What if Gollum had lived?

[Moonraker]

Originally Posted by Inziladun

Since when were any of the people you mention a "friend" of Gollum, least of all Aragorn?

No, no more than they would have wished to see Wormtongue, or the Witch-king. You couldn't just stick anyone on those boats. Bilbo and Frodo were very special case.

Regarding Aragorn and Gollum, of course I was not serious when I said they were old friends, but they had spent time together at least, unlike Elrond or Galadriel.

Wormtongue never wore the Ring, and neither did the Witchking. Also, as the fate of Middle Earth was so tightly linked with the company of Frodo, Sam AND Gollum, all three having been Ring bearers, it poses a question if Gollum did indeed warrant further examination by the hosts in the Undying Lands. They certainly would have been very keen to hear of, and even see and speak with Gollum in his venerable and harmless state more than almost anyone else coming to see them from Middle Earth.

Gollum was one of the very, very few unlucky creatures to have ever been brought before the seat of Sauron, and quizzed. As the Ring finder, Ring bearer, and indirectly the Ring destroyer, he may well have got the nod to be on the boat (in chains incase he tried something funny, still uncured and tormented by the shame of losing the Ring forever, hopefully not insane though).

I don't think he could have gone willingly though, if he still had the ability to think straight and reason. He would also have to be on suicide watch, as he had no reason to live anymore, and I can't see how anyone could force feed him survive if he chose to starve himself.

Originally Posted by Puddleglum

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

Not sure on that, say if Gollum decided to attack Gandalf randomly? Although the Wizard would seen the attack as no more than a slap in the face, he has to draw the line at some point on how much pity and mercy one can give.