Frodo gets all the credit, but without Gollum, the ring never would have been destroyed. Imagine a Lord of the Rings conclusion where Gollum emerges as the true hero. What would that look like? 

…Gollum lunged towards Frodo, snatching the Ring from his trembling hand. The weight of the Ring tugged at his fragile sanity, but a newfound determination ignited within him. Recognizing the evil that had consumed his existence, Gollum realized the only way to save himself and all of Middle Earth’s creatures was to make the ultimate sacrifice. In a moment of pure selflessness, Gollum, driven by sheer, indomitable will, hurled himself and the Ring into the fiery depths of Mount Doom. The Ring perished in the flames, forever ending its reign. Gollum’s sacrifice reverberated throughout the land, leaving a lasting legacy of redemption and unexpected heroism. Though his journey had been fraught with the greatest darkness, Gollum had ultimately played a vital role in the salvation of Middle Earth. As the ashes settled and the world began to heal, a bittersweet sense of gratitude filled the hearts of those who had witnessed Gollum’s transformation. Despite his flaws and his harrowing past, he had found redemption in the end, forever altering the fate of Middle Earth. And so, as the sun rose over the newly restored land, a silent tribute was paid to the unlikely hero who had emerged from the shadows—a testament to the power of redemption and the potential for goodness in even the most tormented souls…

If you, too, are a LOTR freak who’s played countless alternate endings in their head, you’ll definitely love this week’s pick of Lord of the Rings memes.