05x09 - The Bear King

Episode transcripts for the TV show "Once Upon A Time". Aired October 2011 - May 2018.*

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A woman with a troubled past is drawn to a New England town where fairy tales are to be believed.
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05x09 - The Bear King

Post by bunniefuu »

Previously on "Once Upon a Time"...

Because Merida has failed to relinquish her crown, her brothers will be ex*cuted.


Noooo!

k*ll her!

Hook: Not today, mate.

Get us out of here.

Zelena: Welcome home, Your Majesty.

( Breathing heavily )

Zelena: Ohh. Does that hurt? I can make it go away.

King Arthur: I don't need any more of your dark magic.

Zelena: Really? Would you rather I sent you back to face Merlin and Emma on your own?

Zelena: My dark magic is what allowed us to escape after you let them take control of Excalibur.

King Arthur: Because you spent the battle pinned to a tree.

Zelena: Careful, or you'll wish you never cut me lose.

King Arthur: You think I want to be working with a villain like you?

Zelena: Like it or not, we still need each other.

Zelena: ( Laughs ) You mean you need me to help you finish your pitiful quest to restore Excalibur.

King Arthur: Which I can use to destroy your sister so you can escape and give birth to this precious child of yours.

Zelena: ( Sighs ) Well, what do you suggest? Because the combined power of Merlin and the Dark One makes your knights useless.

King Arthur: Not true. My knights will help us defeat our foes if we give them the proper motivation.

King Arthur: How far can your magic transport us?

Zelena: Far enough. Why? Where do you want to go?

King Arthur: There's something that can help us in another land... A land called DunBroch.

( wind blowing )

Merida: I did it, Dad. I saved the boys. And I proved to the clans that I am fit to be their queen. Well, I may have united the clans behind me, but now comes the hard part... ruling over them. You always made it look so easy. I wish you were here so you... I could ask you how you did it.

( Rustling )

Elinor: He's always with you, Merida, even if it doesn't seem like it. ( Sighs ) I miss him, too. ( Sighs ) But today is not a day to wallow in sadness. Come. ( Sighs ) You can't be late for your own coronation.

( Chuckles )

( Inhales deeply )

( Door creaks )

King Fergus: Show yourself, Witch!

Witch: There's no witch here, just a simple woodcarver.

King Fergus: You gave me daughter magic, turned me wife and boys into bears. You're a witch.

Witch: Perhaps I... dabble with magic.

King Fergus: Good. 'Cause I need some. Invaders are attacking from the south. If I'm to lead the clans to victory over 'em, I'm gonna need some magic.

Witch: Hmm... Something to stop invaders from the south?

King Fergus: Something to ensure the future of my kingdom.

Witch: Yes. I can help you. But I must warn you, it won't come cheap.

King Fergus: Whatever your price is, I'll pay it.

Witch: I'm not in need of anything right now, but perhaps in the future. Call it an I.O.U.

( Whoosh )

King Fergus: Very well.

Witch: Then we have ourselves a deal.

Ha.

Let's see. This.

( Hissing )

Oh!

King Fergus: What's it do?

Witch: Wear this helm into battle, and you'll get exactly what you want.

King Fergus: Aye.

( Bagpipes play )

On behalf of clans Macintosh, Dingwall, and Macguffin, we freely give this crown.

Then it is my honor to crown you, Merida of clan DunBroch, as our true and rightful...

( door opens )

Did you forget to invite me, dear?

( Spectators murmuring )

What are you doing here, Witch?

Is this about the magic I took?

No, I'm here because of another happy customer of mine...

King Fergus.

Lies. My father would never stoop so low.

Well, he did not stoop... except to get through the door.

But he did come for magic... an enchanted helm, to be exact, one that glistens like the sun.

Merida, I'm afraid that is your father's mark.

Unfortunately, King Fergus d*ed before he could pay me what he owed.

Um, with interest...

10,000 gold sceats.

( Spectators murmuring )

That much gold would bankrupt the clans three times over.

If you don't have the gold, you could simply return the helm.

I can't return what I don't have.

Then you best find it.

If you don't return it by sundown tomorrow, I'll have no choice but to curse the entire kingdom!

( Spectators murmuring )

Oh, you wouldn't.

One drop of this, and all your subjects will live out the rest of their lives...

( laughs ) as bears.

( Spectators murmuring )

Quiet! Keep your heads!

Harder than it looks, dear.

If you ever hope to wear that crown, you need to figure out how to do what your father couldn't...

Lead.

( Murmuring continues )

Got to be here somewhere.

You won't find the helm here.

I will if you help me look.

Check that sideboard.

No, you won't find it because it's not here.

I packed that helm in dad's trunk myself when we left to fight the Southern invaders.

You mean he was wearing it when...

When he was k*lled.

What was the witch on about when she said dad didn't know how to lead?

What do you think the helm's magic did?

Whatever it did, I'm sure Fergus had good reason for needing it.

But right now we have a more pressing question.

If the helm's lost, what are we going to do about the witch?

I didn't say it was lost.

I just said it wasn't here.

You know where it is?

After the knight k*lled dad, he took the helm from him right there on the b*ttlefield.

Whoever the k*ller is, he has the helm.

No, Merida. Absolutely not.

I haven't even said anything yet!

But I know what you're thinking.

You are not going after him.

That knight already took Fergus from me.

I can't lose you, too.

If I don't figure out who he is and where to find him, my entire kingdom will be doomed.

He k*lled your father for that thing.

He won't give it up without a fight.

That's what I'm counting on.

Because this time, my arrow won't miss.

( Horses whinnying )

( Laughter )

( Horse snorts )

( Wolf-whistles )

Man: You're daft if you think we'd ever follow that wee lass into battle.

Who said that?

The next person to disrespect me daughter loses his tongue.

Dad, it's all right. I can look after myself.

I'm afraid the front is a lot rougher than you think, Merida.

Well, it can't be that rough if they're writing their sweethearts back home.

Those aren't love notes, Lassie.

They're wills.

They think they're gonna die?

You wanted to know what w*r was like.

I'm afraid this is it.

What's that?

Ah! It's me w*r bow.

I carried this into me first battle I ever fought.

I thought it only fitting for you to carry it into your first battle.

You're giving it to me?

Aye.

Thank you, Dad.

What?

Are you trying to soften me up or something?

( Sighs ) You can't hide anything from me.

Oh, your mother made me promise I'd keep you safe.

So I hired a soldier to tutor you in the art of w*r.

Oh, you think I need a man to babysit me, to teach me how to fight?

I'll show you.

Ohh.

Ohh. Ho. Ho.

( Groans )

( Breathing shallowly )

Mulan: You may not need a man to teach you how to fight, but you can learn a thing or two from me.

( Laughter )

I'm Mulan.

Merida.

I'll teach you how to fight better than any man here.

I'll teach you the most important thing you need to have to fight... honor.

Hand over the money, or things are going to get messy.

Your boss promised us 10 barrels of whiskey, not 5.

So? The deal's changed.

Now give me what you owe him, or I'm gonna take it myself.

You really think you can push us around, little lady?

Touch me again, and you lose the hand.

Is that so?

( Grunting )

I'll let you choose.

Do you want me to take the left hand or the right?

( Arrow zings )

You're daft taking on these brutes by yourself.

( Grunts )

Aah!

I had it under control.

What are you doing here?

Looking for you.

It's my kingdom and my family, Mulan.

I need your help.

Sorry, but the only person I help these days is myself.

Where's your sense of honor?

Honor. ( Chuckles )

Honor won't fill my purse.

What's happened to you, Mulan?

The warrior who taught me never cared for gold or riches.

Then you didn't know me very well.

If gold is what you're after, then have all I've got.

Okay, but on one condition.

Aye. What's that?

No more questions about me.

There it is.

( Rustling )

( Wolf snarling )

Whoa, whoa, easy.

Easy. Easy.

( Snarling continues )

( Wolf whimpers )

I see you've met me pet.

I'm afraid I won't be as easy to subdue.

We're here for the magic helm, I need it to save my kingdom.

You're not the only one, dear.

Unfortunately, I don't have what you're looking for.

Where is it?

If I knew where it was, I wouldn't have sent someone to fetch it for me.

Who did you send to find it?

If you're not gonna buy anything, I think it's time you leave.

Aah!

No one out-witches me.

Tell us who's looking for the helm, or you go bobbing for eye of newt.

All right, all right, I'll tell you.

Merida of DunBroch, King Fergus' daughter.

Aah!

She was a prisoner in my dungeon.

And you let her go?

No wonder you only had half a sword.

I didn't let her go. She escaped.

Is that supposed to make me feel better?

You're lucky I'm on your side because, when I'm done with that girl, she'll wish that she never left your prison cell.

Merida: This is it.

This is where my dad met his end.

What is it?

This arrow, the fletching, I'd recognize that anywhere.

I made it.

And...

You don't get it, do you?

This is the arrow I fired on that day, the one that just missed my father's k*ller.

But you didn't miss his cloak.

We can use this to find him.

I've got to make him pay for what he did to my dad.

Mourn on your own time.

We're wasting daylight. Let's go.

What happened to you, Mulan?

What do you mean?

You knew Fergus, too, but you're acting like you... like you never even met the man.

Have you already forgotten our deal?

No, I remember.

But what kind of friend would I be if it stuck to it?

Why have you closed off your heart like this?

There's one lesson I didn't teach you the last time we were here.

A true warrior doesn't let anything hurt them.

( Grunting )

Mulan: Not bad.

Next lesson, you never leave your flank open.

( Grunts, laughs )

I didn't.

I just wanted you to think I had.

You're learning.

Fighting isn't about who's stronger.

It's about who's smarter.

( Both laugh )

( Slow clap )

Look, fellas.

Our queen-to-be knocked over her nursemaid.

Too bad there not be any lassies for you to fight on the b*ttlefield.

Why? Are you not gonna be there?

Mulan: Merida, it's not worth it.

Why not?

I could kick his arse in front of everyone.

And that's being strong, not smart.

No one's gonna follow you out of fear.

Well, what will make them follow me?

These are your people, not mine.

If you don't know, you should ask someone who does...

Fergus: With everything we have!

Someone who they're already following.

( All cheering )

Merida: I love my dad.

And I won't give up until he has justice.

Look, if we find a weaver, they can tell us where this fabric was made.

Wait.

Someone's coming.

Zelena: That's a clever little trick... ( whoosh )

But not clever enough.

Oh, come now.

You wouldn't att*ck a mother-to-be, now, would you?

Arthur, what are you doing here?

I'm not going back to your dungeon if that's what you're thinking.

You really think I'd come all the way to this wretched place just to drag you back to Camelot?

We're here for something else, dear...

Your father's helm.

You, the witch...

Why does everybody want that bloody helmet?

It's the only way I'll ever save my kingdom.

So has the witch threatened to turn your people into bears, too?

You don't even know what the helm does, do you?

It has the power to make other men fight your battles, however dangerous they may be.

Are you lying?

That can't be.

It is.

And it's the only way I'll ever get my knights to stand up to Merlin and the Dark One.

No, my dad would never use magic to force people to fight for him.

Aww, apparently, daddy dearest wasn't the great king that you thought he was.

Back off.

We need that helm to stop the witch from cursing this land.

I'm afraid you're gonna have to find some other way to do that.

And who will even notice?

These people are practically animals already.

Even if we wanted to give it to you, we can't.

We don't have it.

Perhaps you don't, but we will.

( Whoosh )

That belonged to my father!

I know.

And with a simple locator spell, it'll lead us to another one of his possessions...

The helm.

No.

But that bow... was the last thing he ever gave me.

Ohh.

Then you'll have to console yourself with memories and the knowledge of what a terrible ruler he turned out to be.

( Laughs )

Ta-ta.

Where are you going?

Where do you think? Home.

Well, don't. There's no need.

They may have your bow, but we have this.

We'll find that helm first.

Oh, you don't get it, do you?

It's not about how we find the helm...

It's about what the helm's magic does.

Why does that matter?

Well, 'cause now...

I understand what the witch meant when she said my dad couldn't lead.

If he can't do it without magic, how can I?

Merida...

No.

My father used dark magic to lead innocent men to their deaths, and he paid the price for it.

He d*ed, too.

I'm not gonna make the rest of the kingdom suffer just to prove I could do what he couldn't.

So you're gonna let the witch curse DunBroch?

No, I'm gonna do what I should've from the start...

Tell Macintosh and the rest of the lords I can't find the helm, give them enough time to get it before the witch turns us all into bears.

Those lords can't even find the pointy end of their spear.

Well, they still stand a better chance than I ever will.

( Horse snorts )

You cannot give up like this!

Why not? You have.

Or is there another reason you're out here working for the highest bidder?

( Horse whinnies )

What are you doing down here?

I wanted to stand watch for myself.

The invaders will be sailing in any day now.

Do you think we'll win the w*r?

Ah, we'll give 'em everything we got.

What is it, daughter?

I can tell something's on your mind.

Mulan's a right good teacher.

There's one thing she can't teach me about leading this army.

What might that be?

How to inspire the clans to follow me into battle.

How do you do it?

How have you inspired all these men to follow you into battle, especially when so many of them know they're gonna die?
Dad... is everything all right?

Aye.

There's only one way to get men to follow you into a deadly battle.

That's by showing them you're the first one willing to die.

'Cause if their king is willing to lay down his life, they know just how important winning the battle is.

Is that really what you're gonna do?

Aw, you don't have to worry about me, lass.

I'm the Bear King.

I faced Mor'du.

I can handle whatever the Southern invaders throw at us.

Now, unless you want them to slip by, best keep me eye on the sea.

( Sighs )

( Horse snorts )

Mulan: All right, Witch.

Show me who this cloak belongs to.

( Wolf snarling )

( Snarling continues )

You're not a wolf.

( Wolf growling )

( Grunts )

You just need a little help remembering who you are.

( Wolf snarling )

( Breathing heavily )

Sorry about that.

( Panting )

My name's Ruby.

My friends call me Red.

( Breathes deeply )

How did you know I was a girl in wolf's clothing?

Mulan: You're not the first person I've met who a witch turned into a animal.

Mm. Yeah, well, wolfing out is kind of my thing.

But the witch found a way to put me under her thrall.

( Breathes deeply )

Are you Mulan?

Yes. Have we met?

No, but my friends told me about you.

Phillip and Aurora?

Mary Margaret and Emma.

But, uh, I know Phillip and Aurora.

I was in the other land with them.

Last I saw, they're doing great.

They were about to have a child.

Is everything okay? Did I say something?

No, I'm fine.

It's just I know how difficult it is traveling between realms.

How did you end up back here?

David: Excuse me, if I could have everyone's attention just for a moment...

( laughter )

It is our great joy to introduce you to our son...

Prince Neal.

Woman: Aww.

( Applause )

( Breathes deeply )

( Sighs )

What is it?

What's what?

Well, we just defeated the Wicked Witch and survived a time-travel adventure we didn't know we were a part of, and you're... What? The new bathroom attendant?

What's going on? What's wrong?

I'm fine.

( Sighs )

Okay.

( Sighs )

Look...

Ever since we got back to Storybrooke, I feel like I haven't... fit in.

And at first I thought it was because of the curse, but now that it's been broken, I...

Because you're the only one of your kind here.

Maybe.

I don't know. I...

( sighs )

Yeah, probably.

I just... I want to find more people like me.

( Breathes deeply )

So I've been helping Tiny work on his burnt-out fields, back when we thought we were gonna have to escape Zelena, and...

We haven't had much luck, but we did manage to grow this.

You want to go back to the Enchanted Forest.

Please don't try to stop me. I know you think I'm crazy.

I think you need to do what makes you happy.

( Breathes deeply )

Really?

You are my friend.

What else could I possibly want for you?

It doesn't mean I'm not gonna miss you.

( Sighs )

Not as much as I'll miss you.

And did you find what you were looking for here?

No.

My pack, the... others like me were gone.

There's no trace of them.

So I went to the witch for help.

And that's when she turned you into her guard dog.

Thank you for freeing me.

At least my visit helped someone.

Why exactly were you there?

I set a bad example for an old friend.

I wanted to find a way to make things right.

I thought the witch might have some magic that would help us track down the man who k*lled my friend's father.

That belonged to him?

Yes.

You don't need magic to hunt the k*ller down.

Come on. Let's go help your friend.

Elinor: You can't seriously be considering giving the crown to him?

It's the only way to ensure we won't all end up under the witch's curse.

I think I'd rather be a bear again than bow down to clan Macintosh.

Mom.

If you can find the helm before the witch's deadline... the crown is yours.

( Footsteps approach )

Don't hand it over just yet.

You were right, Merida.

I gave up, and I was wrong.

But so were you.

We're gonna find the knight that ran Fergus through.

How?

I brought a friend.

I'm gonna sniff him out.

( Both grunt )

Have you already forgotten everything I taught you?

( Inhales deeply ) Why do we have to start before the rooster's even crowed.

( Bagpipes play )

The invaders.

You brought me out here to keep me from the fight.

Dad put you up to it, didn't he?

Merida... out of my way.

No.

( Indistinct shouting )

Man: Draw!

Fergus: Only cowards att*ck without declaring where they're from or who they fight for.

We're not ashamed of who we are.

Man: No!

So let's show them what happens when you face the combined might of clans DunBroch, Macintosh, Dingwall, and Macguffin!

( All shouting )

( Shouting continues )

( Grunts )

( Panting )

( Shouting, screaming continues )

I am not gonna miss this fight.

Dad!

Fergus!

( Arrow zings )

Aah!

No!

No!

No!

Mulan: Stop.

( Shouting continues in distance )

Are you certain the helm's here?

Well, this is where daddy DunBroch's bow says it is.

( Chuckles )

When will you learn to stop doubting me, dear?

( Arrow zings )

That doesn't belong to you.

Oh, you don't know when to give up.

Where is he? Where's the man who k*lled my dad?

That's him. He k*lled Fergus.

His scent is all over this cloak.

You...

You're the one.

I led my knights on a quest to find the missing piece of Excalibur.

We heard rumor of magic in these lands, so I landed here in the hopes I could finally complete my sword.

So it's true.

You k*lled my father.

A knight does what he must on the b*ttlefield.

You're gonna get yourself k*lled.

She isn't the only one.

This isn't about revenge.

This is about you finding the helm and saving your people.

But he... if you're the one who k*lled my dad, why don't you have the helm?

I saw you take it off him with my own eyes.

'Cause the helm Fergus was wearing when he d*ed wasn't enchanted.

What?

It was a piece of iron polished to a shine.

When I put it on to rally my men, it didn't do anything.

We lost the battle.

Dad must've thrown the helm he got from the witch into the sea before the battle began.

And you know what this means, right?

He didn't use magic to lead the troops into battle.

They followed him because they believed in him.

Zelena: Oh, as touching as this family drama is, we need the helm.

And I'm gonna do whatever it takes to stop you from leaving DunBroch with it.

My people are counting on me.

And so are mine.

I've already k*lled DunBroch's king.

Now it looks like I'll have to k*ll its queen.

You have no idea of the dark path you sent me down.

Oh, I've been down plenty of my own.

It's the burden of wearing a crown.

I blamed myself for my dad's death, when I really should've blamed you.

( Grunts )

I'm not just gonna keep you from getting the helm.

I'm gonna make you pay for what you did to him.

Don't take another step.

This isn't your battle.

Do you have any idea who you're dealing with?

You don't scare me.

( Breathes deeply ) Sleeping powder. Clever.

She used it on me.

How do you like it now, witch?

Hurry. It won't last long.

( Breathing heavily )

I need that helm to get Excalibur and fulfill my destiny as Camelot's king.

( Roars )

Reach for it, and I will cut you down just like your father.

Macintosh: Make another move, and you'll look like a porcupine.

This time, one of those arrows is bound to hit more than just your cloak.

Oh, where's that bloody witch when I need her?

Mulan: She's sleeping on the job.

Even your magic can't stop all these arrows.

Seems we need to find some other means of retrieving Excalibur.

Zelena: ( Slurring ) Yes.

But perhaps that's a discussion best had in Camelot.

Man: Who's she?

Thank you.

All of you.

I wouldn't have the helm if it wasn't for you.

We couldn't let our queen fall.

After all this... you still want me to be your queen?

You were willing to give up your crown for the good of the kingdom, give up your life to get that helm.

I only ever saw one person make a sacrifice like that, and it was your father.

If you're not fit to lead the clans, no one is.

Elinor: Presenting Queen Merida of DunBroch, leader of the clans, protector of the highlands, and my daughter.

( All cheering )

( All gasp )

You're early.

The sun's nearly set.

Unless you want to rule over a kingdom of bears, you better have me helm.

Oh, I have it, but I'm not gonna hand it over to you.

I'm going to destroy it.

( Spectators murmuring )

Are you sure that's wise, dear?

Merida?

I know what I'm doing, Mother.

No one should have the power to lead people into a fight they don't believe in.

I'll find a way to stop your curse, but I am not going to be bullied into giving this back.

( Chuckling ) I was hoping you'd say that.

What, now?

This was never about the helm, dear.

This was about you.

You mean this was all a test?

King Fergus came to me asking for magic to ensure the future of his kingdom, and that's exactly what I gave him.

Getting the helm back made me understand what it takes to rule.

Your magic's never very direct, is it?

It gets the job done.

I pride myself on satisfied customers.

Are we done, then?

Not quite.

I wouldn't have come to a coronation without a gift.

It's not another carving of a bear, is it?

Better.

There's one person who could not be here today to see you crowned.

My dad.

What's that?

Magical ale.

You know the legend of Seonaidh, don't you, dear?

Aye. Is it true?

Indeed.

One cup of this can summon the spirit of anyone who's passed to the underworld.

You mean I can talk to my dad?

Thank you.

Man: Long live, Queen Merida!

( All cheering )

Merida: Thank you.

If it weren't for the two of you, I'd have let my whole kingdom down.

And if it weren't for you, I'd still be shaking down thugs in a tavern.

And I'd still be licking my chops in that witch's cottage.

Here.

It wouldn't be honorable for me to keep this.

Does this mean I can finally ask what happened before I found you?

( Breathes deeply )

Well, if you must know...

I was trying to get over a broken heart.

I waited too long to tell someone how I felt about them.

And when I finally worked up the courage, it was too late.

I'm sorry, Mulan.

You know, I might not be the best person to ask for dating advice.

I kind of ate the only boyfriend I've ever had.

Yes, I think that disqualifies you.

But... maybe I can help.

Come with me.

It might do you some good.

Searching for werewolves?

It's better than wallowing in self-pity.

I don't wallow.

( Scoffs )

Look, maybe helping someone else find their path will help you with yours.

Thank you.

Well, good luck.

To both of you.

( Breathes deeply )

( Horse whinnies )

( Breathing shakily )

Here it goes.

( Exhales deeply )

Fergus: Don't waste that.

It's good ale.

( Breathing shakily )

Dad.

Merida...

You did it.

You became queen.

I'm sorry.

For what?

I lost faith in you.

I thought you used the enchanted helm to lead your troops into battle.

It's all right.

I lost faith in meself when I went to the witch for that helm.

Why didn't you use it?

What made you change your mind?

You did...

The night before the battle.

After I spoke to you, I realized if I wanted to show you what it took to be a leader, I couldn't use magic to do it.

Aye.

You showed me what a true leader is.

Mm.

And I will never forget that.

( Voice breaking ) I just want to make you proud, Dad.

You already have.

( Cries )

( Crying ) I wish you were still here.

Me too.

( Cries )

( Sniffles ) Dad... I love you.

( Cries, exhales deeply )

Arthur... you have no idea what's coming for you.
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