OT - SPOILER - gollum discussion'

[geoschmo]

Heh, it's nice to see my own opinion jived so well with the author. Apparently on some level I got it.

I'd have to disagree with one thing he says in his letter, if I am permitted to disagree with him. He does after all appear to be discussing this from a "what might have really happened" perspective rather than a "what might I have written instead" point of view. I think anyone with an interest in the works could disagree with the former if not the latter.

But 'possession' satisfied, I think he would then have sacrificed himself for Frodo's sake and have voluntarily cast himself into the fiery abyss.

I don't disagree that a fully repentant Smegol might have stolen the ring intending to jump and destroy it and himself, and thus simultaneously serving both his masters, but I believe had he been succesful in pilfering it, it's power would have quickly turned his heart dark again. His love for Frodo would have been forgotten, and he would have served the ring alone. He could have fallen, as he did, or jumped after it, as I suggested, but he would have never jumped with it and deliberatly taken an action which would have caused harm to his precious.