Scene: Open Ithilien. The Haradrim army are ambushed by cloaked archers in the forest - the rangers of Ithilien. Faramir is seen. He takes aim and shoots a soldier, who falls from the Oliphaunt and lands right behind Frodo and Sam, dead.

Frodo: We’ve lingered here for too long. Come on, Sam!

[Frodo runs straight into Faramir. Faramir grabs hold of him and throws him back. Sam gropes for his sword]

Sam: Ah!

[He charges at Faramir but is grabbed by another ranger and thrown down. A sword appears at his throat.]

Faramir: Bind their hands.

Scene: The caves of Henneth Annûn. Faramir consults one of his Rangers, pouring over a map.

Faramir: What news?

Madril: Our scouts report Saruman has attacked Rohan. Theoden’s people have fled to Helm’s Deep. [Points to map] But we must look to our own borders. Faramir, orcs are on the move. Sauron is marshalling an army. Easterlings and Southrons are passing through the Black Gate.

Faramir: How many?

Madril: Some thousands. More come every day.

Faramir: Who’s covering the river to the north?

Madril: We pulled 500 men at Osgiliath, but if the city is attacked, we won’t hold it.

Faramir: [Traces map] Saruman attacks from Isengard. Sauron from Mordor. The fight will come to men on both fronts. Gondor is weak. Sauron will strike us soon. And he will strike hard. He knows now we do not have the strength to repel him.

Scene: The caves of Henneth Annûn. The hobbits have been brought before Faramir.

Faramir: My men tell me that you are orc spies.

Sam: Spies?! Now wait just a minute!

Faramir: Well if you’re not spies, then who are you? [Pause] Speak!

Frodo: We are hobbits of the Shire. Frodo Baggins is my name and this is Samwise Gamgee.

Faramir: Your bodyguard?

Sam: His gardener.

Faramir: And where is your skulking friend? That gangrel creature. He had an ill-favoured look.

Frodo: There was no other. We set out from Rivendell with seven companions. One we lost in Moria. Two were my kin. A Dwarf there was also, and an Elf. And two men, Aragorn, son of Arathorn, and Boromir of Gondor.

Faramir: [shocked] You were a friend of Boromir?

Frodo: Yes... for my part.

Faramir: It would grieve you then to learn that he was dead.

Frodo: [shocked] Dead? How? When?

Faramir: As one of his companions, I hoped you would tell me. [pause] He was my brother.

Scene: The caves of Henneth Annûn. Faramir sits musing. Suddenly Madril the ranger approaches.

Madril: Captain Faramir! [whispering] The third one has been found.

Scene: The caves of Henneth Annûn. Frodo and Sam are resting. Suddenly Faramir approaches.

Faramir: You must come with me. Now.

[Frodo consents, and they go to the edge of the waterfall, overlooking the Forbidden Pool]

Faramir: [points] Down there.

[Gollum is diving in the pool]

Faramir : To enter the forbidden pool bears the penalty of death. [Gestures to the hidden archers above the pool] They wait for my command. Shall they shoot?

[Gollum emerges from the pool with a fish]

Gollum: The rock and pool is nice and cool, so nice for feet! I only wish to catch a fish, so juicy sweet!

[Faramir raises his hand to give the command]

Frodo: Wait! This creature is bound to me. And I to him. He is our guide. Please, let me go down to him.

Faramir [nods]

More

Return