|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
marary
Lorien
Mar 9 2015, 11:51am
Post #1 of 17
(2288 views)
Shortcut
|
|
Dwalin's relationship to the heirs of Durin
|
Can't Post
|
|
First of all, Dwalin is just plain cool. He makes a rough first impression, but he has a big heart and is hugely loyal to Thorin. Arguably, the scene where Dwalin puts Thorin in his place is what pushes Thorin over the edge to his redemption. And what a great scene it was!
In a fit of geeking out over "character details" in the Hobbit films, I noticed there are a lot of really lovely moments involving Dwalin's relationship to Thorin, Fili and Kili. It was something I found both interesting and touching. So I just wanted to throw it some appreciation and offer up my geeky observations.
Some observations:
1) Thorin turns to Balin for more sagely advice, but where there's an immediate threat, he always puts his head together with Dwalin. Dwalin truly is Thorin's brother-in-arms.
2) At the end of AUJ, after Bilbo defends Thorin, the next characters to jump into the fray are Kili and Fili (the nephews, close family)... and then immediately after, Dwalin.
3) Dwalin, along with Fili, Kili and Thorin, goes up to Ravenhill. Where Thorin, Fili and Kili go, so does Dwalin.
4) When Fili and Kili arrive in Bag End, Kili greets him as "Mr. Dwalin!". How respectful! No other dwarf gets a "Mr." before their name from Kili! Hints that Fili and Kili maybe grew up with Dwalin as something of an authority figure alongside Thorin? (My headcanon is that Dwalin had something to do with their obviously extensive weapons training.) Also Dwalin immediately gives the brothers an order to help move the table. A bit telling of the relationship there!
5) Dwalin is very visibly upset when Fili dies. He turns his head away. Looks like he's fighting back tears. He's about as shocked and upset Thorin.
6) Afterwards, when Thorin runs into the fray, a stunned Dwalin tries to stop him.
7) Dwalin is standing at Thorin's side/right behind him after Thorin is redeemed ("one last time").
8) Thorin and Dwalin are whispering to each other and glowering at the elves in Rivendell when deciding whether to accept Elrond's hospitality.
9) Dwalin is the one to help Thorin up the ledge following the stone giants scene. He's also right behind Thorin when they investigate the cave.
10) Kili is suddenly so very disinterested in elf-maids when Dwalin sees him flirting. Trying to save face to Dwalin was adorable.
.... and I could go on.
What a great friendship. I like how Dwalin is consistently Thorin's right-hand-man, and his relationship with the nephews was also a nice, subtle part of the company dynamics. These movies excelled at having character histories and relationships as part of the background and fabric of the story. The Dwalin/Durins one was a particular standout for me that was consistently presented throughout the trilogy.
Any other observations/thoughts about Dwalin and his previous history with/relationship to the heirs of Durin?
(This post was edited by marary on Mar 9 2015, 11:56am)
|
|
|
CathrineB
Rohan
Mar 9 2015, 12:54pm
Post #2 of 17
(2167 views)
Shortcut
|
... Very much so. Graham just comes off just as such a likable and cool guy which just fits so well with Dwalin. The though guy, but loyal to bits and a heart of gold.
His relationship with the Durins is why in my headcanon - since we don't see him fighting in Rivendell after Bilbo's knocked out is that he's gone to Fili. *nods* Only way to keep myself sane lol.
|
|
|
Kilidoescartwheels
Valinor
Mar 9 2015, 2:06pm
Post #3 of 17
(2130 views)
Shortcut
|
I think it's clear that Dwalin has always been a part of the family, and he is a cousin of theirs as well, though I'm not sure how far removed. But Dwalin's unquestioning loyalty to Thorin is what makes that confrontation scene work so well - if it was Balin, for instance, well Balin has questioned Thorin's decisions several times, even telling him in Bag End that the quest wasn't doable and trying to talk him out of it. But when I saw the trailer where even Dwalin was trying to reason with Thorin, saying "you cannot see what you have become," I mean, WOW! Coming from him was shocking.
I totally love Dwalin, his total Badassery, his knuckle dusters, his "Grasper" and "Keeper" axes, and Grahm McTavish really brought that character to life! So maybe I didn't love BOTFA as much as the other two movies, BUT I still loved Dwalin very much! I look forward to the Ice Chariot scene in the EE - curse you PJ for making us wait SO LONG for the good stuff
Why yes, I DO look like Anna Friel!
|
|
|
marary
Lorien
Mar 9 2015, 2:18pm
Post #4 of 17
(2125 views)
Shortcut
|
|
Dwalin is a headcanon rockstar
[In reply to]
|
Can't Post
|
|
That's true, Dwalin and Balin are part of the extended Durin family. I like how Balin is the "brains" and Dwalin the "brawn", but are not so rigid in these roles. Balin is also a warrior (albeit an old one, he can still fight), and Dwalin was surprisingly effective at speaking reason into Thorin in the final hour.
A fun headcanon: Remember in Kili's story about the fire moon, he says "we were an escort for some merchants from Ered Luin..." I'm just betting that "we" included Fili, Kili and Dwalin. It's a gig that makes sense for Dwalin, and I can imagine him taking a younger Fili and Kili along as an early adventure to see the world and put some of that weapons training to good use. Of course, that journey would have taken them to Dunland, which is where Thorin went searching for Thrain, so maybe Thorin was involved as well?
I also think that Dwalin went to find Fili's body during the aftermath. I'm not hoping for this to be in the EE... but I'm totally hoping for this to be in the EE.
|
|
|
Otaku-sempai
Immortal
Mar 9 2015, 4:00pm
Post #5 of 17
(2086 views)
Shortcut
|
|
Well, Dwalin and Balin are of Durin's Line
[In reply to]
|
Can't Post
|
|
The brothers Balin and Dwalin are descended from Nain II through his second son Borin, so they are cousins to Thoriin. Balin is the wise, aged advisor. Dwalin is in many ways the other side of the coin: The experienced warrior who is ready for action at the first sign of trouble. Balin is the ambassador and negotiator; Dwalin is always guarding against the surprise attack or betrayal. The two function well together.
"At the end of the journey, all men think that their youth was Arcadia..." - Phantom F. Harlock
|
|
|
Kilidoescartwheels
Valinor
Mar 9 2015, 4:34pm
Post #6 of 17
(2070 views)
Shortcut
|
It's called "The Firemoon" and it's about that very trip - and yes, Dwalin comes along and trains up the young nephews along the way. Great minds think alike! It's posted in Fan Art, if you want to read it. It's more movie-verse than book-verse, and I got some things wrong in the first chapter, but other than that I think I did okay.
Why yes, I DO look like Anna Friel!
|
|
|
marary
Lorien
Mar 9 2015, 5:21pm
Post #7 of 17
(2038 views)
Shortcut
|
I'd love to check it out.
I was thinking a lot about how many weapons Fili usually carries, and it led me to start a fanfic where Kili survives because he remembers to take a dagger from Fili's body before charging into battle for vengeance. And this helps him against Bolg. Dwalin sort of picks up the role of father figure in the aftermath; that particular plot point really just wrote itself. 
(This post was edited by marary on Mar 9 2015, 5:23pm)
|
|
|
Kirly
Lorien
Mar 9 2015, 6:32pm
Post #8 of 17
(2008 views)
Shortcut
|
|
For those who have not yet read it, it's very entertaining. I loved it! ///
[In reply to]
|
Can't Post
|
|
My avatar photo is Lake Tekapo in New Zealand's South Island. Taken by me in 2004 on a Red Carpet Tours LOTR Movie Location Tour. 'Twas the Vacation of a Lifetime!
pictures taken while on the tour are here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/Kirly7/LOTRNewZealandTour#
|
|
|
Kilidoescartwheels
Valinor
Mar 9 2015, 6:49pm
Post #9 of 17
(1999 views)
Shortcut
|
Your kind words have really given me some confidence to get back to work on my original story, think I've mentioned it to you before. It's VERY Hobbit-inspired, and I think you'll see the Heirs of Durin and Dwalin have informed some of the characters.
Why yes, I DO look like Anna Friel!
|
|
|
lionoferebor
Rohan
Mar 9 2015, 11:32pm
Post #10 of 17
(1923 views)
Shortcut
|
He's the only character I know who can threaten to rip a boy's arms off and I still want him for a friend. 
|
|
|
Kirly
Lorien
Mar 10 2015, 3:08am
Post #11 of 17
(1883 views)
Shortcut
|
My avatar photo is Lake Tekapo in New Zealand's South Island. Taken by me in 2004 on a Red Carpet Tours LOTR Movie Location Tour. 'Twas the Vacation of a Lifetime!
pictures taken while on the tour are here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/Kirly7/LOTRNewZealandTour#
|
|
|
marillaraina
Rohan
Mar 10 2015, 4:30am
Post #12 of 17
(1866 views)
Shortcut
|
It's called "The Firemoon" and it's about that very trip - and yes, Dwalin comes along and trains up the young nephews along the way. Great minds think alike! It's posted in Fan Art, if you want to read it. It's more movie-verse than book-verse, and I got some things wrong in the first chapter, but other than that I think I did okay.
I only see up to chapters 5 and 6? Did you ever finish it? It's good.
|
|
|
Kilidoescartwheels
Valinor
Mar 10 2015, 1:33pm
Post #13 of 17
(1807 views)
Shortcut
|
It's called "The Firemoon" and it's about that very trip - and yes, Dwalin comes along and trains up the young nephews along the way. Great minds think alike! It's posted in Fan Art, if you want to read it. It's more movie-verse than book-verse, and I got some things wrong in the first chapter, but other than that I think I did okay. I only see up to chapters 5 and 6? Did you ever finish it? It's good.
Yes, thank you. The final chapters are in a post above that, and I included a link to the previous chapters. Let's see if I can do that here:
http://newboards.theonering.net/forum/gforum/perl/gforum.cgi?post=840268;sb=post_time;so=DESC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;guest=134409911
Sometimes I can get the darn things to work, other times not. Anyway, hope you like it!
Why yes, I DO look like Anna Friel!
|
|
|
Elanor of Rohan
Lorien
Mar 10 2015, 4:44pm
Post #14 of 17
(1769 views)
Shortcut
|
was Frerėn's kinsman.
He probably died protecting him in the Battle of Azanulbizar, leaving his two sons orphans at a very young age.
That's one of the reasons why Dwalin and Balin have such strong ties to Fili and Kili, besides Thorin.
Therefore, it's a family tradition, protecting the nephews of the late Frčrin.
|
|
|
moreorless
Gondor
Mar 11 2015, 10:46am
Post #15 of 17
(1687 views)
Shortcut
|
|
I would like to have seen a bit more Dwalin and Kili/Fili interplay...
[In reply to]
|
Can't Post
|
|
I felt during AUJ these two played off of each other really well. I would actually disagree with the OP that "Mr Dwalin" was purely a mark of respect, to me it actually seemed quite jokey with a sense of familiarity that told you a good deal about both characters. Thorin's status really ment that the relationship between him and Fili/Kili was much more one of authority and formality where as Dwalin was much more someone on a similar kind of level to them where they could be more imformal.
(This post was edited by moreorless on Mar 11 2015, 10:48am)
|
|
|
marary
Lorien
Mar 11 2015, 10:57am
Post #16 of 17
(1682 views)
Shortcut
|
And that's one of my favorite greetings in the entire trilogy.
|
|
|
Nuradar
Rohan
Mar 12 2015, 1:30pm
Post #17 of 17
(1556 views)
Shortcut
|
Thank you for that marary. I also noticed how close Dwalin was to Thorin, but did not notice the things you mention here (not consciously, anyway) regarding Kili and Fili. Great observations!
I will definitely notice them the next time I watch the movies.
|
|
|
|
|
I look forward to reading it!
[