The Stairs before the Bridge of Khazad-dûm - a Script Change
by Dinledhwen
“Nobody tosses a Dwarf!” Gimli said firmly while holding up a hand to
stop Aragorn from grabbing him. Then he gave a shout and jumped over
the missing section of stairs landing on his feet on the edge of the
next section. However the distance had been too great for him and he
started to lose his balance and to fall backwards.
Suddenly Legolas reached out and grabbed a hand full of the Dwarf’s red
beard to keep him from falling further which caused Gimli to shout “Not
the beard!”
“Well then if that’s what you want me to do,” Legolas replied lightheartedly before quickly letting go.
Now this caused the Dwarf to let out a yelp of surprise as he tumbled
off the edge of the stairs. Fortunately he landed safely on his back
upon the soft cushions spread out on the floor some twenty-five feet
below.
“Legolas that’s not what he meant!” the angry voice of the disembodied Director said from above everyone.
“Are you sure?” the Elf replied while looking confused.
“Yes I’m sure!”
“Oh well then I guess I must have misunderstood him. I’m so sorry
Gimli,” Legolas called sweetly down to the dwarf who had by now quickly
regained his feet and glared up at the Elf.
“YOU’RE NOT SORRY AT ALL YOU POINTY EARED PRINCLING! JUST WAIT TILL I
GETT MY HANDS ON YOU!” Gimli angrily bellowed his face beet red while
starting to head for the stairs. Fortunately for the Elf several of the
stage hands managed to grab a hold of him but they only slowed him
down. It wasn’t until Aragorn, Boromir, and the four Hobbits ran down
the stairs and lent a hand were they finally able to stop the Dwarf.
Meanwhile Legolas had followed them down the stairs quite amused by the
whole scene. However his smile quickly vanished and he went very pale
when he saw Gandalf walking towards him accompanied by another tall
blonde haired Elf.
“Father what are you doing here?!” he squeaked when the Wizard and Elf had stopped in front of him.
Now King Thranduil glared at his son. “I hear tell from Gandalf that
you’ve been a bad boy. I believe we need to have a little talk,” the
King said while taking a hold of Legolas by the left ear and leading
his whining son out of the studio.
It wasn’t until after Gimli had calmed down that King Thranduil
returned with a now very remorseful Legolas who avoided looking at
everyone else and stared at the floor.
“I can assure you Gimli that my son won’t be causing you anymore hard
feelings with his teasing,” King Thranduil said firmly. “Isn’t that
right Legolas?”
“Yes,” Legolas whispered while nodding his head but he still didn’t look up from the floor.
Now this caused Gimli to grumble “I’ll believe THAT when I see it!”
“You will see it Master Dwarf for Legolas now knows what will happen to
him if I have to come here again. Don’t you son?” the King asked while
looking sternly at Legolas who quickly looked up at his Father and
nodded his head vigorously the fear of whatever punishment that might
cause plain on his still pale face.
“I’m glad to hear that!” the relieved voice of the disembodied Director
said from above. “O.K. everyone if we could please pick up where we
left off. I want to get through this stair scene before lunch.”
After that things settled down to normal and work progressed. But the
rest of the Fellowship couldn’t help but notice that Legolas never sat
down during any of their breaks that day. He seemed a bit tender down
there…
