Sam urges his master to destroy the Ring, but he doesn’t realize that its corruption is stronger than he knows. A drabble from Frodo’s POV. Appx. 118 words, so a little over a drabble.

“Just let it go!”

You speak as if it is a trivial thing to be cast away. As if this is some evil token that is capable of nothing good.

But how can something evil be so beautiful? How can something so lovely be carelessly thrown aside? How can I destroy something so precious?

For this is precious to me. I’ve carried it through mountain, dell, sun, shadow and now finally to the fire. As I gaze intently at this thing, I realize I cannot give it up. I cannot do what I came to do. This thing is mine—it has become part of me.

It is not so easy to give up part of your soul.

The new Guard of the Citadel contemplates the coming war as he examines his new uniform. A drabble and a half (is that the right term? lol) from Pippin’s POV.

The blade is sharp, glinting somewhat ominously in the dim evening light. The fine livery arranged on the bed is strange attire such as I’ve never seen before. The short sword, a coat of mail, a helmet. I pick this up now, examining the strange beauty of a thing built for war. It was made for one who knows how to fight.

I glance at my reflection in the helmet. Somber green eyes stare back at me, large and frightened as I think of what is to come. I cannot fight.

Overcome by a sudden fear, I drop the helmet back onto the bed and join Gandalf on the balcony. Though he puts his arm around me, I am not comforted as I watch the gathering darkness. There will come a day without dawn. The war will begin on that day, Gandalf says. I think about this and I am afraid.

 This hobbit was not built for war.