how durin founded the longbeards

[Kuruharan]

I do seem to remember now words to the effect of "Aule made the dwarves during the domination of Melkor" or something to that effect, hence why the dwarves are so stubborn and resistant to the domination of others.

Originally Posted by Inziladun

It is said in The Silmarillion that the making and subsequent temporary dormancy of the Dwarves preceded the awakening of the Elves. It was for the sake of the latter that Melkor was assaulted in Utumno, and that stronghold destroyed.

So it sounds like Aule's placement was done deliberately. I wonder if he originally intended the dwarves to be a bridgehead in resistance to Melkor and maybe after Eru's intervention he intended the dwarves to repopulate the parts of the world that had been mostly deeply under the domination of Melkor.

Angband was of course still in being when Durin awoke, and that indeed could have been a factor in his travels.

Following up my repopulation theory, didn't the Vala assume Angband was deserted after the War of Powers?