43. Aragorn's Return
[Aragorn rides on Brego.]
[He sees the army of Saruman.]
[Aragorn makes his way to Helm's Deep.]
Aragorn: "Mae carnen, Brego, mellon nîn." (Well done, Brego, my friend.)
[He rides up to the fortress and in to the courtyard.]
Gimli: "Where is he! Where is he! Get out of my way! I'm gonna kill him! You are the luckiest, the cunningest, and most reckless man I ever knew!"
[Gimli embraces Aragorn.]
Gimli: "Bless you, laddie!"
Aragorn: "Gimli, where is the king?"
[Aragorn runs into Legolas.]
Legolas: "Le abdollen." (You're late.)
Legolas: "You look terrible."
[Aragorn laughs and puts his hand on Legolas shoulder.]
[Èowyn sees them.]
[Legolas gives Aragorn Arwen's Evenstar.]
Aragorn: "Hannon le." (Thank you.)
[Théoden is sitting inside, and Aragorn pushes the doors open and enters.]
Théoden: "A great host, you say?"
Aragorn: "All Isengard is emptied."
Théoden: "How many?"
Aragorn: "Ten thousand strong at least."
[Théoden turns to face Aragorn.]
Théoden: "Ten thousand?!"
Aragorn: "It is an army bred for a single purpose: to destroy the world of Men."
Aragorn: "They will be here by nightfall."
Théoden: "Let them come."
[Théoden walks outside, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli following him.]
Théoden: "I want every man and strong lad able to bear arms, to be ready for battle by nightfall."
Théoden: "We will cover the causeway and the gate from above. No army has ever breached the deeping wall or set foot inside the Hornburg."
Gimli: "This is no rabble of mindless orcs. These are Uruk-hai. Their armor is thick and their shields broad."
Théoden: "I have fought many wars, Master Dwarf. I know how to defend my own keep."
[They continue walking.]
Théoden: "They will break upon this fortress like water on rock. Saruman's hordes will pillage and burn, we've seen it before. Crops can be resown. Homes rebuilt. Within these walls, we will outlast them."
Aragorn: "They do not come to destroy Rohan's crops or villages. They come to destroy its people. Down to the last child!"
Théoden: "What would you have me do? Look at my men. Their courage hangs by a thread. If this is to be our end, then I would have them make such an end as to be worthy of remembrance!"
Aragorn: "Send out riders, my lord. You must call for aid."
Théoden: "And who will come. Elves? Dwarves? We are not so lucky in our friends as you. The old alliances are dead."
Aragorn: "Gondor will answer."
Théoden: "Gondor? Where was Gondor when the Westfold fell? Where was Gondor when our enemies closed in around us!?
Théoden: "Where was Gon — No, my Lord Aragorn, we are alone."
[Théoden walks from Aragorn.]
Théoden: "Get the women and children into the caves."
Gamling: "We need more time to lay provisions for a siege, lord —"
Théoden: "There is no time. War is upon us!"
Gamling: "Secure the gate."
|