the door creaks open...THE FOUR RINGWRAITHS silently slide into the Hobbit's room. The LOOM above each bed, raising their SHINING SWORDS ABOVE THE SLEEPING HOBBITS.
QUICK INSERT:
Sam's eyes open wide. In unison, the RINGWRAITS STAB THE HOBBITS, in a Slashing, hacking frenzy.
INT. STRIDER'S ROOM -- NIGHT Strider is grimly listening to the sounds from his room.
INT. HOBBIT'S ROOM, PRANCING PONY -- NIGHT
Wide on:
the RINGWRAITHS step back from the slashed beds in
triumph. CLOSE ON:
a hacked blanket is pulled back to reveal nothing but a shredded pillow. The RINGWRAITHS SHRIEK WITH
RAGE!! INSERTS:
Sam sits up with a start! Close on:Another shredded pillow is revealed! More Shrieks of rage. INSERT: PIPPIN AND MERRY wake with a start.
CUT TO:
INT. STRIDER'S ROOM -- NIGHT
WIDE ON:
Sam, Merry, and Pippin have been sleeping on Strider's bed. Frodo stands next to Strider by the window, peering out nervously as furious Ringwraith screeches echo across the courtyard from the Hobbits room.
FRODO:
Where are they?
STRIDER:
They were once men. Strider glances quickly at Frodo, then looks away... (CONTINUED) 51.
CONTINUED:
STRIDER (V.O.) (CONT'D) (quietly) Great Kings of men. Then Sauron the deceiver gave to them Nine Rings of Power. Blinded by their greed they took them without question, one by one falling into darkness and now they are slaves to his will.
Strider looks from the window as the Ringwraiths gallop down the Bree Streets. CLOSE ON: Strider turns back to the Hobbits, his face lit faintly by the Glowing Embers of the Fire.
STRIDER (CONT'D) They are the Nazgul, Ringwraiths, neither living or dead. At all times they feel the presence of the ring...drawn to the power of the one..they will never stop hunting you.
CUT TO:
EXT. CHETWOOD FOREST -- DAY
ANGLE ON:
STRIDER, MERRY, PIPPIN, AND FRODO march through a gloomy, overgrown forest. Sam follows at the read leading "Bill", a scrawny pony, who is laden with supplies.
FRODO:
Where are you taking us?
STRIDER:
Into the wild.
Frodo watches uneasily as Strider moves off into the cover of the trees...
MERRY:
(whispered aside) How do, we know this Strider is a friend of Gandalf?
FRODO:
We have no choice but to trust him.
STRIDER:
But where is he leading us?
ANGLE ON:
(CONTINUED) 52.
CONTINUED:
Strider stops, casts a glance back at Sam.
STRIDER (CONT'D) To Rivendell, Master Gamgee...to the house of Elrond.