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Originally Posted by Groin Redbeard
Remember that Sauron wasn't just building his strength in Mordor, he was just recently defeated and thrown out of Dol-Goldur. I'm sure it took Sauron time to recover from that complete dissaster, plus it took time for him to rebuild Barad-Dur and his forces within the curtains of the mountains of Mordor. I think Sauron was anything but slacking, you might call him very productive in those last hundred or so years.
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He was very productive, and note that he left Dol Guldur when *he* chose to leave, as it was just temporary housing until his digs in Mordor were finished - all of that construction dust can irritate the eyes.
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Originally Posted by Gandalf, Still Grey
Yet at last, as his shadow grew, Saruman yielded, and the Council put forth its strength and drove the evil out of Mirkwood - and that was in the very year of the finding of this Ring: a strange chance, if chance it was.
But we were too late, as Elrond foresaw. Sauron also had watched us, and had long prepared against our stroke, governing Mordor from afar through Minas Morgul, where his Nine servants dwelt, until all was ready. Then he gave way before us, but only feigned to flee, and soon after came to the Dark Tower and openly declared himself.
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Does make one wonder, however, why he fled the launching point for his Ring archeological dig.
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As for your theory with Gollum, could it be that Gollum was confused? It is said that Sauron and the Ring were one, could it be that Sauron's pull was similar to the Ring's? Just one of those random thoughts I just thought I'd throw out there. 
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Gollum had issues, to be sure, but what of this from Gandalf?
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Originally Posted by Gandalf, still in the Shire
Wretched fool! In that land he would learn much, too much for his comfort. And sooner or later as he lurked and pried on the borders he would be caught, and taken - for examination. That was the way of it, I fear. When he was found he had already been there long, and was on his way back. On some errand of mischief. But that does not matter much now. His worst mischief was done.
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Aragorn found him in 3017? So what's up with Sauron? Or was Gandalf confused?