Chapter Four: The Spider's Web and the City in Peril

"I will devour and continue to devour, like my mother before me. I will spin my webs and catch the wanderers of the dark. That is my way. It is my way to feed and survive. Even so, I yearn for what I cannot have. I do not know if what I seek is to devour the light as she did or if it is a desire for something more. I wonder if the day will come when I need not hide in shadows, but may spin my web proudly in the light." – Shelob reminiscing to Gollum


"It is finished," said Celebrimbor.

Talion said, "Then let us leave this place. Having this ring of power so close to Sauron makes me uneasy."

'Indeed," said the Wraith, "If he knew, he would send out the Nine to fetch it. Such a battle would be premature. Let us be off. We have our prize."

In that moment, Celebrimbor marveled at its beauty. He held it between his fingers, enamored by his own craftsmanship. Finally, a ring to outmatch Isildur's bane! He found himself excited at the thought wearing it, at feeling his power returned to him tenfold. In this moment, his mind was taken by the ring. He did not notice what crept up from above. A long silver web was slowly sending down a spiderling. Well, to many the creature was already overgrown, but it was indeed but a child. It was silent as it wriggled its legs and lowered itself down its thread. The spiderling latched onto the ring and tied its web around it, netting it to its body. The Wraith's eyes were wide with shock. He watched in bewilderment as it scurried to the side of the great bridge. It crawled beneath the stone and vanished, likely burrowing into a crack in the mountain.

The ranger and his phantom were both stricken with disbelief. In a single moment, all of their plans were shattered. Celebrimbor now vanished from sight and began to search about the volcano's empty lava chamber. He felt his ring moving, but something was clouding his mind. It was a dark magic. In the end, his search was in vain. Talion hid beside the entrance to the chamber, fearful that goblins would be upon them. It was then he saw another spider crawl into the doorway, followed closely by those much smaller than it. Being a man of the wild, he had seen many spiders. This one, however, was quite large. It was over a foot in length with a lower half that was painted in many colors.

The Wraith said, "Ungol. A spider of Mordor. They are an unnatural thing."

Suddenly, two more crept up beside the large one, these of equal size. Dozens of smaller fledglings, only a few inches in size, flooded the entrance. Finally, the leader of the brood appeared, a beast nearly three feet in length. It was large enough to take down a grown man. This one seemed different. It had black horns on its back and a pair of toothy jaws. It seemed less spider than monster.

The spider suddenly did something they did not expect. It bowed, lowering its front legs.

She said, "Greetings… my lords. Forgive us… for our theft."

Talion asked, "It… it speaks?"

The Wraith was less interested in this and asked, "Where is the ring? Return it or suffer."

"It is taken… through the cracks… in the ground… to our mother's lair. She is hiding… in a cave nearby. I will… take you to her."

Talion said, "You wish us to follow you… into a spider's web? Do you take us for fools?"

The spider replied, "She will… return your ring… only once… you've seen her."

The Wraith said, "Very well. Take us to her."

Talion whispered, "Are you certain about this?"

"Without that ring," said the Wraith, "We are powerless. I poured my very being into it. I will not let it slip away."

"And if it's a trap?"

The Wraith said, "Either way, their queen will die."


Talion found the wraith to be uncharacteristically blood thirsty. It was not like him to be rash nor to forsake strategy. However, Talion shared the Elf's anxiousness. He feared the spiders would take the ring down some pit or rocky labyrinth never to be seen again.

And so the duo followed the trail of spiders through the dark of Mordor.

The journey to the spider's lair was not far. She was nesting in one of Mordor's many pits. This one reeked of death. As Talion entered it, he was overcome with the stench of dead goblins and other carrion. He saw about him skeletons and skins… skins of orcs, of young Caragor, and of cattle. However, these bodies were only about a dozen. This spider had only recently made her home here.

Soon enough, they found themselves surrounded by utter darkness. This meant little as the Wraith was able to navigate them with ease. In the realm of the dead, he easily saw the lights of the living. The spiders were everywhere here. They clung to all surfaces, spinning webs, feasting, and slumbering. Before the travelers, the endless webs wrapped together into a tunnel. As they reached it, the talking spider stopped at the foot of this formation. She bowed at the entrance of the abode and called out to the darkness.

"Mother," she said, "They are here."

In that moment, the webs all began to tremble as the trigger threads were set off. Large black legs, as sharp as spears, danced about the nest. Out of the tunnel, eight legs poured out. This spider was colossal, without equal. She appeared to be over twenty feet from rear leg to foreleg. Again, Talion remained unconvinced that this Ungol was a true spider. Her back half was shaped like an arrow head with three long black horns aiming backwards. She had razor sharp ridges all over her body. As for her head, she lacked the furry mouth of a spider. In its place, was a set of razor sharp fangs. As for her eight eyes, they glowed red as Mordor's light touched her. Her body was a pitch black, but the ridges of her crown and back were lightly illuminated a pale green. This abomination was something older… older than Sauron and his new Mordor. The Wraith was unsettled as he looked upon her as she reminded him of a monster from old legend. Even so, he would not be humble… not on this matter.

He said, "You have taken what is mine. Return it at once! Even as I am, I have the power to slaughter your nest."

The mother spider hissed. She parted her mouth, baring her needle-like teeth. Talion reached for his sword, but did not dare pull it out.

"Celebrimbor…" he whispered, "Please refrain yourself."

He felt awkward being the one to say such a thing. If their lives were not in peril, he would have found the role reversal amusing.

The great spider answered, "Welcome Lord Celebrimbor and Talion… the Gravewalker. My children have spoken of your deeds fondly. It is an honor, I will admit."

"Enough," said the Wraith, "What is your meaning?"

She said, "Be patient Elf lord. If I wished, I could curse your ring. A thousand venomous webs wrapped around your power, stifling it. This treasure of yours would weaken and take many years to remove all the webs."

Talion said, "Are you a ringmaker?"

"I can curse," said the spider, "Slow down. Catch and devour. See and predict. I am many things, but a ringmaker is not one of them. Only two are in Mordor and both… both are so predictable. Such a blinding lust for power. Tell me Wraith, will you use this ring to free Middle Earth?"

"I will use it to destroy the Dark Lord and his army. That will be their freedom."

"Is that truly freedom? Or is it merely trading one tyrant for another?"

With that, she was enveloped into a black cloud of smoke. The smoke began to take form, turning into long black stripes of robes that trickled down like a waterfall. The spider had vanished, and its place was a shimmering white being. It was the pale skin of a woman with cold blue eyes. She had a beauty to her that both enamored and caused fright to Talion, as if she were some ill omen meant to lure men to their doom.

"And what have we here?" she asked as she turned to Talion. She ran a hand across his chest as she circled around him. She spoke in a whisper mixed with an emotion he could not read.

She said, "A man… a ranger of Gondor far from home. You are not like the wraith. You are brave. Ah… but such hatred for darkness. Tell me… will you save Middle Earth?"

"I would save it," he said.

"Words enough cannot win this war," she said, "How much are you willing to sacrifice? To suffer?"

He said, "I have given up everything!"

"Not everything" she responded, "It is not just the wraith that anchors you to this world. It is a woman and child. I wonder if you can bear to lose them?"

Talion said, "I do not need to be reminded. This is war."

"Hmmm…" she said as she danced a finger against his throat. The ranger pulled back in disgust.

She said, "Why do you recoil? Are you not betrothed to a monster?"

Talion said, "She is no monster."

"To you, yes, but what of the people you wish to save? Will they be as understanding as you are? She is a creature born of evil, daughter of man or not. Such monsters… like her… like… me… are to be slain by the hero. That is the way, is it not?"

He said, "She is different."

The spider said, "But she was born of darkness, was she not?"

Talion said, "I… Men too can be evil. If so, then perhaps those born of evil can become good. And if that is the truth, then to slay her would make one a monster."

The queen of spiders smiled. Her eyes gleamed at his words.

"Fascinating," she said.

"Enough!" said the Wraith, "Speak your piece."

"Be courteous ringmaker," said the spider, "I have risked much coming here, so far from my lair. I live deep in the mountains in Cirith Ungol, yet I have traveled all this way into the realm of Sauron to meet you. Do you not think that alone merits a moment of patience?"

The spider spoke, "Shelob… that is what the Orc call me. I am Queen of all Ungol. My webs span the great desert, catching lies and plots in their threads. My young rule it unseen, their domain spanning from edge to edge of the map. I deal only in truth and wisdom, whether it be dark prediction or promise for divinity. Today, I come with a warning. The world of men is ending."

Shelob continued, "Even so, you have appeared amidst it, defying this final fate. You have crippled Sauron, but it is not enough. Where you see victory, I see death. Look to the city of Minas Ithil, the lone city against the dark. The Witch King's armies march there, ready to surround it and tear down its walls. Siege and fire. Shadows and betrayal. They will take the Palantir… Yes, one of the last seeing stones. Once Sauron has it, he will have foresight and strategy without compare. He seeks to dominate all life on Middle Earth. If the city is taken, he will have a foothold in the realm of Gondor. Without fail, he will turn to Núrn and rend it to pieces. All you have done will be undone."

The Wraith asked, "How do you know this? Have you a seeing stone for yourself?"

"I know all of Mordor's dealings," she said, "My children bring me word from all corners of this land. And I have many servants."

Talion asked, "How can we trust you to not send us on a fool's errand? If we make the journey, what is to say we will find the city in danger or worse… already destroyed?"

She said, "I gain nothing from this alliance. My warning comes from wisdom. My children have spotted a black army marching from Cirith Ungol to the Black Gate. Yes, on my very doorstep this army was born and festered. The forests have been stripped and great war machines erected. Goblin scouts now penetrate the border. Those I caught in my webs have admitted to the conspiracy."

The Wraith answered, "A Palantir… so far from Minas Tirith… not but a glorified outpost at the edge of enemy territory. It was only a matter of time before the Witch King of Angmar dealt with them. I cannot let this be so. Talion, we must recover the Palantir. With it, we could end this war."

Talion said, "I agree the Palantir must be recovered. But what is this news of Minas Irith? Surely, Minas Tirith will send an army to retake it. The Witch King would be cut off from Mordor, even before breaching the gate."

Shelob responded, "The siege will be swift. His army is grand. My brood counted sixty thousand Orcs, great and small. They bring breeders to turn Minas Ithil into a new goblin city. Gondor has great might, but Minas Tirith's army is not what it once was. They will choose to fortify Osgiliath rather than risk losing a siege against an immortal."

"Then we must go," said Talion, "The city must be saved! With the ring, we can defeat their lieutenants and turn their armies into ours. I will not let Gondor's great city fall nor see its people slaughtered. We must move quickly to…"

Talion turned to Celebrimbor and asked, "What of Ursa and our territories in the south? The journey to Minas Ithil will be another month. By then, Sauron may send more Orcs to invade Núrn."

The Wraith said, "Talion… we cannot delay."

Talion gulped down hard and clenched his fists. In his mind, he saw Ursa holding their daughter, laughing lightheartedly in the sunlit garden. He felt his heart ache as he was overcome with guilt and loneliness.

"I… I am to abandon her?" he asked.

"For a time," said the Wraith, "I will confess that I am not pleased with this arrangement. I wonder if the Palantir is worth losing our foothold in Núrn. We have a thousand Orcs, many great Warchiefs, and an alliance with the tribes. Above all, a powerful ally whose sorcery is truly grand. I would rather we take the ring to Núrn."

"Celebrimbor…" said Talion, truly shocked by this reply.

"However," said the Wraith, "She is strong. I trained her to hold back Sauron's forces. If the Witch King sends his legions upon Minas Ithil, then they will not be threatening her. With her fire, Ursa can win. Now let me ask… are you willing to let the people of the city die? Are you willing to hand the Palantir over to Sauron?"

"I…" began Talion, "I… cannot let them die. I must trust Ursa a little longer."

"Very good," said Shelob. In her hand, she held out the silver ring as it gave off a light blue glow.

The Wraith was fixed upon it and quickly plucked it up.

"You offer it back freely?" he asked as he took hold of it.

She said, "I have endowed it with a curse. I give to you dominion over one of my hordes. You have already met their leader."

Out from the shadows, walked the female spider that had brought them to Shelob.

Shelob said, "She is young but cunning. Able to speak in your tongue… a rare gift. I have many older children of greater span. Alas, they have left Mordor to join our kin in Mirkwood. Even so, she is yours to command, though she will not cast herself to her death. She will lead her spawn, a great swarm of spiders. A single bite of venom can paralyze an Orc. My children, as you know, can be silent as assassins. Use your ring to call upon them and they will answer."

"You have cursed my ring?" asked the Wraith, not hiding his hatred.

"Lift the curse if you wish, though it will not prove easy. Rather, take it as a token of our alliance." said Shelob.

Talion asked, "Why are you helping us?"

She said, "It is not just creatures of light that despise the Dark Lord nor think it best he faded. He suppresses all that is good and... evil. Lightness, and darkness he seeks to balance… or so he says. In the end, isn't he just snuffing them both out?"

She smiled and said, "Go now. I must travel by a different road. Meet me in Cirith Ungol. I will give you safe passage through the mountains. It will be easier than trying to scale the terrible peaks of Mordor's edge."

Talion said, "So we shall. We will ride for Minas Ithil."

"Talion," she said suddenly, swooping in over him so that her face was only inches from his.

"Beware the Witch King. Sauron has endowed him with much of his power. Ring or not, his is the power to destroy you."

Celebrimbor answered, "Indeed. But make no mistake, our power is ever growing. It will soon outmatch the ring of Sauron itself."

"Perhaps," she said, "Such pride in what you have created. How frightening. Your eyes are cruel, just as Sauron's were. I warn you now Elf lord, do not be quick to cast aside everything for the sake of power. You may lose something precious to you… more precious than the ring. Lost forever and ill spent, it will be your undoing."

With that, she was overtaken by black smoke and returned to the form of the spider. Her black legs pulled her up into her web and back through the great tunnel of darkness. Her young followed after her in unison. The air became deafened as they moved all at once. Not even their delicate motions could mask their movement as the sound of a thousand legs filled the chamber. Left in their wake, was the Ungol captain and her brood.

She bowed again, bending her long legs ever so slightly.

She said, "It is an honor… to serve. Call upon us… for matters great and small…. and we will answer… master."

Talion said, "Such strange allies. First that gangly creature Gollum, now Orcs and spiders."

"For now, darkness is our ally," said Celebrimbor, "But in time, the light will suffice. Our power will be enough to push back the darkness and return the world to as it was meant to be."

"A world without darkness?" asked Talion, "That sounds beautiful. Only… where does Ursa fit into that world?"

"As you said, she is an exception. There will be a place for her, I promise," said the Wraith.

The Wraith slid the ring over his finger. In that moment, Talion felt himself overcome by a sense of power. He felt it flow through his heart and into his veins. His muscles tightened as energy rejuvenated them. Celebrimbor smiled as he felt his lost might return to him and bring with it, the power to counter the army headed to Minas Ithil. This was the power he had craved. The power he had lost to the enemy thousands of years ago. In this moment, he was whole. The Bright Lord had risen once more.

In his mind, he said, "Finally... all will fear me and rejoice!"


In Núrn, another day was well under way. Ursa again watched as Orison and Hallas trained in the courtyard. However, she spent most of it turned away from them as she nursed her daughter. Today, Inga was in a sour mood. She was crying often enough that Ursa wondered if it best they returned inside.

"What's wrong with you, boy?" asked Orison, "You're not at yer best this morning."

"I'm fine," said Hallas, his tone on edge. He glimpsed over at Ursa who was still not paying attention to their match. He groaned and returned to the sword fight.


Another twenty minutes flew by. Ursa finally managed to quiet Inga down. She felt utterly exhausted at this point. Even with the help of a nurse, Ursa didn't have the confidence in mothering she wished for. She wasn't ever sure if she was treating Inga properly. She wished Lithariel would take a few weeks to visit her and lessen her worry. However, the princess was watching the borders with her fellow scouts, a crucial task in defending the valley.

Ursa turned as she heard the sound of approaching footsteps. The two rangers were standing next to her.

"Oh…" she said, "Have you already finished? Please forgive my rudeness. My eyes were not upon your sparring, and I am sure Inga's cries were bothersome."

"A mother's duty is never finished," said her father, "Don't ever apologize for it."

Hallas said, "I agree. You weren't rude at all. In all honesty, I'm glad you weren't watching. I performed poorly today."

Orison said, "I'll say. Where was yer mind boy?"

"Master," said the young man, "You had something to say to Queen Ursa, did you not?"

"Aye," he replied, "These spars aren't doing much good. If Hallas is to be a ranger, we must return to the forest as often as we can. I will take him on hunts every few weeks. We'll be away for many days when we do. You know I want to be with you and the little one, but we'll get rusty if we remain here."

"I see," Ursa said, "I won't keep you. I only ask that you not wander past the borders. If Mordor sends legions, you must be safe."

"We shall be," said Orison.

"There is another matter," said Hallas.

"I was getting to that!" said the older man, "I don't want Hallas getting idle. Not everyone here is keen to having a man walk around. I've seen the Orcs looking distrustful at us. I propose, no, I ask that you let Hallas serve you. It would be good to have a man as a bodyguard, I think. He'll continue to train here and keep you safe."

Hallas said, "I realize it's selfish but… I wish the same. Er… I'll try my best to not be a hinderance to you m'lady."

Ursa looked inquisitively forward as she swiftly thought it over. She then smiled cheerfully.

She clasped her hands together and said, "What a splendid idea! I will gladly take him as a guard."

Hallas's mouth opened with joy.

He said, "I'm in your debt! I'll do my best. Although I am not worthy, I will guard you with my life!"

She smiled and walked forward. Hallas gasped and quickly fell to his knees. He looked up at her as she beamed down at him. It was the same queenly smile she gave to all of her underlings when they were feeling crushed by her power, a smile of mercy and kindness. It sent his cheeks ablaze yet again as her eyes were downcast upon him. She reached out a pale hand.

"Very well," said Ursa, "My life is in your hands. I will be counting on you, Hallas, son of Faramir."

With a flustered face, he reached forward and kissed the ring beside that of her husbands. The oversized ring of Belos Ironguard, a relic signifying she was a Warchief. His lips pressed against the cold, feeling the soft flesh beside it and the scent of perfume upon her wrist. He pulled away and looked up at her.

"Thank you m'lady!"

Hallas recoiled as did his master as an Orc approached.

Ursa asked the messenger, "What word?"

The Orc bowed briskly and answered, "Our Queen, I bring you news on the construction of the wall."

Ursa said, "I thank you. I will read it shortly. Tell me, are we behind on the effort?"

The goblin shook his head and said, "Only a little. The Warchiefs are saying it will be done soon. Another month is all they ask."

Ursa said, "Wonderful. I will come visit the wall tomorrow in thanks. Ah… as you take your leave, please summon Flog, I must make ready my new bodyguard."

"It will be done," said the Orc in raspy voice.

She then turned to her father and sighed. She felt his hand press down on her shoulder. The gesture surprised her and she smiled up at him.

"You are tired," he said.

"I am. I'm always tired these days."

"Ursa, my daughter," spoke Orison, "You are a fine queen. Do not doubt yourself."

She nodded and said, "I will try."

She looked down at the report now.

She whispered, "Another month gone by…."

Her thoughts then turned to her husband.

She said aloud, "If his quest was successful, Talion should be on his way back. When the iron plating is upon Fort Morn, it will be a sign of his return. Then I shall see him… riding home."

I will get to see him soon.

She felt as if a blanket fell over her as she was overcome by warmth and joy. All it took was a single thought to rejuvenate her. She merely needed to imagine his return. Ursa felt overjoyed at the thought of seeing him riding in on the horizon, to feel his heat as he slept beside her, and to see him lift up their daughter in both hands. Although the weight of her duties crushed her, she stood tall and dreamed of those quiet moments between them. She could not imagine that, in that very moment, he was riding further away from her into the heart of war.


Author's Note: I'm sure it is obvious that I changed a huge detail about Shelob by removing her clairvoyance. I did not think this ability was necessary to the plot as she has spiders that already worked as a scouting system.