A Hobbit's Tale

:: Illustrated Movie Script ::

The movie begins with Galadriel telling the story about the Rings of Power

Galadriel : "I amar prestar aen… The world is changed...

Han mathon ne nen… I feel it in the water...

Han mathon ne chae… I feel it in the earth...

A han noston ned gwilith... I smell it in the air.

Much that once was is lost, for none now lives who remember it.

It began with the forging of the Rings of Power. Three were given to the Elves, immortal, wisest and fairest of all beings. Seven were given to the Dwarves, great miners and craftsmen of the mountain halls. And nine, nine rings were gifted to the race of Men, who above all else desire power. For within these rings was bound the power and the will to rule each race. But they were all of them deceived, for deep in the land of Mordor, the Dark Lord Sauron forged another ring, a master ring, and into this ring he poured all his cruelty, his malice and his will to dominate every living thing. One ring to rule them all. One by one, the free peoples of Middle Earth fell to the power of the Ring, but there were some who resisted. A last alliance of men and elves marched against the armies of Mordor, and on the very slopes of Mount Doom, they fought for the freedom of Middle-Earth. Victory was near, but the power of the ring could not be undone."

Sauron appears, fighting against the men and the elves. He is near to win the battle, but finally Isildur is able to cut the One Ring from Sauron's hand.

Galadriel : "It was in this moment, when all hope had faded, that Isildur, son of the king, took up his father's sword. And Sauron, enemy of the free peoples of Middle-Earth, was defeated. The Ring passed to Isildur, who had this one chance to destroy evil forever, but the hearts of men are easily corrupted. And the ring of power has a will of its own. It betrayed Isildur, to his death."

Isildur is attacked by Orcs. The Orcs kill him and the ring falls into a lake.

Galadriel : "And some things that should not have been forgotten were lost. History became legend. Legend became myth. For two and a half thousand years, the ring passed out of all knowledge. Until, when chance came, the ring ensnared another bearer."

Gollum finds the Ring in the riverbed. He keeps the Ring and it starts to affect him.

Gollum : "My Precious, my own."

Galadriel : "The ring came to the creature Gollum, who took it deep into the tunnels under the Misty Mountains, and there it consumed him. The ring gave to Gollum unnatural long life. For five hundred years it poisoned his mind, and in the gloom of Gollum's cave it waited. Darkness crept back into the forests of the world. Rumor grew of a shadow in the East, whispers of a nameless fear, and the Ring of Power perceived that its time had come. It abandoned Gollum, but then something happened that the Ring did not intend. It was picked up by the most unlikely creature imaginable. A hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, of the Shire. For the time will soon come when hobbits will shape the fortunes of all."

60 years later in the Shire... Frodo Baggins is sitting on a meadow and is reading a book. Suddently he hears a wagon coming down the street where an old man is singing. Frodo stands up and runs to the road.

Frodo : " You're late."

Gandalf : "A wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins, nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to."

They both try to keep a straight face, and fail. Frodo jumps upon Gandalf's wagon to hug him.

Frodo : "It's wonderful to see you again, Gandalf."

Gandalf : "You didn't think I'd miss your Uncle Bilbo's birthday.

Frodo : "What's new in the world ? Tell me everything."

Gandalf : "What, everything ? Well, what can I tell you ? Life in the wide world goes on, much as it has this past age, full of its own comings and goings, scarcely aware of the existence of hobbits. For which I am very grateful."

They pass a field where tents and a banner are being set up.

Gandalf : "Ah, the long-expected party. How is the old rascal ? This will be a party of special magnificence."

Frodo : "You know Bilbo. He has the whole place in an uproar."

Gandalf : "Well, that should please him."

Frodo : "Half the Shire's been invited. He's up to something."

Gandalf : "Indeed ?"

Frodo : "All right, keep your secrets. Before you came along, we Baggins were very well thought of. Never had any adventures or did anything unexpected."

Gandalf : "If you're referring to that incident with the dragon, I was barely involved. I only gave your uncle a little nudge out the door."

Frodo : "Whatever you did, you have been officially announced as a disturber of the peace."

Some children see Gandalf and run after his wagon. They want him to show one of his famous fireworks. Gandalf pretends he won't, but he sets off a butterfly firework for them

Frodo : "Gandalf, I'm glad you're back."

Frodo jumps off the wagon.

Gandalf : "So am I, dear boy, so am I."

Gandalf stops his wagon in front of Bag End, where Bilbo Baggins lives. He knocks on the door with his staff, but instead of someone opens the door, a disgruntled voice comes from within.

Bilbo : "No thank you! We don't want any more well-wishers, visitors, or distant relations !"

Gandalf : "And how about very old friends ?"

Bilbo opens the door.

Bilbo : "Gandalf ?"

Gandalf : "Bilbo Baggins !"

Gandalf kneels down and gives Bilbo a hug.

Bilbo : "My dear Gandalf !"

Gandalf : "One hundred and eleven years old ! Who would believe it ? You haven't aged a day."

Bilbo : "Come in, come in, welcome, would you like some tea ? Or perhaps something stronger. I still have some of the Old Winyards left. 1296, a very good year ! Almost as old as I am ! My Father put it down. What say we open one ?"

Bilbo puts Gandalf's hat and staff away and then goes into another room to make some tea for Gandalf. After asking several times if Gandalf really doesn't want something to eat, suddenly someone knocks at the door.

Bilbo : "I'm not at home ! I need to get away from these confounded relatives, hanging on the bell all day, never giving me a moment's rest. I want to see mountains again, Gandalf, mountains ! And then find someplace quiet where I can finish my book. Oh, right, the tea."

Gandalf : "You mean to go through with your plan, then ?"

Bilbo : "Yes, everything's in hand. The arrangements have all been made."

Gandalf : "Frodo suspects something."

Bilbo : "Of course he suspects, he's a Baggins, not some blockheaded Bracegirdle from Hardbottle !"

Gandalf : "You will tell him, won't you?"

Bilbo : "Yes, yes."

Gandalf : "He's very fond of you, you know."

Bilbo : "I know. He'd probably come with me if I asked him to, but I think in his heart Frodo is still in love with the Shire. The woods, the fields, little rivers. I'm old, Gandalf. I know I don't look it, but I begin to feel it in my heart. I feel thin, stretched, like butter scraped over too much bread. I need a holiday, a very long holiday, and I don't expect I shall return. In fact, I mean not to !"

In the next scene, you can see the big birthday party. Gandlaf is setting of some of his fireworks and after Frodo danced with a Hobbit-Woman, he sits down next to Sam. Sam is too shy to ask Rosie for a dance, so finally Frodo shoves him at Rosie.

Bilbo is standing in front of some Hobbit-children and tells them the story about his own adventure.

Bilbo : " So there I was, at the mercy of three monstrous trolls, and they were arguing about how to cook us ! Whether it be turned on a spit, or if they should sit on us one by one and squash us into jelly ! They spent so much time arguing the whithertos and whyfors that the first light of the sun crept up over the tops of the trees and turned them all to stone !"

Merry and Pippin come to Gandalf's wagon to steal one fo his fireworks. Pippin climbs on Gandalf's wagon and grabs for the biggest firework They hide in a tent. Pippin lights the firewrok and pushes it into Merry's hands.

Pippin : "There !"

Merry : "You're supposed to put it in the ground first !"

Pippin : " It is in the ground!"

Merry : "Outside !"

Pippin : "This was your idea !"

The firework goes off, taking the roof of the tent with it. Merry and Pippin fall to the gound and their faces are black all over. The firework looks like a dragon which flies low over the crowd. All the guests of the party run away or they throw themselves to the ground. Finally the dragon dissolves into a shower of sparks.

Pippin : " That was good !"

Merry : "Let's get another one !"

Gandalf comes up behind them and grabs Merry and Pippin by their ears.

Gandalf : "Meriadoc Brandybuck, and Peregrin Took. I might have known."

Gandalf makes the two Hobbits washing the dishes.

Now the time for Bilbo's speech has come.

Bilbo : "My dear Bagginses and Boffins, Tooks and Brandybucks, Gubbs, Chubbs, Hornblowers, Bolgers, Bracegirdles and Proudfoots ! Today is my one hundred and eleventh birthday ! Alas, eleventy one years is much too short a time to live among such excellent and admirable hobbits ! I don't know half of you half as well as I should like and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve !

The audience is silent while it wonders wether this was a compliment or not.

Bilbo : " I have things to do. I've put this off for far too long. I regret to announce this is the end ! I'm going now. I bid you all a very fond farewell ! Goodbye."

Bilbo puts on his ring and disappears. Everybody is excited except Gandaf. He leaves the party to Bag End. There he waits for Bilbo. Finally Bilbo opens the door and puts off his ring.

Gandalf : " I suppose you think that was terribly clever."

Bilbo : "Come on, Gandalf ! Did you see their faces ?"

Gandalf : "There are many magic rings in the world, Bilbo, and none of them should be used lightly !"

Bilbo : "It was just a bit of fun. Oh, I suppose you're right, as usual. You will keep an eye on Frodo, won't you ?"

Gandalf : "Two eyes, as often as I can spare them."

Bilbo : "I'm leaving everything to him."

Gandalf : "And this ring of yours, is that staying, too ?"

Bilbo : "Yes, it's in an envelope, on the mantelpiece."

Gandalf looks at the mantelpiece but cannot find the envelope.

Bilbo : "Wait, no, it's here in my pocket. Isn't that odd, now ? Yet, why not ? Why shouldn't I keep it ?"

Gandalf : "I think you should leave the ring behind. Is that so hard ?"

Bilbo's voice becomes angry and the look in his face changes.

Bilbo : "Well, no, and yes. Now it comes to it. I don't feel like parting with it ! I found it ! It came to me !"

Gandalf : "There's no need to get angry."

Bilbo : "And what if I'm angry ! It's your fault ! It's mine. My own, my precious..."

Gandalf : "Precious ? It's been called that before, but not by you."

Bilbo : "What business is it of yours what I do with my own things ?"

Gandalf : "I think you've had that ring quite long enough."

Bilbo : "You want it for yourself !"

A shadow appears around Gandalf and it seems as if he would grow up. His voice sounds very angry.

Gandalf : "Do not take me for some conjuror of cheap tricks ! I am not trying to rob you ! I'm trying to help you."

The shadow disappears again and Gandalf is the good old friend again. Bilbo runs to him and gives him a hug.

Gandalf : "All your long years, we have been friends. Trust me now as you once did. Let it go."

Bilbo : "You're right. The ring must go to Frodo. It's late, and the road is long. Yes, it is time."

Bilbo takes his pack and goes out of the door. On the doorstep he is stopped by Gandalf.

Gandalf : "Bilbo, the ring is still in your pocket."

Bilbo stops, takes out his ring and looks at it for a long moment. Then he lets it fall to the groung, turns around and leaves the house. Outside he takes a deep breath.

Bilbo : "I've thought of an ending for my book. 'And he lived happily ever after, to the end of his days.'"

Gandalf : "And I'm sure you will, old friend."

Bilbo : "Good bye, Gandalf."

Gandalf : "Goodbye, dear Bilbo."

Bilbo walks down the road and starts to sing.

Gandalf : "Until our next meeting."

~~~~~¤¤¤~~~~~

Gandalf returns into the house again. He looks at the ring but doesn't pick it up. He waits for Frodo who arrives some moments later. Frodo opens the door, sees the ring and picks it up. Then he sees Gandalf who is sitting at the fire and thinking about Bilbo's last words and his behaviour.

Frodo : "He's gone, hasn't he ? He talked about it for so long, I never really believed he would do it. Gandalf ?"

Gandalf stops thinking about Bilbo and now notices that Frodo has the ring in his hand.

Gandalf : "Bilbo's Ring. He's gone to stay with the elves. He's left you Bag End, along with all his possessions. The Ring is yours now."

Gandalf takes an envelope and Frodo puts the ring into it. Gandalf seals it with wax and puts it somewhere out of sight. Then he starts to leave the house.

Frodo : "Where are you going ?"

Gandalf : "There are things I need to see to."

Frodo : "What things ?"

Gandalf : "Questions, questions that need answering."

Frodo : "But you've only just arrived ! I don't understand."

Gandalf : " Neither do I. Keep it secret. Keep it safe."

Gandalf leaves Hobbiton and rides to the White City. On his way he sees fire and dark clouds over the mountains.

~~~~~¤¤¤~~~~~

In the next scene you can see that Barad-Dur is rebuilt and someone is tortured by Orcs. A voice screams "Shire! Baggins !" It is Gollum... Now the nine Black Riders leave Barad Dur and starts to search for Frodo.

In the libary of the White City Gandalf finds a manuscript which tells the story of Isildur.

"The year 3434 of the Second Age. Here follows the account of Isildur, High King of Gondor, and the finding of the Ring. The Ring of power has come to me. It will become an heirloom of my kingdom. All those who follow in my bloodline will be bound to its fate, for I will risk no hurt to the Ring. It is precious to me, though I buy it with a great pain. The markings on the band fade, the writing that was once as bright as red flame has all but disappeared, a secret now only fire can tell."

In the next scene a Black Rider rides through the land and asks a Hobbit whom he meets on his way where the Shire is. The Hobbit is frightened by the look and the strange voice of the Black Rider and shows him the way.

~~~~~¤¤¤~~~~~

One evening Frodo returns home. The window of Bag End is open and everything is dark. Frodo enters Bag End and suddenly Gandalf grabs his shoulder from behind.

andalf : "Is it secret? Is it safe ?"

Frodo gives him the envelope and Gandalf throws it into the fire. The envelope burns away and Gandalf retrieves the ring out of the fire with a tong.

Gandalf : "Hold out your hand, Frodo. It's quite cool. What can you see ? Can you see anything ?"

Frodo : "Nothing. There's nothing. Wait. There are markings. It's some form of Elvish, but I can't read it.

Gandalf : " There are few who can. The language is that of Mordor, which I shall not utter here. In the common tongue, it reads, One ring to rule them all, one ring to find them. One ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them. This is the One Ring, forged by Sauron in the fires of Mount Doom. Isildur took it from the hand of Sauron himself."

Frodo : "Bilbo found it, in Gollum's cave."

Gandalf : "For sixty years, it lay quiet in Bilbo's keeping, prolonging his life, delaying old age. But no longer. There is evil stirring in Mordor. The Ring has awoken. It's heard its master's call."

Frodo : "But he was destroyed. Sauron was destroyed."

Gandalf : "No, Frodo. His spirit endured. Sauron's life- force was bound to the Ring, and the Ring survived. Sauron has returned. His orcs have multiplied. His fortress of Barad-Dur is rebuilt in Mordor. He needs only this Ring to cover all the lands in a second darkness. He is seeking it, seeking it, all his thought is bent on it. The Ring yearns above all else to return to the hand of its master. They are one, the Ring and the Dark Lord. He must never find it."

Frodo : "All right, we keep it hidden. We put it away, we never speak of it again. Nobody knows its here, do they ? Do they, Gandalf ?"

Gandalf : "There was one other who knew that Bilbo had the ring. I looked everywhere for the creature Gollum, but the Enemy found him first. I don't know how long they tortured him, but amid the endless screams and inane babble, they heard two words. Shire. Baggins."

Frodo : "Shire. Baggins. But that would lead them here !"

Frodo holds out the ring to Gandalf.

Frodo : "Take it, Gandalf, you must take it !"

Gandalf : "You cannot offer me this Ring !"

Frodo : "I am giving it to you !"

Gandalf : "Don't tempt me ! I dare not take this Ring, not even to keep it safe! Understand, I would use this Ring out of a desire to do good, but through me, it would wield a power too great and terrible to imagine."

Frodo : "But it cannot stay in the Shire !"

Gandalf : "No. No, it can't."

Frodo : "What must I do?"

Gandalf : "You must go, and go quickly.Get out of the Shire. Make for the village of Bree."

Frodo : "What about you?"

Gandalf : "I will wait for you at the Inn of the Prancing Pony."

Frodo : "And the Ring will be safe there ?"

Gandalf : "I don't know, Frodo. I don't have any answers. I must see the head of my order. He is both powerful and wise. Trust me, he will know what to do. You must leave the name of Baggins behind you, for that name is not safe outside the Shire. Travel only by day, and stay off the road."

Frodo : "I can cut across country easily enough."

Gandalf : "Dear Frodo. Hobbits are the most amazing creatures. You can learn everything there is to know about their ways in a month, and after a hundred years they can still surprise you !"

Suddenly you can hear a noise outside the window.

Gandalf : "Get down !"

Frodo throws himself to the groudn and Gandlaf looks out of the window. In the end he hauls Sam in by the scruff of his neck.

Gandalf : "Confound it all, Samwise Gamgee, have you been eavesdropping ?"

Sam : "I ain't been dropping no eaves, sir, honest, I was just cutting the grass outside the window, if you follow me."

Gandalf : "A bit late for trimming the verge."

Sam : "I heard raised voices."

Gandalf : "What did you hear ? Speak !"

Sam : "Nothing important. That is, I heard a good deal about a Ring, and a Dark Lord, and something about the end of the world. Please don't hurt me, sir, don't turn me into anything unnatural."

Gandalf : "No ? Perhaps not. I've thought of a better use for you."

Next scene : You can see Gandalf, Sam and Frodo leaving Hobbiton.

Gandalf : "Be careful, both of you. The enemy has many spies in his service. Birds, beasts. Is it safe ?"

Frodo pats his pocket, where the ring is hidden.

Gandalf : "Never put it on ! The servants of the Dark Lord will be drawn to its power. Remember, the Ring is trying to get back to its master. It wants to be found."

~~~~~¤¤¤~~~~~

Gandalf leaves the town and rides to Isengard. Frodo and Sam walk across the field, goin towards Bree. Suddenly, at the edge of a field, Sam stops.

Sam : "This is it."

Frodo : "This is what?"

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

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

Gandalf arrives in Isengard. Saruman is already waiting for him.

Saruman : "Smoke rises from the mountain of Doom. The hour grows late, and Gandalf the Grey rides to Isengard seeking my council. For that is why you have come, is it not, my old friend ?"

Gandalf and Saruman walk together in the garden of Isengard. Gandalf tells Saruman that the One Ring has been found.

Saruman : "You are sure of this ?"

Gandalf : "Beyond any doubt."

Saruman : "So the One Ring has been found."

Gandalf : "All these long years it was in the Shire, right under my nose."

Saruman : "And you had not the wit to see it. Your love of the Halfling's leaf has clearly slowed your mind."

Gandalf : "We still have time, time to counter Sauron, if we act quickly."

Saruman : "Time ? What time do you think we have ?"

Saruman and Gandalf go inside Isengard.

Sarumam : "Sauron has regained much of his former strength. He cannot yet take physical form, but his spirit has lost none of its potency. Concealed in his fortress he sees all. His gaze pierces cloud, shadow, earth and flesh. You know of what I speak. A great eye, lidless, wreathed in flame."

Gandalf : "The Eye of Sauron."

Saruman : "He is gathering all evil to him. Very soon he will have assembled an army large enough to assault Middle-earth."

Gandalf : "You know this ? How ?"

Saruman : "I have seen it."

They enter another room and Saruman shows Gandalf his Palantir.

Gandalf : "A Palantir is a dangerous tool."

Saruman : "Why ? Why should we fear to use it ?"

Gandalf : "They are not all accounted for, the lost seeing stones. You do not know who else may be watching."

Sarumam : "The hour is later than you think. Sauron's forces are already moving. The Nine have left Minas Mordor."

Gandalf : "The Nine ?"

Saruman : "They crossed the river Isen on midsummer's eve, disguised as riders in black."

Gandalf : "They have reached the Shire"

Sarumam : "They will find the Ring, and kill the one who carries it."

Gandalf : "Frodo !"

Gandalf tries to leave the room but the doors slam, one by one.

Sarumam : "You did not truly think that a hobbit could contend with the will of Sauron ? There are none who can. Against the power of Mordor there can be no victory. We must join him, Gandalf. Join with Sauron. It would be wise, old friend."

Gandalf : "Tell me, friend, when did Saruman the Wise abandon reason for madness ?"

Saruman and Gandalf start to fight against eachother with their staffs. In the end Gandalf looses his staff and is captured at the roof of Ortanc, the tower of Isengard.

~~~~~¤¤¤~~~~~

Sam emerges from a corn patch but can not see Frodo anywhere.

Sam : "Mister Frodo ? Frodo !"

Sam starts to search for Frodo. Frodo appears from the path ahead.

Sam : "I thought I'd lost you."

Frodo : "What are you talking about, Sam ?"

Sam : "It's just something Gandalf said."

Frodo : "What did he say ?"

Sam : "'Don't you lose him, Samwise Gamgee'. And I don't mean to."

Frodo : "We're still in the Shire, Sam, what could possibly happen ?"

Suddenly they get knocked down by Merry and Pippin.

Pippin : "Frodo! Look, Merry, it's Frodo ! SAM You get off him !"

Sam shakes of Merry and picks Pippin off Frodo. Merry hands Sam an armful of vegetables.

Merry : "Hold these."

They hear a voice shouting behind them and start to run.

Pippin : "What's the meaning of this ?"

Sam : "You've been into Farmer Maggott's crop !"

Merry : "I don't know what he's so upset about, it's only a few carrots."

Pippin : "And some cabbages. And the three bags of potatoes we lifted last week. And the mushrooms the week before that."

Merry : "Yes, Pippin ! My point is, he's clearly overreacting !"

They all fall over a cliff. Pippin lands inches away from a pile of manure.

Pippin : "Ooh ! That was close."

Merry : "I think I've broken something."

Merry pulls out a broken carrot.

Sam : "Trust a Brandybuck and a Took !"

Merry : "Nonsense ! That was just a detour! A shortcut !"

Sam : "Shortcut to what ?"

Pippin : "Mushrooms !"

They start gathering mushrooms into a bag. Frodo looks down the road and suddently feels that someone or something comes nearer.

Frodo : "I think we should get off the road. Something dark approaches. Get off the road, quick !"

They hide under the roots of a tree. The Black Rider comes, he gets off the horse and sniffes as though he can smell that the Ring is close. The Ring starts to affect Frodo but just before he can put it on, Sam can distract him. Merry throws something to distract the Black Rider, and they run away.

Pippin : "What was that ? Anything ?"

Frodo : "Nothing."

Merry : "That dark rider was looking for something, or someone. Frodo ?"

The rider appears again in the distance. The Hobbits hide again.

Frodo : "I have to leave the Shire. Sam and I have to get to Bree."

Merry : "Bucklebury ferry. Follow me."

They start to run but Frodo is spereated from the rest. The other Hobbits reach the ferry and untie the raft. Frodo is hunted by the rider but in the end he is able to escape jump of the dock at the raft. The Rider has to stop at the edge of the dock.

~~~~~¤¤¤~~~~~

The Hobbits arrive in Bree and at the gate the guard first doesn't want to let them enter. But finally they are allowed to come in and they enter the Prancing Pony.

Frodo : "Excuse me ?"

Barliman : "Good evening, little Masters. If you're looking for accommodation, we have some cozy hobbit-sized rooms available, Mr..?"

Frodo : "Underhill. My name's Underhill. We're friends of Gandalf the Grey. Would you tell him we've arrived ?"

Barliman : "Gandalf ? Elderly chap, big grey beard, pointy hat. Haven't seen him in six months"

Sam : "What do we do now ?"

Frodo : "He'll come, Sam. He'll be here."

They all sit down at a table. Merry gets a big pint.

Pippin : "What's that ?"

Merry : "This, my friend, is a pint."

Pippin : "It comes in pints ? I'm going to get one."

Sam : "Pippin, you've had a whole half already."

But Pippin already goes to the bar for his pint.

Sam : "That man's done nothing but stare at you since we came in."

Frodo looks at the man Sam is talking about and stops the innkeeper.

Frodo : "That man in the corner, who is he ?"

Barliman : "He's one of them Rangers. Dangerous folk, they are, wandering the wilds. What his right name is I've never heard, but round here he's known as Strider."

While Frodo still thinks about that, he suddenly hears Pippin talking at the bar.

Pippin : "Baggins ? Sure I know a Baggins - Frodo Baggins, over there. He's my second cousin, once removed on his Mother's side."

Frodo runs to the bar. He trips, falls to the ground and the ring falls on his finger. The Black Riders can now feel where the Ring is and ride to Bree. Frodo is able to put the Ring of his finger and is dragged of by Strider. Strider and Frodo hide in another room.

Strider : "You draw far too much attention to yourself, Mr. Underhill."

Frodo : "What do you want ?"

Strider : "A little more caution from you, that is no trinket you carry."

Frodo : "I carry nothing."

Strider : "Indeed ? I can avoid being seen if I wish, but to disappear entirely - that is a rare gift."

Frodo : "Who are you ?"

Strider : "Are you frightened ?"

Frodo : "Yes."

Strider : "Not nearly frightened enough. I know what hunts you."

The three other Hobbits enter the room. Sam threatens Strider if he has hurt Frodo.

Strider : "You have a stout heart, little hobbit, but it will not save you. You can no longer wait for the wizard, Frodo. They are coming."

Four of the nine Black Riders arrive in Bree. They break down the gate and find the room where the Hobbits should sleep in their beds. When they want to kill them they find out that they have been tricked. Strider and the Hobbits are in another room and watch the Black Riders.

Frodo : "What are they ?"

Strider : "They were once men. Great kings of men, but Sauron the Deceiver gave them nine rings of power, and, blinded by their greed, they took them without question, one by one falling into darkness. Now they are slaves to his will. They are the Nazgul, Ringwraiths, neither living nor dead. At all times they feel the presence of the ring, drawn to the power of the One. They will never stop hunting you."

Strider and the Hobbits leave Bree, avoiding the roads.

Frodo : "Where are you taking us ?"

Strider : "Into the wilds."

Merry : "How do we know this Strider is a friend of Gandalf ?"

Frodo : "We have no choice but to trust him."

Sam : "Where is he taking us ?"

Strider : "To Rivendell, Master Gamgee, the home of Elrond."

Sam : "Did you hear that ? Rivendell ! We're going to see the elves !"

After walking for a while through the forest, the Hobbits stop.

Strider : "Gentlemen, we do not stop till nightfall."

Pippin : "What about breakfast ?"

Strider : "You have had one."

Pippin : "We've had one, yes, what about second breakfast ?"

Strider goes on walking.

Merry : "I don't think he knows about second breakfast, Pip."

Pippin : "What about elevenses ? Luncheon ? Afternoon tea ? Dinner ? Supper ? Do you think he knows about them ?"

Merry : "I wouldn't count on it."

Strider throws an apple to Merry, who catches it. Then he throws an apple to Pippin who gets hit at the head.

~~~~~¤¤¤~~~~~

Next scene: You can see Saruman using the Palantir in Isengard.

Saruman : "The power of Isengard is at your command, Sauron, Lord of the Earth. Build me an army worthy of Mordor."

An Orc enters the room.

Orc : "What orders from Mordor, my Lord ? What does the High command ?"

Saruman : "We have work to do."

Outside of Isengard the Orcs begin to pull down the trees.

Orc : "The trees are strong, my Lord. Their roots go deep."

Saruman : "Rip them all down."

Frodo, Strider and the other Hobbits walk for the whole day until, in the evening, Strider finally stops.

Strider: „This was once the great watchtower of Amon Sul. We will rest here tonight."

Strider gives four swords to the Hobbits.

Strider : "These are for you. Keep them close. I'm going to have a look around. Stay here."

The Hobbit lay down to sleep. A little later Frodo wakes up again to find that the others have built a fire.

Frodo : "What are you doing ?"

Merry : "Sausages, tomatoes, nice crispy bacon ! Do you want some ?"

Frodo : "Put it out, you fools, put it out!"

Frodo stamps out the fire.

Pippin : "That's nice, ash on my tomatoes."

But Frodo is too late, the Nazguls already found them. The Hobbits take out the swords and run to the middle of the ruin. There they stand back to back, without knowing where the Nazguls will come from. Five Nazguls appear.

Sam, Merry and Pippin try to defend Frodo but they all are pushed away by the Nazguls. Frodo drops his sword, does a step backwards and trips. The Nazguls come closer and closer and Frodo pulls the Ring out of his pocket and puts it on. One Nazgul tries to take the Ring and stabs Frodo in his shoulder. Then Strider comes and attacks the Nazguls. Frodo is able to pull the Ring off and Strider can chase away the Nazguls.

The Nazguls are away and Strider kneels down next to Frodo. He picks up the sword Frodo has been stabbed with, but the blade dissolves into dust.

Sam : "Strider ! Help him !"

Strider : "He's been stabbed with a Morgul blade. This is beyond my skill to heal, he needs elvish medicine."

Strider picks up Frodo and starts to walk with him to Rivendell. Frodo whispers "Gandalf ! Gandalf !"„ and then faints.

~~~~~¤¤¤~~~~~

Gandalf is still a prisoner of Isengard. He is sitting on the roof of Orthanc. A moth flutters by and Gandalf catches it. He wishpers some words and then he let the moth fly away again.

Saruman watches all his Orcs while they are working. They built big forges under Isengard and Saruman breeds a new type of creature. One of these creatures just wakes up and kills a nearby standing Orc.

~~~~~¤¤¤~~~~~

Strider and the Hobbits stop at the three stone Trolls.

Sam : "Mr. Frodo ? He's going cold !"

Pippin : "Is he going to die ?"

Strider : "He is passing into the shadow world. Soon he will become a wraith like them."

Suddently they hear a cry from the Nazguls somewhere in the dark.

Merry : "They're close !"

Strider : "Sam, do you know the Athelas plant ?"

Sam : "Athelas ?"

Strider : "Kingsfoil."

Sam : "Kingsfoil ? Aye, it's a weed."

Strider : "It may help to slow the poison."

Sam and Strider start to search for the plant. Strider finds it, kneels down and as he just wants to take it he feels a sword at his throat. It is Arwen.

Arwen : "What's this ? A Ranger caught off his guard ?"

Frodo sees Arwen from the shadow world. He can hear her voice.

Arwen : "Frodo, I am Arwen. Telin le thaed (I've come to help you.) Lasto beth nin, tolo dan nan galad (Hear my voice. Return to the light.)"

Merry : "Who is she ?"

Sam : "She's an elf !"

Arwen : "He is fading. He's not going to last. We have to get him to my father."

Strider chews up some of the Kingsfoil and presses it into the wound.

Arwen : "I've been looking for you for two days. There are five wraiths behind you. Where the other four are I do not know."

Strider lifts Frodo onto Arwen's horse.

Strider : "Dartho guin berian. Rych le ad tolthathon. (Stay with the hobbits. I will send horses for you.)"

Arwen : "Hon mabathon. Rochon ellint im. (I am the faster rider. I will take him.)"

Strider : "Andelu i ven. (The road is too dangerous.)"

Pippin : "What are they saying ?"

Arwen : "Frodo fir. Ae athradon i hir, tur gwaith nin beriatha hon. (If I can get across the river, the power of my people will protect him.) I do not fear them."

Arwen get on her horse. Strider looks into Arwen's eyes. He knows that he has to let her go.

Strider : "Arwen. Ride hard and don't look back."

Sam : "What are you doing ? Those wraiths are still out there !"

Arwen and Frodo ride away. Right away the Nazguls start to chase them. They come closer and closer.

Arwen : "Noro lim, Asfaloth, noro lim ! (Ride fast Asfaloth, ride fast !)"

Arwen and Frodo reach a river and Arwen rides through the water. At the other bank she stops and waits. The Nazguls first don't want to ride through the water.

Nazgul : "Give up the halfling, she-elf !"

Arwen drops her sword.

Arwen : "If you want him, come and claim him !"

Now the Nazguls start to ride through the river.

Arwen : "Nin o Chithaeglir, lasto beth daer, Rimmo nin Bruinen dan in Ulaer ! Nin o Chithaeglir, lasto beth daer, Rimmo nin Bruinen dan in Ulaer ! (Waters of the Misty Mountains listen to the great word, flow waters of Loudwater against the Ringwraiths !)"

A big wave washes down the riverbed, led by white horse-shapes. The Nazguls are washed away. Frodo feels weaker and weaker, it seems as if he is going to pass completely into the shadow world. Arwen lays him down on the gound.

Arwen : "No, Frodo ! Don't give in ! Not now ! Let what grace is given me be passed to him. Let him be spared. Save him."