What if Gollum had lived?

[Puddleglum]

Originally Posted by Moonraker

to what fate would Gandalf have sentenced Gollum to? ... I am assuming Gollum would have committed suicide once he saw the Ring was gone, but still, you just never know.

He wouldn't have sentenced him to anything, he was not and didn't see himself as Judge. He would have governed himself by the same counsel he gave to his friends - mercy and pity.

"Deserves death? I daresay he does. Many that live deserve death, and some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too hasty to deal out death in judgement fearing for your own safety. Not even the Wise can see all ends."

and

"I have not much hope that Gollum can be cured ere he dies, but there is a chance of it."

Remember that it is said of Gandalf/Olorin "He dwelt in Lorien [the dwelling of Irmo, master of visions, in Aman, not the forest near Moria] but his ways took him often to the house of Nienna, and of her he learned pity and patience."

Pity and patience would have ruled Gandalf's dealings with Gollum had he, somehow, survived the destruction of the Ring.