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| - KILGHARRAHIn a land of myth and a time of magic, the destiny of a great kingdom rests on the shoulders of a young man. His name: Merlin. -- [00:14, PLAINS OF DENARIA - DAY] [A cloaked figure struggles to pull a horse cart along a dusty road. Four Knights approach on horseback.] SIR LEON Halt! [The cloaked woman stops.] SIR LEON Stay where you are. [The woman sets down the cart handles a as the knights dismount, Sir Elyan among them.] SIR LEON Where are you headed? CLOAKED WOMAN The Seas of Meredor. SIR LEON What's in the cart? [The woman says nothing. Sir Leon motions for the spare knights to search the cart and the woman turns around, revealing herself to be Morgana.] SIR LEON (startled) Lady Morgana. [Morgana uses magic to throw each of the knights to the ground. She looks around, pulls off her hood and pulls down a blanket in the cart.] MORGANA Are you alright? MORGAUSE Yes, thank you, Sister, but we must hurry. Night is nearly upon us and we still have far to go. [Morgause turns her face towards Morgana, revealing a hideous deformity to the right side of her face and her right eye.] MORGAUSE (cont'd) And we still have far to go. --OPENING CREDITS -- [02:02, CASTLE SQUARE - MORNING] [Merlin runs through knights and servants and into the Castle. Servants are decorating the castle with vines and Merlin ducks under one of them as he bolts up the Griffin Stairway.] MERLIN Sorry. -- [02:15, CASTLE KITCHENS - MORNING] [Merlin bumps into more servants and nicks some food off a passing plate. The head cook accosts him with a ladle.] AUDREY THE HEAD COOK What are you doing in my kitchen? MERLIN Uh, the prince's shirt. [The cook motions to the line above the stove where the pots are hanging.] AUDREY Keep your dirty fingers off my food. Do you understand? [Merlin grabs the shirt and a hook on a string drops down in front of his face. He looks up, confused. Sir Gwaine and Sir Percival are peering down at him with eager and mischievous grins. Gwaine puts a finger to his lips and Merlin laughs. Merlin attaches the hook to one of the roasting chickens and pulls on the string. The knights pull it up to them as Merlin exits hastily.] AUDREY Oi! -- [02:48, CASTLE HALLWAY - MORNING] [Merlin weaves through bustling servants. A servant with wine pitchers bumps into him and spills red wine all over Arthur's newly washed shirt. Merlin picks up the stained shirt and stares at it.] SIR LANCELOT You could try a bit of salt. MERLIN Arthur is going to kill me. SIR LANCELOT Let's see. [Sir Lancelot looks at the shirt.] SIR LANCELOT You've faced far worse, Merlin. MERLIN He needs it for tonight. SIR LANCELOT I'm sure a man of your talents can think of something. [Lancelot lifts his eyebrows knowingly. Lancelot keeps walking and Merlin checks to see no one's looking.] MERLIN Fordwin wamm. [Lancelot stops and turns around. Merlin shows him the clean shirt and Lancelot opens his arms as if to say "See, that was easy." They both continue on their way. -- [03:22, ARTHUR'S CHAMBERS - MORNING] [Arthur's leaning against his desk and writing, as Merlin enters with his clean white shirt.] MERLIN You're dressed. ARTHUR Yes, Merlin. I'm not an idiot. [Arthur turns around to walk behind his desk. He didn't manage to pull his shirt all the way through his belt in the back and his skin is showing. Merlin sniggers.] MERLIN Are you sure about that? ARTHUR I beg your pardon? MERLIN It's just that you-- ARTHUR Merlin. MERLIN But you-- ARTHUR I am trying to write a speech. MERLIN Do you want help? ARTHUR No. MERLIN You won't want this, then? [Merlin holds up a scroll and Arthur looks up from his desk.] MERLIN I spent all night working on it. [Arthur takes the scroll and looks over it with exaggerated scepticism.] MERLIN What do you think? [Arthur hands it back to Merlin.] ARTHUR Needs a polish. MERLIN I'll add it to the list. [Arthur tosses the speech he was working on.] ARTHUR Merlin, there aren't many servants who get the chance to write a prince's speech. Obviously it would be too much for you to say, "Thank you." [Merlin stares at Arthur for a moment and walks out with his laundry without deigning reply. Arthur smiles.] -- [04:11, SEAS OF MEREDOR - DAY] [Morgana helps Morgause limp out of the cart in the foggy wood.] MORGAUSE The Isle of the Blessed. [Morgana helps Morgause to the dock. A ferryman waits for them by a longboat. He holds out his hand. Morgause places a coin in it.] MORGAUSE You know where we wish to go. [The sisters huddle in the boat, the ferryman at the helm, as it glides across the sea.] -- [04:49, UTHER'S CHAMBERS - DAY] [Uther's hand shakes badly as he lowers his goblet to the table in front of his chair. Gwen enters and watches him with a pitying expression before she approaches him.] GWENYou've not eaten, sire? Sire? [Uther doesn't seem to hear her, lost in his own misery. Gwen takes the tray of untouched food and meets Gaius on her way out. She looks at the potion in Gaius's hand.] GWEN (cont'd)It doesn't seem to make any difference. GAIUSI'm not sure it ever will. But at least it gives him peace. GWENIt's been a year since Morgana betrayed him. GAIUS (nods)His heart is broken and his spirit is gone. You're joining us for the feast tonight? GWENI don't think so. I need to stay with the king. GAIUSYou're very good to him, Gwen. GWENI don't do it for him; I do it for Arthur. [Gaius watches Gwen exit.] --[05:59, SEAS OF MEREDOR - DAY][Morgause and Morgana continue across the sea with the ferryman.] --[06:12, COUNCIL CHAMBERS - DAY]Sir Leon and Sir Elyan ride into the square and report to Arthur and the Council. SIR LEONThe reports are true, sire. We caught up with Morgana on the Plains of Denaria. ARTHURWas she alone? SIR ELYAN (shakes head)There was someone else. ARTHURMorgause. SIR ELYANCouldn't be sure. [A man speaks from the shadows.] AGRAVAINEWhere was Morgana heading? SIR LEONTo the Seas of Meredor. GAIUSIsle of the Blessed. [Agravaine steps into the light.] AGRAVAINEI'll send out patrols at first light. ARTHURThank you, Agravaine. SIR LEONSire, you should know her powers have grown. Sir Bertrand and Sir Montague are both dead. ARTHURKeep me informed of any developments. [The councilmen all bow and exit. Agravaine remains.] ARTHUR (cont'd)For months, nothing. Why now? AGRAVAINEWe knew she couldn't stay hidden forever. Today, tomorrow, what does it matter? Mustn't live in fear, Arthur. Camelot is strong. If Morgana were to act, we'd be ready for her. ARTHURYou're right, of course. I don't know how I'd've got through these last few months without you. Thank you, Uncle. AGRAVAINEI made a promise to your mother. I'll always be there for you. [Arthur nods with a smile and exits.] --[07:34, ISLE OF THE BLESSED - NIGHT][Wyverns shriek as they fly around the fortress as Morgana's boat continues to the isle.] --[07:55, BANQUET HALL - NIGHT][Arthur and Agravaine sit on either side of the king's chair at the feast. Arthur stands and the laughter dies down.] ARTHURSamhain. It is the time of year when we feel closest to the spirits of our ancestors. It is a time to remember those we have lost to celebrate their passing. --[08:15, ISLE OF THE BLESSED, ALTAR - NIGHT] MORGAUSESamhain is almost upon us. We must hurry. MORGANAI can't do this. MORGAUSESister. Remember what I told you. It is the only way. What you are about to do will affect everyone, even you. But most importantly, it will bring our enemies to their knees. You must be strong, remember that. [Morgause presents Morgana with a dagger.] MORGAUSE (cont'd)Do not be scared. [Morgana takes the dagger.] MORGAUSE (cont'd)I am not long for this world. There is nothing left for me here now. [Morgause weakly climbs onto the altar stone and takes Morgana's hand.] MORGAUSE (cont'd)Please, sister, let my parting be my final gift to you. [Morgause lies down on the altar.] --[09:45, BANQUET HALL - NIGHT][Arthur raises his glass in a toast.] ARTHURTo the king. [Everyone stands to toast as the bell tolls.] --[09:50, ISLE OF THE BLESSED, ALTAR - NIGHT] MORGANAEala leofu sweoster, paem gastum befaeste ic pe. Alys pa peoster pe inne onwunap. [?] [Morgana poises the dagger to strike, her eyes glow and she plunges it into Morgause's chest. Morgause gasps.] --[10:07, BANQUET HALL - NIGHT][Merlin senses the magic and everything goes into slow-mo.] GAIUS (distorted)To the king. AGRAVAINE (distorted)To the king. [The knights toast their glasses as Merlin freaks out.] --[10:21 , ISLE OF THE BLESSED, ALTAR - NIGHT][Morgana is blown off her feet.] --[10:27, BANQUET HALL - NIGHT][Merlin sees a dead-looking woman in a black, hooded cloak with a staff standing in the middle of the banquet hall.] CAILLEACH (whisper)Emrys. Emrys. Emrys. [Merlin drops his empty serving pitcher and the whole hall goes quiet and stares at him. He swoons. Lancelot rushes to his side. Arthur rolls his eyes. Merlin shivers on the floor.] [10:53, ISLE OF THE BLESSED, ALTAR - NIGHT]Cailleach strokes Morgana's cheek and Morgana wakes. She sits up and sees the cloaked woman standing in front of the rift. MORGANAWho are you? CAILLEACHI am the Cailleach, the gatekeeper to the spirit world. You have torn the veil between the worlds. [Eerie screams echo from the rift.] CAILLEACH (cont'd)The Dorocha. They are the voices of the dead, my child. And, like the dead, they are numberless. [Morgana looks around in fear.] CAILLEACH (cont'd)You are right to be afraid, Morgana. Your enemies will rue this day and all the destruction it brings, but you must beware. Tearing the veil between the worlds has created a new world, and you will not walk through it alone. The one they call Emrys will walk in your shadow. He is your destiny, and he is your doom. (whisper) Emrys. --[12:17, MERLIN'S CHAMBER - NIGHT][Lancelot lays Merlin on the bed.] SIR LANCELOTWhat happened? GAIUSI don't know. I've never felt anyone so cold before. SIR LANCELOTWill he be alright? GAIUSI'll need Hawthorne to improve the blood flow. And blankets. Lots of blankets. [Lancelot goes to fetch them.Merlin carries on shivering in the bed.] --[12:36, PHYSICIAN'S CHAMBERS - NIGHT][Gaius is grinding something as Merlin steps out of his chamber wearing a blanket. They sit together.] MERLINWhen she spoke, her voice...it was as though it came from the depths of the earth, and her eyes...they were so sad. So much pain in them. Who is she? GAIUSThe Cailleach, the gatekeeper to the spirit world. MERLINWhy was she there? GAIUSIt was on the stroke of midnight of Samhain's Eve, the very moment when the veil between the worlds is at its thinnest. It cannot be a coincidence. MERLINWhy was I the only one to see her. GAIUSYou have great power, Merlin. For someone so gifted, such visions are not uncommon. MERLINBut you don't understand. It wasn't a vision. She knew who I was. She called me Emrys. [Gaius ponders.] MERLIN (cont'd)What is it? What does it mean? GAIUSI'm not sure. But if someone has torn the veil between the worlds, then God help us all. --[14:01, ARTHUR'S CHAMBERS - MORNING][Merlin brings in a breakfast tray and sets it noisily on the table while Arthur's still in bed.] ARTHURMerlin. [Merlin opens the curtains.] ARTHURMerlin! MERLINWhat? [Arthur puts a pillow over his face. Someone knocks at the door.] ARTHUR (muffled)Merlin! MERLINThat's not me. [Arthur takes off the pillow and Sir Leon enters.] SIR LEONExcuse me, sire. You're needed in the council chambers as a matter of urgency. --[14:22, COUNCIL CHAMBERS - MORNING][The council is gathered around a weeping woman.] ARTHURWhat's happened to her? AGRAVAINEHer village was attacked. ARTHURBy who? AGRAVAINENot entirely clear, sir. [Arthur approaches the weeping woman] ARTHURWhat's your name? DREADrea. [Arthur steps closer and the girl tenses. Arthur puts a comforting hand on her shoulder and speaks tenderly.] ARTHURDrea. [She uncertainly makes eye contact.] ARTHURI'm Arthur. Don't be frightened. Tell me what happened. DREAMy mother, my father, my litter sister, they're... [She starts weeping again.] ARTHURIt's all right. It's all right. [Drea nods.] ARTHUR (cont'd)Someone attacked them. [Drea nods.] ARTHUR (cont'd)Who? DREAThere was no one. Just...shapes. ARTHURYou didn't see their faces? DREAThey had no faces. [Arthur looks uncertainly at a few councilmen. Merlin turns at the sound of something behind him.] DREAI-- I keep telling you. They were there, but...they weren't there. They moved so quickly. It was as if they weren't real, but...they must've been. I could hear the people screaming. And then...silence. They were all...dead. [Drea breaks down and Arthur comforts her.] ARTHURHey. Thank you. [Arthur turns her to cry on Gaius's shoulder.] ARTHURWhere is this village? AGRAVAINEHowden. It's to the east of the White Mountains, no more than half a day's hard ride. ARTHUR (to Sir Leon)Ready the men. --[16:12, WOODS - DAY][The Round Table knights ride out of Camelot. Merlin is startled by the sound of a woodpecker.] ARTHURMerlin, you need your comfort blanket? MERLINWhat do you mean? ARTHURYou're making me edgy. [Lancelot's mount whinnies and Merlin jumps.] ARTHURThat's a horse. MERLINMaybe it sensed something. ARTHURYes, that you're a clot pole. MERLINThat's my word. ARTHURYeah. And it suits you perfectly. [The knights survey the slaughtered village.] ARTHURIt's too quiet. [They enter the village on foot. All is silent. A door creaks loudly and they freeze until a goat bleats and wanders out. They split up in pairs to search. Arthur turns at a loud crunch. Gwaine just bit into an apple.] SIR GWAINESorry. [Lancelot shakes his head.] SIR ELYANHere! [Gwaine drops the apple and they all run to Elyan. Inside one of the houses, they stare at frosted corpses. They all turn as something whips past behind them.] ARTHURYou saw it? SIR GWAINEWe are literally chasing shadows. ARTHURCome on. [They exit the house and search the village at night, bearing torches. Merlin splits off from Lancelot when he hears a door shut in a barn. He walks around cautiously and a chicken jumps out at him. He sighs in relief. Something shrieks quietly behind him and he sees a wisp of it as it exits the barn. Merlin chases the shrieking wisp and loses it.] MERLINLeoht. [Merlin shines a light from his hand. The light fades.] MERLINLeoht. [The light shines briefly and disappears.] MERLINLeoht. [Nothing happens. Screams echo around him. A wisp shoots straight for him.] MERLINFleoh nu on moras! Fleoh nu on moras! [Merlin's eyes glow, but nothing happens.] SIR LANCELOTMerlin! [Lancelot uses his torch to repel the wisp.] SIR LANCELOTWhat happened? MERLINMy magic...I couldn't use it. [The others come running.] SIR LANCELOTThere's something out there! ARTHURYou saw it? SIR LANCELOTWhen it saw the light, it fled. SIR GWAINEIt scared the horses. MERLINIt's not something you can chase or something you can kill. [The shrieks echo.] ARTHURWe need to get out of here. --[21:33, MAIN SQUARE - NIGHT][People are screaming and running into the Castle. Gwen rushes down a hallway with blankets and a torch.] AGRAVAINEGwen! Warn Gaius there are more victims by the western gate. [Agravaine continues down another hallway and Gwen rushes on until a window behind her smashes in right behind a knight. The skull wisp rushes in and the knight screams. Gwen takes cover behind a column and brandishes her torch at the skull wisp. The skull wisp leaves and she crouches to check on the knight. He's frozen solid.] --[22:10, MORGUE - NIGHT][Guards exit with a stretcher and Gaius pulls a cloth over the face of one of many victims.] MERLINGaius. GAIUSMerlin. [Gaius can tell that Merlin is freaked out.] GAIUS (cont'd)You saw them. [Merlin nods.] GAIUS (cont'd)Here, help me. Give me some more sheets. [Merlin's still acting strangely.] GAIUS (cont'd)Merlin? MERLINMy magic is useless against them. I've tried. I have never felt so powerless. Something deep inside. And when it came for me, I felt this emptiness. I couldn't breathe. I'm scared. GAIUSMerlin, it's alright. It's not your fault. --[23:13, AGRAVAINE'S CHAMBERS - MORNING] AGRAVAINEWe've suffered fifty dead, maybe more. Mainly in the Lower Town. ARTHURAnd there's no way of fighting them? AGRAVAINENo, our only weapons are torches. And the light doesn't kill them, it only repels them. ARTHURWhat are they? GAIUSThey're Dorocha, sire. The spirits of the dead. On Samhain's Eve in the time of the Old Religion, the high priestesses would perform a blood sacrifice and release them. AGRAVAINEBut who'd do such a thing now? GAIUSMorgana. ARTHURYou see her hand in this? GAIUSWe know she was travelling to the Isle of the Blessed. ARTHURHow do we defeat these creatures? GAIUSI don't know, sire. No mortal has ever survived their touch. --[23:57, ARTHUR'S CHAMBERS - NIGHT][Merlin lights candles. He hears a Dorocha shriek and drops his basket of candles; one rolls near the curtains. Arthur looks up.] MERLINI thought I saw something. ARTHURWhat was it, a spider? [Merlin sees the curtain move and stares at the candle on the floor. Arthur watches Merlin's hesitation.] ARTHUR (cont'd)Just pick it up. [Merlin picks up the basket and they both stare at the curtain.] ARTHUR (cont'd)Do you want me to get one of the maids to do it for you? MERLINIt's not a joke. ARTHURYeah. [Arthur approaches the curtain, uses his sword to whip it open. Nothing's there. Merlin sighs in relief.] ARTHURYou see, Merlin, I could never be like you. I could never let myself look so spineless. MERLINOh, see, I'm different. I could never let myself look heartless. ARTHURWhat? MERLINWell, alright. Thoughtless. ARTHURNever. MERLINDefinitely humourless. ARTHURBecause you're not funny. [Arthur hands Merlin the candle. They both turn when they hear the Dorocha.] MERLINYou're not scared? ARTHUROh, I am, Merlin. Maybe more than you. --[25:45, CAMELOT - NIGHT][The guards light fires in grates all over the city. A Dorocha sweeps past some candles in the Physician's Chambers and blows out some of them. Gaius snaps up from his work. Knights patrol the streets with torches. Sir Percival lags behind when he sees/hears something. He walks over to some barrels and finds three small children huddling behind them.] SIR PERCIVALHey, hey, hey. It's all right. It's all right, you're safe now. [Percival hears the Dorocha and checks to see the knights walking in the distance. He carefully calculates: 1 torch + 2 arms + 3 kids = oh noes! (comment courtesy of [1]ravenya03) Percival leaves the torch and runs through the street with the children in his arms. A Dorocha streaks right for them and Elyan jumps in with a torch just in time. Elyan takes one of the kids and they bring them to their parents in a house.] SIR PERCIVALThanks. SIR ELYANCouldn't let you have all the glory, could I? [They grin at each other.] --[MAIN SQUARE - MORNING][Villagers crowd into Camelot with the belongings they can carry.] [27:28, COUNCIL CHAMBER - MORNING][Arthur discusses the refugee villagers with Gaius, Merlin, and Agravaine.] GAIUSThey're coming from across the kingdom. They're looking to Camelot for protection. ARTHURAnd we will give it to them. AGRAVAINEWe cannot house them all. ARTHURWe have to try. AGRAVAINEHow? We cannot live like this forever, Arthur. We must find a way to vanquish these creatures. ARTHURSomewhere in all your books, Gaius, there must be something. All I'm asking for is a way to fight them. GAIUSI fear the Dorocha cannot be defeated by swords and arrows, sire. If I am right, and the veil between the worlds is torn, then there's only one path open to us. To travel to the Isle of the Blessed and repair it. ARTHURAnd how do I do that? GAIUSI'm not sure. But for the tear to be created would've required a blood sacrifice. To seal will require another. ARTHURWe ride before nightfall. [All three of his councillors are surprised.] GAIUSAnd who will be the sacrifice? ARTHURIf laying down my life will spare the people of Camelot, then that is what I must do. --[Agravaine rides through the woods.] --[28:54, MORGANA'S HOVEL - DAY][Agravaine enters without knocking. She puts a dagger to his back.] AGRAVAINEMy lady? MORGANAMy lord. [Agravaine sighs.] MORGANA (cont'd)I trust you bring me good news. [She lowers the dagger and walks further into her home.] MORGANA (cont'd)Tell me. AGRAVAINEThe kingdom is on its knees. MORGANAHow terrible. AGRAVAINE (chuckles)Indeed. MORGANAWhat of the poor people? AGRAVAINEMore fall every night. MORGANASuch a shame. AGRAVAINEYou should know that Arthur intends to vanquish these creatures. MORGANA (scoffs)Impossible. AGRAVAINEHe makes ready to go to the Isle of the Blessed as we speak. If the Dorocha don't kill him on the way, our brave little lamb intends to sacrifice himself to repair the veil. [Morgana thinks it over and turns away.] AGRAVAINE (cont'd)Something's troubling you. Morgana. MORGANASomething the Cailleach said. She spoke of someone called Emrys. Called him my doom. AGRAVAINEYour doom? What did she mean? MORGANAI don't know. AGRAVAINEMorgana, we should be celebrating. Arthur will be dead within the week, leaving the throne open for Camelot's rightful heir. [Morgana smirks.] --[30:25, UTHER'S CHAMBERS - DAY][Arthur sits with his absentminded father.] ARTHURThere are many things I have to thank you for. You've taught me so much. Most of all, you have taught me what it is to be a prince. I hope that this time you'll be proud of me. [Arthur cries as Gwen walks in the doorway. Arthur stands, cups his father's chin and kisses his forehead. Arthur turns to leave and Uther grabs his arm.] UTHERDon't leave me. ARTHURI have to, Father. UTHERPlease. [Arthur squeezes his father's hand, then wipes his tears and leaves. He sees Gwen and goes to her.] ARTHURPromise me you'll look after him when I'm gone. GWENWhat is it? [Arthur doesn't respond.] GWEN (cont'd)You don't have to go. ARTHURI do. GWENPlease, Arthur, take care. You are precious, not just the kingdom. ARTHURSmile. GWENI can't. [Arthur lifts her chin.] ARTHURDo you remember...the first time I kissed you? [Gwen smiles. Arthur smiles at her reaction.] ARTHUR (cont'd)There. That's the memory I will take with me. [They embrace. Gwen holds him tight, still worrying.] --[32:19, GATES - DAY][The Round Table knights walk their horses out of the city in slow-mo.] --[32:28, AGRAVAINE'S CHAMBERS - DAY][Arthur hands Agravaine a ring bearing the Pendragon seal.] ARTHURYou have to take this. It bears the royal seal. In my absence, responsibility to the kingdom rests with you. AGRAVAINEWhat about your father? ARTHURShould he die, you're to assume the throne. AGRAVAINEArthur-- ARTHURYou're the only person I trust, Uncle. AGRAVAINEI beg of you, for the sake of the kingdom, there must be another way. [Agravaine presses the ring back into Arthur's hand.] ARTHURMy mind's made up. I'm just grateful you're here. [Arthur leaves Agravaine with the ring.] --[33:00, MERLIN'S CHAMBER - DAY][Gaius enters while Merlin is packing.] GAIUSMerlin, what are you doing? MERLINIt is my destiny to protect Arthur. GAIUSHow? Your magic is powerless against the Dorocha. MERLINThen I must sacrifice myself in his place. GAIUSNo. MERLINMy life has always been marked out by destiny. If this is meant to be...I'm not afraid. I will gladly die, Gaius, knowing that one day...Albion will live. [Speechless, Gaius hugs Merlin.] --[33:48, TRAINING GROUNDS - DAY][The Round Table knights mount their horses. Lancelot watches with a smile as Gwen approaches him.] SIR LANCELOTGwen. GWENWill you grant me a favour? SIR LANCELOTAnything. [Gwen looks over at Arthur exiting the city gate with Merlin.] GWENLook after him. Bring him home. [Lancelot looks sad and disappointed.] SIR LANCELOTI will protect him with my life. You have my promise. GWENThank you. [Gwen walks back to the castle.] --[34:33, WOODS - DAY][The knights ride out. After dismounting, they prepare to make camp.] ARTHURElyan, look after the horses, they need watering. I need someone to volunteer to get wood. MERLINI'll do that. [Lancelot watches Merlin go and follows.] SIR LANCELOTYou shouldn't be here. You have no powers. MERLINDoesn't matter. SIR LANCELOTYou're not a warrior, Merlin. I don't want to see you hurt. If you leave in the morning, I'll cover with Arthur. MERLINIt's your duty to protect Camelot no matter what the cost. [Lancelot nods.] MERLINWell, it's my duty to protect Arthur. Surely you can understand that. SIR LANCELOTI can understand that very well. --[35:42, MORGANA'S HOVEL - NIGHT][Still wearing her healing bracelet, Morgana has a prophetic dream. Red and black banners lie strewn on a battlefield with knight's corpses. A raven sitting on a helmet takes flight. Excalibur is stuck in the ground (or a knight's chest) Old Merlin walks on the field with a white cane, looking down at the camera.] MORGANAHelp me, Emrys. Please. [Morgana's wrinkled hand reaches up to Old Merlin from her position on the ground, below the camera. She's wearing vambraces.] MERLINIs this really what you wanted, Morgana? MORGANAPlease... [Morgana wakes in her bed. At first she seems afraid, then angry.] MORGANAEmrys. --[36:33, COUNTRY ROAD - DAY][The knights ride by a field full of peasant corpses travelling to Camelot.] ARTHURWe need to reach Daobeth by nightfall. [The knights pick up the pace.] --[36:46, CRUMBLING FORTRESS - DUSK] ARTHURPair off. Find any wood you can. Get the fires burning. [The knights collect firewood while carrying torches. Gwaine hears a man's scream and drops his firewood. The nights gather together as screams start to surround them. A Dorocha launches at them and Arthur wards it off with a torch.] ARTHURLet's go! SIR PERCIVALWe haven't got enough! ARTHURGo! [The knights are back at the fire pit with Merlin and Lancelot. Merlin pretends to use the flint, then...] MERLIN (whisper)Bel onbryne. [The fire lights instantly. Lancelot looks at him. Merlin makes a cute shrug face. Lancelot grins in amusement. The knights stand around the fire with torches. Percival looks at the fire, then at Arthur.] SIR PERCIVALIt won't get us through the night. ARTHUR'will keep the area safe for a while. [Later, Gwaine throws a log on the fire.] SIR GWAINEThe last one. Maybe we should draw lots, see who gets some more. ARTHURI'll go. SIR LANCELOTYou'll need help. MERLINI'll go with him. ARTHURYou sure you're the right person? MERLINWell, since when have you known how to collect firewood? [The knights chuckle. Lancelot watches as they walk off. Merlin collects firewood while Arthur stands guard with a torch. A Dorocha charges them from behind.] ARTHURMerlin! [Arthur drops the torch to tackle Merlin out of the way. They fall off the wall.] ARTHURLet's go! [They rush through some passages and close a door behind them. The Dorocha seems to lose them. The knights back at the fire pit shuffle around anxiously.] SIR LANCELOTThey should've been back by now. SIR ELYANSomeone needs to go and look for them. SIR PERCIVALWe've only got one torch between us. [Lancelot grabs the torch and starts walking off.] SIR LANCELOTWho's coming? [Elyan follows, then the other knights. Gwaine grabs his sword belt and puts it on as he follows. Arthur and Merlin hide behind a corner in one of the fortress rooms. Merlin ties a cloth around Arthur's injured arm. Arthur looks uncomfortable and Merlin gives him a confused look.] ARTHURIt's cold. MERLINRight. ARTHURYou're not feeling it? MERLINI c... [Merlin shrugs his shoulders and shakes his head.] ARTHURYou know, Merlin, you're braver than I give you credit for. MERLINReally? Was that a compliment? ARTHURDon't be stupid. [Merlin chuckles and then Arthur does, too. Back in the passages, Lancelot leads the knights through the fortress, warding off Dorochas with the torch. Back in the hiding chamber, Merlin and Arthur listen to the screaming spirits.] ARTHURAll the things I've faced...I never worried about dying. MERLINI don't think you should now. ARTHURSometimes you puzzle me. MERLIN (Dragoon voice)You never fathomed me out? ARTHURNo. MERLINI always thought if things had been different, we'd've been good friends. ARTHURYeah. MERLINThat's if you hadn't been such an arrogant, pompous, dollop head. [Arthur chuckles.] MERLIN (cont'd)We will defeat the Dorocha. We will, Arthur, together. ARTHURWell, I appreciate that. You know, you're a brave man, Merlin. Between battles. [Merlin chuckles.] MERLINYou don't know how many times I've saved your life. ARTHURHa. If I ever become king, I'm gonna have you made court jester. [They chuckle. Then they hear the Dorocha. In the passages, Lancelot and the knights continue the search. Back in the hiding chamber, Merlin and Arthur wait.] ARTHURThey say the darkest hour is just before the dawn. MERLINFeels pretty dark right now. ARTHURWell, it can't be long then. [The Dorocha finds them and sweeps through the door. Arthur starts to rush out from around the corner, but Merlin pulls him back and stands up himself, running straight for the Dorocha.] ARTHURMerlin, no! [Merlin jumps at the Dorocha. It catches him in the chest, stops him mid-air and throws him back against the stone wall. Lancelot enters and wards off the Dorocha with the torch, then hands it to Percival and turns to Arthur.] SIR LANCELOTWhat happened? [Arthur and Lancelot go to Merlin. They turn him over. He's frosted over like the corpses they found.]
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