Balin

### Friends / Allies

Thorin Oakenshield, Bilbo Baggins, Dwalin, Óin, Glóin, Fíli, Kíli, Dori, Nori, Ori, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, Gandalf, Elrond, Beorn, Thranduil, Bain, Bard, Sigrid, Tilda, Legolas, Gimli, Dáin Ironfoot, Percy

### **Enemies**

Smaug, Sauron, Orcs, Azog the Defiler, Bolg, Thranduil (formerly), Legolas (formerly), Tauriel (formerly), Narzug, Yazneg, Feren (formerly), Elves of Mirkwood (formerly)

## Personal Information

### Occupation

Lord of Moria
Lord of Erebor (formerly)

### Affiliations

Good
Thorin and Company

### Paraphernalia

Sword
Bilbo's contract (briefly)

### Likes

Dwalin, Bilbo, the courage of Hobbits, ale, singing dwarven songs

### Dislikes

Thorin's stubbornness, gold sickness, the Arkenstone, greed, war, orcs

## Character Information

### **Portrayed by**

Ken Stott

**Balin** is a supporting character in *The Hobbit* franchise. Balin was the elder brother of Dwalin and one of Thorin and Bilbo's twelve companions on the Quest to Erebor. He was also the son of Fundin, the cousin of Óin and Glóin, and nephew of Gróin.

## Background

### Personality

Balin was one of Thorin's oldest friends and companions, and closest friends. He was very fond of his friends. It was directed towards his brother, Dwalin, when they reunited with each other in Bag End, seen happily conversing with each other. During the course of the journey, Balin forms a friendship with the company's burglar, Bilbo Baggins, and often teaches the hobbit about Dwarf culture. Despite believing the quest will fail, Balin continues to follow

```
Thorin's lead, claiming that they were with him to the very end. At the

```

end of the film series, Balin upheld what he told Thorin in Bilbo's home
 so long ago and followed him out on the battle for one last time.

### Abilities

**Skilled Swordsman:** Balin proved to be highly skilled in a sword, even when he was younger. Balin was able to wield a sword in old age but can get exhausted.

**High level intelligence:** Balin has a high level of intellect, often recounting their culture to Bilbo whenever he asked. He may also have a photographic memory, as he was able to remember where the forges were in *The Desolation fo Smaug* despite not being there in over one-hundred years.

## Relationships

### Dwalin

Dwalin is Balin's younger brother by a couple of decades. The first film shows the brothers having a strong bond, as they laughed towards each other when they were in each other's presence. The two butted-heads and began to converse with each other, while ignoring Bilbo through their conversation. In *The Battle of the Five Armies*, Dwalin refused to abandon Balin when he volunteered to stay behind in concern for his safety but Balin convinced his younger brother otherwise and told him to remain with Thorin, Fili and Kili.

### Bilbo Baggins

Like Thorin, Balin acted as Bilbo's acted as his mentor when Bilbo didn't understand dwarf culture (i. e., about to tell Bilbo what Durin's Day was and tells him what the Arkenstone is meant) Initially, Balin thought Bilbo was hardly burglar material but he was also the only dwarf during the party at Bag End who noticed Bilbo hyperventilating and asked if he was alright. Later, when Bilbo appears them the next morning, with contract in hand, Balin smiled and gave Bilbo a warm welcome in. Overtime, Balin grew fond of the hobbit and occasionally called him "laddie" like the younger dwarves in sign of affection.

Balin later brought Bilbo down the hall halfway and gave him advice not to wake the dragon and what the Arkenstone looked like. He grew worried for Bilbo when they heard Smaug was awake and urged Thorin to save their friend for Bilbo's sake. Balin also reprimanded Thorin for never calling Bilbo by his first name and calling him "hobbit" or "burglar." During the battle in Erebor, on Thorin's order, Balin saved Bilbo's life again by quickly pulling him into a sub hallway while seeing Smaug was going to fire at him.

During Thorin's madness, Balin figures Bilbo had the Arkenstone, but both agreed to keep the stone from Thorin for their friend's sake. Balin personally escorted Bilbo out of the mountain with a final goodbye, both hurt by Thorin's death, as well as Fíli and Kíli's. Balin visited Bilbo several times after the Battle of the Five Armies.

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