Balin's folk
Balin's Colony was a group of Dwarves that followed Balin to recolonize Moria in T.A. 2989.
History
Though the riches of Erebor had made the Dwarves prosperous again, there were many who longed to return to Moria. Dain Ironfoot counseled against it, but Balin mounted an expedition in T.A. 2989. [1] They hoped to regain the treasures of Moria and Balin had also hoped to find the Ring of Thrór, which was assumed to have been lost when Thrór entered the Great Gates years before.[2]
Balin and many Dwarves entered Dimrill Dale. After a short battle in which Flói and several others were killed the group entered the Great Gates. Flói was buried under the grass near the Mirrormere. They stayed in the Twenty-first Hall, and Balin set up his throne in the Chamber of Mazarbul, proclaiming himself Lord of Moria.[3]
For five years the colony thrived. They managed to find many old treasures such as Durin's Axe, mithril, and armories. But on 10 November T.A. 2994, Balin was caught unaware outside the gates. As he went to look in Mirrormere an orc archer fatally shot him. Balin's body was placed in a tomb in the Chamber of Mazarbul.[3]
The archer was just in the van of the orcs. An onslaught of orcs came up the Silverlode and the surviving Dwarves had to bar themselves in. The Bridge of Khazad-dûm was captured, leaving the Dwarves trapped in the Second Hall. There was a mighty battle in the Hall and many Dwarves fell, including Lóni, Frár and Náli.
Óin led a group west, hoping to escape through the Doors of Durin, but the Watcher in the Water killed him. The Dwarves were locked in. Ori retreated to the Chamber of Mazarbul and wrote the last pages in the Book of Mazarbul, documenting the history of the Colony before he and the last few remaining Dwarves perished during a final stand. After a fierce battle in the halls, the orcs were victorious; the colony was completely wiped out.[3]
The Dwarves of Erebor were worried for the lack of news of the Colony. Dáin Ironfoot sent Glóin and his son Gimli to Rivendell to seek news about the colony and advice from Elrond. When Frodo Baggins met Glóin and asked him abut Ori, Balin, and Óin, his face darkened, saying that he did not know.[2] Gimli eventually learned of their fate when he crossed the dwarven realm with the Company of the Ring. He would report it to Dáin Ironfoot later.[3]
Known Members
(*) Was a member of Thorin and Company
