Gollum

**Gollum** was the creature that was once **Sméagol** the stoor.

## History

### Early life

Sméagol was born among the river-folk during the Third Age into a family of stoors and became best friends with his cousin Déagol in his younger years. They enjoyed fishing and often would take a boat out on the rivers as a recreational activity.

### The One Ring

Sméagol and Déagol decided to fish in the Gladden river on Sméagol's birthday and Déagol was pulled from the boat into the water by a strong fish on his hook. Déagol discovered the One Ring on the riverbed, still there from when it dropped from the body of Isildur at the beginning of the age. Sméagol watched on in jealousy as Déagol examined the ring. He asked Déagol to give it to him because it was his birthday and he wanted it. When Déagol refused, they attacked each other in rage. Under the influence of the ring, Sméagol eventually managed to suffocate Déagol and take the ring for himself.

### Dark years

Sméagol was slowly corrupted by the ring more and more, calling it his "precious" and letting it drive him mad. He was most likely banished by his people and forced to live alone in the Misty Mountains. He discovered a cave under the High Pass with a lake and a small island which became his home.

Over the years, Goblins of the misty mountains would build Goblin-town above and around his cave and he would feed off any unlucky strays when there was a shortage of fish. He began to develop a split-personality disorder, Sméagol and Gollum, Gollum being his toxic personality and slave to the ring while Sméagol was his original personality still hanging on. By the time of the Quest for Erebor, Gollum was his dominant side, Sméagol being scared of him.

### Baggins

During their quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain, Thorin Oakenshield and his company passed over the High Pass and were captured by the Goblin-king and his minions. Bilbo Baggins managed to evade capture but was knocked down into Gollum's cave by a Goblin who also fell. Gollum heard them fall and got into his boat to investigate. After discovering the injured Goblin, he took it and killed it with a rock while Bilbo was watching. While Gollum was walking away from Bilbo, the One Ring "abandoned" him and fell to the ground in Bilbo's eyesight. Bilbo grabbed the ring as Gollum ate. When Gollum was finished with the Goblin he heard another sound and discovered Bilbo hiding in the shadows. When Gollum advanced, Bilbo pointed his new sword (later to be named *Sting*) at his throat and warned him that he will use it if necessary.

Gollum agreed to a game of riddles where Gollum would show Bilbo the way out of the cave if he lost but if he won he got to eat the Hobbit. After various riddles, Bilbo was trying to think of another riddle and suddenly remembered he had the ring in his pocket as he said "what have I got in my pocket" under his breath. Gollum, believing it to be Bilbo's riddle, complained that it was an unfair question but Bilbo stuck with it and gave him three guesses. Gollum guessed knife and then hands before saying string or nothing for his last guess although it was technically two. Suddenly Gollum realised the ring was gone and started frantically looking for his "precious" everywhere. He realised that Bilbo must have stolen it and attacked him. Bilbo ran and after being chased for a while, he tripped and fell on his back, the ring flying into the air and landing on his finger. Bilbo realised Gollum couldn't see him when he had the ring on and had an opportunity to slit his throat with his sword but he remembered the words of Gandalf who told him courage was not knowing when to take a life but when to spare one. He managed to get past Gollum and leave with Gandalf, Thorin and the others. Gollum sweared revenge on "Bagginses" for stealing his "precious" and would soon leave the Misty Mountains in search of his ring.

### Exploring Mordor

Gollum's search for the ring took him near Mordor and he thoroughly explored and memorised the lands. He was discovered Great spider Shelob and they began helping each other out. Gollum believed helping her would lead him to the ring eventually.

### War of the Ring

In order to try and keep the location of the One Ring a secret, Aragorn and Gandalf the Grey hunted Gollum but Sauron's forces got to him first and tortured him in Barad-dur where he revealed the words "Shire" and "Baggins". The Nazgûl left Minas Morgul with that information and headed straight towards the Shire. Gollum would eventually escape or be let free and also headed towards the Shire in search of the ring but got stuck in Moria.

### Encountering the Fellowship

The Fellowship of the Ring entered Moria on their quest to Mordor and Gollum found them and tracked them for a few days in the mines. Only Gandalf noticed him but knew he wouldn't approach due to being completely outnumbered.

### A new master

Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee broke off from the other members of the fellowship a few weeks later and Gollum had trailed them all the way to Emyn Muil where he followed them around, waiting for a chance to attack them and take the ring. Frodo and Sam realised he was following them and pretended to be asleep one night, capturing Gollum and putting Sam's elven rope around his neck. Gollum swore on the "precious" to help them and be their guide and Frodo agreed despite Sam's concerns. Frodo's kindness brought Sméagol out of his hole a little more than usual and he was often quite happy as he led them towards the Black Gate.

### The Black Gate

Gollum led them to the Black Gate as an army of Easterlings was entering. Sam saw the gate opening and took a step forward, the ground underneath him giving way, and he slid down the hillside. Frodo followed Sam and they managed to hide underneath a cloth that made them look like a rock. Gollum told them of another way to enter Mordor and agreed to lead them through Cirith Ungol.

### Faramir

Faramir, son of the steward of Gondor, captured Frodo and Sam and decided to take them and the ring to Gondor. While he was deciding what to do, Gollum entered the forbidden pool of Ithillien and Faramir showed the two Hobbits, asking whether they should shoot him. Frodo vouched for Gollum and some of Faramir's men went down and captured him. Faramir took the Hobbits and Gollum to Osgiliath but the ruined city was assaulted by the Witch King and his forces. In the chaos, Frodo almost gave the ring to the Witch King but Sam managed to save him. Faramir let them go as he prepared to defend Osgiliath.

### Betrayal

Gollum knew Sam was onto his plan to lead them into Shelob's cave at Cirith Ungol so as they passed Minas Morgul and began climbing the Endless Stair, he planted some Lembas bread crumbs on Sam before letting the actual bread fall off the cliff. When Frodo awoke, Gollum was able to frame Sam and Frodo told his fellow Hobbit to go home. Sam gave up and started back down the stair as Gollum continued up with Frodo. Gollum abandoned Frodo in the tunnels with Shelob. Frodo managed to cut himself free from the webs and encountered Gollum again in the hallway who attacked him and tried to take the ring from him. Frodo again had kindness on Gollum after overpowering him and let his guard down before Gollum leapt at him once again. Gollum was pushed down into a hole but he survived and began climbing back up.

### Mount Doom

Gollum was one step behind Frodo and Sam on their way to Mount Doom and finally caught up to them on the way up. He attacked them and threw rocks at them before being pushed off the edge. He made his way back up as Frodo and Sam entered the doorway and Frodo refused to let go of the ring and instead put it on. Gollum saw his opportunity and leapt on to the invisible figure of Frodo and

bit off his finger with the ring still on it. Gollum danced for joy, finally having the ring back after all these years but Frodo lunged at him and they both fell off the edge. While Frodo managed to clutch the edge of the the rocks, Gollum plunged down into the molten lava, still holding the ring. Gollum was killed in the lava and the ring was finally destroyed, bringing an end to Sauron's reign over Middle-earth.