Book 4, Chapter 10 Summary

Sam returns to find Frodo in a cocoon of webbing with Shelob standing over him. Not knowing what else to do, Sam attacks Shelob and gives her a severe, but not mortal wound. However, it is enough to scare her off, and when Shelob retreats to her lair, Sam attempts to help Frodo.

Seeing Frodo's cold form lying on the ground, Sam thinks that Frodo is dead. With no clear direction and plagued with indecision whether to guard Frodo's body or press on, Sam decides to take the Ring, the sword Sting, and Galadriel's phial of light from Frodo's body. Then, hopeless, friendless and lonely, he walks toward Cirith Ungol.

As Sam approaches the pass, he hears orcs coming and puts on the Ring to hide from them. He expects them to attack, but instead he watches the orcs march past...