Balin

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Balin
Dwarf
File:Visitbilbo.jpg
Biographical Information
Other names	Lord of Moria
Family
Parentage	Fundin
Physical Description
Gender	Male
Gallery	Images of Balin

	Balin.mp3
	By Ardamir. (Help; more articles)

Balin was a Dwarf leader, the son of Fundin and elder brother of Dwalin. Balin was among the Dwarves that travelled with Bilbo Baggins and Gandalf in The Hobbit. Balin died in Moria.

Life

Early History

Balin was born in T.A. 2763, presumably in Erebor, 7 years before the coming of Smaug. He managed to escape and lived for a while in Dunland. Balin fought in the War of the Dwarves and Orcs, and survived the Battle of Azanulbizar. He was with King Thráin II on his own journey to Erebor, during which the King was captured while wandering away from camp by Orcs. And after searching for him, Balin and the Dwarves that were with Thráin gave up and headed back to the Ered Luin to Thorin Oakenshield, believing that the king was lost.

Quest of Erebor

In the Quest of Erebor, Balin was the second-eldest on the quest (behind Thorin), and so he spoke for the party when they were captured by the Elvenking. He is described as "always their look-out man": He spots Bilbo Baggins approaching the Green Dragon Inn at Bywater, he spots the trolls' fire, and he's the first to spot the Elves in Mirkwood.

Conversely he did not notice burglar Bilbo Baggins (invisible by wearing a magic ring) as look-out for the company after escaping the Goblins in the Misty Mountains. After this bit of trickery Bilbo gained respect from Balin for his abilities, unaware of the ring involved. He was the only Dwarf that volunteered to accompany Bilbo Baggins down the secret passage to Smaug. Of all the Dwarves in the quest, he is the only one known to have visited Bilbo afterwards at Bag End.

Expedition to Moria and His Death

In Third Age 2989 Balin left the Lonely Mountain and entered Moria with Flói, Óin, Ori, Frár, Lóni, Náli, and other Dwarves to start a colony. He was slain by an Orc-archer when he went to look alone in Mirrormere in the Dimrill Dale on November 10 of 2994.

Balin's body was taken and was buried in the Chamber of Mazarbul.

Not long after Balin's death the entire expeditionary force was besieged and destroyed by Goblins.

The Fellowship of the Ring later discovered his tomb in the Chamber.

Etymology

Balin is a name that appears (among other sources and forms) in Le Morte Darthur. The name's meaning is unclear but perhaps refers to bál which means 'fire'.

Other versions of the Legendarium

In earlier versions Balin had a son named Burin. This Burin, was at the Council of Elrond, and went with the Fellowship on their journey. Burin was later scrapped and Gimli replaced him. He was also at one point the father of Balin, but Fundin replaced him here as well.

Genealogy

Farin

Fundin

Gróin

BALIN

Dwalin

Óin

Glóin

Portrayal in Adaptations

• Balin The Hobbit 1977.png

  The Hobbit (1977 film)
• 

  The Hobbit (2003 video game)

1968: The Hobbit (1968 radio series):

Balin is played by Peter Pratt.

1977: The Hobbit (1977 film):

Balin's voice is provided by Don Messick. It is unknown if he survived the Battle of Five Armies, as only six of the original survive (with Thorin and Bombur among the casualties and Óin and Glóin amongst the survivors).

1979: The Hobbit (1979 radio series):

Balin is played an uncredited actor.

1982: The Hobbit (1982 video game):

Balin is omitted; Thorin is the only companion of the player, Bilbo Baggins.

2001: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring:

Balin is mentioned by Gimli as the King of Moria, and his tomb is seen in Moria. No mention is made about the past of Moria and his expedition, and Gimli seems confident he is still alive.

2002: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game):

Balin's Tomb is visited between the levels "2nd Hall" and "Abyss Fight". It is a block of stone, raised from the ground by four ornamental legs.

2003: The Hobbit (2003 video game):

No actor is credited for the role of Balin. He is one of the older dwarves, and has a long white beard. He is the team's lookout.

2012-3: The Hobbit films:

Balin will be played by Ken Stott.

See also

• Images of Balin

Balin House of Durin Born: T.A. 2763 Died: T.A. 2995
Preceded by: Náin I, 1008 years earlier	King of Khazad-dûm T.A. 2989 - 2995	Followed by: Durin VII, in the Fourth Age