#now i'm going to go sleep and not wake up till after midday or something. i'm on winter break anyway let me have this

[theinfinitedivides]

and to wrap it all up a Starlight performance how can you not love them

[ficsnooneaskedfor]

Call the Twi'lek Midwife

Chapter 9: Caregivers

Word count: 2.5k

Rating: M

Chapter Summary: Echo gets a taste of domestic life. Citali gets some much-needed care and affection after her own revelations.

TW: death mention, blood mention, implied PTSD.

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Echo and Citali had planned to have dinner together again the night he returned to Ord Mantell from yet another mission. Echo would usually come over in the late afternoon after Citali was finished with appointments for the day, spending some time in her garden before heading inside when they started to get chilled from the cool autumn air. They'd watch a holodrama or read together, but oftentimes Echo would just lay on her couch listening to her read aloud, loving the sound of her voice. It was low and a little raspy, sometimes lulling Echo to sleep it relaxed him so much.

There were days Citali had work she needed to catch up on: taking notes on her datapad, cleaning, or making tinctures and medicine from the herbs she harvested from her garden. Echo would assist in whatever way he could but most of the time all he could do was sit in her office and keep her company.

When evening came she would cook them dinner, always mindful of Echo's sensitive stomach. At first he just watched her doing it, cleaning up when she was done, but after a while, he gained the confidence to start trying to help her. He was surprised to find he enjoyed cooking and was actually pretty good at it, as long as he had a recipe in front of him. He usually spent the night, sleeping in Citali's bed with her. Snowball would join them but if she became too rambunctious, Citali would put her in the hallway and shut the door. They just slept, never doing more than kissing and talking before falling asleep in each other's arms. They still had the nightmares that frequented both of their minds though less often, and when one did wake panicked during the night in a cold sweat, the other was there to comfort them as they fell back to sleep.

Tonight Echo had been delayed and didn't make it to her house till it was almost dusk. They had just started cooking when Citali got the call from one of her patients on her comlink, saying she was in labor and she needed Citali now.

"I'm really sorry Echo," she said feeling guilty for needing to leave almost as soon as he'd arrived, and he could hear it in her voice.

He embraced her and kissed her on the cheek saying, "You have nothing to apologize for." Sure he was disappointed. He'd been looking forward to this night for almost a week, but this was Citali's life and he was just one part of it. "Go, I'll clean up and lock the door before I leave."

"Alright, thank you Echo. I'll check in with you tomorrow, maybe we can have dinner then."

"Sounds good," he said a supportive smile on his face. He followed her outside carrying her crate of supplies and tying it down to the back of her speeder-bike and she was off. He watched her drive away until he could no longer see her.

When Citali returned home before dawn the next morning, she found a note on the door.

I fed Snowball before I left so don't let her trick you into thinking she's starving.

Dinner is in the conservator, it's probably not as good as if you helped make it,

but I wanted you to have something ready to eat when you got back. See you soon,

hope mother and baby are well.

-Echo

Citali smiled as she read the note over and over while she ate, deciding she had to keep it. She put it in her keepsake box, along with a few dried flowers from the bouquet Echo picked out. After sleeping till midday, she used her comlink to tell Echo she was home safe and asked if he wanted to try having dinner again. He arrived a few hours later on Cid's old speeder-bike, Citali waiting for him in the garden.

"I'm gonna need to get my own speeder one of these days. I think Cid's getting annoyed that I keep asking to use her's,"

"Oh don't listen to her if she says anything, she's got three.  Besides, if she gives you a hard time just know that's just how she shows love. It's when she ignores you that you know there's a problem," she said as he hugged her. Echo pulled up a chair and they sat down, Citali putting her blanket over both of them. They were talking for over an hour before she remembered the meal he'd cooked her and his note. "I almost forgot, thank you for feeding Snowball. And for cooking for me, that was very thoughtful of you."

"I just wanted to make sure you had something to eat when you got back. I think you're so busy sometimes taking care of other people, you forget to take care of yourself."

She hadn't realized Echo had seen in her what every other person in her life had been telling her for years. She really thought she was being better about it since meeting him, but apparently not. "It is that obvious?"

"A bit," he said honestly.

"I guess I've just tried to keep myself as busy as possible over the years. Really since my mother and Alik..." she said pausing for a moment, wondering if she wanted to talk about this right now. Like Echo's confessions at the festival, there were things she wanted to tell him but every time she was about to, she told herself she would tell him another time. She had so much fun with him, loved seeing him smile when she knew he'd experienced so much sadness. She didn't want to ruin it with her sad memories but they were as much a part of her as her lekku and yellow skin, and she didn't want to hide any part of herself from him. Echo could see her wrestling with herself, sensing there was something she wanted to say. He put his arm around her shoulder, she looked at him and he just nodded, letting her know he knew it was his time to listen now.

"It's how I cope with it all I guess. Part of it is that I really do want to help people, so sometimes I take on more patients than I can handle, read everything I can, constantly pushing myself to be a better midwife. But it's something else too. Some days if things are too quiet, if I don't work myself till I'm falling over...I start thinking about them. I try to think of happy memories, but sometimes I miss them so much...I can't help but think of how I lost them."

Echo squeezed her gently. "I know how that feels,"

"I know you do," she said looking at him sadly.

"What are they? The happy memories you think of when you think of them."

They felt like they were a lifetime ago, but they were as vivid as ever. "I think of my mother singing me to sleep. She had a beautiful voice. Of her laugh, I laugh just like she did."

"Did she snort when she laughed too hard as well?" he said half-joking, half truly wanting to know.

Citali smiled at the question. "Yeah, she did. Sometimes I hear myself doing it and for a moment I think she's in the room with me." She tried to remember her mother lively and happy, but a picture of her limp, lifeless body covered in blood invaded her mind followed by her baby brother's. He looked just like Citali: same high cheekbones, prominent nose, almond-shaped eyes, and pale yellow skin. She shook her head trying to make the images go away.

"What else do you think about?" he asked, his voice soft trying to calm her.

She looked off in the distance, trying to transport her mind back to her old life. "Her making me this blanket," she said then looked down at it laying on her lap, tracing the intricate, colorful patterns and feeling the fabric between her fingers. "She worked on it for months. She tried to teach me to sew while she made it but I was a little too young, so I would just watch her. I think of how she made my father smile. He's always been very serious, but she could always make him smile. Of laying my head on her stomach and talking to Alik, feeling his kicks. How excited my parents were to tell me she was pregnant. I had begged them for a little brother or sister for years. I couldn't wait to meet him. And then...they were both gone." She shuffled her feet into the dirt and tried to swallow the lump in her throat.

"I know I shouldn't, but I can't help feeling like they died because of me. That if I hadn't asked for a sibling so many times, none of it would have happened. It's why I became a midwife. To stop what happened to my family from happening to others." Echo knew their deaths must have been what drove her to become a midwife, but he hadn't known she felt responsible. She had never actually told anyone before. It brought her solace to finally acknowledge it.

But the guilt she still felt seemed to radiate from the very core of her being, and it was like Echo could feel it in his body. "Citali, you shouldn't blame yourself for what happened to them. I'm certain your parents wanted another child, I doubt they did it just for you. You couldn't have known what was going to happen."

He was right of course. Her father and Cid had told her many times that it wasn't her fault. That they had always wanted a large family, that they had been trying for another baby since Citali was very small. She knew deep down it was the truth, wondering if she would ever truly believe it. "I know. It just...hurts so much sometimes."

Echo got on the ground kneeling in front of her, taking her hand in his before kissing it. "They would be so proud of you. To see the woman you've become, all the people you've saved. I'm proud of you. You're...amazing." She smiled at him and leaned her forehead against his. He took her by the hand to help her out of her chair, wrapped her in the blanket, and gently scooped her up in his arms. As thin as he was, it surprised her how strong he was sometimes.

She laughed and said, "What are you doing?"

He gave her a lingering kiss on the cheek. "Someone's going to take care of you for a change."

He carried her into the house and drew her a hot bath, remembering how she once said when she had a hard day she would take a long bath with the lights off. He let her prepare the bath how she liked it with herbs and fragrant oils, making mental notes for the future. He lit candles, put on some music, and set out a pair of pajamas, her slippers, and her robe. He left to give her some privacy and prepared a simple dinner under Snowball's watchful gaze, letting her try a bit before he fed her her own dinner. When Citali appeared in the kitchen over an hour later, dinner and glasses of wine were waiting for them on the table.

After Echo cleaned up and made them some tea, he carried her into the bedroom where he read to her for a change as she laid her head on his chest. It was hard to keep herself from becoming emotional at times. No one had ever treated her this way, telling him she almost felt undeserving, but Echo told her otherwise.

When they were just about ready to turn in for the night, he had her take her robe off and lay face down. He'd seen her give Melita massages to relax her and help with her pain. Though he only had one hand, he was managing to relieve the tension he knew she often carried in her shoulders as she sighed in relief. Once he felt those muscles were relaxed, he moved his hand down towards her shoulder blade but she erupted in high-pitched giggles he'd never heard her make.

"Sorry Echo," she said.

"What was that about?" he said smiling.

She couldn't see his face so she wasn't sure if he was just playing with her or he truly didn't know, so she admitted, "I'm...really ticklish on my back."

"Interesting." She thought she heard a hint of playfulness in his voice. "So like right...here?" he said as he massaged her shoulder blade in circles with his fingertips. She pressed her lips together, trying to keep quiet and still, nodding her head. His smile widened. "What about here?" and he tried massaging a little lower where her ribs met her spine. That opened the floodgates. Hysterical giggles came pouring out of her mouth and she started squirming, flipping from laying on her stomach to her back. She looked at Echo who was staring at her in adoration. "Do you want me to stop?" he asked.

She bit her bottom lip and hid her blushing face behind one of her hands, shaking her head no. He gave her a mischievous grin she'd never seen before that made her stomach do flips. He sat on her thighs, careful not to put his full weight on her, and started digging into her ribs as she screamed with laughter, snorting multiple times trying to get a breath. She was thrashing and kicking her feet against the bed, her hands on top of his but never actually pushing it away. "I think you're a little sensitive here my dear," he teased chuckling. He could only imagine the hysterics she'd be in if he still had his other hand. He tried under her arms, her stomach, even her neck and lekku, each spot earning him a different reaction, but he liked her laugh when he tickled her ribs the best. He couldn't help thinking to himself that she was the most breathtaking woman in the galaxy when she laughed like this. When she started begging after a few minutes he stopped immediately, seeming very pleased with himself when she looked at him through teary eyes.

"I thought the idea was for me to relax?" she said panting, stray giggles escaping now and then.

"Sorry, the plan changed." He laid down next to her beaming and caressed her cheek. "You are so beautiful," she heard him say with what almost sounded like love in his voice.

He knew he couldn't keep her this happy all the time, but that wasn't going to stop him from trying.

Notes: I wrote this chapter after a bad birth experience and needed someone to comfort me the way Echo comforts Citali. Wrecker/Melita fans they feature heavily in the next chapter 🥰

Taglist: @darkangel4121 @justasigh37

[just-some-moss-and-bones]

tw: rant, sleep disorder, mention of self harm, swearing, all caps.

you know when you randomly wake up at 3 am because of some random sleep disorder you probably have. and you just know your not going to get any more sleep after that .

like wtf am I supposed to do. just not be asleep until 5 but then , uh oh it's now too late to sleep might as well get up.

it's not even like this is a normal thing for me. it used to be the other way around, like I wouldn't sleep until 5 in the morning then sleep past midday.

but for the last 2 nights I got to sleep fine at about 10:30 /11:00 (that's really early for me)

like at least if I was still not sleeping at the right time it was at least for long enough but now I don't even know what to do

add my probable ADHD the mix and I can't even 'just rest' like my mum tells me to do cause I have to do something otherwise it's just painfully boring. and that usually means I'm on my phone seeing as my stupid fucking brain can't think of anything else to fucking do!.

like logically I know what I have to do like not on my phone and make sure I have a nice comfortable bed or space to be. if I need to do something get up and do it not in my bed. but brains not working properly so that doesn't happen.

having my mum in my room used to help but now it doesn't cause I get anxiety over the fact that I'm keeping her awake and then I just end up crying for hours👍.

I can't take sleep pills or something like that because I'm scared that it will somehow affect my brain to make it even worse than it already is (stupid ik but that's my brain for you).

I can't get up and sleep in a different place that, doesn't make a difference (I've tried many times)

I usually just resort to watching YouTube or violently crying so I don't end up throwing things or hurting myself.

plus the fact that it's genuinely affecting my normal life so much. I haven't been in a full day of school for literally weeks. I've missed all my mock exams and I'll probably miss all the catch-up ones as well. literally the only time I'm going in is for drama lessons because if I'm not in I'm effecting 3 other people in the group.

I think school is part of the reason I can't sleep because it just causes me so much dread to even think about being in school even though when I do go In it's not even that bad.

I get anxious in the evening about school the next day and about trying to get to sleep and failing for hours, then when I'm trying to sleep I work myself up with worry about school and how that will effect my wider life after I leave school. then I cry for a few hours, watch YouTube and maybe occasionally sleep.

at least that was the routine. bur now it's completely switched itself around and I'm sleeping from 10pm till 3am and then I just end up sleeping through the day .(I slept from 9am till 3pm today👍)

I'm failing every subject but art and history (and mayby drama) but the schools not going to know that because I'm not in for any of the fucking tests.

I don't even know what I can do to even try to start making a difference

I'm full of anger at the world. full of rage at myself for not being able to just be a normal functioning human being. I feel like I need to just shout or punch something but I don't want to hurt myself so o don't know what to do. if it's not either of those im just full of unmoving cripleing despair. is this what depression is like idek it just feel so hopeless and doing anything just feels pointless

it feels like a east of time to go to sleep just to have to wake up the next day and then go to sleep again at night .

my brain just tells me to do one or the other and then I end up doing both in a really fucked up time scale.

at least when I had that routine I knew what was happening and I could prepare (that's probably the autism).

and now it's gone half 4 in the morning and I'm still not even FUCKING TIRED just exhausted.

there's probably more I could write but I can't be bothered rn. I might talk to my counselor about this and I'll update if I get anything helpful but in the meantime bye.

(sorry this wasn't supposed to be that long. if you have read all the way to here have you got any advice? (don't worry if not))

I genuinely don't know what to do.

can anyone help? please?

[crimsonrae]

Across the Road, At the Brothel

Chapter Two

Summary: Jaskier fell in love any day that the sun rose in the East. It was a trifling, pleasurable experience for him. Even when he was jumping out a window to avoid cuckolded husbands. So what happens when his trifles start to become more significant? Jaskier/OC. Some Yennefer/Geralt

A/N: Jaskier is just too adorable not to write about. This is a relationship development story with an OC. There will be smut in later chapters and plenty of angst.

Rating: Mature

Or Dove...It was the low murmur of voices and the rather ominous thunking of feet on floorboards that woke Jaskier. For a dull moment, he thought Geralt had returned from... wherever the fuck he had flitted off to. To be honest, he hadn't paid much attention. After three weeks without a bed, a bath, or a decent meal for that matter – despite what Geralt thought he was not a culinary wizard – Jaskier had been far more focused on enjoying the simple pleasures of which he had been deprived and those pleasures did not include traipsing back out into the wild to find some Gods forsaken creature that could, quite possibly, rend him limb from bloody limb.

Opening blurry eyes, he cast about the room for the hulking form of his friend and frowned when he saw no one. It took longer than he would like to admit before he realized that the noise he was hearing was coming from outside his room. Sitting up, his head pulsed with a faint pain and he groaned, quietly remembering the amount of wine he had imbued the night before. He had to hand it to the Toussaint province when they set out to make wine. They made bloody good wine.

A soft yawn unfurled from his lips and he squinted almost peevishly at the light shining in through the window. It had to be a little before midday, his late-night had ensured that he had most certainly missed breakfast. Biting back another yawn, Jaskier slowly went about his usual morning ablutions. He had to admit it was rather nice not to have a pair of golden eyes silently observing his usual rituals, also a little lonely, but that was not something he wanted to dwell on too closely. He and Geralt had basically been living in each other's pockets lately, time apart was more than needed. And yet...

Jaskier sighed quietly as he finished dressing and headed for the door. He supposed that it was time for him to resurface to reality and sniff out whatever it was that had his companion traipsing through wine country. Hopefully, it was a search for a good bottle of Bordeaux, though unlikely. It didn't take long for him to find the inn empty of its keeper as he made his way outside, his stomach rumbling. The first point of order was to track down some food before he went in search of information. It was still a tad early for a midday meal, but he was sure he could find something at the local markets to nibble on.

...Well, market was a strong term he supposed as he looked about.

While Glynedol was not exactly a one-road town, it came rather close. It seemed the road that he and Geralt had come in on was the main road through the town. It had the inn, the tavern, and the brothel all within a few metres of each other. It looked like there was an apothecary not too far down, as well as a cobbler and smithy a little further from that. His stomach twisted with a faint nauseous hunger and Jaskier had to wonder why he hadn't seen any stalls set up for traders. It was harvest season, after all. Usually, vendors would be selling their wares at any small spit such as this little town. Frowning, he glanced about and realized that there weren't many people about either. He could understand most working the fields of their farms for the last bits of produce before autumn, but surely it was getting late enough and certainly warm enough in the day for more to be taking a break and heading into the local watering hole for a respite. It was all a bit... odd.

"Nigel, you can't keep doing this. Not with winter on the way."

Jaskier perked up as a familiar voice caught his attention. The barmaid. Lyrra. She might be willing to guide him about. His eyes quickly scanned the sides of the road but saw neither hide nor hair of her.

A low rumble seemed to answer her back and Jaskier found himself detouring down a side alley by the brothel. He turned a corner and found his lovely maiden knelt down before a slovenly mess of a man. With her back to him, he silently took in her form. Gone was the headscarf she had wrapped around her head the night prior and he could see luscious chestnut hair tethered in a loose braid. The loose frock and apron she wore as she had worked were replaced by a more form-fitting dress. It was simple in style, but he found he far preferred it to her other ensemble.

"What would Mae say if she saw you now?" Lyrra murmured softly as she tried to coax the man slumped against the wall to stand.

The man's hazy green eyes landed on Jaskier and the bard could tell that the man was drunker than a skunk. Still, he had enough wherewithal to nod at him, "Who's 'e?"

"Wh-?" Lyrra started to ask as she turned, obviously expecting no one as her soft grey eyes widen at the sight of Jaskier. She frowned slightly at him before plastering on a soft smile for the drunkard, "He's a bard. One that has a future as a thief with the way he sneaks about."

"I don't know if I'm offended or flattered by that comment." Jaskier muttered thoughtfully as he stepped up next to her, "Do I not get an introduction, as well?"

A flash of exasperation crossed her features and he hid a smile as she gestured down to her friend, "Jaskier, this is Nigel. Nigel, Jaskier. We'll be on our way now."

Jaskier smirked at her none too subtle hint to go away and glanced at Nigel. He wrinkled his nose and hummed, "Hmmm, will you though?"

Lyrra frowned and looked to see that Nigel had passed out during her introduction. A sigh of weariness escaped her as she knelt again to shake her friend awake with little luck. Jaskier raised a brow at her efforts, "Oh, leave him here, Lyrra. He can sleep it off in the alley just as easily a bed."

"He's been out here all night." She mumbled, her disapproving tone matching the glare she threw over her shoulder at him.

He shrugged, "And somehow he's been left alone... well, till you came along that is. Besides, he'll probably regret the state he is in now more if he were to wake up in a filthy alley than if he were to wake in a warm bed. Less likely for a repeat performance this way."

"That's rather unlikely." Lyrra uttered quietly as she patted the man's cheek, "Come on, Nigel. Just a few minutes and you can sleep again, dove."

"Always been my experience." Jaskier stated blandly as he continued to watch.

"And has it been your experience to drink yourself dumb to ease the pain of your wife's passing?" Lyrra questioned echoing his tone as she stood to face him, "Somehow, I think grief wins over discomfort."

"Ahh." Jaskier's amusement at the situation dropped as a tendril of remorse curled in his gut. Pity flared to life in his heart for the stranger as he resisted the urge to squirm under Lyrra's indifferent gaze. He sighed, "All right."

Jaskier quickly took up Lyrra's previous position before the grieving widower. His hand reached out and quickly found the hollow above the man's collar bone before pressing in and curling his finger over the bone with a decent amount of force. Nigel spasmed and jerked awake from the attack on his pressure point, green eyes wide in betrayed bafflement. Jaskier found he couldn't blame him for that look. Geralt had used that particular move on him enough that he was familiar with the sensation that had shot through Nigel's body. It wasn't exactly painful, but it was definitely not pleasurable. Quickly before Nigel had a chance to gather his bearings to slip back off again, Jaskier tugged his arm up and over his shoulders forcing the drunk to stand.

"Don't you dare throw up on me." The bard threatened with a wince as he finally caught wind of the noxious fumes of alcohol coming off the other man's body. Gods, if he hadn't fucking smelled last night, he surely did now. All this on an empty stomach too. He raised an expectant brow as Lyrra gawked at him, "Where to?"

She started slightly and waved a hand down the alley, "This way."

Jaskier grunted softly, channeling his inner Geralt as he half dragged Nigel down the alley. To his surprise, it really wasn't terribly far before they stopped again. He had been prepared to go a few blocks at least. Not less than fifteen metres or so. He was sure his brows were touching his hairline as he realized what door they were stopped in front of, "He's drunker than a fish in an ocean and you want to leave him in a brothel? I don't know if this man will love you or hate you for that."

A light flush suddenly coated her cheeks as she looked away embarrassed but still, she knocked at the wooden door. A second later the entry was thrown open and a stern older woman peered out. Jaskier tried not to cringe under her heavy stare, even as he quirked a small grin at her. It was a wonder this place got any business if men had to go through that battleaxe of a woman. Yet the moment she laid eyes on Lyrra she softened before peering more intently at the form now dangling into Jaskier's side.

"Again?"

Lyrra nodded quietly and the older woman sighed, "Come on, then."

She stepped aside and began to cluck like an old mother hen. Jaskier listened passively as she pestered Lyrra about being too kindhearted and reiterated a variant of what he had suggested earlier. Leave Nigel to whatever bed he made, essentially. As the drunk began to weigh more heavily on his shoulders, Jaskier was silently inclined to agree. In his periphery, he could see women in various states of undress as they moved down a hall lined with doors. Most ignored the small group, while a few waved at Lyrra and offered a sympathetic smile. He was sure it was the first time in his life he had ever been so soundly ignored by a group of whores. He itched with the desire to check his pockets and make sure his coin hadn't been lifted without his notice.

" 'Ere we are. Jus lay 'im on the bed, luv." The matron said stoutly with a nod forward.

Jaskier basically dropped the man once he was close enough and breathed a quiet sigh of relief at the sudden lack of weight.

"We got 'im now petal. Don't ya worry none."

Jaskier turned in time to catch Lyrra's grateful smile and the subtle palming of a few coins before he fell under the matron's stern glare. A ribald comment was poised on the tip of his tongue when he suddenly felt delicate fingers tugging him away and back outside. He eyed the woman before him with renewed curiosity, "Well, that was an adventure. You're welcome by the way."

Lyrra paused and gazed at him uncertainly for a moment before she offered him a rueful smile, "Thank you for helping."

Jaskier smiled faintly, "Yes, well who am I to deny a damsel in distress?"

He swore she rolled her eyes though her smile never diminished. She caught him by surprise though as she tilted her head curiously at him, "You seem to be coming to my rescue quite a bit it seems."

"Oh?" Jaskier questioned in confusion. His mind raced as he tried to place what other time he had come to her aid.

"Hillard told me you chased out the man who propositioned me last night." She reminded him quietly.

It was his turn to blush, as he felt an unfamiliar heat creep into his cheeks, "Oh er um... Your barkeep saw that, did he?"

Lyrra nodded, "He said you gave him a good laugh."

Well, that was something at least, Jaskier thought woefully, though silently relieved that his childish antics hadn't brought him scorn from either the lady or the barkeep.

"Though I do have to ask. Are you following me?"

Jaskier blinked and smirked, "Why? Do you want me to go? You wound me so, lovely Lyrra. Your attentions are rather hard-won. Especially, after lugging a man down an alley for you."

His eyes twinkled mischievously as she blushed and lightly scowled at him. It was fun to get a reaction from her. She shook her head in exasperation or amusement he wasn't sure which, perhaps both as she replied, "That wasn't what I meant and you know it. The tavern was one thing. I work at the Rose and Pine and you happened to be performing there. But now...?"

In truth, he hadn't been looking for her. He hadn't given her much thought beyond a trifling disappointment at a potential tryst thwarted and an interesting conversation lost. Though the conversation part had been regained it seemed. Yet, he could give her a more playful charming answer, "This morning more like for some of us. When I heard your voice dance across the air, I couldn't help but follow its lead. Much like following a siren's call."

"... You use such pretty words." She surprised him again when he caught the disappointment seeping in her grey orbs like storm clouds. She fixed that polite smile he had received before... the one he had noticed she gave to overly-friendly, but strange customers. It was like seeing a physical manifestation of Geralt's silent glare that said he was now merely tolerating whoever was before him. Usually, it was Jaskier.

"Huh. I – I don't think I've ever heard someone say that like it was an insult before." He murmured with a furrowed brow, feeling like he was losing his grip on...on something.

Lyrra shrugged indifferently, "So what were you really doing this morning then?"

Jaskier stared as he realized that it wasn't that he was losing his grip, but that she could see through his bullshit. Bollocks, "I was looking for some food. An apple or something to nibble on. Rather surprised there weren't merchants anywhere on the street, actually."

As if realizing it herself, she glanced about the street they were drifting down. A frown tugged at her lips, "It has been strange lately."

Her voice was barely louder than a whispered, but Jaskier still caught her words. Maybe this was why Geralt had been so twitchy. Maybe he had sensed something was off with Glynedol – now Jaskier wished he had paid a little more attention to his friend's brief explanations, "Strange how?"

Lyrra shook her head, "Just quiet. Fewer people. Usually, the town is bustling with activity this time of year...it's hard to explain. Your singing brought in more people to the tavern than I had seen in a while."

"Huh." Jaskier huffed, suddenly at a loss for those pretty words she mentioned earlier. He had no idea of what to make of her information or what it could possibly have to do with Geralt's latest venture.

She seemed to sense this as she touched his elbow and nodded behind her, "Come on, let's get you some food."

"Oh yes, that – that is a golden plan right there, that is." He uttered delightedly before his stomach reaffirmed its starved state with a loud gurgle. She snickered softly and his lips quirked as a sinful comment fell from his lips, "Help me sate my body's hunger, lovely Lyrra."

There was no doubt that she rolled her eyes this time as she led the way back to the tavern.

»»————-　　————-««

"Where is your companion?" Lyrra asked lowly as she placed a small bowl of stew before him.

Once they had entered the Rose and Pine, she had disappeared into the back, only to reappear as she had the previous night. Jaskier had felt mild disappointment at the sight of her work frock and headscarf. While practical, he would rather see her lovely hair falling loose from her braid and skimming the small strip of flesh above the neckline of her other gown than this sack of a monstrosity. He said none of this as he munched slowly on his stew.

After a thoughtful moment and under the pressure of her expectant gaze, he shrugged, "Not terribly sure actually. I was more enamored with finding water for a bath when he departed. I saw Roach stabled at the back of the inn still... He couldn't have gone far."

"Roach?"

"His horse." Jaskier clarified with a hint of envy as he thought of his other defacto traveling companion. Should Geralt ever feel the need to ditch him, Roach's disappearance would be his clue, "Geralt loves that beast more than himself. He wouldn't leave her alone for long."

A soft smile crossed Lyrra's lips at this profession. Quietly, she slid into the seat across from him. It was funny, when he wasn't actively pursuing her attention, she seemed not to mind giving it to him, "What's that look then?"

Lyrra blinked and looked at him questionably, "What look?"

"That smile for Geralt's bestial obsession." Jaskier said with a small grin. Had the Witcher been nearby he would have been smacked upside the head for that little comment.

Lyrra shrugged, "Whether a beast of burden or a furry companion, I think it's rather telling of a person on how they treat their pets. Your Geralt seems to be a decent sort at the very least."

Jaskier snorted in amusement, though he couldn't disagree. For as gruff and sinister and outright bloody rude his friend could be, he was more honest and decent than most, "Yes, he is at the very least decent."

She cast him an indecipherable look and he merely smiled back. Finishing his stew, he took the time to really study her. It had been something of game, the previous night to court her attention. She had flitted about the tavern like she was dancing on wind. Her service was so smooth that he hadn't even noticed her until the incident with the leering scruff. Her handling of it had been just as graceful and if he hadn't been standing behind her at the time, he never would have noticed the man's untoward forwardness.

He wasn't sure what had possessed him to comment on it to her, but then she had turned to him. Her grey orbs had shown like stars shining through stormy skies and he had been captivated. She was pretty. Her beauty understated, but nonetheless present as his interest in her continued to climb. It had also helped that Jaskier had caught the interest in her gaze as well. He knew attraction when he saw it. He had been put off when she hadn't acted on hers, however. As fun as it had been to pull blushes to her unblemished cheeks, he hadn't expected to be so thoroughly stonewalled. Admittedly, her reluctance to have anything to do with him was still rather entertaining.

He wondered distantly if there was a word for finding such abhorrence to his person attractive. He was sure it said something about him at any rate, but that too was not something he wanted to dwell on. Instead, he turned his focus back on Lyrra, "So... barmaid, then?... Um, how did you find yourself in that profession?"

He nearly grimaced at how bumbling that had come out. She stared at him silently for a moment, amusement crinkling at the corner of her eyes before saying so dryly, "Well, queen seemed to be taken and I wasn't much for whoring. You?"

"Same." He uttered amusedly, preening when she smiled in quiet laughter.

She shook her head at him and moved to stand, "I need to start getting ready for the dinner hour. Thank you for your help today, sir bard."

"Jaskier, Lyrra." He corrected, longing to hear her recite his name in a more intimate setting.

She smirked, a faint blush appearing as she threw over her shoulder, "Or dove, right?"

Well, well. He grinned in delight at her parting shot and vowed to get her to spend her spare time with him as the night wore on.

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[unqueenlybiscuits]

Hamilton could fuck GD's shit up.

fuck you and your cow

For Your Consideration            Best Adapted Screenplay By    Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Peter Jackson       Based on the Book by J.R.R. TolkienTHE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KINGBLACK SCREEN . . .SUPER:                New Line Cinema PresentsSUPER:               A WingNut Films ProductionBLACK SCREEN:EXT. RIVER ANDUIN - DAYANGLE ON: SMEAGOL and his cousin, DEAGOL, sit in a SMALLCORACLE, their FISHING LINES draped over the side . . . SUNSHINEglinting off the surface of the water.An idyllic image.SUDDENLY . . . DEAGOL's FISHING ROD BENDS under the weight of aLARGE FISH.                        DEAGOL                 (excited)            Smeagol, I've got one!                 (he laughs)            I've got a fish, Smeagol!                       SMEAGOL                 (excitedly)            Go on, pull it in.DEAGOL pulls on his ROD, but is HAULED OVERBOARD anddisappears underwater with a SPLASH!ANGLE ON: SMEAGOL leaning over the BOAT . . . CONCERNED.                       SMEAGOL (cont'd)                 (worried)            Deagol!EXT. UNDERWATER, RIVER ANDUIN - DAYANGLE ON: DEAGOL is towed to the RIVER BED by a LARGE FISH. . . he suddenly lets go of the line . . . eyes fixed on aSHINING GOLD RING, lying in 'the SILT.                                     Final Revision - October, 2003 2EXT. RIVER ANDUIN, GLADDEN FIELDS - DAYCLOSE ON: DEAGOL climbs out of the WATER, onto the RIVERBANK.CLOSE ON: the RING   revealed in DEAGOL'S PALM . . .ANGLE ON: SMEAGOL peers over his shoulder . . . the GOLDreflects in SMEAGOL'S EYES!ON SOUNDTRACK: The HUM of the RING growing LOUDER . . .                     SMEAGOL           Give us that, Deagol, my love!DEAGOL turns to look at him, a smirk on his face.                      DEAGOL           Why?CLOSE ON: SMEAGOL moves towards DEAGOL . . .                     SMEAGOL           Because its my birthday, and I wants it.ANGLE ON: SMEAGOL jumps on DEAGOL . . . STRANGLING HIM! SMEAGOLrips the GLITTERING RING from DEAGOL'S LIMP HAND.                      SMEAGOL (cont'd)           My precious!CLOSE ON: SMEAGOL slips the RING onto his FINGER and DISAPPEARS.                                                       DISSOLVE TO:INT. MISTY MOUNTAINS CAVES - DAYIMAGES: SMEAGOL descending into madness. His body TWISTS andDISTORTS . . . he becomes a CREEPY, SHRIVELLED wretch . . . finallycrawling into a DARK CAVE beneath the MISTY MOUNTAINS.                     SMEAGOL V/0           They cursed us. Murderer. Murderer they           called us. They cursed us and drove us           away.                      (M°RE)                            (CONTINUED)                                      Final Revision - October, 2003 3.CONTINUED:                        SMEAGOL V/0 (cont'd)             And we wept, Precious, we wept to be so             alone. And we forgot the taste of bread,             the sound of trees, the softness of the             wind . . . We even forgot our own name.                  (in a choking cough)             Gollum! Gollum!ANGLE ON: GOLLUM in the CAVE staring at the RING in his hand.                        GOLLUM             It's mine! My own. It came to me.                        SMEAGOL                  (ecstatic)             My Precious.                                                        DISSOLVE TO:EXT. CULVERT, VALE OF MORGUL - DAWNANGLE ON: A GRIM LANDSCAPE, covered in THORN BUSHES and thescars of RECENT FIRES. The DARK MORGUL VALLEY disappears uptowards the MOUNTAINS.SETTLE ON: FRODO and SAM in a FILTHY CULVERT.SAM twitches in a RESTLESS SLEEP. But FRODO is awake . . . Hishand trails down to the CHAIN around his NECK ...A SUDDEN HISS! FRODO quickly hides the RING as GOLLUM peersat them with GLEAMING EYES.                        GOLLUM             Wake up! Wake up! Wake up, sleepies! We             must go, yes, we must go at once!SAM STIRS, looks at FRODO . . .                        SAM             Haven't you had any sleep, Mr Frodo?FRODO shakes his HEAD.                        SAM (cont'd)             I've gone and had too much!                                                        (CONTINUED)                                        Final Revision - October, 2003 4.CONTINUED:SAM looks at the dead, BROWN TWILIGHT, below the LOWERINGCLOUD.                        SAM (cont'd)             It must be getting late.                        FRODO             No . . . no it isn't. It isn't midday yet.             The days are growing darker.The GROUND suddenly QUIVERS, as a ROLLING, RUMBLING NOISEECHOES down the VALLEY.                        GOLLUM             Come on, must go, no time ...                        SAM             Not before Mr Frodo's had something to eat.                        GOLLUM             . . . no time to lose, silly.SAM shoots GOLLUM a HOSTILE LOOK and turns back to rummage inhis KNAPSACK. He holds up a piece of dried LEMBAS BREAD toFRODO.                        SAM             Here.                        FRODO             What about you?                        SAM                  (lying badly)             I'm not hungry - leastways, not for lembas             bread.                        FRODO             Sam.                        SAM                  (confessing)             Alright. We don't have that much left.                         (MORE)                                                          (CONTINUED)                                     Final Revision - October, 2003 5.CONTINUED: ( 2 )                      SAM (cont'd)            We have to be careful or we're going to run            out. You go ahead and eat that, Mr Frodo.            I've rationed it. There should be enough.FRODO looksa t SAM questioningly.                        FRODO            For what?                       SAM            The journey home.FRODO says nothing.                                            .EXT. CULVERT, VALE OF MORGUL - DAYWIDE: FRODO and SAM follow GOLLUM as he leads them on thewining, torturous path ... clambering through BRACKEN andover JAGGED ROCKS.                       GOLLUM            Come, Hobbitses. Very close now. Very close            to Mordor! No safe places here. Hurry!            Shhh.EXT. THE FOREST OF ISENGARD. DAYGANDALF leads ARAGORN, LEGOLAS, THEODEN and GIMLI throughdark woodland . . .The MOVING FOREST of FANGORN ...opens before them . . .creating an AVENUE of TREES, which allows them access alongthe old ISENGARD ROAD. A THICK, HUMID MIST fills the forest.SUPER:             The Return of the KingANGLE ON: The FOEST SEPARATES ahead, REVEALING: the RUINS ofISENGARD.EXT. ISENGARED GATE - DAYWIDE ON: All about, the GREAT STONE WALL is cracked andsplintered into countless jagged shards.                                                     (CONTINUED)                                          Final Revision - October, 2003 6.CONTINUED:Far off, half veiled int he swirling STEAM, the TOWER ofORTHANC stands ... Unbroken by the storm. Pale waters lapabout its feet.ANGLE ON: TWO SMALL HOBBITS are sitting on the SMASHED WALL. . . MERRY and PIPPIN! SPREAD before them is a feast ofBREADS, MEATS and WINE. They PUFF on long pipes as they lieback in the SUN.                       PIPPIN             I feel like I ' m back at the Green Dragon,             after a hard days work.                       MERRY             Only, you've never done a hard days work.MERRY cuts PIPPIN off before he can respond in kind.                       MERRY (cont'd)             Welcome, my Lords, to Isengard.                        GANDALFANGLE ON: GANDALF, ARAGORN, LEGOLAS and GIMLI stare at theSIGHT before them . . .                       GIMLI             You young rascals! A merry hunt you've led             us on, and now we find you feasting and             smoking.                        PIPPIN                  (mouth full)             We are sitting on a field of victory,             enjoying a few well-earned comforts.             The salted pork is particularly good.                        GIMLI                  (suddenly interested)             Salted pork?                        GANDALF                  (shaking his head)             Hobbits!                                                         (CONTINUED)                                         Final Revision - October, 2003 7.CONTINUED: (2)                     MERRY           We're under orders from Treebeard, who's           taken over management of Isengard.WIDE: GANDALF leads the company through the flotsam andjetsam which floats upon the muddied waters surrounding theTOWER ... TREEBEARD, the GIANT ENT, strides towards them,ALARMING all but GANDALF.                     TREEBEARD           Huraroom ... Young Master Gandalf, I'm glad           you've come. Wood and water, stock and ,           stone I can master, but there's a wizard to           be managed here ... Locked in his tower.                      GANDALF           And there Saruman must remain, under your           guard, Treebeard.                     GIMLI           Let's just have his head and be done with           it.                            .GANDALF stares up the long length of the DARK TOWER . . .                      GANDALF                (quietly)           No. He has no power any more.THE OLD ENT nods his head wisely . . .                       TREEBEARD           The filth of Saruman is washing away ...           Trees will come back to live here, young           trees . . . wild trees.CLOSE ON: PIPPIN, his eye caught by something lying in the WATERANGLE ON: The MUDDY waters GLOWING wit a golden light . . .ARAGORN turns as, quick as a FLASH, PIPPIN has jumped off hisho rse an d pi cke d u p -- th e PA LAN TIR !                                                        (CONTINUED)                                      Final Revision - October, 2003 8,CONTINUED: ( 3 )                      TREEBEARD (cont'd)            Well bless my bark!                        GANDALF                 (urgent)            Peregrin Took! I'll take that, my lad!PIPPIN doesn't move, his eyes staring in wonder at the smoothblack stone ...                       GANDALF (cont'd)            Quickly, now!RELUCTANTLY, PIPPIN hands the PALANTIR to GANDALF ... whoimmediately smothers it in his cloak.ANGLE ON: GANDALF looks back at PIPPIN . . . troubled.EXT. EDORAS - DAYWIDE: BACK SHOT - a GROUP OF RIDERS gallop towards the ROHANCITY of EDORAS . . .PUSH IN: EOWYN standing alone outside the GOLDEN HALL,waiting . . .                                                               CUTINT. EDORAS, GOLDEN HALL - EVENINGWIDE: A ROARING FIRE; a LAMB ROASTING on SPI; LONG TABLESladen with FOOD; BARRELS of WINE; a banquet is-laid ready forthe returning soldiers.                       THEODEN            Tonight we remember those who gave their            blood to defend this country. Hail the            victorious dead!ANGLE ON: Amidst the cheering crowd, EOWYN moves towardsARAGORN . . . As she proffers the CHALICE their eyes meet.                       EOWYN            Westu Aragorn hal.                                                       (CONTINUED)                                           Final Revision - October, 2003 9,CONTINUED:EOWYN watches as ARAGORN moves away . . . a voice speaks in herear.                        THEODEN             I am happy for you.EOWYN looks at her UNCLE, as THEODEN follows her gaze.                       THEODEN (cont'd)             He is an honourable man.                        EOWYN                  (smiling)             You are both honourable men.                        THEODEN             It was not Theoden of Rohan who led our             people to victory.EOWYN looks at him questioningly, disturbed'by his tone.                       T HE ODE N ( co nt' d)             Don't listen to me - you are young, and             tonight is for you.ANGLE ON: EOWYN watches concerned as her UNCLE moves away.ANGLE ON: MERRY & PIPPIN are in full voice, on top of one of theTABLES . . . both hold very large mugs of ALE in their hands.                        MERRY & PIPPIN                  (singing)             Oh, you can search - up and down             As many lands as can be found             But you'll never find a beer so brown             As the one we drink in our home town             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!ANGLE ON: GANDALF laughing and clapping the HOBBITS. ARAGORNsteps up beside him, SMILING at the floorshow.                                                           (CONTINUED)                                      Final Revision - October, 2003 10,CONTINUED: (2)                    ARAGORN          No news of Frodo?                     GANDALF          No word ... nothing.                     ARAGORN          We till have time.GANDALF turns quickly to ARAGORN.                    ARAGORN (cont'd)          Every day Frpdo moves closer to Mordor.GANDALF watches his friend's face . . . seeking reassurance.                    GANDALF          Do we know that?                     ARAGORN               (gently)          What does your heart tell you?                     GANDALF               (with a small smile)          That Frodo is alive.               (to himself)          Yes - yes, he is alive.EXT. MORGUL VALLEY - NIGHTANGLE ON: FRODO and SAM lie asleep amidst scrubby bushes near astagnant pool. SMEAGOL lies nearby, muttering in his sleep.                     SMEAGOL          Too risky, too risky. The thieves! They          stole it from us. Kill them . . . kill them          ... kill them both!SMEAGOL wakes suddenly, shaking, his face drenched in SWEAT,eyes wide in horror.                     SME AGO L (c ont' d)          No!                                                       (CON TINUED )                                         Final Revision - October, 2003 11.CONTINUED:                        GOLLUM                  (hissed whisper)             Shhh! Quiet!SMEAGOL'S features suddenly transform into the MALEVOLENTface of GOLLUM!                        GOLLUM (cont'd)             Mustn't wake them, mustn't ruin it now!SMEAGOL casts a quick glance over his SHOULDER to theSLEEPING figures of FRODO and SAM as he clambers off his ROCK. . . silently sidling towards the EDGE of a STAGNANT POOL.                        SMEAGOL             They knows, they knows, they suspects us.SMEAGOL stares into the MURKY depths of the WATER.The SURFACE RIPPLES as the face of GOLLUM appears as SMEAGOL'SREFLECTION.                        GOLLUM.,               .     ,.·             What is it saying,.my Precious, my love? Is .             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. . .                  (sly)             . . . He can do it again.FLASH INSERT: SMEAGOL choking DEAGOL . . . Fingers locked tightaround his THROAT.                        GOLLUM (cont'd)             It's ours - ours!                                                           (CONTINUED)                                     Final Revision - October, 2003 12,CONTINUED: (2)                      SMEAGOL           We must get the Precious. We must get it           back.                      GOLLUM           Patience, patience, my love. First we must           lead them to her.                      SMEAGOL           We lead them to the windy stairs.                      GOLLUM                (prompting)           Yes, the stairs ... and then?                        SMEAGOL           Up, up, up, up the stairs we go . . . until           we come to . . .                 (naughty excitement)           ... the Tunnel!                      GOLLUM                (quiet)           And when they go in, there's no coming out.           She's always hungry, she always needs to           feed. She must eat, all She gets is filthy           Orcses.                      SMEAGOL           And they doesn't taste very nice, does           they, Precious?               .                      GOLLUM                (sinister)           No . . . not very nice at all, my love. She           hungers for sweeter meats . . .CLOSE ON: SAM . . . his EYES flicker OPEN . . .                         GOLLUM (cont'd)           "Hobbit meat." And when She throws away the           bones and the empty clothes, then we will           find it . . .                      SMEAGOL           And take it for Me!                                                         (CONTINUED)                                    Final Revision - October, 2003 13CONTINUED: (3)                       GOLLUM                (correcting)          For us . . .                     SMEAGOL          Yes, we, we meant for us . . .               (choking cough)          Go Hum! Go Hum!                     GOLLUM               (sly)          The Precious will be ours once the          Hobbitses are dead!SUDDEN ANGLE ON: SAM image mirrored in the water as he SMACKSGOLLUM on the HEAD with his POT!                      SAM               (yelling)            ,·     .          You treacherous little toad!SAM drops the POT and FLINGS himself ON TOP of GOLLUM! GOLLUMSCREAMS . . . his ARMS and LEGS FLAILING WILDLY!                     GOLLUM               (crying)          No! Not! Help! Master!ANGLE ON: FRODO staggers over to SAM and PULLS HIM OFFGOLLUM.                    FRODO          No, Sam! Leave him alone!CLOSE ON: GOLLUM, huddled on the ground        WHIMPERING andSOBBING.                      SAM               (fuming)          I heard it from his own mouth        he means          to murder us!                                                     (CONTINUED)                                       Final Revision - October, 2003 14CONTINUED: ( 4 )                       SMEAGOL            Never! Smeagol wouldn't hurt a fly!            He's a horrid, fat Hobbit who hates Smeagol            and who makes up nasty lies!SAM makes for SMEAGOL again . . . with a look of MURDEROUSRAGE.                       SAM            You miserable little maggot! I'll stove            your head in!FRODO grabs SAM'S ARM.                       FRODO            Sm. . .             a                       SAM            Call me a liar! You're a liar!                       FRODO            Sam! If you scare him off, we're lost.SAM pulls away from FRODO . . .                       SAM            I don't care! I can't do it, Mr Frodo. I            won' t wait around for him to kill us !                       FRODO                 (fierce whisper)            I'm not sending him away.SAM stares at FRODO . . . at a loss.                       SAM            You don't see it, do you? He's a villain!                       FRODO                 (lowers voice)            We can't do this by ourselves, Sam. Not            without a guide. I need you on my side.ANGLE ON: SAM, his face softening.                                                        (CONTINUED)                                       Final Revision - October, 2003 15.CONTINUED: (5)                      SAM                (taken aback)           I'm on your side, Mr Frodo.                       FRODO           I know, Sam, I know.                (whisper)           You must trust me.FRODO beckons to GOLLUM.                      FRODO (cont'd)           Come, Smeagol.GOLLUM turns slowly, staring at SAM through hooded, HATE-FILLEDEYES ... and SMILES.                                                           CUT TO:EXT. EDORAS, GOLDEN HALL - EARLY DAWNARAGORN joins LEGOLAS on the STEPS to the GOLDEN HALL, obliviousto the CHILL WIND . . . they look out across the SLEEPING CITY tothe LOOMING MOUNTAIN RANGE BEYOND . .-. DARK CLOUDS mark the sky.                      LEGOLAS           The stars are veiled, something stirs in           the east . . . A sleepless malice.LEGOLAS looks at ARAGORN . . . realisation in his face.                      LEGOLAS (cont'd)           The eye of the enemy is moving.INT. EDORAS, SLEEPING QUARTERS - EARLY DAWN,CLOSE ON: PIPPIN . . . he is AWAKE! He sits up . . . ANXIOUS,FIDGETY . . .Suddenly he hops out of bed and creeps towards the SLEEPING FORMof GANDALF.                      MERRY           (whispers)           What you doing?                                                       (CONTINUED)                                        Final Revision - October, 2003 16,CONTINUED:PIPPIN gasps with FRIGHT! MERRY is sitting up, wiping sleepfrom his eyes. He moves on . . .ANGLE ON: A sleeping GANDALF lies with eyes wide open! ButPIPPIN is undeterred . . .MERRY sits up, a worried look on his face.                       MERRY (cont'd)             Pippin? Pippin? Pippin! What are you doing?With quick stealth, PIPPIN lifts the WRAPPED PALANTIR fromGANDALF'S grasp ...                       MERRY (cont'd)             Pippin, are you mad?                        PIPPIN             I just want to look at it. Just one more             time.                       MERRY             Put it back! Put - it - back!PIPPIN unwraps the PALANTIR and as MERRY looks on HORRIFIED,he gazes INTENTLY into it.                       MERRY (cont'd)             Pippin!As PIPPIN lays his hands on the CRYSTAL, a SICKLY PALE lightslowly spreads from the GLASS BALL onto PIPPIN'S FACE ... hisEYES WIDEN.                       MERRY (cont'd)             Pippin!EXT. EDORAS GOLDEN HALL - EARLY DAWNOn the STEPS of the GOLDEN HALL, LEGOLAS turns to ARAGORN                                                        (CONTINUED)                                       Final Revision - October, 2003 17.CONTINUED:                         LEGOLAS                  (urgent)             He is here.INT. EDORAS, SLEEPING QUARTERS - NIGHTPIPPIN suddenly starts to HYPERVENTILATE . . . He STAGGERSBACKWARDS, PALANTIR held rigidly before him . . .THE GREAT EYE OF SAURON seems to LEAP from the FIRE . . . PIPPINis bathed in the FIERY RED LIGHT.PIPPIN sinks to his KNEES, his mouth open in a soundless SCREAM. . . He FALLS BACKWARDS, powerless to release the FIERY GLOBE.           ��            MERRY             Help! Someone help him!GANDALF wakes with a start! Just as ARAGORN enters, andwrenches the PALANTIR from PIPPIN'S HANDS . . . PIPPIN FALLS tothe FLOOR! . . . ARAGORN spins away, reeling backwards, thePALANTIR falling from his HANDS . . .The PALANTIR rolls across the FLOOR, causing EVERYONE in theroom to COWER BACK.                                    ;ANGLE ON: GANDALF throws a BLANKET over it, ANGRY DISBELIEFon his face! He rounds on PIPPIN.                    ,                        GANDALF             Fool of a Took!GANDALF lifts the HOBBIT'S SLUMPED HEAD.                        MERRY             Pippin!PIPPIN is trembling ... GANDALF calms him . . .                        PIPPIN             Gandalf! Forgive me.                       GANDALF             .             Look at me! What did you see?                                                       (CONTINUED)                                       Final Revision - October, 2003 18.CONTINUED:                     PIPPIN               (disjointed)          A tree ... There was a white tree . . . in a          courtyard of stone . . . It was dead!FLASH INSERT: A lone white tree silhouetted by flames.                        PIPPIN (cont'd)             The city was burning ...                        GANDALF             Minas Tirith???                  (to PIPPIN)             Is that what you saw?                         PIPPIN                  (terrified)             I saw . . . I saw him . . . I could hear his             voice in my head.                     GANDALF          And what did you tell him? Speak!                        PIPPIN          He asked me my name, I didn't answer . . . he          hurt me . . .CLOSE ON: GANDALF stares at PIPPIN with a FRIGHTENINGINTENSITY . . .                    GANDALF          What did you tell him about Frodo and the          Ring?INT. EDORAS, GOLDEN HALL - DAYTHEODEN stands in the GOLDEN HALL, gravely listening toGANDALF ... ARAGORN, LEGOLAS, and GIMLI look on . . .                     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.ANGLE ON: GIMLI lets out a sigh of relief.                                                            (CONTINUED)                                                                  Final Revision - October, 2003 19.CONTINUED:GANDALF turns to look at THEODEN.                        GANDALF (cont'd)             We've been strangely fortunate. What Pippin             saw in the Palantir was a glimpse of our             enemy's plan.GANDALF looks from on to the other of the, gathered company.                       GANDALF (cont'd)             Sauron moves to strike the city of Minas             Tirith. His defeat at Helm's Deep showed             our enemy one thing.The WIZARD turns towards ARAGORN . . .                        GANDALF (cont'd)             The heir of Elendil has come forth. Men are             not as weak as he supposed. There is             courage still - strength enough left to             challenge him.THEODEN listens intently, saying nothing.                                    GANDALF (cont'd)                      (wa rningly)             Sauro n        fea   rs this. He             will no t risk            t   he             p e o p l es    of    M i d d l e -e a r t   h u n i t i ng u n d e   r    one             b a n n e r.    He    w i l l r ai s e       M i n a s T ir i t h t   o    the             groun d        bef   ore he sees              the ret urn of           t   he             King.CLOSE ON: ARAGORN . . . he knows GANDALF SPEAKS THE TRUTH.ANGLE ON: GANDALF rounds on THEODEN . . .                        GANDALF (cont'd)             If the beacons of Condor are lit, Rohan             must be ready for war!THEODEN holds GANDALF'S gaze.                                                                                              (CONTINUED)                                     Final Revision - October, 2003 20CONTINUED: (2)                       THEODEN                (quietly)           Tell me. Why should we ride to the aid of           those who did not come to ours?ANGLE ON: ARAGORN turns to look at THEODEN.                      THEODEN (cont'd)           What do we owe Gondor?                      ARAGORN                (low and urgent)           I will go.                        GANDALF                 (hurried)           No!                      ARAGORN           They must be warned.                      GANDALF           They will be.                (low voice, to Aragorn)           You must come to Minas Tirith by another           ra ...            od                (cryptic)           Follow the river, look to the black ships.                (louder, to all)           Understand this . . . things are now in           motion that cannot be undone.GANDALF turns on his heel . . . and stares at a surpirsedPIPPIN.                      GANDALF (cont'd)           I ride for Minas Tirith! And I won't be           going alone !EXT. EDORAS STREETS - DAWNANGLE ON: GANDALF hurries along the STREETS . . .   PIPPIN andMERRY run alongside trying to KEEP UP . . .                                                        (CONTINUED)                                       Final Revision - October, 2003 21.CONTINUED:                         ·                        GANDALF             Of all the inquisitive Hobbits, Peregrin,             Took, you are the worst. Hurry, hurry!PIPPIN catches up to MERRY.                         PIPPIN                  (worried)             Where are we going?                       MERRY             Why did you look - why do you always have             to look?                         PIPPIN                                 .                  (subdued)             I don't know . . . I can't help it.MERRY turns away ...                       MERRY             You never can.                         PIPPIN                  (lightly)                . . . . ,.;      ·             I'm sorry, alright? I won't do it again.This is too much for MERRY. He turns on PIPPIN.                        MERRY             Don't you understand ... the Enemy thinks             you have the Ring . . . he's going to be             looking for you, Pip. They have to get you             out of here!                         PIPPIN             And you. You're coming with me . . .             Merry?                        MERRY             Come on!PUSH IN: PIPPIN'S face as MERRY strides away.                                                '     ,.,   CUT TO:                                     Final Revision - October, 2003 22INT. EDORAS STABLES - DAWNANGLE ON: PIPPIN is dumped unceremoniously onto the back ofSHADOWFAX as GANDALF hurriedly prepares to leave . . .                     PIPPIN               (nervous)          How far is Minas Tirith?                     GANDALF          Three days ride as the Nazgul flies and          you'd better hope we don't have one of          those on our tail.MERRY thrusts a SMALL PACKAGE into PIPPIN'S HAND . . .                     MERRY          Here - something for the road.PIPPIN stares down at the leather-bound bundle of PIPE-WEED.                     PIPPIN          The last of the Longbottom Leaf.                     MERRY          I know you've run out . . . you smoke too          much, Pip.                     PIPPIN          But we'11 see each other soon?A WORRIED MERRY exchanges glances with GANDALF.                      PIPPIN (cont'd)          Won't we?                     MERRY          I don't know . . . I don't know what's going          to happen.GANDALF mounts SHADOWFAX.                     PIPPIN               (rising panic)          Merry?                                                      (CONTINUED)                                     Final Revision - October, 2003 23.CONTINUED:GANDALF spurs the GREAT HORSE forward.                       GANDALF             Run Shadowfax, show us the meaning of             haste.                     PIPPIN               (panicked)          Merry!SHADOWFAX thunders out of the STABLES!CLOSE ON: MERRY'S devastated face.EXT. GATES OF EDORAS - DAYANGLE ON: SHADOWFAX carried GANDALF and PIPPIN out of theGATE and down the WINDING ROAD towards the PLAINS QF ROHAN.EXT. EDORAS GATES LOOK-OUT - DAYANGLE ON: MERRY clambers up a WATCHTOWER, ARAGORN in pursuit.ANGLE ON::The SMALL FIGURE as he watches his best friendDISAPPEAR into the DISTANCE . . .CLOSE ON: ARAGORN . . . he knows what it is to lose someone.EXT. RIVENDELL FOREST - DAYWIDE: ARWEN - escorted by a SMALL ENTOURAGE of ELVES - ridesthrough the gathering darkness of a PINE FOREST ...                     ELROND V/0          Take her by the safest road. A ship lies          anchored in the Grey Havens. It waits to          carry her across the Sea . . . The last          journey of Arwen Undomiel.SLOW MOTION: As ARWEN rides through the FOREST the FIGURE ofa SMALL BOY of about 5 SUDDENLY runs across the path in frontof her.ARWEN reigns in ASFALOTH ... something about the BOYintrigues her.- but she does not know why . . .                                                     (CONTINUED)                                      Final Revision - October, 2003 24.CONTINUED:As ARWEN watches the BOY moves away, the TREES begin to thin. . . the BOY continues running. One by one the TREES TRANSFORMinto TALL WHITE PILLARS ...ARWEN'S POV: The BOY now stands within a VISION of themajestic architecture of the great Gondorian city of MINASTIRITH.A SILHOUETTED FIGURE appears in the distance and movestowards the CHILD . . . the BOY runs to the FIGURE.ARWEN watches as the FIGURE holds out its arms - swinging theLAUGHING CHILD into the AIR . . .The figure turns to reveal ... ARAGORN, a little older,dressed in the casual finery of a GONDORIAN NOBLE.CLOSE ON: The'CHILD, now in ARAGORN'S ARMS looks directly atARWEN . . . it is a QUIET LOOK filled with INFINITE SADNESS.ARWEN'S eyes drop to the CHILD'S CHEST . . . around the CHILD'Sneck hangs the EVENSTAR . . .CLOSE ON: ARWEN as she realizes she is staring at a futurethat can never be, the CHILD she and ARAGORN will never have.INSERT: ELROND speaking to his daughter . . .                     ELROND V/0 (cont'd)           Arwen, there is nothing for you here ...           only death.ARWEN shuts her eyes ... when she opens them again the VISIONis gone . . . she is staring at DARK TREES once more.                     ELF ESCORT O.S.           Lady Arwen?ARWEN turns towards her COMPANION who stares at her,concerned.                     ELF ESCORT           We cannot delay.SUDD ENLY: ARWEN wheels ASFAL OTH ar ound . . .   riding away.                                                         (C O N TI N U ED )                                     Final Revision - October, 2003 25.CONTINUED: (2)                      ELF ESCORT (cont'd)               (calling)          My Lady!EXT. RIVENDELL - DAYWIDE SHOT: ARWEN'S HORSE gallops over the BRIDGE and throughthe GATES into RIVENDELL.EXT. ELROND'S BALCONY, RIVENDELL - DAYANGLE ON: ELROND seated alone ... ARWEN runs up the STEPStowards him ...                    ARWEN                            ....          What did you see?CLOSE ON: ELROND stands - stunned.          ,,                       ELROND          Arwen?ANGLE ON: ARWEN breathing hard, walking towards ELROND with afierce light in her eyes . . .                    ARWEN          You have the gift of foresight - tell me          what you have seen.CLOSE ON: ELROND his face grim.                  '                                                 .                    ELROND          I looked into your future and I saw death.                    ARWEN          There is also life.                           ,Her father turns away ...                     ARWEN (cont'd)          You saw there was a child . . .          you saw my son.ELROND stares into space, the fight seems to go out of him.He won't look at her . . .                                                      (CONTINUED)                                           Final Revision - October, 2003 26,CONTINUED:                        ELROND                  (quietly)             That future is almost gone.                        ARWEN             But it is not lost ...                        ELROND             Nothing is certain.ANGLE ON: ARWEN gently takes her FATHER'S face in her handsand turns him toward her . . .                      ARWEN           Some things are certain. If I leave him now           I will regret It forever.                (whisper)           Ada, it is time.INSERT IMAGE: A HOODED FIGURE ascends a CURVED STAIRCASEtowards a GALLERY ... The FIGURE stops before a STATUE thatholds the BROKEN SHARDS of an ancient sword in its arms.                        A RW EN ( V .O .) (c on t' d )             From the ashes of fire shall be woken,             a light from the shadow shall spring,             renewed shall be blade that was broken ...INSERT IMAGE: The BLADE shattering in several fragments asISLIDUR brandishes NARSIL at SAURON.                        ARWEN (V.O.) (cont'd)             The crownless again shall be King . . .CLOSE ON: The HOODED FIGURE looks up into the sorrowful faceof the STATUE ... The figure is ARWEN . . .                       ARWEN V/0             Reforge the sword.INT. ARWEN'S CHAMBER, RIVENDELL - NIGHTANGLE ON: ELROND stares at his daughter, unwavering . . .                                                           (CONTINUED)                                      Final Revision - October, 2003 27.CONTINUED:                       ARWEN             Ada ...ANGLE ON: ELROND turns away . . .ANGLE ON: ARWEN in ANGUISH, sits on her bed, the book fallsto the FLOOR ...CLOSE ON: ELROND picks up her JOURNAL and takes one of herhands in his . . .                        ELROND             Your hands are cold.                  (distressed)             The life of the Eldar is leaving you.CLOSE ON: ELROND'S despair is plain . . .                        ELROND (cont'd)             It has begun.                        ARWEN             This was my choice. Ada ... Whether by your             will or not, there is no ship now that can             bear me hence.ANGLE ON: ELROND, he understands now that to protect hisdauther, he must trust her . . .INSERT IMAGES: A BROKEN SWORD GLOWS with RED HEAT . . . It'sBLADE in SEVERAL FRAGMENTS.IMAGE: A HEAVY HAMMER pounds the RED-HOT BLADE on an ANVIL. . . As ELVEN-SMITHS TEMPER the STEEL.IMAGE: ELROND'S FACE lit by FLICKERING FIRE as SPARKS fly in.the RIVENDELL FORGE.CLOSE ON: The SWORD is withdrawn from a POOL OF STEAMINGWATER ... LIGHT SHIMMERS as the WATER DROPS slide down theBLADE of NARSIL, the SWORD that was broken has been remade.                                                     DISSOLVE TO:                                     Final Revision - October, 2003 28EXT. FOOTHILLS OF WHITE MOUNTAINS - NIGHTCLOSE ON: PIPPIN asleep . . . GANDALF'S PROTECTIVE ARM aroundhim .... . . as SHADOWFAX THUNDERS through the NIGHT.                                                      DISSOLVE TO:EXT. FOOTHILLS OF WHITE MOUNTAINS - DAYANGLE ON: SHADOWFAX powers along the COUNTRYSIDE.ANGLE ON: PIPPIN, huddled in front of GANDALF, the WINDsailing through his hair.                      GANDALF           We have just passed into the realm of           Condor!EXT. MINAS TIRITH - DAWNANGLE ON: SHADOWFAX gallops up onto a LOW RIDGE . . .ANGLE ON: Before them is the DARK MASS of Mount Mindolluin,its tall WHITE FACE whitening in the RISING SUN. Upon its out-thrust knee is the Guarded City: MINAS TIRITH.With SEVEN WALLS OF WHITE STONE, so strong and old that itseems to have been not built, MINAS TIRITH looks carven bygiants out of the bones of the earth.                     GANDALF          Minas Tirith . . . City of the Kings.Suddenly the SUN climbs over the eastern hills,     and sendsforth a SHAFT OF SUNLIGHT that GLEAMS against th    e face of theCITY. The TOWER OF ECTHELION stands high within     the topmostwalls. WHITE BANNERS break and FLUTTER from the     BATTLEMENTSin the morning breeze.EXT. MINAS TIRITH STREETS - DAYGANDALF steering SHADOWFAX up the STEEP STREETS of MINASTIRITH.                                                        (CONTINUED)                                       Final Revision - October, 2003 29.CONTINUED:ANGLE ON: The stares of frightened GONDORIANS as GANDALF andPIPPIN gallop through the WINDING STREETS . . .AERIAL SHOT: SHADOWFAX, carrying GANDALF and PIPPIN uptowards the 7th LEVEL.MINAS TIRITH is built in 7 LEVELS - each behind a CIRCULARDEFENSIVE WALL. Each level rises - the city reaches a heightof nearly 1000 FEET on its TOPMOST LEVEL.A towering BASTION of NATURAL ROCK - shaped like a sharpship's prow - bisects the city from the 2nd LEVEL to the TOP.EXT. MINAS TIRITH, COURT OF THE KINGS - DAYSHADOWFAX arrives at a GREAT CITADEL on the SUMMIT of theCITY - 1000 FEET above the PELENNOR FIELDS.GANDALF and PIPPIN dismount, leaving the GUARDS of theCITADEL to tend to SHADOWFAX. GANDALF hurries off . . .CLOSE ON: PIPPIN as he takes in his surroundings, his eyecaught by a DEAD TREE that stands in the middle of the COURT,FOUR SOLEMN CITADEL GUARDS standing sentry around it.                         PIPPIN                             ;                                                            .                  (whisper)             It's the tree.           ,                  (hurrying after GANDALF)             Gandalf! Gandalf!                       GANDALF             Yes, the white tree of Gondor. The tree of             the King.GANDALF leads PIPPIN across a FLAT COURT of WHITE STONES,surrounded by GREEN LAWNS . . . towards a GREAT HALL benejaththe GLEAMING TOWER.                                         '                                                            \                       GANDALF (cont'd)             Lord Denethor, however, is not the King. He             is a steward only. A caretaker of the             throne.GANDALF lowers his voice, as they approach the TOWER HALL.             ·,                                         (CONTINUED)                                          Final Revision - October, 2003 30.CONTINUED:                        GA ND ALF (c on t'd )                  (quietly)             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.                  (hesitates)             In fact, it's better if you don't speak at             all, Pippin Took.CLOSE ON: PIPPIN, suitably chastened, nods.INT. MINAS TIRITH TOWER HALL - DAYANGLE ON: A LONG SOLEMN HALL ... with ROWS OF BLACK MARBLEPILLARS. Between the pillars stand a silent company of TALLKINGS carved in cold STONE.GANDALF strides down the HALL, with PIPPIN followingobediently behind.At the FAR END, upon a DAIS OF MANY STEPS, sits a LARGE,EMPTY THRONE . . . and on the wall behind is the IMAGE of aFLOWERING WHITE TREE set in GEMS.At the FOOT of the DAIS, in a small STONE CHAIR, sits an OLDMAN, gazing at his lap: DENETHOR - the Lord Steward ofCONDOR.                        GANDALF             Hail, Denethor, Son of Ecthelion, Lord and             Steward of Gondor.DENETHOR does not look up as GANDALF and PIPPIN approach.                        GANDALF (cont'd)             I come with tidings in this dark hour - and             with counsel.DENETHOR slowly raises COLD EYES . . .                         DENETHOR                  (bitter)             Perhaps you come to explain this?                                                           (CONTINUED)                                           Final Revision - October, 2003 31.CONTINUED:DENETHOR holds up BOROMIR'S BROKEN HORN ...                          DEN ETH OR (c ont 'd )             Perhaps you come to tell me why my son is             dead?CLOSE ON: PIPPIN remembering . . .INSERT IMAGE: BOROMIR, as URUK-HAI arrows thud into his body,he falls to his KNEES . . .PIPPIN starts forward unable to say nothing . . .                       .. PIPPIN             Boromir died to save us . . . my kinsman and             me . . . he fell, defending us from many             foes.CLOSE ON: DENETHOR pain flickers in his eyes.                        GANDALF                  (hurried whisper)             Pippin!PIPPIN drops to his knee offering DENETHOR his SWORD . . .                        PIPPIN             I offer you my service, such as it is, in             payment of this debt.DENETHOR looks at PIPPIN blankly, overcome with grief.:                         GANDALF                  (to PIPPIN)             Get up!                  (a ddre ssin g D ENET HOR)             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 defence             of this city. Where are Condor's armies?DENETHOR gaze turns slowly on GANDALF . . .                                                           (CONTINUED)                                    Final Revision - October, 2003 32.CONTINUED: ( 2 )                       GANDALF (cont'd)            You still have friends - you are not alone            in this fight. Send word to Theoden of            Rohan. Light the beacons.DENETHOR smiles at GANDALF, as if amused by something.                        DENETHOR                 (softly)            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 your right you            would seek to supplant me.CLOSE ON: GANDALF looks shocked, DENETHOR'S eyes NARROW.                      DENETHOR (cont'd)                (contemptuous)           I know who rides with Theoden of Rohan. Oh,           yes. 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                (stung)           Authority is not given to you to deny the           return of the King - Steward!                       DENETHOR                 (explosive)            The rule of Condor is mine, and no others!CLOSE ON: PIPPIN, horrified. GANDALF looks at Denethorclosely for a moment, then turns on his heel to leave, PIPPINfollows.                      GANDALF            Come.GANDALF and PIPPIN stride from the TOWER HALL ... DENETHORslumps back into his SEAT.                                    Final Revision - October, 2003 33.INT. MINAS TIRITH, PIPPIN'S QUARTERS - NIGHTANGLE ON: PIPPIN is carefully laying out a SMALL UNIFORM ofthe ROYAL GUARD on a bed.                     PIPPIN          So, I imagine this is just a ceremonial          position . . . I mean, they don't actually          expect me to do any fighting . . . do they?WIDE: GANDALF STANDING QUIETLY on a BALCONY that overlooksthe GREAT CITY.                      GANDALF          You're in the service of the Steward now -          you're going to have to do as you're told,          Peregrin Took . . .               (under his breath)          Guard of the Citadel!EXT. MINAS TIRITH BALCONY - NIGHTANGLE ON: PIPPIN as he stares up at the vast NIGHT SKY.,                     PIPPIN          It's so quiet.GANDALF watches the young HOBBIT.                     GANDALF          It's the deep breath before the plunge.                      PIPPIN          I don't want to be in a battle . . . but          waiting on the edge of one I can't escape          is even worse.                                L               (tense)                                  :          Is there any hope, Gandalf - for Frodo and          Sam?GANDALF joins PIPPIN as they look towards the distant, jaggedMOUNTAINS of MORDOR . . .                                                    (CONTINUED)                                      Final Revision - October, 2003 34.CONTINUED:                        GANDALF             There never was much hope.PIPPIN looks up at him, unnerved. GANDALF gives him a smallself-deprecating smile . . .                       GANDALF (cont'd)             Just a fool's hope.GANDALF and PIPPIN share a quiet moment as they stare outtowards the FIERY SKY over MORDOR . . .                       GANDALF V/0                  (grim)             Our enemy is almost ready, his full             strength gathered. Not only Ores, but men             as well.INSERT IMAGE: GIANT MUMAKIL carrying ARMIES upon their backs                       GANDALF V/0 (cont'd)             Legions of Haradrim from the South ......INSERT IMAGE: CORSAIR SHIPS sail up the RIVER . . .                        GANDALF V/0 (cont'd)             Mercenaries from the coast . . . All will             answer Mordor' s call.ANGLE ON: GANDALF . . . he is almost talking to himself now ..like a man unable to prevent a sure disaster.                       GANDALF             This will be the end of Gondor as we know             it. Here the hammerstroke will fall             hardest.INSERT IMAGE: The BATTLE-SCARRED CITY of OSGILIATH - lastbastion between MINAS TIRITH and MORDOR . . .                       GANDALF V/0             If the river is taken, if the garrison at             Osgiliath falls, the last defence of this             city will be gone.                                                         (CONTINUED)                                         Final Revision - October, 2003 35.CONTINUED: ( 2 )CLOSE ON: PIPPIN ... desperately seeking reassurance.                       PIPPIN            But we have the White Wizard. That's got to            count for something.GANDALF looks down at PIPPIN, he says nothing ...                        PIPPIN (cont'd)                 (nervous)            Gandalf?GANDALF stares into the distance as if seeing something inhis mind's eye.INSERT IMAGE: A TOWERING, HOODED FIGURE, DRESSED in BLACK, isbeing dressed in ARMOUR by attendant ORCS ...                           GANDALF V/0            Sauron    has yet to reveal his deadliest            servant    . . . The one who will lead Mordor's            armies    in war, the one they say no living            man can    kill.CLOSE ON: GANDALF still staring intently as if facing hisenemy in .person.                        GANDALF            The Witchking of Angmar . . .                 (he looks down at a startled                  PIPPIN)         ,           .                                          ;            You've met him before . . .ANGLE ON: PIPPIN looks up at GANDALF, afraid to ask . . .                       GANDALF (cont'd)            He stabbed Frodo on Weathertop.INSERT IMAGE: FRODO screaming as the MORGUL BLADE is driveninto his SHOULDER . . .PIPPIN blanches at the MEMORY . . .                                                              (CONTINUED)                                         Final Revision - October, 2003 36.CONTINUED: ( 3 )                      G AN DA LF ( co nt 'd )            He is the Lord of the Nazgul - the greatest            of the nine . . .EXT. MINAS MORGUL - NIGHT                      GANDALF V/0           And Minas Morgul is his lair.ANGLE ON: FRODO and SAM clamber into a SMALL GULLY beside aROUGH-HEWN ROAD ... GOLLUM CAREFULLY.peers OVER the lip ofthe GULLY ___ANGLE ON: MINAS MORGUL, a MASSIVE DEAD CITY, set upon a ROCKYKNEE at the HEAD OF THE morgul valley. CORRUPT and LOATHSOME,it glows with a SICKLY LUMINOUS LIGHT - like a CORPSE CANDLE.TWO HUGE, BESTIAL STONE STATUES guard the BRIDGE that leadsto the CITY ...                      GOLLUM                (whisper)           The Dead City, very nasty place, full of           ... enemies.GOLLUM, FRODO and SAM hurry from their COVER scampering inthe SHADOWS towards MINAS MORGUL ...                      GOLLUM (cont'd)                (hissed whisper)           Quick! Quick! They will see, they will see.CLOSE ON: FRODO . . . he LOOKS UP at the HIDEOUS STATUES. HisSENSES START REELING.                     GOLLUM (cont'd)           Come away, come away. Look! We have found           it.FRODO and SAM look AGHAST at the sight of a NARROW, NEAR-VERTICAL STAIRCASE, cut into the ROCK-FACE ... Directly inFRONT of the MINAS MORGUL GATES.                      GOLLUM (cont'd)           The way into Mordor!                                                         (CO NTINUE D)                                       Final Revision - October, 2003 37.CONTINUED:ANGLE ON: Following the STAIRS . . . HIGHER and HIGHER up thesheer western side of the MORGUL VALLEY - to the HIGH PEAKSof the razor-like MOUNTAINS OF MORDOR.                         GOLLUM (cont'd)             The secret stairs . . . climb!SUDDENLY! FRODO staggers across the ROAD . . . as if someFORCE, other than his own will, is at work! He lurchestowards the BRIDGE . . . towards MINAS MORGUL!                        SAM             No, Mr Frodo!                        GOLLUM                  (desperate)             Not that way!SAM runs after FRODO, catching him in his arms as he STUMBLES,                       GOLLUM (cont'd)             What's it doing?                        SAM             No!SAM and GOLLUM pull FRODO from the BRIDGE.                        FRODO                  (disorientated)             They're calling me!FRODO falls to the GROUND.AT THAT MOMENT: the GROUND QUIVERS, and a great RUMBLINGNOISE rolls across the ground and ECHOES in the mountains.The cold, dull MORGUL VALLEY is suddenly VIOLENT and FIERCE,as UPRUSHING FLAME springs from MOUNT DOOM.MINAS MORGUL ANSWERS: A FLARE of LIVID LIGHTNING, FORKS ofBLUE FLAME, SPRING UP from the TOWER into the SULLEN CLOUD.                                                    INTERCUT WITH:                                    Final Revision - October, 2003 38,EXT. MINAS TIRITH BALCONY - NIGHTANGLE ON: VIOLENT FIERY FLASHES light the CLOUD above MORDOR. . . SHARP THUNDER rolls across 40 MILES to MINAS TIRITH.CLOSE ON: PIPPIN looking on in FRIGHTENED AWE. GANDALF'Scomforting HAND rests on his shoulder.                                                 INTERCUT WITH:EXT. MINAS MORGUL - NIGHTSAM and GOLLUM lead FRODO to the STAIRS ...ABOVE MINAS MORGUL the SKY is BRIGHT with LIGHT as the CITY,erupts . . .                    GOLLUM          Hide! Hide!                                                 INTERCUT WITH:EXT. MINAS TIRITH BATTLEMENTS - NIGHTANGLES ON: FACES of SOLDIERS and CIVILIANS of MINAS TIRITH asthey watch from the PARAPETS of the CITY.                                                 INTERCUT WITH:EXT. MINAS MORGUL - NIGHTFRODO and SAM sink to the ground, holding their hands againsttheir ears, as out of the CITY comes a RENDING SCREECH . . .SHIVERING, rising swiftly to a PIERCING PITCH beyond therange of hearing. The terrible CRY ends, falling back througha long sickening WAIL, to SILENCE.ANGLE ON: FRODO slowly RAISES HIS HEAD . . . across the NARROWVALLEY, directly opposite the HOBBITS, the LORD OF THE NAZGUL- the WITCH KING - suddenly RISES UP out of the DEAD CITY onhis FELL-BEAST!. .. ,as the WITCH KING settles on the BATTLEMENTS of MINASMORGUL. His DARK HEAD turns this way and that, sweeping theshadows with unseen eyes - as if SENSING the RING !                                                    (CONTINUED)                                      Final Revision - October, 2003 39.CONTINUED:ANGLE ON: FRODO breaking out into a COLD SWEAT. He squeezeshis eyes shut, clutching at his SHIRT as if it's on FIRE!                         FRODO .                  (gasping)             I can feel his blade!THE CAVERNOUS GATE of MINAS MORGUL swings OPEN .... . . and. a HUGE ARMY MARCHES OUT!RANK upon RANK of ARMOUR CLAD ORCS, moving SWIFTLY andSILENTLY, pass close to FRODO and SAM in an ENDLESS STREAM ofRAGGED COLUMNS!EXT. MINAS TIRITH BALCONY - NIGHTCLOSE ON: GANDALF . .. .                         GANDALF                  (quiet)             We come to it at last ... the great battle             of our time.                                                   INTERCUT WITH:EXT. MINAS MORGUL - NIGHTANGLE ON: 75,000 ORCS MARCHING TO WAR, just below FRODO and SAM.                        GANDALF V/0             This war is long planned. Sauron has hated             the west through many ages . . . It is a             hatred that flows from the depths of time,             across the deeps of the Sea.The WITCH KING SWOOPS down the VALLEY to join the HEAD of hisARMY. He vanishes into the GLOOM - a shadow into shadow.CLOSE ON: GOLLUM peers out from his stony hiding place.                        GOLLUM                  (urgent)             Come, hobbits. We climb - we must climb!                                                        (CONTINUED)                                     Final Revision - October, 2003 40.CONTINUED:ANGLE ON: FRODO, SAM and GOLLUM climb the STONY STAIRS highabove the MARCHING ARMY.EXT. MINAS TIRITH BALCONY - NIGHTANGLE ON: GANDALF . . . thinking, calculating . . .                        GANDALF                  (to himself)             The board is set, the pieces are moving.EXT. MINAS TIRITH SIXTH LEVEL - NIGHTANGLE ON: GANDALF striding BACK STREETS of the CITY . . . soDETERMINED and PURPOSEFUL is he, that PIPPIN has to RUN tokeep up. GANDALF suddenly stops and looks down at PIPPIN . . .                       GANDALF             Peregrin Took, my lad, there is a task to             be done. Another opportunity for one of the             Shire-folk to prove their great worth!GANDALF kneels down and looks at PIPPIN earnestly, his handon PIPPIN'S shoulder.                       GANDALF (cont'd)             You must not fail me.GANDALF watches as PIPPIN hurries away.EXT. WEST OSGILIATH, RIVER ANDUIN - NIGHTWIDE ON: An ANCIENT STONE BRIDGE which spans the RUINS ofEAST and WEST OSGILIATH - a once MIGHTY GONDORIAN CITY.WIDE ON: ITHILIEN RANGERS patrolling the BRIDGE and theRIVERBANK.WEST OSGILIATH has fallen into disrepair, but the DESOLATIONof EAST OSGILIATH is more pronounced - it is held by theFORCES of MORDOR.CAMERA tracks down beneath the BRIDGE to the DARK WATERS . . .catching a STEALTHY MOVEMENT . . .                                                        (CONTINUED)                                        Final Revision - October, 2003 41.CONTINUED:ANGLE ON: MANY BOATS, carrying MURDEROUS-LOOKING ORCS, arequietly tracking down the RIVER. On board several HUNCHEDFIGURES steer with LONG OARS.                       GOTHMOG                  (to his oarsmen)             Quiet!EXT. WEST OSGILIATH, RIVER ANDUIN - NIGHTCLOSE ON: FARAMIR, CAPTAIN OF CONDOR, as he issues orders tohis SOLDIERS.                         FARAMIR                  (urgent)             To the river - quick!ANGLE ON: ITHILIEN RANGERS take position; they are allWEATHERED, HARDENED, PROFESSIONAL SOLDIERS . . . Watchful,ready, waiting . . .                       GOTHMOG             Faster!ON THE RIVER the BOATS quietly advance.                        ORC COMMANDER             Draw swords!ANGLE ON: FARAMIR and his SOLDIERS lie in wait. As the BOATSarrive HUNDREDS of ORCS race ashore. FARAMIR steps out, hisSWORD drawn. A FIERCE BATTLE ensues, but FARAMIR is unable tostop the advance as HUNDREDS OF ORCS cross the WIDE BRIDGEinto WEST OSGILIATH.EXT. MOUNT MINDOLLUIN - DAWNHIGH ANGLE ON: A DIZZYING VIEW . . . Looking down on MINASTIRITH, 1000 FEET BELOW, as PIPPIN desperately scrambles upthe ROCKY MOUNTAINSIDE.EXT. MINAS TIRITH BEACON - DAWNPIPPIN clambers over a ROCKY LEDGE and ducks behind a STONEWALL . . . panting HEAVILY.                                                        (CONTINUED)                                       Final Revision - October, 2003 42,CONTINUED:ANGLE ON: An ancient STONE LEDGE holds a GREAT PILE ofFIREWOOD, secured in stacked bundles ... The MINAS TIRITHBEACON!TWO bored CITADEL GUARDS sit chatting ... passing the longhours.                                                    INTERCUT WITH:EXT. MINAS TIRITH STREETS - DAWNANGLE ON: GANDALF as he waits tensely below . . .                                                    INTERCUT WITH:EXT. MINAS TIRITH BEACON - DAWNANGLES ON: PIPPIN as he stealthily manages to POUR OIL on theWOOD and set a FLAME to it!Within SECONDS, the GREAT PYRE is alight! The GUARDS look onin TOTAL SURPRISE as the FLAMES ERUPT into the TWILIGHT SKY.                                                    INTERCUT WITH:EXT. MINAS TIRITH STREETSANGLE ON: GANDALF as the BEACONS burst into FLAMES ... His.eyes flash briefly with TRIUMPH before he hurries off ...EXT. MINAS TIRITH BATTLEMENTS - DUSKANGLE ON: The BEACON glows BRIGHTLY on the slopes of MOUNTMINDOLLUIN, high above MINAS TIRITH ...PULL BACK: GANDALF hurries to the BATTLEMENT, looking furtherwest along the WHITE MOUNTAINS.                     GANDALF               (to himself)          Amon Din ... come on . . .ANGLE ON: a bright FIRE ignites on a DISTANT MOUNTAIN PEAK.                                                       (CONTINUED)                                     Final Revision - October, 2003 43.CONTINUED:NOISY COMMOTION in the city as PEOPLE realise the BEACONShave been lit!                        SOLDIER                  (yelling)             The beacon! The beacon at Amon Din is lit!FLASH INSERT: DENETHOR staring·at the BEACON from the CITADELWINDOW . . . a look of BLACK FURY on his face.ANGLE ON: GANDALF, a strange smile plays on his face . . .                        GANDALF                  (to himself)             Hope is kindled.                                                            CUT TO:EXT. WHITE MOUNTAINS AERIAL - NIGHTAERIAL SHOT: MOVING over the WHITE MOUNTAINS . . . as the TRAILof GREAT FIRES slowly winds from PEAK TO PEAK.EXT. EDORAS COURTYARD - DAWNANGLE ON: A ROCKY PEAK high above EDORAS . . . a GREAT BEACONFIRE is IGNITED.ON THE SOUNDTRACK: A BELL TOLLS urgently!CLOSE ON: ARAGORN looks tensely out across the MOUNTAINS . . .PULL BACK . . . ARAGORN runs towards the GOLDEN HALL.INT. EDORAS, GOLDEN HALL - DAWNCLOSE ON: ARAGORN bursts into the GOLDEN HALL.                       ARAGORN             The beacons of Minas Tirith! The beacons             are lit! Condor calls for aid!ANGLE ON: THEODEN looks up startled.                                                        (CONTINUED)                                     Final Revision - October, 2003 44,CONTINUED:CLOSE ON: EOWYN, EOMER turn to look at their UNCLE ... tensionbuilds.CLOSE ON: THEODEN his head lowered . . . Slowly it rises - helooks ARAGORN in the EYE.                        THEODEN             Then Rohan will answer. Muster the             Rohirrim!EXT. EDORAS COURTYARD - DAWNWIDE ON: EDORAS LOOKOUT . . . A SOLDIER RINGING the GREAT BELLin alarm as below, in the COURTYARD, SOLDIERS mount theirSTEEDS amid great activity.ANGLE ON: THEODEN striding purposefully outside, flanked byEOMER and his SOLDIERS ...                     THEODEN          Assemble the army at Dunharrow - as many          men as can be found. You have two days ...          On the third, we ride for Condor ... and          war!ANGLE ON: THEODEN strides onto the PARAPETS . . .                        THEODEN (cont'd)             Gamling, make haste across the Riddermark             ... Summon every able-bodied man to             Dunharrow!ANGLE ON: THEODEN watches as below the SOLDIERS prepare.ANGLE ON: EOWYN hurriedly pulling on RIDING GLOVES, preparingto mount her HORSE.                       ARAGORN             You ride with us?EOWYN turns and runs SMACK into ARAGORN ...                     EOWYN          Just to the encampment. It's tradition for          the women of the Court to farewell the men.                                                     (CONTINUED)                                     Final Revision - October, 2003 45.CONTINUED:ARAGORN smiles . . . reaching past her, he lifts a cover to reveala SWORD, strapped to the side of the saddle of her HORSE.EOWYN deftly pulls the cover back down. She looks at ARAGORN.                        EOWYN (cont'd)                  (softly)             The Men have found their Captain - they             will follow you into battle, even to death.                  (quietly)             You have given us hope.PULL BACK: to reveal THEODEN stares around at the STREETS andPEOPLE of EDORAS . . . it is as if he knows he will not seethis place again.                       THEODEN V/0             So . . . It is before the walls of Minas             Tirith that the doom of our time will be             decided.ANGLE ON: EOMER astride his horse, calls to the assembledSOLDIERS . . .                        EOMER             Now is the hour! Riders of Rohan - oaths             you have taken. Now, fulfil them all - to             Lord and land!EXT. PLAINS OF ROHAN - DAYANGLE ON: THEODEN astride SNOWMANE, as he, EOMER, ARAGORN &MERRY and LEGOLAS & GIMLI ride out AMID a GREAT COLUMN ofROHIRRIM, THUNDERING towards DUNHARROW in the MOUNTAINS.EXT. WEST OSGILIATH, RIVER ANDUIN - DAYANGLE ON: FARAMIR and his MEN are fighting a losing BATTLEagainst the MORDOR invasion.                        MADRIL             We can't hold them. The city is lost!                                                         (CONTINUED)                                    Final Revision - October, 2003 46.CONTINUED:                       FARAMIR             Tell the men to break up. We ride for Minas             Tirith.ON THE SOUNDTRACK: OMINOUS SOUNDS of WIND RISING ... HUGEWINGS BEATING ...                       RANGER             Nazgul!SPINNING ANGLE: FARAMIR looks up at the SKY . . . ITHILIENRANGERS are suddenly nervous, frightened . . . A HUGE SHADOWpasses overhead!                       FARAMIR             Take cover!A SUDDEN TERRIFYING SHRIEK rends the AIR!                       FARAMIR (cont'd)             Pull back! Pull back to Minas Tirith!ANGLE ON: SOLDIERS RETREATING through the RUINS of the CITYas, high in the sky above, the NAZGUL swoop ...ANGLE ON: MADRIL as he is cut down by an ORC . . .CLOSE ON: MADRIL . . . his breathing quick and shallow . . .footsteps approach . . .ANGLE ON: The HIDEOUSLY deformed features of GOTHMOG standingover the prone figure of the INJURED RANGER.Grabbing a spear from a nearby underling, GOTHMOG drives theshaft into MADRIL'S chest . . .CLOSE ON: GOTHMOG surveys the carnage with satisfaction.                      GOTHMOG           The age of men is over. The time of the Ore           has come.                                     Final Revision - October, 2003 47.EXT. PELENNOR FIELDS - DAYFARAMIR and a few survivors flee WEST OSGILIATH, desperatelyriding toward MINAS TIRITH . . . in the SKY above DARK SHAPESpursue them ...ANGLE ON: SUDDENLY, from on HIGH, the NAZGUL strike!TILT DOWN ... following the NAZGUL as it SWOOPS out of LOW-LYING, MURKY CLOUDS tossing MEN in the AIR like LIMP RAG-DOLLS!AT THAT MOMENT: Across the PLAIN, a FIGURE clothed in WHITErides towards them!From the BATTLEMENTS of MINAS TIRITH, a call . . . "The WhiteRider!"EXT. PELENNOR FIELDS - DAYWIDE ON: GANDALF as he spurs SHADOWFAX forward! PIPPIN clingstightly to the great horses MANE.ANGLE ON: FARAMIR, SWORD in hand, remains at the REAR, tryingdesperately to fend off the DEADLY ASSAULT . . .AGAIN the FELL-BEASTS DIVE low ...GANDALF thunders into view, raising his STAFF ...A SHAFT OF WHITE LIGHT suddenly stabs upwards! The NAZGULSWERVES AWAY from the LIGHT, as it pierces the LOW CLOUD!For a BRIEF MOMENT, SUNLIGHT streams through the hole ontoPELENNOR FIELDS . . . The NAZGUL circle away from the SUN RAYS,swiftly spiralling higher and higher.The NAZGUL defeated, GANDALF and the RANGERS ride towards thesafety of MINAS TIRITH.EXT. MINAS TIRITH GATES - DAYANGLE ON: IORLAS runs towards the GATES, yelling . . .                     IORLAS          Open the Gates! Pull!                                                      (CONTINUED)                                         Final Revision - October, 2003 48,CONTINUED:The GREAT GATES OPEN, allowing GANDALF, PIPPIN, FARAMIR andthe OSGILIATH SURVIVORS to RIDE IN . . . Nearly 100 WOUNDED ANDSHOCKED MEN.AS GANDALF pulls SHADOWFAX up . . .                        FARAMIR             Mithrandir!ANGLE ON: FARAMIR STEERS HIS HORSE through the CROWD towardsGANDALF ...                        FARAMIR   (cont'd)             They broke through    our defences. They have             taken the bridge a   nd the West Bank.             Battalions of Ores    are crossing the River.                        IORLAS             It is as the Lord Denethor predicted - long             has he foreseen this doom!                        GANDALF             Foreseen and done nothing!FARAMIR suddenly STARES at PIPPIN. GANDALF reads the surprisein his eyes.                       GA ND ALF (c on t'd )             Faramir? ... This is not the first halfling             to have crossed your path ...FARAMIR shakes his head.                       FARAMIR             No.                        PIPPIN                  (disbelief)             You've seen Frodo and Sam?FARAMIR NODS.                        GANDALF             Where? When?                                                          (CONTINUED)                                      Final Revision - October, 2003 49.CONTINUED: ( 2 )                      FARAMIR            In Ithilien, not two days ago. Gandalf -            they are taking the road to the Morgul            Vale.                       GANDALF                 (shocked realisation)            . . . And then the Pass of Cirith Ungol.CLOSE ON: GANDALF, deeply troubled.                       PIPPIN            What does that mean? What's wrong?                        GANDALF                 (urgent)            Faramir . . . Tell me everything.EXT. CIRITH UNGOL STAIRS - NIGHTANGLE ON: FRODO and SAM following GOLLUM up the dizzyingSTAIRWAY, carved into the SHEER CLIFF.The STEPS are NARROW, UNEVENLY SPACED, and many are BROKEN.They are so STEEP that FRODO and SAM climb as if on a LADDER ·their desperate FINGERS clinging to the STEPS ABOVE - tryingnot to look at the LONG BLACK FALL below them.ANGLE ON: FRODO'S foot slips and for a brief moment he isHANGING PRECARIOUSLY from the ROCK-FACE.                      GOLLUM            Careful, Master - careful! Very far to            fall. Very dangerous on the stairs.EXT. CIRITH UNGOL LEDGE - NIGHTANGLE ON: GOLLUM peering down from ABOVE . . . he has reached aSMALL LEDGE.                      GOLLUM           Come, Master.                                                       (CONTINUED)                                      Final Revision - October, 2003 50.CONTINUED:CLOSE ON: FRODO tries to CLAMBER UP onto the LEDGE . . . as hedoes, the RING slips out of his SHIRT and DANGLES in FULLVIEW of GOLLUM!CLOSE ON: GOLLUM rears back in shock . . . tenses like a CAT,EYES WIDENING.                        GOLLUM (cont'd)                  (dreamlike)             Come to Smeagol.ANGLE ON: FRODO, head bowed, trying to pull himself up. Hedoesn't notice GOLLUM'S HAND reaching for the RING !CLOSE ON: GOLLUM'S FINGERS . . . closing in on the RING   ...ANGLE ON: SAM, still TEETERING on the PRECIPITOUS STAIRSDRAWS HIS SWORD!                        SAM                  (alarmed yell)             Mr Frodo!STARTLED, FRODO looks down at SAM, losing his footing in theprocess . . .                        SAM (cont'd)             Get back, you. Don't touch him!ANGLE ON: SAM'S horrified face as . . .GOLLUM'S out-stretched HAND suddenly GRASPS FRODO'S ARMpulling him SAFELY onto the LEDGE.GOLLUM glares down at SAM.                       GOLLUM             Why does he hates poor Smeagol? What has             Smeagol ever done to him? Master?CLOSE ON: GOLLUM blinks, masking the MALICE of his EYES withtheir heavy pale lids.                                                        (CONTINUED)                                      Final Revision - October, 2003 51.CONTINUED: (2)                      GOLLUM (cont'd)           Master carries heavy burden . . . Smeagol           knows . . . Heavy, heavy burden. Fat one           cannot know. Smeagol look after Master.CLOSE ON: GOLLUM creeps CLOSE to FRODO and WHISPERS in hisear:                        GOLLUM (cont'd)                  (rasping whisper)           He   wants it - he needs it. Smeagol sees it           in   his eye. Very soon he will ask you for           it   - you will see . . . the Fat One will take           it   from you.CLOSE ON: FRODO looking at SAM . . . his hand strays to hisNECK, closing tight around the RING.                                                             CUT TO:EXT. OSGILIATH - DAYHIGH ABOVE OSGILIATH, the SINISTER PROFILE of the WITCH KINGseated on a FELL BEAST as GOTHMOG stands, awaiting hisorders.                      WITCH KING                (clinical)           Send forth all legions. Do not stop the           attack until the city is taken. Slay them           all.                      GOTHMOG           What of the Wizard?SLOWLY the WITCH KING' S HEAD turns . . .                     WITCH KING           I shall break him.EXT. MINAS TIRITH BATTLEMENTS - DAYREACTIONS: OF GONDORIAN SOLDIERS upon the MINAS TIRITHBATTLEMENTS . . . AWE . . . FEAR . . . TERROR!                                                       (CONTINUED)                                       Final Revision - October, 2003 52,CONTINUED:ANXIOUS SOLDIERS crowd around GANDALF.                        SOLDIER 1                  (worried)             Where are Theoden's riders?                        SOLDIER 2             Will Rohan's army come?                       SOLDIER 1             Mithrandir?                          G AN DA LF                 (grim)             Courage is the best defence that you have             now.                                                             CUT TO:INT. MINAS TIRITH TOWER HALL - DAYCLOSE ON: PIPPIN . . . DRESSED in OVER-SIZED ARMOUR . . . kneelsbefore DENETHOR . . .                        PIPPIN                  (nervous)             Here do I swear fealty and service to             Gondor, in peace or war, in living or             dying, from this hour henceforth, until my             lord release me, or death take me.                        DENETHOR             And I shall not forget it, nor fail to             reward that which is given ...ANGLE ON: DENETHOR proffers his RING which PIPPIN kisses . . .                       DENETHOR (cont'd)             ... fealty with love ...DENETHOR gently raises PIPPIN'S head . . . DENETHOR'S eyes meetFARAMIR' S.                       DENETHOR (cont'd)             ... valour with honour ...                                                         (CONTINUED)                                     Final Revision - October, 2003 53.CONTINUED:DENETHOR crosses to a table ... Attendants BEGIN SERVING hima ME L . . .    A                       DENETHOR (cont'd)             ... disloyalty with vengeance.DENETHOR addresses his meal . . .                        DENETHOR (cont'd)                  (reasonable)             I do not think we should so lightly abandon             the outer defences; defences 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?CLOSE ON: FARAMIR as he finally realises the truth.                        FARAMIR                  (quietly)             You wish now that our places had been             exchanged, that I had died and Boromir had             lived?CLOSE ON: For a brief second, DENETHOR seems to hesitate,then ...                                                         (CONTINUED)                                     Final Revision - October, 2003 54,CONTINUED: ( 2 )                        DENETHOR                 (coldly)            Yes, I wish that.                       FARAMIR            Since you are robbed of Boromir, I will do            what I can in his stead.ANGLE ON: FARAMIR bows low to DENETHOR, then turns to leave,stops, turns back ...                       FARAMIR (cont'd)            If I should return ... think better of me,.            father.                       DENETHOR            That will depend on the manner of your            return.DENETHOR continues with his meal. FARAMIR exits.                                                             CUT TO:EXT. CIRITH UNGOL LEDGE - DAWNAERIAL SHOT: . . . HIGH above MINAS MORGUL, on the SMALL LEDGEnext to the STAIRS, LIE the FIGURES of FRODO, SAM and GOLLUM.SAM watches a sleeping GOLLUM suspiciously as he desperatelytries to stay awake. SLOWLY, INEVITABLY, SAM, falls asleep.CLOSE ON: GOLLUM'S EYES SNAP OPEN . . . he sits up and quietlycrawls towards SAM'S KNAPSACK.SAM breathes deeply now, heavily asleep.GOLLUM grimaces in DISTASTE as he pulls out the LEMBAS BREAD. .. Quietly he SPRINKLES CRUMBS over the sleeping SAM.ANGLE ON: GOLLUM as he throws the remaining LEMBAS BREAD overthe cliff.CLOSE ON: SAM'S EYES flick open . . . GOLLUM spins around,caught off guard . . .                                                      (CONTINUED)                                       Final Revision - October, 2003 55.CONTINUED:                        SAM             What are you up to? Sneaking off, are we?                        SMEAGOL                  (prevaricating)             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 friends, oh             yes, my Precious, very nice.                        SAM             Alright, alright - you just startled me is             all.                  (peering over the cliff's edge)             What were you doing?                          SMEAGOL                  (sly)             Sneaking!Too exhausted to argue, SAM turns away.                        SAM             Fine, have it your own way.SAM gently shakes FRODO'S shoulder.                            -                        SAM (cont'd)             Sorry to wake you, Mr Frodo. We have to be             moving on.SAM rummages through his KNAPSACK, looking for a bite to eat.FRODO sits up slowly.                        FRODO                              .             It's dark still.                        SAM             It's always dark here -CLOSE ON: SAM stops rummaging . . . SHOCK on his face.                        SAM (cont'd)             It's gone . . . the Elven bread!                                                         (CONTINUED)                                    Final Revision - October, 2003 56.CONTINUED: ( 2 )                       FRODO                (alarmed)           What? That's all we have left!SAM slowly turns to GOLLUM ...                      SAM                (dawning realisation)           He took it! He must have!                      GOLLUM                (shocked)           Smeagol? No, no, not poor Smeagol. Smeagol           hates nasty Elf bread!                     SAM           You're a lying wretch! What did you do with           it?                      FRODO           He doesn't eat it . . . he can't have taken           it.CLOSE ON: GOLLUM slaps his hand against SAM'S JACKET . . .sending LEMBAS CRUMBS RAINING DOWN!                      GOLLUM           What's this? Crumbs on his jacketses!                (fake outrage)           He took it! He took it! I seen him, he's           always stuffing himself when Master's not           looking!                       SAM                (angry)           That's a filthy lie!SAM is ENRAGED . . . he throws himself at GOLLUM .. punchinghim!                       SAM (cont'd)                 (yelling)           You stinking two-faced sneak! Call me a           thie . . .               f                                                       (CONTINUED)                                     Final Revision - October, 2003 57.CONTINUED: ( 3 )                        FRODO                 (yelling)            Sam! Stop it!FRODO pulls SAM off GOLLUM ...                        SAM                 (yelling)            I'll kill him! I'll kill him!                        FRODO            No, Sam!FRODO COLLAPSES on the GROUND!CLOSE ON: SAM'S horrified face!                       SAM            Alight, I'm sorry, I didn't mean for it to            go so far, I was so angry . . . Here, let's            rest up a bit.SAM attempts to fuss around FRODO ...                       FRODO                  (exhausted)            I ' m alright.                      SAM           No, no, you're not alright! You're           exhausted! It's that Gollum; it's this           place; it's that thing around your neck. I           could help a bit . . . I could carry it for a           while - share the load.CLOSE ON: A terrible light comes into FRODO'S eyes as heSTARES into the EARNEST eyes of SAM.                       FRODO           Get away!FRODO pushes SAM away, clutching at the RING beneath his shirt                                                          (CONTINUED)                                          Final Revision - October, 2003 58.CONTINUED: ( 4 )                       SAM                 (confused)            I don't want to keep it . . . I just want to            help!FRODO rises to his FEET, as if empowered with a frighteningintense ENERGY.                       GOLLUM            See! See! He wants it for himself.                       SAM                 (beside himself)            Shut up, you! Go away. Get out of here.CLOSE ON: FRODO ...                         FRODO                  (quietly)            No, Sam . . . it's you.SAM stares at FRODO with DISBELIEF.                                      /                       FRODO (cont'd)            I'm sorry, Sam ...CLOSE ON: TEARS WELL in SAM'S eyes . . .                       SAM                 (hopelessly)            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                 (eerie calm)            Go home.CLOSE ON: TEARS spill down SAM'S cheeks . . . as FRODO TURNS AWAY!                                                            (CONTINUED)                                      Final Revision - October, 2003 59.CONTINUED: (5)ANGLE ON: FRODO and GOLLUM leave . . . SAM is in completeMISERY.EXT. MINAS TIRITH STREETS - DAYANGLE ON: FARAMIR leading a COLUMN of 200 KNIGHTS through theSTREETS towards the CITY GATE ... PEOPLE are rushing forward,THROWING FLOWERS over the KNIGHTS.CLOSE ON: GANDALF hurries alongside FARAMIR'S HORSE.                    GANDALF          Faramir! Your father's will has turned to          madness! Do not throw away your life so          rashly!                     FARAMIR               (deadened)          Where does my allegiance lie if not here?GANDALF reads the PAIN in FARAMIR'S eyes . . . he calls afterhim, trying one more time to stop the YOUNG MAN.                     GANDALF          Your father loves you, Faramir!               (quietly)          And will remember it before the end.EXT. MINAS TIRITH BATTLEMENTS - DAYHIGH ANGLE: FARAMIR leads the 200 MOUNTED KNIGHTS through theGATES OF MINAS TIRITH and across the PELENNOR FIELDS towardsthe RUINS of OSGILIATH.ANGLE ON: The people of MINAS TIRITH watch from theBATTLEMENTS.HIGH WIDE: FARAMIR'S KNIGHTS FAN OUT . . .   to form one straightline of 200 HORSEMEN.EXT. WEST OSGILIATH - DAYGOTHMOG and his MEN watch as the KNIGHTS approach.                                      Final Revision - October, 2003 60,INT. TOWER HALL, MINAS TIRITH - DAYFAST PUSH IN . . . to PIPPIN looking on as DENETHOR eats.                      DENETHOR           Can you sing, Master Hobbit?                      PIPPIN                (uneasy)           Well . . . yes, at least, well enough for my           own people ... but we have no songs for           great halls and evil times . . . we seldom           sing of anything more terrible than wind or           rain.                      DENETHOR           And why should your songs be unfit for my           halls, or for hours such as these. Come -           sing me a song!PIPPIN'S simple, clear voice echoes through the VAST HALL.                      PIPPIN V/0           Home is behind, the world ahead,           And there are many paths to tread.           Through shadow to the edge of night           Until the stars are all alight.           Mist and shadow, cloud and shade:           All shall fade, all shall fade.                                                    INTERCUT WITH:EXT. PELENNOR FIELDS/OSGILIATH RUINS - DAYANGLE ON: SLOW MOTION . . . TRACKING WITH THE 200 MOUNTEDKNIGHTS.ANGLE ON: SLOW MOTION . . . GOTHMOG rises amidst the RUINS ofOSGILIATH.ANGLE ON: SLOW MOTION . . . FARAMIR'S KNIGHTS - 75 yards away -thundering towards camera.PULL BACK . . . to GOTHMOG . . . he turns to CAMERA and RAISESHIS BOW.                                                       (CONTINUED)                                      Final Revision - October, 2003 61CONTINUED:ANGLE ON: SLOW MOTION . . . Behind GOTHMOG - all over theRUINED CITY - 5000 ORC ARCHERS rise to their feet . . . BLACKARROWS already strung on their BOWS!CLOSE ON: SLOW MOTION . . . FARAMIR YELLING defiantly.WIDE PROFILE: SLOW MOTION . . . FARAMIR'S 200 KNIGHTS ridestraight into a BLACK WALL of FLYING ARROWS . . .AS ONE, the HORSES and HORSEMEN collapse into a CARTWHEELING,TUMBLING HEAP . . . within seconds all are MOTIONLESS.CLOSE ON: NORMAL SPEED . . . FAST CUTS of SCREAMING ORCS . . .INT. TOWER HALL, MINAS TIRITH - DAYTHROUGHOUT the above sequence DENETHOR has continued to EAT.ANGLE ON: PIPPIN finishes his bittersweet song . . . he looksup at DENETHOR who continues as if he has not sent his son tohis death.ANGLE ON: PIPPIN turns away, his SORROW etched on his YOUNGFACE ...EXT. MINAS TIRITH COURTYARD - DAYGANDALF sits quietly in a COURTYARD, alone, defeated.EXT. OSGILIATH BRIDGE - DAYGREAT SIEGE TOWERS and CATAPULTS are ROLL along the REPARIEDBRIDGE which spans both sides of OSGILIATH ... They headstraight towards MINAS TIRITH ...EX. DUNHARROW ENCAMPMENT - DUSKANGLES ON: ARAGORN, THEODEN, EOMER, MERRY, LEGOLAS and GIMLIGALLOP into a VAST CAMP beneath the COVER OF TREES ...TEEMING with MEN, HORSES and TENTS.ANGLE ON: THEODEN acknowledges GRIMBOLD, a MARSHALL OF ROHAN,as he passes by a GROUP of SOLDIERS.                                                        (CONTINUED)                                              Final Revision - October, 2003 62CONTINUED:                        THEODEN             Grimbold, how many?                        GRIMBOLD             I bring five hundred men from the Westfold,             my Lord.                        ROHAN MARSHALL (0.S.)             We have three hundred more from Fenmarch,             Theoden, King.THEODEN smiles grimly as he rides on.                        DENETHOR                  (quietly)             Where are the riders from Snowbourne?                        GAMLING ( O . S . )             None have come, My Lord.EXT. DUNHARROW PLATEAU - DUSKARAGORN joins THEODEN on a BLUFF overlooking the ENCAMPMENTBELOW ...CAMERA CRANES to REVEAL: THOUSANDS of MEN and HORSES! Smokefrom many small CAMP-FIRES has filled the VALLEY with aTWILIGHT HAZE.                         THEODEN                  (quietly)             Six thousand spears . . . less than half of             what I had hoped for . . .ANGLE ON: ARAGORN turns to THEODEN ...                       ARAGORN             Six thousand will not be enough to break             the lines of Mordor.                     THEODEN          More will come.                                                              (CONTINUED)                                       Final Revision - October, 2003 63.CONTINUED:                       ARAGORN                 ;             Every hour lost hastens Condor's defeat. We             have till dawn. Then we must ride.CLOSE ON: THEODEN realising what ARAGORN is saying - nomatter the numbers he must commit to war by the morning.THEODEN nods.The HORSES whinny loudly in the distance ... THEODEN looks upat the MOUNTAIN which looms behind them . . .EXT. DUNHARROW PLATEAU - DUSKANGLE ON: HORSES rearing in terror as ROHAN SOLDIERS try toquieten them ...ANGLE ON: LEGOLAS and GIMLI move through the CAMP . . .CLOSE ON: LEGOLAS looking at a group of ROHAN SOLDIERS . . .they sit quiet and hunched ... no-one speaking ...LEGOLAS looking toward EOMER who is unsaddling his HORSE ...                        LEGOLAS                  (uneasy)             The horses are restless . . . And the men are -;.             quiet ..?                          EOMER             They grow nervous in the shadow of the             mountain . . .GIMLI'S eyes travel to a ROW of ANCIENT STANDING STONES thatmark the ENTRANCE to a ROAD leading away from the ENCAMPMENTand INTO the MOUNTAIN.                       GIMLI             That road there - where does that lead?                       LEGOLAS             It is the road to the Dimholt ... The door             under the mountain.                                                         (CONTINUED)                                     Final Revision - October, 2003 64CONTINUED:                         EOMER             None who venture there ever return.                  (under his breath)             That mountain is evil . . .ANGLE ON: ARAGORN stands before the road as though transfixed... before him a HORSE whinnies and pulls at his ropesnervously . . .ARAGORN POV: A GHOSTLY FIGURE seems to emerge from the gloom... ARAGORN starts in fright as . . .                        GIMLI O.S             Aragorn!ANGLE ON: ARAGORN stares down at the LITTLE DWARF . . .                        GIMLI             Let's find some food.ARAGORN casts another look back at the ANCIENT STANDINGSTONES before following GIMLI.EXT. DUNHARROW PLATEAU - DUSKANGLE ON: All is quiet in the ENCAMPMENT...INT. EOWYN'S TENT, DUNHARROW - NIGHTANGLE ON: EOWYN kneels before MERRY, adjusting his HELMETSTRAP.                        EOWYN             There! A true Esquire of Rohan.MERRY exhales - excited and terrified in equal measure. Inhis EXCITEMENT, he draws his SWORD ...EOWYN steps back, laughing ...                        MERRY             Sorry. It isn't all that dangerous.                  (despondent)             It isn't even sharp.                                                     (CONTINUED)                                     Final Revision - October, 2003 65,CONTINUED:                       EOWYN             Well, that's no good. You won't kill many             Ores with a blunt blade. Come on.EXT. DUNHARROW PLATEAU - NIGHTAs EOWYN and MERRY leave the tent, EOMER and GAMLING aresitting nearby, finishing a meal ... EOWYN ushers MERRY off.                        EOWYN             To the Smithy .- go!MERRY hurries off    . . . EOMER watches the YOUNG HOBBIT leave.                        EOMER             You should not encourage him.                        EOWYN             And you should not doubt him.                        EOMER             I do not doubt his heart ... Only the reach             of his arm.CLOSE ON: GAMLING stifles a laugh . . . EOWYN turns on both ofte .. . hm                                                      .                        EOWYN             Why should Merry be left behind? He has as             much cause to go to war as you.                  (to herself)             Why can he not fight for those he loves?ANGLE ON: At the PLATEAU edge, a GUARD looks down the STEEPPRECIPICE as a HORSE and RIDER move along the RIDGE ...EXT. DUNHARROW TRACK - NIGHTANGLES ON: The HOODED FIGURE slowly RIDES up the NARROW ZIG-ZAG TRACK leading up to the PLATEAU ...INT. ARAGORN'S TENT, DUNHARROW - NIGHTANGLE ON: ARAGORN tosses in his SLEEP, disturbed by imagesand voices . . .                                                      (CONTINUED)                                       Final Revision - October, 2003 66.CONTINUED:                        GANDALF V/0             Look to the Black Ships . . .In ARAGORN'S dream ARWEN suddenly WAKES ...                        ARWEN V/0             I choose a mortal life . . . I wish I could             have seen him, one last time ...As ARWEN lies dying, the EVENSTAR falls from her fingers ...At that moment, ARAGORN wakes, his SWORD quickly in his HAND. . . A GUARD stands in the DOORWAY ...                        GUARD             King Theoden awaits you, my Lord.EXT. DUNHARROW PLATEAU - NIGHTARAGORN hurries towards THEODEN'S TENT ...INT. THEODEN'S TENT, DUNHARROW PLATEAU - NIGHTANGLE ON:- THEODEN looks up as ARAGORN enters.                       THEODEN             I take my leave.ANGLE ON: THEODEN bows slightly to the HOODED FIGURE andLEAVES, shooting ARAGORN a strange look as he goes ...CLOSE ON: The FIGURE stands and pulls back the HOOD . . . toreveal ... ELROND.                    ARAGORN          My Lord, Elrond.                       ELROND             I come on behalf of one whom I love.ELROND'S face is ETCHED with PAIN ...                    ELROND (cont'd)          Arwen is dying.ANGLE ON: ARAGORN receiving this news ... ASHEN-FACED.                                                       (CONTINUED)                                     Final Revision - October, 2003 67.CONTINUED:                        ARAGORN             She stayed?                       ELROND             She will not long survive the evil that now             spreads from Mordor.ELROND'S eyes fall to the EVENSTAR which hangs aroundARAGORN'S neck . . .                        ELROND (cont'd)             The light of the Evenstar is failing. As             Sauron's power grows, her strength wanes.             Arwen's life is now tied to the fate of the             Ring. The Shadow is upon us, Aragorn, the             end has come.                       ARAGORN             It will not be our end, but his.                         ELROND             You ride to war, but not to victory.             Sauron's armies march on Minas Tirith -             this you know - but in secret he sends             another force which will attack from the             river . . .CLOSE ON: ARAGORN looks at ELROND in shock.                       ELROND (cont'd)             A fleet of Corsair ships sails from the             South.FLASH INSERT: A FLEET of BLACK SAILS moving along a SILVERRIBBON of WATER .                        ELROND (cont'd)             They will be in the city in two days . . .             You're out-numbered, Aragorn. You need more             men.                        ARAGORN             There are none.ELROND hesitates a BEAT ...                                                        (CONTINUED)                                        Final Revision - October, 2003 68CONTINUED: (2)                      ELROND                (quietly)           There are those who dwell in the mountain.A SUDDEN WIND rushes through the TENT, lifting HANGINGS,scattering MAPS, knocking over GOBLETS . . .As ARAGORN looks at ELROND, an IMAGE FLASHES in his MIND'SEYE . . . The GHOSTLY FIGURE on the DIMHOLT ROAD . . .ARAGORN looks at ELROND in shock . . .                    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 Condor.ARAGORN' S eyes fall to a PLAIN BLACK SCABBARD, which ELRONDdraws from beneath his robes.CLOSE ON: ELROND' S long white fingers draw the hilt of aSWORD from the scabbard to reveal . . . a ELVEN SWORD glints inthe firelight!                     ELROND (cont'd)          Anduril, flame of the West . . . forged from          the shards of Narsil.ARAGORN takes the sword . . . staring at it in wonder.                        ARAGORN          Sauron will not have forgotten the sword of          Elendil . . .ARAGORN draws the long blade from its sheath . . .                     A RAG OR N (c on t' d)          . . . the blade that was broken shall return          to Minas Tirith.                                                        (CONTINUED)                                      Final Revision - October, 2003 69.CONTINUED: ( 3 )                      ELROND            The man who can wield the power of this            sword can summon to him an army more deadly            than any that walks this earth.ELROND stares hard at ARAGORN . . .                      ELROND (cont'd)            Put aside the Ranger - become who you were            born to be - take the Dimhplt Road.A HEAVY SILENCE hangs in the room.                         ELROND (cont'd)                  (ELVISH: with subtitles)            Onen i-estel Edain.         /, ,-,                       ARAGORN                 (ELVISH: with subtitles)            U-chebin estel anim.            I keep none for myself.ANGLE ON: ARAGORN re-sheathes the SWORD.EXT. DUNHARROW PLATEAU - NIGHTANGLE ON: As ARAGORN readies BREGO for leaving EOWYNapproaches ... her temper barely held in check.                       EOWYN            Why are you doing this?ARAGORN looks over his shoulder at her . . .                      EOWYN (cont'd)            The war lies to.the East. You cannot leave            on the eve of battle. You cannot abandon         ;            the men.                          ARAGORN            Eowyn . . .                   · EOWYN            We need you here -                    ,                                                          (CONTINUED)                                      Final Revision - October, 2003 70.CONTINUED:ARAGORN rounds on her ...                       ARAGORN             Why have you come?                        EOWYN                  (hesitant)             Do you not know?ARAGORN looks at her sadly, not wanting to hurt her.                        ARAGORN                  (gentle)             It is but a shadow and a thought that you             love . . . I cannot give you what you seek.EOWYN steps back at though STRUCK . . . she watches stricken asARAGORN leaves . . .EXT. DUNHARROW PLATEAU'- NIGHTANGLE ON: ARAGORN leads his horse through the TENTS towardsthe DIMHOLT ROAD.A LIGHT FLARES ahead.of him . . .ANGLE ON: A SHORT FIGURE steps out of the SHADOWS . . . PIPE inhand.                        GIMLI             And just where do you think you're off to?ARAGORN looks at GIMLI - GRATEFUL for his COURAGE butdetermined to go ALONE.                        ARAGORN             Not this time ... This time you must stay,             my friend.                        LEGOLAS O.S             Have you learnt nothing of the stubbornness             of Dwarves?ANGLE ON: ARAGORN looks at LEGOLAS as he appears, leading hisHORSE - already SADDLED.                                                           (CONTINUED)                                     Final Revision - October, 2003 71.CONTINUED:GIMLI steps closer to ARAGORN.                        GIMLI             You might as well accept it - we're going             with you, laddie.ARAGORN shakes his head, smiling his acceptance.ANGLE ON: ARAGORN, LEGOLAS and GIMLI as they slowly ridetowards the BACK of the PLATEAU . . . Past the ANCIENTSTANDING STONES that lead to the NARROW PASS.EXT. DUNHARROW PLATEAU - NIGHTANGLE ON: THEODEN and GAMLING watch the RETREATING FIGURES ofARAGORN, LEGOLAS and GIMLI ... ROHAN SOLDIERS emerge fromtheir tents, crestfallen to see ARAGORN leave.ARAGORN, LEGOLAS and GIMLI disappear into the SHADOWS of theMOUNTAINS. The ROHAN SOLDIERS murmur among themselves,"What's happening?", "Where's he going?"                    GAMLING          Lord Aragorn!                    ROHAN SOLDIER O.S.          Why does he leave on the eve of battle?                    GAMLING          He leaves because there is no hope.CLOSE ON: THEODEN as he moves forward.                    THEODEN          He leaves because he must.                     GAMLING          Too few have come. We cannot defeat the          armies of Mordor.                      THEODEN          No, we cannot . . .               (surveying his frightened Men)          But we will meet them in battle,          nonetheless.                                    Final Revision - October, 2003 72,EXT. THEODEN'S TENT, DUNHARROW PLATEAU - DAWNANGLE ON: THEODEN looks at EOWYN who stands as if turned tostone ... she is looking up at a LIGHTENING SKY ... The QUIETbefore the MEN depart for WAR . . .                      THEODEN                (gentle)           I have left instruction: the people are to           follow your rule in my stead ... take up my           seat in the Golden Hall ... long may you           defend Edoras if the battle goes ill.ANGLE ON: EOWYN turns to the KING ... her FACE a BLANK ...She speaks without emotion.                      EOWYN           What other duty would you have me do, my           Lord?THEODEN moves towards her, taking up her HAND . . .                     THEODEN               (quiet)           Duty? ... No, I would have you smile again -           not grieve for those whose time has come.EOWYN slowly lifts her head . . .                     THEODEN (cont'd)           You shall live to see these days renewed.CLOSE ON: THEODEN lifts EOWYN faces to look into her EYES . . .                     THEODEN (cont'd)               (whisper)          No more despair.EXT. DIMHOLT ROAD - DAYANGLE ON: ARAGORN, LEGOLAS and GIMLI make their way up a.GLOOMY CANYON, shadowed by BLACK FIR TREES. The shadowedridges of the DWIMORBERG MOUNTAIN rise BEFORE THEM.It is a SPOOKY PLACE.                                                      (CONTINUED)                                     Final Revision - October, 2003 73.CONTINUED:                        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 Condor - to come to his aid, to fight,             but when the time came, when Condor'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.SILENCE surrounds them, there are no birds, no wind. Only theOMINOUSLY MUFFLED THUD of their horses hooves on the dank FIR-NEEDLES.                                     'EXT. DIMHOLT GLEN - DAYANGLE ON: Before them, at the ROOT OF THE MOUNTAIN, a SHEERWALL of ROCK towers . . .                     GIMLI               (terrified whisper)          The very warmth of my blood seems stolen          away.Within the walls, a creepy DARK DOOR gapes like a mouth ofnight. SIGNS and FIGURES are carved above its WIDE ARCH.                     LEGOLAS               (translating)          The way is shut. It was made by those who          are dead, and the Dead keep it. The way is          shut.AT THAT MOMENT: A CHILL WIND seems to rush out of the DOORWAY. . . ARAGORN stares into the BLACKNESS, his HAIR BLOWINGWILDLY. The HORSES REAR and'BUCK'in terror, turning andGALLOPING AWAY.                       ARAGORN          Brego!                                                     (CONTINUED)                                     Final Revision - October, 2003 74CONTINUED:The three HORSES DISAPPEAR ... ARAGORN turns resolutelytowards the DOORWAY . . .                       ARAGORN (cont'd)                 (steely resolve)             I do not fear death ...ANGLE ON: ARAGORN WALKING into the BLACKNESS.LEGOLAS quickly follows . . . swallowed by the DARKNESS.CLOSE ON: GIMLI left ALONE . . . He hesitates, struggling with hiFEAR.                         GIMLI             Well, this is a thing unheard of ... An Elf             will go underground when a Dwarf dare not.                  (gritting his teeth)             Oh! I ' d never hear the end of it!GIMLI plunges into the TUNNEL behind the OTHERS!EXT. DUNHARROW ENCAMPMENT - DAWNMUCH ACTIVITY ... HORNS SOUND ... the ENTIRE CAMP is on theMOVE ... fires are DOUSED, TENTS pulled down, HORSES saddled.EXT. DUNHARROW PLATEAU - DAWNANGLE ON: THEODEN strides through the CAMP, EOMER at his SIDE.                     THEODEN          We must ride light and swift. It's a long          road ahead ... and man and beast must reach          the end with the strength to fight.ANGLE ON: MERRY . . . preparing a LITTLE PONY with a SADDLE andSUPPLIES. He is wearing an OVERSIZED HELMET and ROHIRRIMCLOTHING . . . he looks at once NERVOUS and EXCITED.KING THEODEN breaks away from a COLUMN and rides up to MERRY.                                                     (CONTINUED)                                          Final Revision - October, 2003 75,CONTINUED:                         THEODEN (cont'd)                  (gently)             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.             None of my Riders can bear you as a burden.                         MERRY             But . . . I want to fight!                        THEODEN             I will say no more.KING THEODEN wheels his HORSE away . . .MERRY is bitterly DISAPPOINTED. He stands, head down - a TINYDEJECTED FIGURE - as the MIGHTY ROHIRRIM on their LARGEHORSES ride by . . . a jangling sea of HELMETS, SHIELDS andBANNERS.SUDDENLY . . . MERRY is plucked off the ground! A SOLDIER hassnatched him by the collar ... and plonked him down on theirSADDLE!CLOSE ON: MERRY twists around, looking up at the SOLDIER . . .Beneath a HELMET and MAIL HOOD is . . .. . . EOWYN, disguised as a MAN!                       EOWYN                (grimly)           Ride with me.                         MERRY           My Lady!CLOSE ON: MERRY'S face visible under the CAPE . . . lookingEXCITED!                                                          (CONTINUED)                                      Final Revision - October, 2003 76,CONTINUED: ( 2 )                       EOMER                 (shouting above the din)            Move out - move out!                       THEODEN            Ride! Ride now, for Gondor!EXT. DUNHARROW VALLEY - DAWNHIGH WIDE: The VALLEY FLOOR as THOUSANDS of HORSEMEN ride outafter their KING.EXT. PELENNOR FIELDS/MINAS TIRITH - DAYANGLE ON: GREAT SIEGE TOWERS and CATAPULTS are ROLLING acrossthe PELENNOR FIELDS . . . Thousands of FLAMING TORCHES lightthe snarling, slathering MORGUL ORCS . . . marching in RAGGEDRANKS.ANGLES ON: Flowing torrents of ORCS stream past CAVE TROLLS,beating the DRUMS OF WAR ... MINAS TIRITH lies ahead - onlyTWO MILES AWAY!INT. PATHS OF THE DEAD CAVERN - DAYANGLE ON: ARAGORN leads LEGOLAS and GIMLI into a WIDE CAVERN. . . he WAVES HIS TORCH through the DARKNESS: ILLUMINATING aHUGE, CAVERN . . .A ghastly CRACKING NOISE, like stone being sundered, cutsthrough the SILENCE. A GHOSTLY FIGURE step from the ROCK WALLS!ANGLES ON: ARAGORN, LEGOLAS and GIMLI look on in HORROR, as aMUMMIFIED SPECTRE looms before them: EYELESS SOCKETS ...ROTTEN TEETH . . . a pale SICKLY GLOW . . . the KING OF THE DEAD!FOG SWIRLS around as the GHOST SNARLS at ARAGORN ...                      KING OF THE DEAD            Who enters my domain?ARAGORN moves forward ... unflinching . . .                                                       (CONTINUED)                                       Final Revision - October, 2003 77,CONTINUED:                        ARAGORN             One who will have your allegiance.                         KING OF THE DEAD                  (snarl)             The dead do not suffer the living to pass ...                        ARAGORN             You will suffer me!The KING OF THE DEAD's'MALEVOLENT LAUGH echoes through theCVS... AEANGLE ON: The FOG suddenly ROLLS BACK, forming a retreatingwall of GREY VAPOUR ... slowly, RANK upon RANK of SPECTRALWARRIORSare revealed! GHOULISH FACES . . . RUSTING WEAPONS . . .TATTERED BANNERS.WIDE ON: The FOG reveals a DEAD ARMY of MANY THOUSANDS ...assembled around the CAVERN!ANGLE ON: ARAGORN stares GRIMLY at the KING OF THE DEAD.CLOSE ON: THE KING of the DEAD as he smiles evilly at ARAGORN... ARAGORN holds his GAZE . . .                         KING OF THE DEAD                   ,-                                                            '"                  (chilling)             The way is shut . . .THE KING of the DEAD moves relentlessly towards ARAGORN . . .                         KING OF THE DEAD (cont'd)             It was made by those who are Dead and the             Dead keep it . . .WIDE: ARAGORN, LEGOLAS and GIMLI are now surrounded by~an        ".'ARMY of the DEAD . . .                        KING OF THE DEAD (cont'd)               The way is shut. Now, you must die.ANGLE ON: LEGOLAS fires an ARROW at the KING OF THE DEAD . . .it PASSES STRAIGHT THROUGH!                                                         (CONTINUED)                                      Final Revision - October, 2003 78CONTINUED: ( 2 )ARAGORN keeps moving forward, his eyes locked on the SPECTRE.                       ARAGORN                 (desperate)            I summon you to fulfil your oath!ANGLE ON: The KING OF THE DEAD SNARLS and raises his DEADLYSWORD above ARAGORN' S HEAD!                      KING OF THE DEAD                (raspy yell)           None but the King of Gondor may command me!QUICK BEAT: ARAGORN RAISES ANDURIL . . .With a TERRIFYING SHRIEK, THE KING of the DEAD SWEEPS hisSWORD towards ARAGORN' S HEAD!SLOW MOTION: ARAGORN raises 'his SWORD in ANSWER . . . a LOWWHISTLE as it SWEEPS through the AIR . . .CLANG! The BLADE · OF ANDURIL clashes with the SPECTRAL SWORD. . . the SHARP RING of METAL reverberates through the CAVERNS !CLOSE ON: THE KING of the DEAD stares at ARAGORN inDISBELIEF.                      KING OF THE DEAD (cont'd)                (fearful)           It cannot be - that line was broken!ANGLE ON: ARAGORN grabs the SHOCKED GHOST by the NECK ...ARAGORN holds the SHARP BLADE against the GHOST'S THROAT!                     ARAGORN           It has been remade!SILENCE.ARAGORN releases the KING OF THE DEAD . . . he ADDRESSES theGHOST ARMY.                                                      (CONTINUED)                                      Final Revision - October, 2003 79.CONTINUED: ( 3 )                       ARAGORN (cont'd)            Fight for us and regain your honour!GHOSTLY FACES stare hollow-eyed at ARAGORN ...                        ARAGORN (cont'd)                 (yelling)            What say you?SILENCE.                       ARAGORN (cont'd)            What say you?                                 ,   .                       GIMLI            Aghh! Your wasting your time, Aragprn. They            had no honour in life, they have none now            in death.                        ARAGORN                 (yelling)            I am Isildur's heir. Fight for me and I            will hold your oath fulfilled. What say            you?EXT. PELENNOR FIELD/MINAS TIRITH - DAYANGLES ON: THOUSANDS of ORCS continue moving relentlesslyforward . . . Towards the WALLS of MINAS TIRITH.EXT. MINAS TIRITH GATES - DAYCLOSE ON: A GUARD yells down from the PARAPET above the HUGEWOODEN GATE . . .                        GATE GUARD                 (yelling)            Open the gate! Quick!ANGLE ON: The HUGE GATE swings open, revealing . . . FARAMIR'Sbadly wounded HORSE . . . dragging FARAMIR behind! Both theHORSE and FARAMIR are impaled with ORC ARROWS!                                                       (CONTINUED)                                       Final Revision - October, 2003 80,CONTINUED:                         IORLAS                  (shocked)             Lord Faramir!EXT. PELENNOR FIELDS/MINAS TIRITH - DAYAs CATAPULTS are prepared GOTHMOG rides through the ranks ofORCS ...INT. MINAS TIRITH, COURT OF THE KINGS - DAYANGLE ON: IORLAS and OTHER SOLDIERS arrive at the CITADELwith FARAMIR'S UNCONSCIOUS BODY on a STRETCHER . . . PIPPINfollows them.                                                      . he runsCLOSE ON: DENETHOR EMERGES from the TOWER HALL .towards his son . . .                          DENETHOR             Faramir!DENETHOR bends to the STRETCHER bearing his SON.                        DENETHOR (cont'd)                  (whisper)             Say not that he has fallen . . .                        IORLAS             They were outnumbered, none survived.CLOSE ON: PIPPIN, devastated . . .EXT. PELENNOR FIELDS/MINAS TIRITH - DAYGOTHMOG turns to his LIEUTENANTS ...                       GOTHMOG             Fear! The city is rank with it. Let us ease             their pain. Release the prisoners!                          LIEUTENANT             Catapults!At his ORDERS, the GREAT CATAPULTS fire THWAT! THWAT! THWAT!                                     Final Revision - October, 2003 81,EXT. MINAS TIRITH STREETS - DAYThe ORC CATAPULTS do not fire rocks ...HORROR sweeps through the streets of MINAS TIRITH as theSEVERED HEADS of FARAMIR'S HORSEMEN land amongst theSOLDIERS!EXT. MINAS TIRITH COURT OF THE KINGS - DAYDENETHOR looks down at FARAMIR'S UNCONSCIOUS BODY . . .                      DENETHOR           My son is dead. My line is ended.PIPPIN has run to FARAMIR and bends towards him ...                      PIPPIN                (touching Faramir's forehead)           He's alive!                      DENETHOR           The House of Stewards has failed! . . .                      PIPPIN                (urgently)                                ;           He needs medicine, my Lord!                     DENETHOR          My line has ended.                     PIPPIN               (urgently)          My Lord!ANGLE ON: DENETHOR slowly turning away . . . walking as if in aTRANCE . . .CLOSE ON: DENETHOR has reached the edge of the COURTYARD . . .he STARES in SHOCKED DISBELIEF at the VISTA spread out BELOW:HIGH WIDE ANGLE: A FULL VIEW of the ORC ARMY . . . from the TOPof MINAS'TIRITH.                                                      (CONTINUED)                                      Final Revision - October, 2003 82,CONTINUED:75,000 ORCS are spread out across the PELENNOR FIELDS like asea of black ANTS.CLOSE ON: TROLLS load the CATAPULTS with ROCKS.BATTERING RAMS and SIEGE TOWERS are hauled on CHAINS.Thousands of flickering TORCHES give the army the look of amoving city in the MURKY MORDOR TWILIGHT.CLOSE ON: DENETHOR . . . struggling to regain the power ofspeech!                        DENETHOR                  (rasping whisper)             Rohan has deserted us!ANGLE ON: A HUGE BOULDER smashes into the wall of MINASTIRITH.WIDE ON: BOULDERS HURTLE from CATAPULTS across the fieldstowards MINAS TIRITH.                       DENETHOR (cont'd)             Theoden's betrayed me!CLOSE ON: A BOULDER smashes into a BALCONY full of CIVILIANS.CONFUSION and PANIC spreads amongst the SOLDIERS.                        DENETHOR (cont'd)                  (panicked scream)             Abandon your posts!CLOSE ON: PIPPIN, SHOCKED.                       DENETHOR (cont'd)             Flee! Flee for your lives!SUDDENLY: THWACK!GANDALF'S STAFF smashes into the back of DENETHOR'S HEAD!GANDALF grimly swings his staff again, CLUBBING DENETHOR tothe GROUND!                                                       (CONTINUED)                                                    Final Revision - October, 2003 83.CONTINUED: ( 2 )ANGLE ON: GANDALF spins around and ADDRESSES the SOLDIERS:                            GANDALF                     (yell)                Prepare for battle!!EXT. MINAS TIRITH STREETS - DAYANGLE ON: GANDALF GALLOPS down the WINDING LABYRINTHINE STREETSon SHADOWFAX . . . against the flow of FLEEING SOLDIERS.                           GANDALF                     (yelling)                Return to your posts!                                                                 .. .. '            CUT TO:EXT. MINAS TIRITH BATTLEMENTS - DAYANGLE ON: SHADOWFAX bounds up STAIRS onto the LEVEL ONEBATTLEMENTS ... GANDALF looks at the approaching ORC ARMY,now less than 50 yards from the WALLS of the CITY!                           GANDALF                     (angry yell)                Send these foul beasts into the abyss!QUICK CUTS: MIGHTY WOODEN CATAPULTS positioned within thewalls of MINAS TIRITH are fired!EXT. MINAS TIRITH - DAYTHWAT! THWAT! THWAT! CATAPULTS send their great ROCKS highinto the air, over the BATTLEMENTS!Dizzying AERIAL SHOTS of huge BOULDERS flying up close toCAMERA . . . then falling away towards the ORCS!CRUNCH!! BOULDERS flatten ORCS. THWAT!! 100 more ROCKS . . .THWAT!! another 1 0 0 ! ! The ORC FRONT RANKS are in disarray!EXT. PELENNOR FIELDS /MINAS TIRITH - DAY                                   '                                                                           .A s t h e G R E A T B O U LD E R S l a n d a m o ng t h em ^ t he O R C s t a rt t o P A N IC !                                                                               (CONTINUED)                                      Final Revision - October, 2003 84CONTINUED:                        GOTHMOG             Stay where you are!                                                      INTERCUT WITH:EXT. MINAS TIRITH BATTLEMENTS - DAYGANDALF walks the BATTLEMENTS as the huge BOULDERS rain ontothe ORC ARMY below ...                                                      INTERCUT WITH:EXT. PELENNOR FIELDS/MINAS TIRITH - DAYGOTHMOG glances up at a WHISTLING SOUND - a huge BOULDERhurtles towards him. He side-steps CALMLY out of the way ...spitting on the BOULDER in CONTEMPT.                                                             CUT TO:EXT. MINAS TIRITH BATTLEMENTS - DAYSUDDENLY! 9 NAZGUL DIVE out of the DIM SKY, CLAD in BATTLEARMOUR!ANGLES ON: SOLDIERS throw themselves down as the NAZGUL zoomoverhead, emitting their PIERCING SHRIEKS! GONDORIAN SOLDIERSrun for SHELTER in PANIC, covering their ears ...CLOSE ON: PIPPIN COWERING . . .                         GANDALF                  (rallying)             Stand to your posts! Do not give in to             fear. Fight!QUICK CUTS: MIGHTY WOODEN CATAPULTS positioned within thewalls of MINAS TIRITH are fired!The NAZGUL circle LOW over the CITY, like VULTURES seekingdoomed men's flesh. SOLDIERS are plucked into the AIR bySHRIEKING NAZGUL and dropped to their DEATHS hundreds of FEETBELOW. TOWERS and BUILDINGS are DESTROYED. CHAOS as SOLDIERS,WOMEN and CHILDREN DODGE falling MASONRY.                                                         (CONTINUED)                                       Final Revision - October, 2003 85.CONTINUED:CLOSE ON: GONDORIAN SOLDIERS send a rain of arrows at theapproaching TOWERS and TROLLS.                       GANDALF (cont'd)             Not at the towers! Aim for the trolls! Kill             the trolls! Bring them down!TOO LATE! The TOWERS reach the walls, their DOORS crashingdown, releasing ORCS directly onto the LOWER LEVELS.As the ORC swarm from the TOWER, GANDALF realises PIPPIN hascome down from the CITADEL . . .                        GANDALF (cont'd)             Peregrin Took - go .back to the citadel!                        PIPPIN                  (stupor)             They called us out to fight . . .PIPPIN looks on stunned, as a HUGE ORC leaps towards him . . .GANDALF intercepts the BEAST, striking him with his STAFF ...                      GANDALF                  (urgency)             This is no place for a Hobbit!GANDALF welds his STAFF, cutting through the attacking ORCwith EASE ... BEHIND him, an ORC prepares to cut down GANDALF... PIPPIN instinctively slashes his SWORD at him.ANGLE ON: GANDALF turns on PIPPIN, smiling despite himself.                       GANDALF (cont'd)             Guard of the Citadel, indeed! Now, back up             the hill - quickly! Quickly!                                                             "CUT TO:EXT. PELENNOR FIELDS - DUSKANGLE ON: Out of BLACK SWIRLING BATTLE. SMOKE crawls an IRONMONSTER! A MASSIVE WHEELED BATTERING RAM . . ' ' . 60 FEET HIGH and150 FEET LONG . . . pushed by 20 huge MOUNTAIN TROLLS . . . aMASSIVE IRON HEAD, cast in the likeness of a SNARLING WOLF!                                                          (CONTINUED)                                       Final Revision - October, 2003 86.CONTINUED:... this is GROND ... the BATTERING RAM FROM HELL! The Oreare chanting as the BEAST is wheeled closer and closer to theGATES ...                        ORCS             Grond! Grond! Grond!EXT. MINAS TIRITH BATTLEMENTS - DUSKCLOSE ON: GANDALF . . . blanching at the sight of this crawlingIRON MONSTER"'!                                                              CUT TO:EXT. PASS OF CIRITH UNGOL, TUNNEL MOUTH - DAYANGLE ON: GOLLUM leads FRODO up a LONG RAVINE between COLUMNSof TORN and WEATHERED ROCK.AHEAD is a GREAT GREY WALL, a last huge mass of mountain-stone . . . and in the SHADOWS at the base of the TOWERING ROCKlies a TUNNEL.FRODO reacts to the FOUL STENCH coming out of the BLACK HOLE.                        FRODO                  (exhausted)             What is this place?                        GOLLUM             Master must go inside the tunnel.                        FRODO             Now that I'm here, I don't think I want to.CLOSE ON: SMEAGOL sensing his PLAN unravelling. Everythingdepends on FRODO going inside the TUNNEL                        SMEAGOL             It's the only way.                  (GOLLUM;- slyly)             Go in - or go back.FRODO stares into the darkness . . .                                                        (C ON T IN U ED )                                       Final Revision - October, 2003 87.CONTINUED:                        FRODO                  (under his breath)             I can't go back.CLOSE ON: GOLLUM, his sparse oily hair hanging like rank weedover his hooded eyes ...Drawing a DEEP BREATH, FRODO follows GOLLUM into the TUNNEL.INT. SHELOB'S TUNNEL - DAYFRODO nearly GAGS                     FRODO          What's that smell?                        GOLLUM                  (lying)             Orcses filth! Orcses come in here             sometimes.They continue on, deep into the DARK TUNNEL . . . FRODO isfeeling his way in the dark, following the SOUND ,of GOLLUM'Sscampering.                                            .,;                                                       ,.                                                        .                     GOLLUM O.S..               (disembodied)          Hurry!FRODO follows the sound of GOLLUM's voice. He is VERY TIRED.                     GOLLUM O.S.(cont'd)               (disembodied)                              ;·                                                          ··                                                           ·          This way.FRODO cannot see GOLLUM in the MURKY TUNNEL . . .                        FRODO             Smeagol!                     GOLLUM O.S.               (disembodied)          Over here.                                                       (CONTINUED)                                          Final Revision - October, 2003 88,CONTINUED:FRODO slips as he tries to follow the voice . . . He puts hisHAND to the WALL to STEADY HIMSELF but quickly YANKS it away... STRANDS of a WHITE THREAD stuck to his HAND.                        FRODO             It's sticky . . . What is it?GOLLUM is nowhere to be seen ... only his voice echoes backdown the LABYRINTH of TUNNELS.                         GOLLUM O.S.             You will see . . . Oh, yes . . . You will see.FRODO FREEZES!                        FRODO                  (nervous)             Smeagol! Smeagol!NO ANSWER, no echo, not even a tremor in the air.                        FRODO (cont'd)                  (panicked)             Smeagol!CLOSE ON: FRODO realises with HORROR that GOLLUM has desertedhim!                         FRODO (cont'd)                  (whisper)             Sm. . .              aCLOSE ON: FRODO breathing hard . . . passing all manner ofcreatures, trussed up in evil WEB-LIKE material . . . .A BUBBLING HISS can be heard . . . There is a CREAKING as somegreat JOINTED THING moves with slow purpose in the DARK ...FRODO begins to run in BLIND PANIC ...                                                               CUT TO:                                      Final Revision - October, 2003 89.EXT. CIRITH UNGOL STAIRS - DAYSAM stumbles blindly down the ANCIENT STAIRS, reckless anduncaring, his face pale and devastated.CLOSE ON: SAM'S FOOT slips . . .... SUDDENLY, as if the ground has given way beneath him, SAMis slipping and sliding dangerously OUT OF CONTROL.ANGLE ON: SAM thudding into a LARGE ROCK, which saves him.from tumbling headlong over the PRECIPICE.Something catches SAM'S EYE . . . he stares, barely breathing.CLOSE ON: A package of LEMBAS BREAD . . .ANGLE ON: SAM looking BACK UP the LONG STEEP STAIR . . .                                                           CUT TO:INT. SHELOB'S TUNNEL - DAYFRODO is running BLINDLY . . . He falls, trapped in the stickysubstance which CLINGS to him. As he lays on the ground,unable to move, a VOICE comes to him as if froma distant-;,,memory . . .                     GALADRIEL V/0           I give you the light of Earendil - our most           beloved star. May it be a light for you in           dark places when all other lights go out.CLOSE ON: FRODO fumbles in his JACKET, FEAR growing in him. . . he pulls out the GLASS PHIAL - his GIFT from GALADRIEL -he holds it aloft.                      FRODO                (stronger)           Aiya Earendil Elenion Ancalima!The PHIAL flickers ... kindles into a SILVER FLAME - a BRIGHTRADIANT STARLIGHT!                                                       (CONTINUED)                                   Final Revision - October, 2003 90.CONTINUED:LOW ANGLE ON: The LIGHT instantly REVEALS a HUGE LOATHSOMESPIDER . . . towering over FRODO!CLOSE ON: SHELOB the SPIDER HISSES at the LIGHT! TWO greatclusters of many-windowed EYES protrude from her bulboushead. Her LEGS are bent, with a 12 FOOT SPAN and HAIRS thatstick out like steel spines. Her HUGE, SWOLLEN BODY, a vastbloated bag, sways and sags between her legs. Her age-oldBLACK HIDE is knobbly and pitted, blotchy with LIVID MARKS. . . but her belly underneath is PALE and LUMINOUS.SHELOB beats the air with her FORELEGS.ANGLE ON: Calling up all his remaining STRENGTH andRESOLUTION, FRODO forces his LEGS to MOVE . . . he backs away -keeping his EYES on SHELOB.SHELOB crawls SLOWLY towards him ... then, with sudden .hideous SPEED, she ATTACKS!She lashes out with her FRONT LEGS ... FRODO is flung back... the GLASS PHIAL clatters to the TUNNEL FLOOR, casting aneerie LOW LIGHT.SHELOB squats above FRODO, her EYE CLUSTERS fidgeting withhideous delight, gloating over a prey trapped beyond all hopeof escape.SUDDENLY! FRODO draws STING! He slashes wildly at the GIANTSPIDER . . . hewing off the TIP of A LEG!SHELOB SPASMS . . . a WILD BLUR of thrashing LEGS!ANGLE ON: FRODO leaps to his feet and RUNS - not even pausingto pick up the PHIAL of LIGHT!TRACKING BACK: with FRODO as he careers blindly down NARROWTUNNELS, gasping in the CHOKING AIR ... looking back over hisshoulder for any sign of SHELOB.ANGLE ON: FRODO sees the TUNNEL EXIT ahead . . .. . . just as he runs straight into a great COBWEB!                                                      (CONTINUED)                                    Final Revision - October, 2003 91.CONTINUED: ( 2 )CLOSE ON: FRODO . . . eyes wild with fear . . . as he tries towrench STING free of the STICKY WEB.                      GOLLUM O.S.                (sing-song)            Naughty little fly,            Why does it cry?ANGLE ON: GOLLUM on the other side of the WEB . . .                       GOLLUM            Caught in a web            Soon you'll be . . .            . ?. Eaten!ANGLE ON: FRODO as he SLASHES WILDLY with STING. The SHININGBLADE of STING as it hacks through the FIBROUS STRANDS. Theywhip and snap back into FRODO'S FACE as he cuts himself free.ANGLE ON: Back up the TUNNEL - lit by the LIGHT OF GALADRIEL -SHELOB'S HEAVING SHADOW approaches . . .CLOSE ON: GOLLUM watches in mounting disbelief as STINGslashes through the WEB ... DISBELIEF turns to FEAR as SHELOBgets closer and closer, GOLLUM quickly turns and BOLTS::.. . . .FRODO hacks at the WEB and with a last desperate LUNGE, freeshimself ... STING is caught in the WEB ... FRODO leaves theSWORD and THROWS HIMSELF through a narrow CREVICE . . .EXT. PASS OF CIRITH UNGOL - DAYANGLE ON: FRODO stumbles out of SHELOB'S LAIR . . . Tumblingonto COLD ROCK.ANGLE ON: FRODO covered in COBWEBS, wild-eyed and drenched inSWEAT . . . - H e looks up as GOLLUM lunges at him.  ;:                       GOLLUM           Got away did it, Precious? Not this time,           not this time!GOLLUM and FRODO fight ... Rolling on the GROUND towards theEDGE of a PRECIPICE . . .                                                      (CONTINUED)                                       Final Revision - October, 2003 92.CONTINUED:FRODO pins GOLLUM on the ground, hands around his throat.                       SMEAGOL                 (pleading)             It wasn't us! It wasn't us! Smeagol             wouldn't hurt Master.ANGLE ON: FRODO'S fingers squeeze tighter around GOLLUM'STHROAT.                        SMEAGOL (cont'd)             Smeagol promised. You must believe us. It             was the Precious - the Precious made us to             do it.FRODO has a sudden moment of SELF REALISATION and releasesGOLLUM, horrified at his VIOLENCE.ANGLE ON: GOLLUM cowering back . . . COUGHING and SPLUTTERING.ANGLE ON: FRODO looking at SMEAGOL, in SHOCK, he gets to hisFEET.                        FRODO                  (shaky)             I have to destroy it, Smeagol. I have to             destroy it for both our sakes.SMEAGOL stares at FRODO in DISBELIEF . . . in a FURY he LUNGESat FRODO who falls backwards, dangerously close to the edgeof the PRECIPICE - GOLLUM tumbles over FRODO's BODY and FALLSto the bottom of the RAVINE ...EXT. PASS OF CIRITH UNGOL - NIGHTFRODO, overcome with EXHAUSTION, stumbles down the steepstairs of CIRITH UNGOL . . . He is full of REMORSE at hisTREATMENT of SAM ...                         FRODO             I'm so sorry, Sam . . .FRODO falls t o his knees --                                                        (CONTINUED)                                         Final Revision - October, 2003 93CONTINUED:                        FRODO (cont'd)             . . . so sorry ...EXT. FRODO'S DREAM, LOTHLORIEN - DAYCLOSE ON: FRODO lands on SOFT GREEN GRASS.SUN DRENCHED IMAGES: Of trees . . . of fields . . . of LOTHLORIEN·*·HAZY IMAGE: GALADRIEL walking towards him, BARE-FOOT on theGR SS . . .  A                       GALADRIEL V/0             This task was appointed to you, Frodo of             the Shire. If you do not find a way ... no-             one will.GALADRIEL leans down towards FRODO, OFFERING her hand ... fora beat, FRODO stares at her ... torn, not wanting to go on,wanting to lie down . . . But he knows what he must do.ANGLE ON: FRODO . . . as he is LIFTED to HIS FEET.ANGLE ON: FRODO - once again in the dark, rank, tunnels ofthe PASS of CIRITH UNGOL . . . He goes on.                                                             CUT TO:EXT. MINAS TIRITH STREETS - NIGHTANGLES ON: FLAMING MISSILES rain down on the CITY!A DEEP BOOM!GROND thuds against the MINAS TIRITH GATE . . . sending a -:VIBRATION running through the city!                         ;:ANGLE ON: GANDALF, on SHADOWFAX, leads SEVERAL HUNDREDGONDORIAN FOOT SOLDIERS down through the streets.                        GANDALF             To the Gates! Man the Gates!                                                             CUT TO:                                     Final Revision - October, 2003 94EXT. MINAS TIRITH, COURT OF THE KINGS - NIGHTPIPPIN watches as FARAMIR'S UNCONSCIOUS BODY is carried onthe STRETCHER by DENETHOR'S SERVANTS lead by DENETHOR . . . ithas the atmosphere of a FUNERAL.INT. MINAS TIRITH, STEWARD'S TOMB - NIGHTANGLE ON: An IRON DOOR creaks OPEN . . . FARAMIR'S PROCESSIONenters a WIDE VAULTED CHAMBER.The LANTERN LIG HT throws great SHADOWS upon the SHROUDEDWALLS of a wide  VAULTED CHAMBER. ROW upon ROW of MARBLE TOMBSare visible in  the DIM LIGHT. Upon each TOMB lies a SLEEPINGFORM, carved in  STONE, hands folded.DENETHOR speaks in a HUSHED VOICE . . .                       DENETHOR                (whisper)           No tomb for Denethor and Faramir. No long           slow sleep of death embalmed . . . we shall           burn - like the heathen kings of old!The SERVANTS place FARAMIR'S UNCONSCIOUS BODY on a STONETABLE in the centre of the CHAMBER. They stand, heads bowed. . . as MOURNERS beside a bed of death.DENETHOR turns to his SERVANTS.                       DENETHOR (cont'd)           Bring wood and oil . . .                                                         CUT TO:EXT. MINAS TIRITH GATES - NIGHTBOOOMM The GATE SPLINTERS under GROND'S mighty weight . . .Behind the GATES the GONDORIAN FOOT SOLDIERS are FEARFUL ...GANDALF rallies the line of BOWMEN as they wait in front ofthe GREAT DOORS ... their COURAGE wavering with each CRASHINGB OW . . . L                          .                                                     (CONTINUED)                                      Final Revision - October, 2003 95.CONTINUED:                        GANDALF                  (commanding)             Steady! Steady!SUDDENLY the FEARSOME HEAD protrudes into the MINAS TIRITH!                       GANDALF (cont'd)             You are soldiers of Gondor! No matter what             comes through that gate you will stand your             ground!Within MOMENTS the GATE is smashed and GIANT CAVE TROLLSenter into the FIRST CIRCLE of MINAS TIRITH, under thearchway that no enemy had ever passed!                        GANDALF (cont'd)                  (yelling)             Fire!ROWS of ARCHERS fire off a VOLLEY of ARROWS but the TROLLScontinue to SMASH the FOOT SOLDIERS with their giant CLUBS... ORCS swarm through the OPENING and the PITCHED, HAND-TO-HAND BATTLE spills into FLAMES and BLACKENED, SMOULDERINGBUILDINGS . . . through the streets of MINAS TIRITH.ANGLE ON: With a ROAR, GANDALF leads a COUNTER ATTACK onSHADOWFAX, followed by SEVERAL HUNDRED GONDORIAN FOOT " "SOLDIERS!THOUSANDS OF ORCS swarm in through the CITY GATES ... theFIRST LEVEL is breached!                                                           CUT TO:EXT. PASS OF CIRITH UNGOL - DAYANGLE ON: FRODO STAGGERS through the PASS OF CIRITH UNGOL ...the weight of the RING, dragging at his neck.He MOVES FORWARD, fueled by a GRIM RESOLVE ...ANGLE ON: FRODO starts climbing a STONE STAIRCASE that climbsthrough a NARROW PASS ... TALL PEAKS rise on either side,like pillars holding up a sagging sky.                                                      (CONTINUED)                                    Final Revision - October, 2003 96.CONTINUED:AHEAD is the SUMMIT of CIRITH UNGOL ... and an ORC WATCHTOWER! A FAINT LIGHT glows from within the STONE TOWER . . .the PATH over the SUMMIT is in FULL VIEW of the ORCS.FRODO stays CLOSE to the ROCK WALL, masked by SHADOWS.LOW ANGLE: Behind FRODO, SHELOB APPEARS! With hideousSTEALTH, she follows FRODO ...ANGLE ON: FRODO slowly climbing the STONE STAIRS . . . his GAZEand CONCENTRATION on the ORC TOWER. Behind him, SHELOBlurches into a HORRIBLE SCUTTLE down the SHEER ROCK FACE.CLOSE ON: FRODO suddenly senses the LURKING MALICE . . . heSPINS AROUND: Before he can react, SHELOB VICIOUSLY STABSFRODO in the NECK with her monstrous abdominal STINGER!FRODO instantly goes LIMP . . . SHELOB'S LEGS   catch him as he                                                 around him. Withfalls ... she quickly starts WEAVING COBWEBSgreat dexterity, she tumbles the LITTLE HOBB    IT over and overin her LEGS, binding him in WEB from HEAD to     TOE!SUDDENLY!... The RAZOR SHARP EDGE of a SWORD comes into shot.REVEAL ON: SAMWISE GAMGEE stands before the GIANT SPIDER -STING clutched in one hand, the SHINING PHIAL in the other!                      SAM           Let him go, you filth!SHELOB HISSES at SAM . . . DROPPING FRODO . . . he ROLLS down theSTAIRS in his WEB COCOON.                     SAM (cont'd)          You will not touch him again!SAM moves forward, a fell light in his normally friendly eyes                     SAM (cont'd)          Come on and finish it!SAM SWINGS the small sword . . . SLASHING upward!                                                     (CONTINUED)                                      Final Revision - October, 2003 97CONTINUED: (2)ANGLE ON: SHELOB HISSES and REARS above SAM, her STINGERdribbling with VENOM!SAM ducks inside the arch of her LEGS and STABS STING intoone of her EYE CLUSTERS!CLOSE ON: SHELOB SCREAMS, her MANDIBLES thrashing wildly,GREEN OOZE trickling from her WOUNDED EYE.With HIND LEGS, SHELOB picks SAM off the ground and TOSSEShim BACKWARDS! SAM lands heavily . . . and SHELOB POUNCES!ANGLE ON: SHELOB heaves the great bag of her BELLY high aboveSAM'S HEAD. As she splays her legs to drive her huge bulkdown on him, SAM lifts the ELVEN BLADE above his head,holding it with TWO HANDS.STING slides into SHELOB'S SOFT UNDERBELLY! A SHUDDER runsthrough her! HEAVING up. again, she wrenches herself away fromthe PAIN ... her LIMBS writhing beneath her.ANGLE ON: JERKING and QUIVERING, SHELOB crawls to her HOLE,leaving a trail of GREEN-YELLOW SLIME. She SQUEEZES down theHOLE and DISAPPEARS ... the SOUND of her BUBBLING MISERYfades.                           .                       :ANGLE ON: SAM RACES TO FRODO . . .                       SAM (cont'd)                (worried)           Mr Frodo!                        .CLOSE ON: SAM RIPS COBWEBS away from FRODO'S HEAD . . . hisFACE is DEATHLY PALE.                      SAM (cont'd)                (panicking)           Oh no! Frodo!CLOSE ON: FRODO'S PALE, LIFELESS FACE.                      SAM (cont'd)           Mr Frodo! Wake up!FRODO'S head LOLLS LIFELESSLY in SAM'S ARMS.                                                       (CONTINUED)                                      Final Revision - October, 2003 98.CONTINUED: ( 3 )                      SAM (cont'd)                (desperate whisper)           Wake up . . . don't leave me here alone.           Don't go where I can't follow. Wake up!CLOSE ON: FRODO STARING, UNMOVING.                       SAM (cont'd)                (numbly)           Not asleep ... Dead.SAM lays his FACE on FRODO'S CHEST . . . WEEPING SOFTLY.CLOSE ON: STING'S BLADE GLOWS BLUE!SOUNDTRACK: TRAMPING FEET approach . . . CLINKING METAL . . .HARSH SHOUTS!CLOSE ON: SAM looks up . . . looks back down FRODO.CLOSE ON: SAM looks up at the ORC TOWER and then at STINGwhich is glowing BLUE! ORCS approach - SAM must make adecision.ANGLE ON: A SMALL PARTY of ORCS and URUK-HAI heading down theSTAIRS from the WATCH TOWER! . . . SHAGRAT leads the URUK-HAI,and GORBAG leads the ORCS.GORBAG spies FRODO'S BODY . . .                      GORBAG           What's this? Looks like Old Shelob's been           having a bit of fun!                      SHAGRAT           Killed another one, has she?ANGLE ON: GORBAG peer curiously at FRODO as he leans down andpokes at FRODO'S LIFELESS BODY.                      GORBAG           No . . . this fellow ain't dead.CLOSE ON: SAM, hidden:in a rock crevice, as SHOCK sweepsacross his FACE!                        ,.                               (CONTINUED)                                     Final Revision - October, 2003 99.CONTINUED: ( 4 )                       SAM                 (to himself)            Not dead!                       GORBAG                 (excited).            She jabs them with her stinger and they go            as limp as a boned fish. Then she has her            way with them. That's how she likes to feed            - fresh blood.                 (yelling)            Get him to the Tower!                       SAM            Samwise, you fool!ANGLE ON: The ORCS GRUNT as they lift FRODO . . . and CARRY himback towards the WATCH TOWER.                       ORC 2            This fellow will be awake in a few hours.                       GORBAG            Then he'll wish he'd never been born.ORC LAUGHTER . . . FRODO is carried up the steep STAIRS .;.. .                                                            CUT TO:INT. MINAS TIRITH/STEWARD'S TOMB - NIGHTFROM the SHADOWS PIPPIN watches, aghast, as FARAMIR is lainon a FUNERAL PYRE . . .CLOSE ON: DENETHOR kisses FARAMIR'S sweating, FEVERED brow.                      DENETHOR           The house of his spirit crumbles! He is           burning ... already burning.                    7ANGLE ON: BUNDLES of DRIED FIREWOOD are being stacked aroundFARAMIR'S BODY.ANGLE ON: PIPPIN, rushes forward, desperately PULLING theFIREWOOD AWAY!                                                        (CONTINUED)                                        Final Revision - October, 2003 100,CONTINUED:                         PIPPIN                  (yelling)             He's not dead! He's not dead!DENETHOR grabs PIPPIN by the collar! He roughly carries himtowards the door.                        PIPPIN (cont'd)             No! No! No! He's not dead. No!                         DENETHOR                  (menacing)             Farewell Peregrin, son of Paladin . . . I             release you from my service ...DENETHOR throws PIPPIN outside!                        DENETHOR (cont'd)             Go now and die in what way seems best to             you.DENETHOR SLAMS the DOOR SHUT!                         DENETHOR O.S                  (ordering)             Pour oil on the wood!                                                              CUT TO:EXT. MINAS TIRITH STREETS - NIGHTANGLE ON: PIPPIN RACES down the STEEP STREETS . . . passingSOLDIERS running back from the BURNING CITY. GREAT BALLS ofFIRE are hurtling through the air . . . The city is in CHAOS.                         PIPPIN                  (yelling)             Gandalf? ... Gandalf?AMIDST the FLEEING SOLDIERS ...                        GANDALF             Pull back - to the second level! Hurry! Get             the women and children out of here - get             them out!                                                          (CONTINUED)                                    Final Revision - October, 2003 101.CONTINUED:PIPPIN desperately pushes against the TIDE of SOLDIERSretreating from the FIGHTING.                                                   INTERCUT WITH:EXT. PELENNOR FIELDS - NIGHTGOTHMOG turns to his SECOND LIEUTENANT ...                        GOTHMOG             Move into the city ... Kill all in your             path.                                                   INTERCUT WITH:EXT. MINAS TIRITH STREETSAs ORC run through the STREETS, MEN, WOMEN, and CHILDREN flee. . . The PITCHED BATTLE continues . . .                        GANDALF             Fight! Fight for your lives!SUDDENLY! in the midst of the BATTLE, GANDALF turns . . .SHRILL and CLEAR come the sounds of DISTANT HORNS! Off theSIDE of MOUNT MILLDOLLUIN, they dimly ECHO - WAR HORNS of thewest ... ROHAN HAS COME!                                                             CUT TO:EXT. PELENNOR FIELDS - DAWNGOTHMOG turns at the sound of the DISTANT HORNS . . .    :WIDE ON: 6000 HORSEMEN, lead by THEODEN and EOMER, step up tothe SKYLINE . . .ANGLE ON: MINAS TIRITH lies less than a MILE AWAY, down agentle slope. Over 50,000 ORCS are swarming around the baseof the city . . . thick BLACK SMOKE belches from within it.CLOSE ON: MERRY BLANCHES with FEAR . . . EOWYN puts acomforting hand on his shoulder.                                                        (CONTINUED)                                     Final Revision - October, 2003 102,CONTINUED:                        EOWYN                  (whisper)             Courage, Merry ... courage for our friendsOnt he BATTLE FIELD GOTHMOG walks among his troops ...                       GOTHMOG             Form ranks you maggots! Form ranks! Pikes             in front, lances behind.The ORCS PREPARE for BATTLE.ANGLE ON: THEODEN gallops in front of his ARMY, ISSUINGURGENT ORDERS to his CAPTAINS:                        THEODEN                  (urgent yells)             Eomer! Take your Eored down the left flank             . . . Gamling! Follow the King's banner down             the centre. Grimbold, take your company             right after we pass the wall. Forth and             fear no darkness!CLOSE ON: THEODEN rides to the front of his ARMY. He rises inhis stirrups, TALL and PROUD, yelling in a clear, LOUD VOICE                        THEODEN (cont'd)                  (stirring call)             Arise, arise, Riders of Theoden! Spears             shall be shaken, shields shall be             splintered . . . a sword day, a red day ^ere             the sun rises!ANGLE ON: A RAY of SUNLIGHT escapes through the BLACK CLOUDS,bathing the ROHIRRIM in GOLDEN LIGHT. WEAPONS and ARMOURGLEAMS . . . as 6000 HORSEMEN hold their SPEARS aloft!Below, on PELENNOR FIELD, the ORC kneel and raise theirLANCES in READINESS ...ANGLE ON: EOWYN, her arm around MERRY before her . . .                                                         (CONTINUED)                                            Final Revision - October, 2003 103,CONTINUED: ( 2 )                         EOWYN                   (terrified)              Whatever happens, stay with me. I'll look              after you.MERRY looks on in SHOCK ...ANGLE ON: As THEODEN rides past the ranks of SOLDIERS he runshis LANCE along their SPEARS ... The noise echoes through theRANKS as the WEAPONS of other RIDERS CLATTER in response ...                         THEODEN                   (stirring call)              Ride now, ride now, ride, ride for ruin and              the world's ending!T H EO DE N f ac es hi s E NE MY !                             THE ODEN ( cont'd )              Death!                         ROHIRRIM                   (6000 voices)              Death!                               ... ..CLOSE ON: MERRY is swept up in the emotion . .. he whips outhis LITTLE SWORD!                             THEODEN              Death!                             MERRY              Death!                             EOWYN              Death!                         THEODEN                   (yelling)              Death! Forth Eorlingas!ALL the HORNS of the ROHIRRIM burst BLAST upon BLAST!                                                              (CONTINUED)                                     Final Revision - October, 2003 104CONTINUED: ( 3 )ANGLE ON: The 6000 ROHIRRIM move off, a great WALL of HORSESand SPEAR POINTS, building up to a GALLOP like a rising tide,as they CHARGE TOWARDS THE 50,000 ORCS!ANGLE ON: MERRY, wind blowing his hair, EOWYN'S ARM aroundhis chest . . . as he YELLS at the top of his lungs !ANGLE ON: GOTHMOG marshalling his troops.                        GOTHMOG             Fire!The first VOLLEY of ARROWS hit the ROHAN SOLDIERS . . . Thecharge continues . . .                        THEODEN             Charge !The second VOLLEY . . . GOTHMOG watches in HORRIFIED AWE as theROHAN ADVANCE CONTINUES . . . SUDDEN FEAR runs through the ORCand URUK-HAI assembled on PELENNOR FIELD . . . The ROHAN chargelike MEN POSSESSED!ANGLE ON: The WALL o    f ROHIRRIM HORSES and SPEARS is seeminglyunstoppable! Entire     ORC COMPANIES vanish under their hooves,like sand beneath a     foaming breaker, as they RACE towards theMAIN BODY of the ORC     ARMY!ANGLES ON: ORC ARCHERS fire into the thundering ROHIRRIM . . .ORC SPEARS  LOWER . . . then SUDDENLY the ROHIRRIM crash intothe ORCS a nd the screen is FILLED with hacking, SLASHINGSWORDS and CLASHING SHIELDS . . ....    A JAW-DROPPING SIGHT!EXT. MINAS TIRITH STREETS - DAWNANGLE ON: PIPPIN rushes towards GANDALF, dodging FLAMINGDEBRIS.                        PIPPIN                  (panicked yell)             Gandalf!GANDALF wheels around on SHADOWFAX . . .                                                       (CONTINUED)                                   Final Revision - October, 2003 105.CONTINUED: ( 4 )                       PIPPIN (cont'd)                 (breathless)            Denethor has lost his mind! He's burning            Faramir alive!GANDALF pulls PIPPIN onto SHADOWFAX.                       GANDALF            Come! Quickly!EXT. PELENNOR FIELDS - DAWNThe ROHAN charge is decimating the ENEMY!                                                           CUT TO:INT. MINAS TIRITH STEWARD'.S TOMB - DAWNLOW ANGLE POV: DENETHOR standing on the table astrideFARAMIR, pouring OIL over his OWN HEAD . . . It runs throughhis hair and down his face, quickly soaking his ROBES.CLOSE ON: FARAMIR, his eyes flicker open. As he tries to FOCUSthrough his delirium, OIL splashes onto his CHEST and FACE.                       DENETHOR                        ,-            Set a fire in our flesh!BUNDLES of OIL-SOAKED wood are STACKED all around them.SERVANTS are holding FLAMING TORCHES, awaiting their orders... DENETHOR nods to them:The SERVANTS approach the PYRE, TORCHES held firmly.AT THAT MOMENT: GANDALF and PIPPIN burst into the HALLOWS,astride SHADOWFAX!                       GANDALF                 (yelling)            Stay this madness!The fearful SERVANTS back away from the PYRE ...                                                       (CONTINUED)                                       Final Revision - October, 2003 106,CONTINUED:CLOSE ON: With a ROAR, DENETHOR SNATCHES a FLAMING TORCH ...and HURLS it at the PYRE!WHOOSH! The PYRE IGNITES!ANGLE ON: GANDALF GALLOPS toward the PYRE, knocking DENETHORto his FEET ... PIPPIN LEAPS from SHADOWFAX onto the BURNINGPYRE!With a desperate strength, PIPPIN pushes FARAMIR off theBURNING PYRE ... they tumble down the BUNDLES of WOOD, ontothe FLOOR! PIPPIN douses FLAMES on FARAMIR'S clothing.DENETHOR SCREAMS with RAGE!                        DENETHOR             No! Do not take my son from me!DENETHOR leaps ACROSS THE PYRE, RIPPING and TUGGING atPIPPIN! FIRE quickly spreads up DENETHOR'S OIL-SOAKED BACK ashe hauls PIPPIN off FARAMIR!ANGLE ON: SHADOWFAX rears up and STRIKES at DENETHOR whofalls back onto the PYRE .CLOSE ON: DENETHOR . . . he looks into his SON'S eyes . . . for aBRIEF MOMENT SANITY returns.                           DENETHOR (cont'd)                   (whisper)             Faramir . . .ANGLE ON: FLAMES begin to ENGULF DENETHOR . . .CLOSE ON: GANDALF pulls PIPPIN to safety . . . they look inHORROR as . . .SUDDENLY! DENETHOR lurches off the PYRE! Now a SCREAMING,unguided BALL OF FLAME, he runs across the CHAMBER,disappearing out of the door!                                                        (CONTINUED)                                    Final Revision - October, 2003 107.CONTINUED: ( 2 )                        CANDALF                 (grimly)            So passes Denethor, Son of Ecthelion.                                                             CUT TO:EXT. MINAS TIRITH - DAYDENETHOR runs across the WHITE COURT atop MINAS TIRITH ...and PLUMMETS straight over the 700 FOOT SHEER DROP into theFLAMING CITY below!EXT. PELENNOR FIELDS - DAYPAN OFF: DENETHOR'S DEATH PLUNGE to the ROHIRRIM gaining theupper hand - VAST NUMBERS of ORCS are SLAIN, or are FLEEING!                       EOMER            Drive them into the river!THEODEN STANDS PROUD in his saddle, YELLING to his ROHIRRIM!                        THEODEN                              .                 (yelling)            Make safe the city!CLOSE ON: THEODEN . . . his look of JOY turns to HORROR! "ANGLE ON: Across the VAST SEA of BATTLE come .... . . 20 MUMAKIL! MASSIVE elephant-like CREATURES, eachcarrying a WAR-TOWER, packed with HARADRIM ARCHERS!ANGLE ON: ROHIRRIM RIDERS PANICKING.CLOSE ON: THEODEN on his HORSE, CIRCLING AMONGST THEM.                       THEODEN (cont'd)            Reform the line...Reform the line!ANGLE ON: ROHIRRIM HORSES MOVING BACK INTO LINE.                       THEODEN (cont'd)                 (to GAMLING)            Sound the charge!                       (M°RE)                          (CONTINUED)                                      Final Revision - October, 2003 108CONTINUED:                        THEODEN (cont'd)                  (sword raised)             ... Charge!ANGLE ON: ROHIRRIM RIDERS CHARGE TOWARDS THE LINE OF MUMAKIL!ANGLES ON: The MUMAKIL     BELLOW as they are goaded into war,driven mercilessly by     their brutal HARADRIM MASTERS. TheyLUMBER into the SEA of     MEN, crushing RIDERS and HORSES beneaththeir MASSIVE FEET! Th    eir SPIKED TUSKS swing wildly, sweepingand impaling RIDERS!HARADRIM ARCHERS are sending a RAIN of ARROWS into thePANICKING ROHIRRIM!EOWYN and MERRY are THROWN from their HORSE ...EXT. MINAS TIRITH - DAWNHIGH WIDE: The SIXTH LEVEL of the CITY . . . Smoke risingaround it, fires burning beneath it . . .EXT. THE SIXTH GATE, MINAS TIRITH - DAWNWIDE ON: A rabble of ORCS are clustered outside the SIXTHGATE as TROLLS pound on its WOODEN DOORS with HUGE HAMMERS.ANGLE ON: WOOD splinters . . . The DOORS are near breakingpoint.ANGLE ON: GANDALF and PIPPIN sit on stone steps . . . Bothcovered in sweat and grime, bone-weary from fighting, spiritsand hearts bruised . . .PIPPIN looks towards the WOODEN GATES at which a NUMBER ofSOLDIERS continue to build a BARRICADE . . .                         PIPPIN                  (quiet)             I didn't think it would end this way . . .GANDALF looks at the SMALL HOBBIT a beat.                         GANDALF                  (gently)             End? No, the journey doesn't end here.                                                          (CONTINUED)                                      Final Revision - October, 2003 109.CONTINUED:PIPPIN looks up at GANDALF, questioningly . . . .                        GANDALF (cont'd)             Death is just another path, one that we all             must take.ANGLE ON: GANDALF looks down to see PIPPIN looking up at himwith fear in his eyes . . .                         GANDALF (cont'd)                  (remembering)             The grey rain curtain of this world rolls             back and all turns to silver glass . . .                  (to himself)             and then you see it . . .ANGLE ON: GANDALF breaks off, lost in reverie . . .                        PIPPIN             What, Gandalf? See what?                        GANDALF             White shores ... And beyond . . . A far green             country under a swift sunrise.PIPPIN stares up at the OLD WIZARD'S FACE, softened, quietand full of peace . . .                         PIPPIN                  (quiet)             Well, that isn't so bad.                        GANDALF                  (gently)             No . . . No, it isn't.BOOM!ANGLE ON: GANDALF and PIPPIN'S faces turn as the WOODEN DOORSshudder under another BLOW.                                                             CUT TO:                                    Final Revision - October, 2003 110,EXT. PELENNOR FIELDS - DAYANGLE ON: The battlefield is in CHAOS as MUMAKIL decimate theVALIANT ROHIRRIM . . .CLOSE ON: THEODEN tries to rally his men amid the SEA ofCRYING MEN and NEIGHING HORSES!                      THEODEN                (yelling)           Rally to me! To me!SUDDENLY the WITCH-KING SWOOPS down on his NAZGUL scooping upTHEODEN and his HORSE ... they CARTWHEEL into the AIR andland in a heap ... the HORSE is .DEAD ... THEODEN lies DYINGbeneath it.ANGLE ON: The WITCH-KING swooping down on his FELL-BEAST!The FELL-BEAST lands on THEODEN'S DEAD HORSE.                      WITCH-KING           Feast on his flesh!ANGLE ON: The FELL-BEAST opens it's WICKED JAWS . . . !ANGLE ON: A ROHAN SOLDIER stands before the BEAST . . . it isEOWYN!                     EOWYN           I will kill you if you touch him!CLOSE ON: The WITCH-KING laughs . . .                     WITCH-KING           Do not come between the Nazgul and his           prey!ANGLE ON: The FELL-BEAST lifts EOWYN from her feet ...SUDDENLY! With a mighty SWORD BLOW, the FELL-BEAST'S HEAD isSEVERED! The huge CREATURE crumples to the ground, VAST WINGSout-stretched, sending the WITCH-KING sprawling!                                                      (CONTINUED)                                    Final Revision - October, 2003 111,CONTINUED:ANGLE ON: The WITCH-KING rises out of the wreckage . . . talland threatening . . .EOWYN stands before him,the FELL-BEAST'S BLOOD dripping fromher SWORD!With a shrill SHRIEK of HATRED, he knocks EOWYN backwardswith his MACE! STUNNED EOWYN tries to stand and is hit onceagain with another CRIPPLING BLOW . . .ANGLE ON: The WITCH-KING laughs once again as he SMASHES hisMACE downward ... EOWYN tries to block the BLOW but herSHIELD shatters into MANY PIECES!The WITCH-KING towers over EOWYN ... raising his MACE for theKILLING BLOW!                                                           CUT TO:EXT. MINAS TIRITH DOCKS - DAYANGLE ON: an ORC COMMANDER hurrying on to the ANDUIN RIVERDOCKS, close to the CITY. LARGE BLACK SHADOWS slide acrossthe DOCKS, as SAILING SHIPS approach O.S.ANGLE ON: A sinister BLACK SAILED SHIP GLIDES into the "DOCKS. . . 9 OTHER CORSAIR SHIPS follow behind.CLOSE ON: The ORC COMMANDER ...                        ORC COMMANDER                  (angry)             Late as usual! Get off your ships, you sea             rats! There's knife work here needs doing.ANGLE ON: ARAGORN leaping from the LEADING SHIP and chargingacross the DOCKS, ROARING at the top of his LUNGS! He isfollowed by LEGOLAS and GIMLI . . .ANGLE ON: Surprised ORC REACTION to the THREE chargingtowards THOUSANDS of ORCS!                     GIMLI      · ··· Plenty for the both of us . . . May the best          dwarf win!       .                                               (CONTINUED)       ;                                      Final Revision - October, 2003 112.CONTINUED:ANGLE ON: The ARMY OF THE DEAD suddenly LEAP straight out ofthe SIDES of the SHIPS! They charge ACROSS the SURFACE OF THEWATER with FRIGHTENING SPEED, overtaking ARAGORN!The ORCS SCREAM at the SIGHT of 5000 SPECTRAL WARRIORS!ANGLE ON: The SPECTRAL WARRIORS SWARM into the flank of theQRC ARMY! With a raging blood-lust, the UNDEAD climb over thetop of each other to try and reach the enemy, creating a kindof.ROLLING MOUNTAIN of GHOULS that sweep all before themaway!The ORCS have no defence as their WEAPONS CANNOT MAKE CONTACTwith the GHOSTS!EXT. PELENNOR FIELDS - DAYANGLE ON: MERRY on the ground . . . He looks around to see THEWITCH-KING standing over EOWYN, pulling her to her FEET!                         WITCH KING             No man can kill me . . . Die!ANGLE ON: MERRY driving his SWORD into the back of the WITCH-KING'S KNEE! MERRY'S SWORD bursts into FLAME and his ARM is.shot with PAIN . . .EOWYN struggles to her feet . . . pulling off her HELMET:CLOSE ON: EOWYN . . . her LONG HAIR tumbling onto hershoulders!                        EOWYN             I am no man!With her last strength, EOWYN thrusts her SWORD into theWITCH-KING'S FACE! EOWYN'S SWORD SHATTERS into MANY SHARDS!The WITCH-KING topples back DEAD, a BLACK OOZE leaking fromhis ROBES and ARMOUR! A shuddering CRY, fading into a SHRILLWAIL passes with the WIND.ARAGORN and LEGOLAS battle the ORC - LEGOLAS JUMPS onto theBACK of a GIANT MUMAKIL bringing it down ... he lands on hisfeet in front of GIMLI . . .                                                        (CONTINUED)                                     Final Revision - October, 2003 113.CONTINUED:                        GIMLI             That still only counts as one!The MUMAKIL react with terror as SPECTRAL WARRIORS climb uptheir SIDES, routing the HARADRIM from their WAR-TOWERS!ORCS flee in their THOUSANDS ... the TERRIFIED MUMAKILtrampling them in their PANIC to ESCAPE!ANGLE ON: The ARMY OF THE DEAD swarming over the CITY,routing the ORCS!ANGLE ON: EOWYN crawls to where THEODEN lays, mortallywounded . . .THEODEN looks up at EOWYN ... his breathing shallow ... hisvision clouded . . .                        THEODEN                  (gasping weakly)             I know your face ... Eowyn ...EOWYN smiles down at him as she GENTLY STROKES his FACE ...                       THEODEN (cont'd)             My eyes darken ...                        EOWYN             No . . . I am going to save you ...                         THEODEN                  (loving)             You already did . . .                  (clutching her hand)             My body is broken ... you have to let me go                        EOWYN             N ...              oTHEODEN touches her tear-stained face ...                        THEODEN             I go to my fathers . . . in whose mighty             company, I shall not now feel ashamed ...                                                         (CONTINUED)                                      Final Revision - October, 2003 114CONTINUED: (2)THEODEN is DYING . . .                         THEODEN (cont'd)            Eowyn?THEODEN DIES ... EOWYN breaks down, SOBBING ... ALL AROUND isa VISTA OF DEFEAT.                                                             CUT TO:EXT. PELENNOR FIELDS, MINAS TIRITH - DAYWIDE ON: PELENNOR FIELDS . . . strangely SILENT . . . all ORCShave fled ... BATTLE DEBRIS and BODIES stretch as far as theeye can see...ABOVE MINAS TIRITH ... BLINDING SUN RAYS break through theLOW CLOUDS!ANGLE ON: GANDALF, LEGOLAS, GIMLI and PIPPIN watch as . . .ARAGORN walks slowly across the FIELD OF BATTLE towards theHIDEOUS GHOULS ...                       KING OF THE DEAD            Release us.                       GIMLI                 (quietly)            Bad idea. Very handy in a tight spot, these            lads - despite the fact, they're dead!                      KING OF THE DEAD            You gave us your word.                       ARAGORN            I hold your oath fulfilled . . . Go. Be at            peace.ANGLE ON: The ARMY OF THE DEAD slowly DISSOLVE INTO DUST, andare immediately swept away by the four winds.ARAGORN turns to GANDALF who bows his head in HOMAGE ...                                                         (CONTINUED)                                       Final Revision - October, 2003 115.CONTINUED:PIPPIN, in his GONDORIAN armour, looks around at thedevastation ... his eyes full of SADNESS ... they suddenlyfix on something.ANGLE ON: PIPPIN running through the RUIN of the BATTLE . . .towards a SMALL FIGURE slumped on the ground ...                          PIPPIN             Merry ...?MERRY stares unseeing at PIPPIN ... HORROR and SHOCK erasingall other memories from MERRY'S mind ... tears fall downPIPPIN'S FACE as he looks on his FRIEND . . .                         PIPPIN (cont'd)             Merry . . . it's me, it's Pippin . . .                        MERRY                  (groggy)             I knew you'd find me.                  (disorientated)             Are you going to leave me?                       PIPPIN             No Merry, I'm going to look after you.ANGLE ON: PIPPIN covers MERRY with a blanket . . .                                                            CUT TO:EXT. TOWER OF CIRITH UNGOL - NIGHTCAMERA RISES ... towards the dark ORC TOWER of CIRITH UNGOL.A light glows from the TOPMOST WINDOW.CAMERA reaches the TOWER, dissolving through the wall into...                                            ·               CUT TO:INT. TOWER OF CIRITH UNGOL/TOP ROOM - NIGHT. . . a small cold ROOM. FRODO BAGGINS is UNCONSCIOUS on thefloor. His eyes suddenly flicker and he WAKES UP.                                                        (CONTINUED)                                    Final Revision - October, 2003 116,CONTINUED:TILT UP . . . to reveal the ORC and URUK-HAI, GORBAG andSHAGRAT, arguing over FRODO'S BELONGINGS and CLOTHES! GORBAGis snatching for the MITHRIL VEST.                        SHAGRAT             Hey! Hands off - that shiny shirt, that's             mine.                         GORBAG             It's going to the Great Eye, along with             everything else . . .ANGLE ON . . . FRODO as he realizes that he has been STRIPPEDdown to his UNDERWEAR. He clutches at his throat.... The RING HAS GONE!                        SHAGRAT             I don't take orders from stinking Morgul             rats!GORBAG grabs for the MITHRIL VEST ...                        GORBAG                  (angry yell)             You touch it, and I'll stick this blade in             your guts!ANGLE ON: GORBAG draws his SWORD, but SHAGRAT KICKS himBACKWARDS with his foot! GORBAG FALLS THROUGH a TRAP DOORleading to the floor below!                                                             CUT TO:INT. TOWER OF CIRITH UNGOL/GUARD ROOM - NIGHTANGLE ON: GORBAG lands in the GUARD ROOM with a CRASH,creating SUDDEN ALARM amongst the ORCS and URUK-HAI stationedthere.SHAGRAT leans through the TRAP DOOR ...                        SHAGRAT                  (yelling)             The scum tried to knife me! Kill him!                        1                                (CONTINUED)                                    Final Revision - October, 2003 117,CONTINUED:SEVERAL URUK-HAI converge on GORBAG - he LASHES OUT, slashingone across the throat with his SWORD!The DEAD URUK-HAI topples backwards over the PARAPET . . .                                                          CUT TO:EXT. TOWER OF CIRITH UNGOL/COURTYARD - NIGHT... landing on top of URUK-HAI and ORCS in the courtyardbelow. Within moments, a brutal CIVIL WAR breaks out betweenthe TWO COMPANIES stationed in CIRITH UNGOL!EXT. PASS OF CIRITH UNGOL - NIGHTANGLE ON: SAM hurries towards the gate, fearful for FRODO.                                                          CUT TO:EXT. TOWER OF CIRITH UNGOL/COURTYARD - NIGHTSAM is confronted with the sight of over 50 SLAUGHTERED ORCand URUK-HAI, strewn over the COURTYARD!ANGLE ON: SAM pounds UP THE STAIRCASE . . . he suddenly PAUSES.SEVERAL URUK-HAI are running DOWN TOWARDS HIM! He grips STINGand continues CHARGING UP - SCREAMING at the top of hislungs!ANGLE ON: The FOUR URUKS . . . they see a HUGE DISTORTED SHADOWon the wall in front of them! They turn around and flee interror back to the top of the stairs!SAM appears - and before the URUK-HAI can fully regain theirwits - he slays THREE ... YELLING:                       SAM                (yelling . . . 1st URUK-HAI)             ·                                                         ,           That's for Frodo!                (yelling ... 2nd URUK-HAI)           And for the Shire!                (yelling . . . 3rd URUK-HAI)           And that's for my old Gaffer!                                ·        ·   ·    ·SAM runs into the TOWER . . .                                     Final Revision - October, 2003 118,INT. TOWER OF CIRITH UNGOL/TOP ROOM - NIGHTANGLE ON: FRODO struggling against his bonds, as GORBAGclimbs back into the room ... with VENGEANCE in his EVILEYES.                      GORBAG           Stop your squeaking you dunghill rat!CLOSE ON: GORBAG grabs FRODO'S hair and pulls his head back,exposing his neck. He pulls out his SWORD, ready to cutFRODO'S throat . . .                      GORBAG (cont'd)           I'm gonna bleed you like a stuck pig!SUDDENLY! GORBAG GASPS as STING is rammed into his back bySAM!                      SAM           Not if I stick you first!GORBAG falls dead!                      FRODO                (joyous disbelief)           Sam!!!ANGLE ON: FRODO . . . humbled by SAM'S unswerving loyalty.                       FRODO (cont'd)           Oh, Sam . . . I'm so sorry . . . sorry for           everything.SAM quickly cuts FRODO free.                      SAM           Come on.                      FRODO                (despairing)           It's too late. It's over . . . they've taken           it. Sam - they took the Ring!!                                                          (CONTINUED)                                      Final Revision - October, 2003 119.CONTINUED:                         SAM                  (quietly)             Begging your pardon, but they haven't.SAM pulls the RING from his pocket ...                         SAM (cont'd)             I thought I ' d lost you . . . so I took it -             only for safe-keeping.CLOSE ON: FRODO looks at SAM amazed . . . his eyes drop to theRN ... IG                        FRODO             Give it to me.SAM hesitates . . . . TENSION instantly builds between them.                        FRODO (cont'd)             Give me the Ring, Sam.SAM seems strangely reluctant . . . ON THE SOUNDTRACK to HUM ofthe RING builds                        FRODO (cont'd)             Sam! Give me the Ring.CLOSE ON: SAM drops the RING into FRODO'S palm . . .FRODO sags in RELIEF . . . he puts the RING back around hisnc . .. ek                         FRODO (cont'd)             You must understand . . . The Ring is my             burden . . . it will destroy you, Sam.FRODO looks at SAM, pain in his eyes ...SAM looks down at FRODO ... his plain HOBBIT face full ofcompassion. SAM'S resolve hardens, a new strength takes hold.                                                             (CONTINUED)                                     Final Revision - October, 2003 120CONTINUED: (2)                      SAM           Come on, Mr Frodo, we'd best find you some           clothes . . . you can't go walking through           Mordor in naught but your skin.                                                          CUT TO:EXT. PASS OF CIRITH UN.GOL - NIGHTFRODO and SAM are now dressed in FOUL-LOOKING ORC gear ...ANGLE ON: FRODO and SAM turn east and walk over the SUMMIT ofCIRITH UNGOL ... into MORDOR.CLOSE ON: FRODO and SAM . . . they STOP DEAD . . . STARING AHEAD:ANGLE ON: MOUNT DOOM . . . 50 M,ILES AWAY - across the barrenGORGOROTH PLATEAU - the mountain is erupting streams of ASHand LAVA high into the air, lighting the low cloud blanket ofMORDOR with a flickering ORANGE WASH.With immense trepidation, FRODO and SAM head down the steeppath into the dark kingdom . . .. . . TWO TINY FIGURES in a bleak, foreboding landscape. Beforethem lies the PLAIN of GORGOROTH ... Their eyes are drawn tothe OMINOUS SILHOUETTE of MOUNT DOOM ...                      SAM           We did it, Mr Frodo. We made it to Mordor.ANGLE ON: FRODO's eyes travel down towards the HUNDREDS ofFIRES which glow on the PLAINS beneath them ... thousandsupon thousands of ORCS are encamped there .                      FRODO           There are so many of them . . . So many.           We'll never get through unseen.THEIR eyes are drawn to a DARK LOOMING SHAPE ... BARAD-DUR. . . A RED LIGHT seems to sweep across the PLAIN ...                      FRODO (cont'd)               (terror)           It's him - the Eye.                                                      (CONTINUED)                                     Final Revision - October, 2003 121.CONTINUED:The GREAT EYE OF SAURON!SAM cannot see what FRODO sees. GENTLY, he urges FRODO on.                       SAM             We have to go in there, Mr Frodo. There's             nothing for it. Come on. Let's just make it             down the hill for starters.EXT. MINAS TIRITH, TOWER HALL - DAYCLOSE ON: GANDALF stands in the TOWER HALL . . . seeminglyalone . . . he speaks quietly, doubt and fear edge his voice.                        GANDALF             Frodo has passed beyond my sight. The             darkness is deepening.He turns and crosses the HALL to reveal the presence ofGIMLI, LEGOLAS, EOMER and ARAGORN . . .ARAGORN, his back to GANDALF . . .                       ARAGORN             If Sauron had the .Ring, we would know it.CLOSE ON: GANDALF - still troubled, still worried . . .                    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 sits insolently on the SEAT of the STEWARD . . .                    GIMLI          Let him stay there. Let him rot. Why should          we care?GANDALF looks across at the DWARF . . . His face ashen.                    GANDALF          Because ten thousand Ores now stand between          Frodo and Mount Doom.                     (MORE)                                                      (CONTINUED)                                     Final Revision - October, 2003 122CONTINUED:                        GANDALF (cont'd)                  (to himself)             I have sent him to his death.ANGLE ON: ARAGORN turns around suddenly . . .                        ARAGORN             No.GANDALF looks up sharply at ARAGORN . . .                       ARAGORN (cont'd)             There is still hope for Frodo. He needs             time and safe passage across the Plains of             Gorgoroth. We can give him that.                        GANDALF             How?                        ARAGORN             Draw out Sauron' s armies - empty his lands.             Then we gather our full strength and march             on the Black Gate.At this, GIMLI CHOKES on his pipe . . . EOMER steps forward.                        EOMER             We cannot achieve victory from 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 . . .CLOSE ON: GANDALF speaks in a low tone to ARAGORN . . .                         GANDALF                  (doubtful)             Sauron will suspect a trap. He will not             take the bait!                                                        (CONTINUED)                                   Final Revision - October, 2003 123.CONTINUED: ( 2 )                       GIMLI            Certainty of death. Small chance of            success. What are we waiting for?                                                            CUT TO:EXT. PELENNOR FIELDS - DUSKCLOSE ON: ARAGORN wearing a BREAST PLATE emblazoned with theWHITE TREE.He rides at the head of a COLUMN of 500 FOOT SOLDIERS fromROHAN and CONDOR ... leading them from the :RUINS ofOSGILIATH.GANDALF, LEGOLAS, GIMLI, EOMER, MERRY and PIPPIN ridedirectly behind him.AHEAD OF THEM: The MOUNTAINS of MORDOR.EXT. PLAINS OF GORGORTH - NIGHTGREAT ARMIES of ORC and URUK-HAI stream across the PLAINSfrom MORDOR . . .EXT. ORC ROAD, MORDOR - NIGHTWIDE SHOT: The VOLCANIC WASTELAND of the GORGOROTH FOOTHILLS.FRODO and SAM, still disguised in the ORC ARMOUR, slide downscree bank and land on the road below . . . their attention isfixed on the PLAIN below ... thousands of ORCS can be seenmarching away from MT. DOOM . . .                       SAM            Look, the Ores! They're moving off. You            see, Mr Frodo - some luck at last.EXT. GORGOROTH PLAIN, MORDOR - DAWNFRODO and SAM ... moving across a HELLISH dry landscape oftwisted volcanic rock and STEAMING FISSURES.                                                      (CONTINUED)                                     Final Revision - October, 2003 124CONTINUED:40 MILES AWAY, MOUNT DOOM rises out of the PLAIN . . . its feetfounded in ashen ruin, its huge cone rising to a greatheight, where its reeking head is swathed in cloud.EXT. BLACK GATES OF MORDOR - DAYARAGORN'S FORCE of 500 approaches the great BLACK GATES OFMORDOR. He positions his troops about half a mile from theGATES.EXT. GORGOROTH PLAIN, MORDOR - DAYANGLE ON: FRODO slumped against a ROCK . . . he tries to DRINKfrom his WATER BOTTLE . . . but finds it EMPTY.                        SAM             Take mine . . . there's a few drops left.FRODO gratefully takes a SMALL SIP from SAM'S BOTTLE . . .hands it back.                       FRODO             There'll be none left for the return             journey.                       SAM                 (softly)             I don't think there will be a return             journey, Mr Frodo.A moment of EYE CONTACT between FRODO and SAM as theyacknowledge what lies ahead.SAM offers FRODO his hand . . . and PULLS HIM UP.                                                          CUT TO:EXT. BLACK GATES OF MORDOR - DAYAt the BLACK GATES, ARAGORN musters his MEN . . .                                                          CUT TO:                                     Final Revision - October, 2003 125,EXT. PLAINS OF GORGOROTH - DAYWIDE ON: FRODO and SAM staggering across the TORTUREDLANDSCAPE ... they are no longer WEARING the ORC ARMOUR.CLOSE ON: FRODO is walking half-bowed, often stumbling . . . asif his eyes not longer see the way before his feet.His right HAND is pressed against his CHEST ... supporting aHEAVY WEIGHT. His left HAND often rises, as if to ward offsome invisible blow. SAM watches him, CONCERN etched acrosshis FACE . . .CLOSE ON: FRODO as a malevolent VOICE in his head calls tohim . . . "Baggins - Baggins" . . .CLOSE ON: SAM looking behind him in time to see . . .WIDE ON: A RAY of RED LIGHT stabs through the GLOOM andbegins to sweep over the BARREN LANDSCAPE . . .                         SAM           Fo o g td w            rd , e onSAM throws himself to the ground ... FRODO turns to thelight, unable to stop himself . . .FRODO crumpling to the ground as the RED LIGHT hits him likea SEARCHLIGHT.EXT. BLACK GATES OF MORDOR - NIGHTAll is QUIET . . . No sign of the ENEMY . . .                       PIPPIN                (wary)           Where are they?ANGLE ON: GANDALF . . . watchful . . . alert. He nods at ARAGORN.WIDE: ARAGORN, GANDALF, LEGOLAS, GIMLI, EOMER, MERRY andPIPPIN galloping towards the BLACK GATES. They pull up lessthan 50 yards from the TOWERING GATES . . .                                                   INTERCUT WITH:                                     Final Revision - October, 2003 126.EXT. PLAINS OF GORGOROTH - NIGHTFRODO is slumped on the GROUND, unable to MOVE ...                                                   INTERCUT WITH:EXT. BLACK GATES OF MORDOR - NIGHTANGLE ON: ARAGORN moves his HORSE forward.                    ARAGORN          Let the lord of the Black Land come forth;          let justice be done upon him.From behind the HUGE GATES, the terrifying CHANTING and theCLANGING of the ARMOUR of THOUSANDS ...With the SOUND of TORTURED METAL, the MASSIVE GATES begin toopen . . . LEGOLAS, MERRY and EOMER look on in trepidation.EXT. PLAINS OF GORGOROTH - NIGHTWith the EYE OF SAURON sweeping the PLAINS around them, SAMgets to his feet ...EXT. BLACK GATES OF MORDOR - NIGHTThe BLACK GATES of MORDOR SWING OPEN! SAURON'S ARMY of300,000 ORCS MARCH OUT!                    ARAGORN          Pull back! Pull back!ANGLE ON: ARAGORN, GANDALF, LEGOLAS, GIMLI, EOMER, MERRY andPIPPIN GALLOP back towards their SMALL ARMY as the ORC MASSESslowly MARCH toward them.Behind them, the EYE OF SAURON is directed toward THEM ...                                                          CUT TO:EXT. PLAINS OF GORGOROTH - NIGHTFRODO'S eyes open with a START ...                                                      (CONTINUED)                                    Final Revision - October, 2003 127.CONTINUED:                        SAM             It's gone, Mr Frodo.ANGLE ON: SAM crawls toward FRODO . . .                        SAM (cont'd)             The light's passed on, away towards the             North . . . something's drawn it's gaze.FRODO and SAM stagger to their feet and move off.                                                             CUT TO:EXT. BLACK GATES OF MORDOR - DAYANGLE ON: The MASSIVE ORC ARMY marching towards ARAGORN'SMEN.ANGLES ON: ARAGORN'S MEN . . . starting to WAVER as the ORCSENCIRCLE THEM. SOME MEN are backing away ... losing theirnerve.ARAGORN GALLOPS in front of his ARMY . . .                        ARAGORN             Hold your ground - hold your ground! Sons             of Gondor - of Rohan . . . my brothers!ANGLE ON: ARAGORN . . . he seems to fix each and everyone ofhis MEN with his eyes.                       ARAGORN (cont'd)             I see in your eyes the same fear that would             take the heart of me. The 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 Man 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!ARAGORN holds ANDURIL ALOFT!                                                         (CONTINUED)                                     Final Revision - October, 2003 128.CONTINUED:                        ARAGORN (cont'd)             Men of the West!                                                             CUT TO:EXT. MOUNT DOOM - NIGHTFRODO and SAM are CLIMBING the face of MOUNT DOOM ...The LANDSCAPE is VIOLENT ... RED HEAT hisses out of FISSURES,the ROCK is JAGGED ... RAZOR SHARP ... ASH blankets the LAND.RED LIGHTNING FORKS across the SKY with a DEAFENING CRACK!.CLOSE ON: FRODO and SAM'S FEET dragging across the ASH . . .Their PARCHED LIPS . . . SWEATING, DUSTY FACES.FRODO TRIPS ... falls FACE-FIRST into the DUST ... SAM dropsbeside him.                                                   INTERCUT WITH:EXT. BLACK GATES OF MORDOR - DAYHIGH WIDE: Of ARAGORN'S ARMY, totally SURROUNDED by 300,000ORCS . . . poised for the order to ATTACK!                                                   INTERCUT WITH:EXT. MT DOOM - NIGHTFRODO slowly lifts his head and looks up . . .FRODO'S POV: Looking .straight up the STEEP SLOPES of MOUNTDOOM! . . . a huge mass of ash and slag and burned stone!FRODO starts to CRAWL on his HANDS and KNEES! He haulshimself a FEW PITIFUL FEET before SLUMPING in the ASH.                                                             CUT TO:EXT. BLACK GATES OF MORDOR - NIGHTANGLE ON: GIMLI as he surveys the ARMY of MORDOR . . .                                                         (CONTINUED)                                        Final Revision - October, 2003 129.CONTINUED:                        GIMLI             Never thought I ' d die fighting side by side             with an Elf.                        LEGOLAS                  (quietly)             What about side by side with a friend?GIMLI looks up into the EYES of LEGOLAS, with whom he hasshared so much. The GRUFF DWARF smiles quietly . . . .                        GIMLI             Aye - I could do that.LEGOLAS drops his hand on GIMLI'S shoulder . . . SLOWLY theyturn and FACE the ENEMY TOGETHER.                                                              CUT TO:EXT. GORGOROTH PLAIN, MORDOR - NIGHTCLOSE ON: SAM crawls to FRODO who lies SLUMPED against therock-face . . . he turns him over, holding him in his ARMS.                         SAM                  (softly)             Do you remember the Shire, Mr Frodo?             . . . It'll be spring soon, and the orchards             will be in blossom; and the birds will be             nesting in the hazel thicket; and they'11             be sowing the summer barley in the lower             fields; and eating the first of the             strawberries with cream.                  (looking down at FRODO)             Do you remember the taste of strawberries?CLOSE ON: FRODO shuts his eyes, his breath coming in GASPS.                        FRODO                  (weak whisper)             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.                  (rising panic)             There's no veil between    me and the wheel of             fire. I can see it with    my waking eyes.                                                         (CONTINUED)                                    Final Revision - October, 2003 130,CONTINUED:CLOSE ON: SAM looks at FRODO with GRIM DETERMINATION.                       SAM             Then let us be rid of it - once and for             all! Come on, Mr Frodo. I can't carry it             for you ... but I can carry you! Come on!With that, SAM lifts FRODO on to his shoulders and starts toCLIMB MOUNT DOOM! His plain hobbit-face grows stern, almostgrim, as the will hardens in him.WIDE ON: TWO TINY HOBBITS on the ENDLESS shale SLOPES of theMOUNTAIN ...                                                             CUT TO:EXT. BLACK GATES OF MORDOR - DAYANGLE ON: ARAGORN and COMPANY watch as they are surrounded bya tide of ORCS . . .ARAGORN raises ANDURIL in the BROAD SWEEP as he walks forward. . . he turns to FACE the OTHERS . . .CLOSE ON: QUIET RESOLVE written on ARAGORN's face as he looksinto the EYES of the remaining members of the FELLOWSHIP ...                          ARAGORN                   (softly)             For Frodo . . .ANGLE ON: ARAGORN turning, SWORD-raised, he CHARGES FORWARD!There is a moment of SILENCE . . . no-one else moves . . .SUDDENLY a SHOUT goes up!ANGLE ON: PIPPIN and MERRY charging forward . . . The rest ofthe MEN following ...ANGLE ON: ARAGORN crashing head on into a line of ORCS . . .ANGLE ON: The blade of ANDURIL flashing as ARAGORN HACKS atORCS!                                                             CUT TO:                                   Final Revision - October, 2003 131,EXT. SLOPES OF MOUNT DOOM - DAYWIDE: Like a small grey insect, SAM creeps up the slope withFRODO on his back . . . foot by foot.The mantling CLOUD swirls, revealing the cruel pinnacles andiron crown of BARAD-DUR, the Dark Tower, in the distance.CLOSE ON: SAM staggering under FRODO'S weight . . . STRONG ash-laden WINDS are buffeting him as he slowly CLIMBS MOUNT DOOM.The PLAIN of GORGOROTH lies 1000 FEET BELOW, wrapped in fumeand shadow.A TREMOR ripples through the GROUND . . . a RED FLAME explodesinto the SKY . . .ANGLE ON: SAM looks up - fearful the MOUNTAIN could explodeat any moment!SAM POV: Through the THICK, FUME-LADEN AIR a set of STAIRScan be made out . . .                      SAM                (growing excitement)           Look, Mr Frodo! We're almost there!       -.-.SAM can't believe it - relief and joy flood through him . . .                     GOLLUM          Clever Hobbits to climb so high!SMACK!. OUT OF NOWHERE the figure of SMEAGOL crashes into themsending SAM and FRODO sprawling.ANGLE ON: SMEAGOL pounces on FRODO . . . his fingers wrappingaround his throat, snapping FRODO'S neck from side to side!ANGLE ON: FRODO as he struggles to unlock the BONY, WHITEFINGERS around his neck but SMEAGOL'S grip is too strong.CLOSE ON: SMEAGOL'S fingers tightening around FRODO'S neck -squeezing the life out of him . . .WHACK! A ROCK connects with the SIDE of SMEAGOL'S head . . .                                                     (CONTINUED)                                     Final Revision - October, 2003 132,CONTINUED:ANGLE ON: SAM jumps on a STUNNED SMEAGOL . . .ANGLE ON: FRODO comes to . . .                                                    INTERCUT WITH:EXT. BLACK GATES OF MORDOR - DAYThe BATTLE between MEN and ORCS rages on . . . From MORDOR,high OVERHEAD, the NAZGUL fly out into the FRAY ...                                                    INTERCUT WITH:EXT. SLOPES OF MOUNT DOOM - DAYAll the old HATRED between SAM and SMEAGOL boils over as theyFIGHT . . . SAM falls back . . . SMEAGOL BITING at his SHOULDER!SAM pushes SMEAGOL away with his feet . . . rolls to his KNEES,as SMEAGOL charges at him . . .SAM slashes out with STING! He cuts SMEAGOL across thestomach! SMEAGOL staggers back, SCREAMING with PAIN . . .SAM looks around desperately for FRODO ...                        SAM                  (yelling desperately)             Frodo!FRODO has GONE!ANGLE ON: FRODO RUNNING UP THE MOUNTAIN!                                                    INTERCUT WITH:EXT. BLACK GATES OF MORDOR - DAYFELLOWSHIP fight BRAVELY . . . a hideous screech rends the AIR!ANGLE ON: GANDALF looks up to a NAZGUL diving straight towardhim!CLOSE ON: GANDALF eyes flicker as a small MOTH fluttersacross his line of sight.                                                       (CONTINUED)                                     Final Revision - October, 2003 133.CONTINUED:ANGLE ON: THE FELL BEAST - JAWS OPEN, TALONS EXTENDED!Another cry rends the air as . . .SMACK! The GIANT EAGLE, GWAHIR, SMASHES into the FELLBEAST,it's claws ripping into the HIDEOUS MONSTER'S NECK!ANGLE ON: PIPPIN in the midst of BATTLE looks up.                          PIPPIN                   (disbelieving)             Eagles . . .Above the BATTLE attack formation, more EAGLES appear . . .                     . . . PIPPIN (cont'd)             The Eagles are coming! The Eagles are coming!The EAGLES engage the NAZGUL!                                                             CUT TO-EXT. DOOR OF SAMMATH NAUR, MOUNT DOOM - DAYANGLE ON: SAM is GASPING, his lungs EXPLODING as he RACES upthe SLOPES of MOUNT DOOM searching for FRODO.ANGLE ON: SAM arriving at the STONE DOORWAY of SAMMATH NAUR. . . leading into the MOUNTAIN!SAM staggers into it!INT. THE CRACK OF DOOM TUNNEL - DAYANGLE ON: SAM flinches against the FIERCE HEAT blasting downthe TUNNEL.                         SAM                  (yelling)             Frodo!SAM lurches forward ... towards an ORANGE GLOW deep in theHEART of the MOUNTAIN.                                    Final Revision - October, 2003 134INT. CRACK OF DOOM - DAYThe HEAT is almost UNBEARABLE ... SAM sees FRODO in theDISTANCE ...                       FRODO            I'm here, Sam.ANGLE ON: FRODO is standing on the EDGE of the CRACK OF DOOM. . . a deep LAVA FILLED CHASM, in the very heart of ancientSAURON'S FORGES, the greatest in Middle-earth.The RAGING ORANGE GLARE from the CHASM turns FRODO into aBLACK SILHOUETTE . . . standing TENSE and STILL.FRODO holds the RING in his HAND . . . he RAISES IT, holdingit over the BUBBLING LAVA far below.-                       SAM                 (yelling)            Destroy it - go on! Throw it in the fire!CLOSE ON: FRODO . . . a STRANGE EXPRESSION on his face . . .                       SAM (cont'd)            What are you waiting for? Just let it go!ON THE SOUNDTRACK: The HUM of the RING grows louder andlouder! FRODO PULLS the RING close to his body as he turns toSAM.FRODO looks at SAM, the RING has finally taken him.                       FRODO            The Ring is mine.SAM SCREAMS as . . ....    FRODO PUTS THE RING ON! He VANISHES!                       SAM            No!        :                                                           CUT TO:                                    Final Revision - October, 2003 135.EXT. BLACK GATES OF MORDOR - DAYWith a storm of wings, the NAZGUL wheel around and hurtletowards MOUNT DOOM!In the midst of the BATTLE - GANDALF ... realising FRODO hasbeen seen . . .                                                     INTERCUT WITH:INT. CRACK OF DOOM - DAYCLOSE ON: SAM is SCREAMING for FRODO . . .ANGLE ON: FOOTPRINTS moving across the ASH COVERED CAVERNFLOOR!SUDDENLY! GOLLUM smashes a ROCK down on SAM'S HEAD, knockinghim to the GROUND!GOLLUM LEAPS on to the INVISIBLE FRODO!CLOSE ON: FRODO'S FOOTPRINTS . . . staggering about underGOLLUM'S WEIGHT!ANGLE ON: GOLLUM clawing FRANTICALLY, riding on the BACK ofthe INVISIBLE FRODO . . .                                                     INTERCUT WITH:EXT. BLACK GATES OF MORDOR - DAYARAGORN turns and is confronted by an ARMOURED TROLL,wielding an ENORMOUS MALLET . . .                                                     INTERCUT WITH:INT. CRACK OF DOOMGOLLUM suddenly LIFTS HIS HANDS to his face ... and BITESHARD!ANGLE ON: FRODO MATERIALIZES as he DROPS TO HIS KNEES,clutching his BLEEDING HAND . . . he SCREAMS.                                                         (CONTINUED)                                   Final Revision - October, 2003 136,CONTINUED:The FIRES below roar in anger, RED LIGHT blazes, and all thecavern is filled with a great glare and heat.                                                   INTERCUT WITH:EXT. BLACK GATES OF MORDOR - DAYANGLE ON: LEGOLAS as ARAGORN falls to the GROUND . . .                                                   INTERCUT WITH:INT. CRACK OF DOOM - DAYCLOSE ON: GOLLUM triumphantly HOLDS the RING ALOFT . . .ECSTATIC!CLOSE ON: GOLLUM dancing GLEEFULLY . . . PERILOUSLY close tothe EDGE OF THE CHASM!                                                   INTERCUT WITH:EXT. BLACK GATES OF MORDOR - DAYARAGORN turns to see HUGE TROLL FEET moving CLOSER ...LEGOLAS races toward him ...INT. CRACK OF DOOMGOLLUM still TRIUMPHANT . . . on the edge of the PRECIPICE ...The FIERY LAVA casting an EVIL LIGHT . . . He jumps about inDELIGHT . . .                       GOLLUM             Precious! Precious!ANGLE ON: FRODO rises slowly . . . his EYES lock on GOLLUM . . .time seems to stand still as each regards the other ...CLOSE ON: the RING glinting in GOLLUM'S HAND . . . BEAUTIFUL... POWERFUL ... EVIL . . .SUDDENLY! FRODO lunges at GOLLUM ...FRODO thuds into GOLLUM, lifting him off his feet . . .                                                         (CONTINUED)                                       Final Revision - October, 2003 137.CONTINUED:ANGLE ON: FRODO and GOLLUM locked in STRUGGLE plummet overthe EDGE OF THE CHASM.                                                     INTERCUT WITH:EXT. BLACK GATES OF MORDOR - DAYTHUD! The HUGE FOOT of the CAVE TROLL lands on ARAGORN'Schest. He STABS at. it ineffectually . . .ANGLE ON: GANDALF in despair ...                                                     INTERCUT WITH:INT. CRACK OF DOOMSAM watches in HORROR as FRODO and GOLLUM ... disappear intothe CHASM! He staggers over . . .SLOW MOTION: GOLLUM falls into the CRACK OF DOOM . . .INSTANTLY engulfed in the CHURNING LAVA!ANGLE ON: SAM leans into the CRACK OF DOOM . . .ANGLE ON: FRODO clinging onto the ROCK FACE with his ONE GOODHAND!The CAVERNS are SHAKING VIOLENTLY.SAM desperately reaches for him . . . FRODO is too far down.                        SAM             Give me your hand.CLOSE ON: FRODO looks at SAM, his face impassive.                        SAM (cont'd)             Take my hand!FRODO struggles to reach SAM . . . he.can't reach WITH HISBLEEDING hand, and falls'back, still clinging valiantly tothe ROCK with his good hand . . .                                                        (CONTINUED)                                      Final Revision - October, 2003 138,CONTINUED:                       SAM (cont'd)             No!ANGLE ON: FRODO looks at SAM imploringly . . .                        SAM (cont'd)             Don't you let go! Don't let go.                  (desperate)             Reach!!!ANGLE ON: FRODO reaches up once more and this time SAM GRASPShis hand TIGHTLY .CLOSE ON: The RING sits on the river of LAVA for a briefmoment, then SINKS away . . .ANGLE ON: the EYE OF SAURON . . .WIDE ON: Across the GREAT PLAINS - MOUNT DOOM is clearlyIMPLODING ...                                                     INTERCUT WITH:EXT. BLACK GATES OF MORDOR - DAYOn the BATTLEFIELD, all eyes turn to MOUNT DOOM ...ANGLE ON: The CAVE TROLL, with ARAGORN at his mercy, isdistracted by the SOUNDS emanating from MORDOR . . . he turnsin TERROR and RUNS OFF . . .EXT. BARAD-DUR - DAYANGLE ON: The FELLOWSHIP turn to watch as the MASSIVE DARKTOWER of SAURON shakes itself to pieces!TOWERS FALL and WALLS CRUMBLE; vast spires of SMOKE andspouting STEAM billow up!The FOUNDATIONS explode apart ...EXT. BLACK GATES OF MORDOR - DAYThe BLACK GATES collapse in a huge cloud of ASH!                                                        (CONTINUED)                                      Final Revision - October, 2003 139.CONTINUED:THE ORCS are FLEEING in all DIRECTIONS . . . As the veryfoundations of MORDOR collapse!THE COMPANY watch as MOUNT DOOM explodes ... the reason fortheir MISERY is clear . . . it's plain FRODO and SAM can neversurvive the cataclysm ...                                                             CUT TO:EXT. SLOPES OF MOUNT DOOM - DAYThe VOLCANO is ERUPTING, FIRE belches from it's riven summit,sending LAVA streaming down it's sides..ANGLE ON: FRODO and SAM stagger out of the SAMMATH NAUR DOOR. . . all around ASH and MOLTEN ROCKS fall. The SKIES burstinto THUNDER, seared with LIGHTNING.The screaming NAZGUL fall from the sky in FLAMES!The ground is shaking so violently that FRODO and SAM canbarely stand.FRODO stumbles . . . SAM helps him up . . . FRODO smiles.                         FRODO                    .          ..             It's gone . . . it's done.SAM looks down at FRODO ... FRODO'S FACE is at PEACE ... hisBURDEN destroyed . . .                        SAM             Yes, Mr. Frodo ... it's over now.FRODO and SAM crawl onto a ROCK as LAVA streams towards them. . . in seconds THEIR ROCK is an island in a sea of MOLTENFIRE.                                                     ,'                                                           .FRODO shuts his eyes . . .                        FRODO                  (remembering)             I can see the Shire ... The Brandywine         ��   River, Bag End, Gandalf's fireworks . . . the             lights in the Party Tree . . .                                                       (CONTINUED)                                      Final Revision - October, 2003 140.CONTINUED:                          SAM             Rosie Cotton dancing ... she had ribbons in             her hair . . .                   (sobs)             . . . if ever I was to marry someone . . . it             would have been her . . . it would have been             her.FRODO glances at SAM . . . he is WEEPING.CLOSE ON: FRODO wrapping an ARM around SAM'S SHOULDER.                        FRODO                  (calm)             I'm glad to be with you, Samwise Gamgee . . .             here at the end of all things.HIGH WIDE: TWO TINY HOBBITS waiting to die amid a cataclysmiclandscape . . . LAVA erupts around them ... FIREBALLS rain downfrom the sky.We SLOWLY FADE TO BLACK ...FADE UP:SLOW MOTION: GWAIHIR, the GREAT EAGLE flaps towards CAMERA. . . He bears GANDALF on his back, and is followed by TWO MOREEAGLES.WIDE SHOT . . . The EAGLES bravely fly amid the RAINING ASH andMOLTEN ROCKS ... and SNATCH FRODO and SAM from the ROCK!CLOSE ON: FRODO'S FACE . . . as the FIERY VOLCANO recedes awaybeneath him . . . the wind ruffles his hair . . . he PASSES OUT.FADE TO BLACK.INT. MINAS TIRITH, HOUSES OF HEALING - DAYSLOW MOTION ... FRODO'S eyes flutter open ... looking aroundslowly his eyes alight on GANDALF ...                        FRODO             Gandalf?                                                        (CONTINUED)                                     Final Revision - October, 2003 141.CONTINUED:GANDALF'S face breaks into a smile ... then laughter .... . . as MERRY and PIPPIN run in . . . jumping on the bed andhugging FRODO . . .GIMLI and LEGOLAS enter the room . . . their joy is PLAIN . . .ARAGORN joins them - the FELLOWSHIP is complete . . .. . . finally FRODO'S eyes fall upon a FIGURE standing apartfrom the others . . . it is SAM ...CLOSE ON: FRODO'S and SAM'S eyes meet . . .                                                            CUT TO:EXT. MINAS TIRITH, COURT OF THE KINGS - DAYANGLE ON: SWEEPING over the MINAS TIRITH WALLS, racingtowards the TOP of the CITY ... through a BLIZZARD of WHITEFLOWER PETALS! MINAS TIRITH is restored . . . it gleams WHITEin the BRIGHT SUN.SOARING UP: to REVEAL the COURT OF THE KINGS, CROWDED with4000 PEOPLE . . . cramming the WIDE PATH leading to the TOWERHALL!                                                      ;CLOSE ON: The CROWN of CONDOR glints in the BRILLIANTSUNSHINE . . .GANDALF places the CROWN upon ARAGORN'S head.                        GANDALF             Now come the days of the King ...ARAGORN smiles up at GANDALF . . .                        GANDALF (cont'd)                      :                  (softly to Aragorn)             May they be blessed.ARAGORN slowly RISES, turning to face the CROWD, who CHEERand CLAP for their KING . . .                                                        (CONTINUED)                                    Final Revision - October, 2003 142,CONTINUED:                       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.The CHEERS of his PEOPLE are DEAFENING ...ARAGORN sings for his people ... Then WALKS in SLOWPROCESSION down the WHITE PAVED PATH as the CROWD BOW theirheads in respect to their NEW KING ...ARAGORN passes EOWYN and FARAMIR who bow before him ... EOMERsteps FORWARD to bow in respect ...TRUMPETS SOUND as a PROCESSION of ELVES, dressed inshimmering SILVERS and WHITES, led by LEGOLAS approach theKING ... LEGOLAS gestures behind him . . .CLOSE ON: ARAGORN'S eyes scan amongst the ELVESANGLE ON: A BANNER carried aloft bearing the WHITE TREE ofCONDOR in FULL FLOWER . . . the RANKS of ELVES part revealing:ARWEN, eyes shining ... MORTAL now, but deeply in love ...carrying the STANDARD of CONDOR ... ARAGORN kisses herELROND looks on . . . his face breaks into a smile.ARAGORN and ARWEN embrace.ANGLE ON: ARAGORN and ARWEN walking through the CROWD towardsfour SMALL FIGURES who stand nervously at the end of theAVENUE . . .ANGLE ON: ARAGORN and ARWEN look on FRODO, SAM, MERRY andPIPPIN, as they stand before them . . .The FOUR HOBBITS, dressed in their OLD CLOTHES, clean andmended, bow their heads ...ARAGORN raises his HAND.                        ARAGORN (cont'd)             My friends ... you bow to no-one.                                                      (CONTINUED)                                    Final Revision - October, 2003 143,CONTINUED: ( 2 )ANGLE ON: ARAGORN drops on ONE KNEE, kneeling before THEHOBBITS, his head bowed ... followed by all assembled there.CLOSE ON: TEARS spring into FRODO'S EYES. He clutches SAM'Sshoulder as 4000 PEOPLE pay homage to the courage of twolittle Hobbits from the Shire.CAMERA RISES INTO THE AIR ... away from the CROWDED CITADEL,until MINAS TIRITH becomes a SPECK in the LANDSCAPE ...                                                                 CUT TO:EXT. MIDDLE EARTH MAP - DAYDISSOLVING into the PARCHMENT MAP of MIDDLE-EARTH ... Slowlydrifting across the MAP towards the WEST ...                      FRODO V/0           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.           Thirteen months to the day since    Gandalf      ,.           sent us on our long journey . . .                                                                 CUT TO:EXT. HOBBITON - DUSK                      FRODO V/0           . . . we found ourselves looking upon a           familiar sight . . . We were home!MATCHING MOVE: Revealing HOBBITON bathed in a WARM SUNSET ...As FRODO, SAM, MERRY and PIPPIN ride into SHOT on PONIES ...past ODO PROUDFOOT who shakes his head at the STRANGENESS oftheir appearance.INT. THE GREEN DRAGON INN - NIGHTFRODO brings a round of drinks to the TABLE.                                                         (CONTINUED)                                  Final Revision - October, 2003 144.CONTINUED:Nearby a HUGE FUSS is being made of a LARGE PUMPKIN which hasbeen brought in to be shown off.ANGLE ON: The FOUR FRIENDS look at each other. A WORLD ofexperience now separates from their fellow HOBBITS.Seated at a long table, the FOUR FRIENDS raise their glasses. . . SAM eye is suddenly caught!ANGLE ON: ROSIE COTTON who is serving behind the BAR . . .SAM steels himself and leaves to go and TALK to ROSIE ...FRODO, MERRY and PIPPIN exchange smiles as . . .                                                        CUT TO:EXT. HOBBITON - DAYOn a BEAUTIFUL sunny day, SAM and ROSIE are MARRIED ... Withtheir dearest FRIENDS gathered around them . . .ROSIE throws a beautiful bouquet of FLOWERS . . . it's caughtby PIPPIN who smiles in embarrassment ...                                                   DISSOLVE TO:INT. BAG END - DAYFRODO walks through BAG END to his STUDY ...                      FRODO V/0          How do you pick up the threads of an old          life? How do you go on, when in your heart          you begin to understand. There is no going          back. There are some things that time          cannot mend. Some hurts that go too deep.          That have taken hold.ANGLE ON: FRODO . . . from behind. He is HUNCHED over a DESK...PUSH IN . . . to reveal BILBO'S RED BOOK open on FRODO'S DESK.He is WRITING in the LAST CHAPTERS ...                                                    (CONTINUED)                                     Final Revision - October, 2003 145,CONTINUED:in careful neat HANDWRITING. FRODO turns back the pages,REVEALING: There and Back Again - A Hobbit's Tale, by BilboBaggins. He writes below it as SAM GAMGEE calls out from thedoor:                      SAM O.S          Mr Frodo?CLOSE ON: FRODO WINCES with a sharp GASP of PAIN . . . He puts ·the PEN down and CLUTCHES at his SHOULDER . . .SAM has entered the ROOM and stands BEHIND FRODO ...                     SAM                 .               (concerned)                       -          What is it?                -CLOSE ON: FRODO . . . He is DRAWN and PALE.                     FRODO          It's been four years to the day since          Weathertop, Sam. It's never really healed.CLOSE ON: SAM . . . at a loss for words. His EYES fall to theBOOK.                               .....'·                      SAM                         ,           "               (reading)          "There and Back Again . . . A      Hobbit's Tale,          by Bilbo Baggins".TILT DOWN: to FRODO'S HANDWRITING:                      SAM (cont'd)               (reading)          " . . . And The Lord of the Rings, by Frodo          Baggins".               (delighted)                                    :          You've finished it!                                 -                     FRODO               (closing the book)          Not quite . . . There's room for a little          more.                                                              CUT TO:                                   Final Revision - October, 2003 146.EXT. HOBBITON FIELDS - EARLY MORNINGLYRICAL MUSIC OVER ...A COLD WINTER'S MORNING ... Out of the FOG rattles a SMALLCOVERED WAGON; GANDALF is at the REINS.ANGLE ON: FRODO, SAM, MERRY and PIPPIN are waiting on PONIESfor the WAGON . . . all are wearing their GREY ELVEN ROBES.                      FRODO V/0           Bilbo once told me, the great stories never           end - that each of us must come and go in           the telling. His part in this tale was now           over. There would be no more journeys for           Bilbo. Save one.CLOSE ON: GANDALF arrives in his CART . . .                                                     DISSOLVE TO:EXT. WEST FARTHING - DAYWIDE ON: The WAGON trundles along at a SEDATE PACE.SAM, MERRY and PIPPIN ride behind, leading FRODO'S EMPTYPONY.                       BILBO O.S.                (frail)           Tell me again, lad. Where are we going?                      FRODO O.S.           To the harbour, Bilbo. The Elves have           accorded you a special honour. A place on           the last ship to leave Middle-earth.INT. WAGON - DAYCLOSE ON: FRODO is SITTING in the WAGON . . . his ARM aroundhis UNCLE BILBO.BILBO is extremely OLD and FRAIL. He is DOZING . . . his headslumped.                                                       (CONTINUED)                                     Final Revision - October, 2003 147.CONTINUED:BILBO'S eyes flutter OPEN . . . with effort he raises his head                        BILBO                  (frail)             Frodo ... Any chance of seeing that old             ring of mine ... the one I gave you?                        FRODO                  (quietly)             Sorry, Uncle . . . I'm afraid, I lost it.                        BILBO                  (frail)             Oh . . . pity. I should like to have held it             one last time.                                   ·BILBO nods back to sleep ... FRODO rests his head againsthim.                                                         DISSOLVE TO:EXT. THE GREY HAVENS - DUSKANGLE ON: FRODO, walking arm-in-arm with BILBO through abeautiful ELVEN BOAT-HOUSE ... GANDALF follows with MERRY,PIPPIN and SAM.CLOSE ON: As BILBO looks up, he is STUNG by the BEAUTY beforehm . . . i                        BILBO             Oh! Well, here's a sight I have never·seen             before.TRACKING: Passing under a beautiful ELVEN ARCHWAY . . .. . . to reveal a WHITE SHIP, ready to depart from a WHITESTONE DOCK.ANGLE ON: ELROND, CELEBORN and GALADRIEL are waiting forthem.The SETTING SUN slowly dropping behind the SEA ... visiblebetween the HEADLANDS of a beautiful INLET.                                                          (CONTINUED)                                        Final Revision - October, 2003 148,CONTINUED:The lighting is beautiful . . . S U N streams through the sails,casting an ethereal glow on THE GROUP as they walk onto theDOCK.BILBO bows in acknowledgement to ELROND, CELEBORN andGALADRIEL, who return his GREETING.                       GALADRIEL             The power of the Three Rings is ended. The             time has come for the Dominion of Men.                        ELROND                  (ELVISH: with subtitles)             I Aear can ven na mar.             T he Sea calls us ho me.ELROND holds out his ARMS to BILBO who suddenly seems MUCHYOUNGER and SPRIGHTLIER . . . He sets off down the PATH TOWARDhis HOSTS . . .                        BILBO             I think I'm quite ready for another             adventure.BILBO walks down toward the BOAT and BOARDS with ELROND . . .ANGLE ON: FRODO looks up . . . GALADRIEL is watching him. SheSMILES, TURNS and BOARDS the BOAT . . .GANDALF kneels before SAM, MERRY and PIPPIN - who are alllooking TEARFUL.                       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.There is GREAT SADNESS . . . MERRY SNIFFLES LOUDLY.                        GANDALF (cont'd)             I will not say: "do not weep", for not all             tears are an evil.                                                          (CONTINUED)                                      Final Revision - October, 2003 149.CONTINUED: (2)CLOSE ON: GANDALF turns and walks away . . . FRODO is DOWNCAST... SUDDENLY, GANDALF turns and looks toward him.                      GANDALF (cont'd)           It is time, Frodo.ANGLE ON: GANDALF looks at FRODO then turns and slowly walkstowards the GANGPLANK to board the SHIP.                      SAM                (alarmed)           What does he mean?CLOSE ON: FRODO turns to SAM. . . .                       FRODO                (gently)           We set out to save the Shire, and it has           been saved ... but not for me . . .                       SAM                (shaken)           You don't mean that - you can't leave.ANGLE ON: SAM looks down . . . FRODO is holding BILBO'S REDJOURNAL out towards him.                      FRODO           The last pages are for you, Sam.SAM is SOBBING . . . MERRY and PIPPIN are DISTRAUGHT . . . .FRODO hugs MERRY and PIPPIN, and last of all SAM . . . andclimbs on board the SHIP.ANGLE ON: FRODO a look of WONDERMENT crosses his face . . . ashe STEPS FORWARD and ACCEPTS GANDALF'S HAND . . . finallyreleased from his pain, care falls from his face . . . he isthe young FRODO we first met so long ago.SAM, MERRY and PIPPIN comfort each other as the WHITE SHIPglides away from the DOCK ...WIDE ON: The WHITE BOAT sails away towards the HEADLANDS,disappearing into the GOLDEN LIGHT of the SETTING SUN.                                                         (CONTINUED)                                     Final Revision - October, 2003 150.CONTINUED: ( 3 )ANGLE ON: SAM in growing darkness, still follows thedeparting SHIP with his eyes, MERRY and PIPPIN are alreadypreparing to leave.                                                           CUT TO:EXT. NO.3 BAGSHOT ROW - MORNINGANGLE ON: SAM walks up the path towards his house . . .A LITTLE GIRL toddles up to greet him.                       SAM            Elanor!He hugs his daughter . . .                       FRODO V/0            My dear Sam. You cannot always be torn in            two. You have to be one and whole for many            years. You have so much enjoy and to be and            to do. Because Sam, your part in the            journey goes on.ANGLE ON: ROSIE COTTON steps up and kisses SAM on the cheek. . . she gives him a TINY BABY BOY to cradle.                       SAM            Hello, little Frodo!ANGLE ON: SAM with his FAMILY . . . he draws a deep breath:                      SAM (cont'd)           Well ... I'm back.SAM looks at his LOVELY FAMILY with GREAT HAPPINESS, tingedwith a little SADNESS . . .SAM and ROSIE take the CHILDREN'S HANDS and enter BAGSHOT . . .the BRIGHT YELLOW DOORWAY closes behind them.                                                   FADE TO BLACK.                                   Final Revision - October, 2003 151.                        THE END.