#balin

Clove and Balin have the best fun uncle niece relationship out there. everyone puts balin into a grandpa archetype, but to Clove, he’s the uncle who went behind Dwalins back and entered her into (northern) Bree’s Young Blood’s goat racing tourney when Dwalin was away escorting merchants through Rhun. Balin is the fun uncle who set off fireworks with her during every firefest that the dwarves have, even when her Da’ said no. Balin is the uncle who would slip her ale and whiskey (even if she didnt like it, she would pretend too) at the family functions.

Balin is exactly the cheeky kind of man who understands that pebbles always need some sort of mischievous freedom, to balance out the need for teenage rebellion.

Clove will always go to her Uncle for advice first, especially if she needs some sort of advice on how to get out of trouble.

In my head when Ori discovered his craft (scribe work) he didn't immediately tell Dori about it. This was because Dori's craft was tailoring and clothes-making, which Ori knew was a very costly trade due to all the materials needed and they most likely wouldn't be able to afford the supplies for both. Ori also knew that if he told Dori about it Dori would most likely at least partially put his own craft on the back burner in order for Ori to be able to pursue his own craft. (Especially if that meant a higher education for his younger brother)

This leads to a panicked Ori lying to Dori when asked what he wants to take as an apprenticeship, with Ori saying he wants to study combat. ( In my head due to the few number of children in ered luin every child is required to be taught how to fight anyways but it would just be more extensive) But at least he gets to hangout with fili and kili all day.

But when the time comes to begin the training he often finds himself sneaking off to the library to watch balin and the other scribes work.

Eventually balin realizes that Ori is just there to skip out on combat training he's actually interested in the craft (a rare case among young dwarrow) and lets Ori help around the library carrying books and scrolls for the elder scribes, and sometimes being asked to help copy documents and scriptures.

Eventually Dori has to come pick Ori up early (I imagine he has to go bail nori out of jail again) and is unable to find Ori until either fili and kili accidentally rat him out saying smth like "idk where he is but he's definitely not in the library" or turns out the guard -probably dwalin- knew he was sneaking off to the library this whole time.

Once Dori tracks down Ori to the library he finds him sitting in a corner reading a history book talking about the first age since he had already finished all his tasks for the day

Right before Ori and Dori are about to leave the library (after Dori quietly scolds Ori because "you shouldn't run off like that! I had no idea where you were. What if you were kidnapped?) balin talks to Dori about letting balin personally tutor Ori because it's hard to find someone with that level of appreciation for the craft -especially when most young dwarrow would rather study combat or smithing compared to scribe work.

long story short Ori gets to apprentice under balin teachings :D

This is actually my first time drawing these two! They’re so adorable

And you’re so right! There isn’t enough art of them out there and that needs to change >:3

Thorin gave him a small grin as he ducked his head. “So what are you really here for?” Balin asked curiously. Thorin sucked in a deep breath as he straightened up, his hand falling back to the brooch in his pocket.  “I think I’m going to go for it this time. With…with Bilbo.”