We have a long way to go, and there is time ahead for thought.
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| Scene from The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King | |
| Aragorn Takes the Paths of the Dead | |
|---|---|
| Details | |
| Scene | 24 (theatrical) 31 (extended) |
| Events | Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli leave Dunharrow for Dwimorberg |
| Previous | Andúril - Flame of the West |
| Next | "No More Despair" |
Aragorn Takes the Paths of the Dead is the twenty-fourth scene of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King and the thirty-first scene of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (extended edition). It was extended in the latter edition.
Synopsis
As Aragorn readies his horse in the night to travel to Dwimorberg, Éowyn pleads with him to stay, telling him he has given the men hope. He asks her why she has come, to which she replies, "Do you not know?" He stops and tells her he cannot return her love for him.
I have wished you joy since first I saw you.
He leads his horse away and encounters Gimli and Legolas, who tell him they are going with him.
The men of Rohan watch Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli leave the camp. They wonder why Aragorn is leaving with the coming battle now imminent. Gamling tells them that it is because there is no hope. Théoden enters the cluster of men and tells them all that "he leaves because he must", and that even though there is no hope of victory against the forces of Sauron, the men of Rohan will nevertheless meet them in battle.