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Lord of the Rings: Differences II |
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Here's a list of differences for those that are completely unaware of the things that were left out from the books and/or what was added or changed in the movies. I hope this educates or helps people in some way. Either way I find this very interesting!
And kudos to Jack Flannel who created this list in the first place and spent his time doing it.
Warning: This is very long and filled with spoilers for those who do not wish to know the differences between the movies and the books.
Edit: Originally I posted this all at once but it seems there's not enough space in this journal to fit it all. So I'll have to break it into parts. This is part II, for part I just head to the one titled "Lord of the Rings: Difference I". XD
The Two Towers:
1. Aragorn ascends Amon Hen, observes nothing, then hears Boromir's horn and heeds its call. Jackson has Aragorn find Frodo at the Seat of Amon Hen and then waylaid by Orcs.
2. Boromir is left for dead by the Orcs. This is how Aragorn finds him. Jackson has Aragorn fight off a few Orcs to keep them from finishing Boromir off.
3. The scabbards of Merry and Pippin are found near Boromir. Jackson has Gimli find the scabbards in the ash heap of Orcs near the edge of Fangorn.
4. The Orcs of Saruman has a S-rune set on their helms in metal. Jackson has them use a painted white hand.
5. Aragorn finds footprints in the sand and deduces that Sam and Frodo have crossed the river. Jackson has Legolas see Sam and Frodo scampering up the eastern bank of the river.
6. Dwarves are known for their endurance. Jackson has Gimli say that Dwarves are "natural sprinters" who are "lost on cross country".
7. Pippin was on foot when he dropped the brooch of Lorien. Jackson has Pippin on an Orcs back when he manages to drop the brooch.
8. Eomer threatens to cut Gimli's head off in response to Gimli's statement in defense of Galadriel and about Eomer having little wit. Jackson has Eomer threaten Gimli in response to his "Give me your name, horsemaster" statement.
9. Aragorn accepts Eomer's word that no Hobbits were among the dead and assumes that the Hobbits must have been carried off into the wood before he and his companions part with Eomer. Jackson has Gimli, Aragorn, and Legolas assume that the Hobbits are dead and among the burnt Orcs when Eomer tells them that none were left alive.
10. The Orcs did not cut any wood for fires at the edge of Fangorn for they were fleeing pursuit and never reached them. Jackson has the Orcs reaching Fangorn and starting cook fires. It is worth noting that, in fact, it is the Rohirrim who take wood from Fangorn to start the fires used to burn the Orcs.
11. Aragorn talks of a presence in Fangorn that may be akin to that in the Old Forest. Jackson has Merry tell Pippin of "trees that can move" when they hear strange noises emanate from the forest.
12. Pippin cuts his ropes much earlier in his captivity, in fact, before he "drops" the Elven brooch. Jackson has the Hobbits cut their ropes near the edge of Fangorn.
13. Both Merry and Pippin are given some Orc "medicine". Jackson only has Merry receive "medicine".
14. Merry and Pippin are not pursued into the forest of Fangorn by an Orc. Jackson has Merry and Pippin followed into the Fangorn by an Orc.
15. The Mordor Orc wanted "information" from Merry and Pippin. Jackson has the Mordor Orc wishing to merely eat the Hobbits.
16. Treebeard decides the Hobbits are not Orcs after hearing their voices. Jackson has Treebeard suspect that the Hobbits are Orcs even after engaging in conversation with them.
17. Treebeard does not take the Hobbits to the "White Wizard". In fact, Treebeard does not even talk to Gandalf when he sees him under the trees of Fangorn. Jackson has Treebeard say he is taking the Hobbits to the White Wizard and later has Treebeard mention a conversation with Gandalf.
18. Treebeard drinks the ent-draughts with Merry and Pippin. Jackson has Merry and Pippin drinking the ent-draught while Treebeard is off organizing the Entmoot.
19. It may be more nit-picking, but Treebeard's statements about "sides" are conditional -- i.e. he says "I am not altogether on anybody's side". Jackson has Treebeard leave out the crucial word 'altogether'.
20. Treebeard realizes that Saruman is a threat and a problem that needs to be dealt with. Jackson has Merry and Pippin constantly badgering Treebeard to do something about Saruman and does not have Treebeard accept that Saruman is a threat until he sees the destruction at the southern edge of the forest. In fact, Treebeard's whole speech in which he curses Saruman and talks about the trees felled that he had known "since acorn and nut" occurs before the Entmoot.
21. The Entmoot is called by Treebeard so he can convince the other Ents to go to war against Saruman. Jackson has Treebeard call the Entmoot so that the Ents can decide whether or not they should worry about the affairs of the world beyond the forest. The distinction is subtle, but, I think, significant.
22. The Ents were not reluctant to go to war. The came to the decision to attack Isengard quickly. Jackson has the Ents opposed to war until Treebeard sees the destruction on the southern edge of the forest. While Jackson's telling makes a much more overt environmental statement, I am constantly bothered by how quickly all the Ents show up after Treebeard howls. What? Were they all just hanging out there at the southern edge of the forest, for they surely showed up awfully quick?
23. Gimli, Aragorn, and Legolas plan to search the burnt bodies of the Orcs last, not first. Jackson has Gimli, Aragorn, and Legolas search the burnt bodies first, despair, and then examine the surrounding area.
24. The first clues that Aragorn finds of the Hobbits survival are lembas crumbs. Jackson has Aragorn say "a Hobbit lay here". This bothered me because the spot where he says a Hobbit lay is but 20 or so feet from the stacked and burnt bodies of the Orcs. One would think that area would have be heavily trafficked by Rohirrim stacking the dead.
25. Gandalf names Shadowfax one of the Mearas. Jackson has Legolas name Shadowfax one of the Mearas. In fact, the line "unless my eyes are cheated by some spell" actually belongs to one of the guards at the gate of Edoras.
26. Gimli rides with Gandalf on Shadowfax on the journey from Fangorn to Edoras. Jackson has Gimli riding on a horse with Legolas.
27. Gandalf, Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas lead their horses through the gate of Edoras and up to the Golden Hall. Jackson has the four companions ride through an underguarded front gate at Edoras.
28. Legolas carries one knife. Jackson has Legolas carry two knives.
29. Theoden's eyes still burn "with a bright light" when the four companions approach his throne. Jackson portrays Theoden with opaque, glazed eyes.
30. Eowyn is standing behind Theoden's throne in the Golden Hall when the companions arrive. Jackson has her enter when Gandalf is "exorcising" Saruman.
31. Theoden stands to address Gandalf and company and says quite a bit. Jackson has a seated, feeble Theoden mumble a few, barely intelligible words.
32. Gandalf bids Theoden rise and step outside his hall to breathe the free air as a means to breaking the spell upon him. Jackson has Theoden channel Saruman (there is no mention of Saruman "possessing" Theoden in the book) and then Gandalf strike Theoden on the head with his staff to break the spell.
33. Wormtongue is the only one hostile toward the four companions in the Golden Hall. Jackson has the four companions waylaid by toughs in Wormtongue's "employ".
34. When the spell on Theoden is broken, he merely stands, smiles, and casts aside his walking stick. Jackson has Theoden go through some sort of age-regression metamorphosis. The only hint of such a change in the book is the line: "...yet he looked at Gandalf and smiled and as he did so many lines of care were smoothed away and did not return".
35. Eomer had been imprisoned for threatening Wormtongue. Jackson has Eomer banished and roaming the lands of Rohan with his loyal fellows.
36. Theoden grasps Eomer's sword to recall his strength. Jackson has Theoden draw his own sword. Of course, this issue is muddled by the fact that Eomer had not been banished (as Jackson told the tale) but was a recently freed prisoner who had been held at Edoras.
37. The women and children of Edoras are sent to the fastness of Dunharrow. Jackson has the women and children of Edoras join Theoden and the Rohirrim on a march to Helm's Deep. This issue is muddled by the fact that Theoden and the Rohirrim did not set out from Edoras for Helm's Deep (as Jackson told the tale) but to the Fords of Isen and battle with Saruman.
38. Gandalf names Wormtongue's desire for Eowyn. Jackson has Eomer name Wormtongue's desire for Eowyn.
39. Theoden does not raise his sword against Wormtongue but bids him depart with a horse. Jackson has Theoden raise his sword to kill Wormtongue and then restrained by Aragorn.
40. Gimli has a short corslet forged in the Mountains of the North for armor. Jackson has Gimli try on a long, chain mail shirt given to him by the Rohirrim.
41. Eowyn accepts her charge to go with the women and children to Dunharrow willingly. Jackson has Eowyn complain about not being able to fight either the Warg riders or on the walls of Helm's Deep (of course, she wasn't at Helm's Deep in the book).
42. Gimli rides on Eomer's horse to battle with Saruman's Orcs. Jackson has Gimli riding his own horse to war with Saruman's Orcs. Also, Gimli never falls from a horse.
43. The Rohirrim rode to fight with Saruman at the Fords of Isen but then retreated to Helm's Deep when word reached them of the flight of the men of the Westfold to Helm's Deep. Jackson has Theoden and the Rohirrim heading to Helm's Deep from the get-go.
44. When Gandalf parts company with Theoden prior to Helm's Deep, he does not promise to return at a specific time. Additionally, he goes to aid Erkenbrand and the Rohirrim of the Westfold. Jackson has Gandalf promise to arrive at Helm's Deep at a specific time. Also, he has him leave to retrieve Eomer and his men. Again, the significance of this point is muddled by Jackson's handling of the Eomer storyline.
45. Theoden and the Rohirrim see the Orcs approaching behind them just prior to their arrival at Helm's Deep. Jackson has the Rohirrim safely in Helm's Deep before the Orcs arrive and has Aragorn spy their approach just prior to his arrival at Helm's Deep. Of course, this too is muddled by Jackson's insertion of the Warg rider battle, Aragorn's fall from the cliff, and more pointless Arwen detail.
46. The women and children at Helm's Deep are refugees from the Westfold. Jackson has the women and children of Meduseld ride with Theoden and the Rohirrim to Helm's Deep. Again, this is muddled by the fact that Tolkien has Theoden set out for war at the Fords of Isen while Jackson has Theoden leading all of Meduseld to Helm's Deep (women and children included).
47. The Orcs fired the first volley of arrows at Helm's Deep. Jackson has one of the men on the Deeping Wall fire the first arrow which incites the Orcs to charge.
48. Eomer and Aragorn sneak out the "side-hatch" to drive the Orcs from the gate. Jackson has Gimli and Aragorn take on this task. However, in the book Gimli does show up there just in time to save Eomer and Aragorn from a couple of Orcs who had been pretending to be dead.
49. There was a narrow path from the "side-hatch" to the bridge leading up to the gate. Jackson has a gap there, presumably, so he could insert a Dwarf-tossing joke.
50. Orcs sneak through the culvert in the Deeping Wall without explosives. Jackson has no Orcs enter through the culvert until it had been blown upon with explosives. However, in the book explosives are used to widen the culvert later in the battle.
51. Gimli is separated from Legolas and Aragorn and driven back to the caves. Jackson has Gimli rescued by Legolas and Aragorn after the explosives are set off, and the three of them are never separated.
52. Theoden suggests riding out to meet the enemy. Jackson has Aragorn suggest riding out to meet the enemy to a despairing Theoden.
53. Theoden and his mounted remnant drive the Orcs back from Helm's Deep. Jackson has Theoden and his mounted remnant riding out to what is surely certain death.
54. Gandalf shows up with Erkenbrand when the Orcs are already dismayed by Theoden's charge. Jackson has Gandalf show up with Eomer just in time to rescue Theodon, Aragorn, and the mounted remnant from certain death.
55. Gimli says that he killed 42 Orcs at Helm's Deep. Jackson has Gimli end his tally at 43.
56. Hama is killed and cut to pieces before the gates of Helm's Deep by Orcs. Jackson has Hama killed by a Warg in a scene that does not exist in the book.
57. In the extended scene of the The Two Towers movie Gandalf and Theoden do not meet with Treebeard in front of Orthanc but at the northern wall of Isengard. Jackson has Gandalf and Theoden meet Treebeard at the foot of Orthanc.
58. In another extended scene, Saruman had men at Orthanc "to guard the gates: some of his most faithful servants". Jackson portrays Isengard as being completely run by Saruman and Orcs; in fact, it is Orcs who come and ask in the tower: "What news from Mordor, my lord?".
59. The knives of Merry and Pippin are returned to them at Isengard by Aragorn. Jackson has Gimli find the knives amidst the charred Orc bodies left by the Rohirrim near Fangorn (although, in the book, the companions never search the charred heap of bodies).
60. Merry and Pippin saw Isengard emptied while waiting outside of its gate with Treebeard. Jackson has Merry and Pippin spy the armies of Isengard marching toward Helm's Deep before Treebeard and the Hobbits reach the Entmoot.
61. The Ents kill or drive off all of those defending Saruman, then spend the evening preparing to break the dam. Jackson has the Ents break the dam as a means to destroying what Orcs are left in Isengard.
62. The Huorns encamped around Isengard leave prior to the arrival of Theoden, Gandalf, Aragorn, et.al. at Isengard. Jackson has Theoden, Gandalf, Aragorn, et.al. arrive at Isengard by picking their way through the Huorns.
63. Wormtongue arrives at Isengard after Treebeard and the Ents have broken the dam and flooded the surrounding plain. Jackson has Wormtongue arrive at Isengard before the Orcs are sent to Helm's Deep.
64. In an extended scene, Gandalf had the Ents "hide" when he went to speak with Saruman. Jackson has the Ents milling about around the tower of Orthanc when Gandalf approaches Orthanc. Of course, this is muddied due to Jackson having Gandalf meet Treebeard at the foot of Orthanc instead of at the northern wall.
65. In an extended scene Gandalf, Aragorn, Theoden, Eomer, Legolas, and Gimli ascend the steps to the door of Orthanc to speak with Saruman. Jackson has Gandalf and his companions speak with Saruman from horseback.
66. In an extended scene Saruman speaks to Gandalf and his companions from a window above the door to Orthanc. Jackson has Saruman speak to Gandalf and his companions from atop Orthanc.
67. In an extended scene Theoden is, at first, overwhelmed by Saruman and struggles with his thoughts for some time before mastering himself. Jackson has Theoden bark back at Saruman's words straightaway. In doing so, Jackson has fashioned a Saruman that is much less threatening (excluding those fireballs he shoots from his staff) than one finds in the book.
68. In an extended scene Saruman attempts to flatter Gandalf with kind words and offers him counsel. Jackson has Saruman treat Gandalf gruffly from the get-go (and has Gandalf asking for counsel). It might be added that Jackson has completely omitted Gandalf's references to Saruman being a "jailor of Mordor".
69. In an extended scene Saruman turns and crawls away from the window after Gandalf breaks his staff thus ending the company's dealing with Saruman until he shows up again in the chapter "The Scouring of the Shire" in The Return of the King (which Jackson did not film). Jackson has Saruman stand before the Gandalf's company clutching his hand while Theoden tries to reason with Wormtongue.
70. In an extended scene Grima throws the palantir at Gandalf's company...much to Saruman's displeasure. Jackson has the Palantir slip from Saruman's sleeve after his fatal fall from atop Orthanc.
71. Pippin is in a vale halfway between Isengard and Helm's Deep when he sneaks through camp to snatch the Palantir from under a sleeping Gandalf's arm. Jackson has Pippin back at Edoras when he snatches the Palantir from Gandalf. The significance of this is muddled by the fact that the heroes head for Helm's Deep after dealing with Saruman, not Edoras.
72. In an extended scene Merry is sleeping when Pippin finally decides to take the palantir from Gandalf. Jackson has Merry awake and gaping at Pippin's ill-advised pilfering.
73. Pippin's cry of anguish wakes up the whole camp. Jackson has most of the Men near Pippin remain asleep even after Legolas and Aragorn burst in to "save" Pippin from the palantir.
74. In an extended scene Gandalf tells Pippin that he sees "no lie in [his] eyes" immediately after questioning him about what he saw in the palantir. Jackson has Gandalf telling Theoden that there was "no lie in his eyes" at a gathering in the king's hall at Edoras.
75. In an extended scene Gandalf puzzles out the connection between Mordor and Orthanc after he and Pippin depart for Gondor. Jackson has Saruman boast of his alliance with Sauron when admonishing Gandalf and his company from atop Orthanc.
76. Frodo falls while trying to climb down a slope without rope. When he later tries to climb using the Elven rope, he does not slip and fall. Jackson has Frodo slip and fall when trying to climb down a slope using the Elven rope.
77. Gollum falls while trying to climb down to Sam and Frodo. Jackson has Sam and Frodo pull Gollum down off the rock face.
78. Sam ties the Elven rope around Gollum's ankle. Jackson has Sam and Frodo tie the Elven rope around Gollum's neck.
79. Gollum leads the Hobbits on across the Dead Marshes by night so as to avoid being seen by spies of the Enemy. Jackson has Gollum lead the Hobbits across the Dead Marshes by day.
80. Gollum sings his song about fish being "so tasty sweet" at the border of the Emyn Muil and the Dead Marshes. Jackson has Gollum sing this song in the Forbidden Pool beneath Henneth Annun.
81. Sam finds Frodo standing lost in thought in the Dead Marshes with slime and filth on his arms. Jackson has Frodo fall into the Dead Marshes and nearly perish if not for an 'unlikely' rescue at the hands of Gollum.
82. Sam overhears Gollum's debate with himself before the Hobbits reach the Black Gate. Jackson has this debate occur unheard by the Hobbits after the Hobbits move south into Ithilien. It is also worth noting that, at least in Sam's mind, the "good" Gollum does not triumph in this debate
83. Sam hears Gollum mention a "She". Jackson has Gollum mention "She" when far ahead and out of earshot of the Hobbits. Of course, Jackson tries to cover his tracks by inserting another debate of Gollum's later in his telling that Sam does overhear.
84. There are Orc patrols of Mordor spied in front of the Black Gate. Jackson has no Orc patrols in front of the Black Gate.
85. Sam does not cause a ruckus before the Black Gate. Jackson has Sam fall from a vantage point causing a large rockslide. This issue is muddled by the fact that, in the book, the Hobbits and Gollum view the Black Gate from a hollow before the gate, not from a precipice.
86. Frodo heeds Gollum's advice not to try the Black Gate and despairs. Jackson has Frodo start to make for the gate and then has Gollum and Sam pull him back.
87. Gollum says that the Black Hand has four fingers. Jackson has Isildur cut all of Sauron's fingers off.
88. Sam asks Gollum to find Frodo something fit to eat for a "hungry hobbit". Jackson has Gollum find Sam and Frodo some rabbit to eat as a goodwill gesture.
89. Faramir and his men find Sam and Frodo before they start attacking the Southrons. Jackson has Faramir and his men find Sam and Frodo after the oliphaunt charges over them. And thus, I might add, begins a huge restructuring of the tale on Jackson's part.
90. Frodo does not deny knowing Gollum when questioned by Faramir. Jackson has Frodo deny that he and Sam have a traveling companion.
91. Sam climbs a tree and from there sees the oliphaunt. Jackson has Sam and Frodo see the oliphaunt while laying on the ground.
92. Sam wonders what sort of life the dead Southron led before being called to Mordor for Sauron's war. Jackson has Faramir wonder about the dead Southron.
93. Arrows skip off the hides of the oliphaunts. Jackson has arrows sticking out the oliphaunts like they were something akin to pin-cushions...and, in fact, they stick so well that Jackson has Legolas climb up the backside of an oliphaunt using arrows as a type of ladder in his retelling of The Return of the King.
94. Faramir questions Frodo in the wild of Ithilien. Jackson has Faramir question Frodo in the fastness of Henneth Annun. In fact, in the book Faramir takes Frodo back to Henneth Annun not because he is suspicious of Frodo, but because he feels that area is not safe to travel in immediately following the assault of his men upon the Southrons.
95. Boromir insisted on going to Rivendell to ask about the riddle. Jackson has Denethor insist that a somewhat reluctant Boromir go to Rivendell.
96. Faramir never intended to take the Ring to Minas Tirith. Jackson has Faramir take Frodo as far back toward Minas Tirith as Osgiliath before he finally gives up on the idea of hindering Frodo's quest. And, of course, in the book Faramir never leads the Hobbits to Osgiliath.
97. Sam tells Faramir that Frodo has the One Ring. Jackson has Gollum tell Faramir that Frodo has the One Ring.
98. Faramir does not even want to see the Ring. Jackson has Faramir pull that Ring out from under Frodo's shirt with his sword.
99. Faramir asks the Hobbits where they want to go. Jackson has Faramir giving the Hobbits no choice until his Osgiliath scene that should never have been.
100. Sam followed Frodo and Faramir to view Gollum swimming in the Forbidden Pool. Jackson has Faramir lead Frodo to the overlook without having Sam awaken.
101. Gollum is not beaten, but is questioned honestly and treated rather well. Jackson has Faramir's men beat and kick Gollum cruelly.
102. Frodo is present when Gollum is questioned by Faramir and helps to soothe him. Jackson has Faramir question Gollum without Sam and Frodo present...and then goes on to add the pointless scene of Sam encouraging Frodo to put on the Ring and escape (a scene that is not in the book).
103. The Ring, as mentioned, does not go to Osgiliath. Instead, Sam, Frodo, and Gollum are released by Faramir and given leave to wander Gondor. Jackson has Faramir lead Sam, Frodo, and Gollum as far as Osgiliath before releasing them...and then does so with some bogus speech of Jackson's contrivance about him having to answer to Denethor for his gross insubordination.
104. In an extended scene Frodo points at the statue's head at the crossroads and says to Sam, "Look, the king has got a crown again!". Jackson has Sam point out the crown of flowers to Frodo.
105. Minas Morgul glows with a pale light like the "moon ailing in some slow eclipse". Jackson has Minas Morgul glow green.
106. In an extended scene Frodo exerts his will and makes the effort to turn away from the road to Minus Morgul. Jackson has Frodo stumble toward Minas Morgul until both Sam and Gollum drag him back against his "will" to the foot of the Stairs of Cirith Ungol.
107. When the gate of Minas Morgul opens, its tower emits blue lightnings. Jackson has Minas Morgul emit some sort of greenish column of "smoke" when the gate opens.
108. When the Orc army issues from Minas Morgul, there is a cavalry at the fore led by the Witch-King on horseback. Jackson has a column of foot soldiers issue from Minas Morgul, never portrays Mordor cavalry, and has the Witch-King mounted on one of the flying beasts of Mordor.
109. Sam's speech about he and Frodo being put into stories occurs on the stairs leading up to Shelob's Lair. Jackson has Sam give an abbreviated form of this speech when he and Frodo are hiking through Ithilien after being released by Faramir.
110. Gollum does not steal the lembas from the Hobbits and fling it down the mountainside. In fact, Sam still has a packet of lembas when he and Frodo are dressed in Orc gear after escaping from the Tower of Cirith Ungol. Jackson has Gollum discard the lembas in order to undermine Frodo's trust in Sam when, in fact, no such scene is to be found in the book.
111. Frodo does not send Sam back to the Shire. Jackson has Frodo do just this when, again, there is no such scene to be found in the book.
112. Sam guesses that the stench emitted from Shelob's Lair is Orc filth. Jackson has Gollum tell Frodo and Sam that the stench is Orc filth.
113. Sam and Frodo enter and go through Shelob's Lair together. Jackson has Frodo and Sam make it through Shelob's Lair separately. Of course, this is muddled by Jackson's insertion of the bogus scene in which Frodo sends Sam back to the Shire.
114. Shelob's Lair is pitch black, and the Hobbits have to pick their way through by feeling the walls of the tunnel with their hands. Jackson has Shelob's Lair rather well lit, in my humble opinion.
115. Frodo confronts Shelob. He moves to attack her, and she retreats. Jackson has Frodo running from her and holding up the Light of Galadriel in defense, but never taking such an overt offensive.
116. Frodo bounces off the webs of Shelob. Jackson has Frodo stuck helpless and spread-eagle in Shelob's web, yet somehow able to cut his way free.
117. Sam sees Shelob issue from the cave and cries out to warn Frodo. Jackson, having for some reason separated Sam and Frodo, has no one see Shelob issue from her lair.
118. Gollum flees into Shelob's Lair after his fight with Sam. Jackson has Frodo force Gollum over a ledge and shows him falling what seems to be a great distance (though he seems to miraculously survive it and recover in time to show up again on the slopes of Mt. Doom).
119. Shelob stings Frodo in the neck. Jackson has Shelob sting Frodo in the belly -despite the fact that he's still wearing the mithril shirt!
120. Sam learns that Frodo is alive by listening to Gorbag and Shagrat talk on the other side of a door. Jackson has Sam crouched behind a rock near where he left Frodo for dead when he hears Gorbag say that Frodo is still alive.
 DamnBlackHeart · Fri Nov 26, 2010 @ 03:09am · 0 Comments |
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