w o r m t o n g u e

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

The Wizard GANDALF storms the court of THEODEN, the once mighty King of Rohan. THEODEN has been reduced to a senile and doddering old man by the evil influence of SARUMAN, another powerful Wizard, whose armies of Orcs threaten to overthrow Rohan. GRIMA WORMTONGUE, a supposedly loyal Minister of the Court, spits venom at GANDALF.

THEODEN, too decrepit to stand, eyes GANDALF warily from his huge throne.

THEODEN
You come here unbidden. Why should we welcome you?

From out of the shadows of the throne steps WORMTONGUE.

WORMTONGUE
A just question, my Liege. Even now we learn from Gondor that the Dark Lord is moving in the East. Late is the hour in which this conjuror chooses to return.

Emboldened, WORMTONGUE steps even closer to GANDALF.

WORMTONGUE(cont-d)
Why indeed should we welcome you, Master Stormcrow? Lathspell I name you. Ill news is an ill guest they say.

He laughs snidely at his own cleverness.

GANDALF
(softly)
In two ways may a man come with evil tidings; he may be a worker of evil; or he may be the one who comes only when aid is needed.

WORMTONGUE addresses GANDALF with half an eye on THEODEN.

WORMTONGUE
There is a third kind: pickers of bones, meddlers in other men-s sorrows, carrion-fowl that grow fat on war. What aid have you ever brought, Stormcrow? And what aid do you bring now? Did you bring men? Do you bring horses and spears?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

WORMTONGUE(cont-d)
That I would call aid; that is our present need. But who are these three that follow at your tail? Three ragged wanderers in grey, and you yourself the most beggar-like of the four!

GANDALF steps forward, pulling from beneath the folds of his cloak his wizard-s staff!

GANDALF
Hold your tongue you witless worm!

WORMTONGUE cowers, no longer brave but squealing with fright at the ROYAL GUARDS.

WORMTONGUE
His staff! Did I not order you to take his staff!

He scurries for the cover behind the throne.

-END-