His early reluctance to risk harm to the ring kind-of makes me wonder how "they" thought he would be able to throw it into the fire after bearing it so close to him and so far... However Gandalf was the only witness to this.
"I will help you bear this burden, as long as it is yours to bear."
Who's jumping ahead now? Hmmmm? Off to Took's Corner with you! Have a chicken wing.
You think I am jumping ahead with my thinly veiled hints? - Wait till you hear Penny... hehehehe