Denethor, the Steward of Gondor, bids his-now-servant Pippin to sing for him, while he eats, in the Throne Hall of Minas Tirith. At the same time, Denethor’s son Faramir attempts, in a futile and desperate attack, to retake the garrisoned city of Osgiliath, which has been occupied by Orcs.

“We don’t have songs for great halls and evil times”, protests Pippin, but he sings anyway.

Pippin’s song (who in the movie ends it with a soft cry) predicts that the doom is near. The forces of the enemy are moving to crush the last citadel of Gondor and wipe out the race of Men.

There is no hope left – only a fool’s hope.

Home is behind, the world ahead,
And there are many paths to tread,
Through shadow to the edge of night,
Until the stars are all alight.
Mist and shadow, Cloud and shade
All shall fade,
all shall fade.

Casa-i înapoia mea, lumea stă-nainte,
Şi multe drumuri-s de bătut,
Prin umbre către marginea nopţii,
Pân’ce stelele toate vor fi aprinse.
Ceaţă şi nălucă, Nor şi umbră
Toate vor păli,
Toate vor păli.