| "The Lord of the
Rings: The Two Towers SEE" Movie Transcript
Transcribed from "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers".
Screenplay by Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens.
Based on "The Lord of The Rings" trilogy by J.R.R Tolkien.

(Names marked with a * are either uncertain or
uncredited)
New Line Cinema Presents...
A Wingnut Films Production
<<TITLE: THE
LORD OF THE RINGS>>
Scene 1 - The
Foundations of Stone
<Camera pans over the Misty Mountains as voices
drift in from the background.>
Gandalf: You cannot pass!
Frodo: Gandalf!
Gandalf: I am a 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 Udûn! <Camera
zooms in through the mountain and focuses on Gandalf and the Balrog
on the bridge of Khazad-dûm. 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!
Frodo: Noooooooooooooooo!!!!
<Gandalf loses his grip and falls into the
chasm>
Frodo: <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. <Lies
back down.> Just a dream.
<<TITLE: THE TWO TOWERS>>
Scene 2 – Elven Rope
<Frodo and Sam climb down a giant rock in the Emyn
Muil with the aid of Sam’s rope>
Sam: Can you see the bottom?
Frodo: No! Don’t look down,
Sam! Just keep going.
<Sam slips and a box drops from his bag>
Sam: Argh! Catch it. Grab it Mr Frodo!
<Frodo manages to grab the box but slips instead>
Frodo: Arghhh!
Sam: Mr Frodo?
<Frodo lands safely on the ground>
Frodo: I think I’ve found the
bottom.
<Sam climbs dwon to Frodo>
Sam: Bogs and rope and goodness knows
what. It’s not natural. None of it.
Frodo: <looking
at the box> What’s in this?
Sam: Nothing. Just a bit of seasoning.
I thought maybe if we was having a roast chicken one night or
something.
Frodo: Roast chicken?!
Sam : You never know.
Frodo: <smiling>
Sam, my dear Sam.
Sam: It’s very special, that.
It’s the best salt in all the Shire.
Frodo: It is special. It’s a
little bit of home.
<Frodo looks at Sam’s rope hanging down from
the rock>
Frodo: We can’t leave this here
for someone to follow us down.
Sam: Who’s gonna follow us down
here, Mr Frodo? It’s a shame really. Lady Galadriel gave
me that. Real Elvish rope. Well there’s nothing for it.
It’s one of my knots. Won’t come free in a hurry.
<Sam pulls the rope and all of a sudden it drops
down>
Frodo: <amused>
Real Elvish rope.
Scene 3 – The Taming of Sméagol
<Frodo and Sam climb 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. It’s the one place
we’re trying to get to. 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 with foreign
food, but this Elvish stuff, it’s 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 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: The thieves! The thieves!
The 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 will swear on... 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! I said, 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.>
Smeagol: To the gate, to the gate!
To the gate, the master says. Yes!
Gollum: No! We won’t go back
Not there. Not to him. They can’t make us. Gollum! Gollum!
Smeagol: But we swore to serve the
master of the precious.
Gollum: No! Ashes and dust and thirst
there is and pits, pits, pits. And Orcses, thousands of Orcses.
And always the Great Eye watching. Watching.
<Gollum turns to the Hobbits in the distance
and growls> Aaaarrrggghhh!!!
<Gollum runs away as fast as possible>
Sam: Hey! Come back now! Come back!
There! What did I tell you? He’s run off, the old villain.
So much for his promises.
Smeagol: This way, Hobbits. <Reappears
behind a rock.> Follow me!
<Frodo and Sam continue to follow their new
Leader.>
Scene 4 – The Uruk-hai
<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. A Group of Mordor Orcs appears behind some rocks>
Grishnákh: You’re late.
Our master grows impatient. He wants the Shire-rats now.
Uglúk: I don’t take order
from Orc-maggots. Saruman will have his prize. We will deliver
them.
<Uglúk turn away from Grishnákh,
who’s immediately shows his dislike for the Uruk. Meanwhile
Merry’s looking very sick>
Merry: <moans>
Pippin: Merry! Merry! Wake up! <to
the Uruks> My friend is sick. He needs water. Please!
Uglúk: Sick, is he? Give him
some medicine, boys! Hahaha!!
<A Uruk-hai pours a disguisting looking Orc Ale
into Merry’s mouth>
Pippin: Stop it!
Uglúk: Can’t take his
draught! Hahah!!
Pippin: Leave him alone!
Uglúk: Why? You want some?
Then keep your mouth shut!
<Uglúk turns away from the Hobbits>
Pippin: Merry?
Merry: <conscious
again> Hello, Pip.
Pippin: You’re hurt?
Merry: I’m fine. It was just
an act.
Pippin: <surprised>
An act?
Merry: <trying
hard to make his lie believeable> See? I fooled you
too. Don’t worry about me Pippin.
<Suddenly an Uruk-hai starts sniffing the air.>
Uglúk: What is it? What do
you smell?
Man-flesh Uruk: <sniffs
the air> Man-flesh.
Uglúk: They've picked up our
trail!
Pippin: <quietly
to himself> Aragorn!
Uglúk: Let's move!
<The Uruk-hai start running again and get
joined by the Mordor Orcs. 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.>
Scene 5 – The Three Hunters
<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
Lórien 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!
Scene 6 – The Burning of the Westfold
<The tower of Orthanc stands amidst the smoking
caverns of Isengard. Saruman stands in his chamber, communicating
with the Dark Lord through the Palantír.>
Saruman (V.O.): The world is changing.
Who now has the strength to stand against the armies of Isengard
... <View changes to the tower of Barad-dûr,
with its huge Orc armies on a bridge.> 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-dûr 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. The forests will fall. A new order
will rise. We will drive the machine of war with the sword and
the spear and the iron fists of the Orc. We have only to remove
those who oppose us.
<Saruman oversees the production going on in the
Caverns of Isengard.>
Saruman: I want them armed and ready
to march within two weeks!
* Hero Orc: But my lord, there are
too many! They cannot all be armed in time, we don’t have
the means.
Saruman: Build a dam, block the stream,
work the furnaces night and day.
* Hero Orc: We don’t have enough
fuel to feed the fires.
Saruman: The Forest of Fangorn lies
on our doorstep. Burn it!
Orc: Yes.
<Back in his Throne Room, Saruman is listening
to a Wildman of Dunland>
Wildman: We will fight for you.
Saruman: Swear it!
<The wildman slashed his palm>
Wildman: We will die ...for Saruman!
<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!
* Wildman 2: 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: Éothain! Éothain!
You take your sister. You’ll go faster with just two.
Freda: <As Morwen
puts her onto the horse in front of her brother> Papa
says Éothain must not ride Garulf, he is too big for him!
Morwen: Listen to me. You must ride
to Edoras and raise the alarm. Do you understand me?
Éothain: Yes, Ma!
Freda: <starts
to cry> I don’t wanna leave! I don't wanna go,
Mama!
Morwen: Freda, I will find you there.
<A woman screams>
Morwen: Quickly!
<The children ride off.>
Morwen: <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.
Éothain and Freda weep as they look back from a distance.>
Saruman (V.O.): Rohan, my lord, is
ready to fall.
Scene 7 – Massacre at the fords of
Isen
<A Group of Rohan Horsemen lead by Eomer, the King’s
Nephew, arrives at the Fords of Isen, where they find a fellow
Group of Warriors being slain by Orcs.>
Éomer: Théodred. <to
his Men> Find the king’s son!
<The Warriors get of their horses and search for
the King’s Son among those slain Rohan Soldiers.>
* Bereg: Mordor will pay for this!
Éomer: These Orcs are not from
Mordor.
<Éomer tunrs around a dead Orc and the White
Hand - Symbol of Saruman the White - becomes visible on the Orc’s
Helmet>
* Rohan Warrior 1: My Lord Éomer,
over here!
<Eomer runs to the Soldier and examines the
Body of his Cousin Théodred>
Éomer: <astonished>
He’s alive.
Scene 8 – The Banishment of Éomer
<The horsemen ride to Edoras with Éomer
in the lead, carrying the gravely wounded Théodred.>
<Éowyn runs hastily up the stairs to the
Golden Hall and enters a bedchamber. She runs to the bed.>
Éowyn: Théodred!
<Théodred seems to hear her call but is
unable to respond. He has a bloody gash on the side of his head.
Éomer nods to Éowyn in the direction of Théodred’s
torso. Éowyn draws back the covers and upon seeing Théodred’s
fatal wound, her lips tighten and eyes close. She looks up to
catch Éomer’s eye.>
<Éomer and Éowyn are speaking to
Théoden-king who sits motionless on his throne, wizened,
and aged beyond his years.>
Éowyn: Your son is badly wounded,
my lord.
Éomer: He was ambushed by Orcs.
If we don’t defend our country, Saruman will take it by
force.
Gríma: That is a lie! <Appears
from the shadows.> Saruman the White has ever been our
friend and ally.
Théoden: <mumbles
feebly> Gríma… Gríma… <Gríma
leans down close to the King.> My son...? Gríma...?
Éomer: Orcs are roaming freely
across our lands. Unchecked. Unchallenged. Killing at will. Orcs
bearing the white hand of Saruman. <He drops
an Orc’s helmet onto the ground, which topples over to reveal
the white hand of Saruman.>
Gríma: Why do you lay these
troubles on an already troubled mind. Can you not see? Your uncle
is wearied by your malcontent, your warmongering.
Éomer: Warmongering?
<Éomer grabs Gríma and pins him against
a pillar.>
Éomer: How long is it since
Saruman bought you? What was the promised price, Gríma?
When all the men are dead you will take your share of the treasure?
<Gríma’s eyes flicks to right,
watching Éowyn as she walks by. Éowyn stops to stare
back for a moment before departing form the hall. Éomer
jerks Gríma again and clutches his hand around Gríma’s
jaw.>
Éomer: Too long have you watched
my sister, too long have you haunted her steps.
<Gríma's eyes look to the left and relax
as Éomer is suddenly pulled off Gríma by his thugs.>
Gríma: You see much Éomer,
Son of Éomund. Too much. <The thugs
punch Éomer in the stomach> You are banished
forthwith from the kingdom of Rohan and all it’s domains.
Under pain of death!
Eomer: You have no authority here.
Your orders mean nothing.
<The thugs punch Éomer in the stomach once
more>
Gríma: This order does not
come from me. It comes from the king. He signed it this morning.
<Gríma shows Eomer the banishment
Document, which reads as follows>
“Let it be known that
Éomer, Son of Éomund,
third Marshall of Riddermark
Is banished forthwith from
the Kingdom of Rohan and all
its domains from this day forth,
being the eight and thirtiéth
year of the reign of
Théoden, Son of Thengel,
King of Rohan”
Éomer: <Being
dragged away> Argh!!
Scene 9 – On the Trail of the Uruk-hai
<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’ve run as if the
very whips of their masters were behind them.
<They continue running over vast distances>.
Scene 10 – Night Camp at Fangorn
<The Uruk-hai and Orcs halt at nightfall, many
panting with exertion.>
Mordor Orc: We’re not going
no further till we’ve had a breather!
Uglúk: 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.
Maúhur: I'm starving. We ain't
'ad nothin' but maggoty bread for three stinkin' days!
Snaga: Yeah. Why can’t we have
some meat? <His eyes rest on the hobbits.>
What about them? They’re fresh.
Uglúk: They are not for eating!
<An Uruk-Hai drags the Hobbits away from the Mordor
Orcs.>
Grishnákh: What about their
legs? They don't need those. Ooh… They look tasty!
Uglúk: <Shoves
at the Orcs> Get back, scum!
<The other Orcs are getting restless.>
Uglúk: The prisoners go to
Saruman. Alive and unspoiled.
Grishnakh: Alive? <trys
to get a closer look at the Hobbits.> Why alive? Do
they give good sport?
Uglúk: They have something.
An Elvish weapon. The master wants it for the war.
<The Snaga Orcs slowly sneaks up to the Hobbits
with his blade drawn...>
Pippin: <Whispers>
They think we have the Ring.
Merry: <Whispers>
Shh! As soon as they find out we don’t, we’re dead.
<As Snaga gets closer to the Hobbits, he licks
his Mouth and hisses>
Snaga: Just a mouth full ... <The
surprised Uglúk quickly turns around> ... a bit
of the flank.
Uglúk: No!
<Pippin and Merry recoil in fright. Uglúk
jumps on the Orc and cuts off his head, which bounces off the
hobbit's shoulders.>
Uglúk: 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.>
Grishnákh: <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> A red sun rises. Blood has been spilled
this night.
Scene 11 – The Riders of Rohan
<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: Riders of Rohan, what news
from the Mark?
<At a signal from Éomer 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.>
Éomer: 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.
<Éomer hands his staff to another rider,
and gets off his horse. Aragorn puts a hand on Gimli’s shoulder.>
Éomer: 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 Éomer.>
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 Glóin and Legolas of the Woodland
realm. We are friends of Rohan and of Théoden, your king.
Éomer: Théoden no longer
recognises friend from foe. <Takes off helmet>
Not even his own kin.
<The spears are withdrawn.>
Éomer: Saruman has poisoned
the mind of the king and claimed lordship over these 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 no spies. We track
a party of Uruk-hai westward across the plain. They’ve taken
two of our friends captive.
Éomer: 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.
Éomer: We left none alive.
We piled the carcasses and burned them. <Points
to a smoking pile in the distance.>
Gimli: Dead?
Éomer: <nods>
I am sorry.
<Legolas puts a hand on Gimli’s shoulder
in grief. Éomer turns and whistles.>
Éomer: Hasufel! Arod! <Two
horses move up.> May these horses bear you to better
fortune than their former masters. Farewell.
<Éomer puts on his helmet and gets back
on his horse>
Éomer: 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.>
Scene 12 – The Fate of Merry and Pippin
<The three Hunters 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 their wee
belts.
Legolas: <with
his head bowed and eyes closed> Hiro hyn hîdh…
ab 'wanath... (May they find peace in death)
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.>
<Aragorn holds up a broken length of thick rope.>
Their bonds were cut.
Aragorn: They ran over here. They
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, Grishnákh grabs Pippin
by his belt and clings on.>
Merry: The belt!
<Pippin undoes his belt and Grishnákh 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 13 – Treebeard
<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, Grishnákh appears from behind
the trees, brandishing a blade.>
Grishnákh: I’m gonna
rip out your filthy little innards!
<Merry and Pippin run and hide behind a tree.>
Grishnákh: Come here!
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. Grishnákh 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.>
Grishnákh: 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! Burárum...
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.>
Scene 14 – The Passage of the Marshes
<Following Gollum, Frodo and Sam reach the end
of Emyn Muil and see that Mordor is now closer.>
Gollum: See? See? We’ve 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 slips 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 go 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.>
<Taking a short rest, the Hobbits are trying to
regain their powers>
Sam: I hate this place, it's too quiet.
there‘s been no sight nor sound of a bird for two days.
Gollum: No, no birdses to eat, no crunchable birdses. We are
famished, yes! Famished we are, precious!
<Golllum spots a worm and eats it quick. Sam looks
disgusted.>
Frodo: Here. <He
tosses Gollum a piece of Lembas>
Gollum: What does it eats? Is it tasty?
<Gollum tries to eat it, but chokes on it>
It tries to chokes us! We cant eats Hobbit food! We must starve!
Sam: Well, starve, then. And good
riddance!
Gollum: Oh, cruel hobbit! It does
not care if we be hungry. Does not care if we should die! <turns
his face towards Frodo> Not like Master. Master cares.
Master knows. Yes, precious. Once it takes hold of us, it never
lets go.
<Frodo reaches to touch the ring, and gollum tries, too, but
Frodo pushes his hand away>
Frodo: Dont touch me!
<Frodo, Sam and Gollum continue to cross the swamps.
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 their 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... Sméagol?
Gollum: <Looks
up slowly.> What did you call me?
Frodo: That was your name once, wasn’t
it? A long time ago.
Gollum: My name... My name... S...
S...Sméagol…
<Suddenly, the piercing cries of the Nazgûl
are heard overhead>
Gollum: Argh!!
Sam: Black Riders!
Gollum: Hide! Hide!
Frodo: Argh!
<Suddenly Frodo feels the pain of the Nazgûl'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 Nazgûl 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 Nazgûl fill the
air.>
Gollum: Quick! 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 Nazgûl 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.
I’m here.
<The Nazgûl continues to circle overhead
and then flies off towards Mordor.>
Gollum: Hurry, hobbits. The Black
Gate is very close.
Scene 15 – The White Rider
<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 reviberate 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: They have feelings my friend.
The Elves began it; waking up the trees, teaching them to speak.
Gimli: Talking trees, what do trees
have to talk about? Except the consistency of squirrel droppings?
Legolas: Aragorn, nad no ennas! (Aragorn,
something’s 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.>
Aragorn: It cannot be.
Legolas: Forgive me!
<Legolas and Gimli bow.>
Legolas: I mistook you for Saruman.
Gandalf: I am Saruman. Or rather,
Saruman as he should have been.
Aragorn: You fell?!
Gandalf: Through fire and water. <Flashback:
Gandalf is battling the Balrog atop Dúrin’s Tower.>
From the lowest dungeon to the highest peak, I fought with 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 life 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 was
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. <Legolas
smiles> 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 Elven cloak over his white robes.>
Gandalf: One stage of your journey
is over, another begins. We must ride to Edoras with all speed.
Gimli: Edoras? That is no short distance!
Aragorn: We hear of trouble in Rohan.
It goes ill with the king.
Gandalf: Yes, and it will not be easily
cured.
Gimli: Then we have run all this way
for nothing? Are we to leave those poor Hobbits here in this horrid,
dark, dank, tree-infested - <Once more the
angry Groans of the trees reviberate through the forest>
I mean, charming, quite charming forest.
Gandalf: It was more than mere chance
that brought Merry and Pippin to Fangorn. A great poer has been
sleeping here for many long years. The coming of Merry and Pippin
will be like the falling of small stones that starts an avalanche
in the mountains.
Aragorn: <to Gandalf>
In one thing you have not changed, dear friend.
Gandalf: Hm?
Aragorn: <to Gandalf>
You still speak in riddles
<They share a laugh>
Gandalf: A thing is about to happen
that has not happened since the Elder Days. The ents are going
to wake up ... and find that they are strong.
Gimli: Strong?! <hears
the trees groan> Oh, that’s good.
Gandalf: So stop your fretting, Master
Dwarf. Merry and Pippin are quite safe. In fact, they are far
safer than you are about to be.
Gimli: <to himself>
This new Gandalf’s more grumpy than the old one.
<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.>
Scene 16 - The Song of the Entwives
<Back at Fangorn, Treebeard is walking through
the forest with Merry and Pippin sitting on his shoulders.>
Treebeard:
O rowen mine
I saw you shine
Upon a summer's day
Upon your head
How golden-red
The crown you bore aloft <Merry yawns>
Such a beautiful verse
Merry: Is it much further?
Treebeard: Bru-ra-hroom. Don't be
hasty. You might call it far, perhaps. My home lies deep 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. I believe you
will enjoy this next one too. It's one of my own compositions.
Right. <Treebeard clears his throat, Pippin
almost falls asleep.>
Treebeard:
Beneath the roof of sleeping leaves
And the dreams of trees unfold
When woodland halls are green and cool
And the wind is in the West
Come back to me
Come back to me
And say my land is best
<Treebeard looks at the hobbits, Merry and
Pippin are sleeping> Oh
Treebeard: <puts
the hobbits on the ground> Sleep, little Shirelings.
Heed no nightly noise. Sleep till morning light. I have business
in the forest. There are many to call. Many that must come. <He
turns around and walks away> The Shadow lies on Fangorn.
The withering of all woods is drawing near.
Scene 17 - The Heir of Númenor
<Night has come and somewhere on the Plains of
Rohan Gandalf is looking at the east. Aragorn gets up from the
fire and joins him.>
Gandalf: The veiling shadow that glowers
in the east takes shape. Sauron will suffer no rival. From the
summit of Barad-dûr, his Eye watches ceaselessly. But he
is not so mighty yet that he is above fear. Doubt ever gnaws at
him. The rumor has reached him. The heir of Númenor still
lives.
Gandalf: <whispering,
Aragorn and Gandalf look at each other> Sauron fears
you, Aragorn. He fears what you may become. And so he'll strike
hard and fast at the world of Men. He will use his puppet, Saruman,
to destroy Rohan. War is coming. Rohan must defend itself, and
therein lies our first challenge for Rohan is weak and ready to
fall. The king's mind is enslaved, <shakes
his head> it's an old device of Saruman's. His hold
over King Théoden is now very strong. Sauron and Saruman
are tightening the noose. But for all their cunning we have one
advantage. <they look at each other>
The Ring remains hidden. And that we should seek to destroy it
has not yet entered their darkest dreams. And so the weapon of
the enemy is moving towards Mordor in the hands of a Hobbit. Each
day brings it closer to the fires of Mount Doom. We must trust
now in Frodo. Everything depends upon speed and the secrecy of
his quest.
<Aragorn looks troubled>
Gandalf: Do not regret your decision
to leave him. Frodo must finish this task alone.
Aragorn: He's not alone. Sam went
with him.
Gandalf: <looks
pleased> Did he? Did he indeed? Good. Yes, very good.
Scene 18 – The Black Gate is Closed
<Sam and Frodo 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.>
Sam: Oh 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 Sméagol does. Master says so.
Frodo: I did.
<Orcs are patrolling the Black Gate.>
Sam: That’s it then. We cannot
get past that.
<From the right, an army of Easterling soldiers
is marching to the Black Gate. 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 catch
you! They 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.
A 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’s 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, Sméagol.
Gollum: Good Sméagol always
helps.
<Frodo follows Gollum as Sam stares after
him in disbelief.>
Scene 19 - Ent Draft
<Merry wakes up, looking for his friend.
In the golden light of the morning he sees Pippin sitting next
to a little waterfall, drinking from a bowl and with a barrel
next to him. Merry gets up and walks around.>
Merry: Hello? Treebeard? Where has
he gone?
Pippin: I had the loveliest dream
last night. There was this large barrel, full of pipe-weed. And
we smoked all of it. And then you were sick. I'd give anything
for a whiff of Old Toby.
<Merry hears the cracking of the trees and walks
towards Pippin>
Merry: Did you hear that? There it
is again. Something's not right here. Not right at all.
<Pippin gets up and while doing so makes a strange
noise.>
Merry: <looking
surprised at Pippin> You just said something... Treeish.
Pippin: No I didn't. I was just stretching.
<does it again>
Merry: <walks
around Pippin> You're taller!
Pippin: Who?
Merry: You!
Pippin: Than what?
Merry: Than me!
Pippin: I've always been taller than
you.
Merry: Pippin, everyone knows I'm
the tall one. You're the short one.
Pippin: Please, Merry. You're what?
Three-foot-six? At the most? Whereas me, I'm pushing 3'7".
<treeish sound again, Pippin smiles>
3'8"! <Pippin drinks eagerly from the
bowl>
Merry: Three-foot-eight!? You did
something!
<Pippin, smiles and puts the bowl on a rock. Merry
grabs the barrel and tries to drink from it>
Pippin: Merry, don't! Don't drink
it!
<Merry stops, smiles, runs away with the barrel
and takes another sip>
Pippin: Merry! No, Treebeard said
that you shouln't have any.
Merry: <runs away
with the barrel and stops for a sip> I want some!
Pippin: It could well be dangerous!
<Merry escapes again, spills some ent-draught>
Pippin: Give me it back, Merry!
<The barrel falls when Merry climbs over some
big roots. The hobbits hear treeish sounds and find themselves
stuck in a tree>
Pippin: What's happening?
Merry: Aaarrgghh! It's got my leg!
Pippin: <finds
his hand getting stuck> Merry!
<The hobbits try to get loose but are dissapearing
into the tree more and more. Their faces are being covered with
dead leaves>
Merry/Pippin: Help!
<Silence. Then Treebeard returns>
Treebeard: Away with you. You should
not be waking. Eat earth. Dig deep. Drink water.
<The hobbits are appearing again, shaking the leaves
of their heads and are getting up>
Treebeard: Go to sleep. Away with
you. <to the Hobbits> Come, the
forest is waking up.
<Treebeard picks them up and walks away>
Treebeard: It isn't safe. The trees
have grown wild and dangerous. Anger festers in their hearts.
Black are their thoughts. Strong is their hate. They will harm
you if they can. There are too few of us now. Too few of us Ents
left to manage them.
Pippin: Why are there so few of you
when you have lived so long? Are there Ent-children?
Treebeard: Bru-ra-hroom. There have
been no Entings for a terrible long count of years.
Merry: Why is that?
Pippin: We lost the Entwives.
Pippin: Oh, I'm sorry. How did they
die?
Treebeard: Die? No. We lost them.
And now we cannot find them. I don't suppose you've seen Entwives
in the Shire?
Merry: Can't say t hat I have. You,
Pip?
Pippin: <shakes
head> What do they look like?
Treebeard: <sadly>
I don't remember now.
Scene 20 – The King of the Golden Hall
<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 Théoden, King of Rohan, whose
mind is overthrown. Saruman’s hold over King Théoden
is now very strong.
<In the Hall, Éowyn is kneeling before Théoden,
holding his hand in hers.>
Éowyn: My lord, your son, he
is dead. My lord? Uncle?
<Théoden just sits and stares ahead, his
eyes clouded and unseeing.>
Éowyn: 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, Éowyn is weeping at the
dead Théodred's bed. She kisses his hand. Gríma
appears at the door.>
Gríma: 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 Éowyn’s
shoulder.>
Gríma: I understand his passing
is hard to accept, especially now that your brother has deserted
you.
Éowyn: <jumps
back and throws off Gríma’s hand> Leave
me alone, snake!
Gríma: <Rises
from the bed and moves ever closer to Éowyn>
Oh, but you are alone! Who knows what you’ve 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. A hutch
to trammel some wild thing in.
<He puts a hand on her cheek and moves down to
her throat.>
Gríma: So fair, so cold, like
a morning of pale spring still clinging to winter's chill.
<Éowyn and Gríma stare at each other
intently.>
Éowyn: Your words are poison!
<Éowyn runs out of the hall. Weeping, she looks away
into the distance. A flag comes off its pole and is carried by
the breeze. Éowyn 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’ll 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
Háma> Ah.
Háma: I cannot allow you before
Théoden-King so armed, Gandalf Greyhame. By order of Gríma
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.>
Háma: <gestures
to Gandalf> Your staff.
Gandalf: Hmm? <Glances
at his staff.> Oh. You would not part an old man from
his walking stick? <Looks at Háma innocently.>
<Háma 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.>
Gríma: <Leaning
down and whispering to Théoden.> My lord, Gandalf
the Grey is coming. He’s a herald of woe.
Gandalf: The courtesy of your hall
is somewhat lessened of late, Théoden King.
<As Gandalf approaches Théoden, 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.>
Gríma: <Whispering
to Théoden.> He’s not welcome.
Théoden: Why should I…
welcome you, Gandalf… Stormcrow? <Looks
to Gríma for affirmation.>
Gríma: 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 Gríma.>
Gríma: 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 Théoden. Gamling tries to go forward but Háma
holds him back.>
Gandalf: Théoden, son of Thengel,
too long have you sat in the shadows.
<Gríma 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: Hearken to me! I release
you from the spell. <Gestures with his hand>
Théoden: <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. Théoden is thrown back against his seat.>
Théoden: Argh!
Gandalf: <Points
his staff towards Théoden.> I will draw you,
Saruman, as poison is drawn from a wound.
<Éowyn rushes in. Seeing her uncle
threatened, she tries to go to him but is held back by Aragorn.>
Aragorn: Wait.
Théoden: <In
Saruman’s voice.> If I go. . . Théoden
dies.
<Gandalf moves his staff sharply and Théoden
flies back against the chair again.>
Gandalf: You did not kill me, you
will not kill him!
Théoden: <in
Saruman's voice> Rohan is mine!
Gandalf: Be gone!!
<Gandalf smites Théoden as he lunges at
him. Théoden is thrown back into the chair and the shot
changes to Saruman flying backwards from the Palantír which
he used to manipulate Théoden. He lands landing hard on
the floor of Orthanc, bleeding from a gash in his forehead. In
the hall, Théoden lets out a moan and slumps forward in
the chair. Éowyn runs to her uncle’s side as he falls.
Théoden’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.>
Théoden: <Looks
closely at Éowyn> I know your face. Éowyn…
Éowyn.
<Éowyn weeps with joy>
Théoden: Gandalf?
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.>
Théoden: <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.
<Háma runs up with his sword. Théoden
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, Gríma trembles and tries to escape but is pulled
back by Gimli. Suddenly, Théoden’s gaze turns to
Gríma. Gríma is thrown out of the hall and down
the stairs.>
Gríma: Argh! <Beseechingly
to Théoden> I've only ever served you, my lord!
Théoden: <Advancing
towards Gríma, holding the sword firmly in his hand>
Your leechcraft would have had me crawling on all fours like a
beast!
Gríma: <Grovelling>
Send me not from your side.
<Théoden raises his sword to kill Gríma.
Aragorn holds him back.>
Aragorn: No, my lord! No, my lord.
Let him go. Enough blood has been spilt on his account.
<Aragorn offers Gríma his hand, but Gríma
just spits into it, scrambles to his feet and pushes through the
crowd>
Gríma: Get out of my way!
Háma: Hail, Théoden
king!
<The crowd kneels in homage before Théoden.
Aragorn kneels also. Gríma rides out of Edoras. As Théoden
turns to go back into the hall, he looks up.>
Théoden: Where is Théodred?
Where is my son?
Scene 21 - The Funeral of Théodred
<Théodred's body is brought outside
Edoras, carried by 6 men of the Rohan Royal Guard. People of Edoras,
Théoden King, Gandalf and Aragorn are slowly following
them. Éowyn is waiting with the other women to the burial
site. When Théodred's body is given to the women, who bring
him into the tomb, Éowyn burst into a chant.>
Éowyn:
Bealocwealm hafað fréone frecan forth onsended
giedd sculon singan gléomenn sorgiende
on Meduselde þæt he ma no wære
his dryhtne dyrest and mæga deorost.
Bealo...
(‘An evil death has set forth the noble warrior
A song shall sing sorrowing minstrels
in Meduseld that he is no more,
to his lord dearest and kinsmen most belover.
'An evil death...)
<The harsh sound of the shutting Tomb doors
makes an end to Éowyn’s lament.>
Scene 22 – Simbelmynë on the Burial
Mounds
<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.>
Théoden: Simbelmynë. Ever
has it grown on the tombs of my forebearers. <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: Théodred’s death
was not of your making.
Théoden: No parent should have
to bury their child.
<Théoden starts to weep>
Gandalf: He was strong in life. His
spirit will find its way to the halls of your fathers. Westu hál.
Ferðu, Théodred, Ferðu. (Be-thou well. Go-thou,
Théodred, go-thou.)
<Gandalf turns to go back to the hall and
leaves Théoden to grieve in private. He spots two children
on horseback. The boy collapses and falls off the horse>
Scene 23 – The King’s Decision
<Later, inside the Golden Hall, the two children
are eating at a table, and Éowyn is with them.>
Éowyn: They 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?
Éowyn: Shh...
Gandalf: This is but a taste of the
terror that Saruman will unleash. All the more potent for he is
driven now 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 Théoden’s chair. Théoden
looks at his hand warily.> You must fight.
Aragorn: You have two thousand good
men riding north as we speak. Éomer is loyal to you. His
men will return and fight for their king.
Théoden: They will be three
hundred leagues from here by now. Éomer 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 Théoden.>
Aragorn: Open war is upon you. Whether
you would risk it or not.
Théoden: When last I looked,
Théoden, 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>
Háma: 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.>
Gandalf: Helm’s Deep!
Gimli: 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. Théoden is walking into a trap. He thinks he’s
leading them to safety. What they will get is a massacre. Théoden
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. With 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.>
Scene 24 - Brego
<In the stables. Two men try to hold a wild, brown
horse. It snorts and rears. Éowyn is looking after her
grey horse and turns to see what's happening. Aragorn, with a
saddle, walks to the horse.>
* Rohan Stableman 1: Ho. <horse
rears again>
* Rohan Stableman 2: That horse is
half mad, my lord. There's nothing you can do. Leave him.
<Aragorn walks towards the horse, says Elvish words
to it.>
Aragorn: Fæste, stille nú,
fæste, stille nú. Lac is drefed, gefrægon.
(Rohirric: 'Fast, be quiet now, fast, be quiet now. A battle is
stirred up, they heard.)
<The horse calms down a bit, but is still snorting.
Aragorn touches it's neck and releases one of the ropes. The horse
is standing still.>
Aragorn: Hwæt nemnað ðe?
Hm? Hwæt nemnað ðe? (Rohirric: What is your name?'Hm?
What is your name?)'
Éowyn looks at them from the background.>
Éowyn: His name is Brego. He
was my cousin's horse.
Aragorn: Brego? Ðin nama is cynglic.
(Rohirric: Brego? Your name is kingly.)
<Éowyn walks slowely towards them while
Aragorn talks in Elvish to the horse. Brego is calm now.>
Aragorn: Man le trasta, Brego? Man
cenich? (Sindarin: 'What troubles you, Brego? What did you see?)'
Éowyn: I have heard of the
magic of Elves, but I did not look for it in a Ranger from the
North. You speak as one of their own.
Aragorn: I was raised in Rivendell
... for a time. Turn this fellow free. He's seen enough of war.
<He leaves Éowyn with the horse, takes
over a saddle from the stable man.>
Scene 25 - The Ring of Barahir
<Outside Orthanc the fires burn. Gríma approaches
the Tower of Isengard on horseback>
Saruman: <walking
around in his chamber> Gandalf the White. Gandalf the
Fool! Does he seek to humble me with his newfound piety?
Wormtongue: <entering
the room> There were three who followed the wizard.
An Elf, a Dwarf and a Man.
Saruman: <snifs>
You stink of horse.
<Wormtongue turns around>
Saruman: The Man, was he from Gondor?
Wormtongue: <betting
his lip with a cloth> No, from the North. One of the
Dúnedain Rangers, I thought he was. His cloth was poor.
And yet he bore a strange ring. Two serpents with emerald eyes.
One devouring, the other crowned with golden flowers.
Saruman: <checking
a page from a book with a picture of the ring> The Ring
of Barahir. So Gandalf Greyhame thinks he has found Isildur's
heir. The lost king of Gondor. He is a fool. The line was broken
years ago. <closes book> It matters
not. The world of Men shall fall. It will begin at Edoras.
<The people of Edoras are leaving the city.
In his Royal chamber Théoden King puts on his gloves.>
Théoden: I am ready Gamling.
Bring my horse.
<Gamling nods and leaves. Théoden looks
at him>
Théoden: This is not a defeat.
<Gamling turns around> We will
return.
<Gamling bows and leaves the room>
Théoden: <to
himself> We will return.
Scene 26 – A Daughter of Kings
<Éowyn 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, Éowyn swings her sword
and renders Aragorn vulnerable, gaining the upper hand.>
Éowyn: <Stepping
back and sheathing her sword.> Women of this country
learned long ago: Those without swords can still die upon them.
I fear neither death nor pain.
Aragorn: What do you fear, my lady?
Éowyn: 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 would be your fate.
<He bows and Éowyn gazes after him
as he walks away.>
Scene 27 – Exodus from Edoras
<The people of Rohan are moving out of Edoras towards
Helm’s Deep, with Théoden leading the way. At Isengard,
Gríma confers with Saruman, holding a cloth to his mouth.>
Gríma: Théoden 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 Sharku,
the chieftain of Saruman’s wargriding Orcs.>
Saruman: Send out your warg riders.
<Sharku smiles. In a pit behind him, ferocious
growls are heard and shadows dances.>
Scene 28 – The Forests of Ithilien
<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 taken a hold of you, Mr Frodo. You have |