We crawled back into camp. The masters weren’t up yet, though they would be soon. This was the only time we had to reflect, the only time we had to think.

If we help the masters, they’ll reward us, they’ll give us the precious back!

Do you really believe that, my precious? They are tricksy hobbitses!

No, but they will my precious! They must! It’s our only hope, it is!

They will not! We must take it from them, my precious! We must attack them!

But they have swords! We can’t do it! We- we won’t do it!

Hollum! We hated these coughing fits. They hurt us.

They have you as their pet! We have to take the presious!

No. I know what you’re thinking, my precious! We won’t, we won’t take them to her!

You must do what I say!

No! Leave now and never come back!

Never.

Leave now and never come back!

You need us!

LEAVE NOW AND NEVER COME BACK!

I heard the crickets chirp. I was free.