Bombur

Bombur, known as the fattest dwarf, was a brother to Bofur and a cousin to Bifur, and together with Thorin Oakenshield and Bilbo Baggins, the dwarfs set out on a journey to the mountain called Lonely in a mission to reclaim Erebor.

Bombur was a descendant of the dwarfs of Moria but not of Durin’s line. His birthday was between TA 2763 and TA 2859 though his parentage is not known. He is brother to Bofur and he is the cousin of Bifur. Bombur resided in the Blue Mountain together with Thorin after the losing Thrain II. Of the thirteen dwarfs, the youngest was Fili born in TA 2859 and Kili. They were younger than fifty years. Balin, born in TA 2763, was the eldest when Thorin was captured. During this time, Bombur was about 150 years old.

In the mission to claim back Erebor, Gandalf arranged for a meeting at BagEnd. Known for his girth and weight, Bombur was the twelfth to arrive. He was always considered big enough to count for two dwarfs. His girth body made him much slower, and he came last at most things. He was the last to arrive for the meeting and to cross the stream at Mirkwood. When they first arrived at Bag End Bomburtogether with Bifur and Bofur tumbled onto Thorn. As the others set out on the journey up the mountain known as Lonely, Bombur, decided to stay behind and watch the supplies and the camp. He thought his girth body and weight could not move through the paths in the mountain, and his weight was too much pressure for the ropes.

He thought the roped would break under the pressure of his weight, so he preferred to stay behind. To save his life from the rampaging dragon Smaug, he had to trust the ropes this time, and he used them, later on, to escape to safety. In the mission for Erebor Bomburhad an accident, he fell into Mirkwood River after being violently knocked by an aggressive snug. Bomburfell under a spell, and because of this spell, he was often asleep. He became an extra burden to the others because of his enormous weight as they continued with their journey. Bomburslept for several days. Bomburlater woke up much to the relief of his team, but he was not the same. Something was different. Bombur could not remember the adventure as they traveled.

He had lost his memory. All he could remember was the great feast at Bilbo's home. When they all arrived at the Mountain known as Lonely, Bombur was given the duty to watch the others in the middle of the night. Bilbo instead offered to keep watch and allow Bombur to rest. Bomburwas always being the last in line and always sleeping, Bilbo took the Arkenstone from the mountain and gave it to Elvenking and Bard the Bowman. Bombur, in several instances, was asleep, like when the barrel was opened for an escape out of the Elves of Mirkwood.

Bombur was again sleeping during the discovery of the entrance of the mountain called lonely, by Bilbo. Bombur always came last during his battles, but in the end, he received the share of the treasure that belonged to him. Some of the times when Bombur came in last are; Dwarfs Gandalf and Dwarf Bilbo met the skin-changer. He also came to Beorn’s house last after he had been left behind by his brother Bifur and cousin Bifor. Bombur always came in last, but he managed to fight and survive together with the battle of the five armies. They defeated Smaug, and after this defeat, his share of the treasure was given to him. Until the end of his life, Bombur lived in the Mountain called Lonely.

After very many years, Gloin narrated to Frodo Baggins what had become of Bombur. Bombur had added more weight and grown so fat despite his already girth body. He had become so heavy that it took several dwarves carrying him from his couch to the dinner table. It is not known whether Bombur did fight the Battle of Dale at the time of the War of the Ring.

In John D Rateliff’s History of The Hobbit, in the 3rd Revision, which is not yet complete, the three related dwarves seem to work together. The three relatives Bombur, and his brother and cousin Bifur and Bofur, are supposed to be an honor-guard to Thorin. The three related dwarves Bombur cousin and brother Bofur, and Bifor in a show of teamwork arrive together at Beg Ed with Thorin. Together with the four in an attempt to escape when attacked by Waggs and Goblins climb up the same tree.

Bombur plays a significant role in the animation version of The Hobbit [1] as the opposed book version. In the animated film, Bombur plays a key and active role and fights in the Battle of the Fives in the front lines together with Balin and Dori. This is a sharp contrast in the book version, where he comes across as a lazy and a burdensome dwarf to the rest of his team. In the animated version, he is killed but dramatically utters the words "we won," which make him come across like a hero. His last words, "we won" to Bilbo in the animated film is the voice of Paul Frees.

The role of Bombur is portrayed by Stephen Hunter in the film The Hobbit by Peter Jackson. [2] The following statement was released about Bombur in 2012 by the studio. Bombur who has a brother Bofur and his cousin Bifur he is also a chief chef amid other dwarfs. His big body and big appetite gets him into many problems and humor his colleagues as they travel. Regardless of his big size, he fights very well and he does not take it lightly if someone causes him to be late for his dinner. In this film, Bombur is featured fewer times, and he does not engage in dialogue with others. Instead, he is seen to be having grunts and even retorts. In the film, Bombur plays a more comical role using his girth body and his love for food. In some of the scenes, he is seen catching food in the middle of the air, outrunning other dwarfs never mind his girth body, his ability and skills to fight despite his weight, and at some point, he breaks a table that could not handle his weight.

In the Lord of the Rings Trading Game by Fantasy Flight Games, Bombur is a hero who belongs to the Lore Sphere. He has a text effect, and in the game, when counting the number of dwarfs Bombur counts twice. Bombur‘s character of feasting is seen in the Lord of the Rings Online. He is eating in the “hall under the mountain” and in other places in Mountain known as Lonely where he is the warden. His love for food is further featured when Bombur, together with other dwarves, pays respect to Thorin Oakenshield’s tomb. This was after the Battle of Dale, where he and other dwarves survived. A popular drink is given the name “Bombur’s Beard Leager” in Ered Luin, Thorins Hall. Here his love for food is highlighted.

1. ^The Hobbit (1977).
2. ^The Hobbit Trilogy.