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Once a Stoorish Hobbit, Sméagol was described as having spent the early years of his life living with his extended family under a Matriarch, his own grandmother. In the year 2463 of the Third Age, Sméagol became the fourth Master of the One Ring, after Sauron, Isildur, and Déagol. Déagol was his cousin, and on Sméagol's birthday they went fishing in the Gladden Fields north of Lothlórien. It was there that Déagol found a gold ring, after being pulled into the water by a large fish. Sméagol demanded the ring as a birthday present and strangled Deágol when he refused. Sméagol was quickly corrupted further by the ring and, banished by his people, was forced to find a home in a cave in the Misty Mountains. The Ring's malignant influence twisted his Hobbit body and mind and prolonged his life far beyond its natural limits, but he nevertheless loved it dearly and hated it. He called it his "Precious" or his "Birthday Present". He lived in the Misty Mountains for over four hundred years, living on raw fish, (which he caught from his small raft), and juvenile Orcs, and in later years he found Hobbit and Elvish food repulsive. In July, 2941 of the Third Age, during the Quest of Erebor, the Hobbit Bilbo Baggins stumbled upon the subterranean lake on which he lived. Gollum had lost the Ring in the network of caves leading to the lake, though in fact it is more proper to say that the Ring abandoned Gollum, for it was known to have a will of its own. As Gandalf says later, it looks after itself, trying to get back to Sauron. After the famous Riddle Game, during which Gollum was unaware of his loss, Gollum refused to show Bilbo the promised way out and plotted to murder him. Fleeing the enraged Gollum, Bilbo (who had found the Ring) stumbled across the Ring's power of invisibility, allowing him to escape both Gollum and the Orcs. Gollum was heard to cry out, "Thief! Baggins! We hates it forever!"

(In the first edition of The Hobbit, Gollum did not appear quite as wretched or as bound to the Ring. Tolkien revised this characterization to fit the concept of the Ruling Ring developed during the writing of The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien then explained the version given in the first edition as a lie that Bilbo made up to tell the Dwarves and Gandalf.)

Gollum left the Mountains and pursued Bilbo a few years later, but the trail was cold. He made his way into Mordor, where he was forced to reveal what he knew about the Ring. Gollum was then freed, but caught by Aragorn who placed him in the care of the Silvan Elves living in Thranduil's kingdom in Mirkwood. He escaped into Moria.

In The Lord of the Rings, Gollum met and started following the Fellowship of the Ring in Moria, and was spotted and heard by Frodo on several occasions. On January 15, 3019 of the Third Age the Fellowship was divided when Gandalf, one of its members, disappeared while fighting a Balrog (though he later returned). Gollum continued trailing the remaining members. It is unknown how he crossed the Bridge of Khazad-dûm, but he came with them to Lórien without their knowing. Gollum followed their boats down Anduin (floating on a log) to Rauros and pursued Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee across the Emyn Muil when they struck out on their own towards Mordor. Gollum followed them, but after a confrontation (in which he bit Sam and ended up nearly strangling him) was stopped by Frodo and at sword-point was told to let Sam go. Frodo tied an Elvish rope around Gollum's ankle for a leash, but the mere touch of the rope pained Gollum. Frodo had sympathy on Gollum and had Gollum swear to help him. Agreeing to the oath, Gollum swore by the "Precious" itself, and Frodo released him. The unlikely company, guided by Gollum, made their way to the Black Gate, the entrance to Mordor.

When the Black Gate was reached and found to be well guarded, Gollum convinced them not to go that way, saying that they would be caught and Sauron would regain the Ring. Gollum led them through Ithilien to Cirith Ungol, where he knew of another entrance into Mordor. In the border-mountains of the Ephel Dúath, Gollum betrayed his companions to the great spider Shelob, child of Ungoliant. Just as Frodo warned him, Gollum's betrayal of his oath ultimately led to his undoing, for Frodo and Sam escaped from Shelob's lair and came against all odds to the volcano of Orodruin or Mount Doom. Gollum followed them all the way, seeking a chance to surprise them and take the Ring. When Frodo and Sam had almost reached their destination, he attacked, but failed to get the Ring. Moments later, Frodo was standing on the edge of the Crack of Doom, but, unwilling to destroy the Ring, claimed it for himself and put it on. Then Gollum attacked again. The two fought whilst Frodo was invisible and finally Gollum bit off Frodo's finger.

Here, ironically, Frodo's kindness in sparing Gollum's life was rewarded, for Gollum then teetered on the edge of the great pit, lost his balance and fell in, taking the Ring and finger with him with a last cry of "Preciouss!". Had Gollum not lived to play this final part, there would have been a good chance that Sauron would have regained the Ring, as he knew where Frodo was as soon as he put the Ring on.

Background information from here.

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Baby Gollum. October 1st - ? [Click for uncerted picture]</center>

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Nov. 6th --

Huddled over a few toys, Gollum silently brushes his hand over one in particular. It's a donut, a circular ring for stacking up from biggest to smallest. He enjoys the night hours moreso than the lighter, so confined in his room as he is, he has no choice but to focus on what's available to him.

The small hobbit latches onto the pale yellow ring, one of the smallest ones from the set. Hissing gently, he strokes two long fingers along the outside once more, large eyes penetrating the plastic. Petting and petting this ring, he sets himself into a trance, one carefully obsessing over the object with quick looks over his shoulder.

Something's always watching. He's always there, ready to take it away. We must be careful, Precious, we cannot lose ourselves just yet.

Stupidly, Gollum freezes and tenses up at the voice in his head. He stares straight up out of his crib, large eyes already wider than usual in fear and in curiosity. He hunches up, one hand guarding the plastic ring against his chest and the other pressed against his opposite hand though ready to strike at any moment.

He waits there, head flipping in various directions to try and locate the owner of this voice. But no one is there.

Dumbfounded, Gollum falls back on his bottom against his favourite pillow, one he refused to let get washed. Once he's certain, but still vaguely suspicious, that no one is there to attack him, he looks for a safe place to store his ring so no one will find it.

Shoving all his other toys to the end of the bed, he crawls to his pillow and stores the pale yellow ring within the pillowcase. He smacks a hand atop the case in triumph at how intelligent he is.

Proud of himself and with a light, naive grin, he falls asleep.

[Reserved.]