FotN - Edited Version

[Huinesoron]

This thread is not for comments on the editing process. It is designed to hold the 'final' edited versions of each scene, so that anyone coming in late to the editing process can see them without trawling through page after page of editing notes. If they then think they see something that can be improved, they can take it over to the editing thread and post there. I repeat: This is for the scenes only. Editing will be done on another thread.

[Huinesoron]

Prologue

[Black]
Eru: Mighty are the Ainur, and mightiest among them is Melkor. But I am Ilúvatar, the Father of All, and no idea may be brought forth that hath not its uttermost source in me.
[Eru and the Ainur appear from the darkness as an array of bright lights, faintly tinted in many colours, although Ilúvatar, the largest, is white. They are singing the Ainulindalë (Silm. says 'like unto harps and lutes, and pipes and trumpets, and viols and organs, and like unto countless choirs singing with words')]
Galadriel: [VO] The Ainur sang a great song before Ilúvatar; the greatest song of all. Melkor wove discord into the music...
[Ainulindalë. The largest of the Ainur, which is red, suddenly pulses with energy, and a discord breaks the music. Around Melkor the Ainur grow less bright. As some attune to his music, it grows louder, and their colours take on a reddish tint]
Galadriel: … but Ilúvatar's faithful strove against it.
[Eru flares, and the Second Theme starts up]
Galadriel: [VO] In the midst of the strife Ilúvatar arose, and in one chord, deeper than the Abyss, higher than the Firmament, piercing as the light in the eye of Ilúvatar, the Music ceased.
[Eru pulses with a very bright light, almost washing out the Ainur. As he does, the two themes coincide on a final chord – the choral parts, if there are any, end on 'Eä' - and cease]
Eru: Behold Arda, the World That Is, the fruit of your song.
[The Ainur cluster around a sphere of clouds, at the heart of which lies a flat world of blue and green, which flickers with change as they watch it. Several of the largest Ainur break off from the cloud of light and fly down towards it. Cut to:]

Galadriel: [VO] The Great among the Ainur the Elves name the Valar, the Powers of Arda, and men have often called them gods. From the beginning their King has been Manwë, the Lord of the Winds…
[Manwë and Varda's faces appear on the screen]
Galadriel: [VO] … and at his side rules Varda, the Starqueen, called Elbereth. The World of Arda over which they have sovereignty was shaped by the power of Aulë, the Master Smith, father of the Dwarves…
[Aulë and Yavanna on screen]
Galadriel: [VO] … and given life through his bride Yavanna, the Bountiful. But with life comes Death, and this is the realm of Nienna, the Weeper…
[Nienna and Námo on screen]
Galadriel: [VO] … and her brother, Námo Mandos, Lord of the Dead and Doomsman of the Valar. Last among the mighty are Ulmo, Lord of the Deeps…
[Ulmo and Melkor on screen]
Galadriel: [VO] … and Melkor, rebellious brother to Manwë, who brought conflict into the world. To strive against him rose Oromë, the Hunter…
[Oromë and Tulkas on screen]
Galadriel: [VO] and Tulkas the Strong, and in them is the tale of the Greatest of the Valar complete.
[Beginning of flyover]
Galadriel: [VO] The Valar undertook to shape Arda according to the designs of Ilúvatar…
[Flyover shot. Sweep over the plains to the south, past the pillar of Ormal, and swiftly over the green lands of Arda, across the Great Lake, to Almaren, a green isle, where the Valar and Maiar walk. Cut to Melkor standing on the Iron Mountains]
Galadriel: [VO] … but Melkor stood against them.
Melkor: This is my kingdom, and I name it unto myself!
[Cut to Illuin. See Melkor and his creatures around the base of the pillar, which falls southwards to where the Great Lake can distantly be seen. As it falls, the earth is split by a great quake, and the sea rushes in]
Galadriel: [VO] The Valar gave chase but could not overtake Melkor, and thus…
[Melkor charges through the gates of Utumno and slams them in Tulkas' face. Perhaps this shot could be from inside Utumno, so we see Tulkas heading towards us, and behind him the ruin of Middle-earth]
Galadriel: [VO] …the Spring of Arda was ended. The Valar removed over the Western Sea, to the land of Valinor...
[Shot, similar to establishing shot of the Valar (but a lot shorter), of the Valar appearing on a dark beach and walking forwards. Pan around to show the Pelóri, and the Calacirya]
Galadriel: [VO]...where they brought forth the Two Trees, Telperion…
[Shot of Yavanna singing on the Corollairë while Nienna weeps beside her. Pan up and left to follow the growth of the Silver Tree, which reaches full height in less than a few seconds. He has dark green leaves with silver undersides, and silver flowers which glow. Pull back while panning up to show…]
Galadriel: [VO] … and Laurelin.
[The Two Trees, Silver and Gold. Laurelin has light green leaves with golden edges, and golden flowers which glow with golden light]
Galadriel: [VO] Many ages passed, until Varda placed the stars in the heavens…
[Varda stands atop Taniquetil and flings a bowl of glowing silver liquid out over the Sea. The dew separates into small sparks, and these fall into place as the familiar night sky]
Galadriel: [VO] At that time, by the lake of Cuiviénen, the elves awoke.
[Pan down from the sky to a lake side, trees in the background. Beneath the trees are gathered a small group of Eldar in simple white robes. They sit around a fire, singing. There may be a harp playing simple music, too]
Galadriel: [VO] The Three Kindreds of the Elves, the holy Vanyar…
[Shot of Ingwe and the Vanyar]
Galadriel: [VO] … the wise Noldor…
[Shot of Finwë and the Noldor]
Galadriel: [VO] … and the gentle Teleri of the Shores…
[Shot of Elwë, Olwë and the Teleri]
Galadriel: [VO] … were discovered by Oromë…
[Shot of the Hunter with the four Kings of the Elves, on the shore of Valinor]
Galadriel: [VO] … who purposed to lead them to Valinor. Melkor stood against him…
[Shot of Melkor and Sauron at the head of an army of Orcs]
Galadriel: [VO] … and as the Elves marched west, the Valar went to war.
[The elves have paused their march to gaze north at pyrotechnic displays]
Galadriel: [VO] Tulkas cast down the Dark Lord, and bound him with a great chain.
[Pull away from Melkor in chains, into shadow]
Galadriel: [VO] The Elves arrived in Valinor…
[The Vanyar and Noldor, led by Ingwë and Finwë, stand on the beach where the Valar arrived in Aman, golden light on their faces]
Galadriel: [VO] … but there were some who lingered, unwilling to leave the lands of starlight.
[Shot of elves moving into the trees under the stars – the Teleri from earlier, except Elwë and Olwë, are among them]
Galadriel: [VO] For many long years the Elves lived at peace in Aman, and Míriel, wife of Finwë, King of the Noldor, bore a son, Fëanor.
[Shot of a weak-looking Míriel holding baby Fëanor]
Galadriel: [VO] Her energy spent in this act of creation, Míriel's spirit fled her body...
[Shot of Míriel's body lying in the Gardens of Lórien, then crumbling.]
Galadriel: [VO] … but Fëanor grew in knowledge and strength, becoming mighty among the Noldor.
[Shot of Fëanor in his forge]
Galadriel: [VO] Even as he was joined in marriage to the wise Nerdanel…
[Fëanor and Nerdanel hand in hand at their wedding]
Galadriel: [VO] … his father, breaking with tradition, took a second wife, the Vanya maid Indis.
[Finwë and Indis walking on Taniquetil, the child Fingolfin running with them and Indis heavily pregnant, as Fëanor looks on in disgust]
Galadriel: [VO] Ages passed, and the time came for Melkor's case to be reopened.
[Cut to the Ring of Doom, where the Valar are gathered in council. Melkor is knelt on the floor before them, still chained. MOVIE BEGINS]

[Huinesoron]

Scene 1: Máhanaxar

Melkor: … and I beg of you, Manwë my brother, that you hear my plea. For I vow here that if you make me but the least of the free people in Valinor, I will aid you in all your works, and most of all in the healing of the many hurts that I did to the world in my arrogance which I now regret so deeply.
[Manwë looks uncertain. Rising, Nienna walks over to Melkor and rests a hand on his shoulder. Where his voice was loud, reminiscent of the discord from earlier, hers is soft, yet well projected, filling the space]
Nienna: My lord, I ask you to hear his words. Long have I spoken with Melkor while he languished in the depths of my brother's halls. Much has he told me of his reasons for rebellion, and I do believe that he has spoken truly, and that he has indeed repented for bringing War into Arda, and for all the discord he has wrought.
Tulkas: [sarcastically] Oh, yes, dear, sweet, Nienna, queen of mercy, please do tell us why we should believe this vile creature! Everyone knows that it was his design to destroy Arda from the very beginning, even when it was nothing more than a song of our hearts and our imaginations. Or have you chosen to forget the chaos he brought forth in the very presence of Ilúvatar himself? There is no indication that he has any reason not to lie about his intentions, just as he lies about everything else.
[Nienna spins to face him]
Nienna: [firmly] I have told you, Lord Tulkas, that I have spoken with him at length, and that as far as I can ascertain, what he speaks the truth.
Tulkas: And why should we think your judgment to be unimpaired? Too much of anything is never good. You do not have the ability to temper your mercy with justice and wisdom. You offer your pity to all without discretion. You are naïve and your brothers should take you in hand before you lead us all into disaster with your hopeful foolishness!
Yavanna: How dare you, Tulkas! I little think Nienna is the foolish one! You are an impulsive warmonger! And it is your love of battle and blatant disregard for mercy that will lead us to ruin!
Nessa: Tulkas! Yavanna! Please, if we argue thus amongst ourselves, the discord will begin again and without the voice of Melkor.
[Pause. Tulkas and Yavanna look around at the other Valar. Ulmo, Nessa and Nienna avoid thier gaze, while Melkor is still kneeling, facing Manwë, but all the others glare back at them]
Tulkas: [Mumbling] Lady Nienna… I didn't…I mean, you aren't…what I mean is, I didn’t mean to imply that you are foolish. I'm sorry.
Nienna: [her voice breaks and there is a tear in her eye, she blinks, but the tear spills over and runs down her cheek] It is forgotten, Tulkas… I forgive you.
Ulmo: Yavanna, do you think perhaps you may be too harsh. I too have my doubts about Melkor.
Yavanna: No, I do not! I grow tired of Tulkas and his constant-
Manwë: [Interrupting] Enough!
[Everyone is silent. At a gesture from Manwë, Nienna returns to her seat. Manwë looks at Melkor. When Manwë speaks, you can hear the power in his voice, but he does not shout]
Manwë: Brother of mine, look at me.
[Melkor raises his head, expression penitent, and looks Manwë in the eyes. After a few moments, Manwë nods]
Manwë: I see no lie in your eyes. I grant you pardon.
[Melkor's eyes light up, and he tries to stand, but is hindered by the chain]
Manwë: But this limit is set on your freedom: that you must be constrained to dwell within the gates of Valmar. For I see that several of my brethren…
[Manwë looks around the circle, pausing especially to look at Tulkas and Ulmo]
Manwë: [Continued]… still do not trust you, and thus we will not suffer you to depart beyond our sight and vigilance. Is this understood?
[Melkor bows his head again, and nods. Manwë smiles]
Manwë: Then I bid you welcome home, brother. Aulë will remove your chains.
[Pause. Yavanna nudges Aulë, who is writing in a notebook]
Aulë: One moment.
[He finished his sentence with a final flourished Tengwa and gets up. He walks over to Melkor, pulling a strangely-shaped metal device out of his belt as he goes]
Aulë: Right, then, let's get these off…
[As Melkor exits focus in on him, his eyes narrow as he looks around and he gets an evil look on his face and grins a sly grin]
[Fade to black. Fade back in to…]

[Huinesoron]

Scene 2: Fëanor's Forge

[Sitting out in front of Aulë’s forge, Aulë, Mahtan and Finwë take a break from their labor and talk about the about Fëanor, Nerdanel and the grandchildren]
Aulë: [slaps Finwë on the back in a masculine sort of way] So, King Finwë, how is that boy Fëanor of yours coming along? I never see him anymore, he is in his forge it seems night and day.
Mahtan: Yes, at the grief of my daughter and grandsons, I must say. I still remember when he was always about here at your forge, my Lord. Always underfoot and constantly asking questions. He was so eager to learn.
Finwë: Ah, Mahtan, do not fret about Nerdanel or the boys. She finds her way to Fëanor’s forge often enough, and the boys spend much of their time hunting in the forests with their cousins. It is not as if Fingolfin and Finafin do not spend time with them.
Aulë: How many grandchildren have Fëanor and Nerdanel given the two of you, again?
Mahtan and Finwë: [both beaming and smiling, in unison] Seven!
Mahtan: Maedhros, Maglor, Celegorm and Caranthir…..
Finwë: Curufin, and the twins Amrod and Amras. Then Fingolfin has three children, two sons and a daughter, Aredhel who is a better hunter than the boys and Finarfin has four sons and a most lovely daughter who is called Galadriel.
Aulë: [laughs a deep booming laugh] And so the house of Finwë grows. Much has changed since your time by fair Cuiviénen, has it not?
Finwë: [his countenance grows dark, a shadow passes over it] Yes, much has changed, and not all for the better I fear. Though I am bound in love and loyalty to Indis, my spirit still longs for Míriel. Fëanor is so driven in his passion, his unfulfilled desire for his mother and a need for my approval. I think he feels that it is his responsibility to create something so incredible that it would bring me so much pride and joy as to make up for the loss of Míriel.
Mahtan: So, at last you admit that he spends too much time in that forge striving for the impossible instead of being a husband to my daughter and a father to his sons.
Finwë: [disgusted and just a bit angry] I said no such thing! He cannot be ignoring her too much; they have seven sons who are as skilled in word and hand as their father. He has taught them well.
Aulë: See here, let us go pay a visit to Fëanor’s forge and the family and see for ourselves how they are fairing instead of speculating. You each will protect your own without knowing the facts.
[Finwë and Mahtan look at one another and nod agreement. They get up and start walking, but we jump over to Fëanor’s forge]
[Interior of the forge. Fëanor is working over a furnace, pouring some type of molten liquid into a black oval shaped mould. Then he walks briskly over to another table, he pulls a sphere of faintly blue transparent crystal out of a wooden bucket of water and carries it carefully back over to the furnace. Nerdanel is sitting up on the table, watching her husband with admiration and curiosity]
Fëanor: Now, if only this can with stand the pressure I will have found the answer.
[To the left of the fire is a strange, press-like device. Fëanor moves to put the sphere into the centre of the device, but when he closes the press on it, it shatters.]
Fëanor: [ Losing his temper in frustration] Nerdanel! Have you no advice? Don’t just sit there, do something! There's got to be something I can add…
[ Nerdanel walks over to a cupboard near the door, gets out a broom and starts sweeping the shattered crystal into a corner, where we see there is already a large heap of fragments in all sizes and colours.]
Nerdanel: Well… my love, if I had a better idea of what you are trying to accomplish, I could better advise you.
Fëanor: Oh, why do I bother asking you anything? What do you know of working with gems? Your father taught you to work with metals! Crystals are more fragile, which is frustrating to say the least.
Nerdanel: Fëanor, dearest, if you would only share with me what it is you are trying to accomplish, perhaps I could help alleviate some of your frustration.
Fëanor: [Shrugs] I am trying to make a substance harder than any known to elf or Valar. There must be a way to create a gem with the appearance of crystal, the light weight of mithril, and the strength of iron, I just have to figure it out.
Nerdanel: [Intrigued] Why are you trying to do that? For what purpose would you want to create a gem like that?
[Fëanor shakes his head, obviously irritated. He grabs her by the arm and drags her over to a workbench where sheets of parchment are laid out, with sketches all over them. Nerdanel peers down at one particular piece]
Nerdanel: [she catches her breath as her eyes grow wide with understanding and shock] Fëanor! This looks as though... Oh my, you can’t be serious. You are planning to trap the light of the Trees in a gem?
Fëanor: Not a gem, my dear. Three gems, that is… [He sighs] if can create an unbreakable crystal to trap it in.
Nerdanel: But why, Fëanor? Why would you do that? And what will the Valar say?
[Over the following speech, Fëanor grows steadily more enthusiastic, moving around the forge, with gestures]
Fëanor: Nerdanel, just imagine it, the beauty of a jewel that glowed with the mingled light of Laurelin and Telperion! It would light a room with coruscating patterns like those on the seabed beyond the Pass of Light, ever changing and yet enduring forever! How could even the Valar object to that? [He stops and lifts a hand as if reaching out to something unseen, and Nerdanel opens her mouth to speak, but he turns and looks at her, hand dropping again to his side] I saw them, you know, in a dream or a vision. Three gems, perfectly shaped, flooding my mind with a light of gold and silver. Atop three pillars they sat, of red, blue and clear glass. Even now, when I close my eyes, I see them still. I must capture that beauty, Nerdanel. I must.
[Before Nerdanel has a chance to respond, there is a knock at the door]
Fëanor: [Shouting] It's open! Come in!
[The door opens and Aulë, Finwë and Mahtan enter.]