1.9 Excalibur SCRIPT

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.

--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, BURIAL VAULTS – NIGHT]

NIMUEH
Gehíere mé' wan cniht áwæce. Beo strangra ond steacra for brecþ wáne. úprærest wærc, Uther Pendragon.

[The tomb Nimueh is standing next to cracks and a gauntlet hand breaks through.]

--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, HALL OF CEREMONIES – NIGHT]
[Arthur kneels before Uther. Gwen stands next to Merlin in the crowd.]

UTHER
Do you solemnly swear to govern the people of this kingdom and its dominions according to the statutes, customs and laws laid down by your forebears?

ARTHUR
I do, Sire.

UTHER
Do you promise to exercise mercy and justice in your deeds and judgments?

ARTHUR
I do, Sire.

UTHER
And do you swear allegiance to Camelot, now and for as long as you shall live?

ARTHUR
I, Arthur Pendragon, do pledge life and limb to your service and to the protection of the kingdom and its peoples.

UTHER
Now being of age and heir apparent, from henceforth, you shall be Crown Prince of Camelot.

[The court applauds. Arthur stands up and faces the crowd.]

GWEN
So how does it feel to be servant to the Crown Prince of Camelot?

MERLIN
Washing his royal socks will be even more of a privilege.

GWEN
You're proud of him, really. Even though you complain about him constantly.

MERLIN
I am not.

GWEN
You are. I can see it in your face.

MERLIN
Those socks are very clean! Of course I'm proud of them.

[Gwen laughs. a Black Knight on a horse bursts through the stained-glass window. Arthur and the knights draw their swords.]

UTHER
What in the devil's name?

[The horse walks to Arthur and the Black Knight throws down a gauntlet. Uther sees the crest on the Black Knight's shield with surprise. Arthur sheathes his sword to pick up the gauntlet, but another knight gets there first.]

SIR OWAIN
I, Sir Owain, accept your challenge.

TRISTAN
Single combat. Noon tomorrow. Till the death.

[The Black Knight rides out.]

MERLIN
Have you ever seen this Black Knight before?

GAIUS
I don't believe so.

MERLIN
You didn't recognise his crest?

GAIUS
Crest?

MERLIN
Which house is it?

GAIUS
I'm not sure. I didn't see it that clearly.

MERLIN
But he's not someone you'd forget in a hurry, is he?

GAIUS
No.

MERLIN
So you don't think he's from around here?

GAIUS
That would seem likely.

MERLIN
Then what's he doing here?

GAIUS
Merlin, your faith in my all-seeing knowledge is both touching and wholly misplaced. Maybe if you've finished your work, you could go to bed and leave me to finish mine.

MERLIN
OK, I'm going. Gaius?

GAIUS
Merlin.

MERLIN
Do you think Owain can beat him?

GAIUS
We'll find out soon enough.

--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, MORGANA’S CHAMBERS]
[Arthur speaks with Morgana and Gwen.]

ARTHUR
He shouldn't have picked up the gauntlet!

MORGANA
So put an end to it.

ARTHUR
The challenge has been taken up. The fight cannot be stopped.

MORGANA
Then fight in his place.

ARTHUR
I can't.

MORGANA
Why not?

ARTHUR
Owain picked up the gauntlet. Owain is the one who must fight. That's the Knight's Code. He knew that.

MORGANA
But it's a fight to the death!

ARTHUR
I know.

--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, HALL OF RECORDS]

GEOFFREY
Gaius. Thank God.

GAIUS
You know why I'm here?

GEOFFREY
The Black Knight.

GAIUS
So it is he?

GEOFFREY
You saw his crest?

GAIUS
Have you confirmed it?

GEOFFREY
It is the crest of Tristan Dubois.

GAIUS
And he is the only knight ever to have carried such a crest?

GEOFFREY
Yes. According to the records.

--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, COUNCIL CHAMBER OF DOOM – NIGHT]
[Uther sits alone with his sword on the table in front of him. The door opens and Uther reaches for his sword for a moment. Gaius enters.]

UTHER
Yes?

GAIUS
I'm sorry to disturb you, Sire.

UTHER
What is it?

GAIUS
The knight, the stranger. He bears the crest of Tristan Dubois.

UTHER
Yes.

GAIUS
But he's been dead for 20 years.

UTHER
I know. I killed him.

GAIUS
But how do you explain...?

UTHER
Dead men do not return.

--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, SIR OWAIN’S CHAMBERS – DAY]
[Tristan Dubois stands on the grounds in front of the castle the next morning. Merlin and Arthur help Sir Owain prepare for the fight.]

ARTHUR
You've never fought in mortal combat before. It's different. It's not like the training I've been giving you.

SIR OWAIN
Yeah, I know.

ARTHUR
Listen to me. The problem is, we've never seen him fight. You have to quickly get the measure of him.

SIR OWAIN
But I have the same advantage. He's never seen me fight.

ARTHUR
True.

SIR OWAIN
You've watched me.

ARTHUR
Yes.

SIR OWAIN
And?

ARTHUR
And I know no one braver. Remember, all it takes to kill a man is one well-aimed blow.

[The door opens. Gwen enters and curtsies to Owain.]

GWEN
The Lady Morgana asked me to give you this token. She wishes you to wear it for luck.

SIR OWAIN
You can thank her, and tell her I shall wear it with pride. But I won't need luck.

--
[EXT. TOURNAMENT GROUNDS – DAY]
[Tristan Dubois waits in the arena. Arthur walks into the tournament grounds with Sir Owain.]

ARTHUR
Now remember, find the flow of the fight; try to control it.

[They enter the arena.]

ARTHUR
The fight shall be to the knight's rules! To the death!

[Arthur sidles into the stands.]

ARTHUR
Let battle commence!

[Tristan and Owain fight.]

GWEN
Come on, Owain!

ARTHUR
One well-aimed blow!

[Owain stabs Tristan in the gut.]

MERLIN
Yes!

[Tristan keeps fighting and kills Owain. the crowd gasps in horror. Morgana's favour flutters on the ground. Tristan faces the crowd and takes off his glove.]

TRISTAN
Who will take up my challenge?

[Tristan throws down his gauntlet. Arthur tries to bolt over the barrier of the stands, but his father grabs him. Another knight jumps over the stands and takes up the gauntlet.]

PELLINOR
I, Sir Pellinor, take up the challenge.

TRISTAN
So be it.

[Tristan exits the arena. Merlin watches him leave.]

MERLIN
Should we tend to his wounds? He took a hit.

GAIUS
Owain didn't land a blow.

MERLIN
No, I saw it. The sword definitely pierced him.

GAIUS
Are you sure?

MERLIN
My eyes are quicker than yours. He should be dead.

GAIUS
Perhaps he already is.

--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, COUNCIL CHAMBER OF DOOM – DAY]
[Uther and Arthur enter.]

ARTHUR
Why did you stop me?!

UTHER
We have to give our knights the chance to prove themselves.

ARTHUR
Have you seen how this stranger fights?!

UTHER
And Sir Pellinor is more than a match for him.

ARTHUR
He's not recovered from the wounds he suffered at Othanden!

UTHER
I can't help that.

ARTHUR
So you send him to his death?

UTHER
It was his choice to take up the gauntlet! I am not to blame.

--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, BURIAL VAULTS]
[Merlin and Gaius enter the Tunnel Corridor to the Burial Vaults.]

MERLIN
Are you sure we should be doing this?

GAIUS
You're not scared, are you?

MERLIN
No, I love old crypts. I wouldn't be seen dead anywhere else.

[The door slams behind them.]

GAIUS
Must've been a gust of wind.

MERLIN
We should've brought a torch.

MERLIN
Leohtbora.

[Merlin lights a torch sitting in the wall of the Tunnel Corridor.]

GAIUS
Huh. Handy!

MERLIN
Yes.

[Merlin and Gaius walk among the graves.]

MERLIN
What are we looking for?

GAIUS
Bring your torch over here.

MERLIN
We're breaking into someone's grave?

[Gaius sees the open tomb.]

GAIUS
We're too late. I think someone's already broken out.

--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, PHYSICIAN'S CHAMBERS]

GAIUS
Tristan Dubois was the brother of Ygraine, Uther's wife.

MERLIN
Arthur's mother?

GAIUS
Ygraine died in childbirth. He blamed Uther and came to the gates of Camelot and challenged him.

MERLIN
To single combat.

GAIUS
Uther won. But in his dying breath, Tristan cursed Camelot to one day suffer his return. I thought it was the ramblings of a dying man.

MERLIN
Men don't just rise up from the dead, though, no matter how angry they are.

[Gaius opens a book.]

GAIUS
It's my guess we're dealing with a wraith.

MERLIN
A wraith?

GAIUS
The spirit of a dead man conjured from the grave.

MERLIN
So this is the work of a sorcerer?

GAIUS
Powerful magic can harness the grief and rage of a tormented soul and make it live again.

MERLIN
How do we stop it?

GAIUS
We can't. Because it's not alive, no mortal weapon can kill it.

MERLIN
Surely there must be something.

GAIUS
Nothing can stop it until it has achieved what it came for.

MERLIN
And what's that?

GAIUS
Revenge.

MERLIN
On Camelot? What does that mean for Sir Pellinor?

GAIUS
I'm afraid it doesn't look good.

--
[EXT. TOURNAMENT GROUNDS – DAY]
[Sir Pellinor fights Tristan Dubois in the arena. Sir Pellinor is doing well and the crowd cheers.]

MERLIN
Maybe you were wrong.

GAIUS
I hope so.

[Sir Pellinor runs Tristan through. Tristan does not fall.]

GWEN
The sword went in, I'm sure of it.

MORGANA
I saw, too.

[Tristan kills Pellinor, crowd groans. Tristan turns to the crowd. Arthur throws his gauntlet down, Uther tries to stop it.]

ARTHUR
I, Arthur Pendragon, challenge you.

TRISTAN
So be it.

ARTHUR
Single combat. Noon. Tomorrow.

--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, COUNCIL CHAMBER OF DOOM]
[Uther enters. Arthur is waiting.]

UTHER
How could you be so stupid? I'll revoke the challenge.

ARTHUR
No. The Knight's Code must be upheld. That's what you told me.

UTHER
This is different.

ARTHUR
Once the challenge has been laid down it cannot be rescinded.

UTHER
You are Crown Prince.

ARTHUR
There cannot be one rule for me and one for all the rest.

UTHER
I forbid you to fight.

ARTHUR
You want me to prove that I'm worthy of the throne. I cannot do that by being a coward.

UTHER
No, Arthur, this will be your death!

ARTHUR
I'm sorry you have so little faith in me, Father.

[Arthur leaves.]

UTHER
Arthur!

--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, PHYSICIAN'S CHAMBERS]

MERLIN
You were right.

GAIUS
I wish I wasn't.

MERLIN
If Arthur fights that thing, he'll die.

GAIUS
He is Camelot's strongest warrior. If anyone can defeat it, he can.

MERLIN
You said yourself, no mortal weapon can kill it. Which means we have to find a way to defeat the wraith ourselves.

GAIUS
How do you propose to do that?

MERLIN
If no mortal sword will kill it... then I will.

[Merlin runs to his chamber to fetch his magic book.]

MERLIN
With mortal magic.

GAIUS
Merlin, it's too dangerous.

MERLIN
We don't have a choice.

--
[EXT/INT. TRAINING GROUNDS/COUNCIL CHAMBER OF DOOM – NIGHT]
[Tristan Dubois stands motionless outside. Uther paces the Council Chamber. Gaius enters and bows.]

GAIUS
Good evening, Sire.

UTHER
Gaius.

GAIUS
There is a matter of great urgency, which I must discuss with you.

UTHER
Then spit it out.

GAIUS
Tristan's tomb is empty. I believe he's been conjured from the dead.

UTHER
How is this possible?

GAIUS
I believe he's a wraith.

UTHER
A spirit?

GAIUS
He has come to take vengeance for Ygraine's death.

UTHER
It was magic that killed her, not I.

GAIUS
Nevertheless, it was you he blamed. You cannot allow Arthur to fight. No weapon forged by man can kill a wraith. It will stop at nothing till it has accomplished what it came for. Arthur cannot win, he will die.

UTHER
He will not listen to me.

GAIUS
Then you must tell him who the knight is.

UTHER
No.

GAIUS
You cannot hide the truth forever.

UTHER
I am the King. You will not tell me what I can and cannot do.

GAIUS
That is your choice, Sire. You tell him, or let him go to his death.

UTHER
No one but you or I will ever know the secret of Arthur's birth.

GAIUS
The boy is of age, he should know.

UTHER
Never! You made an oath. I warn you not to break it.

GAIUS
Very well, Sire.

UTHER
Leave me.

--
[EXT. TRAINING GROUNDS – NIGHT]
[Merlin approaches Tristan.]

MERLIN
Cume her fyrbryne.

[Merlin lights Tristan on fire. the fire fades and Tristan remains unscathed. Tristan looks at Merlin and growls. Merlin runs.]

--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, ARTHUR’S CHAMBERS – NIGHT]
[Merlin bursts into the room.]

ARTHUR
Merlin, you know that conversation we had about knocking...

MERLIN
You have to pull out.

ARTHUR
And why is that?

MERLIN
Because he'll kill you.

ARTHUR
Why does everybody think that?

MERLIN
Because they're right! Just pull out. You're the Crown Prince. No one wants to see you die over some stupid challenge.

ARTHUR
I am not a coward.

MERLIN
I know that. I've stood there and I've watched you overcome every fear you've ever faced.

ARTHUR
That's what's required of me.

MERLIN
But you are more than that. You're not merely a warrior. You're a prince, a future king! You've proved your courage, but you must prove your wisdom.

ARTHUR
I'm not backing down.

MERLIN
Please, Arthur, listen to me. This is no ordinary knight. Look at him. He doesn't eat, he doesn't sleep. He just stands there, in complete silence. Doesn't that tell you something?

ARTHUR
No one is unbeatable.

MERLIN
If you fight him, you will die.

ARTHUR
I'm not listening to this.

MERLIN
I'm trying to warn you, Arthur.

ARTHUR
And I'm trying to warn YOU, Merlin!

--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, COUNCIL CHAMBER OF DOOM – NIGHT]
[Uther drinks alone. The candles blow out and Uther turns to see Nimueh.]

UTHER
I should've known.

NIMUEH
It is more than I'd hoped for, Uther. Soon Arthur will be slain. You will have sent him to his death.

UTHER
Haven't you tired of revenge?

NIMUEH
Haven't you? You began this war when you threw me from the court and slaughtered all of my kind.

UTHER
You brought it on yourselves. You practised evil.

NIMUEH
I was your friend, Uther! You welcomed me here.

UTHER
You betrayed that friendship.

NIMUEH
I did as you asked! I used the magic you so despise to give your barren wife the son you craved.

UTHER
Don't ever speak of her in that way. She was my heart, my soul. And you took her from me.

NIMUEH
She died giving birth to your son. It was not my choice. That is the law of magic. To create a life, there had to be a death. The balance of the world had to be repaid.

UTHER
You knew it would kill her.

NIMUEH
No, you're wrong. If I had foreseen her death, and the terrible retribution you would seek... I would never have granted your wish.

UTHER
I wish you hadn't.

NIMUEH
You wish you didn't have a son? Well, your wish will come true tomorrow.

UTHER
I will not let you take him.

NIMUEH
I have watched so many people I love die at your hands, Uther Pendragon. Now it is your turn.

--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, HALL OF RECORDS – NIGHT]
[Merlin searching through old tomes.]

GEOFFREY
How did you get in here?

MERLIN
The door was open.

GEOFFREY
No, I locked it.

MERLIN
Well, someone else must've opened it, then.

GEOFFREY
And you thought you'd come in and help yourself?

MERLIN
I was looking for a book. For Gaius. He thinks the Black Knight is a wraith.

GEOFFREY
Then Arthur is in grave peril.

MERLIN
Which is why I'm here. I need to find a weapon that will kill something that's already dead.

GEOFFREY
Well, I've read of such things in the ancient chronicles.

MERLIN
Really? What did they say?

GEOFFREY
Well, several fables speak of ancient swords.

MERLIN
That can kill the dead?

GEOFFREY
The swords the fables speak of could destroy anything, alive or dead.

MERLIN
Can you show me one of these fables?

GEOFFREY
Well, let me think. Yes. Mm...

[Geoffrey searches a shelf.]

MERLIN
I'm sort of in a hurry.

GEOFFREY
Yes, you young people always are.

[Geoffrey flips through a book.]

GEOFFREY
This is the Chronicle of Beltain. Now then... Ah, here we are. "Sir Marhaus looked upon the great sword, begotten in the dragon's breath and found it passing good."

MERLIN
What did you say?

GEOFFREY
"Sir Marhaus..."

MERLIN
No. No, no. No, no. Not about him. The dragon.

GEOFFREY
"The great sword begotten in the dragon's breath...

[Merlin takes off.]

GEOFFREY
...and found it passing good."

--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, MORGANA’S CHAMBERS – NIGHT]
[Gwen opens Morgana's door to see Merlin standing outside.]

GWEN
Merlin. What are you doing here?

MERLIN
I've come to ask a favour.

GWEN
Yes?

MERLIN
I'm not sure how to ask it.

GWEN
Ask, Merlin. You know I'd grant you anything. I mean, not anything. Obviously, not anything. What is it you want?

MERLIN
I've come to ask for a sword. The strongest sword your father's ever made.

GWEN
What for?

MERLIN
To save Arthur.

--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, ARTHUR’S CHAMBERS – NIGHT]
[Arthur stares out the window in his chambers at Tristan Dubois. Morgana enters.]

MORGANA
I don't want you to fight tomorrow.

ARTHUR (snort)
You're worried about me?

MORGANA
I don't know what it is. Please, I'm begging you.

ARTHUR
I have to do this. It's my duty.

MORGANA
I understand.

--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, PHYSICIAN'S CHAMBERS – NIGHT]
[Uther enters.]

UTHER
I'm sorry. You knew that one day this business would come back to haunt me.

GAIUS
Not quite so literally.

UTHER
I should've listened to you. You said that no good would come of using witchcraft at Arthur's birth.

GAIUS
You wanted an heir. You thought it was the only way.

UTHER
Nimueh told me there would be a price to pay.

GAIUS
You weren't to know that that price would be Ygraine's life.

UTHER
I cannot let Arthur die.

GAIUS
Then you must stop the fight.

UTHER
No, I will take his place.

GAIUS
Do you know what you're saying?

UTHER
Ygraine gave up her life for him. So must I.

GAIUS
Uther...

UTHER
I have no other choice.

GAIUS
There must be another way.

UTHER
My death will stop the wraith and Arthur will live. But it means you are the only person left who knows the truth about Arthur's birth. I want you to swear to me that you will keep your oath.

GAIUS
I will take it to my grave.

UTHER
You have always been a good friend, despite my temper.

GAIUS
I always thought that would be the death of you.

UTHER
I have one other favour to ask.

--
[INT. GWEN’S HOUSE – NIGHT]
[Gwen pulls a sword out from under her father's bed.]

GWEN
My father's been saving this. He's always said it was the best sword he's ever made.

MERLIN
It's perfect.

GWEN
He'll kill me if he finds I've taken it.

MERLIN
He'll understand. You did it for Arthur.

GWEN
I knew you were proud of him really.

--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, DRAGON’S CAVE – NIGHT]
[Merlin takes the sword to the Dragon's Cave.]

KILGHARRAH
Merlin!

MERLIN
Do you know why I'm here?

KILGHARRAH
It may surprise you, Merlin, but my knowledge of your life is not universal.

MERLIN
It's to do with Arthur. His life's in danger. He will die, unless I can make a weapon that will kill the dead.

KILGHARRAH
So what do you come to ask of me?

[Merlin floats the sword in front of Kilgharrah.]

MERLIN
Will you burnish it, to save Arthur?

KILGHARRAH
The dead do not return without reason. Who has he come for?

MERLIN
Uther.

KILGHARRAH
Then let him take his vengeance and the wraith will die without my aid.

MERLIN
But it's Arthur who's going to fight him. You have to save him.

KILGHARRAH
That is your destiny, young warlock, not mine.

MERLIN
But if Arthur fights the wraith and dies, Camelot will have no heir. I will have no destiny.

KILGHARRAH
A weapon forged with my assistance will have great power.

MERLIN
I know.

KILGHARRAH
You do not know. You can only guess. You have not seen what I have seen. If you had, perhaps you would not ask this of me.

MERLIN
What do you mean?

KILGHARRAH
In the wrong hands, this sword could do great evil. It must be wielded by Arthur and him alone.

MERLIN
I understand.

KILGHARRAH
You must do more than understand. You must promise.

MERLIN
I promise.

[Kilgharrah breathes fire on the sword.]

KILGHARRAH
Heed my words. The sword was forged for Arthur, and him alone.

--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, UTHER’S CHAMBERS – NIGHT]
[Uther stares out his window at Tristan.

--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, ARTHUR’S CHAMBERS – NIGHT]
[Gaius knocks on Arthur's door.]

GAIUS
I've brought you something that might help you to sleep.

[Gaius enters.]

ARTHUR
I'm fine. I don't need it.

GAIUS
Here. It'll relax you, take the edge off your nerves.

[Arthur drinks it.]

ARTHUR
I wouldn't drink it for pleasure.

GAIUS
Why don't you sit down for a moment?

ARTHUR
Mind you, if you...forget about the taste, the, er, after-effect is quite pleasurable.

GAIUS
Just lie back.

[Arthur passes out on the bed. Gaius leaves the room and lock's the door.]

--
[EXT. TOURNAMENT GROUNDS – DAY]
[Tristan Dubois waits for Arthur in the arena the next morning.]

--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, ARMOURY – DAY]
[Merlin picks up Excalibur. Uther enters.]

UTHER
That's a fine blade.

MERLIN
It's for Arthur.

UTHER
He won't be needing it today. I will be taking Arthur's place.

MERLIN
But Sire...

UTHER
Prepare me for battle.

MERLIN
Arthur should be the one that fights today.

UTHER
The grievance was with me, the fight is mine.

MERLIN
I don't have your armour.

UTHER
That'll do. It's likely to make little difference.

MERLIN
Erm, I--I'll get you your sword.

UTHER
This will be fine.

MERLIN
No, Sire. You don't understand. Erm, That one was made specifically for Arthur.

UTHER
Who made it?

MERLIN
Erm, er, Tom, the blacksmith.

UTHER
It's worthy of a King.

MERLIN
You would be better off with a sword you trusted.

UTHER
No. It has almost perfect balance. Tom's not the Royal Swordsmith. I'm surprised Arthur went to him.

MERLIN
Oh, that was me. I felt he needed a better sword.

UTHER
You show him the most extraordinary loyalty.

MERLIN
That is my job, Sire.

UTHER
But beyond the line of duty.

MERLIN
Well... You could say...that there is a bond between us.

UTHER
I'm glad. Look after him.

--
[EXT. TOURNAMENT GROUNDS - DAY]
[Uther enters the arena. the crowd murmurs in surprise.]

UTHER
You can have what you came for. The father, not the son.

[A guard removes Uther's cape. Arthur sleeps in his chambers. Yhe fight begins. Arthur wakes in his bed to the sound of swords clashing. Arthur hears the sound and goes to the window. The fight continues. Arthur tries to get out of his room, but it's still locked. The fight continues. Arthur struggles against the door. Uther knocks off Tristan's helmet to reveal the mummified face. Nimueh watches in the crowd. Uther loses his sword. Tristan has him on the ground, but his sword gets stuck in Uther's shield. Uther kicks his shield at Tristan, grabs Excalibur and runs him through. Tristan explodes. Nimueh leaves angrily. Uther gets up and removes his helm and the crowd cheers. Uther tosses Excalibur on the ground.]

--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, COUNCIL CHAMBER OF DOOM – DAY]
[Gaius tends Uther’s wounds.]

UTHER
I thought you said a wraith couldn't be killed.

GAIUS
Yes, it was remarkable.

[Gaius notices Excalibur on the table.]

GAIUS
Is that a new sword, Sire?

UTHER
It's the best I've ever fought with.

GAIUS
May I have a look?

UTHER
I was intrigued by those markings.

GAIUS
On one side it says, "Take me up," and on the other, "Cast me away."

UTHER
What does that mean?

GAIUS
May I ask who made it, Sire?

UTHER
Merlin gave it to me. It was forged for Arthur.

[Arthur enters.]

GAIUS
Well, that should heal pretty quickly. I'll re-dress it tomorrow.

UTHER
Thank you, Gaius. Thank you for everything.

ARTHUR
You had Gaius drug me! I was meant to fight him!

UTHER
No, you weren't.

ARTHUR
But the Knight's Code is very clea...

UTHER
Be damned! I believed you would die. And that was a risk I could not take. You are too precious to me. You mean more to me than anything I know, more than this entire kingdom, and certainly more than my own life.

ARTHUR
I... always thought that...

UTHER
What?

ARTHUR
That...I was a big disappointment to you.

UTHER
Well, that is my fault, and not yours. You are my only son. And I wouldn't wish for another.

ARTHUR
I heard you fought pretty well.

UTHER
Thanks.

ARTHUR
You should join us for training. Sort out your footwork.

UTHER
I'll show you footwork.

[Uther gets up and playfully kicks Arthur.]

--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, PHYSICIAN'S CHAMBERS – NIGHT]
[Gaius staring at Merlin while they eat.]

GAIUS
You know why I'm looking at you.

MERLIN
No.

GAIUS
Uther told me you provided him with his sword today.

MERLIN
It must have been a very powerful blade to slay the dead.

GAIUS
Did you enchant it?

MERLIN
No. I didn't.

GAIUS
Who did then?

MERLIN
Wasn't me.

GAIUS
Shame. It saved the King's life, I'd have been very proud of you.

MERLIN
Well...

GAIUS
Never mind.

[Gaius gives Merlin a knowing smile.]

--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, MERLIN’S CHAMBER – NIGHT]
[The Great Dragon calls to Merlin in his sleep.]

KILGHARRAH
Merlin! Merlin...Merlin!

--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, DRAGON’S CAVE – NIGHT]
[Merlin goes down the Tunnel Corridor to the Dragon's Cave.]

KILGHARRAH
So, does Arthur live?

MERLIN
Yes, the sword worked. It was incredible, amazing.

KILGHARRAH
As I promised.

MERLIN
But...

KILGHARRAH
Yes?

MERLIN
Things didn't quite go according to plan. I mean they did, except... It wasn't Arthur who wielded the sword. It was Uther.

KILGHARRAH
NO! *ROARS*

MERLIN
I tried, but he just took it!

KILGHARRAH
ARGH!

MERLIN
Uther's the King. I couldn't stop him!

KILGHARRAH
The sword was born of the old magic. You have no idea of its power. In the hands of Uther, it will bring only evil.

MERLIN
I'll get it back.

KILGHARRAH
You have betrayed me. You are not ready to be trusted.

MERLIN
I'll bring it to you. You can destroy it.

KILGHARRAH
What is made cannot be unmade.

MERLIN
So what do you want me to do?

KILGHARRAH
Take the sword far from here and place it where no mortal man can ever find it.

--
[Merlin goes to the armoury and takes Excalibur. he exits Camelot, walks to the Lake of Avalon, and throws the sword into the lake.]