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She died with the one ring; this girl,

her hazel eyes flicking, black and white soaking her retinas,

meaningless symbols that told a tale. 

Miles, ages, universes away, she couldn’t breathe.  The pages

thinning in her hands…what would happen when they stopped?

She didn’t know. 

Temptation…put it away, throw it away, never learn.  But…

she had read too much courage between the bindings for that,

too much love, honor, sacrifice. 

And so it happened—Sam spoke his final words and there was only whiteness.

Come back, she whispered, weeping. How could it end in tears? 

Come back…How could they be parted and live?  Three cannot become four.  Eight cannot become nine. 

Come back my heroes.  Oh, return my beloved friends from the mist…

There are no more heroes now.  No quests, no journeys, no adventure to be had. 

I died with the one ring. 

And I was glad.