Durin IV

Owain Arthur portrays Durin IV in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
Durin IV
Biographical information
Titles	King of Durin's Folk
Birth	Late Second Age
Realms	Khazad-dûm
Physical description
Race	Dwarves
Culture	Durin's Folk
Media portrayal
Actor	Owain Arthur

Durin IV was the King of Durin's Folk and of Khazad-dûm in the late Second Age.

Biography

Durin IV was the descendant of the previous three kings to be named Durin, and like them was considered by many to be the reincarnation of Durin I, resembling him greatly in manner and appearance. He inherited the ring of power given to his ancestor Durin III, and was ruling as king in the War of the Last Alliance, sending or commanding the Longbeards (none of whom sided with Sauron) to aid the Elves and Men in the upcoming conflicts.

In adaptations

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

Durin IV is portrayed in by Welsh actor Owain Arthur in Amazon's TV series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Here, Durin is the son of Durin III, and more open-minded as opposed to his father, who seeks to keep Khazad-dûm isolated. At the series' outset, Durin is married to Disa, and has two children, Gerda and Gamli.

Durin and Disa host Elrond for dinner

Elrond, who befriended the younger Durin some decades past, returns to Khazad-dûm to reunite with his friend and seek an audience on behalf of Celebrimbor. The only way Elrond can find to gain access to the Dwarf-kingdom is by challenging the prince to a ceremonial rock-breaking contest. Durin outlasts Elrond, and, upset with the Elf over how long has passed since he visited, attempts to make him leave. Elrond convinces Durin to let him apologize to his family, and meets Disa, who insists Elrond stay for dinner. Through her intercession, Durin makes amends with Elrond and hears his proposal, which he presents to his father. The elder Durin is initially opposed, but eventually is persuaded by Elrond to allow the construction of Celebrimbor's forge.

At some point around this time, Disa discovers a new type of ore on a routine gold-seaming, one that far exceeds other metals in strength and value. Durin IV leads a secret operation to mine the mineral, for his father forbade its excavation due to how dangerous it is to excavate. Celebrimbor and Elrond become suspicious at how little Durin seems to be available, and Elrond inquires of Disa, who gives an explanation, though Elrond is unconvinced and eavesdrops on the couple to learn of the mine's existence under the Mirrormere. When Elrond arrives, Durin is at first aggravated, and requires an oath from Elrond to hear of the mine's true purpose. He then reveals a fragment of the ore, to which Elrond gives its common name: mithril. Soon afterwards, a cave-in occurs, stranding several Dwarf-miners. Durin at length is successful in saving their lives, but his father has discovered the operation and shut it down, angering the younger Durin. Elrond counsels his friend to value the time he has with his father, and Durin finds his father to be magnanimous.

Durin and Elrond share a companionable moment together while looking for mithril

The elder Durin remains suspicious of Elrond's intentions in Khazad-dûm, a sentiment shared by his son. He does, however, give approval for the younger Durin to accept Elrond's invitation to a meeting hosted by Gil-galad in Lindon. At dinner, Gil-galad announces his intentions to solidify a new alliance between Elves and Dwarves, which is ultimately ratified by Durin despite the Dwarf's concerns raised over the stone table in Gil-galad's possession, which Durin falsely claims to be a sacred rock from Khazad-dûm. Gil-galad sees through this untruth, but still sends the stone back with Durin to keep the peace. On the journey back, Elrond admits to Durin that his coming to Khazad-dûm was not entirely due to friendship. Having learned himself the true nature of Gil-galad's motivations, Elrond asks Durin to help the Elves acquire mithril, as the Elves have come to believe the ore to be their only means of salvation from the dark corruption taking hold. Durin is consternated, but agrees to ask his father, who listens to Elrond's proposition. The elder Durin rejects the offer, believing the Elves will take advantage of his people, and is angrily confronted by his son. Durin IV makes accusations that greatly anger his father, and is therefore stripped of his title. After being encouraged by Disa to not give up his fight, Durin discovers that mithril does, in fact, neutralize the corruption spoken of by Elrond. He then goes behind his father's back to help Elrond excavate mithril, and just as he discovers a vein greater than any had believed possible, Durin III uncovers the two and throws Elrond out of the kingdom.

Appearances

• The Rings of Power – "Adrift"
• The Rings of Power – "The Great Wave"
• The Rings of Power – "Partings"
• The Rings of Power – "The Eye"
• The Rings of Power – "Where the Stars are Strange"
• The Rings of Power – "The Eagle and the Sceptre"

The Lord of the Rings Online

Durin IV in The Lord of the Rings Online

King Durin IV appears in an extended flashback depicting the War of the Last Alliance.