Bofur

**Bofur** was a Dwarf of the late-Third Age. He is best known as a companion of Bilbo Baggins, Thorin Oakenshield, and Gandalf on the quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain from the dragon Smaug, along with his brother Bombur and cousin Bifur.

Endearing and likable, Bofur has a disastrous tendency to state the obvious and blurt out things without thinking. With a love of music and a fine singing voice, Bofur delights in good food and good company and is unfailingly optimistic. Though not especially brave, he will do his best to help those in need, especially those he counts as friends. Along with his brother Bombur and his cousin Bifur, Bofur joined the Quest for the Lonely Mountain partly to seek his fortune – and partly because he was told the beer was free.

## Biography

Bofur was not related to the royal House of Durin but was descended from the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm.

### Quest of Erebor

Bofur is present at Bag End and participates in the unexpected party. Bofur later explains to Bilbo about Smaug, for which Bilbo faints afterwards, prompting Gandalf to sarcastically say "thank you, Bofur". After the company left Bag End, and Bilbo realized he had forgotten his handkerchief, Bofur tossed him a wet rag, causing many of the other Dwarves to laugh. Once the company had reached Rivendell, Bofur tossed his brother Bombur a sausage, causing the bench he was sitting on to break, causing all the Dwarves to break out in laughter. When Bilbo was going to leave the company, Bofur attempted to convince him not to, however, realizing that Bilbo was truly homesick, he wished him the best of luck. however, Bofur pointed out to Bilbo that Sting was glowing. Bofur can later be seen fighting Orcs, and later fighting Orcs and Wargs along with the rest of the company. He eventually escapes Azog's forces in the pine forest due to the intervention of the Eagles.

due to excessive partying the night before, Bofur oversleeps and is left behind in Lake-town when Thorin and Company leave for the Lonely Mountain, except for Fíli and Kíli and Óin, who have stayed behind as well because Kíli has become gravely ill from a poisoned Orc arrow. In the evening, Kíli's wound grows worse and the Dwarves take refuge in Bard's home. Óin asks Bard if there is any Kingsfoil, which he knows to have healing properties. Bard says it's a weed they use to feed the pigs, so Bofur sets off to get some. Meanwhile, Bolg and a group of Orcs arrive in Lake-town, searching for Thorin. Unintentionally, Bofur leads them to Bard's home and the Orcs attack. Legolas and Tauriel arrive just in time to kill the Orcs. When Bofur returns with the Kingsfoil, Tauriel uses it to tend to Kíli's wounds as Fíli, Óin and Bofur watch.

The four Dwarves are present when Smaug attacks Lake-town, after which they travel by boat to the Lonely Mountain, to re-join the rest of the company. Bofur later fights in and survives the Battle of Five Armies along with many of his kinsmen. He is last present with the rest of the company (sans the deceased Thorin, Fíli and Kíli) when Bilbo bids them farewell and heads back to the Shire with Gandalf.

### Later life

Little is known about his life after the Battle of Five Armies. Glóin reported to Frodo Baggins just before the Council of Elrond that Bofur was alive and prospering in Erebor. He may have lived into the early Fourth Age, but his time of death is untold.