2nd most-quoted character in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003): in 32 of its 108 quotes
Most scenes with: Pippin (12), Treebeard (11), Aragorn (6)
Sauron has yet to reveal his most deadliest servant, the one who will lead Mordor's armies. The one they claim no living man can kill. The Witch-King of Angmar. [to Pippin] You've met him before. He stabbed Frodo on Weathertop. He is the Lord of the Nazgul, greatest of the Nine. Minas Morgul is his lair.
Gandalf the White The wisdom that was borne out of the West was forsaken. Kings made tombs more splendid than the houses of the living, childless lords sat in high halls counting the long names of their ancestors more dear than the names of their sons, or in high cold towers asking questions of the stars. The line of Kings failed, the White Tree withered, and the rule of Gondor fell to lesser men.
Gandalf the White The board is set. The pieces are moving.
Gandalf the White Our enemy is ready, his full strength gathered. Not only orcs, but men as well. Legions of Haradrim from the south, mercenaries from the coast, all shall answer Mordor's call. This will be the end of Gondor as we know it. Here the hammer stroke will fall hardest. If the river is taken, if the garrison at Osgiliath fails, then the last defence of this city will be gone.
Gandalf the White Send word to all our allies. And to every corner of Middle earth that still stands free. The Enemy moves to strike us. We need to know where he will attack next.
Gandalf the White They guard it because they have hope. Faith and fading hope that one day it will flower. That a king will come and this city will be as it once was before it fell into decay. The old wisdom that was borne out of the West was forsaken. Kings made tombs more splendid than the houses of the living and counted the names of their descent dearer than the names of their sons. Childless lords sat in aged halls musing on heraldry or in high, cold towers asking questions of the stars. And so the people of Gondor fell into ruin. The line of Kings failed, the White Tree withered, and the rule of Gondor was given over to lesser men.
Gandalf the White : Now, listen carefully. Lord Denethor is Boromir's father. To give him news of his beloved son's death would be most unwise. And do not mention Frodo, or the Ring. And say nothing of Aragorn either. [hesitates] In fact, it's better if you don't speak at all, Peregrin Took.
Gandalf the White We come to it at last; the great battle of our time.
Gandalf the White Send these foul beasts into the abyss!
Gandalf the White Guard of the Citadel, indeed.
Gandalf the White Hold them back! Do not give into fear! Stand to your posts! FIGHT!
Gandalf the White You are soldiers of Gondor! No matter what comes through those gates, you will stand your ground!
It's good. Definitely from the Shire. Longbottom Leaf.
I feel... like I'm back at the Green Dragon!
A mug of ale in my hand... putting my feet up on a settle, after a hard day's work.
Only, you've never done a hard day's work. [They both laugh at this. They then see Gandalf approaching]
Welcome, my lords, to Isengard.
You young rascals! A merry hunt you've led us on, and now we find you... feasting! and... and smoking!
We are sitting on a field of victory, enjoying a few well-earned comforts. The salted pork is particularly good.
Salted pork...
Gandalf Hnh! Hobbits!
We're under orders- from Treebeard, who's taken over management.
You have fought many wars and slain many men, Th?oden King, and made peace afterwards. Can we not take counsel together as we once did? Can we not have peace?
We shall have peace. [looks up and glares at Saruman] We shall have peace - when you answer for the burning of the Westfold, and the children that lie dead there! We shall have peace - when the lives of men whose bodies were hewn even as they lay dead against the gates of the Hornburg, are avenged! When you hang from a gibbet for the sport of your own crows - we shall have peace!
Gibbets and crows...! Dotard! [calms and turns to Gandalf] And what do you want, Gandalf Greyhame? Let me guess - the key of Orthanc, or perhaps the keys of Barad-dûr itself; along with the crowns of the seven kings and the rods of the five wizards!
Gandalf Your treachery has already cost many lives; thousands more are now at risk. But you could save them, Saruman. You are deep in the enemy's counsel.
So you have come here for information. I have some for you. [He pulls the palantir from his robes and gazes into it.] Something festers in the heart of Middle-earth, something you have failed to see. But the Great Eye has seen it. Even now he presses his advantage. His attack will come soon. [smugly] You're all going to die. But you know this, don't you, Gandalf? You cannot think that this Ranger will ever sit upon the throne of Gondor. This exile, crept from the shadows will never be crowned king. Gandalf does not hesitate to sacrifice those closest to him, those he professes to love. Tell me, what words of comfort did you give the Halfling, before you sent him to his doom? The path that you have set him on can only lead to death.
I've heard enough! [to Legolas] Shoot him! Stick an arrow in his gob!
Gandalf No. Come down, Saruman, and your life will be spared.
Save your pity and your mercy! I have no use for it! [hurls a fireball at Gandalf, who is completely unaffected]
Gandalf Saruman, your staff is broken! [it is so]
Gríma! You need not follow him. You were not always as you are now. You were once a man of Rohan. Come down!
A man... of Rohan? What is the house of Rohan, but a thatched barn where brigands drink in the reek and their brats roll on the floor with the dogs?! The victory at Helm's Deep does not belong to you, Th?oden Horsemaster. You are a lesser son of greater sires.
Gríma, come down! Be free of him!
Free? He will never be free.
No.
Get down, cur! [hits Gríma in the face and knocks him down]
Gandalf Saruman! You were deep in the enemy's counsel. Tell us what you know.
You withdraw your guard, and I will tell you where your doom will be decided. I will not be held prisoner here!
Gandalf Send word to all our allies, and to every corner of Middle-earth that still stands free. The enemy moves against us. We need to know where he will strike.
No news of Frodo?
Gandalf No word. Nothing.
We still have time. Every day Frodo moves closer to Mordor.
Gandalf Do we know that?
What does your heart tell you?
Gandalf That Frodo is alive. Yes. Yes, he is alive.
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.
Gandalf Authority is not given to you to deny the return of the King, Steward!
The rule of Gondor is mine! And no other's!
So I imagine this is just a ceremonial position. I mean, they don't expect me to do any fighting? Do they?
Gandalf Your in the service of the Steward now, you'll have to do as your told, Peregrin Took! [to himself] Ridiculous hobbit...! [coughs] Guard of the Citadel...!
There's no more stars. Is it time?
Gandalf Yes.
It's so quiet...
Gandalf It's the deep breath before the plunge.
I don't want to be in a battle. But waiting on the edge of one I can't escape is even worse. Is there any hope, Gandalf? For Frodo and Sam?
Gandalf There never was much hope. Just a fool's hope. [pauses and looks out at Mordor] Our enemy is ready, his full strength gathered. Not only orcs, but men as well. Legions of Haradrim from the south, mercenaries from the coast, all shall answer Mordor's call. This will be the end of Gondor as we know it. Here the hammer stroke will fall hardest. If the river is taken - if the garrison at Osgiliath falls - the last defense of this city will be gone.
But we have the White Wizard. That's got to count for something.
Gandalf Sauron has yet to reveal his deadliest servant - the one who will lead Mordor's armies in war. The one they say no living man can kill. The Witch-king of Angmar. You've met him before. He stabbed Frodo on Weathertop. He is the Lord of the Nazgûl; the greatest of the Nine. Minas Morgul is his lair.
Gandalf Go back to the abyss! Fall into the nothingness that awaits you and your master!
Do you not know death when you see it, old man?
Gandalf! [Attempts to defend him, but is soon petrified with fear as the Fell Beast roars]
You have failed. The world of Men will fall.
[The Rohirrim trumpets blare in the distance, and the Witch-king flies off]
I didn't think it would end this way.
Gandalf End? No, the journey doesn't end here. Death is just another path. One that we all must take. The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all turns to silver glass... then you see it!
What? Gandalf? See what?
Gandalf White shores... and beyond. A far green country, under a swift sunrise.
Well, that isn't so bad.
Gandalf No. No, it isn't.
Gandalf Frodo has passed beyond my sight. The darkness is deepening.
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.
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.
No. There is still hope for Frodo. He needs time, and safe passage across the plains of Gorgoroth - we can give him that.
How?
Draw out Sauron's armies, empty his lands. Then we gather our full strength and march on the Black Gate.
We cannot achieve victory through strength of arms.
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.
A diversion.
Certainty of death... Small chance of success... What are we waitin' for?
Gandalf Sauron will suspect a trap. He will not take the bait.
Oh, I think he will.
My Master, Sauron the Great, bids thee welcome. [he grins wildly] Is there any in this rout with authority to treat with me?
Gandalf We do not come to treat with Sauron, faithless and accursed! Tell your master this. The armies of Mordor must disband. He is to depart these lands, never to return.
Aha! Old Greybeard. I have a token that I was bidden to show thee. [holds up Frodo's Mithril coat and throws it at Gandalf, who stares in horror]
Frodo... Frodo!
Gandalf Silence.
No!
Gandalf Silence!
The Halfling was dear to thee, I see. Know that he suffered greatly at the hands of his host. [he looks around, grinning] Who would have thought that one so small could endure so much pain? And he did, Gandalf. He did. Aha!
And who is this? Isildur's Heir? It takes more to make a king than a broken Elvish blade.
I guess that concludes negotiations.
I do not believe it! I will not!
Gandalf Now come the days of the King. May they be blessed.
This day does not belong to one man, but to all. Let us together rebuild this world that we may share in the days of peace. [sings in Quenya]
Et Eärello
Endorenna utúlien.
Sinome maruvan
ar Hildinyar
tenn' Ambar-metta.
("Out of the Great Sea to Middle-earth I come. In this place I will abide, and my heirs, unto the ending of the world.")
Gandalf Farewell, my brave Hobbits. My work is now finished. Here at last, on the shores of the sea, comes the end of our Fellowship. I will not say "do not weep", for not all tears are an evil. It is time, Frodo.
What does he mean?
We set out to save the Shire, Sam, and it has been saved... but not for me.
You don't mean that! You can't leave!
Gandalf Look at me.
Gandalf, forgive me.
Gandalf Look at me. What did you see?
There was a tree. A white tree, in a courtyard of stones. It was dead. The city was burning.
Gandalf Minas Tirith? Is that what you saw?
Gandalf What did you tell him? Speak!
He asked me my name. I didn't answer.
Gandalf What did you tell him about Frodo and the Ring?
[Pippin looks at him, still horrified]
Gandalf the White There was no lie in Pippin's eyes. A fool, but an honest fool he remains. He told Sauron nothing of Frodo and the Ring. We've been strangely fortunate. Pippin saw in the Palantír a glimpse of the Enemy's plan. Sauron moves to strike the city of Minas Tirith. His defeat at Helm's Deep showed our Enemy one thing. He knows the Heir of Elendil has come forth. Men are not as weak as he supposed. There is courage still, strength enough perhaps to challenge him. Sauron fears this. He will not risk the Peoples of Middle Earth uniting under one banner. He will raze Minas Tirith to the ground before he sees a King return to the Throne of Men. If the Beacons of Gondor are lit, Rohan must be ready for war.
Tell me, why should we ride to the aid of those who did not come to ours? What do we owe Gondor?
I will go.
Gandalf the White No.
They must be warned.
Gandalf the White They will be. You must come by another road. Follow the River. Look to the Black Ships. Understand this. Things are now in motion that cannot be undone. I ride for Minas Tirith. [glances at Pippin] And I won't be going alone.
Gandalf Of all the inquisitive Hobbits, Peregrin Took, you are the worst! Hurry! Hurry!
Why did you look? Why do you always have to look?!
I don't know. I couldn't help it.
You never can.
Look, I'm sorry, alright! I won't do it again!
Don't you understand? The Enemy thinks you have the Ring. He's going to be looking for you. They have to get you out of here.
And you? You're coming with me, right?
Gandalf Three days' ride, as the Nazgul flies. And you better hope we don't have one of those on our tail.
Here. [hands Pippin a packed Longbottom leaf] Something for the road.
The last of the Longbottom Leaf.
I know you've run out. You smoke too much, Pip.
But we'll see each other soon? Won't we?
I don't know, Pip. I don't know what's going to happen.
Merry?
Gandalf Run, Shadowfax. Show us the meaning of haste.
Merry! [Gandalf rides off with him atop Shadowfax]
He's always followed me everywhere I went, since before we were tweens. I would get him into the worst sort of trouble but I was always there to get him out. [sadly] Now, he's gone, just like Frodo and Sam.
Foolhardy, may be. He's a Took! [both he and Aragorn smile]
The White Tree. Gandalf. Gandalf!
Gandalf Yes, the White Tree of Gondor, the Tree of Kings. Lord Denethor, however, is not the king. He is a Steward, a caretaker to the throne. [stops by the citadel's door and looks at Pippin, sternly] Now, listen carefully, Lord Denethor is Boromir's father. To give him news of his beloved son's death would be most unwise. And do not mention Frodo, or the Ring. And say nothing of Aragorn either. [hesitates] In fact, it's better if you don't speak at all, Peregrin Took.
[Pippin nods and he enters the citadel with Gandalf]
Gandalf the White Hail, Denethor, Son of Ecthelion, Lord and Steward of Gondor. I come with tidings in this dark hour, and with counsel.
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.
Gandalf the White Pippin!
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.
Gandalf the White 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.
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.
Gandalf the White Authority is not given to you to deny the return of the King, Steward!
The rule of Gondor is MINE! And no other's!
Gandalf the White All has turned to vain ambition! He would even use his grief as a cloak! A thousand years this city has stood. Now, at the whim of a madman, it will fall. And the White Tree, the Tree of the King, will never bloom again.
Gandalf the White They guard it because they have hope. A faint and fading hope, that one day it will flower. A King will come, and this city will be as it once was. Before it fell into decay. The old wisdom born out of the West was forsaken. Kings made tombs more splendid than the houses of the living, and counted the names of their descent dearer than the names of their sons. Childless lords sat in aged halls, musing on heraldry, or in high cold towers asking questions of the stars. And so, the people of Gondor fell into ruin. The line of Kings failed. The White Tree withered. The rule of Gondor was given over to lesser men.
Gandalf the White Yes, there it lies. This city has dwelt ever in the sight of its shadow.
Gandalf the White This is not the weather of the world. This is a devise of Sauron's making, a broil of fume he sends ahead of his host. The Orcs of Mordor have no love of daylight. So he covers the face of the sun to ease their passage along the road to war. When the shadow of Mordor reaches this city, it will begin.
Well, Minas Tirith, very impressive. So where are we off to next?
Gandalf the White Oh, it's too late for that, Peregrin Took, there's no leaving this city. Help must come to us.
Mithrandir! They have broken through our defenses! They've taken the bridge and the west bank. Battalions of Orcs are crossing the river.
Irolas It is as the Lord Denethor predicted. Long has he foreseen this doom.
Gandalf Foreseen and done nothing! [Faramir stares at Pippin] Faramir? This is not the first halfling to have crossed your path.
No.
You've seen Frodo and Sam?
Gandalf Where? When?
In Ithilien. Not two days ago. Gandalf, they're taking the road to the Morgul Vale.
Gandalf And then the pass of Cirith Ungol.
What does that mean? What's wrong?
Gandalf Faramir, tell me everything. Tell me all you know.
Gandalf Faramir! Faramir, your father's will has turned to madness! Do not throw your life so rashly!
Where does my allegiance lie if not here? This was the great city of the Men of Numenor. I would gladly give my life to defend her beauty, her wisdom. [sadly] Her memory.
Gandalf Your father loves you, Faramir! He will remember it until the end.
Irolas They were outnumbered. None survived.
He's alive! [to Denethor] He needs medicine, my lord!
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!
Gandalf 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]
Aragorn
Viggo Mortensen
Frodo Baggins
Elijah Wood
Gimli
John Rhys-Davies
Pippin
Billy Boyd
Gollum
Andy Serkis
Sam
Sean Astin
Denethor
John Noble
Legolas
Orlando Bloom
Elrond
Hugo Weaving
Faramir
David Wenham
Samwise Gamgee
Éomer
Karl Urban
Éowyn
Miranda Otto
King Théoden
Bernard Hill
Theoden
Gothmog
Lawrence Makoare
Merry
Dominic Monaghan
Saruman the White (Extended edition only)
Arwen
Liv Tyler
Witch King
Gandalf the Grey
Gandalf the Grey
The Toad
Eric Lensherr/Magneto
Magneto
Sir Leigh Teabing
Gandalf
Gandalf the White
