Barad-Dur

• Sauron sees Pippin in the Palantir. He questions about the Ring, but is cut off. He orders the Nazgul to make for Isengard.

Gap of Rohan

• Gandalf takes the Palantir and chastises Pippin.
• Gandalf explains the Palantir and how Saruman was corrupted by it.
• They debate their next move, with Gandalf noting that the confusion caused by Pippin could work to their advantage.

Winding Stair

• Sam helps Frodo up the last part of the Winding Stair. Gollum shows where to go next: a dark tunnel.
• Despite the terrible smell and the possibility of orcs, Frodo and Sam enter.

Shelob’s Lair

• The hobbits can only move forward by feeling the walls. They call out for Gollum, but he has disappeared.
• Frodo and Sam continue on. Frodo begins to feel an overwhelming sense of dread.
• They hear scurrying and hissing around them. They feel dead bodies beneath their feet. Frodo raises the Phial of Galadriel.
• The light illuminates hundreds of eyes. As they move closer, they are revealed to belong to a giant spider, Shelob.
• Frodo walks towards the eyes, which retreat from the light.
• Frodo and Sam flee, but are blocked by strong cobwebs. Frodo cuts them with Sting and they head for the exit.
• Sam sees orcs ahead and tries to warn Frodo. Shelob attacks, cutting off Sam. Sam goes to save Frodo but is dragged away by Gollum.

• Shelob attacks Frodo, who fights but is poisoned and falls unconscious.
• Sam fights against Gollum. He threatens to stab him and Gollum flees.
• Sam attacks Shelob, who is over Frodo’s body. He sees Frodo, seemingly dead, wrapped in web.

• Sam struggles with the spider, stabbing it in the eye. Shelob overpowers him, but Sam stabs her in the belly. Shelob flees.

• Sam checks Frodo’s heartbeat, but finds nothing.
• Sam thinks Frodo is dead and takes the Ring. He hears orc voices coming.

Gap of Rohan

• A Nazgul flies over the group, forcing them to hide.
• Gandalf predicts that Sauron will move to attack Minas Tirith. He advises Theoden and Aragorn to ride to Gondor. He gives Aragorn the Palantir.
• Gandalf takes Pippin with him and leaves on Shadowfax.

Lothlorien

• An army again approaches Lothlorien. Galadriel says unless Sauron is defeated they will eventually be overrun.

Edoras

• Eowyn receives word that the men were victorious, yet the riders say Theoden may yet ride to Gondor. Eowyn prepares for them to leave for Dunharrow.

Rivendell

• Elrond and Glorfindel talk about the fate of Middle-Earth. Elrond decides to prepare his elves to leave for the Grey Havens.

Shelob’s Lair

• Sam puts on the Ring. The orcs take Frodo. Sam overhears them talking about Shelob’s poison and how it paralyses, not kills.
• Sam follows the orcs into Mordor.

Ithilien

• The Witch-King’s army moves towards Osgiliath, where Faramir awaits.

First Appearances – Shelob, Gorbag, Shagrat

Death – Shelob

Adapted from chapters ‘The Palantir’, ‘Shelob’s Lair’ and ‘The Choices of Master Samwise’ and Appendix B of The Lord of the Rings

Pictures

• Shelob – John Howe
• Sauron Speaks With Palantir – Hive17
• Shelob’s Lair – Rob Alexander
• Shelob About to Leap on Frodo – John Howe
• Sam and Shelob – John Howe
• Shelob’s Retreat – Ted Nasmith
• The Choices of Master Samwise – Turner Mohan
• Gandalf on Shadowfax Before Minas Tirith – Luca Michelucci
• Council of War – MelorianJ
• Sam Enters Mordor Alone – Ted Nasmith