The Lonely Mountain

The Lonely Mountain, also called Erebor, stands as the central geographical and symbolic objective of the entire quest undertaken by Thorin Oakenshield and his company. It is a solitary peak rising far to the east of Mirkwood, visible from the Long Lake and dominating the surrounding landscape. For the dwarves, it is the ancient home of their forefathers, a place of lost wealth and bitter memory; for the dragon Smaug, it is a stolen fortress and a bed of gold; and for the men of Lake-town and Dale, it is a source of both legendary prosperity and immediate terror. The mountain's presence looms over the latter half of the narrative, its dark silhouette a constant reminder of the peril and the prize that await the adventurers.

Geography and Appearance

The Lonely Mountain is described as a massive, solitary peak that rises abruptly from the plains, its dark head often seen in a torn cloud. Bilbo Baggins first glimpses it from the Forest River, and he does not like the look of it in the least. The mountain is surrounded by a desolate, barren wasteland known as the Desolation of the Dragon, where once there were green woods and the merry town of Dale. The mountain itself has several notable features: the great Front Gate, a cavernous opening in a cliff-wall from which the Running River springs; the western slopes where the secret door is hidden; and Ravenhill, a southern spur topped by an old watch-post. The interior is a vast complex of halls, tunnels, and chambers, including the great bottom-most cellar where Smaug makes his lair, piled with countless treasures.

History and the Dragon's Occupation

Long ago, the mountain was the prosperous kingdom of the dwarves under King Thror. The dwarves mined and tunnelled, creating huge halls and workshops, and grew immensely rich. They had friendly relations with the men of Dale, who lived in the valley below. This prosperity attracted the dragon Smaug, who flew south one day, destroyed Dale, and drove the dwarves out. Smaug took all their wealth for himself and slept on it for years, making the mountain his lair. The land around became a barren waste, and the mountain itself was avoided by all. The dwarves, led by Thorin Oakenshield, the grandson of Thror, never forgot their stolen treasure and eventually set out on a quest to reclaim it.

The Quest and the Secret Door

The dwarves' quest culminates at the Lonely Mountain. After a long and perilous journey, they arrive at the Desolation of the Dragon and begin searching for the secret door on the western side. Guided by the moon-letters on Thror's Map, they discover the entrance on Durin's Day, when the setting sun shines upon the key-hole. The door opens into a long, straight tunnel that leads down into the heart of the mountain. It is through this passage that Bilbo Baggins, the company's burglar, makes his fateful journey into Smaug's lair.

The Dragon's Lair and the Treasure

Deep within the mountain, in a vast, dark hall, lies Smaug, a vast red-golden dragon, asleep on a bed of countless precious things. The treasure includes gold wrought and unwrought, gems, jewels, silver, coats of mail, helms, axes, swords, spears, and great jars filled with wealth. Among the most notable items are the Arkenstone, the Heart of the Mountain, a great white gem of immense beauty and value; the golden cup of Thror; and the necklace of Girion, Lord of Dale. Bilbo's encounter with Smaug reveals the dragon's weak spot—a bare patch in the jewel-encrusted armour on his left breast—a discovery that ultimately leads to Smaug's death at the hands of Bard the Bowman.

The Battle of the Five Armies and Aftermath

After Smaug's death, the Lonely Mountain becomes the focal point of a conflict between the dwarves, the men of Lake-town, and the Wood-elves, all of whom seek a share of the treasure. Thorin, fortified within the mountain, refuses to negotiate, leading to a siege. The situation escalates into the Battle of the Five Armies when a host of goblins and Wargs arrives, forcing the former enemies to unite. The battle is fought in the valley before the mountain's gates. Thorin is mortally wounded, and after his death, he is buried deep beneath the mountain with the Arkenstone on his breast and the elvish sword Orcrist laid upon his tomb. Dain son of Nain becomes the new King under the Mountain, and the dwarves begin to rebuild their ancient halls. The mountain, once a symbol of loss and greed, becomes a place of renewed prosperity and peace, with friendship established between the dwarves, men, and elves.