Frodo
All right, all right. Just a minute. [answers the door] Gandalf!
Gandalf
Greetings, Frodo.
Frodo
Gandalf, it's really you! Oh, its been so long.
Gandalf
Seventeen years, since Bilbo left. You look the same as ever, Frodo.
Frodo
You look older, Gandalf.
Gandalf
I've been on a long journey.
Frodo
It's the ring, isn't it? Bilbo's funny magic ring? You always use to look like that when you talked about it.
Gandalf
Bilbo's funny ring? Makes you invisible? Give it to me, Frodo.
Frodo
Give you the ring?
Gandalf
For a moment only. [Frodo hands him the Ring] Can you see any markings on it?
Frodo
There are none. Its quite a plain ring, really.
Gandalf
Well then, look. [tosses the Ring in the fireplace; Frodo panics] Wait. Do you desire it so much already?
Frodo
No, but...but why ruin it?
Gandalf
Because it is altogether evil. It will corrupt and destroy anyone who wears it until he passes into the world of shadows under the power of Sauron, the Dark Lord of Mordor.
Frodo
Not Bilbo!
Gandalf
You are the one who has the Ring now. [hands the Ring back to Frodo]
Frodo
It's...it's not even warm.
Gandalf
No. Not even a dragon's fire can harm that Ring. Ash Nazg Durbatuluk. Ash Nazg Gimbatul. One Ring to rule them all. One Ring to find them. One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them!
Frodo
I wish it need not happen in my time.
Gandalf
So do I. The enemy still lacks one thing to give him strength and knowledge; to break all resistance and cover all the lands in darkness. He lacks the One Ring.
Frodo
But, but maybe he doesn't know that it was found.
Gandalf
He knows, Frodo. Gollum left his cave to follow the Ring himself and the Dark Lord caught him in Mordor. The Dark Lord knows what ring it was that Gollum found and how he lost it again. And he has heard of hobbits at last and of the Shire. And he even has a name to think about. The name of Baggins.
Frodo
Because of Gollum. Oh, Gandalf, what am I to do? What a pity that Bilbo didn't kill that vile creature when he had the chance!
Gandalf
Yes, it was pity. Pity and mercy. And now, Frodo, the decision lies with you. What will you do with the One Ring?
Frodo
I'll give it to you, Gandalf! You're wise and powerful. What, will you not...
Gandalf
No! Do not tempt me. I would wish to turn it to good and it cannot be used so. Meaning to be kind, I would become as terrible as the Dark Lord himself; do not tempt me! I shall have such need of strength so soon.
Frodo
Then, I suppose, I must take the Ring and guard it and I hope to go away somewhere alone. They won't...they won't bother the Shire if the Ring isn't here.
Gandalf
My dear Frodo, I'm afraid you are right. You'll have to go and leave the name of Baggins behind you. That name is no longer safe. Your new traveling name shall be...Mr. Underhill.
