Éomer
No pauses; no spills.
Gimli
And no regurgitation!
Legolas
So, it's a drinking game?
Gimli
Last one standing wins! Heh heh heh!
Gimli
[After a few more scenes and other characters talking, we go back to Legolas and Gimli's drinking contest. Both have downed numerous glasses, and Gimli is extremely intoxicated, while Legolas seems to be unaffected]
Here's ta dwarves that go swimming - with little hairy women! Heh heh heh!
Legolas
I feel something. A slight tingle in my fingers. [Éomer looks at him with mock surprise] I think it's affecting me!
Gimli
What did I say? He can't hold his liquor!
Legolas
[He slurs this rather incoherently. His eyes cross, and he falls backwards off the chair. Everyone laughs.]
Game over.
Gandalf
Frodo has passed beyond my sight. The darkness is deepening.
Aragorn
If Sauron had the Ring we would know it.
Gandalf
It's only a matter of time. He's suffered a defeat, yes, but behind the walls of Mordor our enemy is regrouping.
Gimli
Let him stay there, let him rot! Why should we care?
Gandalf
Because ten thousand orcs now stand between Frodo and Mount Doom. I've sent him to his death.
Aragorn
No. There is still hope for Frodo. He needs time, and safe passage across the plains of Gorgoroth - we can give him that.
Gimli
How?
Aragorn
Draw out Sauron's armies, empty his lands. Then we gather our full strength and march on the Black Gate.
Éomer
We cannot achieve victory through strength of arms.
Aragorn
Not for ourselves, but we can give Frodo his chance if we keep Sauron's Eye fixed upon us. Keep him blind to all else that moves.
Legolas
A diversion.
Gimli
Certainty of death... Small chance of success... What are we waitin' for?
Gandalf
Sauron will suspect a trap. He will not take the bait.
Aragorn
Oh, I think he will.
Éomer
[about Merry]
You should not encourage him.
Éowyn
You should not doubt him.
Éomer
I do not doubt his heart. Only the reach of his arm.
Éowyn
[Gamling chuckles]
Why should Merry be left behind? He has much cause to go to war as you do. Why can he not fight for those he loves?
Éomer
You know as little of war as that Hobbit. When the fear takes him, and the blood, and the screams, and the horrors of battle take hold, do you think he would stand and fight? He would flee. And it would be right to do so. War is the province of Men, Éowyn.
