Gandalf slowly reaches for the ring. His fingers barely touch the ring
Gandalf is sitting in front of the fire, with his pipe ... staring into the flickering flames. "Riddles in the dark." he said to himself when he heard Rosa and Frodo shouting their uncle
"Bilbo! Bilbo!"
Frodo and Rosa rushes into Bag End ... Frodo stops and picks up the ring at
his feet. Gandalf continues staring into the fire, as if locked in thought.
"He's gone, hasn't he?" Rosa asked holding on to the brothers shoulders. Rosa and Frodo steps into the living room. "He talked for so long about leaving ...
I didn't think he'd really do it."
"Gandalf?" Frodo asked Gandalf turns ... his eyes locking onto the ring in Frodo'S fingers.
"Bilbo's ring."
Gandalf sorts hurriedly through Bilbo'S papers. "He's gone to stay with the Elves. He's left you Bag End..." Gandalf holds out the envelope ... Frodo drops the ring into it. "...along with all his possessions." Gandalf seals the envelope with wax. He hands it to Frodo. "The ring is yours now. Put it somewhere
out of sight." Gandalf rises hurriedly and starts to gather his things.
"Where are you going?" Frodo asked.
"There are things I must to see to."
"What things?" Demanded Rosa more then asked
"Questions. Questions that need answering."
"But you've only just arrived! I don't understand..." Frodo said.
Gandalf is already at the door, he turns to Frodo and Rosa.
"Neither do I. Keep it secret, Keep it safe."
Gandalf hurries out the door ... leaving Frodo standing alone in Bag End.
A Lone Horseman gallops to the crest of a hill on the west road. The main highway south to Minas Tirith ... he looks toward the saw-toothed mountains of Mordor ... Mount Doom ... A Huge, Billowing Cloud Of Black Filth grows and spreads across the red streaked sky ... casting a shadowy pall over the nightmarish landscape ... seeping out across the blood red sky... Gandalf, his face grave. He spurs his horse on.
Gandalf making his way down into the lower depths of the Citadel.
Pages flipping as Gandalf searches ancient scrolls and books placed high on a wooden table. His eyes settle on one old parchment. He murmurs hurriedly to himself, reading.
"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 ring of Power! 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 great pain... The marking on the band begin to fade... the writing which at first was as clear as red flame, has all but disappeared ... a secret now that only fire can tell..."
Farmer Maggot is chopping wood in his garden.
The shadow of a Black Rider looms over a Hobbit House. Terrified, Farmer Maggot cowers in his doorway, his dog, whimpers and backs away.
"Shire? Baggins?" his hissing voice asked
"There's no Bagginses around here! They're all up in Hobbiton ... that way." The farmer said, shaking.
The Black Rider Gallops Away At Speed.
The Hobbits and Witch of Hobbiton are having a grand evening of ale and
and Pippin, mugs in hand, sing and dance on a table while supporting each other. Rosa and Frodo retrieves more mugs of ale from the bar and dances around the tavern.
"Hey ho, to the bottle I go!
To heal my heart and drown my woe.
Rain may fall and wind may blow.
But there still be –
many miles to go!
Sweet is the sound of the pouring rain,
and the stream that falls from hill to plain.
Better than rain or rippling brook –" sang the Hobbits
"is a mug of beer inside this Took!" Went Pippin Huge laughter and clinking of mugs. Daddy Twofoot, Ted Sandyman, and Sam'S father, Ham Gamgee (A.K.A. The Gaffer), involve themselves in a most serious discussion. Sam sits quietly next to his father.
"There's been some strange folk crossing the Shire. Dwarves, and others of a less than savoury nature." Daddy Twofoot said to the group.
"War is brewing. The mountains are fair teeming with goblins."
Sam, smokes his pipe and looks at Rosie behind the
bar. She gives him a huge smile. Rosa, who was with Rosie raised an eyebrow at her and winked. Rosie Blushed while Rosa smirked, knowing that both Sam and Rosie liked each other but they were too blind and shy to do anything about it.
"Far-off tales and children's stories, that's all that is. You're beginning to sound like that old Bilbo Baggins. Cracked, he was." said Gaffer.
"Young and Mr. Frodo here, they're cracking!" Sandyman laughs as Rosa and Frodo arrives with drinks.
"And proud of it." Rosa grinned
"Cheers, Gaffer." Continued Frodo.
"Well, it's none of our concern what goes on beyond our borders. Keep your nose out of trouble, and no trouble'll come to you." Gaffer said. Frodo smiles and raises his tankard but Rosa just rose an eyebrow and smiled knowing that she would be, sooner then anyone knew.
LATER...
Rosie Cotton bids the last of the Patrons "Goodnight". Sam meets her eyes for a moment as he Rosa,and Frodo leave the inn.
"Goodnight, "
"Goodnight." Sam said to her
RosaFrodo and Sam continue on their way. Behind them, an intoxicated Hobbit kneels before Rosie and raises his arms as if worshipping a goddess.
"Goodnight, sweet maiden of the golden ale!"
"Mind who you're sweet-talking." Sam Muttered. Rosa put a hand on his shoulder and said with a smile
"Don't worry, Sam. Rosie knows an idiot when she sees one."
Sam stops walking.
"Does she?" He asked worried.
Rosa and Frodo bits Farewell to Sam outside Bag End, and heads towards the front door. They enters Bag End ... they immediately Pauses, sensing that something is amiss. All is quiet ... Frodo peers uneasily into the darkened living room. Suddenly! A large figure looms out of the shadows, reaching for
Frodo And Rosa. Frodo lets out a startled cry as he and Rosa pulls themselves free and spins around to face their Assailant . Gandalf steps into a shaft of moonlight. Paranoia blazes in his eyes. His clothes are dirty and ragged from much traveling. Hair and beard much longer and unkempt.
"Is it secret? Is it safe?" He asked in an urgent whisper.
Frodo pulls the envelope out of an old chest. Gandalf, suspcious, Alert. Without a word, Gandalf takes the envelope and tosses it into the fireplace!
"What are you doing?" Frodo asked Bewildered
Flames instantly consume the envelope ... revealing the ring, as it sinks into the red hot embers. Gandalf reaches into the fire with a pair of tongs ... he lifts the ring out.
"Hold out your hand, Frodo ... it is quite cool."
Gandalf drops the ring into Frodo'S hand ... he reacts to its watched him, suspicously."What can you see? Can you see anything?"
"Nothing ... there's nothing. Wait..." The Gold Band of the ring as fiery letters begin to appear ... a tiny inscription glows red ... as if burning from within. "...there are 's some form of Elvish."
Rosa looked over his shoulder to see the writing. "nope, not Elvish."
"There are few who can read it... the language is that of Mordor, which I will not utter here." Gandalf said.
"Mordor?" Frodo asked.
"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.'" Rosa said, looking at Gandalf at make sure what she said was right, he nodded
THE ring lies on Frodo'S simple kitchen table.
"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." Gandalf said to the two.
"Bilbo found it ... in Gollum's cave." Frodo realized
"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."
A Fleeting, Low Whisper Of Black Speech emanates from the ring. Frodo looks at Gandalf and Rosa, each knowing the other has heard it.
"But he was destroyed ... Sauron was destroyed." Frodo said
The ring lies between them on the table.
"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-dûr is rebuilt in the land of Mordor. Sauron needs only this ring to cover all the lands in the second darkness. He is seeking it, seeking it, all his thought is bent on it. For 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."
Suddenly, Frodo scoops up the ring.
"Alright!"
Frodo and Rosa hurriedly entering the living room.
Rosa started to think fast "We put it away, we keep it hidden! We never speak of it again. No one knows it's here, do they?" She turned to see Gandalf shifting uncomfortably. "Do they, Gandalf?"
Gandalf looks at Frodo sadly while Rosa Glared at him oh-so-slightly.
"There is one other who knew that Bilbo had the ring. I looked everywhere for the creature Gollum, but the enemy found him first. I don't know how long they tortured him... but amidst the endless screams and inane babble, they discerned two words."
Frodo's face showed horror while Rosa's showed nothing but sadness for the Gollum creature and her working a way to keep Frodo safe.
"Shire! Baggins! That will lead them here!" Frodo almost shouted.
On a dark country lane, a Hobbit Bounder lifts his watch lantern in alarm.
"Halt! Who goes there?" Out of the darkness thunder two Black Riders ... A Leathal Sword swings down at the small Hobbit Bounder.
Frodo thrusts the ring at Gandalf.
"Take it! Take it!"
"No, Frodo..."
"But You must take it." Rosa almost shouted to the elder man.
"You cannot offer me this ring." Gandalf Rejected.
"But He's giving it to you!" Rosa told Gandalf.
"Don't tempt me! I dare not take it, not even to keep it , 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."
"But it cannot stay in the Shire!"
"No, no, it can't."
The ring In Frodo'S Clenched Hand
"What must we do?" Rosa looked up to him,almost chest to chest.
Frodo throwing clothes into a knapsack and Rosa was putting food, clothes, a few extra weapons, money and other things like that in her waist bag that she enchanted. Gandalf watches him, making plans "You must leave, and leave quickly. Get out of the Shire."
"Where? Where shall we go?" She asked Gandalf.
"Make for the village of Bree."
"Bree? What about you?" Frodo asked.
"I will be waiting for you at the Inn of the Prancing Pony."
Frodo packs his food into his knapsack as Rosa put on her brown boots.
"And the ring will be safe there?" Rosa asked, standing up once again.
"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'll know what to do."
Frodo is preparing to leave.
"You'll have to leave the name of Baggins behind you ... for that name is not safe outside the Shire."
Gandalf helps Frodo into his coat."Travel only by day. And stay off the road."
"I can cut across country easily enough." Frodo said,knowing his way.
Gandalf looks at the young Hobbit, moved by his courage. "My dear Frodo. Hobbits really are amazing creatures. You can learn all there is to know about their ways in a month, and yet, after a hundred years, they can still surprise you."
Suddenly! A Sound from outside.
"Get down!" So they did.
Gandalf Freezes ... he moves quietly towards the window, eyes wide with tension. He raises his staff above the window, and slams it down on the intruder. There Is A Yelp Of Pain! Gandalf hauls a small figure into the room ... Sam Gamgee sprawls across the floor! He looks up in terror as Gandalf looms over him.
"Confound it all! Samwise Gamgee, have you been eavesdropping?" Gandalf demanded very Angry.
"I ain't been dropping no eaves, sir! Honest. I was just cutting the grass under the window there, if you follow me..."
"It's a little bit late for trimming the hedges, don't you think?"
"I heard raised voices..."
"What did you hear? Speak!"
"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, Mr. Gandalf, sir, don't hurt me! Don't turn me into anything unnatural!"
"No?" Rosa asked as she and Frodo looked at each other and Smiled.
"Perhaps not. I've thought of a better use for you." Gandalf
Hobbiton was surrounded in a white veil of Mist. To Reveal Rosa, Gandalf, Frodo, and Sam hurrying across a ploughed field, away from Hobbiton! Gandalf leads his Horse ... Frodo and Sam are carrying knapsacks. "Come along, Samwise ... keep up..."
Gandalf leads Rosa, Frodo and Sam under the cover of Woods.
"Be careful, all of you. The Enemy has many spies in his service, many ways of hearing ... birds, beasts..." Gandalf takes Frodo and Rosa to one side... "Is it safe?" e asked them in a low Nods ... he pats his pocket. "Never put it on, for the agents of the Dark Lord will be drawn to its power... Always remember, Frodo, the ring is trying to get back to its master ... it wants to be found."
Gandalf wheels his horse and gallops away.
Rosa, Frodo and Sam hike over the gentle Shire countryside, wading through a shallow stream, passed by the quaint hollows of Hobbit Holes ... heating a kettle over a small fire... clambering over stone stops short ... taking stock of his surroundings. Sam looks back from where they came.
"This is it." Sam said.
"This is what?" Frodo asked.
"If I take one more step, it'll be the farthest away from home I've ever been."
Rosa gives Sam a pat on the shoulder.
"Come on, Sam, it'll be fine." Sam looked up at her as she smiled at him "Trust me"
Sam nodded and took a deep breath and steps forward. Sam'S brown, furry foot hits the ground. Rosa and Frodo started Smiling at him.
"Remember what Bilbo used to say ... it's a dangerous business..." Frodo said as Rosa continued while theycontinue their journey. "...it's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door ... you step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to."
Rosa and Frodo appears asleep. Sam tries desperately to find a comfortable spot on the ground.
"Everywhere I lie there's a dirty great root sticking into my back."
both Rosa and Frodo neither moves nor opens ther eyes.
"Just shut your eyes, and imagine you're back in your own bed, with a soft mattress and a lovely feather pillow."
Sam looks skeptical, but tries it. "It's not working Mr. Frodo. I'm never
going to be able to sleep out here." sighs Sam. Rosa Just pulled him over into her arms, Put her cloak so it was like a blanket over her and the boys then Sam was able to fall a sleep as she sang:
Some words they can't be spoken only sung,
So hear a thousand voices shouting love.
There's a place, there's a time in this life when you sing what you are feeling,
Find your feet, stand your ground, don't you see right now the world is listening to what we say?
Sing it louder, sing it clearer, knowing everyone will hear you,
Make some noise, find your voice tonight.
Sing it stronger, sing together, make this moment last forever,
Old and young shouting love tonight.
To sing we've had a lifetime to wait (wait, wait, wait)
And see a thousand faces celebrate (together celebrate)
You brought hope, you brought life, conquer fear, no it wasn't always easy,
Stood your ground, kept your faith, don't you see right now the world is listening to what we say?
Sing it louder, sing it clearer, knowing everyone will hear you,
Make some noise, find your voice tonight.
Sing it stronger, sing together, make this moment last forever,
Old and young shouting love tonight.
Some words they can't be spoken only sung,
To hear a thousand voices shouting love and life and hope.
Just sing; just sing; just sing; just sing.
Sing it louder, sing it clearer, knowing everyone will hear you,
Make some noise, find your voice tonight.
Sing it stronger, sing together, make this moment last forever,
Old and young shouting love tonight.
Hear a thousand voices shouting love.
Gandalf is galloping along the outskirts of the ancient forest of Fangorn. Nestled in a basin at the foot of the distant Misty Mountains, the tall black tower of Orthanc is clearly visible. Gandalf gallops through the gate, into the fortress of Isengard ... a great ring-wall of stone, a mile from rim to rim, encloses beautiful trees and garden, watered by streams that flow down from the mountains.
"Smoke rises once more from the mountain of doom ... the Shadow takes shape in the darkness of Mordor; the hour grows late ... and Gandalf the Grey rides to Isengard seeking my council..." The strange tower of Orthanc ... hewn from a solid pillar of obsidian ... rises up in the center of the Isengard Circle. Gandalf arrives at he foot of the Orthanc Stairs.
Saruman, The White Wizard as he sweeps down the Orthanc stairs. ""For that is why you have come, is it not, my old friend?" Gandalf moves quickly towards him, grimy and weary from his long ride.
"Saruman!"
Gandalf and Saruman walk slowly between the beautiful trees of Isengard. Saruman'S clean, white robe contrasts with Gandalf'S dusty grey robes.
"Are you sure of this?" Saruman asked
"Beyond any doubt." Answered Gandalf.
"So the ring of Power has been found?"
"All these long years, it was in the Shire, under my very nose."
"Yet you did not have the wit to see it. Your love of the Halfling's leaf has clearly slowed your mind."
"We still have time ... time enough to counter Sauron ... if we act quickly."
"Time? What time do you think we have?"
Gandalf and Saruman are seated in a small, cluttered room to the side of the cavernous central chamber.
"Sauron has regained much of his former strength. He cannot yet take physical form ... but his spirit has lost none of its potency. Concealed within his
fortress, the Lord of Mordor sees all. His gaze pierces cloud, shadow, earth and flesh. You know of what I speak, Gandalf ... a Great Eye, lidless, wreathed in flame."
"The Eye of Sauron." Gandalf said Softly.
"He is gathering all evil to him. Very soon, he will have summoned an army great enough to launch an assault on Middle earth."
"You know this? How?"
"I have seen it."
Gandalf and Saruman stride through Orthanc toward a stone plinth
on which a sphere like shape is draped with a cloth...
"A Palantír is a dangerous tool, Saruman."
Saruman lifts the cloth to reveal the Palantir.
"Why? Why should we fear to use it?"
"They are not all accounted for, the lost Seeing-stones. We do not know who else may be watching."
Gandalf throws the cloth back over the Palantir. Saruman sits on his throne.
"The hour is later than you think. Sauron's forces are already moving... the Nine have left Minas Morgul."
"The Nine?" Gandalf asked, Shocked.
"They crossed the River Isen on Midsummer's Eve, disguised as riders in black."
"They have reached the Shire?" Gandalf asked suddenly alarmed.
Saruman shrugs...
"They will find the ring ... and kill the one who carries it."
Gandalf backs away and turns to run to the door ... horrified as the doors Suddenly slam shut. "You did not seriously think a Hobbit could contend with the will of Sauron? There are none who can."Gandalf slowly turns to Saruman ... a look of dawning horror. "Against the power of Mordor there can be no victory. We must join with him, Gandalf. We must join with Sauron. It would be wise, my friend."
"Tell me, friend, when did Saruman the Wise abandon reason for madness?" He asked Deadly
Gandalf is Suddenly blasted across the room! He slams againt the wall ... pinned there by some unseen force. With Sudden effort, Gandalf wrenches himself off the wall and swings his staff on Saruman ... blasting him off his feet! Gandalf and Saruman battle, powerful blasts throwing them across the room. Saruman Screams, Eyes Blazing! Gandalf'S staff is Suddenly wrenched from his grasp ... it flies across the chamber into Saruman'S hand! Gandalf is flung to the floor.
"I gave you the choice of aiding me willingly, but you have elected the way of pain!"
Gandalf is breathing hard on the floor, his eye look into the madness of Saruman... Commanding Two Staffs, Saruman sends Gandalf into a sickening spin. Gandalf tumbles towards the top of the chamber ... as if falling in reverse.
