Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

[Gollum continues leading the hobbits.]

Gollum: "Up, up, up the stairs we go. And then it's into the tunnel."

Sam: "Hey, what's in this tunnel?"

[Sam grabs Gollum.]

Sam: "You listen to me and you listen good and proper."

Sam: "Anything happens to him, you have me to answer to."

Sam: "One stiff something's not right, one hair stands up on the back of my head, it's over. No more slinker. No more stinker. You're gone. Got it?"

[Gollum grins at him.]

Sam: "I'm watching you."

[Sam continues climbing while Gollum looks pensive.]

Frodo: "What was that about?"

Sam: "Nothing, just clearing something up."

[The hobbits continue climbing. Gollum grins up at Sam and follows.]


[It is morning. Gandalf walks Pippin towards the top of Minas Tirith.]

Gandalf: "Peregrin Took, my lad, there is a task now to be done. Another opportunity for one of the Shire-folk to prove their great worth."

Gandalf: "You must not fail me."


[Faramir surveys his soldiers at Osgiliath.]

Madril: "It's been very quiet across the river. The Orcs are lying low. The garrison may have moved out. We've sent scouts to Cair Andros. If the Orcs attack from the north, we'll have some warning."

[Boats filled with armed orcs row towards Osgiliath. One of their oars makes a muffled splash.]

[A bulky orc with a deformed face commands the sailors.]

Gothmog (softly): "Quiet!"

Soldier: "We need ten more."

[From an upper wall, a Gondorian soldier sees them approach.]

Gothmog: "Kill him!"

[An Orc shoots an arrow, which pierces the soldier's armor.]

[The soldier falls down to the ground, dead, but within sight of Farmir.]

Faramir: "They're not coming from the north."

[Faramir rallies his men for the attack.]

Faramir: "To the river! Quick, quick! Come on!"

[Men gather behind pillars at the riverbank.]

Gothmog: "Faster! Draw swords!"

[As the Orcs arrive on shore, Faramir's men attack.]

Soldiers: "Fight, Fight!"

[Men and orcs do battle.]

[Orcs swarm into the city.]


[Pippin climbs to the top of the beacon at Minas Tirith, evading the guards.]

[He reaches for a lamp hanging over it. A rope snaps, spilling oil on the wood.]

[Pippin tosses the lit lamp onto the wood, which quickly catches fire, to Pippin's surprise. He climbs down.]

[As Gandalf watches, the beacon burns, as soon does another one on a nearby mountainside.]

Gandalf: "Amon Dîn."

[Guards on watch take notice.]

Guard: "The beacon! The beacon of Amon Dîn is lit!"

[Denethor looks out of a window and frowns.]

Gandalf: "Hope is rekindled."

[Signal beacons light in succession across several peaks.]


[At Edoras, Aragorn sees the last beacon lit, and runs into the Golden Hall.]

Aragorn: "The Beacons of Minas Tirith! The Beacons are lit!"

Aragorn: "Gondor calls for aid!"

[Théoden, in council with his men, pauses and takes stock of this news.]

Théoden: "And Rohan will answer."

Théoden: "Muster the Rohirrim!"

[A soldier rings a alarm bell. Théoden exits Meduseld, speaking with Éomer.]

Théoden: "Assemble the army at Dunharrow, as many men as can be found. You have two days."

[Éomer nods and turns. Théoden grabs his shoulder.]

Théoden: "On the third, we ride for Gondor. And war."

[Éomer nods and leaves.]

Théoden: "Gamling…"

Gamling: "Lord."

Théoden: "Make haste across the Riddermark. Summon every able-bodied man to Dunharrow."

[Gamling nods and departs. Théoden watches the Riders flow from Edoras.]

[Aragorn and Éowyn exit the stables.]

Aragorn: "You ride with us?"

Éowyn: "Just to the encampment. It's tradition for the women of the court to farewell the men."

[Aragorn uncovers a sword, hidden in Éowyn's saddle.]

[She covers it with a blanket.]

Éowyn: "The men have found their captain, they will follow you into battle, even to death. You have given us hope."

[Merry, holding his sword, approaches Théoden.]

Merry: "Excuse me. I have a sword. Please accept it."

[Merry kneels.]

Merry: "I offer you my service, Theoden King."

[Theoden helps Merry to his feet.]

Theoden: "And gladly I accept it. You shall be Meriadoc, esquire of Rohan."

[Merry grins and runs off.]

[Legolas and Gimli prepare to depart.]

Gimli: "Horsemen, hmph! I wish I could muster a legion of Dwarves, fully armed and filthy."

Legolas: "Your kinsmen may have no need to ride to war. I fear war already marches on their own lands."

[Merry tries to get his stubborn pony to move; the pony ignores his kicks.]

[Théoden takes one last look at his kingdom's banner.]

Théoden (voiceover): "So it is before the walls of Minas Tirith, the doom of our time will be decided."

Éomer: "Now is the hour, Riders of Rohan, oaths you have taken! Now, fulfill them all! To Lord and Land!"

[The Rohirrim ride to Dunharrow, with Merry on his galloping pony.]