[Ithaeliel]

Anroth stood for a moment looking up toward the forest canopy. Shelob... how many times he had heard the name. How very many times his father had preached to him about the impossible dangers beyond the lands of the free peoples. In fact, Cirith Ungol, his father told him as a small child, was possibly the most treacherous place in Middle-earth. Besides the orc-guard, there were things the crawled and fed on manflesh... and there was Shelob. Anroth had heard of, during all his time in Minas Tirith, so many deaths by the venom of Ungoliant's child. He had also learnt of the courageous blow that she was dealt by Samwise Gamgee. She had been, or so it was said, wounded by it. Her thick skin was pierced. If a halfling could harm Shelob, he thought, why should not we be able to do the same?

At the same time Anroth was unsure of the journey. Arawil obviously did not want anyone interfering, and that was what she had accused him of doing. Anroth disagreed, but had not the heart to say. He had merely assisted her when she was in need of it. But Arawil would not admit it. Also, Anroth's nerves were getting the better of him. If the king found out...

But that put another idea into his mind. If the king knew of the journey and Anroth had his consent, the troupe of travelers might gain an advantage. It certainly was possible.

Anroth voiced his thoughts to his companions. "Ye fellow travelers, may I issue a request?"

Arawil rolled her eyes. "What is it now?"

"I believe it would gain us a great advantage to rest in Minas Tirith, my home, on our way to the Spider's Pass. With the consent of His Majesty, we should be at a far lesser risk than we would if we were to go without anyone knowing. He is a noble man and would take an oath of confidentiality if asked. What think ye of it?"