The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Quotes

Gandalf and Aragorn lead the World of Men against Sauron's army to draw his gaze from Frodo and Sam as they approach Mount Doom with the One Ring.

Aragorn: Hold your ground, hold your ground! Sons of Gondor, of Rohan, my brothers! I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me. A day may come when the courage of men fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day. An hour of wolves and shattered shields, when the age of men comes crashing down! But it is not this day! This day we fight! By all that you hold dear on this good Earth, I bid you *stand, Men of the West!*
Gimli: Never thought I'd die fighting side by side with an Elf.
Legolas: What about side by side with a friend?
Gimli: Aye. I could do that.
Pippin: I didn't think it would end this way.
Gandalf: End? No, the journey doesn't end here. Death is just another path... One that we all must take. The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all turns to silver glass... And then you see it.
Pippin: What? Gandalf?... See what?
Gandalf: White shores... and beyond, a far green country under a swift sunrise.
Pippin: [smiling] Well, that isn't so bad.
Gandalf: [softly] No... No it isn't.
Sam: [Both are overcome by exhaustion] Do you remember the Shire, Mr. Frodo? It'll be spring soon. And the orchards will be in blossom. And the birds will be nesting in the hazel thicket. And they'll be sowing the summer barley in the lower fields... and eating the first of the strawberries with cream. Do you remember the taste of strawberries?
Frodo: No, Sam. I can't recall the taste of food... nor the sound of water... nor the touch of grass. I'm... naked in the dark, with nothing, no veil... between me... and the wheel of fire! I can see him... with my waking eyes!
Sam: Then let us be rid of it... once and for all! Come on, Mr. Frodo. I can't carry it for you... but I can carry you!
Frodo: [voiceover] And thus it was. A fourth age of middle-earth began. And the fellowship of the ring... though eternally bound by friendship and love... was ended. Thirteen months to the day since Gandalf sent us on our long journey... we found ourselves looking upon a familiar sight. We were home. How do you pick up the threads of an old life? How do you go on... when in your heart you begin to understand... there is no going back? There are some things that time cannot mend... some hurts that go too deep... that have taken hold. Bilbo once told me his part in this tale would end... that each of us must come and go in the telling. Bilbo's story was now over. There would be no more journeys for him... save one. My dear Sam. You cannot always be torn in two. You will have to be one and whole for many years. You have so much to enjoy and to be and to do. Your part in the story will go on.
[after Legolas single-handedly takes out an Oliphant and its drivers]
Gimli: That still only counts as one.
Galadriel: The power of the Three Rings is ended. The time has come... for the dominion of Men.
Elrond: [in Elvish] The Sea calls us home.
Bilbo: [smiling] I think I'm... quite ready for another adventure!
[Bilbo climbs on board with Elrond. Galadriel follows with Celeborn]
Gandalf: Farewell, my brave Hobbits. My work is now finished. Here at last, on the shores of the sea... comes the end of our Fellowship. I will not say do not weep, for not all tears are an evil.
[Heads to the ship, then turns around, waiting]
Gandalf: It is time, Frodo.
Sam: What does he mean?
Frodo: We set out to save the Shire, Sam. And it has been saved... But not for me.
Sam: [weeping] You don't mean that. You can't leave.
Frodo: [hands Sam the Red Book] The last pages are for you, Sam.
Theoden: Eomer. Take your Èored down the left flank. Gamling, follow the King's banner down the center. Grimbold, take your company right, after you pass the wall. Forth, and fear no darkness! Arise! Arise, Riders of Theoden! Spears shall be shaken, shields shall be splintered! A sword day... a red day... ere the sun rises!
Eowyn: [to Merry] Whatever happens, stay with me. I'll look after you.
[the King rides past his men, hitting their spears with his sword as he goes]
Theoden: Ride now!... Ride now!... Ride! Ride to ruin and the world's ending!
[He stops and faces Sauron's army]
Theoden: Death!
Rohirrim: [echoing] Death!
Theoden: Death!
Rohirrim: [echoing] Death!
Theoden: DEATH!
Eowyn, Merry: Death!
Theoden: Forth, Eorlingas!
Denethor: Can you sing, Master Hobbit?
Pippin: Well... yes. At least, well enough for my own people. But we have no songs for great halls and... evil times.
Denethor: And why should your songs be unfit for my hall? Come, sing me a song.
[pause]
Pippin: [sings] Home is behind, the world ahead... And there are many paths to tread. Through shadow, to the edge of night, until the stars are all alight... Mist and shadow, cloud and shade, all shall fade... all... shall... fade...
Gimli: Certainty of death. Small chance of success. What are we waiting for?
Witch King: [taking Eowyn by the throat] You fool. No man can kill me. Die now.
[Merry stabs the Witch King from behind; the Witch King shrieks and falls to his knees. Eowyn rises and pulls off her helm, her hair falls down over her shoulder]
Eowyn: I am no man.
[she thrusts her sword into the Witch King's helm and twists; he shrieks and implodes]
Gandalf: I will not say "Do not weep", for not all tears are an evil.
Aragorn: [to Frodo, Sam, Pippin, and Merry] My friends. You bow to no one.
[He kneels, and the entire kingdom follows suit, kneeling to the Hobbits]
Gimli: Well, this is a thing unheard of. An Elf would go underground, where a Dwarf dare not. Oh, I'd never hear the end of it.
Pippin: I feel like I'm back at the Green Dragon.
Merry: [through a mouthful of food] Mm. Green Dragon.
Pippin: A mug of ale in my hand, putting my feet up on a settle after a hard day's work.
Merry: Only, you've never done a hard day's work.
[They laugh; Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli ride up. Merry stands and gives an exaggerated bow]
Merry: Welcome, my lords, to Isengard!
Gimli: You young rascals! A merry hunt you've led us on, and now we find you... feasting and... and *smoking.*
Pippin: We are sitting on a field of victory enjoying a few well-earned comforts.
[Merry blows a smoke ring]
Pippin: The salted pork is particularly good.
Gimli: [eagerly] Salted pork?
Gandalf: [exasperated] Hobbits.
Merry: We're under orders from Treebeard, who has taken over management of Isengard.
Treebeard: [as they walk toward the tower] Hroom, young Master Gandalf! I'm relieved that you've come. Wood and water, stock and stone I can master, but there's a wizard to manage here. Locked his tower.
Frodo: [after destroying the Ring] I can see the Shire. The Brandywine River. Bag End. The Lights in the Party Tree.
Sam: Rosie Cotton dancing. She had ribbons in her hair. If ever I were to marry someone, it would have been her. It would have been her.
[sits down and begins to cry]
Frodo: [leans over and hugs him] I'm glad to be with you, Samwise Gamgee, here at the end of all things.
Gandalf: Fool of a Took!
[from extended version]
Pippin: [to himself] What were you thinking, Peregrin Took? What service could a Hobbit offer such a great lord of men?
Faramir: [approaching] It was well done. Generous deeds should not be checked by cold council. You are to join the tower guard?
Pippin: I didn't think they would find any livery that would fit me.
Faramir: It once belonged to a boy of the citadel. A very foolish one; who spent many hours slaying dragons instead of attending to his studies.
Pippin: This was yours?
Faramir: Yes, it was mine. My father had it made for me.
Pippin: Well, I'm taller than you were then. Though I'm not likely to grow anymore... except sideways.
[they laugh]
Faramir: Never fitted me either. Boromir was always the soldier. They were so alike, he and my father. Proud... stubborn, even. But strong.
Pippin: I think you have strength, of a different kind. And one day your father will see it.
Aragorn: Let the Lord of the Black Land come forth! Let justice be done upon him!
The Mouth of Sauron: My master, Sauron the Great, bids thee welcome. Is there any in this rout with authority to treat with me?
Gandalf: We do not come to treat with Sauron, faithless and accursed. Tell your master this: the armies of Mordor must disband. He is to depart these lands, never to return.
The Mouth of Sauron: Ahh, old Greybeard. I have a token I was bidden to show thee.
[Pulls out Frodo's mithril vest and throws it at them]
Pippin: [whispers] Frodo...
Gandalf: Silence.
Merry: No!
Gandalf: Silence!
The Mouth of Sauron: The halfling was dear to thee, I see. Know that he suffered greatly at the hands of his host. Who would've thought one so small could endure so much pain? And he did, Gandalf, he did.
[pause; Aragorn rides towards the Mouth of Sauron]
The Mouth of Sauron: And who is this? Isildur's heir? It takes more to make a King that a broken Elvish blade...
[Aragorn cuts off the Mouth of Sauron's head with one stroke of Anduril]
Gimli: I guess that concludes negotiations.
Aragorn: [to Gandalf] I do not believe it! I will not!
Sam: I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you.
[in a drinking game]
Gimli: It's the Dwarves that go swimming with little, hairy woman.
[he burps]
Legolas: I feel something. A slight tingle in my fingers. I think it's affecting me.
Gimli: What did I say? He can't hold his liquor.
[Gimli passes out]
Legolas: [to Eomer who is watching] Game over.
Sam: FRODO!
Frodo: I'm here, Sam.
Sam: Destroy it!
[Frodo holds the ring on its chain over the edge of the pit]
Sam: Go on! Now! Throw it in the fire!
[Frodo stares at the ring, the ring whispers to him]
Sam: What are you waiting for? Just let it go!
[Frodo turns and looks at Sam]
Frodo: The ring is mine.
[He snaps the chain and approaches the ring to his finger]
Sam: No... no...
[Frodo slips the ring on and vanishes]
Sam: NO!
[as he kills the three Orcs guarding Frodo]
Sam: That's for Frodo! And for the Shire! *And that's for my old Gaffer!*
Merry: Are you going to leave me?
Pippin: No, Merry. I'm going to look after you.
Pippin: [singing to Denethor as Faramir leads the charge] Home is behind, the world ahead... and there are many paths to tread... Through shadow... To the edge of night... Until the stars are all alight... Mist and shadow, cloud and shade... All shall fade... all... shall... fade.
Arwen: From the ashes, a fire shall be woken. A light from the shadow shall spring. Renewed shall be blade that was broken. The crownless again shall be king.
Sam: [reading the book's title] There and Back Again: A Hobbit's Tale by Bilbo Baggins, and The Lord of the Rings by Frodo Baggins. You finished it.
Frodo: Not quite. There's room for a little more.
Eowyn: I will kill you if you touch him!
Witch King: Do not come between the Nazgul and his prey.
Aragorn: I summon you to fulfill your oath.
King of the Dead: None but the king of Gondor may command me.
[Swings sword; Aragorn blocks him with the sword Anduril]
King of the Dead: That blade was broken!
[Aragorn takes him by the throat]
Aragorn: It has been remade.
[Aragorn releases the King of the Dead; pause]
Aragorn: Fight for us... and regain your honor.
Smeagol: Clever Hobbits, to climb so high!
[jumps on them, pins Frodo to the ground and grips him by the throat]
Smeagol: Mustn't go that way! Mustn't hurt the Precious!
Frodo: You swore! You swore on the Precious!
Smeagol: [mocking] Oo-hoo-hoo-hoo...
Frodo: SMEAGOL PROMISED!
Smeagol: Smeagol lied.
Gandalf: He's suffered a defeat, yes, but... behind the walls of Mordor, our enemy is regrouping.
Gimli: Let him stay there. *Let him rot!* Why should we care?
Gandalf: Because ten-thousand Orcs now stand between Frodo and Mount Doom. I've sent him to his death.
Aragorn: No. There is still hope for Frodo. He needs time... and safe passage across the plains of Gorgoroth. We can give him that.
Gimli: How?
Aragorn: Draw out Sauron's armies. Empty his lands. Then we gather our full strength and march on the Black Gate.
Eomer: We cannot achieve victory through strength of arms.
Aragorn: Not for ourselves. But we can give Frodo his chance if we keep Sauron's Eye fixed upon us. Keep him blind to all else that moves.
Legolas: A diversion.
Gimli: Certainty of death, *small* chance of success... What are we waiting for?
Gandalf: Sauron will suspect a trap. He will not take the bait.
Aragorn: [knowingly] No, I think he will.
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: Some things are certain. If I leave him now, I will regret it forever.
Legolas: The way is shut. It was made by those who are dead, and the dead keep it. The way is shut.
Aragorn: The Beacons of Minas Tirith! The Beacons are lit! Gondor calls for aid.
Theoden: And Rohan will answer. Muster the Rohirrim. Assemble the army at Dunharrow. As many men as can be found. You have two days. On the third, we ride for Gondor... and war.
Gandalf: [to Pippin] 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. In fact, it's better if you don't speak at all, Peregrin Took.
Pippin: Is there any hope, Gandalf, for Frodo and Sam?
Gandalf: There never was much hope. Just a fool's hope.
Gandalf: Your treachary has already cost many lives. Thousands more are now at risk, but you could save them Saruman. You were deep in the enemy's council.
Saruman: So you have come here for information. I have some for you.
[he reveals his palantir]
Saruman: Something festers in the heart of Middle-Earth. Something that you have failed to see. But the Great Eye has seen it. Even now he presses his advantage. His attack will come soon. You're all going to die. But you know this don't you, Gandalf?
[sneering]
Saruman: You cannot think that this Ranger will ever sit upon the throne of Gondor. This exile, crept from the shadows, will never be crowned king. Gandalf does not hesistate to sacrifice those closest to him, those he professes to love. Tell me... what words of confort did you give the halfling before you sent him to his doom? The path that you have set him on can only lead to death.
Gimli: I've heard enough."
[to Legolas]
Gimli: "Shoot him. Stick an arrow in his gob.
[Legolas goes to do so]
Gandalf: No. Come down Saruman, and your life will be spared.
Saruman: Save your pity and your mercy; I have no use for it!
[he fires at Gandalf, who emerges unscathed from the flames]
Gandalf: Saruman, your staff is broken.
[last lines]
Sam: Well, I'm back.
Sam: Do you remember the Shire, Mr. Frodo? It'll be spring soon. And the orchards will be in blossom. And the birds will be nesting in the hazel thicket. And they'll be sowing the summer barley in the lower fields... and eating the first of the strawberries with cream. Do you remember the taste of strawberries?
Frodo: No, Sam. I can't recall the taste of food... Nor the sound of water or touch of grass... I'm naked in the dark, with nothing. No veil between me and the ring of fire. I can see him with my waking eyes!
Sam: Then let us be rid of it! Once and for all! Come on Mr. Frodo. I can't carry it for you! But I can carry you! Come on!
[He picks Frodo up and starts carrying him up the slopes of Mount Doom]
Theoden: I know your face... Eowyn. My eyes darken.
Eowyn: No. No. I'm going to save you.
Theoden: You already did... Eowyn. My body is broken. You have to let me go. I go to my fathers, in whose mighty company I shall not now feel ashamed. Eowyn...
[dies]
Aragorn: I do not fear death.
Sam: I don't think there will be a return journey, Mr. Frodo.
Gandalf: Faramir!
[Running after Faramir]
Gandalf: Faramir! Your father's will has turned to madness. Do not throw away your life so rashly.
Faramir: Where does my allegiance lie if not here? This is the city of the men of Numenor. I would gladly give my life to defend her beauty, her memory... her wisdom...
Gandalf: Your father loves you, Faramir. He will remember it before the end.
Aragorn: For Frodo.
[He charges out towards the remaining army of Morder alone. Merry and Pippin raise their swords and yell then charge. The rest of the soldiers do the same and soon overtake Merry and Pippin]
Saruman: You have fought many wars and slain many men, Theoden King, and made peace afterwards. Can we not take council as we once did, my old friend? Can we not have peace?
Theoden: We shall have peace... We shall have peace, when you answer for the burning of the Westfold, and the children that lie dead there! We shall have peace, when the lives of the soldiers whose bodies were hewn even as they died against the gates of the Hornberg, are avenged! When you hang from a gibbit for the sport of your own crows...! We shall have peace.
Saruman: Gibbits and crows! DOTARD! What do *you* want, Gandalf Greyhame? Let me guess. The key of Orthanc? Or perhaps the keys of Barad-Dur itself? Along with the crowns of the seven kings and the rods of the five wizards?
Eomer: Now is the hour! Riders of Rohan! Oaths you have taken, now fulfill them all, to lord and land!
[extended version, the Houses of Healing]
Eowyn: The city has fallen silent. There is no warmth left in the sun.
Faramir: [approaching her] It is only the damp of the first spring rain.
[Eowyn looks up at him]
Faramir: I do not believe this darkness will endure.
[Aragorn is crowned King]
Aragorn: This day does not belong to one man but to all. Let us together rebuild this world that we may share in the days of peace.
Elrond: You're outnumbered, Aragorn. You need more men.
Aragorn: There are none.
Elrond: There are those who dwell in the mountain.
Aragorn: Murderers. Traitors. You would call upon them to fight? They believe in nothing. They answer to no one.
Elrond: They will answer to the king of Gondor.
[pulls out Anduril]
Elrond: Anduril, Flame of the West, forged from the shards of Narsil.
Aragorn: Sauron will not have forgotten the sword of Elendil. The blade that was broken shall return to Minas Tirith.
Elrond: The man who can wield the power of this sword can summon to him an army more deadly than any that walks this earth. Put aside the Ranger. Become who you were born to be. Take the Dimholt Road.
Elrond: [pause; in Elvish] I give hope to men.
Aragorn: [in Elvish] I keep none for myself.
Aragorn: I have wished you joy since first I saw you.
Eowyn: Ride with me.
Merry: [smiles] My lady!
Sam: What are you up to? Sneaking off, are we?
Gollum: Sneaking? Sneaking? Fat Hobbit is always so polite. Smeagol shows them secret ways that nobody else could find, and they say "sneak!" Sneak? Very nice friend. Oh, yes, my precious. Very nice, very nice.
Sam: All right, all right! You just startled me is all. What were you doing?
Gollum: Sneaking.
Eomer: You should not encourage him.
Eowyn: You should not doubt him.
Eomer: I do not doubt his heart, only the reach of his arm.
King of the Dead: The dead do not suffer the living to pass.
Aragorn: You will suffer me.
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's alive.
Gollum: They cursed us. Murderer they called us. They cursed us, and drove us away. And we wept, Precious, we wept to be so alone. And we only wish to catch fish so juicy sweet. And we forgot the taste of bread... the sound of trees... the softness of the wind. We even forgot our own name. My Precious.
Aragorn: [to the corsair ships] You may go no further! You will not enter Gondor.
Captain: Who are you to deny us passage?
Aragorn: Legolas, fire a warning shot past the bosun's ear.
Gimli: Mind your aim!
[Legolas aims; Gimli knocks the bow as he shoots and the arrow kills the bosun]
Gimli: Oh! That's it, right! We warned you! Prepare to be boarded!
[the corsairs laugh]
Captain: Boarded! By you and whose army?
Aragorn: *This* army.
[the army of the dead charges through him and onto the ships]
Gandalf: The board is set... the pieces are moving
Pippin: [kneeling] I offer you my service, such as it is, in payment of this debt.
Denethor: This is my first command to you. How did you escape, and my son did not, so mighty a man as he was?
Pippin: The mightiest man may be slain by one arrow... and Boromir was pierced by many.
Gandalf: Get up. My Lord, there will be a time to greive for Boromir, but it is not now. War is coming. The enemy is on your doorstep. As steward, you are charged with the defense of this city. Where are Gondor's armies? You still have friends. You are not alone in this fight. Send word to Theoden of Rohan. Light the Beacons.
Pippin: Gandalf, forgive me.
Gandalf: Look at me. What did you see?
Pippin: A tree. There was 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?
[scene cuts to later]
Gandalf: There was no lie in Pippin's eyes. A fool... but an honest fool, he remains. He told Sauron nothing of the Ring. We've been strangely fortunate. Pippin saw in the Palantir a glimpse of the enemy's plan. Sauron moves to strike Minas Tirith.
[Gorbag advances towards Frodo with a knife]
Gorbag: I'm gonna bleed you like a stuck pig.
[Gorbag is stabbed from behind by Sam]
Sam: Not if I stick you first.
Eowyn: Why are you doing this? The war lies to the East. You cannot leave on the eve of battle.
[pause]
Eowyn: You cannot abandon the men.
Aragorn: Eowyn...
Eowyn: We need you here.
Aragorn: Why have you come?
Eowyn: Do you not know?
Aragorn: It is but a shadow and a thought that you love. I cannot give you what you seek.
Denethor: 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. 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: [During the siege of Gondor] Peregrin Took! Go back to the Citadel!
Pippin: [dazed] They called us out to fight.
Gandalf: This is no place for a Hobbit!
[He lays about him with his sword and staff; an Orc rushes up behind him and Pippin kills it. Gandalf looks at Pippin]
Gandalf: [impressed] Guard of the Citadel indeed!
[singing]
Merry, Pippin: You can search far and wide. You can drink the whole town dry. But you'll never find a beer so brown as the one we drink in our hometown. You can drink your fancy ales. You can drink them by the flagon. But the only brew for the brave and tru-u-u-ue comes from the Green Dragon!
Gondorian Soldier 1: The Beacon! The Beacon of Amon Din is lit.
Gandalf: Hope is kindled.
Galadriel: The power of the Three Rings is ended. The time has come... for the dominion of Men.
Elrond: I Aear c?n ven na mar.
[Elvish: The Sea calls us home]
Bilbo: I think I'm... quite ready for another adventure.
[Climbs on board with Elrond. Galadriel gets on boat with Celeborn]
Gandalf: Farewell... my brave Hobbits. My work is now finished. Here at last, on the shores of the sea... comes the end of our Fellowship. I will not say, Do not weep... not all tears are an evil.
[Heads to the ship, then turns around, waiting]
Gandalf: It is time, Frodo.
Sam: What does he mean?
Frodo: We set out to save the Shire, Sam. And it has been saved. But not for me.
Sam: You don't mean that. You can't leave.
Legolas: The horses are restless, and the men are quiet.
Gimli: There's plenty for the both of us, may the best Dwarf win.
Legolas: The stars are veiled. Something stirs in the East. A sleepless malice. The eye of the enemy is moving. He is HERE.
Sam: Give me your hand. Take my hand. Don't you let go. Don't let go... *Reach!*
Aragorn: Behold! The sword of Elendil!
Gandalf: Go back to the abyss! Fall into nothingness that awaits you and your master!
Witch King: Do you not know death when you see it, old man? This is my hour!
[Eowyn hands Aragorn a goblet, he drinks and moves away]
Theoden: [to Eowyn] I am happy for you. He is an honorable man.
Eowyn: You are both honorable men.
Theoden: It was not Theoden of Rohan who led our people to victory.
Gimli: What kind of army would linger in such a place?
Legolas: One that is cursed. Long ago the men of the mountain swore an oath to the last king of Gondor, to come to his aid, to fight. But when the time came, when Gondor's need was dire, they fled, vanishing into the darkness of the mountain. And so Isildur cursed them, never to rest until they had fulfilled their pledge. Who shall call them from the gray twilight, the forgotten people?
Denethor: Is there a captain here who still has the courage to do his lord's will?
Faramir: You wish now that our places had been exchanged... that I had died and Boromir had lived.
Denethor: Yes.
[whispering]
Denethor: I wish that.
Faramir: Since you are robbed of Boromir... I will do what I can in his stead.
[Bows and turns to leave]
Faramir: If I should return, think better of me, Father.
Denethor: That will depend on the manner of your return.
Eowyn: He has just as much reason to go to war as you do. Why can he not fight for those he loves?
Aragorn: Long have you hunted me, long have I eluded you. No more. Behold! The Sword of Elendil!
Gamling: He leaves because there is no hope.
Theoden: He leaves because he must.
Gamling: Too few have come. We cannot defeat the armies of Mordor.
Theoden: No. We cannot. But we will meet them in battle nonetheless.
Gandalf: Now come the days of the King!
[whispers]
Gandalf: May they be blessed.
Denethor: Why do the fools fly? Better to die sooner than late. For die we must.
Pippin: But we'll see each other soon. Won't we?
Merry: I don't know. I don't know what is going to happen.
Pippin: Merry...
Gandalf: Run, Shadowfax. Show us the meaning of haste.
Pippin: Merry!
[Shadowfax gallops off, carrying Gandalf and Pippin away]
Aragorn: For Frodo!
Denethor: [to Faramir, about his loyalty] Ever you desire to appear lordly and gracious as a king of old. Boromir would have remembered his father's need. He would have brought me a kingly gift.
Faramir: Boromir would not have brought the Ring. He would have stretched out his hand to this thing, and taking it, he would have fallen.
Denethor: You know nothing of this matter!
Faramir: He would have kept it for his own! And when he returned, you would not have known your son.
Denethor: [jumping up angrily] Boromir was loyal to me! Not some wizard's pupil!
[Denethor cries and falls back into his chair; Faramir approaches him]
Faramir: Father?
[Denethor looks over Faramir's shoulder and smiles]
Denethor: My son!
[an image of Boromir appears behind Faramir. Boromir smiles and then the image fades. Denethor is left looking at Faramir. His mood shifts back to anger]
Denethor: Leave me!
[Faramir hesitates and departs]
[Aragorn readies to take the Paths of the Dead. He leads his horse towards the entrance and passes by Gimli, who stops him]
Gimli: Where do you think you're going?
Aragorn: Not this time, Gimli. This time you must stay.
[Legolas walks up to them, leading his horse]
Legolas: Have you learned nothing of the stubbornness of Dwarves?
Gimli: You may as well accept it. We're going with you, laddy.
Pippin: Here do I swear fealty and service to Gondor. In peace or war. In living or dying. F... f... from this hour henceforth, until my lord release me... or death take me.
Denethor: And I shall not forget it. Nor fail to reward that which is given. Fealty with love, valor with honor, disloyalty with vengeance.
Faramir: Mithrandir! They broke through our defenses! They've taken the bridge and the west bank. Battalions of Orcs are crossing the river.
Irolas: It is as the Lord Denethor predicted. Long has he forseen this doom.
Gandalf: Forseen and done nothing!
Frodo: [hands Sam the book] The last pages are for you, Sam.
Pippin: [pulls sword from scabbard] So I imagine this is just a... ceremonial possession? I mean, they don't actually expect me to do any fighting... Do they?
Gandalf: You're in the service of the Steward now. You'll have to do as you're told, Peregrin Took.
[shakes his head]
Gandalf: Guard of the Citadel.
Sam: [Frodo stops walking] Mr. Frodo? What is it?
Frodo: Just a thought... I don't think I'm going to be returning.
Sam: Of course you are. That's just morbid thinking, that is.
Sam: I'm sorry to wake you, Mr. Frodo. We have to be moving on.
[Slowly Frodo gets up, his voice sounding wearied]
Frodo: It's dark still...
Sam: It's always dark here.
Sam: [Frodo is being drawn toward Cirith Ungol] No, Mr. Frodo!
Gollum: [in a panic] Not that way! Oh! What's he doing?
Denethor: My sons are spent. My line has ended. Rohan has deserted us. Theoden's betrayed me. Abandon your posts! Flee, flee for your lives!
[He turns around, and Gandalf knocks him out with his staff]
Gandalf: Prepare for battle!
Pippin: How far is Minas Tirith?
Gandalf: Three days' ride, as the Nazgul flies, and you'd better hope we don't have one of those on our tail.
Sam: I heard it from his own mouth! He means to murder us!
Gollum: Never! Smeagol wouldn't hurt a fly!
Gothmog: The Age of Men is over. The Time of the Orc has come.
Gandalf: Peregrin Took, there is a task now to be done. Another opportunity for one of the Shirefolk to prove their great worth. You must not fail me.
Sam: You can't go walking through Mordor in naught but your skin.
Gandalf: Faramir? This is not the first halfing to have crossed your path.
Faramir: No.
Pippin: You've seen Frodo and Sam?
Gandalf: Where? When?
Faramir: In Ithilien. Not two days ago. Gandalf, they're taking the road to the Morgul Vale.
Gandalf: And then the pass of Cirith Ungol.
Pippin: What does that mean? What's wrong?
Gandalf: Faramir, tell me everything.
Frodo: My dear Sam. You cannot always be torn in two. You will have to be one and whole for many years. You have so much to enjoy and to be and to do. Your part in the story will go on.
Theoden: I take my leave.
Aragorn: My Lord Elrond.
Elrond: I come on behalf of one whom I love. Arwen is dying. She will not long survive the evil that now spreads from Mordor. The light of the Evenstar is failing. As Sauron's power grows, her strength wanes. Arwen's life is now tied to the fate of the Ring. The Shadow is upon us, Aragorn. The end has come.
Aragorn: It will not be our end but his.
Gollum: Wake up. Wake up. Wake up, sleepies. We must go, yeeees, we must go at once.
Sam: Haven't you had any sleep, Mr. Frodo?
[Frodo shakes his head]
Sam: I've gone and had too much... it must be getting late.
Frodo: No, it isn't. It isn't midday, yet. The days are growing darker.
Gollum: Come on! We must go, no time!
Sam: Not before Mr. Frodo's had something to eat.
Gollum: [impatiently] No time to lose, silly!
Sam: [Gives Frodo lembas] Here.
Frodo: What about you?
Sam: Oh, no, I'm not hungry. Leastways, not for lembas bread.
Frodo: Sam...
Sam: All right... we don't have that much left. We have to be careful, we don't want to run out. You go ahead and eat that, Mr. Frodo. I've rationed it... there should be enough.
Frodo: Enough for what?
Sam: The journey home.
Frodo: What is this place?
Gollum: Master must go inside the tunnel.
Frodo: Now that I'm here, I don't think I want to.
Theoden: I have left instruction. The people are to follow your rule in my stead. Take up my seat in the Golden Hall. Long may you defend Edoras if the battle goes ill.
Eowyn: What other duty would you have me do?
Theoden: Duty? No... I would have you smile again, not grieve for those whose time has come. You shall live to see these days renewed. No more despair.
Frodo: The Ring is mine.
Sam: [tearing the spider silk away from Frodo's face] Oh no! Frodo... Mr. Frodo, wake up... Don't leave me here alone. Don't go where I can't follow... Wake up.
Sam: It must be getting near tea-time, leastways in decent places where there *is* still tea-time.
Gollum: We're not *in* decent places.
[first lines]
Deagol: Smeagol, I've got one! I've got a fish, Smeag. Smeagol!
Smeagol: Pull it in. Go on. Go on. Go on. Pull it in.
[Aragorn dreams of a pale, dying Arwen]
Arwen: I wish I could have seen him again, one last time.
Merry: [triumphantly, as Barad-Dur crumbles] Frodo! Frodo!
Smeagol: ...and take it for ME.
Gollum: For us.
Smeagol: Yes, we... we meant for us.
Witch King: Feast on his flesh.
Frodo: We set out to save the Shire, Sam and it has been saved - but not for me.
Gollum: She's always hungry. She always needs to feed. She must eat. All she gets is nasty Orcses.
Smeagol: And they doesn't taste very nice, does they, Precious?
Gollum: No. Not very nice at all, my love.
Merry: 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 impatiently walks away]
Pippin: Merry?
Merry: Come on.
Gandalf: Of all the inquisitive Hobbits, Peregrin Took, you are the worst.
[Merry gives Pippin a tobacco pouch at their parting]
Pippin: The last of the Longbottom leaf?
Merry: I know you've run out. You smoke too much, Pip.
Gandalf: We come to it, at last. The great battle of our time.
Sam: You miserable little maggot. I'll stove your head in!
Eowyn: Courage, Merry, courage for our friends.
King of the Dead: Release us.
Gimli: Bad idea. Very handy in a tight spot, these lads, despite the fact they're dead.
Gandalf: Authority is not given to you to deny the return of the king, *Steward*.
Denethor: The rule of Gondor is mine! And no other's!
Denethor: He is burning... already burning.
Pippin: He's not dead! He's not dead!
[Denethor drags him out]
Pippin: No! No! He's not dead! Stop!
Denethor: Farewell, Peregrin, son of Paladin... I release you from my service. Go now and die in what way seems best to you.
Pippin: It's so quiet.
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.
Denethor: No tomb for Denethor and Faramir. No long, slow sleep of death embalmed. We shall burn, like the heathen kings of old. Bring wood and oil.
Gorbag: [as he and Shagrat come upon Frodo's body] What's this? Looks like old Shelob has been having a bit of fun.
Shagrat: Killed another one, has she?
Gorbag: [he examines Frodo's body] No... this fellow ain't dead.
Sam: [to himself, in tears] Not dead!
Gorbag: She jabs them with her stinger and they go as limp as a boned fish. Then she has her way with them. That's how she likes to feed-fresh blood. Take him to the tower!
[the Orcs begin to drag Frodo away]
Sam: Samwise, you fool!
Smeagol: Naughty little fly, Why does it cry, Caught in a web, Soon to be... eaten!
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.
Galadriel: This task was appointed to you, Frodo of the Shire. If you do not find a way, no one will.
Aragorn: What say you? What say you? I am Isildur's heir. Fight for me. And I will hold your oaths fulfilled. What say you?
Elrond: You ride to war, but not to victory. Sauron's armies march on Minas Tirith, this you know. But in secret he sends another force which will attack from the river. A fleet of Corsairs ships sails from the south. They reach the city in two days.
Saruman: What is the house of Rohan but a thatched barn where brigands drink in the reek and rats roll on the floor with the dogs? The victory at Helm's Deep does not belong to you, Théoden, horsemaster! You are a lesser son of greater sires.
Elrond: You gave away your life's grace. I cannot protect you anymore.
Theoden: Six thousand spears. Less than half of what I'd hoped for.
Aragorn: Six thousand will not be enough to break the lines of Mordor.
Theoden: More will come.
Aragorn: Every hour lost hastens Gondor's defeat. We have 'til dawn, then we must ride.
Pippin: But we have the White Wizard. That's got to count for something.
Aragorn: I will go.
Gandalf: No.
Aragorn: They must be warned.
Gandalf: They will be.
Gandalf: Send these foul beasts into the abyss.
[Frodo drinks the last drops of water from Sam's waterskin]
Frodo: There'll be none left for the return journey.
Sam: I don't think there will be a return journey, Mr. Frodo.
Gimli: That road there... where does that lead?
Legolas: It is the road to the Dimholt, the door under the mountain.
Eomer: None who venture there ever return. That mountain is evil.
Pippin: It's the tree. Gandalf! Gandalf!
Gandalf: Yes the white tree of Gondor. The tree of the King. Lord Denethor, however, is not the king. He is a steward only, a caretaker of the throne.
Gandalf: This will be the end of Gondor as we know it. Here the hammer-stroke will fall hardest.
[Aragorn is looking toward the paths of the dead, when Gimli interrupts]
Gimli: Aragorn, let's find some food.
Gollum: [singing] Naughty little fly. Why does he cry? Caught in a web. Soon you'll be... eaten.
Smeagol: Give us that, Deagol my love.
Deagol: Why?
Smeagol: Because it's my birthday, and I wants it.
Gollum: Wake up. Wake up. Wake up, sleepies. We must go, yeeees, we must go at once.
Sam: Haven't you had any sleep, Mr. Frodo?
[Frodo shakes his head]
Sam: I've gone and had too much... it must be getting late.
Frodo: No, it's not. It's not midday, yet. The days are growing darker.
Gollum: We must go.
Sam: Not until Mr. Frodo has had something to eat.
Gollum: No time to lose, silly.
Sam: [Gives Frodo lembas bread] Here, eat this.
Frodo: What about you?
Sam: I'm not hungry. Leastways, not for lembas bread.
Frodo: Sam...
Sam: All right... we don't have that much left. You go ahead and eat that, Mr. Frodo. I've rationed it... there should be enough left.
Frodo: For what?
Sam: The journey home.
Frodo: You can't help me anymore.
Sam: You don't mean that.
Frodo: Go home.
Gimli: They had no honor in life. They have none now in death.
Bilbo: Tell me again, lad... where are we going?
Frodo: To the harbor, Bilbo. The elves have accorded you a special honor; a place on the last ship to leave Middle Earth.
Bilbo: Frodo... Any chance of seeing that old ring again? Hmm? The one I gave you?
Frodo: I'm sorry, uncle... I'm afraid I lost it.
Bilbo: Oh... Pity. Should have liked to have held it one last time.
Gothmog: [sniffs] Fear. The city is rank with it. Let us ease their suffering.
Frodo: I need you on my side.
Sam: I'm on your side, Mr Frodo.
Frodo: I know you are, Sam.
Gandalf: Hail Denethor, son of Ecthelion, Lord and Steward of Gondor.
Sam: Sam: what are you up to? Sneaking off are we?
Gollum: Gollum: Sneaking? Sneaking? Fat hobbit is always so polite. Smeagol shows them secret way that nobody else could find. And they say sneak! Sneak? Very nice friend oh yes My Precious very nice...
Sam: Sam: All right all right! You just startled me is all. What were you doing?
Gollum: Gollum: Sneaking.
Sam: Sam: Fine have it your own way. I'm sorry to wake you Mr Frodo, we have to be moving on.
Frodo: Frodo: It's dark still
Sam: Sam: It's always dark here. It's gone! The elven bread!
Frodo: Frodo: what? That's all we have left.
Sam: Sam: He took it! He must have!
Gollum: Gollum: Smeagol? Oh no not poor Smeagol. Smeagol hates nasty elf bread
Sam: Sam: You're a lying wretch. What did you do with it?
Frodo: Frodo: He doesn't eat it. He can't have taken it.
Gollum: Gollum: Look. What's this? Crumbs on his jacketses. He took it! He took it! I seen him
Sam: Sam: That's a filthy lie! 'hits Gollum to the ground and starts to wail on him'
Frodo: Frodo: Sam! Stop it. Sam, no! 'Falls against the rock wall'
Sam: Sam: Oh my! I'm sorry. I didn't mean it to go so far I was just so, so angry. Here, let's just rest a bit.
Frodo: Frodo: I'm all right
Sam: Sam: No. No you're not all right. It's that Gollum. It's this place. It's that thing around your neck. I could help a bit. I could carry it for a while... Share the load
Frodo: Frodo: Get away! 'pushes Sam and stands up'
Sam: Sam: I don't wanna keep it. I just wanna help
Gollum: Gollum: See? See? He wants it for himself
Sam: Sam: 'stands up' Shutup you! Go away. Get out of here
Frodo: Frodo: No Sam, it's you. I'm sorry Sam.
Sam: Sam: But he's a liar. He's poisoned you against me
Frodo: Frodo: You can't help me anymore
Gandalf: Fight! Fight to the last man! Fight for your lives!
Gandalf: Hold them back! Do not give in to fear! Stand to your posts! FIGHT!
Sam: [about Gollum] You don't see it, do you? He's a villain.
Denethor: I am the servant of the house of Anarion. Thus I have walked... thus now I will asleep.
[Gandalf is fighting and sees a moth. He looks up to see... ]
Pippin: Eagles! The eagles are coming!
Gandalf: Not at the towers! Aim for the trolls! Kill the trolls! Bring them down!
Sam: It's that Gollum, it's this place, it's that thing around your neck. I could help a bit, I could carry it, share the load...
Frodo: GET AWAY!
Sam: I don't want to keep it. I just want to help.
Witch King: Send forth all legions. Do not stop the attack until the city is taken. Slay them all.
Gothmog: What of the wizard?
Witch King: I will break him.
Gandalf: If the beacons of Gondor are lit, Rohan must be ready for war.
Theoden: Tell me, why should we ride to the aid of those who did not come to ours? What do we owe Gondor?
[Gollum and Frodo stand in front of a tunnel opening, and Frodo hesitates to go in]
Gollum: It's the only way. Go in, or go back.
Frodo: I cannot go back.
[to Smeagol, outside Shelob's lair]
Frodo: I have to destroy it, Smeagol. I have to destroy it for both our sakes.
Gandalf: So passes Denethor, son of Ecthelion.
Gandalf: Our enemy is ready, his full strength gathered. Not only orcs, but men as well: legions of Haradrim from the south, mercenaries from the coast. All will answer Mordor's call.
Sam: [to Shelob] Let him go, you filth. Let him go! You will not touch him again!
Merry: Excuse me? I have a sword. Please accept it.
[kneels]
Merry: I offer you my service, Theoden King.
Theoden: [raises him to his feet] And gladly, I accept it. You shall be Meriadoc, Esquire of Rohan.
Gandalf: I ride for Minas Tirith...
[looks at Pippin]
Gandalf: ...and I won't be going alone.
Theoden: Grimbold, how many?
Grimbold: I bring 500 from the Westfold, my lord.
Gamling: We have 300 more from Fenmarch, Theoden King.
Theoden: Where are the riders of Snowbourn?
Gamling: None have come, my lord.
Theoden: Tonight we remember those who gave their blood to defend this country. Hail the victorious dead.
All: Hail!
Gandalf: Frodo has passed beyond my sight. The darkness is deepening.
Aragorn: If Sauron had the Ring, we would know it.
Gandalf: It's only a matter of time.
Shagrat: This scum will be awake in a couple of hours.
Gorbag: And then he'll wish he'd never been born.
Galadriel: [he remembers her words to him] And for you, Frodo Baggins, I give you the light of Earendil our most beloved star. May it be a light to you in dark places when all other lights go out.
Frodo: Aiya Earendil Elenion Ancalima.
Gothmog: Release the prisoners!
Orc Lieutenant 1: Catapults!
[the catapults fling dozens of severed heads into the city]

Popular Movies view all

The Shawshank Redemption The Godfather The Godfather: Part II The Dark Knight The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Schindler\'s List Pulp Fiction Fight Club 12 Angry Men The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back Inception