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 Arnor! Dark fire shall not avail you, Flame of Udun!

BALROG draws a flaming sword and swings at GANDALF, but the wizard parries the blow.

GANDALF

Go back to the shadow! 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!

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]

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. 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

Frodo? It’s the ring isnt it?

FRODO

It’s getting heavier. What food have we got left?

SAM

Well, let me see. Oh yes, lovely. Lembas bread. And look! More lembas bread. I don’t usually hold to foreign food, but this elvish stuff is not bad.

FRODO

Nothing ever dampens your spirits does it Sam?

SAM

Those rainclouds might.

They continue trekking through difficult terrain, often huddling underneath their cloaks.

SAM

This looks strangely familiar.

FRODO

Cause we’ve been here before. We are going in circles.

SAM

Ah! What’s that ‘orrid stink? I’ll warrant there’s a nasty bog nearby. Can you smell it?

FRODO

Yes I can smell it. We are not alone.

GOLLUM

(sneaking up on the hobbits) Those thieves! Those filthy little thieves! Wheeere isssit? Wheeere isssit? They stole it from us. My preciousssss.

Suddenly the hobbits spring up, grab hold of Gollum’s arms and pull him down. Amidst the struggle, Gollum wriggles loose and leaps onto Frodo. As Frodo falls back, the chain and ring around his neck is revealed and Gollum jumps straight for the ring. Sam tries to grab at him but is knocked away. Gollum now jumps on top of Frodo and tries to reach for the ring even as Frodo grabs his hands and tries to push him away. Gollum’s cheeks puff with exertion as he struggles with Frodo, his huge eyes fixed on the ring. Sam grabs hold of Gollum again and tears him away from Frodo. Gollum then turns around and bits 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! Elves twisted it! Take it off!

SAM

Quiet you! It’s hopeless! Every orc in Mordor will hear this racket! Let’s tie him up and leave him!

GOLLUM

No! Thats will kill us, kill us!

SAM

It’s nothing more than you deserve!

FRODO

Maybe he does deserve to die. Now that I’ve seen him, I do pity him.

GOLLUM

We be very nice to hobbits, you be nice to us. We swears to do what you wants. We swears!

FRODO

There is no promise you make that I can trust.

GOLLUM

We swears to serve the master of the precioussss. We swears on, on the precioussss! Gollum gollum

FRODO

The ring is treacherous. It will hold you to your word.

GOLLUM

Yes… on the preciouss… on the preciousss.

SAM

I don’t believe you! Get down! Get down!

SAM jerks strongly at the rope as Gollum tries to get away and Gollum falls to the ground

FRODO

Sam!

SAM

He was trying to trick us! We let him go he’ll throttle us into our sleep!

FRODO (to GOLLUM)

Do 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

The Uruk-hai are carrying MERRY and PIPPIN over the fields of Rohan

PIPPIN

Merry! Merry!

The group pauses

MAUHUR

What is it? What do you smell?

UGLUK

Man-flesh.

PIPPIN

(to himself) Aragorn!

MAUHUR

They’ve picked up our trail! Let’s go!

The Uruk-hai quicken their pace. Pippin struggles to reach his Elven brooch with his teeth. He then tears it off his cloak and drops it onto the ground.

ARAGORN is lying with his eyes closed and ear pressed to the ground, listening for the sound of footsteps

ARAGORN

Their pace quickens. They must have caught our scent. Hurry!

LEGOLAS

Come on Gimli!

GIMLI

Three day’s and night’s pursuit.. no food… no rest… and no sign of our quarry but what bare rock can tell.

The Three Hunters run across rocks and plains, with Aragorn in the lead, and Legolas and Gimli trailing behind. Aragorn suddenly bends down to pick up an Elven brooch from the ground.

ARAGORN

Not idly do the leaves of Lorien fall.

LEGOLAS

They may yet be alive.

ARAGORN

Less than a day ahead of us, come!

LEGOLAS

Come Gimli! We are gaining on them.

GIMLI

I’m wasted on cross-country. We dwarves are natural sprinters. Very dangerous we are over short distances.

Camera pans over the orcs running across the plains, and then swings to the Three Hunters giving chase. The trackers come over a hill and pause as they gaze across the plains below

ARAGORN

Rohan, home of the horse-lords. There’s something strange at work here. Some evil gives speed to these creatures. Sets 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, 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. Forests will fall. A new order will rise. We will drive the machinery of war with the sword and the spear and the iron fist of the orcs. We now have only to remove those who oppose us.

Saruman stands in the midst of a gathering of Wildmen, who are holding torches and crude weapons

SARUMAN

The horsemen have taken your lands. They drove your people into the hills to scratch the living of rocks.

CROWD

Murderers!

SARUMAN

Take back the lands they stole from you. Burn every village! It will begin in the 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, take your sister. You’ll go faster with just two.

FREDA

But Papa says Eothain must not ride. He’s too big for him!

MORWEN

Listen to me! You must ride to Edoras and raise the alarm. Do you understand me?

EOTHAIN

Yes mum.

FREDA

I don’t wanna go! I don’t wanna go!

MORWEN

Listen to me. I will find you there.

Screams are increasing in volume as the army draws closer

MORWEN

Quickly! (to herself) Oh child.

The army slaughters at will and sets fire to the village. Eothain and Freya weep as they look back from a distance

SARUMAN (V.O.)

Rohan, my lord, is ready to fall.

A group of horsemen ride to Edoras. 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 weary of your malcontent, your warmongering.

EOMER

Warmongering? How long has it been since Saruman bought you? What was the promised price, Grima? When all the men are dead you would 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, under pain of death.

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 ain’t goin’ no further till we’ve ‘ad a breather.

UGLUK

Get the 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? Folks used to say that there was something in the water that made the trees tall, and come alive.

PIPPIN

Alive?

MERRY

Trees that could whisper, talk to each other, 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!

SNAGA

Just a mouthful?

UGLUK kills SNAGA

UGLUK

Looks like meat’s back on the menu boys!

The Uruk-hai and orcs cheer and started tearing into SNAGA, 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 onto Pippin and flips him over

GRISHNAKH

Go on, call for help. Squeal! No one’s gonna save you now!

Suddenly, hits GRISNAKH. Mayhem ensues as Riders of Rohan burst out from their hiding places and ambush the orcs

MERRY

Pippin!

The hobbits try to escape from the pandemonium to the forest, dodging bodies and stomping feet. Suddenly Pippin turns and looks up at a pair of thrashing 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, in a lightning fast move, points an arrow at EOMER

LEGOLAS

You would die before your stroke fell!

The riders all point their spears closer to the travelers. Aragorn pushes down Legolas’ arm.

ARAGORN

I’m Aragorn, son of Arathorn. This is Gimli, son of Gloin, and Legolas, from the Woodland realm. We are friends of Rohan and of Theoden, its 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 claim lordship over this land. My company are those loyal to Rohan. And for that, we are banished. The White Wizard is cunning. He walks here and there they say, as an old man, hooded and cloaked. And everywhere his spies slip past our nets.

ARAGORN

We are not spies. We track a band of Uruk-Hai westward across the plains. 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, do 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! 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 MERRY’s

GIMLI

It’s one of their little belts.

LEGOLAS

Hiro ith 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 and were followed.

Flashback: Their hands freed, the hobbits run away from the battle scene, dodging under a horse and trying to stay out of harms way. As they flee, 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 drew them 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 off both your little heads! Come here!

MERRY

Trees! Climb a tree!

PIPPIN and MERRY quickly scramble up a tree each

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

Treeherder! Shepherd of the forest.

PIPPIN

Don’t talk to it Merry. Don’t encourage it.

TREEBEARD

Treebeard some call me.

PIPPIN

And whose side are you on?

TREEBEARD

Side? I am on nobody’s side. Because nobody is on my side, little orc. Nobody cares for the woods anymore.

MERRY

We are not orcs. We are Hobbits!

TREEBEARD

Hobbits? Never heard of a Hobbit before. Sounds like orc mischief to me. They come with fire, they come with axes. Biting, breaking, hacking, burning. Destroyers and usurpers. Curse them!

MERRY

No! You don’t understand. We are Hobbits, halflings. Shirefolk!

TREEBEARD

Maybe you are, and maybe you aren’t. The White Wizard will know.

MERRY

White Wizard? 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 have led you out! Hurry, hurry! Very lucky we find you. Nice hobbit.

SAM

Whoa! It’s a bog! He’s led us into a swamp!

GOLLUM

Swamp, yes. Come master. We will take you to safe paths, through the mist. Come Hobbits, come. We move quickly. I found it. I did. The way through the marshes. Orcs don’t use it. Orcs don’t know it. They go round for miles and miles. Come quickly. Swift and quickly.

SAM

There are dead things! Dead faces in the water!

GOLLUM

All dead. All rotten. Elves and men and orcs. A great battle long ago. The Dead Marshes. Yes, yes! That is the name. This 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!

SAM

Frodo! are you alright?

Nightfall: SAM is asleep but FRODO is still awake. He holds the Ring in the palm of his hand, staring at it and stroking it. Suddenly he hears a voice

GOLLUM

So bright, so beautiful. Ah precious.

FRODO

What did you say?

GOLLUM

Master should be resting. Master need to keep up his strength.

FRODO

Who are you?

GOLLUM

Musn’t ask us it’s name not his business.

FRODO

Gandalf told me you were one of the River Folk.

GOLLUM

Cold be heart and rock and bone. And call every traveller far from home.

FRODO

He said your life was was a sad story.

GOLLUM

They do not see what lies ahead when sun has 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

They will see us! They will see us. Wraiths! Wraiths on wings!

SAM

I thought they were dead!

GOLLUM

Dead? No, you cannot kill them. No.

RINGWRAITH

(screeches)

GOLLUM

They are calling for the precious. They are calling for the preciousssss.

FRODO reaches for the Ring. SAM holds FRODO’s hand

SAM

It’s alright.

The Ringwraith circles overhead and flies off into the distance

GOLLUM

Hurry, hobbits. The Black Gate is very close.

Meanwhile, ARAGORN and company go into Fangorn Forest to look for MERRY and PIPPIN

GIMLI

Orc blood!

ARAGORN

These are strange tracks.

GIMLI

The air is so close here.

LEGOLAS

This forest is old. Very old. Full of memories…and anger. The trees are speaking to each other.

ARAGORN

Gimli!

GIMLI

Huh?

ARAGORN

Lower your axe.

GIMLI

Oh!

LEGOLAS

Aragorn, nad na 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 out 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! 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 each day was as long as a life age of the earth. But it was not the end. I felt life in me again. I’ve been sent back until my task is done.

ARAGORN

Gandalf

GANDALF

Gandalf? Oh yes. That’s what they used to call me. Gandalf the Grey. That was my name.

GIMLI

Gandalf!

GANDALF

I am Gandalf the White now. 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. War has come to Rohan. We must ride to Edoras with all speed.

Outside the forest, Gandalf whistles piercingly. Soon an answering neigh is heard and a white horse appears from the plain, answering the call

LEGOLAS

That is one of the mearas, unless my eyes are cheated by some spell.

GANDALF

Shadowfax. He’s the lord of all horses and he’s been my friend through many dangers.

The four ride off

TREEBEARD walks through the forest, carrying MERRY and PIPPIN

TREEBEARD

My home. I sleep in the forest here. The roots of the mountains. I told Gandalf I would keep you safe and safe is where I’ll keep you. The trees have gone wild and dangerous. Anger is in their hearts. They will harm you if they can. There are too few of us now. Too few of us that are left to manage them.

FRODO and SAM are led to the edge of a cliff

GOLLUM

The Black Gate of Mordor.

SAM

My old Gaffer would have a thing or two to say if he saw this.

GOLLUM

Master says show him the way into Mordor so good Smeagol does what master says so.

FRODO

I did.

Orcs are patrolling the Black Gate

SAM

We cannot get past them.

A command is heard and an orc sounds a horn. Two enormous cave trolls stretch and growl and then pull the mighty Gate open

SAM

Look! The gate, it’s opening! I can see a way down.

SAM moves closer to the edge. Suddenly, the rock underneath him gives way and he falls

FRODO

Sam! No!

SAM

Ah!!

FRODO goes after SAM

GOLLUM

Master!

Two Easterling soldiers see streams of dust coming down the cliff and 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 these elvish cloaks will help 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 is another way. More secret, and dark way.

SAM

Why haven’t you spoke of this before?!

GOLLUM

Because master did not ask!

SAM

He is up to something.

FRODO

Are you saying that there is another way to Mordor?

GOLLUM

Yes. There is a path, and some stairs and then a tunnel.

FRODO

He has led us this far, Sam.

SAM

Mr. Frodo, no!

FRODO

He’s been true to his word.

SAM

No!

FRODO

Lead the way, Smeagol.

GOLLUM

Good Smeagol always help.

GANDALF, ARAGORN, GIMLI and LEGOLAS approach a Kingdom

GANDALF

Edoras and the Golden Hall of Meduseld, 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 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 kings’s son in a separate chamber

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, you snake!

GRIMA

Oh, but you are alone. Who knows what you have spoken to the darkness, the bitter watches of the night. When all your life seems to shrink. The walls of your bower closing in about you. 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

This place is as cheerful as a graveyard.

Guards approach

GANDALF

Ah.

HAMA

I cannot allow you before Theoden-king so armed, Gandalf Grayhame. By order of Grima Wormtongue.

They give up their weapons.

HAMA

Your staff.

GANDALF

Hmm? Oh. No, you would not part an old man from his walking stick.

Interior

GRIMA

My Lord. Gandalf the Grey is coming. A herald of woe.

GANDALF

The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late, Theoden-King.

GRIMA

He is not welcome.

THEODEN

Why should I welcome you, Gandalf Stormcrow?

GRIMA

A just question my lord. Late is the hour in which this conjurer chooses to appear. Lathspell spell I name him. Ill news is an ill guest.

GANDALF

Silence! Keep your forked tongue behind your teeth. I did not come through fire and death to bandy words with a witless worm.

GRIMA

Your staff. I told you to take the wizard’s staff!

GANDALF

Theoden, Son of Thengel. Too long have you sat in shadows.

GIMLI (to Grima)

I would stay still if I were you.

GANDALF

I will release you from the spell.

THEODEN

Hahaha! You have no powers here Gandalf the Grey. Haha! Ah!!

GANDALF

I shall 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

Breathe the free air again, my friend.

THEODEN

Dark my dreams have been 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 throws GRIMA out of the hall and down the stairs

GRIMA

Ah! I’ve only ever served you my lord

THEODEN

Your witchcraft 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! 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?

THEODEN visits his THEODRED’s grave

THEODEN

Simbelmyne. Ever has it grown on the tombs of my forebears. Now it shall cover the grave of my son. Alas, that these evil days shall 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 spirits will find his way to the halls of your fathers.

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, every rick and cot.

FREDA

Where’s momma?

EOWYN

Shh.

GANDALF

This is but a taste of the terror that Saruman will unleash. All the more potent for he is driven mad by the fear of Sauron. Ride out and meet him head on. Draw him away from the women and children. You must fight.

ARAGORN

You have 2000 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 that you want of me. But I would not bring further death to my people. I will not risk open war.

ARAGORN

Open war is upon you, whether would risk it or 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 but what he’ll get is a massacre. Theoden has a strong hold but I fear for him. I fear for the survival of Rohan. He will need you before the end there, Aragorn. The people of Rohan will need you. The defenses have to hold.

ARAGORN

They will hold.

GANDALF

The Grey Pilgrim. That is what they used to call me. Three hundred lives of men have walked this earth and now, I have no time. 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

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

Women of this country learned long ago that those without swords may still die upon them. I fear neither death nor pain.

ARAGORN

What do you fear my lady?

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 is vulnerable. He knows this. He will expect an attack on the city. They will flee to Helm’s Deep, the great fortress of Rohan. It is a dangerous road to take through the mountains. It will be slow. They will have women and children 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 is still doing to him. I want to help him Sam.

SAM

Why?

FRODO

Because I have to believe he could come back.

SAM

You can’t save him, Mr. Frodo.

FRODO

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 taking 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, filthsss!

SMEAGOL

No! No! Master!

GOLLUM

Yess. Preciousss first. 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, Smeagol is free!

The next day SMEAGOL comes back with two rabbits and puts them to Frodo’s lap.

SMEAGOL

Look! Look! See what Smeagol finds! Ehehe! Hohohhooo! They are young! They are tender and nice. Yes they are! Eat them. Eat them.

SAM

Make him sick you will, behaving like that. There’s only one way to eat a brace of coneys.

SAM cooks the rabbits in a pot.

SMEAGOL

Argh!! Whats he doing! Stupid fat hobbit. You ruins it!

SAM

Whats to ruin? There’s hardly any meat on them. What we need it a few good taters.

SMEAGOL

What’s taters? Preciousss, what’s taters? Huh?

SAM

Po-ta-toes!! Boil them, mash them, stick them in a stew. Lovely big golden chips with a nice piece of fried fish.

SMEAGOL

Phooh!

SAM

Even you couldn’t say no to that.

SMEAGOL

Oh yes we could. Ssspoiling 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 Easterling 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. It 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 keep 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 Easterlings are attacked from the bushes.

FRODO

We’ve lingered here for too long. C’mon Sam!

FRODO and SAM are caught by Men.

SAM

Ah!

FARAMIR

Bind their hands.

The villagers or Rohan are heading towards Helm’s Deep

GIMLI

It’s true you don’t see many dwarf women. And in fact, they are so alike in voice and appearance, they are often mistaken for dwarf men.

ARAGORN

It’s the beards.

GIMLI

And this in turn has given rise to the belief 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.

At night and Aragorn drifts off to sleep

ARWEN

The light of the Evenstar does not wax and wane. It is mine to give to whom I will. Like my heart. Go to sleep.“

ARAGORN

I am asleep. This is a dream.

ARWEN

Then it is a good dream. Sleep.

ARAGORN

Sleep. Min lu pennich nin, i aur hen telitha.

(You told me once, this day would come.)

ARWEN

U i vethed…na i onnad. Boe bedich go Frodo. Han bad lin.

(This is not the end. It is the beginning. You must go with Frodo. That is your path.)

ARAGORN

Dolen i vad o nin.

(My path is hidden from me.)

ARWEN

Si peliannen i vad na dail lin. Si boe u-dhannathach.

(It is already laid before your feet, you cannot falter now.)

ARAGORN

Arwen.

ARWEN

Ae u-esteliach nad… estelio han. Estelio ammen.

(If you trust nothing else, trust this. Trust us.)

ARAGORN and the Rohirrim continue their journey

EOWYN

Where is she? The woman who gave you that jewel?

Flashback to Elrond conversing with ARAGORN at Rivendell:

ELROND

Our time here is ending. Arwen’s time is ending. Let her go. Let her take the ship into the West. Let her bear away her love for you to the undying lands, there to be ever green.

ARAGORN

But never more than a memory.

ELROND

I will not leave my daughter here to die.

ARAGORN

She stays because she still has hope.

ELROND

She stays for you. She belongs with her people.

ARAGORN meets ARWEN before the departure of the Fellowship

ARAGORN

Idhren emmen menna gui ethwel…Hae o auth a nir 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.

ARAGORN tries to give the Evenstar back to ARWEN

ARAGORN

This belongs to you.

ARWEN

It was a gift. Keep it.

Flashback ends

EOWYN

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. Legolas immediately comes to the rescue, shooting with his bow.

LEGOLAS

A scout!

THEODEN

What is it? What do you see?

ARAGORN

Wargs! We are under attack!

THEODEN

All riders to the head of the column!

GIMLI

C’mon get me up here, I’m a rider. Agh!

THEODEN

You must lead the people to Helm’s Deep and make haste.

EOWYN

I can fight!

THEODEN

No! You must do this for me.

THEODEN

Follow me!

GIMLI

Forward, forward, march forward.

EOWYN (to the villagers)

Make for the lower ground. Stick together!

The warg riders and the Rohirrim crash at full speed. They fight like men (and orcs). GIMLI falls of the horse and a riderless warg heads towards him.

GIMLI

Bring your pretty face to my axe!

LEGOLAS shoots the warg

GIMLI

That one counts as mine!

A dead warg lands on GIMLI

GIMLI

Argh! Stinking creature!

ARAGORN catches his hand in the harness of a warg, and fights with the orc rider, who finally falls off. ARAGORN and the warg tumble off the cliff.

GIMLI

Where is Aragorn?

LEGOLAS

Aragorn?

LEGOLAS spots an ORC on the ground, laughing

LEGOLAS

Where is he? Speak up!

SHARKU

Ghehehe, seems like your friend 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

Helm’s Deep! At last! There it is!

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

Freda! Freda!

GUARD

Make way for Theoden! 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 would have grown long indeed if he thinks he can reach us here.

At Isengard:

GRIMA

Helm’s Deep has but one weakness. It’s outer wall is solid rock for except for a small culvert in space which is little more than a drain.

SARUMAN pours explosives into a metallic ball.

GRIMA

How? How can fire undo stone? What kind of device can break down a wall?

SARUMAN

If the wall is breached, Helm’s Deep will fall.

GRIMA

Even if it is breached, it would take a number 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! The 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.

MERRY spots something

PIPPIN

What is it?

MERRY

It’s Saruman’s army! The war has started.

ARAGORN floats down the river and washes ashore. He dreams of ARWEN.

ARWEN

May the grace of the Valar protect you.

BREGO the horse arrives and Aragorn comes to and mounts him

At Rivendell:

ELROND

Arwen. Tollen i lu. I chair gwannar na Valannor. Si bado, no cirar.

(Arwen. It is time. The ships are leaving for Valinor. Go now before it is too late.)

ARWEN

I’ve made my choice.

ELROND

He is not coming back. Why do you linger when 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 hoped 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 night falling winter has come without a star. Here you will dwell, bound to you 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, u-‘erin veleth lin?

(Do I not also have your love?)

ARWEN

Gerich meleth nin, 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 Ringbearer is failing. In his heart, Frodo begins to understand. The quest will claim his life. You know this. You have foreseen it. It is the risk we all took. In the 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. He is close now, so close to achieving his goal. For Sauron will have dominion over all life on this Earth, even until the ending of the world. The time of the elves is over. Do we leave Middle-Earth to this fate? Do we let them stand alone?

FARAMIR and his men look over a map

FARAMIR

What news?

MADRIL

Our scouts report Saruman has attacked Rohan. Theoden’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, but if the 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?

FARAMIR

Speak!

FRODO

We are hobbits of the Shire. Frodo Baggins is my name and this is Samwise Gamgee.

FARAMIR

Your bodyguard?

SAM

His gardener.

FARAMIR

And where is your skulking friend? That gangrel creature. He had an ill-favoured look.

FRODO

There was no other. We set out from Rivendell 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 were friend of Boromir?

FRODO

Yes, for my part.

FARAMIR

It would 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. He was my brother.

MADRIL

Captain Faramir. We found it.

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 they shoot?

SMEAGOL

Rock and pool is nice and cool, so juicy sweeeet. I 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 a fish.

FRODO

Smeagol. Master is here. Come, Smeagol. Trust master. Come.

SMEAGOL

We must… go now?

FRODO

Smeagol, you must trust master. Follow me, come on. Come. Come, Smeagol. Nice Smeagol. That’s it. Come on.

FARAMIR’s men jump SMEAGOL and wrestle him down

FRODO

Don’t hurt him! Smeagol don’t struggle! Smeagol listen to me!

SMEAGOL

Master!

FARAMIR

Where are you leading them? Answer me!

GOLLUM

Smeagol… Why do you cry, Smeagol?

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 haflings 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. To 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 nin.

(Well done, Brego, my friend.)

ARAGORN enters Helm’s Deep

GIMLI

Where is he! Where is he! Get out of my way! I’m gonna kill him! You are the the luckiest, the cunningest, and most reckless man I ever knew! Bless you, laddie!

ARAGORN

Gimli, where is the king?

ARAGORN encounter LEGOLAS

LEGOLAS

Le ab-dollen.

(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

The ents have not troubled about the wars of men and wizards for a very long time. But now something is about to happen that has not happened for an age: ent moot.

MERRY

What’s that?

TREEBEARD

It is a gathering.

MERRY

A gathering of what?

Ents begin to surround them

TREEBEARD

Beech, Oak, Chestnut, Ash. Good, good, good many have come. Now we must decide if the Ents will go to war.

Back at Helm’s Deep. We see the people are taken into the caves. Husbands and 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 hun: neled herain dan caer menig.

(And they should be. 300 against 10 000.)

ARAGORN

Si beriathar hyn. Amar na ned Edoras.

(They have a better chance defending themselves here than in Edoras.)

LEGOLAS

Aragorn, men i ndagor. Hyn u- 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?

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

Haleth, son of Hama, my lord. The men are saying that we will not live out the night. They say that it is hopeless.

ARAGORN stands up and wields the sword

ARAGORN

This is a good sword, Haleth, son of Hama. There is always hope.

Inside, ARAGORN is putting on his armour. LEGOLAS is suddenly behind him and hands him his sword

LEGOLAS

We have trusted you this far and you have not led us astray. Forgive me. I was wrong to despair.

ARAGORN

U-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

HASSLEBAK

Send for the king. Open 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, the luck you live by, let’s hope it lasts the night.

LEGOLAS

Your friends are with you, Aragorn.

GIMLI

Let’s hope they last the night.

ARAGORN gives a final pep talk to the Elves

ARAGORN

„Daer u-o chyn, U-danno i failad a thi; an uben 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.

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!)

The Elves shoot

GIMLI

Anybody hit anything?

THEODEN

Give them a volley.

GAMLING

Fire!

ARAGORN

Keep firing!

GIMLI

Come on! Send them to them!

ARAGORN

Pendraid!

(Ladders!)

GIMLI

Good!

The Uruk-hai climb ladders and enter and battle the heroes

GIMLI

Legolas, two already!

LEGOLAS

I’m on seventeen!

GIMLI

Arg! I’ll have no pointy-ear outscoring me!

LEGOLAS

Nineteen!

Back at Entmoot:

PIPPIN

Merry!

TREEBEARD

We have just agreed.

Pause

MERRY

Yes?

TREEBEARD

I have told your names to the ent moot and we 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

Northway! Nauthannen!

THEODEN

Is this it? Is this all you can conjure, Saruman.

Below, a Uruk soldier carrying a torch is running towards the hole. ARAGORN sees this and calls for LEGOLAS

ARAGORN

Dago han! Dago han, Legolas! Dago han!!!

[Legolas, stop him! Kill him!)

LEGOLAS hits the Uruk with two arrows, but fails to kill it, and the Uruk-hai takes out the wall with its explosives. Saruman’s army start to crowd through the hole in the wall.

THEODEN

Brace the gates! Hold them! Stand fast!“

ARAGORN

Gimli! Prepare to charge! Hado i philinn! Herio!

(Hurl the arrows! Charge!)

At Entmoot:

TREEBEARD

The ents cannot hold back this war. 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 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, pull back to the gate!

ARAGORN

Am Marad!

(To the Keep!) Am Marad! Haldir! Am Marad!“

HALDIR nods at him and calls for the others. GIMLI is been dragged away against his will.

GIMLI

What are you doing? Stop it!

HALDIR is killed

ARAGORN

Haldir!

GAMLING

Brace the gate!

THEODEN

To the gate! Draw your swords!

GAMLING

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!

Aragorn and Gimli exit through a secret side gate

GIMLI

Come on. We can take them!

ARAGORN

It’s a long way.

GIMLI

Toss me.

ARAGORN

What?

GIMLI

I cannot jump the distance so you have to toss 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!

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

Pull back! Pull back! Retreat! Retreat!

ARAGORN

Hurry! Get them inside! Come, to the keep!

Meanwhile, back at Fangorn Forest…

TREEBEARD

I will leave you at the western borders of the forest. You can make your way north to your homeland from there.

PIPPIN

Wait! Stop! Stop! Turn around. Turn around. Take us south!

TREEBEARD

South? But that will lead you past Isengard.

PIPPIN

Yes. Exactly. If we go south we can slip past Saruman unnoticed. The closer we are to danger, the farther we are from 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 your right. South it is then. Hold on, little Shirelings. I always like going south. Somehow it feels like going downhill.

MERRY

Are you mad, we’ll be caught.

PIPPIN

No we won’t. Not this time.

FARAMIR and his company arrive approach Osgiliath with FRODO, SAM, and GOLLUM as captives

PARN

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 a little family of field mice that climb up sometimes and it tickles me awfully. They’re always trying to get somewhere.

TREEBEARD walks into an open area where every tree has been brutally cut down

TREEBEARD

Many of these trees were my friends. Creatures I had known from nut and acorn.

PIPPIN

I’m sorry, Treebeard.

TREEBEARD

They had voices of their own. Saruman. A wizard should know better!

TREEBEARD lets out a powerfull call that reverberates throughout Fangorn

TREEBEARD

There is no curse in elvish, entish or the tongues of men for this treachery. My business is with Isengard tonight. With a rock and stone.

The Ents march out of the forest

MERRY

Yes!

TREEBEARD

Rarum-rum! Come my friends. The ents are going to war. It is likely that we go to our doom. The last march of the ents.

The Ents march to Isengard, and back at Osgiliath…

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.

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 waanna 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

Nazgul!

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 awate. 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!

THEODEN

Eomer!

EOMER

To the Keep!

GANDALF and the Riders of Rohan ride through the army of orcs

SARUMAN looks on in disbelief as Isengard is ripped apart by the Ents

TREEBEARD

A hit. A fine hit. Break the dam! Release the 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 the 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. 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.

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 alot.’

FRODO

You left out one of the chief characters. Samwise the Brave. I want to hear more about Sam. Frodo wouldn’t have got far without Sam.

SAM

Now Mr. Frodo, you shouldn’t make fun. I was being serious.

FRODO

So was I.

SAM

Samwise the Brave.

FRODO

Smeagol!

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 Smeagol. Poor, poor Smeagol.

GOLLUM

Master betrayed us! Wicked, tricksy, filth! We ought to ring his filthy little neck! Kill him! Kill him! Kill them both. 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

Smeagol?

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. Hush! Come on, hobbits. Long ways to go yet. Smeagol will show you the way. Follow me.

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