2.1 Curse of Cornelius Sigan SCRIPT #2

The Great Dragon : 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 !

[La nuit - Catacombes de Camelot]
[Des hommes creusent la pierre et découvrent une pièce secrète.]

[Chambre d’Arthur]
[Arthur est réveillé par le bruit infernal des pioches.]

Arthur : Oh! Merlin! Merlin!
Merlin : Yes, sire?
Arthur : Are you deaf?
Merlin : I wish.
Arthur : I want you to go down there and tell them to stop.
Merlin : But they're working under the king's orders.
Arthur : Yeah. And you're working under mine.
Merlin : Oh…!

[Merlin sort de la chambre et descend dans les catacombes.]
[Les piocheurs entrent dans une salle au trésor. Un des hommes se fait tuer par un mécanisme de protection de la salle. Les autres s’enfuient.]
[Merlin, à son tour, entre dans la vaste pièce et interpelle le mort.]

Merlin : Hello?

[Générique]

[Salle du trésor]

Merlin : How do you think he died? Gaius?
Gaius : Mmm?
Merlin : Do you know whose tomb it is?
Gaius : I'm not sure.
Merlin : Do you think it might be cursed?

[Gaius déclenche un mécanisme meurtrier et ai sauvé par Merlin.]

Gaius : You've just saved my life.

[Uther Pendragon et son fils arrivent à leur tour.]

Uther [A Merlin] : Idiot.
Arthur : Were you born clumsy or do you work at it?
Merlin : It's just one of my many gifts.
Uther : Well, this is quite a find. You see, guys, I was right. There is treasure to be found under Camelot. Which of my predecessors do I have to thank for all this? Gaius?
Gaius : I'd have to look into it, sire.
Uther [Apercevant le cadavre] : How did he die?
Gaius : He seems to have unwittingly triggered a trap here.
Arthur : To deter grave robbers.
Uther : Well, there's plenty in here people would want to steal. Have them secure the tomb. Guarding it is your responsibility, Arthur.
Arthur : Yes, Father.

[Soir - Une taverne]

Cédric : So this...jewel, what size would you say it was?
Un piocheur : About that size.
Cédric : My word, really? About that size, you say. Well, I never.
[Au Tavernier] Here. Drink up.
[Au piocheur] And, er, this tomb, I bet they got that locked up nice and safe, haven't they?
Le piocheur : Tighter than the King's coffers.
Cédric : Yeah. Must be a way in, though?
Le piocheur : Only with the keys.
Cédric : Right, right. Right. And who's got the keys?
Le piocheur : A You must think I'm stupid. I'm not telling you that.
Cédric : [Lui tendant une bourse pleine] Course not. A bright lad like you knows what that sort of information's worth. We don't want everyone to see. Believe me, this place is full of thieves and fingersmiths. Put it inside your tunic. And, er, careful of that fellow over there.
Le piocheur : Which one?
Cédric : Far end of the bar. See him? He keeps on watching you.
Le piocheur : Yeah, yeah, yeah, with the beard.
Cédric : No, no. That one. [Récupérant discrètement sa bourse]
Le piocheur : I got my eye on him. Thank you.
Cédric : So who's got the keys?
Le piocheur : Only the prince. But don't get your hopes up. He keeps them in his private chambers. And there's only one person allowed in there… his servant.

[Le lendemain - Cour de Camelot]
[Arthur et Merlin se préparent à partir à la chasse. Cédric observe de loin la scène.]

Arthur : Hurry up, Merlin.
Merlin [Encombré] : Sorry.

[Merlin s’agenouille pour aider Arthur à monter sur son cheval.]

Arthur [Qui tombe] : Oh! Merlin!
Merlin : I don't understand.
Arthur : Well, there's a surprise.
Merlin : I did that girth up myself.
Arthur : I think that might have been the problem.
Merlin : It wasn't my fault!
Cédric [Ramenant le cheval] : Would you like me to fit the girth properly for you, sire?
Arthur : Thank you.
Cédric : It's an honour to be of service to the Prince.
Arthur : An honour. Do you hear that, Merlin?
Cédric : Allow me the honour of brushing your clothes down.
Arthur : The honour.
Cédric : Is there anything else I can do for you, Sire?
Arthur : Well, you can give Merlin, here, a kick up the backside.
Cédric : I wouldn't wish to deprive you of the pleasure, Sir.
Arthur : What's your name?
Cédric : Cedric. I've come to Camelot in search of work.
Arthur : Good, you can be a beater on the hunt. We're short of a man or two.
Cédric : You're too kind, sire.
Merlin : Here, you'll need a beater. Ooh! Oh, sorry.

[Salle du trésor]
[Gaius observe les symboles sur la tombe.]

[A la chasse]

Merlin : Flayo fago.

[Merlin sauve Arthur.]

Arthur : Who threw that?
[A Cédric] Was it you?
Cédric [Acquiesçant] : Hmm.
Arthur : You've just saved my life.
Cédric : Honestly, sire, it was nothing.
Arthur : I shall be forever indebted to you. You must be rewarded.
Cédric : No, no. I couldn't possibly...
Arthur : Come on. What do you wish for?
Cédric : I desire only one thing, sire.
Arthur : Anything.
Cédric : A position in the royal household.
Arthur : Good. Consider it done. [Rire]
Cédric [A Merlin] : You can have that back now.
Merlin : Oouh!
Cédric : Oh, sorry!

[Soir - Laboratoire de Gaius]

Gaius [A Merlin] : What's wrong?
Merlin : I saved Arthur's life. Someone else got the credit. Just the usual. What are you doing?
Gaius : I found this inscription on the sceptre.
Merlin : What language is that?
Gaius : I don't know. Sigan would have known many languages.
Merlin : Sigan?
Gaius : It's his tomb.
Merlin : Who's he?
Gaius : Merlin! He was the most powerful sorcerer to have lived.
Merlin : Really?
Gaius : You didn't grow up in Camelot, but for those of us that did, Cornelius Sigan was a figure of nightmare.
Merlin : Why?
Gaius : Sigan's Pass. He could change day into night. Turn the tides, and legend has it, his spells helped to build Camelot itself.
Merlin : What happened?
Gaius : In the end, he grew too powerful and the king at that time ordered his execution.
Merlin : If he's dead, why are you so worried?
Gaius : Sigan couldn't bear the thought that his wealth and power would die with him, so he became obsessed with finding a way to defeat death itself.
Merlin : You think he might have succeeded?
Gaius : Let's hope not. For all our sakes.

[Salle royale]

Uther : Gaius. What is it you want?
Gaius : To seal up the burial chamber and all its contents.
Uther : Don't be ridiculous.
Gaius : The insignia on this ring belongs to Cornelius Sigan. I believe it to be his tomb. In the old religion thename Sigan means "raven".
Uther : No wonder the riches are so great.
Gaius : Then you're aware of the legend, sire.
Uther : Yes. I've always enjoyed the tale of the… arrogant sorcerer who came to an untimely end.
Gaius : According to the story, Sigan cursed Camelot. He said he would one day return and raise the city to the ground.
Uther : Gaius, you have long been my ally in the war against sorcery. You, more than anyone, should not give into these irrational fears.
Gaius : Thank you, Sire.
Uther : And Gaius, do not spread panic amongst my people. This is foolish superstition, nothing more.

[Pendant la nuit - Chambre de Morgana]
[Morgana se réveille, terrifiée, après un cauchemar.]

Morgana : Argh! Gwen? Gwen!
Gwen : My lady! My lady, what's the matter? It's all right, it's all right. I'm here. I'm here. There's nothing to be frightened of. Ssh, sh, sh.

[Le lendemain - Chambre du Prince]

Arthur : Is that lunch?
Merlin : No, it's breakfast.
Arthur : This is lovely, Cedric.
Merlin : Is there anything else that you need doing, Sire?
Arthur : No, I think Cedric's got it all covered.
Cédric : Oh, I regret, Sire, there is one thing I've failed to do… er, muck out your horses.
Arthur [A Merlin] : Off you go.
Cédric : I'll get the door for you.

[Chambre de Morgana]

Gaius : What was this dream about?
Morgana : A bird.
Gaius : What kind of bird?
Morgana : A raven.
Gaius : A raven?
Morgana : It was terrifying, Gaius. What do you think it means?
Gaius : Probably nothing.
Morgana : It's happening again, isn't it?
Gaius : Morgana, one raven certainly doesn't mean that your nightmares are returning. Are you taking the sleeping draughts I prepared for you? I'll get Gwen to give you something stronger.
Morgana : Like a blow to the head? I'm sure she wants to.

[Ecuries]
[Merlin s’endort. Cédric en profite pour lâcher les chevaux.]

Cédric : Go on. Go and have some fun. Go on. Go and have fun.

[Extérieur]

Un garde [Apercevant les chevaux qui s’enfuient] : Sire!

[Ecuries]
[Arthur penché au-dessus de Merlin endormi]

Merlin : Sire!
Arthur : What are you doing?
Merlin : Nothing.
Arthur : I can see that.
Merlin : I wasn't sleeping. I was… I was just bending down.
Arthur : Looking for something?
Merlin : Yes.
Arthur : Perhaps we're looking for the same thing.
Merlin : What?
Arthur : Oh, I don't know...the horses!
Merlin : The horses? Oh!
Arthur : One mistake I can understand. Everyone has a bad day now and then, but this is one thing after another!
Merlin : I don't know what happened.
Cédric : Sire… Please, Sire… Don't be too hard on him. He's a good servant. He's just… He's tired.
Merlin : I am not!
Cédric : Maybe… if he had the evening off.
Merlin : I don't want the evening off.
Cédric : A good night's rest…
Merlin : I did not fall asleep !
Cédric : I'm more than willing to take over his duties tonight.
Arthur : Perhaps you're right.
Merlin : No!
Arthur : Shut up, Merlin.
Merlin : Can't you see what he's trying to do? He's trying to get rid of me and if you weren't sucha clotpole you'd see that.
Arthur : A what?
Cédric : Clotpole. He said clotpole.
Arthur : Cedric's right. He can look after me tonight. You can go home and think about whether you want to be my servant or not.
Merlin : But…
Arthur : Go!

[Le soir - Laboratoire de Gaius]

Gaius : What's that on your face?
Merlin : Nothing.
Gaius : What's wrong?
Merlin : Nothing.

[Chambre de Merlin  ]

Gaius : Here.
Merlin : I am not an idiot.
Gaius : What happened?
Merlin : I just want Arthur to trust me. And to see me for who I really am.
Gaius : One day he will.
Merlin : When? Everything I do is for him and he just thinks I'm an idiot.
Gaius : Not everyone thinks you're an idiot. Although, looking at you now… Now is not the time to be questioning these things, Merlin. I believe that you and Arthur are destined for greatness, and that your calling is to serve and protect him.
Merlin : It's hard.
Gaius : I know it's hard, but Camelot is in grave peril. I've translated the inscription : "He who breaks my heart completes my work."
Merlin : What does it mean?
Gaius : Do you remember the stone in the tomb, how it glowed?
Merlin : I've never seen a jewel like it.
Gaius : That's because it's not a jewel. It's the soul of Cornelius Sigan.
Merlin : You think he's alive?
Gaius : His soul is. But in order to truly live, a soul needs a body.
Merlin : So if the stone is removed from its setting… then the heart is broken and the soul released?
Gaius : That's what I fear.

[Chambre d’Arthur]

Cédric : I'll be right outside in the anteroom should you need me.
Arthur : That'll be all, Cedric.
Cédric : Sleep well, Sire.

[La nuit - Salle du Trésor]

Cédric : Oh, yes! Yes! Oh, yes! Oh, yes! Hello, ladies!

[Cédric enlève le joyau qui se trouve sur la tombe et Sigan prend possession de lui.]
[Le lendemain - Salle du trésor]

Arthur : Sound the warning bell.

[Il part et laisse seuls Gaius et Merlin.]

Gaius : Merlin. Whoever did this got more than they bargained for.
Merlin : I don't understand how they got in. The gate's not even damaged.
Gaius : They must have used a key.
Merlin : Arthur's got the only key.
Gaius : Where does he keep it?
Merlin : On his belt with the others.
Gaius : Does he ever take it off?
Merlin : Only when he's asleep. He keeps it next to his bed.
Gaius : Who had access to his chambers last night?
Merlin : Just me. And… Cedric.

[Chambre d’Arthur]

Merlin : Cedric is possessed by an evil spirit.
Arthur : What?
Merlin : He tried to steal the jewel. But it wasn't a jewel. It was the soul of an ancient sorcerer, Sigan.
Arthur : Merlin, have you been on the cider?
Merlin : Please… Listen to me. Camelot is in mortal danger. Sigan is using Cedric's body to take his revenge.
Arthur : This nonsense isn't helping you keep your job.
Merlin : You are not listening to me!
Arthur : If you're going to shout anyway… Cedric! Will you escort Merlin from the palace?

[Merlin se jette sur Cédric.]

Arthur : Merlin!

[Arthur attrape Merlin.]

Arthur : You've gone too far this time, Merlin. You can spend a few days cooling off in the cells. Guards!

[Au cachot]

Merlin : He's going to destroy Camelot!

[Pendant la nuit - Cour de Camelot]

Sigan : I am returned. Ic cume eft to Camelot! Swa thaet ic maeg min faehth awrecan! Nu ic lybbe ece and ic maeg raedan min burh!

[Des créatures attaquent Camelot.]

[Salle du Conseil]

Uther : I want to know what this creature is, where it's come from.
Arthur : There's more than one, Father. We've had several reports. There's panic in the lower town. People are fleeing the city.
Uther : Then you must hunt the creatures down and kill them.
Arthur : Yes, Sire.

[Cour de Camelot]

[Salle du Conseil]

Uther : Have you seen what's happening?
Gaius : It is as I warned you, Sire.
Uther : This cannot be Sigan.
Gaius : It is his revenge. He's come back from the dead.
Uther : Then he will die again.
Gaius : You do not understand, Sire. You can't kill a man who has conquered mortality.
Uther : Don't tell me what cannot be done. Camelot will not fall to a sorcerer while I am king.

[Cour de Camelot]
[Arthur défend la cité avec ses chevaliers.]
[Au cachot]

Merlin : Hello?

[Cour de Camelot]

Arthur : Regroup! Form a phalanx.

[Hôpital improvisé]

Gaius : We need more bandages, Gwen.
[A Morgana] You shouldn't be doing this.
Morgana : It's exactly what I should be doing.
Gaius : You need rest, Morgana.
Morgana : And I'm likely to get it
with all this going on?

[Au cachot]

Merlin : Tospringe!

[Cour de Camelot]

Arthur : Guinevere?
Gwen : Sire.
Arthur : That thing could have killed you.
Gwen : And it still might.

[Gwen se jette sur Arthur et le met à terre.]

Gwen : Sorry, sire.
Arthur : No, my pleasure.

[Hôpital improvisé]

Gwen : I'll get you something to stop the bleeding.
Arthur : Guinevere. I wanted to say… Just, er… You always surprise me.
Gwen : Is that it, Sire?
Arthur : That's it. Oh, and, er… Thank you.

[Uther arrive.]

Uther : Arthur.
Arthur : It's nothing.
Uther : Have we driven the creatures out?
Arthur : They have control of the lower town. The market has been all but destroyed.
Uther : How many dead?
Arthur : Too many to number.
Uther : I'm sealing the citadel.
Arthur : You can't!
Uther : I have no choice. I have to protect those who have a chance. If I don't, we will all fall. Where are you going?
Arthur : There are people trapped on the drawbridge. I'm not leaving them to die.
Uther : It's suicide!
Arthur : It's my duty to Camelot, and to myself.

[Merlin, à l’abri des regards, interpelle Gaius.]

Merlin : Gaius!
Gaius : What are you doing here?
Merlin : I have to help Arthur.
Gaius : Merlin, Sigan's power is way beyond yours.
Merlin : I don't have a choice.
Gaius : But Sigan is immortal and you are not. If you face him, he'll destroy you.
Merlin : There must be a way.
Gaius : There is only one alive who is old enough to give us the answers we need.
Merlin : What do you mean?
Gaius : The Great Dragon.
Merlin : You knew, then, that I used to visit him?
Gaius : Yes, Merlin, of course I knew. You're a creature of magic, just as he is. I hoped that he could help you.
Merlin : He helps no-one but himself.
Gaius : For Arthur's sake, you must go to him now.
Merlin : I can't.
Gaius : We have no choice.

[Cour de Camelot]
[De nombreux corps sont couchés sur le sol.]

Arthur : Check for survivors.

[Une créature attaque Arthur et ses hommes.]

Arthur : On me! Charge!

[Grotte du Dragon]

Merlin : Hello? Hello! Please! I need your help!

[Le Dragon apparaît.]

The Great Dragon : You told me I would not see you again.
Merlin : I'm not here for myself. I'm here for Arthur.
The Great Dragon : Arthur's path lies with yours. You have made it clear that you do not walk in step with me.
Merlin : You cannot want Cornelius Sigan to win. You're not evil.
The Great Dragon : At least Sigan knows where his loyalties lie. You have shown that you do not.
Merlin : So you will let Camelot fall?
The Great Dragon : I did not say that.
Merlin : Then you will help me?
The Great Dragon : To defeat Sigan, you will need a spell more powerful than anything you know.
Merlin : Please. I have to try.
The Great Dragon : Very well, but you must give me something in return.
Merlin : What?
The Great Dragon : A promise.
Merlin : A promise?
The Great Dragon : That one day you will free me.
Merlin : If I release you, what will you do?
The Great Dragon : That is not your concern.
Merlin : I don't trust you.
The Great Dragon : Nevertheless, you must promise, or Camelot will fall.
Merlin : I promise. Now, please, give me the spell.
The Great Dragon : Close your eyes and open your mind.

[Merlin acquiert un pouvoir puissant.]

The Great Dragon : Few men have ever been gifted such knowledge. Use it wisely.
Merlin : I will.
The Great Dragon : You made a promise, young warlock. And one day, I shall keep you to it.

[Cour de Camelot]

Un chevalier : Arthur! Retreat! Regroup in the square! Arthur? Arthur? Arthur.

[Une créature se place entre Arthur et ses chevaliers.]

Arthur : Save yourselves! It's an order.
Le chevalier : Retreat, retreat!

[Hôpital improvisé]

Le chevalier : Seal the doors!
Uther : Where is Arthur? Where is he? You can't leave him out there. He'll be torn apart.
Le chevalier : You can't go out there, sire! If you open that door, you will die, we will all die.
Uther : No!

[Cour de Camelot]

Sigan : Who would have believed it? You, a sorcerer. And a powerful one.
Merlin : I won't let you hurt him.
Sigan : And you're going to stop me?
Merlin : I'll stop you.
Sigan : He does not deserve your loyalty. He treats you like a slave.
Merlin : That's not true.
Sigan : He cast you aside without a moment's thought…
Merlin : It doesn't matter.
Sigan : But it must hurt so much. To be so put upon, so overlooked, when all the while you have such power.
Merlin : That's the way it has to be.
Sigan : Does it? You’re young, Merlin. Look inside yourself, you have yet to discover your true power. I can help you. Think, Merlin, to have the world appreciate your greatness. To have Arthur know you for what you are.
Merlin : That can never be.
Sigan : It can. If you join me. Together we can rule over this land. Arthur will tremble at your voice. He will kneel at your feet.
Merlin : I don't want that.
Sigan : You'd rather be a servant?
Merlin : Better to serve a good man than to rule with an evil one.
Sigan : So be it. If you will not join me, I will become you and your power will be harnessed to my will.

[L’âme de Sigan s’échappe du corps de Cédric et tente de prendre possession de Merlin.]

Merlin : Ic thin sawol her beluce. Abide thaet ic the alyse.

[L’esprit de Sigan prend possession de Merlin. Le jeune homme s’écroule.]
[Gaius arrive et appelle son apprenti.]

Gaius : Merlin?

[Merlin sort du brouillard.]

Gaius : Well done, my boy.

[Le lendemain – Salle du Conseil]

Uther : We must learn our lessons from these terrible events, Gaius.
Gaius : Indeed, Sire.
Uther : They prove beyond doubt that I was right. Magic is evil, it is our greatest threat. I have grown complacent, Gaius.
Gaius : I wouldn't say that, sire.
Uther : We must renew our efforts. We must ensure that all sorcerers and their followers are eradicated from this Kingdom.
Gaius : Of course, Sire.

[Laboratoire de Gaius]

Gaius : You know you won't get any thanks, Merlin.
Merlin : I'm not a complete idiot.
Gaius : There you go. It's not much. But you deserve something.

[On frappe à la porte.]

Arthur : I've come to see Merlin. I've not forgotten about your lazy, insolent ways, or the fact that you called me a "clotpole". But I do have to admit that there was some truth in your accusations against Cedric.
Merlin : Does this mean you're admitting that on this occasion I was absolutely right?
Arthur : Not exactly, no. It means that I have a knighthood to bestow first thing tomorrow and no-one to clean my armour.
Merlin : All that?
Arthur : Yep!

[Arthur sort. Merlin consterné regarde Gaius qui se penche alors vers lui.]

Gaius : Clotpole?
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                                             END OF EPISODE