Strider captures Gollum. Gollum is an asshole to Strider. Strider (Aragorn son of Arathorn, Elendil's Heir, the Dunedain, Estel hope of the West, Elessar Telecontar the Elfstone, Envinyatar) is kind of an asshole to Gollum, because, surprise the BABY EATING ASSHOLE is kind of a jerk. *ahem*
Strider (Aragorn son of Arathorn, Elendil's Heir, the Dunedain, Estel Hope of the West, Elessar Telecontar the Elfstone, Envinyatar) drops Gollum off with the (often pretty assholish) Wood-elves. Wood-elves decide that the BABY EATING ASSHOLE deserves better than dwarves, let him go play up a tree.
Sauron, who loves mess, gets a bunch of orcs to go rescue the BABY EATING ASSHOLE from a tree, then lets him go again so he can go be messy somewhere that's more entertaining to the Eye. The *drama*
I miss having Chris Tolkien in charge of the Estate