Seeing the massive, grotesque monster emerge before them, everyone's expressions changed instantly. Panic erupted.
Gollum scattered in all directions, scrambling to escape amid the chaos, disappearing into the rocky shadows without a trace.
Frodo and Sam were immediately shielded behind Aragorn and Legolas.
With a roar, Gimli charged forward, swinging his long axe at one of the creature's legs. The blow landed solidly, but instead of flesh, it felt like striking iron. Sparks flew as metal rang against an impossibly hard shell.
The monstrous spider, Shelob, paid him no attention at all.
Her gaze was fixed solely on Frodo.
With terrifying strength, Shelob flung Gimli aside as if he weighed nothing, then surged straight toward Frodo, hunger and malice burning in her many eyes.
Legolas reacted instantly, loosing a radiant arrow of light. The arrow struck Shelob's body, but failed to pierce her thick, armored hide. Instead, it only enraged her further.
Shelob shrieked, a rasping, bone-chilling sound, and slashed toward Legolas with her legs.
Legolas vaulted away at the last moment, leaping across jagged rocks and pillars, moving with elven agility as he continued firing arrows at Shelob's weakest point, her eyes.
At the same time, Aragorn charged in, wielding Narsil, its blade gleaming with a restrained but undeniable sanctity. The holy sword exerted a subtle suppressive force on Shelob, making her hesitate, her movements briefly faltering.
Thrown aside earlier, Gimli roared in fury and charged once more, axe raised high.
For a moment, Shelob was surrounded, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli attacking in coordination.
But the battle quickly turned grim.
Frodo and Sam, lacking the strength to intervene directly, could only watch from the edge in mounting terror.
Gimli was slammed into the rocks again, his axe tangled in thick spiderwebs. Aragorn's strike drove Narsil deep,only for the blade itself to become ensnared in webbing, the sticky strands resisting both strength and magic.
Seeing his companions faltering, Frodo's heart clenched.
"No… we have to do something!" he cried.
Sam grabbed him desperately.
"Frodo! Aragorn said you're the most important one, you have to stay safe!"
But Frodo would not abandon them.
He drew the dagger Bilbo had given him, and then pulled out a small crystal vial from his pouch.
The Phial of Galadriel.
He ran forward.
The moment Shelob sensed Frodo approaching, her frenzy intensified, as if the most exquisite prey had revealed itself. She abandoned Aragorn and the others entirely and charged straight toward him.
"Frodom, run!" Aragorn shouted.
Legolas fired arrow after arrow, trying desperately to slow her.
Facing the colossal spider alone, Frodo's fear surged, but he forced himself to stand firm. Taking a deep breath, he raised the phial high.
The Phial responded instantly.
A brilliant, star-like radiance burst forth, the light of Eärendil, burning with ancient purity.
Shelob recoiled violently.
The sacred light seared her eyes, forcing her to halt, hissing and skittering in agitation. She circled wildly, torn between hunger and terror, unable to endure the radiance.
Step by step, Frodo advanced, holding the phial aloft.
Shelob retreated.
Seizing the opening, Aragorn reappeared in a blur, striking from below. Narsil plunged into Shelob's softer underbelly.
The giant spider let out an agonized shriek. With a violent convulsion, she knocked Aragorn and Legolas aside, then turned and fled, scrambling back toward the depths of her lair, wounded and furious.
Only when her massive form vanished into the darkness did the group finally collapse, gasping for breath.
"Well done, Frodo!" Aragorn said warmly, patting Frodo on the shoulder, his face full of genuine admiration.
Legolas and Gimli also looked at Frodo with newfound respect. None of them had expected this shy Hobbit to display such courage at a critical moment. Sam gazed at Frodo with unmistakable pride.
Frodo, flustered by the praise, lowered his head slightly. He raised the dimming crystal vial in his hand and said modestly,
"It was only because Sylas gave me the Light of Eärendil. Without it, I couldn't have driven that monster back."
At the sight of the vial, everyone nodded in agreement.
"That's right," Gimli said gruffly. "Lord Sylas has saved us more times than I can count."
After all, they had just faced Shelob, the monstrous spider of Mordor. Each of them had narrowly escaped death, relying on defensive artifacts and quick reactions to survive the encounter unscathed.
With the danger passed, the group didn't dare linger. The battle had caused too much commotion, and it was likely to draw the attention of nearby dark forces. They immediately quickened their pace.
Before long, Gollum, who had tried to flee during the chaos, was located again by Aragorn using a tracking spell.
Now fully aware of Gollum's treachery, everyone's anger flared. Gimli raised his axe, clearly intending to end it once and for all.
But Aragorn raised a hand, stopping him. Frodo did the same.
"Frodo," Aragorn said calmly, "this is your decision. How do you think we should deal with him?"
Gollum trembled, collapsing to the ground.
"We still need him," Frodo said after a moment's thought. "He knows the way into Mordor. Killing him now would only make things harder."
"Yes! Yes!" Gollum cried desperately. "Gollum is useful! Gollum knows secret ways! Gollum can lead you safely!"
Aragorn stepped forward, the blade of Narsil, still stained with the ichor of the giant spider, resting lightly against Gollum's neck.
"This is your last chance," Aragorn said coldly. "Try to betray us again, and you won't have time to beg."
Gollum glanced back toward the direction Shelob had fled, terror filling his eyes. He nodded frantically, swearing obedience.
Aragorn didn't rely on promises alone.
He produced an elven rope, silver-gray, nearly impossible to cut, capable of extending and retracting at will. One end was looped securely around Gollum's neck; the other was tied to Sam.
This time, Gollum didn't dare try anything. He obediently led them through the jagged rocks to a concealed cave entrance, down a long, narrow staircase swallowed in darkness.
After half a day of travel, they finally emerged.
Before them stood the Black Gate, east of the Shadow Mountains, the final threshold to Mordor. Watchtowers bristled with Orcs, and patrols moved constantly along the walls.
The group hid behind boulders, their expressions grim.
"What now?" Legolas asked quietly. "Do we wait for nightfall, or try another route?"
Aragorn studied the terrain carefully, then shook his head.
"That would double our journey and increase the risk. Our priority is the volcano, we can't afford further delays. Waiting here only increases the chance of being discovered."
He paused, then smiled faintly.
"There's a better way. We'll pass openly, without being noticed."
He drew out a vial of Polyjuice Potion.
"We disguise ourselves as Orcs and march in with them."
The group exchanged glances, realization dawning.
Legolas frowned slightly. "Polyjuice requires Orc hair. Where will we get it?"
Aragorn's smile widened. He produced a small bottle.
"I prepared in advance. I collected Orc hair in Gondor."
...
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