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In J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy world of Middle-earth, Balin was a Dwarf leader, the son of Fundin and elder brother of Dwalin. He was born in 2763 Third Age. Balin was among the Dwarves that travelled with Bilbo Baggins and Gandalf in The Hobbit.
Balin was part of the company assembled by Thorin Oakenshield to kill the dragon Smaug and retake the mountain kingdom of Erebor. He is the only one explicitly said to have been at the Mountain prior to the coming of the dragon and most likely (aside from Thorin) none of the others were there or born yet. Curiously, The Hobbit states he was companions with Thorin on the day the dragon came, but according to Appendix A in The Return of the King he was only seven years old while Thorin was 24. Appendix A puts his life being from 2763-2994 T.A.
He was the second dwarf to arrive at Bilbo's house at the beginning of The Hobbit. The one before him was his brother Dwalin. Like his brother, he played a viol.
Among the Dwarves in The Hobbit, Balin was the second-eldest Dwarf on the quest (behind Thorin), and so he spoke for the party when they were captured by the Elvenking.
He is described as "always their look-out man": He spots Bilbo approaching the Green Dragon Inn at Bywater, he spots the trolls' fire, and he's the first to spot the Elves in Mirkwood. Conversely he did not notice Bilbo (hidden by wearing the magic ring) as look-out for the company after escaping the goblins in the Misty Mountains. After this bit of trickery, Balin gained respect for Bilbo's abilities. He's the only Dwarf that volunteers to accompany Bilbo down the secret passage to Smaug. Of all the Dwarves in the quest, he's the only one known to have visited Bilbo afterwards at Bag End.
In T.A. 2989 Balin left Erebor and entered Moria with Flói, Óin, Ori, Frár, Lóni, and Náli. He was killed by an Orc archer in the Dimrill Dale in 2994.
In The Lord of the Rings, the Fellowship discovers his tomb in the Chamber of Mazarbul. Upon his tomb is written in Dwarven Runes "Balin Fundinul Uzbad Khazad-Dumu" which translates to "Balin, son of Fundin, Lord of Moria".
Balin's name is Old Norse in form, but its meaning is obscure.
In the 1977 animated version of The Hobbit, he was voiced by Don Messick.
In the Peter Jackson movies Gimli calls Balin his "cousin", which should not be literally interpreted, given the family tree below. He takes up the axe of Balin when the Fellowship discover the Chamber of Mazarbul. He uses it in the ensuing battle and in all battles thereafter. As opposed to Gimli's previous axe, the axe of Balin is larger and double-bladed. This allows Gimli to not have to change his grip or stance when swinging the axe back and forth. In the book there is no reference to Gimli changing his weapon, which is not described in detail; there is also no mention of Balin's axe.
Trivia
In the computer game The Fallen Lords, there is a Dwarf named Balin (pronounced BAY-lin) who is one of the prominent leaders of the Dwarves. He is alluded to in Soulblighter as having become ruler of the Dwarves after the fall of Balor in the first game. Presumably, he was named in honor of Tolkien's character.
Family tree
Farin |
--- | | Gróin Fundin | | |
- | | | | | | | | Oín Glóin Balin Dwalin | | Gimli Elf-friend
"Balin (Middle-earth)"