Balin

Second of the dwarves to ring Bilbo Baggins's doorbell in The Hobbit is a white-bearded dwarf with a scarlet hood. Balin son of Fundin is one of the senior members of Thorin Oakenshield's company, a veteran of Durin's folk old enough to remember the day the dragon came to the Lonely Mountain. Among companions not much given to softness, he is the kindly one: patient with their reluctant burglar, first with a word of encouragement, and by habit the party's look-out man at watch upon the road. He is the elder brother of Dwalin and a kinsman and close counselor of Thorin, trusted in the planning of the quest. Careful, courteous, and a little solemn, Balin supplies much of the expedition's good sense, and Bilbo finds him the easiest of the thirteen to like.