Balin

From Tolkien Gateway
Balin
Dwarf
File:Visitbilbo.jpg
Biographical Information
Other namesLord of Moria
Family
ParentageFundin
Physical Description
GenderMale
GalleryImages of Balin

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.

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

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 the movie. No mention is made about the past of Moria and his expedition. Moria is polluted by skeletons suggesting that it was a thriving civilization with Balin as its King, before destroyed by the Balrog.

See also

Preceded by:
Náin I
1,000 years ago
King of Khazad-dûm
III 2989 - 2994
Followed by:
Durin VII
in the Fourth Age
Members of Thorin and Company
Thorin · Balin · Dwalin · Fíli · Kíli · Dori · Nori · Ori · Óin · Glóin · Bifur · Bofur · Bombur · Gandalf · Bilbo Baggins