[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

Throughout the first 2 films, there are quite a few characters who are barely introduced. Butterbur, Gamling, etc. It wouldn't be too hard to treat the other Hobbits in this way. Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin come back to the Shire and Saruman and Wormtongue are already there causing havoc.<P>These are the only characters you really have to know. Anyway, there's going to be so much 'wrapping up' of the story after the Ring is destroyed that the film's going to end quite a while after. You have Frodo and Sam's glorious return, the burial of Theoden, the Wedding of Aragorn and Arwen including the many guests, the farewells, and the return to the Shire. It's going to be a slow end to the film anyway.<P>Besides, I think that the Scouring is a very important part of the story which distinguishes it from all the other cliched 'happy ending' stories out there.