Screenplay by
Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens.
Based on "The Lord of The Rings" trilogy by
J.R.R Tolkien.
Transcription credits
Accela, Aina, Bad burn, Bridget Chubb,
Brionn Equus (Lochrann), Drusilia, Elf
Lady, Éowyn Unquendor, Feanari, Finafyr,
Flourish, Galadriel, Heri, Julamb, JustinsIce(Mdjasrie),
Kazren, Krystal, LadyÉowynKenobi, Lady
Evenstar, Legolas’Bow, Lithorose, Melody,
Mormegil, Nilmandra, Padfoot, Penwiper,
Pilgrim Grey, Primula Baggins, Randy
Savage, Samwise the Brave, Sirius Black,
Tethra, The Lidless Eye, Turnar, Xyla,
Yaksha
Elvish dialogue from The Elvish Linguistic
Fellowship.
[TITLE: THE LORD OF THE RINGS]
[Camera pans over the Misty Mountains
as voices drift in from the background.]
GANDALF
You cannot pass!
FRODO
Gandalf!
GANDALF
I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder
of the Flame of Anor!
[Camera pans closer to the mountain
side.]
GANDALF
Argh! Go back to the shadow. The Dark
Fire will not avail you, Flame of Udûn!
[Camera zooms in through the mountain
and focuses on Gandalf and the Balrog
on the bridge of Khazad-dûm. The Balrog
strikes down on Gandalf with its flaming
sword. Gandalf parries the blow with
Glamdring, shattering the Balrog’s sword.]
YOU… SHALL NOT... PASS!!!
[Gandalf strikes his staff onto the
bridge. As the Balrog steps forward,
the bridge collapses from under it and
the demon plunges backward into the
chasm. Gandalf, exhausted, leans on
his staff and watches the Balrog fall
then turns to follow the others. At
the last minute, the flaming whip lashes
up from the depths of the abyss and
winds around Gandalf’s ankle, dragging
him over the edge. He clings onto the
bridge but is straining to keep his
grip.]
GANDALF
Argh!
[Frodo rushes forward but Boromir restrains
him.]
BOROMIR
No! No!
FRODO
Gandalf!
GANDALF
Fly, you fools!
[Gandalf loses his grip and falls into
the chasm]
FRODO
Noooooooooooooooo!!!!
[Gandalf loses his grip and falls into
the chasm]
FRODO
[Calls after Gandalf as he falls into
the abyss] Gaaandaaaaalf!!
[Gandalf falls after the Balrog and
grabs hold of his sword Glamdring on
his way down. As they continue to plunge
into the depths, Gandalf hacks away
at the Balrog even as it thrashes and
bounces off the walls. They continue
to plunge at great speed, sometimes
with Gandalf clinging to the horn of
the demon. The battling pair then falls
into an enormous cavern and plunges
into the water. Just then Frodo awakens
as if from a nightmare.]
FRODO
Gandalf!
SAM
What is it, Mr. Frodo?
FRODO
Nothing. Just a dream. [Lies back down.]
[Frodo and Sam climbs over the rocky
terrain Emyn Muil. They look into the
distance at the Mountain of Fire.]
SAM
Mordor. The one place in Middle-earth
we don’t want to see any closer, and
the one place we’re trying to get to.
It’s just where we can’t get. Let’s
face it, Mr. Frodo, we’re lost. I don’t
think Gandalf meant for us to come this
way.
FRODO
He didn’t mean for a lot of things to
happen, Sam... but they did.
[Suddenly Frodo feels and sees the Eye
zooming in on him. He gasps and pants
as he backs away.]
SAM
Mr. Frodo? It’s the Ring, isn’t it?
FRODO
It’s getting heavier. [Clutches the
Ring by his chest and sits down, still
panting. He then fumbles for his water
bottle and takes a sip.]
FRODO
What food have we got left?
SAM
Well, let me see. [He takes out a package
of lembas bread from his pack] Oh yes,
lovely – Lembas bread. And look! [He
digs deeper into his pack] More lembas
bread.
[Sam shows another package. He then
breaks off a piece and tosses it to
Frodo, and munches on a piece himself.]
SAM
I don't usually hold with foreign food,
but this Elvish stuff, it’s not bad.
FRODO
[smiles] Nothing ever dampens your spirits,
does it Sam?
[Sam smiles back, and then looks ominously
towards Mordor.]
SAM
Those rain clouds might.
[They continue trekking through difficult
terrain, often huddling underneath their
cloaks.]
SAM
[Looks around] This looks strangely
familiar.
FRODO
[Exasperated] It’s because we’ve been
here before! We’re going in circles.
SAM
Ah! What's that 'orrid stink? I'll warrant
there's a nasty bog nearby. Can you
smell it?
FRODO
Yes. I can smell it. [Drops to a whisper]
We’re not alone.
[NIGHTTIME
Frodo and Sam are sleeping. A dark shape
appears on top of the cliff. The creature
Gollum has appeared and is making his
way down to the hobbits.]
GOLLUM
The thieves! The thieves! The filthy
little thieves! Where is it? Where isss
it? They stole it from us. My preciousss.
[Gollum creeps closer and closer.] Curse
them! We hates them! It’s ours, it is...
and we wantssss it!
[Gollum reaches out his hand towards
the hobbits. Suddenly the hobbits spring
up, grab hold of Gollum’s arms and pull
him down. Amidst the struggle, Gollum
wriggles loose and leaps onto Frodo.
As Frodo falls back, the chain and Ring
around his neck is revealed and Gollum
jumps straight for the Ring. Sam tries
to grab at him but is knocked away.
Gollum now jumps on top of Frodo and
tries to reach for the Ring even as
Frodo grabs his hands and tries to push
him away. Gollum’s cheeks puff with
exertion as he struggles with Frodo,
his enormous eyes fixed on the Ring.
Sam grabs hold of Gollum again and tears
him away from Frodo. Gollum then turns
around and bites Sam on the shoulder,
wriggles around and clasps his arms
around Sam’s neck and legs around his
waist in a death grip. Frodo unsheathes
Sting and holds it to Gollum's throat.]
FRODO
[menacingly] This is Sting. You’ve seen
it before, haven’t you... Gollum! Release
him or I’ll cut your throat!
[Slowly, Gollum loosens his grip on
Sam and as the latter disentangles himself,
Gollum wails. In the next scene, Gollum
is being dragged with Sam's Elvish rope
around his neck, wailing and writhing
in pain.]
GOLLUM
It burns! It burns us! It freezes! Nasty
Elves twisted it. Take it off us!
SAM
Quiet you!
[Sam tugs fiercely at the rope. Gollum
cries some more and collapses onto his
back. Sam turns to Frodo in dismay.]
SAM
It’s hopeless! Every Orc in Mordor’s
going to hear this racket! Let’s just
tie him up and leave him.
GOLLUM
No! That would kill us! Kill us!
SAM
It’s no more than you deserve!
FRODO
Maybe he does deserve to die, but now
that I see him, I do pity him.
GOLLUM
[Begging] We be nice to them if they
be nice to us. Take it off us. We swears
to do what you wants. We swears.
FRODO
There’s no promise you can make that
I can trust.
GOLLUM
We swears to serve the master of the
preciousss. We swears on... on the precious.
*Gollum. Gollum.*
FRODO
The Ring is treacherous. It will hold
you to your word.
GOLLUM
Yes... on the preciousss. On the preciousss.
SAM
I don’t believe you! [Gollum backs away,
frightened, and climbs onto a boulder]
Get down! I said, down!
[Sam jerks strongly at the rope as Gollum
tries to get away from him. He crashes
onto the ground, choking.]
FRODO
Sam!
SAM
He’s trying to trick us! We let him
go he’ll throttle us in our sleep!
[Gollum lies panting and holding his
throat. He backs away, frightened, as
Frodo approaches him.]
FRODO
You know the way to Mordor?
GOLLUM
[nods warily] Yes...
FRODO
You’ve been there before?
GOLLUM
[nods again] Yes...
[Frodo reaches out and takes the rope
noose off Gollum’s neck. Gollum seems
surprised and relieved.]
FRODO
You will lead us to the Black Gate.
[Gollum scrambles off in the direction
of Morannon and the hobbits follow in
his wake.]
[A band of Uruk-hai marches across the
plain, with two hobbits bound to the
backs of two Uruk-hai. Pippin tries
to call to Merry, who is unconscious
with a gash on his right brow.]
PIPPIN
Merry. Merry! [He receives no response.]
[Suddenly, an Uruk-hai puts up his hand
and signals a stop.]
UGLÚK
What is it? What do you smell?
MAN-FLESH URUK
[sniffs the air] Man-flesh.
PIPPIN
[quietly to himself] Aragorn!
UGLÚK
They've picked up our trail! Let's move!
[The Uruk-hai quicken their pace. Pippin
struggles to reach his Elven brooch
with his teeth. He then tears it off
his cloak and drops it onto the ground.
A foot stomps onto the brooch but it
remains unbroken and visible on the
grass.]
[Aragorn is lying with his eyes closed
and ear pressed to the ground, listening
for the sound of footsteps.]
ARAGORN
Their pace has quickened. [He looks
up.] They must have caught our scent.
Hurry! [He runs off.]
LEGOLAS
Come on, Gimli! [Looks back at Gimli
and then runs after Aragorn]
GIMLI
[pauses in his steps and huffs] Three
days’ and nights’ pursuit. No food.
No rest. And no sign of our quarry but
what bare rock can tell. [Runs after
his companions.]
[The Three Hunters run across rocks
and plains, with Aragorn in the lead,
followed by Legolas and Gimli. From
time to time, Legolas looks back to
make sure that Gimli is keeping up.
Aragorn suddenly bends down to pick
up an Elven brooch from the ground.]
ARAGORN
Not idly do the leaves of Lórien fall.
LEGOLAS
[stops and turns to Aragorn.] They may
yet be alive.
ARAGORN
Less than a day ahead of us. Come! [Runs
off again]
[Gimli stumbles from behind some rocks
and rolls to the ground]
LEGOLAS
Come, Gimli! We are gaining on them!
GIMLI
[Panting] I am wasted on cross-country!
We dwarves are natural sprinters! Very
dangerous over short distances!
[The trackers come over a hill and pause
as they gaze across the plains below.]
ARAGORN
Rohan. Home of the horse-lords. There
is something strange at work here. Some
evil gives speed to these creatures,
sets its will against us.
[Legolas runs ahead and looks out to
the horizon.]
ARAGORN
Legolas, what do your Elf eyes see?
LEGOLAS
The Uruks turn northeast. They’re taking
the hobbits to Isengard!
ARAGORN
Saruman.
[The tower of Orthanc stands amidst
the smoking caverns of Isengard. Saruman
stands in his chamber, communicating
with the Dark Lord through the Palantír.]
SARUMAN (V.O.)
The world is changing. [View changes
to the tower of Barad-dûr, with its
huge Orc armies on a bridge.] 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?
[Camera pans upwards along the height
of the tower of Barad-dûr until the
flaming Eye is in view.]
SARUMAN (V.O.)
Together, my lord Sauron, we shall rule
this Middle-earth.
[The trees around Isengard are being
ripped down, chopped up and used to
feed huge furnaces. The caverns of Isengard
glow with the fires of industry, sounds
of hammering fill the air and molten
iron is poured into casts to forge weapons.]
SARUMAN (V.O.)
The old world will burn in the fires
of industry. The forests will fall.
A new order will rise. We will drive
the machine of war with the sword and
the spear and the iron fists of the
Orc. We have only to remove those who
oppose us.
[Saruman stands in the midst of a gathering
of Dunlanders.]
SARUMAN
The horsemen took your land. They drove
your people into the hills to scratch
a living off rocks.
DUNLAND MAN
Murderers!
SARUMAN
Take back the lands they stole from
you! Burn every village!
CROWD
[Roars with approval] Argh!!
[They stomp off to destroy the villages
of Rohan as Saruman stands coldly still
among the stampede. A Rohan village
is in pandemonium as people try to escape
the on-coming pillage.]
SARUMAN (V.O.)
It will begin in Rohan. Too long have
these peasants stood against you. But
no more.
[A woman with her hand on a horse calls
out to her children.]
MORWEN
Éothain! Éothain! You take your sister.
You’ll go faster with just two.
FREDA
[As Morwen puts her onto the horse in
front of her brother] Papa says Éothain
must not ride Garulf, he is too big
for him!
MORWEN
Listen to me. You must ride to Edoras
and raise the alarm. Do you understand
me?
ÉOTHAIN
Yes, Ma!
FREDA
[starts to cry] I don’t wanna leave!
I don't wanna go, Mama!
MORWEN
Freda, I will find you there.
[A woman screams]
MORWEN
Quickly!
[The children ride off.]
MORWEN
[Looks after them] Go child!
[Dunlanders and Uruk-hai enter the village,
burning everything in sights as the
Rohirrim scream and run in all directions.
Éothain and Freda weep as they look
back from a distance.]
SARUMAN (V.O.)
Rohan, my lord, is ready to fall.
[A group of horsemen ride to Edoras.
Éomer is in the lead, carrying a gravely
wounded Théodred.]
[Éowyn runs hastily up the stairs to
the Golden Hall and enters a bedchamber.
She runs to the bed.]
ÉOWYN
Théodred!
[Théodred seems to hear her call but
is unable to respond. He has a bloody
gash on the side of his head. Éomer
nods to Éowyn in the direction of Théodred’s
torso. Éowyn draws back the covers and
upon seeing Théodred’s fatal wound,
her lips tighten and eyes close. She
looks up to catch Éomer’s eye.]
[Éomer and Éowyn are speaking to Théoden-king
who sits motionless on his throne, wizened,
and aged beyond his years.]
ÉOWYN
Your son is badly wounded, my lord.
ÉOMER
He was ambushed by Orcs. If we don’t
defend our country, Saruman will take
it by force.
GRÍMA
That is a lie! [Appears from the shadows.]
Saruman the White has ever been our
friend and ally.
THÉODEN
[mumbles feebly] Gríma… Gríma… [Gríma
leans down close to the King.]My son...?
Gríma...?
ÉOMER
Orcs are roaming freely across our lands.
Unchecked. Unchallenged. Killing at
will. Orcs bearing the white hand of
Saruman. [He drops a helmet onto the
ground, which topples over to reveal
the white hand of Saruman.]
GRÍMA
Why do you lay these troubles on an
already troubled mind. Can you not see?
Your uncle is wearied by your malcontent,
your war-mongering.
ÉOMER
War-mongering?
[Éomer grabs Gríma and pins him against
a pillar.]
ÉOMER
How long is it since Saruman bought
you? What was the promised price, Gríma?
When all the men are dead you will take
your share of the treasure?
[Gríma’s eyes flicks to right, watching
Éowyn as she walks by. Éowyn stops to
stare back for a moment before departing
form the hall. Éomer jerks Gríma again
and clutches his hand around Gríma’s
jaw.]
ÉOMER
Too long have you watched my sister,
too long have you haunted her steps.
[Gríma's eyes look to the left and relax
as Éomer is suddenly pulled off Gríma
by his thugs.]
GRÍMA
You see much Éomer, Son of Éomund. Too
much. [The thugs punch Éomer n the stomach]
You are banished forthwith from the
kingdom of Rohan. Under pain of death!
ÉOMER
[Being dragged away] Argh!!
[Uruk-hai and Orcs continue to march
across the plains with their hobbit
captives, with Aragorn, Legolas, and
Gimli hot on their pursuits.]
GIMLI
Keep breathing! That’s the key! Breathe!
Ho!
LEGOLAS
They’ve run as if the very whips of
their masters were behind them.
[They continue running over vast distances.
The Uruk-hai and Orcs halt at nightfall,
many panting with exertion.]
MORDOR ORC
We’re not going no further till we’ve
had a breather!
UGLÚK
Get a fire going!
[As the Orcs and Uruk-hai take their
rest, Pippin crawls over towards Merry.]
PIPPIN
Merry! Merry!
MERRY
[opens his eyes] I think... we might
have made a mistake leaving the Shire,
Pippin.
[A group of Orcs chops down the trees
nearby for firewood. Low groans and
rumbles start to emerge from the forest.]
PIPPIN
What’s making that noise?
MERRY
[looks towards the forest] It’s the
trees.
PIPPIN
What?
MERRY
Do you remember the Old Forest? On the
borders of Buckland? Folk used to say
that there was something in the water
that made the trees grow tall... and
come alive.
PIPPIN
Alive?
MERRY
Trees that could whisper. Talk to each
other. Even move.
MAÚHUR
I'm starving. We ain't 'ad nothin' but
maggoty bread for three stinkin' days!
SNAGA
Yeah. Why can’t we have some meat? [His
eyes rest on the hobbits.] What about
them? They’re fresh.
UGLÚK
They are not for eating!
GRISHNÁKH
What about their legs? They don't need
those. Ooh… They look tasty!
UGLÚK
[Shoves at the Orcs] Get back, scum!
[The other Orcs are getting restless.]
MORDOR ORC
Carve them up!
SNAGA
[Moves towards the hobbits with his
blade drawn] Just a mouth full.
UGLÚK
No!
[Pippin and Merry recoil in fright.
Uglúk jumps on the Orc and cuts off
his head, which bounces off the hobbit's
shoulders.]
UGLÚK
Looks like meat’s back on the menu,
boys!!
[The Uruk-hai and Orcs cheer and started
tearing into the fresh meat, intestines
flying, taking their eyes off the hobbits
for a while.]
MERRY
Pippin, let’s go.
[Their hands still bound, the hobbits
try to crawl away. Suddenly a foot comes
down on Merry and Pippin is turned onto
his back.]
GRISHNÁKH
[Brandishing a blade in front of Pippin’s
face] Go on, call for help. Squeal!
No one’s gonna save you now!
[Suddenly, a spear pierces the Orc's
back. Mayhem ensues as Riders of Rohan
burst out from their hiding places and
ambush the Orcs.]
MERRY
Pippin! [Gestures for them to make their
escape.]
[The hobbits try to escape from the
pandemonium to the forest, dodging bodies
and stomping feet. Suddenly Pippin turns
onto his face and looks up to a pair
of thrashing hooves bearing down on
him.]
PIPPIN
ARGH!!!
[The Three Hunters are still chasing
after the Uruk-hai. It is dawn.]
LEGOLAS
[Pauses and looks up] A red sun rises.
Blood has been spilled this night.
[Camera pans over the rock and plains,
alternating between the band of Uruk-hai
and the Three Hunters giving chase.
The trackers hear the sound of horses.
Aragorn and company hide behind some
boulders. A large group of horse-men
appears, galloping quickly with their
banners flying. Aragorn comes out of
hiding as they pass, followed by Legolas
and Gimli.]
ARAGORN
Riders of Rohan, what news from the
Mark?
[At a signal from Éomer at the lead,
the riders make a quick turn and head
towards them, surrounding them in ever-tightening
circles. As they stop, they point their
long spears menacingly at them.]
ÉOMER
What business does an Elf, a man and
a Dwarf have in the Riddermark? Speak
quickly!
GIMLI
Give me your name, Horsemaster, and
I shall give you mine.
[Éomer hands his staff to another rider,
and gets off his horse. Aragorn puts
a hand on Gimli’s shoulder.]
ÉOMER
I would cut off your head, Dwarf, if
it stood but a little higher from the
ground.
[Legolas, in a lightning fast move,
points an arrow at Éomer.]
LEGOLAS
You would die before your stroke fell!
[The riders all point their spears closer
at the travellers. After a tense moment,
Aragorn pushes down Legolas’ arm.]
ARAGORN
I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn. This
is Gimli, son of Glóin and Legolas of
the Woodland realm. We are friends of
Rohan and of Théoden, your king.
ÉOMER
Théoden no longer recognizes friend
from foe. [Takes off helmet] Not even
his own kin.
[The spears are withdrawn.]
ÉOMER
Saruman has poisoned the mind of the
king and claimed lordship over these
lands. My company are those loyal to
Rohan. And for that, we are banished.
The White Wizard is cunning. He walks
here and there, they say, as an old
man, hooded and cloaked. And everywhere
his spies slip past our nets.
ARAGORN
We are not spies. We track a party of
Uruk-hai westward across the plain.
They’ve taken two of our friends captive.
ÉOMER
The Uruks are destroyed. We slaughtered
them during the night.
GIMLI
But there were two hobbits. Did you
see two hobbits with them?
ARAGORN
They would be small – only children
to your eyes.
ÉOMER
We left none alive. We piled the carcasses
and burned them. [Points to a smoking
pile in the distance.]
GIMLI
Dead?
ÉOMER
[nods] I am sorry.
[Legolas puts a hand on Gimli’s shoulder
in grief. Éomer turns and whistles.]
ÉOMER
Hasufel! Arod! [Two horses move up.]
May these horses bear you to better
fortune than their former masters. Farewell.
[Éomer puts on his helmet and gets back
on his horse]
ÉOMER
Look for your friends. But do not trust
to hope, it has forsaken these lands.
[To the riders] We ride north!
[Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli look on
as the Riders go off. They then ride
towards the burning carcasses. Gimli
starts to shift through the smoldering
pile, and pulls out a charred belt and
dagger sheath.]
GIMLI
It’s one of their wee belts.
LEGOLAS
[with his head bowed and eyes closed]
Hiro îth… ab 'wanath... (May they find
peace in death)
ARAGORN
[Kicks a helmet and yells] AAARRGGHH!!!
[He falls to his knees.]
GIMLI
We failed them.
[Aragorn looks to the side as some tracks
catch his attention.]
ARAGORN
A hobbit lay here, and the other. [Flashback:
Pippin yells as he looks up at a pair
of thrashing hooves bearing down on
him. He rolls over, avoiding the hooves.]
They crawled.
[ARAGORN STARTS TO FOLLOW THE TRACKS, WITH LEGOLAS AND GIMLI BEHIND HIM. FLASHBACK
Merry and Pippin crawl frantically away
from the battle.]
ARAGORN
Their hands were bound. [Flashback:
Merry rubs his bonds furiously against
the sharp edge of a weapon.] Their bonds
were cut. [Aragorn holds up a broken
length of thick rope.]
ARAGORN
They ran over here. They were followed.
[FLASHBACK
Their hands freed, the hobbits run away
from the battle scene, dodging under
a horse and trying to stay out of harms
way. As they flee, Grishnákh grabs Pippin
by his belt and clings on.]
MERRY
The belt!
[Pippin undoes his belt and Grishnákh
is left holding it.]
MERRY
Run!
ARAGORN
The tracks lead away from the battle...
[They break into a run and then stop]
into Fangorn Forest.
[The Three looks up into a dense and
dark forest]
GIMLI
Fangorn. What madness drove them in
there?
[Scene moves from the trackers into
the nighttime chase of Merry and Pippin.
The hobbits run into the Fangorn, seeking
to lose the pursuing Orc. They collapse
onto the ground, out of breath.]
PIPPIN
Did we lose him? [Looks around] I think
we lost him.
[Suddenly, Grishnákh appears from behind
the trees, brandishing a blade.]
GRISHNÁKH
I’m gonna rip out your filthy little
innards! Come here!
[Merry and Pippin run and hide behind
a tree.]
MERRY
Trees! Climb a tree!
[Pippin and Merry quickly scramble up
a tree each.]
MERRY
[Looks around and then sighs in relief.]
He's gone.
[Suddenly, Merry is pulled by his legs
and falls to the ground. Grishnákh leans
over him with his menacing blade. Merry
tries to kick him off but to no avail.]
PIPPIN
Merry!
[Pippin looks down in horror but as
he turns his head, he spots a pair of
gleaming yellow eyes blinking in the
tree he’s clinging to. The tree starts
to move and groan.]
TREEBEARD
Hooooo...
PIPPIN
Argh!!
[Pippin loses his grip in fright and
grabs at the air futilely as he falls.
The tree catches him before he hits
the ground.]
GRISHNÁKH
Let’s put a maggot-hole in your belly.
[Suddenly he senses something behind
him and as he looks up, the tree stomps
and squashes him onto the forest floor.]
PIPPIN
Run, Merry!
[Merry tries to run away but is scooped
by the tree.]
TREEBEARD
[Looks at the creatures in his hands]
Little Orcs! Burárum...
PIPPIN
It’s talking, Merry. The tree is talking!
TREEBEARD
Tree?! I am no tree. I am an Ent. [Stomps
slowly through the forest.]
MERRY
A treeherder! A shepherd of the forest.
PIPPIN
Don’t talk to it, Merry. Don’t encourage
it.
TREEBEARD
Treebeard, some call me.
PIPPIN
And whose side are you on?
TREEBEARD
Side? I am on nobody’s side because
nobody’s on my side, little Orc. Nobody
cares for the woods anymore.
MERRY
We’re not Orcs. We’re Hobbits!
TREEBEARD
Hobbits? Never heard of a hobbit before.
Sounds like Orc mischief to me! [Tightens
his hold on the hobbits and squeezes
them. Merry and Pippin whimpers in pain]
They come with fire, they come with
axes. Gnawing, biting, breaking, hacking,
burning! Destroyers and usurpers, curse
them!
MERRY
No, you don’t understand. We’re Hobbits...
Halflings! Shirefolk!
TREEBEARD
Maybe you are and maybe you aren’t.
The White Wizard will know.
PIPPIN
The White Wizard?
MERRY
Saruman.
[Treebeard drops them on the ground
and the hobbits look up at the White
Wizard.]
[Following Gollum, Frodo and Sam reach
the end of Emyn Muil and see that Mordor
is now closer.]
GOLLUM
See, see, we have led you out! Hurry
hobbitses hurry. Very lucky we find
you.
[Gollum jumps on a rock. Frodo walks
past, Gollum shrinks as Sam draws near.]
GOLLUM
Nice hobbit. [Leaps after Frodo, putting
a wide berth between him and Sam.]
[Sam’s foot slipped into muck.]
SAM
Whoa, it’s a bog! He’s led us into a
swamp!
GOLLUM
A swamp, yes, yes. Come, master. We
will take you on safe paths through
the mist. Come, hobbits, come. We go
quickly.
[Gollum looks back and gestures for
the hobbits to follow.]
GOLLUM
I found it, I did. The way through the
marshes. Orcs don't use it. Orcs don't
know it. They go round for miles and
miles. Come quickly. Swift and quick
as shadows we must be.
[The marsh lands stretch for miles and
miles as far as the eye can see. The
hobbits and Gollum appear as little
specks. As the three pick their way
gingerly though the marshes, they see
faces floating in the water, still,
rotting and pale, and flickering flames
on the swamps.]
SAM
There are dead things! Dead faces in
the water!
GOLLUM
All dead. All rotten. Elves and men
and orcses. A great battle long ago.
[Turns to face the hobbits.] The Dead
Marshes. Yes, yes that is their name.
This way. Don’t follow the lights.
[Sam’s foot slips again into the water.]
SAM
Ohh!
GOLLUM
Careful now, or hobbits go down to join
the dead ones and light little candles
of their own.
[Frodo is drawn to one of the faces
in Elven armour. He stares at it intently,
until suddenly its eyes open and Frodo
falls face-down into the water.]
SAM
Frodo!
[Frodo is in the water and sees many
faces of the dead, no longer still but
screaming and grasping, their rotten
robes and hair flowing about their gruesome
faces. Their hands are reaching for
him. Suddenly he is grabbed from behind.
Frodo sputters and gasps for air as
Gollum pulls him out of the water.]
FRODO
[Looks at Gollum in perplexed gratitude
and disbelief.] Gollum...
GOLLUM
Don’t follow the lights! [Crawls away]
SAM
[Runs to Frodo’s side.] Mr. Frodo! Are
you alright?
[Frodo lies panting, staring after Gollum]
[NIGHTFALL
Sam is asleep but Frodo is still awake.
He is holding the Ring in the palm of
his hand and stroking it, mesmerized.
Suddenly he hears Gollum.]
GOLLUM
Sooo bright. Sooo beautiful. [Frodo
quickly puts the Ring back inside his
shirt. He looks up to see Gollum crouching
away from him, stroking the centre of
his palm] our preciousss...
FRODO
What did you say?
GOLLUM
Master should be resting. Master needs
to keep up his strength.
FRODO
[Moves over and crouches in front of
Gollum] Who are you?
GOLLUM
Mustn’t ask us. Not its business. *Gollum,
Gollum*
FRODO
Gandalf told me you were one of the
River Folk.
GOLLUM
Cold be heart and hand and bone. Cold
be travellers far from home.
FRODO
He said your life was a sad story.
GOLLUM
They do not see what lies ahead, when
sun has failed and moon is dead.
FRODO
You were not so very different from
a hobbit once, were you... Sméagol?
GOLLUM
[Looks up slowly.] What did you call
me?
FRODO
That was your name once, wasn’t it?
A long time ago.
GOLLUM
My name... My name... S... S...Sméagol…
[Suddenly, the piercing cries of the
Nazgûl are heard overhead]
GOLLUM
Argh!!
SAM
Black Riders!
GOLLUM
Hide! Hide!
FRODO
Argh!
[Suddenly Frodo feels the pain of the
Nazgûl's sword piercing him and the
call of the Ring. Images of the Ringwraiths
come to him in flashes.]
FRODO
Argh!!
SAM
C’mon Frodo! C'mon!
[Frodo continues to clutch at the Ring
on his chest, immobilized. Sam drags
Frodo across to hide beneath some bramble
bushes. The Nazgûl appears, tightening
his hold on the reins. Camera then shows
him riding a Fell Beast, swooping down
across the marsh lands. Chilling screams
of the Nazgûl fill the air.]
GOLLUM
Quick! They will see us! They will see
us!
SAM
I thought they were dead!
GOLLUM
Dead? No, you cannot kill them. No.
[A loud screech from the Nazgûl flying
high above the marshes.]
GOLLUM
[cowering] Wraiths! Wraiths on wings!
They are calling for it. They are calling
for the preciousss.
[Frodo feels the call of the Ring and
gropes for his necklace. Sam sees this
and grabs hold of Frodo’s hand.]
SAM
Mr. Frodo! It’s alright. I’m here.
[The Nazgûl continues to circle overhead
and then flies off towards Mordor.]
GOLLUM
Hurry, hobbits. The Black Gate is very
close.
[Scene returns to Fangorn forest. Gimli
fingers a dark stain on a leaf and brings
it to his mouth.]
GIMLI
[Spits] Ptui! Orc blood.
ARAGORN
These are strange tracks.
GIMLI
The air is so close in here.
LEGOLAS
This forest is old. Very old. Full of
memory... and anger.
[Groans reverberate through the forest
and Gimli raises his axe.]
LEGOLAS
The trees are speaking to each other.
ARAGORN
[Whispers] Gimli!
GIMLI
Huh?
ARAGORN
[Gestures] Lower your axe.
GIMLI
[Lowering his axe slowly] Oh.
LEGOLAS
Aragorn, nad nâ ennas! (Something is
out there.)
ARAGORN
Man cenich? (What do you see?)
[Close-up of Legolas’ eyes]
LEGOLAS
The White Wizard approaches.
ARAGORN
Do not let him speak. He will put a
spell on us.
[Aragorn wraps his hand around the hilt
of his sword, Gimli tightens his hold
on his axes, and Legolas notches an
arrow to his bow.]
ARAGORN
We must be quick.
[With a yell, the three swing round
to attack. Gimli’s axe and Legolas’
arrow are deflected. Aragorn drops his
sword as it becomes red hot in his grasp.
They shield their eyes with their hands
from the bright light emanating from
the White Wizard.]
WHITE WIZARD
You are tracking the footsteps of two
young hobbits.
ARAGORN
Where are they?
WHITE WIZARD
They passed this way the day before
yesterday. They met someone they did
not expect. Does that comfort you?
ARAGORN
Who are you? Show yourself!
[The bright light dims, revealing Gandalf,
all dressed in white. The three are
astounded. Legolas and Gimli bow.]
ARAGORN
It cannot be. You fell.
GANDALF
Through fire and water. [Flashback:
Gandalf is battling the Balrog atop
Dúrin’s Tower.] From the lowest dungeon
to the highest peak, I fought with the
Balrog of Morgoth.
[Gandalf holds up Glamdring and a flash
of lightning strikes it before he plunges
the sword into the Balrog. With a final
cry, the Balrog falls from the peak
and lands, smoking, onto the icy mountainside.]
GANDALF
Until at last, I threw down my enemy
and smote his ruin upon the mountainside.
[On top of the mountain, Gandalf crawls
a bit and then collapses.]
GANDALF
Darkness took me. And I strayed out
of thought and time. [Camera zooms in
Gandalf’s eye and enters an amorphous
realm of stars and galaxies, ending
in a blinding white light] Stars wheeled
overhead and everyday was as long as
a life-age of the earth. But it was
not the end. I felt life in me again.
[Camera zooms out from Gandalf’s eye,
lying naked and very still. His hair
has turned white and wounds are completely
healed. He suddenly shudders with a
deep gasp and pants as life returns
to him]
GANDALF
I've been sent back until my task is
done.
ARAGORN
Gandalf!
GANDALF
Gandalf? Yes... That's what they used
to call me. Gandalf the Grey. That was
my name. [He smiles]
GIMLI
Gandalf!
GANDALF
[With a twinkle in his eye] I am Gandalf
the White. [Aragorn grins] And I come
back to you now at the turn of the tide.
[They walk through the forest, with
Gandalf leading the way, now wearing
a grey cloak over his white robes.]
GANDALF
One stage of your 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.
[The horse comes round to stop in front
of Gandalf.]
GANDALF
Shadowfax. [Gimli bows in the background.]
He's the lord of all horses and he's
been my friend through many dangers.
[The Three Hunters and Gandalf ride
across the plains to Edoras.]
[Back at Fangorn, Treebeard is walking
through the forest with Merry and Pippin
sitting on his shoulders.]
TREEBEARD
My home lies deep in the forest near
the roots of the mountain. I told Gandalf
I would keep you safe and safe is where
I’ll keep you. The trees have grown
wild and dangerous. Anger festers in
their hearts. They will harm you if
they can. There are too few of us now.
Too few of us Ents left to manage them.
[Frodo and Sam are climbing a high rock
overlooking Morannon.]
GOLLUM
The Black Gate of Mordor.
[The enormous Black Gate comes into
view with Orcs patrolling and standing
guard on the towers and atop the walls.
From the right, an army of Easterling
soldiers is marching to the Black Gate.]
SAM
Oh save us. My ol' Gaffer'd have a thing
or two to say if he could see us now.
GOLLUM
Master says to show him the way into
Mordor, so good Sméagol does. Master
says so.
FRODO
I did.
[Orcs are patrolling the Black Gate.]
SAM
That’s it then. We cannot get past that.
[A command is heard and an Orc sounds
a horn, signalling for the Gate to be
opened. Two enormous cave trolls stretch
and growl and then pull the mighty Gate
open.]
SAM
Look! The gate, it's opening! I can
see a way down.
[He moves closer to the edge. Suddenly,
the rock underneath him gives way and
he falls.]
FRODO
Sam, no!
SAM
Argh!!
[Frodo goes after Sam.]
GOLLUM
Master!
[Two Easterling soldiers see streams
of dust coming down the cliff made by
Sam and Frodo. They move away from the
troop to investigate. Frodo reaches
Sam who is stuck in the scree. As the
Easterlings move closer and closer,
Frodo throws his Elvish cloak over himself
and Sam. The soldiers are now directly
in front of Sam, but their eyes see
nothing but rock. Frodo and Sam peer
from underneath the cloak. The soldiers
soon leave and after a moment, Frodo
throws back the cloak and pulls Sam
out.]
FRODO
I do not ask you to come with me, Sam.
SAM
I know, Mr Frodo. I doubt even these
Elvish cloaks will hide us in there.
[They prepare to make a run for the
Gate.]
FRODO
Now!
[Gollum pulls them back.]
GOLLUM
No! No, no master! They catch you! They
catch you! Don’t take it to him! He
wants the preciousss. Always he’s looking
for it! And the preciousss is wanting
to go back to him. But we mustn’t let
him have it.
[Frodo tries to make a run for it.]
GOLLUM
No! [Pulls Frodo back again.] There’s
another way. More secret. A dark way.
SAM
Why haven’t you spoken of this before?!
GOLLUM
Because Master did not ask!
SAM
He’s up to something.
FRODO
Are you saying there’s another way into
Mordor?
GOLLUM
Yes. There is a path, and some stairs,
and then… a tunnel.
[Frodo and Sam watch as the Black Gate
closes. Gollum is stroking Frodo’s arm
and burying his face in his cloak.]
FRODO
He’s led us this far, Sam.
SAM
Mr. Frodo, no.
FRODO
He’s been true to his word.
SAM
[Whispers] No!
FRODO
Lead the way, Sméagol.
GOLLUM
Good Sméagol always helps.
[Frodo follows Gollum as Sam stares
after him in disbelief.]
[On the plains of Rohan. Gandalf, Aragorn,
Legolas and Gimli stop as Edoras comes
into view.]
GANDALF
Edoras and the Golden Hall of Meduseld.
There dwells Théoden, King of Rohan,
whose mind is overthrown. Saruman’s
hold over King Théoden is now very strong.
[In the Hall, Éowyn is kneeling before
Théoden, holding his hand in hers.]
ÉOWYN
My lord, your son, he is dead. My lord?
Uncle?
[Théoden just sits and stares ahead,
his eyes clouded and unseeing.]
ÉOWYN
Will you not go to him? [She weeps.]
Will you do nothing?
[Scene returns to Gandalf and company.]
GANDALF
Be careful what you say. Do not look
for welcome here.
[They ride on towards Edoras.]
[At Edoras, Éowyn is weeping at the
dead Théodred's bed. She kisses his
hand. Gríma appears at the door.]
GRÍMA
Oh, he… he must have died sometime in
the night. What a tragedy for the king
to lose his only son and heir.
[He sits on the bed and puts a hand
on Éowyn’s shoulder.]
GRÍMA
I understand his passing is hard to
accept, especially now that your brother
has deserted you.
ÉOWYN
[jumps back and throws off Gríma’s hand]
Leave me alone, snake!
GRÍMA
[Rises from the bed and moves ever closer
to Éowyn] Oh, but you are alone! Who
knows what you have spoken to the darkness.
In bitter watches of the night, when
all your life seems to shrink, the walls
of your bower closing in about you,
like a hutch to trammel some wild thing
in.
[He puts a hand on her cheek and moves
down to her throat.]
GRÍMA
So fair, so cold, like a morning of
pale spring still clinging to winter's
chill.
[Éowyn and Gríma stare at each other
intently.]
ÉOWYN
Your words are poison!
[Éowyn runs out of the hall. Weeping,
she looks away into the distance. A
flag comes off its pole and is carried
by the breeze. Éowyn sees riders coming
towards Edoras. As Aragorn passes the
entrance to Edoras, the flag floats
down to land near him. Edoras is silent
and somber. Everyone is dressed in black
and staring at the newcomers in wary
silence. Aragorn looks up at the hall
and sees a lady in white standing on
the steps. He looks around at more somber
people.]
GIMLI
You’ll find more cheer in a graveyard.
[Aragorn looks up to the hall again
but the lady has disappeared. The company
climbs up the stairs to the hall and
is met by guards.]
GANDALF
[sees Háma] Ah.
HÁMA
I cannot allow you before Théoden-King
so armed, Gandalf Greyhame. By order
of Gríma Wormtongue.
[Gandalf nods in understanding and signals
for the others to surrender their weapons.
Aragon hands over his sword and knives.
Legolas gives a little twirl to his
knives before handing them over to the
guards. Gimli hands over his axes reluctantly.]
HÁMA
[gestures to Gandalf] Your staff.
GANDALF
Hmm? [Glances at his staff.] Oh. You
would not part an old man from his walking
stick? [Looks at Háma innocently.]
[Háma hesitates for a second and then
gestures that they follow him into the
hall. Gandalf gives Aragorn a tiny wink
and enters the hall, leaning on Legolas’
arm.]
GRÍMA
[Leaning down and whispering to Théoden.]
My lord, Gandalf the Grey is coming.
He’s a herald of woe.
GANDALF
The courtesy of your hall is somewhat
lessened of late, Théoden King.
[As Gandalf approaches Théoden, Aragorn,
Legolas and Gimli pull back and survey
the hall and its hostile occupants.
A group of men starts to follow their
steps with hostility.]
GRÍMA
[Whispering to Théoden.] He’s not welcome.
THÉODEN
Why should I… welcome you, Gandalf…
Stormcrow? [Looks to Gríma for affirmation.]
GRÍMA
A just question, my liege. [He walks
towards Gandalf.] Late is the hour in
which this conjurer chooses to appear.
Lathspell spell I name him. Ill news
is an ill guest.
GANDALF
Be silent! Keep your forked tongue behind
you teeth. I have not passed through
fire and death to bandy crooked words
with a witless worm! [Raises his staff
against Gríma.]
GRÍMA
His staff! [Backing away from Gandalf
while addressing the guards] I told
you to take the wizard’s staff!
[The hostile guards attack. Aragorn,
Legolas and Gimli engage them in a fist-fight
as Gandalf continues to approach Théoden.
Gamling tries to go forward but Háma
holds him back.]
GANDALF
Théoden, son of Thengel, too long have
you sat in the shadows.
[Gríma tries to crawl away unnoticed,
but Gimli catches him and pins him to
the floor.]
GIMLI
[Growls] I would stay still, if I were
you.
GANDALF
Hearken to me! I release you from the
spell. [Gestures with his hand]
THÉODEN
[Menacingly] Hahahhhahahahah! [Gandalf
opens his eyes in surprise.] You have
no power here, Gandalf the Grey!
[Gandalf throws back his grey cloak,
exuding blinding white light. Théoden
is thrown back against his seat.]
THÉODEN
Argh!
GANDALF
[Points his staff towards Théoden.]
I will draw you, Saruman, as poison
is drawn from a wound.
[Éowyn rushes in. Seeing her uncle threatened,
she tries to go to him but is held back
by Aragorn.]
ARAGORN
Wait.
THÉODEN
[In Saruman’s voice.] If I go. . . Théoden
dies.
[Gandalf moves his staff sharply and
Théoden flies back against the chair
again.]
GANDALF
You did not kill me, you will not kill
him!
THÉODEN
[in Saruman's voice] Rohan is mine!
GANDALF
Be gone!!
[Gandalf smites Théoden as he lunges
at him. Théoden is thrown back into
the chair and the shot changes to Saruman
flying backwards from the Palantír which
he used to manipulate Théoden. He lands
landing hard on the floor of Orthanc,
bleeding from a gash in his forehead.
In the hall, Théoden lets out a moan
and slumps forward in the chair. Éowyn
runs to her uncle’s side as he falls.
Théoden’s head rises again and his face
begins to change gradually into that
of a much younger-looking man. Clarity
and recognition returns to his eyes.]
THÉODEN
[Looks closely at Éowyn] I know your
face. Éowyn… Éowyn.
[Éowyn weeps with joy]
THÉODEN
Gandalf?
GANDALF
Breathe the free air again, my friend.
[The hall is shown to be filled with
light again, as everyone marvels at
the rejuvenation of the king.]
THÉODEN
[Standing up and looking around him.]
Dark have been my dreams of late. [He
looks down at his trembling hands.]
GANDALF
Your fingers would remember their old
strength better... if they grasped your
sword.
[Háma runs up with his sword. Théoden
reaches for it with trembling hands.
He wraps his fingers around it slowly
and then draws it, gazing upon the shiny
steel. In a corner, Gríma trembles and
tries to escape but is pulled back by
Gimli. Suddenly, Théoden’s gaze turns
to Gríma. Gríma is thrown out of the
hall and down the stairs.]
GRÍMA
Argh! [Beseechingly to Théoden] I've
only ever served you, my lord!
THÉODEN
[Advancing towards Gríma, holding the
sword firmly in his hand] Your leechcraft
would have had me crawling on all fours
like a beast!
GRÍMA
[Grovelling] Send me not from your side.
[Théoden raises his sword to kill Gríma.
Aragorn holds him back.]
ARAGORN
No, my lord! No, my lord. Let him go.
Enough blood has been spilled on his
account.
[Gríma scrambles to his feet and pushes
through the crowd]
GRÍMA
Get out of my way!
HÁMA
Hail, Théoden king!
[The crowd kneels in homage before Théoden.
Aragorn kneels also. Gríma rides out
of Edoras. As Théoden turns to go back
into the hall, he looks up.]
THÉODEN
Where is Théodred? Where is my son?
[A white flower comes into view, held
up by a hand. It is released and spirals
down to land among similar flowers,
in front of a tomb.]
THÉODEN
Simbelmynë. Ever has it grown on the
tombs of my forebearers. [Looks at Gandalf]
Now it shall cover the grave of my son.
Alas, that these evil days should be
mine. The young perish and the old linger.
That I should live to see the last days
of my house.
GANDALF
Théodred’s death was not of your making.
THÉODEN
No parent should have to bury their
child.
[Théoden starts to weep]
GANDALF
He was strong in life. His spirit will
find its way to the halls of your fathers.
Westu hál. Ferðu, Théodred, Ferðu. (Be-thou
well. Go-thou, Théodred, go-thou.)
[Gandalf turns to go back to the hall
and leaves Théoden to grieve in private.
He spots two children on horseback.
The boy collapses and falls off the
horse. Later, inside the Golden Hall,
the two children are eating at a table,
and Éowyn is with them.]
ÉOWYN
They had no warning. They were unarmed.
Now the wildmen are moving through the
Westfold, burning as they go. Rick,
cot and tree.
FREDA
Where’s mama?
ÉOWYN
Shh...
GANDALF
This is but a taste of the terror that
Saruman will unleash. All the more potent
for he is driven now by fear of Sauron.
Ride out and meet him head on. Draw
him away from your women and children.
[Leans forward and puts a hand on Théoden’s
chair. Théoden looks at his hand warily.]
You must fight.
ARAGORN
You have two thousand good men riding
north as we speak. Éomer is loyal to
you. His men will return and fight for
their king.
THÉODEN
They will be three hundred leagues from
here by now. Éomer cannot help us. I
know what it is that you want of me.
But I will not bring further death to
my people. I will not risk open war.
[Gimli takes a bite of his bread as
he watches the exchange between Aragorn
and Théoden.]
ARAGORN
Open war is upon you. Whether you would
risk it or not.
THÉODEN
When last I looked, Théoden, not Aragorn,
was king of Rohan.
[Gimli takes a drink and burps.]
GANDALF
Then what is the king’s decision?
[Scene shifts to outside Meduseld]
HÁMA
By order of the king, the city must
empty. We make for the refuge of Helm’s
Deep. Do not burden yourselves with
treasures. Take only what provisions
you need.
[People are moving about, gathering
their belongings and preparing to move.
Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli
walk towards the stables.]
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’s only doing what he thinks is best
for his people. Helm’s Deep has saved
them in the past.
[They enter the stables]
GANDALF
There is no way out of that ravine.
Théoden is walking into a trap. He thinks
he’s leading them to safety. What they
will get is a massacre. Théoden has
a strong will but I fear for him. I
fear for the survival of Rohan. He will
need you before the end, Aragorn. The
people of Rohan will need you. The defences
HAVE to hold.
ARAGORN
They will hold.
GANDALF
[Turns to Shadowfax and str
