BBC Merlin: 1x12 To Kill the King
<<< EPISODE 1x11 │ EPISODE 1x13 >>>
KILGHARRAH
In a land of myth and a time of magic, the destiny of a great kingdom rests on the shoulders of a young boy. His name: Merlin.
--
[EXT. LOWER TOWN - DAY.]
[Tom pushes a cart playfully down the street and sneaks up behind the carpet that Gwen is beating. He pops his head over the clothes line on which the carpet is hung.]
TOM
Boo!
GWEN
Oh!
[Gwen holds her hand to her chest.]
TOM
Did I surprise you?
GWEN
You certainly did!
TOM
I've got another surprise for you, too.
[Tom hands Gwen a small, wrapped cloth. Gwen opens it, revealing a fancy button.]
GWEN
It's...lovely.
TOM
Well, in case you ever need a spare. You know...for this...
[Tom holds up a colourful dress.]
GWEN
It's beautiful!
TOM
Well, you're a beautiful girl, Gwen. You deserve beautiful things.
GWEN
But how? I mean...it must have been expensive.
TOM
Oh, very. But we're on the up now. Things are going to be different.
GWEN
What's going on?
TOM
It'll be all right. Trust me.
[Tom kisses her cheek.]
TOM
I won't be back for supper.
--
[INT. TOM’S FORGE - NIGHT]
[Tom works at his forge. Tom hears lots of wind.]
TOM
Hello?
[A man appears before Tom, hooded and cloaked.]
TAUREN
Is it prepared?
TOM
Yes. Look.
[Tauren approaches the forge and pulls down his hood, looking at the melted lead.]
TAUREN
Very good.
[Tauren pulls out a stone with silver claws around it.]
TOM
What is that?
TAUREN
I'm not paying you to ask questions. The lead, please.
[Tom takes the lead off the forge and pours it into a mould. Tauren holds the stone over the lead and the stone glows, Merlin wakes in his chamber.]
TAUREN
Áfæren æt gylden.
TOM (whisper)
You didn't say anything about magic! I don't want any trouble!
TAUREN
I búgan þéos... áfæren æt gylden.
[The lead turns to gold.]
TOM
Gold?
TAUREN
Pure, priceless gold.
[Tom drenches the gold and it steams. Tom holds up the lump of gold.]
TAUREN
Yours, blacksmith. If you keep your mouth shut.
[Arthur bursts in with the guards. Tauren runs for it.]
ARTHUR
Seize him!
GUARD
Yes, sir.
ARTHUR
Quickly, after him!
[Tauren tosses the heated materials in the water, creating a smoke screen. he knocks over a table and drops the leather bag with the stone in it.]
GUARD
Stop!
ARTHUR
He must be caught!
GUARD
Stop that man!
[A pair of guards stay behind, restraining Tom. Arthur turns around and takes the gold from him.]
TOM
Sire, please...
ARTHUR
You're under arrest.
--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, PHYSICIAN’S CHAMBERS - NIGHT]
[Merlin emerges from his chamber.]
GAIUS
Can't sleep?
MERLIN
Something woke me.
GAIUS
What?
MERLIN
I don't know. A feeling.
GAIUS
What kind of feeling?
MERLIN
Powerful magic, here, in Camelot.
[Gwen runs into the Physician's Chambers.]
MERLIN
Gwen. What's wrong?
GWEN
My father's been arrested.
MERLIN
Arrested? What for?
GWEN
They say he was making weapons for a sorcerer! They're charging him with treason!
--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, HEDGEHOG CHAMBER - NIGHT]
[Morgana, Uther, and Arthur. Morgana’s in her nightgown.]
MORGANA
Treason!?
UTHER
Yes, Morgana, treason. The blacksmith was consorting with a known enemy.
MORGANA
Enemy? What enemy?
ARTHUR
Tauren. The leader of a band of renegade sorcerers sworn to bring down the King.
MORGANA
And where is this Tauren now?
ARTHUR
He escaped.
MORGANA
Well, then how can you be sure?
UTHER
Because Arthur saw him with his own eyes.
MORGANA
Well, even if the man is who you say he is, you can't sentence Tom to death for just being seen with him!?
UTHER
We have reason to believe he was forging weapons for Tauren.
MORGANA
Rubbish! He would never do such a thing.
UTHER
Every man has a price.
[Arthur slides the lump of gold across the table.]
ARTHUR
Found this on the blacksmith.
MORGANA
So he was paid! He's a blacksmith. He could've been paid for shoeing Tauren's horse!
UTHER
In gold?
MORGANA
This is madness! You condemn a man with no proof!
UTHER
I have enough proof.
MORGANA
Arthur! Have you nothing to say?
ARTHUR
Father, the blacksmith committed a crime, but we don't know for certain he meant treason.
UTHER
No. You're right. Nothing's certain. Save one thing. The law stands or this kingdom falls.
MORGANA
But the law must give him a fair trial!
UTHER
He'll get a fair trial, and he'll be found guilty, 'cause that's what he is.
MORGANA
You execute Gwen's father, and I will never forgive you. Never.
[Morgana storms out.]
ARTHUR
Maybe we should investigate further.
UTHER
Tauren slept somewhere, he fed somewhere. Find anyone who helped him in any way. They must be punished. The people must see the laws of Camelot are not to be trifled with.
ARTHUR
Yes, Father.
--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, DUNGEONS]
[Gwen visits her father’s cell.]
TOM
I didn't know Tauren was a sorcerer. I meant no harm, I swear.
GWEN
Why didn't you tell me what was going on?
TOM
I knew you wouldn't like it, Gwen. You're cautious. I didn't want to let an opportunity pass...
GWEN
Opportunity? You call this an opportunity?
TOM
I know. I've been a fool. (sigh) I just wanted to make a better life for us. For you. I wanted to make you happy.
GWEN
But I am happy! I don't need anything else. I have everything I want.
TOM
And I've thrown it all away!
GWEN
It's all right. We will get you out of here, I promise.
[Gwen walks away from the bars to where Merlin and Gaius are waiting.]
MERLIN
What did he say?
GWEN
He said Tauren came to him at the forge, offered to pay him a fortune for his help, not to make weapons, for an experiment or something.
MERLIN
What kind of experiment?
GWEN
Tauren didn't say. But he used some kind of stone...some kind of magic...
--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, PHYSICIAN’S CHAMBERS]
[Gaius exits Merlin's Chamber.]
GAIUS
She's sleeping now.
MERLIN
I don't understand it. What would a sorcerer want with Tom?
GAIUS
His forge, Merlin. It's the finest in the kingdom.
MERLIN
You think Tom was lying? You think he really was making weapons?
GAIUS
No, I don't.
MERLIN
Then what?
GAIUS
When Tom was arrested, they found gold on him.
MERLIN
So?
GAIUS
And from what Gwen was saying, Tauren's experiment bears all the hallmarks of alchemy.
MERLIN
But alchemy's impossible, isn't it?
GAIUS
To change the very nature of one thing to another has defeated all who have tried. But if you used magic...
MERLIN
Do you think that's what woke me?
GAIUS
It is possible, I suppose.
--
[EXT. LOWER TOWN - DAY]
[Morgana walks to Gwen's home.]
MORGANA
Gwen? Gwen?
[Morgana walks to Tom's forge.]
MORGANA
Gwen?
[Morgana sees the leather bag on the floor of the forge, picks it up, and pulls out the stone, it glows in her hands. Merlin senses it as he sits in a chair in his chamber. Morgana takes the stone to her chambers and puts it in a fancy box.]
--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, MERLIN’S CHAMBER - DAY]
[Morgana enters Merlin's Chamber.]
MORGANA
Merlin.
MERLIN
Morgana.
[Morgana looks at Gwen sleeping on the bed.]
MORGANA
How is she?
MERLIN
She's doing OK.
MORGANA
We should let her rest.
MERLIN (whisper)
Yeah.
[Merlin and Morgana exit his chamber.]
MERLIN
Morgana, have you spoken to Uther? He must realise this is a mistake. Whatever Tom was doing, it wasn't plotting against the King.
MORGANA
I know that. Of course I do. But Uther...Uther only sees enemies.
MERLIN
But Tom is the most gentle soul I've ever met.
MORGANA
But he was seen with Tauren, and that makes him an enemy.
[Morgana turns to leave.]
MERLIN
Then...
[Morgana stops to face him.]
MERLIN
...there's little hope?
MORGANA
There's no hope, Merlin. None at all.
--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, ARTHUR’S CHAMBERS - DAY]
[Morgana enters.]
MORGANA
Arthur?
[She walks over to the bureau and searches for a key.]
--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, DUNGEONS - DAY]
[Morgana visits Tom.]
MORGANA
I bring you no relief, Tom. I'm sorry. I came only to see you were comfortable.
TOM
How's Gwen?
MORGANA
She's a brave girl. She wishes only to see you free.
TOM
I know what Uther thinks about sorcery. I'm a dead man, aren't I?
MORGANA
I cannot see the future, only the present, and one must always seize the moment.
[Morgana hands him the key through the bars.]
MORGANA
Good luck.
--
[EXT. KING’S PALACE - DAY]
[The executioner and some guards escort some men into the Square.]
MERLIN
They're to be executed?
ARTHUR
Yes, Merlin.
MERLIN
By order of the King?
ARTHUR
They committed a serious crime.
MERLIN
Giving a man a bed for the night?!
ARTHUR
Not a man. A sorcerer.
MERLIN
Maybe they didn't know that.
ARTHUR
It is not for you to question my father's actions. Is that understood?
MERLIN
Yes, Sire.
ARTHUR
Now go get on with whatever you're meant to be doing.
--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, DUNGEONS - NIGHT]
[Tom lies awake in his cell that night. he pretends to be asleep when the guard comes by, then uses the key to escape. he sneaks through the dungeon tunnels, but the guard checks his cell again.]
GUARD
Sound the warning bell!
[Tom knocks out a guard who's closing a dungeon gate. Tom takes his sword and the warning bell tolls. Uther and Arthur enter the Council Chamber of Doom.]
UTHER
He's just proved his guilt. You will kill him on sight.
ARTHUR
But the trial, Father!
UTHER
The trial is a formality. Now I want him dead. And an end to it.
[Tom tries to sneak up the Wrought Iron Stairway, but guards come down and surround him on all sides. He drops his sword.]
TOM
Please...
[Tom goes to his knees with his hands in the air.]
GUARD
Kill him.
[Swords run him though.]
--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, MAIN SQUARE - DAY]
[Gwen's wail echoes in the Square.]
GWEN
Nooooooo...!
[She runs down the steps to her father's body, which is being carried off on a cart by a pair of guards. Morgana watches from a window above.]
GWEN
No, Father!!! No, Father!!!
--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, HEDGEHOG CHAMBER - DAY]
[Morgana waits for guards to open the doors and she storms in.]
MORGANA
You have blood on your hands, Uther Pendragon! Blood that will never wash off!
UTHER
May I remind you that you're speaking to your King.
MORGANA
May I remind you that a king is wise and just. You are neither. You rule only with the sword.
UTHER
You know nothing of what it means to be King. The fate of Camelot rests in my hands. It's my responsibility to protect the people of this land from its enemies.
MORGANA
Then the kingdom is doomed! For one by one you make enemies of us all!
UTHER
You speak treason, Morgana.
MORGANA
Only a mad man hears the truth as treason.
UTHER
Take care, child, or I'll have you restrained.
MORGANA
You just try.
--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, DUNGEONS - DAY]
[Morgana is dragged into a large prison cell by some guards and chained to the wall.]
UTHER
And you will remain here until you learn your lesson.
MORGANA
Then release me because I've learned it already! That you care not for me, or anyone but yourself! That you're driven mad with power! That you're a tyrant!
--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, MERLIN’S CHAMBER]
[Gwen sits on the bed in Merlin's Chamber, staring off into space. Merlin enters.]
MERLIN
All right?
GWEN
I just don't understand. Why did he try to escape? His trial was this morning.
[Someone knocks gently on the door. Arthur enters and Gwen stands up quickly to face him.]
GWEN
Sire.
ARTHUR
Guinevere, I...want you to know that your job is safe. And that your home is yours for life. I guarantee you that. I know that under the circumstances it's not much but, erm, anything you want, anything you need, all you have to do is ask.
[Arthur begins to leave but pauses and turns back around.]
ARTHUR
I'm sorry.
GWEN
Thank you, Sire.
--
[EXT. LOWER TOWN - NIGHT]
[Gwen walks home from the palace. She pauses to take her dress off of the clothes line before going inside. Tauren steps out from the shadows and grabs her from behind, covering her mouth.]
TAUREN (whisper)
I want the stone! Where is it?
[Gwen tries to shake her head, Tauren lifts his hand from her mouth.]
GWEN
I don't know what you're talking about. I don't know anything about...
[Tauren clamps his hand back over her mouth.]
TAUREN
Now you listen to me. In two days' time, I'll be at the Darkling Woods at dawn. You find the stone, you bring it to me, or you will die. Now, do I make myself clear?
Gwen (muffled)
(nods) Mm-hmm!
--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, PHYSICIAN’S CHAMBERS]
[Gaius flips through a book as Merlin exits his chamber.]
GAIUS
Merlin, come and take a look. I've been doing some research and found this.
MERLIN
The Mage Stone?
GAIUS
Wonder of the ancients. Lost for a thousand years or more.
MERLIN
What does it do?
GAIUS
Theoretically, it could give the bearer the power of transformation.
MERLIN
Gold. The power of alchemy.
GAIUS
Exactly. I believe it was the Mage Stone you sensed on the night of Tom's arrest.
MERLIN
Of course! Gwen said that Tauren had some kind of stone.
--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, DUNGEON - DAY]
[Morgana sits on the floor of her cell. the door opens and Arthur enters.]
MORGANA You. How proud you must be. Son of the mighty Uther. How you must look up to him. Does the King's little helper bring a message? Or have you just come to gloat?
ARTHUR Guards!
[Morgana stands up and backs away, pulling on her chains.]
MORGANA Get away from me, you cowards!
ARTHUR You're free to go.
[the guards remove her manacles and leave. She walks to the door.]
ARTHUR Morgana.
[She pauses just behind Arthur.]
MORGANA
Yes?
ARTHUR
I swore to him you'd never challenge his authority again. I swore that you'd learned your lesson. Tread carefully. Next time, I may not be able to help you.
MORGANA
Thank you. You're a better man than your father. Always were.
--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, MORGANA’S CHAMBERS - DAY]
[Morgana enters her chambers, where Gwen is sitting. Gwen goes to Morgana quickly.]
GWEN
My Lady!
MORGANA
Gwen. I didn't expect to see you here.
GWEN
What happened to you?!
MORGANA
Nothing. Well, nothing a hot bath wouldn't fix.
[Gwen sees the sores on Morgana's arms where the manacles rubbed.]
MORGANA
I spent the night in the dungeon.
GWEN
Uther.
MORGANA
He doesn't like to be challenged.
GWEN
It wasn't about my father, was it?
MORGANA
You have enough to deal with without worrying about such things.
GWEN
You shouldn't have done that! Not on my behalf. If anything happened to you, I couldn't bear it.
MORGANA
You need to go home, Gwen. Get some rest. Please.
GWEN
I'm fine, My Lady.
MORGANA
I insist.
[Gwen walks past Morgana with her head bowed, picking up a hair brush.]
MORGANA
Gwen?
[Gwen stops, her back to Morgana, trying not to cry.]
MORGANA
Gwen?
GWEN
I can't go home!
MORGANA
It's understandable to feel so alone.
GWEN
Tauren...
MORGANA
Tauren?!
GWEN
He attacked me. He threatened me. He was looking for some kind of stone.
MORGANA
Stone?
GWEN
He said if I didn't bring it to him, he'd kill me. He's waiting for me in the Darkling Woods. I have to do something. If I don't get this stone to him by dawn tomorrow...
[Morgana begins walking off purposefully.]
GWEN
What are you going to do?
MORGANA
I'm going to send the guards, of course. It won't be you that Tauren meets. It'll be the Knights of Camelot.
--
[INT/EXT. KING’S PALACE, MERLIN’S CHAMBER/MORGANA’S CHAMBERS/FOREST - NIGHT]
[Merlin wakes when he senses the Mage Stone's power as Morgana holds it in her chambers. He gets out of bed and sees her walking out of Camelot. He follows her through the Lower Town and into the woods, where she is surrounded by Tauren's men. He hides behind a tree and listens in on their conversation.]
TAUREN
Where's your maid?
MORGANA
I've come in her place.
TAUREN
Kill her.
MORGANA
No! Wait! I brought the Stone!
[Morgana reaches for the stone.]
TAUREN
What else have you brought, My Lady? The Knights of Camelot?
MORGANA
I came alone, I promise you.
TAUREN
Give me the stone.
[Morgana hands it over.]
TAUREN
You were foolish to come here. I had no quarrel with your maid. But you, My Lady Morgana, you are Uther's ward.
[He draws his sword and puts it to her stomach.]
MORGANA
If you kill me, you'll regret it.
TAUREN
Why is that?
MORGANA
Because I want Uther dead, too.
TAUREN
You? An enemy of the King? And I'm to believe that?
MORGANA
Why else would I be here?
TAUREN
I can only guess at your motives, My Lady. You could be a spy, for all I know.
MORGANA
And this...
[She flips back her sleeves, revealing her sore, bruised wrists.]
MORGANA
Is it usual for Uther to chain his friends to a dungeon wall? The stone. You took it to the forge. Why?
TAUREN
With it a man can alter the very essence of things. He can turn a lump of lead into gold.
MORGANA
Gold? A good man died in your quest for riches, Tauren. His daughter is now an orphan.
TAUREN
I'm sorry for that. Truly. But we did not want the gold to line our pockets.
The gold was but a means, a means to rid this kingdom of Uther Pendragon once and for all.
MORGANA
What are you saying?
TAUREN
Bribery is rife at Camelot. I will use the corruption at the heart of his kingdom, and such abundance of gold will buy me into the King's chambers, even to the King himself.
MORGANA
The guards may be fools, Tauren, but the King is not.
TAUREN
Do you have a better plan?
MORGANA
To get to Uther, you need someone close to him.
TAUREN
And you know of such a person?
MORGANA
I do. Me.
--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, PHYSICIAN'S CHAMBERS - NIGHT]
[ Merlin stares into his bowl at dinner.]
GAIUS Pass the salt, please.
[Merlin hands him an apple without looking.]
GAIUS
You all right?
MERLIN
What? Yeah. I've just got a few things on my mind, that's all.
GAIUS
Anything you'd like to talk to me about?
MERLIN
I can't imagine you'd be interested.
GAIUS
So long as you're sure.
MERLIN
I should be getting to work.
[Merlin gets up and heads to the door behind him.]
GAIUS
Er, Merlin?
[Merlin stops and turns.]
GAIUS
That's a broom cupboard.
--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, DRAGON’S CAVE - NIGHT]
[Merlin walks down the Tunnel Stairway with a torch and enters the Dragon's Cave. Kilgharrah is sleeping. Merlin clears his throat pointedly. The dragon stirs.]
KILGHARRAH
Well, young warlock, what is it you come to ask of me?
MERLIN
I need your help.
KILGHARRAH
Of course you do, but this time, will you heed my words?
MERLIN
The sorcerer Tauren is plotting to kill the King. He's made an ally of Morgana. I don't know what to do!
KILGHARRAH
Do...nothing.
MERLIN
What do you mean? If I do nothing, Uther will die.
KILGHARRAH
Don't you want Uther dead? It is Uther that persecutes you and your kind, Merlin. It is Uther that murders the innocent...
MERLIN
But surely that doesn't make it right to kill him.
KILGHARRAH
Only if Uther dies can magic return to the land. Only if Uther dies will you be free, Merlin. Uther's reign is at an end. Let Arthur's reign begin. Fulfil your destiny!
[The dragon flies off.]
MERLIN
Wait! Where does it say my destiny includes murder?
KILGHARRAH
Free this land from tyranny, Merlin! Free us all!
--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, COUNCIL CHAMBER OF DOOM - NIGHT]
[Uther eats alone. Morgana enters.]
UTHER
I didn't expect to see you. You wish to say something?
MORGANA
I came to apologise, My Lord.
UTHER
Good.
[Morgana stiffens.]
MORGANA
I didn't mean to rile you. I thought only of Gwen. The poor girl is all alone in the world.
UTHER
It was not my intention to hurt your maid.
MORGANA
I know. But now she suffers, and I know how she must suffer.
UTHER
Morgana...
MORGANA
I only meant, I know what it's like to lose a father.
UTHER
That was a terrible day. Your father was a great friend. I had no part in his death.
MORGANA
You sent him into battle. You promised him reinforcements and then gave him none. You sent him to his death.
UTHER
That is not true. It was never my intention.
MORGANA
But it happened! And it keeps on happening.
UTHER
Morgana!
MORGANA
I'm sorry, My Lord.
[Morgana turns to leave, looking upset, but her expression clears when she faces the door.]
--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, PHYSICIAN'S CHAMBERS]
MERLIN
Do you think Uther's a good king?
GAIUS
Sorry?
MERLIN
*Ahem* Uther. Do you think he's good for the kingdom?
GAIUS
Yes. Yes, I do. In the light of recent events, you may find that hard to believe.
MERLIN
Hard? No. Impossible? Definitely.
GAIUS
Merlin...
MERLIN
Everyone hates him.
GAIUS
It is not Uther's job to be liked. It is Uther's job to protect the kingdom. Most of his methods are right. Sometimes he may go too far.
MERLIN
Really? You mean like executing anyone who even passes a sorcerer on the street?
GAIUS
Yes. But despite Uther's failings, he has brought peace and prosperity to this kingdom.
MERLIN
But at what cost? At the cost of women and children, fathers and sons! When will it end?
GAIUS
It will end when Arthur is King.
MERLIN
Then why not let that time be now? Why not let Arthur be King?
GAIUS
Arthur's not ready. The responsibility would be too great. Brave though he may be, he lacks experience, he lacks judgment. Is there anything you want to tell me?
MERLIN
I can't...I, I just...No, I can't. You've just got to trust me. Gaius, it's something I've got to work out for myself.
GAIUS
I do trust you, Merlin. Whatever it is, I know you'll make the right decision.
--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, THRONE ROOM/GRIFFIN STAIRCASE - DAY]
[Uther watches from a Throne Room window as Morgana walks down the palace steps into the Square with Gwen. Morgana walks down the curved steps from her chambers to the Griffin Landing, Uther rounds the corner behind her.]
UTHER
Morgana!
[Morgana stops, but doesn't turn around.]
UTHER
I'm not disturbing you, I hope?
MORGANA
Not at all.
UTHER
These are difficult times. They put a strain on us all.
MORGANA
Yes, My Lord.
UTHER
I cannot tell you how much it pains me to be at odds with you.
MORGANA
And I with you.
UTHER
I've been thinking about what you said. And, er, I realise I may have been insensitive. I should have foreseen the distress that your maid's loss would cause you, that it would stir old memories. I've opened an old wound. For that, I'm sorry.
[Morgana goes to Uther.]
MORGANA
My Lord, it gladdens my heart to hear these words. I too wish to heal these wounds. Let us visit my father's grave together and put the past behind us.
UTHER
Nothing would give me greater happiness.
MORGANA
Shall we leave tomorrow at first light?
UTHER
I will make arrangements.
--
[EXT. KING’S PALACE, ENTRANCE - NIGHT]
[Morgana meets Tauren outside the palace walls at night.]
TAUREN
So, My Lady, what news?
MORGANA
Uther has fallen for the bait. We ride out in the morning for the Old Cairn on the hill.
TAUREN
Are you sure you're committed to this?
MORGANA
More than ever I want Uther dead as much as you. As much as anyone in this rotten kingdom of his.
TAUREN
Then the deed is as good as done.
[Merlin sees Tauren leave and sneaks back behind the castle wall.]
--
[EXT/INT. KING’S PALACE, MAIN SQUARE/ARTHUR’S CHAMBERS - DAY]
[Uther and Morgana's party rides out of the Square the next morning. Merlin watches from Arthur's Chambers. Gwen walks past and notices him staring out the window.]
GWEN
Merlin?
MERLIN
Gwen. How are you doing?
GWEN
I was about to ask you the same question.
MERLIN
I'm fine. Fine.
[Gwen looks out the window at the riding party.]
GWEN
Morgana's been amazing these last few days.
MERLIN
I think you've been amazing. After all that's happened, getting your life back together...
GWEN
It's better than sitting in an empty house, waiting for my father to walk through the door. The thing I find hardest to bear is that people will always think he was guilty because he tried to escape.
MERLIN
I know he was innocent.
GWEN
I think he tried to escape because he knew that whatever he said or did he'd be killed. Uther had already made up his mind. That's the kind of man he is.
MERLIN
I wouldn't blame you if you wanted him dead.
GWEN
If Uther died I'd feel nothing. He means nothing to me.
MERLIN
But if you had...you know...the choice, what would you do? If you had the power of life and death over Uther, would you kill him? For what he did?
GWEN
No!
MERLIN
No?
GWEN
What would that solve? That would make me a murderer. That would make me as bad as him.
MERLIN
You're right. Of course you're right.
[Merlin runs out of the room.]
GWEN
Is anything wrong?!
MERLIN
No, no! See you later!
--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, MERLIN’S CHAMBER - DAY]
[Merlin runs into his chamber and grabs Sophia Tír-Mòr's staff from under his bed.
--
[EXT. GORLOIS’S GRAVE - DAY]
[Tauren and his men hide behind trees in the forest that the riding party passes through. Morgana and Uther dismount at the bottom of the hill.]
MORGANA
Do you think that we could have some privacy?
UTHER
Fine. Wait here. We're in no danger.
GUARD
Sire.
[Merlin runs through the woods with the staff. Morgana and Uther climb the hill to the gravesite. Merlin approaches their horses and finds the Camelot guards dead; he sees the renegades pursuing Uther. Morgana kneels at Gorlois's gravestone.]
MORGANA
Father.
[Uther sticks his sword in the ground. Merlin approaches the renegades and raises the staff.]
MERLIN (whisper)
Ácwele!
[A bolt of energy shoots out and kills one of the renegades, the other one draws his sword and Merlin shoots him, too. Uther approaches the grave and places his hand on Morgana's head.]
UTHER
Your father was the greatest man I've ever known. He stood for everything this kingdom represents. Truth, justice, valour. A hundred times he saved my life on the battlefield. His courage and his honour were without equal.
[Uther kneels and kisses gravestone.]
UTHER
When Gorlois died, I lost the truest friend I ever had. For he was as fearless in questioning my judgment as he was in defending my kingdom. That's the mark of a true friend.
MORGANA
I know how he respected you, My Lord. But I don't share these memories. How can I? I was ten years old. I only know I loved him and he was taken from me.
UTHER
When he died, and I took you into my care, you fought me from the beginning. Your will is as strong as my own. You challenge me as a friend must. As your father did in his time.
MORGANA
And when I do, you clap me in irons.
UTHER
I know I'm not an easy man. My temper blinds me sometimes. There are things that I regret.
MORGANA
Gwen's father?
UTHER
Yes.
[Morgana looks at Uther, surprised.]
MORGANA
Are you saying you were wrong to have Tom killed?
UTHER
Yes.
[Tauren watches them from behind a tree, but he hears Merlin sneaking up behind him. He moves and pulls out the Mage Stone.]
MERLIN
Ácwele!
[Merlin raises the staff and shoot, but Tauren absorbs the energy bolt with the Stone and sends it back at Merlin. Merlin is knocked unconscious. Tauren sneaks up behind Uther.]
UTHER
I will strive to listen to you more and quarrel with you less. You've been a blessing to me, Morgana. You are the daughter I never had. Your counsel is invaluable, as is your friendship and your love. Without you, I cannot hope to be the king this land deserves
MORGANA
My Lord...!
UTHER
Please forgive me, Morgana.
[Morgana sees Tauren sneaking up behind Uther with a raised sword.]
MORGANA
No! No!
[Uther blocks the blow and wrestles with Tauren. Merlin wakes. Tauren pins Uther down and draws a dagger, which Uther tries to block.]
TAUREN
Die, Uther Pendragon!
[Merlin approaches with the staff, but Tauren is stabbed in the back. Uther pushes him off and Morgana drops the dagger. Merlin climbs the bottom of the hill to see Uther hugging Morgana.]
--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, PHYSICIAN’S CHAMBERS]
[Merlin enters.]
GAIUS
Ah, busy day?
MERLIN
Had its moments.
GAIUS
I hear that Tauren tried to assassinate Uther.
MERLIN
That's what I hear.
GAIUS
And that Morgana saved him. How many men were there? Three? Four?
MERLIN
Yeah, something like that.
GAIUS
Morgana must have shown extraordinary courage to have defended a king against such odds. I suppose you had nothing to do with it?
MERLIN
Oh, you know. Just background stuff.
GAIUS
No need to be so modest, Merlin.
MERLIN
Sorry.
GAIUS
It's not a criticism. It's a compliment.
MERLIN
Right. Thanks, Gaius.
-----------------------------------------------
Note: incantations found at Merlin Wiki
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