The One Ring

My dear Sauron,

Remember that One Ring you made thousands of years ago? After Isildur failed to destroy it, the wizard Gandalf, one of the Istari, would call on a little hobbit named Bilbo to go on an adventure in the Lonely Mountain to reclaim it from the dragon Smaug. And indeed he did, albeit reluctantly at first, and found the One Ring when he encounters Gollum, who kept referring it to his “precious,” though Bilbo would not know that at the time. It would be seen as a ‘magic ring,’ and he would keep it in his pocket while going about his daily tasks. It wouldn’t be until long after he arrives home he would recognize the Ring for what it is, though it was mainly what it could do for him.

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This time, Bilbo’s younger cousin (whom he endearingly calls his nephew due to their 78 year age difference), Frodo, would be called upon by Gandalf to take your Ring to Mordor. He adopted him a number of years ago, when poor Frodo lost both his parents in a boating accident. By then, Bilbo would already have had the Ring for 60 years, and would mainly see it as a ‘magic ring.’ He went to his 111th birthday party with it, and used it to disappear as his final joke! Bilbo was just having his fun, until the cruel wizard Gandalf decided to show up at Bilbo’s home and tell him to give it up for his Frodo just because he was 78 years younger, like a son of sorts.

Bilbo was already used to the Ring. He didn’t want to give it up. But Gandalf would already have Frodo’s plans in mind. Frodo was going to do what he could, try to find a way to Mordor, and go as far as his strength of mind and body allowed. This strength would be given to him by Eru Ilúvatar, typically referred to as “the One” in the Third Age. First, Bilbo was going to Rivendell, then at Rivendell, there will be a Council led by the host, Elrond, who would decide along with Gandalf who would take the Ring to Mordor, and it is up to us to stop him from his tracks.

Bilbo would see Frodo for a few moments and the Ring draped around his neck. “‘Have you got it here?’ he asked in a whisper. ‘I can’t help feeling curious, you know, after all I’ve heard. I should very much like just to peep at it again.’” (FOTR, “Many Meetings”)

Poor Bilbo would be left alone to his own devices, except for the brief few days when he meets Frodo and the fellowship. He needs the ring to fulfill his desires when his “son” is out fulfilling quests! “I feel thin, sort of stretched,” he would say earlier on, “like butter spread over too much bread.” But little would he know, he would get bored. Bilbo would be longing for the Ring even years later when Frodo will be on his way to Mordor with his fellowship of nine surrounding him. We must stop him from his tracks!!! We must stop Frodo from taking the Ring to Mordor.

It is your job to remind Bilbo to keep the Ring. Remind him of all its benefits. It allows him to be invisible and crack jokes the way he did at his 111th birthday party. Speaking of which, it allowed him to live to be at least 111! Hobbits typically live to be about 100 or so. And Gollum, who possessed it before Bilbo, is in his 500s now. Bilbo has enjoyed it for 60 years, and the Ring will unfortunately be taken from him by Gandalf., a member of the Istari, to be given to Frodo. And should the Ring land on Frodo’s hands, make sure Frodo knows where it came from. And should Frodo be brave enough to stand on top of the pits of Mordor, make sure he says: “I have come. But I do not choose now to do what I set out to do. I will not do this deed. The Ring is mine!”, puts on the Ring, and vanishes.

Oh well, at least we’ll increase their lifespans.

Your trusted comrade,

Melkor Morgoth