- “It doesn't cease to amaze me."
"What's that?"
"The courage of hobbits.” - ―Balin and Bilbo.
Balin is a supporting character in The Hobbit franchise. He is a supporting character in the 1937 novel The Hobbit and a posthumous but important character in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. In the film series, he is one of the secondary tritagonists of An Unexpected Journey, the tetartagonist of The Desolation of Smuag and one of the supporting protagonists of The Battle of the Five Armies. 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.
Backgrouund[]
Personality[]
Balin is one of Thorin's oldest friends and companions, and closest friends. He was very fond of his friends. It was especially directed towards his brother, Dwalin, shown when they both laugh when they met up again in Bag End, they laughed when they saw each other and bonk heads together. 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[]
Balin provided to be a skilled and capable sword-fighter, as he was able to kill a lot in his day. However, he's not as young as he used to be, so he is a little bit rusty in fighting, but Balin is strong enough to wield a weapon. He also has proven to have an intellectual memory, as he knew which way led him and his other companions to the forges. Balin also has fast reflexes, such as quickly pulling Bilbo into a hallway and spotting Smaug's fire at the same time
Tolkien Books[]
It is revealed in the epilogue that Balin was the only dwarf who occasionally visited Bilbo. As the novel closets, on one Autumn evening, Balin and Gadalf visit Bilbo He noticed that Bilbo 's vest has been more expensive. Bilbo notes that Balin's beard is now several inches longer than the last time they met. Gandalf and Balin tell Bilbo what has been happening since they last met.
Bard had prospered as King of Dale since the Battle of Five Armies. Relations between elves, dwarves and men have improved as well. Bard had given the Old Master his share of gold to help rebuild Laketown. However, the latter became greedy and took all of his fortunes out in the desert, where his followers abandoned him. Despite this setback, Laketown has flourished. Balin notes the new Master is kinder and wiser, very popular with the people with songs being written about him. The desolation that wrecked the land had been restored, with the birds returning and plants regrowing. As the novel closes, Gandalf notes that Bilbo is only a small hobbit in a large world after all.
Peter Jackson's films[]
The Hobbit[]
Relationships[]
Dwalin[]
Bilbo Baggins[]
In the movies Balin acted as Bilbo's 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.
Gallery[]
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