Dwalin is one of the dwarves who dared to challenge the terrible dragon Smaug alongside Bilbo the Hobbit. He was conceived as a fierce dwarven warrior with a heavy background as a war veteran. From his place in Tolkien's writings to his role in Peter Jackson's films and the Expanded Universe, here are 8 facts you (maybe) didn't know about Balin.
#9 Dwalin is a true warrior (canon)
Unlike some of his companions on the quest for Erebor, Dwalin is no mere traveler:he's a seasoned veteran, an accomplished warrior. Born during the Third Age, shortly after Smaug ravaged Erebor, Dwalin is the son of Fundin and the younger brother of Balin (discussed in detail here). From his youth, he distinguished himself by his courage and strength. At only 27 years old, he took part in the terrible Battle of Azanulbizar, the last and bloodiest confrontation of the war between the Dwarves and the Orcs. Before the gates of Moria, he fought alongside his father and Thorin Oakenshield. There, Dwalin witnessed the death of his father Fundin, who fell with honor on the battlefield. After the war, he followed Thráin II and Thorin to settle in the Blue Mountains, where he continued to defend his people.
#8 Dwalin had already attempted to reconquer Erebor (canon)
Long before the quest recounted in The Hobbit, Dwalin participated in a first attempt to reconquer Erebor. In the year 2841 of the Third Age, he accompanied King Thráin II, his brother Balin and a few followers in a secret expedition to retake the Lonely Mountain from the clutches of the dragon Smaug. Unfortunately, as Thráin holds one of the seven dwarven rings of power, their group is constantly pursued by Sauron's emissaries. After a long time of wandering, their route leads them to the dark edges of Mirkwood. There, one night, in a rain as black as it is supernatural, Thráin disappears. Dwalin and his companions search for him in vain, unaware that he has been captured by Sauron's men. With heavy hearts, they return to announce the loss of their king. This failure marks Dwalin, but strengthens his will to one day liberate Erebor, which he will accomplish alongside Thorin (the son of King Thráin II), many years later.
#7 Dwalin has a strange beard (canon)
At Bag End, Bilbo's home, Dwalin is the very first to arrive for the famous impromptu party, soon joined by his brother Balin. Both carry imposing viols, instruments as large as they are, giving them a rather singular silhouette. The viol, deeply rooted in the musical culture of the Dwarves, is chosen with care: its size and deep sound reflect the dignity, gravity, and tradition of their people. Like the golden harps of Smaug's hoard or the trumpets of Khazad-dûm, it embodies an ancient art, inherited from the mountains. The contrast between their oversized instruments and the colorful hoods that cover their heads (purple for Balin, dark green for Dwalin) accentuates their unusual appearance. But it is Dwalin who stands out the most with his long beard carefully tucked into a golden belt, but above all, a rather strange color: blue.
#6 Dwalin is Bilbo's first dwarf ally (canon)
When Bilbo Baggins joins Thorin's company at the last minute at the Green Dragon Inn, he arrives just before they leave for their adventure. Dwalin is happy to see the Hobbit join them at the last minute. The day before, he had been the first to show up at Bilbo's house, entering without embarrassment as if he were expected. Although surprised, Bilbo invited him to tea. Dwalin then chatted peacefully with his brother Balin, while other Dwarves arrived one after the other. When Bilbo complained about the lack of help in the kitchen, Dwalin was one of the first to lend a hand. The next day, seeing that Bilbo had left his house in a hurry without any equipment, Dwalin offered him his hood and cloak. However, he reminds him that this adventure will not be easy, and that he would do well to quickly forget his handkerchief and other small comforts.
#5 Here is what became of Dwalin after The Hobbit (canon)
After the Battle of the Five Armies, Dwalin lived in great wealth in Erebor, the Lonely Mountain, under the reign of the new king: Dáin II. Unlike his brother Balin, he did not join the expedition to reconquer Moria, which allowed him to avoid the tragic end of the nascent colony (which we discuss in detail here). While Balin and his companions perished in the dark depths of Khazad-dûm, Dwalin remained loyal to Erebor. He remained there for many years, witnessing the renewed prosperity of the dwarven kingdom and the return of safer days for his people.
In The Lord of the Rings, we learn that Dwalin is still alive when Glóin brings news of Thorin's former companions at the Council of Elrond (discussed in more detail here). Although his exact role in the War of the Ring is unclear, it is highly likely that a renowned warrior like him participated in the defense of Erebor against Sauron's forces during the Battle of Dale. But details are sometimes lacking about this battle, far removed from the frontlines where the heroes of the Fellowship of the Ring live their adventures. However, it is known that after the victory of the Free Peoples and the fall of Sauron, Dwalin lived peacefully until the venerable age of 340 (a record among the members of the Company of Erebor).
#4 The films made Dwalin a characterful warrior (films)
In Peter Jackson's The Hobbit trilogy, Dwalin, played by Scottish actor Graham McTavish, was redefined as a formidable warrior with a strong personality. Gone are the comic or anecdotal traits inherited by other Dwarves: Dwalin is serious, brutal, and deeply loyal. He is one of the few members of the company to have a real presence and real speaking time on screen. However, he is mostly presented as very close to Thorin, even in his way of thinking.
Like Thorin, Dwalin is haunted by the wounds of the past and driven by a strong sense of honor and revenge. He follows Thorin without ever doubting him, even in his worst excesses. Both embody the same distrust of the outside world, especially the Elves, and an almost pathological dwarven pride. Physically imposing and a taciturn warrior, Dwalin is almost an extension of Thorin. Unfortunately, this proximity makes the character less unique. Where other Dwarves could have been developed to enrich the company, Dwalin mainly served to reinforce Thorin's aura. An important role, certainly, but one that ultimately lacks nuance.
In the world of The Lord of the Rings Online, Dwalin's destiny extends far beyond the events of Tolkien's The Hobbit. After the fall of the dragon Smaug and the recapture of Erebor, a new threat arises in the Misty and Blue Mountains. A dark plot threatens the fragile peace between dwarves and elves. Skorgrím Dourhand, an ancient dwarven lord hungry for power and immortality, is resurrected by Ivar the Bloody Hand, an evil necromancer from the First Ages. Transformed into a zombie dwarf (to put it simply), Skorgrím seeks to rekindle the flames of conflict between dwarves and elves.
To do this, Skorgrím hires goblins and trolls to steal the treasures of the dwarves known as Longbeardsand kidnap the elven prince Avorthal. His goal is to sow discord and hatred between the two peoples. Faced with this threat, Dwalin, hero of the Longbeards, allies himself with an elf from the neighboring region, Edhelion, named Dorongúr Whitethorn. Together, they lead a decisive attack against Skorgrím and his allies in the valley of Rath Teraig. After an intense battle, Dwalin frees Prince Avorthal and repels Skorgrím, preventing the outbreak of a devastating war.
#2 Dwalin confronted a dwarf who wanted to free a dragon (Expanded Universe)
In The Lord of the Rings Online, the evil zombie dwarf named Skogrím Dourhand becomes one of the many armed pawns of the terrible leader of the Nazgûl: the Witch-King of Angmar. Skorgrím, without honor, leads a mercenary army composed of orcs and goblins, among others. Dwalin then decides to stand against this abomination. Alongside the free forces, he fights in places such as Skorgrím's tomb and the dwarven fortress of Gabilazan, invaded by the Nazgûl and the forces of darkness. It is there, in the fortress of Gabilazan, that the zombie dwarf attempts to accomplish his dark plan: to free Thorog, an ancient and fearsome dragon, imprisoned in the ice, to ravage Middle-earth once again. The courage of Dwalin and his allies ultimately defeats the necromancer and seals the evil spirit forever in the dragon's icy body, thus ensuring temporary peace in these troubled lands.
#1 Dwalin has appeared in other fantasy classics (making of)
Graham McTavish, famous for his role as Dwalin in Peter Jackson's The Hobbit trilogy, has had the rare privilege of starring in three major adaptations of fantasy classics. Indeed, in addition to Tolkien's universe, in 2021 he joined the series The Witcher on Netflix, inspired by the novels of Andrzej Sapkowski, where he plays the formidable spymaster Sigismund Dijkstra. He is also present in House of the Dragon, a prequel to Game of Thrones, in the role of Ser Harrold Westerling, loyal commander of the Kingsguard. But McTavish has also made his mark on other works of the genre, having starred in Highlander, played Ajax in Dinotopia, participated in two Arthurian adaptations (King Arthur and Merlin: The Quest Begins) and played the missionary Thangbrand in the Cult film by ex-Monty Python Terry Jones: Erik the Viking.
And if you want to learn even more about dwarves, don't hesitate to explore our files dedicated to Thorin, Nori, Dori, Ori, Bombur, Bofur, Balin, or even Gimli part one and two
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