Balin

**Balin** was one of the twelve companions of Bilbo Baggins and Thorin Oakenshield, the brother of Dwalin, and the cousin of Óin and Glóin and cousin once removed of Gimli.

## Biography

### Early life

Balin was born before Thorin Oakenshield. He was the older brother of Dwalin and son of Fundin. Not only was he friends with Thorin, but also his mentor. Smaug attacked Erebor around TA 2777 and Balin fled along with his family. Balin later fought and survived in the Battle of Moria.

### Quest of Erebor

#### Bag End

One night, Fili and Kili were teasing their hobbit burglar, Bilbo and had upset their uncle Thorin as well. Balin approached the trio, where he assured them to not worry about Thorin, for he had a reason to hate orcs. He taught Bilbo what happened at the Battle of Moria, of how Thorin wounded the warlord Azog the Defiler and the disappearance of Thrain and the death of Thror. Bilbo was enchanted by Balin's story, and everyone recounted the Battle fo Moria. However, a question entered the hobbit's young mind asking what happened to the Pale Orc. However, Balin could not answer, and Thorin answered that Azog was dead. However, the dwarf lord couldn't answer as he looked to Gandalf, both knowing Azog was still alive.

#### Rivendell

Balin, along with his companions, underwent the journey through the Trollshaws and Lone-lands to Rivendell, including the encounter with the trolls Tom, Bert, and William. The company rested in Rivendell for some time, and after setting out to cross the Misty Mountains, were captured by Orcs on the High Pass, after taking refuge from a thunderstorm.

With Gandalf's help, the Dwarves escaped, and subsequently Balin was posted as a lookout when Bilbo returned, having been separated from the company during their flight. Due to Bilbo's usage of the One Ring, which he had discovered in the orc tunnels, the Hobbit crept by Balin unnoticed, puzzling the Dwarf a great deal. Soon afterwards, the company was beset by Wargs, which forced them to climb a number of pine trees until their rescue by the Great Eagles.

The Eagles took them to their eyrie, and then to the Carrock, from whence the company traveled to the house of Beorn. Gandalf decided to introduce the Dwarves by pairs so as not to overwhelm Beorn, and Balin and Dwalin were chosen to come first. Having been welcomed by the skin-changer and given rest and provisions, the company set out to cross the forest of Mirkwood. Despite having been warned to the contrary, the Dwarves eventually left the path after running low on supplies, and were soon waylaid by great spiders, which intended to eat them. Bilbo used the Ring to escape notice, and returned to free them. Balin afterwards led the company in escaping from and fighting off the spiders, though the Dwarves were captured by Wood-elves, and taken to the hall of the Elvenking, Thranduil. It was here that Balin spoke for his companions, arguing for their release. Thranduil refused, and imprisoned the dwarves, until Bilbo again rescued the company.

#### Lake-town

The Dwarves came to Lake-town, and then to the Lonely Mountain. After opening the Side-door to the mountain, Balin was the only member of the company willing to go with Bilbo some way inside. The hobbit, after unintentionally disturbing the dragon Smaug, returned to the Dwarves, but Smaug left his lair and attempted to kill the Dwarves before turning to Lake-town, with the intent to destroy it. The dragon was there slain by Bard, and the Dwarves took possession of the mountain. Thorin and Balin, not long after, came upon the raven Roäc, who brought word of the dragon's demise.

#### Erebor

Balin fought in and survived the subsequent Battle of Five Armies, which was fought against orcs led by Bolg, after tensions with the Lakemen and Wood-elves had run high, due to a disagreement about the division of Smaug's treasure. He took up residence at the Lonely Mountain afterwards with the surviving members of the company.

### Short-lived settlement and death

Around 2990 of the Third Age, Balin led an expedition with Óin and Ori, and several other dwarves to start a home in Moria, their ancestor's home. Dáin Ironfoot was against them going, but Balin refused and left anyways. For the next four years, Balin's clan appeared to be prosperous. However, the mines were not emptied out as their were Orcs still there. However, he was wounded by an Orc Archer's arrow and Óin had already been eaten by the watcher in the Water. A quick funeral was held for Balin after his death before they were all found and killed

### **Post-death**

#### Tomb discovery

It is presumed that Balin's soul later went to the Halls of Mahal, where his forefathers were at until the world was renewed. Down on earth,  a group of nine citizens of Middle-earth known as the Fellowship of the Ring came through the mines, thinking Balin was still alive. However, as the group travelled, Gimli son of Gloin, noticed his tomb and was very heartbroken when he learned that Balin had failed. Gandalf the Grey, an old company friend of his, found the Book of , learning of Balin's, Oin's and Ori's deaths.