The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Page #7

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·, (CONTINUED)

Final Revision - October, 2003 30.

CONTINUED:

GA ND ALF (c on t'd )

(quietly)

Now, listen carefully. Lord Denethor is

Boromir's father. To give him news of his

beloved son's death would be most unwise

... And do not mention Frodo . . . Or the

Ring . . . And say nothing of Aragorn either.

(hesitates)

In fact, it's better if you don't speak at

all, Pippin Took.

CLOSE ON:
PIPPIN, suitably chastened, nods.

INT. MINAS TIRITH TOWER HALL - DAY

ANGLE ON:
A LONG SOLEMN HALL ... with ROWS OF BLACK MARBLE

PILLARS. Between the pillars stand a silent company of TALL

KINGS carved in cold STONE.

GANDALF strides down the HALL, with PIPPIN following

obediently behind.

At the FAR END, upon a DAIS OF MANY STEPS, sits a LARGE,

EMPTY THRONE . . . and on the wall behind is the IMAGE of a

FLOWERING WHITE TREE set in GEMS.

At the FOOT of the DAIS, in a small STONE CHAIR, sits an OLD

MAN, gazing at his lap: DENETHOR - the Lord Steward of

CONDOR.

GANDALF:

Hail, Denethor, Son of Ecthelion, Lord and

Steward of Gondor.

DENETHOR does not look up as GANDALF and PIPPIN approach.

GANDALF (cont'd)

I come with tidings in this dark hour - and

with counsel.

DENETHOR slowly raises COLD EYES . . .

DENETHOR:

(bitter)

Perhaps you come to explain this?

(CONTINUED)

Final Revision - October, 2003 31.

CONTINUED:

DENETHOR holds up BOROMIR'S BROKEN HORN ...

DEN ETH OR (c ont 'd )

Perhaps you come to tell me why my son is

dead?

CLOSE ON:
PIPPIN remembering . . .

INSERT IMAGE:
BOROMIR, as URUK-HAI arrows thud into his body,

he falls to his KNEES . . .

PIPPIN starts forward unable to say nothing . . .

.. PIPPIN

Boromir died to save us . . . my kinsman and

me . . . he fell, defending us from many

foes.

CLOSE ON:
DENETHOR pain flickers in his eyes.

GANDALF:

(hurried whisper)

Pippin!

PIPPIN drops to his knee offering DENETHOR his SWORD . . .

PIPPIN:

I offer you my service, such as it is, in

payment of this debt.

DENETHOR looks at PIPPIN blankly, overcome with grief.:

GANDALF:

(to PIPPIN)

Get up!

(a ddre ssin g D ENET HOR)

My Lord, there will be a time to grieve for

Boromir, but it is not now. War is coming

... the Enemy is on your doorstep. As

Steward, you are charged with the defence

of this city. Where are Condor's armies?

DENETHOR gaze turns slowly on GANDALF . . .

(CONTINUED)

Final Revision - October, 2003 32.

CONTINUED:
( 2 )

GANDALF (cont'd)

You still have friends - you are not alone

in this fight. Send word to Theoden of

Rohan. Light the beacons.

DENETHOR smiles at GANDALF, as if amused by something.

DENETHOR:

(softly)

You think you are wise, Mithrandir, yet for

all your subtleties.you have not wisdom. Do

you think the eyes of the White Tower are

blind? I have seen more than you know. With

your left hand you would use me as a shield

against Mordor and with your right you

would seek to supplant me.

CLOSE ON:
GANDALF looks shocked, DENETHOR'S eyes NARROW.

DENETHOR (cont'd)

(contemptuous)

I know who rides with Theoden of Rohan. Oh,

yes. Word has reached my ears of this

Aragorn, son of Arathorn, and I tell you

now, I will not bow to this Ranger from the

North - last of a ragged house, long bereft

of Lordship.

GANDALF:

(stung)

Authority is not given to you to deny the

return of the King - Steward!

DENETHOR:

(explosive)

The rule of Condor is mine, and no others!

CLOSE ON:
PIPPIN, horrified. GANDALF looks at Denethor

closely for a moment, then turns on his heel to leave, PIPPIN

follows.

GANDALF:

Come.

GANDALF and PIPPIN stride from the TOWER HALL ... DENETHOR

slumps back into his SEAT.

Final Revision - October, 2003 33.

INT. MINAS TIRITH, PIPPIN'S QUARTERS - NIGHT

ANGLE ON:
PIPPIN is carefully laying out a SMALL UNIFORM of

the ROYAL GUARD on a bed.

PIPPIN:

So, I imagine this is just a ceremonial

position . . . I mean, they don't actually

expect me to do any fighting . . . do they?

WIDE:
GANDALF STANDING QUIETLY on a BALCONY that overlooks

the GREAT CITY.

GANDALF:

You're in the service of the Steward now -

you're going to have to do as you're told,

Peregrin Took . . .

(under his breath)

Guard of the Citadel!

EXT. MINAS TIRITH BALCONY - NIGHT

ANGLE ON:
PIPPIN as he stares up at the vast NIGHT SKY.,

PIPPIN:

It's so quiet.

GANDALF watches the young HOBBIT.

GANDALF:

It's the deep breath before the plunge.

PIPPIN:

I don't want to be in a battle . . . but

waiting on the edge of one I can't escape

is even worse. L

(tense) :

Is there any hope, Gandalf - for Frodo and

Sam?

GANDALF joins PIPPIN as they look towards the distant, jagged

MOUNTAINS of MORDOR . . .

(CONTINUED)

Final Revision - October, 2003 34.

CONTINUED:

GANDALF:

There never was much hope.

PIPPIN looks up at him, unnerved. GANDALF gives him a small

self-deprecating smile . . .

GANDALF (cont'd)

Just a fool's hope.

GANDALF and PIPPIN share a quiet moment as they stare out

towards the FIERY SKY over MORDOR . . .

GANDALF V/0

(grim)

Our enemy is almost ready, his full

strength gathered. Not only Ores, but men

as well.

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