ng ago, at the Black Gates, and how the graves of the dead were swallowed up by the marsh . On the fifth day of their quest, they come to the desolation that lies before Mordor. Before the next day dawns, the journey to Mordor is complete. Smeagol says he knows of another entrance and offers to take the men there. Sam is still suspicious, but as Frodo looks at the tower, he sees troops approaching. He is beginning to trust Smeagol. Four men whom Gollum was able to evade capture the Hobbits. The men are from Gondor, led by Captain Faramir (Boromir’s brother). Frodo tells them about the fate of Boromir, and they are saddened. Faramir catches Gollum and threatens him with death, but finally releases him to Frodo’s custody. He questions Gollum about the secret entryway to which he is leading Frodo, and cautions both men that Cirith Ungol (the place they are traveling through) is evil and unsafe. He tells them not to come back to his secret hiding place, and says that if he ever catches Gollum without Frodo, he will kill him. Gollum’s evil side resurfaces with a vengeance as he leads Sam and Frodo into a trap--the lair of the giant spider Shelob. As they try to run she spins a web to trap them. Sam and Frodo escape and come to another pass. But as soon as they escape Shelob rushes forward from another hole. Just as Sam is about to warn Frodo, Gollum grabs him from behind. In the ensuing struggle, Sam and Frodo are separated. Sam returns to find Frodo entrapped in Shelob’s web, apparently dead or severely wounded. Enraged, Sam uses Frodo’s sword to fight Shelob. Shelob fights him, but he miraculously recites an elven prayer and uses the phial; a burned Shelob crawls away. Sam sees that Frodo is lifeless and gives up in exhaustion and sadness. After some time, Sam resolves to finish Frodo’s task of destroying the Ring. He takes the Ring from his companion and leaves him in his coat of fine chain mail armor...
