Originally posted by
William Cloud Hickli
Quote:
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I would rule out the search for Gollum- G. doesn't appear to have made it as far as Moria before Aragorn caught him, and T. writes that when G did enter Moria after his escape from Thranduil he got lost and trapped.
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William, do you believe this because Tolkien only ever mentioned Gollum entering Moria once? If so, then I agree, but I will attempt to show those who might believe because Tolkien only mentioned it once it does not mean he actually only visited once.
"2944 Gollum leaves the Mountains and begins his search for the 'thief' of the Ring." -
(Appendix B, The Tale of Years)
A period of 7 years follows before Gollum's direction changes;
"2951 Gollum turns towards Mordor." -
(Appendix B, The Tale of Years)
Time in which he may have journeyed south toward Moria in his search, and perhaps through it. However I think this most unlikely until the year 2951. Turning toward Mordor would take him east and past the Misty Mountains his haunt for many years. Yet I ask why would he venture through very foreign ground to pass the Misty Mountains in order to travel toward Mordor when he knew the area around the High Pass that Bilbo and the dwarves approached so well?
It is therefore my belief he would have crossed here and not passed through Moria. Which incidently was at time when Aragorn was not actively searching for him. And at a year so distant that when Aragorn did come to search for him, his trail had he passed through would have been 58 years cold. Not even Aragorn would be able to pick up such an old trail surely!
Because of this the intervening 29 years in which Gollum ventured until arriving near the confines of Mordor was always leading him away from Moria.
"2980 About this time Gollum reaches the confines of Mordor and becomes acquainted with Shelob." -
(Appendix B, The Tale of Years)
"3009 At some time during these years Gollum himself ventured into Mordor, and was captured by Sauron. -
(Appendix B, The Tale of Years)
A period of 29 years in which he may for some reason have travelled back west and through Moria. You could ask yourself why, and there would be no reason for him to do so. Other than to continue his search for the 'thief', but why then did he turn away toward Mordor all those years ago. If he thought his 'present' was in the land west of the Misty Mountains he would have stayed.
He has had no reason thus far to enter into Moria. Now he cannot enter Moria.
Morwen it cannot be his 'hiding place'.
"3017 Gollum is released from Mordor." -
(Appendix B, The Tale of Years)
Imprisoned for eight years of the time you say is most likely for Aragorn to have entered. While this may be true of Aragorn which is evidently the main thrust of your post, it cannot be of Gollum. What about the other 14 years? Again i'm having to rely on no textual evidence but 'sense'. What possible motive has Gollum for entering Moria.
"3018 August ...being hunted both by the Elves and Sauron's servants, he took refuge in Moria; but when he had at last discovered the way to the West-gate he could not get out." -
(Appendix B, The Tale of Years)
The choice of words here for me suggest that before hand he had been under no pressure to actually hide. Yet being now hunted by
both sides he seeks refuge.
Aragorn let us not forget entered Moria through the eastern gates, when Gollum in my view if he had travelled through Moria was one way. West to east. If Aragorn was tracking him he wouldn't make such a mistake as to travel in the opposite direction.
However;
what is glaringly obvious though which perhaps might suggest Gollum had entered before he sought refuge in TA3018 is the fact he was able to get in! Especially if we are to believe there are only two entrances.
If however we were to entertain the idea of there being others, then Gollum could have stumbled upon it.