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| - [00:12, EXT. FOREST - DAY][The knights rest in the forest, Elyan drinks from his flask.] SIR ELYANAll right, who drank all my water? [Gwaine belches.] KING ARTHURI believe you have your answer. SIR GWAINEYou said I could have some. SIR ELYANI said you could have some. I didn't say you could drink every last drop. [Elyan throws the flask at Gwaine.] SIR GWAINEI was thirsty. SIR LEONHere, have some of mine. [Leon throws his arm forward but loops it back and tosses it to Percival behind him. They all laugh.] SIR ELYANHa ha. That's very funny. SIR PERCIVALHere. Unlike these ignorant fools, I share with my friends. [Percival steps forward with his flask, then tosses it to Merlin. Arthur smiles as the others laugh. His smile fades when he sees a clothes line in the trees.] KING ARTHURShh! MERLINWhat is it? KING ARTHURI saw something in the trees. There. [They approach the druid shrine, strung with strips of cloth.] SIR PERCIVALWhat is this place? [Arthur seems slightly disturbed as looks at a red flag picking up in the breeze.] MERLIN (nervously)This is a shrine. In the time of the Old Religion, they built shrines like this to appease restless spirits. We shouldn't be here. [They listen to the silence, the cloth waving eerily in the wind. Gwaine grabs Merlin's shoulder to scare him. The other knights smile.] MERLINIt isn't funny. Gaius told me about places like this and they're cursed. [Another breeze stirs up out of nowhere. A raven bursts out over head and they jump. Leon smiles.] SIR LEONThere's your spirit, Merlin. [Arthur seems more disturbed.] KING ARTHURThere's nothing here for us. Move out. [Elyan lingers as they leave. He hears drops of water and investigates to find a well. He smiles and drinks. He looks down into the well and sees a boy. He looks behind him, but there's no one there. Voices whisper in the wind. Creeped out, Elyan picks up his sword and leaves.] --[03:46, INT. KING'S PALACE, ARMOURY - DAY][Arthur stares into space has he absentmindedly unbuckles his bracers.] MERLINYou're all right? KING ARTHURWhat do you mean? MERLINYou're very quiet. You didn't say a word on the way home. KING ARTHURIt's called "thinking", Merlin. You should try it sometime. SIR GWAINEMerlin? [Gwaine tosses Merlin a bag.] MERLNWhat's that? SIR GWAINESalt. Pour it in a circle at the foot of your bed, helps to protect you from evil spirits. MERLINReally? Does that work? SIR GWAINEAbsolutely. And if it doesn't, Gaius can always put it on his supper. MERLINVery funny. --[04:19, INT. KING'S PALACE, PHYSICIAN'S CHAMBERS - NIGHT] GAIUSI am surprised that such a shrine exists so close to Camelot. MERLINAnd it was cursed. I could feel it. GAIUSYou were right to be wary. The druids built shrines to bring rest to tormented souls; souls that were so badly wronged they could find no peace in the other world. MERLINWhy do they hang all the ribbons and flags? GAIUSThe ancient rituals heal the ground so the souls of the victims can find rest, but the magic that binds the earth is delicate and is easily undone. So the ribbons and flags act as a warning. MERLINShould've known that earlier. GAIUSDid anyone touch anything? MERLINUh, no, I don't think so. Why? What is it? GAIUSAnyone who disturbs a resting place risks releasing the spirit. Merlin, you must promise me you'll never return to that place. MERLINOh, don't worry. I've no intention of going back there. And for once I'm not lying to you. --[05:31, INT. KING'S PALACE, ARTHUR'S CHAMBERS - NIGHT][Arthur stares into space, holding a spoon on his plate absentmindedly.] --[05:40, INT. KING'S PALACE, ELYAN'S CHAMBERS - NIGHT][Elyan gets into bed and blows out the candle. He closes his eyes and hears drops of water. He opens his eyes.] SIR ELYANHello? [He hears more drops and sits up in bed.] SIR ELYANWho's there? [He gets out of bed and investigates.] SIR ELYANShow yourself! [No one's there. He goes back and sits on the bed. He shakes his head and lays back down. The same well boy is on the other side of his bed. Elyan scrambles out of bed, taking his sheets with him as he whimpers in fear.] SIR ELYANNo! --[07:06, INT. KING'S PALACE, ELYAN'S CORRIDOR - NIGHT][Gwaine hears Elyan's yelp as he walks down the corridor.] SIR ELYANNo! --[07:11, INT. KING'S PALACE, ELYAN'S CHAMBERS - NIGHT][Gwaine enters to find Elyan in a curled up position on the floor, shaking in fear. Gwaine approaches and Elyan calms himself.] SIR GWAINEWhat are you doing? [Gwaine moves and Elyan sees the well boy behind him. The boy puts a finger to his lips.] SIR ELYANNothing. [Gwaine looks at Elyan with confused concern.] SIR ELYANI-I was getting a drink of water...tripped over the table. SIR GWAINEUh-huh. [Gwaine chuckles and gives Elyan a hand up.] SIR GWAINEI missed you at the tavern earlier. Percival broke Sir Brennis's wrist in an arm wrestle. SIR ELYANSounds like fun. SIR GWAINENot for Sir Brennis. Get some rest. Arthur's planned a training session in the morning. You know how the King likes his training. [Elyan nods with a smile.] SIR GWAINEGood night. [Gwaine leaves. Elyan searches frantically through his cupboards. He ducks under his bed and pours a circle of salt at the foot of it.] --[08:27, INT. KING'S PALACE, ARTHUR'S CHAMBERS - DAY][Merlin enters to find Arthur asleep at his desk with his head in his plate of stew. Merlin slams his hand on the desk and Arthur bolts upright.] MERLINOh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. KING ARTHURYou didn't scare me, I was asleep. [Merlin tries to hold in his laughter at the stew all over Arthur's face.] KING ARTHURWhy have you got that stupid smile on your face? MERLINIt's nothing. Why were you sleeping with your head on the table? KING ARTHURI fell asleep while I was reading. [Merlin glances at the table, no parchment in sight.] MERLINWhat were you reading? [Arthur glances at the paperless table.] KING ARTHURI am the king of Camelot, I do not have to answer to the likes of you. MERLINOh, you're in a good mood. You obviously got out of the wrong side of the table. [Merlin laughs at his own joke. Arthur is not amused.] MERLIN (laughing)The wrong side of the bed, but you slept on the table. KING ARTHUR (sarcastic)That's extremely clever and funny, Merlin. There really are no limits to your wit. Now, will you please just get me some breakfast? MERLINRight. [Arthur looks down at the plate of stew and moves it off of the platter. He sees his reflection in the platter and lifts it for a better look.] KING ARTHURMerlin! --[09:32, EXT. TRAINING GROUNDS - DAY] KING ARTHURPair off! Concentrate on counter-cutting. Gwaine, you're with me. SIR GWAINEWhat's that in your hair? MERLINIt's stew. SIR LEONWhy have you got stew in your hair? MERLIN (as if it should be obvious)Well, because he was reading. [The knights give Arthur a confused look.] KING ARTHURChange of plan. I think we'll try something different. [Merlin stands on the training grounds wearing Arthur's helmet and a Pendragon shield. He grimaces and holds the shield in front of his face as Arthur approaches and beats Merlin's shield with a sword. He finally hits hard enough to knock Merlin to the ground. Merlin stands up, holding his arm. He prepares as Elyan steps up next and invites Elyan to strike.] MERLINElyan. [Elyan starts softly, not really wanting to attack his friend. He starts to get into it. A flash of anger crosses his face and his next strike knocks Merlin to the ground. Elyan continues beating Merlin's shield.] KING ARTHURElyan. [Elyan doesn't stop and Arthur and the knights become concerned. Elyan raises to strike again and Arthur grabs his arm, stopping him.] KING ARTHURElyan. I think he's had enough. [Elyan relaxes. Merlin takes off his helmet.] KING ARTHUR (sarcastically)You all right down there, Merlin? [Merlin mumbles something.] KING ARTHURGood. --[11:04, INT. KING'S PALACE, ARMOURY - DAY] SIR PERCIVALWell, Merlin will feel that in his arms tomorrow. SIR GWAINEAll this training, when will we see some real action? [Leon and Percival chat. Elyan sees the sopping wet shrine boy in the corner between them.] SIR LEON..you know? SIR PERCIVALYeah. SIR LEONIt's crazy. [The shrine boy steps forward.] SIR ELYANNo. Oh, no! SIR LEONYou all right? [The shrine boy steps around Leon towards Elyan and Elyan backs away.] SIR ELYANLeave me alone! [Elyan backs up into Gwaine. Gwaine shoves him off.] SIR GWAINEWatch yourself. [Elyan shoves back and they struggle, Elyan still staring at the shrine boy, until Gwaine punches Elyan out cold.] SIR LEONElyan. [Leon goes to Elyan. Percival looks down at Elyan on the floor, and then back at Gwaine. Gwaine shrugs.] SIR LEONElyan. Elyan! [Leon shakes Elyan, but he doesn't wake up.] --[12:00, INT. KING'S PALACE, ELYAN'S CHAMBER - DAY][Gwaine and Leon look on as Gaius examines Elyan, lying on his bed with eyes wide and staring.] SIR LEONWhy doesn't he speak? GAIUSI don't know. It's strange. SIR GWAINEIt's like he's lost his mind. GAIUSWhen I want your medical opinion, Gwaine, I'll ask for it. [Leon looks at Gwaine and shakes his head.] GAIUSPerhaps you'd leave me alone to treat my patient. [They start to head out.] SIR GWAINEIt would be better if Arthur didn't know of this. GAIUSWhy do you want to keep it from Arthur? SIR GWAINEElyan hasn't been himself recently. He hasn't said anything, but he's clearly upset about his sister's banishment. GAIUSYes, it must've been hard for him to see that happen to Gwen. SIR LEONWe wouldn't want Arthur to think that Elyan's loyalties are divided. GAIUSWell, I'm sure the King doesn't have to know about every accident that happens in Camelot. SIR GWAINEThank you, Gaius. SIR LEONThank you. [Leon and Gwaine exit.] GAIUSElyan, can you hear me? Blink if you can hear me. [Elyan doesn't blink. Gaius picks up his medicine bag, the top drops to the floor and Gaius spots something as he bends to pick it up. It's the circle of salt. Gaius touches it, smells it, and tastes it. Elyan continues his blank stare.] --[13:37, INT. KING'S PALACE, ARTHUR'S CHAMBERS - NIGHT][Arthur sits and stares out the window.] MERLINWould you like me to make up the bed, sire, or will you be sleeping on the table again? [Arthur doesn't seem to hear.] MERLINIs this about Gwen? [Arthur looks down sadly.] MERLINWe all miss her. You more than anyone. KING ARTHURYou can go now. MERLINArthur-- KING ARTHURGet out. [Merlin leaves and Arthur is left to his gloomy thoughts.] --[14:18, INT. KING'S PALACE, PHYSICIAN'S CHAMBERS - NIGHT][Merlin enters angry.] MERLINI'm done!...trying to be nice to Arthur. I cook, I clean, I'm always there for him. Not to mention that small matter of saving his life more times than I care to remember. Do I get any thanks? No. All he ever does is shout at me. [Gaius doesn't respond, focused on his reading.] MERLINSo now you're ignoring me. Great. I might as well not even exist. [?] Don't worry about me, not even here. [Gaius closes his book.] GAIUSI fear we may have more important things to worry about than Arthur shouting at you. MERLINWhat is it? GAIUSDid Elyan disturb anything yesterday at the shrine? MERLINI'm not sure. GAIUSI need you to be sure, Merlin. MERLINI don't know. He may have done. I tried to warn them. You know what they're like. They don't listen. GAIUSI'm sorry, Merlin. It's just that I'm deeply concerned for Elyan. He hasn't spoken a word since he regained consciousness and I can find no physical symptoms to explain it. The only thing I could find was a pile of salt at the foot of his bed. MERLINOh, no. GAIUSWhat is it, Merlin? MERLINHe's trying to ward off an evil spirit. GAIUSWith a pile of salt? That's utter nonsense. MERLINElyan believes it to be true. GAIUS (sigh)Then I fear that Elyan may have disturbed the spirit at the shrine. MERLINWhat? What will that do to him? GAIUSI dread to think what horror it might unleash. You must tell Arthur what happened at the shrine. You must tell him that Elyan is possessed. MERLINWell, I'm not sure he'll believe me, not in the mood he's in. GAIUSYou must make him believe you. --[15:54, INT. KING'S PALACE, ELYAN'S CHAMBER - NIGHT][Elyan wakes from the sound of dripping water. Elyan bolts up in bed when he sees the sopping wet druid boy.] SIR ELYANLeave me alone! DRUID BOYPlease don't be angry with me. [Elyan processes the boy's words.] SIR ELYANI'm sorry. [Elyan gets out of bed and approaches the boy. He tries to touch him and the boy backs away.] SIR ELYANIt's all right. Don't be scared. [Elyan touches the boy.] SIR ELYANYou're so cold. [Elyan hugs the child and the boy hugs him back.] SIR ELYANIt's all right. [They let go and Elyan kneels down.] SIR ELYANWhat do you want from me? DRUID BOYI want you to bring me peace. You must right the wrong that was done to me. SIR ELYAN (nods)How? What should I do that? DRUID BOYIt's easy. You must kill the king. [Elyan tenses at the request, then nods.] --[17:38, INT. KING'S PALACE, CORRIDOR - NIGHT][Elyan waits for guards to pass by.] --[17:48, INT. KING'S PALACE, ARTHUR'S CHAMBERS - NIGHT][Arthur reads something at his desk. Elyan steps in silently, a sword at his hip. Arthur looks up, startled, then rolls his head in relief.] KING ARTHURElyan, you startled me. Is everything all right? [Elyan steps forward and draws his sword.] KING ARTHURElyan? What the hell do you think you're doing?! [Arthur falls back in his chair to avoid Elyan's sword as it slams down on the table. Arthur rolls out of the way as Elyan stabs the floor. Arthur uses a stool to block Elyan's strikes until it's slashed apart and Arthur is left with only the stool legs.] KING ARTHURGuards! [Arthur tosses the stool legs at Elyan and grabs a larger, sturdier stool. Elyan continues to attack, but is distracted when the guards enter. Arthur throws the stool at Elyan, then bolts forward to grab him, but Elyan is already running out. The guards chase after him.] --[18:30, INT. KING'S PALACE, CORRIDOR - NIGHT][Agravaine addresses the knights.] AGRAVAINEI know Elyan is a friend to some of you, but that friendship ended when he tried to kill the king. Do not let him escape. Now, go find him! [The knights disperse.] --[18:41, INT. KING'S PALACE, ARTHUR'S CHAMBERS - NIGHT][Merlin enters.] MERLINWhat happened? KING ARTHURElyan. He attacked me. MERLINI think he's possessed. KING ARTHURWhat do you mean "possessed"? MERLINHe may have disturbed a spirit at the shrine. I think that spirit's possessing him. [Arthur seriously considers this.] MERLINWhy else would he attack you? KING ARTHURWell, when we catch him, I intend to ask him that very question. --[19:02, INT. KING'S PALACE, CORRIDOR - NIGHT] SIR GWAINEI never thought I'd see the day we'd be hunting one of our own. SIR LEONI just can't understand why he would attack Arthur. SIR PERCIVALWell, what would you do if your sister had been banished from Camelot? SIR GWAINEWell, my sister's an evil old toad, so I'd be eternally grateful. [Elyan dashes out from his hiding place at the end of the corridor.] SIR LEONThere he is! [They run after Elyan. Elyan picks up a bench and throws it at them and topples a candelabra, but they jump over it and catch him at a locked door. They face each other, swords at the ready, Elyan only has a dagger.] SIR LEONElyan, we don't want to hurt you. SIR GWAINEPut the knife down. SIR PERCIVALWhy don't we all just put our weapons down and sort this out like friends? [Percival sheathes his sword. Gwaine and Leon do likewise.] SIR ELYANI had to do it. SIR PERCIVALOf course you did. [Percival steps closer.] SIR PERCIVALWe understand. We're your friends. [Elyan lowers the knife. They both sigh. Percival punches him out and looks at the other two.] --[20:18, INT. KING'S PALACE, DUNGEON - NIGHT][Elyan is shoved into a cell by some guards. The guards leave and Elyan is freaked out by the dripping druid boy.] DRUID BOYYou failed me. SIR ELYAN (terrified)I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. --[20:47, INT. KING'S PALACE, COUNCIL CHAMBER - DAY] AGRAVAINEElyan must be tried and punished in accordance with our laws. KING ARTHURBut that would mean putting him to death. AGRAVAINEWell, so be it. You can't afford to show favouritism. KING ARTHURWhat if Elyan wasn't acting of his own volition? AGRAVAINEWhat do you mean? KING ARTHURMerlin believes that Elyan has been possessed by some kind of spirit. AGRAVAINEOh. I have no doubt he's just trying to protect his friend. MERLINWhy else would Elyan attack Arthur? AGRAVAINEHis motive is obvious. He seeks revenge. You banished his sister from Camelot. MERLINI know Elyan, and no matter what he feels about his sister, he would never attack Arthur. AGRAVAINEArthur, you must see. All this talk of possession and spirits, it's just a ruse to save Elyan's neck. KING ARTHURBut what if it is true? I'd be executing an innocent man. More than that, I'd be executing a friend. AGRAVAINEYou cannot be seen to allow someone to try and kill you and then escape punishment. You will appear weak. That puts the whole of Camelot in peril. MERLINArthur... KING ARTHURLeave me. [Merlin is disappointed and irritated that Arthur is taking Agravaine's side again.] KING ARTHURBoth of you. [Slightly bewildered, Agravaine follows Merlin out.] --[21:58, INT. KING'S PALACE, PHYSICIAN'S CHAMBER S - DAY] MERLINAgravaine is just pushing for Elyan's execution. GAIUSArthur may have no choice but to sentence Elyan to death. MERLINWe can't allow that to happen. GAIUSWhat do you propose we do, Merlin? MERLINMust be a way of ridding Elyan of the spirit that possesses him. GAIUSIt would require very powerful magic MERLINThen I must master it to save Elyan's life. GAIUSAnd you intend to expel the spirit in the cells under the noses of the guards? MERLINOf course not. First we need to break Elyan out of the cells. Did I miss that little part? GAIUS (sarcastic)Ah-ha-ha-ha. --[22:25, INT. KING'S PALACE, PHYSICIAN'S CHAMBER S - NIGHT][Merlin emerges from his room. Gaius brings him a flask.] GAIUSElyan will have to be unconscious when you expel the spirit. I put a powerful sedative in this water. [Merlin takes it.] GAIUSAnd Merlin, remember, Elyan is not himself. You cannot trust him. MERLINI know. --[22:48, INT. KING'S PALACE, DUNGEONS - NIGHT][Merlin looks down at the guards from the stairs. He sees a barrel nearby.] MERLINStrangaþ bydenfæt. [His spell knocks the barrel over the guards approach it. His eyes glow and the barrel rolls down the corridor and the guards follow it.] MERLINWyrþ gatu fæst! [His eyes glow and the gates behind them. Merlin unlocks Elyan's cell with some keys.] SIR ELYAN (surprised)Merlin. MERLINI don't have time to explain. You have to trust me. [Elyan gets up and they head down the tunnels. Merlin unlocks another gate. The warning bells ring and they start to run. They emerge outside the city.] MERLINWe need to make it to the cover of the woods. --[24:07, INT. FOREST - NIGHT][Merlin and Elyan run through the woods. They stop, panting.] SIR ELYANYou know, Merlin, you're much braver than you look. MERLINYou calling me a coward? [They laugh.] SIR ELYANI'm saying there's not many people with the courage to break someone out of the cells. MERLINI had to do it. They were going to execute you. I know that you would never hurt Arthur. Not of your own volition. [Elyan looks sharply at Merlin.] MERLINAfter all that running, you must be thirsty. [Merlin hands him the flask. Elyan takes it with a smile, but he sees the druid boy shake his head behind Merlin.] SIR ELYANWhere are my manners? You must be thirsty, too. MERLINNo, after you. SIR ELYANNo, no, after you. I insist. MERLINNo, I had some water earlier. If I have too much, I have to pee all the time. Ask Arthur, I'm always peeing. What are you looking at? [Merlin looks at Elyan's line of sight. He sees nothing, but appears disturbed.] SIR ELYANI'm sorry, Merlin. MERLINFor what? [Elyan knocks him out. Elyan looks at the soaked druid boy.] SIR ELYANI won't fail you again. --[25:30, INT. KING'S PALACE, PHYSICIAN'S CHAMBER S - DAY][Gaius treats Merlin's head wound.] MERLINJust before he jumped me, there was a presence there. I could sense it. GAIUSIt was Elyan who was supposed to be knocked out, not you, Merlin. MERLINI must find Arthur. Elyan could make another attempt on his life. GAIUSAfter Elyan's escape, Arthur was put under heavy guard. There's little more you can do to protect him. This shrine...do you think you could find it again? MERLINI'm not sure I want to. You said I was never to go there again. GAIUSWe have to find out all we can about this spirit. Unless we know what we're dealing with, we won't be able to help Elyan or Arthur. [Merlin's not happy about going back.] --[26:14, EXT. FOREST - DAY][Merlin leads Gaius to the shrine. Merlin stops.] GAIUSMerlin? MERLINIt's just through these trees. [They enter the shrine.] MERLINWhat are we looking for? GAIUSI'm not entirely sure. But remember, don't disturb anything. MERLINTrust me, I won't. [They split up to look around. Merlin hears a crunch of wood and turns sharply.] GAIUS (whisper)Sorry! [Merlin hears whispers and crying and finds the well that Elyan drank from. He looks into it and hears wailing voices. He begins to cry.] MERLINGaius! [He steps back and holds his head, drying his eyes.] GAIUSWhat is it, Merlin? MERLINSomething terrible happened here. [Gaius studies the well.] GAIUSThese runes are in the druid tongue. I also found this. [Gaius holds up an arrow.] GAIUSThere are crossbow bolts scattered all around. MERLINThis was Uther's doing, wasn't it? GAIUSIt is revenge for Uther's crime that the spirit seeks. --[28:38, INT. KING'S PALACE, COUNCIL CHAMBER - DAY][Merlin enters while Arthur is reading over some documents. Arthur looks up stonily, well aware of what Merlin's been doing.] KING ARTHURMerlin, good of you to join me. Perhaps I should fill you in on all that's been happening while you've been...that's a good question. What the hell have you been doing? MERLINI was-- KING ARTHURChoose your next words carefully. They may be your last. MERLINI was searching...in the woods for some herbs for Gaius, very rare herbs, hard to find, actually, and I got lost. KING ARTHURYou mean to tell me that you've been wandering around in the woods all night? MERLINYes. KING ARTHURWhat happened to your head? MERLINI-- I tripped over a root...and I hit my head on a tree and I knocked myself out. [Merlin tries to chuckle at his own supposed clumsiness. Arthur's not fooled.] KING ARTHURMm. Well, after wandering around in the woods all night, knocking yourself out, you must be hungry. MERLINI'm starving. KING ARTHURPull up a chair. Tuck in. MERLINOh, thank you so very much, I am actu---you're joking. [Arthur gives Merlin a blank stare as confirmation. Merlin takes away Arthur's plate of food and exits. Arthur continues with his reading.] --[29:44, INT. KING'S PALACE, CORRIDOR - DAY][Merlin stops behind a column to finish off Arthur's chicken when he sees a hand sticking out of an open door. It's an unconscious guard.] MERLINOh, no. [Merlin drops the plate.] --[30:11, INT. KING'S PALACE, COUNCIL CHAMBER - DAY][One of the guards behind Arthur drops without a sound. Arthur gets up and the other guard drops. Arthur turns to see Elyan stepping around a column with a cross bow aimed at him. Arthur dodges it and it hits his throne. Meanwhile, Merlin runs back to the council chamber. Arthur takes one of the guards' swords and Elyan draws one.] KING ARTHURWhy are you doing this? [Elyan is not just sopping wet, but gushing with new water. Arthur draws back, confused and unsettled.] DRUID BOY (SIR ELYAN)I must avenge my death. [Druidboy!Elyan attacks and Arthur parries.] KING ARTHURWhat've you done to Elyan? [They continue to fight and Merlin arrives at the council chamber door, but it's locked.] MERLIN (muffled)Arthur! KING ARTHURDon't make me kill you, I don't want to kill you. [They continue fighting. Merlin's eyes glow and he bursts open the council chamber door and enters, distracting Druidboy!Elyan. Arthur throws Elyan to the floor, making him drop his sword, and steps forward, sword poised for the kill.] MERLINStop! That's not the Elyan we know! [The doors close on their own. Arthur regards the now-defenceless Druidboy!Elyan on the floor with a hard look and backs away. Druidboy!Elyan gets up and runs off.] MERLINYou let him go? [Arthur breathes harshly, a dark look on his face.] --[31:50, INT. KING'S PALACE, THRONE ROOM - DAY][Gaius and Merlin wait as Agravaine reports to Arthur.] AGRAVAINEThe palace is secure. No one is able to get in or out, and we're searching the lower town even as I speak. Fear not, my lord, Elyan will be hunted down and slain. I'll see to it personally. KING ARTHURThank you, Uncle. [Agravaine nods and exits. Arthur turns secretively to Gaius and Merlin.] MERLINYou know that isn't Elyan or you wouldn't have let him go. [Arthur nods.] KING ARTHURWhen Elyan spoke to me, it wasn't with his voice. It was the voice of a boy, a child. GAIUSThat is the voice of the spirit that now possesses him. KING ARTHURWhat do you know about the shrine, Gaius? GAIUSI believe the site was once a druid camp. There is evidence that the camp was attacked. Your father was relentless in his persecution of the druids. Many died. I believe it is one of those tormented souls that now possesses Elyan. KING ARTHURAnd that's why he seeks his revenge. GAIUSThe spirit craves peace. He wishes to find his proper place in the other world, but the unjust nature of his death has denied him that. KING ARTHURIs there anything that can be done to change this? GAIUSIn druid lore, only the atonement of the perpetrator can bring the spirit peace. MERLINBut Uther's dead. He can't atone for what he did. GAIUSIndeed. KING ARTHURWhat about Elyan? GAIUSElyan is no longer the man you knew. The spirit has a hold on him that may be too powerful to break. All we can hope is that he'll be found before he has a chance to enact his revenge. KING ARTHURAnd if we do find him? GAIUSThen I fear you have no choice...but to kill him. --[33:46, INT. KING'S PALACE, ARTHUR'S CHAMBERS - NIGHT][Arthur broods while Merlin clears the table.] MERLINIt's not your fault. You can't be held responsible for everything your father did. KING ARTHURThat'll be all, Merlin. Thank you. MERLINYou sure you don't want me to stay? KING ARTHURI think I'm going to get an early night. MERLINYeah. Yeah, I'm pretty tired, too, what with having spent the night in the woods. KING ARTHURNo one said anything about you getting am early night, Merlin. In fact, you can make up for your little escapade by polishing my armour. [Merlin gives Arthur a look that says "seriously?"] --[34:26, INT. KING'S PALACE, ARMOURY - NIGHT][Merlin polishes Arthur's armour.] --[34:35, INT. KING'S PALACE, CORRIDOR - NIGHT][Merlin walks to his chambers and hears/sees Arthur walk down the corridor behind him wrapped in a cloak. Merlin follows] [34:49, INT. KING'S PALACE, TUNNELS - NIGHT][Arthur bears a torch as he walks through the castle tunnels. Merlin follows.] --[35:03, EXT. FOREST - NIGHT][Arthur heads through the woods, Merlin close behind. Merlin loses sight of him. Merlin searches, turns at something behind him but no one's there. Arthur steps up behind Merlin, hood pulled down.] KING ARTHURMerlin. [Merlin spins around.] MERLINFancy meeting you here. KING ARTHURWhat the hell are you doing creeping around in the woods? MERLINI'm following you. What the hell are you doing creeping around in the woods? [Arthur takes off his cloak.] KING ARTHURIt's something I should've done a long time ago. MERLINElyan could be out here. Do you know how dangerous that is? KING ARTHURI have to face him. Feel free to go back to Camelot anytime you like. [Arthur continues on. Merlin follows. Arthur stops and looks back at him.] KING ARTHURYou're not going back then? MERLINThought I might tag along. Don't want you getting lost and scared. [Arthur smiles a tiny bit and keeps walking.] --[36:05, EXT. FOREST, DRUID SHRINE - NIGHT][They approach and stop just outside the flags.] MERLINYou sure you want to do this? Maybe we should wait until it's light. [Arthur continues on.] MERLINOr we could just do it now. Whatever it is that we’re doing, in the dark, when it’s incredibly scary and dangerous. [They reach the centre of the shrine. Arthur draws his sword and lays it on a rock.] MERLINThat a good idea? We might be needing it. KING ARTHURI'm not sure a sword would be much use against a spirit. MERLINWhat about against Elyan? [Arthur ignores him and waits.] KING ARTHURI'm here! That's what you want, isn't it? MERLINWhat are you doing? [Arthur looks at Merlin.] KING ARTHUREverything Gaius said about this place is right except for one thing. It wasn't my father that led the raid on the druid camp. I did. [Sopping wet Druidboy!Elyan appears. Arthur faces him.] DRUID BOY (SIR ELYAN)My blood is on your hands. I cannot rest because of what you did. KING ARTHURI know. [Arthur holds his hands out and kneels.] KING ARTHUR (begins to cry)I am responsible for what happened to you. And for all the violence that happened here. When I led the attack on your camp, I was young and inexperienced. I was desperate to prove myself to my men, to my...father. [Druidboy!Elyan walks closer.] KING ARTHUR (still crying)I told the men to spare the women and children, but I know that some of them ignored the order. And there was so much happening. I wanted to stop it...I froze. I didn't know what to do. [Druidboy!Elyan steps closer.] KING ARTHUR (completely breaking down)I can still hear the screams. I cannot right this wrong. Nothing I can ever do will change the horrors that happened that day. But I can promise that, now that I am king, I will do everything that I can to prevent anything like this ever happening again. From this day forth, the Druid people will be treated with the respect they deserve. I give you my word. [Druidboy!Elyan draws his sword.] KING ARTHURI am truly sorry for what happened to you. [Arthur prepares himself for the blow, breathing hard. Druidboy!Elyan drops his sword. Arthur is surprised. Druidboy!Elyan takes Arthur by the shoulders to bring him to his feet, he looks into Arthur's face and hugs him. Arthur is astonished.] DRUIDBOY/ELYANI forgive you. [Druidboy!Elyan steps away and the spirit leaves like white smoke through Elyan's mouth. Arthur watches it in awe. Elyan rouses, but stumbles forward, and Arthur catches him.] SIR ELYANArthur? [Elyan faints as tears run down Arthur's cheeks.] --[40:53, INT. KING'S PALACE, ARTHUR'S CHAMBERS - DAY][Merlin enters with Arthur's laundry. Arthur looks up from his reading.] KING ARTHURHow's Elyan? Is he going to be all right? MERLINGaius says he's going to make a full recovery. [Arthur considers for a moment as Merlin puts the clothes in the closet.] MERLINYou know, that was incredibly moving what you said at the shrine. KING ARTHURAs long as Elyan's going to be all right, it served its purpose. MERLINIt wasn't just about Elyan, though, was it? You meant it. I know you did. KING ARTHURDoes this have a point, Merlin? MERLINI don't think I've ever seen you cry before. Not like that. You had tears running down your cheeks. It's nice to see this new sensitive, emotional side to you. It suits you. KING ARTHURShut up, Merlin. MERLIN*gasp* I really thought you'd changed. [Arthur closes the book he's been pretending to read.] KING ARTHURThen you're as stupid as you are ugly. [Arthur walks off] MERLINSo, there's no chance that we could have a hug? [Merlin opens his arms and Arthur stops on his way to the door. Arthur glares as he turns around and Merlin starts an attempted runaway as they go off screen.] MERLINAh!!!
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