Lord of the Rings: Retold
The Return of the King
Chapter 5:
Aragorn, Freya, Legolas and Gimli ride on the road to the Dimholt. Sharp grey rocks surround them on a narrow path.
Gimli, "what kind of an army would linger in such a place?"
Freya, "I share Gimli's question."
Legolas, "one that is cursed. Long ago, the Men of the Mountain swore an oath to the last King of Gondor, to come to his aid, to fight. But when the time came, when Gondor's need was dire, they fled, vanishing into the darkness of the mountain. And so Isildur cursed them, never to rest until they had fulfilled their pledge. Who shall call them from the great twilight? The forgotten people. The heir of him to whom the oath they swore. From the north shall he come. Need shall drive him. He shall pass the door to the Paths of the Dead."
At the end of the path, a small opening is crafted into a rock. Primitive paintings are above it.
Gimli, "the very warmth of my blood seems stolen away."
Freya, "the feeling is very mutual."
Legolas, "the way is shut. It was made by those who are dead. And the Dead keep it. The way is shut."
They dismount, still holding the horses by the reins. Aragorn has Andúril in his hand. The sheath is attached to Brego's saddle. The horses are nervous. They slowly approach the opening. The horses go crazy as a blast of air comes out of the tunnel. Aragorn and Legolas lose hold of the reins, and the horses gallop off.
Aragorn, "Brego!"
Freya, "damned horses!"
Aragorn turns and looks back at the tunnel into the mountain.
Aragorn, "I do not fear death!"
He walks quickly and firmly into the darkness behind the opening. Legolas hesitates another second, then follows him determinedly. Freya instantly goes in after them.
Gimli, "well, this is a thing unheard-of. An Elf will go underground where a Dwarf dare not! Oh! Oh, I'd never hear the end of it!'
He stamps his feet a few times, finally finds his courage and follows his companions.
….
The scene shifts back to the Rohirrim.
Haste in the Dunharrow camp. Fires are put out quickly, Men jump on horses. Théoden leaves his tent with Éomer.
Théoden, "we must ride light and swift. It is a long road ahead. And man and beast must reach the end with the strength to fight."
Merry stands with his white pony. Théoden passes him on horse.
Théoden, "little Hobbits do not belong in war, Master Meriadoc."
Merry, "all my friends have gone to battle. I would be ashamed to be left behind."
Théoden, "it's a three-day gallop to Minas Tirith, and none of my Riders can bear you as a burden."
Merry, "I want to fight!"
Théoden, "I will say no more."
Théoden rides off. Merry is left standing, lost and ashamed, watching the Riders pass him by. As one Rider approaches him, they reach out with their arm, grab the Hobbit and pulls him on their horse.
Éowyn, "ride with me."
She puts an arm around him. Merry smiles happily and proudly.
Merry, "my Lady!"
Éomer, "form up! Move out! Form up! Move out!"
Théoden, "ride! Ride now to Gondor!"
….
In Gondor, the Orc troops are rapidly approaching the city of Minas Tirith, with siege towers in tow.
….
Elsewhere, Aragorn, Legolas, Freya and Gimli rush through the mountain. Aragorn has a metal torch.
Gimli, "what is it? What do you see?"
Legolas, "I see shapes of men. And of horses."
Gimli, "where?"
Freya, "seemingly everywhere."
Legolas, "pale banners like shreds of cloud. Spears rise like winter-thickets through a shroud of mist. The Dead are following. They have been summoned."
Gimli, "the Dead? Summoned? I knew that. Very good. Very good! Legolas!"
Gimli runs towards a path where he thinks Legolas went.
Mists surround them as they walk. Gimli tries to blow away the mists.
Aragorn, "do not look down."
Freya, "trust me, I'm keeping my gaze up."
They hear cracks and Gimli looks down, seeing the skulls of the Dead. They walk into a giant hall and see a green figure appear.
King of the Dead, "who enters my domain?"
Aragorn, "one who will have your allegiance."
King of the Dead, "the Dead do not suffer the living to pass."
Aragorn, "you will suffer me."
The King of the Dead laughs. The Dead appear and surround Legolas, Freya, Aragorn, and Gimli.
King of the Dead, "the way is shut. It was made by those who are dead. And the Dead keep it. The way is shut. Now you must die."
Legolas releases an arrow. It goes through the one aimed at as if through thin air.
Freya muttered, "I don't think that's gonna work."
Aragorn, "I summon you to fulfill your oath."
King of the Dead, "none but the King of Gondor may command me."
Aragorn lifts Andúril. The King of the Dead attacks him with a sword. Aragorn parries and then grabs the King by his throat.
King of the Dead, "that line was broken."
Aragorn, "it has been remade", he releases the King from his grip and addresses the Dead surrounding him, "fight for us, and regain your honor", he walks through the crowd of ghosts, "what say you?"
The Dead shuffle about and look uncertain.
Aragorn, "what say you?"
Gimli, "you waste your time, Aragorn! They had no honor in life, they have none now in death."
Freya, "not the time Gimli!"
Aragorn, "I am Isildur's heir. Fight for me, and I will hold your oaths fulfilled!"
The Dead watch Aragorn, unable to decide.
Aragorn yells in a commanding way, "what say you?! You have my word! Fight, and I will release you from this living death", the Dead begin to disappear, "what say you?!"
Gimli, "stand, you traitors!"
Freya, "fight for something that matters!"
The mists begin to blow away and the ground begins to shake. The whole place begins to burst out with skulls everywhere.
Aragorn, "out!"
The try to get out as fast as they can but the skulls fall on them unmercifully.
Aragorn, "Legolas! Run!"
They finally get out when they run out of a small opening in the cave. Aragorn's face begins to sadden as he sees the black ships of the Corsairs on the river. He falls to his knees. Legolas puts his arm around him. A noise comes from the cave and Aragorn turns around to see the King of the Dead.
King of the Dead, "we fight."
….
Back at Minas Tirith, with Orcs and siege towers getting even closer.
A Soldier, "open the gate! Quick!"
The gate is opened and an unconscious Faramir is dragged in by a horse, his body struck with arrows.
….
The Orc-leader, Gothmog, rides among his troops on a Warg and looks pleased.
….
Faramir is carried up to the top of Minas Tirith.
Another Soldier, "quick, hurry!"
….
Gothmog jumps off the Warg. An Orc helps him stand but he quickly pushes him away. Gothmog begins to limp down the ranks.
….
Denethor runs into the courtyard.
Denethor, "Faramir!"
The soldiers lay Faramir down beside the White Tree.
Denethor, "say not that he has fallen!"
A Soldier, "they were outnumbered. None survived."
Pippin watches from afar with Tom and Cain.
….
Gothmog, "fear. The city is rank with it. Let us ease their pain. Release the prisoners!"
Orc, "catapults!"
The catapults fire. On the walls of Minas Tirith, Men duck from what is flying in amongst them; the heads of Faramir's soldiers!
….
Meanwhile, Denethor leans over Faramir's body.
Denethor, "my sons are spent."
Denethor stumbles away from the litter that bore Faramir, torn with grief. Pippin runs to Faramir's side, with Tom quickly following with Cain, whimpering.
Denethor, "my line has ended."
Pippin touches Faramir's brow.
Pippin, "he's alive!"
Tom, "he still draws breath!"
Denethor, "the House of Stewards has failed!"
Pippin, "he needs medicine, my lord!"
Tom, "did you not hear us?! Your son lives!"
Denethor ignores Pippin and Tom and continues to stumble towards the walls.
Denethor, "my line has ended!"
Pippin, "My lord!"
Tom, "he has gone so mad, he doesn't see the truth right in front of him!"
Denethor reaches the walls. His eyes grow wide as he looks upon the massive army that stands at his gates. His mind breaks and he goes insane.
Denethor, "Rohan has deserted us", we see the battlefield and destruction of parts of the city, "Théoden's betrayed me", he calls to the soldiers, "abandon your posts! Flee! Flee for your lives!"
The Gondorian soldiers look about uncertainly and in fear. Gandalf whacks Denethor in the forehead with his staff, then in the stomach, and the steward falls down in shock.
Tom, "daft man deserved that one!"
Gandalf, "prepare for battle!"
Gandalf rides towards the outer defenses.
Gandalf, "hurry, men! To the wall! Defend the wall!"
Soldiers and civilians rush about in fear and confusion.
Gandalf, "return to your posts!"
He reaches the outer wall, and sees the oncoming army.
Gandalf, "send these foul beasts into the abyss."
The Gondorian soldiers begin hurling large rocks and pieces of buildings towards the Orcs with trebuchets.
Gothmog, "stay where you are."
Soldiers yell, "we need more rubble! Watch out!"
A rock flies towards the outer wall, flinging several people off of the wall.
A Soldier yells, "down to the lower level. Quick!"
One flung rock comes perilously close to killing Gothmog, who neatly steps aside at the last minute, and spits on it. The Nazgûl on their fellbeasts then arrive, and strike terror in the hearts of the Gondorian soldiers, by picking up random Men and dropping them. Pippin appears, holding his ears with his hands, to block out the sound of the Nazgûl cries. Tom is playing his lute as loud as he could to block out the noise. Cain starts howling in pain from the noise!
Gandalf, "hold them back! Do not give into fear! Stay at your posts! Fight!"
The siege towers are nearly at the wall.
Gandalf, "to the archers Not at the towers! Aim for the Trolls! Kill the Trolls! Bring them down!"
The siege towers connect with the walls, and Orcs begin swarming in. The gate is shown being bashed by a battering ram by the Orcs. Arrows from the soldiers fall on the Orcs as they attempt this.
Gandalf, "fight them back!"
Gandalf sees Pippin coming down the stairs towards him.
Gandalf, "Peregrin Took! Go back to the Citadel!"
Pippin speaks dazed, "they'd called us out to fight."
An Orc heads towards Pippin, and Gandalf heads it off, killing it.
Gandalf, "this is no place for a Hobbit!"
Tom thwacked an Orc over the head with his lute before running to Pippin, Cain following close behind."
The Wizard fights off several more Orcs, but one comes up behind him while he is busy fighting another Orc. Pippin stabs the Orc just as it is going to hit Gandalf.
Gandalf smilez, "guard of the Citadel indeed. Now, back! Up the hill! Quickly! Quick!"
Orcs continue to hit the gate.
Gothmog, "what are you doing, you useless scum?!"
An Orc says, "the door won't give. It's too strong."
Gothmog, "get back there and smash it down."
The Orc, "but nothing can breach it."
Gothmog, "Grond will breach it. Bring up the wolf's head."
Huge creatures pull the massive battering ram, Grond, towards Minas Tirith. It is shaped like a giant wolf, with flames licking inside its mouth.
Armies of Sauron begin chanting, "Grond! Grond! Grond! Grond! Grond!"
Gandalf looks down from the wall with great concern as Orcs continue to chant the name of this great ram.
….
The Corsair ships pass where Aragorn, Legolas, Freya, and Gimli are.
Aragorn, "you may go no further. You will not enter Gondor."
Corsair men laugh at him.
Captain, "who are you to deny us passage?"
Freya, "your worst nightmares."
Aragorn, "Legolas, fire a warning shot past the bosun's ear."
Gimli, "mind your aim", he hits Legolas's bow as he fires
The Arrow hits the man next to the captain. Gimli covers his mouth as Legolas looks at him.
Freya muttered, "foolish dwarf. Your father would've thwacked you over the head."
Gimli, "that's it. Right. We warned you. Prepare to be boarded."
Captain, "boarded? By you and whose army?"
Aragorn, "this army."
The King of the Dead and his army appear and run towards the ships.
….
The scene shifts to Frodo and Gollum climbing the stairs leading to Cirith Ungol.
Gollum, "in there. Motions towards the tunnel opening."
Frodo, looking rather ill, says, "what is this place?"
Gollum, "Master must go inside the tunnel."
Frodo, "now that I'm here, I don't think I want to."
Gollum, "it's the only way. Go in, or go back."
Frodo, in despair, "I can't go back", he enters the tunnel, "what's that smell?"
Gollum, "Orcses' filth. Orcses come in here sometimes", they continue along, and Gollum leaves Frodo's side, running ahead, "hurry! This way!"
Frodo, "Sméagol?"
Frodo is breathing hard, scared.
Gollum, "over here."
Frodo falls against a wall, and touches some webbing.
Frodo, "it's sticky! What is it?"
Gollum, sounding pleased, "you'll see! Oh, yes. You will see."
Frodo, "Sméagol? Sméagol! Sméagol", he realizes that Gollum has led him into a trap. He looks scared, and ready to cry, "Sam, Naryn", Frodo steps on a skeleton, and takes a good look around at the webs and dead animals. He hears a noise, and panics, beginning to run.
….
Sam is upset and sobbing while he makes his way clumsily down the stairs. Naryn is trying to keep him steady, still in disbelief as to what he happened between them and his cousin. After knowing Frodo for so long, and being a part of the Baggins family for so long, he hadn't expected something like this to happen.
Sam slips and falls, landing right beside the lembas bread. When he sees the bread, he crushes it in his hand angrily, then looks back up the stairs.
Naryn sees the bread, and some to the same realization. Gollum had tricked them all!
Both were determined to go back. Frodo needed them, even if he didn't want them there!
….
Frodo is still running, and falls into a small pit filled with cobwebs, and bones.
Galadriel, "and you, Frodo Baggins, I give you the light of Eärendil, our most beloved star."
Frodo pulls Galadriel's phial out of his pocket.
Galadriel, "may it be a light for you in dark places, when all other lights go out."
Frodo, "Aiya Eärendil Elenion Ancalima! Hail Eärendil brightest of the Stars!"
The light shows Shelob, a giant spider, standing beside Frodo. Frodo tries to crawl away, and keep her back with the light from the phial. She attacks. He slashes at her leg with Sting, and then runs. He turns to look back behind him, and runs into a bunch of very sticky webs, and is stuck.
Gollum, "naughty little fly, why does he cry? Caught in a web, soon you'll be…eaten."
Frodo looks angry and slashes the spider web with Sting with much difficulty, while Shelob gets closer. Gollum realizes that Frodo is getting free, and quickly flees. Finally, the terrified Hobbit gets through the web, but Sting is caught in the web and he leaves it, with Shelob following right behind him. Frodo breaks out to the outside world, but Gollum is waiting for him.
Gollum, "got away, did it, Precious? Not this time! Not this time!"
Frodo, "no!"
Gollum and Frodo fight, with much rolling around. Frodo takes control, and begins choking Gollum.
Sméagol, "it wasn't us! It wasn't us! Sméagol wouldn't hurt master. We promised. You must believe us. It was the Precious! The precious made us do it!"
Frodo backs away uncertainly, while Gollum cries and coughs.
Frodo, "I have to destroy it, Sméagol. I have to destroy it for both our sakes."
Frodo turns away, and an intense look of anger and hatred comes over Gollum's face. He jumps on Frodo again, who rolls him off and throws him down a deep hole in the ground. Gollum screams as he falls.
Frodo staggers on, anguish filling his face.
Frodo, "I'm so sorry, Sam. I'm so sorry Naryn. I'm so sorry."
He collapses, and suddenly finds himself in a green, beautiful wood, presumably Lothlórien.
Galadriel stands in front of him.
Galadriel, "this task was appointed to you, Frodo of the Shire. If you do not find a way, no one will."
Galadriel reaches out her hand to him, and Frodo meets hers with his. As he rises, the scene changes back to Shelob's lair. He continues on with a look of determination on his face.
….
We go back to the Rohirrim riders.
Éomer, "the scouts report Minas Tirith is surrounded. The lower level's in flames. Everywhere, legions of the enemy advance."
Théoden, "time is against us. Make ready!"
Éowyn, "take heart, Merry. It will soon be over."
Merry, "my lady, you are fair and brave and have much to live for, and many who love you. I know it is too late to turn aside. I know there is not much point now in hoping. If I were a knight of Rohan, capable of great deeds. But I'm not. I'm a Hobbit. And I know I can't save Middle-Earth. I just want to help my friends. Frodo. Sam. Naryn. Pippin. Tom. More than anything, I wish I could see them again."
Éomer, "prepare to move out!"
Théoden, "make haste. We ride through the night."
Horns blow as Merry and Eowyn put their helmets on.
Éowyn, "to battle."
Merry, "to battle."
….
The Orcs are still attacking Minas Tirith. Grond is being pulled back by several Trolls, and released. It hits the gate with a heavy thud.
Gandalf, "back to the gate! Hurry!"
Pippin wanders up to the courtyard with Tom and Cain right behind him. They see Denethor carrying a lit torch. Behind him follow guards who carry a litter, upon which lies the unconscious Faramir.
Denethor, "I am steward of the House of Anárion. Thus have I walked. And thus now will I sleep. Gondor is lost. There is no hope for Men."
A single flower is shown on the White Tree as they pass it.
Denethor, "why do the fools fly? Better to die sooner than late. For die we must."
Denethor pushes open the doors to the House of the Stewards on Rath Dínen and enters.
Denethor, "no tomb for Denethor and Faramir. No long, slow, sleep of death embalmed. We shall burn, like the heathen kings of old. Turning to guard. Bring wood and oil!"
The Orcs are still attempting to batter the front gate down.
Gandalf, "steady. Steady!"
Grond's nose breaks through, and the Gondorian soldiers look more than a bit scared.
Gandalf, "you are soldiers of Gondor. No matter what comes through that gate, you will stand your ground."
The doors burst wide open, and several Trolls in battle armor come rushing in.
Gandalf, "volley! Fire!"
Archers shoot the Trolls. Fighting ensues.
….
Back at Cirith Ungol, Frodo appears to be coming out of the pass. He sees the Great Eye atop its tower in the distance. While looking at it, he doesn't notice Shelob creeping up from above him. He hears a noise and spins around. When he turns back around, Shelob's stinger stabs him in the chest, and he collapses after the poison works its way through his system. She picks him up with her spinnerets, and begins cocooning him.
Sting and the Phial of Galadriel suddenly appear, held by the stalwart Sam. Naryn is behind him with, wielding Fire-Drake!
Sam, "let him go, you filth!"
Shelob looks at them and shrieks.
Naryn, "let! Him! Go!"
Shelob drops Frodo and moves towards the duo!
Sam, "you will not touch him again!"
Shelob moves closer.
Naryn, "come on and finish it!"
Shelob attacks Sam, and he slashes her leg. She knocks the Light of Eärendil from his hand and kicks it away. Shelob pushes Sam up against the rock wall and tries to bite him. Sam fights back, kicking Shelob in the head. Naryn jumps on her back and begins slicing every place he could before he was thrown off of her! They all fall to the ground, and Sam picks up Sting again. Sam stabs Shelob in the eye with the sword and does some damage. He tries again, but Shelob grabs Sting in her jaws and throws it behind Sam. Shelob tries to sting Sam, but misses as Sam rolls several times. Finally, Sam reaches Sting and drives it up, just as Shelob stings down. The blade is rammed deep into the spider's abdomen and she falls backwards, staggering and crying out. Naryn manages to strike at her leg, slicing a good chunk of it off!
Sam, "back!"
Naryn grabs the vial and pushes her back with the light from it, with Sam using Sting to help. Shelob retreats into her tunnel. Naryn and Sam turn their attention to the cocoon of Frodo.
Sam, "Mr. Frodo!"
Naryn, "Frodo, no!"
Sam tears the web from Frodo's face. His eyes are staring off into the distance, and he is deathly pale.
Naryn, "Oh, no. Frodo!"
Sam tries to wake Frodo.
Sam, "Mr. Frodo!
Sam takes Frodo into his arms, and begins to cry.
Sam, "wake up! Don't leave me here alone. Don't go where I can't follow. Wake up!"
Naryn, "you can't leave us like this! Please Frodo! Frodo!"
Sam's face is filled with sorrow as he realizes Frodo won't wake.
Sam, "not asleep…dead!"
Naryn merely begins crying. Crying harder than he ever had in his life.
Sam holds Frodo close, and sobs. Sting glows blue, signaling that Orcs are nearby. Sam takes up Sting and hides behind a rock, with Naryn quickly following with the phial. The Orcs come down the stairs and spot Frodo.
Shagrat, "you get back, you scum! What's this? Looks like old Shelob's been having a bit of fun."
Gorbag, "killed another one, has she?"
Shagrat, "No. This fellow ain't dead."
Sam whispers from behind the rocks, "not dead?"
Naryn felt his heart stop when he heard that. He was relieved, and terrified.
Shagrat, "she jabs him with her stinger and he goes as limp as a boned fish. Then she has her way with them. That's how she likes to feed. Fresh blood. Get him to the tower!"
The Orcs take Frodo up the stairs to the Tower of Cirith Ungol.
Sam, "Samwise, you fool!"
Naryn, "we can't blame ourselves. We need to follow them."
Gorbag, "this scum will be awake in a couple of hours."
Shagrat, "then he'll wish he'd never been born…."
...
Reviews:
Amanny: Sam is my favorite character, and to see Frodo treat him like that always hurt me.
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The fight grows bigger and bigger as the story continues!
