Disclaimer: LotR is the mind of Tolkien condensed into books for our benefit. And, of course, the thoughts of one man must remain his to keep. Middle-earth and the creatures born of that land belong to none other than J. R. R. Tolkien. I hope you all will one day find your own Middle-earth; a place you can call your very own.
Frodo could never have reached Mount Doom alone. But with the help of his friends . . . .
AND THERE WERE FOURPROLOGUE
To think that such a beautiful ring could hold such evil. Sauron indeed was a master at the art of ring-making. I bet Gandalf himself could not craft such. Though . . . perhaps the wizard wouldn't, even had he the ability.
I can feel the Ring's cool metal upon my breast and, like always, I must force my shaking hand to still and stay. The temptation is so great-the reward so beautiful! To hold it in my hand is a gift-or curse?-beyond reckoning. I can feel the power radiating from the golden band, wanting to engulf my entire being. To let it-oh, to let it! How easy and grand that would be.
Often my mind travels down these dark paths; wonderful and delightful fantasies springing to my weary mind. So easy, so easy! Just slip it upon my finger and Middle-earth shall be saved. Saved by one lone hobbit, who rose up to dare the undareable.
The Ring pulses in anticipation and I can hear its whispers within my head. It coaxes me, urges me.
I shiver.
"I will take the Ring, though I do not know the way." -Frodo Baggins of the Shire
~In the Beginning~His head is bowed in thought; dark curls hiding his face. His pace is a lot slower than the others and I fear for him. I long to know what goes on his head; what that wretched Ring offers. I have no desire in all of Middle-earth to bear the burden Frodo has shouldered, though to help him-to ease the pain-I should think demons could not stop me. Every time I look into his eyes, a little more light has faded away. The color is dull, the gaze weary.
"I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you and it as well." -Samwise Gamgee
To think one of my own kin has the ability to save our world from the grip of evil.
It takes my breath away.
I watch him, in the dead of night, when naught can be heard from any a forest creature, and I see the haunted look in his eyes, I hear the moans of his dreams; and all and more scare me.
I see it. I see that he deems he's alone, without aid or rescue if that trinket's whispers get to him. And the Ring will. In the end, that silly little bauble must win, for it is a thing of great power and he-Cousin of mine-is but a hobbit. His will and we are the only things keeping him from tumbling into the great gaping maw of destruction.
We are his only safe line.
" . . . You cannot trust us to let you face trouble alone, and go off without a word. We are your friends, Frodo . . .We are horribly afraid--but we are coming with you; or following you like hounds." -Meriadoc Brandybuck
It shan't ever take him. I won't let it. Sauron himself would have to have me in his evil grip and I still wouldn't succumb. I should spit in his face! That spawn of a devil must break through all of us before he may even set his eyes upon our Frodo. He'll see. Hobbits are not all as weak as the Dark Lord may think. Nay, we know are own and we shan't fall away when threatened.
But I fear my cousin thinks not the same as I. I see the way his eyes dim in hopelessness whenever Gandalf calls out a halt and we rest our weary feet. I will watch him closely and, if ever I see him stumble, I will be there, should he need me.
"We hobbits ought to stick together, and we will. I shall go, unless they chain me up." -Peregrin Took
Ai! the Ring is so heavy. A burden such that I fear will drag me down. I feel it; my strength is being leaked from my very self and I can do naught to stanch it. My feet are so weary, my mind so very tired. It's an effort just to put one foot in front of the other. I fear my very spirit is being sucked within the accursed One.
"The Road goes ever on and on . . .
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with weary feet . . ." -Frodo Baggins of the Shire
Yet I look around me, and see that three faces follow my every movement. Earth-colored, sky-shaded, and storm-hued-filled with concern, these eyes never leave me. I feel their gaze upon my back and I am gladdened. I remember that I am not alone, that three stouthearted hobbits follow in my wake. And I shall always turn and find them there. If I feel desperate and alone, I may reach out to them and they shall smile and say, "We are here for you, Frodo. We shall always be here." And my heart shall be light, for together we can accomplish what we set out to do. The One Ring will be destroyed and Sauron's evil shadow will fade before the rising sun.
Together we shall save Middle-earth.
~*~
A/N: If you didn't catch it already, each hobbit--Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin--had their own voice heard in this piece. Each quote (except for the last one) was the division between one speaker and the next. Each quote following, proclaims the speaker above. As you have probably guessed, it went as such: Samwise, Merry, Pippin, and Frodo. The last piece was again Frodo.
Let me know what you think and feel free (indeed, I encourage it) to give me any comments or advice you feel I should here. Thanks for your patients (or perhaps there is none needed when exploring the realm of hobbits) and time. I have other LotR pieces if you're interested and I'd be quite pleased to read any of yours. I am held and captured by Middle-earth; I find it quite extraordinaire!