LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RINGS

TRANSCRIPT

Based on and corrected from transcript found on fanfiction.net

originally transcribed by Elisabeth Kerrigan

 GALADRIEL (V.O.)

I amar prestar aen       

The world is changed.

han mathon ne nen

I feel it in the water.

han mathon ne chae

 I feel it in the earth

a han noston ne 'wilith.

 I smell it in the air.

 Much that once was is lost,

for none now live who remember it.

 It began with the forging of the great Rings.

Three were given to the Elves, immortal,

 wisest and fairest of all beings.

Seven to the Dwarflords, great miners and

 craftsmen of the mountain halls.

And nine, nine rings were gifted to the race of Men,

who above all else desire power.

For within these rings was bound the strength

and will to govern each race.

But they were all of them deceived, for another Ring was made.

In the land of Mordor, in the fires of Mount Doom, the Dark Lord

 Sauron forged in secret a Master Ring to control all others, and

 into this ring he poured his cruelty, his

 malice and his will to dominate all life.

One Ring to rule them all.

One by one,  the free lands of Middle Earth fell to the

 power of the Ring, but there were some who

 resisted. A last alliance of Men and Elves

 marched against the armies of Mordor, and on

 the slopes of Mount Doom, they fought for

 the freedom of Middle-Earth.

ELROND commands the Elven archers

Tangado haid! Hado i philinn!     (Hold [your] positions! Fire the arrows!)

SAURON appears.

 GALADRIEL (V.O.)

Victory was near,

 but the power of the Ring could not be undone.

SAURON crushes a dozen opponents with each blow of his

 huge mace.

 GALADRIEL (V.O.)

 It was in this moment, when all hope had

 faded, that Isildur, son of the king, took up

 his father's sword.

 ISILDUR picks up ELENDIL's sword, SAURON breaks it, but ISILDUR uses

 the broken blade to cut off SAURON'S fingers, and the RING.

 GALADRIEL (V.O.)

 Sauron, the enemy of the free peoples of Middle-Earth, was defeated.

The Ring passed to Isildur, who had this one chance to destroy

 evil forever, but the hearts of men are easily corrupted.

And the ring of power has a will of its own.

It betrayed Isildur, to his death.

 ISILDUR attacked by orcs, dies in the river, and the

 RING is lost in the water.

 GALADRIEL (V.O.)

 And some things that should not have been

 forgotten were lost. History became legend.

 Legend became myth. And for two and a half thousand

 years, the ring passed out of all knowledge.

 Until, when chance came, it ensnared

 another bearer.

 GOLLUM finds the RING in the riverbed.

 GOLLUM

 My Precious...

 GALADRIEL (V.O.)

 The ring came to the creature Gollum, who took

 it deep into the tunnels of the Misty

 Mountains, and there it consumed him.

 GOLLUM

 It came to me, my own, my love, my Precious.

 GALADRIEL (V.O.)

 The ring brought to Gollum unnatural long life.

 For five hundred years it poisoned his mind,

 and in the gloom of Gollum's cave it waited.

 Darkness crept back into the forests of the

 world. Rumour grew of a shadow in the East,

 whispers of a nameless fear, and the Ring of

 Power perceived its time had now come. It

 abandoned Gollum, but something happened then

the Ring did not intend. It was picked up

 by the most unlikely creature imaginable. A

 hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, of the Shire.

 BILBO

 What's this? A Ring!

 GOLLUM

 Lost! My Precious is lost!

 GALADRIEL (V.O.)

 For the time will soon come when hobbits will

 shape the fortunes of all.

 The Shire, 60 years later

 FRODO reading a book under a tree, hears GANDALF approach

 singing. Runs to meet him.

 FRODO

 You're late.

 GANDALF

 A wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins, nor is

 he early. He arrives precisely when he means to.

 They both try to keep a straight face, and fail. FRODO

 throws himself into GANDALF'S arms for a hug.

 FRODO

 It's wonderful to see you, Gandalf.

 GANDALF

 You didn't think I'd miss your Uncle Bilbo's birthday?

 FRODO

 What news of the outside world? Tell me everything.

 GANDALF

 Everything? Far too eager and curious for  a

 Hobbit. Most unnatural. Well, what can I tell you? Life in the wide

 world goes on, much as it has this past age,

 full of its own comings and goings, scarcely

 aware of the existence of Hobbits. For which I

 am very thankful.

 The HOBBITS in the Hobbiton town square shout out welcomes to Gandalf.

They pass a field where tents and a banner are being set up.

 GANDALF

 Ooh, the long-expected party.

How is the old  rascal? I hear it's going to be a party of

 special magnificence.

 FRODO

 You know Bilbo. He's got the whole place in an uproar.

 GANDALF

 Ah well, that should please him.

 FRODO

 Half the Shire's been invited. He's up to something.

 GANDALF

Oh, really?

 FRODO

 All right then, keep your secrets. Before you came

 along, we Bagginses were very well thought of.

 Never had any adventures or did anything unexpected.

 GANDALF

 If you're referring to the incident with the

 dragon, I was barely involved. All I did was give your

 uncle a little nudge out of the door.

 FRODO

 Whatever you did, you've been officially

 labeled a disturber of the peace.

 A group of HOBBIT children see GANDALF and come running.

 CHILDREN

 Gandalf, Gandalf! Fireworks, Gandalf!

 GANDALF pretends he won't, but he sets off a butterfly

 firework for them. A man's smile at the

 children's delight turns to a more socially acceptable

 frown when his wife joins him in their garden.

 FRODO

 Gandalf, I'm glad you're back.

 FRODO jumps off the wagon.

 GANDALF

 So am I, dear boy.

So am I.

 GANDALF stops his wagon in front of Bag End, passes a sign

 'No Admittance Except on Party Business', and knocks on the

 door with his staff. A disgruntled voice comes from within.

 BILBO

 No thank you! We don't want any more visitors, well-

 wishers, or distant relations!

 GANDALF

 And what about very old friends?

 BILBO

 Gandalf?

 GANDALF

 Bilbo Baggins!

 BILBO

 My dear Gandalf!

 GANDALF

Good to see you! One hundred and eleven years old!

Who would believe it? You haven't aged a day.

 BILBO

 Come on, come in!. Welcome, welcome. Tea?

Or maybe something a little stronger.

I got a few bottles of the Old Winyard left.

1296, very good year! Almost as old as I am!

It was laid down by my father. What say we open one, hey?

 BILBO puts GANDALF'S hat and staff away.

 GANDALF

 Just tea, thank you.

 GANDALF knocks the chandelier, steadies it, and hits his

 head on the beam when he turns around.

 BILBO (faintly from inside the house)

 I was expecting you to arrive last week, not that it matters, you come and go as you please,

always have done and always will... You caught me a bit unprepared, I'm afraid

 BILBO gathers food while GANDALF looks at

the maps spread out on BILBO'S table.

 BILBO

There's some cheese here...

(mumbled)

 I can make you some eggs if you like...

 BILBO comes into the room, but GANDALF isn't there.

 GANDALF appears from behind him.

 GANDALF

 Just tea, thank you.

 BILBO

Oh, right, you don't mind if I eat?

 BILBO has a mouthful of food already.

 GANDALF

 Oh, no, not at all.

 Someone knocks on the door.

 BILBO

 I'm not at home! I got to get away from these

 confounded relatives hanging on the bell all

 day, never giving me a moment's peace. I want to

 see mountains again, mountains, Gandalf! And

 then find somewhere quiet where I can finish my

 book. Oh, tea.

 GANDALF

 So you mean to go through with your plan, then?

 BILBO

 Yes, yes, it's all in hand. All the arrangements are made.

 GANDALF

 Frodo suspects something.

 BILBO

 Of course he does, he's a Baggins, not some

blockheaded Bracegirdle from Hardbottle!

 GANDALF

 You will tell him, won't you?

 BILBO

 Yes, yes.

 GANDALF

 He's very fond of you.

 BILBO

 I know. He'd probably come with me if I asked him.

I think in his heart Frodo is still in love with the Shire.

The woods, the fields, little rivers. I'm old, Gandalf.

I know I don't look it, but I'm beginning to feel it in my heart.

I feel thin, sort of stretched, like butter scraped over

too much bread. I need a holiday, a very long holiday,

and I don't expect I shall return. In fact, I mean not to!

 BILBO and GANDALF sit outside Bag-End, smoking.

 BILBO

 Old Toby! The finest weed in the Southfarthing.

 BILBO blows a smoke-ring, GANDALF blows a ship, which

 sails through the ring.

 BILBO

 Gandalf, my old friend, this will be a night

 to remember!

 GANDALF sets off fireworks - a tree,

a fountain that comes back down again with a hiss like a hundred hot snakes.

 FRODO sits down next to SAM.

 FRODO

 Go on, Sam, ask Rosie for a dance!

 SAM is too shy.

 SAM

 I think I'll just have another ale.

 FRODO

 Oh, no you don't!

Go on!

 FRODO shoves SAM at ROSIE, they dance off

 BILBO is telling his story to the HOBBIT children.

 BILBO

 So there I was, at the mercy of three

 monstrous trolls, and they were all arguing amongst themselves about

 how they were going to cook us! Whether it be turned on a spit,

 or whether they should sit on us one by one and

 squash us into jelly! They spent so much time

 arguing the whithertos and the whyfors that the Sun's

 first light crept over the tops

 of the trees and turned them all into stone!

 GANDALF

 GANDALF returns to his wagon for more fireworks and

sets off a butterflies firework, which the children try to catch.

After he leaves, MERRY and PIPPIN come out to steal one of their

 own. MERRY gives PIPPIN a boost into the wagon, where he

 roots around and comes up with one.

 MERRY

 No, no, the big one, big one!

 PIPPIN grabs the largest firework he can find, which is

 bright red and huge. They hurry into the tent, so they

 won't be caught with it. PIPPIN lights it.

 PIPPIN

 There!

 MERRY

 You're supposed to stick it in the ground!

 PIPPIN

 It is in the ground!

 MERRY

 Outside!

 PIPPIN

It was your idea!

 The firework goes off, taking the roof of the tent with

 it, and leaving MERRY and PIPPIN flat on the ground,

 covered in soot. The firework goes straight up, becomes a

 dragon's head, turns around, sprouts wings, and flies in

 low over the crowd. General panic. FRODO sees it coming and

 tries to warn BILBO.

 FRODO

 Bilbo, watch out for the dragon!

 BILBO

 Dragon? Nonsense, there hasn't been a dragon in these

 parts for a thousand years!

 They duck to avoid the dragon, which, having given

 everyone a good scare, dissolves into a spectacular shower

 of sparks. MERRY and PIPPIN observe the results and are

 well pleased.

 PIPPIN

 That was good!

 MERRY

 Let's get another one!

 GANDALF comes up behind and grabs MERRY and PIPPIN by

 their ears.

 GANDALF

 Meriadoc Brandybuck, and Peregrin Took.

I might have known.

 MERRY and PIPPIN end up washing dishes in penance. Several

 HOBBITS go by carrying an enormous cake laden with candles,

 and BILBO stands up.

 Speech! Bilbo! Speech!

 BILBO

 My dear Bagginses and Boffins, Tooks and

 Brandybucks, Grubbs, Chubbs, Hornblowers,

 Bolgers, Bracegirdles and Proudfoots!

 Proudfeet!

 BILBO

 Today is my one hundred and eleventh birthday!

 Alas, eleventy one years is far too short a

 time to live among such excellent and admirable

 hobbits! I don't know half of you half as well

 as I should like and I like less than half of

 you half as well as you deserve! I ha... I have things to do.

I've put this off for far too long.

 I  regret to announce this is the end! I'm going

 now. I bid you all a very fond farewell!

 Goodbye.

 BILBO puts on the ring and vanishes, to the astonishment

of everyone except GANDALF. Footsteps up the path to Bag End.

The door opens. BILBO appears, taking off the RING. He puts it in

his pocket and picks a walking staff. GANDALF has arrived before him.

 GANDALF

 I suppose you think that was terribly clever.

 BILBO

 Come on, Gandalf! Did you see their faces?

 GANDALF

 There are many magic rings in the

 world, Bilbo, and none of them should be used lightly!

 BILBO

 It was just a bit of fun. Oh, you're probably

 right, as usual.

 BILBO gathers some things to take with him.

 BILBO

 You will keep an eye on Frodo, won't you?

 GANDALF

 Two eyes, as often as I can spare them.

 BILBO

 I'm leaving everything to him.

 GANDALF

 What about this ring of yours, is that staying, too?

 BILBO

 Yes, yes, it's in an envelope, over there on the mantelpiece.

 GANDALF looks on the mantel.

 BILBO

 No. Wait, it's here in my pocket. Isn't that, isn't that

 odd, now? Yet, after all, why not? Why shouldn't I keep it?

 GANDALF

 I think you should leave the ring behind, Bilbo. Is that so hard?

 BILBO

 Well, no, and yes. Now it comes to it, I don't feel like parting with it! It's mine! I found it!

 It came to me!

 GANDALF

 There's no need to get angry.

 BILBO

 And what if I'm angry! It's your fault!

It's mine. My own, my precious...

 GANDALF

 Precious? It's been called that before, but not by you.

 BILBO

 What business is it of yours what I do with my own things?

 GANDALF

 I think you've had that ring quite long enough.

 BILBO

 You want it for yourself!

 A shadow draws around GANDALF, revealing

the power he usually keeps hidden.

 GANDALF

 Bilbo Baggins! Do not take me for some conjuror of cheap

 tricks! I am not trying to rob you! I'm trying to help you.

 The shadow retreats, and GANDALF is the kindly

old man again. BILBO runs to him.

 GANDALF

 All your long years, we've been friends.

 Trust me as you once did. Let it go.

 BILBO

 You're right, Gandalf. The ring must go to Frodo.

It's late, and the road is long. Yes, it is time.

 BILBO gathers his pack and heads out the door. GANDALF

 stops him on the doorstep.

 GANDALF

 Bilbo, the ring is still in your pocket.

 BILBO

 Oh, yes.

 BILBO takes out the ring, holds it on his palm, and, with a

 great effort, turns his hand until the ring slips off and

 slams to the floor. BILBO walks out the door and takes a deep breath.

 BILBO

 I've thought of an ending for my book. 'And he

 lived happily ever after, to the end of his days.'

 GANDALF

 And I'm sure you will, my dear friend.

 BILBO

 Good bye, Gandalf.

 They shake hands, friends as always.

 GANDALF

 Goodbye, dear Bilbo.

 Exit BILBO, singing.

 GANDALF

 Until our next meeting.

 GANDALF reaches down to pick up the RING, sees the EYE,

 and leaves it where it is. He sits in front of the fire,

 thinking about BILBO'S words, and the Ring's history.

 BILBO

 It's mine, my own, my precious.

 GANDALF

 Riddles in the dark... Precious...

 FRODO calls from outside

 Bilbo!

 FRODO enters, sees the ring and picks it up.

 FRODO

 He's gone, hasn't he? He talked for so long about leaving,

I didn't think he'd really do it. Gandalf?

 GANDALF looks over, sees FRODO has the RING.

 GANDALF

 Bilbo's Ring. He's gone to stay with the

 Elves. He's left you Bag End, along with all

 his possessions. The Ring is yours now.

 GANDALF holds out an envelope, FRODO slips the RING

 inside. GANDALF seals it with wax.

 GANDALF

 Put it somewhere out of sight.

 FRODO

 Where are you going?

 GANDALF heads for the door.

 GANDALF

 There are some things that I must see to.

 FRODO

 What things?

 GANDALF

 Questions, questions that need answering.

 FRODO

 But you've only just arrived! I don't understand.

 GANDALF

 Neither do I. Keep it secret. Keep it safe.

BARAD-DUR, a voice screams 'Shire! Baggins!'

The NINE ride out the gate.

GANDALF rides to MINAS TIRITH,

sees fire over the mountains.

He looks through the library in the White City

and finds the manuscript of ISILDUR'S tale:

 The year 3434 of the Second Age. Here follows the account of Isildur,

High King of Gondor, and the finding of the Ring of Power.

It has come to me, the One Ring. It shall be an heirloom of

 my kingdom. All those who follow in my bloodline

shall be bound to its fate, for I will risk no hurt to the Ring.

It is precious to me, though I buy it with a great pain.

The markings upon the band begin to fade, the writing that at first was as

 clear as red flame has all but disappeared, a secret now that only fire can tell.

 A HOBBIT cutting wood is startled by a BLACK RIDER. His dog

 sensibly retreats into the house, barking all the while.

 RIDER

 Shire. Baggins.

 HOBBIT

 No Bagginses round here. They're all up in Hobbiton. That way.

 He follows his dog as the RIDER turns toward HOBBITON.

 FRODO returns home from the inn, and discovers the window is open.

GANDALF grabs his shoulder from behind.

 GANDALF

 Is it secret? Is it safe?

 FRODO gets out the envelope, GANDALF throws it in the fire.

 FRODO

 What are you doing?

The envelope burns away, revealing the RING.

GANDALF retrieves it from the fire with tongs.

 GANDALF

 Hold out your hand, Frodo. It's quite cool.

 What can you see? Can you see anything?

 FRODO

 Nothing. There's nothing. Wait. There are

 markings. It's some form of Elvish. I can't read it.

 GANDALF

 There are few who can. The language is that of

 Mordor, which I will not utter here.

 FRODO

 Mordor?

 GANDALF

 In the common tongue it says, 'One Ring to

 rule them all, one Ring to find them. One Ring

 to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.'

 GANDALF

 This is the One Ring, forged by the Dark Lord Sauron in the

 fires of Mount Doom. Taken by Isildur from the

hand of Sauron himself.

 FRODO

 Bilbo found it, in Gollum's cave.

 GANDALF

 Yes. For sixty years, the Ring lay quiet in Bilbo's

 keeping, prolonging his life, delaying old age.

 But no longer, Frodo. Evil is stirring in Mordor.

The Ring has awoken. It's heard its master's call.

 FRODO

 But he was destroyed. Sauron was destroyed.

 The RING whispers denial.

 GANDALF

 No, Frodo. The spirit of Sauron endured. His life-

 force is bound to the Ring, and the Ring

 survived. Sauron has returned. His orcs have

 multiplied. His fortress of Barad-Dur is rebuilt

in the land of Mordor. Sauron needs only this Ring

to cover all the lands in a second darkness. He is

seeking it, seeking it, all his thought is bent on it.

The Ring yearns above all else to return to the

hand of its master. They are one, the Ring and the

Dark Lord. Frodo, he must never find it.

 FRODO grabs the RING.

 FRODO

 All right, we put it away. We keep it hidden. We

never speak of it again. Nobody knows its here, do they?

 GANDALF is silent.

 FRODO

 Do they, Gandalf?

 GANDALF

 There is one other who knew that Bilbo had

 the Ring. I looked everywhere for the creature

 Gollum, but the Enemy found him first.

 GANDALF

 I don't know how long they tortured him, but

 amid the endless screamings and inane babble, they

 discerned two words. Shire. Baggins.

 FRODO

 Shire. Baggins. But that will lead them here!

 The RIDERS kill a night watchman. FRODO holds out the RING

 to GANDALF.

 FRODO

 Take it, Gandalf, take it! You must take it!

 GANDALF

 You cannot offer me this Ring!

 FRODO

 I am giving it to you!

 GANDALF

 Don't tempt me, Frodo! I dare not take it, not even to keep it safe!

Understand, Frodo. I would use this Ring from a desire to do good,

 but through me, it would wield a power too

great and terrible to imagine.

 FRODO

 But it cannot stay in the Shire!

 GANDALF

 No. No, it can't.

FRODO

 What must I do?

 GANDALF

 You must leave, and leave quickly.

 FRODO

 Where? Where do I go?

 GANDALF

 Get out of the Shire. Make for the village of Bree.

 FRODO

 Bree. What about you?

 GANDALF

 I will be waiting for you at the Inn of the Prancing Pony.

 FRODO

 And the Ring will be safe there?

 GANDALF

 I don't know, Frodo. I don't have any answers.

 I must see the head of my order. He is both wise

 and powerful. Trust me, Frodo, he will know what

 to do. You'll have to leave the name of Baggins

 behind you. That name is not safe outside the Shire.

Travel only by day, and stay off the road.

 FRODO

 I can cut across country easily enough.

 GANDALF stops, looking at FRODO, who is within minutes

 packed, cloaked, and ready for a long and dangerous journey.

 GANDALF

My dear Frodo. Hobbits really are amazing

 creatures. You can learn all that there is to

 know about their ways in a month, and yet after a

 hundred years they can still surprise you!

 They hear a noise outside the window.

 GANDALF

 Get down!

 FRODO drops to the floor, GANDALF reaches out the window with his

staff, hits something. He hauls SAM in by the scruff of his neck.

 GANDALF

 Confound you, Samwise Gamgee, have you been eavesdropping?

 SAM

 I ain't been dropping no eaves, sir, honest, I was just

cutting the grass under the window there, if you follow me.

 GANDALF

 A little late for trimming the verge, don't you think?

 SAM

 I heard raised voices.

 GANDALF

 What did you hear? Speak!

 SAM

 N-n-nothing important. That is, I heard a good deal

about a ring, and a dark lord, and something

about the end of the world, but please mister Gandalf sir

 don't hurt me, don't turn me into anything unnatural.

 GANDALF

 No? Perhaps not. I've thought of a better use for you.

 Dawn. GANDALF and FRODO walking, GANDALF leading his horse.

 GANDALF

 Come along, Samwise, keep up!

 SAM runs to catch up. The three stop under the trees.

 GANDALF

 Be careful, both of you. The enemy has many

 spies in his service. Birds, beasts. Is it safe?

 FRODO pats his pocket, where the RING is hidden.

 GANDALF

 Never put it on! For the agents of the Dark Lord

 will be drawn to its power. Always remember, Frodo, the Ring