only)
- "The Eye"
- Season Two