<P> When they reached the Black Gate and found it well - guarded, Gollum offered to lead them toward an alternate entrance into Mordor . Along the way, Frodo and Sam were seized by Faramir, and Gollum slipped away uncaught (but not unseen) and followed them . When Frodo allowed Faramir to briefly take Gollum prisoner in order to spare his life, Gollum felt betrayed, and began plotting against his new "master". Faramir found out that Gollum was taking them to Cirith Ungol, and warned Frodo and Sam of the evil of that place, as well as the treachery he sensed in Gollum . </P> <P> Frodo, Sam, and Gollum left Faramir and began climbing the stairs to Cirith Ungol in the border - mountains of the Ephel Dúath . Gollum slipped away and visited Shelob, planning to feed the Hobbits to her and then get the Ring for himself when she was done . When he returned, he found the Hobbits asleep, and the sight of Frodo sleeping nearly moved Gollum to repent . However, Sam woke up and spoke harshly to him, and the opportunity for redemption was lost . Gollum followed through with his plan and led Frodo and Sam into Shelob's Lair . There, Frodo was stung by the giant spider, taken prisoner by Orcs, and hauled to the Tower of Cirith Ungol . </P> <P> In The Return of the King, Sam single - handedly rescued Frodo from Cirith Ungol and, dressed in scavenged Orc - armour, the two began to make their way across the plateau of Gorgoroth . They finally arrived, against all odds, at Mount Doom, the only place where the Ring could be destroyed . However, Gollum had secretly followed them all the way, seeking a chance to surprise them and take the Ring . When Frodo and Sam had almost reached their destination, Gollum attacked them, but Frodo threw him down . Sam faced Gollum on his own, letting Frodo continue up the mountain to finish their mission . Like Bilbo and Frodo before him, Sam spared Gollum's life out of pity, and turned his back on the beaten (but still wily) creature and followed Frodo . </P> <P> Moments later, Frodo stood on the edge of the Crack of Doom, but was unwilling to destroy the Ring, claiming it for himself and putting it on . Gollum struck again, and struggled with the invisible Frodo . Finally, Gollum bit off Frodo's finger and seized the Ring . He gloated over his "prize", dancing madly, but stepped over the edge and fell into the lava, taking the Ring with him with a last cry of "Precious!" Thus, the Ring was destroyed and Sauron defeated . Sam cursed Gollum after his death, but Frodo urged his friend to forgive him, as without him the quest would have failed and the War of the Ring would have been lost . Tolkien later wrote that it was direct intervention by Eru, Middle - earth's version of God, that led to Gollum's "accident". </P>

Pictures of smeagol of lord of the rings