Gimli

In J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, Gimli is a Dwarf of Durin's Folk who is chosen to accompany Frodo Baggins as a member of the Fellowship of the Ring on the quest to destroy the One Ring. more...

An honourable and tough warrior favouring the axe as his weapon with the occasional flair for poetics, he has become an archetype for dwarves in contemporary fantasy settings.

Biography

Gimli is the son of Glóin, one of the former companions of Bilbo Baggins. He is a remote descendant of Durin the Deathless, father of the Dwarven people Gimli belongs to. Third cousin once removed to Dain II 'Ironfoot' (king of Durin's Folk), Gimli is of the royal line, but not close to the succession. (Gimli is also the first cousin once removed of Balin, Lord Of Moria.) Gimli is introduced at the council of Elrond, which he attends together with his father to bring news of his home, Erebor. Gimli is chosen by Elrond as one of Frodo's companions.

Within the Fellowship, Gimli initially clashes with Legolas, because of various reasons: Elves and Dwarves are still feuding over the ancient destruction of Doriath, and more recently Thranduil, Legolas' father, once imprisoned Gimli's father Glóin (as described in The Hobbit). Despite this, Gimli and Legolas slowly become friends, as they find mutual respect for each other.

As the Fellowship is forced to enter the desolate mines of Moria Gimli is at first enthusiastic, hoping to find a colony of his people there, led by Balin. This hope turns to naught however, as Moria is found to be infested with Orcs, and the Fellowship has to fight its way out after discovering the tomb of his cousin. After Gandalf the Wizard falls into darkness struggling with a Balrog, the Fellowship finally escapes the mines. It is then that Gimli must enter the forest of Lothlórien, populated by Elves which are not friendly to Dwarves. Gimli is told he alone must be blindfolded if he is to enter the forest, and his refusal nearly leads to a violent situation, which is only defused when Aragorn proposes that the entire Fellowship be blindfolded.

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