Original release date : September 30, 2022
Adar’s army finds the watchtower abandoned; Arondir destroys the tower, causing it to collapse onto the Orc army. Arondir hides the broken sword and professes his love to Bronwyn. The battle in the village begins well for the villagers but they discover that many of the enemies are traitorous villagers disguised as Orcs. The main Orc army then attacks killing many and severely wounding Bronwyn. Theo reveals the location of the broken sword to Adar to save Bronwyn. After journeying across the sea, the Númenórean army arrives at the village and engages Adar’s army. Adar gives Waldreg a task before attempting to escape, only to be captured by Galadriel and Halbrand. Under interrogation, he reveals his origins as one of the Moriondor or Uruks, Elves corrupted by Morgoth, and claims to have killed Sauron. As Halbrand is hailed as the King of the Southlands, Theo realizes the broken sword they recovered was a decoy. Waldreg takes the real sword and plants it into a mechanism causing a nearby dam to open. Water rushes through the Orc tunnels towards Orodruin and clashes with magma, resulting in a phreatomagmatic eruption and a pyroclastic cloud that approaches the village.
* * *
Summon the legions. It is time.
[Bronwyn] Our enemy vows to attack.
Who among you will stand and fight?
You will die.
Long have I awaited this day.
I pledge my loyalty to Sauron.
Half of us just left.
But half stayed.
[Isildur] Why wasn’t I chosen for the expedition?
Thought you were going west.
Not till I’ve done something worthy of Númenor.
[Galadriel] I have just convinced Númenor to send five ships and 500 men to aid your people and place a crown upon your head.
You are asking me to go to the one place that I swore never to return.
Why do you keep fighting?
Because I cannot stop.
Come with me, and together we will redeem both our bloodlines.
[Elendil] We head nor’-east.
For Middle-earth.
[all cheering]
[grunts]
[exclaims, grunting]
[Waldreg] It is no sword. It is a power.
Have you heard of Sauron?
[Arondir] I’ve seen this before.
It is a key.
The enemy commander spoke of giving the Orcs a home in these lands.
Whatever his design, this much is certain.
Our enemy knows your son has what he needs to enact it.
[Bronwyn] How long?
[Arondir] Maybe hours.
[theme music playing]
[crickets chirping]
[rustling]
[in Quenya] New life.
In defiance of death.
[thunder rumbling]
[sighs]
[Orcs grunting]
[Adar] My children,
we have endured much.
We cast off our shackles.
[Orcs snarling, growling]
Crossed mountain, field, frost, and fallow till our feet bloodied the dirt.
[roaring]
From Ered Mithrin to the Ephel Arnen, we have endured.
[Orcs snarling, growling]
Yet tonight, one more trial awaits us.
[snarling]
Our enemy may be weak, their numbers meager…
[growling]
…yet before this night is through, some of us will fall.
But for the first time, you do so not as unnamed slaves in far-away lands, but as brothers.
[snarling]
As brothers and sisters in our home!
[Orcs snarling. growling]
[in Black Speech] Nampat.
[Orcs chanting] Nampat! Nampat!
[Adar in English] This is the night we reach out the iron hand of the Uruk…
[Orcs] Nampat! Nampat!
…and close our fist around these lands.
[roars]
[Orcs] Nampat!
Nampat!
Nampat!
[marching]
Nampat!
[creaks]
[silence]
[in Black Speech] Search it.
[Bazur] All of you! Fan out! Find them!
[Orcs chattering, growling]
[Orcs snarling, growling]
[Orcs snarling, growling]
[Waldreg in English] Meaning no offense, Lord-father, but where is he?
What happened to Sauron?
Can’t find tooth nor tail of him. Must’ve got smart and scarpered.
No. The Elf’s here.
[in Black Speech] I smell him.
[in English] Yes, Father.
[Orc] Up here!
[arrow whooshes]
[screams]
Bring him down!
[groans]
[arrow whooshes]
[crumbling]
[in Black Speech] Get out, now!
[grunting]
[chains clanking]
[Orcs shouting]
[groans]
[Orcs shouting]
Open that door!
[rumbling, crashing]
[whooshes]
[groans]
[Bazur] Get out!
[screams]
[Waldreg frantically] Lord-father! You must move now!
[grunts] You must move!
[crumbling]
[crashing]
[Orcs shouting]
[refugees cheering, laughing]
[Tredwill] How many of ’em could have survived that?
[Theo] How long do we have?
Not long enough.
Come on, we have to make ready the village.
[waves splashing]
[man snoring]
[ship creaking]
[Isildur grunts]
[Berek neighing]
[breathing heavily]
Easy, Berek. Easy, boy.
[neighing]
[man] Hoist it up!
[waves splashing]
[wind whooshing]
[men chattering]
[grunts]
[Galadriel] I thought all soldiers were to be abed.
Pardon me, Commander. I… I was only…
Hoping to get the first sight of land?
At ease.
It’ll be visible to your eyes in a few moments.
[gasps]
Is it visible to yours already?
Has been for nearly an hour.
Keen are the eyes of the Elves.
And yet, mine have not before seen you.
Swinging steel nor flying sail.
What is your rank?
Stable sweep.
Despise not the labor which humbles the heart.
Humility has saved entire kingdoms the proud have all but led to ruin.
I did not join this expedition to be humbled, Commander.
Then for what did you join, soldier?
I was just trying to get away.
As far as I could from that place.
[Galadriel] Númenor?
It’s not Númenor.
Not the real Númenor, anyway.
If it ever existed.
It existed.
It exists still…
If only in the heart of the lowliest stable sweep.
It’s Isildur.
[chuckles] I might have known.
You have the look of your father.
I was always told I look more like my mother.
[Elendil] Soldier.
Captain.
His mother…
What happened to her?
It is strange.
Most of my life, I’ve looked east to see the Sun rise over the sea.
And west to see it set over the land.
We’re sailing into the dawn, and yet, to me, it feels like the coming of night.
She drowned.
[Elendil] Land has been sighted, Your Majesty.
[Queen Míriel] How long before we make anchor?
[Elendil] It’s a full day’s sail into the mountains.
And from there, another day’s ride east into the vale.
Signal the other ships.
Tell them to make all possible haste.
[hammering]
[grunting]
[hammer breaks]
[sighing]
[clattering]
[villagers chattering]
[panting]
It is beyond our skill to destroy.
Where will you hide it?
[breathing heavily]
No one must know.
Not even you.
[blood dripping]
[grunting]
[Bronwyn] Our enemy has been sighted.
We survived them before.
Now we must do so again.
Tonight.
Our position gives us an advantage.
But to use it, we must draw the enemy in close.
We must wait until every last Orc has crossed that bridge to spring our attack.
This will test your nerve.
Let it.
All who cannot fight will be barricaded inside.
This is to be our keep. Our fallback point.
[Arondir] Take heart. All of you.
[baby crying]
I have seen smaller armies defeat greater foes.
Soon, the sun will set.
Do your part, and I swear to you, you shall see it rise again.
Do you believe it?
[villagers] Aye.
Do you believe it?
[villagers shout] Aye!
[cheering]
To your positions.
[lively chatter]
What about me?
Tavern.
Tavern’s for wounded and children. I can fight.
I know you can.
Which is why I need you in there, protecting those who cannot.
Come.
Remember when I was little… When I used to have bad dreams?
I remember.
You remember what you used to say?
When you would hold me in the dark?
Would you say it to me now?
“In the end, this shadow is but a small and passing thing.
“There is light and high beauty forever beyond its reach. Find the light… And the shadow will not find you.”
Farewell, Mother.
[Arondir] Are you ready?
No. Are you?
[chuckles]
The alfirin seeds…
[Arondir] It is a tradition among Elves.
Before the battle begins, plant one.
New life, in defiance of death?
It is believed that one of the Valar watches over growing things…
And those who tend them.
The rest… we shall plant after the battle is over.
In a new garden.
You and I.
[gasps]
And Theo.
Together.
[softly] Promise me.
[both breathing shakily]
[bird hooting]
[fire crackling]
[wind whooshing]
[leaves rustling]
[breath trembling]
[villagers whispering anxiously]
[breathing heavily]
[wind whooshing]
[sighs]
[villagers whispering anxiously]
[baby crying]
They’re here.
[villagers exclaiming]
[Tredwill] Oh, dear…
[marching in distance]
[Orcs growling, snarling]
[grunts]
[both panting]
[striking]
[grunts, growling]
[striking]
[grunting]
[growling]
[striking]
[gasps]
[grunts]
[shouting]
[groans, grunts]
[Bronwyn exclaims]
[groans]
[both grunting]
[wheezing]
[grunts]
[grunts]
[panting]
[clattering]
[blazing]
[Orcs shouting, cheering]
[laughing] The bleeding fools missed us.
[gasps]
[groans]
[blazing]
[Orcs groaning, shouting]
[groans]
[Orcs clamoring]
[arrows whooshing]
[groans]
[grunts]
[groans]
[groans]
[grunts]
[Orc] Come on!
[groans]
They’re headed for the tavern.
[Orcs grunting]
[groans]
[Orcs grunting]
[muffled grunting, growling]
[breathing heavily]
[man] Fight for the South lands!
[woman] Fight for the South lands!
[villagers shouting]
[Orcs exclaiming]
[grunts]
[groans]
[all grunting]
[screams]
[both grunting]
[screams]
[clanking]
[rumbling, clattering]
[villagers exclaim]
[all grunting]
[breathing heavily]
[grunting]
[groaning]
[panting]
[Orc breathing heavily]
[grunting]
[groans]
[breathing heavily]
[both grunting]
[clanks]
[grunts]
[groans]
[groans]
[groans]
[groans]
[shouting]
[Orc growling]
[both grunting]
[groaning]
[grunting]
[groaning]
[squealing]
[both grunting]
[groans]
[Orc panting]
[gasps]
[shouts]
[grunts]
[both grunting]
[groaning]
[squishing]
[squishing]
[shouting]
[roaring]
[breathing heavily]
[growling]
[straining]
[growling]
[both screaming]
[stabs]
[gasps]
[pulls blade]
[wheezing]
[gasping]
[panting]
[villagers cheering]
[Tredwill] The land is ours!
[villagers cheering]
More than a bit brave, Elf. More than a bit.
[villagers cheering]
[gasps]
[gasping]
Bronwyn.
[gasping]
[villagers exclaiming]
[breath trembling]
[gasping]
[villagers lamenting]
[villagers lamenting]
We were fighting our own.
[gasping]
[Orc laughing]
[Orc] Thought we’d take ’em in for nothin’? [panting]
Had to pay the toll…
[groaning]
And now, all of you will.
[sputtering]
[gasps]
[fluttering]
[gasps]
[creaking]
[bows firing]
[arrow whooshing]
[arrows whooshing]
[groans]
Tredwill!
[arrows whooshing]
[gasps]
[arrows whooshing]
[groaning]
[groans]
Mother!
Everyone, to the keep!
Go! Go!
Into the tavern!
[arrows whooshing]
The tavern!
All of you!
[groans]
Go!
[arrows whooshing]
[groaning]
The table!
[villagers panicking]
Hurry!
[grunting]
[groaning]
[villagers groaning, whimpering]
[Arondir] Hurry!
[grunts]
[panting] Mother. Mother.
[Bronwyn whimpering]
[shuddering] Help him first.
[whimpering] No.
We will help you.
Mother.
[shuddering] Theo…
You’ll have to stem the bleeding.
I… I don’t think I…
Either you’re gonna do this or I’m gonna die. Do you understand?
[breathing heavily]
Theo.
[shuddering]
[snaps]
[muffled screaming, panting]
Mother, prepare yourself.
I am sorry.
[muffled screaming, shuddering]
[villagers exclaiming]
[muffled screaming]
[villagers gasping]
[Arondir] Put pressure on the wound.
[blood dripping]
[creaking]
[gasps]
[clattering]
[mumbles] Burn…
[Theo] She’s cold. She’s lost too much blood.
No. No. No.
She’s saying “burn.”
The alfirin seeds. We have to seal the wound with fire.
Bring me some burning wood. Hurry!
Now.
[Bronwyn shuddering]
[panting] Now.
[flesh burning]
[screaming, whimpering]
[Arondir] Now this side.
[squishing]
Go on.
[breath trembling]
[flesh burning]
[screaming, whimpering]
That’s enough.
[breath trembling]
[Arondir sighs]
[blood dripping]
Bronwyn?
[Theo] Mother?
[Arondir] Bronwyn?
[shouting] Wake up! Mother!
[villagers lamenting]
[sobbing]
[sniffling]
[sharp inhale]
[villagers exclaiming in relief]
[gasping]
[Orcs chanting in Black Speech] Nampat!
[gasping]
Nampat!
[villagers exclaiming in horror]
Nampat!
Nampat!
Nampat!
Nampat!
Nampat!
Kick ’em in the back!
Nampat!
Nampat!
Nampat!
Nampat!
[loud thud]
[clamoring]
[clattering]
[Orcs growl]
[loud thud]
[villagers scream]
[gasps]
[loud thud]
[rumbling]
[horses neighing]
[neighing]
[villagers screaming]
[loud thud]
[growling]
[grunting]
[Orc] Sit down!
[grunts]
[villagers exclaiming in horror]
[gasping]
[Orcs growling]
[in Quenya] What I seek.
Give it to me.
Let them go.
[breathing heavily]
I will consider it.
[growling]
[groaning]
[villagers exclaiming in fear]
[whimpering]
[wailing]
[whimpering]
[in English] Why sacrifice their lives for such a little thing?
[stabs]
[man screaming]
[villagers exclaiming in fear]
[whimpering]
[villagers wailing]
[shouting]
[Arondir grunting]
The woman next.
[shouting]
[Theo] No!
[growling]
Wait!
[Arondir] Theo!
It’s under here.
[panting]
It’s under here.
[sighs]
No.
Theo!
I’m sorry.
[grunting]
[Orcs growling]
[loud rumbling]
[panting]
[rumbling in distance]
Waldreg, I have a task for you.
[Orc growling]
[Númenóreans shouting]
[Orcs growling]
[in Black Speech] They all must die.
[screams]
[grunting]
[grunts]
[groans]
[Númenóreans shouting]
[horses neighing]
[Orcs growling, snarling]
[Númenóreans yelling]
[roars]
[Orcs growling, snarling]
[Númenóreans shouting]
[chains clanking]
[Orcs groan]
[squealing]
[swords clanking]
[Númenóreans yelling]
[horses neighing]
[Orcs groaning]
[all grunting]
[arrow whooshes]
[growling]
[grunting]
[groans]
[Ontamo shouting]
[Orc growling]
[Ontamo screaming]
[Valandil] Ontamo!
[Orc growling]
[Ontamo screaming]
[grunting]
[groaning]
[shouting]
[panting, grunts]
[Númenóreans shouting]
[horses neighing]
Go.
Hyah!
[grunting]
[Orcs groan]
[growling]
[neighs]
[straining]
Hyah!
[neighing]
[growling, groaning]
[neighing]
[groans]
Father!
[growling]
[groans]
[neighing]
[panting]
[Isildur] Father!
[Elendil] I’m all right.
[panting] I thought you…
I’m all right, Isil.
[grunts]
[in Quenya] Soldier.
[in English] Their commander?
[bellowing]
[in Quenya] The item he possesses…
He must not escape with it.
[neighing]
[commands]
[Theo in English] Who is that?
[whooshing]
[Arondir] Commander of the Northern Armies.
[panting] Galadriel.
[grunting]
[in Sindarin] Noro lim!
[neighing]
Go!
[neighing]
[breathing heavily]
[panting]
[groaning]
[panting]
You remember me?
[breath trembling]
No.
[groaning]
[screaming]
[Galadriel] Stop!
[neighing]
We need him alive.
I need him alive.
You don’t know what he did.
Did I cause someone you love pain?
A woman?
[shuddering] Perhaps a child?
Eat your tongue.
Halbrand, put it down.
One cannot satisfy thirst by drinking sea water.
[Orcs grunting, snarling]
So, what do you think?
I like the mountains.
[laughs]
You’re about to get a closer look at them.
Commander Galadriel’s putting together a company to track down the Orcs that escaped, and I managed to wheedle the pair of us a spot.
What about Ontamo?
I think I might stay here for a while. Lend these folk a hand.
Seen enough battle for a week?
More like a whole lifetime.
This company, when’s it set out?
Don’t know for certain. Not till she’s done with him.
When I was a child, I heard stories of Elves taken by Morgoth.
Tortured. Twisted.
Made into a new and ruined form of life.
You are one of them, are you not?
The Moriondor.
The Sons of the Dark.
The first Orcs.
[Adar] Uruk.
We prefer “Uruk.”
Even Moriondor take orders from a master.
And I seek yours.
Where is he?
Where is Sauron?
[chuckles]
[Orcs shouting in distance]
Perhaps we should bring our prisoners into the sunlight.
After Morgoth’s defeat, the one you call Sauron…
Devoted himself to healing Middle-earth, bringing its ruined lands together in perfect order.
He sought to craft a power not of the flesh…
But over flesh.
A power of the Unseen World.
He bid as many as he could to follow him far north.
But try as he might…
Something was missing.
[thunder breaking]
[wind whooshing]
[voices whispering]
A shadow of dark knowledge that kept itself hidden, even from him.
No matter how much blood he spilt in its pursuit.
Mmm. For my part… I sacrificed enough of my children for his aspirations.
I split him open.
I killed Sauron.
I do not believe you.
[sighs]
You cannot believe an Uruk could do that which your entire army could not.
I cannot believe that you are this army’s only master.
My children have no master.
They are not children, they are slaves.
But each one has a name. A heart.
A heart.
A heart created by Morgoth.
We are creations of The One, Master of the Secret Fire, the same as you.
As worthy of the breath of life, and just as worthy of a home.
Soon…
This land will be ours. Then, you will understand.
No.
Your kind was a mistake.
Made in mockery.
And even if it takes me all of this Age, I vow to eradicate every last one of you.
But you shall be kept alive, so that one day, before I drive my dagger into your poisoned heart, I will whisper in your piked ear that all your offspring are dead and the scourge of your kind ends with you.
It would seem I’m not the only Elf alive who has been transformed by darkness.
Perhaps your search for Morgoth’s successor should have ended in your own mirror.
Perhaps I shall begin by killing you, you slavering Orc.
[Halbrand] Galadriel.
[whispers] Uruk.
Who are you?
[stream flowing]
[footsteps approaching]
Thank you…
For pulling me back.
Was you, pulled me back first.
Whatever it was he did to you, and whatever it was you did…
Be free of it.
I never believed I could be…
Until today.
Fighting at your side, I… I felt…
If I could just hold on to that feeling, keep it with me always, bind it to my very being, then I…
I felt it, too.
[footsteps approaching]
[soldier] Lord Halbrand.
[gasps]
The Queen Regent wishes to see you.
[footsteps receding]
[breathing heavily]
[sighs]
[scraping]
[lively chatter]
[Arondir] Queen Regent.
What I owe you… My people are alive because of you.
As I understand it, they’re alive because of you.
A burden I never sought to take up.
Few of the finest leaders do.
But if you would like some relief in carrying it, I may be able to help.
You called for me, Your Majesty?
Bronwyn…
This is Lord Halbrand.
[villagers chattering anxiously]
Bronwyn.
Is it true? Are you the king we were promised?
[chattering stops]
Yes.
[villagers chattering excitedly]
All hail!
All hail to the true King of the South lands!
[all] All hail to the true King of the South lands!
All hail to the true King of the South lands!
[all cheering]
The men of these lands have awaited this moment a long time.
Not nearly so long as the Elves.
[lively chatter continues]
Do not torment yourself.
Many might have done the same in your place.
You don’t understand.
It’s not just guilt I feel.
It’s loss.
Loss?
When it was in my hands, I felt…
Powerful.
Then rid yourself of it.
Once and for all.
How?
[Arondir] Give it to Númenor.
To toss into the sea on their voyage home.
[breathing heavily]
[scraping]
[scraping]
[clanks]
[cranking]
[clanks]
[rumbling]
[loud rumbling]
[scraping]
[rumbling]
[bellowing]
Easy. Berek, easy.
It’s just a scratch. You’re okay.
Hey, hey, hey. Berek.
[neighing]
Careful.
[in Sindarin] Athae…
no ídhui hí.
[in English] How did you do that?
It’s not his pain that’s bothering him…
But that of his rider.
I’m not in pain.
[Berek snorts]
When a horse of Westernesse rides into battle, he forms an unbreakable bond with the soldier he bears.
In time, they become as one.
Even knowing the innermost feelings of each other’s heart.
[chuckles] You know his feelings?
No.
He knows yours.
Where did you learn all this?
From your mother.
Think you could teach me?
[loud rumbling]
[gasping]
[explosion]
[Berek neighing]
[all exclaiming]
[explosions]
[Orcs chanting in Black Speech] Udûn…
Udûn. Udûn.
[rumbling, explosions in distance]
[sighs]
[breathing heavily]
[rumbling]
[crashing, hissing]
[cracking]
[exploding]
[whooshing]
[whooshing]
[all exclaiming]
[horses neighing]
[Orcs grunting]
[explosive eruptions]
[screams]
[villagers screaming]
Take shelter!
[crashing]
The Queen!
Berek!
Valandil!
[whooshing, crashing]
[screams]
[thunder breaking]
Over the wall!
Theo!
Theo!
[thunder breaking]
[rumbling]
