The Return of the King — Sketch Card Reveal
Part 3: The Witch-King of Angmar – Faramir's Loyalty
It must be getting near teatime. Leastways, it would be in decent places where there is still teatime.
We're not in decent places.
Mister Frodo? What is it?
It's just a feeling. I don't think I'll be coming back.
Yes you will, of course you will. That's just morbid thinking.
We're goin there and back again, just like Mister Bilbo. You'll see.
I think these lands were once part of the kingdom of Gondor. Long ago, when there was a king.
Mister Frodo, look. The king has got a crown again.
Come on, Hobbits! Mustn't stop now. This way.
So I imagine this is just a ceremonial position.
I mean, they don't actually expect me to do any fighting… do they?
You're in the service of the Steward now; you're going to have to do as you're told, Peregrin Took.
Ridiculous Hobbit. 'Guard of the Citadel.'
There's no more stars. Is it time?
Yes.
It's so quiet.
It's the deep breath before the plunge.
I don't want to be in a battle, but waiting on the edge of one I can't escape is even worse! Is there any hope, Gandalf? For Frodo and Sam?
There never was much hope. Just a fool's hope.
Our enemy is ready, his full strength gathers. Not only orcs, but men as well, legions of Haradrim from the South, mercenaries from the coast… all will answer Mordor's call.
Come on!
This will be the end of Gondor as we know it. Here the hammer stroke will fall the hardest. If the river is taken, if the garrison at Osgiliath falls, the last defense of this city will be gone.
But we have the White Wizard… that's got to count for something. Gandalf?
Sauron has yet to reveal his deadliest servant. The one who would lead Mordor's armies in war. The one they say no living man can kill: the Witch-King of Angmar.
You've met him before. He stabbed Frodo on Weathertop.
He is the lord of the Nazgûl, the greatest of the nine. Minas Morgul is his lair.
The Dead City… very nasty place… full of… enemies.
Quick! Quick! They will see! They will see! Come away! Come away!
Look! We have found it, the way into Mordor. The Secret Stairs! Climb!
No! Mister Frodo!
Not that way! What's it doing?
No!
They're calling me.
I can feel his blade.
We come to it at last, the great battle of our time.
Hurry, hobbits! We climb! We must climb!
The board is set. The pieces are moving.
Up, up, up the stairs we go. And then it's into the tunnel.
Hey, what's in this tunnel?
You listen to me and you listen good and proper.
Anything happens to him, you have me to answer to.
One sniff something's not right, one hair stands up on the back of my head, it's over. No more slinker. No more stinker. You're gone. Got it?
I'm watching you.
What was that about?
Nothing, just clearing something up.
Peregrin Took, my lad, there is a task now to be done. Another opportunity for one of the Shire-folk to prove their great worth.
You must not fail me.
It's been very quiet across the river. The Orcs are lying low. The garrison may have moved out. We've sent scouts to Cair Andros. If the Orcs attack from the north, we'll have some warning.
Quiet!
We need ten more.
Kill him!
They're not coming from the north.
To the river! Quick, quick! Come on!
Faster! Draw swords!
Fight, Fight!
Amon Dîn.
The beacon! The beacon of Amon Dîn is lit!
Hope is rekindled.
The Beacons of Minas Tirith! The Beacons are lit!
Gondor calls for aid!
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.
Gamling…
Lord.
"Make haste across the Riddermark. Summon every able-bodied man to Dunharrow.
You ride with us?
Just to the encampment. It's tradition for the women of the court to farewell the men.
The men have found their captain, they will follow you into battle, even to death. You have given us hope.
Excuse me. I have a sword. Please accept it.
I offer you my service, Theoden King.
And gladly I accept it. You shall be Meriadoc, esquire of Rohan.
Horsemen, hmph! I wish I could muster a legion of Dwarves, fully armed and filthy.
Your kinsmen may have no need to ride to war. I fear war already marches on their own lands.
So it is before the walls of Minas Tirith, the doom of our time will be decided.
Now is the hour, Riders of Rohan, oaths you have taken! Now, fulfill them all! To Lord and Land!
Faramir!
We can't hold them! The city is lost.
Tell the men to break cover. We ride to Minas Tirith.
Nazgûl! Take cover!
Pull back! Pull back to Minas Tirith!
Retreat! Retreat!
This way!
The age of Men is over. The time of the Orc has come.
It's the White Rider!
Mithrandir! They broke our defenses. They've taken the bridge and the West bank. Battalions of orcs are crossing the river.
It is as Lord Denethor predicted! Long has he foreseen this doom!
Foreseen and done nothing!
Faramir? This is not the first halfling to have crossed your path?
No.
You've seen Frodo and Sam!
Where? When?
In Ithilien, not two days ago. Gandalf, they're taking the road to the Morgul Vale.
And then the Pass of Cirith Ungol.
What does that mean? What's wrong?
Faramir, tell me everything. Tell me all you know.
This is how you would serve your city? You would risk its utter ruin?
I did what I judged to be right.
What you judged to be right? You sent the Ring of Power into Mordor in the hands of a witless halfling.
It should have been brought back to the Citadel to be kept safe. Hidden. Dark and deep in the vaults, not to be used. Unless at the uttermost… end of need.
I would not use the Ring. Not if Minas Tirith were falling in ruin and I alone could save her.
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.
Boromir would not have brought the Ring. He would have stretched out his hand to this thing and taken it. He would've fallen.
You know nothing of this matter!
He would have kept it for his own! And when he returned, you would not have known your son.
Boromir was loyal to me! Not some wizard's pupil!
Father?
My son!
Leave me!
Careful, master! Very far to fall! Very dangerous on the stairs. Come, master! Come to Sméagol!
Mister Frodo!
Get back, you! Don't touch him!
Why does he hates poor Sméagol? What has Sméagol ever done to him?
Master, Master carries a heavy burden. Sméagol knows. Heavy, heavy burden. Fat one cannot know. Let Sméagol look after Master.
He wants It. He needs It, Sméagol sees it in his eyes!
Very soon he will ask you for It! You will see! The fat one will take It from you!
Send forth all legions. Do not stop the attack until the city is taken. Slay them all.
What of the wizard?
I will break him.
Where are Théoden's riders?
Will Rohan's army come? Mithrandir?
Courage is the best defense that you have now.
What were you thinking, Peregrin Took? What service can a Hobbit offer such a great lord of Men?
It was well done.
A generous deed should not be checked with cold counsel. You are to join the tower guard.
I didn't think they would find any livery that would fit me.
Once belonged to a young boy of the city. A very foolish one who wasted many hours slaying dragons instead of attending to his studies.
This was yours?
Yes, it was mine. My father had it made for me.
Well… I'm taller than you were then. Though I'm not likely to grow anymore, except sideways.
Never fitted me either. Boromir was always the soldier. They were so alike, he and my father. Proud. Stubborn even. But strong.
I think you have strength of a different kind. And one day your father will see it.
Here do I swear fealty and service to Gondor. In peace or war. In living or dying. Fr… from… from… from this hour henceforth, until my lord release me, or death… take me.
And I shall not forget it. Nor fail to reward that which is given.
Fealty with love. Valor with honor." (to Faramir) "Disloyalty with vengeance.
I do not think we should so lightly abandon the outer defenses. Defenses that your brother long held intact.
What would you have me do?
I will not yield the river and Pelennor unfought. Osgiliath must be retaken.
My lord, Osgiliath is overrun.
Much must be risked in war. Is there a Captain here who still has the courage to do his lord's will?
You wish now that our places had been exchanged. That I had died and Boromir had lived.
Yes. I wish that.
Since you are robbed of Boromir, I will do what I can in his stead.
If I should return, think better of me, father.
That will depend on the manner of your return.
