~The Lord of The Rings~

[A worm wriggles between Smeagol's fingers. He smiles, and begins to put it on a hook. The scene reveals Smeagol and Deagol fishing from a boat. Deagol's line dips.]

Deagol: Oh! Oh! Smeagol! I've got one!

Smeagol: Hahaha!

Deagol: I've got a big fish! Smeag! Smeagol!

[Deagol struggles to bring in the fish.]

Smeagol: Come on! Go on! Go on! Go on! Pull it in!

Deagol: Oh!

[The fish pulls Deagol in.]

Smeagol: Deagol!

[The fish drags Deagol under the water. He lets go of the fishing pole, then turns and sees something. He grabs the ring from the river mud.]

[Deagol splutters and cough as he climbs out of the river. He looks up, then down at his closed fist. He opens his hand and stares in awe at the ring in the handful of mud, then carefully nudges it.]

Smeagol: Deagol, [laughs] Deagol.

[He comes up behind Deagol and puts his hand on Deagol's shoulder. He sees the Ring.]

Smeagol: Give us that, Deagol, my love,

Deagol: Why?

Smeagol: Because it's my birthday and I wants it.

[They slowly begin to circle each other. Smeagol slaps at the Ring, smiling. They both grow more serious and begin to fight over it. As their fight grows more intense they groan and shout at each other. Deagol tries to choke Smeagol. Smeagol knocks him down and chokes him until he is still. Then Smeagol uncurls his hand and takes the Ring.]

The Ring: [whispering] ... durbatuluk, ash nagh gimbatul...

Smeagol: My precious.

[Smeagol crouches in a desolate place, crying. He begins to transform into the wretched Gollum.]

Gollum (v.o.): They cursed us. "Murderer", that's what they called us. They cursed us and drove us away. Gollum! Gollum! Gollum! [He hacks and clutches his throat.]

[He crouches in the rain and weeps.]

Gollum (v.o.): And we wept, precious. We wept to be so alone.

[Many voices mutter.]

Smeagol: ...and cool. So nice for feet... and we only wish to catch a fish, so juicy sweet!

[Gollum catches a fish and bites into it. He finds a cave in the mountainside and crawls inside.]

Gollum: And we forgot the taste of bread, the sound of trees, the softness of the wind. We even forgot our own name.

[Gollum opens his eyes. They've grown large in the dark.]

Gollum: My precious.

[Sam is sleeping. Frodo surreptitiously brings the Ring out and looks at it. When he hears a noise he quickly puts it away. Gollum looks down from the top of the cave.]

Gollum: Wake up, wake up! Wake up, sleepies! We must go, yes. We must go at once!

[He shakes Sam awake and runs off.]

Sam: Haven't you had any sleep, Mister Frodo?

[Frodo shakes his head.]

Sam: I've gone and had too much. It must be getting late.

Frodo: No, it isn't. It isn't midday yet. The days are growing darker.

[Mount Doom rumbles and the ground shakes.]

Gollum: Come on! Must go! No time!

[Sam rises and looks out from their rock shelter. He looks out onto a landscape of bare trees.]

Sam: Not before Mister Frodo's had something to eat.

Gollum: No time to lose, silly!

[Sam finds several lembas packets in his pack. He offers one to Frodo.]

Sam: Here.

[Frodo eagerly takes the lembas.]

Frodo: What about you?

Sam: Oh no, I'm not hungry. Leastways 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, Mister Frodo. I've rationed it.

[Frodo begins to eat.]

Sam: There should be enough.

Frodo: For what?

Sam: The journey home.

[The hobbits walk through the desolate woodland.]

Gollum: Come hobbitses. Very close now. Very close to Mordor. No safe places here. Hurry!

[Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Theoden and Eomer ride through a groaning forest. The ground beneath the trees is tumbled rock. They arrive at Isengard.]

~The Return of the King~

[Pippin and Merry are sitting on the wall near the broken gate.]

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. (They laugh)

[A horse neighs. They spy the riders. Pippin begins to laugh loudly. Merry stands up on the wall. (He is a bit tipsy.)]

Merry: Welcome my lords, to Isengard.

[Merry waves in the general direction of Orthanc.]

Gimli: You young rascals! A merry hunt you've led us on, and now we find you feasting and, and smoking!

Pippin: We are sitting on a field of victory, enjoying a few well-earned comforts. The salted pork is particularly good.

Gimli: Salted pork?

Gandalf: [disgusted] Hobbits.

Merry: [tipsy] We're under orders from Treebeard who has taken over management of Isengard.

[The company now rides through the flooded ruin of Isengard to Orthanc. Merry rides with Eomer, Pippin with Aragorn.]

Treebeard: Hm, young Master Gandalf, I'm glad you've come. Wood and water, stock and stone I can master. But there is a wizard to manage here -- locked in his tower.

Gandalf: There Saurman must remain, under your guard, Treebeard.

Gimli: Well, let's just have his head and be done with it.

Gandalf: No, he has no more power anymore.

Treebeard: The filth of Saruman is washing away. Trees will come back to live here.

[Pippin sees something in the water. He jumps down to investigate.]

Treebeard: Young trees, wild trees.

Aragorn: Pippin!

[Pippin picks up the palantir.]

Treebeard: Bless my bark!

Gandalf: Peregrin Took, I'll take that my lad.

[Pippin looks up.]

Gandalf: Quickly now.

[Pippin hands the palantir to Gandalf, who wraps it in a fold of his cloak. Pippin gives him a strange look.]

[The great hall is filled with the Rohirrim. Theoden stands by his throne, flanked by Eowyn and Eomer.]

Theoden: Tonight we remember those who gave their blood to defend this country. Hail the victorious dead!

Crowd: Hail! [they drink]

[Aragorn pauses and then drinks.]

[The Rohirrim are sitting at tables in the great hall. They drink and talk loudly. Eowyn approaches Aragorn with a goblet.]

Eowyn: Westu Aragorn hál! [Be thou Aragorn well.]

[Aragorn takes the goblet from her and drinks. He walks away. Theoden approaches Eowyn.]

Theoden: I am happy for you. He is an honorable man.

Eowyn: You are both honorable men, Father.

Theoden: It was not Theoden of Rohan who led our people to victory.

[Eowyn looks at him solemnly.]

Theoden: Ah, don't listen to me. You are young, and tonight is for you.

[Merry and Pippin dance on a table and sing. As they sing Merry knocks one man's drink over and he yells at them.]

Merry and Pippin (singing):

Oh, you can search far and wide
You can drink the whole world dry
But you'll never find a beer so brown*
As the one they drink in my hometown*
You can keep your fancy ales
You can drink them by the flagon
But the only brew for the brave and true
Comes from the green dragon!

[*These two lines are sung as a round.]

[Their audience cheers.]

Merry (v.o): Thank you! I win!

Aragorn: 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 pauses.]

Gandalf: That Frodo is alive. [He considers.] Yes. Yes, he's alive.

[Ithilien: The hobbits and Gollum are sleeping.]

Smeagol: [talking in his sleep]

Too risky, too risky. Thieves! They stole it from us. Kill them, kill them. Kill them both. Oh! [He startles awake]

Gollum: Shh! Quiet! Mustn't wake them. Mustn't ruin it now.

[Smeagol creeps down to the water.]

Smeagol: But they knows, they knows. They suspects us!

[Gollum appears as a reflection in the pool.]

Gollum: What's it saying, my precious, my love? Smeagol losing his nerve?

Smeagol: No, not. Never! Smeagol hates nasty hobbitses. Smeagol wants to see them... dead.

Gollum: And we will. Smeagol did it once, He can do it again.

[Flash to Smeagol throttling Deagol.]

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'll lead them to the Winding Stair.

Gollum: Yes to the stairs and then?

Smeagol: Up, up, up, up the stairs we go, until 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 them doesn't taste very nice, does they precious?

Gollum: No, not very nice at all, my love. She hungers for sweeter meat. Hobbit meat. When she throws away the bones and empty clothes, then we will find it.

Smeagol: And take it for MEEE!

Gollum: For us.

Smeagol: Yes, yes, we meant for us. Gollum! Gollum! The precious will be ours, once the hobbitses are DEAD!

[Gollum throws a stone in the water. When the ripples clear, he sees that Sam has come up behind him.]

Sam: Treacherous little toad!

[Sam hits Gollum in the head with a pan.]

Gollum: Ahh! No! Master!

Frodo: No Sam! Leave him alone!

[Frodo pulls Sam away.]

Sam: I heard it from his own mouth. He means to murder us!

Gollum: Never! Smeagol wouldn't hurt a fly!

[Gollum touches his head and finds that Sam has broken the skin.]

Gollum: Ah! He's a horrid, fat hobbit who hates Smeagol, and who makes up nasty lies.

Sam: You miserable little maggot! I'll stove your head in.

[Sam menaces Gollum with the pan.]

Frodo: Sam!

Sam: Call me a liar? You're a liar!

Gollum: Ahh!

Frodo: Sam! [He stops Sam] You scare him off, we're lost!

Sam: I don't care! I can't do it Mister 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'm on your side, Mister Frodo.

Frodo: I know, Sam. I know. Trust me. Come Smeagol.

[Smeagol goes with Frodo and gives Sam an evil grin.]

[Nighttime at Edoras: Aragorn walks out onto the porch. Legolas is there watching.]

Legolas: The stars are veiled. Something stirs in the East. A sleepless malice. The eye of the enemy is moving.

[Inside, Merry and Pippin are lying on pallets. Pippin gets up.]

Merry: What are you doing?

[Pippin walks toward Gandalf's pallet.]

Merry: [whispers] Pippin!

[Pippin approaches Gandalf. He's startled to see Gandalf's eyes open. Gandalf holds the palantir wrapped in a cloth.]

Merry: Pippin!

[Pippin waves his hand in front of Gandalf's face. Gandalf doesn't stir. Pippin looks around and finds a jar. Gandalf mutters in his sleep.]

Merry: Pippin!

[Pippin takes the palantir and gives Gandalf the jar to hold.]

Merry: Are you mad?

Pippin: I just want to look at it. Just one more time.

[Pippin places the palantir on the floor and unwraps it.]

Merry: Put it back!

[Pippin smiles as lights begin to swim in the palantir.]

Merry: Pippin!

[The Eye appears in the palantir.]

Merry: No. Pippin!

[Sauron laughs loudly.]

Legolas: He is here.

Sauron: I see you!

[The palantir turns fiery. Pippin struggles with it.]

Merry: Pippin!

[Sauron continues laughing. Pippin struggles, unable to release the palantir.]

Merry: Pippin!

Merry: Help! Gandalf, help!

[Aragorn and Legolas rush in.]

Merry: Someone help him!

[Aragorn grabs the palantir from Pippin. He struggles with it as Legolas grabs his shoulders.]

Aragorn: Augh!

[Aragorn almost faints, and the palantir rolls away. Merry jumps aside as Gandalf rushes to cover it with a blanket. Merry rushes over to Pippin.]

Merry: Pippin!

[Gandalf pushes Merry away and kneels by Pippin.]

Gandalf: Fool of a Took!

[Pippin lies still with his eyes open, unaware of anything. Gandalf touches his face and mutters. Pippin startles awake and cries.]

Gandalf: Look at me.

Pippin: Gandalf. Forgive me!

Gandalf: Look at me. What did you see?

Pippin: Ah... a tree. There was a white tree, in a courtyard of stone. It was dead!

[Flash of the courtyard of Minas Tirith on fire.]

Pippin: The city was burning.

Gandalf: Minas Tirith. Is that what you saw?

Pippin: I saw... [crying] I saw him! I could hear his voice in my head.

Gandalf: What did you tell him? Speak!

Pippin: He asked me my name. I didn't answer. He hurt me.

Gandalf: What did you tell him about Frodo and the Ring?

[Pippin looks confused.]

[Gandalf, Legolas, Gimli, Theoden and Eomer stand in the great hall, by the fireplace. Pippin slumps on a stool at a distance from them. Merry stands beside him.

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 palantir 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 Rohan 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.

Gandalf: [quietly to Aragorn] You must come to Minas Tirith by another road. Follow the River. Look to the black ships.

Gandalf: [aloud] Understand this, Things are now in motion that cannot be undone. I ride for Minas Tirith. And I won't be going alone.

[Gandalf walks to the stables. Merry and Pippin trail behind him.]

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 always have to look?

Pippin: I 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. They're going to be looking for you, Pip. They have to get you out of here.

Pippin: And you -- you're coming with me?

[Merry turns and walks to the stables, his shoulders hunched.]

Pippin: Merry?

Merry: Come on!

[Gandalf puts Pippin up on Shadowfax.]

Pippin: How far is Minas Tirith?

Gandalf: Three day's ride, as the Nazgul flies. And we'd better hope we don't have one of those on our tail.

[Gandalf mounts Shadowfax.]

Merry: Here, something for the road.

[He hands Pippin a packet.]

Pippin: [sadly] The last of the Longbottom.

Merry: I know you've run out. You smoke too much, Pip.

Pippin: We'll see each other soon... won't we?

Merry: [scared] 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!

[They ride out of the stables. Merry runs up the steps to the watchtower on the fence.]

Aragorn: Merry!

[Aragorn follows him. They look out to see Shadowfax running through the stream and away across the plain.]

[Elves travel serenely along a path through the woodlands. Some walk, others ride.]

Elrond (v.o.): Take her by the safest road. A ship lies at anchor in the Grey Havens. It waits to take her across the sea. The last journey of Arwen Undómiel.

[Arwen rides with them. She sees a vision of a child running. The child runs into a room made of stone. Aragorn is there. He sweeps him up, laughing. The child looks over Aragorn's shoulder at Arwen. He wears the Evenstar pendant. He continues watching Arwen solemnly until she closes her eyes and begins to cry.]

[Flashback to Elrond]

Elrond (v.o.): There is nothing for you here. Only death.

[Arwen opens her eyes, but she sees only the woods.]

Elf: Lady Arwen, we cannot delay.

[Arwen turns her horse and returns up the path.]

Elf: My Lady!

[Arwen rides back to Rivendell. She sheds her cloak and runs up the steps to 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: But there is also life. You saw that 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 how, I will regret it forever. It is time.

[Arwen approaches the shards of Narsil, wearing a dark cloak.]

Arwen (v.o.): From the ashes a fire shall be woken. A light from the shadow shall spring. Renewed shall be blade that was broken.

[A brief Flash of Isildur cutting the Ring from Sauron's hand.]

Arwen (v.o.): The crownless again shall be king.

[Time has passed. Arwen stands in her room speaking with Elrond.]

Arwen: Reforge the sword. Ada.

[Elrond turns and leaves her. Arwen sits on a bed, looking dismayed. A book falls from her hands. Elrond returns to pick it up and takes her hands in his.]

Elrond: Your hands are cold. The life of the Eldar is leaving you.

Arwen: This was my choice. Ada, Whether by your will or not, there is no ship now that can bear me hence.

[Elrond is grieved. He watches as elvish smiths reforge Narsil. ]

[Gandalf and Pippin ride Shadowfax. He gallops past mountains and through woodland. Pippin sleeps through part of the journey.]

Gandalf: We've just passed into the realm of Gondor.

[They reach the top of a hill and see a full view of the city.]

Gandalf: Minas Tirith, city of Kings.

[They gallop up through the levels of the city, scattering pedestrians.]

Gandalf: Make way!

[They arrive at the Citadel courtyard. Guards approach to take Shadowfax. Gandalf and Pippin proceed on foot. Pippin sees the White tree.]

Pippin: It's the tree. Gandalf! Gandalf!

Gandalf: Yes, the white tree of Gondor. The tree of the king. Lord Denethor, however, is not king. He is a steward only; a caretaker of the throne.

[They arrive at the steps of the citadel.]

Now 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 Frodo, or the Ring. And say nothing of Aragorn, either. In fact, it's better if you don't speak at all, Peregrin Took.

[Pippin nods.]

[The doors open, and they enter the citadel.]

Gandalf: Hail Denethor, son of Ecthelion, Lord and Steward of Gondor. I come with tidings in this dark hour, and with counsel.

[Denethor sits in a black chair at the foot of steps that lead to a white throne. He holds the pieces of Boromir's horn.]

Denethor: Perhaps you come to explain this. Perhaps you come to tell me why my son is dead.

[Pippin stares. There is a brief flashback of Boromir being struck with arrows. He steps around Gandalf toward the Steward.]

Pippin: Boromir died to save us, my kinsman and me. He fell defending us from many foes.

Gandalf: Pippin!

[Pippin falls to one knee.]

Pippin: I offer you my service, such as it is, in payment of this debt.

[Annoyed, Gandalf smacks Pippin with his staff.]

Gandalf: Get up.

Gandalf: 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 are charged with the defense of this city. Where are Gondor's armies? You still have friends. You are not alone in this fight. Send to 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 tower are blind? I have seen more than you know. With your left hand you would use me as a shield against Mordor. And with the right you'd seek to supplant me. I know who rides with Theoden of Rohan. Oh yes, the word has 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 you to deny the return of the king, Steward.

[Denethor rises.]

Denethor: The rule of Gondor is mine! And no other's!

Gandalf: [To Pippin] Come!

[They exit the citadel.]

[Gandalf and Pippin are in their quarters in Minas Tirith. Pippin looks at his uniform, armor 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: [derisively] You're in the service of the Steward now! You're going to have to do as your told, Peregrin Took, Guard of the Citadel.

[Pippin goes to the balcony.]

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 at 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's gathered. Not only orcs...

[Flash to the Mumakil]

Gandalf (v.o.): ... but men as well. Legions of Haradrim from the south.

[Flash to the Corsairs sailing upriver.]

Gandalf (v.o.): Mercenaries from the coast. All will answer Mordor's call.

Pete The Pirate: Come on!

Gandalf: This will be the end of Gondor as we know it. Here the hammer-stroke will fall 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 will lead Mordor's armies in war.

[Flash to the Witch King pulling on his gauntlets. Orcs lower his helm onto his hooded head.]

Gandalf (v.o.): The one they say no living man can kill. The Witch King of Angmar.

Gandalf: You've met him before. He stabbed Frodo at Weathertop.

[Brief Flash of The Witch King at Weathertop.]

Gandalf: He is the lord of the Nazgul, the greatest of the Nine. Minas Morgul is his lair.

[Frodo, Sam and Gollum pull themselves up over the edge of the causeway and see Minas Morgul. It glows green in the darkness.]

Gollum: The dead city. Very nasty place. Full of... enemies.

[Gollum approaches the City, followed by Frodo and Sam.]

Gollum: Quick, quick, they will see! They will see!

[Gollum leads them to the cliff-face on the North side of the Morgul vale.]

Gollum: Come away! Come away! Look! We have found it. The way into Mordor. The secret stair. Climb.

[They look up to see an impossibly steep stair carved into the cliff face. Frodo turns back to the city. He stumbles toward it, past a pair of gargoyles (the Silent Watchers) and down the causeway toward the city.]

Sam: No! Mister Frodo!

Gollum: Not that way!

[Sam and Gollum scramble to catch Frodo.]

Gollum: What's it doing?

Sam: No!

[Sam and Gollum begin to pull him back toward the stair.]

Frodo: They're calling me.

Gollum: No!

[Just as they reach the stairs, a great flare goes up from Minas Morgul.]

[Flash to Gandalf and Pippin and then to a group of Gondorian soldiers surprised by the flare.]

Gollum: Hide! Hide!

[Gollum and the hobbits hide on the stair.]

[The Witch King on his fell beast flies up and perches above the city gate. The Witch King gives a long, piercing shriek. Frodo groans.]

Frodo: I can feel his blade!

[The fell beast bellows and the gates open. The orc army marches out.]

Gandalf: We come to it at last. The great battle of our time.

[In Minas Morgul the army marches over the causeway and past the hobbits. The stair hides the hobbits from their view. As they army marches, the Witch King shrieks and flies over the causeway toward the mouth of the vale.]

Gollum: Come away hobbits. We climb, we must climb!

Gandalf: The board is set. The pieces are moving.

[Daytime on the streets of Minas Tirith. Gandalf is walking quickly, followed by Pippin.]

Gandalf: 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.

[He looks up. Minas Tirith's beacon sits on a peak high above the city. Pippin looks up.]

Gandalf: You must not fail me.

[Pippin nods. ]

[Guards walk by the water in the ruins of Osgiliath. It is still dark and misty.]

[Many boats bearing orcs move toward Osgiliath. One of the orcs splashes as he paddles.]

Gothmog: Quiet.

[In Osgiliath, Faramir's men see the boats approaching.]

Faramir: To the River, quick, quick!

[A Gondorian ranger hands out spears.]

Ranger: Go. Go. Come on!

[Faramir's men move toward the river. They hide behind the ruined walls.]

Gothmog: Faster!

[More of Faramir's men arrive.]

Gothmog: Draw swords!

[The boats come ashore. Orcs begin to disembark. Faramir and his men let some of them pass. Then Faramir jumps out of his hiding place and begins slashing at them. His men follow his lead. Men and orcs fight fiercely.]

Gondorian Soldier: Hold! Hold!

[Fighting continues. The orcs throw planking across Osgiliath's broken bridge and rush across.]

[In Minas Tirith, Pippin climbs to the top of the beacon, avoiding the notice of the soldiers who guard it. He reaches for the lamp hanging over it, but a rope snaps and a large bowl of oil hanging beneath the lamp spills. Pippin reaches the lamp and tosses it onto the beacon. The wood of the beacon catches quickly. Pippin realizes that the part of the beacon he's standing on will soon catch, and quickly begins to climb down. The soldiers notice the fire and are upset.]

[Gandalf watches as the signal is picked up and the beacon on the next hill goes up in flame.]

Gandalf: Amon Din.

Gondorian Soldier: The beacon! The beacon of Amon Dîn is lit!

[Denethor looks out of a window and grimaces.]

Gandalf: Hope is kindled.

[The beacons on the high peaks are lit, one after another: Amon Din, Eilenach, Nardol, Erelas, Minrimmon, Calenhad and Halifirien.]

[Aragorn sits at Edoras eating from a bowl. He sees the last beacon flare. He jumps to his feet and runs to Meduseld, taking the steps two at a time. He runs into the hall.]

Aragorn: The beacons of Minas Tirith! The beacons are lit! Gondor calls for aid.

[Theoden is standing at a table, speaking with Eomer, Gamling and others. He looks at Aragorn and pauses. Eowyn comes to stand by Eomer.]

Theoden: [pauses] And Rohan will answer. Muster the Rohirrim!

[A Rohan soldier rings a bell in a tower. Theoden comes out of Meduseld with Eomer.]

Theoden: Assemble the army at Dunharrow, as many men as can be found. You have two days.

[Eomer nods and turns. Theoden stops him.]

Theoden: On the third, we ride for Gondor... and war.

[Eomer nods and turns away.]

Eomer: Forward!

Soldier: Very good, sir!

Theoden: Gamling.

Gamling: My Lord.

Theoden: Make haste across the Riddermark. Summon every able-bodied man to Dunharrow.

Gamling: I will.

[Gamling nods and leaves. Theoden watches as many Riders stream out down the hill.]

[Aragorn readies Brego. Eowyn readies her horse.]

Aragorn: You ride with us?

Eowyn: Just to the encampment. It is tradition for the women of the court to farewell the men

[Aragorn uncovers her sword hidden under a blanket. She moves his hand away and covers it again.]

Eowyn: The men have found their captain. They will follow you to battle, even to death. You have given us hope.

[Theoden stands alone.]

Theoden (v.o.): And so, it is before the walls of Minas Tirith that 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. Ha!

[The Rohirrim ride to Dunharrow. Merry rides along on the pony Stybba.]

[Faramir and company fight. Many of his men are killed. Faramir runs through an archway, pursued by orcs.]

Madril: Faramir!

[Faramir jumps aside. Madril's men shoot several orcs behind him.]

Madril: We can't hold them. The City is lost.

Faramir: Tell the men to break cover. We ride to Minas Tirith.

Soldier: Nazgul! Take cover! Nazgul!

Faramir: Fall back! Fall back to Minas Tirith!

[Soldiers begin to retreat. A quick stroke by an orc fells Madril.]

Faramir: Fall back! Retreat! Retreat!

[Men on horses begin to stream out of the city. The Nazgul shriek.]

Soldier: Come on!

[Madril lies on his back, alive. Gothmog and other orcs stand over him. Gothmog takes a spear from another orc and stabs Madril. Madril gasps.]

Gothmog: The age of Men is over. The time of the orc has come.

[Faramir's men gallop out of Osgiliath. They are pursued by the Nazgul. The fell beasts swoop in and knock riders off their horses. ]

Soldiers: Take cover! It's coming! [shouting]

[Gandalf and Pippin ride out to meet the retreating men.]

Soldiers: [From the walls of Minas Tirith] It's Mithrandir! It's the White Rider!

[The Nazgul's beasts grab riders and horses in their claws, then let them fall. They fly at the riders and bowl them over. As Gandalf rides toward them his staff grows bright. The Nazgul break off their attack, wheeling and flying back toward Mordor. Gandalf turns Shadowfax and meet the men riding back to the city.]

Gate Guard: Pull!

[The gates of Minas Tirith open. Faramir's men and Gandalf stream in.]

Faramir: Mithrandir! They broke through our defences. They've taken the bridge and the west bank. Battalions of orcs are crossing the River

Irolas: It is as Lord Denethor predicted! Long has he foreseen this doom!

Gandalf: Foreseen and done nothing!

[Gandalf turns, and Faramir sees Pippin. He stares until Pippin turns his head, embarrassed.]

Gandalf: Faramir? This is not the first halfling to have crossed your path?

Faramir: No.

[Pippin looks up, excited.]

Pippin: You've seen Frodo and Sam?

Gandalf: Where? When?

Faramir: In Ithilien, not two days ago. Gandalf, they've taken 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.

[Gollum leads Frodo and Sam up the stair. Frodo's struggles. Gollum reaches a landing and looks back toward Frodo.]

Gollum: Careful Master, careful! Very far to fall! Very dangerous are the stairs. Come Master! Come. Come to Smeagol.

[Gollum sees the Ring and begins to reach for it.]

Sam: Mister Frodo! [He draws his sword.] Get back you! Don't touch him!

[Gollum reaches toward the Ring, then grabs Frodo's arm and pulls him up.]

Gollum: Why does he hate poor Smeagol? What has Smeagol ever done to him? Master... Master carries a heavy burden. Smeagol knows. Heavy, heavy burden. The fat one cannot know. Smeagol look after Master. He wants it, he needs it. Smeagol sees it in his eye. And soon, he will ask you for it. You will see. The fat one will take it from you.

[Frodo looks frightened and clutches the Ring.]

[In Osgiliath, the Witch King's beast sits upon a tower.]

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: I will break him.

[On the wall at Minas Tirith, Gandalf stands among a group of soldiers.]

Gondorians: What of Theoden's Riders? Will Rohan's army come? Mithrandir?

Gandalf: Courage is the best defense that you have now.

[Pippin kneels before Denethor in the citadel. Faramir waits.]

Pippin: Here do I swear fealty and service to Gondor. In peace or war, in living or dying, from... [he stumbles]

From this hour henceforth, until my lord release me, or death take me.

[Denethor rises, smiling, and approaches Pippin.]

Denethor: And I shall not forget it, nor fail to reward that which is given.

[Denethor holds his ring to be kissed. Pippin kisses it reluctantly.]

Denethor: Fealty with love, valor with honor, [He looks at Faramir] disloyalty with vengeance.

[Denethor sits to eat.]

Denethor: 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.

[He walks away, then turns.]

If I should return, think better of me, father.

[He walks away.]

Denethor: That will depend on the manner of your return.

[The hobbits and Gollum are, perched on rocks just off the stair. Frodo is sleeping. Sam struggles to stay awake but fails. When his eyes close, Gollum's open. Gollum sneaks down and takes the lembas from Sam's pack.]

Gollum: Ugh.

[Gollum crumbles some of the lembas and lets it fall onto Sam. He throws the rest off the cliff face. Sam awakes just as he's dusting crumbs off his hands.]

Sam: What are you up to? Sneaking off, are we?

Gollum: S-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 precious, very nice!

[Sam puts on his sword belt.]

Sam: Alright! Alright! You just startled me is all. What were you doing?

Gollum: Sneaking.

Sam. Fine. Have it your own way.

[Sam wakes Frodo]

Sam: Sorry to wake you Mister Frodo. We have to be moving on.

Frodo: It's dark still.

Sam: It's always dark here.

[Sam checks his pack.]

Sam: It's gone! The elven bread!

Frodo: What? That's all we had left.

Sam: [points at Gollum] He took it, he must have.

Gollum: Smeagol? No, no, not poor Smeagol. Smeagol hates nasty Elf bread.

Sam: You're a lying rat! What did you do with it?

Frodo: He doesn't eat it, he can't have taken it.

[Gollum reaches toward Sam.]

Gollum: Look. What's this? Crumbs on his jacketses. [He brushes them off.] He took it! He took it! I've seen him. He's always stuffing his face when Master is not looking.

Sam: That's a filthy lie!

[Sam attacks Gollum and begins punching him.]

Sam: You stinking, two-faced sneak!

Frodo: Sam!

Sam: Call me-

Gollum: Ow!

Frodo: Stop it! Sam! [He pulls Sam away.]

Sam: I'll kill him!

Frodo: Sam, no!

[Frodo sits.]

Sam: Oh my-- I'm sorry! I didn't mean it to go so far. I was just so... so angry. Here, just... let's just rest a bit.

Frodo: I'm all right.

Sam: No, you're not all right. You're exhausted. It's that Gollum, this place. It's that... thing around your neck.

[Frodo looks at him suspiciously.]

Sam: I could help a bit. I could carry it for a while. Share the load. [His words echo.]

Frodo: Get away!

Sam: I don't want to keep it. I just want to help.

Smeagol: 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: [crying] 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.

[Sam crouches and weeps. Frodo and Gollum climb the stairs and leave him behind.]

<Faramir's Sortie>

[Faramir and his soldiers ride down the streets. They are dressed in plate armor. The Gondorians watch sadly. Many throw flowers at their feet. One hands a flower up to an older knight.]

Gandalf: Faramir! Faramir! [He pushes through the crowd.]

Your father's will has turned to madness. Do not throw away your life so rashly.

Faramir: Where does my allegiance lie if not here?

Gandalf: Your father still loves you, Faramir. He will remember it before the end.

[The gates are opened and they ride out. Osgiliath and the fire of Mt Doom are visible as the gate opens. They form lines and ride toward Osgiliath.]

[In the Citadel, Denethor sits at his table. Pippin attends him.]

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 [he glances at Denethor] evil times.

Denethor: And why should your songs be unfit for my halls? Come, sing me a song.

Pippin (singing):

Home is behind, the world's ahead
[Faramir's men gallop toward Osgiliath]
And there are many paths to tread
[As Faramir's men ride, Denethor eats.]
Through shadow to the edge of night
Until the stars are all alight
[Denethor cracks a chicken bone.]
Mist and shadow, cloud and shade
[Orcs archers prepare to fire from Osgiliath.]
All shall fade. All... shall... [The orcs loose arrows at Faramir's men] fade.

[Denethor continues to eat. Pippin weeps.]

[Gandalf sits in an empty courtyard. A bell tolls.]

[Trolls push siege towers through Osgiliath toward Minas Tirith, surrounded by the orc army.]

Orc Captain: March! March! March! March!

[Theoden rides through the encampment at Dunharrow.]

Rider: Make way for the king. Make way.

Rider: The king is here!

Rider: My Lord!

Rider: Hail to you, Sire!

Theoden: Grimbold, How many?

Grimbold: I bring five hundred men from the Westfold, my Lord.

Gamling: We have three hundred more from Fenmarch, Theoden King.

Theoden: Where are the riders from Snowbourne?

Gamling: None have come, my Lord.

[Upon the high encampment at Dunharrow.]

Theoden: Six thousand spears. Less than half of what I'd hoped.

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.

[Theoden nods in agreement.]

[A horse neighs and rears as a Rider tries to calm him.]

Legolas: The horses are restless and the men are quiet

Eomer: They grow nervous near 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 mountain.

Eomer: None who venture there ever return. That mountain is evil.

[Aragorn looks down the path and sees a vague image of the Dead King.]

Gimli: Aragorn! [Aragorn is startled.] Let's find some food.

[Evening inside a tent at Dunharrow. Eowyn helps Merry with his armor.]

Eowyn: There! A true esquire of Rohan.

Merry: I'm ready! [Merry draws his blade]

Eowyn: Oh! [she laughs]

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.

[Merry comes out of the tent, slashing and stabbing imaginary foes. Eowyn follows, laughing. Eomer and Gamling are sitting nearby, eating.]

Eowyn: To the Smithy! Go!

Eomer: [After Merry has gone.] You should not encourage him.

Eowyn: You should not doubt him.

Eomer: I do not doubt his heart, only the reach of his arm.

[Gamling laughs while trying not to spit out his food.]

Eowyn: Why should Merry be left behind? He has as much cause to go to war as you Why can he not fight for those he loves?

[A dark-cloaked figure rides up past the Pukel men.]

[Arwen sleeps. A tear rolls down her cheek.]

Arwen (v.o.): I choose a mortal life. I wish I could have seen him, one last time.

[Aragorn watches in horror as the Evenstar pendant smashes on the floor. He wakes and draws his knife.]

Aragorn: Nyah!

[One of Theoden's guards looks into his tent.]

Rider: Sir? King Theoden awaits you, my lord.

[They walk to Theoden's tent. ]

Theoden: I take my leave.

[The dark-cloaked figure stands and pulls back his hood. It is Elrond.]

Aragorn: [bowing] My lord Elrond.

Elrond: I come on behalf of one whom I love. 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 is 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.

[An image of the Dead King flashes.]

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! [He reveals Anduril in its scabbard.] Anduril, the Flame of the West, forged from the shards of Narsil.

[Aragorn approaches and lays his hands reverently on the blade.]

Aragorn: Sauron will not have forgotten the Sword of Elendil.

[Aragorn unsheathes Anduril.]

Aragorn: The blade that was broken shall return to Minas Tirith.

Elrond: The man who wields 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.

[Aragorn looks uncertain.]

Elrond: Ónen i-Estel Edain. [I gave Hope to the Dúnedain.]

Aragorn: Ú-chebin Estel anim. [I have kept no hope for myself.]

[Aragorn readies his horse. Eowyn approaches.]

Eowyn: Why are you doing this? The war lies to the east. You cannot leave on the eve of the 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.

[Eowyn holds back tears. Aragorn turns away with Brego.]

[Aragorn leads Brego past Gimli.]

Gimli: Just where do you think you're off to?

Aragorn: Not this time. This time you must stay, Gimli.

Gimli: Grrmph.

[Legolas arrives with Arod.]

Legolas: Have you learned nothing of the stubbornness of dwarves?

Gimli: You might as well accept it. We're going with you laddie.

[They ride toward the crevasse.]

Riders: What's happening? Where's he going? I don't understand. Lord Aragorn!

[Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli disappear down the path.]

Rider: 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.

[The Riders nod.]

[Eowyn stands alone, watching the dawn. Theoden approaches her.]

Theoden: I have left instruction. The people are to follow your rule in my stead Take up my seat in the Golden Hall. May you long defend Edoras if the battle goes ill.

Eowyn: What other duty would you have me do, My Lord?

Theoden: Duty? No. [He takes her hands.] I would have you smile again, and not grieve for those whose time has come. You shall live see these days renewed, and no more despair.

[Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli are riding down a desolate path in the mountains.]

Gimli: What kind of an army would linger in such a place?

Legolas: One that is cursed. 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.

[They approach the Dimholt door. It is decorated with skulls.]

Gimli: The very warmth of my blood seems stole away.

[Legolas reads the signs written along the wall.]

Legolas: "The way is shut. It was made by those who are dead, and the dead keep it. The way is shut."

[A gust of wind comes from the doorway, filled with ghostly voices. The horses startle and run away. ]

Aragorn: Brego!

[Aragorn faces the Dimholt.]

Aragorn: I do not fear death.

[He enters the tunnel. Legolas follows.]

Gimli: Well this is a thing unheard of! An elf will go underground when a dwarf dare not! Oh, Oh! I would not hear the end of it.

[He runs into the tunnel.]

[The Riders break camp at Dunharrow. Theoden emerges from his tent.]

Theoden: We must ride light and swift. It is a long road ahead. And man and beast must reach the end with the strength to fight.

[Theoden, mounted, approaches Merry who is waiting by his pony.]

Theoden: Little hobbits do not belong in war, Master Meriadoc.

Merry: All my friends have gone to battle. I would 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.

[He rides off. Merry is left standing as Riders pass him, until one of them scoops him up and into her saddle. It is Eowyn in armor and a helmet.]

Eowyn: Ride with me.

Merry: My lady!

Eomer: Form up! Move out! Form Up! Move out!

Theoden: Ride! Ride now to Gondor!

[A host of Riders stream out of the encampment.]

[On the Pelennor Fields, the trolls drum. The army of Mordor chants as they approach the city.]

[Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli run into a great underground hall. The Dead King appears before them.]

Dead King: Who enters my domain?

Aragorn: One who will have your allegiance.

Dead King: The dead do not suffer the living to pass.

Aragorn: You will suffer me.

[The Dead King laughs. A dead city appears. Dead soldiers stream out of it and gather around them.]

Dead King: The way is shut. It was made by those who are dead, and the dead keep it.

[More of the dead appear.]

Dead King: The way is shut. Now you must die.

[Legolas shoots the Dead King in the head. His arrow passes through and clatters to the ground. It leaves a misty hole in the King's face that quickly closes.]

Aragorn: I summon you to fulfill your oath.

Dead King: None but the king of Gondor may command me.

[He swings his sword, but Aragorn parries with Anduril, then grabs him by the throat.]

Dead King: The line was broken!

Aragorn: It has been remade.

[Aragorn pushes him back.]

Aragorn: Fight for us, and regain your honor. What say you?

[Aragorn moves among the dead soldiers.]

Aragorn: What say you!

Gimli: You waste your time Aragorn. They have no honor in life, they have none now in death

[Aragorn turns, challenging the Dead with Anduril.]

Aragorn: I am Isildur's heir. Fight for me, and I will hold your oaths fulfilled.

Aragorn: What say you!

[The Dead King grimaces.]

[Outside the gates of Minas Tirith the Orc army chants.]

Gondorian: [From the archway] Open the gate, quick!

[As the gates open, Faramir is dragged in by his horse. His foot is caught in the stirrup. Two arrows protrude from his armor.]

[Gothmog rides a warg to the head of the orc army.]

[Faramir is taken on a litter to the citadel courtyard.]

Irolas: Quick! Hurry!

[Denethor runs out to Faramir. The Gondorians put the litter down near the white tree.]

Denethor: Faramir! Say not that he has fallen!

Irolas: They were outnumbered. None survived.

[Outside the gates. Gothmog sniffs.]

Gothmog: Fear. The city is rank with it. Let us ease their pain. Release the prisoners!

Skully: Catapults!

[The orcs catapult a small shot over the walls. Inside, soldiers duck behind their shields as the heads of their fellow soldiers fall and roll. ]

[In the citadel.]

Denethor: My sons are spent!

[Denethor steps away from Faramir. Pippin approaches.]

Denethor: My line his ended!

Pippin: He's alive!

Denethor: The house of the Stewards has failed!

Pippin: He needs medicine, my Lord!

Denethor: My line has ended!

[Denethor goes to the edge of the courtyard and looks down at the orc army.]

Pippin: My Lord!

Denethor: Rohan has deserted us.

[The orc catapults fling boulders at the city. The people shriek and run.]

Denethor: Theoden's betrayed me!

[More boulders fall.]

Denethor: Abandon your posts! Flee! Flee for your lives!

[Gandalf smacks Denethor with his staff until he falls.]

Gandalf: Prepare for battle!

[Gandalf rides for the first level.]

Gandalf: Hurry, men! To the wall! Defend the wall! Over here!

[He passes soldiers who are fleeing.]

Gandalf: Return to your posts!

[Archers line up on the wall.]

Gandalf: Send these foul beasts into the abyss!

[They launch rocks and masonry at the orc army from a trebuchet.]

[The masonry lands among the orc army. The orcs around Gothmog shift fearfully.]

Gothmog: Stay where you are.

[The armies fire boulders and masonry at each other.]

Gondorians: We need more Rubble! Watch out!

Citadel Guards: Down to the lower level! Quick! Double up, men!

[Pippin runs down into the city with his fellow guardsmen.]

[A large rock arcs out from the city toward Gothmog. His soldiers scramble out of the way. At the last second he steps aside and it falls right by him.]

Troll: [Looking concerned] Squee!

[Gothmog spits on the boulder.]

[The Nazgul shriek as they fly in over the city.]

Gandalf: Hold them back! Do not give in to fear!

Gandalf: Stay at your posts! Fight!

[Siege towers are moved to the wall. The Gondorians fire arrows at them.]

Gandalf: Not to the towers! Aim for the trolls! Kill the trolls! Bring them down!

Gandalf: Fight them back!

[Pippin arrives at the walls, looking dazed. Gandalf sees him.]

Gandalf: Peregrin Took! Go back to the Citadel!

Pippin: They called us out to fight.

[One of the siege towers arrives. Orcs storm out of it toward Gandalf and Pippin. Gandalf fights them off.]

Gandalf: This is no place for a hobbit!

[Gandalf battles more orcs. One surprises him, but Pippin stabs it before he can strike Gandalf. It falls, and Pippin stares at the black blood on his sword.]

Gandalf: Guard of the Citadel indeed! Now, back up the hill, quickly. Quick!

[The orc army chants as a great battering ram is pulled toward the city gates.]

Orc army (chanting): Grond! Grond! Grond!

<Shelob's Lair >

[Gollum reaches the tunnel, with Frodo just behind him.]

Gollum: In 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 can't go back. [He enters the tunnel with Gollum.] What's that smell?

Gollum: Orcses' filth. Orcses come here sometimes.

[Gollum runs ahead.]

Gollum: Hurry!

[Frodo follows.]

Gollum: This way!

Frodo: [frightened] Smeagol?

Gollum: Over here!

[Frodo's hand lands in a web.]

Frodo: Oh! Ugh! It's sticky! What is it?

Gollum: You will see. Oh yes, you will see.

Frodo: Smeagol? Smeagol! Smeagol!

[Smeagol has left Frodo alone in the dark tunnel.]

Frodo: Sam.

[Frodo steps on the ape-like skeleton of an orc. Other dead animals are hanging in the tunnel. He begins to run.]

[Sam, crying, makes his way down the stair. He slips and falls hard. He sees the lembas thrown down by Gollum and grows angry. He turns and looks up the stairs.]

Frodo: Ah! Augh!

[Frodo runs and falls into a clump of spider webs and bones.]

Galadriel (v.o.): And you, Frodo Baggins. I give you the light of Earendil, our most beloved star.

[Frodo fumbles for her phial in his pants pocket.]

Galadriel (v.o.): May it be a light for you in dark places, when all other lights go out.

[Frodo finds the phial and holds it out.]

Frodo: Aiya Eärendil Elenion Ancalima! [Hail Eärendil brightest of the Stars!]

[Shelob emerges from the darkness. ]

Frodo: Ugh!

[Frodo menaces her with the phial. She attacks. Frodo slashes at one of her legs. Shelob shrieks as he runs. He runs but has lost the phial. As he looks back he runs into a huge web. The web traps him and holds him spread-eagle off the ground.]

Frodo: Augh!

[Frodo sees other forms cocooned and suspended.]

Gollum: Naughty little fly! Why does he cry? Caught in a web. Soon you'll be... eaten!

[Frodo cuts his way out of the web as Shelob approaches. Gollum shrieks. Frodo frees himself, but loses Sting. He runs out of the Lair and falls.]

Gollum: Got away, did it precious? Not this time. Not this time!

[Frodo and Gollum fight. Gollum tries to grab the Ring.]

Frodo: No! Augh!

[Frodo attacks Gollum and begins to throttle him.]

Gollum: It wasn't us! It wasn't us! Smeagol wouldn't hurt Master. We promised!

[Frodo's anger dissipates. He stops choking Gollum.]

Gollum: You must believe us! It was the precious. The precious made us do it.

[Frodo releases Gollum and stands.]

Frodo: I have to destroy it, Smeagol.

[Gollum is horrified.]

Frodo: I have to destroy it for both our sakes.

[Gollum grows angry.]

Gollum: No!

[He attacks Frodo. He flips over Frodo and falls off the edge of the path, out of sight.]

Gollum: Ahh!

[Frodo rises and staggers along the path.]

Frodo: I'm so sorry, Sam. So sorry! [He collapses, then finds he's fallen in a mossy, sunlit forest.]

Galadriel (v.o.): This task was appointed to you, Frodo of the Shire. If you do not find a way, no one will.

[She helps him to his feet. When he rises he is still on the desolate path to Cirith Ungol.]

[Outside Minas Tirith, the Orc army chants. The trolls wielding Grond groan. They pull the ram back and it slams into the gate.]

Orcs: Grond! Grond!

[Gandalf rides Shadowfax, gathering soldiers.]

Gandalf: Back to the gate! Hurry!

[Denethor leads the way through the citadel courtyard. He is followed by Citadel guardsmen bearing Faramir's litter. They enter the mausoleum of the Stewards.]

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!

[Grond is pounding at the gate. Gandalf waits inside with many armed soldiers.]

Gandalf: Steady! Steady!

[Grond breaks through the top of the gate.]

Gandalf:You are soldiers of Gondor! No matter what comes through that gate, you will stand your ground.

[Grond breaks the gate open. Several armored trolls enter. They are armed with spiked hammers and quickly begin killing the Gondorians.]

Gandalf: Volley! Fire!

[Gondorian archers fire. The trolls swipe at the arrows. Orcs rush past them and engage the Gondorian pikemen. Gandalf attacks and one of the trolls falls. More of the orc army enters. The Gondorians are pushed back.]

<Don't Go Where I Can't Follow >

[Frodo nears Cirith Ungol. Shelob stalks him from the cliff face. Frodo hears some rocks falling and looks around but doesn't see her. She follows, then stings him from above.]

Frodo: Umph! Oh!

[His face turns blue and green. Foam leaks from his mouth. He groans and falls.]

[Shelob pounces on him and winds sticky silk around him.]

[Sam arrives. He brandishes Sting and the phial.]

Sam: Let him go you filth!

Shelob: Sssshh!

Sam: Let him go!

[Shelob drops Frodo to the ground. Sam looks down at him, worried, then returns his attention to Shelob.]

Sam: You will not touch him again! Come on and finish it!

[Shelob attacks Sam. He slashes at her but she knocks the phial from his hand. She corners him by a wall and tries to mash him with her mandibles. Sam kicks at her. He rolls over the top of her and lands on the pathway.]

Sam: Oh!

[He retrieves Sting, and when she attacks he stabs at her eyes. Sam stabs again, but Shelob catches Sting in her mandibles and won't let go. Sam struggles, and when he frees Sting it flies out of reach. Shelob unsheathes her own sting and tries to jab Sam. He rolls away from several attempts. He finally reaches the Blade, and manages to drive it into her abdomen as she tries to sting him again. Shelob shrieks in pain and begins to retreat. Sam retrieves the phial and menaces her with it.]

Sam: Ha! Back!

[Shelob shrieks and retreats into a hole.]

Shelob: No!

[Sam runs to Frodo, dropping Sting.]

Sam: Mister Frodo! [He tears the spider web from Frodo's face.] Oh no, Frodo! Mister Frodo, wake up! [He holds Frodo and begins to cry.] Don't leave me here alone! Do go where I can't follow! Wake up! Not asleep. Dead!

[He holds Frodo and cries. Then he sees that Sting has turned blue. He looks around.]

[Shagrat, Gorbag, and other orcs arrive and see Frodo.]

Shagrat: What's this?

[Sam looks out from a hiding place in the rocks.]

Shagrat: Looks like old Shelob's been having a bit of fun.

Gorbag: Killed another one, has she?

Shagrat: No, this fellow ain't dead.

Sam: [whispering] Not dead?

Shagrat: She jabs him with her stinger, and he goes as limp as a boned fish Then she has her way with them. That's how she likes to feed, fresh blood. Get him to the tower!

[The orcs carry Frodo toward Cirith Ungol.]

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!

[Minas Tirith: Pippin quietly enters the mausoleum of the Stewards. Denethor's guard has built a pyre of bundles of wood all around and on top of a stone tablet. They place Faramir on top. Faramir groans softly.]

Denethor: The house of his spirit crumbles. Faramir is burning. Already burning.

[Pippin runs to the pyre.]

Pippin: He's not dead! [He pulls at the bundles of wood.] He's not dead!

[Denethor grabs his collar and drags him away.]

Pippin: No! No! No! No! He's not dead! No!

Denethor: Come now, Peregrin son of Paladin.

Pippin: No! Help! No!

[Denethor dumps Pippin outside the mausoleum.]

Denethor: I release you from my service Go now and die in what way seems best to you.

[He closes the door, leaving Pippin outside.]

Denethor: Pour oil on the wood!

[Pippin runs down through the city. Soldiers are everywhere. Many are injured.]

Soldiers: Come on, move your feet! Hurry along there! Hurry along!

Pippin: Gandalf! Where is Gandalf? Gandalf!

[Orcs and trolls enter the city. Many of the Gondorians panic.]

Gandalf: Retreat! The city is breached! Fall back to the second Level! Get the women and children out! Get them out! Retreat!

Gothmog: Move into the city. Kill all in your path.

[The Gondorians fight desperately against the orcs and trolls. Several Men attack one troll, but seem unable to harm it.]

Gandalf: Take them down! Fight! Fight to the last man. Fight for your lives!

[Melodic horns sound. Gandalf looks up.]

[Rohan arrives on the Pelennor. They look down upon the huge army of Mordor. Orc shout. Their drums sound.]

Eowyn: [whispers] Courage, Merry. Courage for our friends. [She holds him.]

Gothmog: Form Ranks, you maggots. Form ranks! Pikes in front. Archers behind.

[Theoden and his captain are positioned in front of the long line of Riders.]

Theoden: Eomer! Take your eored down the left flank.

Eomer: [To his eored] Make ready!

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!

[Theoden rides up and down the line.]

Theoden: Arise! Arise! Riders of Theoden! Spears shall be shaken! Shields shall be splintered!

[As he rides in front of Eowyn she turns to hide her face.]

Theoden: A sword day! A red day! Ere the sun rises!

[The Orcs form ranks.]

Eowyn: Whatever happens, stay with me. I will look after you.

[Theoden rides down the spears.]

Theoden: Ride Now! Ride now! Ride! Ride for ruin and the world's ending! Death!

Rohirrim: Death!

[Eowyn gasps.]

Theoden: Death!

Rohirrim: Death!

Theoden: Death!

Rohirrim: Death!

Merry and Eowyn: Death!

Theoden: Forth Eorlingas!

[The horns sound. The Rohirrim shout and charge toward the orcs' line.]

Gothmog: Fire!

[The orcs fire arrows at the Rohirrim. Many fall.]

Merry: Death!

Theoden: Death!

[The Rohirrim shout.]

Gothmog: Fire at will!

[The orc arrows fell more riders. Then the Rohirrim plow into the Orc army, breaking through the front line and into the heart. Their horses simply ride down many of the orcs. The Rohirrim kill many more with spear and sword.]

[In Minas Tirith, Pippin finds Gandalf.]

Pippin: Gandalf! Gandalf! Denethor has lost his mind! He's burning Faramir alive!

Gandalf: Up! Quickly!

[He lifts Pippin onto Shadowfax, and they ride off.]

[The Rohirrim continue to drive through the orc army.]

[Denethor stands atop the pyre and pours oil over his face. Faramir flinches as the oil drips onto his closed eyes.]

Denethor: Set a fire in our flesh.

[His guardsmen look unsure. They slowly approach with torches.]

[Shadowfax breaks through the door.]

Gandalf: Stay this madness!

[Denethor's guard draws back. Denethor grabs a torch from one of them and throws it onto the pyre. Gandalf takes a spear from one of the guards. He rides to the pyre and knocks Denethor off. Pippin jumps from Shadowfax onto the pyre.]

Pippin: Ahh!

[Pippin pushes Faramir and they both roll off onto the floor. As Pippin pats out the flames in Faramir's clothing, Denethor attacks him.]

Denethor: No! You will not take my son from me!

[Denethor grabs his collar. Denethor's clothes are already alight.]

Pippin: Ahh!

[Shadowfax rears and knocks Denethor back onto the fire.]

[Faramir opens his eyes. Denethor sees him and whimpers.]

Denethor: Faramir!

[As Denethor's clothes begin blazing, he jumps down from the pyre. He runs out into the citadel courtyard and off its easternmost point. He falls flaming onto the orc army many feet below.]

Gandalf: So passes Denethor, son of Ecthelion.

[On the Pelennor the Rohirrim are devastating the orc army.]

Eomer: Drive them to the river!

Theoden: Make safe the City!

[The mumakil arrive. Each of the great beasts bears a war tower filled with Southron warriors. The Southrons blow horns and chant. The mumakil approach.]

Theoden: Reform your line! Reform the line!

[The Riders form a line facing the Southron army.]

Theoden: Sound the charge!! Take them head on! Charge!

[Gamling blows his horn. Theoden and Eowyn shout as they charge.]

[The Rohirrim charge toward the mumakil. The orc army runs before them, and the mumakil allow them to pass. The mumakil have spikes attached to their tusks and circling their ankles. When the Rohirrim come into range, the mumakil begin tossing them aside and crushing them underfoot. The Riders who pass through the line of beasts unharmed turn and attack the beasts from the rear. The Southron archers shoot arrows at those who catch up with the Mumakil. The Mumakil continue to overrun and crush the Riders.]

Rider: Cut him down! Follow me!

[Eomer turns and faces one of the Mumakil head on. The Mumak's driver leers down at him. Eomer throws a spear, knocking the driver off. The driver hangs by a rope attached to the Mumak's ear. The Mumak bellows with pain and veers left with the driver swinging from its ear. It crashes into another Mumak and both fall.]

Theoden: Hurry up!

[Merry and Eomer ride among the Mumakil. They are almost trampled.]

Eowyn: Take the reins! Pull him left!

[Eowyn grabs a sword from an orc as they charge past.]

Eowyn: Left!

[Eowyn cuts at the front and back legs of a Mumak as they pass under it. Its back end collapses and then it falls.]

Eomer: Aim for their heads! [He shoots.]

[A Mumak is wounded by arrows and rises onto his hind legs.]

Theoden: [Desperately] Bring it down! Bring it down! Bring it down!

[Gamling shoots. The wounded Mumak falls. It knocks Eowyn and Merry off their horse. Eowyn scrambles out of the way to avoid being crushed. She looks around but can't see Merry.]

Eowyn: Merry!

[Minas Tirith: A troll is pounding at the gate to the second level with a great hammer. Gandalf and Pippin crouch on a porch. Below them, soldiers wait for the gate to be breached.]

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 grey 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, a far green country under a swift sunrise.

Pippin: Well, that isn't so bad.

Gandalf: No, no it isn't.

[They smile. The gate is almost breached. Gandalf nods to Pippin. Pippin grips his sword and closes his eyes.]

[The Rohirrim continue to battle the Mumakil.]

Theoden: Rally to me! To me!

[The Witch King flies in. Theoden looks stunned. The fell beast grabs Snowmane and shakes him. As Eowyn watches, he sends Snowmane tumbling. Theoden's knights scatter, and the fell beast approaches. Theoden is alive, but his legs are trapped under Snowmane.]

Witch King: Feast on his flesh.

[The beast growls and approaches Theoden. Theoden looks up and is afraid. Eowyn leaps between them.]

Eowyn: I will kill you if you touch him!

Witch King: Do not come between the Nazgul and his prey.

[The fell beast strikes out at her. She cries out, leaps aside and chops through his neck with two great sword strokes. The head falls aside and the beast falls.]

[Eowyn picks up a fallen shield and crouches as the Witch King emerges from the wreck of the fell beast. Her eyes grow wide as he lifts his mace and the great spiked ball at the end of the chain comes into view. Theoden watches as the Witch King swings at her. The Witch King shrieks as he attacks. Eowyn ducks several blows. One blow falls on her shield and shatters it. She falls back, dropping her sword.]

[The Corsairs arrive at Minas Tirith's wharf. Orcs wait at dockside.]

Skully: Late as usual! Pirate scum! There's knife work here that need doing! Come on, you sea-rats. Get off your ships!

[Aragorn leaps from the ship. Legolas and Gimli follow. The orcs are dismayed at first, but then look unimpressed.]

Gimli: There are plenty for the both of us. May the best dwarf win.

[As Aragorn charges, the Dead appear behind him. Many Dead sweep off the ships and over the water toward the orc army.]

[Merry has fallen almost beneath the Mumak that knocked him and Eowyn off their horse. He crawls out, coughing.]

[The Witch King chokes Eowyn.]

Witch King: You fool. No man can kill me. Die now.

Merry: Augh!

[Merry strikes the Witch King from behind. The Witch King falls to his knees. Merry drops his sword and falls back, clutching his arm as if it's been burned.]

Merry: Ahh!

[Eowyn rises. She takes off her helm and lets her hair fly free.]

Eowyn: I am no man! Ahh!

[She plunges her sword into the front of his helm. The Witch King shrieks. He crumples and dies away. Eowyn falls to her knees.]

[Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas fight and kill many orcs.]

Legolas: Fifteen, sixteen.

Gimli: Seventeen, Eighteen.

Gimli: Twenty-nine!

[Aragorn sees an approaching Mumak.]

Aragorn: Legolas!

[Legolas jumps onto the Mumak's tusk. From there he jumps to the front leg, and then to the back. He climbs up and begins shooting arrows at the Mumak's riders.]

Legolas: Thirty-three, thirty-four.

[Some of the Mumak's riders attack him, but he pushes them off. Legolas grabs a rope and swings down the Mumak's side, swinging back and forth as the Mumak runs until he reaches the ropes, which hold the war, tower on its back. He cuts the ropes, and the tower begins sliding off the other side of the beast. Legolas hangs on and the rope helps him walk up to the Mumak's back. The tower crashes to the ground and is swarmed by the Dead army. Legolas draws three arrows and shoots them into the Mumak's neck. He runs down the beast's trunk and jumps off as it crashes down, landing in front of Gimli.]

Gimli: That still only counts as one! Alright then, come on!

[Aragorn looks around for more enemies. In the background the Dead bring down one of the remaining Mumakil.]

[Eowyn crawls to Theoden.]

Theoden: I know your face. Eowyn. My eyes darken.

Eowyn: No! No! I'm 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 be ashamed. Eowyn.

[Theoden dies. Eowyn weeps.]

[Gandalf and Pippin walk on the now-quiet battlefield. Aragorn stands before the dead army.]

Dead King: Release us.

Gimli: Bad idea. Very handy in a tight spot, these lads, despite the fact they're dead.

[The Dead King looks displeased.]

Dead King: You gave us your word

Aragorn: I hold your oath fulfilled. Go. Be at peace.

[The Dead King smiles with pleasure as he and his army dissipates. Gandalf bows to Aragorn. Pippin searches the battlefield until he finds Merry where he's fallen by the feet of one of the Mumakil. Pippin runs to him and rolls a dead orc off of him.]

Pippin: Merry! Merry, it's me. It's Pippin.

Merry: [weakly] 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.

[Pippin finds a cloak to pull over Merry.]

[Cirith Ungol. Frodo lies on the floor of the topmost tower. His hands are bound. Gorbag and Shagrat growl as they paw through his belongings.]

Gorbag: Hands off! That shiny shirt, that's mine!

[Clutches Frodo's mithril shirt.]

Shagrat: It's going to the Eye, along with everything else.

[Frodo discovers that he no longer has the Ring on its chain.]

Shagrat: I don't take orders from stinking Morgul rats!

[The orcs struggle.]

Shagrat: You touch it, and I'll stick this blade in your gut.

[Gorbag takes the blade and pushes Shagrat through the trapdoor. Shagrat falls to the lower level.]

Gorbag: The scum tried to knife me. Kill him!

[Gorbag's orcs growl. They begin fighting with Shagrat's company. One orc falls from a window and tumbles down to the tower's base.]

[Sam creeps up to Cirith Ungol. He enters, but few orcs are left alive. He begins running through the fortress. He finds the stairs and begins climbing them. When he glimpses orcs above him around the corner of the stair, he brandishes both his own blade and Sting. ]

Sam: Uhh! Uhh! Aahhhggh! Rraaaaggh!

[His shadow appears large and menacing on the wall of the stairway. The orcs hesitate. However, when Sam rounds the corner they see that he's smaller than his shadow. They approach. Sam slashes at the first one and it falls.]

Sam: That's for Frodo! [He slashes the second one.] And that's for the Shire! [He pushes the last one off the stairs.] And that's for my old Gaffer!

[Sam makes his way toward the top of the tower.]

[Still bound, Frodo moans. He hears someone coming and struggles to undo the ropes around his wrists. Shagrat enters from the trapdoor.]

Shagrat: Stop your squealing you dunghill rat. [He draws his sword.] I'm gonna bleed you like a stuck pig.

[Shagrat yells and the glowing point of Sting appears from the middle of his chest.]

Sam: Not if I stick you first.

[Shagrat falls.]

Frodo: Sam!

[Sam sets Sting aside and kneels by Frodo.]

Frodo: Oh Sam, I'm so sorry! Sorry for everything.

Sam: Let's get you out of here. [He undoes the ropes.]

Frodo: It's too late. It's over. They've taken it. Sam, they took the Ring!

Sam: [Looking surprised.] Begging your pardon, but they haven't. [He takes the Ring from his pocket and holds it at the end of its chain.] I thought I'd lost you, so I took it. Only for safekeeping.

Frodo: Give it to me. [Sam withdraws.] Give me the Ring, Sam. [The Ring whispers to Sam, and he looks confused.] Sam! Give me the Ring.

[Sam slowly holds the chain out to Frodo. Frodo snatches the Ring from him. Frodo looks relieved to the point of ecstasy as he puts the chain around his neck.]

Frodo: You must understand. The Ring is my burden. It will destroy you, Sam.

Sam: Come Mister Frodo. We best find you some clothes. You can't go walking through Mordor in naught but your skin.

[Frodo and Sam leave Cirith Ungol dressed in orc armor and helmets.]

Sam: We did it, Mister Frodo. We made it to Mordor.

[As they look down they see the campfires and torches of thousands upon thousands of orcs.]

Frodo: There are so many of them. We'll never get through unseen. [He sees the Eye atop Barad-dur.] That's him! The Eye!

Sam: We have to go in there, Mister Frodo. There's nothing for it. Come. Let's just make it down the hill for starters.

[Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli and Eomer are in the Citadel. Gimli sits in Denethor's seat and smokes.]

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 10,000 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 Gorgorath. 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.

[Gimli coughs.]

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: [quietly] Sauron will suspect a trap. He will not take the bait.

Gimli: Certainty of death, small chance of success. What are we waiting for?

[Aragorn leads an army from Minas Tirith. Gandalf, Legolas, Gimli, and Eomer ride with him. Pippin rides with Gandalf. Merry rides with Eomer.]

[In Mordor, torches indicate that Sauron's forces are moving North.]

Orc Captain: To the Gates, you slugs! Move it! To the gate!

[Orc horns blow.]

Sam: Look, the orcs! They're moving off! You see Mister Frodo? Some luck at last!

[Frodo and Sam trudge through the desolation. In one scene they're wearing the orc armor, but in the next they've left it behind.

[Aragorn's troops approach the Black Gate.]

[The hobbits rest. Frodo turns up his water skin, but it's empty.]

Sam: [Offers his water skin] Take mine. There's a few drops left.

[Frodo drinks.]

Frodo: There will be none left for the return journey.

Sam: I don't think there will be a return journey, Mister Frodo.

[The hobbits walk again.]

[Aragorn's troops form up in front of the Black Gate.]

[Frodo walks, staggering and swiping at something unseen. Sam follows. Frodo stops, and the Eye on its tower sweeps around toward them. Sam sees it and ducks behind a rock.]

Sam: Frodo get down! Hide!

[Frodo sees the Eye, turns, then falls.]

Sam: Frodo!

Pippin: Where are they?

[Aragorn and a Gondorian bearing his banner ride toward the Black Gates. With him go Gandalf with Pippin, Eomer with Merry, and Legolas with Gimli.]

[Frodo lies where he has fallen, under the harsh glare of the Eye.]

Aragorn: Let the Lord of the Black Land come forth! Let justice be done upon him!

[In Mordor the Eye's gaze turns away. Sam looks up.]

[The Black Gate opens. Orcs shout and an army of orcs issues from the Gate.]

Aragorn: Fall back! Fall back! [He and his companions ride back to rejoin their troops.]

Sam: It's gone Mister Frodo! The light's passed on, away toward the North. Something's drawn its gaze.

[They get up and continue to walk toward Mount Doom.]

[Thousands of orcs stream out of the gates. Aragorn's soldiers look frightened. Many take a step back. Aragorn rides before them.]

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!

[The Men and Hobbits draw their swords.]

[Frodo and Sam struggle up Mount Doom. Frodo slips and slides down.]

[At the Gate, an orc army many times larger than Aragorn's issues from the Gates. They completely encircle Aragorn's forces. From above Aragorn's Men look like a small island in a sea of enemies.]

[Frodo is unable to rise, and Sam lies clutching his side. Frodo begins crawling up the mountain. After a few feet he collapses.]

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 comes to Frodo, turns him over, and holds him in his arms.]

Sam: Do you remember the Shire, Mister Frodo? It'll be spring soon, and the orchids will be in blossom. And the birds will be nesting in the hazel thicket. And they'll be sowing summer barley in the lower fields. And eating the first of the strawberries and cream. Do you remember the taste of strawberries?

Frodo: No Sam, I can't recall the taste of food, nor the sound of water, nor the touch of grass. I'm naked in the dark. There's-- There's nothing, no veil between me and the wheel of fire. I can see him with my waking eyes!

Sam: [crying] 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!

[Sam lifts Frodo and staggers up the mountain.]

[Aragorn sees the Eye atop Barad-Dur.]

Sauron: Aragorn. Elessar.

[Aragorn appears to be mesmerized by the Eye. Then he turns slowly toward the army and smiles.]

Aragorn: For Frodo.

[He runs toward the army of Mordor. Merry and Pippin run after him. The rest of the army shouts and follows. They overtake Merry and Pippin. Aragorn's army slams into the orcs and breaks their line.]

[Sam continues to climb. He sees an entrance into the mountainside.]

Sam: Look, Mister Frodo. A doorway! We're almost there.

[Gollum pops out of a hiding place on top of a tall shoulder of stone.]

Gollum: Clever hobbits, to climb so high!

[Gollum jumps on the hobbits and pulls Frodo off of Sam's back. Frodo falls and Gollum goes for the Ring. Sam pulls him off, but Gollum attacks Frodo again. Sam throws a rock at Gollum and knocks him away. Gollum gets up and approaches Frodo again. Sam jumps at him and they roll away.]

[Aragorn's army continues their battle. The Nazgul appear.]

[Sam and Gollum continue to fight. Gollum bites Sam. Sam slices Gollum across the chest with Sting. Then Sam turns to look for Frodo.]

Sam: Frodo!

[Frodo runs toward the Cracks of Doom.]

[The Nazgul fly in toward Aragorn's army. Gandalf looks dismayed, then sees a moth. The Eagles arrive and attack the Nazgul. ]

Pippin: Eagles! The eagles are coming!

[As they approach the Nazgul, the Eagles roll and attack with their claws. One of the Nazgul falls from his fell beast. ]

[Sam follows Frodo into the Cracks of Doom.]

Sam: Frodo!

Frodo: I'm here Sam!

[Frodo stands at the very end of the walkway. Below him there is a sea of lava. ]

Sam: Destroy it!

[Frodo holds the Ring on its chain over the edge.]

Sam: Go on. Now! Throw it in the fire!

[Frodo hesitates.]

Sam: What are you waiting for? Just let it go!

[Frodo stares at the Ring hanging on the chain. It begins to sing to him. He cups it in his hand again.]

Frodo: The Ring is mine!

[Frodo pulls the Ring off of the chain.]

Sam: No! No!

[Frodo smiles, then puts the Ring on and disappears.]

Sam: Noo!

[The Eye is startled. It turns toward Mount Doom. The Nazgul shriek and retreat toward the Mountain.]

[Frodo's footprints appear in the dirt of the walkway. Gollum sneaks up behind Sam and hits him with a rock. Sam falls. Gollum leaps onto Frodo's back. As they struggle Gollum appears to be hovering in the air.]

[A troll with an enormous sword approaches Aragorn and swings. Aragorn parries with Anduril. ]

Aragorn: Gah!

[Legolas sees Aragorn fighting with the Troll and is alarmed.]

[Frodo and Gollum continue to fight. Gollum grabs an invisible finger and bites. Frodo appears and cries out in pain. Gollum neatly catches the Ring as Frodo falls to his knees. Gollum discards Frodo's finger.]

[The troll sends Aragorn flying.]

[Gollum holds the Ring high and stares at it with delight. He staggers, then begins to jump and dance.]

[The troll approaches Aragorn.]

Gollum: Yes! Yes! Precious! Precious! Precious! Precious!

[Frodo recovers and attacks Gollum. The struggle at the edge of the lava pit.]

[The troll tries to crush Aragorn, but he stabs it with his knife. Legolas struggles to reach him.]

[Frodo and Gollum fight over the Ring. They fall over the edge. As Gollum falls toward the lava he smiles happily. He hits the lava with a thud and his skin begins to burn away as he sinks. He continues to hold the Ring up and it lies on the surface after he sinks away. Sam rushes to the edge and finds that Frodo is hanging onto the rock face. As the hot air rushes by him he swings out over the lava. Sam reaches for him.]

Sam: Give me your hand!

[The Ring rests on the crusty surface of the lava. As it heats the fiery letters of the poem appear.]

Sam: Take my hand!

[Frodo reaches and misses. His hands are slippery with blood. He looks down, almost longingly.]

Sam: No!

[Frodo looks up at Sam sadly.]

Sam: Don't you let go! Don't let go. Reach!

[Frodo reaches up and Sam catches his hand. The crust holding the Ring on the surface of the lava cracks and the Ring falls through.]

<Barad-Dur Falls >

[The Eye startles again and loses coherency for a moment. At the Black Gate Sauron's troops stop fighting. The troll looks up from his fight with Aragorn and suddenly runs from the battlefield. The companions watch in awe as the tower of Barad-dur slowly begins to fall. The Eye struggles as the tower falls. Before the top of the tower falls to the ground the Eye is extinguished. Its destruction causes a shock wave that sweeps over Sauron's army. The land begins to collapse behind the Black Gate, and many of Sauron's troops fall into the resulting hole. The collapse extends until the Black Gate and the surrounding Towers of the Teeth also fall. It stops just short of Aragorn's army.)

Merry: [grinning] Frodo, Frodo!

[Merry is startled when Mount Doom explodes. The companions look on, shocked as a great flood of lava pours out of the mountain. A chunk of lava knocks one of the fell beasts down.]

Pippin: [crying] Frodo!

[Frodo and Sam run out of the Cracks of Doom, just ahead of the collapse of the walkway and a rush of lava. They find a high outcropping just outside the reach of the lava. Frodo looks amazed and relieved. His eyes fill with tears.]

Frodo: It's gone! It's done!

Sam: Yes, Mister Frodo. It's over now.

[Frodo plops down on the rock and lies on his back.]

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 have been her. [He cries.]

It would have been her!

[Frodo puts his arms around Sam and holds him close, dripping tears.]

Frodo: I'm glad to be with you, Samwise Gamgee, here at the end of all things.

[Fade to black]

[The lava surrounds the hobbit's rock. Frodo and Sam lie unconscious. Eagles appear out of the mist with Gandalf riding on the back of their leader. They lift Frodo and Sam very gently and fly away with them. Frodo opens his eyes as he is being carried, but seems unaware.]

[Frodo's face fades to white.]

[Frodo is lying on a bed. The sun streams into the window behind him and birds are singing. He wakes and sits up. He is clean and dressed in a nightshirt. His hand is bandaged.]

Frodo: Gandalf?

[They laugh. Merry and Pippin enter.]

Merry: Frodo!

Mery and Pippin are overjoyed and jump on the bed, hugging Frodo and laughing with him. ]

Frodo: [He sees Gimli enter.] Gimli!

[Gimli laughs. Legolas enters and then Aragorn, smiling.]

Frodo: [no sound] Aragorn!

[The big folk stand, smiling and watching the exuberant hobbits. Sam comes to the doorway last, smiling shyly. When Frodo sees him he looks grateful and full of joy.]

[Fade to black.]

[The Citadel courtyard is filled with people. Gandalf and Gimli stand on the steps of the Citadel. Aragorn stands before Gandalf, who slowly lowers a winged crown to his head.]

Gandalf: Now come the days of the king. May they be blessed.

[Aragorn climbs to the top of the steps. He takes a breath and turns to face the crowd. They cheer.]

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.

[Everyone cheers. Flower petals drift down from the white tower. At the front of the crowd of onlookers, Faramir and Eowyn smile at each other and applaud.]

Aragorn (singing): Et Earello Endorenna utulien. Sinome maruvan are Hildinyar tenn Ambar-metta. [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 word.]

[Aragorn walks down the aisle formed by the cheering onlookers. Eowyn curtsies to him and Faramir bows. Eomer also steps forward and bows. Aragorn approaches a group of Elves, led by Legolas. Aragorn and Legolas embrace.]

Aragorn: Hannon le. [Thank you.]

[Legolas smiles as if he has a secret. He steps aside and Elrond is behind him. Arwen is also there, shielded by a white banner embroidered with the Tree of Gondor. Elrond whispers to her, then she brings the banner to Aragorn and lowers her head. He raises her chin and meets her eyes, then embraces her suddenly and kisses her hard. The crowd cheers and applauds. Elrond smiles. Aragorn and Arwen kiss, then Arwen hugs him and laughs.]

[Aragorn and Arwen continue through the crowd together. They approach the four hobbits, who bow to them.]

Aragorn: My friends! You bow to no one.

[Aragorn and Arwen kneel to the hobbits. Others follow their lead until everyone in the courtyard is kneeling. The hobbits look out over them in awe.]

[Fade to a drawing of Minas Tirith on a map of Middle-earth.]

Frodo (v.o.): And thus it was. A Fourth age of Middle-earth began, and the Fellowship of the Ring, though eternally bound by friendship and love was ended. [The camera flies over the map from Minas Tirith, back over the lands traveled by the hobbits, North toward Weathertop, Bree and finally back to Hobbiton.] Thirteen months to the day since Gandalf sent us on our long journey we found ourselves looking upon a familiar sight.

[The hobbits ride toward Bag End. They are dressed in rich velvet cloaks. ]

Frodo: We were home.

[Mr. Proudfoot scowls at the hobbits as they ride by. They nod to him politely.]

[At the Green Dragon, Frodo carries four cups of ale. He bumps into a Hobbit carrying a huge pumpkin.]

Hobbit: Hey, watch the pumpkin!

[Frodo sets the mugs down. He sits quietly with Merry, Pippin and Sam. The other hobbits are delighted with the pumpkin and praise its owner. The four companions pause, smile and then drink together.]

Hobbit: More of the same, Rosie!

Rosie: Goodnight lads!

[Sam looks to Rosie behind the bar. He gathers his courage, takes a drink and goes off to talk to her. Merry, Pippin and Frodo look surprised and amused.]

[Sam and Rosie kiss at their wedding. The hobbits cheer. Rosie throws a bouquet and Pippin catches it. He smiles at a dark-haired hobbit lass.]

[Fade to black.]

[Frodo walks through Bag End, drinking from a mug. The hole is clean to the point of seeming empty and sad.]

Frodo: How do you pick up the pieces of an old life? How do you go on? When in your heart you begin to understand, there is no going back. [Frodo sits at Bilbo's writing desk.] There are some things that time cannot mend. Some hurts go too deep... that have taken hold.

[Frodo writes about Sam's wedding in the Red Book. He turns to the title page, and begins to write. He frowns and clutches his shoulder. Sam enters, bringing books.]

Sam: Mister Frodo? What is it?

Frodo: It's been four years to the day since Weathertop, Sam. It's never really healed.

Sam: "There and back again: A hobbit's tale by Bilbo Baggins." And "The Lord of the Rings, by Frodo Baggins." You've finished it.

Frodo: [closes the book] Not quite. There's room for a little more.

[A covered wagon arrives in Hobbiton. The four hobbits are waiting on ponies. Gandalf smiles out at them from the wagon.]

Frodo (v.o.): Bilbo once told me his part in this tale would end, that each of us must come and go in the telling. Bilbo's story was now over. There would be no more journeys for him, save one.

[The hobbits ride ahead of the wagon through the Shire. Sam leads Frodo's pony.]

Bilbo (v.o.): Tell me again, lad. Where are we going?

Frodo (v.o.): To the harbor, Bilbo. The Elves have accorded you a special honor, a place on the last ship to leave Middle-earth.

[Inside the wagon, Frodo holds the greatly aged Bilbo as they ride.]

Bilbo: Frodo, any chance of seeing that old ring of mine again?

Frodo: Sorry, uncle. I'm afraid I lost it.

Bilbo: Oh. Pity. I should have liked to have held it one last time.

[Gulls cry. The hobbits and Gandalf approach the pier at the Grey Havens. A swan ship is there. Elrond, Celeborn, Galadriel and Cirdan wait on the pier.]

Bilbo: [seeing the ocean] Oh! Well! Here's a sight I have never seen before.

Galadriel: The power of the three Rings is ending. The time has come for the Dominion of Men.

Elrond: I Aear cân ven na mar. [The Sea calls us home.]

Bilbo: I think I'm quite ready for another adventure.

[Elrond gestures to him, and Bilbo walks with him onto the ship. Galadriel smiles and boards the ship.]

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.

[Merry and Pippin start to cry.]

I do 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: [gives him the Red Book] The last pages are for you, Sam.

[Frodo hugs Merry, Pippin, then Sam. He kisses Sam's brow. He walks onto the ship with Gandalf, then turns and smiles back at the hobbits. The swan ship moves toward the mouth of the harbor. Merry and Pippin and finally Sam turn away.]

[Fade to white as the ship sails.]

[On the path to #3 Bagshot Row, young Elanor runs out to meet Sam. He picks her up and carries her. She grins and hugs him.]

Frodo (v.o.) : 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.

[Rosie carries baby Frodo out to meet him.]

Sam: Well, I'm back.

[They go through the garden gate and then into their hole. The round door closes.]

[Fade to black.]

Song (Into the West)

Lay down. Your sweet and weary head
The night is falling
You have come to journey's end
Sleep now
And dream of the ones who came before
They are calling
From across the distant shore

Why do you weep?
What are these tears upon your face?
Soon you will see
All of your fears will pass away
Safe in my arms
You're only sleeping

What can you see
On the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
Across the sea
A pale moon rises
The ships have come to carry you home

And all will turn
To silver glass
A light on the water
All Souls pass

Hope fades
Into the world of night
Through shadows falling
Out of memory and time
Don't say
We have come now to the end
White shores are calling
You and I will meet again
And you'll be here in my arms
Just sleeping

Chorus

And all will turn
To silver glass
A light on the water
Grey ships pass
Into the West

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of The King

Transcript (Theatrical Version)

~The Lord of The Rings~

~The Return of the King~

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of The King

Transcript (Theatrical Version)

~~~The Lord of The Rings~~~

~~~The Return of the King~~~

~The Lord of The Rings~

~The Return of the King~