What if Gollum had lived?

[Moonraker]

Originally Posted by Inziladun

The fact that the Ring was a heavy influence on Gollum's deeds was a factor in meriting forgiveness from Frodo and Sam, but it did not entitle him to retirement care. It should be remembered that Gollum's mean and malicious nature allowed the Ring to more easily affect him to such a degree.

Gandalf certainly could not have allowed Gollum to walk freely in Middle Earth on the premise that he was a deranged, twisted and tormented murderer. He would have had to come under the care of some folk until he died. I was hoping the end of the Ring would have broken the evil spell bestalled on Gollum, so that he may begin to recover. But old age would soon cripple him to death even still.