The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Page #9

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EXT. GREEN HILL COUNTRY -- DAY

MONTAGE:
FRODO AND SAM hiking over the gentle Shire

Countryside...wading through a shallow stream...heating a

kettle over a small fire...clambering over stone walls.

CUT TO:

EXT. GREEN HILL COUNTRY -- AFTERNOON

Sam stops short...taking stock of his surroundings. Sam

looks back from where they came.

SAM:

This is it.

FRODO:

This is what?

(CONTINUED)

34.

CONTINUED:

SAM:

If I take one more step it'll be the

farthest away from home I've ever been.

FRODO gives Sam a pat on the shoulder.

FRODO:

Come on, Sam.

Sam takes a deep breath and steps forward. CLOSE ON: SAM'S

brown, furry foot hits the ground.

FRODO IS SMILING.

FRODO:

Remember what Bilbo used to say...it's a

dangerous business...

Frodo and Sam continue their journey.

BILBO (V.O.)

... it's a dangerous business, Frodo,

going out your door...you step onto the

road, and if you don't keep your feet,

there's not knowing where you might be

swept off to.

CUT TO:

EXT. ISENGARD VALLEY -- DAY

Gandalf is galloping along the outskirts of the ancient

forest of Fangorn. Nestled in a basin at the foot of the

distant Misty Mountains, the tall black tower of Orthanc is

clearly visible

EXT. ISENGARD VALLEY -- DAY

Gandalf gallops through the gate, into the fortress of

ISENGARD...a great ring-wall of stone, a mile from rim to

rim, encloses beautiful trees and gardens, watered by streams

that flow down from the mountains.

SARUMAN (V.O.)

Smoke rises once more from the mountain

of doom...the shadow takes shape in the

darkness of Mordor; the hour grows

late...and Gandalf the Grey rides to

Isengard seeking my counsel...

The strange tower of Orthanc...hewn from a solid pillar of

black obsidian...rises up in the center of the Isengard

Circle. Gandalf arrives at the foot of the Orthanc Stairs.

35.

ANGLE ON:
SARUMAN, THE WHITE WIZARD

he sweeps down the Orthanc stairs.

SARUMAN:

For that is why you have come, is it not,

my old friend?

Gandalf moves quickly towards him, grimy and weary from his

long ride.

GANDALF:

Saruman!

CUT TO:

EXT. ISENGARD GARDENS -- DAY

Gandalf and Saruman walk slowly between the beautiful trees

of Isengard, Saruman's clean, white robe contrasts with

Gandalf's dusty grey robes.

SARUMAN:

Are you sure of this?

GANDALF:

Beyond any doubt.

SARUMAN:

So the ring of power has been found?

GANDALF:

All these long years it was in the Shire,

under my very nose.

SARUMAN:

And yet you did not have the wit to see

it! Your love of the Halfling's leaf has

clearly slowed your mind.

GANDALF:

We still have time...time enough to

counter Sauron...if we act quickly.

SARUMAN:

Time? What time do you think we have?

CUT TO:

INT. ORTHANC ANTE-CHAMBER -- DAY

Saruman and Gandalf are seated in a small, cluttered room to

the side of the cavernous central chamber.

(CONTINUED)

36.

CONTINUED:

SARUMAN:

Sauron has regained much of his former

strength. He cannot yet take physical

form...but his spirit has lost none of

its potency. Concealed within his

fortress, the lord of Mordor sees all.

His gaze pierces cloud, shadow, earth,

and flesh. You know of what I speak,

Gandalf...a great Eye, lidless, wreathed

in flame.

GANDALF:

(softly)

The eye of Sauron.

SARUMAN:

He is gathering all evil to him.

SARUMAN (CONT'D)

Very soon he will have summoned an army

great enough to launch an assault upon

Middle earth.

GANDALF:

You know this? How?

SARUMAN:

I have seen it.

Gandalf and Saruman stride through Orthanc toward a stone

plinth on which a sphere like shape is draped with a cloth...

GANDALF:

A palantir is a dangerous tool, Saruman.

Saruman lifts the cloth to reveal the Palantir.

SARUMAN:

Why? Why should we fear to use it?

GANDALF:

They are not all accounted for, the lost

seeing-stones...we do not know who else

may be watching. Gandalf throws the cloth

back over the Palantir.

FLASH IMAGE:
A FIERY EYE!

Saruman sits upon his throne.

(CONTINUED)

37.

CONTINUED:

SARUMAN:

The hour is later than you think.

Sauron's forces are already moving...the

Nine have left Minas Morgul.

GANDALF:

(shocked)

The nine!

SARUMAN:

They crossed the river Isen in

Midsummer's eve, disguised as riders in

black.

GANDALF:

(alarmed)

They have reached the Shire? Saruman

shrugs...

SARUMAN:

They will find the ring...and kill the

one who carries it.

Gandalf backs away and turns to run to the door...horrified

as the doors suddenly slam shut.

SARUMAN (CONT'D)

You did not seriously think a Hobbit

could contend with the will of Sauron?

There are none who can.

Gandalf slowly turns to Saruman...a look of dawning horror.

SARUMAN (CONT'D)

Against the power of Mordor, there can be

no victory. We must join with him,

Gandalf. We must join with Sauron. It

would be wise, my friend.

GANDALF:

(deadly)

Tell me, friend, when did Saruman the

wise abandon reason for madness?

At that moment:
Gandalf is suddenly blasted across the room!

He slams against the wall...pinned there by some unseen

force. With sudden effort, Gandalf wrenches himself off the

wall and swings his staff on Saruman...blasting him off his

feet! Gandalf and Saruman battle, powerful blasts throwing

them across the room. SARUMAN SCREAMS, EYES BLAZING!

Gandalf's staff is suddenly wrenched from his grasp...it

flies across the chamber into Saruman's hand! Gandalf is

flung to the floor.

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