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<Camera pans over the Misty Mountains
as voices drift in from the background.>
Gandalf: You cannot pass!
Frodo: Gandalf!
Gandalf: I am the servant of the
Secret Fire, wielder of the Flame of Anor!
<Camera pans closer to the mountain
side.>
Gandalf: Argh! Go back to the shadow.
The Dark Fire will not avail you, Flame of Ud?n! <Camera zooms in through
the mountain and focuses on Gandalf and the Balrog on the bridge of Khazad-d?m.
The Balrog strikes down on Gandalf with its flaming sword. Gandalf parries
the blow with Glamdring, shattering the Balrog’s sword.> YOU… SHALL NOT...
PASS!!!
<Gandalf strikes his staff onto
the bridge. As the Balrog steps forward, the bridge collapses from under
it and the demon plunges backward into the chasm. Gandalf, exhausted, leans
on his staff and watches the Balrog fall then turns to follow the others.
At the last minute, the flaming whip lashes up from the depths of the abyss
and winds around Gandalf’s ankle, dragging him over the edge. He clings
onto the bridge but is straining to keep his grip.>
Gandalf: Argh!
<Frodo rushes forward but Boromir
restrains him.>
Boromir: No! No!
Frodo: Gandalf!
Gandalf: Fly, you fools!
<Gandalf loses his grip and falls
into the chasm>
Frodo: Noooooooooooooooo!!!! <Calls
after Gandalf as he falls into the abyss> Gaaandaaaaalf!!
<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
thrashes and bounces off the walls. They continue to plunge at great speed,
sometimes with Gandalf clinging to the horn of the demon. The battling
pair then falls into an enormous cavern and plunges into the water. Just
then Frodo awakens as if from a nightmare.>
Frodo: Gandalf!
Sam: What is it, Mr. Frodo?
Frodo: Nothing. Just a dream.
<<TITLE: THE TWO TOWERS>>
<Frodo and Sam climbs over the
rocky terrain Emyn Muil. They look into the distance at the Mountain of
Fire.>
Sam: Mordor. The one place in Middle-earth
we don’t want to see any closer, and the one place we’re trying to get
to. And it’s just where we can’t 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, Sam... but they did.
<Suddenly Frodo feels and sees
the Eye zooming in on him. He gasps and pants as he backs away.>
Sam: Mr. Frodo? It’s the Ring, isn’t
it?
Frodo: It’s getting heavier. <Clutches
the Ring by his chest and sits down, still panting. He then fumbles for
his water bottle and takes a sip.>
Frodo: What food have we got left?
Sam: Well, let me see. <He takes
out a package of lembas bread from his pack> Oh yes, lovely - Lembas bread.
And look! <He digs deeper into his pack> More lembas bread.
<Sam shows another package. He
then breaks off a piece and tosses it to Frodo, and munches on a piece
himself.>
Sam: I don't usually hold to foreign
food, but this Elvish stuff is not bad.
Frodo: <smiles> Nothing ever dampens
your spirits, does it Sam?
<Sam smiles back, and then looks
ominously towards Mordor.>
Sam: Those rain clouds might.
<They continue trekking through
difficult terrain, often huddling underneath their cloaks.>
Sam: <Looks around> This looks
strangely familiar.
Frodo: <Exasperated> It’s because
we’ve been here before! We’re 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. <Drops
to a whisper> We’re not alone.
<Nighttime: Frodo and Sam are
sleeping. A dark shape appears on top of the cliff. The creature Gollum
has appeared and is making his way down to the hobbits.>
Gollum: They’re thieves! They’re
thieves! They’re filthy little thieves! Where is it? Where isss it? They
stole it from us. My preciousss. <Gollum creeps closer and closer.>
Curse them! We hates them! It’s ours, it is... and we wantssss it!
<Gollum reaches out his hand towards
the hobbits. 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 enormous
eyes fixed on the Ring. Sam grabs hold of Gollum again and tears him away
from Frodo. Gollum then turns around and bites Sam on the shoulder, wriggles
around and clasps his arms around Sam’s neck and legs around his waist
in a death grip. Frodo unsheathes Sting and holds it to Gollum's throat.>
Frodo: <menacingly> This is Sting.
You’ve seen it before, haven’t you... Gollum! Release him or I’ll cut your
throat!
<Slowly, Gollum loosens his grip
on Sam and as the latter disentangles himself, Gollum wails. In the next
scene, Gollum is being dragged with Sam's Elvish rope around his neck,
wailing and writhing in pain.>
Gollum: It burns! It burns us! It
freezes! Nasty Elves twisted it. Take it off us!
Sam: Quiet you!
<Sam tugs fiercely at the rope.
Gollum cries some more and collapses onto his back. Sam turns to Frodo
in dismay.>
Sam: It’s hopeless! Every Orc in
Mordor’s going to hear this racket! Let’s just tie him up and leave him.
Gollum: No! That would kill us! Kill
us!
Sam: It’s no more than you deserve!
Frodo: Maybe he does deserve to die,
but now that I see 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’s no promise you can
make that I can trust.
Gollum: We swears to serve the master
of the preciousss. We swears on the... on the precious. *Gollum. Gollum.*
Frodo: The Ring is treacherous. It
will hold you to your word.
Gollum: Yes... on the preciousss.
On the preciousss.
Sam: I don’t believe you! <Gollum
backs away, frightened, and climbs onto a boulder> Get down! Get down!
<Sam jerks strongly at the rope
as Gollum tries to get away from him. He crashes onto the ground, choking.>
Frodo: Sam!
Sam: He’s trying to trick us! We
let him go he’ll throttle us in our sleep!
<Gollum lies panting and holding
his throat. He backs away, frightened, as Frodo approaches him.>
Frodo: You know the way to Mordor?
Gollum: <nods warily> Yes...
Frodo: You’ve been there before?
Gollum: <nods again> Yes...
<Frodo reaches out and takes the
rope noose off Gollum’s neck. Gollum seems surprised and relieved.>
Frodo: You will lead us to the Black
Gate.
<Gollum scrambles off in the direction
of Morannon and the hobbits follow in his wake.> <A band of Uruk-hai
marches across the plain, with two hobbits bound to the backs of two Uruk-hai.
Pippin tries to call to Merry, who is unconscious with a gash on his right
brow.>
Pippin: Merry. Merry! <He receives
no response.>
<Suddenly, an Uruk-hai puts up
his hand and signals a stop.>
Ugl?k: What is it? What do you smell?
Ma?hur: <sniffs the air> Man-flesh.
Pippin: <quietly to himself> Aragorn!
Ugl?k: 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. A foot stomps onto the brooch
but it remains unbroken and visible on the grass.>
<Aragorn is lying with his eyes
closed and ear pressed to the ground, listening for the sound of footsteps.>
Aragorn: Their pace has quickened.
<He looks up.> They must have caught our scent. Hurry! <He runs off.>
Legolas: Come on, Gimli! <Looks
back at Gimli and then runs after Aragorn>
Gimli: <pauses in his steps and
huffs> Three days’ and nights’ pursuit. No food. No rest. And no sign of
our quarry but what bare rock can tell. <Runs after his companions.>
<The Three Hunters run across
rocks and plains, with Aragorn in the lead, followed by Legolas and Gimli.
From time to time, Legolas looks back to make sure that Gimli is keeping
up. Aragorn suddenly bends down to pick up an Elven brooch from the ground.>
Aragorn: Not idly do the leaves of
L?rien fall.
Legolas: <stops and turns to Aragorn.>
They may yet be alive.
Aragorn: Less than a day ahead of
us. Come! <Runs off again>
<Gimli stumbles from behind some
rocks and rolls to the ground>
Legolas: Come, Gimli! We are gaining
on them!
Gimli: <Panting> I am wasted on
cross-country! We dwarves are natural sprinters! Very dangerous over short
distances!
<The trackers come over a hill
and pause as they gaze across the plains below.>
Aragorn: Rohan. Home of the horse-lords.
There is something strange at work here. Some evil gives speed to these
creatures, sets its will against us.
<Legolas runs ahead and looks
out to the horizon.>
Aragorn: Legolas, what do your Elf
eyes see?
Legolas: The Uruks turn northeast.
They’re taking the hobbits to Isengard!
Aragorn: Saruman. <The tower of
Orthanc stands amidst the smoking caverns of Isengard. Saruman stands in
his chamber, communicating with the Dark Lord through the Palant?r.>
Saruman (V.O.): The world is changing.
<View changes to the tower of Barad-d?r, with its huge Orc armies on
a bridge.> 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?
<Camera pans upwards along the
height of the tower of Barad-d?r until the flaming Eye is in view.>
Saruman (V.O.): Together, my lord
Sauron, we shall rule this Middle-earth.
<The trees around Isengard are
being ripped down, chopped up and used to feed huge furnaces. The caverns
of Isengard glow with the fires of industry, sounds of hammering fill the
air and molten iron is poured into casts to forge weapons.>
Saruman (V.O.): The old world will
burn in the fires of industry. Forests will fall. A new order will rise.
We will drive the machine of war with the sword and the spear and the iron
fist of the Orc. We have only to remove those who oppose us.
<Saruman stands in the midst of
a gathering of Dunlanders.>
Saruman: The horsemen took your land.
They drove your people into the hills to scratch a living off rocks.
Dunland Man: Murderers!
Saruman: Take back the lands they
stole from you! Burn every village!
Crowd: <Roars with approval> Argh!!
<They stomp off to destroy the
villages of Rohan as Saruman stands coldly still among the stampede. A
Rohan village is in pandemonium as people try to escape the on-coming pillage.>
Saruman (V.O.): It will begin in
Rohan. Too long have these peasants stood against you. But no more.
<A woman with her hand on a horse
calls out to her children.>
Morwen: ?othain! ?othain! You’ll
take your sister. You’ll go faster with just two.
Freda: <As Morwen puts her onto
the horse in front of her brother.> But Papa says ?othain must not ride
Garold, he is too big for him!
Mother: Listen to me. You must ride
to Edoras and raise the alarm. Do you understand me?
?othain: Yes, Ma!
Freda: <starts to cry> I don’t
wanna leave! I don't wanna go, Mama!
Mother: Freda, I will find you there.
<A woman screams>
Morwen: Quickly!
<The children ride off.>
Mother: <Looks after them> Go
child!
<Dunlanders and Uruk-hai enter
the village, burning everything in sights as the Rohirrim scream and run
in all directions. ?othain and Freda weep as they look back from a distance.>
Saruman (V.O.): Rohan, my lord, is
ready to fall.
<A group of horsemen ride to Edoras.
?omer is in the lead, carrying a gravely wounded Th?odred.>
<?owyn runs hastily up the stairs
to the Golden Hall and enters a bedchamber. She runs to the bed.>
?owyn: Th?odred!
<Th?odred seems to hear her call
but is unable to respond. He has a bloody gash on the side of his head.
?omer nods to ?owyn in the direction of Th?odred’s torso. ?owyn draws back
the covers and upon seeing Th?odred’s fatal wound, her lips tighten and
eyes close. She looks up to catch ?omer’s eye.>
<?omer and ?owyn are speaking
to Th?oden-king who sits motionless on his throne, wizened, and aged beyond
his years.>
?owyn: Your son is badly wounded,
my lord.
?omer: He was ambushed by Orcs. If
we don’t defend our country, Saruman will take it by force.
Gr?ma: That is a lie! <Appears
from the shadows.> Saruman the White has ever been our friend and ally.
Th?oden: <mumbles feebly> Gr?ma…
Gr?ma… <Gr?ma leans down close to the King.>My son...? Gr?ma...?
?omer: Orcs are running freely across
our lands. Unchecked. Unchallenged. Killing at will. Orcs bearing the white
hand of Saruman. <He drops a helmet onto the ground, which topples over
to reveal the white hand of Saruman.>
Gr?ma: Why do you lay these troubles
on an already troubled mind. Can you not see? Your uncle is wearied by
your malcontent, your war-mongering.
?omer: War-mongering?
<?omer grabs Gr?ma and pins him
against a pillar.>
?omer: How long is it since Saruman
bought you? What was the promised price, Gr?ma? When all the men are dead
you will take your share of the treasure?
<Gr?ma’s eyes flicks to right,
watching ?owyn as she walks by. ?owyn stops to stare back for a moment
before departing form the hall. ?omer jerks Gr?ma again and clutches his
hand around Gr?ma’s jaw.>
?omer: Too long have you watched
my sister, too long have you haunted her steps.
<Gr?ma's eyes look to the left
and relax as ?omer is suddenly pulled off Gr?ma by his thugs.>
Gr?ma: You see much ?omer, Son of
?omund. Too much. <The thugs punch ?omer n the stomach> You are banished
forthwith from the kingdom of Rohan. Under pain of death!
?omer: <Being dragged away> Argh!!
<Uruk-hai and Orcs continue to march across the plains with their hobbit
captives, with Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli hot on their pursuits.>
Gimli: Keep breathing! That’s the
key! Breathe! Ho!
Legolas: They run as if the very
whips of their masters were behind them.
<They continue running over vast
distances. The Uruk-hai and Orcs halt at nightfall, many panting with exertion.>
Orc: We’re not going no further till
we’ve had a breather!
Ugl?k: Get a fire going!
<As the Orcs and Uruk-hai take
their rest, Pippin crawls over towards Merry.>
Pippin: Merry! Merry!
Merry: <opens his eyes> I think...
we might have made a mistake leaving the Shire, Pippin.
<A group of Orcs chops down the
trees nearby for firewood. Low groans and rumbles start to emerge from
the forest.>
Pippin: What’s making that noise?
Merry: <looks towards the forest>
It’s the trees.
Pippin: What?
Merry: Do you remember the Old Forest?
On the borders of Buckland? Folk used to say that there was something in
the water that made the trees grow tall... and come alive.
Pippin: Alive?
Merry: Trees that could whisper.
Talk to each other. Even move.
Uruk-hai: I'm starving. We ain't
'ad nothin' but maggoty bread for three stinkin' days!
Orc: Yeah. Why can’t we have some
meat? <His eyes rest on the hobbits.> What about them? They’re fresh.
Ugl?k: They are not for eating!
Grishn?kh: What about their legs?
They don't need those. Ooh… They look tasty!
Ugl?k: <Shoves at the Orcs> Get
back, scum!
<The other Orcs are getting restless.>
Orc: <Moves towards the hobbits
with his blade drawn> Just a mouth full.
<Pippin and Merry recoil in fright.
Ugl?k jumps on the Orc and cuts off his head, which bounces off the hobbit's
shoulders.>
Ugl?k: Looks like meat’s back on
the menu, boys!!
<The Uruk-hai and Orcs cheer and
started tearing into the fresh meat, intestines flying, taking 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 on Merry and Pippin
is turned onto his back.>
Grishn?kh: <Brandishing a blade
in front of Pippin’s face> Go on, call for help. Squeal! No one’s gonna
save you now!
<Suddenly, a spear pierces the
Orc's back. Mayhem ensues as Riders of Rohan burst out from their hiding
places and ambush the Orcs.>
Merry: Pippin! <Gestures for them
to make their escape.>
<The hobbits try to escape from
the pandemonium to the forest, dodging bodies and stomping feet. Suddenly
Pippin turns onto his face and looks up to a pair of thrashing hooves bearing
down on him.>
Pippin: ARGH!!! <The Three Hunters
are still chasing after the Uruk-hai. It is dawn.>
Legolas: <Pauses and looks up>
The red sun rises. Blood has been spilled this night.
<Camera pans over the rock and
plains, alternating between the band of Uruk-hai and the Three Hunters
giving chase. The trackers hear the sound of horses. Aragorn and company
hide behind some boulders. A large group of horse-men appears, galloping
quickly with their banners flying. Aragorn comes out of hiding as they
pass, followed by Legolas and Gimli.>
Aragorn: Rider of Rohan, what news
from the Mark?
<At a signal from ?omer at the
lead, the riders make a quick turn and head towards them, surrounding them
in ever-tightening circles. As they stop, they point their long spears
menacingly at them.>
?omer: 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.
<?omer hands his staff to another
rider, and gets off his horse. Aragorn puts a hand on Gimli’s shoulder.>
?omer: I would cut off your head,
Dwarf, if it stood but a little higher from the ground.
<Legolas, in a lightning fast
move, points an arrow at ?omer.>
Legolas: You would die before your
stroke fell!
<The riders all point their spears
closer at the travellers. After a tense moment, Aragorn pushes down Legolas’
arm.>
Aragorn: I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn.
This is Gimli, son of Gl?in and Legolas of the Woodland realm. We are friends
of Rohan and of Th?oden, your king.
?omer: Th?oden no longer recognizes
friend from foe. <Takes off helmet> Not even his own kin.
<The spears are withdrawn.>
?omer: Saruman has poisoned the mind
of the king and claims lordship over his lands. My company are those loyal
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 party of Uruk-hai westward across the plain. They’ve taken two of our
friends captive.
?omer: The Uruks are destroyed. We
slaughtered them during the night.
Gimli: But there were two hobbits?
Did you see two hobbits with them?
Aragorn: They would be small - only
children to your eyes.
?omer: We left none alive. We piled
the carcasses and burned them. <Points to a smoking pile in the distance.>
Gimli: Dead?
?omer: <nods> I am sorry.
<Legolas puts a hand on Gimli’s
shoulder in grief. ?omer turns and whistles.>
?omer: Hasufel! Arod! <Two horses
move up.> May these horses bear you to better fortune than their former
masters. Farewell.
<?omer puts on his helmet and
gets back on his horse>
?omer: 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 look
on as the Riders go off. They then ride towards the burning carcasses.
Gimli starts to shift through the smoldering pile, and pulls out a charred
belt and dagger sheath.>
Gimli: It’s one of them little belts.
Legolas: <with his head bowed
and eyes closed> Hiro ?th… ab 'wanath...
Aragorn: <Kicks a helmet and yells>
AAARRGGHH!!! <He falls to his knees.>
Gimli: We failed them.
<Aragorn looks to the side as
some tracks catch his attention.>
Aragorn: A hobbit lay here, and the
other. <Flashback: Pippin yells as he looks up at a pair of thrashing
hooves bearing down on him. He rolls over, avoiding the hooves.> They crawled.
<Aragorn starts to follow the
tracks, with Legolas and Gimli behind him. Flashback: Merry and Pippin
crawl frantically away from the battle.>
Aragorn: Their hands were bound.
<Flashback: Merry rubs his bonds furiously against the sharp edge of
a weapon.> Their bonds were cut. <Aragorn holds up a broken length of
thick rope.>
Aragorn: They ran over here and were
followed.
<Flashback: Their hands freed,
the hobbits run away from the battle scene, dodging under a horse and trying
to stay out of harms way. As they flee, Grishn?kh grabs Pippin by his belt
and clings on.>
Merry: The belt!
<Pippin undoes his belt and Grishn?kh
is left holding it.>
Merry: Run!
Aragorn: The tracks lead away from
the battle... <They break into a run and then stop> into Fangorn Forest.
<The Three looks up into a dense
and dark forest>
Gimli: Fangorn. What madness drove
them in there? <Scene moves from the trackers into the nighttime chase
of Merry and Pippin. The hobbits run into the Fangorn, seeking to lose
the pursuing Orc. They collapse onto the ground, out of breath.>
Pippin: Did we lose him? <Looks
around> I think we lost him.
<Suddenly, Grishn?kh appears from
behind the trees, brandishing a blade.>
Grishn?kh: I’m gonna rip out your
filthy little innards! Come here!
<Merry and Pippin run and hide
behind a tree.>
Merry: Trees! Climb a tree!
<Pippin and Merry quickly scramble
up a tree each.>
Merry: <Looks around and then
sighs in relief.> He's gone.
<Suddenly, Merry is pulled by
his legs and falls to the ground. Grishn?kh leans over him with his menacing
blade. Merry tries to kick him off but to no avail.>
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. The tree starts to move and groan.>
Treebeard: Hooooo...
Pippin: Argh!!
<Pippin loses his grip in fright
and grabs at the air futilely as he falls. The tree catches him before
he hits the ground.>
Grishn?kh: Let’s put a maggot-hole
in your belly. <Suddenly he senses something behind him and as he looks
up, the tree stomps and squashes him onto the forest floor.>
Pippin: Run, Merry!
<Merry tries to run away but is
scooped by the tree.>
Treebeard: <Looks at the creatures
in his hands> Little Orcs! Bur?rum...
Pippin: It’s talking, Merry. The
tree is talking!
Treebeard: Tree?! I am no tree. I
am an Ent. <Stomps slowly through the forest.>
Merry: A treeherder! A 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’s on my side, little Orc. Nobody cares for the woods
anymore.
Merry: We’re not Orcs. We’re Hobbits!
Treebeard: Hobbits? Never heard of
a hobbit before. Sounds like Orc mischief to me! <Tightens his hold
on the hobbits and squeezes them. Merry and Pippin whimpers in pain> They
come with fire, they come with axes. Gnawing, biting, breaking, hacking,
burning! Destroyers and usurpers, curse them!
Merry: No, you don’t understand.
We’re Hobbits... Halflings! Shirefolk!
Treebeard: Maybe you are and maybe
you aren’t. The White Wizard will know.
Pippin: The White Wizard?
Merry: Saruman.
<Treebeard drops them on the ground
and the hobbits look up at the White Wizard.> <Following Gollum, Frodo
and Sam reach the end of Emyn Muil and see that Mordor is now closer.>
Gollum: See, see, we have led you
out! Hurry hobbitses hurry. Very lucky we find you.
<Gollum jumps on a rock. Frodo
walks past, Gollum shrinks as Sam draws near.>
Gollum: Nice hobbit. <Leaps after
Frodo, putting a wide berth between him and Sam.>
<Sam’s foot slipped into muck.>
Sam: Whoa, it’s a bog! He’s led us
into a swamp!
Gollum: A swamp, yes, yes. Come,
master. We will take you on safe paths through the mist. Come, hobbits,
come. We move quickly.
<Gollum looks back and gestures
for the hobbits to follow.>
Gollum: I found it, I did. The way
through the marshes. Orcs don't use it. Orcs don't know it. They go round
for miles and miles. Come quickly. Swift and quick as shadows we must be.
<The marsh lands stretch for miles
and miles as far as the eye can see. The hobbits and Gollum appear as little
specks. As the three pick their way gingerly though the marshes, they see
faces floating in the water, still, rotting and pale, and flickering flames
on the swamps.>
Sam: There are dead things! Dead
faces in the water!
Gollum: All dead. All rotten. Elves
and men and orcses. A great battle long ago. <Turns to face the hobbits.>
The Dead Marshes. Yes, yes that is the name. This way. Don’t follow the
lights.
<Sam’s foot slips again into the
water.>
Sam: Ohh!
Gollum: Careful now, or hobbits go
down to join the dead ones and light little candles of their own.
<Frodo is drawn to one of the
faces in Elven armour. He stares at it intently, until suddenly its eyes
open and Frodo falls face-down into the water.>
Sam: Frodo!
<Frodo is in the water and sees
many faces of the dead, no longer still but screaming and grasping, their
rotten robes and hair flowing about their gruesome faces. Their hands are
reaching for him. Suddenly he is grabbed from behind. Frodo sputters and
gasps for air as Gollum pulls him out of the water.>
Frodo: <Looks at Gollum in perplexed
gratitude and disbelief.> Gollum...
Gollum: Don’t follow the lights!
<Crawls away>
Sam: <Runs to Frodo’s side.> Mr.
Frodo! Are you alright?
<Frodo lies panting, staring after
Gollum> <Nightfall: Sam is asleep but Frodo is still awake. He is holding
the Ring in the palm of his hand and stroking it, mesmerized. Suddenly
he hears Gollum.>
Gollum: Sooo bright. Sooo beautiful.
<Frodo quickly puts the Ring back inside his shirt. He looks up to see
Gollum crouching away from him, stroking the centre of his palm> our preciousss...
Frodo: What did you say?
Gollum: Master should be resting.
Master needs to keep up his strength.
Frodo: <Moves over and crouches
in front of Gollum> Who are you?
Gollum: Mustn’t ask us. Not its business.
*Gollum, Gollum*
Frodo: Gandalf told me you were one
of the River Folk.
Gollum: Cold be heart and hand and
bone. Cold be travellers far from home.
Frodo: He said your life was a sad
story.
Gollum: They do not see what lies
ahead, when sun has failed and moon is dead.
Frodo: You were not so very different
from a hobbit once, were you... Sm?agol?
Gollum: <Looks up slowly.> What
did you call me?
Frodo: That was your name once, wasn’t
it? A long time ago.
Gollum: My... My name... S... S...Sm?agol…
<Suddenly, the piercing cries
of the Nazg?l are heard overhead>
Gollum: Argh!!
Sam: Black Riders!
Gollum: Hide! Hide!
Frodo: Argh!
<Suddenly Frodo feels the pain
of the Nazg?l's sword piercing him and the call of the Ring. Images of
the Ringwraiths come to him in flashes.>
Frodo: Argh!!
Sam: C’mon Frodo! C'mon!
<Frodo continues to clutch at
the Ring on his chest, immobilized. Sam drags Frodo across to hide beneath
some bramble bushes. The Nazg?l appears, tightening his hold on the reins.
Camera then shows him riding a Fell Beast, swooping down across the marsh
lands. Chilling screams of the Nazg?l fill the air.>
Gollum: They will see us! They will
see us!
Sam: I thought they were dead!
Gollum: Dead? No, you cannot kill
them. No.
<A loud screech from the Nazg?l
flying high above the marshes.>
Gollum: <cowering> Wraiths! Wraiths
on wings! They are calling for it. They are calling for the preciousss.
<Frodo feels the call of the Ring
and gropes for his necklace. Sam sees this and grabs hold of Frodo’s hand.>
Sam: Mr. Frodo! It’s alright.
<The Nazg?l continues to circle
overhead and then flies off towards Mordor.>
Gollum: Hurry, hobbits. The Black
Gate is very close. <Scene returns to Fangorn forest. Gimli fingers
a dark stain on a leaf and brings it to his mouth.>
Gimli: <Spits> Ptui! Orc blood.
Aragorn: These are strange tracks.
Gimli: The air is so close in here.
Legolas: This forest is old. Very
old. Full of memory... and anger.
<Groans reverberate through the
forest and Gimli raises his axe.>
Legolas: The trees are speaking to
each other.
Aragorn: <Whispers> Gimli!
Gimli: Huh?
Aragorn: <Gestures> Lower your
axe.
Gimli: <Lowering his axe slowly>
Oh.
Legolas: Aragorn, nad n? ennas! (Something
is out there.)
Aragorn: Man cenich? (What do you
see?)
<Close-up of Legolas’ eyes>
Legolas: The White Wizard approaches.
Aragorn: Do not let him speak. He
will put a spell on us.
<Aragorn wraps his hand around
the hilt of his sword, Gimli tightens his hold on his axes, and Legolas
notches an arrow to his bow.>
Aragorn: We must be quick.
<With a yell, the three swing
round to attack. Gimli’s axe and Legolas’ arrow are deflected. Aragorn
drops his sword as it becomes red hot in his grasp. They shield their eyes
with their hands from the bright light emanating from the White Wizard.>
White Wizard: You are tracking the
footsteps of two young hobbits.
Aragorn: Where are they?
White Wizard: They passed this way
the day before yesterday. They met someone they did not expect. Does that
comfort you?
Aragorn: Who are you? Show yourself!
<The bright light dims, revealing
Gandalf, all dressed in white. The three are astounded. Legolas and Gimli
bow.>
Aragorn: It cannot be. You fell.
Gandalf: Through fire and water.
<Flashback: Gandalf is battling the Balrog atop D?rin’s Tower.> 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: Until at last, I threw down
my enemy and smote his ruin upon the mountainside.
<On top of the mountain, Gandalf
crawls a bit and then collapses.>
Gandalf: Darkness took me. And I
strayed out of thought and time. <Camera zooms in Gandalf’s eye and
enters an amorphous realm of stars and galaxies, ending in a blinding white
light> Stars wheeled overhead and everyday was as long as a life-age of
the earth. But it was not the end. I felt light in me again.
<Camera zooms out from Gandalf’s
eye, lying naked and very still. His hair has turned white and wounds are
completely healed. He suddenly shudders with a deep gasp and pants as life
returns to him>
Gandalf: I've been sent back until
my task is done.
Aragorn: Gandalf!
Gandalf: Gandalf? Yes... That's what
they used to call me. Gandalf the Grey. That was my name. <He smiles>
Gimli: Gandalf!
Gandalf: <With a twinkle in his
eye> I am Gandalf the White. <Aragorn grins> And I come back to you
now at the turn of the tide.
<They walk through the forest,
with Gandalf leading the way, now wearing a grey cloak over his white robes.>
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 and 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.
<The horse comes round to stop
in front of Gandalf.>
Gandalf: Shadowfax. <Gimli bows
in the background.> He's the lord of all horses and he's been my friend
through many dangers.
<The Three Hunters and Gandalf
ride across the plains to Edoras.> <Back at Fangorn, Treebeard is walking
through the forest with Merry and Pippin sitting on his shoulders.>
Treebeard: My home. I sleep in the
forest near the roots of the mountain. I told Gandalf I would keep you
safe and safe is where I’ll keep you. The trees have grown wild and dangerous.
Anger festers in their hearts. They will harm you if they can. There are
too few of us now. Too few of us Ents left to manage them. <Frodo and
Sam are climbing a high rock overlooking Morannon.>
Gollum: The Black Gate of Mordor.
<The enormous Black Gate comes
into view with Orcs patrolling and standing guard on the towers and atop
the walls. From the right, an army of Easterling soldiers is marching to
the Black Gate.>
Sam: God save us. My ol' Gaffer'd
have a thing or two to say if he could see us now.
Gollum: Master says to show him the
way into Mordor, so good Sm?agol does. Master says so.
Frodo: I did.
<Orcs are patrolling the Black
Gate.>
Sam: Well, that’s it then. We cannot
get past that.
<A command is heard and an Orc
sounds a horn, signalling for the Gate to be opened. 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.
<He moves closer to the edge.
Suddenly, the rock underneath him gives way and he falls.>
Frodo: Sam, no!
Sam: Argh!!
<Frodo goes after Sam.>
Gollum: Master!
<Two Easterling soldiers see streams
of dust coming down the cliff made by Sam and Frodo. They move away from
the troop to investigate. Frodo reaches Sam who is stuck in the scree.
As the Easterlings move closer and closer, Frodo throws his Elvish cloak
over himself and Sam. The soldiers are now directly in front of Sam, but
their eyes see nothing but rock. Frodo and Sam peer from underneath the
cloak. The soldiers soon leave and after a moment, Frodo throws back the
cloak and pulls Sam out.>
Frodo: I do not ask you to come with
me, Sam.
Sam: I know, Mr Frodo. I doubt even
these Elvish cloaks will hide us in there.
<They prepare to make a run for
the Gate.>
Frodo: Now!
<Gollum pulls them back.>
Gollum: No! No, no master! They'd
catch you! They'd catch you! Don’t take it to him! He wants the preciousss.
Always he’s looking for it! And the preciousss is wanting to go back to
him. But we mustn’t let him have it.
<Frodo tries to make a run for
it.>
Gollum: No! <Pulls Frodo back
again.> There’s another way. More secret and dark way.
Sam: Why haven’t you spoken of this
before?!
Gollum: Because Master did not ask!
Sam: He’s up to something.
Frodo: Are you saying there’s another
way into Mordor?
Gollum: Yes. There is a path, and
some stairs, and then a tunnel.
<Frodo and Sam watch as the Black
Gate closes. Gollum is stroking Frodo’s arm and burying his face in his
cloak.>
Frodo: He’s led us this far, Sam.
Sam: Mr. Frodo, no.
Frodo: He’s been true to his word.
Sam: <Whispers> No!
Frodo: Lead the way, Sm?agol.
Gollum: Good Sm?agol always helps.
<Frodo follows Gollum as Sam stares
after him in disbelief.> <On the plains of Rohan. Gandalf, Aragorn,
Legolas and Gimli stop as Edoras comes into view.>
Gandalf: Edoras and the Golden Hall
of Meduseld. There dwells Th?oden, King of Rohan, whose mind is overthrown.
Saruman’s hold over King Th?oden is now very strong.
<In the Hall, ?owyn is kneeling
before Th?oden, holding his hand in hers.>
?owyn: My lord, your son, he is dead.
My lord? Uncle?
<Th?oden just sits and stares
ahead, his eyes clouded and unseeing.>
?owyn: Will you not go to him? <She
weeps.> Will you do nothing?
<Scene returns to Gandalf and
company.>
Gandalf: Be careful what you say.
Do not look for welcome here.
<They ride on towards Edoras.>
<At Edoras, ?owyn is weeping at the dead Th?odred's bed. She kisses
his hand. Gr?ma appears at the door.>
Gr?ma: Oh, he… he must have died
sometime in the night. What a tragedy for the king to lose his only son
and heir.
<He sits on the bed and puts a
hand on ?owyn’s shoulder.>
Gr?ma: I understand his passing is
hard to accept, especially now that your brother has deserted you.
?owyn: <jumps back and throws
off Gr?ma’s hand> Leave me alone you snake!
Gr?ma: <Rises from the bed and
moves ever closer to ?owyn> Oh, but you are alone! Who knows what you have
spoken to the darkness. In bitter watches of the night, when all your life
seems to shrink, the walls of your bower closing in about you, like a hutch
to trammel some wild thing in.
<He puts a hand on her cheek and
moves down to her throat.>
Gr?ma: So fair, so cold, like a morning
pale spring still clinging to winter's chill.
<?owyn and Gr?ma stare at each
other intently.>
?owyn: Your words are poison!
<?owyn runs out of the hall. Weeping,
she looks away into the distance. A flag comes off its pole and is carried
by the breeze. ?owyn sees riders coming towards Edoras. As Aragorn passes
the entrance to Edoras, the flag floats down to land near him. Edoras is
silent and somber. Everyone is dressed in black and staring at the newcomers
in wary silence. Aragorn looks up at the hall and sees a lady in white
standing on the steps. He looks around at more somber people.>
Gimli: You’d find more cheer in a
graveyard.
<Aragorn looks up to the hall
again but the lady has disappeared. The company climbs up the stairs to
the hall and is met by guards.>
Gandalf: <sees H?ma> Ah.
H?ma: I cannot allow you before Th?oden-King
so armed, Gandalf Greyhame. By order of Gr?ma Wormtongue.
<Gandalf nods in understanding
and signals for the others to surrender their weapons. Aragon hands over
his sword and knives. Legolas gives a little twirl to his knives before
handing them over to the guards. Gimli hands over his axes reluctantly.>
H?ma: <gestures to Gandalf> Your
staff.
Gandalf: Hmm? <Glances at his
staff.> Oh. No, you would not part an old man from his walking stick? <Looks
at H?ma innocently.>
<H?ma hesitates for a second and
then gestures that they follow him into the hall. Gandalf gives Aragorn
a tiny wink and enters the hall, leaning on Legolas’ arm.>
Gr?ma: <Leaning down and whispering
to Th?oden.> My lord, Gandalf the Grey is coming. He’s a herald of woe.
Gandalf: The courtesy of your hall
is somewhat lessened of late, Th?oden King.
<As Gandalf approaches Th?oden,
Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli pull back and survey the hall and its hostile
occupants. A group of men starts to follow their steps with hostility.>
Gr?ma: <Whispering to Th?oden.>
He’s not welcome.
Th?oden: Why should I… welcome you,
Gandalf… Stormcrow? <Looks to Gr?ma for affirmation.>
Gr?ma: A just question, my liege.
<He walks towards Gandalf.> Late is the hour in which this conjurer
chooses to appear. Lathspell spell I name him. Ill news is an ill guest.
Gandalf: Be silent! Keep your forked
tongue behind you teeth. I have not passed through fire and death to bandy
crooked words with a witless worm! <Raises his staff against Gr?ma.>
Gr?ma: His staff! <Backing away
from Gandalf while addressing the guards> I told you to take the wizard’s
staff!
<The hostile guards attack. Aragorn,
Legolas and Gimli engage them in a fist-fight as Gandalf continues to approach
Th?oden. Gamling tries to go forward but H?ma holds him back.>
Gandalf: Th?oden, son of Thengel,
too long have you sat in the shadows.
<Gr?ma tries to crawl away unnoticed,
but Gimli catches him and pins him to the floor.>
Gimli: <Growls> I would stay still,
if I were you.
Gandalf: Harken to me! I release
you from the spell. <Gestures with his hand>
Th?oden: <Menacingly> Hahahhhahahahah!
<Gandalf opens his eyes in surprise.> You have no power here, Gandalf
the Grey!
<Gandalf throws back his grey
cloak, exuding blinding white light. Th?oden is thrown back against his
seat.>
Th?oden: Argh!
Gandalf: <Points his staff towards
Th?oden.> I shall draw you, Saruman, as poison is drawn from a wound.
<?owyn rushes in. Seeing her uncle
threatened, she tries to go to him but is held back by Aragorn.>
Aragorn: Wait.
Th?oden: <In Saruman’s voice.>
If I go. . . Th?oden dies.
<Gandalf moves his staff sharply
and Th?oden flies back against the chair again.>
Gandalf: You did not kill me, you
will not kill him!
Th?oden: <in Saruman's voice>
Rohan is mine!
Gandalf: Be gone!!
<Gandalf smites Th?oden as he
lunges at him. Th?oden is thrown back into the chair and the shot changes
to Saruman flying backwards from the Palant?r which he used to manipulate
Th?oden. He lands landing hard on the floor of Orthanc, bleeding from a
gash in his forehead. In the hall, Th?oden lets out a moan and slumps forward
in the chair. ?owyn runs to her uncle’s side as he falls. Th?oden’s head
rises again and his face begins to change gradually into that of a much
younger-looking man. Clarity and recognition returns to his eyes.>
Th?oden: <Looks closely at ?owyn>
I know your face. ?owyn… ?owyn. <?owyn weeps with joy.>
Gandalf: Breathe the free air again,
my friend.
<The hall is shown to be filled
with light again, as everyone marvels at the rejuvenation of the king.>
Th?oden: <Standing up and looking
around him.> Dark have been my dreams of late. <He looks down at his
trembling hands.>
Gandalf: Your fingers would remember
their old strength better... if they grasped your sword.
<H?ma runs up with his sword.
Th?oden reaches for it with trembling hands. He wraps his fingers around
it slowly and then draws it, gazing upon the shiny steel. In a corner,
Gr?ma trembles and tries to escape but is pulled back by Gimli. Suddenly,
Th?oden’s gaze turns to Gr?ma. Gr?ma is thrown out of the hall and down
the stairs.>
Gr?ma: Argh! <Beseechingly to
Th?oden> I've only ever served you, my lord!
Th?oden: <Advancing towards Gr?ma,
holding the sword firmly in his hand> Your leechcraft would have had me
crawling on all fours like a beast!
Gr?ma: <Grovelling> Send me not
from your side.
<Th?oden raises his sword to kill
Gr?ma. Aragorn holds him back.>
Aragorn: No, my lord! No, my lord.
Let him go. Enough blood has been spilled on his account.
<Gr?ma scrambles to his feet and
pushes through the crowd>
Gr?ma: Get out of my way!
H?ma: Hail, Th?oden king!
<The crowd kneels in homage before
Th?oden. Aragorn kneels also. Gr?ma rides out of Edoras. As Th?oden turns
to go back into the hall, he looks up.>
Th?oden: Where is Th?odred? Where
is my son? <A white flower comes into view, held up by a hand. It is
released and spirals down to land among similar flowers, in front of a
tomb.>
Th?oden: Simbelmyn?. Ever has it
grown on the tombs of my forebears. <Looks at Gandalf> Now it shall
cover the grave of my son. Alas, that these evil days should be mine. The
young perish and the old linger. That I should live to see the last days
of my house.
Gandalf: Th?odred’s death was not
of your making.
Th?oden: No parent should have to
bury their child.
<Th?oden starts to weep>
Gandalf: His was strong in life.
His spirit will find its way to the halls of your fathers. Westu h?l. Fer?u,
Th?odred, Fer?u. (Be-thou well. Go-thou, Th?odred, go-thou.)
<Gandalf turns to go back to the
hall and leaves Th?oden to grieve in private. He spots two children on
horseback. The boy collapses and falls off the horse. Later, inside the
Golden Hall, the two children are eating at a table, and ?owyn is with
them.>
?owyn: The had no warning. They were
unarmed. Now the wildmen are moving through the Westfold, burning as they
go. Rick, cot and tree.
Freda: Where’s mama?
?owyn: Shh...
Gandalf: This is but a taste of the
terror that Saruman will unleash. All the more potent for he is driven
mad by fear of Sauron. Ride out and meet him head on. Draw him away from
your women and children. <Leans forward and puts a hand on Th?oden’s
chair. Th?oden looks at his hand warily.> You must fight.
Aragorn: You have two thousand good
men riding north as we speak. ?omer is loyal to you. His men will return
and fight for their king.
Th?oden: They will be three hundred
leagues from here by now. ?omer cannot help us. I know what it is that
you want of me. But I will not bring further death to my people. I will
not risk open war.
<Gimli takes a bite of his bread
as he watches the exchange between Aragorn and Th?oden.>
Aragorn: Open war is upon you. Whether
you would risk it or not.
Th?oden: When last I looked, Th?oden,
not Aragorn, was king of Rohan.
<Gimli takes a drink and burps.>
Gandalf: Then what is the king’s
decision?
<Scene shifts to outside Meduseld>
H?ma: By order of the king, the city
must empty. We make for the refuge of Helm’s Deep. Do not burden yourselves
with treasures. Take only what provisions you need.
<People are moving about, gathering
their belongings and preparing to move. Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli
walk towards the stables.>
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’s only doing what he
thinks is best for his people. Helm’s Deep has saved them in the past.
<They enter the stables>
Gandalf: There is no way out of that
ravine. Th?oden is walking into a trap. He thinks he’s leading them to
safety. What they will get is a massacre. Th?oden has a strong will but
I fear for him. I fear for the survival of Rohan. He will need you before
the end, Aragorn. The people of Rohan will need you. The defences HAVE
to hold.
Aragorn: They will hold.
Gandalf: <Turns to Shadowfax and
strokes him> The Grey Pilgrim... that’s what they used to call me. Three
hundred lives of men I’ve walked this earth and now I have no time. Good
luck. My search will not be in vain. Look to my coming at first light on
the fifth day. At dawn, look to the East.
Aragorn: <Opens the stall gates>
Go.
<Legolas jumps back as Gandalf
rides out of the stable and over the plains of Rohan.> <?owyn opens
a chest in which lies a sword. She unsheathes it and begins to practice.
She swings around and is met by Aragorn, who blocks her parry.>
Aragorn: You have some skill with
a blade.
<With a swift move, ?owyn swings
her sword and renders Aragorn vulnerable, gaining the upper hand.>
?owyn: <Stepping back and sheathing
her sword.> 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?
?owyn: 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. <He sheaths his knife.> I do not think that
will be your fate.
<He bows and ?owyn gazes after
him as he walks away.> <The people of Rohan are moving out of Edoras
towards Helm’s Deep, with Th?oden leading the way. At Isengard, Gr?ma confers
with Saruman, holding a cloth to his mouth.>
Gr?ma: Th?oden will not stay at Edoras.
It’s 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. They will be slow. They will have women
and children with them.
<Saruman’s eyebrows rise in response.
He walks through the depths of Isengard and gives orders to an Orc.>
Saruman: Send out your warg riders.
<The Orc smiles. In a pit behind
him, ferocious growls are heard and shadows dances.> <Gollum is trying
to catch a fish in the river. He slips and falls, grasping at a slippery
fish as he goes. Frodo and Sam follow behind.>
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… because 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: <Glaring at Sam> You have
no idea what it did to him. What it’s still doing to him. <He walks
past Sam and stops.> I want to help him, Sam...
Sam: Why?
Frodo: Because I have to believe
he can come back.
Sam: You can’t save him, Mr. Frodo.
Frodo: <Snapping at Sam>What do
you know about it? Nothing!
<Sam walks away slowly.>
Frodo: <With remorse> I'm sorry,
Sam. I don't know why I said that.
Sam: <Looks back at Frodo with
tears in his eyes.> 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: <Grows angry again> I know
what I have to do Sam. The Ring was entrusted to me! It's my task! Mine!
My own! <He walks away>
Sam: Can’t you hear yourself? Don’t
you know who you sound like?
<Frodo continues to walk away
without looking back.> <Nighttime, Frodo and Sam are asleep. Gollum
is crouching in a corner by himself.>
Gollum: We wants it. We needs it.
Must have the precioussss. They stole it from us. Sneaky little hobbitsesss.
Wicked, trickssssy, falssse!
Sm?agol: No! Not Master.
Gollum: Yes, precious. False. They
will cheat you, hurt you, lie.
Sm?agol: Master’s my friend.
Gollum: <Tauntingly> You don’t
have any friends. Nobody likes YOU...
Sm?agol: <Covers his ears> Not
listening. Not listening.
Gollum: You’re a liar and a thief.
Sm?agol: <Shaking his head> Nope.
Gollum: Mur…derer…!
Sm?agol: <Starts to weep and whimper>
Go away.
Gollum: Go away! <Cackles> HAHAHAHA!!
Sm?agol: <Weeping and in a small
voice> I hate you. I hate you!
Gollum: <Fiercely> Where would
you be without me? *Gollum, gollum*. I saved us. It was me. We survived
because of me!
Sm?agol: <Resolute> Not anymore.
Gollum: <Startled> What did you
say?
Sm?agol: Master looks after us now.
We don’t need you.
Gollum: What?
Sm?agol: Leave now and never come
back.
Gollum: No!!
Sm?agol: <Louder> Leave now and
never come back!
Gollum: <Growls and bares his
teeth> Arrrgh!!!
Sm?agol: LEAVE. NOW. AND. NEVER.
COME. BACK!
<Sm?agol pants and then looks
around.>
Sm?agol: We... we told him to go
away! And away he goes, preciousss. <He hops around in joy and does
a little dance.> Gone, gone, gone! Sm?agol is free!
<The next day, while the hobbits
were resting, Sm?agol comes back with two rabbits and drops them onto Frodo’s
lap.>
Sm?agol: Look! Look! See what Sm?agol
finds! Hehehe! Hahaha!
<Frodo looks at up him with bloodshot
eyes. He smiles at Sm?agol and looks at Sam. Sm?agol raises a fist in self-congratulation
and dances around. He then picks up one of the rabbits and snaps the rabbit's
back in front of Frodo.>
Sm?agol: They are young, tender.
They are nice. Yes they are! Eat them! Eat them!
<He bites and tears into the raw
meat. Sam rushes over and snatches the rabbit out of Gollum’s hands>
Sam: You’ll make him sick, you will,
behaving like that! <Holding up the two rabbits> There’s only one way
to eat a brace of coneys.
<A pot of stew is simmering over
a fire.>
Sm?agol: <Looking into the pot>
Argh!! What’s he doing! Stupid fat hobbit! You ruins it!
Sam: What’s to ruin? There’s hardly
any meat on ‘em.
<A faint calling sound catches
the attention of Frodo.>
Sam: What we need is a few good taters.
Gollum: What’s taters, preciousss?
What’s taters uh?
Sam: PO-TAY-TOES! Boil ‘em. Mash
‘em. Stick ‘em in a stew. Lovely big golden chips with a nice piece of
fried fish....
Sm?agol: <Sticks out his tongue
in disgust> Pbbbttt!!
Sam: Even you couldn’t say no to
that. <He takes a sip of the stew>
Sm?agol: Oh yes we could! Spoiling
nice fish... <scrambles up close to Sam> Give it to usss rrraw... and
wrrriggling! <Makes sickeningly happy face.> You keep nasty chips. <Hops
away>
Sam: You’re hopeless.
<Frodo follows the source of the
sound. Sam suddenly notices that Frodo is no longer in his sight.>
Sam: Mr. Frodo?
<He goes in search of Frodo and
finds him lying down near some bushes looking at a Haradrim army marching
across the land. He moves to lie low beside Frodo. Sm?agol also moves in
beside Frodo.>
Sam: Who are they?
Gollum: 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?
Gollum: To make his war. The last
war that will cover all the world in shadow.
Frodo: We’ve got to get moving. Come
on, Sam.
Sam: <Suddenly grabs Frodo’s arm>
Mr Frodo! Look! It’s an Oliphaunt!
<Gigantic Oliphaunts appear, carrying
soldiers and supplies on their backs.>
Sam: No one at home will believe
this...
<Sm?agol slips away unnoticed.>
Frodo: <Looking around> Sm?agol?
<Suddenly, pandemonium breaks
out from below; the soldiers are being ambushed. Cloaked rangers are firing
deadly arrows at the soldiers and Oliphaunts from behind bushes. One of
the Oliphaunts starts trumpeting and stomping towards Frodo and Sam, swinging
his huge trunk and tusks. Faramir takes aim and shoots a soldier. He falls
from the Oliphaunt and lands right behind Frodo and Sam, dead.>
Frodo: We’ve lingered here for too
long. Come on, Sam!
<Frodo runs right into a Gondorian
Ranger, who grabs hold of him and throws him onto his back. Sam sees Frodo
in danger and grapples for his sword>
Sam: Ah!
<He charges at Faramir but is
grabbed by another ranger and thrown down. A sword appears at his throat.
Faramir appears.>
Faramir: Bind their hands. <Meanwhile,
the Rohirrim refugees are heading towards Helm’s Deep. Gimli is on a horse,
chatting with ?owyn who is leading it by the reins.>
Gimli: It’s true you don’t see many
Dwarf women. And in fact, they are so alike in voice and appearance, haha
that they’re often mistaken for Dwarf men.
<?owyn smiles and looks back at
Aragorn.>
Aragorn: <Gestures and whispers>
It’s the beards....
Gimli: And this, in turn, has given
rise to the belief that there are no Dwarf women. And that dwarves just
spring out of holes in the ground!
?owyn: <Laughs gaily> Hahahaha!!
Gimli: Hehehe! Which is of course
ridiculous… Whoa!!
<The horse suddenly rears up and
gallops away as ?owyn loses her hold on the reins. Gimli falls off after
a short distance and lands with a loud thump.>
?owyn: Ooh! <She rushes forward
to Gimli>
Gimli: <Struggling to get up>
It’s alright, it’s alright. Nobody panic. That was deliberate. It was deliberate.
<?owyn helps Gimli up. She laughs
as she brushes him off and looks back at Aragorn with the sun behind her
and the wind in her hair. At that particular moment, Aragorn seems enchanted
by ?owyn’s light-hearted image. That night. Aragorn could not sleep and
smokes his pipe as he thinks of Arwen.>
Arwen (V.O.): 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...
<Flashback: Aragorn is lying on
a chaise in Rivendell. He opens his eyes and sees Arwen before him, smiling
down at him.>
Aragorn: I am asleep. This is a dream.
Arwen: <Bends down to kiss him>
Then it is a good dream. Sleep…
<She kisses him lightly on the
lips and then steps away to look out upon Rivendell. Aragorn closes his
eyes but for a while. He looks over at Arwen.>
Aragorn: Min l? pennich nin i aur
hen telitha. (You told me once that this day would come.)
Arwen: <Turns to look at Aragorn>
? i vethed... n? i onnad. Boe bedich go Frodo. Han b?d l?n. (This is not
the end... it is the beginning. You must go with Frodo. That is your path.)
Aragorn: <Walks over to Arwen>
Dolen i v?d o nin. (My path is hidden from me.)
Arwen: Si peliannen i v?d na dail
l?n. Si boe ?-dhannathach. (It is already laid before your feet. You cannot
falter now.)
Aragorn: Arwen…
<Arwen hushes him, resting her
fingers on his lips. As her hands moves down to rest on the Evenstar pendant
around Aragorn’s neck, he clasps her hand in his and they gaze into each
other’s eyes.>
Arwen: Ae ?-esteliach nad... estelio
han. Estelio ammen. (If you trust nothing else... trust this. Trust us.)
<They kiss.> <The next day,
on the journey to Helm’s Deep. ?owyn is walking alongside Aragorn.>
?owyn: Where is she? The woman who
gave you that jewel.
<Aragorn smiles and says nothing.
Flashback: Elrond is speaking to Aragorn in Rivendell, before he sets out
with the Fellowship.>
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 it will
be evergreen.
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 and Arwen are together
before the Fellowship departs.>
Aragorn: Idhren emmen menna gui ethwel.
Hae o auth a n?r a naeth. (You have a chance for another life. Away from
war... grief... despair.)
Arwen: Why are you saying this?
Aragorn: I am mortal; you are Elfkind.
It was a dream, Arwen, nothing more.
<He takes Arwen’s hand to return
the Evenstar necklace to her.>
Aragorn: This belongs to you.
Arwen: <Closes Aragorn’s hand
over the Evenstar> It was a gift. Keep it.
<Scene shifts back to Aragorn
and ?owyn>
?owyn: My lord?
Aragorn: She is sailing to the Undying
Lands, with all that is left of her kin.
<Gamling and Ham? ride to the
front. Legolas watches them as they pass.>
Gamling: What is it? H?ma?
<Their horses become restless.>
H?ma: <Looking around> I’m not
sure.
<A warg scout appears on a slope
above and charges at them. The warg attacks H?ma and kills him. Just as
it starts to turn on Gamling, Legolas runs over and kills the warg with
an arrow. He then draws his knife and kills the Orc.>
Legolas: Argh! <Shouts to Aragorn>
A scout!
Th?oden: What is it? What do you
see?
Aragorn: <Running back to Th?oden>
Wargs! We are under attack!
<Hearing the alarm, the villagers
begin to cry and panic.>
Th?oden: All riders to the head of
the column!
Gimli: <Trying to mount Arod>
Come on, get me up here, I’m a rider! Argh!
<Gimli gets onto the horse with
some help. Legolas gazes into the distance and sees many warg-riders coming
fast towards them, kicking up dust trails as they go.>
Th?oden: <To ?owyn> You must lead
the people to Helm’s Deep. And make haste!
?owyn: I can fight!
Th?oden: No! You must do this...
for me.
<?owyn holds Th?oden’s gaze for
a moment and then turn to attend to the villagers.>
Th?oden: <To his men> Follow me!
Yah!
Gimli: <Tries to get Arod to move>
Forward, forward, honey. March forward! <Arod moves off with Gimli seated
rather unsteadily.> That’s it!
?owyn: <To the villagers> Make
for the lower ground! Stick together!
<She looks back at the Rohirrim
and sees Aragorn on Hasufel. They hold each other’s gaze for a moment before
Aragorn turns to join Th?oden. ?owyn departs with the villagers in the
opposite direction.>
<Legolas takes aim at the distant
target and fells a warg rider. He draws another arrow and kills another.
Just as he reaches for a third arrow, he sees Th?oden and company approaching.
He quickly runs and mounts Arod with a smooth leap and joins in the fray
with Gimli behind him on horseback.>
Warg-riders: Argh!!
Th?oden: CHARGE!!
<The Rohirrim and warg riders
crash head on and the battle begins. Th?oden and company hack away at the
warg riders. In the midst of fighting, Gimli falls off Arod. He turns to
find a warg growling at him.>
Gimli: Bring your pretty face to
my axe!
<Just as the warg leaps at Gimli,
Legolas kills it with one shot.>
Gimli: <Jumping back as the warg
falls, outraged> Argh! That one counts as mine!
<As Gimli swings his axe at another
warg, it dies and falls onto Gimli, pinning him under.>
Gimli: Argh! Stinking creature. Argh!
<As he tries to lift the warg
off him, an Orc leans over them both. Gimli kills him quickly, twisting
his neck, and it lands on him also. Gimli sniffs at the Orc and makes a
face. He tries to lift both the warg and Orc off him. Just then, another
warg comes upon him and bares its teeth, ready to strike. >
Gimli: <Eyes widening> Ooh..!
<Aragorn plucks a spear as he
passes on horseback and throws it at the warg. It dies, landing on Gimli
and adding to the pile on top of him.>
Gimli: <As the warg lands on him>
Oooh!!
<Th?oden stabs at a warg rider.
Aragorn is knocked off Hasufel and attacked by Sharku. Aragorn tries to
kill the warg rider but Sharku blocks his attempt and grabs Aragorn by
the neck, while the latter is half-dragged by the warg. In the struggle,
Sharku is thrown off and he rips the Evenstar pendant from Aragorn’s neck
as he falls. Aragorn tries to let go of the warg but finds his wrist tangled
with the saddle straps. He tries unsuccessfully to disentangle himself
and is dragged closer and closer to the edge of a cliff at great speed.
The warg runs right off the cliff and they both disappear over the edge.
The battle is winding down as the Rohirrim finish off the last few wargs
and Orcs.>
Legolas: <Looking around> Aragorn!
Gimli: Aragorn?
<They come near to the cliff and
hear Sharku wheezing and laughing>
Gimli: <Standing over the dying
Orc> Tell me what happened and I will ease your passing.
Sharku: He’s <cough> dead. <Laughs
evilly> Took a little tumble off the cliff.
Legolas: <Looks towards the edge
of the cliff, and grabs Sharku> You lie!
<Sharku chortles and dies. Legolas
looks down at Sharku’s fist and finds the Evenstar pendant. He takes it,
runs to the edge of the cliff and looks down to see the great drop and
rushing waters below, with no sign of Aragorn. Gimli comes to stand beside
him.>
Th?oden: <To his men> Get the
wounded on horses. The wolves of Isengard will return. Leave the dead.
<Legolas turns to Th?oden, an
expression of perplexed anger on his face.>
Th?oden: <Puts a hand on Legolas'
shoulder> Come.
<He leaves Legolas and Gimli to
stare down at the river.> <The Rohan villagers are drawing close to
Helm’s Deep. Cries of relief are heard as the refuge is within sight.>
Refugees: Helm’s Deep! At last! There
it is!
Old Woman: <To ?owyn> We’re safe,
my lady! Thank you!
<?owyn embraces the woman and
they walk on towards Helm’s Deep. The gate is opened for the villagers.
Many have already taken refuge within and are resting along the passage.
?othain and Freda run towards their mother.>
Freda: Mama!
<The three hug and cry with joy.
Th?oden and company returns from the battle with warg riders>
Guard: Make way for Th?oden!
Soldiers: Sire!
Guard: Make way for the king!
<?owyn rushes down to meet them>
?owyn: <Looking about> So few.
So few of you have returned.
Th?oden: <Dismounting> Our people
are safe. We have paid for it with many lives.
Gimli: <Going up to ?owyn> My
lady...
?owyn: Lord Aragorn, where is he?
Gimli: He fell...
<?owyn is shaken and raises teary
eyes to Th?oden. The latter looks down and then walks away, confirming
her unasked question.> <At the battlements>
Th?oden: Draw our forces behind the
wall. Bar the gate, and set a watch on the surround.
Gamling: What of those who cannot
fight, my lord? The women and children?
Th?oden: Get them into the cave.
<Walks down the steps and past a sewer gate> Saruman's arm would have
grown long indeed if he thinks he can reach us here.
<Camera zooms in on the gate>
Gr?ma (V.O.): Helm’s Deep has one
weakness. Its outer wall is solid rock but for a small culvert at its base
which is little more than a drain.
<Camera turns to Gr?ma and Saruman
at Orthanc. Saruman is pouring some dark dry substances into a vessel.
Gr?ma is holding a lit candle in his hand.>
Gr?ma: How? How can fire undo stone?
What kind of device could bring down the wall?
<As he steps closer to the vessel,
Saruman takes hold of Gr?ma’s hand and pushes the candle away from the
vessel firmly.>
Saruman: If the wall is breached,
Helm's Deep will fall.
<He walks away towards the balcony.>
Gr?ma: <Following Saruman> Even
if it is breached, it would take a number beyond reckoning, thousands to
storm the keep.
Saruman: Tens of thousands.
Gr?ma: But, my lord, there is no
such force.
<Both of them came onto the balcony
of the tower. Gr?ma suddenly sees and hears the enormous armies laid out
below in neat rows and is astounded and awed. He continues to hold the
extinguished candle aloft as he gapes at the vast army below. A horn is
sounded, announcing the appearance of Saruman. A loud cheer is heard from
the army. Saruman raises a hand.>
Saruman: A new power is rising. Its
victory is at hand!
<The army cheers and roars.>
Saruman: This night, the land would
be stained with the blood of Rohan! March to Helms Deep! Leave none alive!
<The camera keeps zooming out
from the balcony over the incredible size of Saruman’s army, past Uruk-hai,
spears, and banners and yet more Uruk-hai. The camera focuses back on Saruman
who then raises his hands in the air>
Saruman: To war!!
<The army cheers and roars even
louder.>
Saruman: <Sneers> There will be
no dawn for Men.
<A tear flows down Gr?ma’s cheek.
The Uruk-hai army began their march to Helm’s Deep.> <Merry and Pippin
are travelling through the forest, carried by Treebeard.>
Pippin: Look! There’s smoke to the
south!
Treebeard: There is always smoke
rising from Isengard these days.
Merry: Isengard?
<The two hobbits climb higher
up onto Treebeard for a better view.>
Treebeard: There was a time when
Saruman would walk in my woods. But now he has a mind of metal and wheels.
He no longer cares for growing things.
<Pippin and Merry are now on top
of Treebeard and they see a massive army moving across the land>
Pippin: What is it?
Merry: It’s Saruman’s army! The war
has started. <Aragorn is floating in the river, unconscious. He is washed
ashore and dreams of Arwen.>
Arwen: <Kissing him on the lips>
May the grace of the Valar protect you.
<A horse arrives and nudges Aragorn,
turning him over and nuzzling him.> Aragorn: <Mumbles> Brego… <He
grabs hold of Brego’s mane, pulls himself onto the horse and rides slowly
to Helms Deep.>
<Arwen is lying on her bed, deep
in thought.>
Elrond: <Coming into her room>
Arwen.
<Arwen hears him and sits up.>
Elrond: Tollen i l?. I chair gwannar
na Valannor. Si bado, no c?rar. (Arwen, it is time. The ships are leaving
for Valinor. Go now... before it is too late.)
Arwen: I have made my choice.
Elrond: He is not coming back. Why
do you linger here when there is no hope?
Arwen: There is still hope.
Elrond: <Walks towards window
and looks out> If Aragorn survives this war, you will still be parted.
If Sauron is defeated, and Aragorn made king and all that you hope for
comes true, you will still have to taste the bitterness of mortality.
<Arwen sees a vision of her future
as Elrond speaks. She is dressed as a queen in mourning garb and looking
down upon Aragorn, a crown on his brow, And?ril in his hand, and dead.
Mourners are walking around the altar, paying their final respects. Arwen
is weeping.>
Elrond: Whether 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 before the
breaking of the world.
<The body of Aragorn is now cast
as a monument in stone. Arwen stands before the monument, veiled and in
black.>
Elrond: But you, my daughter, you
will linger on in darkness and in doubt. As nightfall in winter that comes
without a star. Here you will dwell, bound to your grief, under the fading
trees, until all the world has changed and the long years of your life
are utterly spent.
<Still veiled in black, Arwen
is walking alone through the deserted woods of Lothl?rien.>
Elrond: <Tuning to Arwen> Arwen...
there is nothing for you here, only death.
<The vision ends and Arwen weeps
with sadness and fear. Elrond comes to sit beside his daughter and raises
a hand to her cheek.>
Elrond: A im, ?-'erin veleth l?n?
(Do I not also have your love?)
Arwen: <Crying and moving into
her father’s embrace> Gerich meleth n?n, ada. (You have my love, father)
<Elves, cloaked and carrying a
lantern each, are setting off from Rivendell on their journey to the West.
Elrond looks on as Arwen leaves with them. Arwen turns back to look at
her father one last time before she departs. Elrond continues to stare
after her with an expression of resigned sadness.>
<Elrond is standing by a window.
He hears Galadriel speaking.>
Galadriel: I amar prestar aen...
han mathon ne nen, han mathon ne chae a han nostan ned gwilith. (The world
has changed... I feel it in the water, I feel it in the earth, I smell
it in the air.) The power of the enemy is growing. <Saruman is communicating
with Sauron via the Palant?r.> Sauron will use his puppet Saruman to destroy
the people of Rohan. Isengard has been unleashed. <View of Saruman's
marching army> The eye of Sauron now turns to Gondor, the last free kingdom
of men. <View of Osgiliath> 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. <Close-up of Galadriel> The
quest will claim his life. You know this. You have foreseen it. It is the
risk we all took.
<Close-up of the Ring spinning
in slow motion>
Galadriel (V.O.): In the gathering
dark, the will of the Ring grows strong. It works hard now to find its
way back into the hands of men.
<We see Faramir and Gondorian
rangers with the captured Frodo and Sam.>
Galadriel (V.O.): Men, who are so
easily seduced by its power. The young captain of Gondor has but to extend
his hands, take the Ring for his own and the world will fall. It is close
now, so close to achieving its goal.
<Faramir and company have reached
Henneth Ann?n. Frodo and Sam and being carries, blinded-folded into the
cave.>
Galadriel (V.O.): For Sauron will
have dominion of all life on this Earth, even until the ending of the world.
The time of the Elves is over.
<Close-up of Galadriel's luminous
eyes with their deep pools of wisdom. We then see Elrond in his library,
looking at the painting of Isildur facing down Sauron with the broken blade
of Narsil.>
Galadriel (V.O.): Do we leave Middle-earth
to its fate? Do we let them stand alone? <Scene returns to Henneth Ann?n.
Faramir is conferring with his man. They unroll a map.>
Faramir: What news?
Madril: Our scouts report Saruman
has attacked Rohan. Th?oden’s people have fled to Helm’s Deep. <Points
at the map> But we must look 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?
Madril: Some thousands. More come
every day.
Faramir: Who’s covering the river
to the north?
Madril: We pulled 500 men at Osgiliath,
but if the city is attacked, we won’t hold it.
Faramir: <Tracing on the map>
Saruman attacks from Isengard. Sauron from Mordor. The fight will come
to men on both fronts. Gondor is weak. Sauron will strike us soon. And
he will strike hard. He knows now we do not have the strength to repel
him.
<The hobbits are unbound and blindfolds
taken off them. The find themselves in a cave behind a waterfall. Faramir
comes up to them and sits.>.
Faramir: 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?
<Frodo and Sam remain silent.>
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: <The merest hesitation.>
There was no other.
<Sam looks shifty-eyed and uncomfortable.>
Frodo: We set out from Rivendell
with seven companions. One we lost in M?ria. Two were my kin. A Dwarf there
was also, and an Elf. And two men, Aragorn, son of Arathorn, and Boromir
of Gondor.
Faramir: <Intently> You were a
friend of Boromir?
Frodo: Yes... for my part.
Faramir: It would grieve you then
to learn that he was dead.
Frodo: <Shocked> Dead? How? When?
Faramir: As one of his companions,
I hoped you would tell me. <Pause> He was my brother. <Faramir is
sitting alone, deep in thought. Suddenly someone comes up to him.>
Madril: Captain Faramir. <whispers>
The third one has been found.
<Frodo and Sam are sleeping. Frodo
awakens as Faramir stands before him.>
Faramir: You must come with me. Now.
<Frodo gets up and follow. They
come to the edge of the waterfall, overlooking the Forbidden Pool.>
Faramir: <Pointing down> Down
there.
<Frodo looks down and sees Gollum
diving into the water.>
Faramir: To enter the forbidden pool
bears the penalty of death. <He gestures to archers hidden in the bushes.>
They wait for my command.
<The Rangers notch their arrows>
Faramir: Shall they shoot?
<Frodo looks stricken. Gollum
emerges from the pool onto a rock. He holds a fish in his hand and starts
singing, slapping the fish on the rock as he goes.>
Gollum: <singing> The rock and
pool is nice and cool, so nice for feet! I only wish <Whacks the fish
on the rock> to catch a fish <whacks>, so juicy sweet! <The fish
almost wriggles out of his grasp and he whacks it some more.>
<Faramir has his hand raised to
order his men to shoot. At the last moment, Frodo calls out.>
Frodo: Wait! <Faramir stops> This
creature is bound to me. And I to him. He is our guide. Please, let me
go down to him.
<Faramir nods. Frodo descends
to the Forbidden Pool and approaches Gollum who is gorging on the raw fish.>
Frodo: Sm?agol. <Gollum turns
round at Frodo’s voice.> Master is here. Come, Sm?agol. Trust master. Come!
<Frodo gestures for Gollum to
follow him.>
Gollum: We must go now?
Frodo: Sm?agol, you must trust master.
Follow me, come on. Come. Come, Sm?agol. Nice Sm?agol. That’s it. Come
on.
<With the fish between his teeth,
Gollum follows Frodo warily. Suddenly he looks up in alarm and is caught
by Rangers.>
Frodo: Don’t hurt him! Sm?agol don’t
struggle! Sm?agol listen to me!
Gollum: <wails> Master!!
<A black cloth is brought over
Gollum's head. Frodo stares after them with a stricken expression as Faramir
leads Gollum and his men away. Back in the cave, Gollum is thrown down
to the ground. Crying, he crawls into a corner and curls up into ball.>
Faramir: Where are you leading them?
Answer me!
Gollum: <Cooing, his hand stroking
his shoulder> Sm?a…gol... Why do you cry, Sm?agol?
Sm?agol: <Sobbing> Cruel men hurts
us. Master trickst us.
Gollum: Of course he did. I told
you he was tricksy. I told you he was false.
Sm?agol: <Sobbing> Master is our
friend... our friend.
Gollum: Master betrayed us.
Sm?agol: No, not its business. Leave
us alone!
Gollum: <Hits his fist against
the wall> Filthy little hobbitses. They stole it from us.
Sm?agol: <Whimpers> No... No!
Faramir: What did they steal?
Gollum: <Turns to Faramir with
a ferocious expression> Myyy… PRECIOUSSS!! <He bares his teeth and growls>
Aaaarrrggghhh!!! <Back in their holding area, Sam and Frodo are alone.>
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...
<They both stand as Faramir enters.>
Faramir: <Unsheathes his sword>
So... this is the answer to all the riddles. Here in the wild I have you.
Two halflings and a host of men at my call. The Ring of power within my
grasp.
<Faramir lifts the Ring from Frodo's
neck with the tip of his sword.>
Faramir: A chance for Faramir, captain
of Gondor, to show his quality.
<Frodo is backed up fearfully
against the wall. The Ring whispers and Frodo falls into a trance. Suddenly,
he grabs the Ring in his hand and jerks himself away.>
Frodo: No!! <He runs away from
Faramir>
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 mountain of fire.
<Faramir stares at Frodo. Just
then Madril enters.>
Madril: Osgiliath is under attack.
They call for reinforcements.
Sam: Please. It’s such a burden.
Will you not help him?
Madril: Captain?
Faramir: Prepare to leave. The Ring
will go to Gondor. <He turns to leave.>
<Sam looks after Faramir sadly.>
<Aragorn is riding towards Helm’s Deep. On the way, he sees an enormous
Uruk-hai army marching with great speed. He quickly makes haste towards
Helm’s Deep and soon sees the refuge.>
Aragorn: <Patting Brego on the
neck> Mae carnen, Brego, mellon n?n. (Well done, Brego, my friend)
<He rides into Helm’s Deep to
the amazement of all.>
Refugees: He’s alive!
Gimli: <Pushing his way through
the crowd.> Where is he? Where is he? Get out of the way. I’m gonna kill
him! <He sees Aragorn.> You are the luckiest, the canniest and the most
reckless man I ever knew! <He hugs Aragorn.> Bless you, laddie!
Aragorn: Where is the king?
<Gimli gestures to the hall. As
Aragorn makes his way in, he runs into Legolas who stands waiting.>
Legolas: Le ab-dollen. (You’re late.)
<They smile. Legolas pauses and looks at Aragorn’s wounds.> You look
terrible.
<To the side, ?owyn sees Aragorn
and smiles joyously and with relief. Legolas takes Aragorn’s hand and gives
the Evenstar pendant. Aragorn looks at the Evenstar and claps Legolas on
the shoulder.>
Aragorn: Hannon le. (Thank you.)
<?owyn looks on and smiles even
as tears fill her eyes.> <Aragorn is in the keep, conferring with Th?oden>
Th?oden: A great host, you say?
Aragorn: All of Isengard is emptied
Th?oden: How many?
Aragorn: Ten thousand strong at least.
Th?oden: Ten thousand?!
Aragorn: It is an army bred for a
single purpose: to destroy the world of men. They will be here by nightfall.
Th?oden: Let them come! <Walks
away resolutely>
<Along the passage behind the
Deeping Wall.>
Th?oden: <to Gamling> I want every
man and strong lad able to bear arms to be ready for battle by nightfall.
<Gamling nods and goes off. Th?oden
stands at the gate of Helm’s Deep, speaking to Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli.>
Th?oden: We will cover the causeway
and the gate from above. No army has ever breached the Deeping Wall or
set foot inside the Hornburg.
Gimli: This is no rabble of mindless
Orcs. These are Uruk-hai. Their armor is thick and their shields broad.
Th?oden: I have fought many wars,
Master Dwarf. I know how to defend my own keep.
<Gimli seems miffed. Legolas claps
a hand on Gimli’s shoulder as he follows Aragorn and Th?oden back in.>
Th?oden: They will break upon this
fortress like water on rock. Saruman’s hordes will pillage and burn, we’ve
seen it before. Crops 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.
Th?oden: <Draws close to Aragorn>
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.
Th?oden: 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.
Th?oden: 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. <He walks away,
calling out orders> Get the women and children into the caves.
Gamling: We need more time to lay
provisions for a siege, lord -
Th?oden: <Cutting him off> There
is no time. War is upon us!
Gamling: <to the soldiers> Secure
the gate!
<Men rush to prepare for battle
as flocks of carrion crows circle overhead.> <Treebeard walks through
the forest carrying Merry and Pippin. He comes to a clearing and stops.>
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: 'Tis a gathering.
Merry: A gathering of what?
<Merry and Pippin turns round
as they hear movement from the forest around them. They see many more Ents
like Treebeard gathering.>
Treebeard: Beech, oak, chestnut,
ash... Good, good, good. Many have come. Now we must decide if the Ents
will go to war.
<Merry licks his lips in anticipation.>
<Back at Helm’s Deep, the women and children are being led into the
caves.>
Soldier 1: Move to the caves!
Soldier 2: Keep moving!
Soldier 3: Quickly now!
<Old men and young lads are being
drafted for war. The women and children say their tearful and reluctant
farewells as their fathers, husbands and sons are led away by soldiers.
In the armoury, weapons are being distributed. Aragorn picks up a battered
sword, looks at it and tosses it back.>
Aragorn: Farmer, farriers, stable
boys. These are no soldiers.
Gimli: Most have seen too many winters.
Legolas: Or too few. Look at them.
They’re frightened. I can see it in their eyes. <The men around them
fell silent. Legolas speaks to Aragorn.> Boe a h?n: neled herain dan caer
menig! (And they should be... Three hundred against ten thousand!)
Aragorn: Si beriathar h?n. Amar n?
ned Edoras. (They have more hope of defending themselves here than at Edoras.)
Legolas: Aragorn, men i ndagor. H?n
?-... ortheri. Natha daged aen! (Aragorn, we are warriors. They cannot
win this fight. They are all going to die!)
Aragorn: Then I shall die as one
them! <He pauses and then walks away. Legolas makes as if to go after
him.>
Gimli: <Puts a hand on Legolas>
Let him go, lad. Let him be. <In the hall>
Gamling: Every villager able to wield
a sword has been sent to the armory. My lord?
Th?oden: Who am I, Gamling?
Gamling: You are our king, sire.
Th?oden: And do you trust your king?
Gamling: <Puts armour onto Th?oden>
Your men, my lord, will follow you to whatever end.
<The villagers are handed their
weapons. An oversized helmet is placed on a wide-eyed boy. Another stares
at the axe that he is handed with frightened eyes. Another child wearing
oversized chain mail takes up a huge shield. Th?oden stands inside the
main hall of the keep, his back to the entrance where a bright white light
is streaming through.>
Th?oden: To whatever end… Where is
the horse and the rider? Where is the horn that was blowing? They have
passed like rain on the mountains. Like wind in the meadow. The days have
gone down in the west. Behind the hills, into shadow. How did it come to
this? <Everyone is getting ready for war at the battlements. Aragorn
is sitting on the steps. He sees a young lad in armour holding a sword
looking around nervously.>
Aragorn: Give me your sword. What
is your name?
Haleth: Haleth, son of H?ma, my lord.
The men are saying that we will not live out the night. They say that it
is hopeless..
<Aragorn gives the battered sword
a few swings.>
Aragorn: This is a good sword, Haleth,
son of H?ma.
<He hands the sword back to Haleth
and leans close to him, putting a hand on his shoulder.>
Aragorn: There is always hope. <Back
at the armoury, Aragorn dons his battle gear. His sword is handed to him
as he reaches for it. He nods and accepts the sword from Legolas.>
Legolas: We have trusted you this
far and you have not led us astray. Forgive me. I was wrong to despair.
Aragorn: ?-moe edhored, Legolas.
(There is nothing to forgive, Legolas.)
<They smile and clap one another
on the shoulders. They look at Gimli as he walks up to them, struggling
with his chain mail.>
Gimli: If I have time I’ll get this
adjusted. <He drops the bundle and the chain mail lands with its length
right to the floor.> It’s a little tight across the chest.
<Aragorn and Legolas bite back
smiles. Just then, a horn sounds in the background>
Legolas: That is no Orc horn. <They
run out to the battlements.>
<The guards look down in wonderment.>
Guard: <to another guard> Send
for the king. Open the gate!
<An army of Lothl?rien Elves march
up the Causeway into the Hornburg. They are led by Haldir. The Rohirrim
soldiers look upon them in wonderment and delight as they pass.>
Th?oden: How is this possible?
Haldir: I bring word from Elrond
of Rivendell. An alliance once existed between Elves and men. Long ago
we fought and died together. <He looks up to see Aragorn, Legolas and
Gimli running down the steps, and smiles> We come to honor that allegiance.
Aragorn: <He bows> Mae govannen,
Haldir. (Welcome, Haldir) <He grabs Haldir in a huge embrace. Initially
stunned, Haldir hugs him back lightly.>
Aragorn: You are most welcome!
<Legolas and Haldir clasp each
other on the shoulder.>
Haldir: <Turning to Th?oden> We
are proud to fight alongside men, once more.
<Men and Elves are in their positions
on the battlements of Helm’s Deep. The sounds of a marching army move closer
and closer. The women and children in the caves hear the sounds overhead
and are frightened. Mothers draw their children close and try to sooth
crying babies. The men and Elves look out into the darkness, lit by the
thousands of torches carried by the huge advancing Uruk-hai army and the
light bouncing off their armour. With a row of Elf archers, Gimli is standing
beside Legolas behind a wall, only the top of his helmet visible.>
Gimli: <Grumbling and straining
to look above the wall.> You could have picked a better spot.
<Legolas smirks. Aragorn approaches
and stands beside them>
Gimli: Well lad, whatever luck you’ve
lived by, let’s hope it lasts the night.
<Thunder sounds and lightning
flashes, revealing the sea of approaching Uruk-hai.>
Legolas: Your friends are with you,
Aragorn.
Gimli: Let’s hope they last the night.
<The marching and thumping grows
louder and louder. Lightning flashes and it begins to rain. The Uruk-hai
are now right before the Deeping Walls, roaring and thumping their spears
furiously. An Uruk-hai leader stands on a rock outcrop.>
<Aragorn is giving commands to
the Elf warriors.>
Aragorn: A Eruch?n, ?-dano i faelas
a hyn an uben tanatha le faelas! (Show them no mercy! For you shall receive
none!)
Gimli: <Jumping and straining
to see> What’s happening out there?
Legolas: Shall I describe it to you?
<Looks at Gimli with a grin> Or would you like me to find you a box?
Gimli: <Laughs good-naturedly>
Hehehehe!!
<The Uruk-hai continue to roar
their battle cries. The women and children in the caves huddle together
in fear. Suddenly, Aldor, the old man next to Haleth, loses his grip and
releases his arrow prematurely, shooting an Uruk-hai in the neck.>
Aragorn: Dartho! (Hold!)
<The Uruk-hai army stop their
roaring and thumping. With a hollow groan, the Uruk that was shot collapsed
to the ground. The other Uruk-hai bare their teeth and roar with anger.
With a cry, the Uruk-hai leader thrusts his weapon in the air and the Uruk-hai
army starts charging.>
Th?oden: So it begins.
Aragorn: Tangado halad! (Prepare
to fire!)
<The Elves notch their arrow and
aim.>
Legolas: Faeg i-varv d?n na lanc
a nu ranc. (Their armor is weak at the neck and underneath the arms.)
Aragorn: Leithio i philinn! (Release
the arrows!)
<Arrows rain down on the Uruk-hai
below, killing many.>
Gimli: Did they hit anything?
Th?oden: Give them a volley.
Gamling: <to the men> Fire!
<More arrows are released. But
the Uruk-hai army keep advancing, with more replacing those fallen.>
Aragorn: Fire!
Gimli: <Impatiently> Send them
coming! C’mon!
<The Uruk-hai start to load ladders
onto the walls, pushing them up with their long spears.>
Aragorn: Pendraid! (Ladders!)
<The Elves draw their blades in
preparation for combat.>
Gimli: Good!
<Close combat begins as the Uruk-hai
climb over the wall.>
Gimli: Legolas, two already! <Holding
up two fingers>
Legolas: I’m on seventeen!
Gimli: <Outraged> Argh! I’ll have
no pointy-ear outscoring me! <He turns to a Uruk just climbing over
the wall, whacking it in the groin with his axe and killing it as it falls.>
Legolas: <Fires two arrows> Nineteen!
<The Ent Moot is still in progress. The Ents sway a little as they continue
to deliberate. Merry and Pippin are sitting a distance away. Suddenly,
Treebeard nods and turns to the hobbits.>
Pippin: <Gesturing> Merry!
Treebeard: We have just agreed. <Long
pause with his eyes closed.>
Merry: <Angles his head in query>
Yes?
Treebeard: I have told your names
to the Ent moot and we have agreed - you are not Orcs.
Pippin: Well, that’s good news.
Merry: <impatiently> And what
about Saruman? Have you come to a decision about HIM?
Treebeard: <Waving a hand> 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 loong time to say
anything in ooold… Entish. <Merry and Pippin roll their eyes in disgruntlement.>
And we never say anything… unless it is worth taking a looong… time to
say. <Gimli is standing on the wall between two ladders, hacking away
at Uruk-hai as they come up>
Gimli: Seventeen! Eighteen! Nineteen!
Twenty! Twenty-one! Twenty-two!
<Camera pans over the Uruk-hai
below and turns to the Causeway. A group of Uruk-hai is advancing on the
Causeway towards the gate in tortoise formation, using their broad shields
to block off attacks.>
Aragorn: Na fennas! (Causeway!) <Directs
the Elf archers to aim at the Uruk-hai column.>
<The Elf archers release their
arrows. The Uruk-hai at the sides are shot and fall down the Causeway.
But the column keeps advancing.>
Th?oden: Is this it? Is this all
you can conjure, Saruman?
<At the bottom of the Deeping
Wall, two spiky bombs are lodge in the sluice gate. The rest opens a path
and an Uruk-hai carrying a torch starts to run towards the sluice gate.
Aragorn spots the Uruk-hai.>
Aragorn: Togo hon dad, Legolas! (Bring
him down, Legolas!) <Legolas shoots the Uruk-hai in the shoulder but
the latter keeps going> Dago hon! Dago hon! (Kill him! Kill him!)
<Legolas shoots the Uruk again.
It stumbles and then throws it self and the torch at the bombs. An enormous
explosion is set off, blowing away a large part of the wall. Rock, debris
and bodies are thrown up. Aragorn is also thrown back by the force of the
explosion and on the ground, knocked out. Th?oden looks on in shock as
the Uruk-hai streams in past the Deeping Walls.>
Th?oden: Brace the Gate! Hold them!
Stand Fast!
<Gimli sees the Uruk-hai charging
in with Aragorn in their path. With a cry, he jumps down from the wall
and lands on the Uruk-hai army, taking them out as he stands.>
Gimli: Aragorn!! Argh!
<He is soon overpowered. Aragorn
gets up and sees Gimli falling.>
Aragorn: Gimli! <He yells to the
Elves behind him> Hado i philinn! (Hurl the arrows!)
<The arrows take out the first
group of Uruk-hai coming through the hole in the wall.>
Aragorn: Herio! (Charge!)
<Aragorn leads the Elves in a
charge towards the Uruk-hai streaming in. He rushes to Gimli’s side and
picks him up. At the top of the battlements, Legolas grabs a shield and
sends it sliding across the ground. He then hops onto it and surfs down
the steps, releasing three arrows as he goes, and kicking the shield to
stab an Uruk-hai as he lands at the bottom.> <At the Ent Moot>
Treebeard: The Ents cannot hold back
this storm. We must weather such things as we have always done.
Merry: How can that be your decision?!
Treebeard: This is not our war.
Merry: But you're part of this world!
Aren’t you?! <The Ents look at one another, taken back> You 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.
<Merry is putting on his jacket.
Pippin approaches him slowly>
Pippin: Maybe Treebeard’s right.
We don’t belong 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: <Looking into the distance.>
The fires of Isengard will spread. And the woods of Tuckborough and Buckland
will burn. And all that was once green and good in this world will be gone.
<Turns to Pippin and puts a hand on his shoulder> There won't be a Shire,
Pippin.
<Pippin looks after Merry as he
walks away.> Th?oden: Aragorn! Fall back to the Keep! Get your men out
of there!
Aragorn: Na Barad! Na Baraad! Haldir,
na Barad! (To the Keep! Pull back to the Keep! Haldir, to the Keep!)
<Haldir nods and turns back. Gimli
is being carried away, kicking and struggling as he goes>
Gimli: <Protesting> What are you
doing? Argh! Stop it!
<Haldir hacks at a few Uruk as
he turns towards the gate. Suddenly, he is stabbed in his arm. Slow motion:
with a grimace, he kills the Uruk-hai and look s down as his wound in seeming
disbelief. An Uruk-hai comes up from behind him unnoticed and slices him
on the neck. As Haldir goes down, he looks around him and sees his kin
fallen among dead Uruk-hai.>
Aragorn: <Sees Haldir falling>
HALDIR!! <He runs up the steps to Haldir’s side and catches him and
he collapses. Haldir's head rolls back, his eyes empty and unseeing. Aragorn
bows his head in grief. Then with a cry, he jumps onto a ladder and swings
down to the ground, killing as he goes.>
Gamling: Brace the gate!
Th?oden: <Drawing his sword> To
the gate! Draw your swords!
<Th?oden and his commanders come
to the gate, which is under heavy attack. The Uruk-hai are knocking down
the gate and hacking through the broken wood. Th?oden stabs at an Uruk-hai
and receives a lance in his shoulder, blocked by his armour. Grimacing
in pain, Th?oden continues to stab at the Uruk until led away by Gamling.>
Gamling: Make way for the king! We
can’t hold much longer.
Th?oden: Hold them!
Aragorn: <Runs up and stabs away
at the Uruk-hai through the broken gate> How long do you need?
Gamling: Brace the gate!
Th?oden: As long as you can give
me!
Aragorn: Gimli!
<Aragorn and Gimli slip out a
side exit and stand on a ledge just to the side of the main gate. Aragorn
peeks over, seeing the large band of Uruk-hai storming the gate.>
Gimli: Come on! We can take ‘em!
Aragorn: It’s a long way.
<Gimli takes a peek and then steps
back.>
Gimli: <Mumbles> Toss me.
Aragorn: What?
Gimli: I cannot jump the distance
so you have to toss me!
<Aragorn nods slowly and then
turns to grab the Dwarf.>
Gimli: Oh! <Gimli stays Aragorn’s
hand> Don’t tell the Elf.
Aragorn: Not a word.
<He tosses Gimli to the head of
the Causeway and then leaps over.>
Gimli: <Making quick work of killing
the Uruk-hai> ARGH!!
<On the other side of the gate>
Th?oden: Shore up the door!
Soldier 1: Make way! (??) lead to
the barricade!
Soldier 2: We need one over there!
Th?oden: Higher!
<Men are bracing the gate with
wood and nails. Aragorn and Gimli continue to fight off the Uruk-hai just
outside.>
Th?oden: <Through a crack in the
gate> Gimli! Aragorn! Get out of there!
<Legolas calls to them from the
top of the battlements>
Legolas: Aragorn! <He throws them
a rope>
<Aragorn grabs Gimli in one hand
and the rope with the other as they are pulled up the wall. Just then the
Uruk-hai load and fires enormous hooks over the battlements. Hundred of
Uruk-hai climb onto super-ladders as they are pulled up towards the walls,
the super-ladders locking onto the edge of the battlements with their steel
grips. Legolas takes aim as another super-ladder is being pulled up and
shoots away one of the ropes. The ladder falls back onto the Uruk-hai army.>
Th?oden: Pull everybody back! Pull
them back!
Gamling: Pull back! Pull back!
Aragorn: They’ve broken through!
Come, to the keep!
Gamling: Retreat! Retreat!
Aragorn: Hurry! Inside! Get them
inside!
Gamling: Into the Keep!
<They all run towards the keep,
Legolas firing two arrows into the Uruk-hai army as he goes.> <Treebeard
is walking through the forest, carrying Merry and Pippin. The hobbits look
dejected.>
Treebeard: I will leave you at the
western borders of the forest. You can make your way north to your homeland
from there.
<Pippin suddenly looks up with
a gleam in his eyes.>
Pippin: Wait! Stop! Stop! <Treebeard
comes to a 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 harm. It’s the last thing he’ll expect.
Treebeard: Mmmm. That doesn’t make
sense to me. But then, you are very small. Perhaps you’re right. South
it is then. Hold on, little Shirelings. I always like going south. Somehow
it feels like going down hill.
Merry: Are you mad? We’ll be caught!
Pippin: No we won’t. Not this time.
<Faramir and company draws close to Osgiliath.>
Madril: Look! Osgiliath burns!
Ranger: Mordor has come.
Frodo: <With tears in his eyes>
The Ring will not save Gondor. It has only the power to destroy. Please,
let me go.
<Faramir hesitates for a moment.>
Faramir: Hurry. <He presses them
on>
Frodo: Faramir, you must let me go!
<Frodo and Sam are pushed on towards
Osgiliath> <Treebeard, Merry and Pippin come to the southern edge of
the forest.>
Treebeard: And a little family of
field mice that climb up sometimes and they tickle me awfully. They’re
always trying to get somewhere - Oh!! <He sees the desolated landscape
of tree stumps that used to be forested grounds> Many of these trees were
my friends. Creatures I had known from nut and acorn.
Pippin: I’m sorry, Treebeard.
Treebeard: <With tears in his
eyes> They had voices of their own. <His gaze turns to the treeless
Isengard and its smoking caverns> Saruman! A wizard should know better!
<He lets out a ferocious roar
that echoes through the forest>
Treebeard: There is no curse in Elvish,
Entish or the tongues of men for this treachery.
<Merry and Pippin turn around
as they hear rumbles from the forest. They see many Ents emerging and marching
towards them>
Treebeard: My business is with Isengard
tonight. With rock and stone!
Merry: Yes!
Treebeard: Hoorarooom... Come my
friends. The Ents are going to war. It is likely that we go to our doom.
The last march of the Ents! <Osgiliath is still under siege as Faramir
and company arrives, dodging arrows and falling rocks.>
Gondorian Ranger: Faramir, Orcs have
taken the eastern shore. Their numbers are too great. By nightfall we’ll
be overrun.
<Frodo suddenly seems stricken>
Sam: Frodo!
Frodo: It’s calling to him, Sam.
His eye is almost on me.
Sam: Hold on, Mr. Frodo… We'll be
alright...
<Frodo sees that Sam is speaking
to him but he hears nothing. His senses are overcome.>
Faramir: Take them to my father.
Tell him Faramir sends a mighty gift. A weapon that will change our fortunes
in this war.
<Sam breaks away as they are being
led away.>
Sam: You want to know what happened
to Boromir? You want to 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!
Ranger: Watch out!
<A boulder crashes into a tower
overhead and shatters it. Suddenly, Frodo’s eyes roll up and he stares
at Faramir strangely.>
Sam: Mr Frodo?
Frodo: <In a faraway voice> They’re
here. They’ve come.
Faramir: <Looking up> NAZG?L!!
<He grabs the hobbits and thrusts them into a corner.> Stay here. Keep
out of sight. Take cover! <Banners of the White Hand are flying from
the battlements of Helm’s Deep. The Hornburg is overrun with Uruk-hai.
Th?oden and company are in the hall of the keep.>
Th?oden: The fortress is taken. It
is over.
Aragorn: <Carrying a table with
Legolas to shore up the door of the hall> You said this fortress would
never fall while your men defend it! They still defend it! They have died
defending it!
<In the Glittering Caves, the
women and children cry in fear as they hear the battering ram banging on
the door.>
Woman: They are breaking in!
Soldier: Bar the door!
Aragorn: Is there no other way for
the women and children to get out of the caves? <There is no answer.>
Is there no other way?
Gamling: There is one passage. It
leads into the mountains. 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.
Th?oden: So much death. What can
men do against such reckless hate?
Aragorn: <Pause> Ride out with
me. Ride out and meet them.
Th?oden: <A light of determination
shines in his eyes> For death and glory.
Aragorn: For Rohan. For your people.
Gimli: The sun is rising.
<Aragorn looks up at a window
to see faint light streaming through. He recalls Gandalf's words.>
Gandalf (V.O.): Look to my coming
at first light on the fifth day. At dawn, look to the east.
Th?oden: Yes. Yes! The horn of Helm
Hammerhand shall sound in the deep one last time!
Gimli: Yes! <Gimli runs up the
steps to the horn of Helm Hammerhand>
Th?oden: Let this be the hour when
we draw swords together. Fell deed awake. Now for wrath! Now for ruin!
And a red dawn!
<He mounts his horse and puts
on his helmet. The sound of the horn rumbles through Helm's Deep as Gimli
blows with gusto.>
Th?oden: FORTH EORLINGAS!!
<Th?oden leads the charge out
of the keep into the Hornburg, slashing away at the Uruk-hai as they go.
Without pause, they storm out of the gate and down the Causeway, right
into the column of waiting Uruk-hai. In the midst of battle, Aragorn looks
east and sees a white rider against the rising sun>
Aragorn: Gandalf.
Gandalf: Th?oden king stands alone.
?omer: <Coming up from behind>
Not alone. <He raises a hand> Rohirrim!!
<Riders move up behind ?omer.>
Th?oden: <Looking to the east>
?omer!
?omer: To the king!
<The Rohirrim and the White Rider
charge down the slope. Half the Uruk-hai army turns to face the challenge,
bearing their spears down towards the riders. As the riders draw closer,
the sun rises behind them, momentarily blinding the Uruk-hai who raise
the hands (and spears) to shield their eyes. The riders crash right into
the Uruk-hai and engage them in battle.> <The Ents are stomping over
Isengard, swinging their huge limbs, throwing and stamping on Orcs and
rolling huge boulders over the ground. An Ent is pulled down with chains
by some Orcs, who immediately jump on and hacks away at his wooden limbs.
Saruman rushes out onto the balcony of Orthanc and stares at the pandemonium
in incredulity. Merry and Pippin also throws stones at Orcs, their aims
true.>
Treebeard: A hit. A fine hit!
<Two Ents rock a wooden structure
and push it over into the caverns below, smashing against the rock. Some
Orcs fire flamed-tipped arrows at an Ent, setting him on fire. Saruman
continues to look about from his balcony, helpless. Some Ents are now breaking
away at a dam.>
Treebeard: Break the dam! Release
the river!
<The dam is broken and Saruman
looks up to see the river rushing down the slope towards Isengard, washing
away Orcs and wooden structures in its path. >
Merry: Pippin, hold on! <The hobbits
tighten their hold on top of Treebeard>
Treebeard: Hold on, little hobbits!
<Treebeard braces himself against
the flood. As the water rushes over Isengard, an Ent rushes in and thrusts
his burning body into the water. The water rushes into the caverns, washing
away the bridges, mechanisms and structures within.> <Frodo walks slowly
away from the safe corner. Gondorian Rangers are still running about, defending
their stations.>
Sam: What are you doing? Where are
you going?!
<Slow motion: Frodo walks up some
stairs and stands on a bridge. A Nazg?l on a Fell beast emerges in front
of him. Frodo stares at the Nazg?l, fixated. Feeling the call of the Ring,
he holds it up. Faramir watches the unfolding tableau from below. As Frodo
moves to put the Ring on his finger and the Nazg?l flies closer and closer,
Sam runs up and knocks Frodo over. Faramir releases an arrow and shoots
the Fell Beast. Frodo and Sam roll down the stairs. As they come to a stop
at the bottom, Frodo holds Sam in a death grip, yells and points Sting
at his throat, his eyes livid with madness and anger that someone would
try to take the Ring away.>
Frodo: Aaarrgghh!!!
Sam: <With tears running down
his face> It’s me. It’s your Sam. Don’t you know your Sam?
<The madness fades and recognition
returns to Frodo’s eyes. He realises what he nearly did and is overcome.
Stumbling backwards, he collapses against a wall and Sting falls to the
ground with a clang. Sam gets up slowly.>
Frodo: <Slowly and with despair>
I can’t do this, Sam.
Sam: <Getting up slowly> I know.
It’s all wrong. By rights we shouldn’t even be here. But we are. <He
stands and leans against a wall, looking out into the distance.> It’s like
in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of
darkness and danger they were. <Images of the riders winning the battle
against the Uruk-hai at Helm’s Deep> 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?
Th?oden: Victory! We have victory!
<He raises his sword with a victorious cry>
Sam: But in the end, it’s only a
passing thing, this shadow. <The women and children welcome the men
as they return. ?owyn runs up to Aragorn and embraces him, crying tears
of relief.> Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. <Isengard
is flooded. Merry and Pippin looks on from their perch on Treebeard. On
the balcony, Saruman stumbles back into his chamber> And when the sun shines
it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with
you. That 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 chances of turning back only they didn’t. Because they were
holding on to something.
Frodo: What are we holding on to,
Sam?
Sam: There’s some good in this world,
Mr. Frodo. And it’s worth fighting for.
<Standing in a corner, even Gollum
seems moved. Faramir walks over and comes to kneel in front of Frodo>
Faramir: I think at last we understand
one another, Frodo Baggins.
Gondorian Ranger: You know the laws
of our country, the laws of your father. If you let them go, your life
will be forfeit.
Faramir: Then it is forfeit. Release
them.
<Sam shakes the ranger’s hand
from his shoulder. Frodo looks up at Faramir with gladness. Over in the
realm of Rohan, Gandalf, Th?oden and company ride to the top of a slope,
looking towards the Mountain of Fire in the distance.>
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 hobbits.
Somewhere in the wilderness.
<Frodo and Sam are walking through
the woods, away from Osgiliath.>
Sam: I wonder if we’ll ever be put
into songs or tales.
Frodo: What?
Sam: I wonder if people will ever
say, ‘let’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 turns to look at Sam.>
Frodo: Frodo wouldn’t have got far
without Sam.
Sam: Now Mr. Frodo, you shouldn’t
make fun. I was being serious.
Frodo: <smiling> So was I. <He
turns to walk on>
Sam: <Dreamily> Samwise the Brave.
<He gives his backpack a heave and follows Frodo>
<Gollum is crouching a short distance
away>
Frodo: Sm?agol!
Sam: We’re not gonna wait for you.
Come on!
Sm?agol: Master... Master looks after
us. Master wouldn’t hurt us.
Gollum: Master broke his promise.
Sm?agol: Don’t ask Sm?agol. Poor
Sm?agol.
Gollum: Master betrayed us! Wicked,
tricksy, false. We ought to wring his filthy little neck. <Twists the
branch of a tree> Kill him! Kill him! Kill them both. And then we take
the precious and we be the master.
Sm?agol: <Scuttles and hides behind
a tree> The fat hobbit, he knows. He’s always watching.
Gollum: Then we stabs them out. Put
out his eyes. And then make HIM crawl.
Sm?agol: <Bites on his finger
and nods eagerly> Yes! Yes! Yes!
Gollum: Kill them both.
Sm?agol: Yes! No no! <Backs away
against a tree> It’s too risky, it’s too risky.
<He looks in the direction of
the hobbits>
Sam: Where’s he gone? Hey Gollum,
where are you?
Frodo: Sm?agol?
Gollum: <Softly and sinisterly>
We could let HER do it.
Sm?agol: Yes. She could do it.
Gollum: Yes, precious she could.
And then we takes it once they’re dead.
Sm?agol: Once they’re dead… Gollum:
Shh… <He pops out from hiding in front of the hobbits.> Sm?agol: Come
on, hobbits. Long ways to go yet. Sm?agol will show you the way.
<He turns to walk on, with Frodo
and Sam following behind.>
Gollum: Follow me.
< Camera pans up over the forest
and Ephel D?ath to reveal the desolation of Mordor. To the left of the
frame is the glowing Eye of Sauron atop Barad-d?r, and to the right of
the frame is the fiery Mount Doom. Three Fell Beasts circle the dark skies.
Lightning flashes as the scene fades to black.>>
Transcript Credits:
Accela, Aina, Bad burn, Bridget
Chubb, Brionn Equus (Lochrann), Drusilia, Elf Lady, Eowyn Unquendor, Feanari,
Finafyr, Flourish, Galadriel, Heri, Julamb, JustinsIce(Mdjasrie), Kazren,
Krystal, LadyEowynKenobi, Lady Evenstar, Legolas’Bow, Lithorose, Melody,
Mormegil, Nilmandra, Padfoot, Penwiper, Pilgrim Grey, Primula Baggins,
Randy Savage, Samwise the Brave, Sirius Black, Tethra, The Lidless Eye,
Turnar, Xyla, Yaksha
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