Grómli is of the Durin’s Folk that live in the Blue Mountains south of the Grey Havens. After the attack on Erebor, the Lonely Mountain, Grómli’s grandfather, escapes with Thrór, Thráin II, and Thorin II. They endure great hardships together but they manage to settle in the southern portion of the Blue Mountains. There he had a single son, who was Grómli’s father. Grómli grew up in the mines of the Blue Mountains and was content.

However, it was not to be this way for long. Thorin Oakenshield wished Grómli to accompany him on his journey to the Lonely Mountain to reclaim his lost gold and quench his thirst of revenge. Grómli, who never truly grasped the desire for gold and riches like most other dwarves, questioned the wisdom of embarking on such a journey. Thorin was never very patient and was quick to anger. He exiled Grómli forbidding him to ever come upon a dwarvish settlement. Much to the grief of his younger brother, Durlin who was only 24 at the time, Grómli left without question.

He spent a great deal of time traveling before he finally came to the city of Bree. He managed to make a living as a blacksmith, making everything from horse shoes to broad swords. After nearly twenty years of this life, he grew weary and went traveling once again. He traveled to the ruins of Hollin and the East-gate of Moria. He of course was unable to enter the gate. He spent twice as long traveling this time than he had the first, learning much of Eriador. However, as he was journeying north along the Misty Mountain, he was ambushed by goblins from the mountains. He barely managed to escape with his life, but also managed to kill several goblins and send the rest running in terror.

He continued journeying north severely wounded until he finally collapsed. He did not know that he was nearing Rivendell. The elves found him and took him in to Elrond. He was healed in Rivendell by Lord Elrond and felt he was forever in his debt. So he came to Rivendell in the year 2968, and has been there ever since. Elrond finds him to be an admirable dwarf and his knowledge of Eriador is appreciated, though not nearly as advanced as Elrond’s or some of the elder elves. He continues his smithy works now in fair Rivendell.