Balin

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Thorin II Oakenshield
Dwarf
File:Visitbilbo.jpg
Family
ParentageFundin
Physical Description
GenderMale
GalleryImages of Thorin II Oakenshield

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.

Balin, fought in the War of the Dwarves and Orcs, before taking part in the Quest of Erebor. He was with king Thrain II on his own quest to Erebor, which the king was captured while wandering away from camp by Orcs. And after searching for him, Balin and the Dwarves that were with Thraín, gave up and headed back to the Ered Luin to Thorin, thinking that the king had gotten lost.

Among the Dwarves in The Hobbit, Balin was the second-eldest Dwarf 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 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. He's the only Dwarf that volunteers to accompany Bilbo down the secret passage to Smaug. Of all the Dwarves in the quest, he's the only one known to have visited Bilbo afterwards at Bag End.

In Third Age 2989 Balin left the Lonely Mountain and entered Moria with Flói, Óin, Ori, Frár, Lóni, Náli, and others Dwarves, called Dwarves of Moria, to start a colony. He was slain by an Orc archer in Dimrill Dale in 2994.

In The Lord of the Rings, the Fellowship of the Ring discovers his tomb in the Chamber of Mazarbul.

Members of Thorin and Company
Thorin · Balin · Dwalin · Fíli · Kíli · Dori · Nori · Ori · Óin · Glóin · Bifur · Bofur · Bombur · Gandalf · Bilbo Baggins