Author's Note:

So the family was watching The Fellowship of the Ring last night, and as I was watching this particular scene, my mind had the weirdest idea to replace Aragorn here with Sherlock Holmes. Don't ask me why.

I don't really know the backstory to this scene. It's just a one-shot, and you're free to imagine pretty much whatever you want about what happens before and after. I should say, though, that this is not a parody. This is a character-shot about Holmes; and as such, it is meant to be taken seriously. That being said, enjoy!

==Temptation==

"(…) I would use this Ring out of a desire to do good. But through me, it would wield a power too great and terrible to imagine."

—Gandalf

"Frodo."

Frodo whirled at the sound of his name, backpedaling from the tall man standing there. "The Ring has taken Boromir," he told him.

Sherlock Holmes froze momentarily, his keen grey eyes running swiftly over the Hobbit. No, Frodo still possessed the Ring. He stepped forward, and the little one backpedaled further. "Frodo!" Holmes frowned. "I swore to protect you!"

"Can you protect me from yourself?" Frodo challenged, holding out the Ring. "And would you destroy it?"

Holmes approached the Ringbearer, his bright gaze focused on the little gold band.

It whispered to him. Called him by name. "Sherlock."

The possibilities were… tantalizing, to say the least. With the Ring, no longer would he make mistakes, for he did make mistakes, no matter what his biographer said. No more. No longer would he be less than certain in some cases that he was right—he would know. He would ever be two steps ahead of criminals; none could withstand him. He would be able at last to trace a hundred different crimes across London back to their shadowy source, the mastermind presence of evil he'd sensed on so many occasions. No longer would villains walk away from their evil deeds, unpunished—his would be the ultimate justice.

With his heightened powers of the mind, he would be invincible. Not even Mycroft could equal him. All he need do was reach out and claim the Ring for his own…

And summarily be destroyed by a power far older and greater than your own. Strangely, he heard the thought spoken in Watson's voice, though the dear fellow had never said it. It's wrong, and you know it.

Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes briefly. When he opened them, he looked at Frodo, looked at the Ring, and reached out to close Frodo's small hand around it. "I would have gone with you to the end," he said softly. "To the very fires of Mordor."

There were unshed tears in the Ringbearer's eyes. "I know," he said simply. "Help Strider take care of the others. Especially Sam. He will not understand."

Holmes nodded solemnly, then caught the sudden blue blaze from Frodo's sword. "Run," he breathed, drawing his own blade. The Hobbit lifted Sting and saw. "Run!"

Frodo turned and ran, and Holmes pivoted on his foot, striding out to meet the onslaught of Orcs. There were quite possibly a hundred of them—not good odds, at all. But if he gave his life here, protecting the Ringbearer, so be it. Frodo had to get through.

The fate of a world—his own world, long past—depended upon it.

==Fin==

Author's Note:

I couldn't help as I was watching that scene but think about how Sherlock would be tempted by the Ring. Like Gandalf and Galadriel, Sherlock Holmes would have very high and noble purposes (if, perhaps, slightly tinged by ego). But, of course, we all know it wouldn't work.

Well, this is my first LotR fanfic in two years, and doesn't it just figure that it's a crossover with Sherlock Holmes! *shakes head* Also my first fic of 2011! At least I'm starting the new year right. =)

Please review!