t h e o d e n

LORD OF THE RINGS - (c) Three Foot Six Ltd.

GANDALF and his companions arrive at the Hall of Theoden, King of Rohan. They find the once heroic King wizened and bent. His spirit has been poisoned by his duplicitous Minister, GRIMA, commonly known as ?WORMTONGUE¦. GANDALF breaks GRIMA-s dark spell and reawakens the sleeping warrior.

THEODEN
(still groggy)
My world is dim, my dreams dark and dreary. I know your face.

GANDALF
Too long have you sat in the shadows, old friend, trusting twisted tales and crooked lies. Rise up!

As WORMTONGUE watches, helpless to intervene, the old King slowly rises to his feet, and starts down the stairs from his throne.

GANDALF(cont-d)
Open the doors! The Lord of the Mark comes forth!

The pale light of a Winter-s day floods the room, but to THEODEN, after years in the gloom of the Throne Room, all seems bright. It fills him with pain and wonder as he looks out over his domain.

THEODEN
(whisper)
My land.

He looks around at the sad and strained faces of his trusted servants, realises what they have been through.

THEODEN
My people.

THEODEN drops his stick. He stretches up, straight and tall - long forgotten strength flooding back through his veins.

GANDALF
Let the power return.

THEODEN
Yes - I feel it ...

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

THEODEN turns back to GANDALF.

THEODEN (CONT-D)
... but you raise up a King who let his subjects be driven to their knees. Eomer tried to warn me. Oh Gandalf, I would not listen. I threatened him with death ... one who loved me ... my own kin.

GANDALF
Do not let despair drive you back into the darkness. Your heart will remember its old strength better, if once again you hold your sword.

THEODEN puts his hand to his side. No sword hangs there. He hesitates - uncertain.

THEODEN
But where ...

THEODEN spies WORMTONGUE cowering in a corner.

THEODEN
You! **** you! Where have you stowed it ...

A figure steps forward. THEODEN turns and faces his estranged nephew, EOMER. EOMER kneels, offering his sword.

EOMER
It was ever at your service.

THEODEN
How is this ... ?

GANDALF
Will you not take the sword?

After a long moment, THEODEN stretches out his hand. As his fingers touch the hilt, it seems that firmness and strength return to his arm. He suddenly lifts the blade, swings it whistling through the air.

THEODEN
Haaaaa!

THEODEN offers his sword back to EOMER.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

THEODEN
Take back your sword, Eomer. I will find my own, wherever that confounded slug has hidden it.
(announces)
Those who would follow me, listen! We go to war! I shall take the vanguard, and if I fall, it will be in the front of the battle. Thus, shall I sleep better.
(ringing tone)
Arise now, Riders of the Mark! Sound the horns! We ride forth! Forth to War!

-END-