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Thorin

2012-12-23T17:01:24Z

208.54.90.199: /* Films */

{{Countdown}}
{{disambig-more|Thorin|[[Thorin (disambiguation)]]}}
{{dwarves infobox
| image=[[File:John Howe - The King Under the Mountain.jpg|250px]]
| name=Thorin Oakenshield
| othernames=Thorin II<ref name=AppA3>{{App|A3}}</ref><br/>King of Durin's Folk<ref name=AppA3/><br/>King under the Mountain<ref name=H10>{{H|10}}</ref>
| birth={{TA|2746}}
| death={{TA|2941}}<ref name=AppA3/> (aged c. 195)
| location= [[Thorin's Halls]]<ref>{{UT|9}}</ref><br/>[[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]]<ref name=AppA3/>
| parentage=[[Thráin II]]<ref name=AppA3/>
| house=[[Kings of Durin's Folk|Durin's line]]<ref name=AppA3/>
| clothing=Sky-blue hood with a long silver tassel"<ref name=H1>{{H|1}}</ref>
| gender=Male
}}
<center>{{quote|I am Thorin son of Thrain son of Thror King under the Mountain! I return!|Thorin<ref name="H10">{{H|10}}</ref>

|[[J.R.R. Tolkien]]<ref name=H1/>}}</center>
'''Thorin''' ([[Third Age]] {{TA|2746|n}} - {{TA|2941|n}}), also known as '''Thorin Oakenshield''', was the [[King of Durin's Folk]] from {{TA|2850}} until his death in {{TA|2941}}, being the son of [[Thráin II]], grandson of [[Thrór]] and older brother to [[Frerin]] and [[Dís]]. Thorin led [[Durin's Folk]] of the [[Blue Mountains]] during their time in exile. In {{TA|2941}} he led the quest for [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]] accompanied by twelve [[dwarves]], [[Bilbo Baggins]], and [[Gandalf|Gandalf the Grey]]; he briefly became [[King under the Mountain]] until he perished following the [[Battle of Five Armies]].<ref>{{App|A3}}; {{UT|9}}; {{H|10}}; {{App|B2}}</ref>

==Appearance==
Thorin wore a sky-blue hood with a long silver tassel. Around his neck he wore a golden chain, upon which he attached his grandfather's key.<ref name="H1"/>
{{Blockquote|It was Thorin, but you could only have told it by his golden chain, and by the colour of his now dirty and tattered sky-blue hood with its tarnished silver tassel.|[[J.R.R. Tolkien]]<ref name="H9">{{H|9}}</ref>}}

==History==
===Youth and exile===
[[File:Charles Burggraf - We will get it back.jpg|thumb|right|''"We will get it back"'' by Charles Burggraf]]
Thorin was born in {{TA|2746}}, presumably in the Lonely Mountain where his grandfather, [[Thrór]], was King under the Mountain. Thorin was still a youngster (aged c. 24), by Dwarves' reckoning, when the dragon [[Smaug]] descended upon the mountain of Erebor in flames. Smaug left the mannish town of [[Dale]] in ruins and killed all dwarves who were inside the mountain. Thrór and Thráin (Thorin's father) escaped using a secret [[Back Door]]. Meanwhile Thorin was one of the few Dwarves who was not inside the mountain at the time. Thus the surviving [[Dwarves of Erebor]] were driven into exile and Thrór, Thráin, and Thorin fled south.<ref name=AppA3/><ref name=H1/>

===The War of the Dwarves and Orcs===
Weary, elderly and disillusioned, Thrór departed from [[Dunland]] with [[Nár]]. They came to [[Azanulbizar]] and the [[East-gate|Eastern gate]] of [[Moria]], which they found was open. Whilst Nár stayed behind (and urged his companion to do the same) Thrór approached the gate and was murdered by [[Azog]]. He added insult to injury by branding Thrór's brow with the name 'AZOG' in [[Runes|Dwarfrunes]]. Thus it was that the [[War of the Dwarves and Orcs]] began following the return of Nár, who bore the news to Thráin.<ref name=AppA3/>

The war was fought long and hard between the two races, ultimately ending in a pyrrhic Dwarven victory at the [[Battle of Azanulbizar]] in {{TA|2799}}. Both Thráin and Thorin were wounded during this battle and [[Frerin]] (Thorin's brother) was killed. Thráin was blinded in one eye and suffered a leg-wound. Meanwhile Thorin earned the epithet "'''Oakenshield'''" when his shield broke and in its stead he used an oak branch to block the blows of his foes. Despite victory no Dwarf dared to re-enter [[Moria]] out of fear of [[Durin's Bane]].<ref>{{App|A3}}; {{App|B2}}</ref>

===Return into exile===
[[File:LotR LCG- Thorin Oakenshield.jpg|thumb|left|Thorin Oakenshield from ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game]]'']]
Thráin, Thorin, and the other survivors of [[Durin's Folk]] left Azanulbizar and returned to [[Dunland]]. However they soon began to wander [[Eriador]] before settling at last in the [[Blue Mountains]]. Here they prospered in their own fashion, forging iron objects and increasing their numbers (albeit, due to a scarceness of [[Dwarf-women]], very slowly, and by wandering Longbeards who heard of his dwelling). Nonetheless they all still longed to return to the Lonely Mountain.<ref name=AppA3/>

By this time Thráin was in possession of [[Ring of Thrór|the last]] of the [[Seven Rings]] of power. It is possible that as [[Sauron|Sauron's]] power grew so too did the ring's influence over Thráin. His burning desire for gold and to return to the Lonely Mountain became too great and in {{TA|2841}} he set out to return. Thorin was never to see his father again for Sauron captured and imprisoned Thráin in [[Dol Guldur]]. Thus it was that in {{TA|2850}}, following Thráin's death, Thorin became the [[Kings of Durin's Folk|King of Durin's Folk]] at the age of ninety-five. Thorin and his people were content living in the [[Blue Mountains]] and [[Eriador]] but as the years waned Thorin's desire to return to Erebor grew.<ref>{{App|A3}}; {{App|B2}}</ref>

===The Quest for Erebor===
{{Expansion}}
====A new hope====
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Gandalf and Thorin.jpg|thumb|right|''Gandalf and Thorin at Bree'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
{{Blockquote|Listen to me, Thorin Oakenshield ! [...] If this hobbit goes with you, you will succeed. If not, you will fail. A foresight is on me, and I am warning you.|[[Gandalf]]<ref name="UT9">{{UT|9}}</ref>}}
The fortunes of the House of Durin changed when Thorin met [[Gandalf]] by chance in {{TA|2941}}.<ref group="note">Different accounts dispute the exact location of this first meeting. One source states that it occurred at an Inn in [[Bree]]. Whilst another states that Thorin started talking to Gandalf when he overtook him on the road.</ref> They then proceeded to go to [[Thorin's Halls]]. There they discussed their tales and Gandalf formulated a plan. Gandalf knew that Sauron could have potentially used Smaug with devastating effect. Therefore both he and Thorin had a shared interest in removing Smaug. Gandalf wanted Thorin and a company of dwarves to travel to the Lonely Mountain taking [[Bilbo Baggins]] with them. Gandalf's instinct was that the Quest for Erebor would only be successful if Bilbo accompanied them.

Therefore Gandalf invited Thorin and other Dwarves to [[Hobbiton]] of the [[Shire]], instructing them to look for a [[smial]] whose door was marked with the sign of the thief (as the dwarves had gotten it into their head that Bilbo was a thief). Thus Thorin found himself in [[Bag End]], where they perused the hobbit's hospitality. However, Thorin and the dwarves were not convinced; it was not until Gandalf revealed [[Thrór's Map|Thrór's map]] and key that Thorin was convinced that the quest would be profitable to him. Even after the "[[An Unexpected Party|Unexpected Party]]" Gandalf only persuaded Thorin to take Bilbo on the morning that they set off.<ref>{{App|A3}}; {{UT|9}}</ref>

Thus it was that in {{TA|2941}} Thorin set off for the Lonely Mountain with Gandalf, Bilbo Baggins, [[Fíli]] and [[Kíli]], [[Balin]], [[Dwalin]], [[Dori]], [[Nori]], [[Ori]], [[Óin]], [[Glóin]], [[Bifur]], [[Bofur]], and [[Bombur]]. A short time into the journey the adventurers found a Troll's cave. Here they found a hoard of treasure which included blades made in the ancient city of [[Gondolin]]. Bilbo found a knife that he named [[Sting]], Gandalf acquired [[Glamdring]] and meanwhile Thorin found [[Orcrist]].<ref>{{H|2}}</ref> Whilst [[Thorin and Company]] were in [[Rivendell]] [[Elrond]] read the inscriptions on the blades and informed them of their sword's histories. He also read the [[moon-letters]] on Thrór's map; it read "''stand by the grey stone when the thrush knocks [...] and the setting sun with the last light of [[Durin's Day]] will shine upon the keyhole.''"<ref>{{H|3}}</ref>

====The return of the King under the Mountain====
[[File:David T. Wenzel - Thorin in Esgaroth.jpg|thumb|left|Thorin arrives in Lake-town]]
Upon reaching [[Lake-town|Esgaroth]], the closest settlement to the Lonely Mountain, Thorin was greeted warmly and the men of Lake-town hailed the return of the [[King under the Mountain]].<ref name=H10/> They soon reached the Lonely Mountain itself and "''with the last light of Durin's Day''" they found the secret side-door, using the key to open it.<ref>{{H|11}}</ref> Thorin sent Bilbo in to carry out his duty as their 'esteemed burglar'. This enraged Smaug who sought to destroy the burglar and take out his vengeance on the [[Lake-men]].<ref>{{H|12}}</ref> The dragon was slain by [[Bard]] who pierced an un-armoured spot on the dragon's underside.<ref>{{H|14}}</ref>

Upon hearing the news of the death of Smaug, Thorin was overcome by greed. He fortified the main entrance to the mountain and refused to share any of the treasure. Hosts of [[Elves of Mirkwood|Wood-elves]] and [[Lake-men]] approached the mountain led by the [[Thranduil|Elvenking]] and Bard respectively. Thorin refused to accept their claims to a share in the treasure and sent for his cousin, [[Dáin Ironfoot]], who brought more than five-hundred Dwarves from the [[Iron Hills]].<ref>{{H|15}}; {{H|16}}</ref> Bilbo sought to bring an end to the dispute; to this end he secretly gave the [[Arkenstone]] to Bard and the Elvenking to use in making a deal with Thorin. When Thorin heard about Bilbo's actions he was furious and felt betrayed by the Hobbit.<ref>{{H|17}}</ref>

====Death====
[[File:Darrell Sweet - The Death of Thorin Oakenshield.jpg|thumb|right|''The Death of Thorin Oakenshield'' by [[Darrell Sweet]]]]However all disputes were cast aside when the army of [[Bolg]], Azog's son, suddenly attacked. Thus the three armies of [[Elves]], [[Men]], and [[Dwarves]] united against the two armies of [[Orcs|Goblins]] and [[Wargs]]: the [[Battle of Five Armies]] had begun. As the battle drew on, Thorin leapt from the front gate and rallied all Elves, Men, and Dwarves to him. The armies of the [[free peoples]] of [[Middle-earth]] emerged triumphant. Nonetheless [[Kíli]] and [[Fíli]] were killed and Thorin was gravely wounded. Before he died Thorin spoke to Bilbo and commended his good character, courage and friendship. With that, he died. He was laid to rest deep within the Lonely Mountain. Dain Ironfoot, the new King under the Mountain, placed the Arkenstone upon Thorin's chest, whilst the Elvenking laid Orcrist upon Thorin's tomb.<ref>{{H|17}}; {{H|18}}</ref>

==Personality==
{{Blockquote|Thorin did not live to enjoy his triumph or his treasure. Pride and greed overcame him in spite of my warning|[[Gandalf]]<ref name="UT9"/>}}
Thorin was a particularly stubborn, proud, and greedy dwarf. According to Gandalf Thorin was, from the beginning, contemptuous about the notion that [[Bilbo Baggins|Bilbo]] should go with him on his long-desired adventure to the Lonely Mountain; he thought that Gandalf was trying to mock him and make him look foolish. Indeed Thorin found it difficult to accept the advice of Gandalf at all, believing that he should have been drawing plans for war and battle rather than planning to use a [[Hobbits|Hobbit]] as a burglar. Thorin's most coveted prize was the [[Arkenstone]], something which Bilbo believed was not only the heart of the mountain but at the heart of Thorin too. His greed was epitomised at the moment when it was revealed that Bilbo had given the Arkenstone to the Elvenking and Bard; he lifted Bilbo up shouting 'I will throw you to the rocks'. Upon his deathbed Thorin repented his ways, saying that "''if more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.''"<ref>{{UT|9}}; {{H|17}}; {{H|18}}</ref>

==Genealogy==
<div style="overflow-x: scroll; overflow-y: hidden; border: 1px solid #AAAAAA; padding: 3px; background: #EEEEEE;">{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree |boxstyle=white-space:;background-color:#FFFFFF;| | | | | | | | | DAI | | | | | | |DAI=[[Dáin I]]<br/><small>''{{TA|2440|n}}-{{TA|2589|n}}''</small>}}
{{familytree |boxstyle=white-space:;background-color:#FFFFFF;| | | | | |,|-|-|-|+|-|-|-|-|-|.| |}}
{{familytree |boxstyle=white-space:;background-color:#FFFFFF;| | | | | THR | | FRO | | | | GRO |THR=[[Thrór]]<br/><small>''{{TA|2542|n}}-{{TA|2790|n}}''</small>|FRO=[[Frór]]<br/><small>''{{TA|2552|n}}-{{TA|2589|n}}''</small>|GRO=[[Grór]]<br/><small>''{{TA|2563|n}}-{{TA|2805|n}}''</small>}}
{{familytree |boxstyle=white-space:;background-color:#FFFFFF;| | | | | |!| | | | | | | | | |!| |}}
{{familytree |boxstyle=white-space:;background-color:#FFFFFF;| | | | | THN | | | | | | | | NAI |THN=[[Thráin II]]<br/><small>''{{TA|2644|n}}-{{TA|2850|n}}''</small>|NAI=[[Náin (son of Grór)|Náin]]<br/><small>''{{TA|2665|n}}-{{TA|2799|n}}''</small>}}
{{familytree |boxstyle=white-space:;background-color:#FFFFFF;| |,|-|-|-|+|-|-|-|.| | | | | |!| |}}
{{familytree |boxstyle=white-space:;background-color:#FFFFFF;| THO | | FRE | | DIS | | | | DII |THO='''Thorin II Oakenshield'''<br/><small>''{{TA|2746|n}}-{{TA|2941|n}}''</small>|FRE=[[Frerin]]<br/><small>''{{TA|2751|n}}-{{TA|2799|n}}''</small>|DIS=[[Dís]]<br/><small>''{{TA|2760|n}}-Unknown''</small>|DII=[[Dáin Ironfoot|Dáin II Ironfoot]]<br/><small>''{{TA|2767|n}}-{{TA|3019|n}}''</small>}}
{{familytree |boxstyle=white-space:;background-color:#FFFFFF;| | | | | | | |,|-|^|-|.| | | |!| |}}
{{familytree |boxstyle=white-space:;background-color:#FFFFFF;| | | | | | | FIL | | KIL | | TH3 |FIL=[[Fíli]]<br/><small>{{TA|2859|n}}-{{TA|2941|n}}</small>|KIL=[[Kíli]]<br/><small>''{{TA|2864|n}}-{{TA|2941|n}}''</small>|TH3=[[Thorin Stonehelm|Thorin III Stonehelm]]<br/><small>''{{TA|2866|n}}-Unknown''</small>}}
{{familytree/end}}</div>

==Etymology==
<div style="float:right; border:1px solid #f0f0f0; color:#000; background-color:#ffffff; padding:5px; margin-bottom:5px; margin-left:5px">
<div style="text-align:center">[[File:Thorin Hobbit runes.png|Thorin]]</div>
<div style="text-align:center">'''Thorin'''</div>
<div style="text-align:center; font-size:x-small">'''[[Runes|Anglo-Saxon Runes]] used in ''[[The Hobbit]]'''''</div>
</div>
Thorin's name is one from the ''[[Völuspá|Dvergatal]]''. It means "Bold".<ref>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</ref>

The epithet "Oakenshield" also comes from the ''Dvergatal''. ''Eikinskjaldi'' means "Oakenshield", and it has long been considered the name of a Dwarf. However, because the name appears twice, both in Dúrinn's and Dválinn's line, it has also been suggested that it simply means "with an oaken shield".<ref>P.H. Salus, Taylor Beekman, "[http://pao.chadwyck.co.uk.proxy-ub.rug.nl/articles/displayItemPage.do?FormatType=fulltextimages&QueryType=articles&ResultsID=12E4F77F8FAA34BB2&ItemNumber=9&PageNumber=1 'Eikinskjaldi, Fjalarr', and 'Eggþer': Notes on Dwarves and Giants in the 'Völuspá'"], published in ''[[wikipedia:Neophilologus|Neophilologus]]'' Vol 53 (1969), Issue #1, pp. 76-81</ref>

==Other versions of the legendarium==
In early manuscripts of ''[[The Hobbit]]'', the name ''[[Gandalf]]'' was used by Tolkien for the character who later would be named "Thorin Oakenshield" in the published works.<ref>{{HH|Intro}}</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
{{Gallery
|title=Thorin in adaptations
|height=150
|width=200
|lines=2
|File:The Hobbit (1966 film) - Thorin.png|Thorin in the 1966 adaptation of ''[[The Hobbit (1966 film)|The Hobbit]]''.
|File:Thorin RankinBass 1977.jpg|Thorin in [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|Rankin/Bass's The Hobbit]]
|File:The Hobbit (2003) Thorin.JPG|Thorin in [[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|Sierra's The Hobbit]]
|File:Thorin II-LOTRO1.png|Thorin in [[The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar]]
|File:The Hobbit (film series) - Thorin.jpg|Thorin in [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' (film series)]]
}}
===Films===
'''1966: [[The Hobbit (1966 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1966 film)]]:'''
:Thorin Oakenshield is the commander of the garrison of [[Dale]]. He is not a royal.<ref name="Deitch">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=UBnVL1Y2src|articlename=The Hobbit.mp4|dated=5 January 2012|website=YouTube|accessed=10 January 2012}}</ref>

'''1977: [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]:'''
:Thorin's voice is provided by [[Hans Conried]].

'''2012-14: [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' (film series)]]:'''
:Thorin will be portrayed by [[Richard Armitage]].<ref name="PJCasting">{{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150168211921558|articlename=Production begins in New Zealand on The Hobbit|dated=20-March-2011|website=[http://www.facebook.com/ Facebook]|accessed=23-Dec-2011}}</ref> A description of Thorin in ''The Hobbit'' films was released by the studio:

:{{Blockquote|As a young Dwarf Prince, Thorin witnessed the destruction and terror wrought when a great fire-breathing dragon attacked the Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor. When no one came to the aid of the surviving Dwarves, a once proud and noble race was forced into exile. Now, as the strong, fearless fighter and respected leader of The Company of Dwarves, Thorin is determined to reclaim his homeland and destroy the beast that brought such misery upon his people.|[[Warner Bros.]]<ref name="HobbitApp">{{webcite|author=[[Warner Bros.]]|articleurl=http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/hobbit-movies/id545808528|articlename=Hobbit Movies|dated=7-September-2012|website=[http://itunes.apple.com/ Apple iPhone/iPad App]|accessed=19-September-2012}}</ref>}}

:: Unlike many other adaptations where Thorin is depicted as white haired, Thorin is portrayed as younger looking (while in the original book, he was amongst the oldest of the dwarves in the company). Thorin, however, does have streaks of gray in his black hair.

===Radio series===
'''1968: [[The Hobbit (1968 radio series)|''The Hobbit'' (1968 radio series)]]:'''
:Thorin's voice is provided by [[John Justin]].

'''1979: [[The Hobbit (1979 radio series)|''The Hobbit'' (1979 radio series)]]:'''
:Thorin's voice is provided by [[Tom Luce]].

===Games===
'''1982: [[The Hobbit (1982 video game)|''The Hobbit'' (1982 video game)]]:'''
:Thorin is the only companion of the player, [[Bilbo Baggins]].<ref>''[http://www.worldofspectrum.org/showmag.cgi?mag=ZXComputing/Issue8304/Pages/ZXComputing830400076.jpg ZX Computing]'', 8304 (April/May 1983), p. 76 (accessed 24 March 2011)</ref>

'''2003: [[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|''The Hobbit'' (2003 video game)]]:'''
:Thorin's voice is provided by [[Clive Revill]].

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Thorin makes a brief appearance in a flashback taking place in {{TA|2941}}, he plays no role in the storyline.

==See also==
*[[:Category:Images of Thorin|Images of Thorin]]

{{References|n}}

{{seq-start}}
{{seq-head
| race=dwarf
| house=[[House of Durin]]
| born={{TA|2746}}
| died={{TA|2941}}
}}
{{seq
|prev=[[Thráin II]]
|next=[[Dáin Ironfoot|Dáin II Ironfoot]]
|nrow=2
|list=[[Kings of Durin's Folk|King of Durin's Folk]]
|dates={{TA|2850}} – {{TA|2941}}
}}
{{seq
|pvac=None
|prev=[[Thrór]], 170 years earlier
|list=4th [[Kings under the Mountain|King under the Mountain]]
|dates={{TA|2941}}
}}
{{seq-end}}{{Thorin and Company}}

[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[Category:Dwarves]]
[[Category:Longbeards]]
[[de:Thorin II.]]
[[fr:encyclo/personnages/nains/3a/thorin_ii]]
[[fi:Thorin II Tammikilpi]]

Balin

2012-12-23T16:56:52Z

208.54.90.199: /* Films */

{{dwarves infobox
| image=[[File:Alan Lee - Visit to Bilbo.jpg|250px]]
| name=Balin
| othernames=
| titles=[[Lord of Moria]]
| position=
| location=[[Thorin's Halls]]<br/>[[Lonely Mountain]]<br/>[[Khazad-dûm]]
| affiliation=[[Thorin and Company]]
| language=[[Khuzdul]] and [[Westron]]
| birth={{TA|2763}}
| birthlocation=
| rule={{TA|2989}} - {{TA|2994}}
| death=[[10 November]], {{TA|2994}}
| deathlocation=[[Dimrill Dale]]
| age=231
| house=[[House of Durin]]
| parentage=[[Fundin]]
| siblings=[[Dwalin]]
| spouse=
| children=
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=White beard
| eyes=
| clothing=Scarlet hood, jewelled belt
| weapons=
| steed=
}}
{{Pronounce|Balin.mp3|Ardamir}}
'''Balin''' was a [[Dwarves|Dwarven]] leader, the son of [[Fundin]] and elder brother of [[Dwalin]]. He was [[Thorin and Company|one of the Dwarves]] that travelled with [[Bilbo Baggins]] and [[Gandalf]] to reclaim [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]]. When Bilbo first met Balin, the Dwarf was very old looking with a white beard and a red hood.<ref>{{H|Party}}</ref>

==History==
===Early life===
Balin was born in {{TA|2763}}, the son of [[Fundin]]. When he was seven years old, [[Smaug]] invaded [[Lonely Mountain|the Lonely Mountain]]. After the Dwarves were driven out at great loss in {{TA|2770|n}}, Balin and his father [[Fundin]] lived with their king [[Thrór]] in [[Dunland]]. His brother [[Dwalin]] was born [[Third Age 2772|two years later]].<ref name="Durin">{{App|A3}}</ref>

Fundin fought in the [[War of the Dwarves and Orcs]], and fell in the [[Battle of Azanulbizar]] in {{TA|2799|n}}. Balin was present at this battle but in what role was remains unknown.<ref group="note">In a note considered for inclusion in [[Appendix A]] published in ''[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]]'', Tolkien stated that Dwarves reached fighting age around thirty. Balin was 30 at the start and 36 at the end of the war, so conceivably he did participate as a warrior.</ref> The [[Longbeards]] under [[Thráin II]], including Balin, at first returned to their forges in Dunland, but they moved into [[Eriador]] shortly after, and colonized the [[Blue Mountains]] .<ref name="Durin"/>

Thráin longed to return to Erebor, and with Balin and Dwalin and a few others in {{TA|2851}} he went on an expedition to their ancient hall.<ref name="TA">{{App|TA}}</ref> Sauron had them in his sights, eager to take the [[Ring of Thrór]] from the exiled king. [[Wolves]], [[orcs]] and evil birds harassed the small company as they came east. One night, as they had crossed the [[Anduin]], an evil rain forced them into the eaves of [[Mirkwood]], and the company was split. Thráin was never seen again, and Balin and Dwalin returned to the Blue Mountains to report the news to [[Thorin]], the new king of Durin's line.<ref name="Durin"/>

===Quest of Erebor===
In {{TA|2941|n}},<ref name="TA"/> during [[Gandalf]]'s efforts to persuade Thorin to take Bilbo to Erebor (before the party at [[Bag End]]), Balin played an important if unintentional role. When Gandalf said that "professional stealth" was needed Balin misunderstood him as recommending a trained treasure-hunter. As Gandalf defended hobbits in general and the particular hobbit he had in mind, stating that his hobbit had some gold, silver, and crystal, Balin again jumped to the conclusion that Bilbo was an outright thief. In his anger at this remark Galdalf proclaimed that Bilbo ''had'' to come or else the enterprise would be a failure, and Thorin then agreed to meet the hobbit. Thus Balin accidentally insured that Bilbo would be part of the quest.<ref>{{UT|Erebor}}</ref>

On the day of the unexpected party Balin was the second Dwarf to appear at Bag End; his comment, "''they have begun to arrive''" flustered the hobbit considerably. Later, when the Dwarves made music, Balin and his brother Dwalin brought in and play viols.<ref>{{H|Party}}</ref>

On the day after the party Balin stood at the door of the [[Green Dragon]] Inn, awaiting Bilbo's arrival.<ref>{{H|Mutton}}</ref> This was the first of many instances where Balin served as the chief look-out for Thorin's company. In fact, it was when Bilbo (wearing the [[The One Ring|One Ring]] and thus invisible) sneaked past Balin on look-out duty after their adventures with the [[Orcs|Goblins]] in the mountains that Balin began to develop great respect for the hobbit.<ref name="Pan">{{H|Pan}}</ref>

Balin and his brother Dwalin tended to act together as a pair. In the clearing of the [[Wargs]] Balin and Dwalin were the two who swarmed up a tall slender fir.<ref name="Pan"/> When the Dwarves arrived at [[Beorn]]'s hall, the two brothers were the third pair to appear.<ref>{{H|Queer}}</ref> Thorin did split the two when the crossed the [[Enchanted River]] – Balin went in the first boatload with Thorin, Bilbo, and [[Fíli]] while Dwalin came last with [[Bombur]].<ref name="Flies">{{H|Flies}}</ref>

Balin's growing fondness for Bilbo became apparent after the hobbit had rescued the Dwarves from the spiders in [[Mirkwood]]. Having seen Bilbo vanish they, especially Balin, wanted the true story of [[Gollum]] and the Ring explained. Finally satisfied as to how Bilbo had sneaked past him after the mountains, Balin called the hobbit "Good old Bilbo".<ref name="Flies"/>

When the Dwarves were hauled before the [[Thranduil|Elvenking]] they did not know that Thorin had been taken before them and put into a cell deep in the king's dungeon. Balin, being the second oldest of the party, became the spokes-dwarf. His angry, surly answers to Thranduil led to their confinement too.<ref name="Barrels">{{H|Barrels}}</ref>

Balin and Dwalin were two of the most unhappy Dwarves when unpacked from their barrels before [[Lake-town]] and were not asked to help release the others.<ref name="Barrels"/> After leaving the town and as their ponies trudged towards the Mountain, Balin and Bilbo rode together in the rear, leading ponies laden with supplies.<ref name="Door">{{H|Doorstep}}</ref>

That Balin had become the fondest of Bilbo of all the Dwarves was demonstrated when the hobbit made his first descent into the Lonely Mountain. None of the other Dwarves volunteered to accompany Bilbo except for Balin, who did go partway down the passageway. Balin waited there and when Bilbo returned he delightedly carried the tired hobbit back to the door.<ref>{{H|Inside}}</ref> Later, when Bilbo dropped his torch in [[Smaug]]'s lair, Balin pointed out that it was the Dwarves turn to help and declared that he was quite willing to go.<ref name="Home">{{H|Home}}</ref>

Upon escaping from Erebor, Balin led the company to [[Ravenhill]].<ref name="Home"/> Balin later fought valiantly and survived the [[Battle of Five Armies]].<ref>{{H|Return}}</ref>

In the autumn of {{TA|2949|n}}, Balin accompanied Gandalf to visit Bilbo in [[the Shire]].<ref name="TA"/> Bilbo noted that Balin's beard was many inches longer and that he wore a magnificent jeweled belt. The three friends talked for hours and Bilbo learned of the new prosperity of the [[Kingdom Under the Mountain]] and the restored town of [[Dale]].<ref>{{H|Stage}}</ref>

===Expedition to Moria and his death===
[[File:Joona Kujanen - Balin, Lord of Moria.jpg|300px|thumb|'''Balin, Lord of Moria''' by Joona Kujanen.]]Though the riches of Erebor made the Dwarves prosperous again, there were many who longed to return to [[Moria]]. [[Dain Ironfoot]] counseled against it, but Balin mounted an expedition in {{TA|2989}}.
<ref name="Many Meetings">{{FR|Meetings}}</ref> They hoped to regain the treasures, and Balin had also hoped to find the [[Ring of Thrór]], which was assumed to be lost when [[Thrór]] entered the Gates years before.<ref name="Council">{{FR|Council}}</ref>

Together with [[Flói]], [[Óin]], [[Ori]], [[Frár]], [[Lóni]], [[Náli]] and many other Dwarves, Balin entered [[Dimrill Dale]]. After a short battle the group entered the [[Great Gate]]. They stayed in the [[Twenty-First Hall]], and Balin set up his throne in the [[Chamber of Mazarbul]]. He proclaimed himself [[Lord of Moria]].<ref name="Bridge">{{FR|Bridge}}</ref>

For five years the colony thrived. They managed to find many old treasures, mithril, and armories. But on [[10 November]] {{TA|2994}}, as Balin went to look in [[Mirrormere]], an orc archer fatally shot him. Balin's body was placed in [[Balin's Tomb|a tomb]] in the Chamber of Mazarbul.<ref name="Bridge"/>

But the archer was just the van of the orcs who came up the [[Silverlode]]. The Dwarves were locked in. After a fierce battle in the halls the colony was completely wiped out.<ref name="Bridge"/> Not knowing what really happened, [[Glóin]] and his son [[Gimli]] were sent to [[Rivendell]] to seek news about the colony.

Gimli eventually learned of their fate when he crossed the dwarven realm with the [[Company of the Ring]] and found [[Balin's Tomb]].<ref name="Bridge"/>

==Etymology==
Though most names from the Dwarves in ''The Hobbit'' come from the [[Völuspá]], ''Balin'' is not one of them. The name rhymes with [[Dwalin]], but has no apparent meaning.<ref>{{HM|AH}}, "Roast Mutton", note 20</ref>

[[Jim Allan]] has suggested that ''Balin'' may be derived from [[Old Norse]] ''bál'' ("fire"), thus meaning "Burning-one". Allan also links the name to ''[[Wikipedia:Le Morte d'Arthur|Le Morte d'Arthur]]'', which includes a character named ''Balyn'' (spelled ''Balin'' in some editions) and to a ''Beli'' of ''[[Wikipedia:Mabinogion|The Mabinogion]]''.<ref>[[Jim Allan]], "Giving of Names", in ''[[An Introduction to Elvish]]'', p. 223</ref><ref group=note>It is known that Tolkien worked on editions of both ''Le Morte d'Arthur'' and ''The Mabinogion''; cf. ''[[The Fall of Arthur]]'' and ''[[Pwyll Prince of Dyved]]'', respectively.</ref>

==Other versions of the legendarium==
There are a number of differences regarding Balin as presented in early texts as opposed to the published version of ''The Hobbit''. Below is a list of noticeable differences:
* Earlier, Balin's beard was yellow instead of white, and his hood was described first as scarlet and then as yellow before red became the final choice.<ref>{{HH|Bladorthin}}, p. 32</ref>
* Originally it was Dwalin who spotted the Trolls' fire on the hillside; later this was changed to Balin.<ref>{{HH|Trolls}}, p. 91</ref>
* When Balin and others scouted the [[Front Gate]] at Erebor, in the pre-publication version referred to ravens nearby as "spies of evil".<ref>{{HH|Lonely}}</ref> In the published story the suspicious birds were changed to crows.<ref name="Door"/>

In the earliest drafts of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', Balin had a son named [[Burin]] (or [[Frár]]). Burin accompanied [[Glóin]] to the [[Council of Elrond]], and became part of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]]. The character was changed to [[Gimli]], son of Glóin in the final version.<ref>{{RS|Elrond}}</ref>

==Genealogy==
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | FAR | | | | | | |FAR=[[Farin]]}}
{{familytree| | | |,|-|-|-|^|-|-|-|.| | | |}}
{{familytree| | | FUN | | | | | | GRO | | |FUN=[[Fundin]]|GRO=[[Gróin]]}}
{{familytree| |,|-|^|-|.| | | |,|-|^|-|.| |}}
{{familytree| BAL | | DWA | | OIN | | GLO |BAL='''BALIN'''|DWA=[[Dwalin]]|OIN=[[Óin son of Gróin|Óin]]|GLO=[[Glóin son of Gróin|Glóin]]}}
{{familytree/end}}

==Portrayal in adaptations==
{{Gallery
|title=Balin in adaptations
|width=165
|height=140
|lines=3
|File:Balin The Hobbit 1977.png|Balin in [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]
|File:David T. Wenzel - Balin.png|Balin in [[The Hobbit (comic book)|''The Hobbit'' (comic book)]]
|File:Balinstomb.jpg|Balin's tomb in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]''
|File:Balins tomb viv fotr.png|Balin's tomb in [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]
|File:Balin The Hobbit 2003.png|Balin in [[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|''The Hobbit'' (2003 video game)]]
|File:Balin's Tomb Battle for Middle-earth.png|Balin's tomb in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth]]''
|File:The Hobbit (film series) - Balin.jpg|Balin in [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' (film series)]]
}}
===Films===
'''1966: [[The Hobbit (1966 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1966 film)]]:'''
:Balin is omitted. [[Thorin Oakenshield]] only travels with an unnamed guard and the princess of Dale.<ref name="Deitch">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=UBnVL1Y2src|articlename=The Hobbit.mp4|dated=5 January 2012|website=YouTube|accessed=10 January 2012}}</ref>

'''1977: [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''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).<ref>[[The Hobbit (1977 film)]], "Farewell, Thorin"</ref>

'''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.<ref>{{fotree}}, "[[Balin's Tomb (scene)|Balin's Tomb]]"</ref> No mention is made about the past of Moria and his expedition, and Gimli seems confident he is still alive.<ref>{{fotree}}, "[[Moria (scene)|Moria]]"</ref>

'''2012-14: [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' (film series)]]:'''
:Balin will be played by [[Ken Stott]].<ref name="PJCasting">{{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150168211921558|articlename=Production begins in New Zealand on The Hobbit|dated=20-March-2011|website=[http://www.facebook.com/ Facebook]|accessed=23-Dec-2011}}</ref> A description of Balin in ''The Hobbit'' films was released by the studio:

:{{Blockquote|A descendant of nobility and a Dwarf Lord in his own right, Balin is one of the oldest members of The Company of the Dwarves. Wise and gentle by nature, he has been forced to live a life fraught with war and the ongoing struggle for survival. Related to Thorin Oakenshield, Balin is one of his closest, most trusted advisors – but deep in his heart, this wisest and most loyal of Dwarves harbors troubling doubts about the wisdom of the Quest for the Lonely Mountain.|[[Warner Bros.]]<ref name="HobbitApp">{{webcite|author=[[Warner Bros.]]|articleurl=http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/hobbit-movies/id545808528|articlename=Hobbit Movies|dated=7-September-2012|website=[http://itunes.apple.com/ Apple iPhone/iPad App]|accessed=19-September-2012}}</ref>}}

:: It should be noted that in the original book, Balin was younger than Thorin by more than ten years.

===Radio series===
'''1968: [[The Hobbit (1968 radio series)|''The Hobbit'' (1968 radio series)]]:'''
:Balin is played by [[Peter Pratt]].<ref name="RT1968">Radio Times, Volume 180, No. 1968, [[26 September|September 26]], [[1968]]</ref>

'''1979: [[The Hobbit (1979 radio series)|''The Hobbit'' (1979 radio series)]]:'''
:Balin is played an uncredited actor.

===Games===
'''1982: [[The Hobbit (1982 video game)|''The Hobbit'' (1982 video game)]]:'''
:Balin is omitted; Thorin is the only companion of the player, [[Bilbo Baggins]].<ref>''[http://www.worldofspectrum.org/showmag.cgi?mag=ZXComputing/Issue8304/Pages/ZXComputing830400076.jpg ZX Computing]'', 8304 (April/May 1983), p. 76 (accessed 24 March 2011)</ref>

'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''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)|''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.<ref>[[The Hobbit (2003 video game)]], "Roast Mutton"</ref>

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth]]'':'''
:Balin's Tomb is one of the objectives of the first act in the Good Campaign. Several groups of orcs, as well as three trolls, have to be fought off before a break in the wall allows access to the next hall and the Bridge.<ref>[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth]], "Moria"</ref>

'''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's Quest]]'':'''
:Balin's Tomb is featured in Moria.

===Miscellaneous===
'''1989: [[The Hobbit (comic book)|''The Hobbit'' (comic book)]]:'''
:Balin is portrayed white-haired and quite old; he looks distinctly older than his brother [[Dwalin]], whose hair is still a very dark grey. His role is unchanged from the book; he is the lookout, and visits Bilbo in the epilogue.

==See also==
*[[:Category:Images of Balin|Images of Balin]]

{{References|n}}
{{seq-start}}
{{seq-head
| race=dwarf
| house=[[Durin's Folk|House of Durin]]
| born={{TA|2763}}
| died={{TA|2995}}
}}
{{seq
| pvac=Vacant
| prev=Last held by:<br/>[[Náin I]], 1008 years earlier
| list=[[Kings of Khazad-dûm|King of Khazad-dûm]]
| dates={{TA|2989}} - {{TA|2995|n}}
| next=Vacant:<br/>[[Durin VII]], in the [[Fourth Age]]
| nvac=None
}}
{{seq-end}}

{{Thorin and Company}}

[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[Category:Dwarves]]

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[[fr:encyclo:personnages:nains:3a:balin]]
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