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| - MORGANASo, Emrys... AGRAVAINEMorgana! AGRAVAINEWhen I found you, you were unconscious in the woods. What happened to you? Morgana, who did this to you? MORGANAEmrys. AGRAVAINEThe old man? He was here? MORGANAHe took the Fomorroh, he destroyed it! AGRAVAINEHe knew of our plans to kill Arthur? MORGANAHe knows all our plans. All our secrets. He knows everything. AGRAVAINESomeone's telling him. [Agravaine thinks for a moment, then closes his eyes in realisation.] AGRAVAINEOh. Gaius! When I first asked him if he knew Emrys, he claimed not to know, but he was lying. I knew he was lying! MORGANAGaius? AGRAVAINEHe's the only one in Camelot who would know the Fomorroh. It has to be him. [Morgana gets up from the bed, clearly disturbed by her thoughts.] AGRAVAINEHe must be telling Emrys everything. [Morgana recovers.] MORGANAGood. Then he can lead us straight to him. AGRAVAINEGaius is loyal and very stubborn. He won't do that willingly. MORGANAWho said he had to be willing? --[02:44, INT. KING'S PALACE, ARTHUR'S CHAMBERS - DAY][Merlin opens Arthur's curtains.] MERLINUp you get. KING ARTHURWhat for? MERLINA bath. KING ARTHURWhere's breakfast? MERLINSay, "Ah." KING ARTHURAh? [Merlin stuffs a roll in Arthur's mouth.] KING ARTHUR (muffled)Merlin! [Arthur pulls the roll out of his mouth and Merlin hurries to look over some documents on the table.] MERLINSet aside some practice time. KING ARTHURAh, wonderful. What for? Quarterstaff? Battle axe? MERLINFor your speech. KING ARTHURWho to? MERLINThe Guild of Harness Polishers. KING ARTHURThe guild of who? I don't know anything about polishing. MERLINFortunately I do. [Merlin holds up a really long scroll.] KING ARTHURThat'll take hours to learn. MERLINYou don't have hours. First, you have to receive Odin's envoy. KING ARTHURDo I have to give a speech? MERLINNo. You have to listen to one. [Arthur rolls his eyes.] MERLINThen you need to inspect the guards, perform a freeman's ceremony, oh...and to be a judge. KING ARTHURPreside over a trial? MERLIN(teasingly)A garland competition. [Arthur rolls his eyes again and flops his head back on his pillow.] KING ARTHURThere'll be any time to myself? [Arthur curls back into his covers.] MERLINI know, it's almost like having to work. Come on. You don't have time for this. [Merlin goes over to the bed and grabs Arthur, trying to drag him out of bed. Arthur struggles to stay under the covers.] MERLINNo, come on. No, out of bed. [Arthur makes an odd squeal as Merlin forces him out of bed along with all his covers.] MERLINYou're doing very well, Arthur. KING ARTHURI don't think so. [Merlin fetches Arthur's shirt.] MERLINEveryone's saying it. KING ARTHURI'm glad your friends at the tavern approve. MERLINI'm serious. You're becoming a very good king. [Merlin pulls Arthur to his feet.] KING ARTHURThank you. You're still the worst servant I've ever known. [Merlin hands Arthur his shirt. There's a knock at the door.] KING ARTHUREnter. [Agravaine enters.] AGRAVAINEGood morning, my lord. May I have a word? KING ARTHUROf course. AGRAVAINEEr, the matter I wish to discuss is a delicate one, sire. Perhaps it'd be better if we talked alone. --[04:14, EXT. FOREST - DAY][Morgana rides through the woods. She approaches a city on a peninsula.] --[04:31, INT. KING'S PALACE, ARTHUR'S CHAMBERS - DAY][Arthur dresses behind his screen.] AGRAVAINEWe know there is a traitor amongst us. KING ARTHURI wish I could deny it. AGRAVAINEBut we have to consider everyone. Even those dearest to us. No one can be above suspicion. KING ARTHUROf course. AGRAVAINESo...one of your knights? KING ARTHURNo. AGRAVAINEAre you sure? KING ARTHURI would vouch for each and every one of them. AGRAVAINEWell, I have suggested Gaius before, but...I can't believe that he'd betray you. KING ARTHURNor I. Gaius has always been a loyal servant. Indeed, a friend. To me and my father. AGRAVAINEWell...it was Gaius who told you where to find the sorcerer that killed your father, wasn't it? And we do know that he has dabbled in sorcery. What if his interest in the dark arts has been rekindled? KING ARTHURI've always believed I can trust Gaius. AGRAVAINEOh, me too. Perhaps I am being a little hasty. But it wouldn't do any harm to ask him some questions, would it? KING ARTHURI'm not sure there's any need. AGRAVAINEOh, I believe there is, sire. We're talking about your safety, and the safety of the realm. Somebody is plotting against you, and it is my duty to investigate every possibility, however unlikely. I--I'm sure that Gaius himself would respect that. --[05:51, EXT. CATHA CITY - DAY][Morgana walks through a market filled with townsfolk wearing turbans. She ignores the sales pitches and enters the temple.] --[06:03, INT. CATHA TEMPLE- DAY][Morgana approaches a brawny guard in the corridor.] MORGANAI wish to see the Catha. He's expecting me. [The guard moves aside. Morgana walks around the shrine where the Catha is kneeling and faces him.] MORGANAYou are Alator of the Catha, warrior and priest. ALATORYou are Morgana Pendragon, High Priestess of the Triple Goddess, and last of your kind. [Alator stands.] ALATORWhat do you seek here? MORGANAI need you to abduct someone. From Camelot. ALATORCamelot is no friend to our kind. From what I hear, the young king follows Uther's ways. MORGANAYou are a Catha. Such things would not stop you. ALATORWhy should I risk my life for you? [Morgana approaches him and holds out her arm with the healing bracelet.] MORGANABecause I am willing to give you something in return. It was forged on the Isle of the Blessed by a High Priestess. Its healing powers are without equal in the five kingdoms. [Alator takes the bracelet from her wrist.] ALATORThere is true power here. This is a precious gift. The person you seek must be important to you. MORGANAYes. I hope the man will lead me to my mortal enemy. Emrys. ALATORIt is as you wish. I will perform this task for you. [Morgana curtsies and exits.] --[08:17, INT. KING'S PALACE, COUNCIL CHAMBER - DAY][Arthur plays with his rings as guards escort Gaius into the room. He lingers in the background while Agravaine greets Gaius.] AGRAVAINEPlease, sit down. GAIUSWhy have I been brought here in this manner? AGRAVAINEAs the king's right hand man, one of my jobs is to ensure his safety. [Agravaine holds out a chair for Gaius, who sits.] AGRAVAINEThat means asking questions, even of his most trusted servants. Then, so be it. No one is to take offence. GAIUSHave I done something wrong, sire? [Arthur doesn't answer and Agravaine sits down across from Gaius.] AGRAVAINEWhat is your attitude to sorcery, Gaius? [Gaius looks at Arthur, who waits for his answer.] GAIUSIt is against the law. AGRAVAINEAnd do you agree with that? GAIUSI understand the reason for it. AGRAVAINEThat's not an answer to the question that I asked. [Arthur watches.] GAIUSThe law is needed to prevent the abuses that have been perpetrated by sorcerers. AGRAVAINECan I ask you to be a little more direct with your answers? Do you agree that magic should be banned? Yes or no? GAIUSYes. AGRAVAINEHave you ever practiced sorcery? [Gaius purses his lips.] GAIUSA long time ago. AGRAVAINERecently? GAIUSNo. AGRAVAINEThen how did you know the sorcerer that killed Uther? [Agravaine looks at Arthur who is still hanging out in the background.] GAIUSI'd heard of him. AGRAVAINEYou told Arthur where to find him. [Gaius looks at Arthur.] GAIUSYes. AGRAVAINEThat suggests you did know him. GAIUSI was told of a dwelling where he could be found. AGRAVAINEWho by? GAIUSI cannot say. AGRAVAINEHave you ever met with him? It's a simple enough question, Gaius. Have you met him, yes or no? [Gaius takes a breath and looks down before answering.] GAIUSNo. [Agravaine can tell he's lying.] AGRAVAINEA-ha. And you would be prepared to swear to that? GAIUSYes. AGRAVAINEOn oath? GAIUSYes. AGRAVAINEHumph. Thank you, Gaius. It's been most informative. [Agravaine is clearly pleased to have caught Gaius lying.] GAIUSIs that it? AGRAVAINE (nods/shrugs)Mm. Oh, for today. [Arthur stares at the floor in the background. Agravaine glares at Gaius as he leaves. They wait until the doors close and Arthur steps forward.] KING ARTHURIs it really necessary to treat him like that? [Arthur sits on the throne.] AGRAVAINEYour life is at stake, sire. We cannot afford to be fainthearted. [Agravaine stands.] AGRAVAINEAnd you saw with your own eyes he was lying. KING ARTHURHe's definitely hiding something. [Agravaine scoffs.] KING ARTHURBut we can't be certain. We have no proof. AGRAVAINENo. You're right, sire. We do not. But I fear that if we keep investigating, we might find some. [The guards open the doors for Agravaine and he exits, leaving Arthur alone in the council room.] --[11:55, EXT. FOREST - DAY][Alator rides through the woods with his brawny guard. They stop for a view of Camelot.] --[12:06, EXT. LOWER TOWN - NIGHT][A guard leads a horse up the street. Alator steps out of the shadows with is guard and follows him.] --[12:27, INT. KING'S PALACE, AGRAVAINE'S CHAMBER - NIGHT][Merlin knocks on the open door.] AGRAVAINECome in. [Merlin enters.] AGRAVAINEAh. Close the door, would you? [Merlin closes the door and walks into the room.] AGRAVAINEMerlin. I realise what a loyal and trusted servant you are, so I have a very special errand for you. [Agravaine smiles and unwraps a dagger. He pulls it out of its sheath and holds it up, walking very close to Merlin. Merlin is uneasy.] AGRAVAINEWhat do you think? MERLINIt's beautiful. AGRAVAINEPresent for Arthur. [Merlin relaxes and smiles now.] AGRAVAINEIt's been crafted by the sword smiths of Gedref, but unfortunately, the blade has become somewhat dulled during the journey. [Agravaine sheathes the dagger and hands it to Merlin.] AGRAVAINEWould you sharpen it for me? MERLINOf course. [Agravaine smiles and turns back to his chair.] AGRAVAINEOh, and Merlin... [Merlin turns around on his way to the door.] AGRAVAINELeave it for the king to find in the morning. [Merlin chuckles.] MERLINIt would be my pleasure. [Merlin leaves.] --[13:39, INT. ROYAL STABLES - NIGHT][A guard leads a horse into the stables. Alator and his bodyguard sneak in and wait for the guard to leave. They untie a white horse.] ALATORGa on wuda! [The horse runs out of the stables and off through the lower town.] --[14:10, EXT. KING'S PALACE, BATTLEMENTS - NIGHT][Alator and his bodyguard hide under the battlements as guards pass by. They make their way to a door in the wall. Agravaine opens the door from the inside.] AGRAVAINE (whisper)You're late! ALATORLet us not waste time, then. [Agravaine tries to go in after Alator, but the bodyguard pushes him back and goes in ahead of him.] --[14:34, INT. KING'S PALACE, PHYSICIAN'S CHAMBERS - NIGHT][Gaius is working late. He hears something.] GAIUSMerlin? [Alator grabs Gaius from behind with a hand over his mouth.] ALATOROnslæp nu! [Gaius falls asleep and collapses into the bodyguard's arms.] --[14:54, EXT. FOREST - NIGHT][The bodyguard tosses Gaius onto a horse and they ride off.] --[15:03, INT. KING'S PALACE, PHYSICIAN'S CHAMBERS - NIGHT][Agravaine enters with a bag. He plants a book titled "Witchcraft, Sorcery & Magic" in the room, and quickly packs some of Gaius's things.] --[15:29, INT. KING'S PALACE, ARTHUR'S CHAMBERS - NIGHT][Merlin places the sharpened dagger next to Arthur's bed while he sleeps. The warning bells sound and Arthur jolts awake. He looks over at Merlin who smiles awkwardly.] --[15:46, INT. KING'S PALACE, PHYSICIAN'S CHAMBERS - NIGHT][Guards toss Gaius's possessions, breaking many of them, as usual. Agravaine holds the planted book.] AGRAVAINEMy lord, he was seen riding away from the city. [Sir Leon enters.] MERLINThat can't be true. SIR LEONSire. (to Agravaine) You were right. A white stallion has been taken from the royal stables. KING ARTHURWell, where would he be going? Why leave at this time of night? AGRAVAINEWell, I could hazard a guess, sire, but I think a thorough search of his belongings may well provide us with the truth. --[16:10, EXT. FOREST - DAY][Alator and the bodyguard ride through the forest with Gaius. The reach a large natural stone bridge and mining caves.] --[16:24, INT. KING'S PALACE, COUNCIL CHAMBER - DAY][Arthur flips through the books of sorcery that Agravaine planted.] KING ARTHURAnd this was found in Gaius's chambers? AGRAVAINEI am as disappointed as you, sire. Someone so close, so trusted. And it's not merely the discovery that he was a sorcerer, is it? It's... it's the lies. [Merlin watches Arthur, angered by Agravaine's lies.] AGRAVAINEThe lies and years of betrayal. [Arthur drops the spell book on the table, upset.] AGRAVAINEI know it's hard to believe, isn't it, sire? But we both saw him refuse to condemn magic. We both knew he was hiding something. And neither of us want to believe it, but...now, with this...hasty departure in the middle of the night? These are not the actions of an innocent man, sire. There can be no doubt. Gaius is the traitor. [Arthur leans back in his chair, still struggling Agravaine's words.] AGRAVAINEI'll send a search party as soon as possible. KING ARTHURNo. What purpose will that serve? Let him run. AGRAVAINE (bows)As you wish, sire. [Agravaine exits. Merlin glares at him as he leaves, then stares at the floor. As soon as the door closes...] MERLINHow can you believe this? [Arthur looks down for a moment.] KING ARTHURI know how you must feel. We questioned him. He's been consorting with sorcerers. He more or less admitted to it. MERLINAnd that makes him a traitor. KING ARTHURWhy run if you have nothing to hide? MERLINHe's given his life to this kingdom. He would never betray you. KING ARTHURThen explain his actions. [Merlin finally looks at Arthur.] MERLINAll right. They're lies. Gaius would never run off in the night. KING ARTHURLook, I know it's hard. But no break ins were reported. His possessions are missing. A horse has been stolen. MERLINHe would not leave without saying goodbye to me. [Merlin looks away again and stares in the opposite direction. Arthur sighs.] MERLINAgravaine has made this story up. KING ARTHURI shall ignore that last comment. MERLINBecause he's your uncle, you will not see who he really is. KING ARTHURMerlin! I've had my heart broken enough already today. I don't want to lose another friend. [Arthur stands up briskly.] KING ARTHURGaius... [Arthur holds up the magic book.] KING ARTHURCondemned himself. [Arthur slaps the book on the table on his way out.] KING ARTHURThere's no more to be said. --[19:07, INT. RIDGE OF KEMERAY - DAY][Alator enters the cave, the bodyguard carries Gaius over his shoulder. The bodyguard lays Gaius on a slanted slab of rock and Gaius stirs.] MORGANAYou've had a difficult journey. You must be tired. It's time to wake up. [Morgana strokes his cheek and Gaius wakes.] MORGANAIt's time for the fun to begin. [Gaius finds he can't move.] GAIUSGet on with it, Morgana. Whatever you want to do, just do it now. I'm not afraid to die. MORGANADying is the easy part. I wouldn't be in such a hurry if I were you. My friend here's going to help me get some information. [Gaius looks at Alator for the first time.] MORGANASome information you might be a little reluctant to give. I want you to tell me where Emrys is. GAIUSI don't know anyone called Emrys. MORGANAOh, I think you do. GAIUSDo what you will. I will never tell you anything, Morgana. MORGANAAlator is no ordinary torturer. He's a Catha...priest of the Old Religion. He has at his disposal some skills only known by initiates. But you're a learned man, Gaius. I'm sure you know exactly what he can do. [Morgana leaves and Agravaine follows her out.] --[20:59, INT. KING'S PALACE, PHYSICIAN'S CHAMBERS - DAY][Merlin sits on the floor reading a sheet of parchment. The door opens and he looks at it expectantly. It's Gwen. He turns back, disappointed.] MERLINI thought you were him. [Gwen walks to him and puts a hand on his shoulder as she sits on the floor beside him.] MERLINAgravaine's behind this. He's done something to Gaius. GWENArthur told me what you said. MERLINHe won't listen to me. GWENI'll do what I can, but...Agravaine's his uncle. He...he trusts him more than anyone. MERLINYeah. --[21:50, INT. RIDGE OF KEMERAY - DAY] ALATORLigfyr onbærne swiþe. [Alator's eyes glow and a circle of flame rises up around Gaius's stone slab.] ALATORDo not resist the fire. Let it enter your mind. Let the flames search out your thoughts. Feel them burn... [Gaius seems to be in pain.] ALATORInto the darkest recesses of your mind. Let them shine a torch on your deepest secrets. Bring them to the light. GAIUSAcwence þa bælblyse. [Gaius's eyes glow and the flames die down.] ALATORFyr wiþere! [The spell strengthens the flames into a high blaze.] --[22:45, INT. KING'S PALACE, AGRAVAINE'S CHAMBER - NIGHT][Merlin searches Agravaine's chamber. He finds a chest under the bed and pulls it out. It's locked. His eyes glow and it unlatches. It's filled with books titled "Studies in Sorcery." Upset, Merlin drops the book back in the box and shoves it back under the bed. He notices a pair of boots nearby with reddish soil all over them. He rubs his thumb across the boot and picks up some of the dirt. He sniffs it and notices its odd smell. The door unlatches and he hides behind the dressing screen. Agravaine has a mirror set up in a position that allows him a view of the room, so Merlin can see where he is. Agravaine starts to undress and walks around the screen. Merlin has slipped around to the other side while Agravaine pulled off his shirt. Agravaine sees Merlin sneaking off in the strategic mirror. Merlin leaves and he steps around the screen, putting his shirt back on. He looks down by the bed and sees his boots with a thumb mark of dirt missing. He grits his teeth.] --[24:39, INT. KING'S PALACE, PHYSICIAN'S CHAMBERS - NIGHT][Gwaine is sitting on a bench, waiting for Merlin. Merlin stops as he enters.] MERLINWhat are you doing in here? SIR GWAINEGot bored of playing soldiers. And I thought I'd come and see how you were. [Still suspicious, Merlin takes a bag off the back of the door and opens it for Gwaine to exit before heading to a work table.] MERLINI'm busy. SIR GWAINEDoing what? MERLINWhat do you think? SIR GWAINELooking for Gaius. MERLINI know everyone thinks he's a traitor, but he's not. He's been abducted, Gwaine. He may even be dead. [Merlin turns to look at a book and brings a candle closer to examine the dirt.] SIR GWAINEProbably don't need my help, then. [They exchange a look and Merlin softens.] MERLINDo you know what this is? [Merlin holds up his dirty thumb.] SIR GWAINEMight do. [Gwaine gets up.] SIR GWAINEHere. Let me see. [Gwaine walks to the work table. Merlin holds out his hand and Gwaine takes a swipe of the dirt and smells it.] SIR GWAINEThat's iron ore. Where'd you find this? MERLINThat doesn't matter. Does it help us? [Gwaine sits and wipes his dirty fingers on the table.] SIR GWAINEIron ore's pretty rare in Camelot. In fact, I've only seen it once, on a patrol. MERLINWhere? SIR GWAINEEr...ridge of Kemeray. they've been hewing iron from rocks there for hundreds of years. --[25:54, EXT. KING'S PALACE, MAIN SQUARE - NIGHT][Merlin and Gwaine ride out of Camelot. Agravaine sees them from his window.] --[26:09, INT. RIDGE OF KEMERAY - NIGHT] ALATORFeel the fire roar deep within you. Feel your thoughts begin to simmer. Let them flee the rushing flames. Let them run like burning oil. Let them escape. Allow them free, Gaius. [Gaius struggles against the magic.] ALATORTell me. Who...is...Emrys? --[26:46, EXT. FOREST - NIGHT][Agravaine gallops through the forest.] --[26:54, INT. MORGANA'S HOVEL - NIGHT][Agravaine bursts in as Morgana is unloading firewood.] AGRAVAINEMerlin's onto us. He's out searching for Gaius even as we speak. He may even know where he's hidden. --[27:04, EXT. RIDGE OF KEMERAY - NIGHT][Merlin and Gwaine head into the mining caves.] --[27:22, INT. RIDGE OF KEMERAY - NIGHT][Alator continues his mental torture.] ALATORTell me about Emrys. Tell me, Gaius. Where can we find Emrys? [Gaius struggles not to speak, but can't help himself.] GAIUSIn Camelot. ALATORWhere in Camelot? GAIUSEmrys is-- Emrys is a name by which he is known to the druids, but to me...I know him by a different name. ALATORTell me, Gaius. [Gaius starts to form Merlin's name.] GAIUSNo! [Alator places his hands on Gaius to strengthen the spell.] ALATORWho is he? GAIUSH-- he is the most powerful sorcerer who has ever lived. ALATORWhat is his name? GAIUSHis name...is... [Gaius struggles.] GAIUSMerlin. --[28:42, INT. RIDGE OF KEMERAY, CAVE ENTRANCE - NIGHT][Merlin and Gwaine enter the right mining shaft and Merlin notices the same iron ore on his boots.] --[28:59, INT. RIDGE OF KEMERAY - NIGHT][Now that the worst has been spoken, Gaius continues without a fight.] GAIUSFor the druids' legends are true. Merlin is...Emrys. A man destined for greatness. A man who will one day unite the powers of the old world and the new, and bring the time that the poets speak of. The time...of Albion. [Gaius closes his eyes.] --[29:35, INT. RIDGE OF KEMERAY - NIGHT][Merlin and Gwaine continue searching. The bodyguard jumps out at them. Gwaine fights him, but eventually Merlin steps in and, with a flash of the eyes, he's down. Alator hears the bodyguard's scream. Merlin helps Gwaine to his feet.] --[30:14, EXT. FOREST - NIGHT][Agravaine and Morgana ride for the caves.] --[30:19, INT. RIDGE OF KEMERAY - NIGHT][Gwaine and Merlin come to a fork in their search.] MERLINWe should split up. SIR GWAINEYeah. MERLINGwaine. If you find him, don't wait for me. [Gwaine nods.] --[30:35, EXT. RIDGE OF KEMERAY - DAY][Agravaine and Morgana arrive. Agravaine dismounts.] AGRAVAINEBlack horse belongs to Gwaine . He's a hot head. Better be careful of him. --[30:49, INT. RIDGE OF KEMERAY - DAY][Gwaine keeps searching. Agravaine and Morgana enter.] MORGANAGo to Gaius. If he remains alive, we're all in danger. AGRAVAINEYou can rest assured, he won't breathe another word. MORGANA (nods)I'll deal with Merlin and this hot head. [They separate. Merlin continues searching and sees firelight ahead. He ducks into hiding as Alator comes around the corner. Alator stops, but doesn't look down to see Merlin. When he leaves, Merlin goes where Alator just came from.] --[31:35, INT. RIDGE OF KEMERAY - DAY][Agravaine finds Gaius. He steps into the stone circle and checks Gaius, who's still alive. Agravaine pulls out a dagger and goes for Gaius's throat.] SIR GWAINEAgravaine! So it was you! You abducted him. AGRAVAINEWhat? No! SIR GWAINEWhat are you doing? [Gwaine places his sword at Agravaine's throat.] AGRAVAINEHe's unconscious, I'm trying to help. SIR GWAINEWith that? AGRAVAINEI want to see if he's still breathing. [Agravaine lifts the dagger from Gaius's throat to his nose.] SIR GWAINEAnd is he? AGRAVAINEJust. You can see the breath still on the blade, look. [Gwaine holds the torch near the dagger and Agravaine parries Gwaine's sword.] AGRAVAINENow do you believe me? [Gwaine puts his sword back at Agravaine's throat.] SIR GWAINEThen how did you know he was here? [Agravaine pauses, thinking on his feet.] AGRAVAINEGuards at the western gate saw you and Merlin leave. Knowing Merlin's concern for Gaius, I thought it must be some new information at hand. So, I just followed your trail. [Gwaine backs off and nods.] SIR GWAINEYou agree he was abducted, then? AGRAVAINEYes, of course he was. Now, we must get him back to Camelot without delay. Come on. SIR GWAINEWe have to find Merlin first. AGRAVAINENo! [Gwaine looks back, suspicious.] AGRAVAINEI fear if we do not leave now, Gaius will not survive. We've no time to lose. Give me a hand! [Gwaine starts to go anyway.] AGRAVAINELook, the people who took Gaius have already fled. I saw them with my own eyes from the ridge. We must get back to Camelot by night fall. [Gwaine hesitates.] AGRAVAINECome on, Gwaine! Help me! Please! [Gwaine sheathes his sword and goes to help.] AGRAVAINEMerlin can find his own way back. --[33:11, INT. RIDGE OF KEMERAY - DAY][Merlin reaches a dead end. He turns back the way he came only to be thrown backwards by Morgana.] MORGANAYou really are a thorn in my side, aren't you? [Morgana pulls out a dagger.] MORGANAWhen will you learn not to meddle with things you couldn't possibly understand? [Morgana throws the dagger and controls it to stay at Merlin's throat as he scampers backwards on the ground.] MORGANAIt's difficult, isn't it? When there are so many different and painful ways for me to be finally rid of you. MERLINI don't care what you do to me. I want to know what you've done to Gaius. MORGANAWell, Gaius had some information I needed. The whereabouts of the sorcerer Emrys. If he gave it to me willingly, his suffering would not be prolonged, but...if he did not... [Morgana smirks.] MERLINIf you have harmed him... MORGANAWhy are we discussing his fate when it's time to decide yours? Not whether you're going to die alone here in this godforsaken place. That's gonna happen anyway. But how. Or more precisely, how painfully. [Alator enters.] MORGANAAlator this is Merlin. [Alator is surprised and looks more closely at Merlin.] MORGANAHe's just a serving boy, but he's the most troublesome serving boy I've ever known. I take it your time with Gaius was fruitful? [Alator looks at Morgana.] ALATORGaius told me everything. [Merlin looks at Alator.] MORGANASo you know who Emrys is? ALATORIndeed I do. [Alator walks forward and Morgana follows a few steps, desperate for his answer. Alator kneels down and looks Merlin in the eye. Merlin glares at him.] ALATORNot only do I know who Emrys is, I know exactly where he is. [Morgana's eyes are wide with eagerness.] MORGANAThen tell me. [Alator looks at her.] ALATORNever. [Alator stands and aims his staff at her.] ALATORForþ fleoge! [Morgana screams as she's thrown backwards against a rock and collapses unconscious. The dagger at Merlin's throat drops. Merlin scrambles to his feet.] ALATORMerlin, I am Alator of the Catha. I am honoured to be of service. MERLINYou have magic! ALATOR (nods)I understand the burden you carry. I have lived with it all my life. I have been shunned, persecuted, and sometimes even hunted in every corner of the five kingdoms. I understand what that feels like. You're not alone. From what Gaius told me, I do not have your great powers, Merlin, but I share your hopes. For I, and others like me, have dreamt of the world you seek to build. And we would gladly give our lives to help you do it. [Alator kneels to Merlin. Merlin sighs in amazement.] --[36:12, EXT. KING'S PALACE, DRAWBRIDGE - DAY][Gwaine and Agravaine ride into the square with Gaius slung across Gwaine's horse.] --[36:17, INT. KING'S PALACE, GRIFFIN STAIRCASE - DAY][Gwaine jogs up the stairs ahead of the guards carrying Gaius. He meets Arthur on the landing.] KING ARTHURWhat happened? SIR GWAINEWe found him. He'd been kidnapped. [Arthur looks sharply at Gwaine for a moment.] KING ARTHURHe's in a bad way. [They follow the guards carrying Gaius, Agravaine behind them.] --[36:37, INT. KING'S PALACE, PHYSICIAN'S CHAMBERS - DAY][Agravaine and Arthur watch Gwen mopping Gaius's forehead.] AGRAVAINEIt seems I misjudged Gaius. Merlin was right all along. KING ARTHURWe were lucky he found him. AGRAVAINEIndeed. If it hadn't been for the tenacity of your boy, Gaius would be dead. [Arthur swallows hard.] AGRAVAINEWe both owe Gaius and Merlin an apology, my lord. [Arthur leaves. Agravaine follows him after a last look at Gaius.] --[37:13, INT. RIDGE OF KEMERAY - DAY][Morgana wakes in the cave. She picks up her healing bracelet sitting next to her and shakes in fear.] --[37:48, INT. KING'S PALACE, PHYSICIAN'S CHAMBERS - DAY][Merlin sits by Gaius's bedside. Gaius wakes.] GAIUSI'm ashamed. MERLINWhy? GAIUSYour secret. A secret I thought I'd protect with my life. MERLINGaius, you could've died. GAIUSBut if Morgana had found out... MERLINShe didn't. She didn't count on Alator's true loyalties. GAIUSI worry that one day I'll let you down. MERLINMy worry is Arthur. GAIUSWe can't tell him about Agravaine. MERLINHe needs to know. GAIUSWe don't have any evidence. And you've seen how dear he is to Arthur. [Arthur knocks and enters. Merlin's not really pleased to see him.] KING ARTHURI think I owe both of you an apology. MERLINNot to me. To Gaius. KING ARTHURYes. [Gaius and Merlin share a poignant look.] KING ARTHURMerlin, will you give us a moment? [Merlin gives Gaius an mischievous look.] MERLINDoes that mean I get the morning off? [Gaius smiles.] KING ARTHURYes. [Merlin raises his eyebrows.] KING ARTHURYes, you can have the morning off to...clean my chambers, polish my armour, and launder my clothes. [Merlin turns to Arthur.] MERLINYou certainly know how to apologise. [Arthur grins with an amused shrug. They share a poignant look and Arthur nods to him as Merlin leaves. Arthur approached Gaius's sickbed.] KING ARTHURAre you all right? GAIUSI'm just glad it's all over. KING ARTHURI made a mistake. GAIUSI've looked after you since you were a nurseling, Arthur. You should've known I love you far too much ever to betray you. [Arthur looks touched and ashamed.] KING ARTHURGaius...who abducted you? [Gaius swallows hard and considers for a moment how to answer.] GAIUSI couldn't say. But I'm certain they were in league with Morgana. KING ARTHURWhat did they want? GAIUSInformation. About you...Camelot...to help bring down the kingdom. KING ARTHUR (softly)Did they get it? [Gaius shakes his head.] GAIUSMorgana got nothing from me. [Arthur chuckles for a moment, then sighs in amazement at Gaius's strength. He sits in the chair that Merlin vacated and grasps Gaius's hand.] KING ARTHURI'm grateful. [Arthur braces his arms on his legs.] KING ARTHUR (softly)But there's a matter that still concerns me. When you were asked about the sorcerer who killed my father...you lied. GAIUSI did, sire. KING ARTHUR (softly)You admit it? GAIUSI chose to protect him. I feared you would seek him out and execute him. That would've been a grave mistake. The sorcerer did not kill your father. Uther was dying. He tried everything in his power to save him. [Gaius sees Arthur having difficulty with what he said.] GAIUSContained within this great kingdom is a rich variety of people with a range of different beliefs. I'm not the only one seeking to protect you. There are many more who believe in the world you are trying to create. One day you will learn, Arthur. One day you will understand...just how much they've done for you. [Arthur processes Gaius's words and nods.]
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