Balin

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 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.

Balin's name is Old Norse in form, but its meaning is obscure.

Family tree
Farin |                    ---                  |                  |                Gróin             Fundin |                 |                  |                -         |           |            |             |         |           |            |             |        Oín        Glóin        Balin        Dwalin |                    |                 Gimli Elf-friend