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A/N: Why are you reading this when you could be reading my wonderful plot twist??? Go! Read!!!

11

When she woke up, the letter was beside her bed. Even before she opened her eyes, she could tell something was very wrong. Just. something intrinsically wrong with. something. But she ignored it, for the sake of reading the letter.

***

Sarah,

Sometimes knowing how to start is almost as difficult as knowing how to finish. But, alas, I know how this must finish. It is telling you that will break my heart.

I have loved. Do not forsake me that. I have known and understood and cared and sacrificed. I can't say that I have only thought of others, yet you were always considered before myself. I couldn't bear being apart from you, but knowing that you might feel as I did- and as I do- offered a painful safety. I could sit in comfort and imagine as far as my mind would go, and never know if any of my imaginings were possible or not because you were far away. I ached to see you, but I was safe from the chance of your indifference. I was a coward, and I can never tell you how sorry I am.

And time has given me a second chance to see you! I can think of you, and the Ring, only. Now I see the look in your eyes when you gaze at me, and I begin to understand. You see me differently than you did before. Maybe you loved me then, but not anymore, and so I here is the reality. You have a quest which you are burdened with, and it has changed your life. You gave up- so much! For the sake of the quest, you gave up a love which would have willingly given himself to you. You are not coming with us.

You, Sarah, you have made me realize what I must do! I love you, but I must give you up. And yet, here is the beauty in my loss- I can save you! We know about the Phenilring and everything connected with it. I cannot let you bear the kind of weight that I bear, and so I take it for you. When you read this, we will be far gone. Please do not follow- the Fellowship will carry the Phenilring as well as the One Ring. I know that Lord Elrond has made you sleep because of your mounting burdens, so perhaps as you awaken we will be far away, and my pain will be great. But so will my joy, because you are free from this! I give up my love for you, and my longing to be near you, so that you can be free. Please forgive me. Farewell, and be in peace.

Frodo

***

A hand flew to her mouth, covering a gasp and holding back horrified exclamation. Her eyes searched the letter over and over again, seeing and yet not seeing.

After a moment, she whispered, "Frodo- how could you?"

But she looked at her hand, and the Phenilring truly was gone.



~~~The plot goes ever, ever on. Review, please!!!!