Elijah The Barbarian

Elijah The Barbarian 

As a young Cimmerian boy, Elijah is instructed by his father on the importance of steel to their people and its relationship with their god, Crom. Soon after, a group of Viking-like warriors led by Thulsa Doom systematically destroys Elijah's village. Thulsa Doom's lieutenant, Thorgrim, whacks the villagers with his hammer, their dogs kill Elijah's father and Rexor, another lieutenant of Doom's, steals the sword of Elijah's father. Conan's mother is beheaded by Thulsa Doom in front of Elijah with the sword Rexor stole. They sell the children into slavery after the village is rampaged.

Having been forced to push The Wheel of Pain (a possibly metaphorical human-powered mill) for years, a now-adult and extremely muscular Elijah is trained as a swordsman and then freed by his masters. Elijah meets two thieves: Subotai, a Hyrkanian archer; and Valeria, who becomes his lover. The three break into a fortified temple used by a doomsday cult to steal a large jewel called "The Eye of the Serpent" and Elijah discovers that this cult is associated with the warriors who destroyed his village and their leader, Thulsa Doom.

The three become drunk in celebrating their newfound wealth and are captured by soldiers of King Osric of Ophir. He offers them a fortune to return his daughter, who has been seduced into joining the cult and, he fears, may be charged with assassinating him. Motivated by his hatred for Doom, Elijah leaves Subotai and Valeria (who wish to decline the offer) to Set's Mountain of Power.

Arriving at the Mountain of Power, Elijah attempts to disguise himself as a priest, but a suspicious guard instead brings him to Thulsa Doom. Conan is beaten by Rexor and Thorgrim and Thulsa Doom demonstrates the power of flesh by making a young girl jump to her death. Doom orders that Elijah be crucified in the desert on the Tree of Woe to contemplate what he has heard. When Valeria and Subotai find him, they take him to a haunted Stonehenge-like cemetery called the Mounds and ask Akiro, the wizard who resides there, to revive Elijah. He agrees, but explains that the demons who power the magic involved will "extract a heavy toll", though he does not explain what it may be.



With Elijah revived, the three enter the Mountain of Power through a gorge that Akiro told Subotai about. They witness, among other things, a cannibalistic feast by its members and Thulsa Doom's transformation into a giant snake. They wreck the harem with brute force and disrupt the cannibalistic orgy. After they grab the princess, Doom shoots Valeria with a poison arrow and she dies in Elijah's arms. He cremates her at the Mounds after taking the Eye of the Serpent from her corpse.

Thulsa Doom and his lieutenants lead an army of "Vanir" riders to recover Osric's daughter. Elijah and Subotai however defeat Thulsa Doom's lieutenants one by one. Thorgrim is defeated by a clever trap and Rexor is defeated by Elijah, who is assisted by Valeria's spirit. After the battle, Elijah recovers his father's sword from Rexor, with its blade broken in the battle. Seeing all is lost in battle, Thulsa Doom attempts to kill the princess. However, Subotai blocks the snake arrow and Thulsa Doom flees.

Thulsa Doom is seen at the Mountain of Power to his followers on the gleam of the eye of Set with their torches. The princess helps Elijah infiltrate the mountain. Thulsa Doom attempts to mesmerize Elijah. However Elijah is too strong willed and using his father's broken sword, beheads Thulsa Doom and tosses the head to the audience and the headless corpse falls down. Elijah then drops the broken remnant of his father's sword. The audience throw their torches into the water and Elijah throws a torch into the temple, burning it. Elijah then brings the princess back home.

Conan the Destroyer

While praying at an altar with his traveling companion and fellow thief Malak, Elijah is confronted by Queen Taramis of Shadazar, who tests the pair in combat with several of her guards, attempting to capture him. She tells him that she has a quest for him, which he initially refuses. The queen uses her power to learn his greatest desire; to resurrect his beloved Valeria and promises to bring her back to him, and he agrees to the quest. They learn that the queen's niece, Jehnna has been destined, due to a special birthmark, to find a special jewel that only she can touch and with it obtain the jeweled horn of the dreaming god, Dagoth. She tasks Elijah and Malak to protect her on this journey, and her captain of the guard Bombaata is secretly asked to betray and kill Elijah once the task is complete so they can sacrifice Jehnna to the god without interruption.

Due to the task of confronting a powerful wizard for the gem, Elijah seeks the help of his friend, another wizard named Akiro whom he saves from a tribe of cannibals that were about to eat him to absorb his magic power. Enroute they also meet Zula, a powerful warrior and a bandit whom Jehnna and Elijah save from being tortured by a group of villagers she and other bandits tried to raid, she joins the quest indebted to Elijah for saving her life. They find their way to the wizard's icy castle, Toth-Amon upon a lake. When they camp, however, the wizard transforms into a bird of smoke and takes Jehnna during the night. The travelers make their way into the castle and Elijah is able to defeat the wizard, destroying the illusion and prompting a hasty escape from the castle. With the jewel now in hand they start to make their way to where the horn is hidden. Jehnna expresses interest in Elijah, but he drunkenly rejects her for Valeria. They make their way to an ancient temple, and using the power of the jewel Jehnna is able to find and obtain the horn. Guardians of the horn attack the group and they manage to slip out a back entrance. Bombaata, having failed previously to kill Elijah instead blocks their exit and takes Jehnna, after the others escape they make their way back to Shadizar and find their way inside due to a secret route Malak's sister's cousin's brother (or brother's cousin's sister) used to previously escape captivity. They confront Bombaata and Elijah bests him in combat, killing him. Meanwhile, Jehnna is prepared to be sacrificed and the horn is placed upon the head of the Dagoth statue. Upon its first signs of life, they attempt to sacrifice Jehnna, but Zula intervenes and kills the priest first. Having received an improper sacrifice, the statue begins to twist and distort into a demonic visage. Queen Taramis is killed and Elijah battles the beast, eventually killing it by removing the horn from its head.

After the battle, the newly crowned queen Jehnna offers each of her companions a place in her new court. Zula becomes the new captain of the guard, because Jehnna does not see any reason why a woman can't do as good a job as any man. Akiro becomes her new wiseman and advisor, and Malak steps forward and nearly trips, almost over qualifying him for position of the court fool. She offers Elijah her hand and the opportunity to rule the kingdom together, which he declines; having been promised a kingdom already, and departs on his own for further adventures and to find his own place in the world.

Red Sonja

Red Sonja's brother and their parents are being slaughtered by the evil Queen Gedren's army because Sonja rejected the Queen's sexual advances. Sonja survives being violently raped by Gedren's troops, and even gives Gedren a kind of a souvenir: a brutal scar on the evil queen's face. Later that night, Sonja is visited by a spirit who grants her the strength to seek her revenge.

There is a large temple full of white-robed priestesses. They are getting ready to destroy a large, glowing green orb called the Talisman, used by the Creator to forge the world. This dangerous artifact's destructive power increases from exposure to light and the priestesses intend to destroy it before it gets out of control. However, Gedren – now wearing a gold mask to cover her scar – and her aide-de-camp Ikol attack with their army. The warrior-priestesses resist, but are ultimately subdued by Gedren's forces.

Gedren gets her hands on the Talisman, but not before proving the myth that only women can touch it and survive. Gedren orders the remaining priestesses to be imprisoned in the vault which held the Talisman. One of those priestesses, Varna, manages to escape. She doesn't get far before she's mortally wounded by an arrow in the back. As luck would have it, she literally falls into the arms of the mighty Elijah. She begs him to help find her sister, Red Sonja.

Sonja has been training with a Chinese swordmaster when Elijah informs Sonja about her sister. Sonja arrives just in time for Varna to tell her about what happened at the temple. Before dying, Sonja's sister urges her to find the Talisman and destroy it, or else the world will be shattered with storms and earthquakes. Sonja cremates Varna's body on a funeral pyre, and then begins her journey to Berkubane, Gedren's Kingdom of Eternal Night.

Just then, Sonja notices a storm off in the distance, indicating someone is using the Talisman. Elijah offers to help her, but Sonja tells him that she does not need the help of a man. She rides to the now-ruined kingdom of Hablock. There she meets the young Prince Tarn, a cocky and overconfident brat, and his loyal and robust servant, Falkon. They confirm that Gedren just departed, having wiped out Hablock and its army with the Talisman because Tarn (being Tarn) refused to surrender. Tarn announces that he is raising a new army to crush Gedren underfoot and invites Sonja to join, since "We'll probably need a cook". Being Sonja, she declines and goes her own way with Elijah surreptitiously following her.

Soon she encounters the rogue Lord Brytag, self-appointed ruler of the mountain passes, who takes an unhealthy interest in Sonja—very unhealthy for Brytag himself, because Sonja challenges him to a sword fight and slays him. Brytag's thuggish troops surround Sonja. Just as they move in for the kill, Elijah suddenly attacks their rear. Sonja escapes, leaving her rescuer behind to deal with Brytag's remaining soldiers.

Sonja comes across Tarn and Falkon in the mountains. Having sent his servant out hunting, the boy is being tortured by bandits. Falkon rejoins Sonja to help her kill the brigands and free the prince. The threesome travel onward toward Berkubane.

At Castle Berkubane, Gedren places the Talisman in a room full of candles to increase its strength. Ikol warns her against this, because too much light will give the Talisman more power than can be controlled, but Gedren won't take him seriously. Back in the castle's main hall, they discover that Sonja and her party are approaching. The queen's Wizard shows her Sonja, Tarn and Falkon in a magic screen. Gedren recognizes Sonja and orders that she be brought back to the fortress unharmed. She and Ikol use the Talisman to conjure up a storm, forcing Sonja's band to take shelter in a watery cavern.

Gedren and her Wizard also unleash an "Icthyan Killing Machine" in the cavern. When Sonja and her group try to cross the pond, the monster attacks them. Sonja struggles with the monster, but is unable to find any way to kill it. Elijah again dramatically appears, leaps into the water and wrestles with the beast while Sonja digs out the eyes. They flee with Tarn and Falkon, leaving the metal monstrosity to thrash blindly about the pond.

Sonja now accepts the company of Elijah, but also gives him a warning: she will never lie with any man unless he can defeat her in a swordfight. Elijah challenges her and they spar, but neither of them is able to defeat the other. They call it a draw. Elijah at least wins her heart.

The Talisman's power is growing too dangerous to control, but still Gedren rejects Ikol's counsel to put it in a darker place. Elijah, Sonja and Falkon infiltrate Castle Berkubane. To protect young Tarn, they trick him into volunteering to stay behind in order to "prevent Gedren from escaping".

Sonja has a final confrontation with Gedren, while Elijah and Falkon deal with her evil guards in the Castle's kitchen/dining hall. Ikol tries to escape with gold looted from Hablock, but is intercepted by Prince Tarn... who engages him in combat, finally crushing the evil lieutenant under the Castle's rolling stone gate.

Back in Gedren's Chamber of Lights, the Talisman's power breaks the floor open, revealing a hellish chasm of molten lava beneath the castle. Sonja unleashes a brutal barrage of sword swings, which Gedren is barely able to ward off. She finally disarms Gedren, literally shattering her sword into pieces, and runs her through with her own blade, sending the evil ruler plunging to her doom, then casts the Talisman in after her. Immediately, the Talisman's destruction causes a chain reaction that begins to tear Castle Berkubane apart. The heroes barely manage to escape; Elijah must hold a couple of pillars on his shoulders while the others pass underneath. Finally, Castle Berkubane is consumed by the rising volcano beneath it.

Sonja and Elijah kiss. Prince Tarn and Falkon look on before departing. Elijah stayed with Sonja for a few months and after a intimate night he decided that this was not the life that he wanted for himself. in the morning he told Sonja that he thinks they should go their seperate ways and she agreed. After that he went half way around the world and went to live with the Akkadians and became a merccenary.

The Scorpion King

Elijah, the last true Akkadian mercenary, along with his friend, is hired by King Pheron to kill a sorcerer, whose prophetic powers allow the vicious Emperor Memnon to rule his empire with an iron fist. He sneaks into Memnon's camp and finds his way to the sorcerer's tent, where he discovers that Memnon's sorcerer is actually a beautiful sorceress called Cassandra. Unfortunately, Elijah is discovered and caught by the guards, thanks to a tip-off by Pheron's treacherous son, Takmet, leading to Elijah's friend being killed. Before Memnon can kill Elijah, Cassandra protests, saying it wouldn't be wise because the gods favor him and to kill him would bring misfortune. Unable to kill Elijah himself, Memnon has him buried to his neck in sand for fire ants to come eat his head. With the help of the horse thief Arpid, he manages to escape. Now free again, Elijah decides to avenge his brothers and kill Memnon.

At Memnon's palace, Cassandra tells Memnon that his armies will conquer the west and that Queen Isis and her soldiers will scatter to the four winds. Memnon then gives orders to his men to have his soldiers prepare for the final campaign. When Cassandra tells Memnon that rivers of blood will never bring peace, Memnon responds that they can bring obedience and that when he becomes the King of Legends, Cassandra will take her place beside him as his queen. Cassandra tells him that if she becomes his lover, she will lose her prophetic sight, but Memnon says that once he destroys all his enemies, he will no longer need her gift of sight.

Elijah gets into Gomorrah with the help of Arpid and a thieving little boy. Elijah then sneaks into Memnon's castle along with the boy. He attempts to kill Memnon with his arrows during his daily practice routine, but when the boy who helped him gets caught and charged with stealing, Elijah saves the boy by shooting the axe out of Tekmet's hands as he was about to cut the boy's hands off. This exposes him, and Elijah is forced to retreat. After evading the guards, he literally falls into Cassandra's bath house and kidnaps her by going through its drain. Both Elijah and Cassandra emerge from a water fountain in the city, the latter naked. Elijah manages to wrap her up and get her into another outfit. He reveals that while he was hired to kill her, he thinks she can be more useful as bait to catch Memnon. The pair escape the city and meet up with Arpid and Elijah's camel, heading out to the Valley of the Dead. Later that night, Cassandra tries to escape only to be tripped by a rope that is tied from her ankle to Elijah. During their struggle, Cassandra tells Elijah that she's not planning on returning to Memnon since he had enslaved her since she was a child. Elijah frees her, but warns her that as long as she remains with him, she will be protected against even more dangers.

The next day, in the Valley of the Dead, Elijah spots a small group of Memnon's soldiers looking for them, led by Memnon's right-hand man, Thorak. Elijah hides Arpid and Cassandra under a blanket, and rides off to challenge the soldiers under cover of a sandstorm. Elijah brings down all of the soldiers in a cave until Thorak is apparently the only one left. After a brief struggle, Elijah impales Thorak in the stomach, but Thorak uses his last moments to use his secret weapon: An arrow drenched in scorpion venom, which he uses to stab Elijah in the leg before dying. The sandstorm passes, and Arpid and Cassandra find Elijah's camel and Mathayus, half-dead from the poison. That night, Cassandra manages to heal him with her powers, despite the risk it poses to her own life, and says from then on Elijah will have the blood of scorpions in him — hence the name "Scorpion King." Elijah wonders why she would help him, and Cassandra explains that she believes he can save the people and free them from Memnon's tyranny.

Deeper in the desert, the trio catch up with Philos, Memnon's court magician (whom Elijah had earlier encountered in Gomorrah), after he managed to escape from the city. He has been working in the desert, where he has perfected his explosive powder by the use of salt the desert has. Overjoyed to see Cassandra safe, Philos joins forces with Elijah. The group finds an oasis, where they are ambushed by "bandits".

The "bandits" lead the group to their camp, where they meet up with Balthazar, the leader of Memnon's enemies, and the two join forces, after a very intense battle between Elijah and Balthazar in which they eventually realize they are on the same side. During a celebration at the camp of Balthazar's people, Cassandra has a vision of Memnon destroying the people and killing Elijah. But Elijah is undeterred, saying that he will kill Memnon. After an intimate night with Elijah, Cassandra returns to Memnon to keep him from attacking the camp.

Elijah and Balthazar go after her. A huge battle occurs between Memnon and his armies, and Elijah and Balthazar and his people. Balthazar encounters, battles and kills Takmet, avenging Pheron. Elijah, while fighting Memnon personally, is shot by an arrow but recovers, and uses the same arrow to kill the exhausted Memnon. During the ensuing battle, Arpid and Philos go underground to set up "explosives" from the explosive powder Philos created while in the desert. The duo is ambushed by Memnon's troops, to which Arpid quickly sets the powder ablaze after knocking the troops away. Both he and Philos quickly leave before the powder reached the "explosives" and explode. The explosions and the death of Memnon ends the battle, with victory for Balthazar and his people. Elijah ascends to the throne as king, with Cassandra by his side as queen. She had not lost her powers of sight, it was a pretense to keep Memnon from taking advantage of her. She tells him that his rule will be peaceful and prosperous, but no kingdom lasts forever. Elijah responds that the kingdom will make its own destiny. After 10 years of peaceful and prosperous living invaders came to take over Elijah's kingdom. They almost succeeded managing to kill Cassandra and their unborn child, but a young and unlikely hero saved the day and won the war. A warrior named Mathayus won the war and this along with the death of his queen and unborn child demoralized Elijah to the point where he exiled himself from the kingdom making Mathayus king. Elijah again traveled around the world trying to find his meaning and purpose in life. Elijah went and lived with the elves in rivendell ruled by Elrond. Elrond knew by looking into Elijah's past that he was in fact the last heir to Isildur and the rightful heir to the thrown of Gondor. Elrond revealed his ancestry and gave to him the Shards of Narsil,which at one time was the sword of Isildur The Former High King of Gondor, as well the Ring of Barahir which was passed on to Elijah. Elrond withheld the Sceptre of Annúminas from Elijah until he "came of the right" to possess the item. It was also around this time that Elijah met and fell in love with Arwen, Elrond's daughter, who had newly returned from her mother's homeland of Lórien where she had visited with her grandmother Galadriel.

Elijah thereafter assumed his proper role as the sixteenth Chieftain of the Dúnedain and the Rangers of the North going into the wild, where he lived with the remainder of his people, whose kingdom had been destroyed through civil and regional wars centuries before.

Aragorn met Gandalf the Grey, and they became close friends. At Gandalf's advice he and his followers began to guard a small land known as the Shire inhabited by the diminutive and agrarian Hobbits, and he became known among the peoples just outside the Shire's borders as Strider.

Elijah undertook great journeys, serving in the armies of King Thengel of Rohan, and Steward Ecthelion II of Gondor. Many of his tasks helped to raise morale in the West and counter the growing threat of Sauron and his allies, and he earned invaluable experience which he would later put to use in the War of the Ring. Elijah served his lords in disguise and his name in Gondor and Rohan during that time was Thorongil (Eagle of the Star). With a small Gondorian squadron of ships, he led an assault on the long-standing rebel province of Umbar, burning many of the Corsairs' ships and personally slaying their lord during the battle on the Havens. After the victory at Umbar, "Thorongil" left the field and, to the dismay of his men, went east.

Later, he visited Lórien, and there once again met Arwen. He gave her the heirloom of his House, the Ring of Barahir, and, on the hill of Cerin Amroth, Arwen pledged her hand to him in marriage, renouncing her elvish lineage and accepting the Gift of Men: death.

Elrond withheld from Elijah permission to marry his daughter until such a time as his foster son should be king of both Gondor and Arnor. As both Elrond and Elijah knew, to marry a mortal Arwen would be required to choose mortality, and thus deprive the deathless Elrond of his daughter while the world lasted. Elrond was also concerned for Arwen's own happiness, fearing that in the end she might find death (her own and that of her beloved) too difficult to bear.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring 

In the Second Age of Middle-earth, the One Ring is forged by the Dark Lord Sauron in order to conquer the lands of Middle-earth. A Last Alliance of Elves and Men is formed to counter Sauron and during a battle on the foot of Mount Doom, Prince Isildur, son of King Elendil, who is slain by Sauron in the battle, picks up his father's broken sword and slashes at Sauron's hand, separating him from the Ring and vanquishing his army. However, due to Sauron's "life force" being bound to the Ring, the Dark Lord is not completely defeated unless the Ring itself is destroyed, but Isildur, corrupted by the Ring's power, refuses to do so. Sometime later, Isildur is ambushed and killed by Orcs and the Ring is lost in a river. Thousands of years later, the Ring is claimed by the creature Gollum causing him to obsess over it. Finally, the Ring abandons Gollum and is found by Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit from the Shire.

Sixty years later, following his 111th birthday party, Bilbo leaves the Ring to his nephew, Frodo Baggins. Meanwhile, the wizard Gandalf the Grey rides to Minas Tirith to search for answers regarding Bilbo's magic ring only to learn that it is, in fact, Sauron's One Ring. Gandalf returns to Bag End and tells Frodo to leave the Shire immediately with the Ring. Gandalf catches Samwise Gamgee eavesdropping by a window and decides to send him along with Frodo. Gandalf rides to Isengard to meet with Saruman the White who reveals to Gandalf that the Nazgûl, or Ringwraiths, have left Minas Morgul to capture the Ring and kill whoever carries it. Gandalf attempts to flee to warn Frodo, but Saruman, having already been corrupted to Sauron's cause, imprisons Gandalf atop his tower Orthanc. Gandalf is then forced to watch as Saruman, following Sauron's orders, commands the Orcs of Isengard to construct weapons of war and produce a new breed of Orc fighters called the Uruk-Hai.

While traveling to Bree, Frodo and Sam are soon joined by fellow hobbits, Merry and Pippin. After encountering a Ringwraith on the road, they manage to reach Bree only to discover that Gandalf hasn't arrived. Instead, Frodo meets Elijah, who agrees to lead them to Rivendell. They continue travelling and spend the night on the hill of Weathertop, where they are attacked by the Nazgûl. Elijah fights off the Ringwraiths, but Frodo is grievously wounded with a morgul blade which will cause him to turn into a wraith if not attended to with the proper care. While chased by the Nazgûl, Frodo is taken by the Elf Arwen to the Elven haven of Rivendell, and healed by her father, Elrond (the leader of the Elves at the battle of Mount Doom 3,000 years before). Arwen also uses her magic to cut off the pursuing Ringwraiths at the Ford of Bruinen, summoning a surge of water that sweeps the Ringwraiths away.

In Rivendell, Frodo finds Gandalf, who explains why he didn't meet them at Bree and that he had escaped Orthanc and Saruman's clutches with the help of an eagle. Later, Elrond calls a council to decide what should be done with the Ring. Elrond warns against keeping the Ring in Rivendell for long, knowing that the Elven realm could come under attack from both Mordor and Isengard. The Ring can only be destroyed by throwing it into the fires of Mount Doom, where it was forged. Frodo volunteers to take the Ring to Mount Doom and is accompanied by his hobbit friends and Gandalf, as well as Elijah, the rightful heir to the throne of Gondor. Also travelling with them are the Elf Legolas, the Dwarf Gimli and Boromir, the son of the Steward of Gondor. Together they comprise the Fellowship of the Ring.

The Fellowship set out and try to pass the mountain Caradhras, but they are stopped by Saruman's wizardry. At Gimli's insistence, they decide to seek safety and travel under the mountain through The Mines of Moria. Frodo agrees, but while traveling through the mines, they are attacked by Orcs and a Cave Troll, and encounter a Balrog, an ancient demon of fire and shadow, at the Bridge of Khazad-dûm. Gandalf confronts the Balrog on the bridge, allowing the others to escape the subterranean realm, but the monster drags him into the abyss below. The group flees to the Elven realm of Lothlórien, where they are sheltered by its rulers, Galadriel and her husband Celeborn. That night, Frodo meets Galadriel, who tells him that it is his destiny to handle the Ring and ultimately destroy it. Before they leave, Galadriel gives Frodo the Phial of Galadriel, and the other members also receive gifts from them. Taking the straight path to Mordor, they travel on the River Anduin towards Parth Galen.

After landing at Parth Galen, Boromir tries to take the Ring from Frodo, believing that it is the only way to save his realm. Frodo manages to escape by putting the Ring on his finger and vanishing. Elijah encounters Frodo, but unlike Boromir, Elijah chooses not to take the Ring. Knowing that the Ring's temptation will be too strong for the Fellowship, Frodo decides to leave them and go to Mordor alone. Meanwhile, the rest of the Fellowship are attacked by Uruk-hai, who Saruman had ordered to hunt down the Fellowship and take back the Ring. Merry and Pippin, realizing that Frodo is leaving, distract the orcs allowing Frodo to escape. Boromir rushes to the aid of the two hobbits, but is mortally wounded by the orc commander Lurtz. Before Lurtz can finish Boromir, Elijah arrives and decapitates Lurtz after a swordfight. Boromir regrets having attempted to steal the Ring, but is forgiven by Elijah before he dies. Merry and Pippin are captured, prompting Elijah, Gimli and Legolas to begin their pursuit of the orcs with the intent of rescuing the hobbits, leaving Frodo to his fate. Frodo returns to the banks of the river and begins rowing across when Sam appears and swims out after Frodo, insisting to keep his promise to Gandalf to look after Frodo. Frodo accepts Sam's presence as together they continue their journey through the hills of Emyn Muil.

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

In the Mines of Moria, the wizard Gandalf the Grey battles the Balrog on the Bridge of Khazad-dum in an attempt to allow the Fellowship of the Ring to escape. Gandalf is pulled down to the chasm by the demon; the Fellowship believes he is dead, but he continues to fight it while falling down into a lake in the depths of the Earth. Days later, the Hobbit Frodo Baggins continues his journey with his loyal friend, Sam through the hills of Emyn Muil. One night, the creature Gollum wishing to retrieve “his precious” attacks them. The Hobbits capture him, but Frodo understands the burden of the ring and takes pity on the creature. Realizing they are in need of a guide, Frodo persuades Gollum to lead them to the Black Gate of Mordor.

In Rohan, Elijah, Legolas and Gimli are in pursuit of the Uruk-hai, who are on their journey back to Isengard with hobbits Merry and Pippin as captives. Meanwhile, King Théoden, the king of Rohan, is being put in a trance by his steward, Gríma Wormtongue, who is secretly in the service of Saruman. Orcs and Wild Men of Dunland, incited by Saruman, are freely roaming the land, burning villages, massacring the people and destroying crops. (In an attack on one of the villages, a mother sends her two children on horseback to Edoras to warn the King.) Recently, the King's only son Théodred fell victim to them, left mortally wounded in an ambush. Théoden's nephew Éomer interrogates Gríma, labelling him a spy: however, Gríma banishes Éomer, "on pain of death", for undermining his authority, and Éomer sets forth to gather the remaining loyal men of the Rohirrim and leave Rohan. That night, Éomer's army ambush and kill all of the Uruk-hai, thus allowing the two hobbits to flee into the forests of Fangorn. There, Merry and Pippin meet Treebeard, the oldest of the Ents of Middle-Earth.

Frodo, Sam and Gollum traverse the Dead Marshes, evading an airborne Ringwraith riding on a fell beast. When they finally reach the Black Gate, they find it shut and heavily guarded by Orcs. However, as they watch, an Easterling contingent arrives and the gate opens for them to enter. Sensing a chance, Frodo and Sam make ready to move. However, Gollum, who confirms their fears of capture and insists that any attempt to get in via the Black Gate will only end with the One Ring returning to Sauron, holds them back. He then reveals that there is another way into Mordor, hidden and unguarded. Sam is immediately suspicious, but Frodo gives him the benefit of the doubt, pointing out that he has remained loyal thus far.

Éomer later encounters Elijah, Legolas and Gimli in Rohan, who tells the group that there were no survivors of the battle the previous night, indicating that the hobbits were accidentally slain. Upon arriving at the battle site, Elijah picks up the tracks of the hobbits and the trio follows them into Fangorn. There they are approached and temporarily subdued by a wizard masked with shining white light. Initially fearing it is Saruman, the group are amazed when he reveals himself to be Gandalf reborn (after defeating the Balrog in a battle that cost him his life), now known as Gandalf the White. The quartet proceed to Edoras, where they exorcise Saruman's hold on Théoden and banish Wormtongue. The now awakened Théoden has to come to terms with both his son's death and the threat of Saruman. Rather than risk open war and further harm to his people (especially after seeing the two exhausted children who finally arrived from the village), Théoden decides to flee to Helm's Deep, a large stronghold in the Mountains. Gandalf realises that Helm's Deep's defences will not survive the Uruk-Hai onslaught that is surely to come. He leaves to find Éomer, promising to return within five days with the 2,000 banished riders. As they lead the people of Edoras to Helm's Deep, Elijah and Éowyn, Éomer's sister, form a close relationship. Elijah tells Éowyn that Arwen, whom he loves, is leaving Middle-Earth to be with her people in the Undying Lands. In the meantime, Wormtongue has fled to Orthanc and informs Saruman of a weakness in the outer wall of Helm's Deep, which Saruman and his army of 10,000 Uruk-hai plans to exploit. Saruman dispatches his army to Helm's Deep, ordering them to spare no one.

The 10,000 strong Uruk-hai besiege Helm's Deep.

Having led the Hobbits south from the Black Gate to the land of Ithilien, Gollum is in inner turmoil, torn between his loyalty to Frodo and his all-consuming need for the ring. The three travellers then play witness to an ambush of Southrons by Rangers of Ithilien, who take Frodo and Sam prisoner. Meanwhile, on the journey to Helm's Deep, the Rohirrim are attacked by Saruman's Warg riders. During the battle, Elijah is thrown off a cliff into a fast-flowing river below: Theoden, Legolas, Gimli and the others believe him dead and journey on to Helm's Deep. Elrond comes to his daughter Arwen and implores her to leave on the ships departing Middle-Earth, escaping the troubles of these lands. When she refuses, Elrond, in a devastating speech, uses his powers of foresight and slowly tells her future if she chooses to remain in Middle-Earth with Elijah. As he is mortal, even if he succeeds in defeating Sauron and becomes King of Gondor, Elijah will die eventually and Arwen will be left to fade away with her grief when he is gone. Once again, Elrond pleads with her and she yields to him. As she leaves Rivendell, the words of Galadriel, concerning the plight of Men to defy Sauron, come to Elrond in that moment. She questions whether the Elves should wash their hands of Middle-Earth and points out that the Ring has manoeuvred itself into the company of Men, which it can easily corrupt. Galadriel asks if they should abandon Men to their fate, even if it condemns Middle-Earth to fall under Sauron's rule for all time.

Surely enough, Frodo and Sam have been taken to Henneth Annûn, a stronghold for the Men of Ithilien, and brought before Faramir, the younger brother of Boromir. Gollum had eluded capture and, in order to save him from death at the hands of Faramir's hunters, Frodo accepts that he and Gollum are bound to each other. Faramir investigates further and learns of the One Ring that Frodo carries. Seeking to prove his worth to his father, Denethor, he decides the Ring shall go to Gondor. In Rohan, Elijah washes up on the riverbank and is nudged awake by the horse Brego, which formerly belonged to Theodred, and which Elijah had set free before leaving Edoras. On the verge of collapse, he wills his horse to take him to Helm's Deep, passing Saruman's army of Uruk-hai on the way. His arrival at Helm's Deep is met with relief, but is short lived as the news of the strength of the approaching horde casts doubt upon the likely survival of the defenders. As night falls, a battalion of Elves led by Haldir arrives from Lórien, bearing word of alliance and aid from Elrond. In Fangorn forest, Merry, Pippin, Treebeard and other Ents hold a council to decide on the role of the Ents in the war with Saruman.

The battle of Helm's Deep begins with a flurry of arrows from the defending archers, cutting down dozens of Uruk-hai. Scaling ladders are thrown up against the Deeping Wall and the Uruks swarm up to engage the defenders. At first the onslaught is stayed by the valour of the Rohirrim and of Elijah and his companions. Suddenly, two crude explosive devices that Saruman created, allowing the Uruks entry into the outer defences, blow up the gutter in the Deeping Wall. Despite Elijah and Gimli's best efforts, the Uruk-hai manages to penetrate the main gate and soon the stronghold is overrun. In the midst of battle, Haldir is slain and the few remaining Elves fall back. In the Hornburg however, the Uruks have scaled the walls and have breached the gate, forcing the defenders to retreat into the Keep. In Fangorn, Treebeard and the other Ents have decided to not have any involvement in the war, deciding rather to "weather such things as they have always done". Despite this, Pippin manages to cleverly take Treebeard to the section of Fangorn Saruman has recently decimated near Isengard. Treebeard is filled with rage at Saruman's betrayal and commands all the other Ents to seek vengeance. The Ents gather and embark upon 'the Last March of the Ents', straight into Isengard itself.

Meanwhile, as Théoden despairs in the besieged Keep, Elijah refuses to give in and, remembering Gandalf's words before he left Edoras, he takes Théoden, Legolas and the remaining Rohirrim on one last gallant ride to attack the Uruk-hai army in a desperate bid to allow the Rohirrim's women and children to escape into the mountains. The riders storm out of the Keep and cut their way through to the fortress gate. As the riders emerge into the mass of Uruks, the first rays of dawn fall down into the valley and upon the eastern hill, Gandalf appears, accompanied by Éomer and his men. They rush down into the body of the stunned Uruks and rout them: the terrified Uruk-Hai flee into Fangorn, where the Ents and their Huorn allies swiftly exact retribution. Meanwhile, at Isengard the Ents are taking control. They destroy the remaining Uruk-Hai population and release the dam placed upon the river Isen, which gushes forth into the plains around Orthanc, drowning the surviving Orc defenders, quenching the fires of its industry and stranding Saruman in his tower.

Away in the East, Faramir has had the hobbits bound and taken to Osgiliath, a ruined city on the banks of the river Anduin between Mordor and Gondor. There a small battle ensues with the Orcs of Mordor, who are led by a Ringwraith again, on a Fell beast. With the help of Sam and Faramir, Frodo narrowly escapes the Ringwraith's efforts to capture him and the Ring (it nearly cost Sam his life because the Ring tried to make Frodo kill him). In an inspired monologue as he watches the Ringwraith fly off, (and as victory scenes from the two battles are seen) Sam reflects on the state he and Frodo are in, on how their story may yet come to have a happy ending, even when so much bad had happened. Frodo is doubtful of this, (especially because he nearly killed Sam) but Sam insists that they must still hold on to what they are fighting for each other and the fulfillment of their quest. Approaching them from the throes of battle, Faramir overhears them and realises these unassuming hobbits have a high doom before them which he can no longer hope to interrupt. He sets them free and helps them on their way. Gandalf and the others now know that things have been set in motion that cannot be undone or avoided. Sauron will surely seek retribution for the defeat of his puppet Saruman and strike at Men again, only stronger and with greater fury: as Gandalf puts it "The battle for Helm's Deep is over. The battle for Middle-Earth is about to begin". He remarks that hope now rests with Frodo and Sam, who have resumed their journey to Mordor with Gollum. Feeling betrayed by Frodo when he delivered him into the hands of Faramir's men, Gollum's darker self re-emerges and he decides to reclaim the ring by secretly leading Frodo and Sam to a creature he refers to only as her, which Gollum's lighter self reluctantly agrees to and leads the hobbits on through the woods as Mordor is seen in the distance.

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

When Gollum first came across the One Ring

He was a small Hobbit called Sméagol, and it was his cousin Deagol who discovered the One Ring in the River Aundin, and after he refuses to give it to Sméagol for his birthday, is strangled to death by Sméagol, who takes the Ring and goes to hide in the Misty Mountains, where he slowly mutates and becomes the creature we know to be Gollum. As this sequence ends, we see Frodo, Sam and Gollum approaching the mountains of Mordor, with Mount Doom's eruptions disturbingly close.

Gollum is still leading them and Sam continues to have bad feelings on where Gollum will lead them to, however, Frodo has full trust in the creature. Gandalf, Elijah, Legolas, Gimli and King Théoden, the victors of the Battle of the Hornburg, arrive at Isengard where they meet with the Hobbits, Merry and Pippin, who are busy eating salted pork and blowing pipe weed. On entering Isengard, they are told by the Ent Treebeard that Isengard has been taken over by the Ents and that Saruman is imprisoned inside Orthanc.

Then, they confront the traitorous Wizard, Saruman, standing atop of his tower. Saruman says to King Théoden that they could be allies once more, but Théoden explains that they shall both have peace when Rohan avenges all the people killed at Helms Deep by executing Saruman on a gibbet. Also, Saruman says to Gandalf about Frodo going to his immediate doom and that Elijah will never be crowned King of Gondor. He reveals to the others the Palantír which he kept in secret, and knows all the ways of the enemy. Then, they are informed by Saruman that Sauron is readying his forces for a final strike.

Gandalf makes an offer with Saruman to come down from his tower and be spared, however, Saruman sends a fireball down from his staff at Gandalf. Luckily, the Wizard survives and he shatters Saruman's staff, thus casting him out of the order of Wizards. Before Saruman can give them more information, Gríma Wormtongue arrives and Théoden says that Gríma is freed of Saruman and that he can come down and be a Man of Rohan as he once was. Gríma happily bows to Théoden; however, Saruman insults the Men of Rohan, and says that Gríma will never be free.

In his anger, Wormtongue attacks Saruman, fatally stabbing him in the back. Legolas quickly fires an arrow into Gríma, killing him, but he is too late to save Saruman, who plummets from Orthanc's top, to be impaled on one of his machines, dropping from his sleeve the Palantír. Then, the machine begins to turn, sliding the body of Saruman down into the watery depths.

Treebeard tells the others that trees shall return to fill up Isengard as they once did. Pippin then sights the Palantír in the water and jumps down from Elijah's horse to get it. Upon finding the Palantír beneath the water, Pippin is told to give it to Gandalf, and he does, but Gandalf is unsure in the Hobbit, and knows that he may be up to something.

The group then ride for Edoras, where they will celebrate their victory at Helm's Deep. That night, there is a post-battle party in the Golden hall at Edoras, where King Théoden is given the cup of Kings by his niece, Éowyn, and addresses the people of Rohan, including Elijah, of the men who died defending the gates of Helm’s Deep and saving their country.

Then, there is a huge feast where Éomer volunteers Gimli and Legolas into a drinking competition, and eventually, Legolas wins after Gimli gets over drunk and faints. Éowyn gives Elijah the cup of Kings and then Théoden joins her, who says that he is happy for her, Elijah is an honorable man. Théoden then says that it was not him who led their people to victory, but soon gets off the subject with Éowyn.

Elsewhere in the hall, Pippin and Merry are drunk and dancing a Hobbit’s jig on one of the tables in front of a large crowd of Rohan Men, who are enjoying drunkenly. However, Pippin pauses for a moment to find Gandalf watching him but is quickly pulled back into the dance by Merry and the two Hobbits enjoy themselves with a quick drink of their ale. Then, in secret, Elijah has a talk with Gandalf of the progress with Frodo and Sam on the Quest to destroy the One Ring of power. Gandalf says that he has received no news of Frodo and Elijah says that every day Frodo moves closer to Mordor, and Gandalf says that his heart confirms that Frodo is alive.

Elsewhere, near the Mountain of Shadow, Frodo and Sam are asleep whilst Gollum secretly sneaks away and confronts himself at a pool. Gollum/Sméagol argue with themselves on if they will kill the Hobbits and take the Ring, but Gollum says that they shall lead Frodo and Sam up some steps where “She” will kill them. Then, from the Hobbit’s remains, Gollum/Sméagol shall take the Ring. However, Sam suddenly attacks Gollum; having heard his plans, but is dragged away from him by Frodo, who does not believe that Gollum is a villain.

Frodo leads Gollum away, who looks back at Sam, giving an evil grin. At Edoras, everyone is sleeping. Elijah goes into the main hall where Éowyn lies sleeping. As Elijah approaches to pull the quilt upon to her, Éowyn awakens briefly to tell Elijah of a “Great Wave” flooding a great city, destruction and darkness. Elijah listens and then watches as she falls back asleep.

Walking outside, Elijah goes to Legolas, who is viewing the land, knowing that the Eye of Sauron is moving to his next target. Inside the hall, Pippin, fascinated by the seeing stone, takes it from Gandalf, who is sleeping, and, ignoring Merry’s urgings to leave it alone, he moves to touch the Palantír. Whilst gazing into the crystal ball, Pippin is suddenly spied by the Eye of Sauron, and through a psychic link, the dark lord attempts to interrogate the Hobbit. Barely able to resist the Eye's power, Pippin is nearly broken into submission, but Gandalf and Elijah wrest it from his tortured fingers. Pippin is left deeply shaken, but lives. Gandalf quickly rushes to him and panicky asks Pippin to reveal everything he said about Frodo and the Ring and Pippin says that he saw a White Tree, in a courtyard of stone, and it was dead, the whole place burning.

The next morning, Gandalf, Elijah, Théoden, Legolas, Gimli and the Hobbits Merry and Pippin meet in the great hall to decide on what is to be done on Pippin seeing Sauron’s plans.Gandalf is now certain that Sauron will come after Pippin, thinking he has the Ring. Pippin's vision, however, has revealed that Sauron's plan is to attack Minas Tirith, the capital city of Gondor.

Gandalf says that Sauron will raze the White City to the ground before there is a King to return to the throne of Men. He says to Théoden that if the beacons of Gondor are lit, then Rohan must be ready for war, but Théoden says that, because Gondor never went to aid them during the Battle of Hornburg, what do we owe Gondor. When Elijah says that he shall go, Gandalf instead enigmatically urges Elijah to use the "Black Ships" to come to the aid of Minas Tirith, and he then says to them all that things have been set in motion that cannot be undone — he rides for Minas Tirith, and he won’t be going alone because Pippin will be traveling with him.

Leaving the Golden Hall, Gandalf says that of all corruptive Hobbits, Pippin is the worst. Merry is furious with Pippin, saying that it is always him who causes trouble and this time, the enemy believes Pippin has the Ring, and because they will be looking for him, they must get Pippin out of Rohan. When Pippin asks if Merry is coming with him, Merry says nothing. In the stables, Pippin asks Gandalf on how far Minas Tirith, and Gandalf says that it would be three days, unless the Nazgûl fly. Gandalf then makes a speedy depart for Gondor with Pippin on Shadowfax, leaving a heartbroken Merry behind.

Merry then goes onto view Gandalf and Pippin going away from Edoras, and Merry says to Elijah that he has always been there for Pippin, and now he’s gone. Elijah then says to Merry that there is one thing he learnt from Hobbits – they are very stout folk.

Meanwhile, Arwen is traveling with a company of Elves (including Figwit) toward the Grey Havens. On the journey, she has a vision of Eldarion, her future son by Elijah, which convinces her to turn back to Rivendell. There, she urges her father Elrond to reforge Narsil, the sword of Elendil, so that it may be given to Elijah. Elrond is resistant, until he realizes that Arwen is becoming mortal. He is told by Arwen that this is her choice, and that there is no ship that can take her away now.

Later, Elrond sadly watches as Narsil is reforged by Elvish smiths.

Gandalf and Pippin, meanwhile, ride into the Kingdom of Gondor where they ride up a hill bank to view the huge and mighty White City of Minas Tirith – City of Kings. They ride up on Shadowfax up every level of the city, from the First up to the Seventh, until they reach the citadel of the city thousands of feet above the ground, right at the tip of a huge rock prow. On entering the Throne Room hall, Pippin notices the White Tree (From his vision) guarded by the Fountain Guards and Gandalf explains that the Gondorians believe that one day the White Tree will flower again, once a King returns to the throne of men. Also, Gandalf warns Pippin not to say anything to the current Steward of Gondor, Denethor, about the apparent death of his son, Boromir, and the fact of Elijah returning to the throne of men.

Gandalf and Pippin go to confront Lord Denethor, seated on the Steward’s throne, at the end of the great hall, where they discover that Denethor has nearly been driven mad by grief and is unwilling to ask for help in the defence of Gondor from Théoden and the Riders of Rohan. Pippin, nonetheless, pledges his service to Denethor in gratitude for Boromir's heroic death saving himself and Merry. Gandalf is furious that Denethor won’t call or send for Rohan’s aid and that he will just grief whilst Mordor prepare their armies to crush Minas Tirith.

He leaves with Pippin following him, furious with the Steward’s actions and walks across the citadel, telling Pippin about the line of Kings failing in Gondor, and about the White Tree withering because of this. The rule of Gondor was given over to lesser men. He also says that Sauron’s forces will use a large block of fumes to cover Gondor’s sky and allow the Orcs to pass onto the fields and conquer the city. Meanwhile, Frodo, Sam and Gollum continue their journey through woods near Gondor. Sam notices that the sky is growing darker every day, foreshadowing the foreboding events about to occur.

Then, Frodo notices a statue of a Gondorian King, but his head has been toppled, and another head, carved by Orcs, has been put in its place, mocking it. Then, a bright light from the Sun reveals the King’s original head, with a crown of flowers around its top. Sam then says to Frodo "Look, the King’s got a crown again!" But then the light goes behind the trees, and the original head of the statue goes dark once more. Frodo and Sam, with Gollum leading them, continue their journey.

That night, at Minas Tirith, Pippin prepares his Gondorian armour whilst Gandalf overlooks Mordor in the distance from a balcony. Gandalf explains that the time has come, and that Sauron will send not just Orcs, but great beasts and monsters – this will be the end of Gondor.

He also explains about Sauron sending his most deadly and greatest servant, the one who will lead the forces of Mordor into war, the one they say no living man can kill – the Witch-king of Angmar – who was also the Nazgûl who struck Frodo down on Weathertop. He is the leader of the Ringwraiths and the most powerful of the nine, and Minas Morgul is his lair.

Meanwhile, as Gandalf says this, Frodo, Sam and Gollum move toward the evil city of Minas Morgul on their journey. Gollum then leads them to some stairs spanning up a huge cliff face in the Mountains of Shadow. Suddenly, the power of Minas Morgul draws the Ring close to it and Frodo goes with it. Gollum and Sam quickly move to pull him away, but as they do, a huge signal blasts out of Minas Morgul and zooms up into the night sky.

At Minas Tirith, Gandalf, Pippin and the Gondorians witness the signal in the distance. At Minas Morgul, Frodo collapses and the city goes silent. Suddenly, the Witch-king swoops out of Minas Morgul on his fell beast, and yells out his huge Nazgûl screech. This stuns Frodo, causing him to feel the wraiths blade. Then, the Witch-king’s fell beast makes the call, and the huge army of Sauron marches out of Minas Morgul toward Gondor, led by the Witch-king, who swoops out in front of them.

Frodo, Sam and Gollum begin to climb toward the high pass of Cirith Ungol. As they do this, Sam suddenly grabs Gollum, warning him not to do anything to Frodo, and if he does, Gollum will be gone. Sam then continues to climb with Frodo, and Gollum looks up at him with an evil grin. At Minas Tirith, Gandalf realizes that the Mordor army is on the move. He quickly has Pippin climb up to the signal beacon located high above Minas Tirith.

At the ruined city of Osgiliath, the Rangers here, led by the young captain of Gondor, Faramir, prepare their weaponry. Faramir is told that the Orcs are lying low across the river, the garrison may have moved out, and that they have sent scouts to Cair Andros - if the Orcs attack from the north, they will have some warning. Secretly, on the river, the Orcs are making their move on large rafts. Amongst them, one hideously deformed Orc, Gothmog, is in immediate command of them. Gothmog orders his Orc troops to be quiet whilst they approach Osgiliath, in a surprise attack on the rangers.

As the Orcs draw closer towards the city, one soldier notices them approaching, and Gothmog quickly orders his demise. Then, an Orc archer kills the soldier and Faramir is called to the scene, where he instantly realizes that they are about to be attacked and Orcs are not attacking from the north. Then, Faramir quickly leads a heroic defence of the city, having all his men guard each side of the river bank, but the Orcs draw closer and Gothmog orders his troops to draw their swords and prepare to invade the city.

Faramir waits for the attack, his sword drawn, as the Orc rafts hit the city and the Orcs inside them run into Osgiliath. Faramir then nods to his men that the time is right, and he charges into the invading Orcs, his Rangers following. The Orcs start attacking the rangers, and, as more rafts hit the bank, a huge battle insurers. Soon, the Orcs lower a ramp on the bridge and swarm into the city.

Meanwhile, Pippin climbs up to the Minas Tirith signal beacon high above the city and quietly sets it alight and sneaks away, as the Gondorian soldiers there stand up in confusion as the beacon light in a large ball of flames. On one of the city walls, Gandalf goes to view the other beacons lighting up along the White Mountains. However, Denethor looks unhappily at the events through the throne room window. Gandalf knows that hope has come to Gondor.

The signal passes along Gondor's chain of beacons in the White Mountains, swiftly reaching Edoras. There, Elijah quickly runs to tell Théoden that "Gondor calls for aid!" After a brief moment of thought, Théoden orders the Rohirrim to muster at Dunharrow – they will ride for Gondor and to war. Elijah, Legolas and Gimli prepare themselves and Elijah notices that Éowyn will be riding with them. She says that the men have found Elijah as their captain; they will follow him to battle and even to death. He has given them hope.

Gimli says to Legolas that horsemen are not as good in battle than an army of dwarves - fully armed and filthy. Legolas, however, says that his king’s men have no need to ride to war, for he fears war is already marching upon their own lands. Merry, meanwhile, pledges himself to Théoden, and the King of Rohan proudly accepts, saying that Merry shall be – Meriadoc, esquire of Rohan. Now in the King’s service, Merry happily puts on Rohan armour and prepares to ride with the Rohirrim to Dunharrow.

As the Rohhirim gather, Théoden takes one last look up at the banner of Rohan, knowing that this will be the last battle he shall ride to. Gathering up, Éomer states to the men of Rohan that this is the hour that they ride for Lord and land. It is then that, Elijah, Legolas, Gimli, Théoden, Éowyn, Éomer and even Merry leave Edoras for Dunharrow. At Osgiliath, the Orcs overtake the city and slaughter everything in their path. As his Rangers die around him, Faramir barely escapes an attack by Orc archers and realizes that all hope for the city is lost, the Orcs have won.

He calls for a retreat - they ride for Minas Tirith. The men quickly flee onto their horses and race out of the city. During the attack, Faramir’s lieutenant, Madril, was attacked by an Orc and left wounded. He is quickly finished off by Gothmog, who cruelly kills him with a spear. Gothmog then states to his troops that the Age of Men is over and that the time of the Orc has come.

As Faramir and his men retreat to Minas Tirith, they are attacked by Nazgûl on winged fell beasts and many die across the field. As the retreating Rangers are attacked, Gandalf and Pippin ride out of Minas Tirith towards them on Shadowfax. The men of Minas Tirith watch as the Rangers are all saved by Gandalf, who drives the Nazgûl back with a beam of white light from his staff. Inside the city, Faramir tells Gandalf of the Orcs overtaking the city and now crossing the river.

Faramir then comes into sight of Pippin, and his reaction to seeing Pippin reveals that he has recently seen two other Hobbits: Frodo and Sam. Gandalf is alarmed to hear that they are heading toward Cirith Ungol, but is worried and asks Faramir to tell him all he knows. However, Denethor hears this too, and confronts his younger son in the throne room. He is ashamed of Faramir's loss of Osgiliath and the fact that he gave the One Ring to a Hobbit and let him carry it to Mordor. Denethor says that the Ring should have been brought back to the Citadel, to be kept safe, hidden and secret in the dark vaults, not to be used until the time was right.

He then says that Boromir would have brought him the Ring but Faramir says that Boromir would not have done this; he would have taken the Ring and fallen. As Denethor rises from his throne in anger, Faramir says that Boromir would have kept the Ring for his own, and when he returned, Denethor would never again know him as a son. Denethor then leaps up in anger, saying that Boromir was loyal to him, and not a "Wizard's Pupil" like Faramir. Denethor then collapses in grief and it is revealed that he misses Boromir so much, that he no longer sees Faramir as a trustworthy son.

In his grief, he asks Faramir to leave his sight, which he sadly does. At the steps leading up to the Pass of Cirith Ungol, Frodo, Sam and Gollum continue to climb. On climbing, Gollum is the first to climb upon a ledge and urges Frodo to continue climbing, but as he does so, he notices the Ring dangling from the chain on his neck. Gollum reaches for it and Sam draws his sword, but Gollum then seemingly goes to grab Frodo’s hand and pull him up. Then, as Sam climbs up after them, Gollum starts to pour false accusations into Frodo’s ear about Sam, saying that soon, Sam will ask him for the Ring and take it for his own.

At Osgiliath, as the forces of Mordor prepare their army, the Witch-king orders Gothmog to send forth all legions and not halt the attack until Minas Tirith is taken. Gothmog asks of Gandalf's fate, and the Witch-king says that he shall break him. At Minas Tirith, the soldiers are worried and they ask Gandalf if Rohan will come to aid them. Gandalf says that courage is their best defense. In the Great hall, Pippin now wears Faramir’s armour he wore as a child, and is told by Faramir himself that he never used to do his studying when he was younger; instead he used to waste time slaying Dragons.

He also says that Denethor made the armour for him, who has always seen Boromir as the stronger child. However, Pippin reminds him that Faramir has strength, but of a different kind, and one day, Denethor shall see that in him too and actually love Faramir as a son. Afterwards, Pippin enters Lord Denethor's service and puts his service and loyalty to him. However, Pippin is soon after shocked when he hears that Denethor wishes for Faramir to retake the city. On hearing this, Faramir realizes that his own father wants him to die for Boromir, who died in his place. Obeying this order, Faramir says that he shall do this command in Boromir's stead, but when he returns, he wants Denethor to think better of him. Denethor, however, says that would depend upon the manner of his return. Faramir sadly leaves to go and retake Osgiliath, knowing that this act will claim his own life.

Meanwhile, at the pass of Cirith Ungol, the Hobbits sleep on a ledge suspended hundreds of feet above Minas Morgul. In secret, Gollum gets up to his tricks and drops the Hobbit's Elven bread down the cliff. Awakening, Sam discovers what has happened and instantly blames Gollum. Once Frodo awakens, Gollum goes to try and stir the events. He continues to play with Frodo's mind until it is too late, and when Sam suddenly asks Frodo if he can carry the Ring, Frodo’s mind goes against him.

He suddenly pushes Sam away in anger and Gollum grins, his plan is working. After trying to convince Frodo that it is Gollum's fault, Sam is horrified when Frodo falls for the ploy and tells Sam to leave. Sam does so, saddened and reluctant. Frodo continues to climb with Gollum behind him. Meanwhile, Faramir's cavalry marches proudly out of Minas Tirith as Gandalf tries to convince Faramir that his father is quite mad, but still loves him. Faramir sadly explains that he would do anything to defend Minas Tirith but knows that he will die at his father's will.

Faramir's detachment charges out onto the open plains, heading towards Osgiliath as the thousand of Orcs which have overtaken the city watch, preparing their black bows. In Minas Tirith, Denethor has Pippin sing as his son and all his men ride to a doomed fate, not realizing that it is actually happening.

At Osgilliath, the Orcs are commanded by Gothmog to fire upon the advancing Horsemen. Letting their bows lose, the Orcs rein arrows upon Faramir's cavalry, massacring them.

At Dunharrow, the Rohirrim gather outside a huge cliff face, preparing their men and weaponry for war. King Théoden asks his men on the reinforcements, but is told that several alliances have not yet come. Soon after, now on top of a large camp site on the side of a huge cliff, King Théoden and Elijah go to view the army, and Théoden says that there are six thousand men ready, but Elijah says that is not enough to break the lines of Mordor. Théoden says that more men will come, but Elijah explains to him that every hour lost hastens Gondor's defeat - they have until dawn before they must ride.

Also, the men here, along with the horses, are terrified of a road that leads to the mountains behind Dunharrow. Legolas and Gimli are looking around, viewing the road, when Éomer explains that the men grow nervous at the shadow of the mountain. He tells them that anyone who journeyed that road never returned and that the mountain is evil. Elijah then goes to view the road and is especially frightened.

That night, Éowyn prepares Merry for battle, which he has a blunt blade. Éowyn says to the Hobbit that he won't kill many Orcs with a blunt blade and then goes to take him to the smithy, but, as Merry goes, Éowyn is told by Éomer that Merry is not ready for war. Éowyn asks why Merry cannot fight for those he loves but Éomer then goes to tell her that Merry will fall to the fear of battle and that he will flee when he comes face-to-face with the enemy.

Meanwhile, in his tent, Elijah has a nightmare about Arwen dying at Sauron's power and the Evenstar shattering. Upon awakening in sudden anger, Elijah is called to Théoden’s tent, where he meets Elrond, who says of Arwen dying - as Sauron's power grows, her lifespan degenerates. Elrond explains to Elijah about Minas Tirith being lost, because to the river, a fleet of Corsair ships sail from the south. They are outnumbered, as Elrond explains, and he tells Elijah that they need more men if they are to win this fight.

Elijah says that there are none, but Elrond then explains that there is an alliance that dwells in the mountain. However, Elijah only states that those in the mountain are murderers and traitors. They don't believe in anything, and answer to no one. However, Elrond then says that they will answer to the King of Gondor; Elrond then presents Elijah with Andúril, the reforged shards of Narsil.

With this blade, Elijah can summon up and army that even Sauron cannot withstand. Elrond states to Elijah that it is time to put aside the Ranger, and that it is time to become who he was born to be. Elijah finally accepts his destiny to be the King of Men. Upon preparing to leave Dunharrow, Elijah is confronted by Éowyn, who begs Elijah not to go and that the men need him. She confirms her love to Elijah, but, Elijah, instead, tells Éowyn that he does not love her but still wishes her happiness.

Accompanied by Legolas and Gimli, he takes the Path of the Dead in the mountains behind Dunharrow. The soldiers of Rohan watch as Elijah departs and one of the soldiers, Gamling, says that he leaves because there is no hope. However, Théoden tells his men that Elijah leaves because he must, and even though their numbers are too few against the Armies of Mordor, they shall still meet them in battle. Later that evening, Éowyn sadly vies the mountains ahead, and she is accompanied by Théoden, who says that he has left the request for Éowyn to lead the people of Rohan if anything happens to him. Éowyn asks if he wants to give her another order, but Théoden says that he doesn’t, but he says that he would have his nice smiling in the future times. Meanwhile, the three companions, Legolas, Elijah, and Gimli move slowly down the silent road that leads to the Paths of the dead. Legolas tells them of the curse Isildur laid upon them for not arriving at the battle of the Last Alliance - never to rest until they has fulfilled their pledge to allegiance to Gondor. After a brief ride through the passes, Elijah, Legolas and Gimli approach the way into the dead mountain where a burst of evil sends the companion’s horses away.

Elijah, however, says that he does not fear death and he enters the Dead Mountain, Legolas behind him and Gimli soon to follow. At Dunharrow, the Rohirrim climb up onto their horses and prepare to ride for Minas Tirith. King Théoden and Éomer prepare the army and Théoden says that it is a long road ahead and both man and beast must reach the end with the strength to fight.

Meanwhile, Merry is preparing a horse to ride to Gondor but is told by Théoden that his journey here has come to an end, and that it is a three day ride to Minas Tirith, and none of his riders can have the Hobbit as a burden. Despite Merry’s urging to ride to war, Théoden dismisses him. Then, as all hope of riding with the Rohirrim seems lost, Merry is suddenly lifted up by an unknown rider and scooped away by him. But this is no man rider – but Eowyn – who says that Merry will ride with her. Merry gladly accepts this.

Éomer and Théoden muster the men and the Rohan army of six thousand horsemen all gallop out of Dunharrow and away to war with Mordor. Meanwhile, the even-more massive army of Mordor marches upon Minas Tirith, trolls and Orcs alike. Inside the Dead Mountain, Elijah, Legolas and Gimli move through the tunnels and caverns of the dead, where Legolas tells them of him seeing many images of dead men and of hoses.

Avoiding the ghostly mists that lurk the paths, Elijah and his companions find themselves walking upon the skulls of many dead souls.

Finally, the companions enter the lair of the King of the Dead and find the legendary ghost army that dwells in the immense caves. Elijah, unafraid, confronts them directly, saying that he can fulfill their oath, but the King of the Dead says none but the King of Gondor may command him. Elijah the shows him Andúril, and as the King of the Dead attacks, Elijah parries his strike, saying to him that the blade has been remade, and then pushes him back. Now with the ghost army's attention, Elijah orders them as their master, to join him on the battlefield at Minas Tirith and there, once they have destroyed the enemy, he will fulfill them of their oath.

He asks them for their say, but Gimli warns him that he is wasting his time, they have no honor in life and none now in death. Elijah says that he is Isildur's heir and that he will fulfill their oath. However, the ghosts refuse and slowly disappear. Elijah calls out to them one last time but they go, and Gimli furiously says that they are all traitors. Then, the walls begin to shake, and moments later, the entire cave collapses, and thousands of skulls avalanche upon them.

Elijah, Legolas and Gimli are driven from the caves by the cascade of skulls and barely escape. As they exit the caves, they arrive at the Anduin River and see an armada of Black Ships, piloted by the Corsair army. As they watch the ships leave a burning village, Elijah falls to his knees, believing all hope for Gondor to be lost and that they have failed. Then, the King of the Dead suddenly appears from inside the mountain and agrees to join Elijah in battle. At Gondor, the siege of Minas Tirith begins when the massive Orc army of two hundred thousand troops launches its assault using troll-driven siege towers and huge catapults. The Orcs have Faramir's lifeless form dragged back-first into Minas Tirith by his horse. The guards of the city quickly take hold of Faramir's body and take it up to the Citadel. Down on the fields, the Orcs prepare their catapults, while Gothmog observes the army by riding through their lines on a Warg. Inside Minas Tirith, upon bringing Faramir to his father, Denethor is heart-broken to find his only surviving son seemingly killed, while a soldier tells him that they were outnumbered: none survived.

Outside the city, Gothmog, who is in full-command of the Mordor army, says that the city is ranked with fear, and sarcastically tells his Orcs to ease their pain. He commands the Orcs to send the heads of dead soldiers at the walls and they do, releasing a strain of terror upon the city. Up in the Citadel, Denethor says that his sons are spent, and his line has ended. Pippin quickly goes to check Faramir's wound - he is still alive. Ignoring Pippin’s shouts that his son is still alive, Denethor says that the Stewardship of the city has ended. Denethor then goes to view the huge army of Mordor outside the city, as they commence the assault upon his walls. Down on the field, Gothmog evilly laughs as troops unleash numerous boulders upon Minas Tirith, shattering many of its building whilst the Gondorian soldiers just stand and watch.

Now in a panic, Denethor talks to himself of all hope being lost, and that Rohan has deserted him and King Théoden having betrayed him. As more boulders hit his walls, Denethor cowardly tells the city to flee from the mounting onslaught. Denethor is then suddenly rendered unconscious by Gandalf, who hits him several times with his staff. Gandalf tells the city to prepare for battle.

The Wizard then quickly gets up onto his horse and rides out into the city, calling for the retreating soldiers to return to their posts. Then, the army of Gondor quickly stands upon the city walls as Gandalf goes to view the Orc army. He calls for the Gondorians to send these fowl creatures to the abyss.

At Gandalf’s orders, the Gondorians respond by launching their own catapult attack, using the smashed walls of towers demolished by the Orcs. The rocks fall down amongst the Orcs, who look at them in fear, but Gothmog orders them to stay where they are. The Orcs counter attack with their catapults and many troops from both sides are crushed to death. Gandalf keeps watch on the Orc attacks outside as more Gondorian catapults are let lose upon the Orcs.

Then, one catapult, fired by the Gondorians, sends a boulder hurling towards Gothmog, but he quickly steps away from it. He spits at the boulder in disgust. Suddenly, high above the siege, the Witch-king and the Nazgûl attack the city upon their fell beast’s killing many men and inflicting heavy damage. Their screeches send the Gondorians into madness and Pippin is one of many caught in the fear. As the Nazgûl swoop overhead, Gandalf orders the men not to give into fear, and has then stand to their posts nevertheless the danger.

The Nazgûl's fell beasts smash many buildings, and as the Pippin runs through the city, he is knocked down by many terrified people trying to run away from the chaos. During these events, the trolls start bringing forth the huge siege towers, filled with many war-hungry Orcs. Gandalf orders the men on the walls to aim for the trolls and not the towers themselves, and the soldiers do, shooting their arrows down upon the trolls. Soon, one siege tower hits the wall and Orcs pile out, attacking the Gondorians, and after that, many more towers land, unleashing more Orcs.

Then, the Orcs, determined to break through the gates of the city, charge a battering ram at the gates. As this happens, Pippin runs onto the walls, where Gandalf is busy fighting off the invading Orcs. Gandalf shouts for Pippin to return to the citadel, but pippin says that he was called out to fight. However, as more Orcs attack, Gandalf quickly tells him that this in no place for a Hobbit. As more siege towers hit the walls and Orcs are let loose, one of them charges towards Gandalf, but Pippin quickly stabs the creature with his sword, killing it instantly.

Gandalf turns to Pippin, saying that the Hobbit is Guard of the Citadel indeed, but then quickly hurries him back up the stairs to the top of the city where he can be safe. At the gates, the Orcs continue to slam their battering ram at the gates, but the Gondorian archers from up above fire arrows down upon the Orcs, killing many and slowing down the ram.

The gate is completely impregnable. Gothmog angrily tells his troops to return to the battering ram and smash the gate down, but he is told by one of his Orc captains that the gate is too strong and nothing can breach it. Seeing his troops die one by one, Gothmog orders the Orcs to use advance on the gates with Grond, a giant, wolf-shaped battering ram. Soon after, Grond, driven by huge beasts, advances upon the gates.

Gandalf looks out over the walls to see Grond approaching, and as it draws closer, the Orcs all chunter its name as it prepares to breach the gates. It is chaos, and elsewhere, Elijah, Gimli and Legolas confront the Black Ships and the Corsairs of Umbar. Elijah warns the Corsairs not to enter Gondor, but the Corsair captain says that he cannot deny that passage.

Elijah has Legolas fire a warning shot past one of the Corsair’s ears, but as he does so, Gimli deliberately knocks his bow, causing the arrow to hit the Corsair in the chest, killing him. Gimli says that the Corsairs should surrender immediately, but when the pirates refuse, Elijah has the Army of the Dead obliterate them.

Meanwhile, Gollum leads Frodo towards Shelob's lair in the catacombs near Cirith Ungol. Gollum says that Frodo must enter the tunnel, and that there is no other way, either he goes in, or goes back. Frodo says that he can't go back. Then, Frodo cautiously enters the caves, which are filled with sticky webs and the remains of dead Orcs and other creatures. In the darkness, Frodo is abandoned by Gollum and left stranded in the dark, gloomy caves. Meanwhile, Sam is climbing back down the passes, saddened, and suddenly slips, falling to a ledge near the bottom of the steps.

There, he finds the Elven bread which Gollum cast down into the ravine. Now angered by the way Gollum fooled Frodo into thinking that he wants to steal the Ring, Sam realizes that he must go and find Frodo. In the caves, Frodo is in a panic. After running nervously through the caves, Frodo suddenly encounters the great spider - Shelob. Frodo luckily manages to keep Shelob at bay with the vial of Elendil given to him by Galadriel. He flees from her down the tunnels.

Suddenly, Frodo is caught in one of her webs, and realizes that since Gollum won't save him, it is a deliberate trap. In his anger, Frodo cuts himself lose of the web as Shelob draws closer to him and he flees the cave. Frodo is then attacked by Gollum, but he angrily pushes Gollum away and prepares to strangle him, when Gollum says that the Ring is the reason why he tried to kill him. Frodo says that he must destroy it for both their sakes.

Walking away from Gollum, Frodo doesn't realize Gollum about to attack him, and as he does, Frodo pushes Gollum down a cliff. Now alone, Frodo continues to move through the passes. Near Gondor, the Rohirrim have made camp where Éomer arrives to tell Théoden of the Mordor army attacking the walls of Minas Tirith, the first level already in flames. Amongst the soldiers, Merry says that he could be a knight of Rohan, capable of great deeds, but he is not - he's just a Hobbit. He tells Éowyn that he just wants to save his friends, Frodo, Sam and Pippin.

Now ready, the Rohirrim sound the war horns and prepare to ride for Minas Tirith. Éowyn and Merry place their Rohan helmets on. To battle. It is night, and at Minas Tirith, the Orcs are assaulting the walls with molten boulders, their entire army marching up towards the gates.

Inside the city, Gandalf charges the men of Gondor down to the first level of the city as Grond thunders onto the main gates. As this happens, high above the events, Denethor, in his most extreme moment of madness, retreats to the Tomb of the Stewards, intending to burn himself to death along with the still-living body of Faramir. They move out the Tower of Ecthelion and past the White Tree of Gondor, where one flower seemingly blooms. Pippin, suspecting something disastrous going to happen, secretly follows the funeral parlor to the Tomb in the hallows of the city where Denethor requests for his men to build a pyre.

Down at the gates, Grond prepares to break them open as fireballs fall upon the city's buildings. Gandalf, in front of the frightened men of Gondor, says that no matter what comes through those gates, they must stand their ground.

It is then, that Grond breaks the gates apart and trolls suddenly enter the city first, and then followed by hundreds of Orcs and the Easterlings of Rhun, who charge into the city, viciously attacking Gandalf and the soldiers. The forces of Mordor pour into the city, burning the first level, as Gandalf continues to lead the Gondor forces against them. Meanwhile, Frodo, as he makes his way towards the stairs to Cirith Ungol, he is attacked by Shelob again, this time stinging Frodo and wrapping him in webbing.

At that moment, Sam arrives, holding the vial of Elendil at Shelob, telling her to back away from Frodo. He retrieves Frodo's sword, Sting, and fights Shelob with great courage as the huge spider attacks him with her claws and fangs. Eventually, after a brief fight, Sam severely wounds Shelob, leaving her blind and bleeding. She crawls away from Sam and back into her cave.

Sam quickly rushes to Frodo's side, only to find him still and lifeless, believing his master to be dead. Sam cries, thinking that the Quest is now over, and he holds Frodo’s lifeless body in his arms. While Sam mourns over Frodo's body, a small company of Orcs approach.

Hiding nearby, Sam overhears one of them, Gorbag; say that Frodo is still alive. Sam overhears the Orcs saying that Shelob only stings her victims to knock them out and Sam realizes that he has made a big mistake. The Orcs take Frodo to the tower of Cirith Ungol, imprisoning him in the highest room. Sam must rescue him. At Minas Tirith, in the hallows of the city, Pippin quietly approaches the Tomb of the Stewards where he realizes what is about to happen.

He quickly runs through the burning city to tell Gandalf, but there is too much carnage as injured Gondorians pour past him. Fire boulders are hitting the city, and the people run for their lives, screaming, as thousands of Orcs run through it. Out on the field, the Orc forces receive orders from Gothmog to enter the city and kill all in their path. Inside the first level, Gandalf fights long and hard to keep the Orcs, wargs and trolls back but the people of the city are being slaughtered as the Soldiers fight off many more invading enemies.

Amidst the fighting, Pippin finds Gandalf and tells him of Denethor's madness. Gandalf quickly pulls Pippin up onto his horse and quickly races towards the tomb to stop the obscene funeral pyre.

Along the way, Gandalf confronts the Witch-king. Gandalf warns the Witch-king to return to the abyss that awaits him and his master, but the evil wraith snarls at the wizard and uses his dark powers to shatter Gandalf's staff, blowing the wizard from Shadowfax.

Pippin lunges at the Witch-king, but is frozen in fear by his fell beast. Gandalf is half beaten and is about to be killed by the Witch-king, who says that the Wizard has failed and the world of men will fall, when war horns sound outside the city. The Witch-king retreats to the threat.

On the field, Gothmog prepares his Orcs for a second assault when he notices an army arriving in the distance. It is the Rohirrim, led by King Théoden, arriving at Pelennor Fields. The Rohirrim look onwards at the huge Orc army massing outside the city. Éowyn and Merry look at the enemy, and she tells the Hobbit that courage is needed if they are to save their friends. In the Orc lines, Gothmog realizes the risks to his army and has the pikemen go to the Front lines.

As this happens, King Théoden doesn't take the Orcs as a threat and rides past his huge army of Men of Rohan, giving his final commands. He says that spears shall be shaken, shields splintered, for this is a sword day and a red day - "Ere the Sun Rises!". As both armies prepare for the conflict, Théoden rides past the front lines of his men, tapping their spears with his sword. He says gloriously that they ride now - to ruin and the world's ending! The men all yell their war cry and Théoden leads the charge.

The six thousand Rohirrim all charge down the field towards their opponents. Then, the Orcs, at Gothmog's command, fire their black arrows upon the horsemen, but it is no use. The Orcs all panic as the Rohirrim draw closer and Gothmog realizes that it is too late. The Rohirrim crash into the Orcs and charge through their lines. The Orcs cannot fight back, as they are all crushed beneath the trampling hooves. In the Tomb of the Stewards, Denethor prepares to burn himself and Faramir alive; however, it is quickly stopped as Gandalf speeds into the room, urging him to stop this madness.

However, Denethor refuses, he would much rather die than see a victory, and he sets the pyre alight. As Gandalf fights off Denethor's guards, Pippin jumps onto the pyre and manages to push Faramir out of the flames where he regains consciousness. Denethor realizes at that moment that his son is still alive, but by then he is too late to stop himself from burning. He runs out from the tomb, consumed in flames, and Gandalf says that "So passes Denethor, son of Ecthelion". Denethor runs across the Citadel and falls from the prow of the city, plummeting down Minas Tirith to his death.

Down on the field, the Rohirrim inflict heavy damage on the Orcs. After vicious fighting, the Orcs turn to flee and Éomer commands the Rohhirim to drive the Orcs towards the river. As victory comes and the Orcs flee, Théoden states in glee that the city is safe, but, he is wrong, as to the east, a much greater threat has arrived. The Rohirrim are horrified when they see a large row of Oliphaunts – Mûmakil - marching towards them.

Undeterred, King Théoden rally’s up his army again and charges them gloriously at the Oliphaunts. It is a huge charge, but many Rohirrim are quickly trampled by the Oliphaunts. Above them, thousands of Haradrim archers fire down on the horses. Rohirrim charge in huge groups at the Mûmakil, but many are killed in the chaos. As the Rohirrim fire arrows up into the Oliphaunt’s stomach’s, including Gamling, Éomer rides out in front of one of the Mûmakil and manages to kill its captain with a spear.

This causes the Oliphaunt which the captain was driving to go un-controlled and crash into another Oliphaunt and both fall to the ground on top of each other. Meanwhile, Éowyn and Merry ride through the battle. Éowyn and Merry manage to bring one of the massive elephant-like beasts down by cutting at its legs. The Rohhirim, meanwhile, focus on one of the large Oliphaunt’s and King Théoden orders several of his archers to take it down quickly.

Éowyn quickly goes to aid them and sends one spear into the creature's legs, bringing it down, but both Merry and Éowyn are thrown from their horse as the dead Mûmakil collapses. The two are left stranded amidst the huge battle. As King Théoden fights off numerous Orcs, Éowyn joins the fray, cutting down several Orcs with her blade. Elsewhere, Merry emerges from beneath one of the fallen Mûmakil and fends himself off from several Orcs and Haradrim warriors.

High up in Minas Tirith, the Orcs have overrun all the levels of the city up to half of the fourth level, where Gandalf, Pippin and the remaining Gondorian army prepare for another attack as fearsome Mountain Trolls hammer at the gates. Gandalf says to Pippin that this is not yet the end, that death is just one path that they must all one day take. He tells Pippin of the old grey curtain of this world sliding back and a bright sunlight and white shores filling the land. Pippin happily listens and decides that dying is not so bad, and Gandalf agrees. The troll continues to hammer at the gate and all that Gandalf and Pippin can do is wait for the assault.

Down of the field, more Rohirrim are being torn apart by the huge Mûmakil beasts. Théoden goes to rally up his men, but is suddenly thrown violently from his horse and severely injured by the Witch-king of Angmar's fell beast. Théoden's slain horse falls upon the King, pinning him down to the ground.

Éowyn suddenly comes face-to-face with the Witch-king, who is poised to finish off Théoden. He turns his attention to her and she stands her ground, slaying his fell beast by beheading the creature, but then confronts the wraith himself. The Witch-king attacks her with a huge, deadly Morgul frail, and, after a brief duel, Éowyn's shield takes a direct hit to the Witch-king's frail, shattering it immediately, throwing Éowyn to the ground, injured. Aragorn leads the Army of the Dead against the OrcsAdded by DwarvesIn the South of Minas Tirith, the Black Fleet arrives up the river. The Orcs gather outside the ships, expecting a welcome. However, instead, Elijah leaps of the ships, followed by Legolas and Gimli. Gimli says that there is plenty for the both of them and let the best Orc killer win. Then, the huge ghost Army of the Dead charges out onto the battlefield, slaying the Orcs, Elijah leading the charge with Legolas and Gimli behind him.

Elsewhere on the battle field, as the Witch-king moves in to kill Éowyn, arrogantly telling her that his power prevents any man from killing him, Merry suddenly stabs the wraith in the leg with his sword from Rohan, wounding himself in the process. As the Witch-king shrinks from the blow, Éowyn approaches with her sword drawn. Removing her helmet, Éowyn defiantly counters that she is no man and stabs him through his face. The Witch-king implodes and is destroyed.

Meanwhile, Elijah charges through the Orcs, killing many. Also, Gimli and Legolas continue their competition in battle and engage the Orcs, cutting them down one by one. As the remaining Orcs are slaughtered by the ghosts, Legolas tries to show Gimli that he can gain a higher score with the killing and he skillfully manages to kill one of the crazed Mûmakil and its riders. As the beast collapses, Gimli says that it still counts as one. Elijah and his companions then take out the remaining Orcs as the Dead Army begins to swarm Minas Tirith, destroying all the enemies inside. Then, the battle ends when the ghost army destroys the remnants of the Orc army.

Wounded, Éowyn crawls over to her dying uncle and Théoden quietly tells her how proud he is of her effort. He says that there is nothing else she can do, for his body is broken, but Éowyn says that she will save him. After several moments, Théoden dies in Éowyn's arms. The battlefield falls silent. As the sun rises over the aftermath, the survivors of the battle survey the carnage. Gathering outside Minas Tirith, the Army of the Dead confronts Elijah and his companions, urging for him to release them. After several seconds of thought, Elijah releases the Dead Army from their bondage, despite urgings from Gimli to keep them.

Gandalf bows to Elijah and Elijah smiles with their success. Pippin goes to search for Merry as Éomer discovers Éowyn, screaming in horror, believing her to be dead. Elijah and Éomer take her to Minas Tirith. In Minas Tirith, the injured are tended to in the Houses of Healing. Amongst them, Éowyn is treated to her Morgul wound by Elijah, with Éomer nervously watching.

Later, Éowyn awakens in a bed, where she sights Faramir, who is too healing. Out on the battle field, amongst the thousands of dead bodies, Pippin searches the battlefield frantically for Merry. Luckily, Pippin finds his cousin near the corpse of a dead Oliphaunt. Merry is wounded, but says that he knew Pippin would find him and asks if Pippin is going to leave him.

However, Pippin says that he won’t leave him; instead, he will look after him. The two are joyfully reunited. In Minas Tirith, the forces of Gondor and the remnants of the Rohirrim gather in the throne room of Minas Tirith, to decide how to finish the war against Mordor. Meanwhile, at the tower of Cirith Ungol, Frodo is still in the hands of the Orcs, who are searching through his belongings.

Two of the Orcs, an Uruk called Shagrat and the Orc Gorbag, begin fighting over his Mithril vest. After a brief brawl, Shagrat forces Gorbag down through a trapdoor, and into a large group of Orcs and Uruk-hai.

Shagrat commands them to kill Gorbag, and a huge fight ensues between the Orcs and the Uruks. In the fight, most of the Orcs in the tower and Uruk-hai are killed in the huge orc-to-orc fight. Outside the tower, Sam arrives and finds the whole place filled with dead bodies of the slain Orcs and Uruk-hai. Sam then goes to search for Frodo, and kills the surviving Orcs in a moment of intense courage. However, unknown to Sam, Shagrat makes his escape with the Mithril vest. At the top of the tower, Frodo tries to pull himself free from his bonds, but is suddenly confronted by Gorbag, who says that he is going to kill Frodo. However, before he does, Sam arrives, who kills Gorbag in anger.

Letting the dead Orc fall to the floor, Sam then greets Frodo, who apologises for sending Sam away, but is distressed because he has lost the Ring. Sam than says that he hasn't, and produces it from his pocket, saying that he'd taken it from Frodo's unconscious body so the Orcs wouldn't find it. Sam begins to hand it back to Frodo and momentarily pauses, having been mesmerized by the Ring's power. Frodo brings him back from the Ring's spell and explains that the power of the Ring would destroy Sam’s soul. Sam returns it to Frodo, saying that they must leave and finish the Quest.

It is time to enter Mordor. Inside Minas Tirith, Elijah and his allies decide that the time has come. If Frodo is to succeed with his Quest, he must cross the Plains of Gorgoth, however, Ten thousand Orcs are on those plains. Gandalf believes that he has sent Frodo to his death, but Elijah says that there is still hope for him - they could draw Sauron's armies out of Mordor through the Black Gate of Morannon. This will empty the plains of Gorgoth of Sauron's Orc army and allow Sam and Frodo the chance to reach Mount Doom. Gandalf says that Sauron will suspect a trap; he will not take the bait. Elijah, however, says that he will.

At night, Elijah uses the Palantír to tempt Sauron, saying that long has the Dark Lord haunted him, and long has he eluded him, but no more. Elijah then goes to reveal to Sauron the blade of Elendil - Anduril. However, Sauron shows Elijah a vision of Arwen dead and Elijah, in his grief, drops the seeing stone, smashing the Evenstar. However, luckily, the ploy works and the fields of Mordor empty.

Elijah, Gandalf, Legolas, Gimli, Éomer and the Hobbits Merry and Pippin, make their way towards Mordor, accompanied by the remaining armies of Gondor and Rohan, and they head to confront Sauron's army. In Minas Tirith, Éowyn believes that all hope is lost, but she is comforted by Faramir, who says that it is just the damp of the first spring rain. He tells her that no darkness will endure. The two happily embrace.

Meanwhile, Sam and Frodo, disguised as Orcs, make their way into the land of shadow: Mordor. Finally, the hobbits have made it into Mordor. Moving into the land, they are found by a large detachment of Orcs, and are forced by their captain to march with the Orcs as towards the Black Gates. Then, an inspection of the Mordor army is called and a large, bulgy Orc with no nose inspects the Orcs. Realizing that they might be found, Sam starts a fight with Frodo and, in the ensuing chaos, they escape onto the Plains of Gorgoth as the Orcs continue their march to the Black Gates.

They continue their grueling trek to Mount Doom. Losing their Orc armour, the hobbits climb up the ashen slopes, the Eye of Sauron looming behind them. They go to rest behind a rock where Sam notices a light in the ashen skies. He goes to remind Frodo, but the Hobbit falls asleep beside him. Meanwhile, Elijah's army marches to Morannon.

Once at the Black Gates, Elijah, Gandalf, Legolas, Gimli, Éomer, Merry and Pippin all ride forward in front of their army and up to the Black Gates. In Mordor, Frodo and Sam walk across the hot, ashen slopes near Mount Doom. Eventually, as they draw closer to their goal, the Eye of Sauron continues to search the plains, until he is within sight of the two Hobbits. Sam quickly ducks down; avoiding Sauron's gaze, but Frodo is caught and collapses the power of the One Ring beating on his chest.

In Mordor, the Eye of Sauron turns away from the Hobbits and towards the Black Gates. Frodo and Sam continue their journey to Mount Doom. At Morannon, the gates re-open and the final battle between Gondor's army and Mordor begins. The gates open all the way and the massive Orc army of ten thousand troops marches out, the Eye of Sauron watching in the background. The future King of Gondor confronts the forces of Mordor Added by King Elijah, Elijah rides forward in front of the forces of Rohan and Gondor and tell them to stand their ground. He says that he sees the fear in their eyes, the same fear that would take the heart of him. But not this day, as today, the age of men won't fall, as today - they fight! He bids the Men of the West stand in the final battle which they might not win, but it will give Frodo time to save Middle-Earth. Elijah turns to face the hordes of Mordor. On climbing up the slopes of the Mountain of Fire, Frodo collapses and Sam comforts him, reminding him of The Shire and the strawberry that will be growing there in the spring and the birds that nest in the trees. Frodo, however, says that he can't taste food or see the light - he is naked in the dark, no light or comfort between him and darkness. Sam, however, says that they shall be rid of it - once and for all!

Then, with a final burst of strength, Sam lifts Frodo upon his back and moves him painfully up to Mount Doom. At the black gates, as the Eye of Sauron glares at Elijah, taunting him, the future King of men walks slowly towards him, as if in a trance. He then turns slowly around to face a worried Gandalf, and says that this is for Frodo and then charges at the Mordor army. The two Hobbits follow and soon the whole army of men charges into the Orcs, fighting them viciously.

Now on Mount Doom, the hobbits approach the door to the Crack of Doom and Gollum suddenly attacks, angrily wanting the Ring back. He grabs Frodo by the throat and begins to strangle him. Luckily, before Frodo can be strangled, Sam throws a rock at Gollum's head, knocking him off. As the battle rages on at the gates, Gimli fights hard againt the forces of Sauron and Legolas too fights off many attackers.

High above, the Winged Nazgûl descend upon the battle. At Mount Doom, while Sam struggles with Gollum, Frodo slips away and runs inside the chamber to the Cracks of Doom. Sam throws Gollum down the mountainside and slices his torso with his sword. He then quickly follows Frodo. At the Black Gates, Gandalf watches as the Nazgûl prepare to attack, but then sights the small Moth from when he was imprisoned on Orthanc, and knows it shall bring hope.

Then, the Nazgûl are suddenly engaged in midair by the Eagles of the Misty Mountains. Pippin looks up and cheers as the Eagles attack the fell beats. Inside the Cracks of Doom, Frodo is standing on the edge of the bridge overlooking a huge river of lava below. Sam pleads with him to drop the Ring in the fire and destroy it; however, Frodo pauses for several seconds at the power of the Ring taunts at his heart. Turning to face Sam, Frodo declares that the Ring is his and he pulls it of its chain, taking it towards his finger. Eventually, as Sam looks on, Frodo places it upon his finger, disappearing.

Sam screams in horror as the Eye of Sauron turns its attention towards Mount Doom and the Ringwraiths swoop back toward Mordor. At the gates, Elijah encounters a huge heavily armoured troll and duels the beast, only to be wounded and sent falling to the ground, Legolas trying to reach him, but he is stopped by the battle raging on around them. In the Cracks of Doom, Gollum attacks again, knocking Sam unconscious with a rock, and sees that Frodo has disappeared. However, this won't stop him, as Gollum quickly determines Frodo's location and leaps upon him, trying to get the Ring back with all his strength.

Sam tries to reach Frodo, but is still barely conscious, and Gollum angrily bites off Frodo's finger, causing the Hobbit to both re-appear and drop to the ground in pain as Gollum takes the Ring. Gollum is joyful that the One Ring is his at last. As he leaps about joyfully at being reunited with his prized possession, Frodo, wanting to get the Ring back, fights Gollum, resulting in, after a brief, vicious brawl, Frodo and Gollum pushing each over the edge. Gollum falls into the lava with the Ring and sinks, but the Ring stays suspended.

Frodo is left hanging by one hand onto the cliff. Sam quickly rushes to him and convinces Frodo not to let go and pulls him up over the edge. The One Ring sinks into the boiling lava and melts, destroying it forever. Elijah, who is about to be killed by the fierce troll, is saved when the army of Mordor is distracted by the destruction of the Ring.

As chaos erupts on the forces of Mordor, Sauron's tower of Barad-dûr, built with the power of the Ring, collapses, and the Eye of Sauron starts to die out. Then, after several moments of amazement to the men at the Black Gates, the Eye of Sauron explodes and disperses, taking the tower with it. Sauron is finally destroyed forever. At the Black Gates, Merry, Gimli, Aragorn, Gandalf, Pippin and all the other companions all cheer in happiness. Then, the towers and gate of Morannon all collapse, and with them, the earth opens to swallow up much of Mordor's fleeing army.

He imagines the light of the world and all is goodness whilst Sam says that Rosie Cotton would have been his wife. Frodo comforts Sam, here at the end of all things...

But, sometime later, the unconscious Frodo and Sam are then rescued by three Eagles, Gandalf riding on Gwaihir. They swoop away and Frodo just awakens to see the sight of him being taken by the large eagle. Next morning, Frodo awakens in the Houses of Healing and is overjoyed to see Gandalf, whom he had thought dead. They laugh in delight.

One by one, the other six surviving members of the Fellowship enter the room to greet and thank Frodo, Sam last. That day, the streets of Minas Tirith are filled and high up outside the Throne Hall; Elijah is coroneted as King of Gondor by Gandalf in front of his cheering subjects. Now come the days of the King! During the ceremony, Elijah greets Lady Éowyn and Lord Faramir, King Éomer of Rohan and a delegation of Elves, greeting Legolas with them, including Elrond... and Arwen, who emerges from behind a banner.

Elijah moves the banner slowly and kisses her passionately. The crowds all applause in happiness as Elijah is finally reunited with his one true love. Then, Elijah and his people pay homage to Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin. They all bow to the hobbits and the Third Age comes to an end. The four Hobbits return to the Shire, where they realize that no one else will ever understand what they have done.

That night, in The Prancing Pony, the hobbits, now all together after their great quests, all settle to a drink when Sam, however, goes to marry Rosie Cotton. It works and both Sam and Rosie have their marriage ceremony and all the hobbits applause.

Over time, Frodo begins to feel that he will be unable to continue his old life. Frodo continues Bilbo's memoir, calling his section of it The Lord of the Rings, but breaks off writing a few pages from the end of the Red Book. Sam arrives and Frodo says that it has been four years to the day when they were on Weathertop, and his wound has never fully healed.

That evening, Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin and Gandalf accompany the now-frail Bilbo Baggins to the Grey Havens, where the last Elven ship is waiting to depart Middle-earth. There, they find Elrond, Galadriel and Celeborn also waiting to board the ship. The Hobbits are surprised to learn that Gandalf will sail with Bilbo and the others, and even more shocked that Frodo is also sailing.

Frodo gives the Red Book to Sam and bids a sad farewell to his three friends—Sam last. Then he boards the ship to sail into the Undying Lands west of the Sea, turning back to give his friends one last smile.

He boards the ship and sails away into the sun. Later, Sam returns home to Bagshot Row, his wife, and his first two children. He say’s to himself – "Well I'm back". This adventure finally comes to an end...

Elijah is now 60 years old and has ruled his kingdom superbly. He had 3 sons Eldarion, Paris, and Lucian and 3 daughters Valeria, Athena, and Briseis with Arwen. During his reign he won many battles and conqered and united all of the kingdoms. An equally powerful kingdom was growing in the far west and instead of challenging the kingdom to do battle he will instead sign a peace treaty with them.

Troy

In Troy, King Elijah and his young son Paris negotiate peace between Troy and Gondor. Paris has fallen in love with Helen, Menelaus' wife. He smuggles her back to Gondor with him. Infuriated, Menelaus vows revenge. Meanwhile, Agamemnon (Menelaus' brother), who had for years harbored plans for conquering Gondor (which would give him control of the Aegean Sea), uses this as a justification to invade Gondor. General Nestor asks him to take Achilles, to rally troops to the cause.

Odysseus visits Phtia to persuade Achilles and his Myrmidons to fight, and finds him training with Patroclus, his cousin. Odysseus says the fleet will be sailing in three days, and that this war will never be forgotten. Achilles consults his mother, Thetis, and she tells him that should he stay, he will find peace, love, and a long life, but his name will be forgotten. Should he go, he will find everlasting glory, but is destined to die in battle. Achilles decides to go.

The Trojans land at Gondor and take control of the beach, landing their ships. Achilles and the Myrmidons kill many of the gondor soldiers and desecrate the temple of Apollo. Achilles and Elijah meet but do not fight, with Elijah outnumbered but allowed to leave. Briseis, the daughter of Elijah, is captured and taken as a prize to the Trojans, despite Achilles' claim to her.

Achilles and his Myrmidons do not fight the next day because of Agamemnon's unfair claim to Briseis. With Trojans surrounding Gondor, Paris challenges Menelaus to a duel to settle things. Menelaus agrees, knowing he is the better warrior, while Agamemnon decides he will attack afterwards regardless of the outcome. Paris is easily defeated. Wounded, he crawls back to his Father's feet. Elijah intervenes and kills Menelaus. Agamemnon orders his army to charge, but the Trojans are repelled because their attack is within range of the archers of Gondor and the plain outside the city allows the soldiers of gondor to concentrate their numbers. Elijah also kills Ajax. When Odysseus points out his army will be wiped out unless he stops, Agamemnon reluctantly withdraws.

Agamemnon gives Briseis to his men, but Achilles rescues her, claiming that she is his. He carries her back to his tent and attempts to help her, but she does not trust him. They converse by the fireside and discover their differences in their belief of the gods and their similarities in their stubborn nature. That night, Briseis holds a knife to Achilles while he sleeps. He awakens, unafraid. She wants to kill him to spare the lives of others that will be slain by his hand on the battlefield, and he challenges her, saying he will kill "many." Unable to find it in herself to kill the man that saved her, she backs off. They have consensual sex and fall asleep.

The next day, the council of gondor is arguing amongst themselves whether or not to directly attack the Trojans again, to conquer them once and for all. Elijah, realizing that such an attack would be futile, strongly advises against it, but Faramir,who Elijah left in charge of all things that have to do with war, foolishly swayed by his priest's "bird signs" and Glaucus' convictions, gives the order. Meanwhile, Briseis and Achilles are lying in bed together, and it is implied that Achilles is planning to leave the next day, as he had ordered Eudorus to load the ships, much to Patroclus' indignation. Briseis seems skeptical of his decision and asks him if he could really "leave this all behind", to which he asks if she could "leave Gondor".

The soldiers of Gondor launch a surprise attack before dawn. As the Trojans seem to be on the verge of defeat, Achilles appears with the Myrmidons, and joins the battle. He brings courage to the Trojans, and eventually fights man-to-man against Elijah. The Myrmidons are shocked by Achilles apparently being outmatched by Elijah, which also energizes the soldiers of Gondor and dismays the Trojans. Elijah kneels and pulls Achilles' helmet off, and finds it is actually Patroclus whom he has mortally wounded, not Achilles. Horrified at causing the death of someone so young, Elijah deals Patroclus a killing blow out of mercy. Both armies agree to end fighting for the day, and Odysseus informs Elijah of the boy's identity. Achilles, who had slept through the battle, is told by Eudorus of his cousin's death. The Myrmidons had also mistaken Patroclus for Achilles, since he had put on the same armour, and moved with a near identical fighting style: Achilles furiously vows revenge. Later that night, Achilles leads the funeral ceremony, complete with a funeral pyre. In Gondor, Elijah, fearful of a Greek attack taking the city, shows his wife Arwen a secret tunnel out of the city, telling her to use it if Gondor falls, since he doesn't want to see his young son murdered and his wife taken as a Trojan slave. He also tells her to try to get as many to safety as she can.

The next day, an enraged Achilles approaches the gates of Gondor alone and demands Elijah to come out and face him. Elijah requests a pact that the loser be given proper funeral rites by the winner, Achilles angrily refuses, saying "There are no pacts between lions and men." The two fight an evenly matched duel at the start, but Achilles begins to get the advantage as he begins to wear Elijah(whos old and skills are very diminished) down with his strong blows and quick reactions. In the end Achilles spears Elijah in the shoulder blade and finishes him with a sword to the chest. He then ties the body to the back of his chariot, callously dragging it back to the Greek camp, leaving all the people of Gondor shocked. That night, Faramir visits the Greek army's camp to retrieve Elijah's body. After an emotional talk given to him by Faramir, Achilles breaks down into tears near Elijah's body. He lets Faramir take Elijah's body back, promising him that no Trojan will attack Gondor for twelve days in order to give time for the proper funeral games to be performed for the great king, also saying that Elijah was the best he'd fought. Achilles lets Faramir take Briseis back as well, and gives her the shell necklace Thetis had made for him. He later makes amends with Eudorus (whom he had beaten and almost killed over the death of Patroclus), and gives him one last order: to take the Myrmidons home.

During the twelve days while Gondor mourns Elijah's death, the Greeks plan to enter the city using a hollowed-out wooden horse, devised by Odysseus, desperate to stem the slaughter of his own men at the hands of Gondor. The Trojans leave the horse at their camp, then depart, hiding their ships in a nearby cove. Paris warns Faramir to destroy the horse; however, Faramir, swayed by the claims of his priests the horse is an offering to Poseidon and a gift, neglects his warning. Assuming victory, the soldiers of Gondor take the horse into the city and celebrate. A band of Trojans come out of the horse at night, opening the gates to the city, allowing the main army to enter. unprepared Gondor is overwhelmed. As the city burns, Agamemmnon and Odysseus fight their way with their army to the palace, killing Glaucus and Faramir in the onslaught.

Paris sees Aeneas and Arwen (Elijah's wife) and Helen leaving Troy through a secret passage and hands him the sword Anduril, saying, "As long as it remains in the hands of Gondor, our people have a future. Protect them Aeneas; find them a new home." Aeneas replies, "I will." This is significant because Aeneas then sails to the Italian coast with the defeated people of Gondor and founds the city of Rome.

Achilles searches desperately for Briseis, who is being threatened by Agamemnon. She kills him with a concealed knife, and is saved from his guards by Achilles, who is helping her to her feet when Paris shoots Achilles, once in his legendary vulnerable heel, and several times in the torso. Briseis runs to Achilles to support him, which surprised Paris as he finally realized that his sister is in love. Achilles urges Briseis to join Paris as they escape the city through the secret passage. Achilles watches the others flee, then dies from his wounds. The soldiers arrive to see the fallen Achilles with only a single arrow through his heel, as he had removed all the others from his chest. Funeral rituals are performed for him in the ruins of Gondor the next day. It ends with a speech from Odysseus; "If they ever tell my story, let them say I walked with giants. Men rise and fall like the winter wheat, but these names will never die. Let them say I lived in the time of Elijah, the great king of men. Let them say I lived in the time of Achilles." Paris and Briseis meets up with Aeneas and they found the city of Rome. Arwen, saddened by the loss of her husband, gave up her now mortal life shortly afterwards and their son was raised by his siblings Paris and Briseis.

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