Dragon’s den
Merlin is lying on the ground, shivering with fever.
Merlin: I didn’t think you’d answer my call.
Kilgharrah: Merlin, I could not resist a Dragon Lord, even if I wanted to.
Merlin: I’m grateful. Thank you.
Merlin tries to move, moaning with pain.
Kilgharrah: Lie still.
Merlin: Ow, my head.
Kilgharrah: The Serket’s poison is powerful. I have given you an enchantment that will help you heal. But it will take time.
---
Gaius’s chambers
Arthur: Where is that half-wit?
Gaius: Merlin?
Arthur: I’ve got no socks, no breeches and an archery session to go to. Merlin!
Gaius: I thought he was with you, sire.
Arthur: Don’t try to cover for him!
Gaius: He didn’t come home last night, I can’t find him.
Arthur: Well, when you do, you can tell him he’s the target.
---
Morgana sneaks through the castle and peeks around the corner at some guards. She sets fire to some brush and places it in a hole in the wall to fill the corridor with smoke. The guards leave the corridor.
Morgana sneaks through to the King's chambers, wraps a string around the mandrake root and strangles it several times. Each time the root screams and Uther is more and more terrified.
---
Dragon’s den
Merlin is waking up.
Merlin: You shouldn’t have let me sleep.
Kilgharrah: I had no choice young warlock. The venom was too strong even for your great powers.
Merlin: I don’t have time, I need to go back to Camelot.
Merlin stands up with difficulty.
Merlin: The Kingdom is in danger and… it’s my fault. I should have listened to you. I should have never trusted Morgana.
Kilgharrah: You did what you felt was right and that shows great courage. But trust is a double-edged sword.
Merlin: I thought because she has magic, I thought … we were the same.
Kilgharrah: In some ways, you are.
Merlin: No. I will never be like her.
Kilgharrah: You have learnt an important lesson, Merlin. Your determination to see goodness in people will be your undoing. But I fear that your futures are now joined forever. She is the darkness to your light, the hatred to your love.
Merlin: I need to get back to Camelot.
Kilgharrah: You’re not yet fully recovered, Merlin, and it’s more than three days walk.
Merlin (smiling): I’ve no intention of walking.
---
Merlin is flying on the Dragon’s back (Reference to the Titanic movie)
Merlin: Woooo….. wooooooo!
The dragon drops Merlin off in a field close to Camelot.
Kilgharrah: This is as far as I go.
Merlin: Thank you. I won’t forget this.
Kilgharrah: Be careful, young warlock. The great battle of Camelot has begun. You must be strong, for Arthur’s destiny and the future of Albion lie in your hands.
The dragon flies away.
---
Gaius’s chambers
Gaius is asleep. Merlin shakes Gaius to wake him up.
Merlin: You need to wake up.
Gaius: Merlin? Where have you been?
Merlin: I don’t have time to explain.
Gaius: Are you all right?
Merlin: Morgana is in league with Morgause, she’s plotting against Uther.
Gaius: What?
Merlin: She’s responsible for his visions. Come on, hurry up. There is something I need to show you.
---
Uther’s chambers
The room is in a chaos, Uther is crouched in a corner.
Gaius: Uther… Uther!
Uther clings desperately to Gaius while he stares over Gaius's shoulder. Uther sees Ygraine; she looks like a sopping ghost, with five drowned children in the middle of the room
Soaking ghost: Please!
Merlin rushes to the bed, removes the root, and throws it into the fire. The mandrake screams in the fire.
Gaius: It was an enchantment, sire. You need to rest.
Merlin and Gaius carry Uther on his bed.
Gaius: Please drink this, sire. It will help you to sleep.
---
Gaius’s chambers
Merlin: We must tell Uther what Morgana has done.
Gaius: Are you mad? He’d have both heads if we made such accusations, he’d look on it as treason.
Merlin: We can’t let her go away with it!
Gaius: He dotes on her every word, Merlin.
Merlin: But if he knew…
Gaius: You’ve seen how blind he is to her faults. Besides, the root is gone now. It can do no more harm.
Merlin: No, you don’t understand. I heard Morgana and Morgause, there’s more to their plan, I’m sure of it.
---
In a cave
Morgause is looking in a crystal. Cenred’s armies are marching towards Camelot. Sir Leon and a patrol are looking at the scene from the top of a hill.
---
Arthur’s chambers
Merlin is opening the curtains. He discovers that the room is in a total mess.
Merlin: What happened?!
Arthur: What happened? I’ve has to make do without a servant, that’s what happened!
Merlin: I wasn’t gone for that long!
Arthur: Without my permission.
Merlin: What if I was dying?
Arthur: I wouldn’t be complaining. But you’re not. So where’ve you been?
Merlin: I was dying.
Arthur: I don’t have time for this! The future of a kingdom rests upon my shoulders. Do you have any idea what that feels like?
Merlin: Well…
Arthur: Merlin! I should have you thrown in the dungeons, so what have you got to say for yourself?
Merlin: You’ve not had your breakfast this morning have you?
Arthur: I’ll have you for breakfast.
Arthur starts throwing things at Merlin’s head.
Merlin: It’s no wonder this place is a mess. Oh yes, I can see you’ve got the makings of a great king (!).
Arthur throws another object and Merlin ducks out of the room.
---
Morgana’s chambers
Gwen: May I clear away the dishes, my lady?
Morgana stares out the window, Arthur and Merlin are walking in the castle courtyard.
Gwen: Morgana?
Morgana: I was thinking about what to wear.
She looks through the window again.
Morgana: I must dress.
---
Uther’s chambers
Morgana is looking for the root under the bed.
Gaius: Have you lost something my lady?
Morgana: My earring. I thought I might have dropped it while I was here yesterday. How is he?
Gaius: Much better. We found the source of his sickness. He was being enchanted.
Morgana: Enchanted?
Gaius: You need not to worry my lady. He’ll make a full recovery.
Morgana: That is a relief.
Gaius: Indeed, my lady.
---
Merlin is walking in a corridor. Suddenly, he is violently grabbed by the wrist. It’s Morgana.
Morgana: I don’t know how you managed to escape but I do know one thing. If you breathe a word of what you saw, I will make your life a very short and painful one. Just think how Uther would react if he learnt that a serving boy tried to poison his beloved ward.
---
The Camelot’s patrol is rushing back to the fortress.
---
Council chamber
Sir Leon: I estimate they will reach the city within two days.
Arthur: Under whose banner do they march?
Sir Leon: Cenred’s, sire. We knew he was amassing an army…
Arthur: How many men?
Sir Leon: 20,000, maybe more.
Gaius: I feel the king’s illness has spread beyond our borders. Cenred sees the opportunity.
Sir Leon: Then we must find a way to appease him.
Arthur: My father wouldn’t bow to his enemies.
Gaius: Forgive me sire, we are outnumbered, two to one.
Arthur: What concessions will Cenred insist on? What territories will he demand?
Gaius: We do not have to give him anything but it could buy valuable time.
Arthur: It shows weakness, Gaius. There is only one course of action open to us. We must prepare the city for siege.
Sir Leon: Are you sure this is wise?
Arthur: The castle is our strongest w*apon. No army has ever taken Camelot.
Sir Leon: What about the people in the outlying villages?
Arthur: Give them refuge within the city walls.
Sir Leon: And what of their houses, their livelihoods? Cenred will destroy everything in his path.
Arthur: But they will have their lives. Go. Ready the army.
---
Open gallery, castle courtyard
Merlin: You did well in there. I mean it. I was impressed. We’re talking siege engines, battering rams, catapults… you made a tough decision. You’re risking…
Arthur: Do you know what?
Merlin: What?
Arthur: I’d really prefer it if you’d just kept quiet in these situations.
Merlin: I’m just trying to help.
Arthur: Well, you’re not.
Merlin: I know you don’t mean that, you’re just worried. But you don’t need to be. Look at what you’ve got.
Arthur: What?
Merlin: You and…me.
Arthur: Merlin, what exactly are YOU going to do?
Merlin: I’m going to be at your side like I always am. Protecting you.
Arthur: God help me!
---
Countryside
Cenred: My dear Morgause.
Morgause: Cenred.
Cenred: My army shall be here by nightfall.
Morgause smiles.
Cenred: I’m glad that pleases you.
Morgause: I’ll wait to see if you deliver before I say that I am pleased.
Cenred: And when I do?
Morgause: Then I will give you a feast that you will never forget.
---
Arthur’s chambers (Knock at the door)
Gwen: I’m sorry, I didn’t mean…
Arthur: No. Come in. Please.
Gwen: How is your father?
Arthur: I could do with him here.
Gwen: You should have more confidence in yourself.
Arthur: What are the people saying?
Gwen: They are glad that you have taken charge.
Arthur: I’ve committed them to a siege. There’s going to be casualties, Gwen.
Gwen: I trust you, Arthur. More than Uther, more than any man. Worry is not a wise counsel. Forget everything else, you have to follow what you believe is right.
Arthur places his hand over Gwen’s. Gwen looks up at him and steps back
Gwen: I should go, sire.
Arthur: There’s no need to call me that.
Gwen: There is every need… SIRE.
Gwen leaves the room.
---
Castle staircase
Morgana is watching the soldiers, preparing for the siege before she sneaks out of the city
---
In the woods
Morgana: Where have you been?
Morgause: What’s wrong sister?
Morgana: It’s Merlin. He’s alive, he’s back in Camelot. He has thwarted us. He destroyed the mandrake root. Your enchantment has been broken.
Morgause: Do not worry. The root has already done its work and Cenred’s army are less than a day from the city.
Morgana: Then it is time.
Morgause: Are you ready? Morgana, Cenred’s army are mighty, but they cannot bring down the city on their own. You too, must play your part.
Morgana: Tell me what I must do.
Morgause holds out a staff
Morgause: It was carved from the rowan tree that grows at the very heart of the Isle of the Blessed. Only the High Priestesses and their Bloodguards have ever set eyes on it.
Morgana: My magic is still too weak. I do not have the strength to wield such an instrument.
Morgause: Do not worry. The staff will guide you. It carries its own power.
Morgana: I will not fail you.
---
Flows of peasants are walking into Camelot.
---
Griffin staircase
Merlin is dragging heavy bags.
Arthur: Merlin, where have you been? I've been calling for you.
Merlin: Gathering provisions. 25 salted cod, 15 dried capers, and one smoked boar.
Arthur: What on earth for?
Merlin: We're preparing for a siege.
Arthur: Yes, not a banquet.
Merlin: You know what you're like without food. We could be trapped in here for weeks, months, even. Look what I've got for your breakfast. Your favourite… Pickled eggs.
---
In the other staircase, soldiers continue to prepare for the siege. Arthur walks through the infirmary giving instructions to Sir Leon. Arthur catches sight of Gwen and nods.
---
Courtyard gallery
Arthur: Has everyone from the outlying villages been given shelter?
Sir Leon: As best as we can, Sire. They amount to almost 9,000 so far, but they're still coming.
Arthur: How long will our provisions last?
Leon: Depends, sire, on losses sustained.
Arthur: And Cenred?
Sir Leon: Our scouts report he'll be upon us a matter of hours.
---
Uther's chambers
Arthur sits by his father's bedside. Merlin comes in.
Merlin: Sire. It's time.
Arthur gets up and places his hand on his sleeping father.
Arthur: I promise, I won’t let you down.
---
On the battlements, Arthur and Merlin look out at the enemy. Then Arthur leads his knights past his army in the courtyard. In a lower chamber, Arthur steels himself as his knights prepare their weapons.
---
Arthur's Chambers
Merlin helps Arthur on with his armour. He pulls too tightly on a strap.
Merlin (whispering): Sorry.
Arthur: It's not like you to get nervous, is it, Merlin?
Merlin: I'm not nervous.
Arthur: No?
Merlin: Because I trust in your destiny.
Arthur: Have you been on the cider?
Merlin: It is your fate to be the greatest king Camelot has ever known. And your victory today will be remembered...by every age until the end of time. Just trust in yourself.
Arthur: There are times, Merlin, when you display a sort of...I don't know what it is. I want to say...it's not wisdom. But, yes. That's what it is.
Merlin smiles.
Arthur: Don't look so pleased. The rest of the time you're a complete idiot.
---
Morgana's Chambers
Morgana watches the soldiers file out of the castle.
---
Castle
Arthur walks past his soldiers and then raises his sword.
Arthur: For the love of Camelot!
Knights: For the love of Camelot!
They go out to carry on preparing for the siege.
---
Cenred’s army is marching towards the citadel. Cenred and Morgause are watching the scene. Cenred’s soldiers are setting fire to ammunitions in trebuchets.
Cenred: Fire!
The fireballs are thrown. The first ones start falling amongst Camelot’s soldiers.
Uther wakes up and gets up from is bed.
Meanwhile, troops are invading the lower parts of the city. The battle really begins, full of noise and fury.
Uther wearing his armour arrives in the courtyard. He draws his sword and runs across the drawbridge.
Sir Leon: Hold the line! … Speaking to Uther…You need to go back, sire.
Uther does not seem to understand; he walks past Sir Leon and reaches the front line.
---
Hospital
Merlin comes in and catches a sight of Morgana.
Merlin: Gaius, one of us needs to keep an eye on her.
Gaius: Don’t worry, I am.
Merlin: You mustn’t let her out of your sight. I need to get back to Arthur.
---
In the courtyard, a fireball falls near Merlin, he is knocked down.
---
Cenred’s soldiers are using ladders to climb onto battlements. Cenred and Morgause are still watching the battle.
Arthur and Uther are in the middle of the battle. Arthur catches a sight of his father.
Arthur: Father!
Arthur drags Uther away from the front line.
Uther: What are you doing?
Arthur: You are not well.
Uther: This is my kingdom! Argh!
Uther gets hit by an arrow and collapses in Arthur’s arms. The barricade is overwhelmed.
Arthur: Pull back! Retreat!
Merlin arrives as Camelot’s soldiers are retreating; enemies are climbing over the barricade.
Merlin casts a spell: Forbearnan!
The spell creates a wall of fire to block the enemies.
---
In the hospital, Morgana leaves the room. Gaius sees her leaving and he follows her. She goes to her chamber, she fetches the rowan staff from under her bed and hides behind a column while Gaius is looking around before leaving the room.
---
Courtyard
Arthur is helping is father.
U: You must get back, we are losing the lower town.
Arthur: It’s already lost, father.
U: And the citadel?
Arthur: Safe for now.
U: It must stay this way.
Arthur: You have to trust me father, I know what I am doing.
Uther groans with pain as Arthur is pulling the arrow out of his leg.
Arthur: You must rest. When you’re well again, you will still have a kingdom, I promise you that.
Merlin helps Uther to go to the infirmary. The battle is raging.
---
Coutryside
Cenred: The lower town is ours!
Morgause: That will hardly fill the pages of history. What of the citadel itself?
Cenred: Their defences are strong. It is time for you to deliver your side of the bargain.
Morgause: Patience, Cenred, you will not be disappointed.
---
Castle
Morgana is making her way for the crypt of the castle.
---
Uther arrives in the hospital, helped by Merlin.
Merlin: Where is Gaius?
Gwen: I don’t know.
Gaius: Morgana’s disappeared.
---
In the crypt, in the middle of tombs, Morgana smirks. Meanwhile, Merlin bursts into her chambers looking for her. Morgana pushes the staff into the floor. Merlin feels the jolt of magic.
---
Morgause feels the magic too, she looks satisfied.
Cenred: Enough of your games, Morgause. What happened to your traitor?
Morgause: For such a great king you have very little patience.
Cenred: The time for patience is over!
Morgause: You need not to worry much longer. No army can fight on two fronts. Not even the knights of Camelot.
---
In the crypt, the rowan staff is sh**ting beams at the tombs around. Outside, the battle is raging. In the crypt, skeletons start bursting out of the tombs.
---
Castle courtyard
Arthur is helping a wounded soldier; there are things on fire everywhere.
Arthur: Take him to hospital.
He makes out Merlin walking down the steps.
Arthur: Merlin! Where the hell have you been?
Merlin: Nowhere!
Arthur: You are starting to make a habit of this. What’s your excuse this time?
Merlin is gaping at something behind Arthur.
Arthur: Come on Merlin, you can do better than that.
Merlin is finger pointing something. Arthur turns to discover an army of armed skeletons walking towards him.
Arthurs starts fighting against one of them, he stabs the skeleton. The skeleton shrugs and keeps fighting.
Merlin starts fighting against another skeleton he chops its arm off. A knight takes on the one-armed skeleton while Merlin tries to slash the chopped arm on the ground.
---
Arthur and Merlin are rushing in the griffin staircase.
Arthur: You need to warn Gaius. Tell him to seal the hospital.
They see the shadow of skeleton entering the castle.
Arthur: Merlin! Do as I say!
Merlin rushes up the steps while the skeleton is walking to fight against Arthur.
---
In the hospital
Uther: I have to get out of there.
Gaius: No, sire. You are still weak from the medicine I gave you. I told you that…
Uther: I cannot watch my kingdom fall and do nothing.
Gaius: Arthur will defend it.
Merlin: Gaius?
Gaius leaves Uther to talk with Merlin.
Merlin: You have to seal off the hospital. The castle is under att*ck from within.
Gaius: What are you talking about?
Merlin: Morgana. She summoned an army of the dead. They’re everywhere.
Gaius: Where are you going?
Merlin: To try and stop her.
Wielding a sword, Merlin rushes downstairs to the crypt.
---
At the drawbridge, Camelot’s soldiers are still fighting. Sir Leon moves back from the front line and turns to see the skeleton army walking towards him.
Sir Leon: On me!
Sir Leon starts fighting against a skeleton.
---
Hospital
Arthur: We can’t fight a battle on two fronts.
Gwen: Keep still.
Gwen bandages Arthur’s hand. Arthur winces.
Arthur: I don’t know how much longer we can keep the citadel. We need to get my father to safety.
Gaius: How? We no longer control the Lower Town. There is no escape, Arthur.
---
Merlin arrives in the crypt, Morgana turns and looks at him.
Morgana: You should leave now, while you still can.
Merlin: Morgana, please, I BEG you. Women and children are dying. The city will fall.
Morgana: Good.
Merlin: No, you don’t mean that.
Morgana: I have magic, Merlin. Uther hates me and everyone like me. Why should I feel any differently about him.
Merlin: You of all your people could change Uther’s mind. But doing this, using magic like this, will only harden his heart.
Morgana: You don’t have magic, Merlin. How could you hope to understand.
Merlin: I do understand, believe me. If I had your gifts I would harness them for good. That’s what magic should be for. That’s why you were born with these powers.
Morgana: You don’t know what it’s like to be an outsider. To be ashamed of how you were born, to have to hide who you are. Do you think I deserve to be ex*cuted because of who I am?
Merlin: No. It doesn’t have to be like this. We can find another way.
Morgana: There is no other way.
Merlin backs up, walks behind a pillar and tries to dash on the other side to reach the rowan staff. Morgana hits him with her sword. Merlin gasps.
Merlin: What are you going to do… k*ll me?
Morgana: You don’t think I can?
Merlin: If you’re going to do it, make it quick.
Morgana tries to hit Merlin, he ducks and takes his sword. They fight.
---
At the drawbridge, Sir Leon and his troops are fighting caught between Cenred’s army and the skeletons.
---
In the crypt the fight between Merlin and Morgana goes on.
---
At the drawbridge the battle rages.
---
Morgana manages to disarm Merlin. He avoids her att*ck. Merlin ducks behind a tomb and casts a spell.
Merlin: (Feoll bu brand.)
The spell makes the vault roof collapse on Morgana who is knocked out. Merlin picks up the sword and runs to the rowan staff.
He cast another spell.
Merlin: Snee-des.
He hits the rowan staff with the sword and breaks it.
---
In a corridor, Arthur is fighting against a skeleton that suddenly crumbles.
---
At the drawbridge, skeletons also crumble. Sir Leon goes back with the rest of the soldiers to fight Cenred’s army. Camelot’s knights are pushing back Cenred’s army att*ck.
---
Cenred and Morgause are watching the battle, they look more and more disappointed.
Cenred: Your traitor has failed us just as I knew they would. I’m calling off the siege.
Morgause: You can’t!
Cenred: I cannot take the city unaided. That was not our bargain.
Morgause: You have failed me, Cenred.
Cenred: I would rather fail you, Morgause than watch thousands of men die.
---
Throne room
Merlin: Sire.
Arthur: What is it?
Merlin: I need to tell you something about Morgana.
Arthur: It’s all right. We all know what happened.
Merlin: You do?
Uther: In my time we’ve won many battles, but none so important as this. Every man, every woman and child has performed their heroic best, and I thank you and I salute you all. Even before the battle, we knew there was a traitor in our midst, one who was almost the undoing of us. However we have to thank the one person who outwitted them, and who, almost singlehandedly, turned the battle. The lady Morgana…
Morgana comes to meet Uther and the crowd applauds…
Uther: For it was she, who very bravely entered the vault, found the magical vessel and destroyed it. We must be vigilant. We must stand firm against the dark forces of magic, and make sure that they never penetrate our walls again.
During the king’s speech, Morgana and Merlin keep staring at each other.
---
Gaius’s chambers
Merlin: Why is Uther so blind of her true nature?
Gaius: I don’t know, Merlin. It is a mystery. But Morgana will try again.
Merlin: I’ll be ready for her.
Gaius: You must be careful.
Merlin: I’m not afraid of her, Gaius.
Gaius: You should be.
Merlin: All I feel for her is… sad. She’s become so bitter, so full of hate.
Gaius: Don’t let that happen to you, Merlin.
Merlin: Nothing could ever make me that angry.
Arthur’s distance voice shouting: Merlin!
Arthurs enters.
Arthur: Get your lazy backside out here.
Merlin: On second thoughts…
He gets up and Gaius smiles.
03x02 - The Tears of Uther Pendragon (Part Two)
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The saga of King Arthur and his wizard, Merlin, both young men struggling to understand their future destinies.
The saga of King Arthur and his wizard, Merlin, both young men struggling to understand their future destinies.