Borin (2450 – 2711 Third Age) was a Dwarf of Durin's folk and the younger son of King Náin II.

Biography

Borin was born in 2450 of the Third Age. In those years, Durin's folk lived in the Grey Mountains, which suffered from constant dragon attacks. The king at that time was his elder brother Dáin I.

The fate of the people changed after the tragedy when Dáin I and his son Frór were killed by a cold-drake. After the king's death, the Dwarves split into two groups. Part of the folk, under the leadership of the new king Thrór, went back to the Lonely Mountain to revive the kingdom of Erebor. The other part followed Grór and settled in the Iron Hills.

Borin joined Thrór and moved to Erebor. There he lived the rest of his life among the Dwarves of the Lonely Mountain.

Legacy

Through his son Farin, Borin became the ancestor of several well-known representatives of Durin's line. Among his descendants were Balin, Dwalin, Óin, and Glóin, who were members of Thorin Oakenshield's company, as well as Gimli, a member of the Fellowship of the Ring and friend of the Elves.

Thus, Borin holds an important place in the genealogy of the House of Durin, as many of the most famous Dwarves of the late Third Age descend from him.

Etymology

Tolkien scholar Jim Allan suggested that the name Borin derives from the Old Norse verb bora, meaning 'to bore' or 'to pierce holes'. In that case, the name can be translated as 'Borrer' or 'One who bores'.