(1)

Balin - the beginning
Balin was known as the knight of the two swords. He was placed in Arthur's jail for a crime and had just been released when a noblewoman came with a sword. Balin was the only one who could remove it, and he proved his nobility. The woman askes for the sword back, but Balin refuses. She is sad because it is cursed and he will kill a man who is dear to him with it.

The Lady of the Lake then shows up and demands either Balin's head or the woman's. Balin beheads her for killing his mother, and Arthur in turn exiles him. Balin sets off to find King Royns, an enemy of Arthur, so that he can get back on his good side. (2)


1.http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~NW6E-MTMR/arthur/image_a/balin.gif
2.http://www.cliffsnotes.com/WileyCDA/LitNote/id-182,pageNum-10.html