Arkenstone

The Arkenstone, the Heart of the Mountain, was the greatest treasure of the Dwarf-kingdom under Erebor. It was a jewel of immense size and beauty, a single gem that shone with an inner light of its own, and its discovery by Thráin I, the first King under the Mountain after the founding of the realm, marked the beginning of the kingdom's golden age. The stone was not merely a piece of wealth; it was the symbol of the king's authority, the physical embodiment of the Dwarves' claim to the mountain and all its riches. It was passed down through the line of Durin, from Thráin to his son Thorin I, and eventually to Thrór, and then to his son Thráin II, and finally to Thorin Oakenshield. Its loss when Smaug the Golden descended upon Erebor and drove the Dwarves into exile was a profound blow, a theft of both their wealth and their identity.

The Arkenstone in the Quest of Erebor

When Thorin Oakenshield led his company of thirteen Dwarves and the Hobbit Bilbo Baggins on the quest to reclaim Erebor, the recovery of the Arkenstone was his primary, unspoken goal. It was the one treasure he sought above all others, the proof of his birthright. Bilbo, during his exploration of the dragon's lair, found the Arkenstone and, sensing its importance, kept it secret from Thorin. The Hobbit's discovery of the jewel is a pivotal moment in the story, as it gives him a unique piece of leverage in the complex political situation that unfolds after Smaug's death. The Arkenstone becomes a tangible symbol of the competing claims to the treasure of the Mountain: Thorin's by inheritance, the Elvenking Thranduil's by ancient grievance, and the Men of Lake-town's by right of aid in slaying the dragon.

The Arkenstone as a Token and a Bargaining Chip

As the armies of Elves and Men besieged the Lonely Mountain, demanding a share of the treasure, Thorin's refusal to negotiate hardened into a stubborn, gold-sick obsession. Bilbo, fearing a war between the free peoples, secretly took the Arkenstone and delivered it to the Elvenking and Bard of Esgaroth. He used it as a bargaining chip, hoping to trade the jewel for the peace that Thorin would not grant. This act of 'theft' was a desperate gamble to prevent bloodshed, and it succeeded in forcing Thorin to parley. The Arkenstone, therefore, was not just a treasure but a political instrument, its value so immense that it could command the attention of kings and alter the course of events. The ensuing negotiations, however, were cut short by the arrival of a goblin and Warg army, leading to the Battle of Five Armies.

The Arkenstone's Final Resting Place

In the battle, Thorin Oakenshield was mortally wounded. As he lay dying, he made his peace with Bilbo, acknowledging the Hobbit's courage and wisdom. After the battle, the Arkenstone was placed upon Thorin's breast as he was laid to rest in a tomb deep within the Mountain. It was his final treasure, the symbol of his kingship that he had fought and died to reclaim, now serving as a funereal ornament in his eternal sleep. The Arkenstone thus remained in Erebor, a lasting memorial to Thorin and the age of the Dwarf-kings under the Mountain. Its story is a central thread in the tale of the Quest of Erebor, illustrating themes of greed, pride, sacrifice, and the true meaning of kingship.