4.2 THE DARKEST HOUR PART TWO 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 man. His name: Merlin.

[01:21, CRUMBLING FORTRESS - DAY]
[Merlin lies limply against the fire pit. Lancelot tends to him.]

ARTHUR
We have to get him back to Gaius.

SIR LEON
And abandon the quest?

ARTHUR
He saved my life, I won't let him die.

SIR LEON
Sire, if we don't get to the Isle of the Blessed, hundreds more will perish.

[Arthur looks back at Merlin.]

SIR LANCELOT
Let me take him.

ARTHUR
Carrying a wounded man alone, it will take you two or three days to reach Camelot.

SIR LANCELOT
Not if I go through the Valley of the Fallen Kings. You cannot give up on the quest.

SIR LEON
Sire, he's right.

[Arthur nods. Sir Percival carries the paralysed Merlin to his horse. Arthur ties Merlin to the horse.]

ARTHUR
This is my fault and I'm sorry.

MERLIN
Take me with you, please.

ARTHUR
You would die, Merlin.

MERLIN
But you don't understand. Please, Arthur.

ARTHUR
Do you ever do as you're told?

MERLIN
I have to come with you.

ARTHUR
Merlin--

SIR LANCELOT
We need to leave.

[Arthur squeezes Merlin's shoulder and sends him off with Lancelot.]

ARTHUR
Go.

[Arthur looks after them worriedly as they leave. They ride through the woods and enter the Valley of the Fallen Kings.]

--
[03:23, FOREST - EVENING]
[Arthur and the knights ride toward the Isle of the Blessed. They walk to make camp.]

SIR GWAINE
Can you hear that?

SIR LEON
Bees.

SIR GWAINE
Food.

[Gwaine approaches the honey tree and takes off a glove.]

SIR LEON
Trying to get us killed?

SIR GWAINE
We're riding to our death anyway.

[Gwaine puts his hand in the tree and Leon approaches a gloomy Arthur.]

SIR LEON
It's good to give the horses a rest. You're quiet.

ARTHUR
That's what happens after three days of listening to Gawain.

[Leon smiles/chuckles.]

SIR LEON
You did the right thing, you know. Merlin couldn't have continued with us.

ARTHUR
I should've saved him.

[Gwaine makes some grunting noises as he rushes away from the honey tree, swatting at the bees now attacking him. He runs off into the woods to escape the bees. Arthur rolls his eyes and Leon chuckles.]

SIR LEON
If anyone can get Merlin back to Camelot, Lancelot can.

--
[04:19, VALLEY OF THE FALLEN KINGS - NIGHT]
[Lancelot carries Merlin to a stream in the woods; he lays him next to it and covers Merlin with his Camelot cloak. Lancelot takes off his gloves to gather water from the stream and notices something about the water. He's stares in shock as Merlin puts his hand to the water and something shimmers through Merlin's skin.]

VILLIA
Lancelot. Lancelot.

[Drops of water rise up from the stream.]

VILLIA
Lancelot.

[A woman's face appears in the drop of water.]

VILLIA
We bear you no harm. We wish only to help.

SIR LANCELOT
What are you?

VILLIA
We are Villia, spirits of the brooks and streams. The tear in the veil has upset the balance of the world. Good spirits as well as bad roam freely. But this perilous state cannot continue for long.

SIR LANCELOT
Prince Arthur is riding to the Isle of the Blessed. He intends to heal the veil.

VILLIA
He will need help. From both of you.

SIR LANCELOT
My friend is sick. I need to get him to Camelot.

VILLIA
Merlin is stronger than you give him credit for. The young warlock has great power and a future that has been written since the dawn of time. Do not worry. Even now, my sisters begin to heal him.

[Lancelot looks at Merlin. Merlin's is glowing all over. Lancelot smiles.]

VILLIA
You are tired. You must rest.

SIR LANCELOT
I need to find shelter.

VILLIA
You are safe here.

SIR LANCELOT
The Dorocha.

VILLIA
We will stay with you and protect you through the night.

[Lancelot smiles in awe as the water drops around him become tiny lights.]

--
[06:34, TUNNELS OF ANDOR - NIGHT]
[Arthur and the knights reach the tunnels and dismount.]

ARTHUR
By dawn we'll be on the other side of the mountains.

SIR GWAINE
You can't be serious. These tunnels are crawling with Wildren.

ARTHUR
These tunnels will take days off our journey.

SIR GWAINE
If we make it out alive.

ARTHUR
We'll cover ourselves in Gaia berries.

SIR GWAINE
Ha. Sounds great.

ARTHUR
It's your choice, Gwaine. Wildren or Dorocha.

SIR ELYAN
I know which I'd rather go for.

SIR LEON
Me too.

[Just as they're about to enter the tunnels, Gwaine hears a Dorocha. It waits for him to turn his back and then launches at him. Percival tackles Gwaine out of the way.]

SIR GWAINE
Never knew you cared.

[Percival makes an "Ugh, please" face. Arthur comes back out of the tunnels with a torch. The Dorocha comes back.]

ARTHUR
Quick!

[They retreat into the tunnels. Because apparently Dorocha prefer the outdoors.]

--
[07:43, TUNNELS OF ANDOR - NIGHT]

SIR PERCIVAL
Remind me again why we're wearing this disgusting paste.

[Arthur's response sounds bored, like he's repeating something he learned at school.]

ARTHUR
Wildren are completely blind, they rely totally on their sense of smell. Gaia berries will mask our scent.

SIR GWAINE
What are the chances of us getting through here without seeing a Wildren?

ARTHUR
None.

[Gwaine stumbles across a skull. He rushes from the back of the line to follow just behind Arthur. They hear a piggy squeal.]

ARTHUR
Shh!

[Arthur and Leon toss their torches and stamp them out. They all hide behind a length of rock, then peak their heads over the ledge. Two Wildren approach. They duck down when one gets close.]

ARTHUR
Keep still. Don't even breathe.

[The Wildren wanders off. Apparently Wildren are totally deaf, too. Gwaine smiles in relief. His smile fades when the others watch him wide-eyed. A Wildren sniffs him, pins him hard against the rock. Gwaine gets annoyed and kills it.]

ARTHUR
You fool.

SIR GWAINE
It's dead.

ARTHUR
That one is, yes. They hunt in packs.

[They hear other piggy squeals.]

SIR ELYAN
Run.

[They bolt through the tunnels, chased by Wildren.]

--
[09:57, CAMELOT, MAIN SQUARE - NIGHT]
[Peasants desperately try to push through the city gate as guards close it on them. Gwen watches from a castle window.]

GAIUS (to a guard)
We need more stretchers. And sheets, as many sheets as we can find.

GWEN
Gaius. The guards were under orders to shut the city gates at dusk.

GAIUS
Who's orders?

GWEN
Lord Agravaine's.

--
[10:15, COUNCIL CHAMBER - NIGHT]
[Gaius opens the chamber doors and Gwen follows him in. Agravaine sits with the councilmen.]

AGRAVAINE
Gaius. Have you come to join us?

GAIUS
Why have you closed the city gates?

AGRAVAINE
We have limited resources, Gaius. As much as I would like to, we simply cannot feed and water the entire kingdom.

GAIUS
Surely the people have a right to be protected.

AGRAVAINE
I would be putting Camelot in danger. Starvation, disease. You of all people must understand, Gaius. The gates will remain shut until we are free of the evil that plagues us.

[Seeing no alternative, Gaius turns to leave.]

AGRAVAINE
Now, gentlemen, where were we? [?] reason to--

GWEN
My lords.

[The councilmen stare at her.]

GWEN
May I be granted permission to address the court?

AGRAVAINE
Guinevere.

[Agravaine makes an inviting gesture and she steps up to the table.]

GWEN
Prince Arthur taught me long ago that every citizen of Camelot is important. He would never stand by and let them suffer. He would help them if he could, and we must do the same.

AGRAVAINE
I feel the pain as much as you, but we don't have a choice. If we keep letting people in, our food will run out within days.

GWEN
You are wrong.

[The councilmen stare at Gwen.]

AGRAVAINE
Perhaps you would enlighten me.

GWEN
Those outside the gates are landowners, farmers. For days the refugees have been bartering their wares with the townsfolk in return for the safety of their hearths. They bring with them far more than they take.

AGRAVAINE
But how long before these wares run out?

GWEN
Three days ago, Prince Arthur embarked on a quest to rid us of these creatures. At worst, we have another three before he reaches his goal. Or do you think he will fail?

AGRAVAINE
Of course not.

GEOFFREY OF MONMOUTH
Sire, she's right.

AGRAVAINE
Very well. Reopen the gates.

[Gwen curtsies and backs out. Agravaine smiles, then broods.]

--
[12:33, VALLEY OF THE FALLEN KINGS - MORNING]
[Lancelot wakes to find Merlin gone.]

SIR LANCELOT
Merlin. Merlin?!

MERLIN
Shh!

[Merlin's standing on a couple of rocks in the stream with a stick and a couple of fish on a string. Lancelot watches Merlin spearing the water with the stick. Merlin stops and holds up the fish.]

MERLIN
Breakfast.

SIR LANCELOT
Merlin, what...? Why are you...?

MERLIN
What?

SIR LANCELOT
You're meant to be...dying.

MERLIN
Sorry. Here.

[Merlin hands him the spearing stick.]

SIR LANCELOT
What's that for?

MERLIN
You look like you're going to fall over.

[Lancelot swings the stick at Merlin. Merlin ducks.]

MERLIN
Yeah, not as quick as Arthur.

SIR LANCELOT
Oh yeah?

MERLIN
Come on. We need to catch up with the others.

[Merlin takes the stick and starts walking toward the horses.]

SIR LANCELOT
No. You're going back to Camelot.

MERLIN
You might be.

SIR LANCELOT
Merlin.

MERLIN
Say hello to Gaius for me!

SIR LANCELOT
Merlin!

[Merlin stops and turns around. Lancelot picks up his cloak and sword.]

MERLIN
Arthur can't finish this without us.

SIR LANCELOT
Arthur's right about you. You don't ever do as you're told.

MERLIN
Nope.

--
[13:31, STREAM IN THE WOODS - MORNING]
[Arthur and the knights wash off the Gaia berries in the stream.]

SIR LEON
They need to rest, sire. Even Gwaine's gone quiet.

ARTHUR
Sounds like a good reason to keep going.

--
[13:48, MORGANA'S HOVEL - DAY]
[Agravaine rides through the woods. Morgana broods in a chair by the fire.]

AGRAVAINE
My lady?

[Agravaine enters.]

MORGANA
What news of the mighty Camelot?

AGRAVAINE
As we planned. The city's falling to rack and ruin.

MORGANA
And Arthur?

AGRAVAINE
Last we heard, he'd made it past Aelbeth.

MORGANA
Will we never be rid of him?

AGRAVAINE
Patience, my lady. Even if he makes it to the Isle, the outcome will still be the same.

MORGANA
Then what brings you here so early?

[Morgana watches Agravaine.]

MORGANA
Something's wrong.

AGRAVAINE
A minor irritant. Guinevere. She takes it upon herself to speak out against me.

MORGANA
She's dangerous.

AGRAVAINE
Well, she's a servant. A spirited one, perhaps, but a servant nonetheless.

MORGANA
No, you're wrong.

[Morgana stands up, provoked.]

MORGANA
I have dreamt the future and, in it, that servant sits upon my throne. I would rather drown in my own blood than see that day.

AGRAVAINE
Then we must make sure it never comes.

MORGANA
I couldn't agree more. We must make sure she never sees another dawn.

--
[15:07, UTHER'S CHAMBERS - DAY]
[Gwen tends to Uther.]

UTHER
Where's Arthur?

GWEN
I am unsure.

UTHER
Where is he?

GWEN
The prince is on a hunting trip, sire.

UTHER
When will he be back?

GWEN
In a few days. Is there something you need?

[Uther shakes his head in his dreamy state. Gwen leaves him to find Agravaine leaning on Uther's table.]

AGRAVAINE
Your devotion to the king is most impressive. There is something I would like to discuss. I wish to apologize. Yesterday I feel I let the prince down. I am grateful that you spoke out.

GWEN
I did not mean to be discourteous, my lord.

AGRAVAINE
Well, you weren't. Not in the least.

[Agravaine smiles.]

AGRAVAINE
Gwen, if you would permit, I would be grateful to seek your advice.

[Gwen's jaw drops.]

AGRAVAINE
You understand the people.

GWEN
I am not sure I--

AGRAVAINE
If nothing else, I know that you will be honest with me.

[Gwen smiles at the truth of that statement.]

AGRAVAINE
It's not appropriate to talk now. Perhaps...this evening. You could come to my chambers.

[Gwen starts to protest.]

AGRAVAINE
Please, Guinevere, these are dark times. I'm gonna need help if I'm to guide us through them.

GWEN
Very well.

[Agravaine smiles.]

AGRAVAINE
Thank you.

[Gwen smiles back as Gaius enters. Agravaine exits.]

GAIUS
Is everything all right?

GWEN
Yes. He wishes to speak with me later. I think he means to seek my council.

[Gaius nods. Gwen smiles as she exits. Gaius watches her leave with pensive concern.]

--
[16:56, HUNTER'S LODGE - EVENING]
[Merlin and Lancelot ride up to a lodge in the woods. They enter to find animals hanging from the ceiling.]

SIR LANCELOT
Hello?

[They find the hunter sitting dead at his own table. They lie him down and cover him with a blanket.]

MERLIN
We can't stay here.

SIR LANCELOT
There's nowhere else, Merlin. We'll make a fire. It will keep us safe and dry. And there's more than enough fuel to get us through the night.

MERLIN
Yep. Bel onbryne.

[Merlin starts a fire in the grate.]

MERLIN
I'm not entirely useless, you know.

--
[CAMELOT- EVENING]
[Morgana magically opens a gate outside Camelot and carries a torch as she climbs the stairs into the city.]

GUARD 1 (distant)
Get the other side.

GUARD 2 (distant)
Yes, sir.

[Morgana continues down a dark corridor.]

GUARD 3
Halt.

[Morgana throws the guard to his death without speaking or turning around.]

--
[18:52, AGRAVAINE'S CHAMBERS - NIGHT]
[Gwen sits at the table as Agravaine pours her a glass of wine.]

AGRAVAINE
But do the people feel safe?

[Gwen remains silent.]

AGRAVAINE
You can speak honestly.

GWEN
No, they do not.

AGRAVAINE
Go on.

GWEN
They're frightened. Night after night, they've seen their friends, their parents, their children all snatched cruelly from them and they don't know who will be next.

AGRAVAINE
What can I do to reassure them?

GWEN
Show courage. Shutting the gates last night told them you were as terrified as they were. It's like a horse and its rider. If the people sense your fear, they will not trust you.

AGRAVAINE
I am grateful for your advice.

[Agravaine stands behind her and places his hands on her chair back.]

AGRAVAINE
You have a wise head on your shoulders, Guinevere.

[Agravaine leans forward and rests his arms on the back of her chair and Gwen starts getting creeped out. Agravaine reaches his fingers slightly forward as if to touch her (strangle her?), then thinks better of it and takes his arms off the chair back.]

AGRAVAINE
I've kept you long enough.

[Gwen stands eagerly.]

GWEN
And I must see to the king.

AGRAVAINE
Don't concern yourself with that. I will ensure he's well looked after.

[Agravaine precedes her to the door and opens it for her.]

AGRAVAINE
It has been a long day. I'll have my guards walk you safely home.

[The guards appear outside the door.]

GWEN
Thank you.

[Gwen curtsies and he steps aside to let her exit. He closes the door with a brooding look.]

--
[20:22, STREETS OF CAMELOT - NIGHT]
[The guards carry torches as they escort Gwen home. Morgana watches them from above.]

MORGANA
Hleap on baec.

[Morgana raises her arm and throws Gwen and the guards backwards. Morgana smirks at her unconscious victims.]

--
[20:47, WOODS - NIGHT]
[Arthur and the knights sit and stand guard around a campfire. Elyan approached Arthur on watch.]

SIR ELYAN
Seen anything?

[Arthur shakes his head.]

SIR ELYAN
Do you know what we're going to face on the Isle of the Blessed?

[Arthur nods.]

SIR ELYAN
Do you want to tell me?

ARTHUR
The burden's mine and mine to bear alone.

SIR ELYAN
Look around, Arthur.

[Elyan motions for Arthur to look at the nights around the campfire.]

SIR ELYAN
We would fight a thousand armies with our bare hands for you. We're never alone. We stand together. Come on, I'll take over.

[He reaches his hand out to take Arthur's torch.]

SIR ELYAN
You need some rest.

[Arthur hands him the torch and puts a hand on Elyan's shoulder.]

ARTHUR
Thank you.

[Arthur pats Elyan on the back as he walks toward the campfire. Then they all hear Dorocha and gather close the fire.]

--
[22:01, UTHER'S CHAMBERS - NIGHT]
[Gaius enters to find Uther asleep on top of the bed sheets and no candles lit.]

GAIUS
Gwen?

--
[22:14, STREETS OF CAMELOT - NIGHT]
[Gaius walks down the street carrying a torch.]

GAIUS
Gwen?

[Gaius hears a Dorocha as he approaches Gwen's house and finds a frozen-faced guard. Then he sees Gwen lying near the guard. Gaius checks Gwen's face; she's still warm. A Dorocha charges Gaius from behind, but he fends it off with the torch.]

--
[23:19, HUNTER'S LODGE - NIGHT]

MERLIN
You don't have to continue on this journey with me, you know.

SIR LANCELOT (chuckles)
Try and stop me.

[Lancelot leans forward and pours Merlin another drink.]

MERLIN
Why? Because you're a knight, you feel honour bound?

SIR LANCELOT
You wouldn't understand. It doesn't make any sense to me either.

MERLIN
Gwen?

SIR LANCELOT
I made her a vow I would keep Arthur safe.

MERLIN
You don't have to worry. I'll keep him safe.

SIR LANCELOT
I made a vow, Merlin.

MERLIN
Do you still think about her?

SIR LANCELOT
No. Arthur's...a better man than me.

MERLIN
I'm sorry.

SIR LANCELOT
Why? He loves her and...she's happy.

--
[24:30, PHYSICIAN'S CHAMBERS - NIGHT]
[Gaius tends to Gwen's head wound as she lies on a sickbed.]

GWEN
I remember the guards walking me to my door. And then...nothing.

GAIUS
Just a surface wound. You were very lucky.

GWEN
Everyone talks about the coldness, but I don't feel cold at all.

GAIUS
You weren't attacked by the Dorocha, Gwen.

GWEN
Then what? Gaius?

GAIUS
I fear someone wanted to do you harm.

GWEN
Why?

GAIUS
I don't know.

GWEN
Well, surely if they did, they'd have done a better job.

GAIUS
Maybe. But cold-blooded murder is suspicious. Better to leave you to the Dorocha.

--
[25:17, HUNTER'S LODGE - NIGHT]
[The candles and fire are all blown out as Merlin and Lancelot sleep. Merlin senses a Dorocha slip by and wakes up. The Dorocha charges.]

MERLIN
Lancelot!

[Merlin throws the last of his alcohol into the dying grate fire and it bursts into flames in front of the Dorocha allowing Merlin and Lancelot to run outside into the pitch dark.]

MERLIN (dragon tongue)
O drakon, e male so ftengometta tesd ‘hup’ anankes!

[The Dorocha chases them through the dark woods until a fireball shoots out of the sky and gets rid of them. Lancelot draws his sword, stunned by the appearance of the dragon. Kilgharrah flames another Dorocha and lands in front of them in a clearing. Lancelot steps forward to strike the dragon, but Merlin holds out a hand to stop him.]

MERLIN
It's alright. It's alright.

[Merlin looks up at Kilgharrah and gives him a little bow.]

MERLIN
Thank you.

KILGHARRAH (angry)
Who is your friend?

SIR LANCELOT
I'm Lancelot.

KILGHARRAH
Of course. Sir Lancelot, the bravest and most noble of them all.

SIR LANCELOT
I'm not sure that's true.

KILGHARRAH
We shall see. For now, there are more pressing things at hand. The Dorocha cannot be allowed to remain in this world. The sundered veil must be restored.

SIR LANCELOT
We're on our way to the Isle of the Blessed to help Arthur heal it.

KILGHARRAH
Indeed. But at what price?

MERLIN
I know that the spirit world demands a sacrifice.

KILGHARRAH
It demands nothing. It is the Cailleach, the gatekeeper to the spirit world who asks such a price.

MERLIN
And there is no other way?

KILGHARRAH
There is not.

MERLIN
Arthur intends to sacrifice himself to heal the veil. It is my destiny to protect him; you taught me that.

KILGHARRAH
Merlin, you must not do this.

MERLIN
Then I have no choice. I must take his place.

KILGHARRAH
From the moment I met you, I saw something that was invisible. Now it is there for all to see.

MERLIN
A lot of what you see, old friend, is what you taught me.

KILGHARRAH
It will be an empty world without you, young warlock.

[Kilgharrah gives Merlin an affectionate look and then flies off.]

--
[28:35, WOODS - MORNING]

SIR LANCELOT
When we get to the Isle of the Blessed, do you really intend to sacrifice yourself?

MERLIN
What do you want me to say?

SIR LANCELOT
I look at you and I wonder about myself. Would I knowingly give up my life for something?

MERLIN
You have to have a reason. Something you care about. Something that's more important than anything.

[Merlin nudges his horse into a gallop. Lancelot thinks for a moment before following. They stop at the top of a hill and find smoke rising from another abandoned fortress ahead.]

SIR LANCELOT
Looks like someone beat us to it.

MERLIN
Bandits?

[Lancelot tilts his head as a "Maybe."]

MERLIN
Think we'll make it before nightfall?

SIR LANCELOT
There's only one way to find out. Ya!

[They gallop towards the fortress.]

--
[29:43, FORTRESS - NIGHT]
[Arthur and the knights sit around a campfire. Gwaine takes off his boots and proceeds to take off his socks. Elyan and Leon gag at the smell.]

SIR EYLAN
Has something died?

SIR GWAINE
Why am I always the butt?

SIR LEON
Can't think.

[Leon and Elyan get up and join Percival and Arthur on the other side of the campfire.]

SIR GWAINE
Pick on Percival.

SIR PERCIVAL
Why me?

SIR ELYAN
He washes.

SIR LEON
And he doesn't set fire to his socks.

SIR GWAINE
Ugh! No!

[Gwaine snatches his socks from the fire and tries to put them out. The other knights grin.]

ARTHUR
Quiet.

[They hear a gate open in the distance and draw their swords, including barefoot Gwaine. They hold their defensive stance until Lancelot steps into the light.]

ARTHUR
Lancelot? How's Merlin?

SIR LANCELOT
Bad news. He's still alive.

[Lancelot grins and steps aside as Merlin enters. Arthur chuckles in relief.]

SIR ELYAN
Merlin!

[Hugs all around. Arthur shakes hands with Lancelot and gives Merlin a shoulder squeeze.]

ARTHUR
Good to see you, Merlin.

MERLIN
Yeah. It's good to see you too.

[31:03, Merlin and Arthur eat as they lounge by the fire while the others sleep.]

MERLIN
It's going to be fine. Everything will be alright.

ARTHUR
I'm just tired.

MERLIN
You don't have to sacrifice yourself.

ARTHUR
To save my people.

MERLIN
I will take your place.

ARTHUR (shakes head)
Merlin.

MERLIN
What is the life of a servant compared to that of a prince?

ARTHUR
Well, a good servant's hard to come by.

MERLIN
I'm not that good.

ARTHUR
True.

[Merlin walked right into that one.]

ARTHUR
One thing. Look after Guinevere, I want her to be happy in her life. She deserves that.

MERLIN
Don't worry. I'll make sure.

[By sacrificing myself, you twit.]

--
[32:12, SEAS OF MEREDOR - MORNING]

ARTHUR
The Isle of the Blessed.

[They take the ferryman's boat to the isle and hear some screeching along the way.]

--
[32:47, ISLE OF THE BLESSED - DAY]
[They step onto the isle and the screeching gets louder.]

SIR LEON
What is that?

[They all draw their swords.]

SIR GWAINE
I really hope I'm wrong.

[A wyvern flies down at them.]

ARTHUR
Wyvern!

[More wyverns attack. Percival falls to the ground as he gets slashed.]

SIR PERCIVAL
You're right!

[Merlin crouches down to hide his face and whispers.]

MERLIN (dragon tongue) (whisper)
s’enthend’ apakhorein nun epello!

[Merlin stands up, his eyes glow, and the wyverns fly off.]

SIR GWAINE
See? That's how you deal with them.

ARTHUR
We need to keep moving.

[They enter another passage and more wyverns fly overhead.]

SIR LEON
Sire, you must go on! We'll fend them off!

[Leon, Percival, and Elyan remain outside to handle the wyverns.]

SIR GWAINE
Good luck.

--
[33:55, ISLE OF THE BLESSED ALTAR - DAY]
[Arthur leads Merlin, Gwaine, and Lancelot toward the altar stone. Gwaine is the only one who doesn't understand what the others are all planning to do.]

CAILLEACH
It is not often we have visitors.

ARTHUR
Put an end to this. I demand you heal the tear between the two worlds.

CAILLEACH
It was not I who created this horror. Why should it be I that stops it?

MERLIN
Because innocent people are dying.

CAILLEACH
Indeed.

[Cailleach laughs maniacally. Gwaine charges her with his sword raised. She throws him back with magic, knocking him out.]

CAILLEACH
Is this the best you can do?

ARTHUR
I know what you want.

CAILLEACH
Do you? And are you willing to let me have it?

ARTHUR
I'm prepared to pay whatever price is necessary.

[Cailleach motions for Arthur to come to her. Arthur walks determinedly toward her.]

MERLIN (whisper)
Forb fleoghe.

[Merlin's spell stops Arthur and throws him backwards, knocking him unconscious for the 23rd time. Cailleach looks at Merlin and they both approach the altar stone.]

CAILLEACH
So, Emrys, you choose to challenge me after all. Will you give yourself to the spirits to save your prince?

MERLIN
It is my destiny.

CAILLEACH
Perhaps. But your time among men is not yet over, Emrys, even if you want it to be.

[Merlin is confused. Cailleach looks at the tear in the veil and Merlin follows her gaze. Lancelot is standing at the brink. He looks back at Merlin with a smile and walks into the shrieking veil.]

MERLIN
No! No! No! No!

[The veil closes.]

MERLIN
N-no.

[Merlin stands alone with the unconscious Gwaine and Arthur.]

--
[37:11, COUNCIL CHAMBERS/MAIN COURTYARD - DAY]
[Arthur enters a full court. Arthur places a Camelot cape and sword on a pyre in the courtyard.]

ARTHUR (voice over)
I want to pay tribute to Sir Lancelot. We owe him a great debt. It is not just his deed that we'll never forget. It's his courage. His compassion.

[Merlin brings Arthur a torch for the pyre.]

ARTHUR (voice over)
His unselfish heart.

[Arthur tosses the torch on the pyre. Arthur continues to address the court in the council chambers.]

ARTHUR
He was the most noble knight I'll ever know. He gave his life for all of us.

[Gwen cries as she watches the pyre burning. The sword begins to steam in the flames. Arthur takes Gwen's hand.]

GWEN
He didn't sacrifice himself for Camelot. I asked him to look after you and he promised me with his life. He was true to his word.

[Arthur thinks over what she just said, then places a comforting hand on her shoulder and leaves her by the pyre. Gwen continues to weep by the pyre, alone in the courtyard.]

--
[39:32, MORGANA'S HOVEL - DAY]
[Morgana screams and smashes some of her possessions.]

AGRAVAINE
Arthur was lucky.

MORGANA
And Guinevere?

AGRAVAINE
It was only by chance that Gaius found her.

MORGANA
No, you're wrong. We were not thwarted by luck, it was Emrys!

AGRAVAINE
Emrys?

MORGANA
The Cailleach warned me about him. She said he was my destiny and my doom. It was he that thwarted us, I'm sure of it.

AGRAVAINE
So what's to be done?

MORGANA
As long as he exists, I will never gain what is rightfully mine.

[Morgana turns to Agravaine.]

MORGANA
You must help me find this Emrys. And destroy him.

[Morgana steps away and Agravaine takes in a breath.]

--
[40:21, PHYSICIAN'S CHAMBERS - DAY]
[Merlin hears the physician's chamber door open as he sits in his room.]

AGRAVAINE
Gaius.

GAIUS
How can I be of assistance?

AGRAVAINE
You're a man of great knowledge and wisdom.

GAIUS (scoffs)
Knowledge, perhaps.

AGRAVAINE
Have you ever come across a sorcerer called Emrys?

[Gaius pauses and Merlin listens at the door.]

GAIUS
No. Doesn't sound familiar.

AGRAVAINE
Hm. Well, if you do hear mention of the name.

[Agravaine turns to leave.]

GAIUS
I'll be sure to tell you.

AGRAVAINE
It will not go unrewarded.

[Agravaine chuckles on his way out. Merlin comes out of his bed chamber.]

GAIUS
There's only one person who could've heard that name. Morgana. We know her powers are growing. She, too, must have seen the Cailleach.

MERLIN (shakes head)
But Agravaine...

GAIUS
I suspect he's not as virtuous as he seems. And, don't forget, he has every reason to despise Uther. We must beware, Merlin. Morgana can never know the truth. She must never know who you really are.