Enmity and Reconciliation Between Elvenking and Thorin Oakenshield

The Elvenking and Thorin Oakenshield share a relationship defined by deep-seated antagonism that only briefly yields to a pragmatic alliance against a common enemy. Their conflict originates in the Elvenking's capture and imprisonment of Thorin, is fueled by the king's desire for a share of the dwarves' treasure, and culminates in a siege of the Lonely Mountain. Only the sudden onslaught of goblins forces them into a temporary, grudging cooperation on the battlefield, after which they separate without lasting friendship.

Origins of Hostility and Imprisonment

The Elvenking's distrust of dwarves is longstanding. In ancient days, his people had wars with some dwarves, whom they accused of stealing their treasure; the dwarves claimed the elf-king had refused to pay them for shaping his raw gold and silver. Though Thorin's family had no part in that old quarrel, the king's suspicion was immediate when Thorin and his company were captured in Mirkwood. The Elvenking had Thorin dragged to his cave—the king's palace, stronghold, and dungeon—and questioned him sternly. Thorin, starving and defiant, would only say he was looking for food and drink, refusing to reveal his quest for the dragon's treasure. The king, angered by what he saw as a crime of wandering in his realm without leave and troubling his people, ordered Thorin shut in one of the inmost caves with strong wooden doors, giving him food and drink but vowing to keep him until he felt inclined to tell the truth, even if he waited a hundred years.

The Siege and the Treasure Dispute

After Smaug's death, the Elvenking marched with many spearmen and bowmen toward the Mountain, having heard the legend of Thror's wealth. He joined forces with Bard and the Lake-men, and their combined host besieged Thorin and his dwarves within the Mountain. The Elvenking's own weakness for treasure, especially silver and white gems, made him eager for a share. When Bard parleyed with Thorin, demanding a twelfth portion of the treasure for the dragon-slayer and compensation for the ruined town, Thorin refused to treat with the Elvenking's people, whom he remembered with small kindness. The king's banner was among those borne before the Gate, and his archers and spearmen were part of the armed host that Thorin declared he would not parley with. The siege dragged on, with the Elvenking's camp filling the valley with elven-harps and song, but Thorin remained obdurate, even shooting an arrow at Bard's messenger.

The Battle of Five Armies and Temporary Alliance

The deadlock was shattered by the sudden arrival of a vast goblin army under Bolg, which threatened dwarves, men, and elves alike. At Gandalf's council, the Elvenking joined with Bard and Dain to form a plan: lure the goblins into the valley between the Mountain's arms and man the great spurs. The Elvenking set his elves on the Southern spur, while men and dwarves held the Eastern spur. When the goblins charged, the elves were the first to counterattack, their hatred for goblins cold and bitter. Their spears and swords shone with chill flame as they sent a shower of arrows and then a thousand spearmen leaping down. Later, when goblins scaled the Mountain from the other side and attacked the spurs from above, the elf-lords were at bay about their king near Ravenhill. In the final desperate phase, Thorin himself led a sortie from the Gate, and the Elvenking's forces, along with the dwarves of Dain and the Lake-men, fought side by side against the common foe. The alliance was purely tactical; the Elvenking had not forgotten the treasure, but the goblin threat overrode all other quarrels.

Aftermath and Parting

After the victory, the Elvenking laid Orcrist, the elvish sword taken from Thorin in captivity, upon Thorin's tomb, where it would gleam in the dark if foes approached. He accepted from Bard the emeralds of Girion, jewels he most loved, which Dain had restored. When Gandalf and Bilbo departed, the Elvenking bade them farewell, expressing hope that Gandalf would often appear in his halls. To Bilbo, who gave him a necklace of silver and pearls, the king gave the title of elf-friend and blessed him. But there is no indication that the Elvenking and Thorin ever achieved personal reconciliation; their relationship remained one of necessity rather than friendship, defined by the ancient grievances and the treasure dispute that the war had only temporarily set aside.