*Frodo Baggins...*

That voice. So sensual, and yet a feeling of dread with it. He opened his eyes. The dark was all around him.

*Claim me for your own...*

‘I can’t do that. You belong in the depth of Mordor.’

*Who says? That old wizard, Gandalf? The elves who proclaim I am evil? Don’t listen to them.*

Frodo fingered the Ring hanging from his neck. The weight of it grew heavier as he sat there in the thick, damp air of the darkness. He could hear Sam’s stogy breathing indicating the Gamgee was sound asleep.

*Frodo...*

He tried to ignore IT’S voice as he still fingered the Ring in annoyance.

*It’s so easy to slip me on. Then I can be yours forever.*

‘No, you won’t. I know you yearn for your Master, not me.’

*Lies! They’re all lies! Never heed the words of anyone but mine! I want you as much as you want me!*

‘NO!’ Frodo dropped the Ring, making it fall hard on his chest.

His word echoed through the caverns. Then, an eerie silence came about leaving Frodo to his thoughts of the Ring’s constant seduction flowing in his mind. He shivered, feeling his skin crawl at the nastiness.

‘Mr. Frodo?’

*Claim me...*

There it was again.

‘No, I hate you.’

*You love me.*

‘I don’t love you! Leave me alone!*

A hand grasped Frodo’s shoulder. He jumped, knocking away whatever had touched him.

‘Mr. Frodo!’

He froze as reality resurfaced. He groped the darkness to find Sam’s shoulder. He laid hands on Sam, and held on for dear life.

‘Are you all right? Is something out there?’ Sam was confused.

‘Nothing is out there. I am all right. The weight of this journey is heavy on my mind.’

Sam took the answer even though the words of his master did not convince him that Frodo was all right. They sat in silent brooding, holding onto to one another. After a while, they broke apart. Frodo repeating to himself that he had to complete this mission; Sam pondering the one-sided conversation he heard early from Frodo.

‘Sam.’

‘Yes, Mr. Frodo?’

‘May I ask of you to take on a burden?’

‘I can’t imagine what other burden I haven’t already taken on with you.’

‘The Ring, Sam, it calls to me...all the time. I can barely silence it’s seductive voice in my head. Sometimes I feel I cannot resist it anymore. I hate it, but I want it at the same time.’

‘What is it you want from me? I cannot stop the voice for you though I’d walk through blazing fire of ash if it would stop the voice from attacking you.’

‘I know you would, Sam, but I have a bigger task for you. If I fall into the temptation of the Ring, slay me.’

‘Mr. Frodo, I CANNOT do that! There has to be another way!’

‘There will be no other way! I will try to steal myself as long as possible, but I fear I will go insane because of it! Take the Ring and destroy it if I surrender to it’s power. For I know I am poisoned to the point of no remission. We are so close to the end. Do you promise me you will do this for me if my fate comes to that?’

Sam sat without a sound making Frodo wondering if he were still there. He reached out to find Sam in front of him.

‘It is what you ask of me, I will do it. I will destroy the Ring, but to slay you...only if you ask of me when the time comes.’

‘Thank you, Samwise Gamgee.’

The harsh darkness had started to break with dim light of day. They packed they’re baggage, not speaking a word to one another, and started off to Mount Doom once again.