Denethor Do you think that the eyes of the White Tower are blind? I have seen more than you know. With your left hand you would use me as a shield against Mordor, and with your right you would seek to supplant me! I know who rides with Th?oden of Rohan. Oh yes, word has reached my ears of this Aragorn son of Arathorn, and I tell you now... I will not bow to this Ranger from the North! Last of a ragged house long bereft of lordship.
Authority is not given to you to deny the return of the King, Steward!
Denethor The rule of Gondor is mine! And no other's!
Denethor Is there a captain here who still has the courage to do his lord's will?
You wish now that our places had been exchanged - that I had died and Boromir had lived.
Denethor Yes. I wish that.
Since you were robbed of Boromir, I will do what I can in his stead. If I should return, think better of me, Father.
Denethor That will depend on the manner of your return.
Denethor Can you sing, master hobbit?
Yes- Well... I mean, we sing songs for our own people. We have no songs for great halls or... evil times.
Denethor Then why should your songs be unfit for my halls? Come sing me a song.
Home is behind, the world ahead
And there are many paths to tread
Through shadow, to the edge of night
Until the stars are all alight
Mist and shadow, cloud and shade
All shall fade
All shall
Fade
Hail, Denethor, Son of Ecthelion, Lord and Steward of Gondor. I come with tidings in this dark hour, and with counsel.
Denethor Perhaps you come to explain this? [holds up Boromir's broken horn] Perhaps you come to tell me why my son is dead?
Boromir died to save us, my kinsman and me. He fell, defending us from many foes.
[kneels before Denethor]
I offer you my service, such as it is, in payment of this debt.
Denethor This is my first command to you. How did you escape and my son did not, so mighty a Man as he was?
The mightiest Man may be slain by one arrow. Boromir was pierced by many.
[nudges Pippin with his staff]
Get up. [to Denethor] My Lord, there will be a time to grieve for Boromir, but it is not now. War is coming. The Enemy is on your doorstep! As Steward, you are charged with the defense of this city. Where are Gondor's armies? You still have friends. You are not alone in this fight. Send word to Théoden of Rohan. Light the beacons.
Denethor You think you are wise, Mithrandir, yet for all your subtleties you have not wisdom. Do you think the eyes of the White Tower are blind? I have seen more than you know. With your left hand you would use me as a shield against Mordor and with your right you would seek to supplant me. I know who rides with Théoden of Rohan. Oh, yes. Word has reached my ears of this Aragorn, son of Arathorn, and I tell you now, I will not bow to this Ranger from the North! Last of a ragged house, long bereft of Lordship.
Authority is not given to you to deny the return of the King, Steward!
Denethor The rule of Gondor is MINE! And no other's!
Denethor [angrily]
This is how you would serve your city? You would risk its utter ruin?
I did what I judged to be right.
Denethor What you judged to be right? You've sent the Ring of Power into Mordor! In the hands of a witless Halfling! It should have been brought back to the Citadel to be kept safe. Hidden. Dark and deep beneath the vaults. Not to be used. Unless...At the uttermost end of need.
I would not use the Ring. Not if Minas Tirith were falling in ruin and I alone could save it.
Denethor Ever you desire to appear lordly and gracious as a king of old. Boromir would have remembered his father's need. He would have brought me a kingly gift.
Boromir would not have brought the Ring. He would have stretched out his hand to this thing and taken it. He would have fallen.
Denethor You know nothing of this matter!
He would have kept it for his own! And when he returned, you would not have known your son.
Denethor [rising up in rage]
Boromir was loyal to me! Not some wizard's pupil! [suddenly falls and as Faramir tries to help him, he smiles desperately] My son! [sees the spirit of Boromir, returning then he vanishes, only to see Faramir again; bitterly] Leave me.
[Faramir acquiesces]
[In Denethor's court, Pippin has just joined the Tower Guards] [nervously]
Here do I swear fealty and service to Gondor. In peace or war. In living or dying. From... from this hour henceforth, until my lord release me, or death... take me.
Denethor And I shall not forget it. Nor fail to reward that which is given. [holds out his ringed hand which Pippin kisses] Fealty with love. Valor with honor. Disloyalty with vengeance. [sits down and starts to eat. He then looks at Faramir with cold eyes] I do not think we should so lightly abandon the outer defenses. Defenses that your brother long held intact.
What would you have me do?
Denethor I will not yield the river and Pelennor unfought. Osgiliath must be retaken.
My lord, Osgiliath is overrun.
Denethor Much must be risked in war. Is there a captain here who still has the courage to do his lord's will?
[appalled]
You wish now that our places have been exchanged? That I have died and Boromir had lived?
Denethor [coldly]
Yes. I wish that.
Since you are robbed of Boromir, I will do what I can in his stead. If I should return, think better of me, Father.
Denethor That will depend on the manner of your return.
Denethor [shocked to see an unconscious Faramir brought before him]
Tell me not that he has fallen.
I Irolas
They were outnumbered. None survived.
Denethor [despairs and walks away]
My sons are spent. The house of Stewards has failed.
[walks to Faramir's body and finds that he is still breathing]
He's alive! [to Denethor] He needs medicine, my lord!
Denethor My line has ended! [he soon catches sight of Sauron's massive army surrounding Minas Tirith and bombarding its lower levels] Rohan has deserted us. [angrily] Theoden's betrayed me. [to the soldiers] ABANDON YOUR POSTS! FLEE! FLEE FOR YOUR LIVES!
[As Denethor turns around, he is suddenly struck down by an angry Gandalf] [to the soldiers]
Prepare for battle! Follow, Men! To the wall! Defend the wall! Return to your posts! Send these foul beasts to the abyss!
[Under Gandalf's command, the invigorated Gondorian soldiers defend Minas Tirith from Sauron's armies]
