Scene 5 ~ Return to Edoras

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Scene on the plains of Rohan follows riders towards Edoras. Picture pans into
the Golden Hall with Eowyn standing on the parapet.
Changes to Eowyn offering a goblet of wine to Theoden as she kneels in front of
him. She retires behind him. Theoden offers the goblet in toast to the people of
Rohan .
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THEODEN: |
Tonight we remember those who gave their blood to defend this country.
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He offers up the goblet.
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THEODEN: |
Hail the victorious dead
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PEOPLE: |
Hail! (they return his toast)
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Aragorn hesitates and thinks of them before he drinks.
Scene changes to the people feasting at long tables. Cuts to Eomer.
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EOMER: |
No pauses, (cuts to show Legolas and Gimli) no spills.
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GIMLI: |
And no regurgitation! (He lifts the tankard to his
mouth… general laughter)
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LEGOLAS: |
So… it’s a drinking game?
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ROHIRRIM: |
Aye! (laughing)
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GIMLI: |
Last one standing wins heh heh heh!
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He drinks his tankard in one go!
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GENERAL SHOUT: |
Lets drink to Victory! To Victory!
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Cuts back to Gimli finishing his drink in one go.
Legolas begins to drink from his tankard.
Cuts across to Eowyn with a goblet in her hand approaching, smiling. Aragorn
approaches her and takes the offered goblet.
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EOWYN: |
Westû Aragorn, hal
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He takes the goblet and drinks. She smiles at him and he looks intensely at her.
With a little smile he walks away.
Theoden enters the scene and watches Aragorn
walking away. He turns to Eowyn.
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THEODEN: |
I am very happy for you. He is an honourable man.
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EOWYN: |
You are both honourable men.
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Theoden nods slightly.
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THEODEN: |
It was not Theoden of Rohan who led our people to victory.
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He looks down and she looks concernedly at him.
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THEODEN: |
Ach, don’t listen to me. You are young and tonight is for you.
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She smiles.
Cuts back to Gimli drinking another tankard of ale and across to Legolas also
downing another tankard.
Gimli farts!
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GIMLI: |
Heh heh heh heh (looking the worse for wear)
Here, here. (he takes
another tankard) Raaar it’s the dwarves that go swimming with little, hairy
women haha (burps and drinks some more)
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LEGOLAS: |
I feel something. (he looks at his fingers and Eomer raises an eyebrow)
A slight tingle in my fingers. I think it’s affecting me. (looks concerned)
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GIMLI: |
heh heh heh (slurring his words) what did I say? He can’t hold his
liquor.
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His eyes are crossed and he sits quiet for a moment, then keels over backwards
off his stool. Legolas watches him fall, raises his eyebrows and looks over at
Eomer.
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LEGOLAS: |
Game over!
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The scene cuts to Merry and Pippin singing.
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MERRY and PIPPIN: |
Oh you can search far and wide, You can drink the whole town dry,
(they dance on the table kicking their feet against each other)
But you’ll never find a beer so brown, But you’ll never find a beer so
brown,
As the one we drink in our hometown, As the one we drink in our hometown.
(they stamp on the table)
You can drink your fancy ales, You can drink them by the flagon
(cuts to show Gandalf watching and smiling at them)
But the only brew for the brave and true,
(Pippin stops and looks at Gandalf and hesitates)
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MERRY: |
Pippin!
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Pippin turns back to Merry and continues with the song.
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MERRY and PIPPIN: |
Comes from the Green Dragon!
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Laughter and applause. Shows Gandalf clapping and smiling. Aragorn walks up and
joins him.
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MERRY: |
(off camera) Thank you! I win!
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ARAGORN: |
(whilst watching) No news of Frodo?
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GANDALF: |
No word. Nothing.
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ARAGORN: |
We have time. Every day Frodo moves closer to Mordor.
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GANDALF: |
(turning to him) Do we know that?
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ARAGORN: |
(looks at him a moment) What does your
heart tell you?
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GANDALF: |
(with a small smile) That Frodo is alive.
Yes… yes he’s alive.
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Scene 6 ~ Gollum's Villany
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Scene shows Sam asleep wrapped up in his cloak amongst some rocks. A voice off
camera.
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GOLLUM: |
Too risky. Too risky. (cuts to Gollum also asleep)
Thieves. They stole it from us. Kill them, kill them, kill them both!
(wakes up suddenly)
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SMEAGOL: |
No!
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GOLLUM: |
Sshh, quiet, mustn’t wake them. Mustn’t ruin it now.
(climbs down from
his sleeping place)
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SMEAGOL: |
But they knows, (as he moves over to a lake)
they knows, they suspects us!
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Cuts to Smeagol’s reflection in the water.
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GOLLUM: |
What’s it saying my precious, my love? Is Smeagol losing his nerve?
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SMEAGOL: |
No! No! Never! Smeagol hates nasty Hobbitses. Smeagol wants to see
them…. Dead!
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GOLLUM: |
And we will! Smeagol did it once, he can do it again!
(flashes back to
the first scene where Smeagol has Deagol by the throat)
Its ours! Ours!
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SMEAGOL: |
We must get the precious! We must get it back!
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GOLLUM: |
Patience! Patience my love! First we must lead them to her!
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SMEAGOL: |
We lead them to the winding stair.
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GOLLUM: |
Yes, the stairs and then?
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SMEAGOL: |
Up, up, up the stairs we go until we come to the tunnel.
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GOLLUM: |
And when they go in, there’s no coming out. She’s always hungry. She
always needs to… feed. She must eat. All she gets is filthy Orcses.
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SMEAGOL: |
And they doesn’t taste very nice, does they Precious?
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GOLLUM: |
No, not very nice at all, my love. She hungers for sweeter meats.
(cuts to Sam’s face as he wakes up)
Hobbit meat. And when she throws away the bones and the empty clothes
(Sam is listening) then we will find it.
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SMEAGOL: |
And take it for Meee!
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GOLLUM: |
For us.
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SMEAGOL: |
Yes, we meant for us! Gollum, gollum. The precious will be ours once
the Hobbitses are dead!
(he throws a pebble in the water as he says it and Sam’s
reflection appears out of the ripples)
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SAM: |
You treacherous little toad!
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Sam punches him waking Frodo who scrambles out of his blanket. Sam chases
Gollum, jumps on him and grabs his throat. Gollum screams.
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GOLLUM: |
No, no! Master!
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FRODO: |
No Sam! Leave him alone! (he pulls Sam off)
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SAM: |
I heard it from his own mouth. He means to murder us.
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GOLLUM: |
Never! Smeagol wouldn’t hurt a fly!
(he rubs his head and sees blood on
his fingers)
Aaaagh he is a horrid, fat Hobbit who hates Smeagol and who makes
up nasty lies!
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SAM: |
You miserable little maggot! I’ll stove your head in!
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He advances on Gollum grabbing at him. Gollum runs off, Frodo pulls Sam back.
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FRODO: |
Sam!
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SAM: |
Call me a liar? You’re a liar!
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Gollum tries to hide behind a tree.
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GOLLUM: |
Waaaah!
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FRODO: |
If you scare him off then we are lost!
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SAM: |
I don’t care! I can’t do it Mr Frodo! I won’t wait around for him to
kill us!
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FRODO: |
I’m not sending him away.
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Gollum cowers behind the tree.
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SAM: |
You don’t see it do you? He’s a villain.
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FRODO: |
We can’t do this by ourselves Sam. Not without a guide. I need you on my
side.
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SAM: |
I’m on your side Mr Frodo
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FRODO: |
I know Sam, I know. Trust me. Come Smeagol.
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Gollum runs to Frodo looking scared. Frodo takes him by the hand but as he leads
him away, Gollum turns and smirks at Sam. Sam glares after him, nodding his head
slightly. |
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Scene 7 ~ Éowyn's Dream
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Scene moves to Gimli
snoring. The floor of the hall is scattered with sleeping bodies. Aragorn
moves stealthily across the room and goes out through the door. The camera
dwells on Pippin who turns over and wakes up. He tries to sleep obviously
having an inward struggle with himself. Scene
changes to the main hall where Eowyn sleeps in the centre of the room next
to the fire. Aragorn walks past her to the fire. He moves the logs around to
encourage it to burn, he looks at her sleeping and walks over to her to pull
her dress down to her ankle and her collar up to her neck
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EOWYN: |
(with her eyes closed) What time is it?
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ARAGORN |
Not yet dawn.
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He strokes the fur on her
collar and withdraws his hand. She grabs his hand as he draws away. He turns
back and looks at her.
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EOWYN: |
I dreamed I saw a great wave climbing over green lands and above the
hills. I stood upon the brink. It was utterly dark in the abyss before my
feet. A light shone behind me but I could not turn (
he stoops down next to her and she looks at him upset)
I could only stand there, waiting. (a tear runs down
her face.)
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ARAGORN: |
Night changes many thoughts. Sleep Eowyn. Sleep while you can.
(He clutches her hands and then leaves her. She sleeps)
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Scene 8 ~ The Palantír
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Aragorn walks outside,
starts to fill his pipe and sees Legolas standing looking at the distance.
He walks over to him.
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LEGOLAS: |
The stars are veiled. Something stirs in the East, a sleepless malice
(he glances at Aragorn.) The eye of the enemy
is moving.
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Scene changes to Pippin
inside. He stirs, gets up and throws back his blanket. He pauses checking
everyone is asleep. He walks up the centre of the room.
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MERRY: |
What are you doing?
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Pippin whirls around
guiltily. He looks at Merry then continues with what he was doing. He
approaches Gandalf but hesitates when he see his eyes open.
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MERRY: |
Pippin!
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Pippin waves his hand in
front of Gandalf’s eyes. They don’t move. He is asleep. Pippin looks at the
bundle in Gandalf’s arms.
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MERRY: |
(sits up and looks at Pippin concerned)
Pippin!
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Pippin ignores him and
picks up a jug. Gandalf mutters something in his sleep making Pippin recoil
in fear. But he gains more courage and grabs the bundle from Gandalf’s arm,
replacing it with the jug.
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MERRY: |
Pippin! Are you mad?
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Pippin puts the bundle on
the floor in front of him and Merry and unwraps it.
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PIPPIN: |
I just want to look at it, just one more time.
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MERRY: |
Put it back!
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Pippin looks into the
Palantir, he smiles and puts his hands on it.
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MERRY: |
Pippin!
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Pippin’s smile turns to a
frown and an orange glow emerges from the Palantir with a black pupil
showing. Pippin's hands fuse onto the Palantir and he begins to shake.
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MERRY: |
No!
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Pippin shakes and closes
his eyes.
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MERRY: |
(worried now watching wide eyed) Pippin!
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Pippin shakes more and
more violently!
Cuts to Legolas outside who turns.
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LEGOLAS: |
He is here!
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Cuts back to Pippin with
his eyes tightly closed.
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SAURON: |
I see you!
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Pippin screams and stands
up with the Palantir stuck in his hands. His mouth is open in a soundless
scream!
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MERRY: |
Pippin!
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The Palantir is
surrounded by fire. Pippin falls to the floor seemingly struggling with it.
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MERRY: |
Help! Gandalf help!
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Gandalf wakes. Aragorn
and Legolas burst into the room. Pippin continues to struggle.
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MERRY: |
Help him!
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Aragorn takes the
Palantir from Pippin, struggles briefly with it and drops it on to the
floor. It rolls away. Merry dodges it as it rolls still further.
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MERRY: |
Pippin!
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Gandalf runs after the
Palantir and throws a blanket over it.
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GANDALF: |
Fool of a Took!
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But when he looks Pippin
is lying still with his eyes open.
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GANDALF: |
No.
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He runs to Pippins side,
shoving Merry out of the way. He holds Pippin’s hand, puts his other hand on
his forehead and closes his eyes. He mutters something inaudible under his
breath and moves his hand to Pippin’s cheek. Pippin jumps, gasps and wakes
up.
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GANDALF: |
Look at me. (Pippin looks at him)
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PIPPIN: |
Gandalf, forgive me! (he closes his eyes again)
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GANDALF: |
Look at me! What did you see?
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PIPPIN: |
A tree, there was a white tree in a courtyard of stone. It was dead.
(cuts to fire, a white tree and a tower. Cuts back.)
The city was burning.
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GANDALF: |
Minas Tirith? Is that what you saw?
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PIPPIN: |
I saw… I saw him! (Gandalf’s eyes widen) I
could hear his voice in my head.
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GANDALF: |
And what did you tell him? Speak!
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PIPPIN: |
He asked me my name. I didn’t answer. He hurt me!
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GANDALF: |
What did you tell him about Frodo and the Ring?
(Pippin just looks at Gandalf’s face.)
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Scene cuts to the main
hall the next morning.
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GANDALF: |
There was no lie in Pippin’s eyes. A fool but an honest fool he remains.
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The camera cuts to Pippin
and Merry and then back to Gandalf.
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GANDALF: |
He told Sauron nothing of Frodo and the Ring.
(cuts to Gimli sighing with relief)
We’ve been strangely fortunate. Pippin saw in the Palantir a glimpse
of the enemy’s plan. Sauron moves to strike the city of Minas Tirith.
(Camera cuts to Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli and Theoden and then in to Theoden
alone.)
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GAN DALF: |
His defeat at Helm’s Deep showed our enemy one thing.
(cuts back to Gandalf) He knows the Heir of
Elendil has come forth
(nods at Aragorn the camera stays on Aragorn)
Men are not as weak as he supposed. There is courage still. Strength enough,
perhaps, to challenge him. Sauron fears this. He will not risk the peoples
of Middle Earth uniting under one banner. (cuts to
Theoden) He will raze Minas Tirith to the ground
(back to Gandalf and then to Aragorn) before he
sees a King return to the throne of men. If the beacons of Gondor are lit
Rohan must be ready for war.
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THEODEN: |
Tell me! Why should we ride to the aid of those who did not come to
ours? What do we owe Gondor?
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ARAGORN: |
I will go!
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GANDALF: |
No!
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ARAGORN: |
They must be warned!
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GANDALF: |
They will be. (approaches closely to Aragorn and
speaks in a low voice)
You must come to Minas Tirith by another road. Follow the river. Look to the
black ships. (he turns from him)
Understand this, things are now in motion that cannot be undone. I ride for
Minas Tirith (turns to look at Pippin) and I
wont be going alone.
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Scene changes to outside
Gandalf is hurrying towards the stables with Pippin and Merry running after
him.
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GANDALF: |
Of all the Hobbits, Peregrin Took, you are the worst! Hurry! Hurry!
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PIPPIN: |
Where are we going?
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MERRY: |
Why did you look? Why do you always have to look?
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PIPPIN: |
I don’t know, I can’t help it.
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MERRY: |
You never can!
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PIPPIN: |
I’m sorry alright? I won’t do it again.
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MERRY: |
Don’t you understand? The enemy thinks you have the ring! He is going to
be looking for you Pip. They have to get you out of here.
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PIPPIN: |
And you? You’re coming with me? (Merry walks away)
Merry? (turns back to him as he walks)
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MERRY: |
Come on!
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Gandalf lifts Pippin onto
the back of Shadowfax.
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PIPPIN: |
How far is Minas Tirith?
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GANDALF: |
Three days ride as the Nazgûl flies. And you’d better hope we don’t have
one of those on our tail.
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MERRY: |
Here, something for the road. (he hands Pippin a
leather pouch.)
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PIPPIN: |
The last of the Longbottom Leaf?
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MERRY: |
I know you’ve run out. You smoke too much Pippin.
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PIPPIN: |
But, we’ll see each other soon?
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Merry looks across at
Gandalf
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PIPPIN: |
Wont we?
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Merry looks up at Pippin.
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MERRY: |
I don’t know! I don’t know whats going to happen.
(as he backs away, upset)
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PIPPIN: |
Merry?
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GANDALF: |
Run, Shadowfax show us the meaning of haste.
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PIPPIN: |
Merry!
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They gallop off. Merry
runs up the steps to the top of a watchtower.
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ARAGORN: |
Merry! (he follows him and they watch Shadowfax
fading into the distance.)
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MERRY: |
He’s always followed me everywhere I went since before we were tweens. I
would get him into the worst sort of trouble but I was always there to get
him out. Now he’s gone. (looks at Aragorn) Just
like Frodo and Sam.
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ARAGORN: |
One thing I’ve learnt about Hobbits: They are a most hardy folk.
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MERRY: |
Foolhardy maybe. He’s a Took! (laughs) |