What if Gollum had been hungry?

[Maedhros]

When Gollum mets Bilbo for the first time, he was curious and not hungry:
"What iss he, my preciouss?" whispered Gollum (who always spoke to himself through never having anyone else to speak to). This is what he had come to find out, for he was not really very hungry at the moment, only curious; otherwise he would have grabbed first and whispered afterwards.
Would he have overpowered Bilbo or would Bilbo had hurt or Slain him. Could Bilbo have gotten out of the Mountain without Gollum's help?

[azalea]

Hmm, good question. I think at that point Bilbo could have hurt him badly enough to escape, if not kill him. But it's a good thing he didn't! Hey, you could say that little orclet saved all of Middle-earth by being Gollum's lunch! Otherwise he would have attacked, and Bilbo would have killed him! :eek:

Anyway, I don't know that Bilbo could have found his way out. He had the ring which would have helped, but he would have gotten hungry -- oooh, what if he had become just like Gollum! But no, he was too different. He would have gotten out, but it would have taken a long time, and by that time the dwarves might have convinced Gandalf to go on w/ out him, and he would have had to try to catch up or go on alone and ended up...who knows where? Oh, I bet Beorn woulkd have found him eventually if he had kept to an easterly path. Though hopefully the goblins wouldn't have found him first (by using the Wargs to sniff him out).

[webwizard333]

Hey, you could say that little orclet saved all of Middle-earth by being Gollum's lunch!

The salvation of Middle Earth does depend on every other event that occurs in the Hobbit. From the trolls, to thw wood-elves getting drunk, Smaug's carelessnes, the sheer luck in finding a talking raven, etc. So much depends on a little small Hobbit and his adventure.

[Maedhros]

I think that most probable that Gollum would have overpowered Bilbo and ultimately wounded him, to the point of having a nice dinner.

[azalea]

I would have to disagree, if only because I tend to look at things from a very positive point of view, and I happen to like ol' Bilbo, but I think at that point he had seen and experienced enough that he would have had the guts, if you will, to really let Gollum have it. I think the fact that he almost does it says that, but his pity for the creature and the fact that he feels his advantage is unfair keeps him from it. So I would say that although he has a long way to go yet in becoming the hobbit he is when he returns home, I think he could have killed Gollum if attacked. I mean, his instincts really would have kicked in from being in such a treacherous situation anyway (lost in dark cave with many goblins), so even if attacked from behind I think he would have been ready to stab, cut, whatever it took to get himself away.

[Khadrane]

If Gollum had been hungry, I think he would have snuck up behind Bilbo and strangled him. Bilbo wouldn't have had much of a chance of escaping, so he probably would have become Gollum's lunch, and Gollum would probably find his "preciousss" in Bilbo's pocket. I don't know how the rest of "The Hobbit" and "Lord of the Rings" might have played out, though.

[Coney]

Bilbo would have had plenty of time to escape. If Gollum had wanted to kill/eat Bilbo he would have used stealth and to aid his subterfuge he would have used the Ring. When he discovered the Ring missing the ensuing rage and frantic searching of Gollum would have given Bilbo plenty of time to escape:)

I think Bilbo would certainly have found his way out of the mountain eventually, he was a very resourceful little chap:D

[Khadrane]

Originally posted by Coney
Bilbo would have had plenty of time to escape. If Gollum had wanted to kill/eat Bilbo he would have used stealth and to aid his subterfuge he would have used the Ring. When he discovered the Ring missing the ensuing rage and frantic searching of Gollum would have given Bilbo plenty of time to escape:)

I think Bilbo would certainly have found his way out of the mountain eventually, he was a very resourceful little chap:D
Fine then. Ruin my pessimism. See if I care. :)

[entss89]

i bet he would have ate the tiny little hobbits!
nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!he he:D :D

[Duddun]

Bilbo was ready with his sword so I don't think Gollum was thinking of trying to eat him.

[francod]

Gollum would have destroyed Bilbo if he had a mind to. Gollum is in great shape lean and mean. He is in game shape thriving in the mines with all those orcs around. He lives in the caves year round that is a tough life.

Bilbo lived a pampered life was out of shape, way out of shape. In fact a stong case could be made that Bilbo was never in shape. Bilbo was basicly a bored rich guy who was tricked into going on an adventure by a guy who was way smarter than him.

[Togo Boffin]

NO

The ring chose to leave Gollum. I don't think we can forget that the ring probably contributed more to the events in "The Hobbit" than anything else.

[Thrain]

I think Gollum would have been killed easily but I don't think by intention. Basically if Gollum jumped onto Bilbo, Bilbo would have turned around and Gollum would have been scewered. Then Bilbo would have found a way out because the book did say that Hobbits have an incredible sense of direction, rarely get lost, and were very resourceful, especially underground.