Sméagol: Hero of the Third Age

[Hot, crispy nice hobbit]

One thing that struck me just now, was that Gullom swore by the One Ring (his precioussss) never to let Sauron have it. If Gollum had sworn by Illuvator like Feanor and his sons, I suppose Illuvator would have stepped in eventually to set things right. Obviously, Gollum was counting on the possession of the Ring to sidestep his oath. It had been in his mind ever since his oath, to take the Ring and yet fulfill his oath.

'But the Precious holds the promise,' the voice of Smeagol objected.

'Then take it,' said the other, 'and let's hold it ourselfs! Then we shall be master, gollum! Make the other hobbit, the nasty suspicious hobbit, make him crawl, yes, gollum!'

Once Gollum possessed the Ring again, he might have nulled his oath since he is serving himself. What might come next would be unavoidable: i.e. Sauron taking the Ring back from him, but while Gollum is still the Master of the Ring, he would be under no obligation to fulfill his oath.