"The Debt"

[shirebound.livejournal.com]

I don't write many double-drabbles, but this bunny just came nibbling and demanded attention.

Title: The Debt
Author: Shirebound
Word Count: 200
Genre: FP
Source text: ROTK book-canon
Rating: G
Summary: Someone ponders the road not taken




It was my place – not his – to take the Ring to Mordor. My ancestor, Lúthien, descended to the very depths of Angband and charmed Morgoth into sleep. She and Beren cut the Silmaril from his crown. Their blood is my blood. Could I not have dared the same as they? Are my love and courage any less? Morgoth was gone, but Sauron remained; yet his power was diminished, poured into the Ring. Surely, bearing it, I could have overborne him as Lúthien did to Morgoth, and seen the Ring to its destruction.

But before I realized that it was I who should have stood forth at the Council and claimed this task, Frodo was gone -- fled into the Dark Lands with no power to prevail save the resilience of his race, and the love of a servant. And so he paid the terrible price that should have been mine.

He took my place, although my beloved does not agree. And so I now offer my place in return; it is all I have to give, in poor payment of my debt.

“But in my stead you shall go, Ring-bearer, when the time comes, and if you then desire it.”