1. What are Dain's plans? Does he have any? Roäc doubts that any good can come
from Dain's arrival — is there any way for Dain's arrival to lead to a good
outcome for the dwarves?
Dáin is an honorable Dwarf and will always come to the aid of his kinsmen when
they are under threat, though they would not aid them in any attempt for riches
in mithril or gold. I can only see this as bringing the pot to a boil. Added
note: I wonder if Dáin has the full story.
2. Why didn't more dwarves join Thorin's expedition in the first place?
I don’t see much within the context of the story to support any reason. So I
turn to other sources — all with the understanding that most of it was written
later.
From the perspective
of other Dwarves:
According to the LotR Appendices (so take with a grain of consideration):
Dwarves had diminished after the ten-year war with the Orcs. They would not
enter Moria though they were at its doors. They would not risk rumor of the
Balrog for Mithril, which they hold eons higher than Gold. Most Dwarves just
wanted to go home to their families and back to their mines and livelihoods.
The dwarves were just at that war to avenge Thrór the most honored heir of
Durin who was beheaded by Azog. And to cover the back of their kin. They were
not there for riches or for a realm that did not belong to them. This is a
continuation of that, If they would not enter for Moria mithril, why would they
go for Gold.
"they answered: ‘Durin’s heir you may be, but even with one eye you
should see clearer. We fought this war for vengeance, and vengeance we have
taken. But it is not sweet. If this is victory, then our hands are too small to
hold it.’
Dáin can be explained in some ways by his grandfather, Grór, who settled the
Iron Hills never cared for riches, preferring more the fulfilling work of
crafting and mining; and his father Náin as well. I like to think of the
Dwarves of the Iron Hills more like their maker and more closely to how the
Dwarves were actually created by their maker (Sil excerpt).
Dáin’s last
meeting with Thráin and Thorin: "Then Thráin turned to Dáin, and said: ‘but
surely my own kin will not me? ‘No,’ said Dáin. ‘You are the father of our
Folk, and we have bled for you, and will again. But we will not enter
Khazad-dûm."
Dáin can be explained even more if you were to consider the Ring of Thrór
(though not yet invented by the author for the Hobbit). That branch of the
family was long sundered from the Ring and its affects.
From the perspective of Thorin:
As the years went by, their numbers were still few and their weapons store was
weak. And no one would go for Gold against dragons. That is most Dwarves.
The embers
in the heart of Thorin grew hot again, as he brooded on the wrongs of his
House and the vengeance upon the Dragon that he had inherited. He thought of
weapons and armies and alliances, as his great hammer rang in his forge; but
the armies were dispersed and the alliances broken and the axes of his
people were few; and a great anger without hope burned him as he smote the
red iron on the anvil.
From the perspective of Gandalf: (according UT, Quest of Erebor, also in the
Annotated Hobbit) he did not want a lot of dwarves trooping in alerting Smaug.
He convinced Throin with great difficulty to take only a few and that stealth
was needed. He knew that Smaug knew the scent of a dwarf, but not the scent of
a hobbit. He also knew the great ability of a hobbit in stealth: to walk nearly
soundless and their.
3. Why does Roäc think the counsel he brings is bad? What does he think Thorin
would have done had they not known Dáin was coming? What do you think they
would have done?
I believe he doesn’t think that dwarves, men and elves all coming together for
war could ever be good. They should be on the same side and talking with each
other, not at each
other.
* * * * * * * * * * * Chapter 15: Gathering of the Clouds — Durin Family Tree – Durin Time-line
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"Mightier than Estë is Nienna, sister of the Fëanturi; she dwells alone. She is acquainted with grief, and mourns for every wound that Arda suffered in the marring of Melkor. So great was her sorrow, as the Music unfolded that her song turned to lamentation long before its end, and the sound of mourning was woven into the themes of the World before it began. But she does not weep for herself; and those who hearken to her learn pity, and endurance in hope . . . All those who wait in Mandos cry to her, for she brings strength to the spirit and turns sorrow to wisdom." — Valaquenta
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