GAMLING
Every villager able to wield a sword
has been sent to the armory. My lord?

THÉODEN
Who am I, Gamling?

GAMLING
You are our king, sire.

THÉODEN
And do you trust your king?

GAMLING
[Puts armour onto Théoden] Your men,
my lord, will follow you to whatever
end.

[The villagers are handed their weapons.
An oversized helmet is placed on a wide-eyed
boy. Another stares at the axe that
he is handed with frightened eyes. Another
child wearing oversized chain mail takes
up a huge shield. Théoden stands inside
the main hall of the keep, his back
to the entrance where a bright white
light is streaming through.]

THÉODEN
To whatever end… Where is the horse
and the rider? Where is the horn that
was blowing? They have passed like rain
on the mountains. Like wind in the meadow.
The days have gone down in the west.
Behind the hills, into shadow. How did
it come to this?