Balin
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Balin
Biographical information
Physical description
Balin (TA 2763 - TA 2994) was a Dwarf leader, the son of Fundin and elder brother of Dwalin.
Contents |
[edit] History
[edit] Early Life
Balin may have been born in Erebor before the coming of Smaug the dragon. Afterwards he may have lived in Dunland as a refugee. He fought in the War of the Dwarves and Orcs. Many years later, approximately TA 2841, he accompanied Thráin II when he attempted to go back to Erebor himself but he was captured and lost. Unsuccessful in their search for him, Balin and the others went back to live with Thorin Oakenshield in the Ered Luin.
[edit] The Quest of Erebor
Balin was part of the company assembled by Thorin Oakenshield that traveled to Lonely Mountain with Bilbo Baggins and Gandalf, to defeat the dragon Smaug and retake the mountain kingdom of Erebor.
He was the second dwarf to arrive at Bilbo's house at the beginning of The Hobbit. The one before him was his brother Dwalin and like him he played a Viol.
Among the dwarves in The Hobbit, Balin was the second-eldest dwarf on the quest (behind Thorin), and loosely held the position of deputy leader. He led the dwarves in the escape from the spiders, and spoke for the party when they were captured by the Elvenking.
He is described as "always their look-out man": He spots Bilbo approaching the Green Dragon Inn at Bywater, he spots the trolls' fire, and he's the first to spot the elves in Mirkwood. He noted that not even a mouse had ever passed him on watch. Conversely he did not notice Bilbo (hidden by wearing the magic ring) as look-out for the company after escaping the goblins in the Misty Mountains. After this bit of trickery, Balin gained respect for Bilbo's abilities and was the only Dwarf that volunteers to accompany Bilbo down the secret passage to Smaug's chamber. Of all the dwarves in the quest, Balin was the only one known to have visited Bilbo at Bag End after their experiences on the quest for the Lonely Mountains.
[edit] Moria Expedition and Death
In TA 2989, Balin left Erebor and entered Moria with Flói, Óin, Ori, Frár, Lóni, and Náli intending to establish a colony and reestablish the ancient kingdom, but the orcs there discovered them and the colony was destroyed. He was killed by an orc archer in the Dimrill Dale in 2994.
In The Lord of the Rings, the Fellowship discovers his tomb in the Chamber of Mazarbul.
[edit] Behind the Scenes
Balin's name is Old Norse in form, but its meaning is obscure.
In the 1977 Rankin/Bass animated version of The Hobbit, Balin was voiced by Don Messick.
[edit] Family tree
Farin | ----------------------- | | Gróin Fundin | | | ---------------- ----------------- | | | | | | | | Óin Glóin Balin Dwalin | | Gimli (Elf-friend)
[edit] References
| Dwarves of Middle-earth |
|
Azaghâl | Balin | Bifur | Bofur | Bombur | Borin | Dáin I | Dáin II Ironfoot | Dís | Dori | Durin(s) | Dwalin | Fíli | Flói | Frerin | Frár | Frór | Fundin | Gamil Zirak | Gimli | Glóin | Gróin | Grór | Ibûn | Khîm | Kíli | Lóni | Mîm | Náin I | Náin II | Náin son of Grór | Náli | Nár | Narvi | Nori | Óin | Ori | Telchar | Thorin I | Thorin II Oakenshield | Thorin III | Thráin I | Thráin II | Thrór |
| Thorin and Company |
|
Thorin Oakenshield | Balin | Dwalin | Fíli | Kíli | Dori | Nori | Ori | Óin | Glóin | Bifur | Bofur | Bombur | Gandalf | Bilbo Baggins |
