Assorted drabbles

Sam, eavesdropping on the Council of Elrond, overhears Frodo volunteer to take the Ring to Mordor.
*****

The noon bell sang through the air, breaking the waterfalls' music, and still they talked on. Now, I'm no fool, and I like tales more than most, but there's a time for stories and there's a time for action.

And we all knew this was a time for action.

Who would go? Aye, that's why they'd been talking all morning. And still they asked. Elves, dwarves, that one man -- and Bilbo, volunteering to go all on his own? That's foolishness; he's too old.

"I shall take the ring."

On your feet, Sam-lad! "Not alone," I declare. "Not without me."