He stared at the golden band. Gandalf leant close to his ear. "Keep it secret, keep it safe."
He stared at the golden band. Merry's voice broke through the turmoil of his thoughts. "Those Riders were looking for something - or someone."
He stared at the golden band. The white ghost smiled evilly and stretched out cold fingers…
He stared at the golden band. The words came unbidden to his mind, breaking up the arguments raging in front of him. "I will take it!"
He stared at the golden band. The light reflected bitterly from it as someone wrested it from the snow. "Such a little thing…"
He stared at the golden band. A mighty Queen wrapped in battling light and darkness stood before him. "Not dark but beautiful and terrible as the Dawn!"
He stared at the golden band. Behind him, war cries rang through the woods, but he could not go to them. He must go on, alone.
* * * * *
He stared at the golden band. Frodo. It called with a chime like silver bells. It was utterly entrancing. Frodo.
He stared at the golden band. The siren song was louder, clearer as it called to the Man who had hooked it so casually on the tip of his sword. "A chance for Faramir, Captain of Gondor, to show his quality!"
He stared at the golden band. Towering over him, rising like a black sun, the Nazgûl waited.
* * * * *
He stared at the golden band. The call was stronger now than ever before, and pulling away from the siren call was almost more than he could do. Frodo. I am yours.
He stared at the golden band. It swallowed the whole of his vision, burning like a flaming circle. The shadowy creature clutching it was almost invisible in comparison. "Sam, give it to me."
He stared at the golden band. One slip of the chain would complete the task, let him go home. But the sirens were crying in his ears, blocking the shouts of his friend urging him to drop it, destroy it. He didn't want to destroy this perfection.
"The Ring is mine!"
* * * * *
He stared at the golden band.
It flashed in the sun as his best friend slipped it onto the finger of Rose Cotton.