The Black Gate is Closed - Frodo, Sam, and Gollum arrive at the Black Gate of Mordor, the main entrance to Mordor, which is heavily guarded. They sit and try to figure out how to get through, and then Frodo decides to just march straight for it, thinking this is his only option. Gollum stops him, saying it is crazy to go toward the Black Gate—they'll certainly be caught and the Ring taken. Gollum suggests going by a different way, a secret way.

Suddenly, the Black Gate opens and a large number of soldiers pass into Mordor—Men who have come to help Sauron wage war.

Gollum continues to try to convince Frodo to follow him to this secret pass. He notes Sauron's attention is focused on the Black Gate, so he won't notice a couple of hobbits sneaking in a back way. Frodo wonders if the secret way is guarded, and Gollum hesitates a little. Although he claims he escaped that way from Mordor, it is clear he was allowed to escape. And although neither hobbit fully trusts Gollum, they decide going along with his plan is their only real option.