Official Description: These three brothers, all sons of the same mother, could not be more different from each other. Dori, the oldest, spends much of his time watching out for Ori, the youngest; making sure he’s not caught a chill or got himself killed by Wargs or Goblins. Nobody quite knows what Nori gets up to most of the time, except that it’s guaranteed to be dodgy and quite probably, illegal. Dori, Nori and Ori are intensely loyal to each other – and whilst they are perfectly happy fighting amongst themselves, woe-betide anyone who means harm to one of these brothers.

TheOneRing.net Description: One of the thirteen Dwarves who accompanied Bilbo in The Hobbit. Dori is probably a brother of the similarly-named Ori and Nori — all three also play the flute. Dori was often in the position to come to Bilbo’s physical aid during their adventures. When the party escapes the Great Goblin, Dori stops and helps Bilbo climb upon his back before running. Later in the tunnels, he is again bearing Bilbo when the party is attacked from the rear by more goblins. It is also Dori that climbs out of a tree to help Bilbo up when the party is being attacked by wargs — in this case Dori takes great personal risk, making sure Bilbo is safe before climbing into the tree himself only just as the lead warg snaps at his cape. It is Dori whose legs Bilbo grabs and holds onto while the Eagles carry them to safety. And finally, it is Dori who trips over Bilbo as Bilbo lies in a magical sleep after having disrupted a wood elf feast.

Analysis: Interestingly, Dori is often last in the line of Dwarves as they try to escape various situations: leaving the Great Goblins chamber, fleeing through the goblin tunnels (where he is the first to be grabbed from behind), climbing into the trees, and being picked up by the Eagles. Given his status as the strongest dwarf and professed hobbity love of meals, it is possible that he’s not as fast or nimble as the rest of the party. However, with the slow Bombur in the party, and also given his description on several occasions as a decent fellow, it seems more likely that Dori feels it is important to make sure everyone is safe before leaving a situation.

Neither Dori’s birth or death date is known. However, given the age difference of at least 50 years between Fili and Kili and the rest of the party, his birth year is likely before about 2809. Gloin reports that Dori is still living with Dain in the Lonely Mountain at the time of The Fellowship of the Ring in 3018.

Memorable Quotes

• “You would have dropped him, if a goblin had suddenly grabbed your legs from behind in the dark, tripped up your feet, and kicked you in the back!” (about Bilbo)
• “I can’t always be carrying burglars on my back, down tunnels and up trees! What do you think I am? A porter?” (to Bilbo)