Did Gollum deserve death?

[Raynor]

Originally Posted by SpM

And it is open to debate whether the birds and the beasts spoke, but quite possible given the fox's musings on the Hobbits' journey through the Shire.

Tolkien actually complained about the presence of the talking animals

Originally Posted by orcs, Myths Transformed, HoME X

What of talking beasts and birds with reasoning and speech? These have been rather lightly adopted from less 'serious' mythologies, but play a part which cannot now be excised. They are certainly 'exceptions' and not much used, but sufficiently to show they are a recognized feature of the world. All other creatures accept them as natural if not common.