LOTR’s Omnibus (Ori=
ginal Movie
Version)
The Fell=
owship
of the Ring
The Rings of Power and=
The
Third Age - Prologue
[Black
screen] Narrator (V.O.) I amar prestar aen. The world is changed.
Han mathon ne nen. I feel it in the waters.
Han mathon ne chae. I feel it in the earth.
A han noston ned 'wilith. I smell it in the air.
Much that once was is lost. For none now live who remember it.
[The words 'The Lord of the Rings' appear in gold
lettering on the screen, the screen fades back to black, then a fire comes =
onto
the screen. A pair of tongs are seen pouring a h=
eated
liquid into a mould.]
It began with the forging of the Great Rings.
[Three Elf hands are seen, each wearing one of the elven rings, which each =
have
jewels on them. We see the Elves looking at the rings on their fingers.]
Seven to the Dwarf-lords: great miners and craftsmen of the mountain halls.=
[We see the dwarves take their rings.]
And nine. Nine rings were gifted to the race of men, who above all else des=
ire
power.
[The men are seen with their rings.]
For within these rings was bound the strength and will to govern each race.=
But
they were all of them deceived.
[We see a map of Middle-earth, which darkens as the screen blacks out.]
For another ring was made.
[Map is shown again, this time showing Mordor.]
In the
[We see
And into this Ring he poured his cruelty, his malice, and his will to domin=
ate
all life.
[Fire blots out his image, and in the fire we see round, gold ring. We see a
close shot of Sauron, with the Ring on his hand. The camera zooms in on the
Ring, which has fiery Elvish letters on it.]
One Ring to rule them all.
[Once again, we see a map of Middle-earth. A dark cloud originating from Mo=
rdor
spreads to the rest of Middle-earth.]
One by one, free lands of Middle-earth fell to the power of the Ring.
[The map blends into a village in Middle-earth, where people are running aw=
ay
from Orcs, who are brandishing axes, and burning down houses.]
But there were some who resisted.
[We see an army of men marching, then a long shot of the battle field, where
there are thousands of Men, Elves, and Orcs in battle, marching towards each
other. The camera moves up to show
A last alliance of Men and Elves marched against the armies of Mordor. And =
on
the slopes of
[We see an Orc snarling, then a line of archers shooting arrows. Once again=
, we
see a long shot of the battle field, with Orcs falling off cliff tops as th=
ey
are shot. There are tens of thousands on the battle field. Then we see close
shots of an army of Elves and men, commanded by Elrond.]
Elrond:
Tangado haid! Leithio i philinn!
[Translation: "Hold [your] positions! Fire the arrows!"]
[The
Elves/Men have their shields drawn, and as the Orcs charge towards them, th=
ey
draw their swords and fight them. Many Orcs fall.]
Narrator
(V.O.) Victory was near. But the power of the Ring could not be undone.
[Sauron appears, and with him, a hazy cloud. We see a close up shot of his
hand, which is wearing the Ring. The fiery letters are very clear. Sauron
swings his mace, and the men and Elves against him are flung outwards, yell=
ing
in pain. The king charges forward, trying to kill Sauron. Sauron slashes at
him, flinging him to the ground. His sword falls. Isildur, his son, runs to=
his
side, and takes off his helmet.]
It was in this moment, when all hope had faded, that Isildur, son of the ki=
ng,
took up his father's sword.
[As he grabs at the sword, Sauron steps on it, breaking it. Still holding t=
he
hilt of the broken sword, Isildur slashes at Sauron's hand, cutting off the
finger which wears the Ring. The finger, still with the Ring on it, falls to
the ground, as Sauron falls backwards. Isildur sits up and leans over the R=
ing,
as Sauron is destroyed in a light that seems to come from his body. A bright
light comes from him, and a cloud spreads over the battlefield, killing all=
the
Orcs and Sauron's allies. Sauron's helmet falls to the ground, smoke coming=
out
of it.]
Sauron, the enemy of the Free peoples of Middle-earth, was defeated.
[Isildur, amazed, picks up Sauron's finger, with the Ring on it.]
The Ring passed to Isildur, who had this one chance to destroy evil forever=
.
[We see the Ring in Isildur's hand, and as he holds it, the finger of Sauron
turns to powder.]
But the hearts of men are easily corrupted. And the Ring of power has a wil=
l of
its own.
[We see Isildur on a horse, and the Ring on a chain around his neck. He is
attacked by Orcs. One jumps onto his back, and t=
he
others shoot him with their arrows. He is seen in the
It betrayed Isildur to his death.
[The Ring is seen floating down to the bottom of the river.]
And some things that should not have been forgotten were lost. History beca=
me
legend; legend became myth. And for two and a half thousand years the Ring
passed out of all knowledge. Until, when chance came, it ensnared a new bea=
rer.
[The screen fades to black. Then we see the same part of the river, some ti=
me
later. We then see the Ring, half buried, still on the river floor. A hand =
is
seen closing over it.]
Gollum:
My preciousss. Narrator (V.O.) The Ring came to the creature Go=
llum
who took it deep into the tunnels of the Gollum:
It came to me. My own. My love. My own. My
Preciousss... Gollum... Narrator (V.O.) The Ring brought to Gollum unnat=
ural
long life. For 500 years it poisoned his mind. And in the gloom of Gollum's
cave it waited. Bilbo:
What's this? Narrator (V.O.) A Hobbit. Bilbo Baggins of the
Shire. Bilbo:
A ring. Gollum:
[Offstage, in the distance]: Lost! My Precious is
lost!!! Narrator (V.O.) [We see the outside of the A Long
Expected Party [Screen fades in, and we a scene in the woods, w=
here
a Frodo is sitting under a tree, reading a book. All is green and peaceful,=
and
bird are singing loudly. The words "The
Fellowship of the Ring" appear, then 'The Shire... 60 years later.' We
hear a voice singing.] Gandalf:
[Sings]: Gandalf:
[Sings]: [Frodo
comes to the side of the path on which Gandalf's cart is travelling. He fol=
ds
his arms.] Frodo:
You're late. Gandalf:
[sternly]: A wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins.
Nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to. Frodo:
It's wonderful to see you, Gandalf! Gandalf:
[He catches him, embracing him as he does so,
swaying from side to side with Frodo in his arms, laughing once again. They
break apart, and Gandalf looks at Frodo.] Frodo:
What news of the outside world? Tell me everythi=
ng! Gandalf:
Everything? You're far to
eager and curious for a Hobbit. Most unnatural... [The cart approaches the
mill.] Well, what can I tell you? Life in the wide world goes on, much as it
has this past Age. [They cross a narrow stone bridge.] Full of its own comes
and goings. Scarcely aware of the existence of Hobbits. For which I am very
thankful. Hobbit:
[Waves] Look! It's Gandalf! [Gandalf tips his ha=
t.] Gandalf:
Ooh - The long expected party. [We see a group of
twenty or so hobbits working on party preparations. Ten or so try to keep a
tent up, while others carry tables and chairs.] Hobbit:
Hold it! [Hobbits
can be seen putting up a banner saying 'Happy Birthday Bilbo Baggins'. As i=
t is
raised, the Hobbits cheer, and they clap and cheer more loudly when it stays
up.] Hobbbits:
Yeah, Bilbo, yay, up we go... etc... [Gandalf
and Frodo continue on, on what seems to be a grassy path through the woods.=
] Gandalf:
So how is the old rascal? I hear it's going to b=
e a
party of special magnificence! Frodo:
You know Bilbo. He's got the whole place in an
uproar. Gandalf:
Now, well, that should please him. Frodo:
Half the Shire's been invited! Gandalf:
Good gracious me! Frodo:
He's up to something. Gandalf:
Hmm... [Mutters] Frodo:
All right then, keep =
your
secrets. Gandalf:
Indeed. Frodo:
Never had any adventures or did anything unexpec=
ted.
Gandalf:
If you're referring to the incident with dragon,=
I
was barely involved. Frodo:
[Half-laughing]: Whatever you did, you've been
officially labelled a disturber of the peace. Gandalf:
[Mutters]: Oh, really? [A
hobbit by the name of 'Proudfoot' sees Gandalf, while sweeping the front of=
his
house, and eyes him rather sourly. Hobbit children are seen running through=
the
fields, and following the cart.] Hobbit
kids: Gandalf! Gandalf's here!! GanDALF! [The
Hobbit kids climb a fence, and run past the gate at which the Proudfoot hob=
bit
and his wife are standing. The Proudfoot hobbit mouths something, then closes his mouth, as though pained. Soon, the Hob=
bit
children come to the road that the cart is on, and stand on one fork of it.=
] Hobbit
kids: Fireworks, Gandalf... Gandalf! Fireworks, Gandal=
f...
[Gandalf
takes the other fork.] Hobbit
kids: Ohhhh... [Gandalf
lets some fireworks out of the back of the wagon. Gandalf:
Oooh... [Laughs] Oooh... [The
Proudfoot hobbit laughs, and as he does so, his wife walks towards him, han=
ds
on her hips, giving him a rather quelling look. His smile vanishes, and he
adopts a grumpy expression.] [The
cart comes to the woods, and slows down.] Frodo:
[Holds onto one of the posts of the wagon.] Gand=
alf
- I'm glad you're back. Gandalf:
So am I, dear boy. [Frodo jumps off the wagon, a=
nd
waves, as he leaves.] [Frodo
runs off into the fields, and Gandalf continues on to Bag End. As he stops =
his
cart in front of it, Gandalf looks at the hobbit-hole, and sighs in
satisfaction. He opens the gate, which reads 'No admittance except on party
business,' then continues on to the front door, which he knocks on, with his
staff.] Bilbo:
No, thank you! We don't want any more visitors,
well-wishers, or distant relations! Gandalf:
And what about very old friends? [Bilbo
opens his front door.] Bilbo:
Gandalf? Gandalf:
Bilbo Baggins. [Holds his hands out to him.] Bilbo:
My dear Gandalf! [He walks towards Gandalf, who
kneels down and embraces him.] Gandalf:
Good to see you. One hundred and eleven years ol=
d.
Who would believe it? [Looks at Bilbo.] You haven't aged a day. [They both
laugh.] Bilbo:
Come on, come in! Welcome, welcome. [Shuts the
door.] [Mutters]: Oh, here we are. [He takes Gandalf's stick and hat.] Tea? Or maybe something a little stronger. I've =
got
a few of bottles of the old Winyard left. 1296. Very good year. Almost as o=
ld
as I am. Ha ha ha ha ha. It was laid down by my father. What's say we open =
one,
eh? Gandalf:
Just tea, thankyou. [Gandalf hits his head on on=
e of
the lights. Then, as he's putting it straight, he hits his head on the
ceiling.] Ohh... Bilbo:
[Mutters in the background]: I was expecting you
sometime last week. Not that it matters. You come and go as you please. Alw=
ays
have done and always will. You caught me a bit unprepared, I'm afraid. We've
only got some cold chicken and a bit of pickle... There's some cheese. Oh n=
o,
that won't do. We've got rasberry jam, an apple tart... But not much for
afters. Oh, no, we're all right. I've just found some sponge cake. [Gandalf looks at some maps on the table.] Bilbo:
I can make you some eggs if you li-- Ganda- Gand=
alf?
Gandalf:
Just tea, thank you. Bilbo:
Oh, right. [Stuffs some cake in his mouth, and
mumbles]: You don't mind if I eat, do you? Gandalf:
No, not at all. Female
Hobbit: [Bangs on door.] Bilbo! Bilbo Baggins. [Bangs on
door more loudly.] Bilbo:
I'm not at home! I've got to get away from these
confounded relatives, hanging on the bell all day, never giving me a moment=
's
peace. I want to see mountains again, mountains, Gandalf. And then find
somewhere quiet where I can finish my book... Oh - tea! Gandalf:
So you mean to go through with your plan, then? =
Bilbo:
Yes, yes, it's all in hand. All the arrangements=
are
made. [Bilbo gets the tea, and Gandalf takes the lid off for him.] Bilbo:
Oh, thank you. Gandalf:
Frodo suspects something. Bilbo:
'Course he does. He's a Baggins! Not some
blockheaded Bracegirdle from Hardbottle. Gandalf:
You will tell him, won't you=
.
Bilbo:
Yes, yes. Gandalf:
He's very fond of you. Bilbo:
I know. He'd probably come with me if I asked hi=
m. I
think in his heart, Frodo's still in love with the Shire. The woods, the
fields. Little rivers. I'm old, Gandalf. I know I don't look it, but I'm
beginning to feel it in my heart. I feel thin. Sort of stretched, like butt=
er,
scraped over too much bread. I need a holiday. A very long holiday. And I d=
on't
expect I shall return. In fact, I mean not to. [The night of the party. Bilbo and Gandalf are
sitting outside Bag End together.] Bilbo:
Old Toby. The finest weed in the Southfarthing. =
[Bilbo
blows a smoke ring, and Gandalf blows a ship that goes through it.] Bilbo:
Gandalf, my old friend. This will be a night to
remember. [Fireworks go off, everyone cheers. It is the ni=
ght
of the party, and Hobbits are dancing to music.] Bilbo:
[Is talking to some guests.] Hello, hello. Fatty Bolger. Lovely to see you.
Welcome, welcome! Frodo:
Go on, Sam, ask Rosie for a dance! Sam:
I think I'll just have anoth=
er ale.
Frodo:
Oh, no you don't! Go on! Bilbo:
So there I was, at the mercy of three monstrous
trolls. And they were all arguing amongst themselves about how they were go=
ing
to cook us. Whether it be turned on a spit, or w=
hether
they should sit on us one by one, squash us, to jelly. Hobbit
girl: [Gasps] Bilbo:
And they spent so much time arguing, the whitert=
os
and the whyfors that the sun's first light crept over the top of the trees
-poof- Hobbit
kids: [Gasp] Bilbo:
And turned them all to stone! [Nods] [Gandalf takes out some fireworks from a wagon i=
n a
tent. As he leaves, Merry and Pippin come out from behind the tent.] Pippin:
[Whispers]: Quickly! [Gandalf is letting off some butterfly fireworks=
for
the young Hobbit children.] Gandalf:
Oh! Up they go! [Pippin takes out a cracker.] Merry:
No, no, the big one, big one. [Pippin takes out a
dragon shaped one. Pippin lights it.] Pippin:
Done. [Pushes the top end towards Merry.] Merry:
You're supposed to stick it in the ground. [Push=
es
it back to Pippin.] Pippin:
It is in the ground! [Pushes it back to Merry, w=
ho
pushes it back to Pippin.] Merry:
Outside... [They continue pushing the lit firewo=
rk
back and forth.] Pippin:
This was your idea! [Cracker goes off, and Merry=
and
Pippin are both thrown to the ground. The cracker lets out fireworks, and t=
he
Hobbits cheer. Then it turns into a fiery dragon. The Hobbits scream and run
away from it, knocking down tables of food as they do so.] Frodo:
[To himself]: Bilbo... [Loudly]: Bilbo, watch out for the dragon! Bilbo:
Dragon? Nonsense, there hasn't been a dragon in
these parts for a thousand years! [The 'dragon' passes overhead, and slowly,
the Hobbits who had been crouching down, begin to lift their heads. The
'dragon' then goes off in to the distance, filling the sky with fireworks.]=
Hobbits:
Oh! [They cheer.] Merry:
That was good! Pippin:
Let's get another one. Gandalf:
[Grabs them by the ears.] Meriadoc Brandybuck and
Peregrin Took. I might've known. [Merry
and Pippin are seen washing up the dishes. Gandalf sits nearby, watching th=
em,
drinking tea, and smoking.] The
Hobbit crowd Speech, Bilbo! Speech! [They cheer and clap.] Frodo:
Speech! [Bilbo
walks up to the front of the crowd.] Bilbo:
My dear Bagginses and Boffins! [Cheers from the
crowd.] Proudfoot:
Proudfeet! [The crowd laughs, as Bilbo waves his hand
dismissively, in the direction of the Proodfoot Hobbit.] Bilbo:
Today is my one hundred and eleventh birthday!
[Cheers from the crowd.]. Hobbit
in the crowd: Happy Birthday! Bilbo:
Alas. Eleventy one years is
far too short a time to live amongst such excellent, and admirable Hobbits.=
I
don't know half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than =
half
of you half as well as you deserve. I er ... I have things to do. [Puts his hand into his pocket, and takes out a =
gold
ring.] [Whispers]: I've
put this off for far too long. I regret to announce this is the end. I'm
going now. I bid you all a very fond farewell. [Whispers]:
Goodbye. [He
vanishes, and the crowd gasps. Gandalf and Frodo look troubled. He makes his
way back to Bag End, still invisible, and takes off his ring once he has cl=
osed
the door behind him. He appears, laughing. He flips the ring into the air, =
then catches it, putting it back into his coat pocket.
Humming, he picks up his stick, and enters the living room, where the firep=
lace
is already lit.] Gandalf:
I suppose you think that was terribly clever. Bilbo:
[Gasps, looking around him, and seeing Gandalf.]=
Come on Gandalf. Did you see their faces? [Laugh=
s] Gandalf:
There are many magic rings in this world, Bilbo
Baggins, and none of them should be used lightly! Bilbo:
It was just a bit of fun... Oh, you're probably
right, as usual... You will keep an eye on Frodo, won't you? Gandalf:
Two eyes, as often as I can spare them. Bilbo:
I'm leaving everything to him. Gandalf:
What about this ring of yours, is that staying t=
oo? Bilbo:
[Impatiently]: Yes, yes. It's in an envelope over
there, on the mantlepiece... No, wait it's - here in my pocket. [Takes the =
ring
out and fingers it.] Why - isn't that - isn't that odd, now. Yet after all =
that,
why not. [Whispers]: Why shouldn't =
I keep
it? Gandalf:
I think you should leave the ring behind, Bilbo.=
Is
that so hard? Bilbo:
Well no... And yes. Now it comes to it, I don't =
feel
like parting with it. It's mine! I found it! It came to me! Gandalf:
There's no need to get angry. Bilbo:
Well if I'm angry, it's your fault! ... It's min=
e.
My own. My precious. [Eyes bulge] Gandalf:
Precious? It's been called that before, but not =
by
you. Bilbo:
Oh, what business is it of yours what I do with =
my
own things?! Gandalf:
I think you've had that ring quite long enough. =
Bilbo:
You want if for yourself!! Gandalf:
[Rises up, and becomes very angry.] Bilbo:
You're right, Gandalf. The ring must go to Frodo=
. [Prepares
to leave.] It's late, the road is long... Yes, it is time... [Walks out the
front door.] Gandalf:
Bilbo - the ring is still in your pocket. Bilbo:
[Sheepishly]: Oh - yes. [Puts
it on the palm of his hand, and turns his hand over, letting it drop. It do=
es
not bounce. Bilbo turns and walks out his door, and Gandalf follows him.] <=
o:p> Bilbo:
I've thought up an ending for my book. [He turns around to look at Gandalf.] "And he lived happily ever after, to the en=
d of
his days" Gandalf:
And I'm sure you will, my dear friend. Bilbo:
Goodbye Gandalf. Gandalf:
Goodbye, dear Bilbo. [They
shake hands.] Bilbo:
[Bilbo leaves.] The road goes ever on and on, et=
c. Gandalf:
[Softly, to himself]: Until our next meeting. Gandalf:
[Walks back into the house. He leans over the ri=
ng,
and reaches out the touch it, but sees a red eye. He leaves it on the floor.
The scene cuts out, and we see him sitting by the fire, smoking.] Voice of
Bilbo (V.O): It's mine. My own. My precious. Gandalf:
Riddles in the dark... Frodo:
[In the distance]: Bilbo! [Opens door.] Bilbo!
[Leans over, and picks up the ring.] Gandalf:
A precious... Precious... Frodo:
He's gone, hasn't he? Gandalf:
[Lets out a puff of smoke.] Frodo:
He talked so long about leaving. I didn't think =
he'd
really do it... Gandalf? Gandalf:
[Turns around to face Frodo.] Frodo:
[Shows Gandalf the ring in the palm of his hand.=
] Gandalf:
[Smiles] Bilbo's ring. He's gone to stay with the
Elves. He's left you Bag End. [He holds out an envelope to Frodo, who puts the
ring into it. Gandalf seals the envelope with a red stamp.] Along with all his possessions. The ring is yours
now. [Gandalf holds out the envelope to Frodo, who, a=
fter
a moment's pause, takes it.] [Whispers]: Put
it somewhere out of sight. [Gandalf
makes his way towards the front door.] Frodo:
Where are you going? Gandalf:
There are some things that I must see to. Frodo:
[Follows him down the corridor.] What things? Gandalf:
Questions. [He takes his staff and hat.] Questions that need answering. Frodo:
You've only just arrived. I don't understand. Gandalf:
[He looks troubled, and turns around to face Fro=
do.]
Neither do I. [Bends over so that he face<=
/span>
to face with Frodo.] Keep it secret. [Places his hand on Frodo's shoulder.] Keep it safe. [He leaves, and shuts the door.] Frodo:
[Looks at the envelope in his hand.] [We
see shots of Voice:
Shire! Shire! Baggins! [The
Gates of Minas Morgul open, and the riders in black are seen riding out from
them. Then the scene switches to Gandalf, who is riding up a slope and look=
ing
out onto Gandalf:
[Reads]: The year 3434, of the Second Age. Here
follows the account of Isildur, High King of Gondor, and the finding of the
Ring of Power. [Images are seen of Isildur taking the Ring from=
the
hand of Sauron.] It has come to me... Gandalf (V.O): The One Ring, which shall be an heirloom of my
kingdom. All those who follow in my bloodline shall be bound to its fate, f=
or I
will risk no hurt to the Ring. It is precious to me... [As Gandalf reads these lines, we see images from
the Prologue: Isildur picks up Sauron's finger, which holds the Ring. As he
lays it out on the palm of his hand, the finger is turned to a powder, and
carried away with the wind.] Gandalf:
...though I buy it with a great pain... Gandalf
(V.O): The markings upon the band begin to fade. Gandalf:
The writing which at first was as clear as red
flame, has all but disappeared, a secret now that only fire can tell. [Scene
switches to a house in the Shire. It is dark, and a man and his dog are
standing outside the door, when a rider in black approaches. The dog starts
barking, but backs into the house.] Rider:
Shire. Baggins. Hobbit:
There's no Bagginses around here. They're all up=
in
Hobbiton. That way... [Rider
leaves.] The Shadow of the Past=
[Scene
switches to Hobbiton, where Frodo is at the Green Dragon Inn. Sam and Frodo
leave, and pass by Rosie Cotton, a Hobbit Lass who is drying a cup.] Sam:
Good night. Rosie:
Good night. [Frodo and Sam leave, and walk back to Bag End.]=
Frodo:
Good night, Sam. [Frodo
enters Bag End, while Sam continues on his way home. Upon entering Bag End,
Frodo finds the windows open, and his papers flying about the house. Sudden=
ly,
he feels a hand on his shoulder. He turns around, and sees Gandalf.] Gandalf:
Is it secret? Is it safe? Frodo:
[Searches in a box, where he finds the envelope =
he
put the ring into.] Ah. Gandalf:
[Grabs it from him, and throws it into the fire.=
] Frodo:
What are you doing? Gandalf:
[Takes it out from the fire with tongs, and hold=
s it
out to Frodo.] Hold out your hand, Frodo. It's quite cool. Frodo:
[Holds out his hand, as though expecting it to be
hot. Gandalf drops the ring onto his palm.] Gandalf:
What can you see? Can you see anything? Frodo:
[Examines the ring.]. Nothing. There's nothing. =
Gandalf:
[Sighs in relief.] Frodo:
Wait... There are markings. It's some form of
Elvish. I can't read it. Gandalf:
There are few who can. The language is that of
Mordor, which I will not utter here. Frodo:
Mordor?! Gandalf:
In the common tongue, it says "One Ring to =
Rule
them all, One Ring to find them. One Ring to bring them all, and in the
darkness bind them." [Gandalf
sits at the table, smoking, while Frodo makes tea.] Gandalf:
This is the One Ring, forged by the Dark Lord,
Sauron in the fires of Frodo:
Bilbo found it. In Gollum's cave. Gandalf:
Yes. For 60 years the Ring lay quiet, in Bilbo's
keeping, prolonging his life, delaying old age. But no longer, Frodo. Evil =
is
stirring in Mordor. The Ring has awoken. It's heard its master's call. Frodo:
But he was destroyed. Sauron was destroyed. [Sounds
come from the Ring, and Gandalf and Frodo look at it, as though afraid of i=
t.] Gandalf:
[Whispers]: No,
Frodo. The spirit of Sauron endured. His life force is bound to the Ring, a=
nd
the Ring survived. Sauron has returned. His Orcs have multiplied,
his fortress of Barad-dûr is rebuilt in the Frodo:
[Takes the envelope containing the Ring, and wal=
ks
into the next room, as though seeking for a place to hide it.] Gandalf:
[Gandalf remains silent.] Frodo:
[Fearfully]: Do they,
Gandalf? Gandalf:
There is one other that knew that Bilbo had the
Ring. I looked everywhere for the creature Gollum. But the enemy found him
first. [We see shots of Gollum being tortured.] I don't know how long they tortured him for. But
amidst the endless screams and inane babble, they discerned two words. Gollum
SHIRE! BAGGINS! Frodo:
[As though horrified]: Shire! Baggins?! But that
would lead them here! [The
scene switches, and the riders in black are seen galloping across a road in=
the
Shire. A Hobbit holds out a lantern.] Hobbit:
Who goes there? [The
hobbit's concerned expression turn to one of horror, as one of the riders s=
wing
a sword at his head.] Frodo:
[Desperately]: Take it Gandalf! Take it! [Frodo
holds out the Ring to Gandalf.] Gandalf:
[He backs away fearfully.] Frodo:
[Urgently]: You must take it! Gandalf:
[Firmly, yet fearfully]:You<=
/span>
cannot offer me this Ring. Frodo:
[Desperately]: I'm giving it to you! Gandalf:
[Urgently, fearfully]: DON'T ... tempt me, Frodo=
! Frodo:
[Frodo lowers his hand.] Gandalf:
I dare not take it. [Whispers]: Not even to keep it safe. Understand, Frodo, I would use this R=
ing
from a desire to do good. But through me, it wou=
ld
wield a power too great and terrible to imagine. Frodo:
But it cannot stay in the Shire! Gandalf:
NO - no it can't. Frodo:
[Closes his hand over the Ring.] What must I do? [We hear a cupboard door creaking, and we see Fr=
odo
packing to leave.] Gandalf:
You must leave. And leave quickly. Frodo:
Where? Where do I go? Gandalf:
Get out of the Shire. Make for the Frodo:
Bree... What about you? Gandalf:
I'll be waiting for you, at the inn of the Pranc=
ing
Pony. Frodo:
And the Ring will be safe there? Gandalf:
I don't know, Frodo. I don't have any answers. I
must see the head of my order. He is both wise, and powerful. Trust me, Fro=
do.
He'll know what to do. You'll have to leave the name of Baggins behind you,=
for
that name is not safe outside the Shire. Travel only by day, and stay off t=
he
road. Frodo:
I can cut across country easily enough. Gandalf:
My dear Frodo. Hobbits really are amazing creatu=
res.
You can learn all that there is to know about their ways in a month, and yet
after a hundred years, they can still surprise you. [A
clicking noise is heard. The camera view moves to the window.] Gandalf:
Get down. Confound it all, Samwise Gamgee! Have you been
eavesdropping? Sam:
I haven't been dropping no
eaves, sir. Honest. I was just cutting the grass under the window there, if=
you
follow me. Gandalf:
A little late for trimming the verge, don't you
think? Sam:
I heard raised voices... Gandalf:
What did you hear? SPEAK! Sam:
N-n-n-nothing important. That is I heard a good =
deal
about a ring, Dark Lord, and something about the end of the world, but, ple=
ase
Mr. Gandalf, sir, please don't 'urt me. Don't turn me into anything -
unnatural... Gandalf:
No... Perhaps not... [Whispers]: I've thought of a better use for you. Three is
Company [The
next day, at dawn, Gandalf is seen leading his horse into the woods, with F=
rodo
and Sam following him.] Gandalf:
Come along, Samwise, keep up. Be careful, both of
you. The enemy has many spies in his service: Birds, beasts... Frodo:
Puts his hand over his coat pocket. Gandalf:
Never put it on. For the agent of the Dark Lord =
will
be drawn to its power. Always remember, Frodo. The Ring is trying to get ba=
ck
to its master. It wants to be f=
ound.
[Gandalf rides off into the woods, birds are heard screeching.] [Sam
and Frodo set off. We see several shots of them travelling across the
countryside. After some time, they come to a field, with knee-high crops. S=
am
stops.] Sam:
This is it. Frodo:
This is what? Sam:
If I take one more step, it'll be the farthest a=
way
from home I've ever been. Frodo:
[Walks back towards Sam.] Come on, Sam. Sam:
[Takes step.] Frodo:
[Puts his hand onto Sam's shoulder.] Remember what Bilbo used to say? [They continue walking.] "It's a dangerous business... [Voice change=
s to
Bilbo's.] Bilbo (V.O): Frodo, going out your door. You step out onto the
road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be
swept off to." [Scene switches to Gan=
dalf.
He rides off to Isengard, to find Saruman, the head of his order. We see sh=
ots
of him on the way to Isengard.] Saruman:
Smoke rises from the mountain of Doom, and the h=
our
grows late, and Gandalf the Grey rides to Isengard, seeking my counsel. For
that is why you have come, is it not? My old friend... Gandalf:
Saruman. [Bows head.] [Gandalf
and Saruman are talking as they walk in the tree-filled garden next to the
tower Orthanc. Birds can be heard squaking.] Saruman:
You are sure of this? Gandalf:
Beyond any doubt. Saruman:
[Slowly, thoughtfully]: So the Ring of Power has
been found. Gandalf:
All these long years, it was in the Shire, under=
my
very nose. Saruman:
[Condescendingly]: And yet you did not have the =
wits
to see it. Gandalf:
[Hurriedly]: But we still have time. Time enough=
to
counter Sauron if we act quickly. Saruman:
Time? What time do you think we have? [They
stop walking, and Gandalf looks at Saruman.] [The
scene moves to Saruman's room, where Saruman sits on a chair of elaborate
design, while Gandalf stands before him.] Saruman:
Sauron has regained much of his former strength.=
He
cannot yet take physical form, but his spirit has lost none of its potency.
Concealed within his fortress, the Lord of Mordor sees all. His gaze pierces
cloud, shadow, earth and flesh. Gandalf:
[Whispers]: The Eye of Sauron. Saruman:
He is gathering all evil to him. Very soon he wi=
ll
summon an army great enough to launch an assault upon Middle-earth. Gandalf:
[His eyes narrow.] You know all this? How? Saruman:
I have seen it. [Gandalf
and Saruman are walking into the hall.] Gandalf:
[Walks towards the palantír.] A
palantír is a dangerous tool, Saruman. Saruman:
Why? Why should we fear to use it? [Takes cover =
off
the palantír.] Gandalf:
They are not all accounted for, the lost
Seeing-stones. We do not know who else may be watching. Saruman:
The hour is later than you think. Sauron's forces
are already moving. The nine have left Minas Morgul. Gandalf:
[Whispers]: The
Nine? Saruman:
They crossed the river Isen on Midsummer's Eve,
disguised as riders in black. Gandalf:
They've reached the Shire? Saruman:
They will find the Ring, and kill the one who
carries it. Gandalf:
[Whispers]: Frodo! Frodo! Saruman:
You do not seriously think that a Hobbit could
contend with the will of Sauron? There are none who can. Against the power =
of
Mordor, there can be no victory. We must join with him, Gandalf. We must jo=
in
with Sauron. It would be wise, my friend. Gandalf:
Tell me, friend. When did Saruman the Wise aband=
on reason
for madness? [Furious,
Saruman shouts out, pointing his staff as he does so, and pinning him high =
up,
against the wall, causing Gandalf to shout in pain. Saruman walks to him
slowly, with his staff pointed at him, then lets=
him
drop to the ground. But as Saruman approaches him, Gandalf points his staff=
at
him, causing him to fall onto his back. The duel begins, and for some time =
they
make hits at each other, each causing the other to fall to the ground. It s=
eems
that Gandalf is winning, as he sends Saruman flying through the shut door, =
but
Saruman soon recovers, and, seeing weariness in Gandalf's face, makes a sud=
den
movement with his hand, causing Gandalf's staff to fly into his own. Saruman
throws Gandalf to the ground, then approaches, one staff in each hand.] Saruman:
[Pointing both staffs at Gandalf.] I gave you the chance of aiding me willingly, but
you have elected a way of pain! [He uses his staff to throw him to the top of th=
e A Short =
Cut to
Mushrooms [The
scene shifts back to Frodo and Sam. We see Sam, who is now walking along a
path. On either side of him are crops considerably taller than himself. He
looks around him, and cannot see Frodo.] Sam:
Mr. Frodo? Frodo! FRODO! [Frodo comes into sight,
and Sam sighs in relief.] I thought I'd lost you. Frodo:
What are you talking about? Sam:
It's just something Gandalf said. Frodo:
What did he say? Sam:
"Don't you lose him, Samwise Gamgee."
And I don't mean to. Frodo:
Sam, we're still in the Shire. What could possib=
ly
happen? [Just
then, Merry and Pippin come out from the bushes, and fall onto Frodo and Sa=
m.] Pippin:
Frodo! Merry - It's Frodo Baggins! Merry:
Hello, Frodo. Sam:
[Heaves Pippin off Frodo.] Get off him! Come on,
Frodo. Frodo:
What's the meaning of this? Merry:
[To Sam]: Hold these. [Puts an armful of cabbages
into Sam's arms.] Sam:
You've been into Farmer Maggot's crop! Farmer
Maggot: [Barking noises are heard.] Oi! You get back her=
e!
Get out of my fields! You know what's gonna happ=
en
when I catch up with you? Sam:
[Stands holding the cabbages and carrots.] OOh.
[Drops them on the ground and follows the others into the cover of Farmer
Maggot's crop.] Merry:
I don't know why he's so upset. It's only a coup=
le
of carrots Pippin:
And some cabbages. And then those three bags of
potatoes we lifted last week, and, and, the mushrooms, the week before! Merry:
Yes, Pippin, my point is, he's clearly overreact=
ing!
Run! [They
run, but come to the edge of a steep slope. Pippin, Merry, and Frodo try to
keep their balance, and almost manage, but then Sam hits into the back of
Frodo, causing them all to fall down the slope.] Pippin:
[Lands just inches away from a pile of manure.] =
Oh. That was close. Merry:
Ahhh. Ohhh. I think I've broken something. [Pulls
out a broken carrot from underneath him.] Sam:
Trust a Brandybuck and a Took. Merry:
What? It was just a detour. A shortcut. Sam:
A shortcut to what? Pippin:
[Spots something on the ground.] Mushrooms!! [Sam,
Pippin, and Merry and whispering, as they put some mushrooms into a bag.] <=
o:p> Merry:
Take that one... Pippin:
That's mine... Mmmm... That's nice, Merry. Here'=
s a
nice one, Sam. Frodo:
I think we should get off the road. [The
sound of a horse neighing is heard, and the leaves rustle on the ground.] <=
o:p> Frodo:
Get off the road! QUICK! [The
Hobbits hurry off the road, and find a hiding place under the roots of a tr=
ee.
Merry and Pippin fight over the bag of mushrooms.] Sam:
[Whispers]: Be quiet! [A
rider in black comes dismounts, and comes towards
their hiding place. Frodo closes his eyes, and takes out the Ring, and as he
does so, the rider turns his face towards him. Frodo holds the Ring near to=
his
finger, preparing to put it on, but Sam notices, and taps him on the should=
er.
Frodo opens his eyes, and puts the Ring away, and as he does, the Rider loo=
ks
away. Merry throws the bag of mushrooms off into the distance, and the rider
moves towards it. The Hobbits leave their hiding place and run.] Merry:
What was that? [Frodo
does not answer, but takes out the Ring, holding it in the palm of his hand=
.] [The
Hobbits are shown running through the woods in the dark. At least one rider=
is
nearby.] Merry:
Anything? Frodo:
Nothing! Pippin:
What is going on? Merry:
That Black Rider was looking for something. Or
someone... Frodo? Frodo:
[Turns around to face Merry.] Pippin:
[Urgently]: Get down! [The
Hobbits get down, and a Rider is seen nearby.] Frodo:
I have to leave the Shire. Sam and I must get to
Bree. Merry:
Right... Bucklebury Ferry. Follow me. [The
follow Merry, but a black rider sees and chases them.] Merry:
Run! Frodo, this way! Follow me! Frodo! Hurry! R=
un!
Frodo! [They
run, and come to the river. Sam, Merry and Pippin are there, but Frodo is s=
till
being chased by a black rider.] Merry:
Get the rope, Sam! Sam:
Frodo! The
Hobbits: Run, Frodo! Go! Hurry! Come on! Faster! Jump! [The
others have untied the boat, and it is drifting off. Frodo runs, and manage=
s to
jump onto the boat. The rider stops at the river bank, and turns around.] <=
o:p> Frodo:
How far to the nearest crossing? Merry:
The [The
rider is seen riding off, and is joined by at two other Riders in black.] <=
o:p> At the Sign of the Pra=
ncing
Pony <=
/span> [The
Hobbits are seen approaching the gate into Bree.] Frodo:
Come on. [They
knock on the gate. The gatekeeper opens a shutter, but it is too high up to=
see
the Hobbits, and opens a lower one.] Gatekeeper:
What do you want? Frodo:
We're heading for the Prancing Pony. Gatekeeper:
[Opens gate.] Hobbits. Four Hobbits! What busine=
ss
brings you to Bree? Frodo:
We wish to stay at the inn. Our business is our =
own.
Gatekeeper:
Alright, young sir, I meant no offence. It's my =
job
to ask questions after nightfall. There's talk of strange folk abroad. Can'=
t be
too careful. [The
gatekeeper lets them in. Bree is full of men, or 'big folk', as the Hobbits
call them, and it is a rough area. One of the Hobbits bump into one of the
men.] Man:
Out of the way! Watch where you're walking. [Eventually,
they find the inn of the 'Prancing Pony', and enter it.] Frodo:
[Walks up to the counter.] Excuse me. Innkeeper:
Good evening, little masters. If you're seeking
accommodation, we've got some nice cozy, Hobbit-sized rooms available... Mr=
...
er... Frodo:
Underhill. My name's Underhill. Innkeeper:
Underhill, yes... Frodo:
We're friends of Gandalf the Grey. Can you tell =
him
we've arrived? Innkeeper:
Gandalf? Gandalf... Oh.... yes! I remember. Elde=
rly
chap. Big grey beard, and pointy hat. Frodo:
[Smiles and nods.] Innkeeper:
Not seen him for 6 months. Frodo:
[Turns around to face Sam, Merry, and Pippin.] <=
o:p> Sam:
What do we do now? [The
scene skips to the Hobbits sitting at a table.] Frodo:
Sam - he'll be here. He'll come. Merry:
[Makes his way to the table, with a large mug of
drink, but bumps into a man.] Man:
Get out of my way! Pippin:
What's that? Merry:
This, my friend, is a pint. Pippin:
It comes in pints? I'm getting one. [Walks off.]=
Sam:
You've got a whole half already!! [To Frodo]: Th=
at
fellow's done nothing but stare at you since we arrived. Frodo:
[To innkeeper, as he walks past.] Innkeeper:
[Looks at the man.] He's one of them Rangers.
Dangerous folk, they are, wandering in the Wilds. What his right name is, I=
've
never heard, but around here, he's known as Strider. [He walks off.] Frodo:
Strider... [Frodo
fingers the Ring.] Voice
of the Ring (V.O) Baggins. Baggins. Baggins... Baggins... Pippin:
Baggins? Sure I know a Baggins. He's over there
[Pippin is talking to some men, and points to Frodo.]. Frodo Baggins. He's =
my
second cousin once removed on his mother's side and my third cousin, twice
removed... [The voices of the other people in the room drown out his voice.=
] Frodo:
[Anxiously makes his way towards Pippin to stop
him.] Pippin! [He grabs him, causing him to spill some of his drink.] Pippin:
Steady on Frodo! Frodo:
[Trips on the foot of one of the men, falling
backwards. As he hits the ground, the Ring flies upwards, and it falls back
down onto his finger, causing him to disappear.] [The
black riders are seen coming closer to the inn: they are drawn to its power.
Frodo sees the world in darkness when he puts on the Ring. There are many
shadows, and he hears a voice.] Voice
(V.O): You cannot hide. I see you. There is no life in =
the
void. Only death. Strider =
<=
/u> Frodo:
[Frodo sees a great red eye, and pulls the Ring =
off
his finger. Just as he is recovering, he finds a hand on his shoulder. The =
man,
'Strider' (who will be referred to as Aragorn), pulls him up the stairs into
his room.] Aragorn:
You draw far too much attention to yourself, Mr.
Underhill. Frodo:
What do you want? Aragorn:
A little more caution from y=
ou,
that is no trinket you carry. Frodo:
I carry nothing. Aragorn:
Indeed. I can avoid being seen if I wish. But to
disappear entirely. That is a rare gift. Frodo:
Who are you? Aragorn:
Are you frightened? Frodo:
Yes. Aragorn:
Not nearly frightened enough. I know what hunts =
you.
[The
door is opened, and Aragorn (Strider) draws his sword. Merry, Pippin, and S=
am
are seen standing in the doorway. Sam has his fists held forward.] Sam:
Let him go, or I'll have you, Longshanks! Aragorn:
You have a stout heart, little Hobbit. [Puts his
sword away.] But that will not save you. You can no longer wait for the wiz=
ard,
Frodo. They're coming. A Knife =
in the
Dark <=
/span> [The
scene switches to the Black riders. The gatekeeper hears them coming to the
gate, and walks towards it. The Black riders knock down the gate, and enter
Bree.] [The
scene switches back to the Hobbits, who are sleeping. Then we see the Black
riders approach, and enter the Hobbit rooms. There is a rider standing over
each bed, and in unison, they thrust their swords into them. They do this
several times, but when they take the blankets off, they find that there wa=
s no
one sleeping in the beds. They turn over the beds, and ride off.] [The
scene switches back to Aragorn (Strider), who is sitting by the window with=
the
Hobbits, who have awoken.] Frodo:
What are they? Aragorn:
They were once Men. Great kings of Men. Then Sau=
ron
the Deceiver gave to them nine rings of power. Blinded by their greed, they
took them without question. One by one, falling to darkness. Now they are
slaves to his will. They are the Nazgul. Ringwraiths. Neither living nor de=
ad.
At all times they feel the presence of the Ring. Drawn to the Power of the =
One.
They will never stop hunting you. [The
next day, Aragorn (Strider) is seen leading a pony into the countryside, wi=
th
the Hobbits following him.] Frodo:
Where are you taking us? Aragorn:
Into the Wild. Merry:
How do we know this Strider is a friend of Ganda=
lf? Frodo:
We have no choice but to trust him. Sam:
But where is he leading us? Aragorn:
To Rivendell, Master Gamgee, to the House of Elr=
ond.
Sam:
Did you hear that? Rivendell. We're going to see=
the
Elves. [They
walk on for some time. At one point, Aragorn (Strider) hears the Hobbits
whispering behind him, and realises that they have stopped.] Aragorn:
[Turns around.] Gentlemen. We do not stop 'till
nightfall. Pippin:
What about breakfast? Aragorn:
You've already had it. Pippin:
We've had one, yes. What about second breakfast?=
[Aragorn
turns around, and continues on.] Merry:
Don't think he knows about second breakfast, Pip=
. Pippin:
What about elevenses? Luncheon? Afternoon tea?
Dinner? Supper? He knows about them, doesn't he? Merry:
I wouldn't count on it. [Aragorn
throws an apple back, and Merry catches it. He hands it to Pippin, pats him=
on
the back. Then Aragorn throws another apple, which hits Pippin on the head.
Pippin looks up, and around him, bewildered.] Merry:
Pippin... [In
Isengard: Saruman is using the palantír.] Saruman:
The power of Isengard is at your command, Sauron,
Lord of the Earth. Voice of Sauron (V.O): Build me an army worthy of Mordor. [The
scene switches to a room in Saruman's tower.] Orc
1: What orders from Mordor, my lord? Orc
2: What does the Eye command? Saruman:
We have work to do. [The
Orcs outside Isengard are uprooting all the trees. We see Gandalf on top of=
the
Orc:
The trees are strong, my lord. Their roots go de=
ep. Saruman:
Rip them all down. [Once
again, we see Gandalf at the top of the
[We see Gollum holding the Ring in his hand, then a shot of the
[We see Gollum, deep in a cave, squatting on a rock, looking at the Ring in=
his
hand.]
[Screen blacks out, then we see an indistinct sh=
ape,
which comes into focus: a full moon. The image sharpens more, and we see it
behind the cover of a tree.]
Darkness crept back in the forest of the world. Rumour grew of a shadow in =
the
East, whispers of a nameless fear.
[We see a ripple in the
And the Ring of Power perceived its time had now come.
[We hear the sound of metal on rock, echoing through Gollum's cave, and see=
the
Ring falling.]
It abandoned Gollum. But something happened then, the Ring did not intend. =
It
was picked up by the most unlikely creature imaginable.
[A hand is seen on the Ring.]
[We see a full view of a Hobbit, who fingers it, then smiles.]
For the time would soon come when Hobbits would shape the fortunes of all. =
[The screen blacks out.]
Down from the door where it began,
[Hums/Half mutters]: Now far ahead the road as gone,
[Frodo stands up, taking a pipe out of his mouth as he does so. He looks ac=
ross
the woods, and as he does so, his face breaks into a sudden smile, and he r=
uns
off. We see the back of a cart, and of Gandalf, who is singing.]
The Road goes ever on and on,
Down from the door where it began,
Now far ahead the road has gone,
And I must follow if I can.
[They look at each other for a moment, as though trying to keep a straight
face. Then, as Gandalf's mouth begins to twitch, their faces both break into
sudden smiles, and they laugh richly. Frodo jumps onto Gandalf's lap, arms
outstreched.]
You didn't think I'd miss your uncle Bilbo's birthday? [He touches Frodo's =
face
affectionately, and laughs.]
[The cart passes through a crowded marketplace, where Hobbits can be seen g=
oing
about their daily tasks, leading pigs and goats, exchanging goods, or just
eating.]
[The cart moves out of the marketplace, and on, to the top of a slope, wher=
e we
are given a magnificent view of a more quiet part of the Shire, which is lu=
sh,
and green. Several hobbit-holes can be seen beneath the hills.]
[The cart passes a hobbit-hole, with a chimney breathing white clouds of sm=
oke,
and a line of clothing hung on its roof. Two Hobbits stand by the gate,
talking, and wave as the cart passes them by.]
Before you came along, we Bagginses were very well thought of.
[Gandalf looks at Frodo; Frodo looks back doubtfully.]
All I did was give your uncle a little nudge out of the door.
The Hobbit children jump up and down, and cheer. Frodo smiles to himself, <=
span
class=3DGramE>then looks at Gandalf, rather amused.]
[Mutters to himself]: So am I.
[Sam stands up for another ale, but Frodo pushes=
him
towards Rosie. They dance. Frodo laughs.]
[Gandalf lets off a bright blue firework, that o=
pens
out over party site.]
[Bilbo is sitting on a low bench, telling a group of young Hobbit children a
story.]
[Merry gives Pippin a leg up onto the wagon.]
Tooks and Brandybucks! [Cheers from the crowd.]
Grubbs! [More cheers.]
Chubbs! [Yet more cheers.]
Hornblowers! [Cheers]
Bolgers! [Cheers]
Bracegirdles! And Proudfoots!
[The Hobbits look at one another, as though trying to work out if this were=
a
compliment. Gandalf eyes him, as though half-amused.]
BILBO BAGGINS! DO NOT TAKE ME FOR SOME CONJUROR OF CHEAP TRICKS! I AM NOT
TRYING TO ROB YOU!!
[Becomes normal again.]
I'm trying to help you.
[He kneels down beside Bilbo, and places his hand on his shoulder.]
All your long years, we've been friends. Trust me, as you once did, hmm? Le=
t it
go.
[We see images of Isildur fingering the Ring. As he does so, the markings b=
egin
to fade.]
[The camera zooms in on Gandalf, who looks up from the scroll he has been
reading.]
All right. We put it away. We keep it hidden. We never speak of it again. No
one knows it's here, do they?
[He turns around to face Gandalf.]
[With fear in his voice]: No, Frodo.
[He takes his staff, slowly moving towards the window, then points his staff
out of the window, and hits at something. Quickly, he grabs it from outside=
the
window. It turns out to be a male Hobbit. He drops him onto the table.]
[To Frodo]: Is it safe?
[Saruman gives Gandalf a rather scathing look.]
Your love of the Halflings' leaf has clearly slowed your mind.
[Gandalf looks up.]
You know of what I speak, Gandalf. A Great Eye, lidless, wreathed in flame.=
[Puts the cover back onto the palantír.]
[Makes for one of the 4 exits, but as he approaches it, Saruman looks at it,
and it closes. Gandalf makes for the other 3 exits, but each are closed as =
he
heads for them.]
Excuse me. That man in the corner. Who is he?
[He pinches the candles in the room to put them out, and takes off his hood=
.]
[The
scene goes back to Aragorn (Strider) and the Hobbits.]
Aragorn:
This was the great watchtower of Amon Sul. We sh=
all
rest here tonight.
[The
Hobbits settle down in a corner. Aragorn takes out four short swords, and
passes one to each Hobbit.]
Aragorn:
These are for you. Keep them close. I'm going to
have a look around. Stay here.
[Some
time later, when it is dark, Frodo wakes up suddenly. Merry, Pippin, and Sam
are cooking something around a fire.]
Merry:
My tomato's burst.
Pippin:
Could I have some bacon?
Merry:
Ok. Want a tomato, Sam?
Frodo:
[Gets up, and walks over to his friends.]
[In an urgent voice]: What are you doing?!
Merry:
Tomatoes, sausages, nice crispy bacon.
Sam:
We saved some for you, Mr. Frodo.
Frodo:
[Stamps onto the fire, putting it out with his b=
are
feet.]
Put it out, you fools! Put it out!
Pippin:
Oh, that's nice! Ash on my tomatoes...
[The
cry of the Nazgul is heard. The Hobbits draw their swords, and see the Nazg=
ul
encircling Amon Sul.]
Frodo:
[Gesturing for the others to go up to the top of=
the
watchtower.] Go!!!
[The
Nazgul follow the Hobbits to the top, and face them.]
Sam:
Back you devils!!!
Flight t=
o the
Ford <=
/span>
[The
Riders draw their swords, and swipe Merry, Pippin, and Sam out the way. Fro=
do
falls backwards. The riders stand over him with their swords, and Frodo put=
s on
the Ring. He sees the faces of the riders in bright light. The Witch-King s=
teps
forward, and speaks to Frodo in the Black Language. Horrified, Frodo pulls =
his
hand (with the Ring on it), away from the Witch-King, who then stabs Frodo =
in
the shoulder.]
Frodo:
Ahhhh
Aragorn:
Ahhhh!
[Aragorn
appears behind the Witch-King, with a torch in one hand, and a sword in the
other. He takes on the Nazgul Frodo takes the Ring off.]
Sam:
Frodo! [He runs over to Frodo.]
Frodo:
Oh, Sam.
[Aragorn
manages to set the Nazgul alight, and they flee from the watchtower. We see
Sam, Merry, and Pippin crowded around Frodo.]
Sam:
Strider! Help him Strider!
Aragorn:
He has been stabbed by a Morgul blade. This is
beyond my skill to heal. He needs elvish medicine. [He picks Frodo up over =
his
shoulder, and they head off into the night.] Hurry!
Sam:
We're 6 days from Rivendell! He'll never make it=
!
Aragorn:
Hold on, Frodo.
Frodo:
Gandalf!!!
[We
see shots of the caverns of Isengard. A moth flies up to the
Gandalf:
[Something in Elvish to moth] … Fetch Gwai=
hir,
fetch Gwaihir... Go...
[We
see Orcs cutting down trees near Isengard, then more footage in the caverns=
of
Isengard. Saruman watches, as a Uruk-hai comes o=
ut
from mud.]
[Aragorn
and the Hobbits have stopped walking.]
Sam:
Mr. Frodo? He's going cold!
Pippin:
Is he going to die?
Aragorn:
He's passing into the Shadow World. He'll soon
become a Wraith like them.
[The
cry of the Nazgul is heard.]
Merry:
They're close!
Aragorn:
Sam, do you know the Athelas plant?
Sam:
Athelas?
Aragorn:
Kingsfoil.
Sam:
Kingsfoil, aye, it's a weed.
Aragorn:
It may help to slow the poisoning. Hurry! [He gi=
ves
Sam a torch, and then goes off to look for the weed. He finds some, and tak=
es
out a knife to cut it, but finds a blade at his throat.]
Arwen:
What's this, a Ranger, caught off his guard?
Arwen:
Frodo... Im Arwen. Telin le thaed. Lasto beth
nîn, tolo dan na ngalad.
[Translation: "I am Arwen. I've have come to
help you. Hear my voice. Come back to the light."]
Merry:
Who is she?
Arwen:
Frodo.
Sam:
She's an Elf.
Arwen:
He's fading. He's not going to last. We must get=
him
to my father. I've been looking for you for 2 days.
Sam:
Where are you taking him?!
Arwen:
There are 5 Wraiths behind you. Where the other =
four
are I do not know.
Aragorn:
Dartho guin Berian. Rych le ad tolthathon.
[Translation: "Stay with the Hobbits. I will
send horses for you."]
Arwen:
Hon mabathon. Rochon ellint im.
[Translation: "I'm the faster rider. I'll t=
ake
him."]
Aragorn:
Andelu i ven.
[Translation: "The road is too
dangerous."]
Pippin:
What are they saying?
Arwen:
Frodo fîr. Ae athradon i hir, tur gwaith
nîn beriatha hon.
[Translation: "Frodo is dying. If I can get
across the river, the power of my people will protect him."]
I do not fear them.
Aragorn:
Be iest lîn.
[Translation: "According to your wish."]
Arwen, ride hard. Don't look back!
Arwen:
Noro lim, Asfaloth, noro lim!
[Translation: "Ride fast, Asfaloth, ride
fast."]
[Arwen
rides off with Frodo.]
Sam:
What are you doing! Those Wraiths are still out
there!!
Arwen:
[Arwen is chased by 8 riders, one reaches out for
Frodo.] Noro lim, Asfaloth! [She reaches the river. Riders stop on the other
side.]
A
Rider:
[Give up the Halfling, She-Elf!]
Arwen:
If you want him, come and claim him. [Riders sta=
rt
to cross river.]
Nîn o Chithaeglir, lasto beth daer, Rimmo
nîn Bruinen dan in Ulaer!
[Translation: "Waters of the
[The
water rises from the river, drowning the riders. Frodo becomes fainter, and
makes strange noises.]
Arwen:
No! No! Frodo, no! Frodo, don't give in! Not now!
[Whispers]: What grace is given me,=
let
it pass to him. Let him be spared. Save him.
Elrond:
[Standing over Frodo.]
Lasto beth nîn. Tolo dan na ngalad.
[Translation: "Hear my voice, come back to =
the
light."]
Many Mee=
tings <=
/u>
Frodo:
Where am I?
Gandalf:
You are in the house of Elrond, and it is 10 o'c=
lock
in the morning, on October the 24th, if you want to know.
Frodo:
Gandalf!
Gandalf:
Yes, I'm here. And you're lucky to be here too. A
few more hours, and you would have been beyond our aid. But you had some
strength in you, my dear Hobbit.
Frodo:
What happened, Gandalf? Why didn't you meet us? =
Gandalf:
Oh, I'm sorry Frodo. I was delayed.
[-
- - - Flashback - - - -]
Saruman:
A friendship with Saruman is not lightly thrown
aside. One ill turn deserves another. It is over. Embrace the power of the
Ring, or embrace your own destruction!
Gandalf:
There is only one Lord of the Ring. Only one who=
can
bend it to his will. And he does not share power. [Jumps off tower onto the
eagle, Gwaihir.]
Saruman:
So you have chosen death.
[We
see that the eagle takes Gandalf far, across mountains.]
[-
- - - End flashback - - - -]
Frodo:
Gandalf? What is it?
Gandalf:
Nothing, Frodo.
Sam:
Frodo! Frodo!
Frodo:
Sam!
Sam:
Bless you, you're awake!
Gandalf:
Sam has hardly left your side.
Sam:
We were that worried about you, weren't we, Mr.
Gandalf!
Gandalf:
By the skills of Lord Elrond, you're beginning to
mend.
Elrond:
Welcome to Rivendell, Frodo Baggins.
[Frodo
walks around Rivendell with Sam, and meets Merry and Pippin. He embraces th=
em.
Then Frodo sees Bilbo, who is reading a book.]
Frodo:
Bilbo!
Bilbo:
Hello, Frodo, my lad!
Frodo:
Bilbo! [Reads]: There and back again, A Hobbit's
tale, by Bilbo Baggins. This is wonderful.
Bilbo:
I meant to go back. Wander at the power of Mirkw=
ood.
Visit Lake-town. See the Lonely Mountain again. But age, it seems has final=
ly
caught up with me.
Frodo:
[Flips through the book, and comes to a map of t=
he
Shire.]
I miss the Shire. I spent all my childhood
pretending I was off somewhere else. Off with you on one of your adventures.
But my own adventure turned out to be quite different. I'm not like you, Bi=
lbo.
Bilbo:
My dear boy.
Sam:
[To himself]: Now, what have I forgotten?
Frodo:
Packed already?
Sam:
No 'arm in being prepared.
Frodo:
Thought you wanted to see the Elves, Sam.
Sam:
I do.
Frodo:
More than anything.
Sam:
I did… It's just… We did what Gandalf
wanted, didn't we? We got the Ring this far to Rivendell. And I thought, se=
eing
as how you're on the mend, we'd be off soon. Off home.
Frodo:
You're right, Sam. We did what we set out to do.=
The
Ring will be safe in Rivendell. I am ready to go home.
Elrond:
His strength returns.
Gandalf:
That wound will never fully heal. He will carry =
it
the rest of his life.
Elrond:
And yet, to have come so far, still bearing the
Ring, the Hobbit has showed extraordinary resilience to its evil.
Gandalf:
It is a burden he should never have had to bear.=
We
can ask no more of Frodo.
Elrond:
Gandalf, the enemy is moving. Sauron's forces are
massing in the East. His eye is fixed on Rivendell. And Saruman, you tell m=
e,
has betrayed us. Our list of allies grows thin.
Gandalf:
His treachery runs deeper than you know. By foul
craft Saruman has crossed Orcs with goblin-men. He's breeding an army in the
caverns of Isengard. An army which can move in sunlight, and cover great
distance at speed. Saruman is coming for the Ring.
Elrond:
This evil cannot be concealed by the power of the
Elves. We do not have the strength to fight both Mordor and Isengard!
[Gandalf wanders off, to the balcony.]
Gandalf. The Ring cannot stay here. [Boromir
arrives, then Legolas and other Elves, then Gimli and other dwarves.]
Elrond:
This peril belongs to all Middle-earth. They must
decide now how to end it. The time of the Elves is over. My people are leav=
ing
these shores. Who will you look to when we've gone? The Dwarves? They hide =
in
their mountains seeking riches. They care nothing for the troubles of other=
s.
Gandalf:
It is in Men that we must place our hope.
Elrond:
Men? Men are weak. The race of Men is failing. T=
he
blood of Numenor is all but spent. Its pride and dignity forgotten. It is
because of Men the Ring survives. I was there, Gandalf. I was there three
thousand years ago...
[We see a flashback shot, where Isildur cuts the
Ring from Sauron's hand.]
...And Isildur took the Ring. I was there the day
the strength of men failed.
[-
- - - Flashback - - - -]
Elrond:
Isildur! Hurry. Follow me. Elrond (V.O):
I led Isildur into the heart of Mount Doom. Where
the Ring was forged. The one place it could be destroyed.
Elrond:
Cast it into the fire. Destroy it!!!
Isildur:
No. [Isildur turns and leaves.]
Elrond:
Isildur!!!
[-
- - - End flashback - - - -]
Elrond:
It should have ended that day, but evil was allo=
wed
to endure. Isildur kept the Ring. The line of kings is broken. There's no
strength left in the world of Men. They're scattered, divided, leaderless.
Gandalf
There is one who could unite them. One who could
reclaim the throne of Gondor.
Elrond:
He turned from that path a long time ago. He has
chosen exile.
Boromir:
The shards of Narsil. The blade that cut the Ring
from Sauron's hand. [He fingers the blade, and cuts his finger.] It's still
sharp. [Sees Aragorn watching him.]
But no more than a broken heirloom.
[He puts the sword back in its place and walks o=
ff.
As he walks off, the sword falls, but he does not pick it up.]
[Aragorn
picks up sword, and places it back in its place. He stands in front of the
sword for a while.]
Arwen:
Why do you fear the past? You are Isildur's heir,
not Isildur himself. You are not bound to his fate.
Aragorn:
The same blood flows in my veins. The same weakn=
ess.
Arwen:
Your time will come. You will face the same evil=
and
you will defeat it.
A si i-Dhúath ú-orthor, Aragorn. Ú or le a ú or nin.
[Translation: "The Shadow does not hold sway yet. Not over you, not ov=
er
me."]
[Aragorn
and Arwen stand talking, on a bridge in the grounds of Rivendell.]
Arwen:
Renich i lú i erui govannem?
[Translation: "Do you remember when we first met?"]
Aragorn:
Nauthannen i ned ôl reniannen.
[Translation: "I thought I had strayed into a dream."]
Arwen:
Gwenwin in enninath. Ú-'arnech in naeth i=
si
celich. Renech i beth i pennen?
[Translation: "Long years have passed. You did not wear the troubles y=
ou
carry now. Do you remember what I told you?"]
Aragorn:
You said you'd bind yourself to me, forsaking the
immortal life of your people.
Arwen:
And to that I hold. I would rather share one
lifetime with you, than face all the Ages of this world alone.
[She gives him her necklace, the Evenstar jewel,=
a
symbol of her immortality.]
I choose a mortal life.
Aragorn:
You cannot give me this.
Arwen:
It is mine to give to whom I will. Like my heart=
.
[They
kiss.]
The Council of Elrond =
<=
/u>
[The
scene switches to a part of Rivendell, where Dwarves, Elves, and Men, are
sitting in a semicircle.]
Elrond:
Strangers from distant lands, friends of old. You
have been summoned to answer the threat of Mordor. Middle-earth stands upon=
the
brink of destruction.
None can escape it. You will unite, or you will
fall. Each race is bound this fate, this one doom. Bring forth the Ring, Fr=
odo.
Frodo:
[Places the Ring onto the table.]
Boromir:
So it is true.
Unknown:
The doom of man.
Boromir:
It is a gift. A gift to the foes of Mordor.
[Stands up.]
Why not use this Ring? Long has my father, the
Steward of Gondor kept the forces of Mordor at bay by the blood of our peop=
le
are your lands kept safe. Give Gondor the weapon of the enemy. Let us use it
against him!
Aragorn:
You cannot wield it. None of us can. The One Ring
answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master.
Boromir:
And what would a Ranger know of this matter?
Legolas:
This is no mere Ranger. He is Aragorn, son of
Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance.
Boromir:
Aragorn? This is Isildur's heir?
Legolas:
And heir to the throne of Gondor.
Aragorn:
Havo dad, Legolas
[Translation: "Sit down, Legolas."]
Boromir:
Gondor has no king. Gondor needs no king.
Gandalf:
Aragorn is right. We cannot use it.
Elrond:
You have only one choice. The Ring must be
destroyed.
Gimli:
What are we waiting for?! [Tries to smash the Ri=
ng
with his axe, but breaks the axe. He is thrown backwards, onto the ground.]=
Elrond:
The Ring cannot be destroyed, Gimli, son of Gloi=
n,
by any craft that we here possess. The Ring was made in the fires of Mount
Doom. Only there can it be unmade. It must be taken deep into Mordor, and c=
ast
back into the fiery chasm from whence it came.
[We
hear the voice of the Ring, speaking in the Black Language.]
Elrond:
One of you must do this.
Boromir:
One does not simply walk into Mordor. Its black
gates are guarded by more than just Orcs. There is evil there that does not
sleep. And the great Eye is ever-watchful. It is a barren wasteland, riddled
with fire and ash and dust. The very air that you breathe is a poisonous fu=
me.
Not with ten thousand men could you do this. It is folly.
Legolas:
Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond has said? The
Ring must be destroyed!
Gimli:
And I suppose you think you're the one to do it?=
!
Boromir:
And if we fail, what then? What happens when Sau=
ron
takes back what is his?
Gimli:
I will be dead before I see the Ring in the hand=
s of
an Elf!
[All
the Elves stand up, then the Dwarves, then everyone except Frodo.]
Gimli:
Never trust an Elf!
Gandalf:
Do you not understand? While you bicker amongst
yourselves, Sauron's power grows! None can escape it! You'll all be destroy=
ed!
[Frodo hears the voice of the Ring, speaking in the Black language.]
Ash nazg durbatuluk, Ash nazg gimbatul, Ash nazg
thrakatuluk, Agh burzum-ishi krimpatul
[Translation: "One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One R=
ing
to bring them all and in the darkness bind them."]
Frodo:
I will take it! I will take it!
[Everyone else stops to listen to him.]
I will take the Ring to Mordor... Though - thoug=
h I
do not know the way.
Gandalf:
I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins.=
As
long as it is yours to bear.
[Goes to stand next to Frodo, putting his hand on
his shoulder.]
Aragorn:
If by my life or death, if I can protect you, I
will.
[Gets up from his seat, and kneels beside Frodo.=
]
You have my sword.
[Gandalf winks at Elrond.]
Legolas:
And you have my bow.
[Also stands beside Frodo.]
Gimli:
And my axe.
[Stands beside Legolas.]
Boromir:
[Walks slowly towards Frodo.]
You carry the fates of us all, little one.
Aragorn:
[Places his hand on Frodo's shoulder.]
Boromir
If this is indeed the will of the Council, then
Gondor will see it done.
Sam:
Here!
[Jumps up from behind some bushes he has been hi=
ding
behind, and runs up from behind them, causing Aragorn to lift his hand off
Frodo's shoulder, to let Sam come through.]
Mr. Frodo's not going anywhere without me.
Elrond:
No, indeed, it is hardly possible to separate you
from him, even when he is summoned to a secret Council, and you are not.
[The
camera moves to Merry and Pippin, who are standing in the entrance.]
Merry:
Oi! We're coming too!
[Merry and Pippin leave the door, and half run
towards Frodo.]
You'll have to send us home tied up in a sack to
stop us.
Pippin:
Anyway, you need people of intelligence on this =
sort
of mission. Quest. Thing.
Merry:
Well that rules you out, Pip.
Elrond:
Nine companions. So be it! You shall be the
Fellowship of the Ring.
Pippin:
Great. Where are we going?
The Ring=
Goes
South =
[We
see shots near the entrance of Rivendell, where Bill the pony is standing
ready, next to a few others. Then we see Bilbo and Frodo together in a room=
. Bilbo
takes out a sword from its cloth wrappings.]
Bilbo:
My old sword, Sting. Here, take it. Take it.
Frodo:
It's so light.
Bilbo:
Yes, yes… made by the Elves, you know? The
blade glows blue when orcs are close. And it's times like that, my lad, when
you have to be extra careful. Here's a pretty thing. Mithril. As light as a
feather, and as hard as dragons scales. Let me see you put it on. Come on..=
.
Frodo:
[Eagerly begins to unbutton his shirt.]
Bilbo:
[Sees the Ring hanging from a chain on Frodo's
neck.].
Oh - M-my old ring. Oh! I sh-should very much li=
ke -
to hold it again, one last time.
Frodo:
[Begins to button up his shirt again.]
Bilbo:
[Transformed by the Ring, makes a grab towards
Frodo, his eyes bulging out.]
Frodo:
[Alarmed, backs away.]
Bilbo:
[Now normal again, backs away, and sinks into a
chair, with his back to us. He sits, there, weeping.]
I'm sorry I brought this upon you, my boy... I'm
sorry that you must carry this burden... I'm sorry for everything!
[Frodo
places his hand reassuringly onto Bilbo's shoulder, and Bilbo, in a sudden
movement, places his hand onto Frodo's.]
[The
Fellowship departs from Rivendell. The next scene shows the Fellowship
travelling together.]
Gandalf
(V.O): We must hold to this course, west from the Misty Mountains for 40 da=
ys.
If our luck holds, the Gap of Rohan will still be open to us. From there our
road turns east to Mordor.
[We
see the Fellowship stopped to have lunch. Sam helps himself to sausages, wh=
ile
Boromir teaches Merry and Pippin swordplay.]
Boromir:
Two, one, five. Good! Very good.
Aragorn:
[While smoking]: Move your feet.
Merry:
You look good, Pippin.
Pippin:
Thanks.
Boromir:
Faster.
Gimli:
If anyone was to ask for my opinion, which I note
they're not, I'd say we were taking the long way round. Gandalf! We could p=
ass
through the Mines of Moria. My cousin Balin would give us a royal welcome. =
Gandalf:
No, Gimli. I would not take the road through Mor=
ia
unless I had no other choice.
[Legolas
notices something in the distance. Boromir is now fighting with Pippin. He =
hits
him.]
Pippin:
Ahhh.
Boromir:
Sorry.
Pippin:
Get him!
Merry:
Arr, ow... For the Shire!
Pippin:
Hold him. Hold him down, Merry!
Merry:
You've got my arm! You've got my arm!
Sam:
What is that?
Gimli:
Nothing. It's just a wisp of cloud.
Boromir:
It's moving fast. Against the wind.
Legolas:
Crebain from Duneland!
Aragorn:
HIDE!
Boromir:
Merry!
Aragorn:
Frodo! Hurry! Take cover!
[Sam
puts out the fire, taking the pan of sausages with him, while Frodo, Aragor=
n,
and the others take their cloaks and other belongings, hiding behind the ro=
cks.
The Crebain come through the area, exploring it thoroughly, as though they =
know
they are there.]
Gandalf:
Spies of Saruman. The passage south is being
watched. We must take the pass of Caradhras.
[The
Fellowship are seen walking up the steep and sno=
wy
mountains. Frodo falls, tumbling down a small snowy slope.]
Aragorn:
Frodo!
[He helps him up, and places his hands on his
shoulders, while Frodo brushes the snow off his clothes. He then searches f=
or
the Ring, to find he has dropped it. Boromir picks it up by the chain. Arag=
orn
slowly takes his hands from Frodo's shoulders, putting them onto the hilt of
his sword.]
Aragorn:
Boromir.
Boromir:
It is a strange fate that we should suffer so mu=
ch
fear and doubt over so small a thing. Such a little thing.
[Holding the chain of the Ring in his right hand=
, he
moves his left towards the Ring itself.]
Aragorn:
Boromir! Give the Ring to Frodo.
Boromir:
[Walking slowly towards Aragorn and Frodo.]
As you wish. [Holds out the Ring.]
[Frodo
grabs it.]
Boromir:
I care not. [Laughs and ruffles Frodo's hair. He
walks off, and Aragorn takes his hand off the hilt of his sword.]
[The
birds seen in the previous scene make their way to Isengard, where Saruman =
is.
Saruman:
So Gandalf, you tried to lead them over Caradhra=
s.
And if that fails, where then will you go?
[[We see the Fellowship once more, caught in a h=
eavy
snow storm.] Saruman (V.O.):
If the mountain defeats you, will you risk a more
dangerous road?
[We
see Legolas who walks slightly ahead of the others, with ease, but behind h=
im,
Gandalf and the others and finding it difficult to walk in the snow. Aragorn
and Boromir are holding two Hobbits each, and it seems that without their h=
elp,
the Hobbits would be blown off the mountain. Then we hear a voice, though we
cannot make out the words.]
Legolas:
There is a fell voice on the air.
Gandalf:
It's Saruman! [Boulders fall.]
Aragorn:
He's trying to bring down the mountain! Gandalf,=
we
must turn back!
Gandalf:
No!! Losto Caradhras, sedho, hodo, nuitho i 'rui=
th!
[Translation: "Sleep Caradhras, be still, lie still, hold [your]
wrath."]
Saruman:
[He stands on the pinnacle of the tower Orthanc,
with his arms outstretched, and his staff in his right hand.]
Cuiva nwalca Carnirassë! Nai yarvaxëa rasselya taltuva
ñotto-carinnar!
[Translation: "Wake up cruel Redhorn! May your blood-stained horn shall
fall upon the enemy-heads"]
[A bolt of lightning hits the mountain, bringing down snow and rocks.]
[The
Fellowship are buried beneath the snow, but, with some difficulty, manage to
get themselves out of it.]
Boromir:
We must get off the mountain! Make for the Gap of
Rohan! Or take the west road to my city!
Aragorn:
The Gap of Rohan takes us too close to Isengard.=
Gimli:
We cannot pass over a mountain. Let us go under =
it!
Let us go through the Mines of Moria. Saruman (V.O):
Moria. You fear to go into those mines. The Dwar=
ves
delved too greedily and too deep. You know what they awoke there in the
darkness of Khazad-dûm: Shadow and flame.
Gandalf:
Let the Ring-bearer decide... Frodo?
Frodo:
We will go through the mines.
Gandalf:
So be it.
A Journe=
y in
the Dark
[The
Fellowship come to a dark, slimy place, and we s=
ee a
stone wall.]
Gimli:
The walls of Moria.
Gandalf:
Well, let’s see... Ithildin. It mirrors on=
ly
starlight and moonlight. [The clouds covering the moon drift away, and a do=
or
is revealed.]
It reads: "The doors of Durin, Lord of Mori=
a.
Speak friend and enter."
Merry:
What do you suppose that means?
Gandalf:
Oh, it's quite simple. If you are a friend, you
speak the password, and the doors will open.
Annon Edhellen edro hi ammen!
[Translation: "Gate of the Elves open now for me!"]
Ando Eldarinwa a lasta quettanya, Fenda Casarinw=
a!
[Translation: "Gate of Elves listen
to my word, Threshold of Dwarves!"]
Aragorn:
Mines are no place for a pony. Even one so brave as Bill.
[Takes the baggage off Bill, the baggage pony.] =
Sam:
Bye bye, Bill.
Aragorn:
Go on, Bill. Go on. Don't worry Sam. He knows the
way home.
[Merry
and Pippin are throwing stones into the water. As Pippin is about to throw =
one,
Aragorn grabs him by the collar.]
Aragorn:
Do not disturb the water.
[The
camera shifts over to Gandalf, who sits down and takes off his hat.]
Gandalf:
Oh, it's useless.
Frodo:
It's a riddle. Speak 'friend', and enter. What's=
the
Elvish word for friend?
Gandalf:
Mellon.
[Doors
open, the Fellowship walks into the mines.]
Gimli:
Soon, Master Elf, you will enjoy the fabled
hospitality of the Dwarves! Roaring fires, malt beer, ripe meat off the bon=
e!
This, my friend, is the home of my cousin Balin. And they call it a mine. A
MINE!
Boromir:
This is no mine. It's a tomb.
[We see dead, and rotting Dwarves and Orcs, cove=
red
in cobwebs.]
Gimli:
No! Nooo! NOOOO!
Legolas:
[Takes out an arrow from a dead body.] Goblins! =
Boromir:
We make for the Gap of Rohan. We should never ha=
ve
come here! Now get out of here! Get out!!
[The
Fellowship backs out, Frodo is taken by a tentac=
le
from a creature in the water.]
Merry:
Frodo!
Pippin:
Frodo! Help!
Frodo:
Strider!
Sam:
Strider!
Frodo:
Help!
Sam:
Get off him!
Merry:
Aragorn!
[The
Hobbits slash at the creature with their swords. They manage to free Frodo =
from
the creature, but as he backs away from the water, many tentacles come out =
from
the water, this time swinging Frodo high up in the air.]
Frodo:
Ahhh...
Merry:
Frodo!
Frodo:
Strider!
[Legolas
shoots the tentacles with his bow, while Boromir and Aragorn enter the wate=
r,
and slash at the tentacles with their swords. Aragorn cuts off the tentacle
that is holding Frodo, and Boromir manages to catch Frodo as he falls.]
Gandalf:
Into the mines!!!
Boromir:
Legolas! Into the cave!
Unknown:
Run!
[The
creature comes out of the water and crumbles the doors down, blocking the w=
ay
out, and blocking out the light.]
Gandalf:
We now have but one choice.
[He fits a stone onto the end of his staff,
producing light.]
We must face the long dark of Moria. Be on your
guard. There are older and fouler things than Orcs in the deep places of the
world.
Quietly now. It's a four-day journey to the other
side. Let us hope that our presence may go unnoticed.
[Climbing
upwards, Pippin lets some rocks fall onto Merry.]
Merry:
Pippin!
[After
some time, we come to an opening, where there are three passages to choose
from.]
Gandalf:
I have no memory of this place.
[The
Fellowship stops for a while.]
Pippin:
Are we lost?
Merry:
No.
Pippin:
I think we are.
Merry:
Shhh. Gandalf's thinking.
Pippin:
Merry...
Merry:
What?
Pippin:
I'm hungry
Frodo:
[Frodo sees something some distance away. He hur=
ries
towards Gandalf, and sits beside him.] [To Gandalf]: There's something down
there!
Gandalf:
It's Gollum.
Frodo:
Gollum?
Gandalf:
He's been following us for three days.
Frodo:
He escaped the dungeons of Barad-dûr?
Gandalf:
Escaped. Or set loose. He hates and loves the Ri=
ng.
As he hates and loves himself. He will never be rid of his need for it.
Frodo:
It's a pity Bilbo didn't kill him when he had the
chance.
Gandalf:
Pity? It was pity that stayed Bilbo's hand. Many
that live deserve death. Some that die deserve life. Can you give it to the=
m,
Frodo? Do not be too eager to deal out death and judgement. Even the very w=
ise
cannot see all ends. My heart tells me that Gollum has some part to play ye=
t,
for good or ill, before this is over. The pity of Bilbo may rule the fate of
the Ring.
Frodo:
I wish the Ring had never come to me. I wish non=
e of
this had happened.
Gandalf:
So do all that come t=
o see
such times, but that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is wh=
at
to do with the time that is given to us. There are other forces at work in =
this
world, Frodo, besides the will of evil. Bilbo was meant to find the Ring. In
which case you were also 'meant' to have it. And that is an encouraging
thought. Eh - it's that way.
Merry:
He's remembered.
Gandalf:
No, but the air doesn't smell so foul down here.=
If
in doubt, Meriadoc, always follow your nose.
Let me risk a little more light.
[The light on his staff brightens, and the
Fellowship find themselves in a great hallway, w=
ith
tall pillars, as far as the eye can see.]
Behold the great realm of the Dwarf-city of
Dwarrowdelf.
Sam:
There's an eye opener, and no mistake.
The Brid=
ge of
Khazad-dûm
[They walk on, but as t=
hey do
so, Gimli sees a doorway to the side. It is strewn with the bodies of dead
orcs. Gimli runs through the door into a chamber.]
Gandalf:
Gimli!
Gimli:
No! Oh, no! No. [He weeps.]
Gandalf:
"Here lies Balin=
, son
of Fundin, Lord of Moria." He is dead then. It's as I feared.
[Gandalf
gives Pippin his hat and staff.]
Gimli:
[Quietly, in prayer]: Kilmin malur ni zaram kalil
ran arag. Kheled-zâram. Balin tazlifi.
[Translation unavailable.]
Legolas:
[To Aragorn]: We must move on. We cannot linger.=
Gandalf:
[Reads]: "They have taken the bridge and the
second hall. We have barred the gates but cannot hold them for long. The gr=
ound
shakes. Drums, drums in the deep. We cannot get out. A Shadow moves in the
dark. We cannot get out. They are coming."
[Pippin
touches a skeleton by a well, and it falls in, dragging with it a large buc=
ket,
and making much noise.]
Gandalf:
Fool of a Took! Throw yourself in next time, and=
rid
us of your stupidity.
[Drumming
noises are heard. Frodo's sword glows blue.]
Sam:
[Sees the blue blade.] Frodo!
Legolas:
Orcs.
[Boromir
runs to the door and two arrows narrowly miss his head.]
Aragorn:
[To the Hobbits]: Get back! Stay close to Gandal=
f!
Boromir:
They have a cave-troll.
[They
bar the doors, then stand facing them, their bows and swords out.]
Gimli:
Let them come! There is one dwarf yet in Moria t=
hat
still draws breath.
[The
orcs come; they fight.]
[Cave
troll comes.]
Sam:
I think I'm getting the hang of this!
Aragorn:
Frodo!
[Frodo
is dragged by the troll.]
Frodo:
Aragorn! Aragorn!
Aragorn:
Frodo!
[Aragorn
fights the troll, saving Frodo from it. He thrusts a spear into its chest, =
but
it does not pierce its thick hide. Then the troll hits Aragorn, and he is
thrown aside. Frodo runs to Aragorn's side, and faces the troll. The troll
hurls a spear at Frodo, and he is pinned against the wall.]
[Merry
and Pippin jump onto the troll's back.]
Sam:
Frodo! FRODO!!
[Legolas
shoots an arrow into its throat, and it collapses. Aragorn crawls over to
Frodo.]
Aragorn:
[Whispers]: Oh no.
[He turns him over.]
Sam:
He's alive.
Frodo:
I'm all right. I'm not hurt.
Aragorn:
You should be dead. That spear would have skewer=
ed a
wild boar.
Gandalf:
I think there's more to this Hobbit than meets t=
he
eye
[Frodo
reveals Mithril coat.]
Gimli:
Mithril! You are full of surprises, Master Baggi=
ns!
[They
hear more Orcs coming.]
Gandalf:
To the
[They
run, but Moria is filled with orcs. Soon they are surrounded. But from the =
end
of the hallway, we can see a red glow on the walls. The Orcs run. Legolas h=
olds
his bow out, ready, but soon lowers it.]
Boromir:
What is this new devilry?
Gandalf:
A Balrog. A demon of the ancient world. This foe=
is
beyond any of you. Run!
[They
run.]
Aragorn:
Quickly!
Aragorn:
Gandalf!
Gandalf:
Lead them on, Aragorn. The bridge is near.
[He pushes Aragorn away from him.]
Do as I say!! Swords are no more use here!
[They
all move on, but a lot of the stone is breaking. They come to a break in the
rock. Legolas jumps the gap, and stands ready to help the others over.]
Legolas:
Gandalf! [Signals for him to jump the gap. Ganda=
lf
jumps, and is helped over by Legolas.]
Boromir:
Merry! Pippin! [He holds one of them with each h=
and,
and jumps over with them. Legolas helps them over on the other side. Rock
crumbles away as they jump.]
Aragorn:
Sam. [He tosses Sam over the gap.]
Gimli:
Nobody tosses a dwarf.
[He tries to jump the gap, but almost falls into=
the
abyss. Legolas grabs him by beard.]
Not the beard!!!
Aragorn:
Frodo!
[Aragorn
and Frodo remain on the other side of the gap. The stone stairs they are
standing on look as though they are about to collapse. Aragorn holds Frodo =
by
the back of his shirt.]
Aragorn:
[To Frodo]: Steady. Hold on!
[The rock begins to sway.]
Hang on!
[The top of the stone breaks away from the bottom
bit, and falls at an angle, towards the bit of stone that the rest of the
Fellowship is standing on.]
Lean forward.
Steady.
Legolas:
Come on! Now!
[Frodo and Aragorn manage to get off the bit of =
rock
that the others are on.]
Gandalf:
Over the bridge! Fly!
[Gandalf turns to face the Balrog, then sees that the oth= ers have waited for him. They run across the bridge, and while the others conti= nue onwards, Gandalf remains in the middle of the bridge, facing the Balrog.] <= o:p>
Gandalf:
You cannot pass!
Frodo:
Gandalf!!!
[Frodo, and the others
stop.]
Gandalf:
I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the
flame of Anor! The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udun! Arrghh! Go =
back
to the Shadow!! YOU SHALL
[He
breaks the bridge, causing the Balrog to fall. Gandalf sighs, and turns aro=
und,
but as he does so, the whip of the Balrog catches onto his ankle, and he is
pulled down. He grabs onto the edge of the bridge, but cannot keep his grip.
There is nothing the fellowship can do to save him.]
Boromir:
[Grabs Frodo, to stop him running back onto the
bridge.]
No! No!
Frodo:
GANDALF!!!
Gandalf:
Fly, you fools! [He f=
alls.]
Frodo:
NO!! NO!!!! [He is carried away by Boromir.]
[The
Fellowship leaves, but Aragorn remains behind, still looking into the abyss=
.]
Boromir:
[From a distance, still holding a weeping Frodo]:
Aragorn!
[The Fellowship emerge from the darkness of Mori=
a, to
find themselves in brilliant sunlight, in the mountains, where they stop for
some time, grieving. Sam casts himself onto the rock, head in hand, while
Boromir comforts a shouting Gimli, who struggles, as though meaning to re-e=
nter
the mines. Merry consoles a weeping Pippin, with grief and sorrow in his own
face. Nearby, Legolas stands alone, wearing a look of disbelief. Aragorn wi=
pes
his sword clean in a single stroke, then resheat=
hs
it.]
Aragorn:
Legolas, get them up.
Boromir:
Give them a moment for pity's sake!
Aragorn:
By nightfall these hills will be swarming with O=
rcs.
We must reach the woods of Lothlorien. Come Boromir. Legolas, Gimli, get th=
em
up.
[He walks over to Sam, and helps him up.] On you=
r feet,
Sam.
[He sees Frodo, who has wandered away.] Frodo!
Frodo!!
Frodo:
[Frodo stops and turns around. A single tear runs
down his face.]
[They
leave, and make their way to Lothlorien.]
Lothlorien <=
/u>
[After
travelling for some time, they reach the woods of Lothlorien, and enter it.=
]
Gimli:
Stay close, young Hobbits! They say that a great
sorceress lives in these woods. An Elf-witch of terrible power. All who look
upon her fall under her spell. Galadriel (V.O): =
Frodo!
Frodo:
[Gasps]
Gimli:
And are never seen again. Galadriel (V.O):
You are coming to us is as the footsteps of doom=
...
You bring great evil here, Ring-bearer.
Sam:
Mr. Frodo?
Gimli:
Well, here's one dwarf she won't ensnare so easi=
ly.
I have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox.
[Elves
appear, covering the company with arrows.]
Gimli:
Oh...
Haldir
(an Elf):
The Dwarf breathes so loud, we could have shot h=
im
in the dark.
Aragorn:
Haldir o Lórien. Henio aníron, boe
ammen i dulu lîn. Boe ammen veriad lîn.
[Translation: "Haldir of Lorien. We come he=
re
for help. We need your protection."]
Gimli:
Aragorn! These woods are perilous. We should go
back.
Haldir:
You have entered the realm of the Lady of the Wo=
od.
You cannot go back. Come. She is waiting.
The Mirr=
or of
Galadriel
[The
Fellowship continue on, led by Haldir.]
[Celeborn
and Galadriel come, in a bright light.]
Celeborn:
Eight that there are here, yet nine there were s=
et
out from Rivendell. Tell me, where is Gandalf, for I much desire to speak w=
ith
him.
Galadriel:
[Looks at Aragorn.] He has fallen into Shadow. T=
he
quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little, and it will fail=
to
the ruin of all. [Looks at Boromir, who is very uncomfortable.]
Galadriel:
Yet hope remains while the Company is true. [Loo=
ks
at Sam.]
Galadriel:
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Go now and r=
est,
for you are weary with sorrow and much toil. Tonight, you will sleep in
peace... Galadriel (V.O):
Welcome, Frodo of the Shire, one who has seen the
Eye!
Legolas:
A lament for Gandalf.
Merry:
What do they say about him?
Legolas:
I have not the heart to tell you. For me the gri=
ef
is still too near.
Aragorn:
[To Boromir]: Take some rest. These borders are =
well
protected.
Boromir:
I will find no rest here. I heard her voice insi=
de
my head. She spoke of my father and the fall of Gondor. She said to me,
"Even now there is hope left." But I cannot see it. It is long si=
nce
we had any hope.
[Aragorn sits beside him.]
My father is a noble man, but his rule is failin=
g.
And then our... our people lose faith. He looks to me to make things right,=
and
I, I would do it. I would see the glory of Gondor restored. Have you ever s=
een
it, Aragorn? The white
Aragorn:
I have seen the
Boromir:
One day, our paths will lead us there. And the t=
ower
guard shall take up the call: "The Lords of Gondor have returned."=
;
[Frodo
sees Galadriel walking somewhere, and follows her. Upon a table is a round
tray. She goes to a fountain, and fills a jug with water.]
Galadriel:
Will you look into the mirror?
Frodo:
What will I see?
Galadriel:
Even the wisest cannot tell. For the mirror shows
many things.
[She empties the jug into the tray - or mirror.]=
Things that were, things that are, and some thin=
gs
that have not yet come to pass.
[Frodo
looks into the mirror. He sees Legolas' back, then Sam and Pippin. They all
look sad and grave. Then he sees the Shire. It is filled with flame, and wi=
th
Orcs. Frodo gasps. Sam is seen with his ankles chained on a line with many
other Hobbits. They are whipped. Then Frodo sees the Eye. He feels the Ring
slipping in towards the mirror, but he pulls it backwards, falling onto the
ground. The water in the mirror is steaming.]
Galadriel:
I know what it was that you saw. For it is also =
in
my mind. Galadriel (V.O):
It is what will come to pass if you should fail.=
The
Fellowship is breaking . It has already begun. H=
e will
try to take the Ring. You know of whom I speak. One by one it will destroy =
them
all.
Frodo:
If you ask it of me, I will give you the One Rin=
g.
[He holds out the Ring.]
Galadriel:
You offer it to me freely. I do not deny that my
heart has greatly desired this.
[She walks slowly towards Frodo, her hand
outstretched.] In the place of a Dark Lord, you would have a QUEEN!
[She changes, and she seems very powerful.]
NOT DARK, BUT BEAUTIFUL AND TERRIBLE AS THE DAWN!
TREACHEROUS AS THE SEA! STRONGER THAN THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE EARTH! ALL SHA=
LL
LOVE ME AND DESPAIR.
[She becomes normal again, and breathes heavily,=
as
though trying to catch her breath.]
I pass the test. I will diminish, and go into the
West, and remain Galadriel.
Frodo:
I cannot do this alone.
Galadriel:
You are a Ring-bearer, Frodo. To bear a Ring of
Power is to be alone. This task was appointed to you. And if you do not fin=
d a
way, no one will.
Frodo:
Then I know what I must do. It's just, I'm afrai=
d to
do it.
Galadriel:
[She bends down towards him.]
Even the smallest person can change the course of
the future.
[Frodo closes his hand over the Ring.]
Saruman:
Do you know how the Orcs first came into being? =
They
were Elves once. Taken by the Dark Powers, tortured, and mutilated. A ruined, and terrible form of life. And now, perfected.=
My
fighting Uruk-hai. Whom do you serve?
Lurtz
(A Uruk-hai):
Saruman.
[We
see Orcs and Uruk-hai in the caverns of Isengard, putting on armour, and ta=
king
weapons.]
Saruman:
Hunt them down! Do not stop until they are found.
You do not know pain, you do not know fear. You will taste man flesh!
[Turns to Lurtz.]
One of the Halflings carries something of great
value. Bring them to me alive and unspoilt. Kill the others.
[The
army of Orcs and Uruk-hai leave the caverns.]
Farewell to Lorien =
<=
/u>
Galadriel:
Farewell, Frodo Baggins. I give you the light of
Earendil, our most beloved star.
Namarie. [Translation: "Farewell."]
[She bends over, and kisses the top of Frodo's
head.]
[The Fellowship row off,
and Galadriel stands on the shore, her hand held outwards.]
Voice
of Galadriel:
May it be a light for you in dark places, when a=
ll
other lights go out.
The
[We
see an army of Orcs running through the forest.]
[Legolas
and Aragorn hear the cries of the Orcs. After rowing for some time, they co=
me
to two tall statues, one on either side of the of the
river. The row past them.]
Aragorn:
Frodo. The Argornath. Long have I desired to look
upon the Kings of old. My kin.
The Brea=
king
of the Fellowship
[After some time, the stop rowing, and rest on t=
he
western shore of the river.]
Aragorn:
We cross the lake at nightfall, hide the boats, =
and
continue on foot. We approach Mordor from the north.
Gimli:
Oh, yes? Just a simple matter of finding our way
through Emyn Muil? An impassable labyrinth of razor-sharp rocks? And after
that, it gets even better! Festering, stinking marshlands, as far as the eye
can see!
Aragorn:
That is our road. I suggest you take some rest a=
nd
recover your strength, Master Dwarf.
Gimli:
Recover my... phfwahh...
Legolas:
[To Aragorn]: We should leave now.
Aragorn:
No. Orcs patrol the eastern shore. We must wait =
for
the cover of darkness.
Legolas:
It is not the eastern shore that worries me. A
shadow and a threat has been growing in my mind.
Something draws near. I can feel it.
Gimli:
Recover strength... [To Pippin]: Pay no heed to
that, young Hobbit.
Merry:
Where's Frodo?
[Aragorn
sees Boromir gone as well.]
[We
see Frodo wandering off, alone. Boromir appears, collecting fire wood.]
Boromir:
None of us should wander alone. You least of all=
. So
much depends on you. Frodo? I know why you seek solitude. You suffer. I see=
it
day by day. Are you sure you do not suffer needlessly? There are other ways,
Frodo. Other paths that we might take.
Frodo:
I know what you would say, and it would seem like
wisdom, but for the warning in my heart.
Boromir:
Warning? Against what?
[He begins to advance on Frodo, who backs away.]
We're all afraid, Frodo, but to let that fear drive us to destroy what hope=
we
have. Don't you see, it's madness.
Frodo:
There is no other way.
Boromir:
I ask only for the strength to defend my people!=
[He stops angrily, throwing the firewood he has
collected to the ground.]
If you would but lend me the Ring…
Frodo:
[Backs away.] No!
Boromir:
Why do you recoil? I am no thief!
Frodo:
You are not yourself!
Boromir:
What chance do you think you have? They will find
you. They will take the Ring. And you will beg for death before the end!
[Turns and walks away.]
You fool! It is not yours save by unhappy chance=
.
[Walks towards Frodo, who begins to run.] It cou=
ld
have been mine. It should be mine!
[Lunges forward towards Frodo, pulling him to the ground.]
Give it to me! Give me the Ring!
Frodo:
No!
[Frodo
disappears, and hits Boromir.]
Boromir:
I see your mind!! You will take the Ring to Saur=
on!
You will betray us! You go to your death! And the death of us all! Curse yo=
u!
Curse you and all the Halflings!
[Boromir
slips.]
Boromir:
[His anger passes, and he says softly]: Frodo?
Frodo. What have I done? Please, Frodo...
[Frodo
still has the Ring on, and the world is in darkness.]
Boromir:
Frodo, I'm sorry! Frodo!
[Frodo
sees Barad-dûr, and then the Eye. He takes the Ring off, and the world
comes back into its full light. As he is catching his breath, he sees Arago=
rn.]
Aragorn:
Frodo?
Frodo:
It has taken Boromir.
Aragorn:
Where is the Ring?
Frodo:
Stay away!
[He backs away.]
Aragorn:
Frodo! I swore to protect you.
Frodo:
Can you protect me from yourself?!
[Shows him the Ring.]
Would you destroy it?
[He puts his hand out, as though offering the Ri=
ng
to Aragorn.]
Voice of the Ring (V.0):
Aragorn. Aragorn. Elessar.
Aragorn:
[Aragorn kneels beside Frodo, and closes Frodo's
hand over the Ring.]
I would have gone with you to the end. Into the =
very
fires of Mordor.
Frodo:
I know. Look after the others. Especially Sam. He
will not understand
[Aragorn
notices that Sting is glowing blue.]
Aragorn:
Go, Frodo. Run. Run!
[Orcs
can bee seen coming. Aragorn comes out and faces an orc army. He fights the=
m.]
Sam:
Mr. Frodo!
[Back
to Aragorn fighting Orcs.]
Uruk-hai:
Find the Halfling! Find the Halfling!
Aragorn:
Elendil!
[Legolas
and Gimli come to help Aragorn.]
Legolas:
Aragorn, Go!
[Frodo
can be seen running away. He hides behind a tree. Merry and Pippin can be s=
een
in a more safe hiding place.]
Merry:
Frodo!
Pippin:
Hide here, quick! Com=
e on!
[Frodo
shakes his head.]
Pippin:
What's he doing?
[Frodo
shakes his head again.]
Merry:
He's leaving.
Pippin:
NO!
Merry:
Pippin.
[Pippin
jumps out of his hiding place, and Merry follows. Orcs can be seen coming.]=
Merry:
Run, Frodo. Go on!
Merry:
[Waving at the Orc army]: Hey, hey you! Over her=
e!
Pippin:
Over here! Over here! This way!
Pippin:
It's working!
Merry:
I know it's working! =
Run!
[Legolas
and others fight orcs.]
[Merry
and Pippin continue to flee from the Orcs that they have lead towards them,=
but
soon, Merry nudges Pippin, as an equally large group of Orcs approach,
surrounding the two Hobbits. As one Orc swings an axe at Pippin, Boromir
appears, stopping the axe from hitting Pippin. He kills many Orcs.]
[The
scene switches back to Legolas and others. Boromir's horn is heard.]
Legolas:
The horn of Gondor.
Aragorn:
Boromir!
[They
make their way towards Boromir.]
The Depature of Boromi=
r <=
/u>
[Back
to Boromir, Merry, and Pippin.]
Boromir:
Run! Run!
[He Merry and Pippin =
away,
who run back several metres, then stop.]
[An
orc shoots Boromir in the chest. He continues to fight. He is shot 3 times.
Then Merry and Pippin try to fight the Orcs, but are taken. Lurtz, the
Uruk-hai, is about to shoot Boromir in the head, but Aragorn takes it on. T=
hey
fight for some time, and Aragorn manages to cut its head off. He runs back =
to
Boromir.]
Aragorn:
No.
Boromir:
They took the little ones.
Aragorn:
Stay still.
Boromir:
Frodo. Where is Frodo?
Aragorn:
I let Frodo go.
Boromir:
Then you did what I could not. I tried to take t=
he
Ring from him.
Aragorn:
The Ring is beyond our reach now.
Boromir:
Forgive me. I did not see it. I have failed you =
all.
Aragorn:
No, Boromir. You fought bravely. You have kept y=
our
honour.
[Is about to take an arrow out of him.]
Boromir:
Leave it! It is over. The world of Men will fall.
And all will come to darkness. My city to ruin.
Aragorn:
I do not know what strength is in my blood. But I
swear to you, I will not let the
Boromir:
Our people. Our people. [Aragorn gives him his
sword.]
[Legolas
and Gimli see Aragorn leaning over Boromir.]
Boromir:
I would have followed you, my brother. My captai=
n.
My king.
[He
dies.]
Aragorn:
Be at peace, son of Gondor. [He kisses his
forehead.]
[Frodo
is seen standing by the boats.]
Sam:
Frodo!
[Frodo
is seen holding the Ring on the palm of his hand.]
[-
- - - Flashback - - - -] Frodo (V.O):
I wish the Ring had never come to me. I wish non=
e of
this had happened. Gandalf (V.O):
So do all who live to see such times, but that is
not for them to decide.
[We see Gandalf.]
Gandalf:
All you have to decide is what to do with the ti=
me
that is given to you.
[-
- - - End flashback - - - -]
[Frodo closes his hand over the Ring, and sets out in one of the boats.]
Sam:
[Reaches the shore.] Frodo, no!!! Frodo! Mr. Fro=
do!
[He enters the water.]
Frodo:
[Softly, to himself]: No, Sam.
[To Sam]: Go back, Sam. I'm going to Mordor alon=
e.
Sam:
[Wading deeper into the water.]
Of course you are. And I'm coming with you!!
Frodo:
You can't swim. Sam! [Sam's head goes under wate=
r.]
SAM!
[We see Sam underwater, reaching towards a ray of light coming from above t=
he
water's surface. But he soon goes limp, sinking slowly, with his right hand
weakly reaching upwards. Then Frodo's strong hand appears, finding Sam's wr=
ist;
and Sam's hand tightens around Frodo's. With difficulty, Frodo helps a
spluttering and coughing Sam into the boat, and they face each other.]
Sam:
[While recovering his breath]: I made a promise,=
Mr.
Frodo. A promise: "Don't you leave him Samwise Gamgee." And I don=
't
mean to. I don't mean to.
Frodo:
Oh, Sam. [He embraces Sam, and, both in tears, t=
hey
hold each other tightly for some time, before Frodo sits back, though still
with a tight grip about Sam.]
Come on, then.
[Oars
in hand, they row off together, eastward across the
[We
see Boromir's body laid out on one of the Elven boats, at sea, his hands
clasped around his sword. Aragorn tries on Boromir's gauntlets, while stari=
ng
into the distance, as Boromir's funeral boat is taken to the
Legolas:
Hurry! Frodo and Sam have reached the eastern sh=
ore.
[Legolas
pauses, as the other two make no move. Grief-stricken, Aragorn looks down -
then across the river, where Frodo and Sam can be seen rushing off into the
bushes. He sighs.]
Legolas:
You mean not to follow them.
Aragorn:
Frodo's fate is no longer in our hands.
Gimli:
Then it has all been in vain. The Fellowship has
failed.
Aragorn:
[Walks over to Legolas and Gimli, and places his
hands on their shoulders.] Not if we hold true to each other.
Gimli:
[Places his hand onto Aragorn's.]
Aragorn:
We will not abandon Merry and Pippin to torment =
and
death. Not while we have strength left. Leave all that can be spared behind=
. We
travel light. Let's hunt some Orc.
Gimli:
YES!!!
Legolas:
[Smiles.]
[They
run off.]
[Frodo
and Sam are seen looking over to Mordor.]
Frodo:
Mordor. I hope the others find a safer road.
Sam:
Strider will look after them.
Frodo:
I don't suppose we'll ever see them again.
Sam:
We may yet, Mr. Frodo. We may.
Frodo:
Sam...
[He smiles.]
I'm glad you're with me.
~
The End ~
The
[Voices
are heard from the
Gandalf:
You cannot pass!
Frodo:
Gandalf!
Gandalf:
I'm the servant of the secret fire, wielder of t=
he
flame of Anor. The dark fire will not avail you! Flame of Udun!
[We track in through the mountain and see Gandalf
and the Balrog on the Bridge of Khazad-dûm.]
Gandalf:
Go back to the shadow! YOU… SHALL NOT...
PASS!!!
[Gandalf slams his staff on the bridge, and a fl=
ash
of white light drives the Balrog back. The demon draws a whip of fire, steps
onto the bridge, and it gives way, dropping the Balrog into the chasm. It s=
eems
they have won, but as he turns away, the tail of the whip catches Gandalf's
ankle and pulls him down. He gets a brief grasp on the edge of the bridge.]=
BOROMIR:
[Holding Frodo back.] No! Frodo!
Gandalf:
Fly you fools!
[Gandalf loses his grip and falls into the chasm=
.]
Frodo:
Nooooooooo!
[Gandalf falls after the Balrog and grabs hold of
his sword Glamdring on his way down. As they continue to plunge into the
depths, Gandalf hacks away at the Balrog even as it crashes and bounces off=
the
walls. They continue to plunge at great speed, sometimes with Gandalf cling=
ing
to the horn of the demon. The battling pair then falls into an enormous cav=
ern
and plunges into the water. Just then Frodo wakens from the nightmare.]
Frodo:
Gandalf!
Sam:
What is it Mr. Frodo?
Frodo:
Nothing. Just a dream.
[TITLE: THE
[Frodo and Sam climb over rocky terrain. They lo=
ok
into the distance at the
Sam:
Mordor. The one place in Middle Earth we don't w=
ant
to see any closer. It's the one place we are trying to get to. It's just wh=
ere
we cant get. Let's face it Mr. Frodo. We're lost=
. I
don't think Gandalf meant for us to come this way.
Frodo:
He didn't mean for a lot of things to happen, Sa=
m.
But they did.
[Suddenly Frodo feels and spies the Eye zooming =
in
on him. He gasps and pants as he backs away.]
Sam:
Frodo? It's the Ring isn't it?
Frodo:
It's getting heavier. What food have we got left=
?
Sam:
Well, let me see. Oh yes, lovely. Lembas bread. =
And
look! More lembas bread. I don't usually hold to foreign food, but this elv=
ish
stuff is not bad.
Frodo:
Nothing ever dampens your spirits does it Sam? <= o:p>
Sam:
Those rainclouds might.
[They continue trekking through difficult terrai=
n,
often huddling underneath their cloaks.]
Sam:
This looks strangely familiar.
Frodo:
[In frustration]: That's because we've been here
before! We are going in circles!
Sam:
Ah! What's that 'orrid stink? I'll warrant there=
's a
nasty bog nearby. Can you smell it?
Frodo:
Yes I can smell it. We are not alone.
Gollum:
[Sneaking up on the hobbits.] Those thieves! Tho=
se
filthy little thieves! Wheeere isssit? Wheeere isssit? They stole it from u=
s.
My preciousssss.
[Suddenly the hobbits spring up, grab hold of Gollum’s arms and pull him down. Amidst the struggle, Gollum wriggles loose and leaps onto Frodo. As Frodo falls back, the chain and ring around = his neck is revealed and Gollum jumps straight for the Ring. Sam tries to grab = at him but is knocked away. Gollum now jumps on top of Frodo and tries to reach for the Ring even as Frodo grabs his hands and tries to push him away. Gollum’s cheeks puff with exertion as he struggles with Frodo, his hu= ge eyes fixed on the Ring. Sam grabs hold of Gollum again and tears him away f= rom Frodo. Gollum then turns around and bits Sam on the shoulder, wriggles arou= nd and clasps his arms around Sam’s neck and legs around his waist in a death grip. Frodo then unsheathes Sting and holds it to Gollum's throat.] <= o:p>
Frodo:
This is Sting. You've seen it before, haven't yo=
u,
Gollum! Release him or I'll cut your throat!
[Slowly, Gollum loosens his grip on Sam and as t=
he
latter disentangles himself, Gollum wails. He is then tied at the neck with
Sam’s elvish rope and half-dragged along even as he cries and wails.]=
Gollum:
It burns! It burns us! Take it off!
Sam:
Quiet you! It's hopeless! Every Orc in Mordor wi=
ll
hear this racket! Let's tie him up and leave him!
Gollum:
No! Thats will kill u=
s,
kill us!
Sam:
It's nothing more than you deserve!
Frodo:
Maybe he does deserve to die. Now that I've seen
him, I do pity him.
Gollum:
[Begging]: We be nice=
to
them, if they be nice to us. Take it off us. We swears to do what you wants=
. We swears!
Frodo:
There is no promise you can make that I can trus=
t.
Gollum:
We swears to serve the
master of the precioussss. We swears on, on the
precioussss! Gollum Gollum
Frodo:
The Ring is treacherous. It will hold you to your
word.
Gollum:
Yes... on the preciouss... on the preciousss.
Sam:
[Suddenly, Sam shouts out loudly]:
I don't believe you! Get down! Get down!
[Sam
jerks strongly at the rope as Gollum tries to get away and Gollum falls to =
the
ground.]
Frodo:
[In horror]: Sam!
Sam:
He was trying to trick us! We let him go, he'll throttle us into our sleep!
Frodo:
[To Gollum, almost as a statement rather than
question]: You know the way to Mordor?
Gollum:
[Nodding warily]: Yes.
Frodo:
You've been there before?
Gollum:
[Nodding again]: Yes.
Frodo:
[Taking the rope off Gollum]: You will lead us to
the Black Gate.
[Gollum
looks up at Frodo in wonder, amazed to have been showed such kindness and
trust. He scrambles off quickly, the Hobbits hurrying on after him.]
[The
Uruk-hai carry Merry and Pippin over the fields
Rohan.]
Pippin:
Merry! Merry!
[We see that Merry is unconscious, with large, n=
asty
gash about his right brow.]
[Suddenly,
a Uruk-hai raises his hand, signalling for the g=
roup
to stop.]
Uglúk:
What is it? What do you smell?
Maúhur:
Man-flesh.
Pippin:
[To himself]: Aragorn!
Uglúk:
They've picked up our trail! Let's go!
[The
Uruk-hai quicken their pace. Pippin struggles to=
reach
his Elven brooch with his teeth. He then tears it off his cloak and drops it
onto the ground. The Uruks don't notice the brooch, but some trample it,
setting it more firmly into the soil.]
[Aragorn
is lying with his eyes closed and ear pressed to the ground, listening for =
the
sound of footsteps.]
Aragorn:
Their pace quickens. They must have caught our
scent. Hurry!
Legolas:
Come on Gimli!
Gimli:
Three day's and night's pursuit..
no food... no rest... and no sign of our quarry but what bare rock can tell=
.
[The
Three Hunters run across rocks and plains, with Aragorn in the lead, and
Legolas and Gimli trailing behind. Aragorn suddenly bends down to pick up an
Elven brooch from the ground.]
Aragorn:
Not idly do the leaves of Lorien fall.
Legolas:
They may yet be alive.
Aragorn:
Less than a day ahead of us, come!
Legolas:
Come Gimli! We are gaining on them.
Gimli:
I'm wasted on cross-country. We dwarves are natu=
ral
sprinters. Very dangerous we are over short distances.
[Camera
pans over the Orcs running across the plains, and then swings to the Three
Hunters giving chase. The trackers come over a hill and pause as they gaze
across the plains below.]
Aragorn:
Rohan, home of the horse-lords. There's something
strange at work here. Some evil gives speed to these creatures. Sets its wi=
ll
against us. Legolas! What does your elf eyes see?
Legolas:
The Uruks turn Northeast. They are taking the
hobbits to Isengard!
Aragorn:
Saruman.
[The
Saruman:
The world is changing. Who now has the strength =
to
stand against the armies of Isengard and Mordor? To stand against the might=
of
Sauron and Saruman and the union of the two towers? Together, Lord Sauron, =
we
shall rule this Middle-Earth.
[The
caverns of Isengard glow with the fires of industry, so=
unds
of hammering fill the air and molten iron is poured into casts.]
Saruman: (Voiceover) The old world will burn in the fires of industry. Fore=
sts
will fall. A new order will rise. We will drive the machinery of war with t=
he sword
and the spear and the iron fist of the Orcs. We now have only to remove tho=
se
who oppose us.
[Saruman
stands in the midst of a gathering of Wildmen, who are holding tOrches and
crude weapons.]
Saruman:
The horsemen have taken your lands. They drove y=
our
people into the hills to scratch the living of rocks.
CROWD
Murderers!
Saruman:
Take back the lands they stole from you. Burn ev=
ery
village! It will begin in the Rohan. Too long have these peasants stood aga=
inst
you. But no more.
[The
wildmen and Orcs attack a village. A woman with her hand on a horse calls o=
ut
to her children.]
Mother:
Eothain, take your sister. You'll go faster with
just two.
Freya:
But Papa says Eothain must not ride. He's too big
for him!
Mother:
Listen to me! You must ride to Edoras and raise =
the
alarm. Do you understand me?
Eothain:
Yes mum.
Freya:
I don't wanna go! I don't wanna go!
Mother:
Listen to me. I will find you there.
[Screams
are increasing in volume as the army draws closer.]
Mother:
Quickly! Go, child!
[To herself]: Oh, child.
[The
army slaughters at will and sets fire to the village. Eothain and Freya wee=
p as
they look back from a distance.] Saruman: (V.O.) Rohan, my lord, is ready to
fall.
[A
group of horsemen ride to Edoras. Èomer is in the lead, carrying a
gravely wounded Théodred in front of him. Èowyn runs hastily =
up
the stairs to the Golden Hall and enters a bedchamber. She runs to the bed.=
]
Èowyn:
Théodred!
[Théodred
seems to hear her call but is unable to respond. He has a bloody gash on the
side of his head. Èomer nods to Èowyn in the direction of
Théodred’s torso. Èowyn draws back the covers and upon
seeing Théodred’s fatal wound, her lips tighten and her eyes
close. She looks up to catch Èomer’s eye.]
[Èomer
and Èowyn are speaking to King Théoden who sits motionless on=
his
throne, wizened and aged beyond his years.]
Èowyn:
[To Théoden]: Your son is badly wounded, =
my
lord.
Èomer:
He was ambushed by Orcs. If we don't defend our
country, Saruman will take it by force.
Grima:
That is a lie! Saruman the White has ever been o=
ur
friend and ally.
Théoden:
[Mumbling]: Grima... Grima
Èomer:
Orcs are roaming freely across our lands. Unchec=
ked,
unchallenged, killing at will. Orcs bearing the white hand of Saruman.
[Èomer
drops a helmet onto the ground, which topples over to reveal the white hand=
of
Saruman.]
Grima:
Why do you lay these
troubles on an already troubled mind? Can you not see? Your uncle is weary =
of
your malcontent, your warmongering.
Èomer:
Warmongering? How long has it been since Saruman
bought you? What was the promised price, Grima? When all the men are dead y=
ou
would take a share of the treasure?
[Èomer watches Grima, whose eyes fall on
Èowyn's figure in the background.]
Too long have you watched my sister, too long ha=
ve
you haunted her steps.
Grima:
You see much, Èomer son of Èomund.=
Too
much. You are banished forthwith from the kingdom of Rohan, under pain of
death.
[The
Uruk-hai and Orcs continue to march across the plains with their hobbit
captives. Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli are in pursuit.]
Gimli:
Keep breathing, that's the key! Breathe! Ho!
Legolas:
They run as if the very whips of their masters w=
ere
behind them.
[They
continue running over vast distances. The Uruk-hai and Orcs halt at nightfa=
ll,
many panting.]
BAGLOR
We ain't goin' no further till we've 'ad a breat=
her.
Uglúk:
Get the fire going!
Pippin:
Merry! Merry!
Merry:
I think, we might hav=
e made
a mistake leaving the Shire, Pippin.
[A
rumbling sound is heard.]
Pippin:
What's making that noise?
Merry:
It's the trees.
Pippin:
What?
Merry:
You remember the Old Forest? On the borders of
Buckland? Folks used to say that there was something in the water that made=
the
trees tall, and come alive.
Pippin:
Alive?
Merry:
Trees that could whisper, talk to each other, ev=
en
move.
BAGLOR
I'm starving. We ain't 'ad nothin' but maggoty b=
read
for three stinkin' days!
Roc:
Yeah! Why can't we have some meat?
[Looking at the hobbits]: What about them? They'=
re
fresh!
Uglúk:
They are not for eating!
Grishnákh:
What about their legs? They don't need those. Oo=
h!
They look tasty!
Uglúk:
Get back!
Roc:
Just a mouthful?
[Uglúk
kills Roc.]
Uglúk:
Looks like meat's back on the menu boys!
[The
Uruk-hai and Orcs cheer and started tearing into Roc, intestines flying, ta=
king
their eyes off the hobbits for a while.]
Merry:
Pippin, let's go!
[Their
hands still bound, the hobbits try to crawl away. Suddenly a foot comes down
onto Pippin and flips him over.]
Grishnákh:
Go on, call for help. Squeal! No one's
gonna save you now!
[Suddenly,
a spear hits Grishnákh. Mayhem ensues as Riders of Rohan burst out f=
rom
their hiding places and ambush the Orcs.]
Merry:
Pippin!
[The
hobbits try to escape from the pandemonium to the forest, dodging bodies and
stomping feet. Suddenly Pippin turns and looks up at a pair of thrashing ho=
oves
bearing down on him.]
Pippin:
Ahh!
[The
Three Hunters are still chasing after the Uruk-Hai. Dawn has broken.]
Legolas:
A red sun rises. Blood has been spilled this nig=
ht.
[The
sound of horses comes to their ears. Aragorn quickly gets them to hide behi=
nd
some boulders. A large group of horse-men appears, galloping quickly with t=
heir
banners flying. Aragorn comes out of hiding as they pass, followed by Legol=
as
and Gimli.]
Aragorn:
Riders of Rohan! What news from the Mark?
[At
a signal from Èomer at the lead, the riders make a quick turn and he=
ad
towards them, surrounding them in an ever-tightening circle. As they stop, =
they
point their long spears menacingly at them.]
Èomer:
What business does an=
elf,
a man, and a dwarf have in the Riddermark? Speak quickly!
Gimli:
Give me your name, horsemaster, and I shall give=
you
mine.
Èomer:
[He dismounts his horse, and steps towards Gimli=
.]
I would cut off your head, Dwarf, if it stood bu=
t a
little higher from the ground.
[Legolas,
in a lightning fast move, points an arrow at Èomer.]
Legolas:
You would die before your stroke fell!
[The
riders all point their spears closer to the travelers. Aragorn pushes down =
Legolas’
arm.]
Aragorn:
I'm Aragorn, son of Arathorn. This is Gimli, son=
of
Gloin, and Legolas, from the Woodland realm. We are friends of Rohan and of
Théoden, its King.
Èomer:
Théoden no longer recognizes friend from =
foe.
[He takes helmet off.]
Not even his own kin.=
[The
spears are withdrawn.]
Èomer:
Saruman has poisoned the mind of the king and cl=
aim
lordship over this land. My company are those lo=
yal to
Rohan. And for that, we are banished. The White Wizard is cunning. He walks
here and there they say, as an old man, hooded and cloaked. And everywhere =
his
spies slip past our nets.
Aragorn:
We are not spies. We track a band of Uruk-Hai
westward across the plains. They have taken two of our =
friends
captive.
Èomer:
The Uruks are destroyed. We slaughtered them dur=
ing
the night.
Gimli:
[Distraught, despairingly]: But there were two
Hobbits, do you see two Hobbits with them?
Aragorn:
They would be small, only children to your eyes.=
Èomer:
We left none alive. We piled the carcasses and
burned them.
[He points off in the distance, where we see the
Uruk-hai pile, still smoking.]
Gimli:
[Disbelievingly]: They are dead?
Èomer:
[He pauses briefly - then nods.] I am sorry.
Hasufel! Arod! [Two riderless horses come forth.=
]
May these horses bear you to better fortune than=
the
former masters. Farewell. Look for your friends,=
but
do not trust to hope. It has forsaken these lands.
[To the riders]: We ride north!
[Aragorn,
Legolas, and Gimli ride towards the burning carcasses,<=
/span>
and Gimli starts to shift through the smouldering pile, from which he retri=
eves
a charred belt and dagger sheath.]
Gimli:
[Sadly]: It’s one of their wee belts.
Legolas:
[With closed eyes]:
Hiro hyn hîdh ab 'wanath.
[Translation: "May they find peace after
death."]
Aragorn:
AAAHHH!!! [He kicks the Orc pile.]
Gimli:
[In disbelief]: We failed them.
[Aragorn
away, off to the side, but as he does so, something catches his eye.]
Aragorn:
A Hobbit lay here, and the other.
[Flashback:
Pippin yells as he looks up at a pair of thrashing hooves bearing down on h=
im.
He rolls over.]
Aragorn:
They crawled.
[Flashback:
Merry and Pippin crawl frantically away from the battle.]
Aragorn:
Their hands were bound.
[Flashback:
Pippin rubs his bonds furiously against the sharp edge of an upturned blade=
.]
Aragorn:
Their bonds were cut. They ran over here and were
followed.
[Flashback:
Their hands freed, the hobbits run away from the battle scene, dodging unde=
r a
horse and trying to stay out of harms way. As they flee, Grishnákh g=
rabs
Pippin by his belt and clings on.]
Merry:
The belt! Run!
[Pippin
undoes his belt and Grishnákh is left holding the belt and the hobbi=
ts
run off.]
Aragorn:
Tracks lead away from the battle, into... Fangorn
Forest.
Gimli:
Fangorn! What madness drew them there?
[The
hobbits are in Fangorn Forest.]
Pippin:
Did we lose him? I think we lost him.
[Suddenly,
Grishnákh bursts through the branches, brandishing a blade.]
Grishnákh:
I'm gonna rip off both your little heads! Come h=
ere!
Merry:
Trees! Climb a tree!
[Pippin
and Merry each scramble up a tree.]
Merry:
He's gone.
[Suddenly,
Merry is pulled by his legs and falls to the ground. Grishnákh leans
over him with his menacing blade.]
Pippin:
Merry!
[Pippin
looks down in horror but as he turns his head, he spots a pair of gleaming
yellow eyes blinking in the tree he’s clinging to.]
Pippin:
Ah!
[Pippin
loses his grip in fright and falls. The tree catches him.]
Grishnákh:
[To Merry]: Let’s put a maggot-hole in your
belly.
[Suddenly
Grishnákh senses something behind him and as he looks up, the tree
squashes him.]
Pippin:
Run, Merry!
[The
Tree scoops up Merry.]
Treebeard:
Little Orcs!
Pippin:
It's talking Merry. The tree is talking.
Treebeard:
Tree? I am no tree! I am an Ent.
Merry:
Treeherder! Shepherd of the forest.
Pippin:
Don't talk to it Merry. Don't encourage it.
Treebeard:
Treebeard some call me.
Pippin:
And whose side are you on?
Treebeard:
Side? I am on nobody's side. Because nobody is o=
n my
side, little Orc. Nobody cares for the woods anymore.
Merry:
We are not Orcs. We are Hobbits!
Treebeard:
Hobbits? Never heard of a Hobbit before. Sounds =
like
Orc mischief to me. They come with fire, they come with axes. Biting, break=
ing,
hacking, burning. Destroyers and usurpers. Curse them!
Merry:
No! You don't understand. We are Hobbits, halfli=
ngs.
Shirefolk!
Treebeard:
Maybe you are, and maybe you aren't. The White
Wizard will know.
Pippin:
White Wizard?
Merry:
Saruman!
[Treebeard
drops Merry and Pippin on the ground and the Hobbits look up in wonder at t=
he
White Wizard.]
[Frodo
and Sam follow Gollum to the end of the rocky terrain. Gollum looks back.] =
Gollum:
See, see, we have led you out! Hurry, hurry! Very
lucky we find you. Nice hobbit.
Sam:
Whoa! It's a bog! He's led us into a swamp!
Gollum:
Swamp, yes. Come master. We will take you to safe
paths, through the mist. Come Hobbits, come. We move quickly. I found it. I
did. The way through the marshes. Orcs don't use it. Orcs don't know it. Th=
ey
go round for miles and miles. Come quickly. Swift and quickly.
Sam:
There are dead things! Dead faces in the water! =
Gollum:
All dead. All rotten. Elves and men and Orcs. A
great battle long ago. The Dead Marshes. Yes, yes! That is the name. This w=
ay.
Don't follow the lights.
Sam:
Ohh!
Gollum:
Careful now! Or hobbits go down to join the dead
ones, and light little candles of their own.
[Frodo
falls face-down into the water.]
Sam:
Frodo!
[Frodo
sees many faces of the dead in the water. Their hands reach for him, seekin=
g to
draw him into their realm. Suddenly he is grabbed from behind and pulled
ashore.]
Frodo:
Gollum?
Gollum:
Don't follow the lights!
Sam:
Frodo! are you alright?
[Nightfall:
Sam is asleep but Frodo is still awake. He holds the Ring in the palm of his
hand, staring at it and stroking it. Suddenly he hears a voice.]
Gollum:
So bright, so beautiful. Ah precious.
Frodo:
What did you say?
Gollum:
Master should be resting. Master need to keep up=
his
strength.
Frodo:
Who are you?
Gollum:
Mustn't ask us it's n=
ame,
not his business. Gollum, gollum.
Frodo:
Gandalf told me you were one of the River Folk. =
Gollum:
Cold be heart and roc=
k and
bone. And call every traveller far from home.
Frodo:
He said your life was was a sad story.
Gollum:
They do not see what lies ahead when sun has fad=
ed
and moon is dead.
Frodo:
You were not so different from a Hobbit once were
you... Sméagol?
Gollum:
[Turning around]: What did you call me?
Frodo:
That was your name once, wasn't it? A long time =
ago.
Gollum:
My... My name... Sméagol.
[As he speaks, he notices something in the sky, =
and
draws back in fear.]
Sam:
Black Riders!
Gollum:
Hide! Hide!
[Frodo
feels a sharp pain in his shoulder.]
Sam:
C'mon Frodo, C'mon!
Gollum:
They will see us! They will see us. Wraiths! Wra=
iths
on wings!
Sam:
I thought they were dead!
Gollum:
Dead? No, you cannot kill them. No.
Ringwraith:
[Screeches]
Gollum:
They are calling for the precious. They are call=
ing
for the preciousssss.
[Frodo
reaches for the Ring. Sam holds Frodo's hand.]
Sam:
It's alright.
[The
Ringwraith circles overhead and flies off into the distance.]
Gollum:
Hurry, hobbits. The Black Gate is very close.
[Meanwhile, Aragorn and company go into Fangorn Forest to look for Merry and Pippin.] <= o:p>
Gimli:
Orc blood!
Aragorn:
These are strange tracks.
Gimli:
The air is so close here.
Legolas:
This forest is old. Very old. Full of memories..=
.and
anger. The trees are speaking to each other.
Aragorn:
Gimli!
Gimli:
Huh?
Aragorn:
Lower your axe.
Gimli:
Oh!
Legolas:
Aragorn, nad no ennas!
[Translation: "Something is out there!"=
;]
Aragorn:
Man cenich?
[Translation: "What do you see?"]
Legolas:
The White Wizard approaches.
Aragorn:
Do not let him speak. He will put a spell on us!=
We
must be quick.
[With
a yell, the three swing round to attack in accord. They are suddenly blinde=
d by
a bright light emanating from the White Wizard. Gimli’s axe and
Legolas’ arrow are deflected. Aragorn's sword becomes to hot to hold.=
]
Wizard:
You are tracking the footsteps of two young hobb=
its
Aragorn:
Where are they?
Wizard:
They passed this way the day before yesterday. T=
hey
met someone they did not expect. Does that comfort you?
Aragorn:
Who are you? Show yourself!
[The
light dims, revealing Gandalf, dressed in white.]
Aragorn:
It cannot be! You fell!
Gandalf:
Through fire and water.
[Flashback:
Gandalf is battling the Balrog on a peak.] Gandalf: (V.O.) From the lowest
dungeon to the highest peak, I fought him, the Balrog of Morgoth.
[Gandalf
holds up Glamdring and a flash of lightning strikes it before he plunges the
sword into the Balrog. With a final cry, the Balrog falls from the peak and
lands, smoking, onto the icy mountainside.] Gandalf: (V.O.) Until at last, I
threw down my enemy and smote his ruin upon the mountainside. Darkness took=
me.
And I strayed out of thought and time. Stars wheeled overhead and each day =
was
as long as a life age of the earth. But it was not the end. I felt life in =
me
again. I've been sent back until my task is done.
[End
Flashback.]
Aragorn:
Gandalf.
Gandalf:
Gandalf? Oh yes. That's what they used to call m=
e.
Gandalf the Grey. That was my name.
Gimli:
Gandalf!
Gandalf:
I am Gandalf the White now. And I come back to y=
ou
now at the turn of the tide.
[They
start to walk through the forest, with Gandalf leading the way.]
Gandalf:
One stage of the journey is over another begins.=
War
has come to Rohan. We must ride to Edoras with all speed.
[Outside
the forest, Gandalf whistles piercingly. Soon an answering neigh is heard a=
nd a
white horse appears from the plain, answering the call.]
Legolas:
That is one of the Mearas, unless my eyes are
cheated by some spell.
Gandalf:
Shadowfax. He's the lord of all horses and he's =
been
my friend through many dangers.
[The
four ride off.]
[Treebeard
walks through the forest, carrying Merry and Pippin.]
Treebeard:
My home. I sleep in the forest here. The roots of
the mountains. I told Gandalf I would keep you safe and safe is where I'll =
keep
you. The trees have gone wild and dangerous. Anger is in their hearts. They
will harm you if they can. There are too few of us now. Too few of us that =
are
left to manage them.
[Frodo
and Sam are led to the edge of a cliff.]
Gollum:
The Black Gate of Mordor.
Sam:
My old Gaffer would have a thing or two to say i=
f he
saw this.
Gollum:
Master says show him the way into Mordor so good
Sméagol does what master says so.
Frodo:
I did.
[Orcs
are patrolling the Black Gate.]
Sam:
We cannot get past them.
[A
command is heard and an Orc sounds a horn. Two enormous cave trolls stretch=
and
growl and then pull the mighty Gate open.]
Sam:
Look! The gate, it's
opening! I can see a way down.
[Sam
moves closer to the edge. Suddenly, the rock underneath him gives way and he
falls.]
Frodo:
Sam! No!
Sam:
Ah!!
[Frodo
goes after Sam.]
Gollum:
Master!
[Two
Easterling soldiers see streams of dust coming down the cliff and investiga=
te.
Frodo reaches Sam who is stuck. As the Easterlings move closer and closer,
Frodo throws his elvish cloak over himself and Sam. The soldiers can't see =
them
and leave.]
Frodo:
I do not ask you to come with me, Sam.
Sam:
I know, Mr. Frodo. I doubt these elvish cloaks w=
ill
help us in there.
Frodo:
Now!
Gollum:
No! No! No master! They catch you! They catch yo=
u.
Don't take it to Him. He wants the precioussss. Always he's looking for it.=
And
the preciousss is wanting to go back to him, but=
we
musn't let him have it.
[Frodo
tries to go, but Gollum won't let him.]
Gollum:
No! There is another way. More secret,
and dark way.
Sam:
Why haven't you spoke=
of
this before?!
Gollum:
Because master did not ask!
Sam:
He is up to something.
Frodo:
Are you saying that there is another way to Mord=
or?
Gollum:
Yes. There is a path, and some stairs and then a
tunnel.
Frodo:
He has led us this far, Sam.
Sam:
Mr. Frodo, no!
Frodo:
He's been true to his word.
Sam:
No!
Frodo:
Lead the way, Sméagol.
Gollum:
Good Sméagol always help.
[Gandalf,
Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas approach a a great Ki=
ngdom,
built on a hill.]
Gandalf:
Edoras and the Golden Hall of Meduseld, King of
Rohan, whose mind is overthrown and Saruman's hold over King Théoden=
is
now very strong.
[Interior:
Èowyn speaks to Théoden]
Èowyn:
My lord, your son is dead. My lord? Uncle? Will =
you
not go to him?
[Without hope]: Will you do nothing?
[Exterior]
Gandalf:
Be careful what you say. Do not look for welcome
here.
[Èowyn
weeps at Theodred's bedside.]
Grima:
Ohh he, he must have died ss-sometime in the nig=
ht.
What a tragedy for the king to lose his only son and heir. I understand his
passing is hard to accept, especially now that your brother has deserted yo=
u.
[He
places his hand on Èowyn's shoulder, and she looks at it with revuls=
ion.
She gets up hastily, and draws back.]
Èowyn:
Leave me alone, you snake!
Grima:
[Unabashed, he walks towards Èowyn, circl=
ing
her as he speaks.]
Oh, but you are alone. Who knows what you have
spoken to the darkness, the bitter watches of the night. When all your life
seems to shrink. The walls of your bower closing in about you.
[He puts his hand to her face, and moves it about
her face and neck.]
So fair, so cold, like a morning of pale spring
still clinging to winter's chill.
Èowyn:
[She closes her eyes, and her face quivers. Then=
she
opens her eyes, looking into Grima's for some time before she speaks.]
[Quiveringly, hatefully]: Your words are poison!=
[Èowyn
sweeps out of the chamber, and walks out onto a balcony, overlooking the la=
nds
surrounding Rohan. She casts her eye about, first looking out to the great
snow-tipped mountains, and the lands far away. Then something closer catches
her attention, and beneath her, three horses gallop towards the city of
[Gandalf
(dressed once more in grey), Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli (on the same horse=
as
Legolas), enter a
Gimli:
You'll find more cheer in a graveyard.
[Aragorn
looks back up to the Golden Hall, and sees Èowyn gone. Many guards w=
alk
out from the entrance of the Hall, and Gandalf greets them happily.]
Gandalf:
Ah.
I cannot allow you before Théoden-king so
armed, Gandalf Grayhame... By order of - Grima Wormtongue.
[Frowning, Gandalf nods, gesturing to the others to give up their weapons. Aragorn han= ds over his sword, then pulls out a knife from his clothing, handing that over, too. Legolas hands over his knives and bow, and, rather reluctantly, Gimli hands over his axe. With this done, they make their way to the entrance.] <= o:p>
[Gesturing to Gandalf]: Your staff.
Gandalf:
Hmm? [He glances at his staff.]
[Innocently]: Oh. No, you would not part an old =
man
from his - walking stick.
[
[Interior]
Grima:
My Lord. Gandalf the Grey is coming. A herald of
woe.
Gandalf:
The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of
late, Théoden-King.
Grima:
He is not welcome.
Théoden:
Why should I welcome you, Gandalf - Stormcrow? <= o:p>
Grima:
[In Theoden's ear]: A just question, my liege. <= o:p>
[He rises, and walks out towards Gandalf, and we=
see
that, at present, Gandalf's staff is hidden from view.]
[Loudly, so all can hear]: Late is the hour in w=
hich
this conjurer chooses to appear. La=
thspell
I name him. Ill news is an ill guest.
Gandalf:
Silence! Keep your forked tongue behind your tee=
th.
I have not passed through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a witl=
ess
worm! [He pulls out his staff from under his cloak.]
Grima:
Your staff...
[Slowly yet impatiently, to the guards]:
I told you to take the wizard's staff!
[The
guards rush out from the sides, and Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli take them on
without difficulty. Grima hurries off to the side, and Gandalf approaches t=
he
King.
Gandalf:
Théoden, Son of Thengel. Too long have you
sat in shadows.
[Gimli
spots Grima cowering on the floor, and holds him down.]
Gimli:
[To Grima]: I would stay still if I were you!
Gandalf:
Hearken to me! I will release you from the spell=
.
Théoden:
Hahahahahahahaha! You have no powers here Gandalf
the Grey. Haha! Ah!!
Gandalf:
I shall draw you, Saruman, as poison is drawn fr=
om a
wound.
[Èowyn
rushes in, tries to go to Théoden, but Aragorn holds her back.]
Aragorn:
Wait.
Théoden:
[in Saruman's voice]
If I go, Théoden dies.
Gandalf:
You did not kill me, you will not kill him.
Théoden:
[in Saruman's voice]
Rohan is mine!
Gandalf:
Be gone! [Théoden lunges forwards, and
Gandalf aims his staff at him, pushing him back in his seat.]
[In
Orthanc, Saruman falls to the ground. Then, now weary, Théoden folds
forward on his seat, as though about to collapse. Èowyn rushes up to
him, and Aragorn releases her from his grasp. Off to the side,
Théoden:
I know your face.
[Èowyn smiles,=
and
the King looks at her, as though trying to recall a distant memory. Then he
remembers, and he smiles.]
Èowyn... Èowyn.
[She smiles, and puts her hand to the King's fac=
e,
tears of joy in her eyes.]
[Gandalf
steps forward, and Théoden and Èowyn look up at him.]
Théoden:
Gandalf?
Gandalf:
Breathe the free air again, my friend.
Théoden:
Dark my dreams have been of late.
Gandalf:
Your fingers would remember their old strength
better... if they grasped your sword.
[
Grima:
Ah! I've only ever served you my lord
Théoden:
Your witchcraft would have had me crawling on all
fours like a beast!
Grima:
Send me not from your side!
[Théoden
raises sword to kill Grima.]
Aragorn:
No my lord! Let him go. Enough blood has been
spilled on his account.
Grima:
Get out of my way!
[Grima
exits.]
Aragorn:
Hail, Théoden, King!
Théoden:
Where is Théodred? Where is my son?
[Théoden
visits his Théodred's grave.]
Théoden:
Simbelmyne. Ever has it grown on the tombs of my=
forebears. Now it shall cover the grave of my son. Ala=
s,
that these evil days shall be mine. The young perish and the old linger. Th=
at I
should live to see the last days of my house.
Gandalf:
Théodred's death was not of your making. =
Théoden:
No parent should have to bury their child.
Gandalf:
He was strong in life. His spirits will find his=
way
to the halls of your fathers.
[Eothain
and Freya appear on the hill on horseback. Eothain falls off the horse.]
[Inside
the Golden Hall, the two children eat under the care of Èowyn.]
Èowyn:
They had no warning. They were unarmed. Now the
wildmen are moving through westfold, burning as they go, every rick and cot=
.
Freya
Where's momma?
Èowyn:
Shh.
Gandalf:
This is but a taste of the terror that Saruman w=
ill
unleash. All the more potent for he is driven mad by the fear of Sauron. Ri=
de
out and meet him head on. Draw him away from the women and children. You mu=
st
fight.
Aragorn:
You have 2000 good men riding north as we speak.
Èomer is loyal to you. His men will return and fight for their king.=
Théoden:
They will be three hundred leagues from here by =
now.
Èomer cannot help us. I know what is that you want of me. But I would
not bring further death to my people. I will not risk open war.
Aragorn:
Open war is upon you, whether would risk it or n=
ot.
Théoden:
When last I looked, Théoden, not Aragorn,=
was
king of Rohan.
Gandalf:
Then what is the king's decision?
[Cut
to Exterior:
By order of the king, The city must empty. We ma=
ke
for the refuge of Helm's Deep. Do not burden yourself with treasures. Take =
only
what provisions you need.
Gimli:
Helm's Deep! They flee to the mountains when they
should stand and fight. Who will defend them if not their king?
Aragorn:
He is only doing what he thinks is best for his
people. Helm's Deep has saved them in the past.
Gandalf:
There is no way out of that of ravine.
Théoden is walking into a trap. He thinks he is leading them to safe=
ty
but what he'll get is a massacre. Théoden has a strong will but I fe=
ar
for him. I fear for the survival of Rohan. He will need you before the end =
there,
Aragorn. The people of Rohan will need you. The defenses have to hold.
Aragorn:
They will hold.
Gandalf:
[To himself]:The Grey
Pilgrim. That is what they used to call me. Three hundred lives of men have
walked this earth and now, I have no time.
[To Aragorn]:Good luc=
k. My
search will not be in vain. Look to my coming. At first light of the fifth =
day
at dawn, look to the East.
Aragorn:
Go.
[Gandalf
exits on Shadowfax.]
[Èowyn
opens a chest to reveal a sword. She swings it around and is parried by
Aragorn.]
Aragorn:
You have some skill with a blade.
Èowyn:
Women of this country learned long ago that those
without swords may still die upon them. I fear neither death nor pain.
Aragorn:
What do you fear my lady?
Èowyn:
A cage. To stay behind bars until use and old age
accept them. And all chance of valor has gone beyond recall or desire.
Aragorn:
You are a daughter of kings. A shieldmaiden of
Rohan. I do not think that will be your fate.
[Meanwhile,
at Isengard:]
Grima:
Théoden will not stay at Edoras. It is
vulnerable. He knows this. He will expect an attack on the city. They will =
flee
to Helm's Deep, the great fortress of Rohan. It is a dangerous road to take
through the mountains. It will be slow. They will have women and children w=
ith
them.
[Saruman
walks through the depths of Isengard. He approaches an Orc.]
Saruman:
Send out your warg riders.
[Gollum
is still leading Sam and Frodo.]
Sam:
Hey Stinker! Don't go getting too far ahead!
Frodo:
Why do you do that?
Sam:
What?
Frodo:
Call him names? Run him down all the time.
Sam:
Because. 'Cause that's what he is, Mr. Frodo.
There's naught left in 'im but lies and deceit. It's the Ring he wants. It's
all he cares about.
Frodo:
You have no idea what it did to him. What is sti=
ll
doing to him. I want to help him Sam.
Sam:
Why?
Frodo:
Because I have to believe he could come back.
Sam:
You can't save him, Mr. Frodo.
Frodo:
[Savagely]: What do you know about it? Nothing! =
[Hurt, Sam walks past Frodo.]
Frodo:
[Apologetically]: I'm sorry Sam. I don't know wh=
y I
said that.
Sam:
I do. It's the Ring. You can't take your eyes off
it. I've seen you. You're not eating. You barely sleep. It's taking a hold =
of
you Mr Frodo. You have to fight it!
Frodo:
[Resentfully]:
I know what I have to do Sam. The Ring was entru=
sted
to ME!
[Angrily]: It's my task! Mine! My own!
Sam:
Can't you hear yourself? Don't you know who you
sound like?
[Gollum
is off by himself at night.]
Gollum:
We wants it, we needs it. Must have the Precious= ss. They stole it from us. Sneaky little hobbitses. Wicked, tricksy, falssse! <= o:p>
Sméagol:
No! No! Master!
Gollum:
Yess. Preciousss first. They will cheat you, hurt
you, lie!
Sméagol:
Master's my friend.
Gollum:
You don't have any friends. Nobody likes you.
Sméagol:
Not listening. Not listening.
Gollum:
You´re a liar, =
and a
thief.
Sméagol:
No.
Gollum:
Murderer!
Sméagol:
Go away.
Gollum:
Go away?! Ahahhaa!
Sméagol:
I hate you, I hate you.
Gollum:
Where would you be without me? Gollum. Gollum. I
saved us. It was me. We survived because of me.
Sméagol:
Not anymore.
Gollum:
What did you say?
Sméagol:
Master looks after us now. We don't need you.
Gollum:
What?
Sméagol:
Leave now and never come back.
Gollum:
No!
Sméagol:
Leave now and never come back!
Gollum:
Ahh!
Sméagol:
LEAVE NOW AND NEVER COME BACK!
[Silence]
Sméagol:
We told him to go away! And away he goes, preciousss. Gone, gone, gone, Sméagol is =
free!
[The
next day Sméagol comes back with two rabbits and puts them to Frodo's
lap.]
Sméagol:
Look! Look! See what Sméagol finds! Ehehe!
Hohohhooo! They are young! They are tender and nice. Yes they are! Eat them.
Eat them.
Sam:
Make him sick you will, behaving like that. Ther=
e's
only one way to eat a brace of coneys.
[Sam
cooks the rabbits in a pot.]
Sméagol:
Argh!! What's he doing! Stupid fat hobbit. You <=
span
class=3DGramE>ruins it!
Sam:
What's to ruin? There's hardly any meat on them.
What we need it a few good taters.
Sméagol:
What's taters? Preciousss, what's taters? Huh?
Sam:
Po-ta-toes!! Boil them, mash them, stick them in a stew. Lovely big golden chips with a n=
ice
piece of fried fish.
Sméagol:
Phooh!
Sam:
Even you couldn't say no to that.
Sméagol:
Oh yes we could. Ssspoiling nice fish! Give it to
ussss raw. and wwwriggling. You keep nasty chips!
Sam:
You're hopeless.
[Suddenly noticing his master's absense.]
Mr Frodo?
[Frodo
sees an army of the Easterling soldiers marching nearby.]
Sam:
Who are they?
Sméagol:
Wicked men, servants of Sauron. They are called =
to Mordor.
The Dark One is gathering all armies to him. It won't be long now. He will =
soon
be ready.
Sam:
Ready to do what?
Sméagol:
To make His war. The last war that will cover
Frodo:
We've got to keep moving. C'mon Sam.
Sam:
Mr. Frodo! Look! It's an Oliphant! No one at home
will believe this.
[Sméagol
sneaks away.]
Frodo:
Sméagol?
[Chaos
breaks out when the Easterlings are attacked from the bushes.]
Frodo:
We've lingered here for too long. C'mon Sam!
[Frodo
and Sam are caught by men.]
Sam:
Ah!
Faramir:
Bind their hands.
[The
villagers or Rohan are heading towards Helm's Deep.]
Gimli:
It's true you don't see many dwarf women. And in
fact, they are so alike in voice and appearance,=
they
are often mistaken for dwarf men.
Aragorn:
It's the beards.
Gimli:
And this in turn has given rise to the belief th=
at
there are no dwarf women. And the dwarves just, spring out of holes in the
ground! Which is of course ridiculous. Whoa!
[Gimli falls from his horse.]
It's alright! It's alright. Nobody panic. That w=
as
deliberate. It was deliberate.
[At
night and Aragorn drifts off to sleep.]
Arwen
The light of the Evenstar does not wax and wane.=
It
is mine to give to whom I will. Like my heart. Go to sleep.
Aragorn:
I am alseep. This is a dream.
Arwen
Then it is a good dream. Sleep.
Aragorn:
Sleep...
Minlû pedich nin, i aur hen telitha.
[Translation: "You told me once, this day would come."]
Arwen:
Ú i vethed...nâ i onnad. Boe bedich=
go
Frodo. Han bâd lîn.
[Translation: "This is not the end. It is t=
he
beginning. You must go with Frodo. That is your path."]
Aragorn:
Dolen i vâd o nin.
[Translation: "My path is hidden from
me."]
Arwen:
Si peliannen i vâd na dail lîn. Si b=
oe
ú-dhannathach.
[Translation: "It is already laid before yo=
ur
feet, you cannot falter now."]
Aragorn:
Arwen.
Arwen
Ae ú-esteliach nad... estelio han. Estelio
ammen.
[Translation: "If you trust nothing else, t=
rust
this. Trust us."]
[Aragorn
and the Rohirrim continue their journey.]
Èowyn:
Where is she? The woman who gave you that jewel?=
[Flashback
to Elrond conversing with Aragorn at Rivendell:]
ELROND
Our time here is ending. Arwen's time is ending.=
Let
her go. Let her take the ship into the West. Let her bear away her love for=
you
to the undying lands, there to be ever green.
Aragorn:
But never more than a memory.
ELROND
I will not leave my daughter here to die.
Aragorn:
She stays because she still has hope.
ELROND
She stays for YOU! She belongs with her people. =
[Aragorn
meets Arwen before the departure of the Fellowship.]
Aragorn:
Edra le men, men na guil edwen... haer o auth a
nîr a naeth. [Translation: "You have a chance for another life
...away from war... grief... despair."]
Arwen
Why are you saying this?
Aragorn:
I'm mortal. You are elfkind. It was a dream Arwe=
n,
nothing more.
[Aragorn
tries to give the Evenstar back to Arwen.]
Aragorn:
This belongs to you.
Arwen
It was a gift. Keep it.
[Flashback
ends.]
Èowyn:
My lord?
Aragorn:
She is sailing to the undying lands, with all th=
at
is left of her kin.
Gamling:
What is it? Hama?
Hama
I'm not sure.
[A
warg scout appears above them and attacks Hama, killing him. Legolas
immediately comes to the rescue, shooting with his bow.]
Legolas:
A scout!
Théoden:
What is it? What do you see?
Aragorn:
Wargs! We are under attack!
Théoden:
All riders to the head of the column!
Gimli:
C'mon get me up here, I'm a rider. Agh!
Théoden:
You must lead the people to Helm's Deep and make
haste.
Èowyn:
I can fight!
Théoden:
No! You must do this. For me.
Théoden:
Follow me!
Gimli:
Forward, forward, march forward.
Èowyn:
[To the villagers]: Make for the lower ground. S=
tick
together!
[The
warg riders and the Rohirrim crash at full speed. They fight like men (and =
Orcs).
Gimli falls of the horse and a riderless warg heads towards him.]
Gimli:
Bring your pretty face to my axe!
[Legolas
shoots the warg.]
Gimli:
That one counts as mine!
[A
dead warg lands on Gimli.]
Gimli:
Argh! Stinking creature!"
[Aragorn
catches his hand in the harness of a warg, and fights with the Orc rider, w=
ho
finally falls off. Aragorn and the warg tumble off the cliff.]
Gimli:
Where is Aragorn?
Legolas:
Aragorn?
[Legolas
spots an Orc on the ground, laughing.]
Legolas:
Where is he? Speak up!
Orc
Ghehehe, seems like your friend took a little
thumble off the cliff.
Legolas:
You lie!
[The
Orc dies, and Legolas sees the Orc is holding Evenstar in his hand. He takes
it, and runs to the edge of the cliff. As he looks down, we see a long drop=
to
a fast moving river below, but Aragorn is not to be seen. Gimli comes to st=
and
beside Legolas.]
Theoden:
[To his men]: Get the wounded on horses. The wol=
ves
of Isengard will return. Leave the dead.
[Legolas
turns to look at Théoden, an expression of perplexed anger on his fa=
ce.]
Theoden:
[He places his hand on Legolas' shoulder.]
[Gently]: Come.
[Théoden
leaves, but Legolas and Gimli remain, still looking down into the river in
disbelief.]
[We
see the villagers of Rohan approaching the refuge of Helm's Deep. They shou=
t in
joy and relief, as it comes into sight.]
Refugees:
Helm’s Deep! At last! There it is!
Old
Woman:
[To Eowyn]: We’re safe, my lady! Thank you=
!
[Eowyn
embraces the woman, as they walk on towards the refuge. The gate is opened =
for
them, and we are given our first sight of the inside of Helm's deep. We see
that many of the villagers have already arrived, and there are many resting
inside, along the corridors of the great stone refuge. Out of the confusion,
Eothain and Freda run into their mother's arms.]
Freya:
Mama!
Mother:
Freya! Freya!
[As
the three embrace, King Théoden enters with his men.]
GUARD:
Make way for Théoden! Make way for the Ki=
ng!
[Èowyn
runs out to meet them.]
Èowyn:
So few!
[She watches, as a small and weary crowd of
Théoden's men move past her, and into the refuge.]
[Anxiously]: So few of you have returned!
Théoden:
[As he dismounts]:
Our people are safe. We have paid for it with my
many lives.
[Gimli
makes his way to Èowyn.]
Gimli:
My lady...
Èowyn:
[Much concerned, as though she has already guess=
ed
what is to come.]
[Slowly]: Lord Aragorn, where is he?
Gimli:
[With bowed head]:
He fell...
[Shaken
and teary-eyed, Èowyn raises her gaze to look at Théoden. Una=
ble
to look his niece in the eye, Théoden looks down and walks away.]
[At
the battlements]:
Théoden:
Draw all our forces behind the wall. Bar the gat=
e,
and set a watch on the surround.
GUARD
What of those who cannot fight my lord? The women
and children?
Théoden:
Get them into the caves. Saruman's arm would have
grown long indeed if he thinks he can reach us here.
[At
Isengard:]
Grima:
Helm's Deep has but one weakness. It's
outer wall is solid rock for except for a small culvert in space which is
little more than a drain.
[Saruman
pours explosives into a metallic ball.]
Grima:
How? How can fire undo stone? What kind of device
can break down a wall?
Saruman:
If the wall is breached, Helm's Deep will fall. =
Grima:
Even if it is breached, it would take a number b=
eyond
reckoning, thousands to storm the keep.
Saruman:
Tens of thousands.
Grima:
But, my lord, there is no such force.
[They
walk to the balcony of the tower Orthanc and Grima looks in awe at tens of
thousands of Orcs.]
Saruman:
A new power is rising. It's<=
/span>
victory is at hand. This night the land will be stained with the blood of
Rohan! March to Helm's Deep! Leave none alive! To war! There will be no dawn
for Men.
[Merry
and Pippin are walking towards Isengard.]
Pippin:
Look! The smoke to the south!
Treebeard:
There is always smoke rising up from Isengard th=
ese
days.
Merry:
Isengard?
Treebeard:
There was a time, when Saruman would walk in my
woods, but now, he has a mind of metal and wheels.
Treebeard:
He no longer cares for growing things.
[Merry
spots something.]
Pippin:
What is it?
Merry:
It's Saruman's army! The war has started.
[Aragorn
floats down the river and washes ashore. He dreams of Arwen.]
Arwen
May the grace of the Valar protect you.
[Brego
the horse arrives and Aragorn comes to and mounts him.]
[At
Rivendell:]
ELROND:
Arwen. Tollen i lû. I chair gwannar na
Valannor. Si bado, no círar.
[Translation: "Arwen. It is time. The ships=
are
leaving for Valinor. Go now before it is too late."]
Arwen:
I've made my choice.
ELROND:
He is not coming back. Why do you linger when th=
ere
is no hope?"
Arwen:
[Whispers]:There is s=
till
hope.
ELROND:
If Aragorn survives this war, You will still be
parted. If Sauron is defeated and Aragorn made king and all that you hoped =
for
comes true... you will still have to taste the bitterness of mortality. Whe=
ther
by the sword or the slow decay of time, Aragorn will die. And there will be=
no
comfort for you, no comfort to ease the pain of his passing. He will come to
death. An image of the splendor of the kings of men in glory, undimmed befo=
re
the breaking of the world. But you, my daughter, you will linger on, in
darkness and in doubt. As night falling winter has come without a star. Here
you will dwell, bound to you grief, under the fading trees, until all the w=
orld
has changed and the long years of your life are utterly spent. Arwen... the=
re
is nothing for you here, only death.
A im, ú-'=
[Translation: "Do I not also have your
love?"
Arwen
Gerich meleth nîn, ada.
[Translation: "You have my love father.&quo=
t;]
[The
Elves (including Arwen) depart Rivendell.]
GALADRIEL
I amar prestar aen, han mathon ne nen, han matho=
n ne
chae a han noston ned 'wilith. [Translation: "The world is changed; I =
can
feel it in the water, I can feel it in the earth, I can smell it in the
air."]
The power of the enemy is growing. Sauron will use his puppet Saruman to
destroy the people of Rohan. Isengard has been unleashed. The Eye of Sauron=
now
turns to Gondor. The last free kingdom of men. His war on this country will
come swiftly. He senses the Ring is close. The strength of the Ringbearer is
failing.
In his heart, Frodo begins to understand. The quest will claim his life. You
know this. You have foreseen it. It is the risk we all took. In the gatheri=
ng
dark, the will of the Ring grows strong. It works hard now to find its way =
back
into the hands of men. Men, who are so easily seduced by its power. The you=
ng
captain of Gondor has but to extend his hand to take the Ring for his own a=
nd
the world will fall. He is close now, so close to achieving his goal. For
Sauron will have dominion over all life on this Earth, even until the endin=
g of
the world. The time of the elves is over. Do we leave Middle-Earth to this
fate? Do we let them stand alone?
[Faramir
and his men look over a map.]
Faramir:
What news?
Parn:
Our scouts report Saruman has attacked Rohan.
Théoden’s people have fled to Helm’s Deep. But we must l=
ook
to our own borders. Faramir, Orcs are on the move. Sauron is marshalling an
army. Easterlings and Southrons are passing through the Black Gate.
Faramir:
How many?
Parn:
Some thousands. More come every day.
Faramir:
Who’s covering the river to the north?
Parn:
We pulled five hundred men out of Osgiliath, but=
if
the city is attacked, we won’t hold it.
Faramir:
Saruman attacks from Isengard. Sauron from Mordo=
r.
The fight will come to men on both fronts. Gondor is weak. Sauron will stri=
ke
us soon. And he will strike hard. He knows now we do not have the strength =
to
repel him."
Faramir:
[To Sam and Frodo]: My men tell me that you are =
Orc
spies.
Sam:
Spies! Now wait just a minute!
Faramir:
Well if you’re not spies, then who are you=
?
Faramir:
Speak!
Frodo:
We are hobbits of the Shire. Frodo Baggins is my
name and this is Samwise Gamgee.
Faramir:
Your bodyguard?
Sam:
His gardener.
Faramir:
And where is your skulking friend? That gangrel
creature. He had an ill-favoured look.
Frodo:
There was no other. We set out from Rivendell wi=
th
seven companions. One we lost in Moria. Two were my kin. A dwarf there was
also. And an elf. And two men. Aragorn, son of Arathorn and Boromir of Gond=
or.
Faramir:
You were friend of Boromir?
Frodo:
Yes, for my part.
Faramir:
It would grieve you then to learn that he is dea=
d?
Frodo:
Dead? How? When?
Faramir:
As one of his companions, I had hoped you would =
tell
me. He was my brother.
[Later
that day, Faramir sits alone, deep in thought. One of his men come out from behind him.]
Lorne:
Captain Faramir.
[He goes to his side, and, placing his hand on h=
is
shoulder, leans over to whisper something in his ear.]
[Whispers]: We found the...
[Accompanied
by his guards, Faramir goes to the chamber where Frodo and Sam lie. As Fara=
mir
approaches, Frodo opens his eyes wearily.]
Faramir:
You must come with me. Now.
[Frodo
is led outside.]
Faramir:
Down there.
[Frodo
looks down to the Forbidden Pool and sees Sméagol dive in it.]
Faramir:
To enter the Forbidden Pool bears the penalty of
death.
[Archers
step out from the bushes, arrows on strings, ready to shoot.]
Faramir:
They wait for my command. Shall they shoot?
Sméagol:
[Singing]:
Rock and pool,
Is nice and cool,
So juicy sweeeet.
I only wish,
To catch a fish,
So juicy sweeeeet!
[Faramir
eye moves from Frodo, to Gollum, and to the archers, his hand raised, preparing to command the archers. But, just as=
he
seems about to make the final movement, Frodo speaks.]
Frodo:
Wait.
[Faramir stops, and turns to Frodo.]
This creature is bound to me. And I to him. He is
our guide. [Faramir raises his eyebrows.]
[Pleadingly]: Please, let me go down to him.
[Faramir
nods, and we see Frodo make his way down to the
Forbidden Pool. Frodo comes to tall rock face on entering the Pool, and sto=
ps
behind it.]
Frodo:
Sméagol. Master is here.
[He beckons for Sméagol to come to him.] =
Come, Sméagol. Trust master. Come.
Sméagol:
We must... go now?
Frodo:
Sméagol, you must trust master. Follow me,
come on. Come. Come, Sméagol. Nice Sméagol. That’s it. =
Come
on.
[As
Sméagol comes to the rock face behind which Frodo stands, Faramir's =
men
jump on him, wrestling him to the ground.]
Frodo:
Don’t hurt him! Sméagol don’t
struggle! Sméagol, listen to me!
Sméagol:
[Wailing]: Master!
[A
black cloth is thrown over Sméagol's head. Frodo stares after them,
distraught, as Faramir leads Sméagol and his men away.]
[Sméagol
is brought to the cave, and thrown to the ground. Crying, he curls up in a
corner.]
Faramir:
Where are you leading them? Answer me!
Gollum:
Sméagol... Why do you cry, Sméagol=
?
Sméagol:
Cruel men hurts=
us. Master tricksed u=
s.
Gollum:
Of course he did. I told you he was tricksy. I t=
old
you he was false.
Sméagol:
Master is our friend... our friend.
Gollum:
Master betrayed ussss!
Sméagol:
No, not it’s business. Leave us alone.
Gollum:
Filthy little hobbitsesss! They stole it from us=
ss!
Sméagol:
No... no...
Faramir:
What did they steal?
Gollum:
[Shouting, angrily]: My - PRECIOUS!!!!
[Sam
and Frodo are huddled in a room.]
Sam:
We have to get out of here. You go. Go now. You =
can
do it. Use the Ring, Mr. Frodo. Just this once. Put it on. Disappear.
Frodo:
I can’t. You were right, Sam. You tried to
tell me. I’m sorry. The Ring’s taking me, Sam. If I put it on,
He’ll find me. He’ll see.
Sam:
Mr. Frodo...
[Suddenly
Faramir enters, draws his sword and with it, lifts the chain holding the One
Ring at Frodo's neck.]
Faramir:
So... this is the answer to all the riddles. Her=
e in
the wild I have you. Two haflings and a host of men at my call. And the Rin=
g of
power within my grasp. A chance for Faramir, captain of Gondor, to show his
quality.
Frodo:
No!
Sam:
Stop it! Leave him alone! Don’t you
understand?! He’s got to destroy it. That’s where we’re
going. To Mordor. To the
MALAMIR:
[Entering]: Osgiliath is under attack. They call=
for
reinforcements.
Sam:
[To Faramir]: Please. It’s such a burden. =
Will
you not help him?
MALAMIR
Captain?
Faramir:
Prepare to leave. The Ring will go to Gondor.
[Aragorn
sees the army of Saruman and quickly rides to Helm's Deep.]
Aragorn:
Mae carnen, Brego, mellon nîn.
[Translation: "Well done, Brego, my
friend."]
[Aragorn
enters Helm's Deep.]
Gimli:
Where is he! Where is he! Get out of my way! I'm
gonna kill him! You are the the luckiest, the cunningest, and most reckless=
man
I ever knew! Bless you, laddie!
Aragorn:
Gimli, where is the king?
[Aragorn
encounter Legolas.]
Legolas:
Le ab-dollen. [Translation: "You’re
late."]
You look terrible.
[From
a distance, Èowyn watches them talk, and moves as though meaning to =
join
them. But she stops when Legolas takes out the Evenstar, and hands it to
Aragorn.]
Aragorn:
Hannon le.
[Translation: "Thank you."]
[Inside,
Aragorn talks to Théoden.]
Théoden:
A great host, you say?
Aragorn:
All Isengard is emptied.
Théoden:
How many?
Aragorn:
Ten thousand strong at least.
Théoden:
Ten-thousand?!
Aragorn:
It is an army bred for a single purpose: to dest=
roy
the world of Men. They will be here by nightfall.
Théoden:
Let them come.
[Théoden
walks outside.]
Théoden:
I want every man and strong lad able to bear arm=
s,
to be ready for battle by nightfall. We will cover the causeway and the gate
from above. No army has ever breached the deeping wall or set foot inside t=
he
Hornburg.
Gimli:
This is no rabble of mindless Orcs. These are
Uruk-hai. Their armor is thick and their shields broad.
Théoden:
I have fought many wars, Master Dwarf. I know ho=
w to
defend my own keep. They will break upon this fortress like water on rock.
Saruman’s hordes will pillage and burn. We’ve seen it before. C=
rops
can be resown. Homes rebuilt. Within these walls, we will outlast them.
Aragorn:
They do not come to destroy Rohan’s crops =
or
villages. They come to destroy its people. Down to the last child!
Théoden:
What would you have me do? Look at my men. Their
courage hangs by a thread. If this is to be our end, then I would have them
make such an end as to be worthy of remembrance!
Aragorn:
Send out riders, my lord. You must call for aid.=
Théoden:
And who will come. Elves? Dwarves? We are not so
lucky in our friends as you. The old alliances are dead.
Aragorn:
Gondor will answer.
Théoden:
Gondor? Where was Gondor when the Westfold fell?
Where was Gondor when our enemies closed in around us? Where was Gon.. No, my lord Aragorn, we are alone.
[Théoden
walks away from Aragorn.]
Théoden:
Get the women and children into the caves.
Gamling:
We need more time to lay provisions for a siege,
lord.
Théoden:
There is no time. War is upon us!
Gamling:
Secure the gate.
[Meanwhile,
back in Fangorn:]
Treebeard:
The ents have not troubled about the wars of men=
and
wizards for a very long time. But now something is about to happen that has=
not
happened for an age: ent moot.
Merry:
What’s that?
Treebeard:
It is a gathering.
Merry:
A gathering of what?
[Ents
begin to surround them.]
Treebeard:
Beech, Oak, Chestnut, Ash. Good, good, good many
have come. Now we must decide if the ents will go to war.
[Back
at Helm's Deep. We see the people are taken into the caves. Husbands and so=
ns
are taken away from their wives and mothers and are given weapons.]
Aragorn:
Farmers, farriers, stable boys. These are no
soldiers.
Gimli:
Most have seen too many winters.
Legolas:
Or too few. Look at them. They’re frighten=
ed.
I can see it in their eyes.
Boe a hyn: neled herain dan caer menig.
[Translation: "And they should be. 300 agai=
nst
10 000."]
Aragorn:
Si beriathar hýn ammaeg nâ ned Edor=
as.
[Translation: "They have a better chance
defending themselves here than in Edoras."]
Legolas:
Aragorn, nedin dagor hen ú-'erir otheri.
Natha daged dhaer.
[Translation: "They cannot win this fight. =
They
are all going to die!"]
Aragorn:
Then I shall die as one of them!
[Aragorn
exits.]
Gimli:
[To Legolas]: Let him go, lad. Let him be.
[Théoden
is preparing to put on his armour.]
Gamling:
Every villager able to wield a sword has been se=
nt
to the armory. My lord?
Théoden:
Who am I, Gamling?
Gamling:
You are our king, sire.
Théoden:
And do you trust your king?
Gamling:
Your men, my lord, will follow you to whatever e=
nd.
Théoden:
To whatever end. Where is
the horse and the rider? Where is the horn that was blowing? They have pass=
ed
like rain on the mountains. Like wind in the meadow. The days have gone dow=
n in
the west. Behind the hills, into shadow. How did it come to this?
[Aragorn is sitting alone on stairs. He sees a confused looking boy with a sword.] <= o:p>
Aragorn:
Give me your sword. What is your name?
Haleth:
Háleth, son of Háma, my lord. The =
men
are saying that we will not live out the night. They say that it is hopeles=
s.
[Aragorn
stands up and wields the sword.]
Aragorn:
This is a good sword, Háleth, son of
Háma. There is always hope.
[Inside,
Aragorn is putting on his armour. Legolas is suddenly behind him and hands =
him
his sword.]
Legolas:
We have trusted you this far and you have not le=
d us
astray. Forgive me. I was wrong to despair.
Aragorn:
Ú-moe edhored, Legolas.
[Translation: "There is nothing to forgive,
Legolas."]
[Gimli
gets into his armour, then looks down hopelessly=
. The
armour drags across the floor.]
Gimli:
If we had time, I'd get this adjusted. It’=
s a
little tight across the chest.
[A
fair sounding horn sounds outside the gates.]
Legolas:
That is no Orc horn!
[They
rush outside.]
Hasslebak:
Send for the king. Open the gate!
[The
gates are opened, and an army of elves march in.]
Théoden:
How is this possible?
Haldir:
I bring word from Elrond of Rivendell. An allian=
ce
once existed between Elves and Men. Long ago we fought and died together. We
come to honour that allegiance.
Aragorn:
Mae govannen, Haldir!
[Translation: "Welcome Haldir"]
You are most welcome!
Haldir:
We are proud to fight alongside men, once more. =
[Saruman's
army approaches. Legolas stands ready to fight, but Gimli looks up, frustra=
ted,
for his head stands well below the wall, and he cannot see a thing.]
Gimli:
Arg... You could have picked a better spot.
[Aragorn
approaches.]
Gimli:
Well lad, the luck you live by, let’s hope=
it
lasts the night.
Legolas:
Your friends are with you, Aragorn.
Gimli:
Let’s hope they last the night.
[Aragorn
gives a final pep talk to the Elves.]
Aragorn:
A Eruchin, ú-dan=
o i
faelas a hyn an uben tanatha le.
[Translation: "Show them no mercy! For you
shall receive none!"
Gimli:
[Impatiently]: What’s happening out there?=
Legolas:
[Smiling] Shall I describe it to you? Or would y=
ou
like me to find you a box?
[Gimli gives a hearty laugh.]
[Everything
draws to a halt, and then an old man accidently shoots an Orc.]
Aragorn:
Dartho!
[Translation: "Hold!"]
[The
Uruks roar in anger and charge.]
Théoden:
So it begins.
Legolas:
[To the Elves]:
Faeg i-varv dîn na lanc a nu ranc!
[Translation: "Their armour is weak at the =
neck
and under the arms."
Aragorn:
Hado i philinn!
[Translation: "Fire!"]
[The
Elves shoot.]
Gimli:
Anybody hit anything?
Théoden:
Give them a volley.
Gamling:
Fire!
Aragorn:
Keep firing!
Gimli:
Come on! Send them to them!
Aragorn:
Pendraith!
[Translation: "Ladders!"]
Gimli:
Good!
[The
Uruk-hai climb ladders and enter and battle the
heroes.]
Gimli:
Legolas, two already!
Legolas:
I’m on seventeen!
Gimli:
Arg! I’ll have no pointy-ear outscoring me=
!
Legolas:
Nineteen!
[Back
at Entmoot:]
Pippin:
Merry!
Treebeard:
We have just agreed.
[Pause]
Merry:
Yes?
Treebeard:
I have told your names to the ent moot and we ha=
ve
agreed: you are not Orcs.
Pippin:
Well that’s good news.
Merry:
And what about Saruman? Have you come to a decis=
ion
about him?
Treebeard:
Now don’t be hasty, Master Meriadoc.
Merry:
Hasty? Our friends are out there. They need our
help! They cannot fight this war on their own.
Treebeard:
War, yes. It affects us all. But you must understand, young hobbit. It takes a long time to say
anything in old entish, and we never say anything unless it is worth taking=
a
long time to say.
[At
Helm's Deep:]
Gimli:
Seventeen. Eighteen. Nineteen. Twenty. Twenty on=
e.
Twenty two.
Aragorn:
Northway! Nauthannen!
Théoden:
Is this it? Is this all you can conjure, Saruman=
.
[Below,
a Uruk soldier carrying a torch is running towar=
ds the
hole. Aragorn sees this and calls for Legolas.]
Aragorn:
Dago han! Dago han, Legolas! Dago han!!!
[Translation: "Kill him! Kill him, Legolas!
Kill him!"]
[Legolas
hits the Uruk with two arrows, but fails to kill it, and the Uruk-hai takes=
out
the wall with its explosives. Saruman's army start to crowd through the hol=
e in
the wall.]
Théoden:
Brace the gates! Hold them! Stand fast!"
[Gimli falls, into the heart of the Orc warriors.
Aragorn calls out to him.]
Aragorn:
Gimli!
[To his warriors]:
Prepare to charge!
Hado i philinn! Herio!
[Translation: "Hurl the arrows! Charge!&quo=
t;]
[At
Entmoot:]
Treebeard:
The ents cannot hold back this war. We must weat=
her
such things as we have always done.
Merry:
How can that be your decision?
Treebeard:
This is not our war.
Merry:
But your part of this world! Aren’t you. Y=
ou
must help. Please. You must do something.
Treebeard:
You are young and brave, master Merry. But your =
part
in this tale is over. Go back to your home.
Pippin:
Maybe Treebeard’s right. We don’t be=
long
here, Merry. It’s too big for us. What can we do in the end? We’=
;ve
got the Shire. Maybe we should go home.
Merry:
The fires of Isengard will spread. And the woods=
of
Tuckburough and Buckland will burn. And all that was once green and good in
this world will be gone. There won’t be a Shire, Pippin.
[Back
at Helm's Deep:]
Théoden:
Aragorn, pull back to the gate!
Aragorn:
Na Barad! Na Barad! Haldir! Na Barad!
[Translation: "To the Keep! To the Keep!
Haldir! To the Keep!"]
[Haldir
nods at him and calls for the others. Gimli is been dragged away against his
will.]
Gimli:
What are you doing? Stop it!
[Haldir
is killed.]
Aragorn:
Haldir!
Gamling:
Brace the gate!
Théoden:
To the gate! Draw your swords!
Gamling:
We can’t hold much longer.
Théoden:
Hold them!
[Aragorn
approaches.]
Aragorn:
How long do you need?
Théoden:
As long as you can give me!
Aragorn:
Gimli!
[Aragorn
and Gimli exit through a secret side gate.]
Gimli:
Come on. We can take them!
Aragorn:
It’s a long way.
Gimli:
Toss me.
Aragorn:
What?
Gimli:
I cannot jump the distance so you have to toss m=
e.
Ehh.. Don’t tell the elf.
Aragorn:
Not a word.
[Aragorn
tosses Gimli, the jumps the gap, himself. The two of them battle the Orcs at
the front gate, slaughtering many.]
Théoden:
Shore up the door!
Théoden:
Gimli! Aragorn! Get out of there!
Legolas:
[From above]: Aragorn!
[Legolas
throws down a rope, and Aragorn and Gimli are pulled to safety.]
Théoden:
Pull everybody back. Pull them back!
Gamling:
Pull back! Pull back! Retreat! Retreat!
Aragorn:
Hurry! Get them inside! Come, to the keep!
[Meanwhile,
back at Fangorn Forest...]
Treebeard:
I will leave you at the western borders of the
forest. You can make your way north to your homeland from there.
Pippin:
Wait! Stop! Stop! Turn around. Turn around. Take=
us
south!
Treebeard:
South? But that will lead you past Isengard.
Pippin:
Yes. Exactly. If we go south we can slip past
Saruman unnoticed. The closer we are to danger, the farther we are from har=
m.
It’s the last thing he’ll expect.
Treebeard:
Hmmmm. That doesn’t make sense to me. But
then, you are very small. Perhaps your right. So=
uth it
is then. Hold on, little Shirelings. I always like going south. Somehow it
feels like going downhill.
Merry:
Are you mad, we’ll be =
caught.
Pippin:
No we won’t. Not this time.
[Faramir
and his company arrive approach Osgiliath with F=
rodo,
Sam, and Gollum as captives.]
Parn:
Look. Osgiliath burns. Mordor has come.
Frodo:
The Ring will not save Gondor. It has only the p=
ower
to destroy. Please, let me go.
[Faramir
looks at Frodo, but then gestures to his men to move.]
Faramir:
Hurry.
Frodo:
[Desperately]: Faramir, you must let me go!
[Treebeard
approaches the edge of Fangorn Forest.]
Treebeard:
... and a little family of field mice that climb=
up
sometimes and it tickles me awfully. They’re always trying to get
somewhere.
[Treebeard
walks into an open area, where every tree has been brutally cut down.]
Treebeard:
Many of these trees were my friends. Creatures I=
had
known from nut and acorn.
Pippin:
I’m sorry, Treebeard.
Treebeard:
They had voices of their own. Saruman. A wizard
should know better!
[Treebeard
lets out a powerfull call that reverberates throughout Fangorn.]
Treebeard:
[With wrath]: There is no curse in elvish, entis=
h or
the tongues of men for this treachery! My business is with Isengard tonight.
With rock and stone.
[The
Ents march out of the forest.]
Merry:
Yes!
Treebeard:
Rárum-rum! Come my
friends. The ents are going to war. It is likely that we go to our doom. The
last march of the ents.
[The
Ents march to Isengard, and back at Osgiliath...=
]
Parn:
Faramir, Orcs have taken the eastern shore. Their
numbers are too great. By nightfall we’ll be overrun.
[Frodo
sways uneasily.]
Sam:
Mr. Frodo!
Frodo:
[Faintly]:
It’s calling to him, Sam. His Eye is almos=
t on
me.
[Sam speaks to him, but to Frodo, his words seem=
to
fade, and echo.]
Sam:
Hold on, Mr. Frodo. It'll be alright. [Echo]:... alright...
[We see Sam speaking to Frodo, but Frodo hears
nothing, but strange sounds of grinding stone, and of wings.]
Faramir:
[To his men]: Take them to my father. Tell him
Faramir sends a mighty gift.
[Sam looks at him incredulously.]
A weapon that will change our fortunes in this w=
ar.
Sam:
You wanna know what happened to Boromir? You wan=
na
know why your brother died? He tried to take the Ring from Frodo. After
swearing an oath to protect him, he tried to kill him! The Ring drove your
brother mad!
[The
Ringwraiths approach. Frodo knows.]
Sam:
Mr. Frodo?
Frodo:
They’re here. They’ve come.
Ringwraith:
[Screeches]
Faramir:
Nazgûl!
[A Ringwraith flies over Osgiliath and Faramir leads the hobbits to safety.] <= o:p>
Faramir:
Stay here. Keep out of sight. Take cover!
[Back
at Helm's Deep:]
Théoden:
The fortress is taken. It is over.
Aragorn:
You said this fortress would never fall while yo=
ur
men defend it. They still defend it. They have died defending it! Is there =
no other
way for the women and children to get out of the caves? Is there no other w=
ay?
Gamling:
There is one passage. It leads into the mountain=
s.
But they will not get far. The Uruk-hai are too =
many.
Aragorn:
Send word for the women and children to make for=
the
mountain pass. And barricade the entrance!
Théoden:
So much death. What can men do against such reck=
less
hate?
Aragorn:
Ride out with me. Ride out and meet them." =
Théoden:
For death and glory?
Aragorn:
For Rohan. For your people.
Gimli:
The sun is rising. (Flashback Voiceover) Gandalf:
Look to my coming at first light on the fifth day. At dawn look to the East=
.
Théoden:
Yes. Yes! The Horn of Helm Hammerhand shall soun=
d in
the deep one last time.
Gimli:
Yes!
[Gimli
climbs up to blow the Horn.]
Théoden:
Let this be the hour when we draw swords togethe=
r.
Fell deeds await. Now for wrath. Now for ruin. A=
nd the
red dawn!
Théoden:
Forth Eorlingas!
[Aragorn,
Legolas, Théoden, ride out and clear a path. Suddenly an old friend
appears on the eastern ridge with the rising sun.]
Aragorn:
Gandalf.
Gandalf:
Théoden-king stands alone.
[Another
appears.]
Èomer:
Not alone. Rohirrim!
Théoden:
Èomer!
Èomer:
To the king!
[Gandalf
and the Riders of Rohan ride through the army of Orcs.]
[Saruman
looks on in disbelief as Isengard is ripped apart by the Ents.]
Treebeard:
A hit. A fine hit. Break the dam! Release the ri=
ver!
Merry:
Pippin, hold on!
Treebeard:
Hold on, little hobbits!
[The
waters swallow Isengard as Treebeard with the hobbits and the rest of the E=
nts
stand their ground.]
[Back
to Osgiliath, Frodo walks out into the open.]
Sam:
What are you doing? Where are you going?
[The
Ringwraith riding the Fell Rider approaches. Frodo is about to put on the R=
ing
when Sam runs up and tackles him. Faramir shoots the Ringwraith's steed with
his bow. The hobbits roll down the stairs, Sam landing on Frodo who rolls o=
ver
and draws his sword preparing to kill Sam.]
Sam:
It’s me. It’s your Sam. Don’t =
you
know your Sam?
[Frodo
comes to his senses.]
Frodo:
I can’t do this, Sam.
Sam:
I know. It’s all wrong. By rights we
shouldn’t even be here. But we are. It’s like in the great stor=
ies,
Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they
were. And sometimes you didn’t want to know the end. Because how could
the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much
bad had happened.
[Aragorn
and Èowyn embrace as Rohan is victorious at Helm's Deep.]
Sam:
But in the end, it’s only a passing thing,
this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun
shines it will shine out the clearer.
[The
sun shines on Isengard, as Merry, Pippin, and the Ents celebrate victory.] =
Sam:
Those were the stories that stayed with you. Tha=
t meant
something. Even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr.
Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chanc=
es
of turning back only they didn’t. Because they were holding on to
something.
Frodo:
What are we holding on to, Sam?
Sam:
That there’s some good in this world, Mr.
Frodo. And it’s worth fighting for.
[Frodo looks at Sam, an
tear in his eye, and as the camera moves to Gollum, we see that even he is
moved by Sam's words, for a confused sadness comes into his face.]
[We see Faramir watching them for afar, and he w=
alks
slowly towards the two Hobbits. They turn around, half fearful, but he faces
Frodo sympathetically, and lowers himself onto his knees.]
Faramir:
I think at last we understand one another, Frodo
Baggins.
[As his friend speaks to him, Faramir turns arou=
nd
sharply, and rises.]
Manathor:
You know the laws of our country. The laws of yo=
ur
father. If you let them go, your life will be forfeit.
[Alarm comes into the faces of the three compani=
ons.
Faramir pauses briefly.]
Faramir:
[Determinedly]:Then i=
t is
forfeit.
[Commandingly]: Release them.
[Frodo looks up at him in wonder, while Sam shak=
es
the hands of his guard off himself.]
[Gandalf
and company look East, towards Mordor.]
Gandalf:
Sauron’s wrath will be terrible, his
retribution swift. The battle for Helm’s Deep is over. The battle for
Middle-Earth is about to begin. All our hopes now lie with two little hobbi=
ts.
Somewhere in the wilderness.
[Frodo
and Sam are once again in the wilderness, led by Gollum.]
Sam:
I wonder if we’ll ever be put into songs or
tales.
Frodo:
What?
Sam:
I wonder if people will ever say, ‘letR=
17;s
hear about Frodo and the Ring.’
And they’ll say, ‘yes, that’s =
one
of my favorite stories. Frodo was really courageous, wasn’t he,
dad.’
‘Yes, my boy, the most famousest
of hobbits. And that’s saying alot.’
Frodo:
‘You left out one of the chief characters.
Samwise the Brave. I want to hear more about Sam. Frodo wouldn’t have=
got
far without Sam.’
Sam:
Now Mr. Frodo, you shouldn’t make fun. I w=
as
being serious.
Frodo:
So was I.
Sam:
Samwise the Brave.
Frodo:
Sméagol!
Sam:
We’re not gonna wait for you. Come on.
[Sméagol
is a bit ahead.]
Sméagol:
Master... Master looks after us. Master
wouldn’t hurt us.
Gollum:
Master broke his promise!
Sméagol:
Don’t ask Sméagol. Poor, poor
Sméagol.
Gollum:
Master betrayed us! Wicked, tricksy, false! We o=
ught
to ring his filthy little neck! Kill him! Kill him! Kill them both. Then we
take the Preciousss and we be the master.
Sméagol:
But the fat hobbit. He knows. Eyes always watchi=
ng.
Gollum:
Then we stabs them ou=
t. Put
out his eyses. And make him crawl.
Sméagol:
Yes! Yes! Yes!
Gollum:
Kill them both.
Sméagol:
Yes! No. No. It’s too risky, it’s to=
o risky.
Sam:
Where’s he gone? Oi! Gollum, where are you=
?
Frodo:
Sméagol?
Gollum:
We could let her do it.
Sméagol:
Yes. She could do it.
Gollum:
Yes, Precious she could. And then we takes it once they’re dead.
Sméagol:
Once they’re dead. Hush!
[He comes out from behind the trees, and appears=
in
front of Frodo and Sam.]
Come on, hobbits. Long ways to go yet.
Sméagol will show you the way. Follow me.
[Fade
to black.]
The Return of The King
(S=
cene
opens on a sunny day with Déagol and Sméagol fishing in a boa=
t.)
Déagol: Sméagol! I've got one; I've got a fish,
Sme-Sméagol!
Sméagol: Go on, go on, go on, pull=
it
in!
(Déagol falls in the water, and is dragged by the fish, still hol=
ding
onto his fishing rod. He sees the One Ring, and grabs it from the sand. He
climbs onto shore, gasping for breath, and strokes the Ring in his palm with
his finger. Sméagol comes over and looks at it covetously.)
Sméagol: Give us that Déagol, my love.
Déagol: Why?
Sméagol: Because...it's my birthday and I wants
it.
(A fight begins and escalates, ending with Sméagol murdering
Déagol.)
Ring: (quietly, whispering) ...batul. Ash nazg gimbatul...
Sméagol: My Precious.
(He puts the Ring on. He is seen deteriorating into Gollum. The scene sh=
ifts
to Gollum crawling through a cave, wincing and bawling as if in agony.)
Sméagol: (v.o) They cursed us. "Murderer" they call=
ed
us. They cursed us and drove us away.
Gollum: Gollum, Gollum, Gollum.
Sméagol: (v.o.) And we wept, precious. We wept, to be so alon=
e.
(We see a fish, which Sméagol proceeds to catch and eat, while his
fish song is heard in the background. We then see a yet more Gollum-ish
Sméagol crawling into a cave.)
Sméagol: And we forgot the taste of bread, the sound of trees=
, the softness of the wind. We even forgot our own name.=
My
Precious.
(We see Sam asleep and Frodo sitting uneasily in a small cave. Frodo fin=
gers
the Ring, but quickly puts it back inside his tunic when he hears movement.
Gollum pokes his head in from the top.)
Gollum: Wake up! Wake up! Wake up, sleepies, we
must go, yes, we must go at once.
Sam: Haven't you had any sleep, Mister Frodo?
(Frodo shakes his head.)
Sam: I've gone and had too much. It must be getting late.
Frodo: No. It isn't. It isn't
Gollum: Come on! Must go, no time!
Sam: Not before Mister Frodo's had somethin' to eat.
Gollum: No time to lose, silly!
(Sam hands Frodo some lembas.)
Sam: Here.
Frodo: What about you?
Sam: Ahhh no, I'm not hungry. Least ways not for lembas bread.
Frodo: Sam…
Sam: All right. We don't have that much left. We have to be careful =
or
we're going to run out. You go ahead and eat that, Mister Frodo. I've ratio=
ned
it. There should be enough.
Frodo: For what?
Sam: The journey home.
(Frodo looks at Sam in surprise.)
Gollum: Come, Hobbitses. Very close now, very close, to Mordor. No s=
afe
places here. Hurry!
(Aragorn, Gandalf, Gimli, Legolas, etc. ride towards Isengard, and come =
upon
Merry and Pippin sitting on a broken wall.)
Pippin: I feel like I'm back at the Green Dragon after a hard day's
work.
Merry: Only, you've never done a hard day's work.
(Both laugh. A small crew of Helm's Deep survivors a=
rrive.
Pippin chortles like a loon.)
Merry: Welcome, my Lords, to Isengard!
Gimli: You young rascals! A merry hunt you've led us on, and now we =
find
you, feasting and… smoking!
Pippin: We are sitting on a field of victory, enjoying a few well-ea=
rned
comforts. The salted pork is particularly good.
Gimli: Salted pork?
Gandalf: (shakes head in disgust) Hobbits.
Merry: We're under orders, from Treebeard, who's taken over manageme=
nt
of Isengard.
(T=
he
scene shifts to the group riding near Orthanc, while Treebeard greets them.=
)
Treebeard: Young master Gandalf. I'm glad you've come. Wood and wate=
r,
stock and stone, I can master. But there is a Wizard to manage here. Look to
his tower.
Gandalf: And there Saruman must remain. Under your guard, Treebeard.=
Gimli: Well, let's just have his head and be done with it.
Gandalf: No. He has no power anymore.
Treebeard: The filth of Saruman is washing away. Trees will come bac=
k to
live here. Young trees, wild trees.
(Pippin sees an orange glow in the water. He wades into the water and pi=
cks
it up, eyeing it curiously.)
Aragorn: Pippin!
Treebeard: Bless my bark!
Gandalf: Peregrin Took! I'll take that, my lad. Quickly now.
(Pippin hands the palantír to Gandalf, who quickly wraps it in his
robe. The riders are next seen traveling towards Edoras, and Éowyn
stands in front of the Golden Hall. A large crowd is then seen in the Hall.=
)
Théoden: Tonight we remember those who gave their blood to de=
fend
this country. Hail the victorious dead!
Crowd: Hail!
(Éowyn approaches Aragorn with a cup.)
Éowyn: Westu Aragorn hál.
(She gives it to Aragorn, who drinks some. He walks off with a nod.)
Théoden: I am happy for you. He is an honorable
Éowyn: You are both honorable Men.
Théoden: It was not Théoden of Rohan who led our peopl=
e to
victory. (Éowyn looks at him, not understanding.) Ah, don't
listen to me. You are young, and tonight is for =
you.
(Merry and Pippin are dancing and singing on a table.)
Merry and Pippin:
Oh you can search far and wide,
You can drink the whole town dry,
But you'll never find a beer so brown,
As the one we drink in our hometown.
You can keep your fancy ales,
You can drink them by the flagon,
But the only brew for the brave and true,
Comes from the Green Dragon!
(Gandalf laughs and claps, and is joined by Aragorn.)
Aragorn: No news of Frodo?
Gandalf: No word. Nothing.
Aragorn: We have time. Every day Frodo moves closer to Mordor.
Gandalf: Do we know that?
Aragorn: What does your heart tell you?
Gandalf: That Frodo is alive. Yes. Yes, he's alive.
(The Hobbits are sleeping. Gollum twitches and talks as if having a bad
dream.)
Sméagol: Too risky. Too risky. Thieves. They stole it from us.
Kill them. Kill them. Kill them both!
Gollum: Shh! Quiet. Mustn't wake them. Mustn't ruin it now.
Sméagol: But they knows. They knows. They suspects us!
Gollum: What's it saying, my precious, my=
love?
Sméagol losing his nerve?
Sméagol: No. Not. Never. Sméagol hates nasty Hobbitses.
Sméagol wants to see them...dead.
Gollum: And we will. Sméagol did it once, he can do it again.=
(Quick
flashback of Déagol struggling while Sméagol strangles him.)<=
/i>
It's ours. Ours!
Sméagol: We must get the precious. We must get it back.
Gollum: Patience. Patience, my love. First we must lead them to her.=
Sméagol: We lead them to the winding stairs.
Gollum: Yes. The stairs. And then?
Sméagol: Up, up, up, up, up the stairs we go, until we come
to...the tunnel.
Gollum: And when they go in, there's no coming out. She's always hun=
gry.
She always needs…to feed. She must eat. All she gets is filthy Orcses=
.
Sméagol: And they doesn't taste very nice, does they, preciou=
s?
Gollum: No. Not very nice at all, my love. She hungers for sweeter
meats, Hobbit-meat. (Switch to shot of Sam, who begins to awaken.) A=
nd
when she throws away the bones, and empty clothes, then we will find it.
Sméagol: And take it for me!
Gollum: For us.
Sméagol: Y-yes, we meant for us. *gollum, gollum*
Gollum: The precious will be ours, once the Hobbitses are dead.
(He picks up a rock, and drops it in the water. The ripples fade to show=
Sam
standing over his shoulder.)
Sam: You miserable little toad!
(Sam tackles Sméagol and then struggles with him as Frodo rushes ove=
r.)
Sméagol: Master!
Frodo: No, Sam! Leave him alone!
(Frodo pulls Sam back from Sméagol.)
Sam: I heard it from his own mouth. He means to murder us!
Sméagol: Never! Sméagol wouldn't hurt a fly! (He
touches a small cut on his head, then sees blood on his hand) Argh! He'=
s a
horrid, fat Hobbit who hates Sméagol and makes up nasty lies!
Sam: You miserable little maggot! I'll stove
your head in!
(Sam tries to attack Sméagol, who hides behind a tree.)
Frodo: Sam!
Sam: Don't call me a liar! You're a liar!
Sméagol: Argh!
Frodo: You'll scare him off! We're lost!
Sam: I don't care! I can't do it, Mister Frodo; I won't wait around =
for
him to kill us.
Frodo: I'm not sending him away!
(Sméagol shudders.)
Sam: You don't see it, do you? He's a villain!
Frodo: We can't do this by ourselves, Sam. Not without a guide. I ne=
ed
you on my side.
Sam: I'm on your side, Mister Frodo.
Frodo: I know, Sam. I know. Trust me. Come, Sméagol.
(Frodo holds out his hand and Sméagol takes it. Gollum gives Sam =
an
evil grin. The scene shifts to Edoras, at night. Aragorn walks out of the
Golden Hall. He sees Legolas standing nearby and walks over to him. Legolas=
is
staring out into the distance.)
Legolas: The stars are veiled. Something stirs in the East…a
sleepless malice.
(Legolas turns to look at Aragorn.)
Legolas: The Eye of the Enemy is moving.
(Pippin is unable to sleep, and gets up, walking toward Gandalf.)
Merry: What you doing?
(Pippin is shocked and turns back. He then turns and looks at Gandalf, w=
ho
is sleeping with his eyes open. He gets another shock. He waves his hand in
front of Gandalf.)
Merry: Pippin?
(Pippin jumps, then exchanges a nearby vase for the wrapped up
palantír in Gandalf's arms.)
Merry: Pippin, are you mad?
Pippin: I just want to look at it. Just one more time.
Merry: Put it back!
(Pippin holds the palantír in his hands and smiles, but then he
starts to see the Eye of Sauron, and is questioned by him. Pippin's pain is
clearly obvious, as he screeches and writhes on the floor.)
Merry: Pippin! No! Pippin...
(Switch to the outside where Legolas and Aragorn are standing.)
Legolas: He is here!
(Pippin is still being tortured/questioned.)<=
/i>
Sauron: I see you...
Merry: Pippin! Help! Gandalf! Someone help him!
(Gandalf wakes up, and Aragorn and Legolas burst into the room. Aragorn
takes the palantír away from Pippin and faints momentarily as the
palantír rolls away. Legolas holds him. Gandalf grabs a cloak and th=
rows
it over the palantír.)
Merry: Pippin!
Gandalf: Fool of a Took!
(Gandalf pushes Merry away and bends over Pippin. Pippin looks frozen and
shocked. Gandalf chants something under his breath, while touching Pippin's
forehead. Pippin then awakens and starts panting, horrified.)
Gandalf: Look at me.
Pippin: (cringing) Gandalf, forgive me.
Gandalf: Look at me. What did you see? (Pippin turns away, but
Gandalf turns Pippin to face him.)
Pippin: A tree. A white tree. In a courtyard of stone. It was dead! =
(Gandalf sees an image of the Court of the Fountain burning.)
Pippin: The city was burning.
Gandalf: Minas Tirith. Is that what you saw?
Pippin: I saw...I saw him! I can hear his voice in my head.
Gandalf: What did you tell him? Speak!
Pippin: He asked me my name. I didn't answer. He hurt me.
Gandalf: What did you tell him about Frodo and the Ring?
(Pippin looks at Gandalf, confusion in his eyes. The scene switches to t=
he
Golden Hall, where they are all standing tensely.)
Gandalf: There was no lie in Pippin's eyes. A fool, but an honest fo=
ol
he remains. He told Sauron nothing of Frodo and the Ring. We've been strang=
ely
fortunate. Pippin saw in the palantír a glimpse of the Enemy's plan.
Sauron moves to strike the city of
Théoden: Tell me; why should we ride to the aid of those who =
did
not come to ours? What do we owe Gondor?
Aragorn: I will go.
Gandalf: No.
Aragorn: They must be warned!
Gandalf: They will be! (He speaks quietly to Aragorn alone.) =
You
must come to Minas Tirith by another road. Follow the river, look to the bl=
ack
ships. (To all.) Understand this, things =
are
now in motion that cannot be undone. I ride for Minas Tirith. And I won't be
going alone. (His gaze moves in the direction of the two Hobbits.)
(Gandalf walks into the stables followed by Merry and Pippin.)
Gandalf: Of all the inquisitive Hobbits, Peregrin Took, you are the
worst! Hurry, hurry!
Pippin: Where are we going?
Merry: (turns to Pippin) Why did you look? Why do you always =
have
to look?
Pippin: I don't know. I can't help it.
Merry: You never can.
Pippin: I'm sorry, all right? I won't do it again.
Merry: Don't you understand? The Enemy thinks you have the Ring. He's
going to be looking for you, Pip. They have to get you out of here.
Pippin: And you-you're coming with me? (Merry turns and goes to t=
he
stables.) Merry?
Merry: Come on.
Pippin: How far is Minas Tirith?
Gandalf: Three days' ride, as the Nazgûl fl=
ies,
and you better hope we don't have one of those on our tail.
Merry: Here, something for the road.
(Merry hands Pippin a small package.)
Pippin: The last of the Longbottom Leaf?
Merry: I know you've run out. You smoke too much, Pip.
Pippin: But we'll see each other soon...won't we?
Merry: I don't know... I don't know what's going to happen.
Pippin: Merry...?
Gandalf: Run Shadowfax. Show us the meaning of haste!
Pippin: Merry!
(Shadowfax gallops off, and Merry runs up to a lookout point to see them
off.)
Aragorn: Merry!
(Aragorn follows him up the stairs, and they =
sadly
watch Gandalf and Pippin ride away. The scene shifts to a group of Elves
traveling along a path through the trees; Arwen is among them.)
Elrond: (v.o) Take her by the safest road. A ship lies anchored in t=
he
Grey Havens. It waits to carry her across the sea...the last journey of Arw=
en
Undómiel.
(In a vision, she sees a young boy run past. As he runs into the trees, =
the
surrounding forest changes to become a place made of grey stone. The boy ru=
ns
to an aged Aragorn who lifts him up, laughing and smiling. The boy looks
directly at Arwen; she sees the Evenstar around his neck. The boy is her so=
n,
Eldarion. Arwen looks on in sorrow and shuts her eyes as tears roll down her
cheeks.)
Elrond: (v.o.) There is nothing for you here. Only death.
(When she opens her eyes again, the vision leaves her.)
Figwit: Lady Arwen, we cannot delay. (Arwen turns around and rides
away.) My Lady!
(Arwen rides into Rivendell. In a pavilion, Elrond sees her running up.)
Arwen: Tell me what you have seen.
Elrond: (stands up to meet her) Arwen.
Arwen: You have the gift of foresight. What did you see?
Elrond: I looked into your future and I saw death.
Arwen: But there is also life. You saw there was a child! You saw my
son!
Elrond: (gloomily) That future is almost gone.
Arwen: But it is not lost.
Elrond: Nothing is certain.
Arwen: (kneels down in front of Elrond and touches her father's f=
ace)
Some things are certain. If I leave him now, I will regret it forever. It is
time.
(Arwen walks into the chamber where the shards of Narsil are kept.) =
Arwen: From the ashes a fire shall be woken. A light from the shadows
shall spring. Renewed shall be blade that was broken. The crownless again s=
hall
be king.
Arwen: Reforge the sword.
(Elrond doesn't answer and walks away. She sits on a bed as if exhausted=
and
drops the book that was in her hands. Elrond picks it up.)
Elrond: (feels her hands and lowers them down in front of her)
Your hands are cold. The life of the Eldar is leaving you.
Arwen: This was my choice.
(Elrond is grieved. Scenes interchange between two Elven-smiths reforging
Narsil, Elrond, and Isildur cutting the Ring from Sauron's hand. The scene
shifts to Gandalf and Pippin riding through the countryside on their way to
Minas Tirith.)
Gandalf: We've just passed into the realm of Gondor.
(They crest a hill, and see Minas Tirith in the distance.)
Gandalf: Minas Tirith. City of
(They ride through the many levels of the city, as people jump out of the
way in front of them.)
Gandalf: Make way!
(They enter the Courtyard of the Citadel, where the White Tree stands.)<=
/i>
Pippin: It's the tree. Gandalf, Gandalf!
Gandalf: Yes, the White Tree of Gondor. The Tree of the King. Lord
Denethor is not the king. He is a steward, only. A caretaker of the throne.=
(Gandalf pauses before entering the hall.)
Gandalf: Now, listen carefully. Lord Denethor is Boromir's father. To
give him news of his beloved son's death would be most unwise. And do not
mention Frodo, or the Ring. And say nothing of Aragorn, either. In fact, it=
's
better if you don't speak at all, Peregrin Took.
(They enter the hall. We see a man sitting on a black chair at the end of
the grand hall.)
Gandalf: Hail Denethor, son of Ecthelion, Lord and Steward of Gondor=
. I
come with tidings in this dark hour, and with counsel.
Denethor: Perhaps you come to explain this. (Holds up Boromir's
cloven horn.) Perhaps you come to tell me why my son is dead.
(Gandalf is bewildered. Pippin has a flashback to Boromir being wounded,=
and
then steps forward.)
Pippin: Boromir died to save us, my kinsman and me. He fell defendin=
g us
from many foes.
Gandalf: Pippin!
Pippin: I offer you my service, such as it is,
in payment of this debt.
Gandalf: Get up! (He whacks Pippin with his staff. He turns to
Denethor.) My Lord, there will be a time to grieve for Boromir. But it =
is
not now. War is coming. The enemy is on your doorstep! As steward, you are
charged with the defense of this city! Where are Gondor's armies? You still
have friends. You are not alone in this fight. Send word to Théoden =
of
Rohan. Light the beacons.
Denethor: (snarling) You think you are wise, Mithrandir, yet =
for
all your subtleties you have not wisdom. Do you think the eyes of the
Gandalf: Authority is not given you to deny the return of the king,
Steward.
Denethor: (standing) The rule of Gondor is mine, and no other=
's!
(Denethor sits. Gandalf regards him for a moment, then turns and walks
away.)
Gandalf: (to Pippin) Come.
(Pippin is in a room. The armor of the Guards of the Citadel is laid upon
his bed. Gandalf is standing by the balcony door, gazing into the distance.=
)
Pippin: (looking over his armor) So I imagine this is just a
ceremonial position. I mean, they don't actually expect me to do any fighti=
ng,
do they?
Gandalf: You're in the service of the steward now. You're going to h=
ave
to do as you're told, Peregrin Took, Guard of the Citadel.
(Pippin walks over to the balcony.)
Pippin: It's so quiet.
Gandalf: It's the deep breath before the plunge.
Pippin: I don't want to be in a battle, but waiting on the edge of o=
ne I
can't escape is even worse. (Gandalf walks over to stand next to him.)
Is there any hope, Gandalf, for Frodo and Sam?
Gandalf: There never was much hope...just a fool's hope. Our Enemy i=
s ready,
his full strength gathered. Not only Orcs, but Men as well. Legions of Hara=
drim
from the south. Mercenaries from the coast. All will answer Mordor's call. =
This
will be the end of Gondor as we know it. Here the hammer-stroke will fall the hardest. If the river is taken, if the garris=
on at
Osgiliath falls, the last defense of this city will be gone.
Pippin: But we have the White Wizard, that's got to count for someth=
ing.
Gandalf?
Gandalf: Sauron has yet to release his deadliest servant. (Switch=
to shot
of the Witch-king preparing for battle.) The one who will lead Mordor's
armies in war. The one they say no living Man can kill. The Witch-king of
Angmar. You've met him before. He stabbed Frodo on Weathertop. (Flashbac=
k of
the Weathertop scene in FotR.) He is the lord of the Nazgûl, the
greatest of the Nine. Minas Morgul is his lair.
(The scene switches to Frodo, Sam, and Sméagol approaching Minas
Morgul.)
Gollum: The dead city. Very nasty place. Full of enemies.
(He jumps onto the road, and the two Hobbits follow him.)
Gollum: Quick, quick! They will see, they will see.
(Frodo stares at the statues guarding the city.)
Gollum: Come away, come away. Look! We have found it…the way i=
nto
Mordor! The secret stair.
(The two Hobbits stare in shock at the steep stairs climbing the cliff f=
ace
in front of them.)
Gollum: Climb!
(Frodo turns to look at the statues again, and begins staggering towards=
the
city, as if against his will.)
Sam: No! Mister Frodo!
Gollum: Not that way!
(Gollum and Sam chase after Frodo.)
Gollum: What's it doing?
Sam: No!
Frodo: They're calling me…
(Sam and Gollum pull him back to the hidden staircase. The ground shakes,
and then a large pillar of light fills the sky a=
bove
Minas Morgul. Gandalf and Pippin in Minas Tirith see it, as does Faramir in
Osgiliath.)
Sméagol: Hide, hide! (They quickly clamber behind a rock w=
all
at the base of the stairs.)
(The Witch-king on his fellbeast rises above the city, and he shrieks. T=
he
Hobbits writhe in pain.)
Frodo: (Clutches his shoulder, and shudders in pain.) I can f=
eel
his blade!
(The gates of Minas Morgul open, and Orc troo=
ps
begin marching out.)
Gandalf: We come to it at last. The great battle of our time.
(The Witch-king flies over Sam and Frodo's heads.)
Gollum: Come away, Hobbits. We climb, we must climb.
(Frodo, Sam, and Gollum begin climbing the stairs.)
Gandalf: The board is set. The pieces are moving.
(Gandalf is striding swiftly through the city, followed by Pippin.) =
Gandalf: Peregrin Took, my lad, there is a task now to be done. Anot=
her
opportunity for one of the Shire-folk to prove their great worth. You must =
not
fail me.
(Pippin has a look of understanding on his face. He runs off in the
direction of the beacon tower. The scene shifts to Osgiliath. The river.
Orc-boats approaching slowly and quietly. All light is veiled by the growing
darkness, though it is day. One Orc makes too much noise while rowing.)
Gothmog: Quiet!
Faramir: To the river. Quick…
(Faramir and soldiers are run to the shore, grasping spears, hiding behi=
nd
walls, keeping out of sight of the boats. Some have obviously just been wok=
en
up and had no time to put on full gear. Low voices give orders.)
Gothmog: (in the boats) Faster.
(Swords are drawn. Close-up on Faramir, pressed to a wall, gets ready for
battle. The first boats reach the shore.)
Gothmog: Draw swords!
(Ramps for disembarking are dropped, and the first Orcs step on the shor=
e.
Faramir and his Men let them pass. Faramir takes a deep breath then charges.
Fighting begins. Back in Minas Tirith, Pippin climbs to the top of the beac=
on,
and with some effort, dumps some oil on the wood and starts the beacon fire=
. He
quickly realizes it's not particularly clever to stay on a lit pile of wood,
and begins climbing back down. The soldiers guarding the beacon realize it =
is
lit. Several more shots show all of the beacons between Gondor and Rohan be=
ing
lit, one by one.)
Gandalf: (quietly) Amon Dîn...
Guard: The beacon! The beacon of Amon Dîn is lit!
(Denethor peers out a window and sneers.)
Gandalf: Hope is kindled.
(Aragorn is sitting smoking a pipe in Edoras and notices the beacon in t=
he
distance is lit. He runs to the Golden Hall and throws open the doors.)=
Aragorn: The beacons of Minas Tirith! The beacons are lit! Gondor ca=
lls
for aid!
(Théoden looks up from a map. Éowyn runs to stand next to
Éomer. Everyone watches Théoden's reaction.)
Théoden: (pauses, and then calmly proclaims) And Rohan
will answer!
(Éowyn and Éomer look relieved.)
Théoden: Muster the Rohirrim! (A person rings the gong on =
top
of a tower. Théoden strides out of the Golden Hall in his armor.)
Assemble the Men at Dunharrow, as many Men as can be found. You have two da=
ys.
On the third, we ride for Gondor…and war. Gamling!
Gamling: Sir.
Théoden: Make haste across the Riddermark. Summon every
able-bodied man to Dunharrow.
Gamling: I will.
(Aragorn sees Éowyn leading out her horse.)
Aragorn: You ride with us?
Éowyn: Just to the encampment. It's tradition for the Women of
the Court to farewell the Men.
(Aragorn lifts up the saddle blanket of her horse to reveal her sword.
Éowyn snatches it back down, hiding the sword again.)
Éowyn: The Men have found their captain. They will follow you
into battle, even to death. You have given us hope.
(She turns away. Aragorn contemplates her words.)
Théoden: (v.o.) So, it is before the walls of Minas Tirith, t=
he
doom of our time will be decided.
Éomer: Now is the hour! Riders of Rohan! Oaths you have taken,
now fulfill them all! For lord and land! (The Rohirrim ride out of Edora=
s,
including Merry on a small white pony.)
(The fearsome battle at Osgiliath continues. Men and Orcs are locked in a
desperate struggle, but the ferocity and numbers of the Orcs begin to take a
toll on the defenders. Men are rushing about in confusion. Faramir, followed
closely by Orcs, runs through an arch.)
Madril: Faramir!
(Faramir steps aside as Gondorian archers release a hail of arrows into =
the
pursuing Orc troops.)
Madril: We cannot hold them! The city is lost!
(Faramir surveys the scene in despair.)
Faramir: Tell the Men to break cover. We ride for Minas Tirith.
(Battle continues to rage as the Nazgûl and the fellbeasts circle
Osgiliath, darting in to grab Men in their claws.)
Soldier: Nazgûl!
Soldier: Take cover!
Faramir: Fall back! Fall back to Minas Tirith!
(As the soldiers retreat, Madril is gravely wounded and falls to the gro=
und.
Faramir and the soldiers reach their horses and begin to flee from the city=
.)
Faramir: Retreat! Retreat!
(All grows quiet as Orcs gather around the badly wounded Madril, who loo=
ks
up with fearful eyes. The leader of the Orcs, Gothmog, snatches a spear fro=
m a
lesser Orc and thrusts it into Madril's chest, killing him.)
Gothmog: The age of Men is over! The time of the Orc has come!
(The Men of Gondor continue their headlong flight from Osgiliath. The
Nazgûl dart in and out, causing many deaths among the horses and ride=
rs.
All looks hopeless for the Men of Gondor, until a white horse gallops from =
the
city gates of Minas Tirith.)
Soldier: It's the White Rider!
(Gandalf and Pippin, mounted upon Shadowfax, ride
towards the retreating army. As they near the Men of Gondor, Gandalf raises=
his
staff; and pure, white light issues forth, driving the Nazgûl back.
Gandalf falls in at the head of the company and they withdraw into Minas
Tirith.)
Faramir: Mithrandir! They broke through our defenses. They've taken =
the
bridge and the west bank. Battalions of Orcs are crossing the river.
Gondorian Soldier: It is as the Lord Denethor predicted! Long has he
foreseen this doom!
Gandalf: Foreseen and done nothing!
(Gandalf turns around with Shadowfax, revealing Pippin who is sitting in
front of him. As Faramir sees the Hobbit, he stares at him. Pippin notices =
he
is being stared at and lowers his face.)
Gandalf: Faramir? This is not the first Halfling to have crossed your
path?
Faramir: No...
(Pippin looks up, the look on his face getting brighter.)
Pippin: You've seen Frodo and Sam?
(Faramir nods at Pippin.)
Gandalf: Where? When?
Faramir: In Ithilien, not two days ago.
(Pippin turns to look at Gandalf, both look happy and relieved.)
Faramir: Gandalf, they've taken the road to the Morgul Vale.
(The smile on Gandalf's face fades and he looks at Faramir, his eyes fil=
ling
with worry.)
Gandalf: And then the
(Faramir nods silently.)
Pippin: What does that mean? What's wrong?
Gandalf: Faramir, tell me everything.
(Gollum, Sam and Frodo are climbing up the stairs. Frodo is struggling
heavily, and nearly falls.)
Gollum: Careful, master! Careful! Very far to fall. Very dangerous on
the stairs. Come master!
(Gollum sees the Ring hanging out of Frodo's shirt. It starts to take him
over.)
Gollum: Come to Sméagol...
(Gollum extends his hand to the Ring. Sam sees this from lower down.)
Sam: Mr. Frodo! (Draws out his sword.) Get back you! Don't to=
uch
him!
(Gollum resists the Ring and places his hand on Frodo's arm, pulling him
up.)
Gollum: Why does he hates poor Smé=
agol?
What has Sméagol ever done to him?
(Sam sheathes his sword.)
Gollum: Master? Master carries heavy burden, Sméagol knows.
Heavy, heavy burden. The fat one cannot know. Sméagol will look after
master. He wants it. He needs it! Sméagol sees it in his eyes. Very
soon, he will ask you for it. You will see. The fat one will take it from y=
ou.
(Frodo clutches the Ring protectively and looks at Sam with cold eyes. T=
he
scene shifts, and the Witch-king is surveying Osgiliath laid out before him=
.)
Witch-king: Send forth all legions. Do not stop the attack until the
city is taken. Slay them all.
Gothmog: What of the Wizard?
Witch-king: I will break him.
(Back at Minas Tirith, Gandalf looks out from the city wall.)
Gondorian Soldier: What of Théoden's Riders? Will Rohan come?
Mithrandir?
Gandalf: Courage is the best defense you have now.
(Pippin is kneeling before Denethor's throne, swearing his service. Fara=
mir
stands and watches.)
Pippin: Here do I swear fealty and service to Gondor, in peace or wa=
r,
in living or dying, from...from this hour henceforth, until my lord release=
me,
or death take me.
Denethor: (stands up with an amused smile on his face) And I
shall not forget it, nor fail to reward that which is given. (Denethor
extends his hand, on which there is a ring; Pippin kisses it reluctantly.)<=
/i>
Fealty with love, valor with honor, (looking at Faramir) disloyalty =
with
vengeance.
(Denethor then goes and sits at a table on which there is a platter of f=
ruit
and meats. Pippin stands.)
Denethor: (to Faramir) I do not think we should so lightly
abandon the outer defenses. Defenses that your brother long held intact.
Faramir: What would you have me do?
Denethor: I will not yield the river and Pelennor unfought. Osgiliath
must be retaken.
Faramir: My Lord, Osgiliath is overrun.
Denethor: Much must be risked in war. Is there a captain here who st=
ill
has the courage to do his lord's will?
(Pippin looks at Denethor, then turns to look at Faramir, confused. Fara=
mir
watches his father with a saddened expression.)
Faramir: (voice breaking) You wish now that our places had be=
en
exchanged. That I had died and Boromir had lived.
(Denethor is silent before answering, the expression on his face serious=
.)
Denethor: (as if to himself) Yes, I wish that.
(Denethor brings a goblet to his lips and drinks. Faramir looks at his
father, tears forming in his eyes.)
Faramir: Since you are robbed of Boromir, I will do what I can in his
stead.
(Faramir bows to his father and turns to leave. Pippin watches as Faramir
limps away. Denethor merely sits with the wine goblet in his hands and is
silent. Faramir stops and turns to look at Denethor.)
Faramir: If I should return, think better of me, father.
Denethor: (coldly and doesn't look up) That will depend on the
manner of your return.
(A close shot of Gollum apparently asleep. Cut back and forth between Sam
trying not to fall asleep and Gollum's closed eyes. Sam finally falls aslee=
p,
and as he does, Gollum instantly opens his eyes. Gollum takes the lembas br=
ead
out of Sam's bag, and looks at it, disgusted. He breaks off a piece of it, =
and
sprinkles the crumbs on Sam's cloak. Then he throws the rest of the bread d=
own
the stairs. Sam wakes up again and sees Gollum also awake.)
Sam: What are you up to? Sneaking off are we?
Gollum: S-sneaking? Fat Hobbit is always so polite. Sméagol s=
hows
them secret ways that nobody else can find, and they say sneak! Sneak! Very
nice friend, oh yes, my precious, very nice, very...
Sam: Alright, alright! You just startled me is a=
ll.
What were you doing?
Gollum: (sneering) Sneaking.
Sam: Fine, have it your own way. (Wakes Frodo.) I'm sorry to =
wake
you, Mister Frodo. We have to be moving on.
Frodo: It's dark still.
Sam: It's always dark here.
(Sam searches in his bag and realizes that the lembas bread has gone
missing.)
Sam: It's gone! The Elven-bread!
Frodo: What? That's all we have left!
(Gollum puts on a childishly innocent face and pretends to be thinking a=
bout
where the bread might have gone.)
Sam: (pointing at Gollum) He took it! He must have!
Gollum: Sméagol? No, no, not poor Sméagol. Sméa=
gol
hates nasty Elf-bread!
Sam: You're a lying wretch! What did you do with it?
Frodo: (suspiciously) He doesn't eat it. He can't have taken =
it.
(Gollum suddenly spies the crumbs he left on Sam's cloak.)
Gollum: Look! What's this? Crumbs on his jacketses! (Gollum brush=
es
them off.) He took it! He took it! I've seen him,
he's always stuffing his face when master's not looking!
Sam: That's a filthy LIE!
(Sam punches and hits Gollum, and ends up trying to strangle him on the
ground.)
Sam: You stinking two-faced sneak!
Frodo: Sam! Stop it! Sam! (He grabs Sam and pulls him back.) =
Sam: I'll kill him!
Frodo: Sam, no!
(The effort to stop Sam is too much for Frodo, and he sits down heavily.=
)
Sam: Oh no, I'm sorry! I didn't mean it to go so far. I was just
so...just so angry. Here ... just…let's just rest a bit.
Frodo: I'm alright.
Sam: No, no, you're not alright. You're exhausted. It's that Gollum!
It's this place. It's that thing around your neck! (Frodo starts to look
wary of him.) I could help a bit. I could carry it for a while. (His
words echo.) Share the load.
Frodo: Get away! (Pushes Sam away.)
Sam: I don't want to keep it! I just want to 'elp.
Gollum: See? See? He wants it for himself.
Sam: (close to tears) Shut up, you! Go away, get out of here!=
Frodo: No, Sam. It's you. I'm sorry, Sam.
Sam: But he's a liar. He's poisoned you against me.
Frodo: You can't help me anymore.
Sam: (Shaking his head while tears run down his face.) You do=
n't
mean that.
Frodo: (plainly and coldly) Go home.
(Sam falls to the ground sobbing while Gollum and Frodo continue on without
him. The scene shifts to Minas Tirith. Faramir rides through the streets of=
the
city with a small group of soldiers, on their way to attempt to retake
Osgiliath. The people of the city watch them as they go by, sad looks of
despair mirrored on all of their faces. The women throw flowers at the hors=
es'
feet, and hand small bouquets to the soldiers.)
Gandalf: Faramir! Faramir! (Gandalf pushes his way through the cr=
owd,
and begins walking beside Faramir.)
Gandalf: Your father's will has turned to
madness! Do not throw away your life so rashly!
Faramir: Where does my allegiance lie, if not here?
(Gandalf watches as Faramir rides away.)
Gandalf: Your father loves you, Faramir! He will remember it before =
the
end.
(The soldiers form ranks, and ride toward Osgiliath. The people of Minas
Tirith line the walls to watch them go. Orcs in the ruined city raise their
heads from behind broken boulders, and watch the oncoming riders. Back in t=
he
Great Hall, Denethor continues to eat.)
Denethor: Can you sing, Master Hobbit?
Pippin: Well, yes. At least, well enough for my own people. But we h=
ave
no songs for great halls and evil times.
Denethor: (grimly) And why should your songs be unfit for my
halls? Come, sing me a song.
(Pippin seems in thought, as if finding the words, and then sings:) =
Home is behind, the world ahead,
And there are many paths to tread.
Through shadow, to the edge of night,
Until the stars are all alight.
Mist and shadow, cloud and shade,
All shall fade! All shall fade ...
(While Pippin is singing, the scene flashes back and forth between Pippin
singing, Denethor eating, and Faramir riding to suicide in Osgiliath. Pippi=
n is
close to tears. He bravely holds it in, but when he finishes singing he beg=
ins
to cry. Cut to Gandalf sitting silently on a rock in a courtyard. We hear o=
ne
bell ringing. The scene abruptly shifts to Trolls pushing huge combat towers
across the river at Osgiliath. We can hear drums being played to mark the
rhythm.Cut to Dunharrow, where the Rohan soldiers are encamped. Théo=
den
and his entourage ride through.)
Théoden: Grimbold, how many?
Grimbold: I bring five hundred Men from the Westfold, My Lord.
Soldier: We have three hundred more from (indistinguishable), Th&eac=
ute;oden
King.
Théoden: Where are the riders from Snowbourn?
Soldier: None have come, My Lord.
(Théoden and Aragorn look down on the troops from above.)
Théoden: Six thousand spears, less than half of what I'd hoped
for.
Aragorn: Six thousand will not be enough to break the lines of Mordo=
r.
Théoden: More will come.
Aragorn: Every hour lost hastens Gondor's defeat. We have till dawn,=
then we must ride.
(Théoden nods. Nearby, a horse begins rearing and neighing.) =
Legolas: The horses are restless and the Men are quiet.
Éomer: They grow nervous in the shadow of the mountain.
Gimli: That road there, where does that l=
ead?
Legolas: It is the road to the Dimholt, the door under the mountain.=
Éomer: None who venture there ever return.
(Aragorn watches the Dimholt road from behind a rock and sees something like
green smoke forming into faces. His face is worried.)
Gimli: Aragorn!
(Aragorn jerks around.)
Gimli: Let's find some food.
(Éowyn and Merry are inside a tent. She dresses him in the armor =
of
the Rohirrim.)
Éowyn: There, a true Esquire of Rohan.
Merry: I'm ready!
(Merry draws his blade and almost cuts Éowyn. She laughs.)
Merry: Sorry, it isn't all that dangerous. It's not even sharp.
Éowyn: (Grabs the blade.) Well, that's no good, you won't kill many Orcs with a blunt blade. Com=
e on.
(Merry runs out of the tent, wielding the sword, and Éowyn follow=
s.
Éomer and Gamling are sitting in front of a small campfire.)
Éowyn: (to Merry) To the smithy. Go!
Éomer: You should not encourage him.
Éowyn: You should not doubt him.
Éomer: I do not doubt his heart, only the reach of his arm. <=
br>
(Gamling snickers.)
Éowyn: (earnestly) Why should Merry be
left behind? He has as much cause to go to war as you. Why can he not fight=
for
those he loves?
(Looking down from Dunharrow we see a mysterious figure, cloaked all in
black, riding a horse up the winding path. He rides past the stone
Púkel-men that squat by the road. Aragorn sleeps restlessly. He drea=
ms
of Arwen lying listless in her bed in Rivendell. Her eyes open and there is=
a
quick shot of the Paths of the Dead.)
Arwen: I choose a mortal life.
(A single tear falls from her eye.)
Arwen: I wish I could've seen him...one last time.
(Arwen closes her eyes. The Evenstar drops and breaks into a thousand
pieces. Aragorn snaps awake and draws his elven knife. A Rohirrim guard sta=
nds
at the entrance to his tent.)
Guard: Sir? King Théoden awaits you, My Lord.
(Aragorn enters Théoden's tent. Théoden stands in front of=
a
hooded figure.)
Théoden: I take my leave. (He leaves.)
(Aragorn slowly approaches, and the figure stands up and removes the hoo=
d,
revealing Elrond.)
Aragorn: (Bows, surprised.) My Lord Elrond.
Elrond: I come on behalf of one whom I love. Arwen is dying. She will
not long survive the evil that now spreads from Mordor. The light of the
Evenstar is failing. As Sauron's power grows, her strength wanes. Arwen's l=
ife
is now tied to the fate of the Ring. The Shadow is upon us, Aragorn. The end
has come.
Aragorn: It will not be our end, but his.
Elrond: You ride to war, but not to victory. Sauron's armies march on
Minas Tirith, this you know. But, in secret he sends another force which wi=
ll
attack from the river. A fleet of Corsair ships sails from the south. They'=
ll
be in the city in two days. You're outnumbered. You need more Men.
Aragorn: There are none.
Elrond: There are those who dwell in the mountain.
(Aragorn ponders this and sees a vision of the King of the Dead.)
Aragorn: Murderers... traitors! You would call upon them to fight? T=
hey
believe in nothing! They answer to no one!
Elrond: They will answer to the King of Gondor!
(Elrond sweeps aside his cloak and pulls out the reforged sword. He pres=
ents
it to Aragorn.)
Elrond: Andúril, Flame of the West, forged from the Shards of
Narsil.
Aragorn: Sauron will not have forgotten the Sword of Elendil. (He
looks at the sword before him, and quickly draws Andúril from the
sheath. The camera follows the blade to the tip as Aragorn stares at it.)
The blade that was broken shall return to Minas Tirith.
Elrond: The man who can wield the power of this sword can summon to =
him
an army more deadly than any that walks this earth. Put aside the Ranger.
Become who you were born to be. Take the Dimholt road.
Elrond: Ónen i-Estel Edain. (I give hope to Men)
Aragorn: Ú-chebin estel anim. (I keep none for myself.)
(Aragorn is preparing to leave. Éowyn comes and confronts him.)
Éowyn: Why are you doing this? The war lies to the east; you
cannot leave on the eve of battle. You cannot abandon the Men.
Aragorn: Éowyn.
Éowyn: We need you here.
Aragorn: (sadly) Why have you come?
Éowyn: Do you not know?
Aragorn: It is but a shadow and a thought that you love. I cannot gi=
ve
you what you seek.
(Éowyn backs away in disbelief and shock. Aragorn gazes at her fo=
r a
moment before he leads Brego away, and Éowyn stands there in tears,
overwhelmed and heartbroken.)
Gimli: Just where do you think you're off to?
Aragorn: Not this time. This time you must stay, Gimli.
(Legolas walks up leading his horse.)
Legolas: Have you learned nothing of the stubbornness of Dwarves?
Gimli: You might as well accept it. We're going with you, laddie.
(Switch to Théoden and other Rohirrim soldiers.)
Soldier(s): What's happening? Where is he going? I don't understand.
Lord Aragorn! Why does he leave on the eve of battle?
Gamling: He leaves because there is no hope.
Théoden: He leaves because he must.
Gamling: Too few have come. We cannot defeat the armies of Mordor. <=
br>
Théoden: No, we cannot. But we will meet them in battle
nonetheless.
(Éowyn stands alone with her arms crossed, looking into the distance,
her face perfectly still in deep thought. The sun rises. Théoden
approaches.)
Théoden: I have left instruction. The people are to follow yo=
ur
rule in my stead. Take up my seat in the Golden Hall. Long may you defend
Edoras if the battle goes ill.
Éowyn: (blankly) What other duty would you have me do,=
My
Lord?
Théoden: (Turns to Éowyn and takes her hands.)
Duty? No...I would have you smile again. (Éowyn forces a tiny smi=
le
onto her face.) Not grieve for those whose time has come. (He cups
Éowyn's head in his hands and brings her forehead to his.)You sh=
all
live to see these days renewed. No more despair.
(Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli ride on the road to the Dimholt. Sharp grey
rocks surround them on a narrow path.)
Gimli: What kind of an army would linger in such a place?
Legolas: One that is cursed. Long ago the Men of the Mountain swore =
an
oath to the last King of Gondor, to come to his aid, to fight. But when the
time came, when Gondor's need was dire, they fled. And so Isildur cursed th=
em,
never to rest until they had fulfilled their oath.
(At the end of the path, a small opening is crafted into a rock. Primiti=
ve
paintings are above it.)
Gimli: The very warmth of my blood seems drawn away.
Legolas: The way is shut. It was made by those who are dead, and The
Dead keep it. The way is shut.
(They dismount, still holding the horses by the reins. Aragorn has
Andúril in his hand. The sheath is attached to Brego's saddle. The h=
orses
are nervous. They slowly approach the opening. The horses go crazy as a bla=
st
of air comes out of the tunnel. Aragorn and Legolas lose hold of the reins, and the horses gallop off.)
Aragorn: Brego!
(Aragorn turns and looks back at the tunnel into the mountain.)
Aragorn: I do not fear death!
(He walks quickly and firmly into the darkness behind the opening. Legol=
as
hesitates another second, then follows him
determinedly.)
Gimli: Well, this is a thing unheard of. An Elf will go underground
where a Dwarf dare not! Ah, I'd never hear the end of it!
(He stamps his feet a few times, finally finds his
courage and follows his companions. The scene shifts back to the Rohirrim.
Haste in the Dunharrow camp. Fires are put out quickly, Men jump on horses.=
Théoden
leaves his tent with Éomer.)
Théoden: We must ride light and swift. It's a long road ahead,
and Man and beast must reach the end with the strength to fight.
(Merry stands with his white pony. Théoden passes him on horse.)<=
/i>
Théoden: Little Hobbits do not belong in war, Master Meriadoc=
.
Merry: All my friends have gone to battle. I would be ashamed to be =
left
behind!
Théoden: It's a three-day gallop to Minas Tirith, and none of=
my
Riders can bear you as a burden.
Merry: I want to fight!
Théoden: I will say no more.
(Théoden rides off. Merry is left standing, lost and ashamed,
watching the Riders pass him by. As one Rider approaches him, he reaches out
with his arm, grabs the Hobbit and pulls him on his horse.)
Éowyn: Ride with me.
(She puts an arm around him. Merry smiles happily and proudly.)
Merry: My Lady!
Éomer: Form up! Move out!
Théoden: Ride! Ride now to Gondor!
(In Gondor, the Orc troops are rapidly approaching the city of
King of the Dead: Who enters my domain?
Aragorn: One who will have your allegiance.
King of the Dead: The Dead do not suffer the living to pass.
Aragorn: You will suffer me.
(The King of the Dead laughs. The Dead appear and surround Legolas, Arag=
orn,
and Gimli.)
King of the Dead: The way is shut. It was made by those who are dead=
and
The Dead keep it. The way is shut. Now you must die.
(Legolas releases an arrow. It goes through the one aimed at as if through =
thin
air.)
Aragorn: I summon you to fulfill your oath.
King of the Dead: None but the King of Gondor may command me.
(Aragorn lifts Andúril. The King of the Dead attacks him with a
sword. Aragorn parries and then grabs the King by his throat.)
King of the Dead: That line was broken! [Ed. note: this line is
difficult to hear. I personally believe the King is saying "line"=
(as
in Isildur's line). The word that also makes sense is "blade", bu=
t it
doesn't really sound like that when you listen closely. We'll have to wait =
till
the close-captioned version of the movie comes out on DVD to know for sure.=
]
Aragorn: It has been remade. (He releases the King, a=
nd
addresses The Dead surrounding him.) Fight for us, and regain your hono=
r. (He
walks through the crowd of ghosts.) What say you?
(The Dead shuffle about and look uncertain.)
Aragorn: What say you?
Gimli: You waste your time, Aragorn! They had no honor in life, they
have none now in death.
Aragorn: I am Isildur's heir! Fight for me, and I will hold your oat=
hs
fulfilled!
(The Dead watch Aragorn, unable to decide.)
Aragorn: (commanding) What say you?!
(Back at Minas Tirith, with Orcs and siege towers getting even closer.) =
Soldier: Open the gate, quick!
(The gate is opened and an unconscious Faramir is dragged in by a horse,=
his
body struck with arrows. The Orc-leader, Gothmog, rides among his troops on=
a
Warg and looks pleased. Faramir is carried up to the top of Minas Tirith.)<=
/i>
Soldier: Quick, hurry!
(Denethor runs into the courtyard.)
Denethor: Faramir!
(The soldiers lay Faramir down beside the White Tree.)
Denethor: Say not that he has fallen!
Soldier: They were outnumbered. None survived.
(Pippin watches from afar.)
Gothmog: Fear. The city is rank with it. Let us ease their pain. Rel=
ease
the prisoners!
Orc: Catapults!
(The catapults fire. On the walls of Minas Tirith, Men duck from what is
flying in amongst them - the heads of Faramir's soldiers. Meanwhile, Deneth=
or
leans over Faramir's body.)
Denethor: My sons are spent...
(Denethor stumbles away from the litter that bore Faramir, torn with gri=
ef.
Pippin runs to Faramir's side.)
Denethor: My line has ended!
(Pippin touches Faramir's brow.)
Pippin: He's alive!
Denethor: The House of Stewards has failed!
Pippin: He needs medicine, My Lord!
(Denethor ignores Pippin and continues to stumble towards the walls.)
Denethor: My line has ended!
Pippin: (calls) My Lord.
(Denethor reaches the walls. His eyes grow wide as he looks upon the mas=
sive
army that stands at his gates. His mind breaks and he goes insane.)
Denethor: Rohan has deserted us. (Cut to battlefield, and destruc=
tion
of parts of the city.) Théoden's betrayed me. (Calls to soldi=
ers)
Abandon your posts! Flee! Flee for your lives!
(The Gondorian soldiers look about uncertainly and in fear. Gandalf whac=
ks
Denethor in the forehead with his staff, then in the stomach, and the stewa=
rd falls down in shock.)
Gandalf: Prepare for battle!
(Gandalf rides towards the outer defenses.)
Gandalf: Come on, Men. To the wall! Defend the wall…
(Soldiers and civilians rush about in fear and confusion.)
Gandalf: Return to your posts!
(He reaches the outer wall, and sees the oncoming army.)
Gandalf: Send these foul beasts into the abyss.
(The Gondorian soldiers begin hurling large rocks and pieces of buildings
towards the Orcs with trebuchets.)
Gothmog: Stay where you are.
Soldier: Watch out! (A rock flies towards the outer wall, flinging
several people off of the wall.)
Soldier: Down to the lower level. Quick!
(One flung rock comes perilously close to killing Gothmog, who neatly st=
eps
aside at the last minute, and spits on it. The Nazgûl on their fellbe=
asts
then arrive, and strike terror in the hearts of the Gondorian soldiers, by
picking up random Men and dropping them. Pippin appears, holding his ears w=
ith
his hands, to block out the sound of the Nazgûl cries.)
Gandalf: Hold them back. Do not give into fear! Stay at your posts! =
(The siege towers are nearly at the wall.)
Gandalf: (to the archers) Not at the towers. Aim for the Trol=
ls!
Kill the Trolls!
(The siege towers connect with the walls, and Orcs begin swarming in.
Gandalf sees Pippin coming down the stairs towards him.)
Gandalf: Peregrin Took, go back to the Citadel!
Pippin: (dazed) They called us out to fight.
(An Orc heads towards Pippin, and Gandalf heads it off, killing it.)
Gandalf: This is no place for a Hobbit!
(The Wizard fights off several more Orcs, but one comes up behind him wh=
ile
he is busy fighting another Orc. Pippin stabs the Orc just as it is going to
hit Gandalf.)
Gandalf: (smiling) Guard of the Citadel indeed. Now, back! Up=
the
hill! Quickly! Quick!
(Huge creatures pull the massive battering ram, Grond, towards Minas Tir=
ith.
It is shaped like a giant wolf, with flames licking inside its mouth.) =
Armies of Sauron: (chanting) Grond! Grond! Grond!
(Gandalf looks down from the wall with great concern. The scene shifts to
Frodo and Gollum climbing the stairs leading to Cirith Ungol.)
Gollum: In there. (Motions towards the tunnel opening.)
Frodo: (looking rather ill) What is this place?
Gollum: Master must go inside the tunnel.
Frodo: Now that I'm here, I don't think I want to.
Gollum: It's the only way. Go in, or go back.
Frodo: (in despair) I can't go back. (He enters the tunnel=
.)
What's that smell?
Gollum: Orcses filth. Orcses come in here sometimes. (They contin=
ue
along, and Gollum leaves Frodo's side, running ahead.) Hurry! This way!=
Frodo: Sméagol? (Breathing hard, scared.)
Gollum: Over here!
(Frodo falls against a wall, and touches some webbing.)
Frodo: It's sticky! What is it?
Gollum: (Sounding pleased.) You will see! Oh, yes! You will s=
ee.
Frodo: Sméagol? Sméagol! Sméagol! (He realiz=
es
that Gollum has led him into a trap. He looks scared, and ready to cry.)
Sam… (Frodo steps on a skeleton, and takes a good look around at t=
he
webs and dead animals. He hears a noise, and panics, beginning to run.)=
(Sam is upset and sobbing while he makes his way clumsily down the stair=
s.
He slips and falls, landing right beside the lembas bread. When he sees the
bread, he crushes it in his hand angrily, then l=
ooks
back up the stairs. Frodo is still running, and falls into a small pit fill=
ed
with cobwebs, and bones.)
Galadriel: (v.o.) And you, Frodo Baggins, I give you the light of
Eärendil, our most beloved star.
(Frodo pulls Galadriel's phial out of his pocket.)
Galadriel: (v.o.) May it be a light for you in dark places, when all
other lights go out.
Frodo: Aiya Eärendil Elenion Ancalima! (Hail Eärendil
brightest of the Stars!)
(The light shows Shelob, a giant spider, standing beside Frodo. Frodo tr=
ies
to crawl away, and keep her back with the light from the phial. She attacks=
. He
slashes at her leg with Sting, and then runs. He turns to look back behind =
him,
and runs into a bunch of very sticky webs, and is stuck.)
Gollum: Naughty little fly, why does it cry? Caught in her web, soon
you'll be...eaten.
(Frodo looks angry and slashes the spider web with Sting with much
difficulty, while Shelob gets closer. Gollum realizes that Frodo is getting
free, and quickly flees. Finally, the terrified Hobbit gets through the web,
but Sting is caught in the web and he leaves it, with Shelob following right
behind him. Frodo breaks out to the outside world, but Gollum is waiting for
him.)
Gollum: Got away, did it, Precious? Not this time! Not this time!
(Gollum and Frodo fight, with much rolling around. Frodo takes control, =
and
begins choking Gollum.)
Gollum: It wasn't us! It wasn't us! Sméagol wouldn't hurt mas=
ter.
We promised. You must believe us. It was the Precious! The Precious made us=
do
it!
(Frodo backs away uncertainly, while Gollum cries and coughs.)
Frodo: I have to destroy it, Sméagol. I have to destroy it for
both our sakes.
(Frodo turns away, and an intense look of anger and hatred comes over
Gollum's face. He jumps on Frodo again, who rolls him off and throws him do=
wn a
deep hole in the ground. Gollum screams as he falls. Frodo staggers on, ang=
uish
filling his face.)
Frodo: I'm so sorry, Sam. So sorry.
(He collapses, and suddenly finds himself in a green, beautiful wood,
presumably Lothlórien. Galadriel stands in front of him.)
Galadriel: This task was appointed to you, Frodo of the Shire. If yo=
u do
not find a way, no one will.
(Galadriel reaches out her hand to him, and F=
rodo
meets hers with his. As he rises, the scene changes back to Shelob's lair. =
He
continues on with a look of determination on his face. The scene shifts to =
the
Orcs still attacking Minas Tirith. Grond is being pulled back by several
Trolls, and released. It hits the gate with a heavy thud.)
Gandalf: Back to the gate! Hurry!
(Pippin wanders up to the courtyard. He sees Denethor carrying a lit tor=
ch.
Behind him follow guards who carry a litter, upon which lies the unconscious
Faramir. Denethor pushes open the doors to the House of the Stewards on Rath
Dínen and enters.)
Denethor: No tomb for Denethor and Faramir. No long, slow, sleep of
death embalmed. We shall burn, like the heathen kings of old. (Turning to
guard.) Bring wood and oil!
(The Orcs are still attempting to batter the front gate down.)
Gandalf: Steady, steady!
(Grond's nose breaks through, and the Gondori=
an
soldiers look more than a bit scared.)
Gandalf: You are soldiers of Gondor. No matter what comes through th=
at
gate, you will stand your ground.
(The doors burst wide open, and several Trolls in battle armor come rush=
ing
in.)
Gandalf: Volley! Fire!
(Archers shoot the Trolls. Fighting ensues. Back at Cirith Ungol, Frodo
appears to be coming out of the pass. He sees the Great Eye atop its tower =
in
the distance. While looking at it, he doesn't notice Shelob creeping up from
above him. He hears a noise and spins around. When he turns back around,
Shelob's stinger stabs him in the chest, and he collapses after the poison
works its way through his system. She picks him up with her spinnerets, and
begins cocooning him. Sting and the Phial of Galadriel suddenly appear, hel=
d by
the stalwart Sam.)
Sam: Let him go, you filth!
(Shelob looks at Sam and shrieks.)
Sam: Let him go!
(Shelob drops Frodo and moves towards Sam.)
Sam: You will not touch him again!
(Shelob moves closer.)
Sam: Come on and finish it!
(Shelob attacks Sam, and he slashes her leg. =
She
knocks the Light of Eärendil from his hand and kicks it away. Shelob
pushes Sam up against the rock wall and tries to bite him. Sam fights back,
kicking Shelob in the head. They both fall to the ground, and Sam picks up
Sting again. Sam stabs Shelob in the eye with the sword and does some damag=
e.
He tries again, but Shelob grabs Sting in her jaws and throws it behind Sam.
Shelob tries to sting Sam, but misses as Sam rolls several times. Finally, =
Sam
reaches Sting and drives it up, just as Shelob stings down. The blade is ra=
mmed
deep into the spider's abdomen and she falls backwards, staggering and cryi=
ng
out.)
Sam: Back!
(He pushes her back with the light from the phial and with Sting. Shelob
retreats into her tunnel. Sam turns his attention to the cocoon of Frodo.) =
Sam: Mister Frodo!
(Sam tears the web from Frodo's face. His eyes are staring off into the
distance, and he is deathly pale.)
Sam: Oh no! Frodo!
(Sam tries to wake Frodo.)
Sam: Mister Frodo!
(Sam takes Frodo into his arms, and begins to cry.)
Sam: Wake up! Don't leave me here alone! Don't go where I can't foll=
ow!
Wake up!
(Sam's face is filled with sorrow as he realizes Frodo won't wake.) =
Sam: Not asleep...dead!
(Sam holds Frodo close, and sobs. Sting glows blue, signaling that Orcs =
are
nearby. Sam takes up Sting and hides behind a rock. The Orcs come down the
stairs and spot Frodo.)
Shagrat: What's this? Looks like old Shelob's been having a bit of f=
un.
Orc: Killed another one, has she?
Shagrat: No, this fellow ain't dead.
Sam: (Whispers from behind the rocks.) Not dead!
Shagrat: She jabs him with her stinger and he goes as limp as a boned
fish. Then she has her way with them. That's how she likes to feed...fresh
blood. Get him to the tower!
(The Orcs take Frodo up the stairs to the
Sam: Samwise, you fool!
Orc: This scum will be awake in a couple of hours.
Shagrat: Then he'll wish he'd never been born!
(Cut to Minas Tirith. Faramir is being placed on a pyre of wood. Faramir
moves uneasily in his unconscious sleep. The guards place piles of wood aro=
und
the pyre table. Denethor bends over him and touches his face.)
Denethor: The house of his spirit crumbles. He is burning. Already
burning.
(Pippin runs up to Faramir, and tries to remove the wood surrounding the
pyre.)
Pippin: (hysterically) He's not dead! He's not dead!
(Denethor grabs Pippin and drags him out. Pippin continues to cry out that
Faramir is not dead.)
Denethor: Hear now, Peregrin, son of Paladin, I release you from my
service. Go now and die in what way seems best to you.
(He throws Pippin to the ground and shuts the doors. Pippin is greatly
distressed.)
Denethor: Pour oil on the wood!
(Pippin runs desperately through the city, trying to find the White Wizard.
Chaos reigns around him.)
Pippin: Gandalf! Where is Gandalf? Gandalf!
(Orcs are streaming into the city, while buildings crumble, and Men and wom=
en
run in fear.)
Gandalf: Retreat! The city is breached. Fall back! To the second lev=
el!
Get the women and children out. Get them out!
Gothmog: Move into the city. Kill all in your path.
(The Orcs run rampant, killing everything they come across.)
Gandalf: Fight! Fight to the last man! Fight for your lives!
(Horns can be heard in the distance. Gandalf looks up, and recognizes the
sound. Outside the city, the ranks of the Rohirrim crest the hill outside t=
he
Pelennor Fields. Théoden looks down on the thousands of Orcs, realiz=
ing
that this battle cannot be won. His riders see the same. The Rohirrim are a=
bout
to lose what courage they had.)
Éowyn: Courage, Merry. Courage for our friends. (She holds
Merry close to her.)
Gothmog: Form ranks, you maggots. Form ranks. Pikes in front, archers
behind.
(Théoden bares his teeth at the enemy, and summons his courage,
riding to his captains and giving orders.)
Théoden: Éomer, take your éored down the left
flank. Gamling, follow the King's banner down the center. Grimbold, take yo=
ur
company right, after you pass the wall. Forth, and fear no darkness!
(Théoden rides in front of the Rohirrim, trying to bolster their
courage.)
Théoden: Arise! Arise, Riders of Théoden!
(Théoden rides in front of Éowyn, and
she hides her face from him.)
Théoden: Spears shall be shaken! Shields shall be splintered!=
A
sword day! A red day! Ere the sun rises!
(The riders ready their spears, as do the Orcs.)
Éowyn: (to Merry) Whatever happens, stay with me. I'll
look after you.
(Merry tries not to look nervous. Théoden rides in front of the
horses, banging his sword against their lowered spears.)
Théoden: Ride now! Ride now! Ride! Ride for ruin, and the wor=
ld's
ending! Death!
Rohirrim: Death!
(Éowyn gulps, looking nervous.)
Théoden: Death!
Rohirrim: Death!
Théoden: Death!
Merry and Éowyn: Death!
Théoden:
(Horns sound. The Rohirrim charge. The Orcs ready to fire at them.) =
Gothmog: Fire!
(The arrows are fired and many riders fall.)
Merry: Death!
(More arrows are fired, and more Rohirrim fall.)
Théoden: Death!
Gothmog: Fire at will!
(More riders fall as another round of arrows are
fired, but they charge on and the Orcs begin to back off. The Rohirrim char=
ge
into the Mordor armies with such a force that no Orc could withstand them.
Meanwhile, Pippin continues to run through the city, looking for Gandalf, a=
nd
finally finds him.)
Pippin: Gandalf! Gandalf! Gandalf, Denethor's lost his mind. He's
burning Faramir alive!
Gandalf: Come! (He pulls Pippin onto Shadowfax.)
(The Rohirrim continue to decimate the Orc army. Back in the city Deneth=
or
stands atop the pyre pouring oil over his head. He looks down at Faramir wh=
o is
covered in oil. Faramir's face twitches, but it passes unnoticed.)
Denethor: Set a fire in our flesh.
(Denethor stands on the pyre, arms outstretched like a martyr. Faramir l=
ies
at his feet. The attending soldiers move closely to the pyre with their
torches. Just as they are about to put fire to wood, Shadowfax kicks open t=
he
doors.)
Gandalf: Stay this madness!
(The guards stop. Denethor grabs a torch from a guard and lights the pil=
e of
wood himself. Gandalf takes up a spear and charges Denethor, knocking him o=
ff
the pyre. Pippin leaps from Shadowfax onto the pyre and tries to roll Faram=
ir
from a flaming death. After several tries Pippin succeeds and they both fall
off onto the ground. Pippin slaps the flames off Faramir's clothes. Denethor
rises and attacks Pippin.)
Denethor: No! You will not take my son from me!
(Gandalf rides up again and knocks Denethor onto the pyre, which now roa=
rs
with flame. Denethor looks through the fire at Faramir, who has opened his
eyes. Realizing that his son his still alive, Denethor softens...)
Denethor: Faramir.
(But the flames leap around him and set the steward ablaze. Mad with pai=
n,
the screaming Denethor leaps from the pyre and runs burning from the house,
where he falls from the edge of Minas Tirith.)
Gandalf: So passes Denethor, son of Ecthelion.
(The Rohirrim are still slashing away at the Orcs, who begin retreating =
back
to Mordor.)
Éomer: Drive them to the river!
Théoden: Make safe the city!
(All of a sudden everything becomes silent. We see a huge group of
Mûmakil, ready for battle, approaching the Rohirrim. Théoden a=
nd
his Men watch in fear as the giant beasts march toward them.)
Théoden: Reform the line! Reform the line!
(The riders fall back into position, and prepare to charge the Haradrim.=
)
Théoden: Sound the charge!
(Gamling blows his horn.)
Théoden: Charge!
(The Rohirrim charge towards the Mûmakil, and get decimated by the
strength and size of their opponents. The Mûmakil use their tusks to =
send
riders flying, and stomp upon them with their feet. The archers on the back=
of
the giant beasts also kill many riders. Éomer pauses in front of one
beast, and throws his spear at its driver, killing him. The driver falls,
stabbing his Mûmak in the ear, which causes it to=
swing
sideways, taking down another beast and itself. Meanwhile, Éo=
wyn
and Merry are riding amongst the Mûmakil, barely dodging death several
times.)
Éowyn: Take the reins! Pull to the left! Left!
(She grabs a second sword from an Orc, and riding between a Mûmak's
legs, hamstrings it, causing it to fall.)
Éomer: (shooting arrows) Aim for the head!
(The Mûmak he is aiming for rises on its hind legs, and begins to
stagger.)
Théoden: Bring it down! Bring it down! Bring it down!
(A nearby Mûmak falls, nearly landing on Merry and Éowyn. T=
heir
horse falls, and they are sent flying. Éowyn narrowly misses being
landed on, by rolling away. Merry appears to have disappeared.)
Éowyn: Merry!
(The Orcs are attacking the next level of the city, and soldiers wait be=
hind
the gate, ready to attack. Gandalf and Pippin are sitting behind a short wa=
ll,
watching, and waiting.)
Pippin: I didn't think it would end this way.
(Gandalf looks at him in surprise.)
Gandalf: End? No, the journey doesn't end here. Death is just another
path, one that we all must take. The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls
back, and all turns to silver glass, and then you see it.
(Pippin listens hopefully, as the sounds of the battle around them fade.=
)
Pippin: What? Gandalf? See what?
Gandalf: White shores, and beyond, a far green country under a swift=
sunrise.
Pippin: Well, that isn't so bad.
Gandalf: No. No, it isn't.
(They smile slightly at each other. The Orcs have nearly broken in. Gand=
alf
nods at the Hobbit, and Pippin tightens the grip=
on
his sword. Outside the gate, the Rohirrim grimly continue to fight on.)
Théoden: Rally to me! To me!
(The riders near him are suddenly nervous. Théoden turns around a=
nd
is aware of the presence of the Witch-king. The Witch-king swoops down and
knocks down Snowmane and Théoden. Snowmane lands on top of Thé=
;oden.
Not far off, Éowyn watches in shock and horror. The fellbeast stands
over Théoden.)
Witch-king: Feast on his flesh.
Éowyn: (Comes to stand in front of the beast.) I will =
kill
you if you touch him!
Witch-king: Do not come between a Nazgûl and his prey.
(The fellbeast tries to strike, and misses, foolishly leaving its neck
exposed. Éowyn chops its head off in two strokes, and it dies, flail=
ing
about and landing heavily. The Witch-king then stands in front of Éo=
wyn,
a flail in its hand. Éowyn looks on in fear, and then ducks and
sidesteps as the Nazgûl tries to hit her. The Witch-king finally land=
s a
hit on her shield, and it shatters. She falls, crying out, and clutching her
arm…The Witch-king stands triumphantly before her. Elsewhere on the b=
attlefield,
black ships begin arriving at the pier.)
Head Orc: Late as usual, pirate scum! There's knife work here that n=
eeds
doing. Come on, ya sea rats! Get off your ships!
(Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli hop down from one of the ships.)
Gimli: (muttering to Legolas) There's plenty for the both of =
us,
may the best Dwarf win!
(Aragon, Legolas and Gimli then start running, charging the Orcs. The De=
ad
stream from behind them, over the water, killing everything in their path.
Merry crawls out from under the Mûmak he had been nearly crushed unde=
r,
and sees Éowyn facing off against the Witch-king. Éowyn pants=
in
fear as the Witch-king approaches.)
Witch-king: (Grabs Éowyn's neck.) You fool, no man can
kill me! Die now…
(Suddenly Merry comes up from behind and stabs the Witch-king in the bac=
k of
the leg. His blade crumbles into nothing and he falls to the ground, holding
his right arm in pain. The Witch-king shrieks, and falls to its knees.
Éowyn stands up and takes off her helmet, shaking her long golden ha=
ir
loose.)
Éowyn: I am no man!
(With a cry, she stabs the Witch-king in the face with her blade. She fa=
lls
to the ground in agony, but the Witch-king withers and crumples into nothing
with a shrill cry, while Merry and Éowyn watch in surprise and shock.
The scene shifts over to various shots of Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli fighti=
ng.)
Legolas: (shooting as he goes) 15, 16...
Gimli: (hacking up Orcs) 17...
(Aragorn takes down several Orcs and looks up.)
Gimli: …29…
Aragorn: Legolas!
(Legolas turns to see an Oliphaunt charging him and rushes to meet it,
swinging up onto its tusk. He quickly moves from its trunk to its leg,
clambering up its limb using the many arrows stuck in its hide as hand and =
foot
holds. Reaching the top he is met by several Southron warriors.)
Legolas: (while shooting them down) 33, 34...
(Legolas then grabs hold of the rope holding the platform on the Oliphau=
nt's
back. Swinging off, he cuts the rope and lets the platform fall over the si=
de,
pulling him up to the creature's back. Running u=
p to
the Oliphaunt's head he strings three arrows and shoots them into the beast=
's
skull, bringing it down. Legolas slides off the trunk, landing safely on the
ground in front of Gimli.)
Gimli: That still only counts as one!
(Aragorn looks over the battlefield; realizing most of the enemies are d=
ead.
In the distance, a group of The Dead take down a Mûmak. The Dead over=
run
the city, killing all of the Mordor troops. Meanwhile, Éowyn crawls =
to
Théoden's side.)
Théoden: (Opens his eyes and looks at her.) I know your
face...Éowyn.
(Éowyn smiles tearfully.)
Théoden: My eyes darken.
Éowyn: (Strokes Théoden's head gently.) No. No,=
I
am going to save you.
Théoden: (weakly) You already did. Éowyn, my bo=
dy
is broken. You have to let me go. I go to my fathers in whose mighty compan=
y I
shall not now feel ashamed. (He draws a labored breath.) Éowy=
n...
(Théoden dies and Éowyn cries bitterly over his body. In anot=
her
spot on the battlefield, the Army of the Dead stands before Aragorn.) <=
br>
King of the Dead: Release us.
Gimli: Bad idea. Very handy in a tight spot, these lads, despite the
fact they're dead.
King of the Dead: You gave us your word.
Aragorn: I hold your oath fulfilled. Go, be at peace.
(The King of the Dead closes his eyes in relief, and the dead shimmer, a=
nd
then disappear, as if blown away by the wind. Pippin walks slowly around th=
e battlefield, and seeing something, rushes over, and pu=
shes
an Orc body off of Merry.)
Pippin: (takes Merry in his arms) Merry! Merry, it's me. (=
crying)
It's Pippin.
Merry: (weakly) I knew you'd find me.
Pippin: Yes.
Merry: Are you going to leave me?
Pippin: No, Merry. I'm going to look after you.
(Pippin grabs a cloak and covers Merry with it. The scene shifts to the =
Gorbag: Hands off! That shiny shirt, that's mine=
!
Shagrat: It's going to the Great Eye, along with everything else.
(Frodo gropes at his neck, realizing that he hasn't got the Ring anymore=
.)
Gorbag: I don't take orders from stinking Morgul rats!
(Gorbag lunges for the mithril shirt. Shagrat grabs a blade and points i=
t at
Gorbag.)
Shagrat: You touch it, and I'll stick this blade in your gut.
(Gorbag wrestles the blade from Shagrat and pushes him down a ladder, and
then a set of stairs, to where another group of Orcs are eating.)
Gorbag: The scum tried to knife me. Kill him!
(The Orcs growl, and lunge towards Shagrat. One of them gets knocked out=
a
window, which rallies the smaller Orcs to begin fighting once they see what=
is
happening. Sam approaches the Tower, and hears the sounds of fighting. Sam
enters the
Sam: (He kills one.) That's for Frodo! (And another.) =
And
for the Shire! (And the last one.) And that's for my old Gaffer!
(He continues upwards through the Tower. Frodo, struggling to get out of=
his
restraints, hears someone coming up the ladder.)
Shagrat: Stop your squealing, you dung hill rat<=
/span>.
(He draws his weapon.) I'm going to bleed you like a stuck pig!
(Shagrat suddenly cries out, and the tip of Sting appears, thrust through
his chest. It gleams blue for a moment, and then fades as Shagrat dies.)
Sam: Not if I stick you first.
Frodo: Sam!
(Sam drops Sting and kneels beside Frodo.)
Frodo: Oh, Sam, I'm so sorry. Sorry for everything.
Sam: Let's get you out of here. (He begins untying Frodo's bonds.=
)
Frodo: (in despair) It's too late. It's over. They've taken i=
t.
Sam, they took the Ring.
Sam: Beggin', your pardon, but they haven't. (He pulls the Ring o=
ut
of his pocket, as Frodo looks on in shock.) I thought I'd lost you, so I
took it. Only for safekeeping. (He holds the Ring out.)
Frodo: Give it to me. (Sam pulls back slightly.) Give me the
Ring, Sam. (The Ring speaks to Sam, and he seems uncertain as to what to
do.) Sam! Give me the Ring!
(Sam slowly hands it over, and Frodo snatches=
it
from his hand. He puts the chain over his head, looking greatly relieved, a=
nd
then looks up at Sam.)
Frodo: You must understand, the Ring is my
burden. It will destroy you, Sam. (He shudders and gasps while trying to
stand under the weight of the Ring.)
Sam: Come on, Mister Frodo. We'd best find you some clothes. You can=
't
go walking through Mordor in naught but your skin. (Frodo chuckles
slightly.)
(The two Hobbits leave the Tower, and stand looking down at Mordor. They=
are
both wearing Orc armor.)
Sam: We did it, Mister Frodo. We made it to Mordor.
Frodo: (Gazing at the legions of Orcs standing between them and <=
/i>
Sam: We have to go in there, Mister Frodo. There's nothing for it. <=
i>(Frodo
looks at him wearily.) Come on, let's just m=
ake it
down the hill for starters.
(Éomer, Legolas, Gimli, Aragorn, and Gandalf stand in the hall at
Minas Tirith. Gimli sits in the steward's seat.)
Gandalf: Frodo has passed beyond my sight. The darkness is deepening=
.
Aragorn: If Sauron had the Ring we would know it.
Gandalf: It's only a matter of time. He has suffered a defeat, yes, =
but
behind the walls of Mordor our enemy is regrouping.
Gimli: (breathing out a puff of smoke) Let him stay there. Let
him rot! Why should we care?
Gandalf: Because ten thousand Orcs now stand between Frodo and
Aragorn: (quietly) No. There's still hope for Frodo. He needs=
time, and safe passage across the Plains of Gorgoroth.=
We
can give him that.
Gimli: How?
Aragorn: Draw out Sauron's armies. Empty his lands. Then we gather o=
ur
full strength and march on the Black Gate.
(Gimli coughs out smoke in surprise.)
Éomer: We cannot achieve victory through strength of arms.
Aragorn: Not for ourselves, but we can give Frodo his chance if we k=
eep
Sauron's Eye fixed upon us. Keep him blind to all else that moves.
Legolas: A diversion.
Gandalf: (aside to Aragorn) Sauron will suspect a trap. He wi=
ll
not take the bait.
Gimli: Certainty of death. Small chance of success. What are we wait=
ing
for?
(The Host of the West marches from Minas Tirith for Mordor, led by Arago=
rn
in king's armor. Near him ride Gandalf, Legolas, Gimli, Éomer, Merry=
and
Pippin.)
Orc: To the gate, you slugs! (The troops begin moving northward.)=
Move out! To the gate!
(Frodo and Sam, dressed in Orc uniforms, look down on the plains of
Gorgoroth. The Orcs are moving, and the Great Eye is looking northward.)
Sam: Look, the Orcs! They're moving off. You see, Mister Frodo, some
luck at last.
(The two Hobbits struggle through a rocky, smoke-filled plain. The Orc a=
rmor
clearly wears them down, and they discard it eventually. Aragorn and company
are shown approaching the Black Gates, and then we cut back to Frodo, tryin=
g to
wring the last bits of liquid from his water skin.)
Sam: Take mine, there's a few drops left.=
(Sam hands Frodo his water container, and Fro=
do
drinks what is in it. Both Hobbits are very dirty, and Frodo looks especial=
ly
tired and spent.)
Frodo: There'll be none left for the return journey.
Sam: I don't think there will be a return journey, Mister Frodo.
(They look at each other sadly, and then Sam holds out his hand to Frodo=
, to
help him up. They continue on. Aragorn's troops stand outside the Black Gat=
e.
We cut back to Frodo and Sam again, and Frodo is staggering along, flapping=
his
hands at things in front of him that only he can see, while Sam looks on sa=
dly.
Frodo pauses, and looks around. The Great Eye in the distance turns towards
them, and Sam dives for cover.)
Sam: Frodo! Get down! Hide!
(Frodo turns around slowly and meets the gaze of the Eye. He crumples to=
the
ground.)
Sam: Frodo!
(The Eye continues to sweep over their location. We cut back to Aragorn and=
his
army.)
Pippin: Where are they?
(Aragorn, Gandalf, Legolas, Éomer and Aragorn's herald spur their
horses forward toward the Gate.)
Aragorn: Let the Lord of the
(pause)
(The Black Gate begins to open, and on Barad-dûr, the Eye swings i=
ts
gaze towards the North. Aragorn and the others see the Orcs marching towards
them through the gate.)
Aragorn: Fall back! Fall back! (They ride back to their own force=
s.)
Sam: It's gone, Mister Frodo. The light's passed on, away towards the
North. Something's drawn its gaze. (He helps Frodo stand up, and they
struggle on.)
(Uncountable numbers of Orcs march toward the Host of the West. The sold=
iers
are starting to lose heart and courage.)
Aragorn: Hold your ground! Hold your ground.
(The Men stare at him, fear and uncertainty written on their faces. Arag=
orn
rides back and forth in front of them, trying to shore up their courage.) <=
/i>
Aragorn: Sons of Gondor! Of Rohan! My brothers. I see in your eyes t=
he
same fear that would take the heart of me. A day may come when the courage =
of
Men fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship, b=
ut
it is not this day. An hour of wolves and shattered shields when the Age of=
Men
comes crashing down, but it is not this day! This day we fight! By all that=
you
hold dear on this good earth, I bid you stand, Men of the West!
(The Men draw their swords. We cut back to Frodo and Sam, struggling up =
the
side of
Gimli: Never thought I'd die fighting side by side with an elf.
Legolas: What about side by side with a friend?
Gimli: Aye, I could do that.
(Sam climbs up to Frodo and takes him in his arms, rocking him back and
forth. He looks down at his master.)
Sam: Do you remember the Shire, Mister Frodo? It'll be spring soon, =
and
the Orchards will be in blossom. And the birds will be nesting in the hazel
thicket and they'll be sowing the summer barley in the lower fields. (Fr=
odo
opens his eyes, and stares blindly at Sam.) And eating the first of the
strawberries with cream. Do you remember the taste of strawberries?
Frodo: (gasping for breath) No, Sam, I can't recall the taste=
of
food. Nor the sound of water. Or the touch of grass. I'm naked in the dark.
There's nothing…no veil between me and the wheel of fire. I can see h=
im
with my waking eyes! (His eyes widen in pain and fear.)
Sam: (in tears) Then let us be rid of it, once and for all! C=
ome
on, Mister Frodo. I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you! Come on! <=
br>
(Sam staggers to his feet, placing Frodo over his shoulder. He continues
slowly up the mountain, carrying Frodo and the Ring forward one step at a t=
ime.
Meanwhile, the Eye of Sauron is now completely focused on Aragorn.)
Sauron's voice: Aragorn...Elessar...
(Aragorn is motionless and stares off at the Eye in the distance. He then
turns to the army behind him.)
Aragorn: For Frodo…
(Aragorn runs towards the Orcs, with Merry and Pippin right behind him, =
then
the rest of the army following behind them.)
(Sam nears the top of the mountain, still carrying Frodo. He sees the
entrance to the Crack of Doom.)
Sam: Look, Mister Frodo. A doorway! We're almost there.
(Gollum appears on top of a rock above the Hobbits.)
Gollum: Clever Hobbits, to climb so high!
(He jumps on Frodo, and pulls him off of Sam's back. Gollum clambers on =
top
of Frodo and starts to reach for the Ring. Sam grabs Gollum from behind and
pulls him off, but Gollum attacks again. Sam picks up a rock and throws it =
at
Gollum, knocking him off of Frodo. Gollum gets up again, and goes for Frodo,
but Sam dives and rolls him away. The battle at the Black Gate continues, a=
nd
the Nazgûl swoop in to do some damage. Gollum and Sam keep fighting, =
and
Gollum bites Sam, and tries to attack him again. Sam pulls out his sword, a=
nd
cuts Gollum in the chest.)
Sam: (turns to look for Frodo) Frodo!
(Frodo is now running up the mountain towards the Crack of Doom. At the
battle, Gandalf sees a Nazgûl flying in for the kill, and then sudden=
ly
sees a moth flying in front of his face. In the sky, the cries of Eagles ca=
n be
heard as several great Eagles appear, one of whi=
ch
attacks the Nazgûl headed towards Gandalf.)
Pippin: (shouting joyfully) Eagles! The Eagles are coming!
(Back at the Crack of Doom, Sam runs in, and looks for Frodo.)
Sam: Frodo!
(Frodo is standing at the edge of the pit of molten =
lava,
and he turns his head to look wearily at Sam.)
Frodo: I'm here, Sam.
Sam: Destroy it!
(Frodo holds the Ring out before him, above the fiery pit, but does not
throw it in.)
Sam: Go on. Now! Throw it in the fire.
(Frodo is still reluctant, and struggles internally, trying to do what he
knows he must.)
Sam: What are you waiting for? Just let it go!
(Frodo stares deeply at the Ring, listening to its call. He pulls the Ri=
ng
back to his chest, and turns back to Sam.)
Frodo: The Ring is mine!
(He pulls the Ring off of its chain.)
Sam: No...no…
(Frodo puts the Ring on his finger, a smile of pure evil on his face. He
disappears.)
Sam: Nooooooo!
(The Great Eye suddenly becomes aware of the presence of the Ring, and t=
urns
its gaze to
(Sam wakes up, and sees Gollum and an invisible Frodo struggling at the =
edge
of the pit. Gollum grabs Frodo's finger, and bites it off, taking the Ring =
with
it. Frodo shrieks in agony, and falls to his knees, holding his bleeding ha=
nd
in the other. Gollum holds the Ring before him in delight, ecstatic to fina=
lly
have his Precious in his possession again. He cavorts at the edge of the pi=
t,
crying out his excitement and happiness.)
Gollum: Precious, precious, precious, precious!
(Frodo stands up, glaring at Gollum with hatred, and grabs him, trying to
wrest the Ring away from him. Meanwhile, the battle back at the Gate goes i=
ll,
and Aragorn is being crushed by the Troll, while the forces of Men around h=
im
are being rapidly decimated. We cut back to Frodo and Gollum, who are still
struggling at the edge of the pit, when they both lose their balance, and go
over the edge. Gollum falls toward the lava, holding the Ring to his chest =
in
joy. He hits the lava, and melts away, while the Ring floats on the top. Sam
runs to the edge of the pit, and sees Frodo clinging to the rocks over the
fire. He extends his hand to his master.)
Sam: Give me your hand!
(The Ring in the lava begins feeling the heat, and Elvish letters begin =
to
glow on its edges.)
Sam: Take my hand!
(Frodo throws up his bloody left hand, and it sl=
ips
out of Sam's.)
Sam: No!
(Frodo looks up at Sam, anguish written in his face, and the desire to j=
ust
let go and end it all can plainly be seen in his eyes.)
Sam: Don't you let go! Don't let go. Reach!
(Frodo reaches for Sam's hand and is pulled up. The Ring disintegrates
within the pool of molten lava, and the Great Eye cries out in horror and p=
ain.
Sauron's troops suddenly pause and look back to Mordor, and then begin runn=
ing
away. Aragorn and the others stare in shock, as the
Merry: (jubilant) Frodo!
(The top of
Frodo: It's gone. It's done.
Sam: Yes, Mister Frodo. It's over now.
(They rest themselves upon the rock, waiting for the end to come, while =
the
world around them falls to pieces in fiery chaos. Frodo's eyes are closed, =
and
he looks exhausted, yet immensely relieved.)
Frodo: I can see the Shire…the
Sam: (sadly) Rosie Cotton dancing. She had ribbons in her hai=
r.
If ever I was to marry someone, it would've been her. It would've been her.=
(Sam
begins to cry; Frodo comes over to comfort him, and puts his arm around him=
.)
Frodo: I'm glad to be with you, Samwise Gamgee, here at the end of a=
ll
things.
(Fade to black)
(Frodo and Sam lie unconscious on the rock, completely surrounded by flo=
wing
lava. Three Eagles appear in the sky, one carrying Gandalf on his back. They
swoop down, pick up the Hobbits gently in their claws and fly away. Frodo,
half-conscious, opens his eyes and sees the Eagles before he passes out aga=
in.)
(The screen is dazzling white. In the background, objects start to come =
into
focus, and Frodo is seen lying on a bed. Frodo then sits up,
and smiles. He looks at Gandalf who is standing at the foot of the bed.)
Frodo: (in disbelief) Gandalf?
(Gandalf nods, smiling and laughing. Frodo begins to laugh in joy. The t=
wo
friends continue to laugh, when Merry and Pippin come to the door.)
Merry: Frodo!
(Merry and Pippin run over to Frodo's bed and jump on it, laughing and
hugging him. Next, Gimli comes to the door, and starts laughing as well.) <=
/i>
Frodo: (looks up) Gimli!
(Gimli then moves into the room. Legolas appears in the doorway. He smil=
es,
and enters the room. Aragorn comes to the room next, looking very kingly, a=
nd
smiling with pleasure.)
Frodo: (no sound) Aragorn.
(The camera moves back to show Merry and Pippin still on the bed hugging=
and
laughing with Frodo, while Gandalf, Gimli, Legolas, and Aragorn stand by the
bed. The camera once more moves to the door and Sam is standing there. He l=
ooks
at Frodo and Frodo looks at him. Both have looks of understanding, love, an=
d friendship
on their faces.)
(View of Minas Tirith; over-head view showing thousands of men and women
standing in the courtyard. Gandalf crowns Aragorn on the stairs in front of=
the
great hall. Gimli is nearby, having held the crown for Gandalf.)
Gandalf: Now come the days of the king. (He smiles down at Aragor=
n,
and says softly) May they be blessed.
(Before facing the cheering crowd, Aragorn pauses to catch his breath be=
fore
taking on the mantle of his duty and destiny.)
Aragorn: (raises his hands) This day does not belong to one m=
an
but to all. Let us together rebuild this world that we may share in the day=
s of
peace.
(The crowd cheers and applauds. White flower petals from the White Tree
begin to fall. We see Faramir and Éowyn standing together. They smile
and look at each other lovingly as they applaud the king.)
(Standing tall and proud, King Elessar sings in Quenya the song which, l=
ong
years before his forefather, Elendil, had sung as his feet first touched the
lands of Middle-earth.)
Et Eärello Endorenna utúlien. Sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar
(Out of the
(Aragorn walks down the aisle. People are standing to the two sides smil=
ing
and cheering. He walks past Éowyn, Faramir, and Éomer, who sm=
ile
and bow/curtsy to him. A group of Elves comes up to Aragorn, led by Legolas.
The two reach each other and place a hand on the other's shoulder.)
Aragorn: Hannon le. (Thank you.)
(Legolas holds back a small smile as he steps aside. Behind him stands
Elrond. A white banner with The White Tree is seen, and Arwen reveals herse=
lf
behind it. Holding the banner, she walks up and curtsies to the king. Arago=
rn
looks at her in disbelief and deep love as he caresses her face. Aragorn and
Arwen embrace and kiss each other. The crowd again applauds. Arwen laughs
joyfully and Elrond looks on smiling.)
(Aragorn and Arwen walk hand in hand through the crowd. They come before=
the
four Hobbits, who bow to the king and queen.)
Aragorn: (to the Hobbits) My friends. You bow to no one.
(Aragorn kneels before them, and everyone in the courtyard does so as we=
ll.
The Hobbits look about them, overwhelmed by this great honor. The camera pu=
lls
away and shows a map of Middle-earth.)
Frodo: (v.o.) And thus it was, the Fourth Age of Middle-earth began,=
and
the Fellowship of the Ring, though eternally bound by friendship and love, =
was
ended. (The camera swoops along the path of the Fellowship in reverse,
finally ending in the Shire.) Thirteen months to the day, since Gandalf
sent us on our long journey, we found ourselves looking upon a familiar sit=
e.
(The Hobbits ride through Hobbiton on ponies, wearing rich clothing.)
Frodo: We were home.
(An older, fat Hobbit, cleaning his front walk, looks on in disgust as t=
he
four Hobbits ride by and nod to him in greeting. He shakes his head, and tu=
rns
back to his cleaning.)
(Back at the Green Dragon Inn, Frodo almost bumps into a man carrying a
large pumpkin. He sets four mugs of ale on the table before his friends. Me=
rry,
Pippin, Sam and Frodo look about them, at the simple folk and their simple
lives who have no conception of the dangers they=
all
went through to save the world, and the Shire. The four Hobbits look at each
other, and raise their mugs to friends made and lost, battles won, and ques=
ts
fulfilled. Sam suddenly looks up, and sees Rosie behind the counter. He qua=
ffs
a gulp of ale, and with a look of determination in his eye, heads to the ba=
r to
speak to her. Pippin and Merry look on in surprise, and grin, while Frodo
begins to laugh. Cut to Sam and Rosie's wedding day, where they kiss. Rosie
throws her bouquet, which is caught by Pippin. The young Hobbit lass standing next to him gives him a roguish glance, =
and he
smirks and nods. Frodo looks on grinning, and then his smile fades slightly=
.)
Frodo: How do you pick up the threads of an old life? How do you go =
on,
when in your heart, you begin to understand, there is no going back? (Sh=
ot
of Bag End looking exceptionally tidy.) There are some things that time
cannot mend. Some hurts that go too deep…that have taken hold.
(Frodo is sitting at Bilbo's writing desk, writing something on the page
before him. Frodo closes the book and opens to the title page showing 'There
and Back Again by Bilbo Baggins.' He reaches for his pen, and the sound of =
him
writing something can be heard. Overtaken by a sudden pain he puts down the=
pen
and holds his shoulder. Sam enters the room behind him.)
Sam: Mr. Frodo? What is it?
Frodo: (grimacing) It's been four years to the day since
Weathertop, Sam. It's never really healed.
(Sam looks at the book over his shoulder.)
Sam: 'There and Back again, a Hobbit's Tale by Bilbo Baggins'…=
and
'The Lord of the Rings by Frodo Baggins.' You finished it.
(Frodo closes the book.)
Frodo: Not quite. There's room for a little more. (He smiles gent=
ly
up at his friend.)
(A carriage pulls into Hobbiton, driven by Gandalf, who smiles at the fo=
ur Hobbits
who are waiting for him. The carriage drives through the green countryside.=
)
Frodo: (v.o.) Bilbo once told me, his part in this tale would end. T=
hat
each of must come and go in the telling. Bilbo's story was now over. There
would be no more journeys for him…save one.
Bilbo: Tell me again, lad...where are we going?
Frodo: To the harbor, Uncle. The elves have accorded you a special
honor. A place on the last ship to leave Middle-earth.
(Inside the carriage, Bilbo is resting his head upon Frodo's shoulder. He
looks very, very old.)
Bilbo: Frodo, any chance of seeing that old Ring of mine again? Hmm?=
The
one I gave you?
Frodo: (Frodo looks worried for a moment, and a little sad.) =
I'm
sorry, Uncle. I'm afraid I lost it.
Bilbo: Oh. Did ye? I should like to have held it, one last time.
(Frodo smiles slightly, and the two rest their
heads against each other and close their eyes.)
(Gandalf and the Hobbits reach the Havens and they come to the harbor. F=
rodo
and Sam help Bilbo walk along.)
Bilbo: (gasps) Oh! Here is a sight that I have never seen bef=
ore.
(A white ship is docked there. Upon the quay stand Elrond, Celeborn and
Galadriel, who smile and greet them.)
Galadriel: The power of the three rings is ended. The time has come =
for
the Dominion of Men.
Elrond: I Aear can vên na mar. (The sea calls us home.)
Bilbo: (Grins and chuckles.) I think I'm quite ready for anot=
her
adventure.
(He hobbles over to the Elves. Elrond takes Bilbo's hand and leads him onto=
the
ship. Galadriel smiles and follows with Celeborn. Gandalf turns to look at =
the
Hobbits before him, and smiles down at them.)
Gandalf: Farewell, my brave Hobbits. My work is now finished. Here at
last, on the shores of the sea, comes the end of our Fellowship.
(Merry and Pippin start to cry, but Frodo watches in silence.)
Gandalf: I will not say, do not weep, for not all tears are an evil.=
(He
moves toward the ship and then turns back.) It is time, Frodo.
(The other Hobbits turn to look at Frodo in surprise.)
Sam: What does he mean?
Frodo: We set out to save the Shire, Sam. And it has been saved. But=
not
for me.
Sam: (Beginning to cry.) You don't mean that. You can't leave=
!
Frodo: (Gives Sam the Red Book.) The last pages are for you, =
Sam.
(Frodo embraces first Merry, and then Pippin, both of whom are crying. F=
rodo
turns lastly to Sam and holds him tight while Sam sobs. Frodo pulls back, a=
nd
laying his hands on Sam's neck, gently kisses his forehead. They exchange o=
ne
final glance, and then Frodo turns towards the ship. He takes Gandalf's hand
and they walk together onto the ship. Frodo turns back to look at Sam, Merry
and Pippin one last time, and a beatific smile shines from his face as he g=
azes
fondly upon his friends. With a nod, he turns, and faces his new destiny. T=
he
White Ship leaves Middle-earth and sails into the West. Merry and Pippin tu=
rn
to leave, but Sam stands to watch the ship until it disappears.)
(Sam is walking up the road in Hobbiton, which is green and verdant, fil=
led
with flowers and all manner of plants. All of a sudden a little Hobbit-girl
with curly blonde hair comes out of the nearest Hobbit hole, and runs to Sa=
m,
who picks her up.)
Frodo: (v.o.) My dear Sam, you cannot always be torn in two. You will
have to be one and whole for many years.
(Rosie comes out holding a baby girl with dark hair. Sam kisses Rosie.) =
Frodo: (v.o.) You have so much to enjoy and to be, and to do. Your p=
art
in this story will go on.
Sam: Well, I'm back.
(Sam puts the little girl down, and closes the gate. They walk into Bag =
End,
and the door closes behind them.)
THE END