The Eye of Sauron Challenge
Date Started: 6/3/22 Date Finished: 6/18/22
"Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky,
Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone,
Nine for Mortal Men, doomed to die,
One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.
One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,
One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie."
- J.R.R. Tolkien
"One does not simply walk into Mordor."
- Boromir, son of Denathor II, brother to Faramir.
Frodo still bears the weight of the One Ring with only Sam at his side. They are pursued by the mysterious Gollum who, finally captured by the two Hobbits, agrees to lead them to Mordor if they will release him.
This challenge offers two routes: 95mi/153km (recommended for running and walking) and 668mi/1075km (recommended for cycling). I will be walking AND cycling!
- Gandalf the Grey
My issued bib number:
Route Map
Finish Certificate
Rewards | |
The Eye of Sauron | |
 | 95mi/153km 668mi/1075km |
 | 15 Virtual Postcards |
 | 4 Landmarks |
 | |
Mirrormere
[Chortling, icy blue water gurgles across the dale.]
[Aragorn runs up onto a rock.]
[Framed against a deep blue sky, he looks past the mountains to the green gold woods beyond.]
Forest of Lothlorien
[The Fellowship jogs across a grassy field, halting under the leaves of a forest of tall trees.]
Gimli: "Stay close, young Hobbits! They say that a great sorceress lives in these woods, an Elf-witch, of terrible power. All who look upon her, fall under her spell…"
Galadriel: "Frodo…."
[Frodo, startled, looks around.]
Gimli: "…and are never seen again."
Galadriel: "…Your coming to us…" [Frodo halts in his tracks: a pair of eyes flash through his head] "…is as the footsteps of doom. You bring great evil here, Ring-bearer!"
Sam: "Mister Frodo?"
Gimli: "Well, here is one Dwarf she won't ensnare so easily. I have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox!"
[An arrow, notched, appears before his face.]
Gimli: "Oh…"
[Other bows at the ready appear around the Fellowship.]
[Legolas has his own bow out.]
[The Fellowship looks around, alarmed.]
[A tall, golden-haired Elf appears.]
Haldir: "The dwarf breathes so loud, we could have shot him in the dark."
Gimli: "Grrr…"
Flet Outpost
[The Fellowship stands on a platform in the rustling foliage. Haldir greets them.]
Elf: "Mae govannen, Legolas Thranduilion." (Welcome Legolas, son of Thranduil.)
Legolas: "Govannas vîn gwennen le, Haldir o Lórien." (Our Fellowship stands in your debt, Haldir of Lórien.)
[Haldir glances at Aragorn.]
Haldir: "A, Aragorn in Dúnedain istannen le ammen." (Oh, Aragorn of the Dúnedain, you are known to us.)
Aragorn: "Haldir."
Gimli: "So much for the legendary courtesy of the Elves! Speak words we can also understand!"
Haldir: "We have not had dealings with the Dwarves since the Dark Days."
Gimli: "And you know what this Dwarf says to that? Ishkhaqwi ai durugnul!" (I spit upon your grave!)
Aragorn: [grabs Gimli] "That was not so courteous."
[Haldir glances at Frodo.]
Haldir: "You bring great evil with you." [looking at Aragorn] "You can go no further."
[He walks away. Sam and Pippin turn to look at Frodo. He looks slightly uncomfortable.]
[Aragorn argues with Haldir, angrily.]
Aragorn: "Boe ammen veriad lîn. Andelu i ven!" (We need your protection. The road is fell!)
[Haldir whispers back inaudibly.]
Aragorn: "Merin le telim." (I wish we may come with you.)
[Haldir answers quietly, again so that only Aragorn can hear his words.]
Aragorn: "Henio, aníron boe ammen i dulu lîn!" (Please, understand, we need your support!)
[Legolas turns to look at Frodo, who looks uncomfortably away, and his eyes fall on Sam.]
[Sam looks away, a hurt expression in his eyes.]
[Merry and Pippin do likewise.]
[Gimli glances at Frodo.]
[Aragorn continues to argue loudly with Haldir.]
Aragorn: "Andelu i ven." (The road is very dangerous.)
Boromir: "Gandalf's death was not in vain… nor would he have you give up hope."
Boromir: "You carry a heavy burden, Frodo… don't carry the weight of the dead."
[Frodo ponders this. Haldir appears, looking less than happy.]
Haldir: "You will follow me."
Caras Galadhon
[A caravan of Elves leads the Fellowship along a ridge, through the golden woods. Boromir glances at Frodo behind him. The group comes to the end of the high ridge and looks out. A great glade of trees rises above them.]
Haldir: "Caras Galadhon… the heart of Elvendom on earth. Realm of the Lord Celeborn and of Galadriel, Lady of Light."
The Fellowship climb a winding way among the great trees. They ascend the path until night falls.]
[In the blue glow of a moonlit night, the Fellowship climbs a twisting stair about the trunk of a tree, past glimmering lights of silver and blue.]
[Far above, the silhouetted shapes of the shadowy tree-branches loom. Passing numerous platforms, they come to a great palace in the trees, lit with silvery lights. A curving walkway lies before them, leading up a low stair to an archway.]
[They gather before the arch as Haldir steps to one side. A glowing couple, hand in hand, descend to meet the Fellowship. The Fellowship stares in awe. Aragorn touches his head in greeting.]
[The light dims, and before the Fellowship the Lord and Lady, Galadriel and Celeborn, halt. The Lady's eyes focus on Frodo, but Celeborn speaks.]
Celeborn: "The Enemy knows you have entered here. What hope you had in secrecy is now gone."
Celeborn: "Eight there are here, yet nine there were, set out from Rivendell. Tell me, where is Gandalf?"
[As he speaks, Galadriel's eyes flicker to Aragorn's, who looks up.]
Celeborn: "For I much desire to speak with him… I can no longer see him from afar."
Galadriel: "Gandalf the Grey did not pass the borders of this land. He has fallen into shadow."
[Aragorn nods slightly. Celeborn turns to Galadriel.]
Legolas: "He was taken by both Shadow and Flame: a Balrog of Morgoth. For we went needlessly into the net of Moria."
[Gimli bows his head, sadly.]
Galadriel: "Needless were none of the deeds of Gandalf in life. We do not yet know his whole purpose."
Galadriel: "Do not let the great emptiness of Khazad-dûm fill your heart, Gimli, son of Glóin."
[The Dwarf looks up as her words.]
Galadriel: "For the world has grown full of peril. And in all lands, love is now mingled with grief."
[Boromir turns his pained face to the Lady, blinking and swallowing hard. The Lady stares back. Boromir looks away, weeping.]
Celeborn: "What now becomes of this Fellowship? Without Gandalf, hope is lost."
Galadriel: "The quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little and it will fail to the ruin of all."
[Boromir looks back up at her, unsure.]
Galadriel: "Yet hope remains while the company is true."
[Galadriel looks at Sam and smiles.]
Galadriel: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Go now and rest for you are weary with sorrow and much toil. Tonight you will sleep in peace."
[She whispers to Frodo in his mind, casting her eyes sideways at him.]
Galadriel: "Welcome, Frodo of the Shire… one who has seen the Eye!"
[Galadriel's eyes, the same ones that Frodo saw upon entering Lothlórien, flash through his mind again.]
Silverlode Hythe
[An elegant ship, carved in the likeness of a swan, flows through a river. Galadriel stands in it.]
[On shore, cloaks are fastened around the Fellowship with green, silver-veined leaf-brooches.]
Celeborn: "Never before have we clad strangers in the garb of our own people. May these cloaks help shield you from unfriendly eyes."
[Elves prepare for the departure of the Fellowship. Legolas is among them, shifting parcels into a set of boats provided by the Galadhrim. He holds up a thin wafer for Merry and Pippin to see, as they sit in a boat.]
Legolas: "Lembas! Elvish Way-bread. One small bite is enough to fill the stomach of a grown man."
[He walks up onto shore, leaving the Hobbits by themselves.]
Merry: "How many did you eat?"
Pippin: "Four." [burps]
Celeborn: "Every league you travel south, the danger will increase. Mordor Orcs now hold the eastern shore of the Anduin."
[As the Elf Lord speaks, the Fellowship climb into the boats.]
[Legolas helps Gimli onboard.]
[Sam tries to steady himself.]
[Meanwhile, Aragorn and Celeborn wander through the heavy mist and sunlight.]
Celeborn: "Nor will you find safety on the western bank. Strange creatures bearing the mark of the White Hand have been seen on our borders. Seldom do Orcs journey in the open, under the sun, yet these have done so!"
[The two pause, and Aragorn looks down. Celeborn holds an ornate dagger before him. Aragorn takes it, and unsheathes it; its blade glints.]
Celeborn: "Le aphadar aen." (You are being tracked.)
[Aragorn sheathes the dagger.]
Celeborn: "By river you have the chance of outrunning the enemy to the Falls of Rauros."
[A paddle splashes into the water. The Fellowship rows through the river, past the Elves onshore.]
[The sun is reaching its rosy fingers over the hills; Caras Galadhon rises far away, in the mists. Voices sing with the rising dawn:
Elves:
"Ai! laurië lantar lassi súrien,
Yéni úntimë ve rámar aldaron!
Yéni ve lintë yuldar avánier
mi oromardi lisse-miruvóreva
Andúnë pella Vardo tellumar
nu luini yassen tintilar i eleni…"
(Alas! Like gold fall the leaves in the wind,
long years numberless as the wings of the trees!
The long years have passed like swift draughts
of the sweet mead in lofty halls beyond the West,
beneath the vaults of Varda wherein the stars
tremble in the song of her voice…)
[The voices continue. A song of the sorrow of the Elves, of Lothló rien. As the boats move further downstream, Legolas's eyes stare distantly. He smiles, remembering.]
Galadriel: "My gift for you, Legolas, is a bow of the Galadhrim, worthy of the skill of our woodland kin."
[Galadriel smiles, and turns to Merry and Pippin.]
Galadriel: "These are the daggers of the Noldorin. They have already seen service in war."
Galadriel: "Do not fear, young Peregrin Took. You will find your courage."
[The Hobbits remember the meeting as they sail downriver. Sam also recalls the Lady's gift to him.]
Galadriel: "And for you, Samwise Gamgee: Elven rope, made of hithlain."
Sam: "Thank you, my lady." [He looks sidelong at the blades held by Merry and Pippin, then looks up hopefully.] "Have you run out of those nice, shiny daggers?"
[The Lady of the Galadhrim smiles, and turns to the next Fellowship member in line.]
[It is Gimli, who diverts his eyes downwards. Galadriel speaks, her golden hair shining beneath the poignant blues and whites and greens of the forest.]
Galadriel: "And what gift would a Dwarf ask of the Elves?"
Gimli (grunting): "Nothing." [a change comes over him; he looks up] "Except to look upon the Lady of the Galadhrim one last time, for she is more fair than all the jewels beneath the earth."
[Galadriel giggles, smiling at the Dwarf. He turns to walk away, then halts and turns back.]
Gimli: "Actually, there was one thing — ah, agh, that's quite impossible. Stupid to ask."
[Gimli sits in his boat with Legolas, a far away look in his eyes, a faint smile upon his face.]
[From another boat, Aragorn glances towards them, then away. He too is remembering the farewell on the shores of Lothlorien.]
[Galadriel stands before Aragorn and places her hand on Arwen's Evenstar pendant.]
Galadriel: "I have nothing greater to give, than the gift you already bear. Am meleth dîn. I ant e-guil Arwen Undómiel…pelitha." (For her love, I fear the grace of Arwen Evenstar… will diminish.)
[The two share a sorrow in their eyes.]
Aragorn: "Aníron i e broniatha ar periatham amar hen. Aníron e ciratha a Valannor." (I would have her leave these shores, and be with her people. I would have her take the ship to Valinor.)
Galadriel: "That choice is yet before her. You have your own choice to make, Aragorn… to rise above the height of all your fathers since the days of Elendil, or to fall into darkness… with all that is left of your kin."
[There is silence for a moment. Branches shake, a spider web's glimmering strands sway in the wind. Galadriel glances at the pendant, and smiles.]
Galadriel: "Namárië." (Farewell.) "Nadath nâ i moe cerich." (There is much you have yet to do.)"
Galadriel: "Dan…ú-'eveditham, Elessar. (We shall not meet again, Elessar.)
[Frodo sits in his boat with Sam and Aragorn. He hears the echo of her voice in his mind.]
[Galadriel hands him a crystalline vessel shaped like a teardrop, filling with a clear water and a shining light.]
Galadriel: "Farewell, Frodo Baggins. I give you the light of Eärendil, our most beloved star."
[She kisses him on the forehead.]
[Back in the boat, Frodo looks at the glass in his hand, and glances up at the shore. Galadriel stands there, her right arm upraised. She speaks to him, silently, as he passes by.]
Galadriel: "May it be a light for you, in dark places, when all other lights go out."
[The Fellowship sails out onto the river and leaves Lórien behind. White mountains rise starkly beneath blue skies and green trees. In the boats, Gimli talks to Legolas.]
Gimli: "I have taken my worst wound at this parting, having looked my last upon that which is fairest. Haugh, henceforth I will call nothing fair unless it be her gift to me."
Legolas: "What was it?"
Gimli: "I asked her for one hair from her golden head. She gave me three."
[Legolas smiles.]
Anduin
[The Fellowship passes out onto a larger branch of the Anduin beneath sheer cliffs.]
[The Uruk-hai march along through the forest as the three boats carrying the Fellowship float along.]
[Darkness falls. The Fellowship rests on a small island. Boromir looks out from behind a large rockv at a log floating in the river. Small hands clutch it, and the top of a head is barely visible over the log's edge, where eyes glint softly.]
Aragorn: "Gollum. He has tracked us since Moria."
Gollum: "Gollum."
Aragorn: "I had hoped we would lose him on the river. But he's too clever a waterman."
Boromir: "And if he alerts the enemy to our whereabouts it will make the crossing even more dangerous."
[Frodo hears them. He looks worried.]
Sam: "Have some food, Mister Frodo."
Frodo: "No, Sam."
Sam: "You haven't eaten anything all day. You're not sleeping, either. Don't think I haven't noticed. Mister Frodo…"
Frodo: "I'm all right."
Sam: "But you're not! I'm here to help you. I promised Gandalf that I would."
Frodo: "You can't help me, Sam… Not this time… Get some sleep."
[Sam leaves him alone.]
Boromir: "Minas Tirith is the safer road. You know it. From there we can regroup… strike out for Mordor from a place of strength."
Aragorn: "There is no strength in Gondor that can avail us."
Boromir: "You were quick enough to trust the Elves. Have you so little faith in your own people?"
[Frodo looks out, suffering, from his resting place, hearing Boromir's words.]
Boromir: "Yes, there is weakness. There is frailty. But there is courage also, and honor to be found in Men. But you will not see that." [Aragorn turns away, but Boromir grabs his arm and turns him.] "You are afraid! All your life, you have hidden in the shadows!"
Boromir: "Scared of who you are, of what you are." [Boromir releases Aragorn, who turns away.]
Aragorn: [turns back suddenly] "I will not lead the Ring within a hundred leagues of your city!"
[The Fellowship's boats pass through a canyon. Boromir glances at Frodo's boat across the water.]
[The Uruks are shown, running in pursuit of the fellowship.]
Argonath
[Aragorn lifts his head, half-smiles and taps Frodo on the shoulder.]
Aragorn: "Frodo, the Argonath! Long have I desired to look upon the kings of old. My kin."
[The Fellowship looks up in awe at the towering splendor of the Argonath.]
[Two majestic statues proudly stand on each side of the Anduin. Their left arms are held aloft, their palms facing outwards in gesture of warning. Voices sing out in the light.]
Voices: "Et Eärello Endorenna utúlien. Sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar tenn' Ambar-metta!'" (Out of the Great Sea to Middle-Earth I am come. In this place I will abide, and my heirs, unto the ending of the world!)
Nen Hithoel
[The Fellowship sail towards a great, roaring waterfall.]
[As they disembark on a gravel beach, Boromir looks troubled and appears to be fighting a conflict within him, and Frodo glances at him, looking afraid.]
Parth Galen
[The Fellowship starts to make camp.]
Aragorn: "We cross the lake at nightfall. Hide the boats and continue on foot. We approach Mordor from the north."
Gimli: "Oh, yes?! It's just a simple matter of finding our way through Emyn Muil? An impassable labyrinth of razor sharp rocks! And after that, it gets even better!"
[Pippin looks up, alarmed.]
Gimli: "Festering, stinking marshlands, far as the eye can see!"
Aragorn: "That is our road. I suggest you take some rest and recover your strength, Master Dwarf."
Gimli: "Recover my…?! Phrrr…"
Legolas: "We should leave now."
Aragorn: "No. Orcs patrol the eastern shore. We must wait for cover of darkness."
Legolas: "It is not the eastern shore that worries me. A shadow and a threat has been growing in my mind. Something draws near… I can feel it."
[Legolas's gaze wanders over the dark pine woods, with a dark, brooding statue nestled amongst their needles.]
Gimli: "No dwarf need recover strength! Pay no heed to that, young Hobbit."
[Merry, returning with some wood for the campfire, looks around.]
Merry: "Where's Frodo?"
[Sam, who was half-dozing, rouses with a start.]
[Aragorn looks over the camp. His gaze stops on Boromir's shield, lying with his baggage.]
Seat of Seeing
[Frodo wanders into the forest. He stands by an immense stone head, long aged and lost from its body, lying with its side in the ground. Boromir, gathering wood, sees Frodo and approaches him across the leaf-littered earth.]
Boromir: "None of us should wander alone, you least of all. So much depends on you. Frodo?"
Boromir: "I know why you seek solitude. You suffer. I see it day by day. You sure you do not suffer needlessly? There are other ways, Frodo, other paths that we might take."
Frodo: "I know what you would say. And it would seem like wisdom but for the warning in my heart."
Boromir: "Warning? Against what? We're all afraid, Frodo. But to let that fear drive us to destroy what hope we have… don't you see, that is madness?"
Frodo: "There is no other way!"
Boromir: "I ask only for the strength to defend my people!" [throws the wood to the ground] "If you would but lend me the Ring…"
Frodo: "No." [steps back]
Boromir: "Why do you recoil? I am no thief."
Frodo: "You are not yourself!"
Boromir: "What chance do you think you have? They will find you! They will take the Ring and you will beg for death before the end!"
[Frodo begins to walk away from Boromir.]
Boromir: "You Fool!"
[Boromir starts after him. They begin to run, Boromir closing in on the Hobbit.]
Boromir: "It is not yours, save by unhappy chance. It could have been mine!" [tackles Frodo] "It should be mine! Give it to me!"
[The two struggle, Frodo wrestles the Ring into his hand, clutching it.]
Boromir: "Give it to me!"
Frodo: "No!"
Boromir: "Give me… Give me the Ring!"
Frodo: "Nurgh… ugh!"
[Frodo slips the Ring on and disappears. He kicks Boromir and runs away.]
Boromir: [looks around desperately] "I see your mind. You will take the Ring to Sauron! You will betray us! You'll go to your death and the death of us all! Curse you! Curse you! And all the halflings!"
[Boromir slips and falls to the ground. The madness of the Ring leaves him and he comes to his senses.]
Boromir: "Frodo?… Frodo?… what have I done?… please… Frodo!"
[Frodo dashes up a set of dark steps, the world of the Ring blurring away around the Hobbit.]
Boromir: [far away] "Frodo, I'm sorry! Frodo!"
[Frodo, in the shadow world, climbs up onto a stone platform framed by two stone eagles. A great shape looms before him from afar. The image rushes towards him and his vision rise to a pinnacle — the dark tower of Barad-dûr, where the burning Eye of Sauron stares back.]
[Frodo, rushing to remove the Ring, falls off of the platform and lands on his back.]
[He sits up, trying to catch his breath. Before him is a high structure on the cliff edge, surrounded by the pines. A stairway runs up through its center, to a seat dwarfed by stone eagles on top.]
[Aragorn approaches.]
Aragorn: "Frodo?"
Frodo: [startled] "Huh?! It has taken Boromir."
Aragorn: [intensely] "Where is the Ring?"
Frodo: "Stay away!" [scrambles up and retreats from Aragorn. Aragorn comes after him.]
Aragorn: "Frodo!"
[Frodo stops.]
Aragorn: "I swore to protect you!"
Frodo: "Can you protect me from yourself?!"
[He holds the Ring upon his palm.]
Frodo: "Would you destroy it?"
[Aragorn, looking at the Ring, slowly approaches Frodo. The Ring begins to whisper.]
The Ring: "Aragorn… Aragorn… Elessar…"
[He reaches out, towards the Ring.]
[With both hands, Aragorn closes Frodo's hand over the Ring and pushes it to the Hobbit's chest.]
Aragorn: "I would have gone with you to the end, into the very fires of Mordor."
Frodo: "I know. Look after the others, especially Sam. He will not understand."
[Aragorn nods.]
[Aragorn stands and draws his sword. Sting glows.]
Aragorn: "Go, Frodo. Run. Run!"
[Frodo runs from the hilltop.]
Shelving Shore
[Frodo, followed by Sam, repel down a cliff.]
Sam: "Can you see the bottom?"
Frodo: "No! Don't look down, Sam! Just keep going!"
[A box falls from Sam's pocket.]
Sam: "Oh! Catch it! Grab it, Mister Frodo!"
[Frodo grabs the box, but slips and falls.]
Frodo: "I think I've found the bottom."
[Sam reaches the bottom.]
Sam: "Bogs and rope, and goodness knows what. It's not natural. None of it."
Frodo: "What's in this?"
Sam: "Nothing. Just a bit of seasonin'. I thought maybe if we was having a roast chicken one night or somethin'."
Frodo: "Roast chicken?"
Sam: "You never know."
Frodo: "Sam! My dear Sam."
Sam: "It's very special, that. It's the best salt in all the Shire."
Frodo: "It is special. It's a little bit of home."
[Frodo examines the hanging rope.]
Frodo: "We can't leave this for someone to follow us down."
Sam: "Who's gonna follow us down here, Mister Frodo? It's a shame really. Lady Galadriel gave me that. Real Elvish Rope. Well, there's nothing for it. It's one of my knots. Won't come free in a hurry."
[Sam tugs on the rope. The knot loosens and the rope falls around the Hobbits.]
Frodo: "Real Elvish rope?"
[Frodo and Sam are walking on rocky terrain. They stop to look into the distance.]
Sam: "Mordor. The one place in Middle-Earth we don't wanna see any closer. It's the one place we are trying to get to. It's just where we can't get."
Sam: "Lets face it Mister Frodo. We're lost. I don't think Gandalf meant for us to come this way."
Frodo: "He didn't mean for a lot of things to happen Sam. But they did."
[Frodo sees the Eye of Sauron.]
[Frodo falls down, panting.]
Sam: "Mister Frodo? It's the Ring, isn't it?"
Frodo: "It's getting heavier."
[He clutches the Ring, then takes a sip from his canteen.]
Frodo: "What food have we got left?"
Sam: "Well, let me see."
[Sam takes out a package from his backpack.]
Sam: "Oh yes, lovely. Lembas bread. And look! More Lembas bread."
[Sam breaks off a piece and tosses it to Frodo. They both eat.]
Sam: "I don't usually hold to foreign food, but this elvish stuff, it's not bad."
Frodo: "Heh, nothing ever dampens you spirits, does it Sam?"
[Sam looks up.]
Sam: "Those rain clouds might."
Eymin Muil
Sam: "This looks strangely familiar."
Frodo: "Because we've been here before. We're going in circles."
Sam: "Uh! What's that horrid stink? I wonder if there's a nasty bog nearby. Can you smell it?"
Frodo: "Yes, I can smell it."
[Frodo turns to look at Sam, giving him a meaningful look.]
Frodo: "We're not alone."
[The hobbits are sleeping. A figure climbs down from above them.]
Gollum: "You thieves! You thieves… You filthy little thieves! Where is it? Where is it? They stole it from us. My Precious."
[Gollum creeps closer.]
Gollum: "Curse them! We hates them! It's ours it is… and we wants it!"
[Gollum reaches out his hand towards the hobbits. The hobbits jump up and grab Gollum's arms and pull him down.]
[They struggle. Gollum gets loose and jumps on Frodo. They fall, and Gollum sees the Ring around Frodo's neck.]
[He desperately tries to get it, but Sam grabs him.]
[Gollum wriggles loose once more, and jumps on Frodo again. Sam gets a hold of him. Gollum bites him on the shoulder, and clasps his arms and legs around Sam. Frodo draws Sting and holds it to Gollum's throat.]
Frodo: "This is Sting. You've seen it before, haven't you — Gollum!"
Gollum: "Yes."
Frodo: "Release him, or I'll cut your throat!"
[Gollum slowly loosens his grip on Sam and lets out a wail.]
Dead Marshes
[Frodo and Sam follow Gollum through rocky terrain.]
Gollum: "See, see, we've led you out! Hurry hobbitses, hurry. Very lucky we find you."
[Gollum jumps on a rock. Frodo walks past and Gollum cowers as Sam nears.]
Gollum: "Nice Hobbit."
[Sam steps in to the swamp.]
Sam: "Whoa! It's a bog! He's led us into a swamp!"
Gollum: "Swamp, yes yes. Come master. We will take you on safe paths, through the mist. Come Hobbits come! We move quickly."
[Gollum looks back and gestures for the hobbits to follow him.]
Gollum: "I found it. I did. The way through the marshes. Orcs don't use it. Orcs don't know it. They go round for miles and miles. Come quickly. Soft and quick as shadows we must be."
[Frodo, Sam, and Gollum have stopped to rest. Gollum eats a large worm, causing Sam to lose his appetite.]
Sam: "I hate this place. It's too quiet. There's been no sight nor sound of a bird for two days."
Gollum: "No, no birdses to eat. No crunchable birdses. We are famished! Yes! Famished we are, precious."
Frodo: "Here."
[Frodo throws Gollum a piece of his bread.]
Gollum: "What does it eats? Is it tasty?"
[Gollum chokes on the Elven bread.]
Gollum: "Aggh! It tries to chokes us! We can't eats Hobbit food! We must starve!"
Sam: "Well starve then, and good riddance!"
Gollum: "Oh! Cruel Hobbit! It does not care if we be hungry. It does not care if we should die. Not like Master. Master cares. Master knows."
Gollum: "Yes, precious. Once it takes hold of us it never lets go."
[Gollum reaches towards Frodo.]
Frodo: "Don't touch me."
[Little fires burn in the swamp. Sam sees faces under the water.]
Sam: "There are dead things! Dead faces in the water!"
Gollum: "All dead. All rotten. Elves and men and orcses. A great battle long ago."
[Gollum turns to face the hobbits.]
Gollum: "The Dead Marshes. Yes, yes! That is their name. This way. don't follow the lights."
[Sam's foot slips again into the water.]
Sam: "Ohh!"
Gollum: "Careful now! Or Hobbits go down to join the dead ones, and light little candles of their own."
[Frodo is in half-trance and follows the lights, drawn to one of the faces. He stares at it intently.]
[Suddenly its eyes open and Frodo falls into the water.]
Sam: "Frodo!"
[Under the surface, Frodo sees greenish, ghotsly faces, screaming and reaching for him.]
[Frodo is then pulled ashore by Gollum. Frodo looks at Gollum in disbelief.]
Frodo: "Gollum?"
Gollum: "Don't follow the lights!"
Sam: "Frodo! are you all right?"
[Frodo lies panting, looking at Gollum.]
Camp in the Marshes
[Night has fallen. Sam is asleep, but Frodo is awake. He holds the Ring in the palm of his hand, staring at it and stroking it.]
Gollum: "So bright, so beautiful."
[Frodo hides the Ring and looks up to see Gollum stroking the center of his palm.]
Gollum: "Our Precious."
Frodo: "What did you say?"
Gollum: "Master should be resting. Master needs to keep up his strength."
[Frodo moves over and crouches in front of Gollum.]
Frodo: "Who are you?"
Gollum: "Mustn't ask us, not its business. (gollum gollum)"
Frodo: "Gandalf told me you were one of the River Folk."
Gollum: "Cold be heart and hand and bone. And called be travelers far from home."
Frodo: "He said your life was a sad story."
Gollum: "They do not see what lies ahead when sun has failed and moon is dead."
Frodo: "You were not so different from a Hobbit once were you? — Sméagol."
[Gollum looks up slowly.]
Gollum: "What did you call me?"
Frodo: "That was your name once, wasn't it? A long time ago."
Gollum: "My — My name… Smé — Sméagol."
[Gollum notices something overhead and screams.]
Sam: "Black Riders!"
Gollum: "Hide! Hide!"
Frodo: "Argh!"
[Frodo feels a sharp pain in his shoulder. Images of the Ringwraiths comes to him in flashes.]
Frodo: "Argh!"
Sam: "C'mon Frodo, C'mon!"
Gollum: "They will see us! They will see us!"
[Frodo clutches at the Ring on his chest. Sam drags him across to hide beneath a bush.]
[The Nazgûl appears riding a flying beast.]
Sam: "I thought they were dead?!"
Gollum: "Dead? No, you cannot kill them. No."
[The Nazgûl lets out a loud scream.]
Gollum: "Wraiths! Wraiths on wings!"
Gollum: "They are calling for It. They are calling for the Precious!"
[The call of the Ring is very powerful and Frodo is taken over by it and tries to put the Ring on.]
[Sam grabs hold of Frodo's hand just as he reaches for the Ring and holds his hand.]
Sam: "It's all right."
[The Nazgûl continues to circle, then flies away.]
Gollum: "Hurry Hobbits. The Black Gate is very close."
Black Gate
[Frodo and Sam have reach the Black Gate.]
Gollum: "The Black Gate of Mordor!"
Sam: "My old Gaffer would have a thing or two to say if he saw this."
Gollum: "Master says show him the way into Mordor, so good Sméagol does, master says so."
Frodo: "I did."
[There are orcs patrolling at the Gate.]
Sam: "That's it then. We cannot get past them."
[An army of Easterling soldiers march to the Black Gate, yelling a call-and-response marching song.]
Easterlings: "Za dashu snaku Zigur, Durbgu nazgshu, Durbgu dashshu!" (Hail, Sauron, Lord of the Ring, Lord of the Earth!)
[Gollum is terrified and covers his ears. A command is heard and an orc blows in to a horn.]
[Two trolls pull the gate open.]
Sam: "Look! The gate, it's opening!"
Sam: "I can see a way down."
[Sam moves closer to the edge and leans forward.]
[The rock under him gives way and Sam falls.]
Frodo: "Sam! No!"
Sam: "Argh!"
[Frodo jumps down after Sam.]
Gollum: "Master!"
[Two Easterling soldiers see streams of dust coming down the cliff, and move away to investigate.]
[Frodo reaches Sam, who is stuck in the scree. The Easterlings move closer.]
[Frodo throws his elvish cloak over himself and Sam. The soldiers stand directly in front of the hobbits.]
[The soldiers leave, and Frodo throws back the cloak and pulls Sam out.]
Frodo: "I do not ask you to come with me, Sam."
Sam: "I know, Mister Frodo. I doubt even these Elvish cloaks will help us in there."
[They prepare to make a run for the Gate.]
Frodo: "Now!"
In addition to the medal below, 5 trees will be planted in my name!
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