Home ROTK script pg1 ROTK script pg3 ROTK script pg4						[Gandalf and Pippin are in their quarters in Minas Tirith. Pippin looks at his uniform, armor and sword.] Pippin: So, I imagine this is just a ceremonial position I mean, they don't actually expect me to do any fighting. Do they? Gandalf: You are in the service of the Steward now! You're going to have to do as your told! Peregrin Took, Guard of the Citadel. [Pippin goes to the balcony.] Pippin: It's so quiet. Gandalf: It's the deep breath before the plunge. Pippin: I don't want to be in a battle, But waiting at the edge of one I can't escape is even worse. Is there any hope, Gandalf, for Frodo and Sam? Gandalf: There never was much hope. Just a fool's hope. Our enemy is ready, His full strength gathered. Not only orcs... [Flash to the Mumakil] Gandalf (v.o.): ... but men as well. Legions of Haradrim from the south. [Flash to the Corsairs sailing upriver.] Gandalf (v.o.): Mercenaries from the coast. All will answer Mordor's call. Pete The Pirate: Come on! Gandalf: This will be the end of Gondor as we know it. Here the hammer-stroke will fall hardest. If the river is taken; if the garrison at Osgiliath falls, the last defense of this city will be gone. Pippin: We do have the White Wizard. That's got to count for something. Gandalf? Gandalf: Sauron has yet to reveal his deadliest servant. The one who will lead Mordor's armies in war. [Flash to the Witch King pulling on his gauntlets. Orcs lower his helm onto his hooded head.] Gandalf (v.o.): The one they say no living man can kill. The Witch King of Angmar. Gandalf: You've met him before. He stabbed Frodo at Weathertop. [Brief Flash of The Witch King at Weathertop.] Gandalf: He is the lord of the Nazgul, the greatest of the Nine Minas Morgul is his lair. <The Signal and the Beacons > [Frodo, Sam and Gollum pull themselves up over the edge of the causeway and see Minas Morgul. It glows green in the darkness.] Gollum: The dead city. Very nasty place. Gollum. Full of... enemies. [Gollum approaches the City, followed by Frodo and Sam.] Gollum: Quick, quick, they will see us! They will see! Gollum: Come away! Come away! Look! We have found it. The way into Mordor. The secret stair. Climb. [They look up to see an impossibly steep stair carved into the cliff face. Frodo turns back to the city. He stumbles toward it, past a pair of gargoyles (the Silent Watchers) and down the causeway toward the city.] Sam: No! Mister Frodo! Gollum: Not that way! [Sam and Gollum scramble to catch Frodo.] Gollum: What's it doing? Sam: No! [Sam and Gollum begin to pull him back toward the stair.] Frodo: No! They're calling me. [Just as they reach the stairs, a great flare goes up from Minas Morgul.] [Flash to Gandalf and Pippin and then to a group of Gondorian soldiers surprised by the flare.] Gollum: Hide! Hide! [Gollum and the Hobbits hide on the stair.] [The Witch King on his fell beast flies up and perches above the city gate. The Witch King gives a long, piercing shriek. Frodo groans.] Frodo: I can feel his blade! [The fell beast bellows and the gates open. The orc army marches out.] Gandalf: We've come to it at last. The great battle of our time. [In Minas Morgul the army marches . The stair hides the hobbits from their view. The Witch King shrieks and flies over them.] Gollum: Come away hobbits. We climb, we must climb! Gandalf: The board is set. The pieces are moving. [Daytime on the streets of Minas Tirith. Gandalf is walking quickly, followed by Pippin.] Gandalf: Peregrin Took my lad, there is a task now to be done. Another opportunity for one of the Shire-folk to prove their great worth. [He looks up. Minas Tirith's beacon sits on a peak high above the city. Pippin looks up.] Gandalf: You must not fail me. [Pippin nods. ] [Guards walk by the water in the ruins of Osgiliath. It is still dark and misty.] [Many boats bearing orcs move toward Osgiliath. One of the orcs splashes as he paddles.] Gothmog: Quiet. [In Osgiliath, Faramir's men see the boats approaching.] Faramir: Quick, come on. To the River, quick! [Faramir's men move toward the river. They hide behind the ruined walls.] Gothmog: Faster! Gothmog: Draw swords! [The boats come ashore. Orcs begin to disembark. Faramir and his men let some of them pass. Then Faramir jumps out of his hiding place and begins slashing at them.] [Pippin climbs to the top of the beacon, he reaches for the lamp hanging over it, but a rope snaps and a large bowl of oil hanging beneath the lamp spills. Pippin tosses the lamp onto the beacon. The wood of the beacon catches quickly. Pippin realizes that the part of the beacon he's standing on will soon catch, and quickly begins to climb down. The soldiers notice the fire and are upset.] [Gandalf watches as the signal is picked up and the beacon on the next hill goes up in flame.] Gandalf: Amon Din. Gondorian Soldier: The beacon! The beacon of Amon Dîn is lit! [Denethor looks out of a window and grimaces.] Gandalf: Hope is kindled. [The beacons on the high peaks are lit, one after another: Amon Din, Eilenach, Nardol, Erelas, Minrimmon, Calenhad and Halifirien.] <The Muster of Rohan > [Aragorn sits at Edoras, he sees the last beacon flare. He jumps to his feet and runs to Meduseld, taking the steps two at a time. He runs into the hall.] Aragorn: The beacons of Minas Tirith! The beacons are lit! Gondor calls for aid. [Theoden is standing at a table, speaking with Eomer, Gamling and others. He looks at Aragorn and pauses. Eowyn comes to stand by Eomer.] Theoden: [pauses] And Rohan will answer. Muster the Rohirrim! [Theoden comes out of Meduseld with Eomer.] Theoden: Assemble the army at Dunharrow, as many men as can be found. You have two days. [Eomer nods and turns. Theoden stops him.] Theoden: On the third, we ride for Gondor... and war. [Eomer nods and leaves.] Theoden: Gamling. Gamling: Lord. Theoden: Make haste across the Riddermark. Summon every able-bodied man to Dunharrow. [Gamling nods and leaves. Theoden watches as many Riders stream out down the hill.] [Aragorn readies Brego. Eowyn readies her horse.] Aragorn: You ride with us? Eowyn: Just to the encampment. It is tradition for the women of the court to farewell the men [Aragorn uncovers her sword hidden under a blanket. She moves his hand away and covers it again.] Eowyn: The men have found their captain. They will follow you to battle, even to death. You have given them hope. Theoden (v.o.): And so, it is before the walls of Minas Tirith that the doom of our time will be decided. Eomer: Now is the hour, Riders of Rohan! Oaths you have taken! Now fulfill them all. To Lord and Land. Ha! [The Rohirrim ride to Dunharrow. Merry rides along on the pony Stybba.] <Osgiliath is Lost > [Faramir and company fight. Many of his men are killed. Faramir runs through an archway, pursued by orcs.] Madril: Faramir! [Faramir jumps aside. Madril's men shoot several orcs behind him.] Madril: We can't hold them. The City is lost. Faramir: Tell the men to break cover. We ride to Minas Tirith. Soldier: Nazgul! Faramir: Break cover! Fall back! Fall back to Minas Tirith! [Soldiers begin to retreat. A quick stroke by an orc fells Madril.] Faramir: Retreat! Retreat! [Men on horses begin to stream out of the city. The Nazgul shriek.] Soldier: This way! [Madril lies on his back, alive. Gothmog and other orcs stand over him. Gothmog takes a spear from another orc and stabs Madril. Madril gasps.] Gothmog: The age of Men is over. The time of the orc has come. [Faramir's men gallop out of Osgiliath. They are pursued by the Nazgul. The fell beasts swoop in and knock riders off their horses.] [Gandalf and Pippin ride out to meet the retreating men.] Soldier: [From the walls of Minas Tirith] It's the White Rider! [The Nazgul's beasts grab riders and horses in their claws, then let them fall. They fly at the riders and bowl them over. As Gandalf rides toward them his staff grows bright. The Nazgul break off their attack, wheeling and flying back toward Mordor. Gandalf turns Shadowfax and meet the men riding back to the city. The gates of Minas Tirith open. Faramir's men and Gandalf stream in.] Faramir: Mithrandir! They broke our defences They've taken the bridge and the west bank Battalions of orcs are crossing the River Irolas: It is as Lord Denethor predicted! Long has he foreseen this doom! Gandalf: Foreseen and done nothing! [Gandalf turns, and Faramir sees Pippin. He stares until Pippin turns his head, embarrassed.] Gandalf: Faramir? This is not the first halfling to have crossed your path? [Faramir shakes his head. Pippin looks up, excited.] Pippin: You've seen Frodo and Sam? Gandalf: Where? When? Faramir: In Ithilien, not two days ago. Gandalf, they've taken the road to the Morgul Vale Gandalf: And The Pass of Cirith Ungol. Pippin: What does that mean? What's wrong? Gandalf: Faramir, tell me everything. <On the Secret Stair > [Gollum leads Frodo and Sam up the stair. Frodo's struggles. Gollum reaches a landing and looks back toward Frodo.] Gollum: Careful Master, careful! Very far to fall! Very dangerous on the stairs. Come Master! Come. Come to Smeagol. [Gollum sees the Ring and begins to reach for it.] Sam: Mister Frodo! [He draws his sword.] Get back you! Don't touch him! [Gollum reaches toward the Ring, then grabs Frodo's arm and pulls him up.] Gollum: Why does he hate poor Smeagol? What has Smeagol ever done to him? Master... Master carries a heavy burden. Smeagol knows. A heavy, heavy burden. The fat one cannot know. Smeagol will look after Master. He wants it, he needs it. Smeagol sees it in his eyes. And soon, he will ask you for it. You will see. The fat one will take it from you. [Frodo looks frightened and clutches the Ring.] [In Osgiliath, the Witch King's beast sits upon a tower.] Witch King: Send all legions. Do not stop the attack until the city is taken. Slay them all. Gothmog: What of the wizard? Witch King: I will break him. [On the wall at Minas Tirith, Gandalf stands among a group of soldiers.] Gondorians: Where are Theoden's Riders? Will Rohan's army come? Mithrandir? Gandalf: Courage is the best defense that you have now. <Denethor and Faramir > [Pippin kneels before Denethor in the citadel. Faramir waits.] Pippin: Here do I swear fealty and service to Gondor. In peace or war, in living or dying, from... [he stumbles] From this hour henceforth, until my lord release me, or death take me. [Denethor rises, smiling, and approaches Pippin.] Denethor: And I shall not forget it, nor fail to reward that which is given. [Denethor holds his ring to be kissed. Pippin kisses it reluctantly.] Denethor: Fealty with love, valor with honor, [He looks at Faramir] disloyalty with vengeance. [Denethor sits to eat.] Denethor: I do not think we should so lightly abandon the outer defenses, defenses that your brother long held intact. Faramir: What would you have me do? Denethor: I will not yield the river and Pelennor unfought. Osgiliath must be retaken Faramir: My lord, Osgiliath is overrun. Denethor: Much must be risked in war. Is there a captain here who still has the courage to do his lord's will? Faramir: You wish now that our places had been exchanged. That I had died and Boromir had lived. Denethor: Yes, I wish that. Faramir: Since you are robbed of Boromir, I will do what I can in his stead. [He walks away, then turns.] If I should return, think better of me, father. [He walks away.] Denethor: That will depend on the manner of your return. <Sam is Betrayed > [The hobbits and Gollum are perched on rocks just off the stair. Frodo is sleeping. Gollum appears to be sleeping. Sam struggles to stay awake but fails. When his eyes close, Gollum's open. Gollum sneaks down and takes the lembas from Sam's pack.] Gollum: Ugh. [Gollum crumbles some of the lembas and lets it fall onto Sam. He throws the rest off the cliff face. Sam awakes just as he's dusting crumbs off his hands.] Sam: What are you up to? Sneaking off, are we? Gollum: S-sneaking? Sneaking! Fat hobbit is always so polite Smeagol shows them secret ways that nobody else can find, and they say sneak. Sneak? Very nice friend, oh yes my precious, very nice! Sam: Alright! Alright! You just startled me is all. What were you doing? Gollum: Sneaking. Sam. Fine. Have it your own way. [Sam wakes Frodo] Sam: Sorry to wake you Mister Frodo. We must be moving on. Frodo: It's dark still. Sam: It's always dark here. [Sam checks his pack.] Sam: It's gone! The elven bread! Frodo: What? That's all we had left. Sam: [points at Gollum] He took it, he must have. Gollum: Smeagol? No, no, not poor Smeagol. Smeagol hates nasty Elf bread. Sam: You're a lying rat! What did you do with it? Frodo: He doesn't eat it, he can't have taken it. Gollum: Look. What's this? Crumbs on his jacketses. [He brushes them off.] He took it, He took it! I've seen him. He's always stuffing his face when Master is not looking. Sam: That's a filthy lie! [Sam attacks Gollum and begins punching him.] Sam: You stinking, two-faced sneak! Frodo: Sam! Gollum: Ow! Frodo: Sam! [He pulls Sam away.] Sam: I'll kill him! Frodo: Sam, no! [Frodo sits.] Sam: I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I didn't mean it to go so far. I was just so... so angry. Here, just... let's just rest a bit. Frodo: I'm all right. Sam: No, you're not all right. You're exhausted. It's that Gollum, this place, That thing around your neck. [Frodo looks at him suspiciously.] Sam: I could help a bit. I could carry it for a while. Share the load. [His words echo.] Frodo: Get away! Sam: I don't want to keep it. I just want to help. Smeagol: See? See? He wants it for himself. Sam: Shut up you! Go away, get out of here! Frodo: No Sam, it's you. I'm sorry Sam. Sam: [crying] But he's a liar! He's poisoned you against me! Frodo: You can't help me anymore. Sam: You don't mean that. Frodo: Go home. [Sam crouches and weeps. Frodo and Gollum climb the stairs and leave him behind.] [Faramir and his soldiers ride down the streets. They are dressed in plate armor. The Gondorians watch sadly. Many throw flowers at their feet. One hands a flower up to an older knight.] Gandalf: Faramir! Faramir! [He pushes through the crowd.] Your father's will has turned to madness. Do not throw away your life so rashly. Faramir: Where does my allegiance lie if not here? Gandalf: Your father still loves you, Faramir. He will remember it before the end. [The gates are opened and they ride out. Osgiliath and the fire of Mt Doom are visible as the gate opens. They form lines and ride toward Osgiliath.] [In the Citadel, Denethor sits at his table. Pippin attends him.] Denethor: Can you sing Master Hobbit? Pippin: Well, yes. At least, well enough for my own people. But we have no songs for great halls and [he glances at Denethor] evil times. Denethor: And why should your songs be unfit for my hall? Come, sing me a song. Pippin (singing): Home is behind, the world's ahead [Faramir's men gallop toward Osgiliath] And there are many paths to tread [As Faramir's men ride, Denethor eats.] Through shadow to the edge of night Until the stars are all alight [Denethor cracks a chicken bone.] Mist and shadow, cloud and shade [Orcs archers prepare to fire from Osgiliath.] All shall fade. All... shall... [The orcs loose arrows at Faramir's men] fade. [Denethor continues to eat. Pippin weeps.] [Gandalf sits in an empty courtyard. A bell tolls.] [Trolls push siege towers through Osgiliath toward Minas Tirith, surrounded by the orc army.] <Dunharrow > [Theoden rides through the encampment at Dunharrow.] Rider: My Lord! Rider: I greet you, Sire! Theoden: Grimbold, How many? Grimbold: I bring five hundred from the Westfold, my Lord. Gamling: We have three hundred more from Fenmarch, Theoden King. Theoden: Where are the riders from Snowbourne? Gamling: None have come, my Lord. Theoden: Six thousand spears. Less than half of what I'd hoped. Aragorn: Six thousand will not be enough to break the lines of Mordor Theoden: More will come. Aragorn: Every hour lost hastens Gondor's defeat. We have until dawn. Then we must ride. [Theoden nods in agreement.] [A horse neighs and rears, as a Rider tries to calm him.] Legolas: The horses are restless and the men are quiet Eomer: They grow nervous near the shadow of the mountain. Gimli: That road there, where does it lead? Legolas: It is the road to the Dimholt, the door under the mountain. Eomer: None who venture there ever return. That mountain is evil. [Aragorn looks down the path and sees a vague image of the Dead King.] Gimli: Aragorn! [Aragorn is startled.] Let's find some food. [Evening inside a tent at Dunharrow. Eowyn helps Merry with his armor.] Eowyn: There! A true esquire of Rohan. Merry: I'm ready! [Merry draws his blade] Eowyn: Oh! [she laughs] Merry: Sorry. It isn't all that dangerous It's not even sharp. Eowyn: Well that's no good. You won't kill many orcs with a blunt blade. Come on. [Merry comes out of the tent, slashing and stabbing imaginary foes. Eowyn follows, laughing. Eomer and Gamling are sitting nearby, eating.] Eowyn: To the Smithy! Go! Eomer: [After Merry has gone.] You should not encourage him. Eowyn: You should not doubt him. Eomer: I do not doubt his heart, only the reach of his arm. [Gamling laughs while trying not to spit out his food.] Eowyn: Why should Merry be left behind? He has as much cause to go to war as you Why can he not fight for those he loves? [A dark-cloaked figure rides up past the Pukel men.] [Arwen sleeps. A tear rolls down her cheek.] Arwen (v.o.): I choose a mortal life. I wish I could have seen him, one last time. [Aragorn watches in horror as the Evenstar pendant smashes on the floor. He wakes and draws his knife.] Aragorn: Nyah! [One of Theoden's guards enters into his tent.] Rider: Sir? King Theoden awaits you, my lord. [They walk to Theoden's tent. ] Theoden: I take my leave. [The dark-cloaked figure stands and pulls back his hood. It is Elrond.] Aragorn: [bowing] My lord Elrond. Elrond: I come on behalf of one whom I love. Arwen is dying. She will not long survive the Evil that now spreads from Mordor. The light of the evenstar is fading. As Sauron's power grows her strength wanes. Arwen's life is now tied to the fate of the ring. A shadow is upon us Aragorn. The end is come. Aragorn: It will not be our end, but his. Elrond: You ride to war, but not to victory. Sauron's armies march on Minas Tirith, as you know. But in secret he sends another force, which will attack from the river. A fleet of Corsair ships sails from the south. It will be in the city in two days. You're outnumbered, Aragorn. You need more men. Aragorn: There are none. Elrond: There are those who dwell in the mountain. [An image of the Dead King flashes.] Aragorn: Murderers, traitors. you would call upon them to fight? They believe in nothing. They'll answer to no one. Elrond: They will answer to the king of Gondor! [He reveals Anduril in its scabbard.] Anduril, flame of the West, forged from the shards of Narsil. [Aragorn approaches and lays his hands reverently on the blade.] Aragorn: Sauron will not have forgotten the Sword of Elendil. [Aragorn unsheathes Anduril.] Aragorn: The blade that was broken shall return to Minas Tirith. Elrond: The man who wields the power of this sword can summon to him an army more deadly than any that walks this earth. Put aside the Ranger. Become who you were born to be. Take the Dimholt road. [Aragorn looks uncertain.] Elrond: Ónen i-Estel Edain. [I gave Hope to the Dúnedain.] Aragorn: Ú-chebin Estel anim. [I have kept no hope for myself.] <The Paths of the Dead > [Aragorn readies his horse. Eowyn approaches.] Eowyn: Why are you doing this? The war lies to the east. You cannot leave on the eve of the battle. You cannot abandon the men. Aragorn: Eowyn. Eowyn: We need you here. Aragorn: Why have you come? Eowyn: Do you not know? Aragorn: It is but a shadow and a thought that you love. I cannot give you what you seek. [Eowyn holds back tears. Aragorn turns away with Brego.] [Aragorn leads Brego past Gimli.] Gimli: Where do you think you're going? Aragorn: Not this time. This time you will stay, Gimli. Gimli: Grrmph. [Legolas arrives with Arod.] Legolas: Have you learned nothing of the stubbornness of dwarves? Gimli: You might as well accept it. We're going with you laddie. [They ride toward the crevasse.] Riders: What's happening? Where's he going? I don't understand. Lord Aragorn! [Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli disappear down the path.] Rider: Why does he leave on the eve of battle? Gamling: He leaves because there is no hope. Theoden: He leaves because he must. Gamling: Too few have come. We cannot defeat the armies of Mordor. Theoden: No, we cannot. But we will meet them in battle nonetheless. [The Riders nod.] [Eowyn stands alone, watching the dawn. Theoden approaches her.] Theoden: I have left instruction. The people are to follow your rule in my stead Take up my seat in the Golden Hall. May you long defend Edoras if the battle goes ill. Eowyn: What other duty would you have me do, My Lord? Theoden: Duty? [He takes her hands.] I would have you smile again, and not grieve for those whose time has come. You shall see these days renewed, Eowyn. No more despair. [Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli are riding down a desolate path in the mountains.] Gimli: What kind of an army would linger in such a place? Legolas: One that is cursed. Long ago the Men of the mountain swore an oath to the last King of Gondor, to come to his aid, to fight. But when the time came, when Gondor's need was dire, they fled, vanishing into the darkness of the mountain. And so Isildur cursed them, never to rest until they had fulfilled their oath. [They approach the Dimholt door. It is decorated with skulls.] Gimli: The very warmth of my blood seems stolen away. [Legolas reads the signs written along the wall.] Legolas: "The way is shut. It was made by those who are dead, and the dead keep it. The way is shut." [A gust of wind comes from the doorway, filled with ghostly voices. The horses startle and run away. ] Aragorn: Brego! [Aragorn faces the Dimholt.] Aragorn: I do not fear death. [He enters the tunnel. Legolas follows.] Gimli: Well this is a thing unheard of! An elf will go underground when a dwarf dare not! Oh, Oh! I would not hear the end of it. [He runs into the tunnel.] [The Riders break camp at Dunharrow. Theoden emerges from his tent.] Theoden: We must ride light and swift. There is a long road ahead. Man and beast must reach the end with the strength to fight. [Theoden, mounted, approaches Merry who is waiting by his pony.] Theoden: Little hobbits do not belong in war, Master Meriadoc. Merry: All My friends have gone to battle. I would be ashamed to be left behind! Theoden: It is a three-day gallop to Minas Tirith, and none of my riders can bear you as a burden. Merry: I want to fight! Theoden: I will say no more. [He rides off. Merry is left standing as Riders pass him, until one of them scoops him up and into her saddle. It is Eowyn in armor and a helmet.] Eowyn: Ride with me. Merry: My lady! Eomer: Form up! Move out! Rider: Move out! Move out! Theoden: We ride! We ride now to Gondor! [A host of Riders stream out of the encampment.] [On the Pelennor Fields, the trolls drum. The army of Mordor chants as they approach the city.] [Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli run into a great underground hall. The Dead King appears before them.] Dead King: Who enters my domain? Aragorn: One who will have your allegiance. Dead King: The dead do not suffer the living to pass. Aragorn: You will suffer me. [The Dead King laughs. A dead city appears. Dead soldiers stream out of it and gather around them.] Dead King: The way is shut. It was made by those who are dead, and the dead keep it. [More of the dead appear.] Dead King: The way is shut. Now you must die. [Legolas shoots the Dead King in the head. His arrow passes through and clatters to the ground. It leaves a misty hole in the King's face that quickly closes.] Aragorn: I summon you to fulfill your oath. Dead King: None but the king of Gondor may command me. [He swings his sword, but Aragorn parries with Anduril, then grabs him by the throat.] Dead King: The blade was broken! Aragorn: It has been remade. [Aragorn pushes him back.] Aragorn: Fight for us, and regain your honor. What say you? [Aragorn moves among the dead soldiers.] Aragorn: What say you! Gimli: You waste your time Aragorn. They have no honor in life, they have none now in death [Aragorn turns, challenging the Dead with Anduril.] Aragorn: I am Isildur's heir. Fight for me, and I will hold your oaths fulfilled. Aragorn: What say you! [The Dead King grimaces.] [Outside the gates of Minas Tirith.] Gondorian: [From the archway] Open the gate, quick! [As the gates open, Faramir is dragged in by his horse. His foot is caught in the stirrup. Two arrows protrude from his armor.] [Faramir is taken on a litter to the citadel courtyard.] Irolas: Quick! Hurry! [Denethor runs out to Faramir. The Gondorians put the litter down near the white tree.] Denethor: Faramir! Say not that he has fallen! Irolas: They were outnumbered. None survived. [Outside the gates. Gothmog sniffs.] Gothmog: Fear. The city is ripe with it. Let us ease their pain. Release the prisoners! Skully: Catapults! [The orcs catapult a small shot over the walls. Inside, soldiers duck behind their shields as the heads of their fellow soldiers fall and roll. ] [In the citadel.] Denethor: My sons are spent! [Denethor steps away from Faramir. Pippin approaches.] Denethor: My line his ended! Pippin: He is alive! Denethor: The house of the Stewards has failed! Pippin: He needs medicine, my Lord! Denethor: My line has ended! [Denethor goes to the edge of the courtyard and looks down at the orc army.] Pippin: My Lord! Denethor: Rohan has deserted us. [The orc catapults fling boulders at the city. The people shriek and run.] Denethor: Theoden has betrayed me! [More boulders fall.] Denethor: Abandon your posts! Flee! Flee for your lives! [Gandalf smacks Denethor with his staff until he falls.] Gandalf: Prepare for battle! [Gandalf rides for the first level.] Gandalf: Come on, men! To the wall! Defend the wall! [He passes soldiers who are fleeing.] Gandalf: Return to your posts! [Archers line up on the wall.] Gandalf: Send these foul beasts into the abyss! [They launch rocks and masonry at the orc army from a trebuchet.] [The masonry lands among the orc army. The orcs around Gothmog shift fearfully.] Gothmog: Stay where you are. [The armies fire boulders and masonry at each other.] Citadel Guards: Watch out! Down to the lower level! Quick! [Pippin runs down into the city with his fellow guardsmen.] [A large rock arcs out from the city toward Gothmog. His soldiers scramble out of the way. At the last second he steps aside and it falls right by him.] Troll: [Looking concerned] Squee! [Gothmog spits on the boulder.] [The Nazgul shriek as they fly in over the city.] Gandalf: Hold them back! Do not give in to fear! Gandalf: Stay at your posts! [Siege towers are moved to the wall. The Gondorians fire arrows at them.] Gandalf: Not at the towers! Aim for the trolls! Kill the trolls! Bring them down! Gandalf: Keep them back! [Pippin arrives at the walls, looking dazed. Gandalf sees him.] Gandalf: Peregrin Took! Go back to the Citadel! Pippin: They called us out to fight. [One of the siege towers arrives. Orcs storm out of it toward Gandalf and Pippin. Gandalf fights them off.] Gandalf: This is no place for a hobbit! [Gandalf battles more orcs. One surprises him, but Pippin stabs it before he can strike Gandalf. It falls, and Pippin stares at the black blood on his sword.] Gandalf: Guard of the Citadel indeed! Now, back up the hill, quickly. Quick! [The orc army chants as a great battering ram is pulled toward the city gates.] Orc army: Grond! Grond! <Outside Shelob's Lair > [Gollum reaches the tunnel, with Frodo just behind him.] Gollum: In there. Frodo: What is this place? Gollum: Master must go inside the tunnel. Frodo: Now that I'm here, I don't think I want to. Gollum: It's the only way. Go in or go back. Frodo: I can't go back. [He enters the tunnel with Gollum.] What's that smell? Gollum: Orcses' filth. Orcses come here sometimes. [Gollum runs ahead.] Gollum: Hurry! [Frodo follows.] Gollum: This way! Frodo: [frightened] Smeagol? Gollum: Over here! [Frodo's hand lands in a web.] Frodo: Oh! Ugh! It's sticky! What is it? Gollum: You will see. Oh yes, you will see. Frodo: Smeagol? Smeagol! Smeagol! [Smeagol has left Frodo alone in the dark tunnel.] Frodo: Sam. [Frodo steps on a skeleton. Other dead animals are hanging in the tunnel. He begins to run.] [Sam, crying, makes his way down the stair. He slips and falls hard. He sees the lembas thrown down by Gollum and grows angry. He turns and looks up the stairs, then begins climbing.] Frodo: Ah! Augh! [Frodo runs and falls into a clump of spider webs and bones.] Galadriel (v.o.): And you, Frodo Baggins. I give you the light of Earendil, our most beloved star. [Frodo fumbles for her phial in his pocket.] Galadriel (v.o.): May it be a light for you in dark places, when all other lights go out. [Frodo finds the phial and holds it out.] Frodo: Aiya Eärendil Elenion Ancalima! [Hail Eärendil brightest of the Stars!] [Shelob emerges from the darkness. ] Frodo: Ugh! [Frodo menaces her with the phial. She attacks. Frodo slashes at one of her legs. Shelob shrieks as he runs. He runs but has lost the phial. As he looks back he runs into a huge web. The web traps him and holds him spread-eagle off the ground.] Frodo: Augh! [Frodo sees other forms cocooned and suspended.] Gollum: Naughty little fly! Why does it cry? Caught in a web. Soon you'll be... eaten! [Frodo cuts his way out of the web as Shelob approaches. Gollum shrieks. Frodo frees himself, but loses Sting. He runs out of the Lair and falls.] Gollum: Got away, did it precious? Not this time. Not this time! [Frodo and Gollum fight. Gollum tries to grab the Ring.] Frodo: Oh! Augh! [Frodo attacks Gollum and begins to throttle him.] Gollum: It wasn't us! It wasn't us! Smeagol wouldn't hurt Master. We promised! [Frodo's anger dissipates. He stops choking Gollum.] Gollum: You must believe us! It was the precious. The precious made us do it. [Frodo releases Gollum and stands.] Frodo: I have to destroy it, Smeagol. [Gollum is horrified.] Frodo: I have to destroy it for both our sakes. [Gollum grows angry.] Gollum: No! [He attacks Frodo. He flips over Frodo and falls off the edge of the path, out of sight.] Gollum: Ahh! [Frodo rises and staggers along the path.] Frodo: I'm so sorry, Sam. So sorry! [He collapses, then finds he's collapsed in a grassy place.] Galadriel (v.o.): This task was appointed to you, Frodo of the Shire. If you do not find a way, no one will. [She helps him to his feet. When he rises he is still on the desolate path to Cirith Ungol.] [Outside Minas Tirith, the Orc army chants. The trolls wielding Grond groan. They pull the ram back and it slams into the gate.] Orcs: Grond! Grond! [Gandalf rides Shadowfax, gathering soldiers.] Gandalf: Back to the gate! Hurry! [Denethor leads the way through the citadel courtyard. He is followed by Citadel guardsmen bearing Faramir's litter. They enter the mausoleum of the Stewards.] Denethor: No tomb for Denethor and Faramir No long slow sleep of death embalmed. We shall burn, like the heathen kings of old. Bring wood and oil! [Grond is pounding at the gate. Gandalf waits inside with many armed soldiers.] Gandalf: Steady! Steady! [Grond breaks through the top of the gate.] You are soldiers of Gondor! No matter what comes through that gate, you will stand your ground. [Grond breaks the gate open. Several armored trolls enter. They are armed with spiked hammers and quickly begin killing the Gondorians.] Gandalf: Volley! Fire! [Gondorian archers fire. The trolls swipe at the arrows. Orcs rush past them and engage the Gondorian pikemen. Gandalf attacks and one of the trolls falls. More of the orc army enters. The Gondorians are pushed back.]