What if Gollum had lived?
Once the One Ring was destroyed in the Cracks of Mount Doom, if we imagine that Gollum did somehow survive and was brought to safety (either by himself or though the help of the eagles), to what fate would Gandalf have sentenced Gollum to? Is it conceivable that Gollum would be allowed to live freely but under the watchful guard of the Wood Elves again? Or even a guest further down the line at Bag End? Could Gollum have been ordered to be sent over the sea at the end with Frodo & Company, given that Gollum was also a Ring Bearer? I am assuming Gollum would have committed suicide once he saw the Ring was gone, but still, you just never know.
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