It was a dark dreary day in the caverns of Cirith Ungol. But that of course, went without saying.
The Shadow of Mordor was always dark and dreary. Ash from Mt. Doom and the dark lord's corrupting influence had increasingly blocked out the sun ever since Sauron rose to reassume his power.
The light of Celebrimbor did little to overcome the oppressive darkness, and Shelob could gloat in the fact that after everything that transpired, she was right in the end. She was miserable, but she was right. She was also hungry. She had grown bored of feasting on the dirty disgusting orcs that wandered into her domain. She was craving something more fresh.
She detected a subtle vibration across the vast network of webs that comprised her cavernous home.
Prey.
She thought to herself. As always she focused on the webs to gain insight into the nature of her prey. It was the creature Gollum. Once again he was skirting around within her territory like the arrogant little pest he was. That wasn't what interested her however. Gollum was bringing another creature into the cavern. He was some form of man, only smaller, similar to Gollum himself, but without the reek of corruption that always followed him. She wondered what he tasted like.
Her mandibles began salivating at the prospect of a new treat. Slowly and carefully, she began to crawl across the web, making her way to their location. She got a better look at the creature that had wandered into her home. He was slender with dark hair and had an unusual aura around him. She decided she was going to wrap him up to save for later.
As the creature had his back turned, she slowly and silently snuck up behind him. She deftly pierced his abdomen with her fangs, paralyzing him with her venom. It was at this moment she became more familiar with her catch and the mystical aura that surrounded him. It was a ring. One of Celebrimbor's, she was certain of it. What was it doing with this creature? She wondered to herself.
As she wrapped up her catch, she caught sight of another creature. He was similar to first, but he had red hair and was much fatter. He marched up to her, holding a phial glistening with pure light, eyes filled with malice. Shelob found herself taken aback by the sheer audacity of this creature. He grabbed the small blade carried by the first creature and pointed it directly at her.
"Get away from him you filth!" He shouted. Before stabbing her with the blade. The sting of the blade forced her to drop her prey and retreat back into the shadows.
The small one's blade began to glow brightly and he hid behind some nearby rocks. A troupe of orcs. They studied the body and whispered their plans amongst themselves. Then they carried her meal off with them.
Damn those orcs.
She thought to herself as she nursed her wound. She spent hours in agony in the dark as the ancient magics that surrounded her body gradually healed her. It was at this moment that she was greeted by an old friend. One wearing the all familiar garb of the Nazgul. She took on her human form to address him, as that was what he was accustomed to.
"Talion." She said to the figure. "It's been a long time."
