The Two Towers, the second volume of J.R.R. Tolkien's epic trilogy The Lord of the Rings, follows the separated members of the Fellowship. While Frodo and Sam journey toward Mordor with the treacherous guide Gollum to destroy the One Ring, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli pursue the orcs who have captured Merry and Pippin. The hobbits escape into Fangorn Forest and ally with the tree-like Ents, who wage war against the wizard Saruman. After Gandalf's miraculous return, the heroes defend Helm's Deep against Saruman's armies, while Frodo faces betrayal and a deadly encounter with the giant spider Shelob.
