171 years had passed since Smaug's attack on Dale and Erebor. 171 years since Balin had lost you, the only family he'd had left, to the flames of that wicked worm. This evening's meeting was one the old dwarf had been hoping to attend for a long, long time. Tonight, the final member of the Company of Thorin Oakenshield would be instated and the journey to reclaim the dwarves' home would soon begin the next morning. Balin took a deep breath as he stood before the door of the Company's hopeful burglar. Tonight, his personal quest to avenge you would finally begin.

And he knew in that moment, deep in his heart, that this journey would not be in vain.