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'''Dwalin''' was a [[Dwarves|Dwarf]] of the [[House of Durin]]. He was, along with his brother [[Balin]], a member of [[Thorin and Company|Thorin's company]] which took part in the quest for [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]]. Dwalin survived the adventure and lived well into the [[Fourth Age]].
{{quote|It was a dwarf with a blue beard tucked into a golden belt, and very bright eyes under his dark-green hood. As soon a the door was opened, he pushed inside, just as if he had been expected. He hung his hooded cloak on the nearest peg, and "Dwalin at your service!" he said with a low bow.|''[[The Hobbit]]'' describing Dwalin}}
'''Dwalin''' was a [[Dwarves|Dwarf]] of the [[House of Durin]]. He was, along with his brother [[Balin]], a member of [[Thorin and Company]] which took part in the [[Quest of Erebor]] to reclaim the [[Lonely Mountain]] from the [[Dragon|dragon]] [[Smaug]]. Dwalin survived the adventure and lived well into the [[Fourth Age]] in great wealth.


==History==
==History==
Two years before he was born the [[Dragons|dragon]] [[Smaug]] had come to Erebor<ref name="TA">{{App|TA}}</ref> and destroyed King [[Thrór]]'s kingdom.  Thrór and a small group of kinsmen and followers headed south while other [[Dwarves of Erebor]] escaped to the [[Iron Hills]]<ref name="Durin">{{App|Durin}}</ref> so Dwalin was born in exile, perhaps in [[Dunland]], nine years after his brother [[Balin]] (him being born in Erebor).
Two years before he was born the [[Dragons|dragon]] [[Smaug]] had come to Erebor<ref name="TA">{{App|TA}}</ref> and destroyed King [[Thrór]]'s kingdom.  Thrór and a small group of kinsmen and followers headed south while other [[Dwarves of Erebor]] escaped to the [[Iron Hills]]<ref name="Durin">{{App|Durin}}</ref>, so Dwalin was born in exile, perhaps in [[Dunland]] to [[Fundin]], nine years after his older brother [[Balin]], though he was born in Erebor.


After the [[Battle of Azanulbizar]], [[Thráin II]], now King of Durin's Folk, and [[Thorin]] settled in the northern<!--Or southern, this is a possible inconsistency that needs looking into.--> [[Blue Mountains|Ered Luin]]<ref name="Line">{{App|Durin}}, The Line of the Dwarves of Erebor</ref> and at some point Dwalin would have joined them along with Balin.
After the [[Battle of Azanulbizar]] in which Balin fought in and after victory (though due to counsel Thráin didn't enter), [[Thráin II]], now King of Durin's Folk, and his son [[Thorin|Thorin Oakenshield]] settled in the northern<!--Or southern, this is a possible inconsistency that needs looking into.--> [[Blue Mountains|Ered Luin]]<ref name="Line">{{App|Durin}}, The Line of the Dwarves of Erebor</ref> and Dwalin and Balin would have joined them along with others.


===King Thráin's expedition===
===King Thráin's expedition===
Dwalin, his brother [[Balin]], and a few others accompanied [[Thráin|Thráin II]] in {{TA|2841}} when he left the Ered Luin to visit Erebor.  The small party was dogged by the emissaries of [[Sauron]].  In {{TA|2845|n}} Thráin was captured one night when he and his companions sheltered under the eaves of [[Mirkwood]] from a black rain.  After a fruitless search for their leader the Dwarves gave up and returned to Thorin.<ref name="Durin"/>
Dwalin, his brother [[Balin]], and a few others accompanied King [[Thráin|Thráin II]] in {{TA|2841}} when he left the Ered Luin to visit Erebor, wanting to reclaim the lands.  The small party was dogged by the emissaries of the dark lord [[Sauron]].  In {{TA|2845}} Thráin was captured one night when he and his companions sheltered under the eaves of the dark forest [[Mirkwood]] from a black rain.  After a fruitless search for their leader the Dwarves gave up and returned to Thorin, informing him as the dwarf became King of Durin's Folk.<ref name="Durin"/>


===The Quest for Erebor===
===The Quest for Erebor===
[[File:Adlpictures - Dwalin.jpg|200px|thumb|Adlpictures - ''Dwalin'']]Dwalin was the first Dwarf to arrive, alone, at [[Bag End]] when the unexpected party began at Bilbo's hobbit hole.  He was wearing a dark-green hood and walked in as if expected, which greatly surprised Bilbo.  Soon Balin arrived and he and Dwalin sat talking while Bilbo kept answering the door for the arrival of more and more Dwarves.  Later, when Bilbo griped aloud in his kitchen about the lack of help in setting out refreshments, Dwalin and Balin were the first (followed by [[Fíli]] and [[Kíli]]) to lend a hand.  Later still, when the Dwarves filled Bag End with music, Dwalin played on a viol as big as himself.<ref name="Party">{{H|Party}}</ref>
Dwalin was the first Dwarf to arrive, alone, at [[Bag End]] when the unexpected party began at the hobbit [[Bilbo Baggins|Bilbo Baggins']] hobbit hole (all staged by Thorin and the wizard [[Gandalf).  He was wearing a dark-green hood and walked in as if expected, which greatly surprised Bilbo.  Soon Balin arrived and he and Dwalin sat talking while Bilbo kept answering the door for the arrival of more and more Dwarves.  Later, when Bilbo griped aloud in his kitchen about the lack of help in setting out refreshments, Dwalin and Balin were the first (followed by [[Fíli]] and [[Kíli]]) to lend a hand.  Later still, when the Dwarves filled Bag End with music, Dwalin played on a viol as big as himself, also bringing in Thorin's harp <ref name="Party">{{H|Party}}</ref>. At the [[Green Dragon|Green Dragon Inn]], when Bilbo told the company that he had forgotten to bring his hat or his pocket-handkerchief (and after he arrives from Balin's watching), Dwalin gave him his spare dark-green hood and cloak to keep in place of a hat, but told him that he would "''have to manage without pocket-handkerchiefs, and a good many other things before the journey's end''".


At the [[Green Dragon]] Inn, when Bilbo told the company that he had forgotten to bring his hat or his pocket-handkerchief, Dwalin gave him his spare dark-green hood and cloak to keep in place of a hat, but told him that he would "''have to manage without pocket-handkerchiefs, and a good many other things''" before the end of the journey.  
When the company rushed up into trees to escape the [[wargs|Wargs]] (and after escpaing the [[Orc|Goblins]], Dwalin and Balin managed to swarm up a tall slender fir that had few branches for sitting, though they were saved by the [[Eagles]].<ref>{{H|Pan}}</ref>  The next day, when the company arrived at [[Beorn]]'s hall, Dwalin and Balin were the third pair of Dwarves to appear during Gandalf's story, trying to intrigue the skin-changer, and later being served well and given a pony to ride until they arrive at Mirkwood.<ref>{{H|Queer}}</ref>


When the company rushed up into trees to escape the [[wargs]], Dwalin and Balin managed to swarm up a tall slender fir that had few branches for sitting.<ref>{{H|Pan}}</ref> The next day, when the company arrived at [[Beorn]]'s hall, Dwalin and Balin were the third pair of Dwarves to appear during Gandalf's story.<ref>{{H|Queer}}</ref>
At the [[Enchanted River]] in Mirkwood, Dwalin was in the last boatload to cross with Bombur (an extremely fat dwarf).  He exited the boat just before the deer charged down the path and caused [[Bombur]] to fall in the water, putting him in enchanted sleep.  Later, after the Dwarves had been captured by the [[spiders]] and rescued by Bilbo, it was Dwalin who first realized that Thorin was missing<ref name="Flies">{{H|Flies}}</ref>. At the opening of the barrels after the escape from the halls of the [[Thranduil|Elvenking]], Dwalin and Balin were two of the most unhappy Dwarves and did nothing to help pull out other Dwarves.<ref>{{H|Welcome}}</ref>


At the [[Enchanted River]] in Mirkwood, Dwalin was in the last boatload to cross.  He exited the boat just before the deer charged down the path and caused [[Bombur]] to fall in the water.  Later, after the Dwarves had been captured by the [[spiders]] and rescued by Bilbo, it was Dwalin who first realized that Thorin was missing.<ref name="Flies">{{H|Flies}}</ref>
When the last week of autumn arrived it was Dwalin who complained the most about Bilbo's inactivity.  He felt that Bilbo, with his "invisible ring", ought to go through the [[Front Gate]] of Erebor and spy things out, though the [[Back Door]] was found<ref>{{H|Doorstep}}</ref>. Dwalin later fought in and survived the [[Battle of Five Armies]] along with several others from the company.  Afterwards he received his fourteenth share and chose to live in Erebor under the rule of Thorin's cousin and heir, [[Dáin Ironfoot|Dáin II Ironfoot]].<Ref>{{H|Return}}</ref>
 
At the opening of the barrels after the escape from the halls of the [[Thranduil|Elvenking]], Dwalin and Balin were two of the most unhappy Dwarves and did nothing to help pull out other Dwarves.<ref>{{H|Welcome}}</ref>
 
When the last week of autumn arrived it was Dwalin who complained the most about Bilbo's inactivity.  He felt that Bilbo, with his "invisible ring", ought to go through the [[Front Gate]] of Erebor and spy things out.<ref>{{H|Doorstep}}</ref>
 
Dwalin fought in and survived the [[Battle of Five Armies]].  Afterwards he received his fourteenth share and chose to live in Erebor under [[Dáin Ironfoot]].<Ref>{{H|Return}}</ref>


===Later life===
===Later life===
Dwalin was one of seven of the ten Dwarves of Thorin's company who were still living in Erebor when [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] came to [[Rivendell]], as reported by [[Glóin]].<ref>{{FR|II1}}</ref> Dwalin lived until {{FoA|91}},<ref name="Line">{{App|Durin}}, The Line of the Dwarves of Erebor</ref> later than any other known date of death for others of the company.
Dwalin lived in great wealth in Erebor after the Battle of the Five Armies. He was one of seven of the ten Dwarves of Thorin's company who were still living in Erebor when [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] came to [[Rivendell]], as reported by [[Glóin]] before the [[Council of Elrond]]<ref>{{FR|II1}}</ref>. It is possible that he fought in the [[Battle of Dale]] against Sauron's forces the [[Easterlings]] under King Dáin. Dwalin lived until the year {{FoA|91}},<ref name="Line">{{App|Durin}}, The Line of the Dwarves of Erebor</ref> later than any other known date of death for others of the company.


==Genealogy==
==Genealogy==

Revision as of 12:44, 15 September 2020

Dwalin
Dwarf
Tony Foti - Dwalin.jpg
"Dwalin" by Tony Foti
Biographical Information
LocationThorin's Halls
Lonely Mountain
AffiliationThorin and Company
LanguageKhuzdul and Westron
BirthT.A. 2772
DeathFo.A. 91 (aged 340)
Notable forThe Quest of Erebor
Family
HouseHouse of Durin
ParentageFundin
SiblingsBalin
Physical Description
GenderMale
Hair colorBlue Beard[1]
Eye colorBright eyes[1]
ClothingDark-green hood and a Golden Belt
GalleryImages of Dwalin
"It was a dwarf with a blue beard tucked into a golden belt, and very bright eyes under his dark-green hood. As soon a the door was opened, he pushed inside, just as if he had been expected. He hung his hooded cloak on the nearest peg, and "Dwalin at your service!" he said with a low bow."
The Hobbit describing Dwalin

Dwalin was a Dwarf of the House of Durin. He was, along with his brother Balin, a member of Thorin and Company which took part in the Quest of Erebor to reclaim the Lonely Mountain from the dragon Smaug. Dwalin survived the adventure and lived well into the Fourth Age in great wealth.

History

Two years before he was born the dragon Smaug had come to Erebor[2] and destroyed King Thrór's kingdom. Thrór and a small group of kinsmen and followers headed south while other Dwarves of Erebor escaped to the Iron Hills[3], so Dwalin was born in exile, perhaps in Dunland to Fundin, nine years after his older brother Balin, though he was born in Erebor.

After the Battle of Azanulbizar in which Balin fought in and after victory (though due to counsel Thráin didn't enter), Thráin II, now King of Durin's Folk, and his son Thorin Oakenshield settled in the northern Ered Luin[4] and Dwalin and Balin would have joined them along with others.

King Thráin's expedition

Dwalin, his brother Balin, and a few others accompanied King Thráin II in T.A. 2841 when he left the Ered Luin to visit Erebor, wanting to reclaim the lands. The small party was dogged by the emissaries of the dark lord Sauron. In T.A. 2845 Thráin was captured one night when he and his companions sheltered under the eaves of the dark forest Mirkwood from a black rain. After a fruitless search for their leader the Dwarves gave up and returned to Thorin, informing him as the dwarf became King of Durin's Folk.[3]

The Quest for Erebor

Dwalin was the first Dwarf to arrive, alone, at Bag End when the unexpected party began at the hobbit Bilbo Baggins' hobbit hole (all staged by Thorin and the wizard [[Gandalf). He was wearing a dark-green hood and walked in as if expected, which greatly surprised Bilbo. Soon Balin arrived and he and Dwalin sat talking while Bilbo kept answering the door for the arrival of more and more Dwarves. Later, when Bilbo griped aloud in his kitchen about the lack of help in setting out refreshments, Dwalin and Balin were the first (followed by Fíli and Kíli) to lend a hand. Later still, when the Dwarves filled Bag End with music, Dwalin played on a viol as big as himself, also bringing in Thorin's harp [1]. At the Green Dragon Inn, when Bilbo told the company that he had forgotten to bring his hat or his pocket-handkerchief (and after he arrives from Balin's watching), Dwalin gave him his spare dark-green hood and cloak to keep in place of a hat, but told him that he would "have to manage without pocket-handkerchiefs, and a good many other things before the journey's end".

When the company rushed up into trees to escape the Wargs (and after escpaing the Goblins, Dwalin and Balin managed to swarm up a tall slender fir that had few branches for sitting, though they were saved by the Eagles.[5] The next day, when the company arrived at Beorn's hall, Dwalin and Balin were the third pair of Dwarves to appear during Gandalf's story, trying to intrigue the skin-changer, and later being served well and given a pony to ride until they arrive at Mirkwood.[6]

At the Enchanted River in Mirkwood, Dwalin was in the last boatload to cross with Bombur (an extremely fat dwarf). He exited the boat just before the deer charged down the path and caused Bombur to fall in the water, putting him in enchanted sleep. Later, after the Dwarves had been captured by the spiders and rescued by Bilbo, it was Dwalin who first realized that Thorin was missing[7]. At the opening of the barrels after the escape from the halls of the Elvenking, Dwalin and Balin were two of the most unhappy Dwarves and did nothing to help pull out other Dwarves.[8]

When the last week of autumn arrived it was Dwalin who complained the most about Bilbo's inactivity. He felt that Bilbo, with his "invisible ring", ought to go through the Front Gate of Erebor and spy things out, though the Back Door was found[9]. Dwalin later fought in and survived the Battle of Five Armies along with several others from the company. Afterwards he received his fourteenth share and chose to live in Erebor under the rule of Thorin's cousin and heir, Dáin II Ironfoot.[10]

Later life

Dwalin lived in great wealth in Erebor after the Battle of the Five Armies. He was one of seven of the ten Dwarves of Thorin's company who were still living in Erebor when Frodo came to Rivendell, as reported by Glóin before the Council of Elrond[11]. It is possible that he fought in the Battle of Dale against Sauron's forces the Easterlings under King Dáin. Dwalin lived until the year Fo.A. 91,[4] later than any other known date of death for others of the company.

Genealogy

Dwalin was of Durin's line.[4]

 
 
 
 
 
Náin II
2338 - 2585
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dáin I
2440 - 2589
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Borin
2450 - 2711
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Thrór
2542 - 2790
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Farin
2560 - 2803
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Thráin II
2644 - 2850
 
 
 
Fundin
2662 - 2799
 
 
 
 
 
Gróin
2671 - 2923
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Thorin
2746 - 2941
 
Balin
2763 - 2994
 
DWALIN
2772 - Fo.A. 91
 
Óin
2774 - 2994
 
Glóin
2783 - Fo.A. 15
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gimli
2879 - Fo.A. 120+


Etymology

In Norse mythology, Dvalinn is a chief Dwarf.[12] The origin of the name is uncertain; suggested etymologies are "one lying in a trance",[13] "numb" and "dawdler".[14] Both words, dvalen ("to sleep") dvelja ("to delay") derive from the same root.[15]

Other versions of the legendarium

In the early version of The Hobbit it was Dwalin rather than Balin who spotted the Trolls' fire in the woods (and it was stated that Dwalin was always the Dwarves' look-out).[16] This contradicted the fact that Balin was the Dwarf who was looking for Bilbo at the inn at the start of the adventure[17] and Tolkien eventually made Balin the permanent look-out. However, Dwalin remained the first Dwarf to arrive at Bag End[1] (what would be expected of the Company's look-out). Dwalin was also the first to notice that Thorin was missing after the battle with the spiders,[7] a testament to his observational abilities.

Portrayal in adaptations

Dwalin in adaptations

Films

1966: The Hobbit (1966 film):

Dwalin is omitted. Thorin Oakenshield only travels with an unnamed guard and the princess of Dale.[18]

1977: The Hobbit (1977 film):

Dwalin does not have a blue beard, but a white one. He speaks only one line on his own (by Paul Frees), when the Dwarves are in front of the Back Door; otherwise, he only speaks in unison with the rest of the Company.

2012-14: The Hobbit (film series):

Dwalin is played by Graham McTavish.[19] A description of Dwalin in The Hobbit films was released by the studio:

Renowned as a great Warrior, Dwalin speaks his mind plainly and is not one to suffer fools lightly. Fiercely loyal, he is Thorin Oakenshield’s staunchest supporter with an unshakeable belief in his friend’s leadership. A powerful and bruising fighter, Dwalin has a natural tendency to distrust anyone who is not a Dwarf and is particularly suspicious of Elves. Proud, brave and one of the tallest of the Dwarves, Dwalin will bow to none but those who have earned his respect.
Warner Bros.[20]

Radio series

1968: The Hobbit (1968 radio series):

Lockwood West plays the role of Dwalin.

1979: The Hobbit (1979 radio series):

Carl Hague is uncredited as the voice of Dwalin.[source?]

Games

1982: The Hobbit (1982 video game):

Dwalin is omitted; Thorin is the only companion of the player, Bilbo Baggins.[21]

2003: The Hobbit (2003 video game):

Dwalin is a blue-bearded Dwarf, who is not seen in the game (other than cut-scenes) until Lake-town.

2007: The Lord of the Rings Online:

In T.A. 3016 Dwalin leads the party of dwarves from the Lonely Mountain to reclaim Thorin's Hall which had fallen under control of Dourhands. After the Dourhands are thrown out, Dwalin becomes the ruler of Thorin's Hall and maintains this position until T.A. 3019. Following the Siege of Erebor, Dwalin travels to Erebor to pay respect to the new king Thorin Stonehelm and, along with the other surviving dwarves of the Company, visits the tomb of Thorin Oakenshield.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "An Unexpected Party"
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Third Age"
  3. 3.0 3.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "Durin's Folk"
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "Durin's Folk", The Line of the Dwarves of Erebor
  5. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "Out of the Frying-Pan into the Fire"
  6. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "Queer Lodgings"
  7. 7.0 7.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "Flies and Spiders"
  8. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "A Warm Welcome"
  9. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "On the Doorstep"
  10. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "The Return Journey"
  11. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "Many Meetings"
  12. Snorri Sturlusson, Edda, "Skaldskaparmal"
  13. Ruth S. Noel, The Languages of Tolkien's Middle-earth, p. 32
  14. Henry A. Bellows (ed.), Völuspá, "Poetic Edda"
  15. Chester Nathan Gould, "Dwarf-Names: A Study in Old Icelandic Religion", published in Publications of the Modern Language Association of America, Vol 44 (1929), issue #4, pp. 939-967
  16. J.R.R. Tolkien, John D. Rateliff (ed.), The History of The Hobbit, Mr. Baggins, The Second Phase, "Trolls", p. 91
  17. J.R.R. Tolkien, John D. Rateliff (ed.), The History of The Hobbit, Mr. Baggins, The Second Phase, "Trolls", p. 89
  18. "The Hobbit.mp4" dated 5 January 2012, YouTube (accessed 10 January 2012)
  19. Peter Jackson, "Production begins in New Zealand on The Hobbit" dated 20 March 2011, Facebook (accessed 23 December 2011)
  20. Warner Bros., "Hobbit Movies" dated 7 September 2012, Apple iPhone/iPad App (accessed 19 September 2012)
  21. ZX Computing, 8304 (April/May 1983), p. 76, accessed April 24 2011
Members of Thorin and Company
Thorin · Balin · Dwalin · Fíli · Kíli · Dori · Nori · Ori · Óin · Glóin · Bifur · Bofur · Bombur · Gandalf · Bilbo Baggins
Route of Thorin and Company
Bag End · Green Dragon · The Shire · Lone-lands · Last Bridge · Trollshaws · Trolls' cave · Rivendell · High Pass · Front Porch · Goblin-town · Goblin-gate · Eagle's Eyrie · Carrock · Beorn's Hall · Wilderland · Forest Gate · Elf-path · Mirkwood · Elvenking's Halls · Forest River · Lake-town · Long Lake · River Running · Desolation of the Dragon · Ravenhill · Back Door · Lonely Mountain · Great Hall of Thráin