21. The Fall of Osgiliath
[At Osgiliath, orcs begin to swarm the men.]
[Faramir retreats to an alcove.]
Madril: "Faramir!"
[Archers shoot down a pack of orcs pursuing Faramir.]
Madril: "We can't hold them! The city is lost."
Faramir: "Tell the men to break cover. We ride to Minas Tirith."
[Screeching Nazgûl fly overhead.]
Soldier: "Nazgûl! Take cover!"
Faramir: "Pull back! Pull back to Minas Tirith!"
[Soldiers begin to evacuate. An orc knocks down Madril.]
Faramir: "Retreat! Retreat!"
[Men and horses run from the city. A Nazgûl shrieks.]
Soldier: "This way!"
[Orcs settle into Osgiliath. Madril lies on his back, wounded but alive.]
[Gothmog and other orcs stand over him. Gothmog takes a spear from another orc and stabs Madril, killing him.]
Gothmog: "The age of Men is over. The time of the Orc has come."
[The men ride and run for Minas Tirith. They are set upon by the flying Nazgûl.]
[The Nazgûl toss horses and men through the air, and crash into the riders.]
[Gandalf and Pippin, on Shadowfax, ride out to meet the retreating men.]
Gondorian Soldier: "It's the White Rider!"
[Shadowfax runs toward the retreating soldiers. Gandalf's staff sets off a bright, white light. The Nazgûl fly away.]
[Shadowfax joins the others and heads back to Minas Tirith.]
[The gates of Minas Tirith open. Faramir's men and Shadowfax scurry inside.]
Faramir (despairingly): "Mithrandir! They broke our defenses. They've taken the bridge and the West bank. Battalions of orcs are crossing the river."
Irolas: "It is as Lord Denethor predicted! Long has he foreseen this doom!"
Gandalf: "Foreseen and done nothing!"
[Gandalf turns his horse towards Faramir, who stares at an embarassed Pippin.]
Gandalf: "Faramir? This is not the first halfling to have crossed your path?"
Faramir: "No."
Pippin: "You've seen Frodo and Sam!"
Gandalf: "Where? When?"
Faramir: "In Ithilien, not two days ago. Gandalf, they're taking the road to the Morgul Vale."
Gandalf: "And then the Pass of Cirith Ungol."
Pippin: "What does that mean? What's wrong?"
Gandalf: "Faramir, tell me everything. Tell me all you know."
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