[Yavanna Kementari]

On one hand, walking a mile in Gollums shoes would be quite interesting!! On the other the feelings of being utterly alone would be enough to drive me insane!!

Think of it this way. Smeagol wasn't ALWAYS a bad guy. He was a wee hobbit lad once, he rested in 'is mums bosom when he was asleepin', just like all of you did.
He grew up to be mean. He had to learn it from somewhere. Perhaps his father beat him?

Jealousy took the ring from his cousin Deagol. The One became his master. It would have happened to Bilbo eventually as well. The hunger and need fo rthe One. It had already started and proved so before his one-hundred and eleventieth birthday.

What would you do? A power beyond your control makes you out live even the youngest of lads and lasses in your family. Age takes you beyond the conscious thought of time!!
Imagine, living that long without a friend in the world. You to would would go out of your mind.

Maybe Gollums threat to kill you,isn't just a threat on you, but perhaps in the struggle of a battle HE is hoping you will KILL HIM!!?? Hoping that he will lucky enough your swords slashing and lunging will pierce his black heart and end his terrible time soaked life once and for all. And at the same time fearing death. All you know is in Middle Earth. Being alone you recieve no conversation or care. So a threat on a person gets a response. After all any attention is attention.

Also, time brings wisdom to even the slowest person. I believe Gollum and Smeagol both tired of themselves. Gollum tired of his un-quenchable thirst for the ring, and Smeagol, tired of his life as Gollum. I believe if Smeagol were to get a second, seeing what he was already through, he would send Deagol away packing with the ring as well. Hind sight is 20/20!

I believe the pity that came from Bilbo's heart was a sign of understanding and guilt. That the pitiable wretch known as Gollum had taken the ring, as well as Bilbo had taken the ring from Gollum. And Bilbo understood what it was to be alone as well. For a long time Bilbo was by himself with no family. And since he had already taken the one thing that Gollum desired why punish him even more?

At any rate, it is good to see some moreposts on here [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]
Yavanna bows in respect to those of you who went diggin to find this thread.
Thankyou for your feelings and insight. It is greatly appreciated!!!!
-(~<~>Yavanna

[ February 23, 2003: Message edited by: Yavanna Kementari ]