November 10, 2002

Re: Gimli and Balin
Lady of Rohan

To Beorn,

Here is Gimli's family tree as he is related to Balin:

Farin
Fundin Groin
Balin Dwalin Oin Gloin
Gimli (Elf-friend)

So Balin and Gloin were first cousins, making Gimli and Balin either first cousins once removed or second cousins. (I'm not sure exactly how that works.)

Gimli referred to Balin as his plain cousin, most likely because they were a close-knit family.

P.S. Has anyone here ever read "Bored of the Rings," by the Harvard Lampoon? It is SO funny!