<Aragorn is riding towards Helm’s Deep. On the way, he sees an enormous Uruk-hai army marching with great speed. He quickly makes haste towards Helm’s Deep and soon sees the refuge.>
Aragorn: <Patting Brego on the neck> Mae carnen, Brego, mellon nîn. (Well done, Brego, my friend)
<He rides into Helm’s Deep to the amazement of all.>
Refugees: He’s alive!
Gimli: <Pushing his way through the crowd.> Where is he? Where is he? Get out of the way. I’m gonna kill him! <He sees Aragorn.> You are the luckiest, the canniest and the most reckless man I ever knew! <He hugs Aragorn.> Bless you, laddie!
Aragorn: Gimli, where is the king?
<Gimli gestures to the hall. As Aragorn makes his way in, he runs into Legolas who stands waiting.>
Legolas: Le ab-dollen. (You’re late.) <They smile. Legolas pauses and looks at Aragorn’s wounds.> You look terrible.
<To the side, Éowyn sees Aragorn and smiles joyously and with relief. Legolas takes Aragorn’s hand and gives the Evenstar pendant. Aragorn looks at the Evenstar and claps Legolas on the shoulder.>
Aragorn: Hannon le. (Thank you.)
<Éowyn looks on and smiles even as tears fill her eyes.>
<Aragorn is in the keep, conferring with Théoden>
Théoden: A great host, you say?
Aragorn: All Isengard is emptied
Théoden: How many?
Aragorn: Ten thousand strong at least.
Théoden: Ten thousand?!
Aragorn: It is an army bred for a single purpose: to destroy the world of men. They will be here by nightfall.
Théoden: Let them come! <Walks away resolutely>
<Along the passage behind the Deeping Wall.>
Théoden: <to Gamling> I want every man and strong lad able to bear arms to be ready for battle by nightfall.
<Gamling nods and goes off. Théoden stands at the gate of Helm’s Deep, speaking to Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli.>
Théoden: We will cover the causeway and the gate from above. No army has ever breached the Deeping Wall or set foot inside the Hornburg.
Gimli: This is no rabble of mindless Orcs. These are Uruk-hai. Their armor is thick and their shields broad.
Théoden: I have fought many wars, Master Dwarf. I know how to defend my own keep.
<Gimli seems miffed. Legolas claps a hand on Gimli’s shoulder as he follows Aragorn and Théoden back in.>
Théoden: They will break upon this fortress like water on rock. Saruman’s hordes will pillage and burn, we’ve seen it before. Crops can be resown; homes rebuilt. Within these walls, we will outlast them.
Aragorn: They do not come to destroy Rohan’s crops or villages. They come to destroy its people. Down to the last child.
Théoden: <Draws close to Aragorn> What would you have me do? Look at my men. Their courage hangs by a thread. If this is to be our end, then I would have them make such an end as to be worthy of remembrance.
Aragorn: Send out riders, my lord. You must call for aid.
Théoden: And who will come? Elves? Dwarves? We are not so lucky in our friends as you. The old alliances are dead.
Aragorn: Gondor will answer.
Théoden: Gondor? Where was Gondor when the Westfold fell? Where was Gondor when our enemies closed in around us? Where was Gon… – No, my lord Aragorn, we are alone. <He walks away, calling out orders> Get the women and children into the caves.
Gamling: We need more time to lay provisions for a siege, lord –
Théoden: <Cutting him off> There is no time. War is upon us!
Rohan captain: <to the soldiers> Secure the gate!
<Men rush to prepare for battle as flocks of carrion crows circle overhead.>
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