Season 5, Episode 3 - The Death Song of Uther Pendragon Merlin 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.


MERLIN You're still angry with me, aren't you?

ARTHUR We spend the entire day hunting, catch nothing, because every time we got anywhere near anything you sneezed and frightened it away.

MERLIN Not the last time.

ARTHUR No, that time you fell into a stream. No-one could accuse you of being predictable, Merlin.

MERLIN I think I'm getting a cold.

ARTHUR Let's hope it's a bad one.

(Women screaming in the distance)

ARTHUR What was that?

MERLIN I think it was a bird.

(Women screams again)

MERLIN That? That was definitely a woman screaming. Why couldn't it have just been a bird? It's never just a bird.

(Merlin runs closer)

ARTHUR What are you doing?

MERLIN I assume you want to risk our lives and see what's going on.

ARTHUR I never thought I'd say this, Merlin, but you're learning.

(They walk up to the towns people)

ARTHUR Let the woman go.

TOWNCHIEF This woman has been sentenced to death. It does not concern you.

ARTHUR I am Arthur Pendragon, King of Camelot, and your village is in my lands.

TOWNCHIEF Her sorcery has brought sickness and suffering to this village.

ARTHUR Did she receive a fair trial?

TOWNCHIEF Your father would have shown her no mercy.

ARTHUR I am not my father. Now cut her down.

TOWNCHIEF I will not endanger the lives of all who live here.

(Arthur put's his sword to the Town chief's chest)

ARTHUR I said... cut her down.

(It shows Merlin and Arthur later in the forest with the old lady, Valdis. Merlin is shown trying to heal her)

ARTHUR Is there anything more you can do for her?

MERLIN She won't make it through the night.

ARTHUR Make her as comfortable as possible.

VALDIS Thank you.

ARTHUR You should try and get some rest.

VALDIS My time has come. When you have lived as long as I, you no longer fear the journey to the next world. I have a gift for you. You showed kindness, and compassion. Those are the qualities of a true king.

(She gives Arthur something that is covered in a cloth)

VALDIS Open it.

(Arthur opens it and finds a horn)

ARTHUR It's beautiful.

VALDIS It has the power to summon the spirits of the dead.

(Valdis dies. It shows Gaius in his chambers inspecting the horn)

GAIUS The Horn of Cathbhadh. When Uther attacked the Isle of the Blessed, the Horn of Cathbhadh was smuggled to safety before the temple fell. It hasn't been heard of since.

ARTHUR The old woman said it could be used to open the door to the spirit world?

GAIUS I have seen it with my own eyes. Long before the time of the Great Purge I took part in such ceremonies. each year at Beltain, the High Priestesses would gather at the Great Stones of Nemeton and summon the spirits of their ancestors. It holds powerful magic. You must keep it safe.

(Shows the knights, Arthur, and Gwen at the dining hall. Elyan notices Mordred watching Arthur)

ELYAN He's always like this at the anniversary of his coronation.

MORDRED I thought it was a cause for celebration?

ELYAN It is, but it's also the anniversary of Uther's death.

(Arthur is in his room fiddling with the horn. Merlin knocks on the door and Arthur grabs a bowl to cover the horn, spilling fruit all over the floor.)

MERLIN What are you doing? (Goes to pick up the fruit)

ARTHUR Nothing... Thinking.

MERLIN You, thinking? Well, now I'm really getting worried.

ARTHUR Shut up.

(Merlin starts to pick up the bowl)

ARTHUR Leave it!

MERLIN Why?

ARTHUR Because I'm telling you to and I'm the King of Camelot, not that that seems to mean anything to you. Ready the horses and gather some supplies.

MERLIN Where are we going?

ARTHUR You don't need to know. Do not breathe a word of this to anyone. Not even Guinevere.

(Arthur holds a spoon up to Merlin's face)

MERLIN You're threatening me with a spoon? Ow! I'm getting a very bad feeling about this place.

ARTHUR That is because you're a coward.

MERLIN No. It's because I value my life and I don't want to die horribly.

ARTHUR Fair point.

MERLIN So, are we going to turn back?

ARTHUR No.

MERLIN What are they?

ARTHUR The Great Stones of Nemeton.

MERLIN You're going to use it?

ARTHUR This will be the only chance I have to see my father again. I can't let it pass.

MERLIN This is powerful magic.

ARTHUR My father was taken from me before his time. Now there isn't a day that passes when I don't think of the things I wish I'd said to him. If you were given the same chance to see your father, talk to him. Wouldn't you do the same? Father.

UTHER Arthur.

ARTHUR I thought I would never see you again. There isn't a day that passes when I don't think of you.

UTHER And I, you.

ARTHUR There are times when I feel so alone, I wish more than anything that you were by my side.

UTHER If I were at your side, I fear you would not like all that I have to say.

ARTHUR What do you mean?

UTHER Many of the decisions you have made since you have become King go against all that I taught you.

ARTHUR I have done what I have believed to be right.

UTHER You have ignored our tradition, our ancient laws. You have allowed common men to become knights.

ARTHUR They are some of the finest knights that Camelot's ever known. They would gladly give their lives for the kingdom.

UTHER They question your decisions. They make you look weak.

ARTHUR Listening to others is a sign of strength, not weakness.

UTHER How do you expect anyone to fear a King who does not know his own mind?

ARTHUR I don't want my people to respect me because they fear me.

UTHER Then they will not respect you at all. Your marriage should have served to form an alliance with another kingdom and you choose to marry a serving girl.

ARTHUR I married for love. I love Guinevere. More than... I can express.

UTHER There are some things that are more important than love. It is your duty to strengthen and protect the kingdom. You have failed.

ARTHUR I have always strived to make you proud.

UTHER How can I be proud of a son who ignores everything that I taught him? Who is destroying my legacy?

ARTHUR I have brought peace to the kingdom...

UTHER At what price? The peace cannot last. If you are not strong, the kingdom will fall. You must go now.

ARTHUR I need more time. There is still so much I wish to say.

UTHER If you stay, you will be forever trapped in the world of the dead. You must go now. Go.

ARTHUR This can't be the last time I will ever see you.

UTHER Think about everything that I have said to you. It isn't too late. Now go. I will always love you, Arthur. (Arthur turns to look back for a brief second)


MERLIN Arthur? Do you want to talk about it? What happened at the stones?

ARTHUR It seems my father doesn't approve of the way I have chosen to rule his kingdom.

MERLIN You mean your kingdom.

ARTHUR The things he said about the knights, about marrying Guinevere. What if he's right? What if I have weakened Camelot?

MERLIN Do you really believe that? You have always done what you believed to be right. People respect you.

ARTHUR Thank you, Merlin.

MERLIN Some people still think you're a foolish, arrogant ass.

ARTHUR Who? Very funny. We should get some sleep.

LEON We covered the area from Pawlett down to Meldreth. This includes 30 troops at Bawtry. 15 at Talan. Ten at Chime. Nine at Brune. 11 at Burwelle... (Candalebra falls on the Round Table)

ARTHUR I want the table repaired before the next council meeting. Are you listening to me, Merlin?

MERLIN What? Sorry. I was just thinking about what happened.

ARTHUR Did you get a terrible fright?

MERLIN Yes. My heart nearly jumped out through my mouth.

ARTHUR Oh, well maybe you should have the rest of the day off and put your feet up?

MERLIN Really? You were joking?

ARTHUR There really is no limit to your intelligence, is there, Merlin?

GWAINE Why does it always take you twice as long to change out of your armour?

PERCIVAL Because I'm twice the size of you, little man.

GWAINE Then why is it that your brain is so small?

PERCIVAL Hello? Is someone there? Show yourself.

GAIUS The axe must have fallen off the rack. I'm surprised that a falling axe would cause such a deep wound.

PERCIVAL Not as surprised as I was.

GAIUS Quite. You were lucky you weren't more severely injured.

PERCIVAL It's strange...

MERLIN What's that?
PERCIVAL Just before it happened. I sensed something, like there was someone there, watching me. I'm sure it was just my mind playing tricks on me.

GAIUS Apply a second poultice in the morning. And no training.

PERCIVAL Thank you, Gaius.

GAIUS Is there something wrong, Merlin? Merlin, I get the distinct impression there is something you're not telling me.

MERLIN No. Why would you say that?
GAIUS Because there usually is.

MERLIN We went to the Stones of Nemeton.

GAIUS Merlin, I warned you of the dangers...

MERLIN I tried to stop him. He was insistent.

GAIUS What is it, Merlin?

MERLIN After the candelabra fell, I was in the corridor outside the Council Chambers. I could sense something. It was like Percival said, a presence of some kind.

GAIUS In the days of the Old Religion, the priestesses trained for years before entering into the spirit world. It was fraught with dangers. There was one thing they were schooled never to do. As the veil closed, they were never to look back at the spirit.

MERLIN What happened if they did?

GAIUS They'd release the spirit into this world.

MERLIN Arthur must have looked back.

ARTHUR What?

MERLIN At the Stones of Nemeton, I think that you may have released your father's spirit.

ARTHUR And what makes you think that?
MERLIN Did you look back? As the veil closed, did you look back at your father?

ARTHUR I may have glanced round for a second.

MERLIN In that second, you unleashed Uther's spirit. All these strange things that have been happening? The candelabra falling onto the Round Table.

ARTHUR Yes, because the chain broke.

MERLIN The axe falling on Percival.
ARTHUR It was an accident.

MERLIN Was it?

ARTHUR Do you really expect me to believe that my father's spirit is responsible for these things?

MERLIN The Round Table represents everything that's changed since you became King. You told me how Uther disapproved. He's angry with you and that makes him dangerous.

ARTHUR I know my father. He wouldn't do these things.

MERLIN I think he'd do anything to protect his legacy. Who knows what he's capable of?

ARTHUR Enough! That's enough. Leave me. Go!

GWEN Is someone there?

MERLIN Gwen! Gwen! You know this was Uther.

ARTHUR We don't know what happened.

MERLIN So Gwen just mysteriously ended up locked in the kitchens, which just mysteriously caught fire. You said yourself Uther disapproved of you marrying Gwen.

ARTHUR He wouldn't do this.

MERLIN I know how hard this is for you.

ARTHUR Gaius, how is she?

GAIUS Smoke has entered her lungs, but with time she will heal. I have given her a sleeping draft. She was lucky to escape with her life.

ARTHUR I've always known my father could be cruel, but why would he do this to Guinevere? He knows how much I love her. Gaius. What do you know about ghosts?

GAIUS We must force Uther's spirit to return to the other world before he does any more harm.We must use The Horn of Cathbhadh to reopen the veil between the worlds. But we must remember one thing...only the person who summoned the spirit can force it from this world.

MERLIN Sorry.

ARTHUR You're fortunate I'm not easily frightened.

MERLIN Really? Because it looked like you jumped out of your skin.

ARTHUR That's because you're a clumsy oaf. Now pick that lot up. Where is Gaius? How long does it take to make a potion?

MERLIN These things take time if they're to be done properly.

ARTHUR What is it?

MERLIN I heard something behind the door.

ARTHUR You're imagining things, Merlin.

MERLIN What do we do?

ARTHUR There's your ghost, Merlin.

GAIUS The potion will allow you to see Uther in his spirit form. Once you are in his presence, you must blow the horn. It is the only way you can force him to go back to the spirit world.

ARTHUR Is it safe?

GAIUS I can't say I'm entirely sure.

MERLIN What are you waiting for?
ARTHUR To see if it's safe.

MERLIN So, if I don't die, you'll take yours?

ARTHUR Precisely. Get on with it. Well, at least we know it doesn't kill you instantly. Eurgh! That... That is the foulest thing I've ever tasted.

MERLIN Sorry. Did I forget to tell you about that part? There!

ARTHUR Where?

MERLIN Oh, it's just our shadows. Ow!

LEON Arthur. Merlin.

ARTHUR and MERLIN Leon.

LEON Is everything all right, my Lord?

ARTHUR It's perfectly fine. We are... Merlin. Tell Leon what we're doing.

MERLIN We're... I'm teaching him some poetry.

LEON Poetry?

ARTHUR I...love poetry.

MERLIN I was as surprised as you are. He can't get enough of it.

LEON I'll leave you to your poetry, then, my Lord.

ARTHUR Poetry? That's the best you could come up with?

MERlIN What did you want me to say?

ARTHUR I don't know. Something that didn't make me sound like a love struck girl.

MERLIN What was that?

ARTHUR It was my father. I never thought the day would come when I would be hunting my own father. When I became King, more than anything, I wanted to make him proud. What is it?

MERLIN You've always done what you believed to be right even if you knew your father would disapprove of it. Do you not see how different you are to him? Camelot is a better place since you became King.

ARTHUR My father clearly doesn't think so.

MERLIN The people believe in you, Arthur. It counts for nothing if you don't believe in yourself.

ARTHUR Check the storeroom.

MERLIN Arthur!

ARTHUR Merlin? Merlin, is that you? Father? I know it's you, Father. Why are you doing this?

UTHER I did not spend my entire life building this kingdom to see my own son destroy it.

ARTHUR You tried to kill Guinevere.

UTHER For your own good. How can a serving girl understand what it means to be Queen?

ARTHUR Guinevere is wise, and strong, and I trust her more than anyone.

UTHER And that is your weakness. You put too much trust in other people. You, and you alone must rule Camelot.

ARTHUR I would rather not rule at all, than rule alone.

UTHER Your whole life, I tried to prepare you for the day you would become King. Did you learn nothing?

ARTHUR I watched you rule, and I learnt that if you trust no-one, you will always live in fear. Your hatred came from fear, not strength.

UTHER How dare you!

ARTHUR I loved, and respected you. But I have to rule the Kingdom in my own way. I have to do what I believe to be right.

UTHER I will not allow you destroy all that I built.

ARTHUR Then you will have to kill me. I am not you, Father. I can't rule the way you did.

UTHER Camelot must come before all else. Even you.

MERLIN Get away from him, Uther! You've caused enough harm. You don't belong here. You must return to the other world.

UTHER This is MY kingdom! You think you can drive me from it? You are nothing but a serving boy!

MERLIN I am much more than that.

UTHER You have magic?

MERLIN I was born with it!!

UTHER I made you Arthur's servant. You are a sorcerer?

MERLIN Even while you were King, there was magic at the heart of Camelot.

UTHER I will not allow you and your kind to poison my Kingdom.
MERLIN You're wrong. You're wrong. About so much. Arthur is a better, and more worthy King than you ever were.


UTHER No!

MERLIN Bael onbryne!

UTHER It will give me great pleasure killing you.

ARTHUR Father!

UTHER Arthur! No! Please. Whatever I have done, I have done for Camelot.

ARTHUR You've had your turn. Now it's mine.

UTHER Merlin has...

ARTHUR I always looked up to my father. I admired and respected him more than anyone. I have to accept that I can't please him, and be true to myself.

MERLIN Uther did what he thought he had to do to protect the Kingdom. That doesn't mean he was right.

ARTHUR I want to build a kingdom that is fair and just. One where everyone is respected, regardless of rank.

MERLIN Does that include me?

ARTHUR Of course.

MERLIN So, does that mean you're not going to hit me anymore?

ARTHUR When do I ever hit you?

MERLIN All the time.

ARTHUR That's not hitting, Merlin. That's merely friendly slaps. It's horseplay.

MERLIN So, can I give you a friendly slap?

ARTHUR You can certainly try. What the hell was that?

MERLIN It was, um...horseplay.

ARTHUR No, Merlin, you're doing it all wrong. Why don't I show you?