Introduction

Embark on a journey through time as we unveil the hidden history of the Lonely Mountain before the fiery wrath of Smaug descended upon it. Witness the rise and fall of the once prosperous Dwarf Kingdom, Erebor.

Thriving Erebor: A Brief Overview

Erebor, stronghold of Thror, King under the Mountain, was a marvel among Middle-earth’s cities. Built deep within the heart of the mountain itself, its beauty and wealth were legendary. The skill of the dwarves was unparalleled, as they crafted objects of great beauty from diamond, emerald, ruby, and sapphire.

• The wealth lay in the earth, in precious gems hewn from rock, and in great seams of gold running like rivers through stone.
• The heart of the mountain held a treasure beyond measure: The Arkenstone, Thror’s divine right to rule.

The Fall of Erebor: A Tragic Rift

As the great wealth of the dwarves grew, their store of goodwill ran thin. The elves say the dwarves stole their treasure; the dwarves tell another tale. It is said that the Elven King refused to give them their rightful pay, causing a rift that would prove disastrous for both peoples.

Arrival of Smaug: The Dragon’s Wrath

Slowly, the days turned sour, and the watchful nights closed in. Throar’s love of gold had grown too fierce; the sickness had begun to grow within him. It was a sickness of the mind. And where sickness thrives, bad things will follow.

The first they heard was a noise like a hurricane coming down from the north. The pines on the mountain creaked and cracked in the hot dry wind. Violet, something along. Call out the guard, you in now. What is it? Dragon. Dragon!

The Aftermath: A Once Mighty People Wander the Wilderness

Robbed of their homeland, the dwarves of Erebor wandered the wilderness. A once mighty people brought low by greed and a dragon’s wrath.

Conclusion

The secret history of the Lonely Mountain before Smaug arrived serves as a cautionary tale of the dangers of greed and the destructive power of dragons. Let us remember this story as we reflect on the complexities of Middle-earth’s lore.