I came home one fateful evening to find a small package on the table with my name on it. I sat there wondering what amazing thing would be in it, I wondered for awhile, thinking about life and the joy of giving gifts. When I finally opened it, oh the glory, I could never have imagined the epic knife that was only the first of two perfect gifts from my Santa. A multicolored butterfly knife, the wonder at the craftsmanship and the joy of learning a new type of blade.

Later that week as I was returning home from a graveyard shift, tired out of my mind and driving home, I stopped to check the mail. There was a small bag in it, addressed to me, I hopped back in my car out of the rain and opened it. As the ring slid out I heard Gandalfs voice warning me about its power, I could feel the allure of my precious. As I slid the ring onto my finger I remembered the adventures that Tolkien took me on as young boy, the excitement of watching the first movie when it was released. Finally I heard the words

"Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky, Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone,

Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die,

One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne

In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.

One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,

One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them

In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie."

For this was the One Ring to rule them all, this was the Ring of the dark lord. This was... My ring.