[Nogrod]

*~*

The Ring had seemed to grow larger as it lay for a moment on Tom's big brown-skinned hand. He had looked back at Gildor asking with his eyes whether he really thought his decision was the one he wished to make. And Gildor had nodded. "It all began that one fine day when you rode through my lands and told about this hobbit Frodo and his flight. And here we are." Tom bowed slowly to the elf-lord and then slipped the Ring into his pocket.

*~*

"Lórien!"

It was interesting to see the faces of the small fellowship getting the elven kingdom within their sights. Three of them looked joyful and relaxed after all the horrors they had endured while the other three were looking nervously around clearly thinking whether they had been led yet again to face another grim ordeal.

"Cheer up Dain, Uglùk and Théodred! That's beauty and life, Arda in it's most enchanting robes you'll ever see her dressed! And remember, even if our road has been hard and too many good people have lost their lives we're still fulfilling the mission the council gave us. There's but one traitor left and our seer is alive. And we still have this..."

Tom took the Ring out from his pocket and put it in to his eye and laughed. Then he put the Ring round the end of his little finger and held it up to the sunlight. Then he just spun the Ring in the air - and it vanished with a flash.

The others looked at the odd play somewhat nervously and finally Tom realised he had been watched at and that the situation was a bit awkward.

"Oh, sorry. No harm done, it's here..." He opened his palm and showed them the Ring was still with him.