EXT. MOUNTAIN
FORTRESS --NIGHT
FLASHBACK.
It is raining heavily. We see a dark, bare mountain surrounded by forest. The mountain has been carved into a great fortress with
towers and
walls. The large front gates are barred shut. Beside it is a stone built guard house with its own small entrance. Firelight glows from its small windows.
GANDALF (V.O.)
It seemed to me that the
Ringwraiths, who some call
the Black Riders, were abroad once again; but I had no proof. I decided that I must visit
Dol Guldur myself. I went in disguise.
A Figure, hooded and cloaked in black, hides outside the postern guardhouse to Dol Guldur.
Inside,
ORCS are laughing, drinking and talking by the light of an open fire. They have no inclination to take their turns patrolling in the driving rain.
The figure crouches in
the shadows and waits. Eventually he stands tall and, pulling the hood low over his face, he walks past the door.
A couple of ORCS spot him and leap to attention.
ORCS
Nazgul!
The Orcs mistake him for one of their own – a
Black Rider.
Hiding a wry smile, Gandalf walks boldly along the roadway, which is banked up a few feet above the mud and slime.
He waits until he is alone then he steps down into the shadows unseen.
Hiding near the road, he listens to the conversations of passing Orcs. Two are passing by, dragging a frightened, unrecognisable being whose legs refuse to work.
ORC #1
Stop snivelling! We’re in the mood for some fun; and I’ll bet you’re tasty too, if it comes to it.
ORC #2
You can’t do anything to it unless Sauron says so. We’ll both be for it if you…..
ORC #1
And you’ll be for it too if you don’t shut up! You know better than to speak the boss’s name aloud – it’s a secret.
ORC #2
(Spits) What difference does it make? Everyone here knows who he is.
ORC #1
The difference is whether you get run through by a Nazgul’s
sword or fed to the
spiders, that’s what difference it makes, now shut up or I’ll run you through myself!
The Orcs chatter on to one another, dragging their prisoner along. Gandalf follows them in the shadows just off the roadway to the rocky mountain in which are delved the pits of Dol Guldur.
INT. THE PITS OF DOL GULDUR
Gandalf finds a side entrance to the pits and slips unnoticed into the mountainside. A long passageway has been carved out and is lit at intervals by slow-burning torches, which give the passageway a red glow.
Side tunnels appear at intervals. Gandalf explores one. It contains several openings into low cells.
The prisoners in the first two cells appear to be dead. Gandalf peers into the third and sees the figure stir.
Gandalf takes a torch and lowers himself into the pit.
In the mud at the bottom, in chains, lies a
DWARF. His matted beard and sallow face bear witness to the great torment he has suffered.
The Dwarf raises an arm toward Gandalf and groans. There is urgency in his voice.
Gandalf lowers himself to the Dwarf’s side. He sets the torch aside and cradles the Dwarf’s head and shoulders in his arms, then whispers to him.
GANDALF
Speak, Master Dwarf! How came you to this doom?
DWARF
My Ring! One of the Seven! He’s taken it. It was the last! The last!
GANDALF
Peace, my friend! Who knows that you are here? Would you have me send messages?
DWARF
No friend knows I have been taken.
The Ring has been taken. The last of the Seven. Taken. Gone.
MORE
DWARF
(beat)
Messages? Yes. One message. I would have you take one message for me – for my son.
The Dwarf struggles to sit up. He opens his waistcoat and reaches for a hidden pocket. Out of it he lifts a piece of parchment and a key. Almost dropping them, he hands them to Gandalf.
The effort exhausts him. Gandalf helps him with his waistcoat and covers him with a muddy cloak that had been lying on the floor.
Again Gandalf cradles the Dwarf in his arms. The Dwarf gasps and gurgles as he struggles to speak.
DWARF
When you see my son, give him these things.
GANDALF
His name, master! Tell me the name of your son and where I might find him.
The Dwarf struggles to answer. His mouth opens and shuts. In desperation he tries to form the name of his son. His eyes roll upwards and the Dwarf is no more.
Gandalf lowers him gently to the ground. He arranges the Dwarf’s body with what respect he can and covers him with the cloak. He covers his own head once more with the black hood and turns to leave.
GANDALF
Sauron!
PRESENT.