"I'm pleased you still recognize me, Shelob!"
Artel surveyed Shelob, whose legs had been crippled by Aurors and were still on the path to recovery. Missing a few eyes, Shelob was in a less-than-ideal state.
"Seems like you've had a rough time lately."
"Many great Maiar around here!"
Shelob's response was noncommittal. The conversation shifted to the state of the Forbidden Forest, with Shelob inquiring about Dumbledore:
"I encountered a maiar called Dumbledore. Quite powerful. Do you know him?"
"I'm familiar with him—a powerful human wizard, not a Maiar. While Dumbledore ranks among the greatest wizards in this world world, he doesn't reach the level of a Maiar."
"It's astonishing that humans can be so powerful."
Shelob sighed, an uneasy feeling settling within. After a moment's contemplation, she questioned further:
"Why, great wise man Saruman the White, have you come to see me?"
"Naturally, to glean some insights, Shelob. You must have noticed that this world has changed. This is no longer the stable Middle-earth. If you wish to thrive, you need a trustworthy ally."
Artel's aged voice resonated with magic as he smiled at Shelob.
"Tell me, Shelob, how did you arrive here?"
Shelob's spider legs quivered uncomfortably. After a thoughtful pause, it replied:
"I don't know. Sauron brought me a few orcs that day. Though they were tough to chew, my hunger got the better of me. Just as I was about to feast, an indescribable power descended upon Middle-earth. By the time I realized it, I was here."
"That power can break through Sauron's magic and bring me to this faraway place, I think, that might be the power of Vala!"
In the realm of the Lord of the Rings, Vala stands as a higher-level existence than Maiar.
Artel remained silent, deep in thought. Shelob, summoned by the system, could sense a powerful force that had transported it, yet it remained unaware that this was another world.
"Do you remember the exact date of that day?"
"Date?" Shelob's voice betrayed a hint of surprise, accompanied by a dry laugh within its body. "I only know that it is the third era. As for time, this kind of thing has no meaning to those of us who have endless lives."
Artel found himself at a loss for words, realizing the truth in Shelob's perspective. Immortal creatures, having endured through long and endless years, cared little about the current year and month.
"Let's wait until other intelligent creatures are summoned in the future. Giants, Gollum, and Trolls are intelligent creatures, but I don't want to approach them. Ents spend most of their time sleeping and reside in Fangorn Forest, indifferent to the passage of time. Gollum is already insane, and even if he isn't, he's been living alone in the Misty Mountains for five hundred years, likely devoid of any concept of time. As for the trolls, not to mention them." Artel poundered.
"I need to determine the timeline of the Lord of the Rings world so that I can better deal with the intelligent creatures that will be summoned in the future." Artel concluded, focusing on establishing a chronological understanding of the world he now found himself in.
"After all, The Ring of Power is in my hands. Without it, the Fellowship of the Ring wouldn't have been formed, Gandalf wouldn't have discovered Saruman's betrayal, and he wouldn't have transformed into a white wizard. The subsequent War of the Ring wouldn't have unfolded..."
"What the system seems to be doing is actively merging the two worlds. If the timeline it summoned from is before the cannon of Lord of Rings,then The Lord of the Rings might even kick off in the world of Harry Potter!"
Countless thoughts raced through Artel's mind. He raised his head, locking eyes with Shelob, and declared:
"Given the circumstances, there's no issue. This place suits you well. You can stay here peacefully. Just remember not to provoke those human wizards. I'll come back to you when needed."
With that, Artel raised his scepter.
"Rejuvenation!"
He channeled healing magic, causing Shelob's eyes to shine with black light. The spider shook its legs in excitement, welcoming the magical rejuvenation.
It was a magic derived from Saruman's experimental notes—rebuilding a severed limb.
Soon, under Artel's magical power, Shelob's broken leg regrew, and the blind eye swiftly regained its sight.
"Be on your way, old man."
Shelob remained silent, staring at Artel's departing figure for a moment before slowly retreating into the lair.
.....
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