The Fellowship of the Ring is one of the finest collections of heroes of fictional history. They're the basis for every Dungeons & Dragons party and the launching point for most fantasy heroes. Not every member of the team gets the spotlight they deserve. Gimli finds himself on the wrong end of comic relief more often than not, but is he the final dwarf in Middle-earth?
Dwarves are one of the great classic fantasy races. They live in the mountains, value their adorable families, and frequently fight like downsized bears to protect them. Fantasy fans can name a dozen of their favorite Elves across multiple franchises, but if they need a go-to dwarf, it's always Gimli.
Is Gimli the last of the dwarves?
Gimli is not the last of the dwarves. This is a common misconception because Gimli is the only dwarf who gets a fair amount of coverage in the franchise. Lord of the Rings focuses its narrative primarily on the affairs of men, elves, and hobbits. Dwarves are a secluded race that lives in the mountains. As a result, Gimli is the only dwarf whose presence is really felt throughout the narrative. Gimli is an extremely important figure in Middle-earth. He ends the ancient conflict between his people and Elves through his service to the Fellowship. Though the book never mentions him having any kids, there are a ton of other dwarves running around. They're just not anywhere that the fans can see.
Where are the other dwarves in Lord of the Rings?
In short, the other dwarves fought to protect their homes like everyone else. Dwarves live in the Lonely Mountain, where they can comfortably mine materials and avoid everyone else. Many other dwarves settle in the Blue Mountains or the Iron Hills. The novels mention the Battle of Dale, a conflict between the dwarves and the Easterlings of Rhûn. Those humans who lived in the East despised those who lived in the West, and though they frequently fought each other, they were united in service of Sauron. The humans of Dale and the dwarves of the Lonely Mountain also forged a circumstantial partnership as the human emissaries of evil demanded tribute. The forces of Sauron were far more numerous than those of Dale and the dwarves, but the dwarves' armories granted superior weapons. The Battle of Dale was a nightmare, and it occupied the dwarves for most of the war.
The Battle of Dale began during Sauron's assault on Gondor. Strategically, sending the Easterlings to keep the people of Dale busy prevented Sauron's enemies from joining forces near Mordor. The battle raged for three days, eventually forcing the dwarves to retreat to the Lonely Mountain. The Easterlings continued to lay siege to the Lonely Mountain for many days. The King of Dale and the King of the Dwarves gave their lives to prevent Sauron's forces from breaching the gate. They were partially successful, forcing the Easterlings to focus their attack on the mountain and sparing many lives. Luckily, the Fellowship managed to carry the Ring to Mount Doom and destroy Sauron. When news of Sauron's demise reached the Lonely Mountain, the new kings led their armies to finally stop the siege. The dwarves and men were able to vanquish the Easterlings, granting Dale its freedom. Very little of this story appeared in The Lord of the Rings, but it is a fascinating aspect of the war.
What happens to Gimli at the end of Lord of the Rings?
Gimli earned a lordship for his service in the War of the Ring. He's the first lord in charge of the Glittering Caves behind the Deeping Wall at Helm's Deep. As part of this gig, he helped to rebuild the Great Gate of Minas Tirith with mithril and steel. After Aragorn's death in FO 120, Gimli traveled with his best friend Legolas into the Undying Lands. Gimli was the first dwarf to make the journey. He'd be the first dwarf to be welcomed by the Lords of the West. It's said that Gimli decided to travel with Legolas because of his close bond with the Elf, but he was also excited to see the beauty of Galadriel in person once more. He was never seen in Middle-earth after he left. The date of his death is unknown.
Though Gimli's life story doesn't mention any children, there are tons of other dwarves in the world of Middle-earth. Gimli is certainly important among his people, but he wasn't the first, and he won't be the last. It's easy to believe that Gimli is the only dwarf out there, but Thoren III Stonehelm's kingdom in the Lonely Mountain stands strong beyond the story. Future outings in the realm of Middle-earth could depict the future of the dwarven race, but for now, know that Gimli isn't alone.