Двете кули (2002)
Voices are heard from the Misty Mountains
GANDALF
You cannot pass!
FRODO
Gandalf!
GANDALF
I am a servant of the secret fire, wielder of the flame of Anor! Go back to the shadow! Dark fire shall not avail you, Flame of Udun! YOU… SHALL NOT… PASS!
GANDALF slams his staff on the bridge, and a flash of white light drives the BALROG back. The demon draws a whip of fire, steps onto the bridge, and it gives way, dropping the BALROG into the chasm. It seems they have won, but as he turns away, the tail of the whip catches GANDALF’s ankle and pulls him down. He gets a brief grasp on the edge of the bridge.
BOROMIR (holding back FRODO)
No, no!
FRODO
Gandalf!
GANDALF
Fly you fools!
GANDALF loses his grip and falls into the chasm
FRODO
Nooooooooo!
GANDALF falls after the BALROG and grabs hold of his sword Glamdring on his way down. As they continue to plunge into the depths, GANDALF hacks away at the BALROG even as it crashes and bounces off the walls. They continue to plunge at great speed, sometimes with GANDALF clinging to the horn of the demon. The battling pair then falls into an enormous cavern and plunges into the water. Just then FRODO wakens from the nightmare
FRODO
Gandalf!
SAM
What is it, Mr. Frodo?
FRODO
Nothing. Just a dream.
[TITLE: THE TWO TOWERS]
The two hobbits climb down a sheer cliff face with the help of SAM’s rope
SAM
Can you see the bottom?
FRODO
No! Don’t look down, Sam! Just keep going!
Suddenly SAM drops something
SAM
Catch it! Grab it, Mr. Frodo!
FRODO does catch it, but he also slips and falls
SAM
Mr. Frodo!
FRODO lands harmlessly on his feet
FRODO
I think I’ve found the bottom.
SAM
Bogs and rope, and goodness knows what. It’s not natural. None of it.
FRODO
(Looking at the small box he caught) 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
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. (Looking at the rope.) We can’t leave this here for someone to follow us down.
SAM
Who’s going to 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.
With one tug, the rope comes free.
FRODO
Real Elvish rope.
FRODO and SAM climb over rocky terrain. They look into the distance at the Mountain of Fire.
SAM
Mordor. The one place in Middle Earth we don’t want to see any closer. And it’s the one place we are trying to get to. It’s just where we cant get. Let’s face it Mr. Frodo, we’re lost. I don’t think Gandalf meant for us to come this way.
FRODO
He didn’t mean for a lot of things to happen Sam. But they did.
Suddenly FRODO feels and spies 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. What food have we got left?
SAM
Well, let me see. Oh yes, lovely. Lembas bread. And look! More lembas bread. I don’t usually hold with foreign food, but this Elvish stuff, it’s not bad.
FRODO
Nothing ever dampens your spirits, does it Sam?
SAM
Those rain clouds might.
FRODO and SAM huddle under their cloaks while the rain poors. A hissing creature approaches.
A bit later on, the hobbits continue trekking through difficult terrain
SAM
This looks strangely familiar.
FRODO
It’s because we’ve been here before. We’re going in circles.
SAM
Ah. What is that ‘orrid stink? I warrant there’s a nasty bog nearby. Can you smell it?
FRODO
Yes. I can smell it. We’re not alone.
GOLLUM
(sneaking up on the hobbits) The thieves. The thieves. The filthy little thieves! Wheeere isssit? Wheeere isssit? They stole it from us. My preciousssss. Curse them, we hates them! It’s ours, it is, and we wants it!
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 Ring is revealed and Gollum jumps for it. Sam tries to grab at him but is knocked away. Gollum now jumps on top of Frodo, his eyes fixed on his precious. 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 then unsheathes Sting and holds it to Gollum’s throat.
FRODO
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. He is then tied at the neck with Sam’s elvish rope and half-dragged along even as he cries and wails.
GOLLUM
It burns! It burns us! It freezes! Nasty Elves twisted it. Take it off us!
SAM
Quiet you! It’s hopeless! Every orc in Mordor’s going to hear this racket! Let’s just tie him up and leave him!
GOLLUM
No! Thats 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
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 make that I can trust.
GOLLUM
We swears to serve the master of the precious. 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 precious. On the precious.
SAM
I don’t believe you! Get down!
FRODO
Sam!
SAM
I said down!
SAM jerks strongly at the rope as Gollum tries to get away and Gollum falls to the ground
FRODO
Sam!
SAM
He was trying to trick us! If we let him go, he’ll throttle us into our sleep!
FRODO (to GOLLUM)
You know the way to Mordor.
GOLLUM
Yes
FRODO
You’ve been there before.
GOLLUM
Yes
FRODO
(taking the rope off GOLLUM) You will lead us to the Black Gate.
GOLLUM scrambles off with the hobbits following
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.
FRODO and SAM catch up to GOLLUM
GOLLUM
Ahhhh!!! (he runs off)
SAM
Hey! Come back now! Come back! (To Frodo) There, what did I tell you? He’s run off, the old villain. So much for his promises.
GOLLUM (reappearing)
This way, Hobbits. Follow me!
The Uruk-hai are carrying MERRY and PIPPIN over the fields of Rohan
PIPPIN
Merry! Merry!
The group pauses, and another group of smaller orcs approaches, led by GRISHNAKH of Mordor
GRISHNAKH
You’re late. Our master grows impatient. He wants the Shire-rats now.
UGLUK
I don’t take orders from Orc-maggots. Saruman will have his prize. We will deliver them.
PIPPIN
Merry! Merry? Wake up. (to the Orcs) My friend is sick. He needs water. Please!
UGLUK
Sick, is he? Give him some medicine, boys!
The Orcs pour a nasty substance down Merry’s throat. Merry sputters and chokes
PIPPIN
Stop it!
UGLUK
Can’t take his draught! Ah ha ha!
PIPPIN
Leave him alone!
UGLUK
Why? You want some? Huh? Then keep your mouth shut.
PIPPIN
Merry.
MERRY
Hello, Pip.
PIPPIN
You’re hurt.
MERRY
I’m fine. It was just an act.
PIPPIN
An act?
MERRY
See? Fooled you, too. Don’t worry about me, Pippin.
UGLUK sniffs the air
UGLUK
What is it? What do you smell?
MAUHUR
Man-flesh.
UGLUK
They’ve picked up our trail!
PIPPIN
(to himself) Aragorn!
UGLUK
Let’s move!
The Uruk-hai quicken their pace. Pippin struggles to reach his Elven brooch with his teeth. He then tears it off his cloak and drops it onto the ground.
ARAGORN is lying with his eyes closed and ear pressed to the ground, listening for the sound of footsteps
ARAGORN
Their pace has quickened. They must have caught our scent. Hurry!
LEGOLAS
Come on Gimli!
GIMLI
Three days and nights pursuit.. no food… no rest… and no sign of our quarry but what bare rock can tell.
The Three Hunters run across rocks and plains, with Aragorn in the lead, and Legolas and Gimli trailing behind. Aragorn suddenly bends down to pick up an Elven brooch from the ground.
ARAGORN
Not idly do the leaves of Lorien fall.
LEGOLAS
They may yet be alive.
ARAGORN
Less than a day ahead of us, come!
LEGOLAS
Come Gimli! We are gaining on them.
GIMLI
I’m wasted on cross-country. We dwarves are natural sprinters. Very dangerous we are 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’s something strange at work here. Some evil gives speed to these creatures. Sets it’s will against us. Legolas! What do your Elf eyes see?
LEGOLAS
The Orcs turn Northeast. They are taking the hobbits to Isengard!
ARAGORN
Saruman
The tower of Orthanc stands amidst the smoking caverns of Isengard. Saruman stands in his chamber, communicating with the Dark Lord through the Palantir
SARUMAN
The world is changing. Who now has the strength to stand against the armies of Isengard and Mordor. To stand against the might of Sauron and Saruman and the union of the two towers? Together, my Lord Sauron, we shall rule this Middle-Earth.
The caverns of Isengard glow with the fires of industry, sounds of hammering fill the air and molten iron is poured into casts
SARUMAN (Voiceover)
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 fist of the Orc.
SARUMAN (to one of his orc leaders)
I want them armed and ready to march within two weeks.
ORC
But my Lord, there are too many. They cannot all be armed in time.
SARUMAN
Build a dam, block the stream, work the furnaces night and day.
ORC
We don’t have enough fuel to feed the fires.
SARUMAN
The Forest of Fangorn lies on our doorstep. Burn it.
ORC
Yes!
The leader of the wild men appears before SARUMAN
WILD MAN
We will fight for you!
SARUMAN
Swear it.
WILD MAN (cutting himself)
We will die for Saruman.
SARUMAN stands in the midst of a gathering of Wild Men, who are holding torches and crude weapons
SARUMAN
The horsemen took your lands. They drove your people into the hills to scratch a living off rocks.
CROWD
Murderers!
SARUMAN
Take back the lands they stole from you. Burn every village! We have only to remove those who oppose us. It will begin in Rohan. Too long have these peasants stood against you. But no more.
The wildmen and orcs attack a village. A woman with her hand on a horse calls out to her children
MORWEN
Eothain, Eothain! You take your sister. You’ll go faster with just two.
FREDA
But Papa says Eothain must not ride Garuif. He is too big for him!
MORWEN
Listen to me! You must ride to Edoras and raise the alarm. Do you understand me?
EOTHAIN
Yes mama.
FREDA
I don’t wanna leave! I don’t wanna go, Mama.
MORWEN
Freda, I will find you there.
Screams are increasing in volume as the army draws closer
MORWEN
Quickly! (to herself) Go child.
The army slaughters at will and sets fire to the village. Eothain and Freda weep as they look back from a distance
SARUMAN (V.O.)
Rohan, my lord, is ready to fall.
The Riders of Rohan approach a number of dead bodies in the dark and in the rain
EOMER
Theodred. Find the King’s son!
RIDER
Mordor will pay for this.
EOMER
These Orcs are not from Mordor.
EOMER kicks over the body of a dead Orc, revealing Saruman’s device
RIDER
Eomer! Over here!
EOMER approaches THEODRED’s body
EOMER
He’s alive.
The group of horsemen ride to Edoras. EOMER is in the lead, carrying a gravely wounded THEODRED in front of him
EOWYN runs hastily up the stairs to the Golden Hall and enters a bedchamber. She runs to the bed
EOWYN
Theodred!
THEODRED seems to hear her call but is unable to respond. He has a bloody gash on the side of his head. EOMER nods to EOWYN in the direction of THEODRED’s torso. EOWYN draws back the covers and upon seeing THEODRED’S fatal wound, her lips tighten and her eyes close. She looks up to catch EOMER’S eye
EOMER and EOWYN are speaking to KING THEODEN who sits motionless on his throne, wizened and aged beyond his years
EOWYN (To Theoden)
Your son is badly wounded my lord.
EOMER
He was ambushed by orcs. If we don’t defend our country, Saruman will take it by force.
GRIMA
That is a lie! Saruman the White has ever been our friend and ally.
THEODEN (mumbling)
Grima… Grima
EOMER
Orcs are roaming freely across our lands, unchecked, unchallenged, killing at will. Orcs bearing the White Hand of Saruman.
EOMER drops a helmet onto the ground, which topples over to reveal the White Hand
GRIMA
Why do you lay these troubles on an already troubled mind? Can you not see? Your uncle is wearied by your malcontent, your warmongering.
EOMER
Warmongering? How long is it since Saruman bought you? What was the promised price, Grima? When all the men are dead you will take a share of the treasure? Too long have you watched my sister, too long have you haunted her steps.
GRIMA
You see much, Eomer son of Eomund. Too much. You are banished forthwith from the kingdom of Rohan, and all its domains under pain of death.
EOMER
You have no authority here! Your orders mean nothing.
GRIMA
This order does not come from me. It comes from the king. He signed it this morning.
The Three Hunters continue the chase
GIMLI
Keep breathing, that’s the key! Breathe! Ho!
LEGOLAS
They run as if the very whips of their masters were behind them.
They continue running over vast distances. The Uruk-hai and orcs halt at nightfall, many panting.
BAGLOR
We’re not goin’ no further till we’ve ‘ad a breather.
UGLUK
Get a fire going!
PIPPIN
Merry! Merry!
MERRY
I think, we might have made a mistake leaving the Shire, Pippin.
A rumbling sound is heard
PIPPIN
What’s making that noise?
MERRY
It’s the trees.
PIPPIN
What?
MERRY
You remember the Old Forest on the borders of Buckland? 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.
BAGLOR
I’m starving. We ain’t ‘ad nothin’ but maggoty bread for three stinkin’ days!
SNAGA
Yeah! Why can’t we have some meat? (looking at the hobbits) What about them? They’re fresh!
UGLUK
They are not for eating!
GRISHNAKH
What about their legs? They don’t need those. Ooh! They look tasty!
UGLUK
Get back, scum! The prisoners go to Saruman alive and unspoiled.
GRISHNAKH
Alive? Why alive? Do they give good sport?
UGLUK
They have something. An Elvish weapon. The master wants it for the war.
PIPPIN (to Merry)
They think we have the Ring.
MERRY
Shh! As soon as they find out we don’t, we’re dead.
SNAGA
Just a mouthful? A bit off the flank.
UGLUK kills SNAGA
UGLUK
Looks like meat’s back on the menu, boys!
The Uruk-hai and orcs cheer and started tearing into SNAGA, 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 onto Pippin and flips him over
GRISHNAKH
Go on, call for help. Squeal! No one’s gonna save you now!
Suddenly, a spear hits GRISNAKH. Mayhem ensues as Riders of Rohan burst out from their hiding places and ambush the orcs
MERRY
Pippin!
Suddenly Pippin turns and looks up at a pair of thrashing hooves bearing down on him
PIPPIN
Ahh!
The Three Hunters are still chasing after the Uruk-Hai. Dawn has broken
LEGOLAS
A red sun rises. Blood has been spilled this night.
The sound of horses comes to their ears. Aragorn quickly gets them to 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 Eomer at the lead, the riders make a quick turn and head towards them, surrounding them in an ever-tightening circle. As they stop, they point their long spears menacingly at them
EOMER
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.
EOMER
I would cut off your head, Dwarf, if it stood but a little higher from the ground.
LEGOLAS
You would die before your stroke fell!
The riders all point their spears closer to the travelers.
ARAGORN
I’m Aragorn, son of Arathorn. This is Gimli, son of Gloin, and Legolas of the Woodland realm. We are friends of Rohan and of Theoden, your King.
EOMER
Theoden no longer recognizes friend from foe. (He takes helmet off.) Not even his own kin.
The spears are withdrawn
EOMER
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 have taken two of our friends captive.
EOMER
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 will be small, only children to your eyes.
EOMER
We left none alive. We piled the carcasses and burned them.
GIMLI
They are dead?
EOMER
I am sorry. Hasufel! Arod
Two horses are brought forth
EOMER
May these horses bear you to better fortune than the former masters. Farewell. Look for your friends, but do not trust to hope. It has forsaken these lands. (to the riders) We ride north!
ARAGORN, LEGOLAS, and GIMLI ride towards the burning carcasses and GIMLI starts to shift through the smouldering pile and finds something of PIPPIN’s
GIMLI
It’s one of their wee belts.
LEGOLAS
Hiro îth ab ‘wanath. (May they find peace after death)
ARAGORN
AAAHHH!!!
GIMLI
We failed them.
ARAGORN looks to the side
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.
ARAGORN
They crawled.
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 an upturned blade.
ARAGORN
Their bonds were cut. 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, GRISHNAKH grabs PIPPIN by his belt and clings on
MERRY
The belt! Run!
PIPPIN undoes his belt and GRISHNAKH is left holding the belt and the hobbits run off
ARAGORN
Tracks lead away from the battle, into Fangorn Forest.
GIMLI
Fangorn. What madness drove them in there?
The hobbits are in Fangorn Forest
PIPPIN
Did we lose him? I think we lost him.
Suddenly, GRISHNAKH bursts through the branches, brandishing a blade
GRISHNAKH
I’m gonna rip out your filthy little innards! Come here!
MERRY
Trees! Climb a tree!
PIPPIN and MERRY quickly scramble up a tree
MERRY
He’s gone.
Suddenly, MERRY is pulled by his legs and falls to the ground. GRISHNAKH leans over him with his menacing blade.
PIPPIN
Merry!
PIPPIN looks down in horror but as he turns his head, he spots a pair of gleaming yellow eyes blinking in the tree he’s clinging to.
PIPPIN
Ah!
PIPPIN loses his grip in fright and falls. The tree catches him.
GRISHNAKH
(to MERRY) Let’s put a maggot-hole in your belly.
Suddenly GRISHNAKH senses something behind him and as he looks up, the tree squashes him
PIPPIN
Run, Merry!
The Tree scoops up MERRY
TREEBEARD
Little orcs!
PIPPIN
It’s talking Merry. The tree is talking.
TREEBEARD
Tree? I am no tree! I am an Ent.
MERRY
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 is 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. 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 MERRY and PIPPIN on the ground and the Hobbits look up at the White Wizard
FRODO and SAM follow GOLLUM to the end of the rocky terrain. GOLLUM looks back
GOLLUM
See, see? We’ve led you out! Hurry, hobbitses, hurry! Very lucky we find you. Nice hobbit.
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. 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. Soft and quick as shadows we must be.
A bit later, SAM, FRODO, and GOLLUM pause to rest
SAM
I hate this place. It’s too quiet. There hasn’t been 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.
GOLLUM catches a worm and slurps it into his mouth.
FRODO
Here.
FRODO tosses GOLLUM some lembas
GOLLUM
What does it eats? Is it tasty?
GOLLUM bites into it and starts choking
GOLLUM
It tries to chokes us! We can’t 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. Not like Master. Master cares. Master knows. Yes. Precious. Once it takes hold of us, it never lets go.
GOLLUM reaches out for the Ring
FRODO
Don’t touch me!
SAM, FRODO, and GOLLUM coninue through the Dead Marshes
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. The Dead Marshes. Yes, yes! That is their name. This way. Don’t follow the lights.
SAM
Ohh!
GOLLUM
Careful now! Or hobbits go down to join the dead ones, and light little candles of their own.
FRODO falls face-down into the water
SAM
Frodo!
FRODO sees many faces of the dead in the water. Their hands reach for him, seeking to draw him into their realm. Suddenly he is grabbed from behind and pulled ashore.
FRODO
Gollum?
GOLLUM
Don’t follow the lights.
FRODO
Gollum…
SAM
Mr. Frodo! are you alright?
Nightfall: SAM is asleep but FRODO is still awake. He holds the Ring in the palm of his hand, staring at it and stroking it. Suddenly he hears a voice
GOLLUM
So bright, so beautiful. Ah precious.
FRODO
What did you say?
GOLLUM
Master should be resting. Master need to keep up his strength.
FRODO
Who are you?
GOLLUM
Musn’t ask us. Not his 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 was a sad story.
GOLLUM
They do not see what lies ahead when sun has faded and moon is dead.
FRODO
You were not so different from a Hobbit once, were you… Smeagol?
GOLLUM
What did you call me?
FRODO
That was your name once, wasn’t it? A long time ago.
GOLLUM
My… My name… Smeagol. Ahh!
SAM
Black Riders!
GOLLUM
Hide! Hide!
FRODO feels a sharp pain in his shoulder
SAM
C’mon Frodo, C’mon!
GOLLUM
Quick! They will see us! They will see us!
SAM
I thought they were dead!
GOLLUM
Dead? No, you cannot kill them. No.
RINGWRAITH
(screeches)
GOLLUM
Wraiths! Wraiths on wings! They are calling for it. They are calling for the precious.
FRODO reaches for the Ring. SAM holds FRODO’s hand
SAM
Mr. Frodo! It’s alright. I’m here.
The Ringwraith circles overhead and flies off into the distance
GOLLUM
Hurry, hobbits. The Black Gate is very close.
Meanwhile, ARAGORN and company go into Fangorn Forest to look for MERRY and PIPPIN
GIMLI
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. The trees are speaking to each other.
ARAGORN
Gimli!
GIMLI
Huh?
ARAGORN
Lower your axe.
GIMLI
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, hm? Except the consistency of squirrel droppings.
LEGOLAS
Aragorn, nad nâ ennas!
(Something is out there!)
ARAGORN
Man cenich?
(What do you see?)
LEGOLAS
The White Wizard approaches.
ARAGORN
Do not let him speak. He will put a spell on us. We must be quick.
With a yell, the three swing round to attack in accord. They are suddenly blinded by a bright light emanating from the White Wizard. GIMLI’s axe and LEGOLAS’ arrow are deflected. ARAGORN’s sword becomes to hot to hold
WIZARD
You are tracking the footsteps of two young hobbits
ARAGORN
Where are they?
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 light dims, revealing GANDALF, dressed in white
ARAGORN
It cannot be!
LEGOLAS
Forgive me. 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. From the lowest dungeon to the highest peak, I fought him, the Balrog of Morgoth. Until at last, I threw down my enemy and smote his ruin upon the mountainside. Darkness took me, and I strayed out of thought and time. Stars wheeled overhead and everyday was as long as a life age of the earth. But it was not the end. I felt life in me again. I’ve been sent back until my task is done.
ARAGORN
Gandalf
GANDALF
Gandalf? Yes. That was what they used to call me. Gandalf the Grey. That was my name.
GIMLI
Gandalf!
GANDALF
I am Gandalf the White. And I come back to you now at the turn of the tide.
They start to walk through the forest, with GANDALF leading the way
GANDALF
One stage of the journey is over another begins. We must travel 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…
The forest groans in anger
GIMLI
I mean charming… quite charming forest?
GANDALF
It was more than mere chance that brought Merry and Pippin to Fangorn. A great power 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
In one thing you have not changed, dear friend. GANDALF
Hm?
ARAGORN
You still speak in riddles.
GANDALF
(laughs) 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? 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
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.
GANDALF
Shadowfax. He’s the lord of all horses and he’s been my friend through many dangers.
The four ride off
TREEBEARD walks through the forest, carrying MERRY and PIPPIN, reciting poetry
TREEBEARD
O, rowan mine
I saw you shine
Upon a summer’s day
Upon your head
How golden-red
The crown you bore aloft
TREEBEARD
Such 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. Ahem. 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.
MERRY and PIPPIN are asleep
TREEBEARD
Oh. Oh. 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. The Shadow lies on Fangorn. The withering of all woods is drawing near.
GANDALF stands alone in the night looking towards Mordor while the three hunters rest. ARAGORN approaches him.
GANDALF
The veiling shadow that glowers in the East takes shape. Sauron will suffer no rival. From the summit of Barad-dur, 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 Numenor still lives. 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. It’s an old device of Saruman’s. His hold over King Theoden is now very strong. Sauron and Saruman are tightening the noose. But for all their cunning, we have one advantage: 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. Do not regret your decision to leave him. Frodo must finish this task alone.
ARAGORN
He’s not alone. Sam went with him.
GANDALF
Did he? Did he, indeed? Good. Yes, very good.
FRODO and SAM are led to the edge of a cliff
GOLLUM
The Black Gate of Mordor.
SAM
Oh, save us! My old Gaffer would 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 Smeagol does, master says so.
FRODO
I did.
Orcs are patrolling the Gate
SAM
That’s it then. We cannot get past them.
A command is heard and an orc sounds a horn. Two enormous cave trolls stretch and growl and then pull the mighty Gate open
SAM
Look! The gate, it’s opening! I can see a way down.
SAM moves closer to the edge. Suddenly, the rock underneath him gives way and he falls
FRODO
Sam! No!
SAM
Ah!!
FRODO goes after SAM
GOLLUM
Master!
Two Easterling soldiers see streams of dust coming down the cliff and investigate. FRODO reaches SAM who is stuck. As the Easterlings move closer and closer, FRODO throws his elvish cloak over himself and SAM. The soldiers can’t see them and leave
FRODO
I do not ask you to come with me, Sam.
SAM
I know, Mr. Frodo. I doubt even these elvish cloaks will hide us in there.
FRODO
Now!
GOLLUM
No! No! No master! They catch you! They catch you. Don’t take it to Him. He wants the precioussss. Always he’s looking for it. And the preciousss is wanting to go back to him, but we musn’t let him have it.
FRODO tries to go, but GOLLUM won’t let him
GOLLUM
No! There’s another way. More secret. A dark way.
SAM
Why haven’t you spoke 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
He has led us this far, Sam.
SAM
Mr. Frodo, no!
FRODO
He’s been true to his word.
SAM
No!
FRODO
Lead the way, Smeagol.
GOLLUM
Good Smeagol always helps.
MERRY and PIPPIN wake up and find themselves at TREEBEARD’s home alone
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.
Suddenly the trees groan
MERRY
Did you hear that? There it is again. Something’s not right here. Not right at all. PIPPIN takes a swig of Ent drink and lets out a similar groan
MERRY
You just said something… Treeish.
PIPPIN
No I didn’t. I was just stretching.
MERRY
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 three-foot-seven. (Treeish grunt) Three-eight!
MERRY
Three-foot-eight? You did something.
MERRY grabs PIPPIN’s Ent bucket and begins to fill it with Ent draught
PIPPIN
Merry, don’t! Don’t drink it! Merry!
MERRY runs off with PIPPIN in pursuit
PIPPIN
No, Treebeard said, Treebeard said you shouldn’t have any. MERRY
I want some!
PIPPIN
It could well be dangerous! Give it back, Merry! I… what’s happening?
The two hobbits are caught in the cracks of a tree. It begins to swallow them
MERRY
It’s got my leg!
PIPPIN
Merry! Help!
The two hobbits are swallowed. Suddenly Treebeard appears and talks to the tree
TREEBEARD
Away with you. You should not be waking. Eat earth. Dig deep. Drink water. Go to sleep. Away with you. (To the hobbits) Come, the forest is waking up. 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 are 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?
TREEBEARD
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
I can’t say that I have. You… Pip?
PIPPIN
What do they look like?
TREEBEARD
I don’t remember now.
GANDALF, ARAGORN, GIMLI and LEGOLAS approach a Kingdom
GANDALF
Edoras and the Golden Hall of Meduseld, There dwells Theoden, King of Rohan, whose mind is overthrown. Saruman’s hold over King Theoden is now very strong.
Interior: EOWYN speaks to THEODEN
EOWYN
My lord, your son… he is dead. My lord? Uncle? Will you not go to him? Will you do nothing.
Exterior
GANDALF
Be careful what you say. Do not look for welcome here.
EOWYN mourns the loss of the king’s son in a separate chamber. Another enters.
GRIMA
Ohh he, he must have died sometime in the night. What a tragedy for the king to lose his only son and heir. I understand his passing is hard to accept, especially now that your brother has deserted you.
EOWYN
Leave me alone, snake!
GRIMA
Oh, but you are alone. Who knows what you’ve spoken to the darkness, in the 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. So fair, so cold, like a morning pale spring still clinging to winter’s chill.
EOWYN
Your words are poison.
EOWYN exits. GANDALF, GIMLI, ARAGORN, and LEGOLAS approach
GIMLI
You’ll find more cheer in a graveyard.
Guards approach
GANDALF
Ah.
HAMA
I cannot allow you before Theoden-king so armed, Gandalf Grayhame. By order of Grima Wormtongue.
The travelers give up their weapons.
HAMA
Your staff.
GANDALF
Hmm? Oh. No, you would not part an old man from his walking stick?
Hama relents, and allows them to enter
GRIMA
My Lord. Gandalf the Grey is coming. He’s a herald of woe.
GANDALF
The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late, Theoden-King.
GRIMA
He’s not welcome.
THEODEN
Why should I welcome you, Gandalf Stormcrow?
GRIMA
A just question, my liege. Late is the hour in which this conjurer chooses to appear. Lathspell I name him. Ill news is an ill guest.
GANDALF
Be silent! Keep your forked tongue behind your teeth. I have not passed through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a witless worm.
GRIMA
His staff. I told you to take the wizard’s staff!
GANDALF
Theoden, Son of Thengel. Too long have you sat in the shadows.
GIMLI (to Grima)
I would stay still if I were you.
GANDALF
Hearken to me! I release you from the spell.
THEODEN
Hahaha! You have no power here, Gandalf the Grey. Haha! Ah!!
GANDALF
I will draw you, Saruman, as poison is drawn from a wound.
EOWYN rushes in, tries to go to THEODEN, but ARAGORN stops her
ARAGORN
Wait.
THEODEN (in SARUMAN’s voice)
If I go, Theoden dies.
GANDALF
You did not kill me. You will not kill him.
THEODEN (in SARUMAN’s voice)
Rohan is mine!
GANDALF
Be gone!
SARUMAN’s spell is broken. THEODEN’s face begins to change into a much younger-looking man. EOWYN rushes up to him.
THEODEN
I know your face. Eowyn… Eowyn. Gandalf?
GANDALF
Breathe the free air again, my friend.
THEODEN
Dark have been my dreams of late.
GANDALF
Your fingers would remember their old strength better… if they grasped your sword.
HAMA runs up with his sword. THEODEN draws it out, then his gaze turns to GRIMA
The guards throw GRIMA out of the hall and down the stairs
GRIMA
Ah! I’ve only ever served you, my lord
THEODEN
Your leechcraft would have had me crawling on all fours like a beast!
GRIMA
Send me not from your side!
THEODEN raises sword to kill GRIMA
ARAGORN
No, my lord! No, my lord. Let him go. Enough blood has been spilled on his account.
GRIMA
Get out of my way!
GRIMA exits
ARAGORN
Hail, Theoden, King!
THEODEN
Where is Theodred? Where is my son?
THEODRED’s body is carried in a funeral procession
EOWYN
(chanting in the Rohirrim Ancestral language)
Bealocwealm hafað fréone frecan forth onsended
(An evil death has set forth the noble warrior)
giedd sculon singan gléomenn sorgiende on Meduselde
(A song shall sing the sorrowing minstrels in Meduseld)
þat heo mano arer his þruc ne deores
(That noble cousin who always held me dear)
on meagorinc deorcas, belu
(now is held in darkness, enclosed)
THEODEN visits his THEODRED’s grave
THEODEN
Simbelmyne. Ever has it grown on the tombs of my forebearers. 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
Theodred’s death was not of your making.
THEODEN
No parent should have to bury their child.
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.)
EOTHAIN and FREDA appear on the hill on horseback. EOTHAIN falls off the horse.
Inside the Golden Hall, the two children eat under the care of EOWYN
EOWYN
They had no warning. They were unarmed. Now the wildmen are moving through westfold, burning as they go. Rick, cot, and tree.
FREDA
Where is momma?
EOWYN
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. You must fight.
ARAGORN
You have two thousand good men riding north as we speak. Eomer is loyal to you. His men will return and fight for their king.
THEODEN
They will be three hundred leagues from here by now. Eomer cannot help us. I know what is you want of me, but I will not bring further death to my people. I will not risk open war.
ARAGORN
Open war is upon you, whether you would risk it or not.
THEODEN
When last I looked, Theoden, not Aragorn, was king of Rohan.
GAMDALF
Then what is the king’s decision?
Cut to Exterior: HAMA shouts to the people of Rohan
HAMA
By order of the king, The city must empty. We make for the refuge of Helm’s Deep. Do not burden yourself with treasures. Take only what provisions you need.
GIMLI
Helm’s Deep! They flee to the mountains when they should stand and fight. Who will defend them if not their king?
ARAGORN
He is only doing what he thinks is best for his people. Helm’s Deep has saved them in the past.
GANDALF
There is no way out of that of ravine. Theoden is walking into a trap. He thinks he is leading them to safety. What they will get is a massacre. Theoden 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 defenses have to hold.
ARAGORN
They will hold.
GANDALF
The Grey Pilgrim. That’s what they used to call me. Three hundred lives of men I’ve walked this earth and nowI have no time. Good luck. My search will not be in vain. Look to my coming at first light of the fifth day. At dawn, look to the east.
ARAGORN
Go.
GANDALF exits on SHADOWFAX
In the stable, a horse panics as several men try to calm him to no avail. ARAGORN sees and approaches
MAN
That horse is half mad, my Lord. There’s nothing you can do. Leave him.
ARAGORN
Fæste! Stille nú, fæste… stille nú… Hwæt nemnað ðe? Hwæt nemnað ðe?
(Oh fast! Be quiet now… What is your name?)
The horse calms
EOWYN
His name is Brego. He was my cousin’s horse.
ARAGORN
Brego? Ðin nama is cynglic
(Brego? Your name is kingly.)
EOWYN
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 has seen enough of war.
Meanwhile, at Isengard:
SARUMAN
Gandalf the White. Gandalf the fool! Does he seek to humble me with his newfound piety?
GRIMA
There were three who followed the wizard. An Elf, a Dwarf, and a Man.
SARUMAN
You stink of horse. The Man. Was he from Gondor?
GRIMA
No. From the North. One of the Dunedain 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
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. It matters not. The world of men shall fall. It will begin at Edoras.
At Edoras, the people prepare to depart
THEODEN
I am ready, Gamling. Bring my horse. This is not a defeat. We will return. We will return.
EOWYN opens a chest to reveal a sword. She swings it around and is parried by ARAGORN
ARAGORN
You have some skill with a blade.
EOWYN
The women of this country learned long ago that those without swords can still die upon them. I fear neither death nor pain.
ARAGORN
What do you fear, my lady?
EOWYN
A cage. To stay behind bars until use and old age accept them. And all chance of valor has gone beyond recall or desire.
ARAGORN
You are a daughter of kings. A shieldmaiden of Rohan. I do not think that will be your fate.
Meanwhile, at Isengard:
GRIMA
Theoden 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 walks through the depths of Isengard. He approaches an orc
SARUMAN
Send out your warg-riders.
GOLLUM is still leading SAM and FRODO
SAM
Hey Stinker! Don’t go getting too far ahead!
FRODO
Why do you do that?
SAM
What?
FRODO
Call him names? Run him down all the time.
SAM
Because. ‘Cause that’s what he is, Mr. Frodo. There’s naught left in ‘im but lies and deceit. It’s the Ring he wants. It’s all he cares about.
FRODO
You have no idea what it did to him. What it’s still doing to him. 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
What do you know about it? Nothing! I’m sorry, Sam. I don’t know why I said that.
SAM
I do. It’s the Ring. You can’t take your eyes off it. I’ve seen you. You’re not eating. You barely sleep. It’s takien a hold of you, Mr Frodo. You have to fight it.
FRODO
I know what I have to do, Sam. The Ring was entrusted to me. It’s my task! Mine! My own!
SAM
Can’t you hear yourself? Don’t you know who you sound like?
GOLLUM is off by himself at night
GOLLUM
We wants it, we needs it. Must have the Preciousss. They stole it from us. Sneaky little hobbitses. Wicked, tricksy, false!
SMEAGOL
No! Not Master!
GOLLUM
Yess, Preciousss, false!. They will cheat you, hurt you, lie!
SMEAGOL
Master’s my friend.
GOLLUM
You don’t have any friends. Nobody likes you.
SMEAGOL
Not listening. Not listening.
GOLLUM
You´re a liar, and a thief.
SMEAGOL
No.
GOLLUM
Murderer!
SMEAGOL
Go away.
GOLLUM
Go away?! Ahahhaa!
SMEAGOL
I hate you, I hate you.
GOLLUM
Where would you be without me? Gollum. Gollum. I saved us. It was me. We survived because of me.
SMEAGOL
Not anymore.
GOLLUM
What did you say?
SMEAGOL
Master looks after us now. We don’t need you.
GOLLUM
What?
SMEAGOL
Leave now and never come back.
GOLLUM
No!
SMEAGOL
Leave now and never come back!
GOLLUM
Ahh!
SMEAGOL
LEAVE NOW AND NEVER COME BACK!
Silence
SMEAGOL
We told him to go away! And away he goes, preciousss. Gone, gone, gone, Sméagol is free!
The next day SMEAGOL comes back with two rabbits and puts them to Frodo’s lap.
SMEAGOL
Look! Look! See what Sméagol finds! Ehehe! Hohohhooo! They are young! They are tender. They are nice! Yes they are. Eat them. Eat them.
SAM
You’ll make him sick you will, behaving like that. There’s only one way to eat a brace of coneys.
SAM cooks the rabbits in a pot.
SMEAGOL
Argh!! Whats it doing! Stupid, fat hobbit. It ruins it!
SAM
Whats to ruin? There’s hardly any meat on them. What we need is a few good taters.
SMEAGOL
What’s taters, Preciousss, what’s taters? Eh?
SAM
Po-ta-toes! Boil them, mash them, stick them in a stew. Lovely big golden chips with a nice piece of fried fish.
SMEAGOL
Phooh!
SAM
Even you couldn’t say no to that.
SMEAGOL
Oh yes we could. Ssspoil nice fish! Give it to ussss raw and wwwriggling. You keep nasty chips!
SAM
You’re hopeless. Mr Frodo?
FRODO sees an army of the Southrons soldiers marching nearby.
SAM
Who are they?
SMEAGOL
Wicked men, servants of Sauron. They are called to Mordor. The Dark One is gathering all armies to him. It won’t be long now. He will soon be ready.
SAM
Ready to do what?
SMEAGOL
To make his war. The last war that will cover all the world in Shadow.
FRODO
We’ve got to get moving. C’mon Sam.
SAM
Mr. Frodo! Look! It’s an oliphant! No one at home will believe this.
SMEAGOL sneaks away
FRODO
Smeagol?
Chaos breaks out when the Southrons are attacked from the bushes.
FRODO
We’ve lingered here too long. C’mon Sam!
FRODO and SAM are caught by Men.
SAM
Oi! Wait, we’re innocent travelers!
FARAMIR
There are no travelers in this land. Only servants of the Dark Tower.
FRODO
We are bound to an errand of secrecy. Those that claim to oppose the enemy would do well not to hinder us.
FARAMIR
The enemy? (looking at the dead body of a Southron) His sense of duty was no less than yours, I deem. You wonder what his name is, where he came from, and if he was really evil at heart, what lies or threats led him on this long march from home, if he would not rather have stayed there in peace. War will make corpses of us all. Bind their hands.
The villagers or Rohan are heading towards Helm’s Deep
GIMLI
It’s true you don’t see many dwarf women. And in fact, they are so alike in voice and appearance, that they’re are often mistaken for dwarf men.
ARAGORN
It’s the beards.
GIMLI
And this in turn has given rise to the belief that there are no dwarf women. And the dwarves just spring out of holes in the ground! Which is of course ridiculous. Whoa!
GIMLI falls from the horse
GIMLI
It’s alright! It’s alright. Nobody panic. That was deliberate. It was deliberate.
THEODEN
I’ve not seen my niece smile for a long time. She was a girl when they brought her father back dead. Cut down by Orcs. She watched her mother succumb to grief. Then she was left alone to tend her king in growing fear. Doomed to wait upon an old man who should have loved her as a father.
In the evening, when the villagers have camped, EOWYN offers various folk her homemade stew
EOWYN
GIMLI?
GIMLI
No no, I couldn’t!
EOWYN
(To Aragorn) I made some stew. It isn’t much, but it’s hot.
ARAGORN
Thank you. (He eats) It’s good.
EOWYN
Really? My uncle told me a strange thing. He said that you rode to war with Thengel, my grandfather. But he must be mistaken.
ARAGORN
King Theoden has a good memory. He was only a small child at the time.
EOWYN
Then you must be at least sixty.
ARAGORN
No…
EOWYN
Seventy? You cannot be eighty.
ARAGORN
Eighty seven
EOWYN
You are one of the Dunedain. A descendant of Numenor, blessed with long life. It was said that your race has passed into legend.
ARAGORN
There are few of us left. The Northern Kingdom was destroyed long ago. I’m sorry. Please, eat.
At night and Aragorn drifts into a dream
ARWEN
The light of the Evenstar does not wax and wane. It is mine to give to whom I will. Like my heart. Go to sleep.
ARAGORN
I am asleep. This is a dream.
ARWEN
Then it is a good dream. Sleep.
ARAGORN
Min lû pennich nin, i aur hen telitha.
(You told me once, this day would come.)
ARWEN
Ú i vethed…nâ i onnad. Boe bedich go Frodo. Han bâd lîn.
(This is not the end. It is the beginning. You must go with Frodo. That is your path.)
ARAGORN
Dolen i vâd o nin.
(My path is hidden from me.)
ARWEN
Si peliannen i vâd na dail lîn. Si boe ú-dhannathach.
(It is already laid before your feet, you cannot falter now.)
ARAGORN
Arwen.
ARWEN
Ae ú-esteliach nad… estelio han. Estelio ammen.
(If you trust nothing else, trust this. Trust us.)
ARAGORN and the Rohirrim continue their journey
ÈOWYN
Where is she? The woman who gave you that jewel?
Flashback to Elrond conversing with ARAGORN at Rivendell:
ELROND
Our time here is ending. Arwen’s time is ending. Let her go. Let her take the ship into the west. Let her bear away her love for you to the Undying Lands. There it will be ever green.
ARAGORN
But never more than memory.
ELROND
I will not leave my daughter here to die.
ARAGORN
She stays because she still has hope.
ELROND
She stays for you. She belongs with her people.
Before departing with the Fellowship, ARAGORN is stopped by ARWEN
ARWEN
Nach gwannatha sin?
(Is this how you would take your leave?)
Ma nathach hi gwannathach or minuial archened?
(Did you think you could slip away at first light — unnoticed?)
ARAGORN
Ú-ethelithon
(I will not be coming back)
ARWEN
Estelio guru lîn ne dagor. Ethelithach
(You underestimate your skill in battle… You will come back)
ARAGORN
Ú-bedin o gurth ne dagor
(It is not of death in battle that I speak)
ARWEN
O man pedich?
What do you speak?
ARAGORN
Idhren emmen menna gui ethwel…Hae o auth a nîr a naeth.
(You have a chance for another life …away from war… grief… despair.)
ARWEN
Why are you saying this?
ARAGORN
I’m mortal. You are elfkind. It was a dream Arwen, nothing more.
ARWEN
I don’t believe you.
ARAGORN
This belongs to you.
ARAGORN tries to give the Evenstar back to ARWEN
ARWEN
It was a gift. Keep it.
Flashback ends
ÈOWYN
My lord?
ARAGORN
She is sailing to the Undying Lands with all that is left of her kin.
GAMLING
What is it? Hama?
HAMA
I’m not sure.
A warg scout appears above them and attacks Hama, killing him.
GAMLING
Wargs!
Legolas immediately comes to the rescue, shooting with his bow.
LEGOLAS
A scout!
THEODEN
What is it? What do you see?
ARAGORN
Wargs! We’re under attack! Get them out of here!
THEODEN
All riders to the head of the column!
GIMLI
C’mon get me up here, I’m a rider. Come on!
THEODEN (to EOWYN)
You must lead the people to Helm’s Deep, and make haste.
ÈOWYN
I can fight!
THEODEN
No! You must do this for me.
THEODEN (to the men)
Follow me!
GIMLI
Forward! I mean, charge forward.
EOWYN (to the villagers)
Make for the lower ground. Stay together!
GIMLI
That’s it! Go on!
The warg riders and the Rohirrim crash at full speed. They fight like men (and orcs). GIMLI falls of the horse and a riderless warg heads towards him.
GIMLI
Bring your pretty face to my axe!
LEGOLAS shoots the warg
GIMLI
That one counts as mine!
A dead warg lands on GIMLI
GIMLI
Argh! Stinking creature!
ARAGORN catches his hand in the harness of a warg, and fights with the orc rider, who finally falls off. ARAGORN and the warg tumble over the cliff.
LEGOLAS
Aragorn?
GIMLI
Aragorn?
LEGOLAS and GIMLI spot an orc on the ground laughing
GIMLI
Tell me what happened and I will ease your passing. SHARKU
He’s… dead. He took a little tumble off the cliff.
LEGOLAS
You lie!
SHARKU dies, and LEGOLAS sees that he is holding Evenstar in his hand. He takes it.
THEODEN
Get the wounded on horses. The wolves of Isengard will return. Leave the dead. Come.
The riders enter Helm’s Deep after the battle
REFUGEES
At last! Helm’s Deep! There it is! Helm’s Deep. We’re safe!
OLD WOMAN (to EOWYN)
We’re safe, my lady! Thank you!
FREDA
Mama!
The children find their mother once again and run to her arms.
MORWEN
Eothain! Freda!
EOWYN (overseeing the food storage)
Where is the rest?
OLD MAN
This is all we could save, my lady.
EOWYN
Take it to the caves.
GUARD
Make way for the king! Make way for Théoden! Make way for the King!
EOWYN
So few. So few of you have returned.
THEODEN
Our people are safe. We have paid for it with my many lives.
GIMLI
My lady…
EOWYN
Lord Aragorn, where is he?
GIMLI
He fell.
THEODEN
Draw all our forces behind the wall. Bar the gate, and set a watch on the surround.
GUARD
What of those who cannot fight, my lord? The women and children?
THEODEN
Get them into the caves. Saruman’s arm will have grown long indeed if he thinks he can reach us here.
At Isengard:
GRIMA
Helm’s Deep has one weakness. Its outer wall is solid rock but for a small culvert at its base which is little more than a drain.
SARUMAN pours explosives into a metallic ball.
GRIMA
How? How can fire undo stone? What kind of device can break down the wall?
SARUMAN
If the wall is breached, Helm’s Deep will fall.
GRIMA
Even if it is breached, it would take a number beyond reckoning, thousands to storm the keep.
SARUMAN
Tens of thousands.
GRIMA
But, my lord, there is no such force.
They walk to the balcony of the tower Orthanc and GRIMA looks in awe at tens of thousands of orcs
SARUMAN
A new power is rising. It’s victory is at hand. This night the land will be stained with the blood of Rohan! March to Helm’s Deep! Leave none alive! To war! There will be no dawn for Men.
MERRY and PIPPIN are walking towards ISENGARD
PIPPIN
Look! There’s smoke to the south.
TREEBEARD
There is always smoke rising up from Isengard these days.
MERRY
Isengard?
TREEBEARD
There was a time, when Saruman would walk in my woods, but now he has a mind of metal and wheels.
TREEBEARD
He no longer cares for growing things.
A horn sounds and an army marches off
PIPPIN
What is it?
MERRY
It’s Saruman’s army! The war has started.
ARAGORN floats down the river and washes ashore. He dreams of ARWEN.
ARWEN
May the grace of the Valar protect you.
BREGO the horse arrives and Aragorn comes to and mounts him
At Rivendell:
ELROND
Arwen. Tollen i lû. I chair gwannar na Valannor. Si bado, no círar.
(Arwen. It is time. The ships are leaving for Valinor. Go now before it is too late.)
ARWEN
I have made my choice.
ELROND
He is not coming back. Why do you linger here when there is no hope?
ARWEN
There is still hope.
ELROND
If Aragorn survives this war, you will still be parted. If Sauron is defeated and Aragorn made king and all that you hope for comes true, you will still have to taste the bitterness of mortality. Whether by the sword or the slow decay of time, Aragorn will die. And there will be no comfort for you. No comfort to ease the pain of his passing. He will come to death. An image of the splendor of the kings of men in glory, undimmed before the breaking of the world. But you, my daughter, you will linger on in darkness and in doubt. As nightfall in winter that comes without a star. Here you will dwell, bound to your grief, under the fading trees, until all the world has changed and the long years of your life are utterly spent. Arwen… there is nothing for you here, only death. A im, ú-‘erin veleth lîn?
(Do I not also have your love?)
ARWEN
Gerich meleth nîn, ada.
(You have my love father.)
The Elves (including ARWEN) depart Rivendell
GALADRIEL
I amar prestar aen, han mathon ne nen, han mathon ne chae a han noston ned ‘wilith. (The world is changed; I can feel it in the water, I can feel it in the earth, I can smell it in the air.) The power of the enemy is growing. Sauron will use his puppet Saruman to destroy the people of Rohan. Isengard has been unleashed. The Eye of Sauron now turns to Gondor, the last free kingdom of men. His war on this country will come swiftly. He senses the Ring is close. The strength of the Ring-bearer is failing. In his heart, Frodo begins to understand the quest will claim his life. You know this. You have foreseen it. It is the risk we all took. In the gathering dark, the will of the Ring grows strong. It works hard now to find its way back into the hands of men. Men, who are so easily seduced by its power. The young captain of Gondor has but to extend his hand to take the Ring for his own, and the world will fall. It is close now, so close to achieving its goal. For Sauron will have dominion over all life on this Earth, even unto the ending of the world. The time of the Elves is over. Do we leave Middle-Earth to its fate? Do we let them stand alone?
FARAMIR and his men look over a map
FARAMIR
What news?
MADRIL
Our scouts report Saruman has attacked Rohan. Théoden’s people have fled to Helm’s Deep. But we must look to our own borders. Faramir, Orcs are on the move. Sauron is marshalling an army. Easterlings and Southrons are passing through the Black Gate.
FARAMIR
How many?
MADRIL
Some thousands. More come every day.
FARAMIR
Who’s covering the river to the north?
MADRIL
We pulled five hundred men out of Osgiliath. If their city is attacked, we won’t hold it.
FARAMIR
Saruman attacks from Isengard. Sauron from Mordor. The fight will come to men on both fronts. Gondor is weak. Sauron will strike us soon. And he will strike hard. He knows now we do not have the strength to repel him.
FARAMIR (to SAM and FRODO)
My men tell me that you are Orc spies.
SAM
Spies? Now wait just a minute.
FARAMIR
Well if you’re not spies, then who are you? Speak!
FRODO
We are Hobbits of the Shire. Frodo Baggins is my name, and this is Samwise Gamgee.
FARAMIR
Your bodyguard?
SAM
His gardener.
FARAMIR
And where is your skulking friend? That gangrel creature. He had an ill-favoured look.
FRODO
There was no other. We set out from Rivendell with seven companions. One we lost in Moria. Two were my kin. A dwarf there was also. And an elf. And two men. Aragorn, son of Arathorn, and Boromir of Gondor.
FARAMIR
You’re a friend of Boromir?
FRODO
Yes, for my part.
FARAMIR
It will grieve you then to learn that he is dead?
FRODO
Dead? How? When?
FARAMIR
As one of his companions, I had hoped you would tell me.
FRODO
If something has happened to Boromir we would have you tell us.
FARAMIR
His horn washed up upon the riverbank, about six days past. It was cloven in two. But more than this I know it in my heart. He was my brother.
Flashback #1: FARAMIR, by the Anduin River, sees BOROMIR’s funeral boat pass by
Flashback #2: FARAMIR remembers a day at Osgiliath with his brother
THOUSANDS OF MEN
Yay! Boromir! Boromir!
BOROMIR
This city was once the jewel of our kingdom! A place of light and beauty and music. And so it shall be once more! Let the armies of Mordor know this: never again will the land of my people fall into enemy hands. This city of Osgiliath has been reclaimed for Gondor!
MEN
For Gondor!
BOROMIR
For Gondor!
MEN
For Gondor!
BOROMIR
For Gondor!
After the speech, the brothers embrace
FARAMIR
Good speech. Nice and short.
BOROMIR
Leaves more time for drinking. Break out the ale! These men are thirsty!
MEN
Yeah!
BOROMIR
Remember today, little brother. Today, life is good. What?
FARAMIR
He’s here.
BOROMIR
Oh, one moment of peace, can he not give us that?
DENETHOR
Where is he? Where is Gondor’s finest? Where is my first-born?
BOROMIR
Father!
DENETHOR
They say you vanquished the enemy almost single-handedly.
BOROMIR
They exaggerate. The victory belongs to Faramir also.
DENETHOR
But for Faramir, this city would still be standing. (To FARAMIR) where you not entrusted to protect it?
FARAMIR
I would have done, but our numbers were too few.
DENETHOR
Oh. Too few. You let the enemy walk in and take it on a whim. Always you cast poor reflection on me.
FARAMIR
That is not my intent.
BOROMIR
You give him no credit and yet he tries to do your will. He loves you, father.
DENETHOR
Do not trouble me with Faramir. I know his uses and they are few. We have more urgent things to speak of. Elrond of Rivendell has called a meeting. He will not say why, but I have guessed its purpose. It is rumored that the weapon of the enemy has been found.
BOROMIR
The One Ring? Isildur’s Bane.
DENETHOR
It has fallen into the hands of the Elves. Everyone will try to claim it: Men, Dwarves, wizards. We cannot let that happen. This thing must come to Gondor.
BOROMIR
Gondor.
DENETHOR
It’s dangerous, I know. Ever the Ring will seek to corrupt the hearts of lesser Men. But you, you are strong. And our need is great. It is our blood which is being spilled. Our people who are dying. Sauron is biding his time. He’s massing fresh armies. He will return. And when he does we will be powerless to stop him. You must go. Bring me back this mighty gift.
BOROMIR
No. My place is here with my people. Not in Rivendell.
DENETHOR
Would you deny your own father?
FARAMIR
If there is need to go to Rivendell, send me in his stead.
DENETHOR
You? Oh, I see. A chance for Faramir, captain of Gondor, to show his quality. I think not. I trust this mission only to your brother. The one who will not fail me.
Later, the brothers say goodbye to each other as BOROMIR sets out for Rivendell
BOROMIR
Remember today, little brother.
Flashback ends
As FARAMIR is lost in thought, a man approaches him
PARN
Captain Faramir. We found the third one.
FARAMIR
You must come with me. Now.
FRODO is led outside
FARAMIR
Down there.
FRODO looks down to the Forbidden Pool and sees SMEAGOL dive in it.
FARAMIR
To enter the Forbidden Pool bears the penalty of death.
Archers step out from the bushes, ready to shoot
FARAMIR
They wait for my command. Shall I shoot?
SMEAGOL
The rock and pool is nice and cool, so juicy sweeeet. Our only wish, to catch a fish, so juicy sweeeeet!
FRODO
Wait. This creature is bound to me. And I to him. He is our guide. Please, let me go down to him.
FARAMIR allows FRODO to go to SMEAGOL, who is eating the fish.
FRODO
Sméagol. Master is here. Come, Sméagol. Trust master. Come.
SMEAGOL
We must… go now?
FRODO
Sméagol, you must trust master. Follow me, come on. Come. Come, Sméagol. Nice Sméagol. That’s it. Come on.
FARAMIR’s men jump SMEAGOL and wrestle him down
FRODO
Don’t hurt him! Sméagol, don’t struggle! Sméagol, listen to me!
SMEAGOL
Master! No! No!
The men rough the creature up and present him to FARAMIR
FARAMIR
That’s enough. Where are you leading them? Answer me!
GOLLUM
Sméagol… Why do you cry, Sméagol?
SMEAGOL
Cruel men hurts us. Master tricksed us.
GOLLUM
Of course he did. I told you he was tricksy. I told you he was false.
SMEAGOL
Master is our friend… our friend.
GOLLUM
Master betrayed ussss!
SMEAGOL
No, not it’s business. Leave us alone.
GOLLUM
Filthy little hobbitsesss! They stole it from usss!
SMEAGOL
No… no
FARAMIR
What did they steal?
GOLLUM
My PRECIOUS!!!!
SAM and FRODO are huddled in a room
SAM
We have to get out of here. You go. Go now. You can do it. Use the Ring, Mr. Frodo. Just this once. Put it on. Disappear.
FRODO
I can’t. You were right, Sam. You tried to tell me. I’m sorry. The Ring’s taking me, Sam. If I put it on, he’ll find me. he’ll see.
SAM
Mr. Frodo…
Suddenly FARAMIR enters, and draws his sword
FARAMIR
So… this is the answer to all the riddles. Here in the wild I have you. Two Halfings and a host of men at my call. And the Ring of Power within my grasp. A chance for Faramir, captain of Gondor, to show his quality.
FRODO
No!
SAM
Stop it! Leave him alone! Don’t you understand?! He’s got to destroy it. That’s where we’re going. Into Mordor. To the Mountain of fire.
DAMROD (entering)
Osgiliath is under attack. They call for reinforcements.
SAM (to FARAMIR)
Please. It’s such a burden. Will you not help him?
DAMROD
Captain?
FARAMIR
Prepare to leave. The Ring will go to Gondor.
ARAGORN sees the army of Saruman and quickly rides to Helm’s Deep.
ARAGORN
Mae carnen, Brego, mellon nîn.
(Well done, Brego, my friend.)
ARAGORN enters Helm’s Deep
WOMAN
He’s alive!
GIMLI
Where is he! Where is he! Get out of the way! I’m gonna kill him! You are the the luckiest, the canniest, and the most reckless man I ever knew! Bless you, laddie!
ARAGORN
Gimli, where is the king?
ARAGORN encounters LEGOLAS
LEGOLAS
Le ab-dollen.
(You’re late.)
You look terrible.
LEGOLAS gives ARAGORN the Evenstar back
ARAGORN
Hannon le.
(Thank you.)
Inside, ARAGORN talks to THEODEN
THEODEN
A great host, you say?
ARAGORN
All Isengard is emptied.
THEODEN
How many?
ARAGORN
Ten thousand strong at least.
THEODEN
Ten-thousand?!
ARAGORN
It is an army bred for a single purpose: to destroy the world of Men. They will be here by nightfall.
THEODEN
Let them come.
THEODEN walks outside
THEODEN
I want every man and strong lad able to bear arms to be ready for battle by nightfall. We will cover the causeway and the gate from above. No army has ever breached the deeping wall or set foot inside the Hornburg.
GIMLI
This is no rabble of mindless orcs. These are Uruk-hai. Their armor is thick and their shields broad.
THEODEN
I have fought many wars, Master Dwarf. I know how to defend my own keep. They will break upon this fortress like water on rock. Saruman’s hordes will pillage and burn. We’ve seen it before. Crops can be resown. Homes rebuilt. Within these walls, we will outlast them.
ARAGORN
They do not come to destroy Rohan’s crops or villages. They come to destroy its people. Down to the last child!
THEODEN
What would you have me do? Look at my men. Their courage hangs by a thread. If this is to be our end, then I would have them make such an end as to be worthy of remembrance!
ARAGORN
Send out riders, my lord. You must call for aid.
THEODEN
And who will come. Elves? Dwarves? We are not so lucky in our friends as you. The old alliances are dead.
ARAGORN
Gondor will answer.
THEODEN
Gondor? Where was Gondor when the Westfold fell? Where was Gondor when our enemies closed in around us? Where was Gon… No, my lord Aragorn, we are alone.
THEODEN walks away from ARAGORN
THEODEN
Get the women and children into the caves.
GAMLING
We need more time to lay provisions for a siege, lord.
THEODEN
There is no time. War is upon us!
GAMLING
Secure the gate.
Meanwhile, back in Fangorn
TREEBEARD
We ents have not troubled about the wars of men and wizards for a very long time. But now something is about to happen that has not happened for an age: entmoot.
MERRY
What’s that?
TREEBEARD
It is a gathering.
MERRY
A gathering of what?
Ents begin to surround them
TREEBEARD
Beech, Oak, Chestnut, Ash. Good, good, good. Many have come. Now we must decide if the Ents will go to war.
Back at Helm’s Deep, the guards are sorting out the women and children while Aragorn sets up strategy with Legolas for the battle
GUARDS
Move back! Move to the caves! Come on, people! Quickly now!
ARAGORN
We’ll place the reserves along the wall. They can support the archers from above the gate.
LEGOLAS
Aragorn, you must rest. You’re no use to us half-alive.
EOWYN
My Lord! Aragorn! I’m to be sent with the women into the caves.
ARAGORN
That is an honorable charge.
EOWYN
To mind the children, to find food and bedding when the men return? What renown is there in that?
ARAGORN
My lady, a time may come for valor without renown. Who will your people look to in the last defense?
EOWYN
Let me stand at your side.
ARAGORN
It is not in my power to command it.
EOWYN
You do not command the others to stay! They fight beside you because they would not be parted with you. Because they love you. I’m sorry.
Eowyn retreats into the caves. Husbands and sons are taken away from their wives and mothers and are given weapons.
ARAGORN
Farmers, farriers, stable boys. These are no soldiers.
GIMLI
Most have seen too many winters.
LEGOLAS
Or too few. Look at them. They’re frightened. I can see it in their eyes. Boe a hûn: neled herain dan caer menig?
(And they should be. Three hundred against ten thousand?)
ARAGORN
Si beriathar hýn. Amar nâ ned Edoras.
(They have a better chance defending themselves here than in Edoras.)
LEGOLAS
Aragorn, men i ndagor. Hýn ú- ortheri. Natha daged aen!“
(They cannot win this fight. They are all going to die!)
ARAGORN
Then I shall die as one them!
ARAGORN exits
GIMLI (to LEGOLAS)
Let him go, lad. Let him be.
THEODEN is preparing to put on his armour
GAMLING
Every villager able to wield a sword has been sent to the armory. My lord?
THEODEN
Who am I, Gamling?
GAMLING
You are our king, sire.
THEODEN
And do you trust your king?
GAMLING
Your men, my lord, will follow you to whatever end.
THEODEN
To whatever end. Where is the horse and the rider? Where is the horn that was blowing? They have passed like rain on the mountains. Like wind in the meadow. The days have gone down in the west. Behind the hills, into shadow. How did it come to this?
Meanwhile, at Entmoot, PIPPIN wakes up from his slumber
PIPPIN
Huh?
MERRY
It’s been going for hours.
PIPPIN
They must have decided something by now.
TREEBEARD
Decided? No. We only just finished saying ‘good morning’.
MERRY
But it’s nighttime already. You can’t take forever.
TREEBEARD
Don’t be hasty.
MERRY
We’re running out of time.
GUARDS at Helm’s Deep
Move! Move to the outer wall.
ARAGORN is sitting alone on stairs. He sees a confused looking boy with a sword
ARAGORN
Give me your sword. What is your name?
HALETH
Háleth, son of Háma, my lord. The men are saying that we will not live out the night. They say that it is hopeless.
ARAGORN
This is a good sword, Háleth, son of Háma. There is always hope.
Inside, ARAGORN is putting on his armour. LEGOLAS is suddenly behind him and hands him his sword
LEGOLAS
We have trusted you this far. You have not led us astray. Forgive me. I was wrong to despair.
ARAGORN
Ú-moe edhored, Legolas
(There is nothing to forgive, Legolas.)
GIMLI suits up
GIMLI
If we had time, I’d get this adjusted. It’s a little tight across the chest.
A sound of a horn is heard from outside. It is no orc horn.
LEGOLAS
That is no orc horn!
They rush outside
GUARD
Send for the king. Open up the gate!
The gates are opened, and an army of elves march in.
THEODEN
How is this possible?
HALDIR
I bring word from Elrond of Rivendell. An alliance once existed between Elves and Men. Long ago we fought and died together. We come to honor that allegiance.
ARAGORN
Mae govannen, Haldir!
(Welcome Haldir)
You are most welcome.
HALDIR
We are proud to fight alongside men once more.
Saruman’s army approaches. GIMLI and LEGOLAS stand ready to fight.
GIMLI
Arg..You could have picked a better spot.
ARAGORN approaches
GIMLI
Well lad, whatever luck you live by, let’s hope it lasts the night.
LEGOLAS
Your friends are with you, Aragorn.
GIMLI
Let’s hope they last the night.
ARAGORN gives a final pep talk to the Elves
ARAGORN
„Daer ú-o chyn, Ú-danno i failad a thi; an úben tannatha le failad.“
(Show them no mercy! For you shall receive none!)
GIMLI
What’s happening out there?
LEGOLAS
Shall I describe it to you? Or would you like me to find you a box?
Everything draws to a halt, and then an old man accidently shoots an orc
ARAGORN
Dartho!
(Hold!)
The Uruks roar in anger and charge
THEODEN
So it begins.
ARAGORN
Hado i philinn!
(Prepare to fire!)
The Elves shoot
LEGOLAS (to the elves)
Hain ‘war di na lanc a nu ranc!“
(Their armor is weak at the neck and under the arms.)
ARAGORN
Leithio i philinn!
(Fire!)
GIMLI
Did they hit anything?
THEODEN
Give them a volley.
GAMLING
Fire!
GUARD
Fire!
ARAGORN
Leithio i philinn!
(Fire!)
GIMLI
Send them to them! Come on!
ARAGORN
Pendraid!
(Ladders!)
GIMLI
Good!
ARAGORN
Swords! Swords!
The Uruk-hai climb ladders and enter Helm’s Deep
ORC
„Wilhelm“
GIMLI
Legolas, two already!
LEGOLAS
I’m on seventeen!
GIMLI
Arg! I’ll have no pointy-ear outscoring me!
LEGOLAS
Nineteen!
Back at Entmoot:
PIPPIN
Merry!
TREEBEARD
We have just agreed.
MERRY
Yes?
TREEBEARD
I have told your names to the Entmoot and we have agreed you are not Orcs.
PIPPIN
Well that’s good news.
MERRY
And what about Saruman? Have you come to a decision about him?
TREEBEARD
Now don’t be hasty, Master Meriadoc.
MERRY
Hasty? Our friends are out there. They need our help! They cannot fight this war on their own.
TREEBEARD
War, yes. It affects us all. But you must understand, young hobbit. It takes a long time to say anything in Old Entish, and we never say anything unless it is worth taking a long time to say.
At Helm’s Deep:
GIMLI
Seventeen. Eighteen. Nineteen. Twenty. Twenty one. Twenty two.
ARAGORN
Causeway! Na fennas! (To the gateway)
THEODEN
Is this it? Is this all you can conjure Saruman?
Below, the Uruks load up the small drain with SARUMAN’s explosives, and a Uruk soldier carrying a torch runs towards it. ARAGORN sees this and calls for LEGOLAS
ARAGORN
Togo hon dad, Legolas! Dago hon! Dago hon!
[Bring him down, Legolas! Kill him! Kill him!)
LEGOLAS hits the Uruk with two arrows, but fails to kill him, and the Uruk-hai lights the explosives and takes out the wall. The Uruk-hai begin to crowd through the hole in the wall.
THEODEN
Brace the gates! Hold them! Stand firm!“
GIMLI
Aragorn!
ARAGORN
Gimli! Hado i philinn! Herio!
(Fire! Charge!)
At Entmoot:
TREEBEARD
The ents cannot hold back this storm. We must weather such things as we have always done.
MERRY
How can that be your decision?
TREEBEARD
This is not our war.
MERRY
But your part of this world, aren’t you? You must help, please! You must do something.
TREEBEARD
You are young and brave, Master Merry, but your part in this tale is over. Go back to your home.
PIPPIN
Maybe Treebeard’s right. We don’t belong here, Merry. It’s too big for us. What can we do in the end? We’ve got the Shire. Maybe we should go home.
MERRY
The fires of Isengard will spread. And the woods of Tuckburough and Buckland will burn. And… and all that was once green and good in this world will be gone. There won’t be a Shire, Pippin.
Back at Helm’s Deep:
THEODEN
Aragorn, fall back to the keep. Get your men out of there!
ARAGORN
Nan barad!
(To the Keep!) Nan barad! Haldir! Nan barad!
HALDIR nods at him and calls for the others. GIMLI is dragged away against his will.
GIMLI
What are you doing? Stop it!
HALDIR
Nan barad!
HALDIR is killed
ARAGORN
Haldir!
GAMLING
Brace the gate!
ARAGORN
Hold them!
THEODEN
To the gate! Draw your swords!
GAMLING
Make way! We can’t hold much longer.
THEODEN
Hold them!
ARAGORN approaches
ARAGORN
How long do you need?
THEODEN
As long as you can give me!
ARAGORN
Gimli!
THEODEN
Timbers! Brace the gate!
Aragorn and Gimli exit through a secret side gate
GIMLI
Oh, come on. We can take them!
ARAGORN
It’s a long way.
GIMLI
Toss me.
ARAGORN
What?
GIMLI
I cannot jump the distance. You’ll have to toss me. Ehh.. Don’t tell the elf.
ARAGORN
Not a word.
ARAGORN tosses Gimli and jumps, and the two battle the orcs at the front gate
THEODEN
Shore up the door!
GUARDS
Make way! Follow me to the barricade. Watch our backs! Throw another one over here!
THEODEN
Higher!
GUARD
Hold fast the gate!
THEODEN
Gimli! Aragorn! Get out of there!
LEGOLAS (above)
Aragorn!
LEGOLAS throws down a rope, and ARAGORN and GIMLI are pulled to safety
THEODEN
Pull everybody back. Pull them back!
GAMLING
Fall back! Fall back! They have broken through. The castle is breached. Retreat! Retreat!
ARAGORN
Hurry! Inside. Get them inside!
GAMLING
Into the keep!
Meanwhile, back at Fangorn Forest…
TREEBEARD
I will leave you at the western borders of the forest. You can make your way north to your homeland from there.
PIPPIN
Wait! Stop! Stop! Turn around. Turn around. Take us south!
TREEBEARD
South? But that will lead you past Isengard.
PIPPIN
Yes. Exactly. If we go south we can slip past Saruman unnoticed. The closer we are to danger, the farther we are from harm. It’s the last thing he’ll expect.
TREEBEARD
Hmmmm. That doesn’t make sense to me. But then you are very small. Perhaps you’re right. South it is then. Hold on, little Shirelings. Oh. I always like going south. Somehow it feels like going downhill.
MERRY
Are you mad, we’ll be caught.
PIPPIN
No we won’t. Not this time.
FARAMIR and his company arrive approach Osgiliath with FRODO, SAM, and GOLLUM as captives
DAMROD
Look. Osgiliath burns. Mordor has come.
FRODO
The Ring will not save Gondor. It has only the power to destroy. Please, let me go.
FARAMIR looks at FRODO, but then gestures to his men to move.
FARAMIR
Hurry.
FRODO
Faramir, you must let me go!
TREEBEARD approaches the edge of Fangorn Forest
TREEBEARD
… and those little family of field mice that climb up sometimes and they tickle me awfully. They’re always trying to get somewhere where they…
TREEBEARD walks into an open area where every tree has been brutally cut down
TREEBEARD
Many of these trees were my friends. Creatures I had known from nut and acorn.
PIPPIN
I’m sorry, Treebeard.
TREEBEARD
They had voices of their own. Saruman. A wizard should know better!
TREEBEARD lets out a powerfull call that reverberates throughout Fangorn
TREEBEARD
There is no curse in Elvish, Entish or the tongues of men for this treachery.
PIPPIN
Look, the trees! They’re moving!
MERRY
Where are they going?
TREEBEARD
They have business with the Orcs. My business is with Isengard tonight. With rock and stone.
The Ents march out of the forest
MERRY
Yes!
TREEBEARD
Rárum-rum! Come my friends. The Ents are going to war. It is likely that we go to our doom. Last march of the Ents.
The Ents march to Isengard. Meanwhile, back at Osgiliath…
MADRIL
Faramir, Orcs have taken the eastern shore. Their numbers are too great. By nightfall we’ll be overrun.
FRODO stumbles
SAM
Mr. Frodo!
FRODO
It’s calling to him, Sam. His eye is almost on me.
SAM
Hold on, Mr. Frodo. You’ll be alright.
FARAMIR (to his men)
Take them to my father. Tell him Faramir sends a mighty gift. A weapon that will change our fortunes in this war.
SAM
You wanna know what happened to Boromir? You want to know why your brother died? He tried to take the Ring from Frodo. After swearing an oath to protect him, he tried to kill him! The Ring drove your brother mad!
The RINGWRAITHS approach. FRODO knows.
SAM
Mr. Frodo?
FRODO
They’re here. They’ve come.
RINGWRAITH
(screeches)
FARAMIR
Nazgûl!
A RINGWRAITH flies over Osgiliath and FARAMIR leads the hobbits to safety
FARAMIR
Stay here. Keep out of sight. Take cover!
Back at Helm’s Deep:
THEODEN
The fortress is taken. It is over.
ARAGORN
You said this fortress would never fall while your men defend it. They still defend it. They have died defending it! Is there no other way for the women and children to get out of the caves? Is there no other way?
GAMLING
There is one passage. It leads into the mountains. But they will not get far. The Uruk-hai are too many.
ARAGORN
Send word for the women and children to make for the mountain pass. And barricade the entrance!
THEODEN
So much death. What can men do against such reckless hate?
ARAGORN
Ride out with me. Ride out and meet them.
THEODEN
For death and glory?
ARAGORN
For Rohan. For your people.
GIMLI
The sun is rising.
(Flashback Voiceover) GANDALF
Look to my coming at first light on the fifth day. At dawn, look to the East.
THEODEN
Yes. Yes! The Horn of Helm Hammerhand shall sound in the Deep one last time.
GIMLI
Yes!
Gimli climbs up to blow the horn.
THEODEN
Let this be the hour when we draw swords together. Fell deeds awake. Now for wrath. Now for ruin. And the red dawn!
THEODEN
Forth Eorlingas!
ARAGORN, LEGOLAS, THEODEN, ride out and clear a path. Suddenly an old friend appears on the eastern ridge with the rising sun
ARAGORN
Gandalf
GANDALF
Theoden-king stands alone.
Another appears
EOMER
Not alone. Rohirrim!
GUARD
Èomer!
EOMER
To the king!
GANDALF and the Riders of Rohan ride through the army of orcs
SARUMAN looks on in disbelief as Isengard is ripped apart by the Ents
PIPPIN
Yes!
TREEBEARD
A hit. A fine hit. Break the dam! Release the river!
MERRY
Pippin, hold on!
TREEBEARD
Hold on, little hobbits!
The waters swallow Isengard as Treebeard with the hobbits and the rest of the Ents stand their ground
Back to Osgiliath, FRODO walks out into the open
SAM
What are you doing? Where are you going?
The RINGWRAITH riding a Fell Rider approaches
FRODO is about to put on the Ring when SAM runs up and tackles him. FARAMIR shoots the Ringwraith’s steed with his bow. The hobbits roll down the stairs, Sam landing on FRODO who rolls over and draws his sword preparing to kill SAM.
SAM
It’s me. It’s your Sam. Don’t you know your Sam?
FRODO comes to his senses
FRODO
I can’t do this, Sam.
SAM
I know. It’s all wrong. By rights we shouldn’t even be here. But we are. It’s like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were. And sometimes you didn’t want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened?
ARAGORN and EOWYN embrace as Rohan is victorious at Helm’s Deep
SAM
But in the end, it’s only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer.
The sun shines on Isengard, as MERRY, PIPPIN, and the Ents celebrate victory
SAM
Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something. Even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back only they didn’t. They kept going. Because they were holding on to something.
FRODO
What are we holding on to, Sam?
SAM
That there’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo. And it’s worth fighting for.
FARAMIR
I think at last we understand one another, Frodo Baggins.
MADRIL
You know the laws of our country. The laws of your father. If you let them go, your life will be forfeit.
FARAMIR
Then it is forfeit. Release them.
The Rohirrim chase the Orcs away from Helm’s Deep and spy a new forest in the distance
EOMER
Stay out of the forest! Keep away from the trees!
The Rohirrim stop short, and the Orcs escape into the forest. But suddenly the trees kill them all. At Helm’s Deep, LEGOLAS struts up to GIMLI, who is sitting on a pile of Orcs.
LEGOLAS
Final count, forty-two.
GIMLI
Forty-two? Oh. That’s not bad for a pointy-eared Elvish princeling. I myself am sitting pretty on forty-three.
LEGOLAS shoots the orc GIMLI is sitting on
LEGOLAS
Forty-three
GIMLI
He was already dead.
LEGOLAS
He was twitching.
GIMLI
He was twitching because he’s got my axe embedded in his nervous system!
At Isengard, MERRY and PIPPIN look at the tower of Orthanc, where Saruman looks around in disbelief.
MERRY
He doesn’t look too happy, does he?
PIPPIN
Not too happy at all, Merry.
MERRY
Still, I suppose the view would be quite nice up there.
PIPPIN
Oh, yes. It’s a quality establishment. I hear the staff are very good.
MERRY measures his height against Pippin’s and finds he’s taller
PIPPIN
What are you doing?
MERRY
Nothing. The world’s back to normal, that’s all.
PIPPIN
No, it isn’t. I’m starving.
MERRY
Good luck trying to find something decent to eat around here. Probably only dead rats and moldy bread.
PIPPIN suddenly finds an apple… and more apples. He follows the flotsam to its source
MERRY
Saruman’s storeroom!
PIPPIN finds a barrel of pipewood imported from the Shire
PIPPIN
I don’t believe it.
MERRY
It can’t be.
PIPPIN
It is!
MERRY
Longbottom leaf! The finest pipe-weed in South Farthing.
PIPPIN
It’s perfect. One barrel each. Wait! Do you think we should share it with Treebeard?
MERRY
Share it? No. No. Dead plant and all that. Don’t think he’d understand. Could be a distant relative.
PIPPIN
Oh I get it. Don’t be hasty.
MERRY
Exactly. Bar-hum.
At Osgiliath, FARAMIR leads FRODO, SAM, and GOLLUM to a secret exit
FARAMIR
This is the old sewer. Runs right under the river through to the edge of the city. You’ll find cover in the woods there.
SAM
Captain Faramir, you have shown your quality, sir. The very highest.
FARAMIR
The Shire must truly be a great realm, Master Gamgee, where gardeners are held in high honor. What road will you take once you reach the woods?
FRODO
Gollum says there’s a path near Minas Morgul that climbs up into the mountains.
FARAMIR
Cirith Ungol? Is that its name?
GOLLUM
No, no… Yes!
FARAMIR
Frodo, they say a dark terror dwells in the passes above Minas Morgul. You cannot go that way.
GOLLUM
It is the only way. Master says we must go to Mordor so we must try.
FRODO
I must.
FARAMIR
Go, Frodo. Go with the goodwill of all Men.
FRODO
Thank you.
FARAMIR
(to Gollum) May death find you quickly if you bring them to harm.
FRODO, SAM, and GOLLUM exit via the sewer system
SAM
(to Gollum) Come on, keep up! Mr. Frodo didn’t mean for them Rangers to hurt you. You know that, don’t you? He was trying to save you, see?
GOLLUM
Save me?
SAM
So there’s no hard feelings. Forgive and forget.
GOLLUM
No, no, no hard feelings. Gollum. Gollum. Yes, master. Nice Hobbits.
SAM
That’s very decent of you. Very decent indeed, Gollum.
GANDALF and company look towards Mordor
GANDALF
Sauron’s wrath will be terrible, his retribution swift. The battle for Helm’s Deep is over. The battle for Middle-earth is about to begin. All our hopes now lie with two little hobbits somewhere in the wilderness.
FRODO and SAM are once again in the wilderness, led by Gollum.
SAM
I wonder if we’ll ever be put into songs or tales.
FRODO
What?
SAM
I wonder if people will ever say, ‘let’s hear about Frodo and the Ring.’ And they’ll say ‘yes, that’s one of my favorite stories. Frodo was really courageous, wasn’t he, dad?’ ‘yes, my boy, the most famousest of hobbits. And that’s saying a lot.’
FRODO
You left out one of the chief characters. Samwise the Brave. I want to hear more about Sam. Frodo wouldn’t have got far without Sam.
SAM
Now Mr. Frodo, you shouldn’t make fun. I was being serious.
FRODO
So was I.
SAM
Samwise the Brave.
FRODO
Sméagol?
SAM
We’re not gonna wait for you. Come on.
SMEAGOL is a bit ahead
SMEAGOL
Master… Master looks after us. Master wouldn’t hurt us.
GOLLUM
Master broke his promise!
SMEAGOL
Don’t ask Sméagol. Poor, poor Sméagol.
GOLLUM
Master betrayed us! Wicked, tricksy, false! We ought to ring his filthy little neck! Kill him! Kill him! Kill them both. And then we take the Preciousss and we be the master.
SMEAGOL
But the fat hobbit. He knows. Eyes always watching.
GOLLUM
Then we stabs them out. Put out his eyses and make him crawl.
SMEAGOL
Yes! Yes! Yes!
GOLLUM
Kill them both.
SMEAGOL
Yes! No. No. It’s too risky, it’s too risky.
SAM
Where’s he gone? Oi! Gollum, where are you?
FRODO
Sméagol?
GOLLUM
We could let her do it.
SMEAGOL
Yes. She could do it.
GOLLUM
Yes, Precious she could. And then we takes it once they’re dead.
SMEAGOL
Once they’re dead. Shh! Come on, hobbits. Long ways to go yet. Sméagol will show you way. Follow me.
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