Hey Nonnie!

Well, canonically we don’t actually know very much about this. What we have is briefly summarised here. There’s also the speculation that Durin would return to herald the final era of glory for the Dwarves, before they dwindled and disappeared to give way to the era of Men. 

Durin VII is supposed to reclaim Khazad-dum, too 😉

So, the legend goes like this, in short: 

The Dwarves believe that the eldest of the seven original Dwarves, Durin, would be reincarnated seven times and reign as King. There have been six Kings called Durin thus far. 

In Sansukh, the seventh just arrived!

We know that Durin VII is meant to be descended from Thorin III Stonehelm, which is shown in the family tree in the LOTR Appendices. 

What we DON’T know: how the heck do they know it’s Durin??????

My solution: Durin’s eyes. They shine in certain light, like ithildin.

Some speculation and ideas, now: I don’t believe that this little baby is going to have ALL the memories of his earlier lives. I think that is a recipe for disaster and heartache, frankly. He’s still a child, who does child things. 

Each incarnation is like a possibility: I’m of the nurture-over-nature school of thought here. Depending on the influences in a kid’s life they can grow and develop in a myriad of ways, and this one is no different.

Some memories will come later in his life, as he becomes ready for them (not his deaths, though. Mahal would never be so cruel). More important is how people help and prepare him to face his own legend – and whether they treat him like an actual child, who does child-things both good and bad! 

His new parents are very well suited to help with this, actually. Thorin Stonehelm knows ALLLLL about following in the footsteps of giants and having to live up to an impossible legacy. And Bomfris would tell Eru himself to shove it where the sun shineth not! She’s not going to hold back from telling a naughty Durin to ‘go to your room!’ if needed. 

So, there’s some headcanoning! I hope you like, Nonnie!