Balin
| House / Order | Durin's Folk |
|---|---|
| Race / Culture | Dwarf |
| Status | Slain |
| Origin | Erebor; the Blue Mountains; Moria |
| Born | |
| Died | Third Age, in Moria |
| Weapon | |
| Fate | Slain by an Orc while attempting to recolonise Moria |
| Portrayed by |
Balin was a Dwarf of Durin's Folk, a companion of Thorin Oakenshield and one of the most genial members of the company in the quest of The Hobbit. In later years he attempted to refound the Dwarf-realm of Moria, an enterprise that ended in his death.
The quest of Erebor
Balin, son of Fundin, was one of the thirteen Dwarves who set out with Thorin Oakenshield and the hobbit Bilbo Baggins to reclaim the Lonely Mountain, Erebor, from the dragon Smaug. The eldest of the company save Thorin himself, Balin was wise, kindly, and observant, and he became Bilbo's particular friend, often acting as the company's lookout. He fought in the Battle of Five Armies and afterwards prospered in the restored kingdom under the mountain.
The colony in Moria
Long after, drawn by the hope of recovering the ancient wealth and glory of Khazad-dûm, Balin led an expedition of Dwarves into Moria to reclaim it. For a time the venture seemed to succeed: Balin took up rule as Lord of Moria and even recovered Durin's Axe and a mithril-coat. But the colony was beset by the Orcs who infested the deeps.
Balin was slain by an Orc archer while he gazed into the Mirrormere outside the East-gate, and his colony was soon overwhelmed and destroyed. His fate was unknown to the outside world until the Fellowship of the Ring passed through Moria during the War of the Ring and found his tomb, inscribed "Balin son of Fundin, Lord of Moria", along with the record of the colony's last days in the Book of Mazarbul.