ANGLE ON: GANDALF returns to his seat.
ANGLE ON: BOROMIR shakes his head. He stands again to make his
case to the COUNCIL.
BOROMIR
It is a gift ... a gift to the foes of
Mordor! Why not use this Ring? Long has
my father, the Steward of Gondor, kept
the forces of Mordor at bay ... by the
blood of our people are your lands kept
safe. Give Gondor the weapon of the
enemy ... let us use it against him!
STRIDER
You cannot wield it. None of us can.
The One Ring answers to Sauron alone
... it has no other master.
ANGLE ON: BOROMIR turns and looks at STRIDER, coolly.
BOROMIR
And what would a Ranger know of this
matter?
STRIDER says nothing and BOROMIR turns away dismissively.
ANGLE ON: LEGOLAS stands...
LEGOLAS
This is no mere Ranger. He is Aragorn,
son of Arathorn. You owe him your
allegiance.
(CONTINUED)
99.
CONTINUED: (3)
ANGLE ON: FRODO looks at STRIDER questioningly ... BOROMIR turns
sharply.
BOROMIR
(quiet disbelief)
Aragorn? This is Isildur's heir?
LEGOLAS
And heir to the throne of Gondor.
STRIDER
(Elvish: with subtitles)
Havo dad, Legolas...
Sit down, Legolas...
BOROMIR
Gondor has no king.
GANDALF
Aragorn is right ... we cannot use it.
ELROND
You have only one choice ... the Ring
must be destroyed.
ON THE SOUNDTRACK: The HUM OF THE RING seems to grow louder in
FRODO’S ears.
ANGLE ON: GIMLI suddenly stands, excited.
GIMLI
Then ... what are we waiting for?
GIMLI suddenly rushes forward! He swings his axe down on the
RING. The axe SHATTERS with a deafening CRACK! GIMLI falls
backwards staring in disbelief at the RING ... unharmed!
ANGLE ON: FRODO winces as an angry IMAGE of the FIERY EYE hits
him! He slumps in his chair, clutching his forehead. GANDALF
looks at him with concern.
ELROND
The Ring cannot be destroyed, Gimli,
son of Glóin, by any craft that we here
possess. The Ring was made in the fires
of Mount Doom ... only there can it be
unmade.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
100.
CONTINUED: (4)
ELROND (CONT’D)
It must be taken deep into Mordor, and
cast back into the fiery chasm from
whence it came. One of you must do
this.
STUNNED SILENCE ... the council sits with downcast eyes, as if a
great dread has descended upon them.
BOROMIR addresses the council in a quiet voice.
BOROMIR
One does not simply walk into Mordor.
Its Black Gates are guarded by more
than just Orcs. There is evil there
that does not sleep and the Great Eye
is ever watchful. It is a barren
wasteland riddled with fire, and ash
and dust ... the very air you breathe
is a poisonous fume. Not with ten
thousand Men could you do this. It is
folly.
LEGOLAS
Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond has
said? The Ring must be destroyed.
GIMLI
And I suppose you think you're the
one to do it?
BOROMIR
And what if we fail, what then? What
happens when Sauron takes back what is
his?
GIMLI leaps to his feet!
GIMLI
I will be dead before I see the Ring in
the hands of an Elf!
A STORM OF ARGUMENT erupts around the room.
CLOSE ON: FRODO ... sound disappears as he watches in SLOW
MOTION ... the angry faces, the shaking fists, the accusatory
fingers, his eyes move to the RING ... THE HUM grows louder in
his head.
(CONTINUED)
101.
CONTINUED: (5)
GIMLI (CONT’D)
(shouting)
Never trust an Elf!
CLOSE ON: THE RING fills the screen ... streams of blood flow
across the surface ... flames flicker within the GOLD BAND.
GANDALF
Do you not understand? While we bicker
amongst ourselves, Sauron’s power
grows! No one will escape it. You will
all be destroyed, with your homes burnt
and your families put to the sword!
CLOSE ON: FRODO ... breathing rapidly, CAUGHT in the grip of his
hideous vision. With a huge effort of will, FRODO tears his gaze
upon the RING.
ANGLE ON: FRODO suddenly stands ... he speaks in a strong, clear
voice.
FRODO
I will take it ... I will take it ...
I will take the Ring to Mordor.
SUDDEN SILENCE ... FRODO looks around the room at the astonished
faces.
FRODO (CONT’D)
(quietly)
Though I do not know the way.
ANGLE ON: GANDALF rises to his feet.
GANDALF
I will help you bear this burden, Frodo
Baggins, as long as it is yours to bear.
ARAGORN
If by my life or death I can protect
you, I will.
(kneels before Frodo)
...you have my sword.
ARAGORN steps forward ... followed by LEGOLAS and GIMLI.
LEGOLAS
And you have my bow.
(CONTINUED)
102.
CONTINUED: (6)
GIMLI
And my axe.
ANGLE ON: BOROMIR looks at them all and then walks to FRODO.
BOROMIR
You carry the fates of us all, little
one.
BOROMIR looks towards ELROND and GANDALF.
BOROMIR (CONT’D)
If this is indeed the will of the
Council, then Gondor will see it done.
ANGLE ON: FRODO stares in wonder as the GREATEST FIGHTERS in all
Middle earth stand at his side.
SAM
(unseen)
Here!
A SUDDEN NOISE ... SAM pops up from behind a BUSH!
SAM
Mr. Frodo's not going anywhere without me.
ELROND
No, indeed ... it is hardly possible to
separate you ... even when he is
summoned to a secret Council and you
are not.
ANGLE ON: MERRY and PIPPIN jump up from behind another bush!
MERRY
Oi! We're coming too! You'd have to
send us home tied up in a sack to stop
us.
PIPPIN
Anyway ... you need people of intelligence
on this sort of mission ... quest ...
thing...
MERRY
Well, that rules you out, Pip.
(CONTINUED)
103.
CONTINUED: (7)
ELROND SURVEYS THE GROUP.
ELROND
(thoughtfully)
Nine companions ... so be it.
(announcing)
You shall be the FELLOWSHIP OF THE
RING.
PIPPIN
Great. Where are we going?