Shelob, the cat of Sauron

[akhtene]

If Shelob hadn't been there I am sure that Sauron would have found another monster to guard the entrance to Mordor.

Weren't the Silent Watchers serving the same purpose - stopping anyone who came their way with good /as opposed to evil/ intentions?
Besides, Shelob had another function - not only she did away with any tresspassers, but also caught awolees heading out from Mordor and probably discouraging potential ones.
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Tevildo Prince of Cats sounds as a good enough character for a fairy tale. But for an epic IMHO he's not ominous enough. Werewolves or just wolves suit much better. Besides, feline Tevildo is no match for lupine Sauron in devotion to his master. A cat is too independent a being to be someone's right-hand man(?).
So, a cat for children's stories, a werewolf for adult legends (to know who their ancestors had to oppose) - I'm not stealing Iarephelion's idea, I'm supporting it! [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]