A Hobbit's Tale

:: Illustrated Movie Script ::

The movie starts with a close-up of a worm, which is held by Sméagol.

Sméagol and Déagol are sitting in a boat and suddenly Déagol catches a fish...

Déagol : Sméagol ! I've got one! I've got a fish, Sméag !

Both are laughing

Déagol : Sméagol !

Sméagol : Go on ! Go on, pull it up !

But the fish pulls Déagol into the water. Sméagol remains in the boat and we see Déagol's hat floating in the water.

Sméagol : Déagol ?

The fish drags the Hobbit deeper, until he finally let the pole go. Suddenly, he sees a shiny thing on the bottom of the lake. He grabbs it and finally returns to the surface. He climbs out of the water. The shiny thing turns out to be a ring. Sméagol hurries to his cousin.

Sméagol : Déagol ! (Laughing) Déagol !

Sméagol notices the ring in Déagol's hand and is fascinated by it.

Sméagol : Give us that, Déagol, my love.

Déagol : Why ?

Sméagol : Because it's my birthday and I wants it.

Sméagol's smile now fades away and he tries to take the Ring. One can hear the call of the Ring. Sméagol and Déagol start circling around each other, becoming more and more violent. Sméagol bites Déagol in his arm and throws him down to the ground. The Ring falls down on the grass and both try to reach for it. Déagol manages to get it and stands up, but he is attacked by Sméagol again. Sméagol manages to get his hands around Déagol's neck and starts to squeeze, while we're still hearing the Ring calling to him.

Ring : Ash nazg durbatulûk, ash nazg gimbatul ash nazg thrakatulûk, agh burzum-ishi krimpatul.

Now that Déagol is dead, Sméagol takes the Ring.

Sméagol : My Precious...

We now see how Sméagol transforms into Gollum. Sméagol is scramblind amidst rocks.

Gollum : They cursed us... Murderer...

Sméagol sits in a dark place, biting his thumb and looking at the Ring.

Gollum : Murderer they called us. They cursed us and drove us away !

Sméagol starts to transform into Gollum.

Sméagol : Gollum ! Gollum ! Gollum !

We see Sméagol sitting in the rain.

Gollum : And we wept, Precious. We wept to be so alone.

Sméagol catches a fish, and with his rotten teeth he bites into in while it is still alive.

Gollum : Fish... and we only wish... so juicy sweet...

Finally Sméagol climbs into a tunnel in the Misty Mountains.

Gollum : And we forgot the taste of bread, the sound of trees, the softness of the wind. We even forgot our own name.

Gollum : My Prrrreeciousss...

~~~~~¤¤¤~~~~~

In Ithilien, we see Sam and Frodo lying in a hole. While Sam is sleeping, Frodo is still awake. Frodo takes out the Ring but suddenly Gollum approaches and he hides the Ring again.

Gollum : Wake up ! Wake up !

Gollum shakes Sam.

Gollum : Wake up, sleepies ! We must go, yess... We must go at once.

Sam slowy wakes up and looks at Frodo.

Sam : Haven't you had any sleep, Mr. Frodo ?

Frodo shakes his head

Sam : I've gone and had too much. Must be getting late.

Frodo : No, it isn't... it isn't midday yet... the days are growing darker.

The earth shakes and they can hear the sound of the rumbling Orodruin not far away.

Gollum : Come on ! Must go, no time !

Sam : Not before Mr. Frodo's had something to eat.

Gollum : No time to lose, silly !

Sam has a look at his bag and gives Frodo some of the Lembas.

Sam : Here.

Frodo : What about you ?

Sam : Oh no, I'm not hungry... at lleast not for lembas bread.

Frodo : Sam...

Sam : All right, we don't have that much left. We have to be careful, or we're goin' to run out. You go ahead and eat that, Mr. Frodo. I've rationed it. There should be enough.

Frodo : For what ?

Sam : The journey home.

They look at each other and then continue their journey, led by Gollum.

Gollum : Come, hobbitses ! Very close now. Very close to Mordor. No safe places here. Hurry !

~~~~~¤¤¤~~~~~

Gandalf, the Three Hunters and the Rohans are riding through Fangorn Forest towards Isengard. In Isengard, we see Merry and Pippin smoking their pipes, sitting on what is left of Isengard's outerwalls.

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. (Both laugh).

The others arrive.

Merry : Oh ! Welcome, my Lords, to Isengard !

Gimli : You, young rascals ! A merry hunt you've lead us on, and now we find you feasting and... and smoking !

Pippin : We are sitting on the field of victory, enjoying a few well-earned comforts.

Merry blows out a cloud of smoke.

Pippin :The salted pork is particularly good.

Gimli : Salted pork ?

Gandalf : Hobbits...

Merry : We're under orders ! From Treebeard, who's taken over management of Isengard.

Gandalf and the others now ride to Orthanc, where they meet Treebeard.

Treebeard : 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.

Gimli : Well, let's just have his head and be done with it !

Gandalf : No, he has no power anymore.

Treebeard : The filth of Saruman is washing away. Trees will come back to live here.

Pippin, sitting on a horse behind Aragorn, sees something shiny in the water. He jumps down to get it.

Treebeard : Young trees, wild trees.

Aragorn : Pippin !

Pippin takes out of the water Saruman's palantir stone.

Treebeard : Bless my bark !

Gandalf : Peregrin Took, I'll take that, my lad. Quickly now !

Pippin can hardly take his eyes of the black sphere when he finally hands it to Gandalf who quickly hides it under his cloak.

~~~~~¤¤¤~~~~~

The group returns to Edoras, where Eowyn is already waiting for its return.

Inside of the Golden Hall, we see Théoden standing in front of his men.

Théoden : Tonight we remember those who gave their blood to defend this country.

He holds out his goblet to honor the dead.

Théoden : Hail the victorious dead !

People of Rohan : Hail !

Now the people start celebrating in the Golden Hall. Eowyn walks to Aragorn and gives him a goblet. He takes it.

Éowyn : Westu, Aragorn, hál.

Aragorn drinks and gives the cup back to Éowyn. He walks away while Éowyn is smiling at him. Théoden joins Éowyn.

Théoden : I am happy for you. He is an honorable man.

Éowyn : You are both honorable men.

Théoden : It was not Théoden of Rohan who led our people to victory.

Éowyn watches her uncle, the smile on her face is gone.

Théoden : Don't listen to me. You are young and tonight is for you.

~~~~~¤¤¤~~~~~

The scene turns to Merry and Pippin, who are dancing and singing on a table.

Merry and Pippin : Oh, you can search far and wide, You can drink the whole town dry.

Merry : You'll never find a beer so brown

Pippin : But you'll never find a beer so brown

Merry : As the one we drink in our home town.

Pippin : As the one we drink in our home town.

Merry and Pippin : You can keep your fancy ales. You can drink em by the flagon. But the only brew for the brave and true... Comes from the Green Dragon !

Gandalf is watching the Hobbits, smiling and clapping in tune. Aragorn joins him.

Aragorn : No news of Frodo ?

Gandalf : No word. Nothing.

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 is alive.

~~~~~¤¤¤~~~~~

While Frodo and Sam are sleeping, Gollum is talking in his sleep.

Gollum : Too risky... Too risky... Thieves ! They stole It from us... kill them... kill them... kill them both !

He wakes up with a scream.

Gollum : Shhh ! Quiet ! Musn't wake them ! Musn't ruin it now !

He crawls to a little pool of water and stares at his own face.

Sméagol : But they knows ! They knows ! They suspects us !

Gollum : What's it saying, my precious, my love ? Is Sméagol losing his nerve ?

Sméagol : No ! Not ! Never ! Sméagol hates nasty hobbitses ! Sméagol wants to see them... dead !

Gollum : And we will. Sméagol did it once, he can do it again.

In a flashback, we see again the scene at the river, when Sméagol murdered Déagol.

Sméagol : It's ours !!! Ours !!! We must get the Precious ! We must get It back !

Gollum : Patience ! Patience, my love ! First we must lead them to her.

Sméagol : We lead them to the winding stairs.

Gollum : Yes, the stairs... and then ?

Sméagol : Up, up, up, up the stairs we go and then we come to... the tunnel.

Gollum : And when they go in, there's no coming out. She's always hungry. She always needs to feed. She must eat. All she gets is filthy orcses.

Sméagol : And they doesn't taste very nice, does they, precious ?

Gollum : No, not very nice at all, my love. She hungers for sweeter meats...

In the background, Sam is waking up, hearing Gollum talking to Sméagol.

Gollum : ... Hobbit meat. And when she throws away the bones and empty clothes, then we will find It !

Sméagol : And take It for meeeee !!!

Gollum : For ussss.

Sméagol : Yes, we meant, we meant for us.

Gollum : Gollum ! Gollum ! The Precious will be ours... once the hobbitses are dead.

Suddenly Sam jumps on Sméagol.

Sam : You treacherous little filth !

Gollum : Argh ! No ! Master !

Frodo wakes up, too, and hurries to help Gollum.

Frodo : No, Sam ! Leave him alone !

Sam : I heard it from his own mouth, he means to murder us !!!

Gollum : Never ! Sméagol wouldn't hurt a fly ! He's a horrid, fat hobbit who hates Sméagol and who makes up nasty lies !

Sam : You miserable little maggot ! I'll stove your head in !

Frodo is pulling Sam's hand.

Frodo : Sam !

Sam : Called me a liar ! You're a liar !

Gollum : Ahhh !!

Frodo : We 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 : You don't see it, do you ? He's a villain.

Frodo : We can't do this by ourselves, Sam. Not without a guide.

Frodo looks into Sam's eyes.

Frodo : I need you on my side.

Sam : I am on your side, Mr. Frodo.

Frodo : I know, Sam. I know.Trust me.

Frodo takes Gollum's hand

Frodo : Come Sméagol.

Frodo and Gollum turn away, but Gollum looks back at Sam again, with a evil grin on his face.

~~~~~¤¤¤~~~~~

In Edoras, we see Legolas standing outside of Meduseld, staring into the distance. Aragorn joins him.

Legolas : The stars are veiled. Something stirs in the East... a sleepless malice. The Eye of the Enemy is moving.

Inside Meduseld, we see Pippin, who is not able to sleep. He stands up and walks towards Gandalf, who is sleeping with his eyes open.

Merry : What you doing ? Pippin ?

Pippin sees Gandlaf holding the Palantír against his chest. The Hobbit looks around, grabs a nearby vase, and carefully replaces it for the black stone. Gandalf doesn't notice the change.

Merry : Pippin, are you mad ?

Pippin : I just want to look at it. Just one more time.

Merry : Put it back !

Pippin looks into the Palantír and sees the Eye of Sauron. He starts running around in the room, obviously tortured, but not able to let go the Palantír.

Merry : Pippin ! No ! Pippin...

We see Legolas and Aragorn outside the building again.

Legolas : He is here !

We hear Sauron talking through the palantír.

Sauron : I see you...

Merry : Pippin ! Help ! Gandalf ! Someone help him !

Gandalf wakes up and Aragorn and Legolas enter the room. Aragorn takes the Palantír and lets it fall down. Gandalf throws a cloak over it. Gandalf runs to Pippin who looks in shock. He whispers some spells and Pippin awakes with Gandalf's touch.

Merry : Pippin !

Gandalf : Fool of a Took ! Look at me.

Pippin : Gandalf, forgive me.

Gandalf : Look at me. What did you see ?

Pippin looks away, but Gandalf turns Pippin to face him.

Pippin : A tree. 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 ?

Pippin looks confused.

The scene turns to Meduseld where the Hobbits, Gandalf, Aragorn, Théoden and the others are holding council.

Gandalf : There was no lie in Pippin's eyes. A fool, but an honest fool he remains. He told Sauron nothing of Frodo and the Ring. We've been strangely fortunate. Pippin saw in the palantír a glimpse of the Enemy's plan. Sauron moves to strike the city of Minas Tirith. His defeat at Helm's Deep showed our enemy one thing. He knows the Heir of Elendil has come forth. Men are not as weak as he supposed. There is courage still... strength perhaps to challenge him. Sauron fears this. He will not risk the peoples of Middle-Earth uniting under one banner. He will raze Minas Tirith to the ground before he sees a king return to the throne of Men. If the beacons of Gondor are lit, Rohan must be ready for war.

Théoden : 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 ! (He speaks quietly to Aragorn alone.) You must come to Minas Tirith by another road. Follow the river, look to the black ships. (To all.) Understand this, things are now in motion that cannot be undone. I ride for Minas Tirith. And I won't be going alone

Gandalf walks into the stables and is followed by Merry and Pippin.

Gandalf : Of all the inquisitive Hobbits, Peregrin Took, you are the worst ! Hurry, hurry !

Pippin : Where are we going ?

Merry : (to Pippin) 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 ?

Merry : Come on.

Pippin : How far is Minas Tirith ?

Gandalf : Three days' ride, as the Nazgûl flies, and you better hope we don't have one of those on our tail.

Merry : Here, something for the road.

Merry gives Pippin a small package of pipe weed, while Pippin is raised by Gandalf on the horse's back.

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's going to happen.

Pippin : Merry... ?

Gandalf : Run Shadowfax. Show us the meaning of haste !

Pippin : Merry !

Gandalf and Pippin leave. Merry runs to a lookout point and is followed by Aragorn.

Aragorn : Merry !

They watch Gandalf and Pippin riding away

~~~~~¤¤¤~~~~~

We see many Elves walking and riding through the woods, on their way to the Grey Havens. Arwen is amongst them. In the background, we can hear Elrond's voice.

Elrond : Take her by the safest road. A ship lies anchored in the Grey Havens. It waits to carry her across the sea... the last journey of Arwen Undómiel.

In a vision, Arwen sees a young child crossing her way and running into the trees. The trees change into a hall where Aragorn lifts up the young boy as he runs into his arms. The boys laughs and looks at Arwen, the Evenstar hanging around his neck.

Elrond : There is nothing for you here. Only death.

Arwen opens her eyes and the vision is gone. She stops her horse.

Elf : Lady Arwen, we cannot delay.

She turns around and rides away.

Elf : My Lady !

She returns to Rivendell and meets Elrond in a pavilion.

Arwen : Tell me what you have seen.

Elrond : Arwen.

Arwen : 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 kneels down in front of her father and touches his face with her hand.

Arwen : Some things are certain. If I leave him now, I will regret it forever. It is time.

Arwen walks into the chamber where the shards of Narsil are kept.

Arwen : From the ashes a fire shall be woken. A light from the shadows shall spring. Renewed shall be blade that was broken. The crownless again shall be king. (To Elrond) Reforge the sword. Ada.

Elrond does not answer but walks away. In the next shot we see Arwen sitting on her bed and a book falls out of her hands. Elrond picks it up and takes her hands.

Elrond : Your hands are cold. The life of the Eldar is leaving you.

Arwen : This was my choice. Ada, whether by your will or not, there is no ship now that can bear me hence.

The scene changes again and we see two Elves reforging the Narsil.