Book 4, Chapter 1 Summary

Sam and Frodo travel along a ledge, trying to find their way down onto the plains below. Eventually, they find a way and, after a difficult climb down, they work their way across the rocky land below. Adding to their troubles, they know that Gollum is following them, but they are hoping he will lose the trail.

Exhausted from their climb, they try sleep in a cave but, as they crawl into their refuge, they see Gollum climb down the cliff face. Knowing that they have to do something about their unwelcome follower, Sam jumps him but Gollum is too strong and pins Sam on the ground. However, Frodo holds Sting to Gollum's throat, forcing him to release Sam.

The hobbits have captured Gollum, but now they have to decide what to do about him. Frodo feels sympathy for Gollum and...