Summary: A patrol sent by the newly-crowned Elessar to kill Shelob meets someone unexpected.
Disclaimer: Arda and its inhabitants belong to J.R.R. Tolkien.
They met the stranger in the tunnels leading to her lair, a tall, hooded figure. At their command, he opened his hands to show they were weaponless. The right one bore traces of an ancient burn.
"Do not bother. It is dead." His voice was raspy as if unused, but surprisingly pleasing.
The soldiers exchanged startled looks. "The spider, you mean? Shelob?"
He nodded. "I killed it."
"Why? And who are you?"
"My name would mean nothing to you. As to why…" He chuckled drily. "Because the killing of spiders should make great songs."
With these words, he was gone.