Timeline Event
Sam confronts Shagrat in the Tower of Cirith Ungol
Event Type: Military/Strategic
Age: 3rd Age - Ring War
Date: March 14, 3019
Description:
[Shagrat] licked his knife..., and... came loping towards the near door of the stairs.
Sam had no time to think. He might have slipped out of the other door, but hardly without being seen.... He sprang out to meet Shagrat with a shout. He was no longer holding the Ring, but it was there, a hidden power, a cowing menace to the slaves of Mordor; and in his hand was Sting, and its light smote the eyes of the orc like the glitter of cruel stars in the terrible elf-countries, the dream of which was a cold fear to all his kind. And Shagrat could not both fight and keep hold of his treasure. He stopped, growling, baring his fangs. Then once more, orc-fashion, he leapt aside, and as Sam sprang at him, using the heavy bundle as both shield and weapon, he thrust it hard into his enemy's face. Sam staggered, and before he could recover, Shagrat darted past and down the stairs.
Sam ran after him, cursing, but he did not go far. Soon the thought of Frodo returned to him, and he remembered that the other orc had gone back into the turret. Here was another dreadful choice.... If Shagrat got away, he would soon get help and come back. But if Sam pursued him, the other orc might do some horrible deed up there. And anyway Sam might miss Shagrat or be killed by him. He turned quickly and ran back up the stairs. 'Wrong again, I expect,' he sighed. 'But it's my job to go right up to the top first, whatever happens afterwards.'
The Return of the King, LoTR Book 6, Ch 1, The Tower of Cirith Ungol
Contributors:
Elena Tiriel 2Nov07
