In The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins sees an opportunity to Kill Gollum, wretched slave to the One Ring, in the goblin caves. Yet something stays his sword, and he does not.
"A sudden understanding, a pity mixed with horror, welled up in Bilbo's heart: a glimpse of endless unmarked days without light or hope of betterment, hard stone, cold fish, sneaking and whispering."
Bilbo's emotion of pity and the act of mercy that flows from it is destined to profoundly affect the outcome of the War of the Ring in JRR Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings.
Years later Frodo and Gandalf are discussing Bilbo's compassionate act. Frodo says what a pity Bilbo didn't stab Gollum when he had the chance. Gandalf replies:
"Pity? It was Pity that stayed his hand. Pity, and Mercy: not to strike without need. and he has been well rewarded, Frodo. Be sure that he took so little hurt from the evil, and escaped in the end, because he began his ownership of the Ring so. With Pity."
http://www.jrrtolkienepics.com/Gollum.html
-----Original Message----- From: wikien-l-bounces@Wikipedia.org [mailto:wikien-l-bounces@Wikipedia.org] On Behalf Of Fred Bauder Sent: Friday, February 27, 2004 11:23 AM To: English Wikipedia Subject: [WikiEN-l] Expect a Miracle
(Fred sent a blank message)