The ring was old and looked like it had seen some things. But it was obvious that Joss valued it for more than its intended purpose. "If it has such meaning to you, why should you remove it?" he asked. "People hold onto items all the time that have outlived their function. There is no harm to you as you are now, I trust?"

He smiled tightly. "Well, that would account for why I have never met one before coming here. Whether my world has any or not, I could not say, but they would not be able to stand in my presence without a ring like yours. And if they were evil, unlike you, they would flee my presence regardless."

He thought about it for a moment longer. "Actually, perhaps the Ringwraiths are the closest things we'd have. And they do not like me one bit."

"Do you need help applying the sunscreen? It can be tricky to get the middle of your back, or so I've been told."