Transcript:The Fires of Idirsholas

The transcript for The Fires of Idirsholas, found here.

[Morgause walks behind tall cobwebbed figures in the chamber of an empty old castle] Morgause: Cnihtas Medhires, éower sáwla sind min sáwla. Onwác and cóm hér eft. Rid eft ond forsliehð eft. Gehðu, Uther Pendragon! [Morgause lights a fire in the middle of the circle of figures. the figures begin to move] -- [Council Chamber of Doom] Joseph: I'm a herder from the northern plains, Sire. Three nights back, we were camped beneath the walls of Idirsholas. Uther: I'm not sure I would've chosen such a place. Joseph: Good pasture is scarce at this time of year, Sire. Uther: And what is it you have to tell me? Joseph: While we were there we, we saw smoke rising from the citadel. Gaius: And did you see anything else? Joseph: No. Uther: Did you go inside? Joseph: No. Nobody has stepped over that threshold for 300 years! You must know the legend, Sire. Gaius: When the fires of Idirsholas burn, the knights of Medhir will ride again. Uther: See to it this man is fed and has a bed for the night. Take a ride out there. Arthur: Why? Uther: So we can put people's minds at rest. Arthur: Surely this is superstitious nonsense? Uther: Gather the guard and do as I say. -- [Physician's Chambers] Merlin: Why is Uther so worried? Gaius: Because the Knights of Medhir are a force to be reckoned with. Merlin: Do you believe the story as well? Gaius: It's more than a story, Merlin. Some 300 years ago, seven of Camelot's knights were seduced by a sorcerer's call. One by one, they succumbed to her power. At her command, they became a terrifying and brutal force that rode through the lands leaving death and destruction in their wake. Merlin: What happened? Gaius: It was only after the sorcerer herself was killed that the Knights of Medhir finally grew still. Merlin, if what Joseph says is true, then something has awoken them, and I fear for each and every one of us. -- [Morgana enters her room and finds her window open and a little box on her window ledge. she opens it and read the note placed inside] "My dearest Morgana, Meet me tonight after sundown in ...outside the castle gates. I will...the marked and distinctive... Until then, keep..."

Gwen: Are you alright? [Morgana crumples the note] Morgana: Yes, just a little cold. Gwen: Do you need something warmer? Morgana: No, thank you. -- [Merlin and Arthur's party riding through the woods] Arthur: What is it, Merlin? Don't tell me you've been listening to Gaius's bedtime stories again. Merlin: I just hope that's all they are. -- [Morgana sneaks out of the castle at night to meet Morgause in the woods] Morgause: You look well. Morgana: Thanks to you. [Morgana touches the enchanted bracelet Morgause gave her] Morgana: I wear it all the time. I can't remember when I last had a bad dream. Morgause: But you do not seem happy. Why is that? Morgana: I would be if I didn't have to pretend. Morgause: Pretend? Morgana: That I'm Uther's loving ward when I hate him. Morgause: Have you ever imagined a new world, Morgana? One where Uther was no more? Morgana: Sometimes. Morgause: And is that what you'd like? Morgana: I once had the chance to be his assassin. Morgause: And what stopped you? Morgana: I don't know. I believe he cared for me. But not anymore. He cares for no one. Morgause: So you want Uther destroyed and his reign to end? Morgana: More than anything. But it doesn't matter what I want. The future's not of my making. Morgause: You are wrong, Morgana. You underestimate your importance. The decisions you make now will change the shape of everything that is to come. Morgana: What do you mean? Morgause: Whose side are you on, Morgana? Are you with Uther? Or are you with me? Are you prepared to help me bring about his downfall? Morgana: I am. Morgause: I can't tell me how much it means to hear you say that. [Morgause's eyes glow and Morgana passes out in Morgause's arms. Morgause lays her on the ground and begins to draw a circle around Morgana with a stick] Morgause: Acene slæp swilce ... Acene slæp swilce ... Acene slæp swilce ... [Morgana begins to glow] -- [Morgana wakes in her bed the next morning] Gwen: Morning, My Lady. Morgana. Morgana. Morgana: Yes. Gwen: Did you sleep well? *yawn* Morgana: Yes. Better than you, by the looks of it. Gwen: Sorry. *sigh* -- [Uther sits up in bed, sweating] Uther: I have court business that needs attending to. Gaius: You have to stay in bed, Sire. You have a fever. I'll prepare a tonic for you. When did he first fall ill? Leon: It came on this morning. It's not something to worry about? Gaius: No. It will soon pass. Be sure to let me know if there's any change. -- [Arthur's party rides for Idirsholas, enters the ruins] Merlin: What's that noise? Arthur: What noise? Merlin: A sort of trembling sound. Arthur: That's your knees knocking together. -- [Gwen sitting in Physician's Chambers waiting for Gaius to give her a remedy] Gaius: I fear this contagion is spreading. You're the fifth person I've seen today. Gwen: I'm sure it's nothing. [Gaius knocks a potion bottle to the floor, which shatters] Gaius: Damn. [he bends down] Gaius: Ooh. [straightens up] Gaius: I'll pick that up later. I think I might need a little something myself. If I can ever find what it is I'm looking for. -- [Arthur's party enters the chamber in the fortress of Idirsholas where Morgause awoke the knights at the beginning. Arthur checks the ashes of the fire] Arthur: It seems part of Joseph's story was true. Probably just travellers passing through. [Merlin turns his head back toward the entrance] Merlin: Or maybe not. [Knights of Idirsholas draw their swords. Arthur's party fights the knights. Arthur runs one through, but it doesn't fall. fight, stab, repeat. Arthur loses his sword in an undead knight's gut] Merlin: Arthur! [Merlin throws him a sword] Arthur: Run, Merlin! Go! [Merlin passes Arthur, but then stops] Arthur: What are you...?! Do as I say! [Arthur shoves Merlin toward the entrance. Merlin waits in the doorway for Arthur. Arthur fights his way to the door and faces approaching undead knights] Merlin: Ahríes þæc! [Merlin pulls Arthur backwards out of the room as the entrance crumbles] -- [Merlin and Arthur run into the woods and then stop] Arthur: What happened to your arm? Merlin: Oh, I must have caught in on something. Arthur: Let me see. Your first battle wound. Here. [Arthur rips off the bottom of his tunic] Merlin: Er, no. No, don't...You'll ruin it. Arthur: Don't worry. You can mend it. [Arthur wraps Merlin's arm] Arthur: Did anyone else escape? Merlin: *shakes head* Arthur: We need to get back to Camelot, gather reinforcements. -- [Merlin and Arthur dismount at the city entrance where the guards are lying on the ground] Merlin: Are they dead? Arthur: No. They're breathing. Merlin: What's happened to them? Arthur: I don't know. [they jog into the Square where guards and knights are strewn about] Arthur: What's going on? [a horse comes into the Square with a cart, the driver fast asleep] Merlin: I'll get Gaius. [Merlin jogs into the palace] Merlin: Arthur?! [Arthur runs in after Merlin. People are passed out on the Griffin Stairway] Merlin: They're all fast asleep. Must be some kind of sickness. Arthur: Where's my father? [Arthur rushes to the Council Chamber of Doom] Arthur: Where is he?! [Merlin runs into the Physician's Chambers] Merlin: Gaius! [Gaius is asleep on his work table] Merlin: It must be the work of magic. Arthur: We have to find my father! [Arthur and Merlin pass Morgana's Chambers and go inside. Arthur notices Gwen lying on the floor and moves her to the bed. they hear the curtain behind them move. Arthur draws his sword and pulls Morgana out from behind it] Arthur: *shout* Morgana: *scream* Arthur: It's me! It's me, Morgana! What's happened? Morgana: I didn't know it was you! Arthur: Calm down, Morgana. Just tell me what happened. Morgana: People were complaining, saying they weren't feeling well. Arthur: And what then? Morgana: They started falling asleep. Everyone, everywhere I went. Arthur: Was someone here? Morgana: *shakes head* Arthur: Then why were you hiding? Morgana: I told you, I didn't know who you were. Arthur: Where's my father? Morgana: I don't know. Merlin: Arthur, she's distressed. Arthur: If she was awake then she must have seen something. Morgana: I didn't see anything. Arthur: You saw people getting sick, what did you do? Morgana: What could I do? Arthur: Morgana, I don't understand. Why is it that you're the only person awake? -- [Knights of Medhir riding out from Idirsholas. Arthur, Merlin, and Morgana walking down the Upper Corridor] Merlin: Don't worry, I won't say anything. Morgana: About what? Merlin: The illness. Morgana: That has nothing to do with me. Merlin: No, of course not, but you have magic. Morgana: You haven't told anyone that! Merlin: No, and I won't tell Arthur, but...there must be something keeping you safe, and I think that must be it. Morgana: Right. Arthur (distant): I found him! -- [Uther's Chambers. Arthur lifts his father from his slumped position over the table] Arthur: Father. Merlin: See, he's alright. Arthur: He is not "alright". Merlin: He's just asleep. All we have to do is find the cure. A way to wake them. Arthur: Who could have done this? You're the only one who's hot been affected, Morgana. There must be a reason. Morgana: I don't know. Arthur: That's all you keep saying! You must know something! Morgana: No, they just fell asleep one by one! Merlin: It's obvious. When she started feeling sick, Gaius gave her a potion, right? Arthur: When was she sick? She never said that. Merlin: She was one of the last to be affected. Somehow the potion must have helped. Arthur: What about everyone else? Merlin: By then Gaius was too ill. He didn't have a chance to treat anyone else. Arthur: Go and see if you can find this potion. I'll search for signs of life in the lower town. Morgana, you stay here. You look after my father. Keep him safe. Here. Protect him with your life, you understand? -- [Morgause meets her undead knights in the woods. they dismount and bow before her] -- [Merlin flips through magic book in Physician's Chambers] Merlin: Alright, Gaius, this is going to wake you. Ic ácwice þé. [Gaius springs up with a goofy grin] Merlin: Gaius! [Gaius has a blank stare] Merlin: Gaius? Alright. Er... [flips pages of magic book] Merlin: Oh. We could try this. Ic þé bebíede þæt þú mé slæpest! [Gaius's chair collapses and he ends up on the floor] Merlin: Well, maybe not. Er...*sigh* Oh, come on, Gaius. I need you to wake up. [Gaius still staring forward with a silly grin] Merlin: I really need your help. [flips through book] Merlin: Ah, here we go. Brimstréam! [splashes water in Gaius's face] Arthur: Merlin! [Merlin snaps the book shut] Arthur: Come quickly! -- [Merlin and Arthur watch from the battlements as eight riders head for Camelot] Merlin: According to the legend there were only seven nights of Medhir. Arthur: Then who's the extra rider? Merlin: I don't know. Camelot is defenceless. Arthur: We have to get back to my father. [riders pass through the lower town] -- [Merlin and Arthur return to Uther's Chambers] Arthur: This will be one of the first places they look. We have to get him somewhere else. Morgana: What's going on? Arthur: We're under attack. No time to explain. Grab his legs, carry him. You're not meant to be sweeping the floor with him! Pick his feet up! Merlin: His feet aren't the problem. Arthur: Morgana, give him a hand. [riders cross the drawbridge] -- [Uther's snoring as they drag him through the Rectangular Corridor] Arthur: It is not funny, Merlin. Did you find the potion Morgana took? Merlin: Er...no. [riders dismount in the Square] -- [Arthur, Merlin, and Morgana drag Uther into Arthur's Chambers. Merlin and Morgana drop his legs] Arthur: We can't leave him here! We have to lift him onto the bed. Merlin: Why? He's asleep. He's not going to know. Arthur: Merlin! Merlin: Well...I'll get him a pillow. Arthur: He's the King! Merlin: Alright. Two pillows. [Merlin and Arthur put pillows under Uther's head. Arthur staggers as he stands up] Merlin: You alright? Arthur: Are you feeling the same? Merlin: We're getting sick. [Merlin looks at Morgana who's still fine] Arthur: We can't let that happen. We must keep my father hidden. Merlin: Why don't we disguise him? Arthur: That might just work. Merlin: We could dress him as a woman. Arthur: That, on the other hand... Merlin: We could dress him as a servant. Arthur: That's better. Merlin: I'll get him some clothes. Arthur: Are you alright, Morgana? You seem quiet. Morgana: I'm fine. Arthur: You sure? I can always tell when you're lying. Don't worry. I won't let any harm come to him. -- [Merlin hides from the undead knights wandering through the castle. He goes to the Dragon's Cave] Merlin: What's going on?! Why is everyone asleep?! Kilgharrah: *pretend snoring* Merlin: Please not you as well. I need your help! What am I going to do?! Don't pretend. I know you're listening to me. Kilgharrah: *yawn* I don't need to listen to you, Merlin. You always say the same thing: "Help me". And yet you refuse to give anything in return. Now you will face the consequence of that decision. Camelot's end is nigh, and there's nothing you can do about it. Merlin: I know I promised to free you, and I will! Kilgharrah: Hahahaha. Merlin: I will! I promise! Kilgharrah: I no longer trust your promises. Merlin: I swear on my mother's life! Kilgharrah: Careful what you say. Merlin: You have to help me. Please? Kilgharrah: Her life matters more to you than your own. This is an oath I believe you will honour. Merlin: I will. Kilgharrah: It is one thing to cast a spell that puts everyone to sleep. The power to maintain it is a very different matter. It will need more than just words to break this enchantment. Merlin: What do you mean? Kilgharrah: You must eradicate the source, Merlin. Merlin: Great. What is that? Kilgharrah: Not what, but who. Such spells need a vessel, a constant living presence to give them strength. The source of this pestilence is the witch, the Lady Morgana. Merlin: Can't be. Kilgharrah: I have warned you about her in the past, but you have failed to take heed. She is dangerous! Merlin: *sigh* No. Kilgharrah: And now she has chosen to turn her back on her own. Merlin: How do I stop her? Kilgharrah: That is easy, young warlock. You must kill her. Merlin (whisper): No! Kilgharrah: The spell is woven with magic of such power that even you are not immune. You must act now before it's too late. If you do not, then Camelot will fall and Arthur will die, and the future you were destined to share will die with you. [Merlin grabs clothes, a water skin, and a bottle of Hemlock from Physician's Chambers] -- [Merlin runs down Criss-cross Corridor, Arthur grabs him and pulls him into an alcove] Arthur: What took you so long? Merlin: I didn't know Uther's size. [Merlin and Arthur hear undead breathing, so they peek around the other side of the alcove to see Morgause walking down the Red Ribbon Corridor with the undead knights. furious!Arthur tries to pull his sword, but Merlin stops him] -- [Merlin enters Arthur's Chambers] Morgana: I was worried about you. Merlin: They're here! They're in the castle! Morgana: Where's Arthur? Merlin: Gone to find somewhere safe to move to. Morgana: Thank you for not saying anything to him. Merlin: It's alright. Morgana: You're a good friend. [Arthur enters] Arthur: We have to move my father before Morgause gets here. Morgana: Morgause! Arthur: Come on! Let's go! Merlin: You're not surprised? Morgana: No, I am. -- [they drag Uther into a servant's chamber] Arthur: Should be safe in here for a while. [they drop Uther on the low bed. Merlin and Arthur sit down while Morgana stands at the window unaffected by the spell] Arthur: Must be the potion Gaius gave her. Merlin: Yeah, must be the potion. Arthur: We can't keep this up much longer. Merlin: I know. Wait. We're in a servant's quarters. If we leave him here, they'll just think he's a servant. Arthur: Not if Morgause sees him. We need to get him out of Camelot. Merlin: When we arrived there was a cart in the main square, remember? Arthur: You are full of good ideas today, Merlin. You go and look. [Merlin is attacked by an undead knight in the corridor] Merlin: Atres! [throws the knight against the wall. Merlin flees. It gets back up] -- [Merlin runs into the servant's chamber] Merlin: They're closing in! We won't make it to the cart, not carrying Uther. Arthur: That's why we've made this. We're gonna pull him. [Arthur peeks out of the servant's chamber at an undead knight, closes the door, draws sword and hides behind a column] Arthur: Get down. Keep quiet. [Merlin and Morgana hide. behind another column. undead knight enters and Arthur attacks] Arthur: Protect the King! Get him out of here! [Merlin and Morgana drag Uther out of the room and down the Upper Corridor. an undead knight pursues them. Morgana trips and falls] Morgana: Merlin! [Merlin pauses and then keeps dragging the King] Morgana: Please! [knight goes to strike her] Morgana: *screams* [undead knight stops and looks at her, then goes after Merlin. Merlin drags Uther down Red Ribbon Corridor. He's about to use magic against the knight, but Arthur jumps in to fight it and kicks it down a spiral set of stairs] -- [they enter the Council Chamber of Doom] Arthur: Merlin, help me. Merlin and Arthur bar the door] Arthur: Morgana, we need the remedy that Gaius gave you. Morgana. Morgana: I don't have it. Arthur: I know that, but you must remember what it was, what was in it? Come on, Morgana! We can't keep going much longer! Think! Morgana: I'm sorry! I... Merlin: It doesn't matter. We can't get it now anyway, we're trapped. Arthur: There has to be something we can do! Merlin (whisper): Why didn't that knight kill you? Morgana: How do I know? Because I'm a woman? Merlin: Yeah, maybe. Arthur: Unless we can rid ourselves of this sickness, then I don't see how we're going to hold out. Merlin: We have to destroy the source of the magic. Arthur: Which is? Merlin: I don't know. Arthur: Our only chance is to get out of Camelot. Help me with my father. You cut the blanket up. We'll tie it to my father, and we'll lower him onto the cart. Morgana: Arthur... Arthur: Morgana, please just do as I say. I'll fetch the cart 'round to the window. Merlin: You're going out there? I'll come with you. Arthur: No. No, you stay. You protect my father. Merlin: You won't reach the cart alone. It's suicide. Arthur: We have no choice. Merlin: How you feeling? Arthur: Not bad. Merlin: You sure? Arthur: Yeah, you? Merlin: Never better. Arthur: Get me a pillow, could you. Merlin: Don't mess around. Arthur you... Arthur? You need to stay awake. [Arthur's falling asleep leaning against the door. Merlin smacks him] Arthur: Merlin! Merlin: That's better! Arthur: If you ever do that again... Merlin: Well, don't fall asleep, then! [Arthur takes the water skin from Merlin and splashes his face with it. the undead knights growl outside the door] Arthur: That your knees again? [Arthur and Merlin unbar the door] Arthur: If I need a servant in the next life... Merlin: Don't ask me. Arthur: Haha! [Arthur draws his sword and jumps out into the corridor. Merlin re-bars the door] Morgana: He's not going to survive out there. Merlin: I know. Morgana: We've got to do something. Merlin: I know. [Arthur fights outside. Merlin and Morgana take Uther's dragging cloth] Merlin: Here. You tear this up. I'll make some rope. [Merlin poisons the water skin] Merlin: Here, have some water. Morgana: I'm not thirsty. Merlin: If we get out of here, you may not get another chance to drink. Morgana: If we get out of here. [he hands her the water skin, but she puts it down. Arthur fights in the corridor. Merlin picks up the water skin and pretends to drink] Merlin: Here. Morgana: I'm fine. Merlin: No, you have some before I finish it. Morgana: *sigh* Thank you. [she drinks. she begins to have trouble breathing. looks at the skin and then at Merlin. Merlin wipes his eyes and then turns to face her. Morgause notices something's wrong. Merlin tries to hold Morgana as she struggles to breathe. Morgause begins to hold her throat like Morgana. she blows the council chamber door open and rushes to Morgana, taking her from Merlin's arms] Morgause: What has he done to you? Merlin: I had to. Morgause: You poisoned her! Merlin: You gave me no choice. Morgause: Tell me what you used and I can save her. Merlin: First, stop the attack! Morgause: You're nothing but a simple servant! You don't tell me what to do! Merlin: If you want to know what poison it is, you will undo the magic that drives the knights! Morgause: Tell me the poison or you'll die! Merlin: Then she'll die with me. I don't want this any more than you, but you give me no choice. Stop the knights and you can save her. [Arthur still fighting undead knights] Morgause: Astýre ús þanonweard! Cnihtas Medhires, éower sáwla. Rid eft ond forsliehð eft. [knights drop in front of Arthur. Merlin hands Morgause the hemlock bottle. Arthur bursts in with other knights of Camelot] Arthur: What have you done with my father? Merlin: He's safe! [Uther wakes up on the floor] Arthur: Morgana! Morgause: Keep away from her! Bedyrne ús! Astýre ús þanonweard! [Morgause and Morgana disappear in a windy cloud of smoke] -- [Uther looking at Morgana's jewellery in her chambers. Arthur enters] Arthur: I couldn't find you. Are you alright? Uther: Is there still no sign of her? Arthur: We've looked, Father. Uther: Morgause must not be allowed to get away with this. Arthur: Yes, Father. [Arthur turns to leave] Uther: Arthur. I haven't had a chance to say thank you. Arthur: I failed, Father. I should have protected Morgana. Uther: No. That was my duty. Her loss will forever my on my conscience, not yours. -- [Physician's Chambers] Gaius: You did the right thing. Merlin: You don't mean that. Morgana was your friend, too. You cared about her. Gaius: I did. But I fear that, unlike you, Morgana chose not to use her gift for good. You had no choice. Would be sitting here now if you had not made that decision? [Merlin gets up] Gaius: Where are you going? Merlin: I'll eat that later. Gaius: Merlin? Merlin: There's something I have to do. [Merlin goes to his room to fetch a sword and heads to Dragon's Cave] Kilgharrah (voiceover flashback): You must steal a sword from the Knights of Medhir. Their blades were forged by the Old Religion. If you harness its power to your own, you will have the strength to break the chains with which Uther Pendragon keeps me prisoner. [the dragon flies down to Merlin] Kilgharrah: The time has come, young warlock. Merlin: Where will you go? Kilgharrah: I am the last of my kind. There is but one road I can take. Merlin: What does that mean? Kilgharrah: You will see. [Merlin climbs down the steps to the base of the dragon's giant chain] Merlin: Before I do this, you promise me that you will not harm Camelot. Kilgharrah: I think there have been enough bargains, don't you? Merlin: Ic bebeode þisne sweord þæt hé forcierfe þá bende þæra dracan. Un clýse! [Merlin swings the sword and breaks the chain. The dragon roars and flies away]