Gondor Challenge

Will the White Tree of the King blossom once again? Witness as the rightful King of Gondor is crowned and a new age of peace begins in Middle-earth.

Gondor Virtual Challenge takes you on Aragorn's journey through the heart of the battle of Minas Tirith and towards the Black Gate for Man’s last stand against Sauron.

This challenge offers two routes: 70mi /112km (recommended for running and walking) and 662mi /1065km (recommended for cycling).

[The corsairs of Umbar sail upriver. Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas stand alone on the shore watching them.]

Aragorn: "You may go no further. You will not enter Gondor."

Corsair: "Who are you to deny us passage?"

Aragorn: "Legolas, fire a warning shot past the bosun's ear."

[Legolas prepares to fire.]

Gimli: "Mind your aim!"

[As he fires, Gimli nudges Legolas' bow, causing the arrow to hit a pirate square in the chest.]

Pete the Pirate: "Ah!" [dies]

Gimli: "Oh! That's it. We warned you. Prepare to be boarded."

[The sailors laugh at the threat.]

Corsair: "Boarded, by you and whose army?"

Aragorn: "This army."

[The King of the Dead appears and runs through Aragorn, leading his men in a charge to the ships. The sailors recoil and yell in terror.]

[On the other side of the city, the fleet of black ships pulls up along the Anduin River.]

Skully: "Late, as usual! Pirate scum! There's work that needs doing."

[The ships appear empty.]

Skully: "Come on, ya sea rats! Get out off your ships!"

[Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli leap out of the ships and onto land, making for the orcs. Skully and the Orcs are amused at the small assault.]

Gimli: "There are plenty for both of us! May the best dwarf win!"

[As they attack, the dead army appears behind them. The dead army overruns the Orcs.]

[On the other side of the city, the fleet of black ships pulls up along the Anduin River.]

Skully: "Late, as usual! Pirate scum! There's work that needs doing."

[The ships appear empty.]

Skully: "Come on, ya sea rats! Get out off your ships!"

[Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli leap out of the ships and onto land, making for the orcs. Skully and the Orcs are amused at the small assault.]

Gimli: "There are plenty for both of us! May the best dwarf win!"

[As they attack, the dead army appears behind them. The dead army overruns the Orcs.]

Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli approach Edoras.]

Gandalf: "Edoras and the Golden Hall of Meduseld. There dwells Théoden, King of Gondor, whose mind is overthrown. Saruman's hold over King Théoden is now very strong."

[The scene changes to Èowyn, who is kneeling before Théoden.]

Èowyn: "My lord, you son, he is dead. My lord? Uncle? Will you not go to him? Will you do nothing."

Gandalf: "Be careful what you say. Do not look for welcome here."

[Èowyn is crying by Théodred's bed, where the dead man lies.]

[Gríma enters the room.]

Gríma: "Oh he, he must have died sometime in the night. What a tragedy for the king to lose his only son and heir."

Gríma: "I understand his passing is hard to accept, especially now that your brother has deserted you."

Èowyn: "Leave me alone snake!"

Gríma: "Oh but you are alone!"

Gríma: "Who knows what you have spoken to the darkness. In bitter watches of the night. When all your life seems to shrink. The walls of your bower closing in about you. A hatch to trammel some wild thing."

[Gríma touches Èowyn's cheek.]

Gríma: "So fair, so cold, like a morning pale spring still clinging to winter's chill."

Èowyn (regaining herself): "Your words are poison."

[Èowyn runs out of the hall. She sees Gandalf and the others. A flag rips off the pole and floats down, landing near Aragorn. The company approaches the hall. They receive sidelong looks from the villagers. Aragorn sees Èowyn standing at the hall. They receive more suspicious looks.]

Gimli: "You'll find more cheer in a graveyard."

[Guards approach the company as they climb the stairs to the hall.]

Gandalf: "Ah."

Háma: "I cannot allow you before Théoden king so armed, Gandalf Grayhame. By order of… Gríma Wormtongue."

[With a nod from Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli give their many weapons to the guards.]

Háma: "Your staff."

Gandalf: "Eh? Oh. No, you would not part an old man from his walking stick?"

[Háma thinks a moment, gives Gandalf a knowing look, then allows him to pass. Gandalf winks and takes Legolas' hand as they enter the hall. Gríma is at the King's side.]

Gríma: "My lord. Gandalf the Grey is coming. He is a herald of woe."

Gandalf: "The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late, Théoden King."

[Guards follow Gandalf and his party.]

Gríma: "He is not welcome."

Théoden: "Why should I welcome you, Gandalf Stormcrow?"

Gríma: "A just question my liege."

[Gríma stands up.]

Gríma: "Late is the hour in which this conjurer chooses to appear. Lathspell I name him. Ill news is in ill guest."

Gandalf: "Be silent! Keep your forked tongue behind you teeth. I have not passed through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a witless worm!"

[Gandalf raises his staff.]

Gríma: "His staff! I told you to take the wizard's staff!"

[Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli fight the guards, allowing Gandalf to walk to Théoden. One of the king's guards moves to draw his sword, but is stopped by Háma.]

Gandalf: "Théoden, Son of Théngel. Too long have you sat in the shadows."

[Gimli knocks down Gríma and puts a foot on his chest.]

Gimli: "I would stay still if I were you."

Gandalf: "Harken to me! I release you from the spell."

Théoden: (Laughs.) "You have no power here Gandalf the Grey."

[The King continues laughing. Gandalf throws aside his grey robe, revealing his white clothes. Théoden, startled, leans back in his throne.

Gandalf: "I will draw you, Saruman, as poison is drawn from a wound."

[Gandalf points his staff at Théoden, who squirms in his throne.]

Théoden: "Aah!"

[Èowyn rushes in and tries to go to Théoden, but is stopped by Aragorn.]

Aragorn: "Wait."

Théoden (Saruman's voice): "If I go — Théoden dies."

[Gandalf again points at Théoden with his staff, and the King flies against his throne.]

Gandalf: "You did not kill me. You will not kill him."

Théoden (Saruman's voice): "Gondor is mine!"

Gandalf: "Be gone!"

[Théoden jumps up at Gandalf, yelling, but flies back. Saruman flies backwards in his chamber at Orthanc. Èowyn rushes to Théoden, whose face begins to change, and soon he looks normal again.]

Théoden: "I know your face. Èowyn — Èowyn."

Théoden: "Gandalf?"

Gandalf: "Breathe the free air again, my friend."

Théoden: "Dark have been my dreams of late."

Gandalf: "Your fingers would remember their old strength better — if they grasped your sword."

[Háma brings the King his sword and Théoden draws it. Théoden examines his sword, then turns his gaze towards a cowering Gríma. Gríma is thrown out of the hall, and rolls down the stairs.]

Gríma: "Argh! I've only ever served you my lord."

Théoden: "Your leechcraft would have had me crawling on all fours like a beast!"

Gríma: "Send me not from your side!"

[Théoden raises his sword to kill Gríma, but is stopped by Aragorn.]

Aragorn: "No my lord! No my lord. Let him go. Enough blood has been spilt on his account."

[Aragorn holds out his hand to Gríma. Gríma spits on it and runs off through the crowd.]

Gríma: "Get out of my way!"

Aragorn: "Hail, Théoden, King!"

[Gríma rides out of Edoras. The crowd kneels before the King. Gandalf turns and sees Èothain and Freda riding a horse. Èothain falls off the horse. Inside the Golden Hall the two children are eating. Èowyn is by their side.]

Èowyn: "They had no warning. They were unarmed. Now the Wildmen are moving through westfold, burning as they go, every rick, cot and tree."

Freda: "Where's mama?"

Èowyn: "Hush."

Gandalf: "This is but a taste of the terror that Saruman will unleash. All the more potent for he is driven mad by the fear of Sauron. Ride out and meet him head on. Draw him away from your women and children. You must fight."

Aragorn: "You have two thousand good men riding north as we speak. Èomer is loyal to you. His men will return and fight for their king."

Théoden: "They will be three hundred leagues from here by now! Èomer cannot help us. I know what is that you want of me. But I would not bring further death to my people. I will not risk open war."

Aragorn: "Open war is upon you, whether would risk it or not."

[Théoden walks to Aragorn.]

Théoden: "When last I looked, Théoden, not Aragorn, was king of Gondor."

Gimli: "Burp!"

Gandalf: "Then what is the king's decision?"

[People gather outside the Golden Hall.]

Háma: "By order of the King, the city must empty. We make for the refuge of Helm's Deep. Do not burden yourself with treasures. Take only what provisions you need."

Gimli: "Helm's Deep! They flee to the mountains when they should stand and fight. Who will defend them if not their king?"

[They enter the stables.]

Aragorn: "He is only doing what he thinks is best for his people. Helm's Deep has saved them in the past."

Gandalf: "There is no way out than that of ravine. Théoden is walking into a trap. He thinks he is leading them to safety, but what he'll get is a massacre. Théoden has a strong hold but I fear for him. I fear for the survival of Gondor."

Gandalf: "He will need you before the end, Aragorn. The people of Gondor will need you. The defenses have to hold."

Aragorn: "They will hold."

[Gandalf turns to Shadowfax.]

Gandalf: "The Grey Pilgrim. That is what they used to call me. Three hundred lives of men I've walked this earth and now, I have no time. Good luck. My search will not be in vain. Look to my coming, at first light, on the fifth day. At dawn, look to the East."

Aragorn: "Go."

[Shadowfax sprints out of the stable. In the stables, a horse rears. Two men with ropes try to control him. Aragorn approaches.]

Gondor man: "That horse is half mad, my lord. There's nothing you can do. Leave him."

[Aragorn speaks to the horse in Rohirric and Elvish. He takes one of the ropes and it stops rearing. One of the men leaves. Aragorn unties it from the bridle. He continues speaking softly and the horse becomes gentle. The other man leaves.]

Aragorn: "Fæste, stille nú, fæste, stille nú. Lac is drefed, gefrægon." (Fast, quiet now, fast, quiet now. A battle is stirred up, they heard.)

Aragorn: "Hwæt nemnað ðe?" (What is your name?)

Èowyn: "His name is Brego. He was my cousin's horse."

Aragorn: "Brego? Ðin nama is cynglic." (Brego? Your name is kingly. Man le trasta, Brego?" (What troubles you, Brego?) "Man cenich?" (What did you see?)

Èowyn: "I've heard of the magic of Elves, but I did not look for it in a Ranger from the North. You speak as one of their own."

Aragorn: "I was raised in Rivendell, for a time. Turn this fellow free. He has seen enough of war."

[Refugees begin streaming out of Edoras. Inside Théoden's chamber, the king prepares to leave.]

Théoden: "I am ready, Gamling. Bring my horse."

[Gamling turns to leave, but is stopped by Théoden.]

Théoden: "This is not a defeat. We will return."

[Gamling leaves, leaving the king to himself.]

Théoden: "We will return."

[Inside the hall, Èowyn opens a chest and takes out a sword.]

[She practices with it and swings around. Aragorn blocks her swing.]

Aragorn: "You have some skill with a blade."

[Èowyn frees her sword from Aragorn's. Aragorn lowers his blade in respect.]

Èowyn: "Women of this country learned long ago that those without swords may still die upon them."

Èowyn: "I fear neither death nor pain."

Aragorn: "What do you fear my lady?"

Èowyn: "A cage. To stay behind bars until use and old age accept them. And all chance of valor has gone beyond recall or desire."

Aragorn: "You are a daughter of kings. A shieldmaiden of Gondor. I do not think that will be your fate."

[The people of Gondor are heading towards Helm's Deep. Théoden turns and takes one last look at Edoras.]

[The villagers head towards Helm's Deep.]

Gimli: "It's true you don't see many dwarf women. And in fact, they are so alike in voice and appearance, they are often mistaken for dwarf men."

[Èowyn glances back at Aragorn.]

Aragorn: "It's the beards."

Gimli: "And this in turn has given rise to the belief that there are no dwarf women. And the dwarves just spring out of holes in the ground!"

Èowyn: (Laughs.)

Gimli: (Laughs.) "Which is of course ridiculous. Whoa!"

[Gimli falls from his horse.]

Gimli: "It's all right! It's all right. Nobody panic. That was deliberate. It was deliberate."

Théoden: "I have not seen my niece smile in a long time."

Théoden: "She was a girl when they brought her father back dead. Cut down by Orcs."

Théoden: "She watched her mother succumb to grief. And she was left alone to tend her king in growing fear. Doomed to wait upon an old man who should have loved her as a father."

[Aragorn and Èowyn look at each other.]

[The refugees have camped. Èowyn carries a pot of stew.]

Eowyn: "Gimli?"

Gimli: "No, I couldn't. I really couldn't."

[Èowyn approaches Aragorn.]

Èowyn: "I made some stew. It isn't much, but it's hot."

[She gives him a bowl and spoon.]

Aragorn: "Thank you."

[He tastes and looks up at her, trying not to grimace. He nods.]

Aragorn: "Mmm. It's good."

Èowyn: "Really?"

Aragorn: "Mmm."

[Èowyn begins to walk away. Aragorn turns to pour out the stew, but Èowyn turns around. He recovers, spilling some on his hand.]

Èowyn: "My Uncle told me a strange thing. He said that you rode to war with Thengel, my grandfather. But he must be mistaken."

Aragorn: "King Théoden has a good memory. He was only a small child at the time."

Èowyn: "Then you must be at least sixty. Seventy? But you cannot be eighty!"

Aragorn: "Eighty-seven."

Èowyn: "You are one of the Dúnedain. A descendant of Númenor, blessed with long life. It was said that your race had passed into legend."

Aragorn: "There are few of us left. The Northern Kingdom was destroyed long ago."

Èowyn: "I'm sorry. Please eat!"

Théoden: "All riders to the head of the column!"

Gimli: "C'mon get me up here, I'm a fighter. Argh!"

[Legolas spots the warg pack running towards them.]

Théoden: "You must lead the people to Helm's Deep and make haste."

Èowyn: "I can fight!"

Théoden: "No! You must do this — for me. Follow me! Argh!"

Gimli: "Forward, forward, march forward."

Èowyn: "Make for the lower ground. Stick together!"

[Aragorn and Èowyn exchange looks. Aragorn sets off to battle. Legolas stands alone, shooting at the wargs and their riders. The column of riders appears behind him. When Gimli's horse is near, Legolas swings himself up on the horse's back. Wargs and Rohirrim run towards each other, swords drawn. The warg riders and the Rohirrim crash at full speed. They fight. Many wargs and their riders are killed. Gimli falls of the horse and a riderless warg heads towards him.]

Gimli: "Bring your pretty face to my axe!"

[Legolas shoots the warg as it attacks, before Gimli has the chance to kill it himself.]

Gimli: "Argh! That one counts as mine!"

[A dead warg lands on Gimli.]

Gimli: "Argh! Stinking creature. Argh!"

[A rider appears over the dead warg. Gimli snaps the Orc's neck. Gimli tries to lift the creatures, but another warg crawls into view, growling. Aragorn throws a spear at the warg, killing it. The dead warg lands on Gimli. Théoden and Aragorn kill wargs and riders. A warg jumps on Aragorn, who falls of his horse. He jumps on to a warg and fights with its rider. Aragorn is hit by the orc and falls to the side. His hand is caught in the harness of the warg, and he gets dragged along. He fights with the orc, throwing him off. The warg runs off a cliff, Aragorn falling with it. The women and children approach Helm's Deep.]

Villagers: "Helm's Deep!"

[The women and children enter Helm's Deep. Èowyn surveys the food.]

Èowyn: "Where is the rest?"

Man: "This is all we could save, my lady."

Èowyn: "Take it to the caves."

[The riders return to Helm's Deep.]

Guard: "Make way for the king! Make way for Théoden. Make way for the King!"

[Èowyn hurries to meet them.]

Èowyn: "So few. So few of you have returned."

Théoden: "Our people are safe. We have paid for it with many lives."

[Gimli walks to Èowyn.]

Gimli: "My lady…"

Èowyn: "Lord Aragorn, where is he?"

Gimli: "He fell…"

[Èowyn is shocked and looks at Théoden in disbelief.]

Théoden: "Draw all our forces behind the wall. Bar the gate, and set a watch on the surround."

Guard: "What of those who cannot fight my lord? The women and children?"

Théoden: "Get them into the caves. Saruman's arm would have grown long indeed if he thinks he can reach us here."

[Aragorn is floating in the river and washes ashore. Arwen is lying on her bed in Rivendell. Dreaming, Arwen kisses Aragorn on his lips.]

Arwen: "May the grace of the Valar protect you."

[Brego arrives and nudges Aragorn until he awakes. The horse kneels down and Aragorn slowly gets on its back and rides away. He sees the army of Saruman. Aragorn makes his way to Helm's Deep.]

Aragorn: "Mae carnen, Brego, mellon nîn." (Well done, Brego, my friend.)

[He rides up to the fortress and in to the courtyard.]

Gimli: "Where is he! Where is he! Get out of my way! I'm gonna kill him! You are the luckiest, the cunningest, and most reckless man I ever knew!"

[Gimli embraces Aragorn.]

Gimli: "Bless you, laddie!"

Aragorn: "Gimli, where is the king?"

[Aragorn runs into Legolas.]

Legolas: "Le abdollen." (You're late.) "You look terrible."

[Aragorn laughs and puts his hand on Legolas shoulder. Èowyn sees them. Legolas gives Aragorn Arwen's Evenstar.]

Aragorn: "Hannon le." (Thank you.)

[Théoden is sitting inside, and Aragorn pushes the doors open and enters.]