The first ring

[bunn]

"Do you remember that first ring? Made for no great reason, but simply to see if it could be done? Simply to find out if the theory could be translated into cold metal and gems. The first time anyone took the power of mind, hand and eye, and caught it in a thing of metal and stone...

It was an arm-ring, that first ring, far too large and heavy to wear on a finger. In the beginning, the only way we could hold the power balanced within the ring was to set it with four gems and inscribe it with the key-spell inside and out. Remember how we had to set the gems apart, in case the wearer should be burned?

A clumsy thing by the standards of later days, but still, something to be proud of; this new made thing of Middle Earth. "




The real version looks better than this. Oh well!

Comments

[bunn.livejournal.com]

I'm thinking it was a physical form, eye-bags and all. That somehow seems like it makes more sense with him not being able to make another pretty one after the downfall of Numenor than if it was just an illusion.

Plus, the illusion idea seems rife with risk for someone who was hoping to take in not just Celebrimbor but Elrond, Galadriel and Gil-galad too, somehow.

[huinare.livejournal.com]

+1. I'm fond of the idea that physical forms required some commitment on the part of the Ainur, fatigue and all.