The hobbits and Gollum enter the Morgul vale. The environment becomes very dark except for the fortress of the Nazgûl, which seems to shine with a pale and unnatural light. As they cross over the stream that flows from the fortress, Frodo feels a strong compulsion to walk toward Minas Morgul, but Sam helps him to resist. After they cross the bridge, they feel so exhausted that they are forced to stop and rest.

The gates of Minas Morgul open, and the leader of the Nazgûl leads out a huge army, marching toward Osgiliath to attack Faramir’s forces. Frodo feels an outside force compelling him to put on the Ring, but he resists. Instead, he grabs the phial given to him by Galadriel, which comforts him. Once the army has passed, the hobbits follow Gollum up a stair of stone that leads up the side of the valley. The climb is long and arduous. They see from a distance that the passage they are following is guarded by an Orc tower outpost, but Gollum believes that it will be easy to sneak past, since most of the Orcs have been sent out with the army.

Eventually, Frodo needs to rest, and Gollum sneaks away.