Balin

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

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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 the Grey in The Hobbit.

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 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 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 the 10 November 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

See also

• Images of Balin

Preceded by: Náin I 1,000 years ago

King of Khazad-dûm III 2989 - 2994

Followed by: Durin VII in the Fourth Age