A/N I still don't own The Lord of the Rings or Sméagol. (Oh yes, I just bought the rights to it last night!) Yes, I did change the story a little bit, so if people don't like that...I can't really help it.

Shunned

After the meeting on the river, Sméagol started; as the old people said: "going down hill". His voice changed into a scratchy, almost "slimy" tone as some said. He wandered about by himself. He slurred his words. Words like "hobbits" turned out "hobbitsssssssssssssss". He ignored his grandmother's warnings and drifted back and forth from the river. Worst of all, he shunned his friends.

"That Sméagol." they said. "He's always sneaking around, learning things he has no right to learn. What's gotten into him?"

After a few months, Pearl noticed that her friend was outside less and less during the light of day. Sméagol slept during most of the afternoon, and at dusk went out to fish and eat. Pearl worried about this, as Sméagol had been the most sun-loving river-folk of all.

"Sméagol," she asked one day. "Why didn't you come to the river dance? There was lots of food, and dancing. And...I...I missed you."

"Sméagol was fishing. Yes....fishing in river. Tassty fissshh."

"So you cared more about fish than about being with your friends? What's up with that?"

"Sméagol had to fish! Must eat my precious. Must feed ourselves, yesss."

"If you don't tell me what is wrong with you Sméagol, I'll never speak to you again!" Pearl cried in frustration.

"I...I found something. On my birthday. It...it..is shiny and pretty. We must keep it. We loves it, yes we does. Our...our..precioussss."

"What? What did you find?"

"A...a ring. Yesssssss...a ring. Our ring. No one else's!" His voice rose. "It's ours! It's mine! My own! No one can take it from me! No!"

"No worries Sméagol. I won't steal it! May I just have a peek at it? It sounds wonderful."

"Yes...perhaps it would be best to show you. Very special it is to me. Very, very special. Mustn't lose it, no. I will show you."

Sméagol reached his hand into his pocket. Something seemed to hold him from taking it out again. A great struggle was seen in his eyes. Something Pearl had seen on the day of Deagol's death. But some inner will conquered his unwillingness and Sméagol drew forth his prize.

It was indeed a ring. A ring that seemed more beautiful than life itself. Plain was it's face, but a light seems to glow from it. The instant pearl laid eyes on it, she coveted Sméagol's prize. She reached for it...then the spell was drawn away as Sméagol cried out in a loud voice, and withdrew the ring.

"No! You mustn't touch it! It's mine! Mine! MINE!" he screamed.

"Alright...I'm sorry. It was just so...beautiful! I won't do it again." Pearl apologetically said. She was feeling a bit guilty. "Really Sméagol, I won't take it.

"You mustn't tell! No! No telling!" He said.

"No. No, I won't tell. Never."

"Sméagol must go now. Goodbye." He ran off into the dark woods. Pearl was left staring after.

A/N: What do you guys think? PLEASE review! Once I get THREE reviews, then I'll add another chapter!