Return of the King, EV
(explanatory version)
[2005]
Gimli: Likelihood of death; small chance of success. What are we waiting for?
Eomer: Lord Aragorn, your plan is wise, and would seem our only hope. Yet another matter there is which has not been addressed. What of the horses?
Aragorn’s countenance becomes suddenly grave.
Eomer: ….They cannot be in this battle.
Gimli, snorting: What of the horses? I know that you good folk [gestures to Eomer] love them dearly, but surely their loss would be no more grievous than that of brave dwarf warriors?
Eomer: Nay, it is not that. They would face death as nobly as any Rider of Rohan. But it is a known fact that horses are of such frank and honest nature that they are completely incapable of keeping up a bluff.
Gandalf, closing his eyes as if in pain: But one look into the honest eyes of a single steed would be the undoing of our trap and tell the enemy all.
Gimli: Well, if you were to ask my opinion, which I note that you’re not, I would say the solution is simple. Leave them here. This dwarf, for one, would be happier on solid footing, anyway.
Aragorn: If we are to reach the Black Gate in the few hours left to us—(Legolas, having read the book, groans quietly, but if Aragorn notices, he pays no heed.)—then we must have their speed. [a pause] If we strictly instructed the men to say nothing before the horses, to keep the secret from them…?
Gandalf: Shadowfax has already heard too much. By now, the horses in the stable of Rohan will know more about the Ring, Frodo’s mission, and the peril of the free world than do the average soldiers in their saddles.
Aragorn: Then our only option is clear. Ride them, we must, but they must be sent back before we reach the Black Gates.
Gimli: Likelihood of death; small chance of success. What are we waiting for?
********
Two hours later.
Aragorn rides at the head of a mounted company, the full strength if Gondor and Rohan. He reigns to a stop under a tall statue of a Gondorian king with foul orkwork replacing its noble head.
Aragorn: We are now at the Crossroads; just minutes from the Black Gates.
Legolas mumbles under his breath in Elvish. Gimli hadn’t learned enough Elvish to be sure, but he thought he caught something about “…rolling in his grave”
Aragorn: Dismount! Turn your horses toward Minas Tirith.
Pippin makes to scramble down.
Gandal: No, Peregrin my lad. The leaders keep their steeds for the challenge at the Gates.
There had been much debate about that point, but all had finally agreed that Sauron would not take seriously a challenge from unmounted men. He would be suspicious, and suspicion was what they at all costs must avoid. "No," Gandalf had said, "this much is clear. We must ride, and hope He does not notice the lack of other horses in the company."
So, away galloped all the horses except those of Gandalf, Aragorn, Eomer, and Legolas.
Merry, wondering aloud: What am I doing here? My arm hurts.
Pippin: Dood! You have face recognition. Did you really expect them to leave you behind?
Merry: Then where’s Faramir?
Pippin: Oh be quiet! Maybe we’ll get to kill a troll.
Eomer: We ride north!
[Five minutes later]
The company approaches the Gate, unable to escape the feeling that the lack of horses is glaringly obvious.
Gimli, to Legolas as they ride up: The one place in Middle Earth we don’t want the horses to go, and the one place we can’t go without them. <gives a dwarvish snort>
The leaders ride forward.
Aragorn: Let the Lord of the Black Lands come forth! Let justice be done upon him!
Ominous silence, the gates creek open. They see an
innumerable host of Mordor marching forth, with
Aragorn, frantic whisper: Retreat! Turn your steeds, ‘ere it is too late.
The company turns back and ride away from the gate. They all dismount and send the horses thundering away in to the dust. But Aragorn does not release Brego’s bridle, and after a moment’s hesitation remounts.
Aragorn: I still have need of thee, Brego. I had forgotten the pep speech.
He gallops up and down in front of the ranks, constantly turning his horse. (a moving target is harder to inspect)
Aragorn: “I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me. A day may come when the courage of Men fails. When we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship. But it is not this day. A day of wolves and shattered shields when the world of Men comes crashing down. But that is not THIS day! This day, we fight!
* * *
Back in Minas Tirith, the gardens of the houses of healing.
Eowyn, abruptly raising a clenched fist: Eeeeeeaaaaaa!
Faramir, startled: What???
Eowyn: I don’t know…I just suddenly felt like I was supposed to yell.
* * *
Aragorn: By this good earth, but all that you hold dear, I bid you Stand, Men of the West!
A quick glance shows Aragorn that the host of Mordor were drawing perilously nigh. He leaps off his steed, and sends it pounding away. Aragorn then faces the strength of Sauron, momentarily mesmerized by the whispering voice of Sauron calling his name. Then, with a glance behind him a smile crosses his face at the sight of Brego disappearing beyond sight in a cloud of dust, and knows that their secret is safe.
Aragorn: For Frodo …
With a yell, charges into the pikes of the enemy.
* * *
Battle Rages in front of the Black Gate.
Pippin: The Eagles are coming! The Eagles are coming!
Merry, watching a moth flutter up to rest in Gandalf’s palm: They’ve shrunk?!?
Legolas notices across a sea of orcs that Aragorn is about to be squashed by a troll. Horror crosses his Elven face. This was one needless movie adaption too many!
Legolas, fed up: Not Aragorn, thou foolish troll…the hobbit, the hobbit!! *sigh* Someone else save him this time. I have had enough!
Merry: I’ll get him!
Pippin: No, you had the Witchking. This one’s mine!
Ring melts in the lava of
Merry: Awwww! No fair.
Pippin, arms crosses: Come back here and be a good sport!
Merry begins crying and screaming in frustration. Pippin takes Merry’s head in his lap and attempts to comfort him, but is too disappointed himself to be much use to his friend.