CHAPTER 9: SHELOB’S LAIR

Gollum leads Frodo and Sam into a reeking tunnel under the Ephel Dúath. The dark is absolute, deadening their senses as side passages branch away. When a vast, malice-laden opening sickens them, Gollum vanishes, and the way forks. A hiss and creak betray a lurking threat.

Prompted by Sam’s memory of Galadriel, Frodo raises the Phial; its silver light blossoms against the black, and many-faceted eyes appear, malice growing. Frodo, calling on Galadriel, advances with the Phial and Sting; the eyes quail and withdraw behind a huge shadow.

Retreating, the hobbits find the exit webbed by a colossal, rope-thick spider-net. Sam’s blows fail, so Frodo gives Sam the Phial, then uses Sting to scythe a great rent. They burst into the ashen light below Cirith Ungol. Frodo exults and sprints toward the notch of the pass, while Sam, uneasy, notices Sting’s blue glow and the tower’s red window.

Shelob, who has many exits and ancient malice, emerges ahead, intent on Frodo, now without the Phial. As Sam warns him, Gollum ambushes Sam from behind, gloating that Shelob will take Frodo while he claims the other. Sam, enraged, wrests free, smashes Gollum’s arm with Faramir’s staff, and drives him off.

With Gollum fled, Sam remembers Frodo and races uphill calling his name, but he is too late: Shelob has outflanked them, and Frodo is in imminent peril beyond Sam’s reach.