DEAGOL
Smeagol! I've got one! I've got a fish,
Smeagol!
SMEAGOL
Go on! Go on, pull it up!
The fish pulls
DEAGOL out of the boat and into the
river. DEAGOL is pulled to the bottom of the river and chances upon the One Ring.
SMEAGOL
Deagol?
DEAGOL finds the One Ring and returns
safely to shore with the ring safely in his possession. He is already bewitched by the rings lustful power. SMEAGOL goes to assist DEAGOL
and upon reaching his friend, he also becomes seduced by the One Rings power.
SMEAGOL
Deagol! Deagol! Give us that,
Deagol, my love.
DEAGOL
Why?
SMEAGOL
Because it's my
birthday and I wants it.
RING
Ash Nazg Durbatuluk! Ash Nazg Gimbatul!
Ash Nazg Gimbatul! Ash Nazg Gimbatul!
SMEAGOL and DEAGOL become entrenched in a battle to the death.
Each participant trying to claim the prize, the One Ring! SMEAGOL eventually takes DEAGOLS last breath and claims
the Ring for himself.
SMEAGOL
My Precious
GOLLUM
They cursed us.
Murderer, murderer they called us. They cursed us and drove us
away!
SMEAGOL
Gollum! Gollum! Gollum!
GOLLUM
And we wept,
Precious. We wept to be so alone. Fish, and we only wish, so juicy sweet. And we
forgot the taste of bread, the sound of trees, the softness of the wind. We even
forgot our own name. My Prrrreciousss.
GOLLUM approaches a sleeping SAM
and a thoughtful FRODO
GOLLUM
Wake up! Wake up! Wake up,
sleepies!
GOLLUM
We must go, yess. We must go at
once.
SAM
Haven’t you had any sleep, Mr. Frodo? I've gone an' had too
much. Must be getting late.
FRODO
No. It isn't. It isn't mid-day yet.
The days are growing darker.
GOLLUM
Come on! Must go, no
time!
SAM
Not before Mr. Frodo's had something to
eat.
GOLLUM
No time to lose, silly!
SAM
(handing FRODO some
lembas)
Here
FRODO
What about you?
SAM
Oh no, I'm
not hungry. Leastwise not for lembas
bread.
FRODO
Sam.
SAM
All right, we don't have that much
left. We have to be careful, or we're goin' to run out. You go ahead and eat
that, Mr. Frodo. I've rationed it. There should be enough.
FRODO
For
what?
SAM
The journey home.
GOLLUM
Come, hobbitses! Very
close now. Very close to Mordor. No safe places here. Hurry!
MERRY and
PIPPIN enjoy the fruits of victory at Isengard
PIPPIN
I feel like I'm
back at the Green Dragon after a hard day's work.
MERRY
Only, you've
never done a hard day's work.
Suddenly, some old friends
approach
MERRY
Welcome, my Lords, to Isengard!
GIMLI
You
young rascals! A merry chase you've led us on, and now we find you feasting and,
and smoking!
PIPPIN
We are sitting on the field of victory, enjoying a
few well-earned comforts. The salted pork is particularly
good.
GIMLI
Salted
pork?
GANDALF
Hobbits
MERRY
We're under orders from
Treebeard, who's taken over management of Isengard.
TREEBEARD
Young
master Gandalf, I'm glad you've come. Wood and water, stock and stone I can
master, but there's a wizard to manage here; locked in his
tower.
GANDALF
And there Saruman must remain. Under your guard,
Treebeard.
GIMLI
Well, let's just have his head and be done with
it.
GANDALF
No, he has no power anymore.
TREEBEARD
The filth
of Saruman is washing away. Trees will come back to live here. Young trees, wild
trees.
ARAGORN
Pippin!
PIPPIN has found SARUMAN's
Palantir
TREEBEARD
Bless my bark!
GANDALF
Peregrin Took,
I'll take that, my lad. Quickly now!
Later, back at the Golden Hall,
THEODEN addresses his people
THEODEN
Tonight we remember those who
gave their blood to defend this country. Hail the victorious dead!
PEOPLE
OF ROHAN
Hail!
EOWYN
Westu, Aragorn, hal.
(Be-thou Aragorn
well)
ARAGORN takes the cup and drinks as EOWYN watches him with a
radiant smile on her face. He gives it back and walks away. THEODEN joins EOWYN
and watches ARAGORN leave.
THEODEN
I am happy for you. He is an
honorable man.
EOWYN
You are both honorable men.
THEODEN
It
was not Theoden of Rohan who led our people to victory. Don't listen to me. You
are young and tonight is for you.
MERRY and PIPPIN
(singing for the
people of Rohan)
Oh, you can search far and wide
You can drink the whole
town dry
You'll never find a beer so brown
But you'll never find a beer so
brown
As the one we drink in our home town.
As the one we drink in our
home town.
You can keep your fancy ales.
You can drink em by the
flagon.
But the only brew for the brave and true
Comes from the Green
Dragon!
PIPPIN
I win!
ARAGORN
(To Gandalf)
No news of
Frodo?
GANDALF
No word. Nothing.
ARAGORN
We have time. Every
day Frodo moves closer to Mordor.
GANDALF
Do we know
that?
ARAGORN
What does your heart tell you?
GANDALF
That
Frodo is alive. Yes. Yes, he is alive.
Meanwhile, as FRODO, SAM, and
GOLLUM sleep...
GOLLUM
Too risky, Too risky. Thieves! They stole It
from us kill them, kill them, kill them both!
GOLLUM wakes up with a
scream
GOLLUM
Shhh! Quiet! Musn't wake them! Musn't ruin it
now!
SMEAGOL
But they knows! They knows! They suspects
us!
GOLLUM
What's it saying, my precious, my love? Is Smeagol losing
his nerve?
SMEAGOL
No! Not! Never! Smeagol hates nasty hobbitses!
Sméagol wants to see them dead!
GOLLUM
And we will. Smeagol did it
once; he can do it again.
SMEAGOL
It's ours! Ours! We must get the
Precious! We must get It back!
GOLLUM
Patience! Patience, my love.
First we must lead them to her.
SMEAGOL
We lead them to the winding
stairs.
GOLLUM
Yes, the stairs. And then?
SMEAGOL
Up, up,
up, up the stairs we go and then we come to the tunnel.
GOLLUM
And
when they go in, there's no coming out. She's always hungry. She always needs to
feed. She must eat. All she gets is filthy orcses.
SMEAGOL
And they
doesn't taste very nice, does they, precious?
GOLLUM
No, not very nice
at all, my love. She hungers for sweeter meats. Hobbit meat. And when she throws
away the bones and empty clothes, then we will find It!
SMEAGOL
And
take it for meeeee!
GOLLUM
For us.
SMEAGOL
Yes, we meant, we
meant for us.
GOLLUM
Gollum! Gollum! The Precious will be ours once
the hobbitses are dead.
SAM
You treacherous little
thief!
GOLLUM
Argh! No! Master!
FRODO
No, Sam! Leave him
alone!
SAM
I heard it from his own mouth; he means to murder
us!
GOLLUM
Never! Smeagol wouldn't hurt a fly! He's a hobbit, fat
hobbit who hates Smeagol and who makes up nasty lies!
SAM
You
miserable little maggot! I'll stave your head
in!
FRODO
Sam!
SAM
Called me a liar! (To Gollum) You're a
liar!
GOLLUM
Ahhh!!
FRODO
We scare him off, we're
lost!
SAM
I don't care! I can't do it, Mr. Frodo! I won't wait around
for him to kill us!
FRODO
I'm not sending him away!
SAM
You
don't see it, do you? He's a villain.
FRODO
We can't do this by
ourselves, Sam. Not without a guide. I need you on my side.
SAM
I am
on your side, Mr. Frodo.
FRODO
I know, Sam. I know. Trust me. Come,
Smeagol.
ARAGORN and LEGOLAS look toward Mordor just outside the Golden
Hall
LEGOLAS
The stars are veiled. Something stirs in the East. A
sleepless malice. The Eye of the enemy is moving. Inside, Pippin wakes up and
moves towards a sleeping Gandalf
MERRY
What are you doing? Pippin!
Pippin?
PIPPIN takes the Palantir from GANDALF
MERRY
Pippin!
Are you mad?
PIPPIN
I just want to look at it! Just one more
time.
MERRY
Put it back!
PIPPIN looks into the
stone
MERRY
Pippin. No! Pippin! Suddenly the stone ensares PIPPIN, and
LEGOLAS (outside) turns to ARAGORN
LEGOLAS
He is
here!
SAURON
(to PIPPIN)
I see you
MERRY
Pippin! Help!
Gandalf Help him! Someone help him!
ARAGORN enters and snatches the
Palantír from PIPPIN'S hands but falls on his knees, taken over by its power.
LEGOLAS tries to help his friend and holds him still. Finally the Stone drops
from ARAGORN'S hands and rolls down the floor. GANDALF covers the stone with a
cloth
MERRY
Pippin!
GANDALF
Fool of a Took! Look at
me.
PIPPIN
Gandalf! Forgive me!
GANDALF
Look at me. What did
you see?
PIPPIN
A tree. There was a white tree in a courtyard of
stone. It was dead. The city was burning.
GANDALF
Minas Tirith? Is
that what you saw?
PIPPIN
I saw, I saw Him! I could hear His voice in
my head!
GANDALF
And what did you tell Him? Speak!
PIPPIN
He
asked me my name; I didn't answer.
PIPPIN
He hurt
me!
GANDALF
What did you tell Him about Frodo and the Ring?
The
next day GANDALF is having a conversation with THEODEN about the night's events.
ARAGORN, LEGOLAS, GIMLI, MERRY, and PIPPIN are also
present
GANDALF
There was no lie in Pippin's eyes. A fool, but an
honest fool he remains. He told Sauron nothing of Frodo and the Ring. We've been
strangely fortunate. Pippin saw in the Palantír a glimpse of the enemy's plan.
Sauron moves to strike the city of Minas Tirith. His defeat at Helm's Deep
showed our enemy one thing: He knows the heir of Elendil has come forth. Men are
not as weak as He supposed; there is courage still. Strength enough perhaps to
challenge Him. Sauron fears this. He will not risk the peoples of Middle-Earth
uniting under one banner. He will raze Minas Tirith to the ground before he sees
a King return to the throne of men. If the Beacons of Gondor are lit, Rohan must
be ready for war.
THEODEN
Tell me, why should we ride to the aid of
those who did not come to ours? What do we owe Gondor?
ARAGORN
I will
go.
GANDALF
No!
ARAGORN
They must be
warned!
GANDALF
They will be. You must come to Minas Tirith by another
road. Follow the river and look to the Black ships. Understand this: things are
now in motion that cannot be undone. I ride for Minas Tirith. And I won't be
going alone.
Outside, GANDALF, followed by the two hobbits, is making his
way to the stables of Edoras
GANDALF
Of all the inquisitive hobbits,
Peregrin Took, you are the worst! Hurry! Hurry!
PIPPIN
Where are we
going?
MERRY
Why did you look? Why do you always have to
look!
PIPPIN
Don't know. I can't help it!
MERRY
You never
can.
PIPPIN
I'm sorry, all right! I won't do it
again.
MERRY
Don't you understand? The enemy thinks you have the Ring!
He's going to be looking for you, Pip. They have to get you out of
here.
PIPPINAnd you're coming with me? Merry?
MERRY
Come
on!
Inside the stables, GANDALF lifts PIPPIN up to sit on Shadowfax's
back
PIPPIN
How far is Minas Tirith?
GANDALF
Three day's
ride as the Nazgul flies. And we better hope we don't have one of those on our
tail.
MERRY
(handing PIPPIN a pouch)
Here. Something for the
road.
PIPPIN
Last of the Longbottom Leaf.
MERRY
I know
you've run out. You smoke too much, Pip.
PIPPIN
But we'll see each
other soon, won't we?
MERRY
I don't know. I don't know what's going to
happen.
PIPPIN
Merry!
GANDALF
Run, Shadowfax. Show us the
meaning of haste.
PIPPIN
Merry!
SHADOWFAX gallops out of the
stables and MERRY runs after them. He climbs up to a watchtower, ARAGORN running
after him.
ARAGORN
Merry!
ARWEN is being led down a wooded
path
ELROND
Take her by the safest road. A ship lays anchored in the
Grey Havens; it waits to carry her across the Sea. The last journey of Arwen
Undomiel.
As the party of the elves moves on, ARWEN has a vision of a boy
in a white shirt. Suddenly a vision of a gray-haired ARAGORN appears running to
the little boy, ELDARION, their son. ARAGORN takes ELDARION in his arms and
spins him around, laughing. ELDARION continues to stare at his mother and
finally a single tear rolls down ARWEN'S cheek and she closes her eyes and
thinks back to the lie her father told her
ELROND
There is nothing for
you here, only death.
ARWEN, who has stopped, is approached by one of her
kindred
ELF
Lady Arwen, we cannot delay.
Without saying a word,
ARWEN turns ASFALOTH around rides to Rivendell.
ELF
My lady!
At
Rivendell, she approaches her father
ARWEN
Tell me what you have
seen!
ELROND
Arwen!
ARWEN
You have the gift of foresight,
what did you see?
ELROND
I looked into your future and I saw
death.
ARWEN
There is also life. You saw there was a child. You saw my
son.
ELROND
That future is almost gone.
ARWEN
But it is not
lost!
ELROND
Nothing is certain.
ARWEN
Some things are
certain. If I leave him now, I will regret it forever. It is time. From the
ashes of fire shall be woken, a light from the shadow shall spring, renewed
shall be Blade that was broken. The crownless again shall be King. Re-forge the
Sword...Adar. (father)
ELROND
Your hands are cold. The life of the
Eldar is leaving you.
ARWEN
This was my choice. Adar, whether by your
will or not, there is no ship now that can bear me hence.
GANDALF and
PIPPIN ride
GANDALF
We have just passed into the realm of
Gondor
SHADOWFAX crests a hill and seven walls
appear
GANDALF
Minas Tirith, City of Kings.
GANDALF rides right
to the top level
GANDALF
Make way!
At the top tier. PIPPIN sees
an interesting sight
PIPPIN
It's the tree, Gandalf.
Gandalf!
GANDALF
Yes, the White Tree of Gondor, the tree of the King.
Lord Denethor however is not the king. He is a steward only. A caretaker of the
throne. Listen carefully; Lord Denethor is Boromir's father. To give him news of
his beloved son's death would be most unwise. And do not mention about Frodo or
the Ring. And say nothing of Aragorn either.
GANDALF turns to enter, but
stops, and glances down at PIPPIN.
GANDALF
In fact, its better if you
don't speak at all, Peregrin Took.
GANDALF approaches DENETHOR who sits
on the Stewards' throne, his face lowered, the broken Horn of Gondor in his
hands
GANDALF
Hail, Denethor, son of Ecthelion, Lord and Steward of
Gondor. I come with tidings in this dark hour and with
counsel.
DENETHOR
Perhaps you've come to explain this. Perhaps you've
come to tell me why my son is dead.
PIPPIN
Boromir died to save us, my
kinsmen and me. He fell defending us from many
foes.
GANDALF
Pippin!
PIPPIN
I offer you my service such as
it is. In payment of this debt.
PIPPIN kneels before
DENETHOR
GANDALF
Get up! My lord, there will be a time to grieve for
Boromir, but it is not now. War is coming. The enemy is on your doorstep. As
Steward, you’re charged with the defense of this city. Where are Gondor's
armies? You still have friends. You're not alone in this fight. Send word to
Theoden of Rohan. Light the beacons.
DENETHOR
You think you are wise,
Mithrandir, yet for all your subtleties you have not wisdom. Do you think the
eyes of the White Towers are blind? I have seen more than you know. With your
left hand you would use me as a shield against Mordor. And, with your right, you
seek to supplant me! I know who rides with Theoden of Rohan. Oh, yes. Words have
reached my ears of this Aragorn, son of Arathorn, and I tell you now; I will not
bow to this ranger from the north. Last of a ragged house long bereft of
Lordship!
GANDALF
Authority is not given to you to deny the return of
the King. Steward.
DENETHOR
The whole rule of Gondor is mine and no
others!
GANDALF
(to PIPPIN)
Come!
GANDALF takes PIPPIN to a
guesthouse where they look out towards Mordor at night. PIPPIN has been issued a
uniform and sword
PIPPIN
So I imagine this is just a ceremonial
position. I mean, they don't actually expect me to do any fighting, do
they?
GANDALF
You're in the service of the Steward now, you're going
to have to do as you're told, Peregrin Took, Guard of the
Citadel.
PIPPIN
It's so quiet.
GANDALF
It's the deep breath
before the plunge.
PIPPIN
I don't want to be in a battle, but waiting
on the edge of one I can't escape is even worse! Is there any hope, Gandalf? For
Frodo and Sam?
GANDALF
There never was much hope. Just a fool's hope.
Our enemy is ready, his full strength gathers. Not only orcs, but men as well,
legions of Haradrim from the South, mercenaries from the coast... all will
answer Mordor's call. This will be the end of Gondor as we know it. Here the
hammer stroke will fall the hardest. If the river is taken, if the garrison at
Osgiliath falls, the last defense of this city will be
gone.
PIPPIN
But we have the White Wizard, that's got to count for
something. Gandalf?
GANDALF
Sauron has yet to reveal his deadliest
servant. The one who would lead Mordor's armies in war, the one they say no
living man can kill, the Witch-King of Angmar. You've met him before. He stabbed
Frodo on Weathertop. He is the lord of the Nazgul, the greatest of the nine.
Minas Morgul is his lair. SAM, FRODO, and GOLLUM approach
it
GOLLUM
The Dead City. Very nasty place. Full of enemies. Quick!
Quick! They will see! They will see! Come away! Come away! Look! We have found
it, the way into Mordor. The Secret Stairs! FRODO does not wish to go towards
the stairs. The dead city calls him
SAM
No! Mr.
Frodo!
GOLLUM
Not that way! What's it
doing?
SAM
No!
FRODO
They're calling me.
SAM and
GOLLUM pull FRODO to the stairs, but suddenly from the middle of the city erupts
a signal visible to many watchful eyes. The WITCHKING emerges from the city in all of his dark glory to
lead the armies of Mordor into battle.
FRODO
I can feel his
blade.
GANDALF
We come to it at last, the great battle of our time.
GOLLUM
Hurry, hobbits! We climb! We must climb!
GANDALF
The board
is set. The pieces are moving. Peregrin Took, my lad. There is a task now to be
done. Another opportunity for one of the Shire-folk to prove their great worth.
You must not fail me.
The Orcs from Minas Morgul approach Osgiliath like
the D-Day invasion
ORC LEADER
Quiet.
At Osgiliath, FARAMIR
prepares his men for the attack
FARAMIR
To the river! Quick, quick!
Come on!
ORC LEADER
Faster! Draw swords! As the Orcs arrive on shore,
FARAMIR's men attack.
SOLDIERS
Fight, Fight!
Meanwhile, PIPPIN
secretly lights the beacon of Minas Tirith
GANDALF
Amon
Din
GUARD
The beacon! The beacon of Amon Din is
lit!
GANDALF
Hope is rekindled.
The signal beacons light in
quick succession across the snowy, mountain peaks to
Edoras
ARAGORN
The Beacons of Minas Tirith! The Beacons are lit!
Gondor calls for aid!
THEODEN
And Rohan will answer. Muster the
Rohirrim! Assemble the army at Dunharrow; as many men as can be found. You have
two days. On the third, we ride for Gondor. And war. Gamling, make haste across
the Riddermark. Summon every able-bodied man to Dunharrow.
ARAGORN and
EOWYN prepare to ride
ARAGORN
You ride with us?
EOWYN
Just
to the encampment. It's tradition for the women of the court to farewell the
men. The men have found their captain, they will follow you into battle, even to
death. You have given us hope.
THEODEN
So it is before the walls of
Minas Tirith, the doom of our time will be decided.
EOMER
Now is the
hour, Riders of Rohan, oaths you have taken! Now, fulfill them all! To Lord and
Land!
At Osgiliath:
MADRIL
Faramir! We can't hold them! The
city is lost.
FARAMIR
Tell the men to bring cover. We ride to Minas
Tirith.
GONDORIAN SOLDIER
Nazgul! Take cover!
FARAMIR
Pull back!
Pull back to Minas Tirith! Retreat! Retreat!
ORC LEADER
The age of men
is over. The time of the Orc has come.
FARAMIR and his men try to return
to Minas Tirith, but the Nazgul prevent their retreat. The soliders of Gondor are slaughtered
by the Nazguls unrelenting attacks. However, hope is on the way. The White Wizard begins his assault
on the undead warriors.
GONDORIAN SOLDIER
It's the White Rider!
GANDALF saves
FARAMIR and his men
FARAMIR
Mithrandir! They broke our defenses;
they've taken the bridge in the West bank. Battalions of orcs are crossing the
river.
GONDORIAN SOLDIER
It is as Lord Denethor predicted! Long has he
foreseen this doom!
GANDALF
Foreseen and done nothing!
FARAMIR
spies PIPPIN
GANDALF
Faramir? This is not the first halfling to have
crossed your paths?
FARAMIR
No
PIPPIN
You've seen Frodo and
Sam!
GANDALF
Where? When?
FARAMIR
In Ithilien, not two days
ago. Gandalf, they're taking the road to the Morgul Vale.
GANDALF
And
then the Pass of Cirith Ungol.
PIPPIN
What does that mean? What's
wrong?
GANDALF
Faramir, tell me everything.
FRODO, SAM, and
GOLLUM are climbing up the mountains bordering Mordor with Minas Morgul
below
GOLLUM
Careful, master! Very far to fall! Very dangerous on the
stairs. Come, master! Come to Smeagol!
GOLLUM reaches for FRODO... or
perhaps the Ring
SAM
Mister Frodo!
SAM worries GOLLUM is going
to get the Ring
SAM
Get back, you! Don't touch
him!
GOLLUM
Why does he hates poor Smeagol? What has Smeagol ever done
to him? (to FRODO) Master, Master carries a heavy burden. Smeagol knows. Heavy,
heavy burden. Fat one cannot know. Let Smeagol look after Master. (whispering to
FRODO) He wants It. He needs It, Smeagol sees it in his eyes! Very soon he will
ask you for It! You will see! The fat one will take It from you!
The
WITCH-KING OF ANGMAR commands the Orcs at Osgiliath
WITCH-KING
Send
forth all legions, do not stop the attack until the city is taken. Slay them
all.
GOTHMOG
What of the wizard?
WITCH-KING OF ANGMAR
I will
break him.
SOLDIER #1
Where are Theoden's riders?
SOLDIER
#2
Will Rohan's army come? Mithrandir?
GANDALF
Courage is the best
defence that you have now.
PIPPIN kneels before
DENETHOR
PIPPIN
Here do I swear fealty and service to Gondor. In peace
or war. In living or dying. Fr... from... from... from this hour henceforth,
until my lord release me, or death... take me.
DENETHOR
And I shall
not forget it. Nor fail to reward that which is given. Fealty with love. Valor
with honor. (to FARAMIR) Disloyalty with vengeance. I do not think we should so
lightly abandon the outer defenses. Defenses that your brother long held
intact.
FARAMIR
What would you have me do?
DENETHOR
I will
not yield the river and Pelennor unfought. Osgiliath must be
retaken.
FARAMIR
My lord, Osgiliath is
overrun.
DENETHOR
Much must be risked in war. Is there a Captain here
who still has the courage to do his lord's will?
FARAMIR
You wish now
that our places had been exchanged. That I had died and Boromir had
lived.
DENETHOR
Yes. I wish that.
FARAMIR
Since you are
robbed of Boromir, I will do what I can in his stead. If I should return, think
better of me, father.
DENETHOR
That will depend on the manner of your
return.
While Sam and Frodo sleep, GOLLUM looks at their
lembas
GOLLUM
Ugh!
GOLLUM scatters crumbs on SAM'S elven
cloak and throws the remainder of the food down the ledge. As he turns
away...
SAM
Where are you off to? Sneaking off are
we?
GOLLUM
Sneaking? Sneaking? Fat hobbit is always so polite. Smeagol
shows them secret ways that nobody else could find and they say sneak. Sneak?
Very nice friend. Oh yes, my preciousss, very nice, very...
SAM
All
right! All right! You just startled me, that's all. What are you
doing?
GOLLUM
Sneaking
SAM
Fine. Have it you own
way.
SAM
I'm sorry to wake you, Mr. Frodo. We have to be moving
on.
FRODO
It's dark still.
SAM
It's always dark
here.
SAM looks for some food to give to FRODO
SAM
It's gone!
The elven bread!
FRODO
What? That's all we have
left!
SAM
(pointing to GOLLUM) He took it! He must
have!
GOLLUM
Smeagol? No, no, no poor Smeagol. Smeagol hates nasty
elf's bread.
SAM
You lying rat! What did you do with
it!
FRODO
He doesn't eat it. He can't have taken
it.
GOLLUM
Look, what's this? (wiping crumbs off SAM and looking at
FRODO) Crumbs on his jacketsses. He took it. He took it!! I've seen him.
He is always stuffing his face when Master is not looking.
SAM
That's
a filthy lie! You stinking filth face!
SAM goes after
GOLLUM
FRODO
Sam! Stop it! No, Sam!
SAM
I'll kill
him!
FRODO
Sam! No!
SAM
Oh my! I'm sorry! I didn't mean it
to go so far. I was just so, so angry. Here. You just... just rest a
bit.
FRODO
I'm all right.
SAM
No, no you're not all right.
You're exhausted. It's that Gollum. It's this place. It's that thing around your
neck. I could help a bit. I could carry it for a while... (SAM's voice echos in
FRODO's head) carry it for a while... I could carry it... carry it... share the
load... the load.
FRODO
Get away!
SAM
I don't want to keep
it! I just want to help.
GOLLUM
See? See? He wants it for
himself.
SAM
Shut up you! Go away! Get out of here!
FRODO
No
Sam. It's you. I'm sorry, Sam.
SAM
But, he's a liar! He's poisoned you
against me!
FRODO
You can't help me anymore.
SAM
You don't
mean that.
FRODO
Go home.
At Minas Tirith, FARAMIR and his men
prepare to depart
GANDALF
Faramir, Faramir! Your father's will is
turned to madness. Do not throw away your life so
rashly.
FARAMIR
Where does my allegiance lie if not
here?
GANDALF
Your father loves you, Faramir. He will remember it
before the end.
DENETHOR eats while his servant PIPPIN stands
by
DENETHOR
Can you sing Master Hobbit?
PIPPIN
Well, yes. At
least, well enough for my own people. But, we have no songs for great halls and
evil times.
DENETHOR
And why should your songs be unfit for my halls?
Come, sing me a song.
PIPPIN
(singing softly)
Home is behind, the
world ahead
and there are many paths to tread
through shadow
to the
edge of night
until the stars are all alight
mist and shadow
cloud and
shade
all shall fade
all shall fade
THEODEN and ARAGORN ride to
DUNHARROW where the army of Rohan is gathering
THEODEN
Grimbold, how
many?
GRIMBOLD
I bring five hundred men from the Westfold, my
Lord.
GAMLING
We have three hundred more from
Fenmarch.
THEODEN
Where are the riders from
Snowbourn?
GAMLING
None have come, my Lord.
THEODEN
Six
thousand spears. Less than half of what I'd hoped for.
ARAGORN
Six
thousand will not be enough to break the lines of Mordor.
THEODEN
More
will come.
ARAGORN
Every hour lost hastens Gondor's defeat. We have
till dawn. Then we must ride.
LEGOLAS
The horses are restless, and the
men are quiet.
EOMER
They grow nervous in the shadow of the
mountain.
GIMLI
That road there; where does that
lead?
LEGOLAS
It is the road to the Dimholt; the door under the the
mountain.
EOMER
None who venture there ever return. That mountain is
evil.
GIMLI
Aragorn, let's find some food.
At night, EOWYN
helps MERRY suit up for battle
EOWYN
There. A true esquire of
Rohan.
MERRY
I'm ready!
MERRY unsheathes his sword and EOWYN
leans back, startled but laughing.
MERRY
Sorry. It isn't all that
dangerous. It's not even sharp.
EOWYN
Well that's no good. You won't kill
many orcs with a blunt blade. Come on! To the smithy, go!
EOMER
You
should not encourage him.
EOWYN
You should not doubt
him.
EOMER
I do not doubt his heart, just the reach of his
arm.
EOWYN
Why should Merry be left behind; he has as much cause go to
war as you! Why can he not fight for those he loves? Meanwhile, ARAGORN dreams
of ARWEN
ARWEN
I choose a mortal life. I wish I could have seen him
one last time.
He awakes to see someone is
approaching
SOLDIER
Sir? King Theoden awaits you, my Lord.
But
when ARAGORN enters Theoden's tent, Theoden does not remain
THEODEN
I
take my leave
He leaves, and ARAGORN sees someone
else
ARAGORN
My Lord, Elrond.
ELROND
I come on behalf of one
whom I love.
ELROND
Arwen is dying. She will not long survive the evil
that now spreads from Mordor. The light of the Evenstar is failing. As Sauron's
power grows, her strength wanes. Arwen's life is now tied to the fate of the
Ring. The shadow is upon us, Aragorn. The end has come.
ARAGORN
It
will not be our end but His.
ELROND
You ride to war but not to
victory. Sauron's armies march on Minas Tirith as you know, but in secret He
sends another force, which will attack, from the river. A fleet of Corsair ships
sails from the South. They'll be in the city in two days. You're outnumbered,
Aragorn. You need more men.
ARAGORN
There are
none.
ELROND
There are those who dwell in the
mountain.
ARAGORN
Murderers. Traitors. You would call upon them to
fight? They believe in nothing! They answer to no one.
ELROND
They
will answer to the King of Gondor!
With this said, ELROND reveals a
sword
ELROND
Anduril . . . Flame of the West. Forged from the shards
of Narsil.
ARAGORN
Sauron will not have forgotten the Sword of
Elendil.
ARAGORN
The Blade that was broken shall return to Minas
Tirith.
ELROND
The man who can wield the power of this sword, can
summon to him an army more deadly than any that walks this earth. Put aside the
ranger. Become who you were born to be. Take the Dimholt
road.
ELROND
Onen i-Estel Edain.
(I gave Hope to the
Dunedain.)
ARAGORN
U-chebin Estel anim.
(I have kept no hope for
myself.)
Later, ARAGORN prepares to take the Paths of the
Dead
EOWYN
Why are you doing this? The war lies to the East; you
cannot leave on the eve of battle! You cannot abandon the
men.
ARAGORN
Eowyn...
EOWYN
We need you
here.
ARAGORN
Why have you come?
EOWYN
Do you not
know?
ARAGORN
It is but a shadow and a thought that you love. I cannot
give you what you seek.
ARAGORN takes his leave and prepares to
depart
GIMLI
Just where do you think you're off
to?
ARAGORN
Not this time. This time you must stay,
Gimli.
LEGOLAS
Have you learned nothing of the stubbornness of
dwarves?
GIMLI
Might as well accept it. We're going with you,
Laddie.
SOLDIER 1
What's happening?
SOLDIER 2
Where's he
going?
SOLDIER 3
I don't understand.
SOLDIER 4
Lord
Aragorn!
SOLDIER 5
Why does he leave on the eve of
battle?
GAMLING
He leaves because there is no
hope.
THEODEN
He leaves because he must.
GAMLING
Too few
have come. We cannot defeat the armies of Mordor.
THEODEN
No, we
cannot. But we will meet them in battle nonetheless.
At dawn, EOWYN is
approached by her Uncle
THEODEN
I have left instructions. The people
are to follow your rule in my stead. Take up my seat in the Golden Hall. Long
may you defend Edoras if the battle goes ill.
EOWYN
What other duty
would you have me do, my lord?
THEODEN
Duty? No. I would have you
smile again. Not grief for those whose time has come. You shall live to see
these days renewed. No more despair.
ARAGORN, GIMLI, and LEGOLAS approach
a mountain door with their horses
GIMLI
What kind of army would linger
in such a place?
LEGOLAS
One that is cursed.
LEGOLAS
Long
ago the Men of the Mountain swore an oath to the last king of Gondor To come to
his aid, to fight. But when the time came, when Gondor's need was dire, they
fled, vanishing into the darkness of the mountain. And so Isildur cursed them
never to rest, until they had fulfilled their pledge.
GIMLI
The very
warmth of my blood seems stole away.
LEGOLAS
The way is shut. It was
made by those who were dead, and the dead keep it. The way is shut.
The
horses suddenly flee, leaving the three hunters alone
ARAGORN
Brego!
(turning back towards the entance) I do not fear death!
ARAGORN enters
the mountain, and LEGOLAS follows
GIMLI
Well this is something unheard
of! An elf will go underground where a dwarf dare not! Ahh, I'd never hear the
end of it!
GIMLI follows. Meanwhile, the Rohirrim prepare to
ride
THEODEN
We must ride light and swift. It's a long road ahead. The
men and beast must reach the end with a strength to fight.
He spies
MERRY
THEODEN
Little hobbits do not belong in war, Master
Meriadoc.
MERRY
All my friends have gone to battle! I will be ashamed
to be left behind!
THEODEN
It is a three day gallop to Minas Tirith
and none of my riders can bear you as a burden.
MERRY
I want to
fight!
THEODEN
I will say no more.
THEODEN rides away, leaving
the disappointed MERRY to stand and watch as the men ride past him. As MERRY
stands there, one of the riders, DERNHELM, snatches MERRY up onto his
horse.
DERNHELM
Ride with me.
MERRY
My
lady!
EOMER
Form up! Move out!
THEODEN
Ride! Ride now for
Gondor!
Meanwhile, at the Paths of the Dead, ARAGORN is
challenged
The KING OF THE DEAD
Who enters my
domain?
ARAGORN
One who will have your allegiance.
The KING OF
THE DEAD
The dead do not suffer the living to pass.
ARAGORN
You
will suffer me!
The KING OF THE DEAD
The way is shut. it was made by
those who are dead and the dead keep it.
The KING OF THE DEAD
The way
is shut. Now you must die.
ARAGORN
I summon you to fullfil your
oath.
The KING OF THE DEAD
None, but the King of Gondor may command
me! (He attacks ARAGORN, but the King of Gondor uses his sword to defend
himself) That bind was broken!
ARAGORN
It has been re-made. Fight for
us and regain your honor. What say you? What say you?
GIMLI
You waste
your time, Aragorn! They had no honor in life, they have none now in
death.
ARAGORN
I am Isildur's heir. Fight for me and I will hold your
oaths fulfilled! What say you!
A horse drags a wounded FARAMIR to Minas
Tirith
SOLDIER
Open the gates! Quick!
DENETHOR
Faramir? Say
not that he has fallen.
GONDORIAN
They were outnumbered. None
survived.
The orcs approach the city
GOTHMOG
Fear. The city is
rank with it.
GOTHMOG
Let us ease their pain. Release the
prisoners!
ORC
Catapults! Ha!
SOLDIER
Shields
up!
DENETHOR
My sons are spent. My line has
ended.
PIPPIN
(looking at FARAMIR)
He's
alive!
DENETHOR
The house of Stewards has
failed.
PIPPIN
My lord!
He needs medicine my lord!
DENETHOR
My
line has ended!
PIPPIN
My lord!
DENETHOR
Rohan has deserted
us. Theoden has betrayed me. Abandon your posts! Flee! Flee for you lives!
GANDALF knocks out DENETHOR and takes command
GANDALF
Prepare for
battle. Pull them in! To the wall! Defend the wall! Return to your posts! Send
these foul beasts into the abyss! Gondor fights back
GOTHMOG
(to the
Orcs)
Stay where you are.
GONDOR SOLDIER 1
Watch out!
GONDOR
SOLDIER 2
Down to the lower level. Quick!
GANDALF
Hold them back.
Do not give in to fear! Return to your posts! Don't aim for the towers. Aim for
the trolls. Kill the trolls. Fight them back! Peregrin Took! Go back to the
citadel! Now!
PIPPIN
You called us out to
fight.
GANDALF
This is no place for a hobbit. Suddenly an Orc bursts
in and attempts to kill GANDALF. PIPPIN slays the
creature
GANDALF
Guard of the Citadel indeed. Now back up the hill!
Quick! Quick!
ORCS
Grond! Grond! Grond! Grond! Grond!
Grond!
GOLLUM leads FRODO to a
tunnel
GOLLUM
There.
FRODO
What is this
place?
GOLLUM
Master must go inside the tunnel.
FRODO
Now
that I'm here, I don't think I want to.
GOLLUM
It's the only way! Go
in or go back.
FRODO
I cannot go back. What's that
smell?
GOLLUM
Orcses filth. Orcses come in here sometimes.
Hurry!
FRODO and GOLLUM enter, but FRODO can not keep up with his
guide
FRODO
Smeagol?
GOLLUM
Over here!
The tunnel is
full of dead creatures and gigantic spiderwebs
FRODO
Ahh! It's sticky!
What is it?
GOLLUM
You will see. Oh yesss, you will
see.
FRODO
Smeagol? Smeagol? Smeagol! (to himself)
Sam.
GALADRIEL
And you, Frodo Baggins, I give you the Light of
Earendil, our most beloved star. May it be a light for you in dark places, when
all other lights go out. FRODO pulls out the phial of
Galadriel
FRODO
Aiya Earendil Elenion Ancalima!
(Hail Earendil
brightest of the Stars!)
Suddenly FRODO sees something big. He runs, but
he gets tangled in a spiderweb
GOLLUM
Naughty little fly, why does it
cry? Caught in a web! Soon you'll be eaten.
FRODO uses his sword to cut
the web and escapes
GOLLUM
Got away, did it, precious!! Not this time!
Not this time!
GOLLUM tries to take the Ring from
FRODO
FRODO
No!
This enrages FRODO who tries to choke
GOLLUM
GOLLUM
It wasn't us! It wasn't us! Smeagol wouldn't hurt
Master! We promised! You must believe usss. It was the Precious! The Precious
made us do it!
FRODO
I have to destroy It, Smeagol. I have to destroy
It for both our sakes.
GOLLUM
No!
GOLLUM attacks FRODO again,
but he tumbles over a cliff
FRODO
I'm so sorry, Sam. So
sorry.
GALADRIEL
This task was appointed to you, Frodo of the Shire.
If you do not find a way, no one will.
The battle continues at Minas
Tirith
GANDALF
Back to the gate! Hurry!
Inside the City,
DENETHOR prepares his son and himself for death
DENETHOR
The house of
his spirit crumbles. He is burning. Already burning.
PIPPIN
He's not
dead!
DENETHOR
No tomb for Denethor and Faramir. No long, slow sleep
of death embalmed. We shall burn like the heathen kings of old! Bring wood and
oil!
PIPPIN
He's not dead! No! No! He's not
dead!
DENETHOR
Hear now, Peregrin, son of Paladin: I release you from
my service. Go now and die in what way seems best for you. (to his men) Pour oil
on the wood!
PIPPIN
Gandalf! Gandalf! Gandalf! The hobbit rushes off
to find the wizard. He is at the Gate of the city
GANDALF
Steady!
Steady! You are soldiers of Gondor! No matter what comes through that gate, you
will stand your ground! Volley! Fire!
The gate is broken and enemies pour
through
GANDALF
Retreat! The city is breached. Pull back! To the
second level! Get the women and children out. Get them out!
Retreat!
Outside the gate
GOTHMOG
Move into the city. Kill all
in your path.
Inside the gate
GANDALF
Fight! Fight to the last
man! Fight for your lives!
PIPPIN
Gandalf! Gandalf! Denethor has lost
his mind!
PIPPIN
He's burning Faramir
alive!
GANDALF
Come!
DENETHOR pours oil over himself and
FARAMIR
DENETHOR
Set a fire in our flesh!
GANDALF
Stay this
madness!
DENETHOR
No! You will not take my son from me!
PIPPIN
saves FARAMIR, but DENETHOR bursts into flames. FARAMIR opens his eyes and looks
into his father's eyes
DENETHOR
Faramir... my son.
Ahh!
DENETHOR dies
GANDALF
So passes Denethor, son of
Ecthelion.
As FRODO makes his way down the Cirith Ungol (the pass of the
spider), he is attacked from behind by Shelob, a giant arachnid. Her poison
knocks him out and she wraps him in a cocoon. But suddenly another hobbit
appears with a sword and the Phial of Galadriel
SAM
Let him go, you
filth! Let him go! You will not touch him again! Come on and finish
it!
SHELOB attacks SAM, but the hobbit wounds
her.
SAM
Back!
SHELOB retreats
SAM
Mister Frodo! Oh,
no! Frodo! Mister Frodo! Wake up! Don't leave me here alone! Don't go where I
can't follow. Wake up! You're not asleep... dead!
GORBAG
You get lost,
scum!
Hearing Orc voices, Sam takes the Ring and hides. The Orcs see
Frodo's body
SHAGRAT
What's this? Looks like ol' Shelob's been having a
bit of fun.
GORBAG
Killed another one, has She?
SHAGRAT
No.
This fellow ain't dead!
SAM
(whispers)
Not
dead?
SHAGRAT
She jabs them with her stinger, and he goes as limp as a
fish! Then she has her way with them. That's how she likes to feed! Fresh blood!
Get him to the tower!
SAM
Samwise, you fool!
GORBAG
This
scum will be awake in a couple of hours.
SHAGRAT
Then he'll wish he'd
never been born!
Meanwhile, at Minas Tirith, the Orcs prepare to take the
City. Suddenly, however, horns sound in the distance
DERNHELM
Courage,
Merry. Courage for our friends.
GOTHMOG
(to the Orcs)
Form ranks,
you maggots! Form ranks! Full right. Full right, you scum! Forward I
say!
THEODEN
Eomer! Take your eored down the left
side.
EOMER
Yes, my lord.
THEODEN
Gamling, follow the King's
banner down the center. Grimbold, take your company right, after you pass the
wall. Forth, and fear no darkness! Arise! Arise! Riders of Theoden! Spears shall
be shaken, shields shall be splintered! A sword-day! A red day, ere the sun
rises!
DERNHELM
(to MERRY)
Whatever happens, stay with me. I will
look after you.
THEODEN
Ride now, ride now, ride! Ride for ruin and
the world's ending! Death!
ROHIRRIM
Death!
THEODEN
Death!
ROHIRRIM
Death!
THEODEN
Death!
DERNHELM
Death!
MERRY
Death!
THEODEN
Forth,
Eorlingas!
ROHIRRIM
Death!!!
ORC
LEADER
Fire!
THEODEN
Death!
GOTHMOG
Fire at my
will.
THEODEN
RIDE!
EOMER
Drive them back to the
river!
THEODEN
Make safe this city!
The Rohirrim drive away the
Orcs, but just then the cruel Haradrim arrive on their
Oliphaunts
THEODEN
Reform the line! Reform the line! Sound the charge!
Rohirrim! Charge!
DERMHELM
(to MERRY)
Take the reins. Pull it left!
Left! DERNHELM uses her sword to take out the legs of an
oliphaunt
EOMER
Aim for the head!
GAMLING
Make for the
oliphaunts!
THEODEN
Bring it down! Bring it down! Bring it
down!
DERNHELM and MERRY fall off their
horse
DERNHELM
Merry!
Inside Minas Tirith, the city is in
chaos
PIPPIN
I didn't think it would end this
way.
GANDALF
End? No, the journey doesn't end here. Death is just
another path. One that we all must take. The gray rain curtain of this world
rolls back, and all turns to silver glass. And then you see
it.
PIPPIN
What, Gandalf? See what?
GANDALF
White shores.
And beyond, the far green country, under a swift sunrise.
PIPPIN
Well,
that isn't so bad.
GANDALF
No. No, it isn't.
On the
battlefield, it goes ill with Rohan
THEODEN
Rally to me! To
me!
THEODEN slowly turns his head and sees the WITCH KING of ANGMAR
flying towards him. The fell beast grabs THEODEN’S horse in his teeth and shakes
THEODEN away.
WITCH KING
(to the fellbeast)
Feast off his human
flesh.
DERNHELM
I will kill you if you touch him.
WITCH
KING
Do not come between the Nazgul and his prey.
The fell beast
attacks DERNHELM, but it only succeeds in getting its head cut off. The WITCH
KING dismounts and strikes DERNHELM's shield with his mace. Just then, a black
fleet of ships arrive on the Anduin River.
ORC LEADER
Late as usual!
Pirate scum! There's work that needs doing. Come on, you sea rats! Get out off
your ships!
But lo! The ships bear ARAGORN, LEGOLAS, and
GIMLI
GIMLI
There are plenty for both of us! May the best man
win!
They attack, and the oathbreakers follow behind turning the battle
into a rout. Meanwhile, the WITCH KING prepares to kill DERNHELM
WITCH
KING
Fool! No man can slay the Lord of The Nazgul! Die now!
Suddenly
MERRY attacks from behind, stabbing the wraith's knee. DERNHELM stands before
the WITCH KING and removes his helm. But lo! DERNHELM is no man, but the lady
EOWYN;
EOWYN
I am no man!
EOWYN strikes down the WITCH
KING
Meanwhile, ARAGORN, LEGOLAS, and GIMLI confront the
enemy.
LEGOLAS
15,
16
GIMLI
17
GIMLI
29
ARAGORN
Legolas!
LEGOLAS
33,
34
LEGOLAS kills an Oliphaunt, gracefully stepping down its trunk as it
falls dead.
GIMLI
It still only counts as one!
The dead destroy
the orcs
On the battlefield, THEODEN lies dying. EOWYN
approaches
THEODEN
I know your face. Eowyn. My eyes
darken.
EOWYN
No. No, I am going to save you.
THEODEN
You
already did. Eowyn, my body is broken. You have to let me go. I go to my fathers
in whose mighty company I shall not now feel ashamed. Eowyn.
As THEODEN
dies, the KING of the DEAD stands before Aragorn
KING of the
DEAD
Release us.
GIMLI
Bad idea. Very handy in a tight spot, these
lads, despite the fact they're dead.
KING of the DEAD
You gave us your
word.
ARAGORN
I hold your oath fulfilled. Go, be at
peace.
PIPPIN
Merry! Merry, it's me. It's Pippin.
MERRY
I
knew you'd find me.
PIPPIN
Yes.
MERRY
Are you going to leave
me?
PIPPIN
No, Merry. I'm going to look after you.
At the Tower
of Cirith Ungol, FRODO wakes up as GORBAG and SHAGRAT are paw through his
belongings. GORBAG discovers his Mithril shirt
SHAGRAT
Hands off that
shiny shirt! That's mine!
GORBAG
It's going to the Great Eye! Along
with everything else.
SHAGRAT
I don't take orders from stinking Morgul
rats!
GORBAG
You touch it and I'll stick this blade in your
gut!
The two fight until GORBAG rolls down the stairs where other orcs
look up surprised
SHAGRAT
The scum tried to knife me! Kill him!
SHAGRAT's orcs begin to battle GORBAG's orcs
SAM enters the Tower of
Cirith Ungol. As the Orcs attack him, he fights back with a
vengence
SAM
That’s for Frodo! That one’s for the Shire! And that’s
for my old Gaffer!
At the top of the tower, SNAGA threatens
FRODO
SNAGA
Stop your squirming, you rat! I'm gonna bleed you like a
stuck pig!
SAM
Not if I stick you first.
SAM kills
SNAGA
FRODO
Sam! Oh Sam, I'm so sorry! Sorry for everything.
SAM
Let's get you out of here.
FRODO
It's too late. It's over.
They've taken It! Sam! They took the Ring!
SAM
Begging your pardon,
but they haven't. I thought I'd lost you so I took It. Only for
safe-keeping.
FRODO
Give It to me. Give me the Ring, Sam.
SAM
does not wish to
FRODO
Sam! Give me the Ring.
He does
so
FRODO
You must understand, the Ring is my burden. It will destroy
you, Sam.
SAM
Come on, Mr. Frodo. We best find you some clothes. You
can't go walking to Mordor in naught but your skin.
Outside the tower two
figures in orc armor look out over Mordor where all the orcs are
encamped.
SAM
We did it, Mr. Frodo. We made it to
Mordor.
FRODO
There are so many of them. We'll never get through
unseen!
Barad-dur looms in the distance
FRODO
It's Him! The
Eye!
SAM
(looking at the valley)
We have to go in there, Mr. Frodo.
There's nothing for it. Well, let’s make it down the hill for starters, shall
we?
Meanwhile, there is a Council at Minas Tirith
GANDALF
Frodo
has passed beyond my sight. The darkness is deepening.
ARAGORN
If
Sauron had the Ring we would know it.
GANDALF
It's only a matter of
time. He has suffered a defeat, yes, but behind the walls of Mordor our enemy is
regrouping.
GIMLI
Let him stay there. Let him rot! Why should we
care?
GANDALF
Because ten thousand Orcs now stand between Frodo and
Mount Doom. I've sent him to his death.
ARAGORN
No. There's still hope
for Frodo. He needs time, and safe passage across the Plains of Gorgoroth. We
can give him that.
GIMLI
How?
ARAGORN
Draw out Sauron's
armies. Empty his lands. Then we gather our full strength and march on the Black
Gate.
EOMER
We cannot achieve victory through strength of
arms.
ARAGORN
Not for ourselves, but we can give Frodo his chance if
we keep Sauron's Eye fixed upon us. Keep him blind to all else that
moves.
LEGOLAS
A diversion.
GANDALF
Sauron will suspect a
trap. He will not take the bait.
GIMLI
Certainty of death. Small
chance of success. What are we waiting for?
The Host of the West marches
from Minas Tirith for Mordor. Sauron takes notice and dispatches his
orders
ORC
To the gate, you slugs! Move out! To the
gate!
SAM
Look, the Orcs! They're moving off. You see, Mister Frodo,
some luck at last.
FRODO tries to drink some water, but there is none
left in his bottle
SAM
Take mine, there's a few drops
left.
FRODO
There'll be none left for the return
journey.
SAM
I don't think there will be a return journey, Mister
Frodo. Frodo! Get down! Hide! Frodo!
The EYE of SAURON searches their
location. ARAGORN and his men approach unchallenged
Pippin
Where are
they?
ARAGORN
Let the Lord of the Black Land come forth. Let justice
be done upon him.
The Black Gate begins to open, and an army of orcs
march through the gate.
ARAGORN
Fall back! Fall back!
SAURON
looks towards the Black Gate
SAM
It's gone, Mister Frodo. The light's
passed on, away towards the North. Something's drawn its
gaze.
ARAGORN
Hold your ground! Hold your ground. Sons of Gondor! Of
Rohan! My brothers. I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart
of me. A day may come when the courage of Men fails, when we forsake our friends
and break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day. An hour of wolves and
shattered shields when the Age of Men comes crashing down, but it is not this
day! This day we fight! By all that you hold dear on this good earth, I bid you
stand, Men of the West!
GIMLI
Never thought I'd die fighting side by
side with an elf.
LEGOLAS
What about side by side with a
friend?
GIMLI
Aye, I could do that.
SAM and FRODO climb up the
Mountain of Fire
SAM
Do you remember the Shire, Mister Frodo? It'll be
spring soon, and the Orchards will be in blossom. And the birds will be nesting
in the hazel thicket and they'll be sowing the summer barley in the lower
fields. (Frodo opens his eyes, and stares blindly at Sam.) And eating the first
of the strawberries with cream. Do you remember the taste of
strawberries?
FRODO
No, Sam, I can't recall the taste of food. Nor the
sound of water. Or the touch of grass. I'm naked in the dark. There's nothing…no
veil between me and the wheel of fire. I can see him with my waking
eyes!
SAM
Then let us be rid of it, once and for all! Come on, Mister
Frodo. I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you! Come on!
At the
Black Gate, ARAGORN prepares to attack
SAURON
Aragorn...
Elessar...
ARAGORN
For Frodo.
ARAGORN and his men attack the
forces of evil. SAM and FRODO approach the upper cone.
SAM
Look,
Mister Frodo. A doorway! We're almost there.
GOLLUM
Clever Hobbits, to
climb so high!
GOLLUM attacks FRODO and SAM. Meanwhile, the Nazgul appear
at the Black Gate. SAM subdues GOLLUM
SAM
Frodo!
FRODO
continues on his quest
The Nazgul are countered by a new
force
PIPPIN
Eagles! The Eagles are coming!
SAM enters the
door
SAM
Frodo!
FRODO is standing at the edge of the pit of
molten lava
FRODO
I'm here, Sam.
SAM
Destroy it! Go on. Now!
Throw it in the fire. What are you waiting for? Just let it
go!
FRODO
The Ring is mine!
SAM
No. No!
FRODO puts
the Ring on
SAM
Nooo!
The Great Eye suddenly becomes aware of
the presence of the Ring, and turns its gaze to Mount Doom, while the Nazgul
abruptly leave the battle and head in the same direction. Back in the Crack of
Doom, SAM stares in shock and despair at Frodo's footprints on the rock before
him. GOLLUM appears over his shoulder, and he hits SAM with a rock. SAM drops
unconscious to the floor. GOLLUM then tracks the footprints of FRODO, and jumps
on him. FRODO cries out as he struggles with GOLLUM. The creature grabs FRODO's
finger, and bites it off, taking the Ring with it. GOLLUM holds it before him in
delight
GOLLUM
Precious, precious, precious,
precious!
FRODO lunges at GOLLUM and the two fight, tumbling
over the edge. GOLLUM falls into molten lava, but FRODO hangs on to the side of
the cliff
SAM
Give me your hand! Take my hand! No! Don't you let go!
Don't let go. Reach!
SAM rescues FRODO and The Ring is destroyed. ARAGORN
and his people stare in shock as the tower of Barad-dur falls, and the EYE of
SAURON explodes. The Black Gate and the lands between collapse and crumble,
taking most of SAURON's forces with them.
MERRY
Frodo!
MOUNT
DOOM erupts, and FRODO and SAM run to an outcropping of
rock
FRODO
It's gone. It's done.
SAM
Yes, Mister Frodo. It's
over now.
FRODO
I can see the Shire…the Brandywine River…Bag
End…Gandalf's fireworks…the lights in the Party Tree.
SAM
Rosie Cotton
dancing. She had ribbons in her hair. If ever I was to marry someone, it
would've been her. It would've been her.
FRODO
I'm glad to be with
you, Samwise Gamgee, here at the end of all things.
As FRODO and SAM lie
down to die, three Eagles appear in the sky (one carrying GANDALF). They rescue
the hobbits
FRODO wakes up and sees a familiar
face
FRODO
Gandalf?
GANDALF
laughs
MERRY
Frodo!
MERRY and PIPPIN enter, followed by
another
FRODO
Gimli!
LEGOLAS follows, and then the
King
FRODO
Aragorn.
The Fellowship joins the people of Minas
Tirith for ARAGORN's coronation
GAMDALF
Now come the days of the king.
May they be blessed.
ARAGORN
This day does not belong to one man but
to all. Let us together rebuild this world that we may share in the days of
peace. Et Eärello Endorenna utulien. Sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar tenn'
Ambar-metta.
(These were the words Elendil sang when his feet first
touched the lands of Middle-earth: Out of the Great Sea to Middle-earth I am
come. In this place will I abide, and my heirs, unto the ending of the
world.)
ARAGORN
Hannon le.
(Thank you.)
ARAGORN, to his
delight, sees ARWEN, and they embrace. The King and Queen come before the four
Hobbits, who bow.
ARAGORN
My friends. You bow to no one. Et Earello
Endorenna utulien. Sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar tenn'
Ambar-metta.
Everyone bows before the hobbits
FRODO
And thus it
was, the Fourth Age of Middle-earth began, and the Fellowship of the Ring,
though eternally bound by friendship and love, was ended. Thirteen months to the
day, since Gandalf sent us on our long journey, we found ourselves looking upon
a familiar site. We were home. How do you pick up the threads of an old life?
How do you go on, when in your heart, you begin to understand, there is no going
back? There are some things that time cannot mend. Some hurts that go too
deep…that have taken hold.
SAM enters Bag End, where FRODO is working on
his book. FRODO is in pain.
SAM
Mr. Frodo? What is
it?
FRODO
It's been four years to the day since Weathertop, Sam. It's
never really healed.
SAM sees the book
SAM
'There and Back
again, a Hobbit's Tale by Bilbo Baggins'…and 'The Lord of the Rings by Frodo
Baggins.' You finished it.
FRODO
Not quite. There's room for a little
more. Bilbo once told me, his part in this tale would end. That each of must
come and go in the telling. Bilbo's story was now over. There would be no more
journeys for him…save one.
FRODO and BILBO journey together in a
carriage
BILBO
Tell me again, lad, where are we
going?
FRODO
To the harbor, Uncle. The elves have accorded you a
special honor. A place on the last ship to leave
Middle-earth.
BILBO
Frodo, any chance of seeing that old Ring of mine
again? Hmm? The one I gave you?
FRODO
I'm sorry, Uncle. I'm afraid I
lost it.
BILBO
Oh. Did ye? I should like to have held it, one last
time.
At the Grey Havens, all the hobbits gather and look at the
sea
BILBO
Oh! Here is a sight that I have never seen
before.
Upon the quay stand Elrond, Celeborn and
Galadriel
GALADRIEL
The power of the three rings is ended. The time
has come for the Dominion of Men.
ELROND
I Aear can ven na
mar.
(The sea calls us home.)
BILBO
I think I'm quite ready for
another adventure.
GANDALF
Farewell, my brave Hobbits. My work is now
finished. Here at last, on the shores of the sea, comes the end of our
Fellowship. I will not say, do not weep, for not all tears are an evil. It is
time, Frodo.
SAM
What does he mean?
FRODO
We set out to save
the Shire, Sam. And it has been saved. But not for me.
SAM
You don't
mean that. You can't leave!
FRODO
(Giving SAM the book.) The last
pages are for you, Sam. My dear Sam, you cannot always be torn in two. You will
have to be one and whole for many years. You have so much to enjoy and to be,
and to do. Your part in this story will go on.
After FRODO embraces each
hobbit in turn, he departs, happy at last. SAM returns to his wife and children
in Hobbiton.
SAM
Well, I'm back.
THE END
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