A/N: Ok, this is kinda a little PWP....kinda a take on MY perception of the ring and what it 
truly could do. Um, kinda original, at least I think. Please enjoy and don't flame....well, 
you can if you wanna.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters...except the human persona of the ring.

"Whispers in the Dark"
By: Angel Grrl

	Night had fallen across Middle Earth, and the two hobbits slept under the cover of an 
over-hanging willow tree. The fire that had been used to cook sausages was barely a pile of 
embers and ash by now, and a light breeze was sifting the smoke towards the mountains in the 
distance. All of Middle Earth was asleep, all except one very small person. It was funny, 
Frodo had mused on many occasions, that his only time of peace was then, when the evil beings 
of the night were aware. And aware they were indeed. 
	However, he did not think on this and rather found peace in the stars that danced across 
the night sky and the gentle wind that rustled the leaves and stirred his hair. He was a very 
plain and very ordinary Hobbit, well, actually not quite THAT ordinary. He was a Baggins and 
the Bagginses, as of late, had become very adventurous. Same was true of his uncle, Bilbo, 
who long ago, had started unrolling the ball of yarn that was Frodo's quest. 
	It had all started with a ring, rather ordinary to look at, but deep down, at its very 
black core, it was alive. And because such things are not to be trusted and because this 
particular ring embodied the very essence of Sauron, the enemy of all Middle Earth, it was 
to be destroyed in the fires of Mount Doom. However, the ring had another plan. 
	Frodo knew none of this and was content to simply dream and relax. Taking a deep breath 
and turning onto his side, Frodo sank into sleep. 

------

*THE DREAM*

------

	Frodo found himself in the woods of Lothlorien once more. In front of him stood 
Galadriel's mirror, full and still, waiting for he that dared to look into it. The trees of 
silver shined and tinkled like bells with the wind. The ancient stone steps looking worn and 
grey ever still, and yet the lady was nowhere in sight. Questions turned themselves over in 
Frodo's head.
	How had he come here? Why was he here? 
	A rustling behind him, startled him out of his thoughts and his eyes beheld...a woman. 
Not Galadriel, not an elf, not even a human woman. Whatever she was, she was female. 
	She was tall and striking, her hair was a midnight black and was graced with a circle of 
silver and moonlight. She carried an aura of power, pure and untainted. However, her eyes were 
a solid gold, not warm and soft, but hard and shining. Beautiful she was, but fear she 
emanated from every pore. And Frodo was afraid.
	She moved closer to him, and at every step she took, Frodo took one back. After playing 
the cat and mouse game far too long, she stopped in front of him. Her eyes studying him and 
her expression was that of disbelief and almost disgust. 
	
	"Frodo Baggins?" she sounded.
	"Y-Yes..."

	She moved so quickly and so suddenly that Frodo had not seen her move, and yet she had 
thrown herself into a bow at his feet. Her hands outstretched and fingers lying just inches 
from Frodo's toes. 

	"Master..." she cooed.
	"What?"
	"YOU are my master, Frodo," she said looking up at him.

	He seemed confused, and rightly so. 
	
	"I'm--I'm not sure I understand you,"
	"There is nothing to understand. YOU are my master. You are the ring-bearer and you 
decide my fate, therefore I must do as you bid,"
	"How do you know about the ring? And please do stand up!"

	Standing regally once more, she looked down at the tiny man and smiled at him. 

	"I know about the ring, because the ring and I are one. I am its very essence. I AM the 
ring and it is I,"
	"But-but you-- you can't be the ring,"
	"I am, little master. I am the ring that you wear around your neck. I am the very ring 
that Gollum called 'Precious' for over two thousand years. And I am the very ring that shall 
be cast into the fires of Mount Doom, because my master wishes it so,"
	"If you are the ring, then why do you appear before me NOW, just when I am at the end of 
my journeys?" he asked in disbelief.
	
	Smiling, she answered.

	"Because I have come to warn you,"
	"Warn me? Of what?"

	She moved to one side and revealed to Frodo the sleeping figure behind her. It was 
Samwise, sleeping and oblivious to everything that was happening. Frodo glared at the woman in 
front of him.

	"Sam? Why do you need to warn me about Sam? Is something going to happen to him?"
	"No, dear master. Nothing is going to happen to him, because he will become victorious 
with my help,"
	"Victorious with your help?" he asked laughing,"No one is going to be victorious with 
your help, because you are to be destroyed."
	"I will not be destroyed, master. I have seen into Sam's heart and I see that he will 
use me for his own ambitions and murder anyone in his way,"
	"No...you're lying," he cried.
	"I only speak the truth sir, and the truth is what I have spoken. Samwise will betray 
you and you shall die. He shall ask to lighten your load for you. That the ring is much to 
heavy for you and you should have a rest. Do you honestly think that once he has the ring, 
he will give it back?"
	"Stop it!" he said, covering his ears.
	"He will be yours and Middle Earth's downfall,"
	"You lie!"
	"I cannot lie to my master!"
	"I am NOT your master! YOUR master is Sauron! You serve NO ONE else but your own 
ambitions,"
	"But master--"
	"SPEAK NOT THAT WORD AGAIN! You will be taken into Mount Doom and you shall be cast 
into the pit of Hell from whence you came!"

	She seemed taken aback at this. Her face even seemed crestfallen, and tears brimmed at 
her eyes. A single golden tear fell upon the ground and landed at Frodo's feet. 

	"Very well, you have made your decision. I understand why you choose to do so and I pray 
that you succeed,"
	"Why should you pray I succeed? You're only hoping that I stumble along my journey and 
you can once more be on the hand of Sauron,"
	"I pray you succeed, sir, because you are more powerful than Sauron ever could be,"
	"More powerful? I'm a hobbit!"
	"What does that matter? You have a warrior's spirit and you have great power. Together 
we could defeat the forces of Mordor, and save Middle Earth forever,"
	"Defeat Mordor? You would turn on your own master?"
	"If I was with you, we would be more powerful than Sauron ever could be. OUR power would 
rival Gandalf's. We could save Middle Earth, you and me,"

	The woods became deathly silent. The only sound Frodo could hear was his own heart 
beating and Sam's steady breathing. The figure in front of him made not one sound. Almost like 
a trickle of water in the air, Frodo began to chuckle...then laugh. Finally, he doubled over 
and laughed till he cried.

	"Sir?"
	"You are very cunning indeed. I almost believed you to be sincere,"

	She stepped back from him and Frodo could see a pane of light stretch across her face. 
Dawn was near and his journey would continue soon.

	"Heed my words, sir. For they are the truth,"

-------

	Frodo awoke to the smell of sausages and eggs. Opening his eyes, he saw Samwise hunched 
over a fire and very carefully turning sausage. He must have heard his master stir, for he 
greeted him with a huge smile.

	"Good morning Mr. Frodo. Have a good sleep?"
	"Actually Sam, no. I had the most awful--"
	"I made breakfast!"

	Frodo smiled at that. That was Samwise. Thinking of breakfast and Frodo's welfare first. 
The ring had been wrong. Samwise would not betray Frodo. Sam was pure and good of heart and 
would never hurt him. Finishing their breakfast in record time, the two began to pack up for 
the road to Mount Doom once more. Frodo had a little bit more trouble with his pack as his 
wound from the Naz Gul was beginning to slow him down. He fell heavily onto his pack, and 
looked very much like an upside down turtle. Samwise offered him a friendly hand up and Frodo 
took it.

	"Mr. Frodo?"
	"Yes Samwise?" he said, while dusting himself off.
	"Would you like me to hold the ring for you for awhile? I know what a heavy burden it 
is, and I do not want you to stress yourself so,"

	Frodo stared at Sam in disbelief and wonder as the ring's words came back to him in a 
flash and for the first time, doubt was in his heart.

	"Mr. Frodo?"
	"What? Uh, no, Sam, that's all right. I would not want to wish this burden on you. I 
shall be fine,"	
	"Very well, Mr. Frodo. Whatever you think is best,"

	And with that, the two started once more on their journey.

------
	Yes, Frodo had said the ring was cunning. And it was. Very cunning and very wise. It 
knew when to abandon its bearers and when to seduce them. It knew how to move from hand to 
hand, always moving one step closer to its rightful Master. It was not going to let this slip 
of a Hobbit destroy all that. No! It was power and it was alive, and it was plotting. Yes, 
even though it was hanging loosely on the chain around Frodo's neck, it was plotting, and 
scheming. Figuring out ways to stay alive and out of harm's way. And all the while, whispering 
in Frodo's ears, of betrayal and of great power. 




A/N: HOW BAD DOES IT SUCK??? FLAME ME OR REVIEW ME! I don't care! It's a one-shot....and it's 
my first LOTR. Just my idea. toodles