Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

[Early dawn on the following morning, Gandalf, Frodo and Sam make their way along the road. Sam, encumbered with pots and pans, puffs along behind Gandalf's horse.]

Gandalf: "Come along Samwise, keep up!"

[They enter a more heavily forested area and some dense undergrowth.]

Gandalf: "Be careful both of you. The enemy has many spies in his service: birds, beasts." [turns to Frodo] "Is it safe?"

[Frodo pats his vest pocket.]

Gandalf: "Never put it on, for the agents of the Dark Lord will be drawn to its power."

Gandalf: "Always remember, Frodo, the Ring is trying to get back to its master. It wants to be found."

[Gandalf rides off, leaving Frodo and Sam in the forest. They stare at each other. Eventually Frodo sighs, takes up his stick and continues on their journey. Sam follows.]


[Frodo and Sam trek along the countryside, making their way across streams, over hills and through meadows.]

[Eventually they find themselves before a cornfield. Frodo walks through the corn. Sam following behind, stops besides a large scarecrow.]

Sam: "This is it."

Frodo: "This is what?"

Sam: "If take one more step, it'll be the farthest away from home I've ever been."

Frodo: "Come on Sam. Remember what Bilbo used to say: 'It's a dangerous business…' [Bilbo's voice] '…Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to.'"


[Frodo and Sam set up camp for the night. Sam cooks their meal of bacon, tomatoes and sausages as Frodo lies in a tree limb. Suddenly they both stop and listen. Singing can be heard in the distance. The voices are sweet and high, singing in a strange language.]

Frodo: "Sam! Wood-Elves!"

[They scramble up to a ridge where they can lie and watch unseen.]

[A group of Elves is passing slowly through the forest, some on horseback, some walking, some with banners. The group seems to shine of its own light, their white garments softly glowing against the purples and midnight blues of the woods. Their haunting song continues.]

Elves:

"a Galad ren i veniar
hi' aladhremmin ennorath
A Elbereth Gilthoniel
ithil nâ thûl, ithil lîn hen"

(O Light to us that wander here
Amid the world of woven trees
O Elbereth Gilthoniel
Clear are thy eyes and bright thy breath)

Frodo: "They're going to the harbour beyond the White Towers. To the Grey Havens."

Sam: "They're leaving Middle-Earth."

Frodo: "Never to return."

Sam: "I don't know why — it makes me sad."

[Later, Sam and Frodo prepare for sleep. Sam is trying to find a comfortable spot on the ground.]

Sam: "Everywhere I lie there's a dirty great root sticking into my back."

Frodo: "Just shut your eyes, and imagine you're back in your own bed, with a soft mattress and a lovely feather pillow."

[Sam gives him a skeptical look, and settles back. After a moment he sighs. and gives up, frustrated.]

Sam: "It's not working Mister Frodo. I'm never going to be able to sleep out here."

Frodo: "Me neither, Sam."

[Frodo smiles. Sam stares at the sky and finds something to nibble on.]


[Mist descends over the landscape. On a ridge high up above the Hobbits, a horse neighs and stamps. Its Black Rider comes slowly to a halt and surveys the scene.]