Work Text
"Bless us and splash us, my precious, that's a big fish, so it isss!" There was a shadow above the water, a small, swift-moving boat blocking out even the dim light that filtered into the cave.Here, down in the depths of a pond under the Misty Mountains, dwelt Ol' Bubbles, granddaddy of all the quick little flittering fish higher up in the pond, darting out of the shadow of the boat, to and fro. Ol' Bubbles did not dart to and fro. He was too grand (and too old) for that. He stayed down, about six feet down, and fed on all the little bits of good stuff that drifted downward.There was a sudden cry from above and a loud splash. The creature within the boat (a terrifying air-breathing monster), had lost its footing and tumbled in. It frothed about, churning up the water.Ol' Bubbles looked up. Drifting downward to him, lost from the creature's hand, was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen: a golden circle, shining bright like itself was a source of light. Ol' Bubbles stared for a brief moment, contemplating, then snapped upwards, snatching the brilliant golden thing and swallowing it straight down.Oh! Inside him, the golden thing was whispering, communicating into his mind visions of what he could be. Not just a big fish in a small pond, but a big fish in a big pond, the biggest fish in the Great Sea! He would feed on the finest plants, have all the little guppies swim to his cause, have plenty of nice places to hide, the freshest water from springs beneath the earth, cool and clear. He would dwell in peace and safety. All he had to do was slip away, dive over the waterfall that divided his pond from the rest of the downward-rushing stream, and be off, south and east toward the Great Sea through splashing mountain streams and slow-flowing rivers. All he had to do was....He leaped from the water, heading over the waterfall. It was a great effort, the greatest of his whole slow and soft life so far. The golden thing inside him -- the Ring, he now knew -- was speaking to him in a voice that could not be denied.A hand caught him, grabbing him out of the air in the midst of his leap."Fiiissssh! So juicy-sweet!" a voice chanted, and Ol' Bubbles knew no more.