Balin

## Relevant Pages

Lord
**Balin** is a character in *The Hobbit* and *The Lord of the Rings*. He first appeared in first film of the prequel series.

Balin is based on the character of the same name from Tolkien's legendarium.

## History

Before Quest of Erebor

Balin is born in the kingdom of Erebor as the eldest son of Fundin and the brother of Dwalin and was part of Thrór's kingdom. However, throughout the years, Balin witnessed the King's descent into madness, later noting it as a terrible need and a fierce and jealous love that sent the line mad. *(An Unexpected Journey, The Battle of the Five Armies)*

Over the years as a beloved advisor, Balin became close with a young Thorin Oakenshield. Sixty years prior to the quest of Erebor, Smaug attacked the kingdom after learning of the dwarves' wealth and Balin was one of the survivors. *(An Unexpected Journey)*

After Thrór tried to reclaim Moria from the Orcs led by Azog the Defiler, Balin and his brother, Dwalin, participated in the Battle of Azanulbizar. During this battle, Balin was unsure what happened to Thrain, noting that he was either killed or taken captive. He witnessed Thorin face down Azog the Defiler and earn the surname, Oakenshield.

During Quest of Erebor

On their way out of the Shire, Bilbo came later that morning with contract in hand and announced he had signed it. Balin inspects it and seeing everything is in order, welcomes him to Thorin's company.

The next night, Balin recounts the events of the battle at Moria to Bilbo, Fíli and Kíli that fueled Thorin's hatred for Orcs. After the tale is finished, Bilbo asks whatever happened to the Pale Orc, but Balin does not have the answer. Thorin answers that Orc died of his wounds a long time ago, however, Balin and Gandalf share a look, knowing that Azog is probably still alive.

About a couple of days later, Balin helps rescue Bilbo and the ponies from the trolls, but it ultimately fails when the Trolls threaten to rip Bilbo apart. Thorin forces the entire company to stand down.

Taking refuge in Rivendell after being chased by Orcs and Wargs, Balin attends dinner with the rest of his companions and sits next to Bilbo. When noticing the Hobbit looking at his own sword, Balin advises against it as the sword doesn't have a name since it had never seen battle just yet. When Bofur begins singing and dancing on the table, Balin joins in the singing with the other dwarves. That evening, Balin joins Thorin, Bilbo, Gandalf and Lord Elrond to view Thorin's map for hidden text. Balin attempts to stop Thorin from giving the map to Elrond, but the dwarf king begrudgingly gives it to their host. When the moon runes are discovered, Balin reveals that they have time to find the hidden door until Durin's day.

Balin and the other companions leave Rivendell the following day, where they eventually go through the Misty Mountains. During this event, Balin notices that they are in the middle of a thunder battle and all nearly get killed during the entire thing. Though they are captured by goblins and nearly killed, Balin manages to fight through their forces after being rescued by Gandalf.

The next morning, Balin accompanies his brother, Dwalin when they are introduced to Beorn.

After Quest of Erebor

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During Battle of the Five Armies

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After the Battle of the Five Armies

Sometime after the Battle of the Five Armies, Balin goes to Moria with Ori, Óin and several other dwarves. Their colony is short-lived, however, as Balin is later killed by an Orc arrow, Óin killed by the Watcher in The Waters and Ori killed shortly after.

After all of this, Balin's soul goes on to live in the Halls of Mahal to be reborn again *(The Hobbit)*.

Sixty years at the time of the Fellowship of the Ring, Gimli discovers Balin's tomb along with the rest of the Fellowship. Gandalf then realizes that Moria is too dangerous for them to be there. There is a fight in Balin's tomb after a young hobbit, Pippin accidentally makes a bucket drop with chains following after down a well.

## Trivia

### Etymology

* Balin's name comes from the Norse mythological figure of the same name.