A/N: Thank you to everyone who has read this story, so far. I offer you all hot apple cider and a slice of apple pie.
Disclaimer: I do not own The Lord of the Rings or The Rose.
Some say love, it is a hunger, an endless aching need.
Misty Mountains, c. 2470-2941 TA:
Gollum sat in the darkness, stroking the surface of a beautiful gold Ring. It shone in the dim light of the cave, his own eyes glowing with desire. A birthday present he had received long ago, the Ring was something he loved like nothing else he had ever owned. Déagol had no right to keep it from him that day. It was, after all, his birthday. The Ring had arrived especially for his birthday.
It was his Precious and he would never let it go. No one would ever take it from him. It would never leave him. He needed it and it needed him. They were made for each other. All he needed to love was this precious band of gold he held in his hand.
He hungered to put it on, but he resisted the urge. His Precious was here, and that was all he needed. It was useful to have, but he didn't need to wear it all the time. The secrets he sought when he came here long ago were not so great as he had thought. The cave was dark, with few visitors. Only occasionally would goblins come down here for the fish in this underground pool.
His desire was very strong. He had to wear it. If he wore it, he would never want for food again. He would have anything he desired. No more blind fish from this dark underground pool or tough goblins from the upper caves. He would have other meat from other places.
Gollum stopped. No, he didn't need to wear it. Food was plentiful here. He had all that he needed right where he was. The Ring would stay on the island, for now. He could come back to visit it later. The only time he needed to wear his Precious was while hunting for food. And his Precious would be there with him.