This is a short story about Frodo's feelings just after the Fellowship has got out of the Mines of Moria.

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The Burden

The stone was cold. It felt chilly next to his cheek. He did not know for how long had he lied there on the rock, but he did not wish to rise up. The memories of the past few days had made him too tired. . . He just needed to sleep and forget.

But Frodo could not sleep. The events kept on rolling over and over again before his eyes. The flames. . . The shadow. He heard once more the sound of the drums that accompanied the furious fight. And then there was silence. Gandalf had fallen into the darkness.

Gandalf. The wizard whom Frodo had known for all his short hobbit's life. Gandalf, who had travelled with Bilbo and saved him for many times. Frodo had agreed to take the quest because Gandalf promised to come with him. Though Gandalf had been delayed soon after Frodo left Hobbiton, a place he had never left before, Frodo always believed that he would arrive. And Gandalf had. Frodo had a heavy burden to carry, but when Gandalf had been leading the way, it had seemed much lighter.

Sometimes during their journey Frodo had felt the weight of the Ring pressing him down towards the ground or dragging him onwards to another direction than Gandalf showed. Sometimes the Ring had made him feel depressed, sometimes blessed from owing just a treasure. But now, in the fading sunlight outside the Mines of Moria, the Ring did not want him to go anywhere. Just the opposite. It took all the strength from his limbs, forcing him to stay where he was, waiting for something else to come and take the control it.

Frodo did not oppose the constantly heavier getting Ring. He felt no longer that it would have been for any use. The quest was meant to fail. Not he alone, or even with his seven companions, could destroy the Ring. If the evil forces who desired to prevent them from filling their task managed to overthrow Gandalf, the rest of the Fellowship had no chance. It was better just to end this torment soon and not to see everything fair and beautiful be ruined.

Abruptly a bright sunray reached Frodo's face. He had to open his eyes and he realised that he was staring right to the glimmering surface of Dimrill Dale where the last sparks of the sun wished encouraging good nights to the Misty Mountains. The Ring did not feel so heavy anymore and Frodo managed to stand up. He looked at his friends near him, all weary and grievous sitting on the rock. No one of them had guessed what misfortune the Mines could bring. "In this matter it would be well to trust rather to their friendship than to great wisdom," Frodo suddenly remembered what Gandalf had spoken when they left Rivendell. He smiled faintly, letting the sun warm his brightening face.

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Review, please!