Scene Eleven
(We now go back to the Fangorn Forest, where Rippin Took & Jessie Brandybuck are grasping upon the branches of Big Nuts, who is walking in the forest with his slow strides and speaking in his slow, grinding voice)
Big Nuts: (Quite friendly at the moment) I told Kendalf that I would watch over you, and that is exactly what I shall do. Kendalf used to visit my forest often, each time in a friendly gesture.
Rippin Took: (In a simple tone) That's nice.
Big Nuts: (Turning slightly serious) Mind you, little hobbits, that the other Ents of Fangorn Forest are not as friendly or trustworthy as I. Mark my words, little ones, they would so soon as destroy you before allowing you to speak.
Jessie Brandybuck: (In a frightened tone) Are they dangerous?
Big Nuts: (With a small laugh) Not at all, little one, but things change. Before, we would welcome anyone within these woods. But things have occurred to obstruct that generosity. Ever since Andraman started building his Orc armies, the Ents have lived in fear and distrust. The Ents trust those whom they wish to trust-and at the moment, they trust no one.
Rippin Took: (In a simple tone) You trust us, don't you?
Big Nuts: (After a small grumble) I trust Kendalf, and he trusts you. Though, I begin to wonder how so small a creature can do any real harm to any of us-you have no weapons after all.
Jessie Brandybuck: (With a small laugh) I assure you, Big Nuts, you have nothing to worry about. We're perfectly trustworthy.
Big Nuts: (Seriously) Let us hope so, little ones, for your sake.
(Both hobbits look at one another curiously, but hold on while Big Nuts proceeds deeper into the forest. Then, suddenly, there comes another sets of booms-another sound of an Ent coming through the forest. Big Nuts stops immediately, and both hobbits look behind them)
Rippin Took: (In a nervous whisper) What is that?
Big Nuts: (After judging the strides) It is another Ent. Stay close, little ones. It is best not to speak to another Ent if you are of another race-they might get pissed off.
(Big Nuts slowly turns around to face the approaching Ent, and Jessie Brandybuck & Rippin Took clasp the limbs and branches of their Ent protectively. Then, we see the Blonde Ent step out from the trees in front of them. She is a stupid thing, with her branches bent downward upon her head to represent hair, and they are the color of bright blonde. She steps with a stagger and talks like she has downs syndrome)
Big Nuts: (Angrily sighing) Ah, damn it!
Jessie Brandybuck: (In a curious whisper) What is it?
Big Nuts: (Angrily) 'Tis the dumbest creature you could ever encounter in these parts-perhaps even this world. It is the Blonde Ent.
(The Blonde Ent catches sight of them and approaches Big Nuts with a stupid grin upon her face)
Blonde Ent: (In her stupid tone, with a small wave) Hi, Big Balls!
Big Nuts: (In a flat tone, obviously angry) It's Big Nuts!
Rippin Took: (Rather giggly and speaking to Jessie Brandybuck) Ooh, and that's so much better!
(Jessie Brandybuck shushes her, and Rippin Took covers her mouth with her hand to stifle the laughs. The Blonde Ent is speaking to Big Nuts)
Blonde Ent: (In her stupid tone) How's it going, sir? (Sees the hobbits and points) Who're they? Toys?
Big Nuts: (Rolling his eyes in agitation) Yes, Blonde Ent. That's what they are: toys.
Blonde Ent: (In a happy tone) Cool! Let me see!
(Immediately, she snatches up Rippin Took, who gives a startled scream. The Blonde Ent fiddles with the squirming hobbit, turning her upside down and poking it often)
Blonde Ent: (In stupid tone) Ooh! So life-like!
Rippin Took: (Hysterically) LET ME GO, YOU NITWIT! LET ME GO!
Blonde Ent: (Giving a start of surprise) And they talk too! Cool!
Big Nuts: (Angrily) Blonde Ent, give her back to me! They're not for playing with!
(Reluctantly, the Blonde Ent places a traumatized Rippin Took back on Big Nuts. The Blonde Ent crosses her tree-like arms and looks sulky at Big Nuts) Blonde Ent: (Sullenly) You always are so mean to me, Big Nuts! You always treat me like I'm some kind of an idiot!
Big Nuts: (Angrily) That's because you ARE an idiot, Blonde Ent! Now, be gone from my sight!
Blonde Ent: (In a sulky tone) Well-fine!
(And with that, the Blonde Ent turns around and strides back into the trees from whence she came. Jessie Brandybuck & Rippin Took watch her go in shocked expressions, but Big Nuts looks very annoyed)
Big Nuts: (Angrily, as he turns about and starts walking again) I swear! Stupid Blonde Ent keeps me on tendrils all the time! And I'm not the only one complaining! The other Ents voices their opinions of her, as well!
Jessie Brandybuck: (In a logical tone) Well-if you hate her and if everybody else hates her, why don't you just get rid of her?
Rippin Took: (Encouraging the idea) Yeah, Big Nuts! You've got the power to do so, after all! Run her out of the Fangorn, dude!
Big Nuts: (Speaking in a sad sigh, and shaking his head) I'm sorry, little ones, but that would be immoral. As much as we dislike her, we cannot banish her. There are very few Ents left these days-we need all the Ents we can get. Besides-she is the last Female Ent of her kind.
Rippin Took: (Nodding) Ah.
Jessie Brandybuck: (Intrigued in the culture of the Ents) What happened to all the other Female Ents?
Big Nuts: (Sorrowful) Alas, they were all killed in a horrible forest fire.
Jessie Brandybuck: (In a sympathetic tone) Oh.
Big Nuts: (In an angry tone) Started by the Blonde Ents.
(We see the Ent and the hobbits walk further into the forest before hearing Big Nuts speak again)
Voice of Big Nuts: (In a gentle voice) My home lies deep within the forest- probably about five miles south of the new Dairy Queen; I don't like to walk a long ways to get a Blizzard every now and then. It's under the many trees, within the heart of the very forest-where the oldest trees have laid their roots and claimed it as their home.
(We get an overhead view of many parts of the thick Fangorn, looking absolutely stunning in the daylight)
Voice of Big Nuts: It is here that I will keep you safe.where nobody will bother the serenity and peace of the forest. Do not fret, young hobbits- you will be all right.
(We now see Big Nuts walking through the forest in the nighttime, Jessie Brandybuck & Rippin Took hanging onto his limbs. Rippin Took is already snoring, one hand dangling freely, her mouth open and sleeping in peace. But Jessie Brandybuck is simply nodding off, occasionally allowing a large yawn to escape now and then)
Big Nuts: So long as I am here, no harm shall come to you. Do not fear the others of the forest, for they will not hurt you as long as I am around. I remember when I had to do a similar task for another wizard a fair years back; I was watching his dog. This dog was the cutest little thing, though the Ents were not at all pleased with its behavior. Of course, the dog found it necessary to urinate frequently upon the Ents, and this really disturbed them. So, to solve the problem, I got a big rock, and I-
(Big Nuts stops as he realizes that both the hobbits are sleeping. He rolls his eyes in annoyance)
Big Nuts: (Angrily) Dang it! That story always puts people to sleep! Oh well.(Places the hobbits delicately upon the ground) I'll work out a better introduction later. But right now.(Looks about the forest dramatically) I must wake up the rest of forest. Something strange is at work here-Kendalf made that very apparent. The Ents must figure out something very soon if we are to conquer this feat. Wait a moment! Who am I talking to? Gees! (Walks away in annoyance) Sometimes I think I'm getting way too crazy for my liking! Now, I should be able to catch many of the Ents at the local bar-it's happy hour, after all-'course, by the time I get there, it'll be tomorrow, but it's worth a shot.
(We leave the Fangorn, and go to an uneasy Jimagorn, who is sitting at the base of a huge boulder, watching Kendalf look towards the distant, forbidding glow of Mordor. Jimagorn joins the wizard, and one look upon his face is apparent to the feelings he has inside of him that they are riding further and further away from the one who needs them most. Finally, Kendalf speaks)
Kendalf: (In a simple voice) Mordor.the one area where our enemy always watches over us-one of the most dismal places ever created upon this Middle- Earth.
Jimagorn: (Crossing his arms) I'll say. When I was a Ranger, I may not have had the greatest accommodations available to me, but I at least made sure that at least one vase was present within the area.
(Kendalf raises an eyebrow at Jimagorn, who clears his throat awkwardly)
Jimagorn: (Pressing to change the subject) So-now Jauron's watching us, eh? Kendalf: (Grimly) Unfortunately, it is apparent. (In a low tone to Jimagorn) But what is also apparent is his fear. He fears you, Jimagorn; he has gotten wind that the heir of Numenor is still alive. He is afraid of what you may become.
Jimagorn: (Puffing out his chest with dignity) Yep-he needs to realize that I am the sexiest beast in all Middle-Earth.
Kendalf: (Irritably) No, you fool! He's afraid that you'll become king!
Jimagorn: (Nodding) Oh! I forgot about that!
Kendalf: (Rolling his eyes) He fights to gain control of Gondor, but knows that he cannot take it while the heir is prancing about the place. Yet, in the light of his biggest fears, he forgets one major issue: (In a sly whisper to Jimagorn) the Movie stays hidden. While Jauron watches for the Heir of Robsildur, he forgets for but a few moments of his precious Movie. It is inching its way closer to Mordor-Lizzo Baggins' sense of pride and determination is strong; she will not back down so easily. She will not be so easy to submit. (With a shrug) And even if she is, at least she runs pretty fast.
(Jimagorn merely nods, still thinking of many things floating in his mind, one nagging incessantly. The guilt that is mirrored faintly upon Jimagorn's face is enough to tell Kendalf everything)
Kendalf: (In a reassuring tone to Jimagorn) You feel guilty in your decision of letting Lizzo go? Well, don't be. This is something that Lizzo has to do on her own-she cannot require your aid.
Jimagorn: (After swallowing) She's not alone-Kram went with her.
Kendalf: (Almost dropping his staff in shock) WHAT? KRAM GAMGEE WENT WITH THE MOVIE-BEARER TO MORDOR? AND YOU DID NOTHING TO STOP IT?
Jimagorn: (Irritably) What else could I have done? They were well on the eastern shore by the time I figured it out!
Kendalf: (Giving a great sigh of anger) Curse it! Kram Gamgee-one of the biggest bafoons I ever laid eyes upon-is now taking part in the most important thing in Middle-Earth! (With a shrug) Then again, I suppose it's not a total loss. Kram Gamgee is loyal to her friend-those loyalties may prove beneficial for Lizzo along the way. Besides, Kram needs the challenge-maybe she'll get into better shape.
(We now go back to the Fangorn Forest, where Rippin Took & Jessie Brandybuck are grasping upon the branches of Big Nuts, who is walking in the forest with his slow strides and speaking in his slow, grinding voice)
Big Nuts: (Quite friendly at the moment) I told Kendalf that I would watch over you, and that is exactly what I shall do. Kendalf used to visit my forest often, each time in a friendly gesture.
Rippin Took: (In a simple tone) That's nice.
Big Nuts: (Turning slightly serious) Mind you, little hobbits, that the other Ents of Fangorn Forest are not as friendly or trustworthy as I. Mark my words, little ones, they would so soon as destroy you before allowing you to speak.
Jessie Brandybuck: (In a frightened tone) Are they dangerous?
Big Nuts: (With a small laugh) Not at all, little one, but things change. Before, we would welcome anyone within these woods. But things have occurred to obstruct that generosity. Ever since Andraman started building his Orc armies, the Ents have lived in fear and distrust. The Ents trust those whom they wish to trust-and at the moment, they trust no one.
Rippin Took: (In a simple tone) You trust us, don't you?
Big Nuts: (After a small grumble) I trust Kendalf, and he trusts you. Though, I begin to wonder how so small a creature can do any real harm to any of us-you have no weapons after all.
Jessie Brandybuck: (With a small laugh) I assure you, Big Nuts, you have nothing to worry about. We're perfectly trustworthy.
Big Nuts: (Seriously) Let us hope so, little ones, for your sake.
(Both hobbits look at one another curiously, but hold on while Big Nuts proceeds deeper into the forest. Then, suddenly, there comes another sets of booms-another sound of an Ent coming through the forest. Big Nuts stops immediately, and both hobbits look behind them)
Rippin Took: (In a nervous whisper) What is that?
Big Nuts: (After judging the strides) It is another Ent. Stay close, little ones. It is best not to speak to another Ent if you are of another race-they might get pissed off.
(Big Nuts slowly turns around to face the approaching Ent, and Jessie Brandybuck & Rippin Took clasp the limbs and branches of their Ent protectively. Then, we see the Blonde Ent step out from the trees in front of them. She is a stupid thing, with her branches bent downward upon her head to represent hair, and they are the color of bright blonde. She steps with a stagger and talks like she has downs syndrome)
Big Nuts: (Angrily sighing) Ah, damn it!
Jessie Brandybuck: (In a curious whisper) What is it?
Big Nuts: (Angrily) 'Tis the dumbest creature you could ever encounter in these parts-perhaps even this world. It is the Blonde Ent.
(The Blonde Ent catches sight of them and approaches Big Nuts with a stupid grin upon her face)
Blonde Ent: (In her stupid tone, with a small wave) Hi, Big Balls!
Big Nuts: (In a flat tone, obviously angry) It's Big Nuts!
Rippin Took: (Rather giggly and speaking to Jessie Brandybuck) Ooh, and that's so much better!
(Jessie Brandybuck shushes her, and Rippin Took covers her mouth with her hand to stifle the laughs. The Blonde Ent is speaking to Big Nuts)
Blonde Ent: (In her stupid tone) How's it going, sir? (Sees the hobbits and points) Who're they? Toys?
Big Nuts: (Rolling his eyes in agitation) Yes, Blonde Ent. That's what they are: toys.
Blonde Ent: (In a happy tone) Cool! Let me see!
(Immediately, she snatches up Rippin Took, who gives a startled scream. The Blonde Ent fiddles with the squirming hobbit, turning her upside down and poking it often)
Blonde Ent: (In stupid tone) Ooh! So life-like!
Rippin Took: (Hysterically) LET ME GO, YOU NITWIT! LET ME GO!
Blonde Ent: (Giving a start of surprise) And they talk too! Cool!
Big Nuts: (Angrily) Blonde Ent, give her back to me! They're not for playing with!
(Reluctantly, the Blonde Ent places a traumatized Rippin Took back on Big Nuts. The Blonde Ent crosses her tree-like arms and looks sulky at Big Nuts) Blonde Ent: (Sullenly) You always are so mean to me, Big Nuts! You always treat me like I'm some kind of an idiot!
Big Nuts: (Angrily) That's because you ARE an idiot, Blonde Ent! Now, be gone from my sight!
Blonde Ent: (In a sulky tone) Well-fine!
(And with that, the Blonde Ent turns around and strides back into the trees from whence she came. Jessie Brandybuck & Rippin Took watch her go in shocked expressions, but Big Nuts looks very annoyed)
Big Nuts: (Angrily, as he turns about and starts walking again) I swear! Stupid Blonde Ent keeps me on tendrils all the time! And I'm not the only one complaining! The other Ents voices their opinions of her, as well!
Jessie Brandybuck: (In a logical tone) Well-if you hate her and if everybody else hates her, why don't you just get rid of her?
Rippin Took: (Encouraging the idea) Yeah, Big Nuts! You've got the power to do so, after all! Run her out of the Fangorn, dude!
Big Nuts: (Speaking in a sad sigh, and shaking his head) I'm sorry, little ones, but that would be immoral. As much as we dislike her, we cannot banish her. There are very few Ents left these days-we need all the Ents we can get. Besides-she is the last Female Ent of her kind.
Rippin Took: (Nodding) Ah.
Jessie Brandybuck: (Intrigued in the culture of the Ents) What happened to all the other Female Ents?
Big Nuts: (Sorrowful) Alas, they were all killed in a horrible forest fire.
Jessie Brandybuck: (In a sympathetic tone) Oh.
Big Nuts: (In an angry tone) Started by the Blonde Ents.
(We see the Ent and the hobbits walk further into the forest before hearing Big Nuts speak again)
Voice of Big Nuts: (In a gentle voice) My home lies deep within the forest- probably about five miles south of the new Dairy Queen; I don't like to walk a long ways to get a Blizzard every now and then. It's under the many trees, within the heart of the very forest-where the oldest trees have laid their roots and claimed it as their home.
(We get an overhead view of many parts of the thick Fangorn, looking absolutely stunning in the daylight)
Voice of Big Nuts: It is here that I will keep you safe.where nobody will bother the serenity and peace of the forest. Do not fret, young hobbits- you will be all right.
(We now see Big Nuts walking through the forest in the nighttime, Jessie Brandybuck & Rippin Took hanging onto his limbs. Rippin Took is already snoring, one hand dangling freely, her mouth open and sleeping in peace. But Jessie Brandybuck is simply nodding off, occasionally allowing a large yawn to escape now and then)
Big Nuts: So long as I am here, no harm shall come to you. Do not fear the others of the forest, for they will not hurt you as long as I am around. I remember when I had to do a similar task for another wizard a fair years back; I was watching his dog. This dog was the cutest little thing, though the Ents were not at all pleased with its behavior. Of course, the dog found it necessary to urinate frequently upon the Ents, and this really disturbed them. So, to solve the problem, I got a big rock, and I-
(Big Nuts stops as he realizes that both the hobbits are sleeping. He rolls his eyes in annoyance)
Big Nuts: (Angrily) Dang it! That story always puts people to sleep! Oh well.(Places the hobbits delicately upon the ground) I'll work out a better introduction later. But right now.(Looks about the forest dramatically) I must wake up the rest of forest. Something strange is at work here-Kendalf made that very apparent. The Ents must figure out something very soon if we are to conquer this feat. Wait a moment! Who am I talking to? Gees! (Walks away in annoyance) Sometimes I think I'm getting way too crazy for my liking! Now, I should be able to catch many of the Ents at the local bar-it's happy hour, after all-'course, by the time I get there, it'll be tomorrow, but it's worth a shot.
(We leave the Fangorn, and go to an uneasy Jimagorn, who is sitting at the base of a huge boulder, watching Kendalf look towards the distant, forbidding glow of Mordor. Jimagorn joins the wizard, and one look upon his face is apparent to the feelings he has inside of him that they are riding further and further away from the one who needs them most. Finally, Kendalf speaks)
Kendalf: (In a simple voice) Mordor.the one area where our enemy always watches over us-one of the most dismal places ever created upon this Middle- Earth.
Jimagorn: (Crossing his arms) I'll say. When I was a Ranger, I may not have had the greatest accommodations available to me, but I at least made sure that at least one vase was present within the area.
(Kendalf raises an eyebrow at Jimagorn, who clears his throat awkwardly)
Jimagorn: (Pressing to change the subject) So-now Jauron's watching us, eh? Kendalf: (Grimly) Unfortunately, it is apparent. (In a low tone to Jimagorn) But what is also apparent is his fear. He fears you, Jimagorn; he has gotten wind that the heir of Numenor is still alive. He is afraid of what you may become.
Jimagorn: (Puffing out his chest with dignity) Yep-he needs to realize that I am the sexiest beast in all Middle-Earth.
Kendalf: (Irritably) No, you fool! He's afraid that you'll become king!
Jimagorn: (Nodding) Oh! I forgot about that!
Kendalf: (Rolling his eyes) He fights to gain control of Gondor, but knows that he cannot take it while the heir is prancing about the place. Yet, in the light of his biggest fears, he forgets one major issue: (In a sly whisper to Jimagorn) the Movie stays hidden. While Jauron watches for the Heir of Robsildur, he forgets for but a few moments of his precious Movie. It is inching its way closer to Mordor-Lizzo Baggins' sense of pride and determination is strong; she will not back down so easily. She will not be so easy to submit. (With a shrug) And even if she is, at least she runs pretty fast.
(Jimagorn merely nods, still thinking of many things floating in his mind, one nagging incessantly. The guilt that is mirrored faintly upon Jimagorn's face is enough to tell Kendalf everything)
Kendalf: (In a reassuring tone to Jimagorn) You feel guilty in your decision of letting Lizzo go? Well, don't be. This is something that Lizzo has to do on her own-she cannot require your aid.
Jimagorn: (After swallowing) She's not alone-Kram went with her.
Kendalf: (Almost dropping his staff in shock) WHAT? KRAM GAMGEE WENT WITH THE MOVIE-BEARER TO MORDOR? AND YOU DID NOTHING TO STOP IT?
Jimagorn: (Irritably) What else could I have done? They were well on the eastern shore by the time I figured it out!
Kendalf: (Giving a great sigh of anger) Curse it! Kram Gamgee-one of the biggest bafoons I ever laid eyes upon-is now taking part in the most important thing in Middle-Earth! (With a shrug) Then again, I suppose it's not a total loss. Kram Gamgee is loyal to her friend-those loyalties may prove beneficial for Lizzo along the way. Besides, Kram needs the challenge-maybe she'll get into better shape.
