In J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins names the sword he finds Sting.
Bilbo discovers the blade in the troll-hoard alongside two famous Elvish weapons, Glamdring and Orcrist. Although Sting is short by the standards of swords used by Elves and Men, it is perfectly suited to a hobbit. Its blade also glows blue when Orcs or goblins are nearby, giving Bilbo an important warning during his journey.
Bilbo later uses Sting in encounters with giant spiders in Mirkwood, and he gives the weapon to Frodo before the events of The Lord of the Rings. Frodo carries it during the quest to destroy the One Ring, including the journey through Shelob’s lair.
Readers sometimes confuse Sting with Andúril, Aragorn’s sword. Andúril is reforged from Narsil and belongs to Aragorn; Sting is the smaller blade associated first with Bilbo and later with Frodo.