The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post - These Three Things I Lost: 80 Years, my Desire and One Ring

CSteefel · 10-01-2008, 07:43 PM

Not quite sure what you mean with all your dates. Gollum was captured by Sauron in the period 3009-3017 and was released in 3017. On his way back, he was captured in turn by Aragorn, who delivered him to the Elves. So he had no time after his capture by Sauron to do anything.

Earlier it is stated in The Tale of Years that Gollum made his way to the confines of Mordor about 2980 where he made the acquaintance of Shelob, but there is no mention of capture at this point. So it did take him 36 years to make it to Mordor, and even 4 years to make it out of the Misty Mountains. And then after his first visit to Mordor in 2980, another 30 at least to make it back there, presumably called or drawn by Sauron.

Given his aversion to Sauron and also the Nazgul, it isn't entirely clear why Gollum would have gone to Mordor, unless drawn by the idea that the Ring was there.

Also, it is stated in The Hunt for the Ring in the Unfinished Tales that it was 3017 when Gollum was captured by Sauron, so Sauron knew nothing of this before then. And it is stated that Gollum led Sauron to believe that he thought that the Halflings lived somewhere near the Gladden Fields and initially the Nazgul were sent to search in this region. Only after they returned, close to midsummer, were they sent to question Saruman. From Saruman and Wormtongue they found out the location of the Shire.

10-01-2008, 07:43 PM	#2
CSteefel Wight Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 204	Not quite sure what you mean with all your dates. Gollum was captured by Sauron in the period 3009-3017 and was released in 3017. On his way back, he was captured in turn by Aragorn, who delivered him to the Elves. So he had no time after his capture by Sauron to do anything. Earlier it is stated in The Tale of Years that Gollum made his way to the confines of Mordor about 2980 where he made the acquaintance of Shelob, but there is no mention of capture at this point. So it did take him 36 years to make it to Mordor, and even 4 years to make it out of the Misty Mountains. And then after his first visit to Mordor in 2980, another 30 at least to make it back there, presumably called or drawn by Sauron. Given his aversion to Sauron and also the Nazgul, it isn't entirely clear why Gollum would have gone to Mordor, unless drawn by the idea that the Ring was there. Also, it is stated in The Hunt for the Ring in the Unfinished Tales that it was 3017 when Gollum was captured by Sauron, so Sauron knew nothing of this before then. And it is stated that Gollum led Sauron to believe that he thought that the Halflings lived somewhere near the Gladden Fields and initially the Nazgul were sent to search in this region. Only after they returned, close to midsummer, were they sent to question Saruman. From Saruman and Wormtongue they found out the location of the Shire. __________________ `These are indeed strange days,' he muttered. `Dreams and legends spring to life out of the grass.' Last edited by CSteefel; 10-01-2008 at 08:02 PM.