The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Page #11

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42.

CONTINUED:

MERRY:

What was that?

Frodo is staring, a look of shock on his face at the ring

lying in the palm of his hand.

EXT. FERRY LANE -- NIGHT

Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin hurry through the

trees...slipping and sliding on the muddy ground.

SAM:

Anything?

FRODO:

Nothing.

PIPPIN:

What is going on?

Merry moves past pippin, toward Frodo, watching

intently...Sam keeps looking around nervously.

MERRY:

The Black rider was looking for

something...or someone...Frodo?

SAM:

Get down!

The SILHOUETTE OF A BLACK RIDER looms against the skyline.

The Four Hobbits... sprawled on the ground, holding their

breath. The BLACK RIDER turns and departs.

FRODO:

I have to leave the Shire...Sam and I

must get to Bree.

Merry looks at his friend...realizing Frodo is in deep

trouble.

MERRY:

Right...Buckleberry Ferry...follow me !

The Hobbits break cover. SUDDENLY, A RINGWRAITH bursts out of

the forest TOWARD THEM!

MERRY (CONT'D)

There's another one!! Frodo, this way! !

The Hobbits run THE RINGWRAITH SHRIEKS!

QUICK CUTS:

(CONTINUED)

43.

CONTINUED:

Black horse hooves... snarling horse mouths...a fleeting

black cowl.

MERRY (CONT'D)

Frodo, follow me!

CUT TO:

EXT. BUCKLEBERRY FERRY -- NIGHT

FRODO, SAM, MERRY AND PIPPIN, are running towards the wide,

placid Brandywine river...and the FERRY.

MERRY:

Get the ropes, Sam.

QUICK ANGLES:
STOMPING HOOVES...SNARLING HORSES...

Four RINGWRAITHS are speeding through the Fog...converging on

the FERRY CROSSING. The HOBBITS stampede across the Wharf and

Tumble onto the Ferry.

SAM:

(screaming)

Frodo!

Frodo races across the Wooden Wharf, followed by the

ringwraiths. He leaps into the Ferry.

CLOSE ON:
HOOVES THUNDER DOWN THE WOODEN WHARF!

Sam and Merry shove off with the poles...the ferry slides out

into the river, just as the ringwraiths arrive. They pull up

on the end of the wharf... shrieking with rage! The Hobbits

cover their ears. The Ringwraiths wheel their horses towards

the north and Gallop away along the river bank, quickly

disappearing into the fog.

FRODO:

How far to the nearest crossing?

MERRY:

The brandwine bridge...twenty miles.

CUT TO:

EXT. BREE GATE -- NIGHT

ANGLE ON:

Lights of Bree...a small village of stone and half timbered

houses nestled against a low wooded hill.

(CONTINUED)

44.

CONTINUED:

A thick hedge surrounds the village...a great gate bars the

western entrance.

CLOSE ON:

FRODO, SAM, MERRY AND PIPPIN approaching the gatehouse...wild

eyes, ragged, and out of breath.

FRODO:

Come on.

A SURLY GATEKEEPER glances down at them.

GATEKEEPER:

What do you want?

FRODO:

We're headed for the prancing pony.

The gatekeeper swings his lantern onto the hobbits, bathing

them in an uncomfortable yellow spotlight.

GATEKEEPER:

Hobbits! Four Hobbits, and what's more,

out of the Shire by your talk. What

business brings you to Bree?

FRODO:

We wish to stay at the inn...our business

is our own. To Frodo's relief, the

Gatekeeper unlocks the gate.

GATEKEEPER:

All right, young sir, I meant no offense.

The Hobbits gratefully enter Bree...the gatekeeper eyeing

them curiously in the lantern light.

GATEKEEPER (CONT'D)

It's my job to ask questions after

nightfall. There's talk of strange fold

abroad...can't be too careful.

CUT TO:

EXT. BREE STREETS -- NIGHT

The tall BREE FOLK loom over the nervous little hobbits as

Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin make their way through the

Narrow Streets. Tall buildings tower above them...lights

glow dimly from behind thick curtains.

(CONTINUED)

45.

CONTINUED:

Close on:
The sign of the "PRANCING PONY INN"...Frodo, Sam,

Merry, and Pippin hurry toward it.

CUT TO:

INT. "PRANCING PONY" RECEPTION -- NIGHT

Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin come rushing in. Frodo attracts

the INN KEEPERS'S attention.

FRODO:

Excuse me.

BUTTERBUR:

Good evening, little masters. If you're

seeking accommodation, we've got some

nice, cozy Hobbit sized rooms available,

Mr...ah...

FRODO:

Underhill...my name's Underbill.

BUTTERBUR:

Underhill? Hmmmm.

FRODO:

We're friends of Gandalf the Grey...can

you tell him we've arrived? BUTTERBUR

frowns...

BUTTERBUR:

(Puzzled)

Gandalf...Gandalf...Oh...

(recognition)

Oh yes! I remember...elderly chap...big

grey beard...pointy hat? Frodo nods with

relief...Butterbur shakes his head.

BUTTERBUR (CONT'D)

Not seen him for six months. Frodo is

shocked.

SAM:

(worried whisper)

What do we do now?

INT. PRANCING PONY INN -- NIGHT

Wide on:
the noise, smokey Inn. It is dimly lit, cheifly

from a blazing log fire...and crowded with a mixture of BIG

FOLK, LOCAL HOBBITS, and a couple of dwarfs. Frodo, Sam,

Merry and Pippin are sitting at a table against the wall...

clearly trying to remain Quiet and inconspicuous... Sam can't

help himself...he keeps casting nervous glances around.

(CONTINUED)

46.

CONTINUED:

FRODO:

Sam, he'll be here. He'll come.

Merry ploinks himself down at a table, carrying a very large

mug of beer.

PIPPIN:

What's that?

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