LORD OF THE RINGS:
The Two Towers
TRANSCRIP part 2

<Camera zooms in on the gate>

Gríma (V.O.): Helm’s Deep has one weakness. Its outer wall is solid rock but for a small culvert at its base which is little more than a drain.

<Camera turns to Gríma and Saruman at Orthanc. Saruman is pouring some dark dry substances into a vessel. Gríma is holding a lit candle in his hand.>

Gríma: How? How can fire undo stone? What kind of device could bring down the wall?

<As he steps closer to the vessel, Saruman takes hold of Gríma’s hand and pushes the candle away from the vessel firmly.>

Saruman: If the wall is breached, Helm's Deep will fall.

<He walks away towards the balcony.>

Gríma: <Following Saruman> Even if it is breached, it would take a number beyond reckoning, thousands to storm the keep.

Saruman: Tens of thousands.

Gríma: But, my lord, there is no such force.

<Both of them came onto the balcony of the tower. Gríma suddenly sees and hears the enormous armies laid out below in neat rows and is astounded and awed. He continues to hold the extinguished candle aloft as he gapes at the vast army below. A horn is sounded, announcing the appearance of Saruman. A loud cheer is heard from the army. Saruman raises a hand.>

Saruman: A new power is rising. Its victory is at hand!

<The army cheers and roars.>

Saruman: This night, the land would be stained with the blood of Rohan! March to Helms Deep! Leave none alive!

<The camera keeps zooming out from the balcony over the incredible size of Saruman’s army, past Uruk-hai, spears, and banners and yet more Uruk-hai. The camera focuses back on Saruman who then raises his hands in the air>

Saruman: To war!!

<The army cheers and roars even louder.>

Saruman: <Sneers> There will be no dawn for Men.

<A tear flows down Gríma’s cheek. The Uruk-hai army began their march to Helm’s Deep.> <Merry and Pippin are travelling through the forest, carried by Treebeard.>

Pippin: Look! There’s smoke to the south!

Treebeard: There is always smoke rising from Isengard these days.

Merry: Isengard?

<The two hobbits climb higher up onto Treebeard for a better view.>

Treebeard: There was a time when Saruman would walk in my woods. But now he has a mind of metal and wheels. He no longer cares for growing things.

<Pippin and Merry are now on top of Treebeard and they see a massive army moving across the land>

Pippin: What is it?

Merry: It’s Saruman’s army! The war has started. <Aragorn is floating in the river, unconscious. He is washed ashore and dreams of Arwen.>

Arwen: <Kissing him on the lips> May the grace of the Valar protect you.

<A horse arrives and nudges Aragorn, turning him over and nuzzling him.> Aragorn: <Mumbles> Brego… <He grabs hold of Brego’s mane, pulls himself onto the horse and rides slowly to Helms Deep.>

<Arwen is lying on her bed, deep in thought.>

Elrond: <Coming into her room> Arwen.

<Arwen hears him and sits up.>

Elrond: Tollen i lû. I chair gwannar na Valannor. Si bado, no círar. (Arwen, it is time. The ships are leaving for Valinor. Go now... before it is too late.)

Arwen: I have made my choice.

Elrond: He is not coming back. Why do you linger here when there is no hope?

Arwen: There is still hope.

Elrond: <Walks towards window and looks out> If Aragorn survives this war, you will still be parted. If Sauron is defeated, and Aragorn made king and all that you hope for comes true, you will still have to taste the bitterness of mortality.

<Arwen sees a vision of her future as Elrond speaks. She is dressed as a queen in mourning garb and looking down upon Aragorn, a crown on his brow, Andúril in his hand, and dead. Mourners are walking around the altar, paying their final respects. Arwen is weeping.>

Elrond: Whether by the sword or the slow decay of time, Aragorn will die. And there will be no comfort for you. No comfort to ease the pain of his passing. He will come to death, an image of the splendor of the kings of men in glory undimmed before the breaking of the world.

<The body of Aragorn is now cast as a monument in stone. Arwen stands before the monument, veiled and in black.>

Elrond: But you, my daughter, you will linger on in darkness and in doubt. As nightfall in winter that comes without a star. Here you will dwell, bound to your grief, under the fading trees, until all the world has changed and the long years of your life are utterly spent.

<Still veiled in black, Arwen is walking alone through the deserted woods of Lothlórien.>

Elrond: <Tuning to Arwen> Arwen... there is nothing for you here, only death.

<The vision ends and Arwen weeps with sadness and fear. Elrond comes to sit beside his daughter and raises a hand to her cheek.>

Elrond: A im, ú-'erin veleth lîn? (Do I not also have your love?)

Arwen: <Crying and moving into her father’s embrace> Gerich meleth nîn, ada. (You have my love, father)

<Elves, cloaked and carrying a lantern each, are setting off from Rivendell on their journey to the West. Elrond looks on as Arwen leaves with them. Arwen turns back to look at her father one last time before she departs. Elrond continues to stare after her with an expression of resigned sadness.>

<Elrond is standing by a window. He hears Galadriel speaking.>

Galadriel: I amar prestar aen... han mathon ne nen, han mathon ne chae a han nostan ned gwilith. (The world has changed... I feel it in the water, I feel it in the earth, I smell it in the air.) The power of the enemy is growing. <Saruman is communicating with Sauron via the Palantír.> Sauron will use his puppet Saruman to destroy the people of Rohan. Isengard has been unleashed. <View of Saruman's marching army> The eye of Sauron now turns to Gondor, the last free kingdom of men. <View of Osgiliath> His war on this country will come swiftly. He senses the Ring is close. The strength of the Ringbearer is failing. In his heart, Frodo begins to understand. <Close-up of Galadriel> The quest will claim his life. You know this. You have foreseen it. It is the risk we all took.

<Close-up of the Ring spinning in slow motion>

Galadriel (V.O.): In the gathering dark, the will of the Ring grows strong. It works hard now to find its way back into the hands of men.

<We see Faramir and Gondorian rangers with the captured Frodo and Sam.>

Galadriel (V.O.): Men, who are so easily seduced by its power. The young captain of Gondor has but to extend his hands, take the Ring for his own and the world will fall. It is close now, so close to achieving its goal.

<Faramir and company have reached Henneth Annûn. Frodo and Sam and being carries, blinded-folded into the cave.>

Galadriel (V.O.): For Sauron will have dominion of all life on this Earth, even until the ending of the world. The time of the Elves is over.

<Close-up of Galadriel's luminous eyes with their deep pools of wisdom. We then see Elrond in his library, looking at the painting of Isildur facing down Sauron with the broken blade of Narsil.>

Galadriel (V.O.): Do we leave Middle-earth to its fate? Do we let them stand alone? <Scene returns to Henneth Annûn. Faramir is conferring with his man. They unroll a map.>

Faramir: What news?

Madril: Our scouts report Saruman has attacked Rohan. Théoden’s people have fled to Helm’s Deep. <Points at the map> But we must look to our own borders. Faramir, Orcs are on the move. Sauron is marshalling an army. Easterlings and Southrons are passing through the Black Gate.

Faramir: How many?

Madril: Some thousands. More come every day.

Faramir: Who’s covering the river to the north?

Madril: We pulled 500 men at Osgiliath, but if the city is attacked, we won’t hold it.

Faramir: <Tracing on the map> Saruman attacks from Isengard. Sauron from Mordor. The fight will come to men on both fronts. Gondor is weak. Sauron will strike us soon. And he will strike hard. He knows now we do not have the strength to repel him.

<The hobbits are unbound and blindfolds taken off them. The find themselves in a cave behind a waterfall. Faramir comes up to them and sits.>.

Faramir: My men tell me that you are Orc spies.

Sam: Spies?! Now wait just a minute!

Faramir: Well if you’re not spies, then who are you?

<Frodo and Sam remain silent.>

Faramir: Speak.

Frodo: We are hobbits of the Shire. Frodo Baggins is my name and this is Samwise Gamgee.

Faramir: Your bodyguard?

Sam: His gardener.

Faramir: And where is your skulking friend? That gangrel creature. He had an ill-favoured look.

Frodo: <The merest hesitation.> There was no other.

<Sam looks shifty-eyed and uncomfortable.>

Frodo: We set out from Rivendell with seven companions. One we lost in Mória. Two were my kin. A Dwarf there was also, and an Elf. And two men, Aragorn, son of Arathorn, and Boromir of Gondor.

Faramir: <Intently> You were a friend of Boromir?

Frodo: Yes... for my part.

Faramir: It would grieve you then to learn that he was dead.

Frodo: <Shocked> Dead? How? When?

Faramir: As one of his companions, I hoped you would tell me. <Pause> He was my brother. <Faramir is sitting alone, deep in thought. Suddenly someone comes up to him.>

Madril: Captain Faramir. <whispers> The third one has been found.

<Frodo and Sam are sleeping. Frodo awakens as Faramir stands before him.>

Faramir: You must come with me. Now.

<Frodo gets up and follow. They come to the edge of the waterfall, overlooking the Forbidden Pool.>

Faramir: <Pointing down> Down there.

<Frodo looks down and sees Gollum diving into the water.>

Faramir: To enter the forbidden pool bears the penalty of death. <He gestures to archers hidden in the bushes.> They wait for my command.

<The Rangers notch their arrows>

Faramir: Shall they shoot?

<Frodo looks stricken. Gollum emerges from the pool onto a rock. He holds a fish in his hand and starts singing, slapping the fish on the rock as he goes.>

Gollum: <singing> The rock and pool is nice and cool, so nice for feet! I only wish <Whacks the fish on the rock> to catch a fish <whacks>, so juicy sweet! <The fish almost wriggles out of his grasp and he whacks it some more.>

<Faramir has his hand raised to order his men to shoot. At the last moment, Frodo calls out.>

Frodo: Wait! <Faramir stops> This creature is bound to me. And I to him. He is our guide. Please, let me go down to him.

<Faramir nods. Frodo descends to the Forbidden Pool and approaches Gollum who is gorging on the raw fish.>

Frodo: Sméagol. <Gollum turns round at Frodo’s voice.> Master is here. Come, Sméagol. Trust master. Come!

<Frodo gestures for Gollum to follow him.>

Gollum: We must go now?

Frodo: Sméagol, you must trust master. Follow me, come on. Come. Come, Sméagol. Nice Sméagol. That’s it. Come on.

<With the fish between his teeth, Gollum follows Frodo warily. Suddenly he looks up in alarm and is caught by Rangers.>

Frodo: Don’t hurt him! Sméagol don’t struggle! Sméagol listen to me!

Gollum: <wails> Master!!

<A black cloth is brought over Gollum's head. Frodo stares after them with a stricken expression as Faramir leads Gollum and his men away. Back in the cave, Gollum is thrown down to the ground. Crying, he crawls into a corner and curls up into ball.>

Faramir: Where are you leading them? Answer me!

Gollum: <Cooing, his hand stroking his shoulder> Sméa…gol... Why do you cry, Sméagol?

Sméagol: <Sobbing> Cruel men hurts us. Master trickst us.

Gollum: Of course he did. I told you he was tricksy. I told you he was false.

Sméagol: <Sobbing> Master is our friend... our friend.

Gollum: Master betrayed us.

Sméagol: No, not its business. Leave us alone!

Gollum: <Hits his fist against the wall> Filthy little hobbitses. They stole it from us.

Sméagol: <Whimpers> No... No!

Faramir: What did they steal?

Gollum: <Turns to Faramir with a ferocious expression> Myyy… PRECIOUSSS!! <He bares his teeth and growls> Aaaarrrggghhh!!! <Back in their holding area, Sam and Frodo are alone.>

Sam: We have to get out of here. You go. Go, now! You can do it. Use the Ring, Mr. Frodo. Just this once. Put it on. Disappear.

Frodo: I can’t. You were right, Sam. You tried to tell me. I’m sorry. The Ring’s taking me Sam. If I put it on, he’ll find me. He’ll see.

Sam: Mr. Frodo...

<They both stand as Faramir enters.>

Faramir: <Unsheathes his sword> So... this is the answer to all the riddles. Here in the wild I have you. Two halflings and a host of men at my call. The Ring of power within my grasp.

<Faramir lifts the Ring from Frodo's neck with the tip of his sword.>

Faramir: A chance for Faramir, captain of Gondor, to show his quality.

<Frodo is backed up fearfully against the wall. The Ring whispers and Frodo falls into a trance. Suddenly, he grabs the Ring in his hand and jerks himself away.>

Frodo: No!! <He runs away from Faramir>

Sam: Stop it! Leave him alone! Don’t you understand? He’s got to destroy it. That’s where we’re going. To Mordor. To the mountain of fire.

<Faramir stares at Frodo. Just then Madril enters.>

Madril: Osgiliath is under attack. They call for reinforcements.

Sam: Please. It’s such a burden. Will you not help him?

Madril: Captain?

Faramir: Prepare to leave. The Ring will go to Gondor. <He turns to leave.>

<Sam looks after Faramir sadly.> <Aragorn is riding towards Helm’s Deep. On the way, he sees an enormous Uruk-hai army marching with great speed. He quickly makes haste towards Helm’s Deep and soon sees the refuge.>

Aragorn: <Patting Brego on the neck> Mae carnen, Brego, mellon nîn. (Well done, Brego, my friend)

<He rides into Helm’s Deep to the amazement of all.>

Refugees: He’s alive!

Gimli: <Pushing his way through the crowd.> Where is he? Where is he? Get out of the way. I’m gonna kill him! <He sees Aragorn.> You are the luckiest, the canniest and the most reckless man I ever knew! <He hugs Aragorn.> Bless you, laddie!

Aragorn: Where is the king?

<Gimli gestures to the hall. As Aragorn makes his way in, he runs into Legolas who stands waiting.>

Legolas: Le ab-dollen. (You’re late.) <They smile. Legolas pauses and looks at Aragorn’s wounds.> You look terrible.

<To the side, Éowyn sees Aragorn and smiles joyously and with relief. Legolas takes Aragorn’s hand and gives the Evenstar pendant. Aragorn looks at the Evenstar and claps Legolas on the shoulder.>

Aragorn: Hannon le. (Thank you.)

<Éowyn looks on and smiles even as tears fill her eyes.> <Aragorn is in the keep, conferring with Théoden>

Théoden: A great host, you say?

Aragorn: All of Isengard is emptied

Théoden: How many?

Aragorn: Ten thousand strong at least.

Théoden: Ten thousand?!

Aragorn: It is an army bred for a single purpose: to destroy the world of men. They will be here by nightfall.

Théoden: Let them come! <Walks away resolutely>

<Along the passage behind the Deeping Wall.>

Théoden: <to Gamling> I want every man and strong lad able to bear arms to be ready for battle by nightfall.

<Gamling nods and goes off. Théoden stands at the gate of Helm’s Deep, speaking to Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli.>

Théoden: We will cover the causeway and the gate from above. No army has ever breached the Deeping Wall or set foot inside the Hornburg.

Gimli: This is no rabble of mindless Orcs. These are Uruk-hai. Their armor is thick and their shields broad.

Théoden: I have fought many wars, Master Dwarf. I know how to defend my own keep.

<Gimli seems miffed. Legolas claps a hand on Gimli’s shoulder as he follows Aragorn and Théoden back in.>

Théoden: They will break upon this fortress like water on rock. Saruman’s hordes will pillage and burn, we’ve seen it before. Crops can be resown; homes rebuilt. Within these walls, we will outlast them.

Aragorn: They do not come to destroy Rohan’s crops or villages. They come to destroy its people. Down to the last child.

Théoden: <Draws close to Aragorn> What would you have me do? Look at my men. Their courage hangs by a thread. If this is to be our end, then I would have them make such an end as to be worthy of remembrance.

Aragorn: Send out riders, my lord. You must call for aid.

Théoden: And who will come? Elves? Dwarves? We are not so lucky in our friends as you. The old alliances are dead.

Aragorn: Gondor will answer.

Théoden: Gondor? Where was Gondor when the Westfold fell? Where was Gondor when our enemies closed in around us? Where was Gon… – No, my lord Aragorn, we are alone. <He walks away, calling out orders> Get the women and children into the caves.

Gamling: We need more time to lay provisions for a siege, lord –

Théoden: <Cutting him off> There is no time. War is upon us!

Gamling: <to the soldiers> Secure the gate!

<Men rush to prepare for battle as flocks of carrion crows circle overhead.> <Treebeard walks through the forest carrying Merry and Pippin. He comes to a clearing and stops.>

Treebeard: The Ents have not troubled about the wars of men and wizards for a very long time. But now something is about to happen that has not happened for an age... Ent Moot.

Merry: What’s that?

Treebeard: 'Tis a gathering.

Merry: A gathering of what?

<Merry and Pippin turns round as they hear movement from the forest around them. They see many more Ents like Treebeard gathering.>

Treebeard: Beech, oak, chestnut, ash... Good, good, good. Many have come. Now we must decide if the Ents will go to war.

<Merry licks his lips in anticipation.> <Back at Helm’s Deep, the women and children are being led into the caves.>

Soldier 1: Move to the caves!

Soldier 2: Keep moving!

Soldier 3: Quickly now!

<Old men and young lads are being drafted for war. The women and children say their tearful and reluctant farewells as their fathers, husbands and sons are led away by soldiers. In the armoury, weapons are being distributed. Aragorn picks up a battered sword, looks at it and tosses it back.>

Aragorn: Farmer, farriers, stable boys. These are no soldiers.

Gimli: Most have seen too many winters.

Legolas: Or too few. Look at them. They’re frightened. I can see it in their eyes. <The men around them fell silent. Legolas speaks to Aragorn.> Boe a hûn: neled herain dan caer menig! (And they should be... Three hundred against ten thousand!)

Aragorn: Si beriathar hýn. Amar nâ ned Edoras. (They have more hope of defending themselves here than at Edoras.)

Legolas: Aragorn, men i ndagor. Hýn ú-... ortheri. Natha daged aen! (Aragorn, we are warriors. They cannot win this fight. They are all going to die!)

Aragorn: Then I shall die as one them! <He pauses and then walks away. Legolas makes as if to go after him.>

Gimli: <Puts a hand on Legolas> Let him go, lad. Let him be. <In the hall>

Gamling: Every villager able to wield a sword has been sent to the armory. My lord?

Théoden: Who am I, Gamling?

Gamling: You are our king, sire.

Théoden: And do you trust your king?

Gamling: <Puts armour onto Théoden> Your men, my lord, will follow you to whatever end.

<The villagers are handed their weapons. An oversized helmet is placed on a wide-eyed boy. Another stares at the axe that he is handed with frightened eyes. Another child wearing oversized chain mail takes up a huge shield. Théoden stands inside the main hall of the keep, his back to the entrance where a bright white light is streaming through.>

Théoden: To whatever end… Where is the horse and the rider? Where is the horn that was blowing? They have passed like rain on the mountains. Like wind in the meadow. The days have gone down in the west. Behind the hills, into shadow. How did it come to this? <Everyone is getting ready for war at the battlements. Aragorn is sitting on the steps. He sees a young lad in armour holding a sword looking around nervously.>

Aragorn: Give me your sword. What is your name?

Haleth: Haleth, son of Háma, my lord. The men are saying that we will not live out the night. They say that it is hopeless..

<Aragorn gives the battered sword a few swings.>

Aragorn: This is a good sword, Haleth, son of Háma.

<He hands the sword back to Haleth and leans close to him, putting a hand on his shoulder.>

Aragorn: There is always hope. <Back at the armoury, Aragorn dons his battle gear. His sword is handed to him as he reaches for it. He nods and accepts the sword from Legolas.>

Legolas: We have trusted you this far and you have not led us astray. Forgive me. I was wrong to despair.

Aragorn: Ú-moe edhored, Legolas. (There is nothing to forgive, Legolas.)

<They smile and clap one another on the shoulders. They look at Gimli as he walks up to them, struggling with his chain mail.>

Gimli: If I have time I’ll get this adjusted. <He drops the bundle and the chain mail lands with its length right to the floor.> It’s a little tight across the chest.

<Aragorn and Legolas bite back smiles. Just then, a horn sounds in the background>

Legolas: That is no Orc horn. <They run out to the battlements.>

<The guards look down in wonderment.>

Guard: <to another guard> Send for the king. Open the gate!

<An army of Lothlórien Elves march up the Causeway into the Hornburg. They are led by Haldir. The Rohirrim soldiers look upon them in wonderment and delight as they pass.>

Théoden: How is this possible?

Haldir: I bring word from Elrond of Rivendell. An alliance once existed between Elves and men. Long ago we fought and died together. <He looks up to see Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli running down the steps, and smiles> We come to honor that allegiance.

Aragorn: <He bows> Mae govannen, Haldir. (Welcome, Haldir) <He grabs Haldir in a huge embrace. Initially stunned, Haldir hugs him back lightly.>

Aragorn: You are most welcome!

<Legolas and Haldir clasp each other on the shoulder.>

Haldir: <Turning to Théoden> We are proud to fight alongside men, once more.

<Men and Elves are in their positions on the battlements of Helm’s Deep. The sounds of a marching army move closer and closer. The women and children in the caves hear the sounds overhead and are frightened. Mothers draw their children close and try to sooth crying babies. The men and Elves look out into the darkness, lit by the thousands of torches carried by the huge advancing Uruk-hai army and the light bouncing off their armour. With a row of Elf archers, Gimli is standing beside Legolas behind a wall, only the top of his helmet visible.>

Gimli: <Grumbling and straining to look above the wall.> You could have picked a better spot.

<Legolas smirks. Aragorn approaches and stands beside them>

Gimli: Well lad, whatever luck you’ve lived by, let’s hope it lasts the night.

<Thunder sounds and lightning flashes, revealing the sea of approaching Uruk-hai.>

Legolas: Your friends are with you, Aragorn.

Gimli: Let’s hope they last the night.

<The marching and thumping grows louder and louder. Lightning flashes and it begins to rain. The Uruk-hai are now right before the Deeping Walls, roaring and thumping their spears furiously. An Uruk-hai leader stands on a rock outcrop.>

<Aragorn is giving commands to the Elf warriors.>

Aragorn: A Eruchîn, ú-dano i faelas a hyn an uben tanatha le faelas! (Show them no mercy! For you shall receive none!)

Gimli: <Jumping and straining to see> What’s happening out there?

Legolas: Shall I describe it to you? <Looks at Gimli with a grin> Or would you like me to find you a box?

Gimli: <Laughs good-naturedly> Hehehehe!!

<The Uruk-hai continue to roar their battle cries. The women and children in the caves huddle together in fear. Suddenly, Aldor, the old man next to Haleth, loses his grip and releases his arrow prematurely, shooting an Uruk-hai in the neck.>

Aragorn: Dartho! (Hold!)

<The Uruk-hai army stop their roaring and thumping. With a hollow groan, the Uruk that was shot collapsed to the ground. The other Uruk-hai bare their teeth and roar with anger. With a cry, the Uruk-hai leader thrusts his weapon in the air and the Uruk-hai army starts charging.>

Théoden: So it begins.

Aragorn: Tangado halad! (Prepare to fire!)

<The Elves notch their arrow and aim.>

Legolas: Faeg i-varv dîn na lanc a nu ranc. (Their armor is weak at the neck and underneath the arms.)

Aragorn: Leithio i philinn! (Release the arrows!)

<Arrows rain down on the Uruk-hai below, killing many.>

Gimli: Did they hit anything?

Théoden: Give them a volley.

Gamling: <to the men> Fire!

<More arrows are released. But the Uruk-hai army keep advancing, with more replacing those fallen.>

Aragorn: Fire!

Gimli: <Impatiently> Send them coming! C’mon!

<The Uruk-hai start to load ladders onto the walls, pushing them up with their long spears.>

Aragorn: Pendraid! (Ladders!)

<The Elves draw their blades in preparation for combat.>

Gimli: Good!

<Close combat begins as the Uruk-hai climb over the wall.>

Gimli: Legolas, two already! <Holding up two fingers>

Legolas: I’m on seventeen!

Gimli: <Outraged> Argh! I’ll have no pointy-ear outscoring me! <He turns to a Uruk just climbing over the wall, whacking it in the groin with his axe and killing it as it falls.>

Legolas: <Fires two arrows> Nineteen! <The Ent Moot is still in progress. The Ents sway a little as they continue to deliberate. Merry and Pippin are sitting a distance away. Suddenly, Treebeard nods and turns to the hobbits.>

Pippin: <Gesturing> Merry!

Treebeard: We have just agreed. <Long pause with his eyes closed.>

Merry: <Angles his head in query> Yes?

Treebeard: I have told your names to the Ent moot and we have agreed – you are not Orcs.

Pippin: Well, that’s good news.

Merry: <impatiently> And what about Saruman? Have you come to a decision about HIM?

Treebeard: <Waving a hand> Now don’t be hasty, Master Meriadoc.

Merry: Hasty? Our friends are out there! They need our help! They cannot fight this war on their own.

Treebeard: War, yes… It affects us all. But you must understand, young hobbit. It takes a loong time to say anything in ooold… Entish. <Merry and Pippin roll their eyes in disgruntlement.> And we never say anything… unless it is worth taking a looong… time to say. <Gimli is standing on the wall between two ladders, hacking away at Uruk-hai as they come up>

Gimli: Seventeen! Eighteen! Nineteen! Twenty! Twenty-one! Twenty-two!

<Camera pans over the Uruk-hai below and turns to the Causeway. A group of Uruk-hai is advancing on the Causeway towards the gate in tortoise formation, using their broad shields to block off attacks.>

Aragorn: Na fennas! (Causeway!) <Directs the Elf archers to aim at the Uruk-hai column.>

<The Elf archers release their arrows. The Uruk-hai at the sides are shot and fall down the Causeway. But the column keeps advancing.>

Théoden: Is this it? Is this all you can conjure, Saruman?

<At the bottom of the Deeping Wall, two spiky bombs are lodge in the sluice gate. The rest opens a path and an Uruk-hai carrying a torch starts to run towards the sluice gate. Aragorn spots the Uruk-hai.>

Aragorn: Togo hon dad, Legolas! (Bring him down, Legolas!) <Legolas shoots the Uruk-hai in the shoulder but the latter keeps going> Dago hon! Dago hon! (Kill him! Kill him!)

<Legolas shoots the Uruk again. It stumbles and then throws it self and the torch at the bombs. An enormous explosion is set off, blowing away a large part of the wall. Rock, debris and bodies are thrown up. Aragorn is also thrown back by the force of the explosion and on the ground, knocked out. Théoden looks on in shock as the Uruk-hai streams in past the Deeping Walls.>

Théoden: Brace the Gate! Hold them! Stand Fast!

<Gimli sees the Uruk-hai charging in with Aragorn in their path. With a cry, he jumps down from the wall and lands on the Uruk-hai army, taking them out as he stands.>

Gimli: Aragorn!! Argh!

<He is soon overpowered. Aragorn gets up and sees Gimli falling.>

Aragorn: Gimli! <He yells to the Elves behind him> Hado i philinn! (Hurl the arrows!)

<The arrows take out the first group of Uruk-hai coming through the hole in the wall.>

Aragorn: Herio! (Charge!)

<Aragorn leads the Elves in a charge towards the Uruk-hai streaming in. He rushes to Gimli’s side and picks him up. At the top of the battlements, Legolas grabs a shield and sends it sliding across the ground. He then hops onto it and surfs down the steps, releasing three arrows as he goes, and kicking the shield to stab an Uruk-hai as he lands at the bottom.> <At the Ent Moot>

Treebeard: The Ents cannot hold back this storm. We must weather such things as we have always done.

Merry: How can that be your decision?!

Treebeard: This is not our war.

Merry: But you're part of this world! Aren’t you?! <The Ents look at one another, taken back> You must help, please! You must do something!

Treebeard: You are young and brave, Master Merry. But your part in this tale is over. Go back to your home.

<Merry is putting on his jacket. Pippin approaches him slowly>

Pippin: Maybe Treebeard’s right. We don’t belong here, Merry. It's too big for us. What can we do in the end? We've got the Shire. Maybe we should go home.

Merry: <Looking into the distance.> The fires of Isengard will spread. And the woods of Tuckborough and Buckland will burn. And all that was once green and good in this world will be gone. <Turns to Pippin and puts a hand on his shoulder> There won't be a Shire, Pippin.

<Pippin looks after Merry as he walks away.> Théoden: Aragorn! Fall back to the Keep! Get your men out of there!

Aragorn: Na Barad! Na Baraad! Haldir, na Barad! (To the Keep! Pull back to the Keep! Haldir, to the Keep!)

<Haldir nods and turns back. Gimli is being carried away, kicking and struggling as he goes>

Gimli: <Protesting> What are you doing? Argh! Stop it!

<Haldir hacks at a few Uruk as he turns towards the gate. Suddenly, he is stabbed in his arm. Slow motion: with a grimace, he kills the Uruk-hai and look s down as his wound in seeming disbelief. An Uruk-hai comes up from behind him unnoticed and slices him on the neck. As Haldir goes down, he looks around him and sees his kin fallen among dead Uruk-hai.>

Aragorn: <Sees Haldir falling> HALDIR!! <He runs up the steps to Haldir’s side and catches him and he collapses. Haldir's head rolls back, his eyes empty and unseeing. Aragorn bows his head in grief. Then with a cry, he jumps onto a ladder and swings down to the ground, killing as he goes.>

Gamling: Brace the gate!

Théoden: <Drawing his sword> To the gate! Draw your swords!

<Théoden and his commanders come to the gate, which is under heavy attack. The Uruk-hai are knocking down the gate and hacking through the broken wood. Théoden stabs at an Uruk-hai and receives a lance in his shoulder, blocked by his armour. Grimacing in pain, Théoden continues to stab at the Uruk until led away by Gamling.>

Gamling: Make way for the king! We can’t hold much longer.

Théoden: Hold them!

Aragorn: <Runs up and stabs away at the Uruk-hai through the broken gate> How long do you need?

Gamling: Brace the gate!

Théoden: As long as you can give me!

Aragorn: Gimli!

<Aragorn and Gimli slip out a side exit and stand on a ledge just to the side of the main gate. Aragorn peeks over, seeing the large band of Uruk-hai storming the gate.>

Gimli: Come on! We can take ‘em!

Aragorn: It’s a long way.

<Gimli takes a peek and then steps back.>

Gimli: <Mumbles> Toss me.

Aragorn: What?

Gimli: I cannot jump the distance so you have to toss me!

<Aragorn nods slowly and then turns to grab the Dwarf.>

Gimli: Oh! <Gimli stays Aragorn’s hand> Don’t tell the Elf.

Aragorn: Not a word.

<He tosses Gimli to the head of the Causeway and then leaps over.>

Gimli: <Making quick work of killing the Uruk-hai> ARGH!!

<On the other side of the gate>

Théoden: Shore up the door!

Soldier 1: Make way! (??) lead to the barricade!

Soldier 2: We need one over there!

Théoden: Higher!

<Men are bracing the gate with wood and nails. Aragorn and Gimli continue to fight off the Uruk-hai just outside.>

Théoden: <Through a crack in the gate> Gimli! Aragorn! Get out of there!

<Legolas calls to them from the top of the battlements>

Legolas: Aragorn! <He throws them a rope>

<Aragorn grabs Gimli in one hand and the rope with the other as they are pulled up the wall. Just then the Uruk-hai load and fires enormous hooks over the battlements. Hundred of Uruk-hai climb onto super-ladders as they are pulled up towards the walls, the super-ladders locking onto the edge of the battlements with their steel grips. Legolas takes aim as another super-ladder is being pulled up and shoots away one of the ropes. The ladder falls back onto the Uruk-hai army.>

Théoden: Pull everybody back! Pull them back!

Gamling: Pull back! Pull back!

Aragorn: They’ve broken through! Come, to the keep!

Gamling: Retreat! Retreat!

Aragorn: Hurry! Inside! Get them inside!

Gamling: Into the Keep!

<They all run towards the keep, Legolas firing two arrows into the Uruk-hai army as he goes.> <Treebeard is walking through the forest, carrying Merry and Pippin. The hobbits look dejected.>

Treebeard: I will leave you at the western borders of the forest. You can make your way north to your homeland from there.

<Pippin suddenly looks up with a gleam in his eyes.>

Pippin: Wait! Stop! Stop! <Treebeard comes to a stop.> Turn around. Turn around. Take us south!

Treebeard: South? But that will lead you past Isengard.

Pippin: Yes. Exactly. If we go south we can slip past Saruman unnoticed. The closer we are to danger, the farther we are from harm. It’s the last thing he’ll expect.

Treebeard: Mmmm. That doesn’t make sense to me. But then, you are very small. Perhaps you’re right. South it is then. Hold on, little Shirelings. I always like going south. Somehow it feels like going down hill.

Merry: Are you mad? We’ll be caught!

Pippin: No we won’t. Not this time. <Faramir and company draws close to Osgiliath.>

Madril: Look! Osgiliath burns!

Ranger: Mordor has come.

Frodo: <With tears in his eyes> The Ring will not save Gondor. It has only the power to destroy. Please, let me go.

<Faramir hesitates for a moment.>

Faramir: Hurry. <He presses them on>

Frodo: Faramir, you must let me go!

<Frodo and Sam are pushed on towards Osgiliath> <Treebeard, Merry and Pippin come to the southern edge of the forest.>

Treebeard: And a little family of field mice that climb up sometimes and they tickle me awfully. They’re always trying to get somewhere – Oh!! <He sees the desolated landscape of tree stumps that used to be forested grounds> Many of these trees were my friends. Creatures I had known from nut and acorn.

Pippin: I’m sorry, Treebeard.

Treebeard: <With tears in his eyes> They had voices of their own. <His gaze turns to the treeless Isengard and its smoking caverns> Saruman! A wizard should know better!

<He lets out a ferocious roar that echoes through the forest>

Treebeard: There is no curse in Elvish, Entish or the tongues of men for this treachery.

<Merry and Pippin turn around as they hear rumbles from the forest. They see many Ents emerging and marching towards them>

Treebeard: My business is with Isengard tonight. With rock and stone!

Merry: Yes!

Treebeard: Hoorarooom... Come my friends. The Ents are going to war. It is likely that we go to our doom. The last march of the Ents! <Osgiliath is still under siege as Faramir and company arrives, dodging arrows and falling rocks.>

Gondorian Ranger: Faramir, Orcs have taken the eastern shore. Their numbers are too great. By nightfall we’ll be overrun.

<Frodo suddenly seems stricken>

Sam: Frodo!

Frodo: It’s calling to him, Sam. His eye is almost on me.

Sam: Hold on, Mr. Frodo… We'll be alright...

<Frodo sees that Sam is speaking to him but he hears nothing. His senses are overcome.>

Faramir: Take them to my father. Tell him Faramir sends a mighty gift. A weapon that will change our fortunes in this war.

<Sam breaks away as they are being led away.>

Sam: You want to know what happened to Boromir? You want to know why your brother died? He tried to take the Ring from Frodo! After swearing an oath to protect him, he tried to kill him! The Ring drove your brother mad!

Ranger: Watch out!

<A boulder crashes into a tower overhead and shatters it. Suddenly, Frodo’s eyes roll up and he stares at Faramir strangely.>

Sam: Mr Frodo?

Frodo: <In a faraway voice> They’re here. They’ve come.

Faramir: <Looking up> NAZGÛL!! <He grabs the hobbits and thrusts them into a corner.> Stay here. Keep out of sight. Take cover! <Banners of the White Hand are flying from the battlements of Helm’s Deep. The Hornburg is overrun with Uruk-hai. Théoden and company are in the hall of the keep.>

Théoden: The fortress is taken. It is over.

Aragorn: <Carrying a table with Legolas to shore up the door of the hall> You said this fortress would never fall while your men defend it! They still defend it! They have died defending it!

<In the Glittering Caves, the women and children cry in fear as they hear the battering ram banging on the door.>

Woman: They are breaking in!

Soldier: Bar the door!

Aragorn: Is there no other way for the women and children to get out of the caves? <There is no answer.> Is there no other way?

Gamling: There is one passage. It leads into the mountains. But they will not get far. The Uruk-hai are too many.

Aragorn: Send word for the women and children to make for the mountain pass. And barricade the entrance.

Théoden: So much death. What can men do against such reckless hate?

Aragorn: <Pause> Ride out with me. Ride out and meet them.

Théoden: <A light of determination shines in his eyes> For death and glory.

Aragorn: For Rohan. For your people.

Gimli: The sun is rising.

<Aragorn looks up at a window to see faint light streaming through. He recalls Gandalf's words.>

Gandalf (V.O.): Look to my coming at first light on the fifth day. At dawn, look to the east.

Théoden: Yes. Yes! The horn of Helm Hammerhand shall sound in the deep one last time!

Gimli: Yes! <Gimli runs up the steps to the horn of Helm Hammerhand>

Théoden: Let this be the hour when we draw swords together. Fell deed awake. Now for wrath! Now for ruin! And a red dawn!

<He mounts his horse and puts on his helmet. The sound of the horn rumbles through Helm's Deep as Gimli blows with gusto.>

Théoden: FORTH EORLINGAS!!

<Théoden leads the charge out of the keep into the Hornburg, slashing away at the Uruk-hai as they go. Without pause, they storm out of the gate and down the Causeway, right into the column of waiting Uruk-hai. In the midst of battle, Aragorn looks east and sees a white rider against the rising sun>

Aragorn: Gandalf.

Gandalf: Théoden king stands alone.

Éomer: <Coming up from behind> Not alone. <He raises a hand> Rohirrim!!

<Riders move up behind Éomer.>

Théoden: <Looking to the east> Éomer!

Éomer: To the king!

<The Rohirrim and the White Rider charge down the slope. Half the Uruk-hai army turns to face the challenge, bearing their spears down towards the riders. As the riders draw closer, the sun rises behind them, momentarily blinding the Uruk-hai who raise the hands (and spears) to shield their eyes. The riders crash right into the Uruk-hai and engage them in battle.> <The Ents are stomping over Isengard, swinging their huge limbs, throwing and stamping on Orcs and rolling huge boulders over the ground. An Ent is pulled down with chains by some Orcs, who immediately jump on and hacks away at his wooden limbs. Saruman rushes out onto the balcony of Orthanc and stares at the pandemonium in incredulity. Merry and Pippin also throws stones at Orcs, their aims true.>

Treebeard: A hit. A fine hit!

<Two Ents rock a wooden structure and push it over into the caverns below, smashing against the rock. Some Orcs fire flamed-tipped arrows at an Ent, setting him on fire. Saruman continues to look about from his balcony, helpless. Some Ents are now breaking away at a dam.>

Treebeard: Break the dam! Release the river!

<The dam is broken and Saruman looks up to see the river rushing down the slope towards Isengard, washing away Orcs and wooden structures in its path. >

Merry: Pippin, hold on! <The hobbits tighten their hold on top of Treebeard>

Treebeard: Hold on, little hobbits!

<Treebeard braces himself against the flood. As the water rushes over Isengard, an Ent rushes in and thrusts his burning body into the water. The water rushes into the caverns, washing away the bridges, mechanisms and structures within.> <Frodo walks slowly away from the safe corner. Gondorian Rangers are still running about, defending their stations.>

Sam: What are you doing? Where are you going?!

<Slow motion: Frodo walks up some stairs and stands on a bridge. A Nazgûl on a Fell beast emerges in front of him. Frodo stares at the Nazgûl, fixated. Feeling the call of the Ring, he holds it up. Faramir watches the unfolding tableau from below. As Frodo moves to put the Ring on his finger and the Nazgûl flies closer and closer, Sam runs up and knocks Frodo over. Faramir releases an arrow and shoots the Fell Beast. Frodo and Sam roll down the stairs. As they come to a stop at the bottom, Frodo holds Sam in a death grip, yells and points Sting at his throat, his eyes livid with madness and anger that someone would try to take the Ring away.>

Frodo: Aaarrgghh!!!

Sam: <With tears running down his face> It’s me. It’s your Sam. Don’t you know your Sam?

<The madness fades and recognition returns to Frodo’s eyes. He realises what he nearly did and is overcome. Stumbling backwards, he collapses against a wall and Sting falls to the ground with a clang. Sam gets up slowly.>

Frodo: <Slowly and with despair> I can’t do this, Sam.

Sam: <Getting up slowly> I know. It’s all wrong. By rights we shouldn’t even be here. But we are. <He stands and leans against a wall, looking out into the distance.> It’s like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were. <Images of the riders winning the battle against the Uruk-hai at Helm’s Deep> And sometimes you didn’t want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened?

Théoden: Victory! We have victory! <He raises his sword with a victorious cry>

Sam: But in the end, it’s only a passing thing, this shadow. <The women and children welcome the men as they return. Éowyn runs up to Aragorn and embraces him, crying tears of relief.> Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. <Isengard is flooded. Merry and Pippin looks on from their perch on Treebeard. On the balcony, Saruman stumbles back into his chamber> And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something, even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back only they didn’t. Because they were holding on to something.

Frodo: What are we holding on to, Sam?

Sam: There’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo. And it’s worth fighting for.

<Standing in a corner, even Gollum seems moved. Faramir walks over and comes to kneel in front of Frodo>

Faramir: I think at last we understand one another, Frodo Baggins.

Gondorian Ranger: You know the laws of our country, the laws of your father. If you let them go, your life will be forfeit.

Faramir: Then it is forfeit. Release them.

<Sam shakes the ranger’s hand from his shoulder. Frodo looks up at Faramir with gladness. Over in the realm of Rohan, Gandalf, Théoden and company ride to the top of a slope, looking towards the Mountain of Fire in the distance.>

Gandalf: Sauron’s wrath will be terrible, his retribution swift. The battle for Helm’s Deep is over. The battle for Middle-earth is about to begin. All our hopes now lie with two little hobbits. Somewhere in the wilderness.

<Frodo and Sam are walking through the woods, away from Osgiliath.>

Sam: I wonder if we’ll ever be put into songs or tales.

Frodo: What?

Sam: I wonder if people will ever say, ‘let’s hear about Frodo and the Ring.’ And they’ll say ‘yes, that’s one of my favorite stories. Frodo was really courageous, wasn’t he, dad.’ ‘Yes, my boy, the most famousest of hobbits. And that’s saying alot.’

Frodo: You left out one of the chief characters – Samwise the Brave. I want to hear more about Sam.

<Frodo turns to look at Sam.>

Frodo: Frodo wouldn’t have got far without Sam.

Sam: Now Mr. Frodo, you shouldn’t make fun. I was being serious.

Frodo: <smiling> So was I. <He turns to walk on>

Sam: <Dreamily> Samwise the Brave. <He gives his backpack a heave and follows Frodo>

<Gollum is crouching a short distance away>

Frodo: Sméagol!

Sam: We’re not gonna wait for you. Come on!

Sméagol: Master... Master looks after us. Master wouldn’t hurt us.

Gollum: Master broke his promise.

Sméagol: Don’t ask Sméagol. Poor Sméagol.

Gollum: Master betrayed us! Wicked, tricksy, false. We ought to wring his filthy little neck. <Twists the branch of a tree> Kill him! Kill him! Kill them both. And then we take the precious and we be the master.

Sméagol: <Scuttles and hides behind a tree> The fat hobbit, he knows. He’s always watching.

Gollum: Then we stabs them out. Put out his eyes. And then make HIM crawl.

Sméagol: <Bites on his finger and nods eagerly> Yes! Yes! Yes!

Gollum: Kill them both.

Sméagol: Yes! No no! <Backs away against a tree> It’s too risky, it’s too risky.

<He looks in the direction of the hobbits>

Sam: Where’s he gone? Hey Gollum, where are you?

Frodo: Sméagol?

Gollum: <Softly and sinisterly> We could let HER do it.

Sméagol: Yes. She could do it.

Gollum: Yes, precious she could. And then we takes it once they’re dead.

Sméagol: Once they’re dead… Gollum: Shh… <He pops out from hiding in front of the hobbits.> Sméagol: Come on, hobbits. Long ways to go yet. Sméagol will show you the way.

<He turns to walk on, with Frodo and Sam following behind.>

Gollum: Follow me.

< Camera pans up over the forest and Ephel Dúath to reveal the desolation of Mordor. To the left of the frame is the glowing Eye of Sauron atop Barad-dûr, and to the right of the frame is the fiery Mount Doom. Three Fell Beasts circle the dark skies. Lightning flashes as the scene fades to black.>>

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