Bravo, Child of the 7th age! In fact these books turn on a point about morality that is extrememly sophisticated. It's not the big, dramatic moment of trial at the end of the quest that saves the world, in fact the hero falters at that point, because, as you say, it's neither humanly nor hobbit-ly possible to be perfect. However, at that point, the pattern of characters and events which must (with Eru's grace) save the world have already been determined by the smaller, less dramatic, less cinematic acts of kindness, determination and wisdom that the heros have already delivered along the way. Bilbo's and Frodo's acts of mercy, Sam's steadfast love and courage, Frodo's endurance to get them all to the right place with the right configuration of characters. I think Tolkien may have been trying to convey the importance of the preceeding actions by having Frodo foretell, twice, Gollum's ultimate fate, which also destroys the ring. It almost could be a curse, delivered as it is with the power of command that the ring holds, 'if you touch me ever again you shall be cast into the fire yourself.' I don't think that is a curse, because I don't think it's delivered with malice, but I do think Frodo is very close to the creator when he says those words. And I do think the game was won by the journey and not in a big moment at the last second.
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