"I should like to save the Shire, if I could - though there have been times when I thought the inhabitants too stupid and dull for words, and have felt that an earthquake or an invasion of dragons might be good for them. But I don't feel like that now. I feel that as long as the Shire lies behind, safe and comfortable, I shall find wandering more bearable: I shall know that somewhere there is a firm foothold, even if my feet cannot stand there again."

carrying the world around his neck

"I see no hope of it now. But I've got to do the best I can."

• ☣: What has been your most difficult challenge to face or overcome during your stay?

^{“The loss of something invaluable to me, though I hate it. Nothing more to say of it than that.”}

^{All he knew was that while his health fared a little better, he was constantly reminded of the Ring. To retrieve it would be for his little shred of improved health to shatter, but better in his hands than in the scientists!} 

^{..And the fact that a part of him that was /not/ him wanted it for his own.}