Scene 13 ~ A Short Cut to Mushrooms
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Sam appears walking through a field of tall maize. He emerges from the
corn to a path, which is deserted. He looks behind him and in front
but can see no one. He walks hurridely onwards
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SAM: |
Mr Frodo ? (he starts to run) Frodo! Frodo!
(Frodo appears
turning to find him) I thought I'd lost you
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FRODO: |
What are you talking about ?
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SAM: |
It's just something Gandalf said.
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FRODO: |
What did he say?
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SAM: |
Don't you lose him Samwise Gamgee and I don't mean to.
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FRODO: |
Sam! We're still in The Shire. What could possibly
happen!
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Suddenly from out of the cornfield two hobbits
rush into them, pushing them to the ground.
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PIPPIN: |
(looking down at Frodo beneath him) Frodo!
Merry! Its Frodo Baggins!
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MERRY: |
Hello Frodo!
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SAM: |
Get off him! (he pulls Merry off Frodo and pulls Frodo up)
Frodo, are you alright?
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FRODO: |
What's the meaning of this ?
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Merry and Pippin hurridely pick up their
vegetables and heap them into Sam's arms
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MERRY: |
Hold these
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SAM: |
You've been into Farmer Maggot's crop!
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MERRY: |
and these
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Suddenly a dog barks and they see a scythe held
high above the corn coming towards them
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FARMER MAGGOT: |
Hoi! You get back here! Wait till I get this through you!
(Merry grabs Frodo by the shoulder and pushes him through the corn as him
and Merry run away) Get out of my fields! You'll know the devil if I catch
up with you!
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Sam drops the vegetables he's holding and runs
after them
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MERRY: |
Dunno why he's so upset! Its only a couple of carrots
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PIPPIN: |
(running and looking back) and some cabbages and those few
bags of potatoes that we lifted last week. And the mushrooms the week
before.
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MERRY: |
Yes Pippin, my point is, he's clearly over reacting! Run!
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Suddenly they reach a cliff top. Pippin
stops dead as Merry runs into him. They both look down and just as
they're trying to decide what to do Sam runs straight into the back of them
all and they tumble down the hill together landing in a heap in the road
below.
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PIPPIN: |
(looking up at a pile of manure) Ooh! that was
close!
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MERRY: |
(groaning) Oh! I think I've broken something
(he reaches
under his back and pulls out a broken carrot)
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SAM: |
(getting up) Trust a Brandybuck and a Took!
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MERRY: |
What? It was just a detour. A shortcut
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SAM: |
A shortcut to what ?
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PIPPIN: |
(looking across at some growing mushrooms) Mushrooms!
(they
get up and make a dash for them)
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Frodo in the meantime is strolling up the road.
He looks worried
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FRODO: |
I think we should get off the road.
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The others continue to collect the mushrooms.
Frodo notices a swirling wind come down the road towards them
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FRODO: |
Get off the road! Quick!
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They dash down into a ditch and hide beneath a
large tree root. The jostle with their find.
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SAM: |
Ssh.. be quiet
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From behind the tree a big black horse appears
snorting. Frodo looks up through the tree roots and sees the horses
fetid hooves. The horse's head, with red eyes. The rider gets down from the
horse and peers over the tree root, sniffing. The hobbits shrink back.
From behind them spiders and centipedes, worms hurry to get away. Frodo
closes his eyes and reaches for the Ring. As he gets it out, the rider
turns suddenly. Frodo feels an overwhelming desire to put the Ring on.
He holds it out to his finger. Sam suddenly reaches out to him to stop him.
The Rider sniffs the air again. Merry quickly flings his bag to the side.
The Rider turns quickly and they all make a dash to escape through the
woods. Merry stumbles and slips
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MERRY: |
What was that!
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Frodo looks very scared. He holds out his
palm and looks at the Ring he holds. |
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Scene 14 ~ Bucklebury Ferry
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Dark has arrived. Mist is swirling in the
woodland. A Rider in black gallops through the woods, screaming.
The hobbits hurry through the woods, dodging and
hiding behind the trees.
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SAM: |
(pausing) Anything ?
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FRODO: |
Nothing
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PIPPIN: |
(stumbles up behind them) What
is going on ?
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MERRY: |
That black rider was looking for something. Or someone (he
walks up to Frodo and looks him in the face) Frodo ?
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PIPPIN: |
(shouts) Get down!
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They all duck down and
see through the trees a black rider pause on a hill and walk off
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FRODO: |
I have to leave the Shire. (he looks
at Merry) Sam and I must get to Bree
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MERRY: |
(nods) Right. Bucklebury
Ferry. Follow me.
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Merry runs off through
the trees, the others follow. Suddenly a black rider appears in front
of Frodo.
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PIPPIN: |
Run!
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MERRY: |
Frodo, this way. Follow me
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PIPPIN: |
(the hobbits continue to try and
dodge the black horse) Frodo!
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MERRY: |
Follow me. Run!
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The hobbits run through
the trees reaching a fence next to a river bank. Sam, Merry and Pippin
leap over the fence towards the jetty on the river. Frodo follows a
little way behind them. The first three hobbits run onto the ferry
raft.
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MERRY: |
Get the rope Sam
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SAM: |
(untying the ferry from the jetty)
Frodo!
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Frodo runs down the path
towards the ferry, the black rider closer behind him
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PIPPIN: |
Run Frodo!
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FRODO: |
(running fast, sees the ferry drift
away from the shore) No!
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PIPPIN: |
Frodo! Come on!
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SAM: |
Frodo! Come on!
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PIPPIN: |
Frodo!
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SAM: |
Come on faster!
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Frodo takes a flying leap
and lands on the ferry sending the hobbits into a heap. The black
rider skids to a halt, the horse snorting. The nazgul screams and turns his
horse around back up the track
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FRODO: |
How far to the nearest crossing ?
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MERRY: |
(pushing the prod into the river)
The Brandywine Bridge, twenty miles.
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Sam helps Frodo to his
feet as they watch the black rider, follow down the road, two other black
riders
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Scene 15 ~ At the Sign of the Prancing
Pony
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It is pouring with rain.
The hobbits are hooded in the trees. Frodo glances up and down the
road.
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FRODO: |
Come on!
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They run quickly across
the road to the gated entrance to Bree. They knock on the door.
A face opens a small window at the top, shuts it, then opens another window
lower down in the doorway.
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GATEKEEPER: |
What do you want ?
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FRODO: |
We're heading for the Prancing Pony.
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GATEKEEPR: |
(shuts the window and opens the gate
holding a lantern up) Hobbits! Four hobbits! What's more out of
The Shire by your talk! What business brings you to Bree?
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FRODO: |
We wish to at the Inn. Our business is our own.
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GATEKEEPER: |
(nods) alright young sir, I
meant no offence. (he stands aside to let them pass)
My job to ask questions after nightfall. There's talk of strange folk
abroad. Can't be too careful (he shuts the gate behind
him)
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The hobbits trudge
through the rain up the muddy lane, narrowly missing being crushed by a
cart. Mant tall, hooded people walk round them
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MAN: |
Out of the way! Watch where you're walking!
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Frodo spots the sign of
the Prancing Pony, and they push open the Inn door. Frodo walks up to
the bar
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FRODO: |
Excuse me ?
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BARLIMAN: |
Good Evening little masters. What can I do for you ?
If you're looking for accomodation, we've got some nice, cosy hobbit sized
rooms available. Always proud to cater to the little folk, Mr err... ?
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FRODO: |
(pausing) Underhill, my name's
Underhill
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BARLIMAN: |
Underhill (nods) yes..
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FRODO: |
We're friends of Gandalf the Grey. Can you tell him we've
arrived?
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BARLIMAN: |
Gandalf ? (looks quizically)
Gandalf ? Oh yes! I remember! Elderly chap! Big grey
beard, pointy hat. (Frodo nods) Not seen
him for six months.
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Frodo turns dismayed to
the other hobbits
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SAM: |
What do we do now ?
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There is much drunken
raucous laughter in the Inn. The hobbits are seated around a table
drinking
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FRODO: |
Sam. He'll be here. He'll come.
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The customers in the Inn
eye the hobbits suspiciously. Merry winds his way through them
carrying a large mug of ale and sits down
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PIPPIN: |
What's that ?
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MERRY: |
This my friend, is a pint! (he lifts
it up and sips the ale)
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PIPPIN: |
It comes in pints ?
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MERRY: |
hmmmhmmm
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PIPPIN: |
(stands up) I'm getting one!
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SAM: |
You've had a whole half already!
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Pippin sits on a barstool
at the bar
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SAM: |
That fellow's done nothing but stare at you since we
arrived! (they glance over at a hooded figure, his
face hidden in his hood, smoking a pipe in the corner of the room)
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FRODO: |
(taps Barliman as he walks past)
Excuse me. That man in the corner. Who is he ?
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BARLIMAN: |
He's one of them rangers. They're dangerous folk they are.
Wandering the wilds. What his right name is, I've never heard, but
round here, he's known as Strider.
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FRODO: |
Strider
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The embers in Strider's
pipe glow, lighting his eyes briefly. Frodo ponders, playing with the Ring.
The Ring starts to whisper to him. Frodo closes his eyes mesmerized.
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RING: |
Baggins.... Baggins.... Baggins ....Baggins! Baggins!
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Frodo is suddenly woken
from his dream state by Pippin talking to the men at the bar.
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PIPPIN: |
Baggins ? Sure I know a Baggins! He's over
there. Frodo Baggins! He's my second cousin once removed on his
mother's side (Frodo looks up alarmed) and my
third cousin twice removed on his father's side, if you follow me.
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FRODO: |
(gets up and pushes his way urgently
through the crowd. Strider's attention is caught. He catches
Pippin on the arm) Pippin!
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PIPPIN: |
(shaking Frodo off) Steady on!
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Frodo steps back and
trips on a man's foot and falls to the ground. The Ring flies into the air.
Strider sits up straight as he sees this. Frodo reaches up his hand to the
Ring and it slips on his finger. He immediately disappears.
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MEN: |
Oh!
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Sam, Merry and Pippin
look shocked! From outside the Black Riders suddenly pause Frodo
looks up in a ghostly world, all people around him appear as windswept
shadows. Three Riders gallop towards Bree.
Frodo hears Sauron's voice
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SAURON VOICE: |
You cannot hide! (Frodo looks
up and holds his hands in front of his face) I see you!
(a massive flaming lidless eye appears) There
is no life in the void (Frodo falls to the ground
again) Only death!
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Frodo pulls the Ring from
his finger. He is back to normal in the Inn. He breathes a sigh
of relief. Suddenly a hand reaches down to his shoulder and grabs him
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STRIDER: |
You draw far too much attention to yourself Mr Underhill!
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Strider pulls him out of
the room and up the stairs. He throws him into a room at the top
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FRODO: |
What do you want ?
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STRIDER: |
A little more caution from you! That is no trinket
you carry!
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FRODO: |
I carry nothing
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STRIDER: |
Indeed (he walks round the room,
snuffing the candles) I can avoid being seen if I wish.
But to disappear entirely (he removes his hood)
That is a rare gift!
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FRODO: |
Who are you ?
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STRIDER: |
Are you frightened?
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FRODO: |
(pausing) Yes
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STRIDER: |
Not nearly frightened enough. I know what hunts you.
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Suddenly the door is
flung open. Strider swings round his sword drawn. Sam and the
other hobbits push their way into the room carrying stools and candlesticks
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SAM: |
(drawing his fists) Let him
go! Or I'll have you Longshanks!
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STRIDER: |
(sheaths his sword) You have a
stout heart little hobbit! But that will not save you. You can no
longer wait for the wizard Frodo. They're coming
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Scene 16 ~ The Nazgūl
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The gatekeeper is sitting
in the gatehouse smoking his pipe. He hears the snort of a horse and
gets up to investigate. He opens the top window of the gate and gasps.
The gate is run down by four Black Riders, crushing the Gatekeeper.
They ride into Bree and stop at the Inn. The riders walk into the Inn,
swords drawn to their sides. Barliman hides behind the bar,
frightened. Meanwhile the hobbits sleep peacefully in their beds. Into the
hobbit room the Riders walk, their swords held upright in front of them.
They each stand next to a bed and hold their swords high poised to strike.
Sam tosses restlessly in his sleep. Suddenly the Riders stab the beds.
Sam awakes with a start. The Riders continue to stab the bedss Outside
their horses paw the air. Strider watches the flickering lights through the
window, in a window opposite across the street. The Riders pull back
the covers and see the feathers of the pillows that have been put there in
place of the hobbits. They screech and turn the beds upside down.
Their screams wake Pippin and Merry. All four hobbits look at Strider,
who sits by the window
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FRODO: |
What are they ?
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STRIDER: |
They were once men. Great Kings of Men. The Sauron
the Deciever gave to them nine rings of power. Blinded by their greed
they took them without question. One by one falling into darkness
(he looks out of the window at the riders now back
mounted on their horses) Now they are slaves to his will. They are
the Nazgūl. Ringwraiths. Neither living nor dead. At all times they
feel the presence of the Ring (another rider appears
on a country lane) Drawn to the power of the One
(yet another stands at the top of a hill) They
will never stop hunting you.
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In the morning the
hobbits hurriedly follow Strider away from Bree, across country. Four
Riders race along the road.
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FRODO: |
Where are you taking us ?
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STRIDER: |
Into the wild
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MERRY: |
(following the others through the
woodland) How do we know this Strider is a friend of Gandalf ?
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FRODO: |
I think a servant of the enemy would look fairer, but feel
fouler.
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MERRY: |
He's foul enough (Strider tips his
head a little hearing the comment)
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FRODO: |
We have no choice but to trust him
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SAM: |
(leading his pony) But where
is he leading us ?
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STRIDER: |
To Rivendell Master Gamgee. To the House of Elrond.
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SAM: |
D'you hear that! Rivendell! We're going to see the
elves!
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They continue to walk
through the woodland, through rain, until they reach the top of the hills.
Snow covers the ground. Strider pauses looking around. He looks back
at the hobbits who are getting out frying pans and cooking utensils
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STRIDER: |
Gentlemen! We do not stop 'til nightfall
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PIPPIN: |
What about breakfast ?
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STRIDER: |
(looks confused) You've
already had it
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PIPPIN: |
We've had one yes. What about second breakfast ?
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Strider frowns and walks
off
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MERRY: |
Don't think he knows about second breakfast Pippin
(he puts his bag back on his shoulder)
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PIPPIN: |
What about elvenses ? Luncheon, Afternoon Tea, Dinner ?
Supper! He knows about them, doesnt he ?
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MERRY: |
I wouldn't count on it
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An apple flies over a
bush and Merry catches it. He gives it to Pippin, pats him on the shoulder
and goes to follow Strider. Another apple flies through the air and
hits Pippin on the head.
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MERRY: |
Pippin!
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