The Black Squirrel of Mirkwood.

[Guinevere]

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

Black squirrels, like crows, have a bad rep in Lotr. We know that Tolkien had a fear of spiders from an early childhood incident in South Africa. Perhaps that mill in Sarehole harboured black squirrels?

Well, it's not the topic of this thread, but I'd like to correct the statement about Tolkien's supposed arachnophobia:

from letter #163
... the way was guarded by a Spider. And if that has anything to do with my being stung by a tarantula when a small child, people are welcome to the notion (supposing the improbable, that any one is interested). I can only say that I remember nothing about it, should not know it if I had not been told; and I do not dislike spiders particularly, and have no urge to kill them. I usually rescue those whom I find in the bath!

I found the spider rescue particularly endearing.(I do the same, with the help of a glass) That's why I remembered this quote.