Middle-earth from The Lord of the Rings was filled with terrifying creatures, but the giant spider Shelob was undoubtedly one of the most menacing. She had lived in Mordor long before Sauron arrived, guarding her domain in the caves of Cirith Ungol. After her battle with Frodo and Sam, her fate remained a mystery — one that Tolkien never fully revealed.
Shelob and Sauron
Shelob never served the Dark Lord, though their paths crossed. She existed independently, feasting on orcs without objection from Sauron, who even sent her sacrifices, using her lair as a natural defense against intruders. This arrangement lasted until Gollum led Frodo and Sam into her web.
The Battle in the Lair
Frodo fell victim to deception and found himself ensnared in Shelob’s web. She bit him, injecting a paralyzing venom, and prepared for her feast. But Sam foiled her plans — armed with Sting and the Phial of Galadriel, he blinded the monster and struck her abdomen with a fatal blow. Wounded, Shelob retreated into the darkness, never to be mentioned again.
What Became of Her?
Tolkien only hinted that Shelob may have retreated into the depths of her cave to heal, emerging again once hunger drove her back to the hunt. After Sauron’s fall, darkness lifted, the elves left Middle-earth, and many monstrous creatures began to vanish. Some believe Shelob may have been hunted down by men or perished in isolation. One chilling theory even suggests that, like her mother Ungoliant, Shelob ultimately devoured herself. Whatever the truth, her fate remains one of the greatest mysteries of Middle-earth.
