Inspired by this post (http://seagodofmagic.tumblr.com/post/113743921833/just-spitballing-here), write an AU in which your characters have to run a spider farm. In the original post, spiders were sold to fraudulent wine merchants; but in Middle-earth, I can imagine any number of more sinister purposes...
Perhaps your characters live in (or near) Nan Dungortheb or Mirkwood and harvest giant spider silk; perhaps they live in Bree and farm ordinary spiders for use in charms or poultices; perhaps they are just odd-balls who really like spiders.
BONUS POINTS if your story is about a well-known character.
Any Characters, Any Age, Spider Farm AU
Perhaps your characters live in (or near) Nan Dungortheb or Mirkwood and harvest giant spider silk; perhaps they live in Bree and farm ordinary spiders for use in charms or poultices; perhaps they are just odd-balls who really like spiders.
BONUS POINTS if your story is about a well-known character.