"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