Lord of the Rings–Return of the King

The Lord of the Rings (3)–The Return of the King, www.EFLsuccess.com

Story: Movie adaptation of JR Tolkien’s timeless novel, winning 11 Oscars, including Best Picture. Frodo, Aragorn, Gandalf and their friends are engaged in a classic struggle between good and evil, and more importantly, the struggle we each face in doing what is right for our friends, our countrymen, and ourselves. Lots of thrilling action, great New Zealand scenery, CGI evil creatures, enchanting music, and unforgettable characters. (Lord of the Rings III; 2003, New Line Cinema; Peter Jackson, Director; drama, adventure, romance; 3:15 hr)

Warning: Lots of ugly creatures appear in this film, lots of people (and creatures) die in extended battles, severed heads are shot back at their countrymen, a finger is bitten off, flying dragons pick up horses and men and throw them down to their deaths, and one of the dragons has its head cut off; you see dead people (ghosts) who are not dead, and you’ll see a battle with a huge, evil spider. Therefore, this movie is not for people with a weak stomach or who don’t like war movies!

People and proper nouns:

The story is quite complicated, but it will help if you can remember the different names each person has! Some students say it is very helpful to print this list of characters!

Smeagol (the Hobbit) is also Gollum (a former ring owner), and Gollum has a split personality–a frightened side and an evil side, which sometimes talk to each other! (The first time I saw this film, I wrongly thought Smeagol and Gollum were different creatures!)
The Precious: this is what Gollum calls the magic/evil ring
Merry=Meriadoc (a Hobbit)
Pippin=Pip=Peregrin Took (a Hobbit)
Hobbit=Halfling=Shire folk
Gandalf=the White Wizard=Mithrandir=Gandalf Grayhem (you should also remember that giant eagles are Gandalf’s friends)
Aragorn=the heir of Elendil=Isildur’s heir=the Ranger from the north (because of who his ancestors were)
Gondor: the human kingdom which Aragorn is the rightful king of
Denethor: caretaker or steward of Gondor’s throne—acting as governor while they wait for the king to return; he goes crazy under all the pressure after learning that his son Boromir is dead (see film 1).
Boromir and Faramir are brothers; Denethor’s sons—and thus destined to inherit leadership in Gondor if the rightful king doesn’t come back soon. (Boromir was his father’s favorite son, but he died in the first “Rings” film; in this film, Denethor commands Faramir to attack the enemy in a suicidal attempt to regain a nearby city.)
Sauron: the bad thing/spirit who created the evil ring; in this film he appears as a large evil-looking eye, “circled in flame”
Palantir: a “magic/evil seeing stone,” which allows two-way communication between Sauron and his allies
Nazgul: sort-of-dead former kings who “no man can kill”—their job is to help Sauron find the ring (and do other evil things at his command); they fly on Fell-beasts (black dragons)
Mordor: the evil kingdom of Sauron (just remember that the name sounds like “morbid,” which means having an unhealthy interest in gloomy things like death or serious accidents)
Orcs: evil, ugly creatures, created at Sauron’s command to be his army.
Elves (plural of Elf): good beings who can only die in battle or of sorrow; after living for centuries in Middle Earth, their “time” there is ending, as is the “time” of wizards. The battle in the film will decide if the next “time” is the “age of men” or the “age of orcs.”
Arwen: an elf princess and Aragorn’s fiancé (against her father’s will); after deciding to obey her father, she sees a vision of the son she might have if she marries the human Aragorn.
Theoden: king of a “nation” of men who like to ride horses; they have an alliance to help the “nation” led by the steward Denethor
Eowyn: King Theoden’s daughter (in the first film, her brother died, so she would someday become Queen; she wants Aragorn to love her; she is human, so don’t get her confused with Aragorn’s elf fiancée, Arwen)
Even swords have names and unique properties! Narsil was the broken sword that Isildur (Aragorn’s ancestor) used to cut the ring off Sauron’s hand; the re-forged blade is called Anduril, and it is given to Aragorn, Isildur’s heir.
Frodo’s small sword is called Sting, and it glows blue when there are Orcs nearby.

Vocabulary:

(underlined words are vocabulary terms; *key terms)

*ancestor: [c] a part of your family from long ago, or (figuratively) something that developed over time into what exists today (“Early calculators are the ancestors of modern computers.”)
beacon: a large fire, lit on a hill or tower to warn others of trouble or war (the “beacons of Gondor” remind me of signal fires that were used on the Great Wall—when you see that memorable scene, remember that this movie was shot in New Zealand)
to bid [old English]: to order or tell someone what to do (“The King bid/bade me to greet you.”) [“a bid” is an offer to buy or rent something]
derogatory=insulting; expressing a meaning that is disapproving or that is intended to lower someone’s reputation or status
*diversion=distraction (especially military action that takes the enemy’s attention away from a more crucial part of the battle)
*flashback: a scene or event in a story or film, shown out of its normal time-order (e.g., going back to show the audience how something happened)
*garrison: a military post or fort
*glimpse: a short experience of or look at something that helps you to begin to understand it
horn: an instrument (originally made from an animal’s horn) used to warn others (esp. an army), or to play music.
*mad=crazy; (mad can mean insane, not just angry). “Your father’s will has turned to madness! i.e., he has gone crazy.”
*mercenaries: a soldier paid to fight for an army other than that of his or her country
*steward: sb who manages and protects something entrusted to him/her, such as a family’s or company’s wealth or property (“Authority has not been given you to deny the return of the king, steward.” Gandalf says this to the rebellious caretaker of Gondor’s throne, trying to remind him that the caretaker’s position is temporary.)
supplant: to take someone’s place of leadership by force or deception
*treacherous (背叛朋友): dangerous because you think you can trust it/him but really you cannot
*villain: in a story, this is an evil character or a troublemaker we are not supposed to like; an evil person who deserves our disgust or hatred
wretch: a very unlikable person

Phrases/sayings:

“renew/re-forge the blade”: to take the broken pieces of a sword and make a new sword
“the stars are veiled”: something is making it hard to see the future (assuming the speaker has the power to see the future!)
“a sleepless malice”: something (a power) that continually works to cause harm
“as the Nazgul flies”: a “Middle Earth” expression similar “as the crow flies,” meaning in a direct line instead of by roads
“to have one on your tail”: to have someone following you, esp. someone you don’t want following you

More information:

(to help you understand what you will see)

The story centers on a “ring of power,” which had been created by an evil creature (Sauron) to give himself power over all Middle Earth. The evil ring makes the wearer invisible, heightens his senses, and also stops the aging process for its owner; in Sauron’s hands it also had vast destructive power.

Centuries before, in a great battle, a human king (Isildur) cut the ring off Sauron’s hand. He should have destroyed the ring by throwing the evil thing into a volcano (Mount Doom), but he “was weak” and decided to keep the ring (hoping that he could use its power to rule). His descendants, and all the creatures of Middle Earth, have suffered ever since. Then the ring was lost, and many years later it was accidentally found by a Hobbit, and another Hobbit (Smeagol) murdered the finder and stole the “precious” ring (you see this as a flashback at the beginning of movie #3). Years later, Smeagol loses the ring, and another Hobbit finds it (Bilbo Baggins). This is the subject of an earlier book by JR Tolkien (The Hobbit).

A good wizard (Gandalf) figures out that this is the long-missing evil ring. He and other “wise” creatures (men, elves, a dwarf) won’t even touch it, fearing that they cannot resist its evil power. But the race of Hobbits are simple folk who are very humble. Bilbo doesn’t seem to be affected by the ring’s evil power, and when he is old he gives the ring to his nephew (Frodo Baggins). At this point, the evil power of the ring “wakes up,” and a council of wise leaders decides to let Frodo try to destroy the ring in Mount Doom—with the help of eight brave companions (the Fellowship of the Ring; movie #1).

Of course, evil Sauron (who does not know about the plan/attempt to destroy his ring) wants it back so he can rule Middle Earth. He, too, has helpers—an army of evil creatures, Nazgul & Orcs (see “People and proper nouns” above), a bad wizard, evil men, pirates, mercenaries, etc. Frodo doesn’t have much hope of succeeding in his task, but the “good” folks of Middle Earth really don’t have much choice. They must let him try. So, the story is about Frodo trying to get to the volcano to destroy the ring, while Sauron and his evil army try to destroy Middle Earth (and if possible, capture the ring too).

Isildur’s heir (Aragorn) is the rightful king of one of the countries in Middle Earth, but because his ancestor chose not to destroy the ring, the family has been hiding in shame (and Aragorn is afraid that he would be just as self-centered as his ancestor). Meanwhile, the people wait for the “return of the king”—who they hope will free them from Sauron’s evil power and bring peace to Middle Earth.

In the third film, Sauron gathers a vast army to attack the humans; Aragorn and Gandalf also put together an army of men, elves and “undead” warriors (men who promised to help Aragorn’s ancestors but didn’t, and were cursed with an inability to “rest in peace”). The story moves back and forth between these armies/people and Frodo (with Sam and Gollum), on their quest to destroy the ring in Mt. Doom.

Aragorn is in love with an elf princess (Arwen), and she loves him so much that she is willing to give up her elfish immortality to become his wife. (This does not make her father, the elf lord, very happy!) Most of the love story is in the first two movies.

Mixed into this story are smaller stories about friendship, sacrifice, love, power, fear, hope, leadership, shame, good vs. evil, the deep influence “evil” has to make “good” creatures into “bad” creatures, and the equally great power that self-less acts of “goodness” have to change the lives of others.

Hints as you watch:

(special tips for English-learners)

There are a lot of words that don’t really mean anything (or are no longer used), but you can tell by the actors’ tone of voice that they are there for their derogatory value (i.e., to show criticism or displeasure).

There are some Old English words (that aren’t used much anymore): e.g., forth=forward, ere=before, nought but=in nothing except, aye=yes, my old Gaffer=an old man or boss, or possible father?

From time to time they quote prophecies about what would happen one day.

Gollum uses non-standard English (like someone who has forgotten his mother tongue), so don’t try to “learn English” from Gollum! E.g., he says “Orcses” instead of “Orcs” as the plural of “Orc,” and he misuses verb tenses. Perhaps the author does this because he wants us to pity Gollum. Remember that he owned the ring for a long time, and his life is “bound” to the ring’s evil power.

Remember that Frodo and Sam (Frodo’s best friend) don’t know what is going on with Aragorn and the people with him. They went in separate directions at the end of the first movie. Frodo thinks that Gandalf is dead, so their reunion at the end is a big surprise. You also see Frodo’s uncle Bilbo Baggins at the end (he is about 125 years old).

There are a lot of names. When you see a capitalized word, remember that it is a name so you won’t waste mental energy trying to figure out what it means. (Aren’t you glad English capitalizes names? I’m glad that modern Chinese sometimes underlines “translated” names!)

Discussion:

Put yourself in the place of some of the main characters. Would you have done what they did? Why or why not? For example:
1. Knowing that the ring is totally evil and has a “will of its own,” would you (like Frodo) have volunteered to take it into the enemy’s camp to try to destroy it?
2. Would you (like Sam) have stayed with Frodo, even after he told you to go away?
3. What would you (like Pippin) have said to the father of the man who died to save your life?
4. Would you (like Aragorn) have risked your life to go see the “dead” army, seeing that you desperately needed extra help? Would you have risked the destruction of your army to “give Frodo a chance”–even though you weren’t sure he was still alive?
5. Would you, like Gondor’s caretaker Denethor, have told everyone to “abandon your posts and flee for your lives” when your situation looked hopeless?
6. Like Arwen, would you have given up “immortality” to marry a human for the sake of love, even if you knew it meant living alone for centuries after he died?
The description above says this movie is about friends who “are engaged in a classic struggle between good and evil, and more importantly, the struggle we each face in doing what is right for our friends, our countrymen, and ourselves.” Explain that description, using examples from the movie.
Why is history filled with “the struggle between good and evil”? Where do you think that “good” and “evil” come from? Many people think this is a fundamental question, and the answer deeply affects the purpose of our existence. Do you agree? Why or why not?

Sentences/dialogs from the movie:

(many from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0167260/quotes)

1. [first lines]
Deagol: Smeagol, I’ve got one! I’ve got a fish, Smeagol. Smeagol!
Smeagol: Pull it in. Go on. Go on. Go on. Pull it in.
2. Smeagol: Give us that [ring], Deagol my love.
Deagol: Why?
Smeagol: Because it’s my birthday, and I wants it.
[Smeagol kills Deagol in a fight over the ring, then takes it.]
3. Gollum: They cursed us. “Murderer” they called us. They cursed us, and drove us away. And we wept, Precious; we wept to be so alone. And we only wish to catch fish so juicy sweet. And we forgot the taste of bread… the sound of trees… the softness of the wind. We even forgot our own name. My Precious.
4. Gollum: Wake up. Wake up. Wake up, sleepies. We must go; yes, we must go at once.
Sam: Haven’t you had any sleep, Mr. Frodo? [Frodo shakes his head] I’ve gone and had too much… it must be getting late.
Frodo: No, it isn’t. It isn’t midday, yet. The days are growing darker.
Gollum: Come on! We must go, no time!
Sam: Not before Mr. Frodo’s had something to eat.
Gollum: [impatiently] No time to lose, silly!
Sam: [Gives Frodo lembas] Here, eat this.
Frodo: What about you?
Sam: Oh, no, I’m not hungry. Leastways, not for lembas bread.
Frodo: Sam…
Sam: All right… we don’t have that much left. We have to be careful, we don’t want to run out. You go ahead and eat that, Mr. Frodo. I’ve rationed it… there should be enough.
Frodo: Enough for what?
Sam: The journey home.
5. [In “Rings 2,” Treebeard (a “shepherd of trees”) and his friends defeated Saruman and his allies, primarily by destroying a dam above the evil wizard’s tower. In “Rings 3,” we find Pippin and Merry with Treebeard at this scene, after the battle.]
Pippin: I feel like I’m back at the Green Dragon, after a hard day’s work.
Merry: Only, you’ve never done a hard day’s work. [They laugh; Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli ride up. Merry stands and gives an exaggerated bow]
Merry: Welcome, my lords, to Isengard!
Gimli: You young rascals! A merry hunt you’ve led us on, and now we find you… feasting and… and smoking.
Pippin: We are sitting on a field of victory enjoying a few well-earned comforts. [Merry blows a smoke ring] The salted pork is particularly good.
Gimli: [eagerly] Salted pork?
Gandalf: [exasperated] Hobbits.
Merry: We’re under orders from Treebeard, who has taken over management of Isengard.
Treebeard: [as they walk toward the tower] Young Master Gandalf! I’m glad you’ve come. Wood and water, stock and stone I can master, but there’s a wizard to manage here, locked in his tower.
Gandalf: And there Saruman must remain, under your guard, Treebeard.
[from extended version, in which Gandalf talks to Saruman]
Gandalf: Your treachary has already cost many lives. Thousands more are now at risk, but you could save them Saruman. You were deep in the enemy’s council.
Saruman: So you have come here for information. I have some for you. [he reveals his Palantir] Something festers in the heart of Middle-Earth. Something that you have failed to see. But the Great Eye has seen it. Even now he presses his advantage. His attack will come soon. You’re all going to die. But you know this don’t you, Gandalf? [sneering] You cannot think that this Ranger will ever sit upon the throne of Gondor. This exile, crept from the shadows, will never be crowned king. Gandalf does not hesitate to sacrifice those closest to him, those he professes to love. Tell me… what words of comfort did you give the halfling before you sent him to his doom? The path that you have set him on can only lead to death.
Gimli: I’ve heard enough.” [to Legolas] “Shoot him. Stick an arrow in his gob. [Legolas goes to do so]
Gandalf: No. Come down Saruman, and your life will be spared.
Saruman: Save your pity and your mercy; I have no use for it! [he fires at Gandalf, who emerges unscathed from the flames]
Gandalf: Saruman, your staff is broken.
6. Theoden: Tonight we remember those who gave their blood to defend this country. Hail the victorious dead.
All: Hail!
7. [Eowyn hands Aragorn a goblet, he drinks and moves away]
King Theoden: [to his daughter Eowyn] I am happy for you. He is an honorable man.
Eowyn: You are both honorable men.
Theoden: It was not Theoden of Rohan who led our people to victory. Ah, don’t listen to me. You are young, and tonight is for you.
Merry, Pippin [singing]: You can search far and wide. You can drink the whole town dry. But you’ll never find a beer so brown as the one we drink in our hometown. You can drink your fancy ales. You can drink them by the flagon. But the only brew for the brave and true… comes from the Green Dragon!
Gandalf: There is no word of Frodo.
Aragorn: We have time. Every day Frodo moves closer to Mordor.
Gandalf: Do we know that?
Aragorn: What does your heart tell you?
Gandalf: That Frodo is alive. Yes. Yes, he’s alive.
8. [Gollum/Smeagol is talking to himself, reflected in some water. The two names represent his two personalities. One is confident, and wants to kill the Hobbits; the other is afraid of the risks.]
Smeagol: We want to see them dead.
Gollum: Smeagol did it once [murder sb], Smeagol can do it again. It’s ours!
Smeagol: We must get it back.
Gollum: Patience, my love. First, we must lead them to “her.”
Smeagol: We lead them to the winding stairs…until we come to the tunnel.
Gollum: She’s always hungry. She always needs to feed. She must eat. All she gets is filthy Orcses.
Smeagol: And they doesn’t taste very nice, does they, Precious?
Gollum: No. Not very nice at all, my love. She hungers for sweeter meats; Hobbit meat. When she throws away the bones we will find it…
Smeagol: …and take it for ME.
Gollum: For us.
Smeagol: Yes, we meant “for us”. The Precious will be ours, once the Hobbits are dead!
Sam (who overheard the end of Gollum’s plan; comes and hits Gollum): You treacherous little toad!
Frodo (wakes up and comes to save Gollum): Sam, leave him alone!
Sam: I heard it from his own mouth. He means to murder us.
Gollum: Never! Smeagol wouldn’t hurt a fly! He’s a horrid Hobbit, who makes up nasty lies.
Sam: You miserable little maggot. I’ll stove your head in!
Frodo: If you scare him off, we’re lost!
Sam: I don’t care! I can’t do it, Mr. Frodo. I won’t wait around for him to kill us.
Frodo: I’m not sending him away.
Sam: [about Gollum] You don’t see it, do you? He’s a villain.
Frodo: We can’t do this by ourselves, Sam. Not without a guide. I need you on my side.
Sam: I am on your side, Mr Frodo.
Frodo: I know, Sam. I know. Trust me…
9. Legolas: The stars are veiled. Something stirs in the East. A sleepless malice. The eye of the enemy is moving.
[Pippin takes the Palantir (magic stone) from Gandalf because he wants to look into it. But it is dangerous and almost kills him. Gandalf wakes up and gets it away in time.]
Gandalf: Fool of a Took!
Pippin: Gandalf, forgive me.
Gandalf: Look at me. What did you see?
Pippin: A tree. There was a white tree in a courtyard of stone. It was dead. The city was burning.
Gandalf: Minas Tirith? Is that what you saw?
Pippin: I saw… I saw him. I can hear his voice in my head.
Gandalf: What did you tell him? Speak!
Pippin: He asked me my name. I didn’t answer. He hurt me.
Gandalf: What did you tell him about Frodo and the Ring?
[scene cuts to later]
Gandalf: There was no lie in Pippin’s eyes. A fool… but an honest fool, he remains. He told Sauron nothing of the Ring. 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…. If the beacons of Gondor are lit, Rohan must be ready for war.
Theoden: Tell me, why should we ride to the aid of those who did not come to ours? What do we owe Gondor?
Aragorn: I will go.
Gandalf: No.
Aragorn: They must be warned.
Gandalf: They will be. You must come to Minas Tirith by another way…
Gandalf: I ride for Minas Tirith… [looks at Pippin] …and I won’t be going alone. [scene moves outside] Of all the inquisitive Hobbits, Peregrin Took, you are the worst. Hurry!
Pippin: Where are we going?
Merry: Why did you look? Why do you always have to look?
Pippin: I don’t know. I can’t help it.
Merry: You never can.
Pippin: I’m sorry, all right? I won’t do it again.
Merry: Don’t you understand? The enemy thinks you have the Ring. He’s going to be looking for you, Pip. They have to get you out of here.
Pippin: And you… you’re coming with me? [Merry impatiently walks away] Merry?
Merry: Come on.
Pippin: How far is Minas Tirith?
Gandalf: Three days’ ride, as the Nazgul flies, and you’d better hope we don’t have one of those on our tail.
[Merry gives Pippin a tobacco pouch at their parting]
Pippin: The last of the Longbottom leaf?
Merry: I know you’ve run out. You smoke too much, Pip.
Pippin: But we’ll see each other soon. Won’t we?
Merry: I don’t know. I don’t know what is going to happen.
Pippin: Merry…
Gandalf: Run, Shadowfax. Show us the meaning of haste. [Shadowfax gallops off, carrying Gandalf and Pippin away]
10. [Arwen’s father has sent her to “the ships” to leave Middle Earth, with the other elves. On the way, she has a vision of the child she and Aragorn might have had together, and she turns back]
Arwen [to her father]: Tell me what you have seen. You have the gift of foresight. What did you see?
Elrond: I looked into your future and I saw death.
Arwen: But there is also life. You saw there was a child, you saw my son!
Elrond: That future is almost gone.
Arwen: But it is not lost.
Elrond: Nothing is certain.
Arwen: Some things are certain. If I leave him now, I will regret it forever. It is time.
[scene shifts, showing craftsmen fixing the broken blade that killed Sauron, while Arwen quotes a prophecy] “From the ashes, a fire shall be woken. A light from the shadow shall spring. Renewed shall be blade that was broken. The crownless again shall be king.” [then she turns to her father] Reforge the sword.
Elrond: Your hands are cold. The life of the Eldar is leaving you.
Arwen: This was my choice… Whether by your will or not, there is no ship now that can bear me hence.
11. [After riding to Minas Tirith]
Pippin: It’s the tree. Gandalf! Gandalf!
Gandalf: Yes the white tree of Gondor. The tree of the King. Lord Denethor, however, is not the king. He is a steward only, a caretaker of the throne. Now, listen carefully. Lord Denethor is Boromir’s father. To give him news of his beloved son’s death would be most unwise. And do not mention Frodo, or the Ring. And say nothing of Aragorn either. In fact, it’s better if you don’t speak at all, Peregrin Took. [They enter the throne room.]
Gandalf: Hail Denethor, son of Ecthelion, Lord and Steward of Gondor. I come with tidings in this dark hour, and with counsel.
Denethor: Perhaps you’ve come to explain this [his son’s broken horn]….
Pippin: Boromir died to save us. He fell defending us from many foes. [kneeling] I offer you my service, such as it is, in payment of this debt.
[from extended version]
Denethor: This is my first command to you. How did you escape, and my son did not, so mighty a man as he was?
Pippin: The mightiest man may be slain by one arrow… and Boromir was pierced by many.
Gandalf: Get up. My Lord, there will be a time to grieve for Boromir, but it is not now. War is coming. The enemy is on your doorstep. As steward, you are charged with the defense of this city. Where are Gondor’s armies? You still have friends. You are not alone in this fight. Send word to Theoden of Rohan. Light the Beacons.
Denethor: You think you are wise, Mithrandir. Yet for all your subtleties, you have not wisdom. Do you think the eyes of the White Tower are blind? I have seen more than you know. With your left hand you would use me as a shield against Mordor, and with your right you would seek to supplant me. I know who rides with Theoden of Rohan. Oh, yes. Word has reached my ears of this Aragorn, son of Arathorn, and I tell you now, I will not bow to this Ranger from the North, last of a ragged house long bereft of lordship!
Gandalf: Authority is not given to you to deny the return of the king, Steward.
Denethor: The rule of Gondor is mine! And no other’s!
12. Pippin: [pulls sword from scabbard] 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’re in the service of the Steward now. You’ll have to do as you’re told, Peregrin Took. [shakes his head] Guard of the Citadel.
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 on 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….The enemy’s strength is gathered, and not just Orcs… This will be the end of Gondor as we know it. Here the hammer-stroke will fall hardest…
Pippin: But we have the White Wizard. That’s got to count for something.
13. Sam: [Frodo is being drawn toward the “dead city” Cirith Ungol] No, Mr. Frodo!
Gollum: [in a panic] Not that way! Oh! What’s he doing?
14. Gandalf: We come to it, at last. The great battle of our time… The board is set… the pieces are moving.
Gandalf [rushing off toward the beacon towers]: Peregrin Took, there is a task now to be done. Another opportunity for one of the Shirefolk to prove their great worth. You must not fail me.
15. Gondorian Soldier 1: The Beacon! The Beacon of Amon Din is lit.
Gandalf: Hope is kindled.
16. Aragorn: The Beacons of Minas Tirith! The Beacons are lit! Gondor calls for aid.
Theoden: And Rohan will answer. Muster the Rohirrim. Assemble the army at Dunharrow. As many men as can be found. You have two days. On the third, we ride for Gondor… and war.
Eomer [to his soldiers]: Now is the hour! Riders of Rohan! Oaths you have taken. Now, fulfill them all. To lord and land!
17. Gothmog: The Age of Men is over. The Time of the Orc has come.
18. Faramir: Mithrandir! They broke through our defenses! They’ve taken the bridge and the west bank. Battalions of Orcs are crossing the river.
Irolas: It is as the Lord Denethor predicted. Long has he foreseen this doom.
Gandalf: Foreseen and done nothing!
Gandalf: Faramir? This is not the first halfing to have crossed your path.
Faramir: No.
Pippin: You’ve seen Frodo and Sam?
Gandalf: Where? When?
Faramir: In Ithilien. Not two days ago. Gandalf, they’re taking the road to the Morgul Vale.
Gandalf: And then the pass of Cirith Ungol.
Pippin: What does that mean? What’s wrong?
Gandalf: Faramir, tell me everything.
19. Pippin: Here do I swear fealty [loyalty to a king] and service to Gondor. In peace or war. In living or dying. From this hour henceforth, until my lord release me… or death take me.
Denethor: And I shall not forget it. Nor fail to reward that which is given. Fealty with love, valor with honor, disloyalty with vengeance.
20. Denethor: 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. [whispering] I wish that.
Faramir: Since you are robbed of Boromir… I will do what I can in his stead. [Bows and turns to leave] If I should return, think better of me, Father.
Denethor: That will depend on the manner of your return.
20b. [from extended version]
Pippin: [to himself] What were you thinking, Peregrin Took? What service could a Hobbit offer such a great lord of men?
Faramir: [approaching] It was well done. Generous deeds should not be checked by cold council. You are to join the tower guard?
Pippin: I didn’t think they would find any livery that would fit me.
Faramir: It once belonged to a boy of the citadel. A very foolish one; who spent many hours slaying dragons instead of attending to his studies.
Pippin: This [uniform] was yours?
Faramir: Yes, it was mine. My father had it made for me.
Pippin: Well, I’m taller than you were then. Though I’m not likely to grow anymore… except sideways. [they laugh]
Faramir: Never fitted me either. Boromir was always the soldier. They were so alike, he and my father. Proud… stubborn, even. But strong.
Pippin: I think you have strength, of a different kind. And one day your father will see it.
21. Sam: What are you up to? Sneaking off, are we?
Gollum (sarcastically): Sneaking? Sneaking? Fat Hobbit is always so polite. Smeagol shows them secret ways that nobody else could find, and they say “sneak!” Sneak? Very nice friend. Oh, yes, my precious. Very nice, very nice.
Sam: All right, all right! You just startled me is all. What were you doing?
Gollum: Sneaking.
Sam: Fine, have it your own way. I’m sorry to wake you Mr Frodo, we have to be moving on.
Frodo: It’s dark still
Sam: It’s always dark here. [he looks for their only food in his bag] It’s gone! The elven bread!
Frodo: What? That’s all we have left.
Sam: He took it! He must have!
Gollum: Smeagol? Oh no, not poor Smeagol. Smeagol hates nasty elf bread.
Sam: You’re a lying wretch. What did you do with it?
Frodo: He doesn’t eat it. He can’t have taken it.
Gollum: Look. What’s this? Crumbs on his jacketses. He took it! He took it! I seen him.
Sam: That’s a filthy lie! [hits Gollum to the ground and starts to beat him]
Frodo: Sam! Stop it. Sam, no!
Sam: Oh my! I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it to go so far I was just so, so angry. Here, let’s just rest a bit.
Frodo: I’m all right.
Sam: No. No you’re not all right. It’s that Gollum. It’s this place. It’s that thing around your neck. I could help a bit. I could carry it for a while… Share the load…
Frodo: Get away!
Sam: I don’t want to keep it. I just want to help.
Gollum: 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: 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.
[Frodo and Gollum leave Sam, and head up the stairs. Sam, crying, heads down, until he finds the lembas bread that Gollum stole and threw down; then he decides to follow at a distance.]
22. Gandalf: Faramir! [Running after Faramir] 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? This is the city of the men of Numenor. I would gladly give my life to defend her beauty, her memory… her wisdom…
Gandalf: Your father loves you, Faramir. He will remember it before the end.
23. 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… evil times.
Denethor: And why should your songs be unfit for my hall? Come, sing me a song.
Pippin: [singing to Denethor as Faramir leads the doomed, suicidal attack] Home is behind, the world ahead… and there are many paths to tread… Through shadow… To the edge of night… Until the stars are all alight… Mist and shadow, cloud and shade… All shall fade… all… shall… fade.
24. [Attention is turned to the riders of Rohan, coming to help Gondor.]
Theoden: Grimbold, how many?
Grimbold: I bring 500 from the Westfold, my lord.
Gamling: We have 300 more from Fenmarch, Theoden King.
Theoden: Where are the riders of Snowbourn?
Gamling: None have come, my lord.
Theoden (quietly to Aragorn): Six thousand spears. Less than half of what I’d hoped for.
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 till dawn, then we must ride.
Legolas: The horses are restless, and the men are quiet.
Eomer: They grow restless in the shadow of the mountain.
Gimli: That road there… where does that 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.
[Next we see Aragorn looking–puzzled–toward the “mountain of the dead”, when Gimli interrupts]
Gimli: Aragorn, let’s find some food.
25. [Eowyn helps Merry dress like a soldier, then sends him to the “smithy” (blacksmith) to get his sword sharpened. Eomer disapproves.]
Eomer: You should not encourage him.
Eowyn: You should not doubt him.
Eomer: I do not doubt his heart, only the reach of his arm.
Eowyn: He has just as much reason to go to war as you do. Why can he not fight for those he loves?
26. [Aragorn dreams of a pale, dying Arwen, who says “I wish I could have seen him again, one last time.” A soldier enters, and summons him to see King Theoden, who is talking to Elrond.]
Theoden: I take my leave.
Aragorn: 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 failing. As Sauron’s power grows, her strength wanes. Arwen’s life is now tied to the fate of the Ring. The Shadow is upon us, Aragorn. The end has come.
Aragorn: It will not be our end but his.
Elrond: You ride to war, but not to victory. Sauron’s armies march on Minas Tirith, this you know. But in secret he sends another force which will attack from the river. A fleet of Corsair ships sails from the south. They reach the city in two days.
Elrond: You’re outnumbered, Aragorn. You need more men.
Aragorn: There are none.
Elrond: There are those who dwell in the mountain.
Aragorn: Murderers. Traitors. You would call upon them to fight? They believe in nothing. They answer to no one.
Elrond: They will answer to the king of Gondor. [He pulls out Anduril.] Anduril, Flame of the West, forged from the shards of Narsil.
Aragorn: Sauron will not have forgotten the sword of Elendil. The blade that was broken shall return to Minas Tirith.
Elrond: The man who can wield the power of this sword can summon to him an army more deadly than any that walks this earth. Put aside the Ranger. Become who you were born to be. Take the Dimholt Road.
Elrond: [pause; in Elvish] I give hope to men.
Aragorn: [in Elvish] I keep none for myself. [Then Aragorn suits up to obey Elrond’s advice, which Eowyn has not heard (unlike her father, King Theoden).]
Eowyn: Why are you doing this? The war lies to the East. You cannot leave on the eve of battle. You cannot abandon the men.
Aragorn: Eowyn…
Eowyn: We need you here.
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.
[Aragorn readies to enter the “mountain of the dead.” He leads his horse towards the entrance and passes by Gimli, who stops him]
Gimli: Where do you think you’re going?
Aragorn: Not this time, Gimli. This time you must stay.
Legolas [walks up to them, leading his horse]: Have you learned nothing of the stubbornness of Dwarves?
Gimli: You may as well accept it. We’re going with you, laddy.
[As Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas head into the “mountain of the dead”; many of the soldiers ask why Aragorn is leaving 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.
27. Theoden [to his daughter]: I have left instruction. The people are to follow your rule in my stead. Take up my seat in the Golden Hall. Long may you defend Edoras if the battle goes ill.
Eowyn: What other duty would you have me do, my lord?
Theoden: Duty? No… I would have you smile again, not grieve for those whose time has come. You shall live to see these days renewed. No more despair.
28. Gimli: What kind of 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 pledge. Who shall call them from the gray twilight, the forgotten people?
Legolas [translating what is engraved on the cave entrance]: “The way is shut. It was made by those who are dead, and the dead keep it. The way is shut.”
Aragorn [after the horses run away in panic]: I do not fear death.
Gimli [in fear, after Aragorn and Legolas go into the cursed mountain]: Well, this is a thing unheard of. An Elf would go underground, where a Dwarf dare not. Oh, I’d never hear the end of it.
28b. Eowyn [picking Merry up, after the king said he cannot go to the battle]: Ride with me.
Merry: [smiles] My lady!
29. King of the Dead: The dead do not suffer the living to pass.
Aragorn: You will suffer me.
King of the Dead: The way is shut. It was made by those who are dead, and the dead keep it. The way is shut. Now you must die.
Aragorn: I summon you to fulfill your oath.
King of the Dead: None but the king of Gondor may command me.
[Swings sword; Aragorn blocks him with the sword Anduril]
King of the Dead: That blade was broken!
Aragorn [takes him by the throat]: It has been remade. [Aragorn releases the King of the Dead; and turns to his army.] Fight for us… and regain your honor. What say you? What say you?
Gimli: You’re wasting your time. They had no honor in life. They have none now in death.
Aragorn: I am Isildur’s heir. Fight for me. And I will hold your oaths fulfilled. What say you?
30. Gothmog: [sniffs] Fear. The city is rank with it. Let us ease their pain. Release the prisoners!
Orc Lieutenant 1: Catapults!
[the catapults fling dozens of severed heads into the city]
Denethor [believing that Faromir is dead, though Pippin finds out that he is just badly injured]: My sons are spent. My line has ended… Rohan has deserted us. Theoden’s betrayed me. [to his army] Abandon your posts! Flee, flee for your lives!
[Denethor turns around, and Gandalf knocks him out with his staff.]
Gandalf [to the soldiers]: Prepare for battle! …Hold them back! Do not give in to fear! Stand to your posts! FIGHT! …Send these foul beasts into the abyss. … Not at the towers! Aim for the trolls! Kill the trolls! Bring them down!
[During the battle, Pippin wanders toward the front lines, which have just been breached by the enemy. Gandalf sees him.]
Gandalf: Peregrin Took! Go back to the Citadel!
Pippin: [dazed] They called us out to fight.
Gandalf: This is no place for a Hobbit!
[As Gandalf fights with his sword and staff, an Orc rushes up behind him and Pippin kills it.]
Gandalf: [impressed] Guard of the Citadel indeed!
31. [Gollum and Frodo stand in front of a tunnel opening, and Frodo hesitates to go in]
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 cannot go back.
[Inside, Gollum leaves him in the darkness, and Frodo realizes that this is the home of a big spider. Stumbling in the dark, he remembers Galadrial’s gift, and her words to him…]
Galadriel [in Frodo’s memory]: “And for you, Frodo Baggins, I give you the light of Earendil, our most beloved star. May it be a light to you in dark places when all other lights go out.”
Frodo: Aiya Earendil Elenion Ancalima.
[By the light, he finally sees the spider. As he runs away, he is caught in a web, which makes Gollum happy.]
Gollum: [singing] Pretty little fly. Why does he cry? Caught in a web. Soon he’ll be… eaten.
[Frodo gets away, but Gollum fights with him; loses; begs for pity]
Frodo: I have to destroy it [the ring], Smeagol. I have to destroy it for both our sakes.
[Soon after that, Frodo collapses from exhaustion. Galadriel comes to him in a vision to give strength.]
Galadriel: “This task was appointed to you, Frodo of the Shire. If you do not find a way, no one will.”

(I ran out of time to check the following quotes, which are probably not in the right order! Maybe someday…)

A1. 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.
A2. Denethor: Why do the fools fly? Better to die sooner than late. For die we must.
A3. Denethor: I am the servant of the house of Anarion. Thus I have walked… thus now I will sleep.
A4. Denethor [talking about his son, who he thinks is dead and thus sets on fire]: He is burning… already burning.
Pippin: He’s not dead! He’s not dead! [Denethor drags Pippin out] No! No! He’s not dead! Stop!
Denethor: Farewell, Peregrin, son of Paladin… I release you from my service. Go now and die in what way seems best to you.
A5. [Denethor has gone mad, and has set himself on fire; too late, he realizes what he has done, runs a bit and jumps to his death. As the flames pass from view, Gandalf speaks.]
Gandalf: So passes Denethor, son of Ecthelion.
A6. [Gandalf is fighting and sees a moth. He looks up to see… ]
Pippin: Eagles! The eagles are coming!
A7. Sam: [to Shelob] Let him go, you filth. Let him go! You will not touch him again!
A8. Sam: [tearing the spider silk away from Frodo’s face] Oh no! Frodo… Mr. Frodo, wake up… Don’t leave me here alone. Don’t go where I can’t follow… Wake up.
A9. Gorbag: [as he and another Orc, Shagrat, come upon Frodo’s lifeless body] What’s this? Looks like old Shelob has been having a bit of fun.
Shagrat: Killed another one, has she?
Gorbag: [he examines Frodo’s body] No… this fellow ain’t dead.
Sam: [to himself, in tears] Not dead!
Gorbag: She jabs them with her stinger and they go as limp as a boned fish. Then she has her way with them. That’s how she likes to feed–fresh blood. Take him to the tower! [the Orcs begin to drag Frodo away]
Sam: Samwise, you fool!
Shagrat: This scum will be awake in a couple of hours.
Gorbag: And then he’ll wish he’d never been born.
A10. Aragorn: [to the corsair ships] You may go no further! You will not enter Gondor.
Captain: Who are you to deny us passage?
Aragorn: Legolas, fire a warning shot past the bosun’s ear.
Gimli: Mind your aim!
[Legolas aims; Gimli knocks the bow as he shoots and the arrow kills the bosun]
Gimli: Oh! That’s it, right! We warned you! Prepare to be boarded!
Captain [laughing]: Boarded! By you and whose army?
Aragorn: This army. [the army of the dead charges through him and onto the ships]
A11. Elrond (to his daughter): You gave away your life’s grace. I cannot protect you anymore.
A12. Gimli: There’s plenty for the both of us, may the best Dwarf win.
Eowyn: Courage, Merry, courage for our friends.
A13. [Gorbag advances towards Frodo with a knife]
Gorbag: I’m gonna bleed you like a stuck pig.
[Gorbag is stabbed from behind by Sam]
Sam: Not if I stick you first. [as he kills the three Orcs guarding Frodo] That’s for Frodo! And for the Shire! And that’s for my old Gaffer!
A15. Sam: You can’t go walking through Mordor in naught but your skin.
A16. Sam: [Frodo stops walking] Mr. Frodo? What is it?
Frodo: Just a thought… I don’t think I’m going to be returning.
Sam: Of course you are. That’s just morbid thinking, that is.
A17. [Frodo drinks the last drops of water from Sam’s waterskin]
Frodo: There’ll be none left for the return journey.
Sam: I don’t think there will be a return journey, Mr. Frodo.
A18. Theoden: Eomer. Take your Èored down the left flank. Gamling, follow the King’s banner down the center. Grimbold, take your company right, after you pass the wall. Forth, and fear no darkness! Arise! Arise, Riders of Theoden! Spears shall be shaken, shields shall be splintered! A sword day… a red day… ere the sun rises!
Eowyn: [to Merry] Whatever happens, stay with me. I’ll look after you.
[the King rides past his men, hitting their spears with his sword as he goes]
Theoden: Ride now!… Ride now!… Ride! Ride to ruin and the world’s ending! [He stops and faces Sauron’s army, and shouts…] Death!
Rohirrim: [echoing] Death!
Theoden: Death!
Rohirrim: [echoing] Death!
Theoden: DEATH!
Eowyn, Merry: Death!
Theoden: Forth, Eorlingas!
A19. Witch King: Send forth 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.
A20. Gimli [recalling that dwarves and elves have always been enemies]: Never thought I’d die fighting side by side with an Elf.
Legolas: What about side by side with a friend?
Gimli: Aye. I could do that.
A21. [after Legolas single-handedly takes out an Oliphant and its drivers]
Gimli: That still only counts as one.
A22. Gandalf: Go back to the abyss! Fall into nothingness that awaits you and your master!
Witch King: Do you not know death when you see it, old man? This is my hour!
A23. Witch King: Feast on his flesh.
Eowyn: I will kill you if you touch him!
Witch King: Do not come between the Nazgul and his prey. [taking Eowyn by the throat] You fool. No man can kill me. Die now.
[Merry–a Hobbit, not a man–stabs the Witch King from behind; the Witch King shrieks and falls to his knees. Eowyn rises and pulls off her helmet, her hair falls down over her shoulder]
Eowyn: I am no man. [she thrusts her sword into the Witch King’s helmet and twists; he shrieks and implodes]
A24. Theoden: I know your face… Eowyn. My eyes darken.
Eowyn: No. No. I’m going to save you.
Theoden: You already did… Eowyn. My body is broken. You have to let me go. I go to my fathers, in whose mighty company I shall not now feel ashamed. Eowyn… [he dies]
A25. Merry: Are you going to leave me?
Pippin: No, Merry. I’m going to look after you.
A26. King of the Dead [after the battle]: Release us.
Gimli: Bad idea. Very handy in a tight spot, these lads, despite the fact they’re dead.
Aragorn [consenting]: I hold your oaths fulfilled.
A27. Gandalf: Frodo has passed beyond my sight. The darkness is deepening.
Aragorn: If Sauron had the Ring, we would know it.
Gandalf: It’s only a matter of time.
A28. Gandalf: He’s suffered a defeat, yes, but… behind the walls of Mordor, our enemy is regrouping.
Gimli: Let him stay there. Let him rot! Why should we care?
Gandalf: Because ten-thousand Orcs now stand between Frodo and Mount Doom. I’ve sent him to his death.
Aragorn: No. There is still hope for Frodo. He needs time… and safe passage across the plains of Gorgoroth. We can give him that.
Gimli: How?
Aragorn: Draw out Sauron’s armies. Empty his lands. Then we gather our full strength and march on the Black Gate.
Eomer: We cannot achieve victory through strength of arms.
Aragorn: Not for ourselves. But we can give Frodo his chance if we keep Sauron’s Eye fixed upon us. Keep him blind to all else that moves.
Legolas: A diversion.
Gimli: Certainty of death. Small chance of success. What are we waiting for?
Gandalf: Sauron will suspect a trap. He will not take the bait.
Aragorn: [knowingly] No, I think he will.
A29. Sam [both are overcome by exhaustion]: Do you remember the Shire, Mr. Frodo? It’ll be spring soon. And the orchards will be in blossom. And the birds will be nesting in the hazel thicket. And they’ll be sowing the summer barley in the lower fields… and eating the first of the strawberries with cream. Do you remember the taste of strawberries?
Frodo: No, Sam. I can’t recall the taste of food… nor the sound of water… nor the touch of grass. I’m… naked in the dark, with nothing, no veil… between me… and the wheel of fire! I can see him… with my waking eyes!
Sam: Then let us be rid of it… once and for all! Come on, Mr. Frodo. I can’t carry it for you… but I can carry you! Come on! [He picks Frodo up and starts carrying him up the slopes of Mount Doom]
A30. Smeagol: Clever Hobbits, to climb so high! [he jumps on them, pins Frodo to the ground and grips him by the throat]
Smeagol: Mustn’t go that way! Mustn’t hurt the Precious!
Frodo: You swore! You swore on the Precious!
Smeagol: [mocking] Oo-hoo-hoo-hoo…
Frodo: SMEAGOL PROMISED!
Smeagol: Smeagol lied.
A31. Aragorn: Let the Lord of the Black Land come forth! Let justice be done upon him!
Sauron’s spokeman: My master, Sauron the Great, bids thee welcome. Is there any in this rout with authority to treat with me?
Gandalf: We do not come to treat with Sauron, faithless and accursed. Tell your master this: the armies of Mordor must disband. He is to depart these lands, never to return.
Sauron’s spokeman: Ahh, old Greybeard. I have a token I was bidden to show thee.
[Pulls out Frodo’s mithril vest and throws it at them]
Pippin: [whispers] Frodo…
Gandalf: Silence.
Merry: No!
Gandalf: Silence!
Sauron’s spokeman: The halfling was dear to thee, I see. Know that he suffered greatly at the hands of his host. Who would’ve thought one so small could endure so much pain? And he did, Gandalf, he did.
[pause; Aragorn rides towards the spokesman]
Sauron’s spokeman: And who is this? Isildur’s heir? It takes more to make a King than a broken Elvish blade…
[Aragorn cuts off the spokesman’s head with one stroke of Anduril]
Gimli: I guess that concludes negotiations.
Aragorn: [to Gandalf, regarding the supposed death of Frodo] I do not believe it! I will not!
A32. Sam: FRODO!
Frodo: I’m here, Sam.
Sam: Destroy it!
[Frodo holds the ring on its chain over the edge of the pit]
Sam: Go on! Now! Throw it in the fire!
[Frodo stares at the ring, the ring whispers to him]
Sam: What are you waiting for? Just let it go!
[Frodo turns and looks at Sam]
Frodo: The Ring is mine.
A33. [He snaps the chain and approaches the ring to his finger]
Sam: No… no…
[Frodo slips the ring on and vanishes; which also “alerts” Sauron to the ring’s presence]
Sam: NO!
A34. Aragorn: Hold your ground, hold your ground! Sons of Gondor, of Rohan, my brothers! I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me. A day may come when the courage of men fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day. An hour of woes and shattered shields, when the age of men comes crashing down! But it is not this day! This day we fight! By all that you hold dear on this good Earth, I bid you stand, Men of the West!
A35. Aragorn: For Frodo!
[He charges out towards the remaining army of Morder alone. Merry and Pippin raise their swords and yell then charge. The rest of the soldiers do the same and soon overtake Merry and Pippin]
A36. Merry: [triumphantly, as Barad-Dur crumbles] Frodo! Frodo!
A37. Sam: Give me your hand. Take my hand. Don’t you let go. Don’t let go… Reach!
A38. Frodo: [after destroying the Ring, but realizing that they cannot escape the volcano] I can see the Shire. The Brandywine River. Bag End. The Lights in the Party Tree.
Sam: Rosie Cotton dancing. She had ribbons in her hair. If ever I were to marry someone, it would have been her. It would have been her. [sits down and begins to cry]
Frodo: [leans over and hugs him] I’m glad to be with you, Samwise Gamgee, here at the end of all things.
A39. [Aragorn is crowned King]
Aragorn: This day does not belong to one man but to all. Let us together rebuild this world that we may share in the days of peace.
A40. Gandalf: Now come the days of the King! [whispers] May they be blessed.
A41. Aragorn: [to Frodo, Sam, Pippin, and Merry] My friends. You bow to no one.
[He kneels, and the entire kingdom follows suit, kneeling to the Hobbits]
A42. Frodo: [voiceover] And thus it was. A fourth age of middle-earth began. And the fellowship of the ring… though eternally bound by friendship and love… was ended. Thirteen months to the day since Gandalf sent us on our long journey… we found ourselves looking upon a familiar sight. We were home. How do you pick up the threads of an old life? How do you go on… when in your heart you begin to understand… there is no going back? There are some things that time cannot mend… some hurts that go too deep… that have taken hold. Bilbo once told me his part in this tale would end… that each of us must come and go in the telling. Bilbo’s story was now over. There would be no more journeys for him… save one. My dear Sam. You cannot always be torn in two. You will have to be one and whole for many years. You have so much to enjoy and to be and to do. Your part in the story will go on.
A43. Sam: [reading the book’s title] “There and Back Again: A Hobbit’s Tale” by Bilbo Baggins, and “The Lord of the Rings” by Frodo Baggins. You finished it!
Frodo: Not quite. There’s room for a little more.
A44. Bilbo: Tell me again, lad… where are we going?
Frodo: To the harbor, Bilbo. The elves have accorded you a special honor; a place on the last ship to leave Middle Earth.
Bilbo: Frodo… Any chance of seeing that old ring again? Hmm? The one I gave you?
Frodo: I’m sorry, uncle… I’m afraid I lost it.
Bilbo: Oh… Pity. Should have liked to have held it one last time.

A45. Galadriel: The power of the Three Rings is ended. The time has come… for the dominion of Men.
Elrond: I Aear cen ven na mar. [Elvish: The Sea calls us home]
Bilbo: I think I’m… quite ready for another adventure.
[Climbs on board with Elrond. Galadriel gets on boat with Celeborn]
Gandalf: Farewell… my brave Hobbits. My work is now finished. Here at last, on the shores of the sea… comes the end of our Fellowship. I will not say, “Do not weep…”; not all tears are an evil.
[Heads to the ship, then turns around, waiting]
Gandalf: It is time, Frodo.
Sam: What does he mean?
Frodo: We set out to save the Shire, Sam. And it has been saved. But not for me.
Sam: [weeping] You don’t mean that. You can’t leave.
Frodo: [hands Sam the Red Book] The last pages are for you, Sam.
A46. [last lines]
Sam: Well, I’m back.

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