The Forbidden Pool

Faramir woke Frodo in the late hours inviting the hobbit to have a look at the full moon and requesting his help on a certain matter. Sam awoke and followed the two through secret passages that led to a precipice near the top of the waterfall. They beheld moonset over Gondor but Sam wondered aloud why they had interrupted sleep for this. Faramir reminded Sam that he had not been invited and the shivers he was earning from the cold were his just reward. Faramir revealed the true purpose as he pointed far below at the pool the waterfall spilled into. A dark shape could be seen below diving, with great skill, in and out of the water. Anborn was present, with bow bent, and was now certain this was no black squirrel. Faramir turned to Frodo asking if they should shoot.

Frodo begged them not to shoot. Faramir informed him their laws commanded any who came to Henneth Annun, the secret hiding place, unbidden must pay the penalty of death. He wondered how this creature could brazenly swim in the pool before their watchful eyes. Frodo felt this was due to two reasons: Gollum's lack of knowledge of Men plus he was being driven by a desire greater than caution and safety. Faramir couldn't believe that this creature would know about Frodo's Burden and pursue It. "'Maybe. It is precious to him. But I did not speak of that.' 'What then does this creature seek?' 'Fish,' said Frodo. 'Look!'" (p. 294, The Two Towers). Indeed Gollum emerged from the pool with fish in hand. By now Anborn had him in his sights but Faramir did not give the order to shoot. Frodo explained that Gandalf would not want Gollum killed and, furthermore, the creature had been Frodo's guide until their capture by Faramir. 

This provided even more wonder for Faramir. He decided that Gollum must be captured or killed. Letting him go free was not an option. Frodo offered to see if he could persuade Gollum to come with him; if he failed Faramir's archers could shoot. Anborn (and Sam) was not wholly pleased with this situation but led Frodo down to the pool. As Frodo came closer he could hear Gollum going on and on about nice fissh, nasty men, the Precious, etc. Indeed, the thought crossed Frodo's mind that he could signal to Faramir and be rid of Gollum forever. But he knew Gandalf would not wish this and he also knew that without Gollum he and Sam would never have crossed the Dead Marshes alive. With these fleeting thoughts he called out to Smeagol. Gollum was reluctant to come thinking his master had left him and not seeing why there was a rush to leave the nice pool with fish. 

Frodo had to resort to threatening Smeagol with the Precious to get him to move. Over and over Frodo called for Gollum to trust him while his heart sank. "This was too much like trickery. He did not really fear that Faramir would allow Gollum to be killed, but he would probably make him prisoner and bind him; and certainly what Frodo did would seem a treachery to the poor treacherous creature. It would probably be impossible ever to make him understand or believe that Frodo had saved his life in the only way he could. What else could he do?--to keep faith, as near as might be, with both sides" (p. 297, The Two Towers). By now Gollum was going in front of Frodo down a path when he sensed another presence--and it wasn't Sam. "'Masster, masster!' he hissed. 'Wicked! Tricksy! False!' He spat and stretched out his long arms with white snapping fingers" (p. 297, The Two Towers). It was then that Anborn and other men captured Gollum and bound him.

Once inside Frodo, Sam, and Gollum were brought before Faramir. Gollum demanded to be untied but Faramir was unmoved studying the creature and telling him he had entered the forbidden pool where death is the penalty for a few fish. "Gollum dropped the fish from his hand. 'Don't want fish,' he said" (p. 298, The Two Towers). I think Andy Serkis' portrayal of Gollum/Smeagol in the movies was spot on--and while this line was not present in the film I can picture exactly how he would have portrayed it and that makes me smile. Alas, Faramir began to question Gollum: where he came from, where he was going, had he ever been at this pool before. Gollum was evasive in answering, even after being untied, but he was adamant about never before being at the pool and never wishing to go back. Faramir turned to Frodo asking him if he was satisfied. Frodo was, saying that no better promise would he get from Smeagol. 

Faramir then surrendered Gollum to Frodo and declared that Frodo was free to go wherever they wished in the land of Gondor save this secret place. Should Frodo come back the death penalty would be invoked and he declared this doom for a year and a day unless Forod should go to Minis Tirith and entreat with the Steward. Faramir also declared that all whom Frodo claimed under his protection would be held to the same decision. Frodo declared Gollum under his protection. "'Then I say to you,' said Faramir, turning to Gollum, 'you are under doom of death; but while you walk with Frodo you are safe for our part. Yet if ever you be found by any man of Gondor astray without him, the doom shall fall. And may death find you swiftly, within Gondor or without, if you do not serve him well'" (p. 300, The Two Towers). Faramir then inquired what their plan was. 

Gollum was silent but Frodo answered saying they had found the Black Gate impenetrable and that Gollum knew of a way near Minis Ithil, now Minas Morgul, and winding stair up the mountains and through a high pass into the Black Lands. "'Do you know the name of that high pass?' said Faramir. 'No,' said Frodo. 'It is called Cirith Ungol.' Gollum hissed sharply and began muttering to himself. 'Is that not its name?' said Faramir turning to him. 'No!' said Gollum, and then he squealed, as if something had stabbed him. "Yes, yes, we heard that name once. But what does the name matter to us? Master says he must get in. So we must try some way. There is no other way to try, no'" (p. 300, The Two Towers). This displeased Faramir and he had Gollum taken away.

Faramir tried to persuade Frodo to leave Gollum behind promising the creatures safe passage to any border of Gondor he wished; but Frodo knew Gollum would only pursue him again. Fararmir then warned Frodo to beware for he clearly perceived that Gollum was not revealing all he knew about Cirith Ungol. He told Frodo: "But there is some dark terror that dwells in the passes above Minas Morgul. If Cirith Ungol is named, old men and masters of lore will blanch and fall silent'" (p. 301, The Two Towers). He told Frodo how Minis Ithil fell to the servants of Sauron long ago, indeed, the decscendents of Númenor who had fallen sway to the Dark Lord and his Rings of Power. Nine Riders dwell in Minas Morgul and though it may appear empty there were ceaseless watchers. A dark terror, a fortress ever guarded by the Ringwraiths, a wicked guide--Frodo's journey seemed doomed for failure and yet he was bound by the Council of Elrond to seek an end to the Ring. For all of Faramir's warnings he knew of no other path Frodo could take. 

"'It is a hard doom and a hopeless errand,' said Faramir. 'But the least, remember my warning: beware of this guide, Smeagol. He has done murder before now. I read it in him'" (p. 302, The Two Towers). With that last warning Faramir had Frodo and Sam rest while food was prepared. He gave his blessing on them but did not hold out hope they would ever meet again. But, if perchance they did, he wished to know more how Gollum came by the Ring and then lost it to Frodo's possession.

Middle-earth timeline: Third Age, 3019, March 8th
Today's reading comes from: The Two Towers, pages 292-302