Transcript:The Gates of Avalon



KILGHARRAH In a land of myth and a time of magic, the destiny of a great kingdom rests on the shoulders of a young boy. His name: Merlin.

-- [00:10, INT. KING’S PALACE, MORGANA’S CHAMBERS – NIGHT] [Arthur drifts under water wearing his armour. A woman stands over him. Morgana wakes with a gasp.]

MORGANA (whisper) Arthur! Arthur!

-- [01:16, EXT. FOREST – DAY] [Arthur slinks through the woods with a crossbow. Merlin bursts out of the trees and bumps Arthur as he's about to shoot.]

MERLIN What is it?

ARTHUR You really are a total buffoon, aren't you, Merlin?!

MERLIN I was just asking.

ARTHUR Who? Me or the deer?! We're supposed to be hunting. It requires speed, stealth and an agile mind.

MERLIN So you're able to get by on two out of three, then?

[woman screaming.]

MERLIN What was that?

AULFRIC (distant) Please! Don't!

ARTHUR Quiet.

SOPHIA (distant) Help!

[Arthur grabs his sword from Merlin.]

-- [01:56, Aulfric lays on the ground as a bandit draws his sword to kill him. Sophia struggles with three other purse snatchers.]

AULFRIC No, no, I beg you! Mercy!

BANDIT Give us some money!

SOPHIA Help me! Help me!

[Arthur shoots one of the robbers; the others attack Arthur. Aulfric gets up and holds Sophia while Arthur fights off the bandits; one of them gets up behind Arthur.]

MERLIN Forbærnen firgenholt.

[A large tree branch falls on top of the bandit trying to attack Arthur from behind. Arthur kills the one in front of him and the final bandit runs off. Arthur looks up at the tree.]

ARTHUR Stroke of luck.

MERLIN And let that be a lesson to you!

[Arthur gives him a look.]

MERLIN What? I was covering your back.

ARTHUR You alright? Didn't hurt you?

[Sophia turns to Arthur and removes her hood.]

SOPHIA No... Thanks to you. I'm Sophia. This is my father.

ARTHUR Arthur Pendragon... at your service.

[Arthur kisses Sophia's hand.]

-- [03:36, INT. KING’S PALACE, COUNCIL CHAMBER OF DOOM – DAY] [Aulfric and Sophia stand before the court.]

AULFRIC My name is Aulfric, heir to Tír-Mòr. This is my daughter, Sophia.

UTHER You're a long way from home. What brings you to Camelot?

AULFRIC Our home was sacked by raiders, we barely escaped with what few possessions we could carry.

UTHER These are dangerous times. What will you do?

AULFRIC We travel west to Caerleon where we have family and, I hope, a new life.

UTHER You must stay here awhile, break your journey. A noble family like yours is always welcome in Camelot.

[Arthur stares at Sophia she exits with her father.]

-- [04:31, INT. KING’S PALACE, ARTHUR'S CHAMBERS]

ARTHUR Make sure you put her in a decent room.

MERLIN The one next door's empty.

ARTHUR The one next door's fine. Excellent, in fact. Shut up, Merlin.

MERLIN What? I didn't say anything.

ARTHUR You didn't have to. I want to make it clear that my intentions towards Sophia are completely honourable. Put her in the room on the other side of the castle. It's warmer, more comfortable.

MERLIN Of course. She, er...is very beautiful.

ARTHUR Yes, she is.

MERLIN And if your intentions are honourable...

ARTHUR Oh, they are. Most definitely.

MERLIN Then what's the problem with her staying next door?

ARTHUR There isn't one. You've convinced me. Put her in the room next to mine.

-- [06:17, INT. KING’S PALACE, CORRIDOR] [Merlin hands Sophia a blanket.]

MERLIN If you need anything, just let me know.

SOPHIA Thank you.

[Sophia enters her guest room. Morgana sees her and approaches Merlin anxiously.]

MORGANA Who is that?

MERLIN Er, Sophia Tír-Mòr. We rescued her in the woods. Well, Arthur did most of the rescuing.

MORGANA She can't stay here.

MERLIN The King said that she and her father are welcome in Camelot. Is everything ok?

MORGANA Yes. Thank you.

-- [05:57, INT. KING’S PALACE, PHYSICIAN'S CHAMBERS] [Morgana enters just as Gaius takes a flask off of the burner.]

MORGANA I'm sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you.

GAIUS Nonsense, my child. My favourite patient is always welcome.

[Gaius kisses her cheek.]

GAIUS I'm sorry about the mess. Most of it's Merlin's. If I'd known you were coming, I'd have tidied up in here.

MORGANA Er, it's not that. It's just...your bench is on fire.

GAIUS My bench is on fire? What are you...

[Gaius turns to look.]

GAIUS My bench is on fire!

MORGANA Here.

[Morgana hands him a bucket. Gaius uses tongs to drop the flask in the water.]

GAIUS You're always getting me into trouble. What brings you to this dark corner?

MORGANA I had another dream.

GAIUS I see.

MORGANA I saw Arthur lying under water, drowning, and there was a woman standing over him, watching him die. And she's here in Camelot.

GAIUS The mind plays tricks. It borrows from everyday life and plays out its own fantasy.

MORGANA But I had this dream before she came to Camelot.

GAIUS You must be mistaken.

MORGANA No, I know what I saw. It was so real...so vivid. I saw him die, Gaius. She's going to kill him.

GAIUS These are just dreams, Morgana, nothing more. Are you taking the sleeping draught I made up for you?

MORGANA Oh, it doesn't help.

GAIUS Here. Try this. It will induce a deeper sleep.

[Gaius hands Morgana a bottle.]

GAIUS You've nothing to fear.

MORGANA Thank you, Gaius.

GAIUS Morgana. Don't bother Uther about this. No need to worry him.

-- [07:58, EXT. FOREST, BANDIT’S CAMPFIRE – NIGHT] [Aulfric approaches the bandit that got away. The bandit stands up and draws his sword.]

AULFRIC You can dispense with the unpleasantries -- your payment.

[Aulfric holds up a leather pouch.]

BANDIT I want more. My friends are dead because of you.

AULFRIC Yes. I'm sorry. Such a dreadful waste of life. But, if it's any consolation, you'll see them again soon. má réðe cine týne!

[Aulfric uses his staff to kill the bandit.]

-- [08:28, INT. KING’S PALACE, MORGANA’S CHAMBERS – NIGHT] [Morgana stirs restlessly in her sleep. She sees the same vision of Arthur drowning with Sophia standing over him. Morgana wakes.]

-- [08:44, INT. KING’S PALACE, ARTHUR'S CHAMBERS – DAY]

ARTHUR I'm taking Sophia out for a ride today. You know, show her around.

MERLIN Where do I come into this?

ARTHUR Well, I'm supposed to be on patrol with the guard of my father this morning, so I need you to cover for me.

MERLIN What, and lie to the King? No. No way. No, he'll see right through me. He'll have me in the stocks quicker than you can say rotten tomatoes.

ARTHUR Merlin.

[Merlin sighs.]

ARTHUR I need you to do this for me.

MERLIN I am a terrible liar. I start sweating, my- my vision blurs, my- my brain stops working.

ARTHUR Well, no change there, then. Look, I promised Sophia I'd take her out and if I don't turn up it'll blow my chances.

MERLIN You like her, then?

ARTHUR Yeah. What's not to like? I want to spend some more time with her, but I need to get my father off my back. I can't order you to lie to the King, but ...you'd be a friend for life if you did.

MERLIN Go on, then, you don't want to keep her waiting.

ARTHUR Thanks, Merlin. I won't forget it.

-- [09:43, INT. KING’S PALACE, MORGANA'S CHAMBERS – DAY] [Morgana watches Arthur ride out of Camelot with Sophia.]

GWEN You're sure it's her?

MORGANA I could never forget that face.

GWEN You should speak to the King.

MORGANA And tell him what? That I can see the future?

GWEN If you think Arthur's life is in danger.

MORGANA You know how he'd react.

GWEN You're his ward, he wouldn't harm you.

MORGANA He hates magic more than he cares for me.

GWEN That's not true.

MORGANA Would you care to put it to the test?

GWEN But what else can you do?

MORGANA I'm going to have to try and stop her myself.

-- [10:12, INT. KING’S PALACE, COUNCIL CHAMBER OF DOOM – DAY]

UTHER Where's my son?

MERLIN I'm not sure where he is. I, erm, I think there's been a mistake. But it's not his fault. Arthur's, I mean.

UTHER Stop gibbering and tell me where he is.

MERLIN It's probably... No, it's definitely my fault.

UTHER Where is Arthur?

MERLIN He's not here.

UTHER I can see that.

MERLIN Arthur wasn't sure of his orders, so he asked me to check with the guards to see if he was riding out this morning and...well...I may have forgotten.

UTHER You forgot?

MERLIN I'm sorry, My Lord. I am sure he would have been here had I told him.

UTHER If this was a time of war, I would have you flogged.

MERLIN And since it's not, we'll let it go just this once?

-- [10:46, EXT. LOWER TOWN – DAY] [Merlin pelted with rotten tomatoes in the stocks.]

MERLIN I forgot how much fun this was.

-- [10:53, EXT. FOREST – DAY] [Arthur walks through the woods with Sophia.]

ARTHUR The river's not far. It's just down here.

SOPHIA Arthur...wait.

ARTHUR What is it?

[Sophia takes Arthur's hands and looks into his eyes.]

SOPHIA Túce hwón frec'úre, artur.

GUARD (distant) You there! Halt!

[Sophia backs away and Arthur tackles her as an arrow flies at them. Arthur runs toward the guards.]

GUARD (distant) Sorry!

ARTHUR (distant) Sorry?! You nearly shot a crossbow in my face! What do you mean you're sorry?!

[Sophia looks at the arrow in the tree behind her. Arthur jogs back.]

ARTHUR You okay?

SOPHIA Yes. Thanks to you.

ARTHUR They were searching for the bandits that attacked you yesterday. Here.

[Arthur picks up Sophia’s staff to give it to her.]

SOPHIA Don't touch that!

ARTHUR I'm sorry. Maybe we should go back.

SOPHIA It's fine. I- I'm sorry, I was upset. Now, don't let this spoil our day together. We were having such a nice time. Let's go down to the river.

ARTHUR I'm taking you back to Camelot. Your father would never forgive me if I let anything happen to you.

-- [12:41, INT. KING’S PALACE, PHYSICIAN'S CHAMBERS] [Merlin enters covered in tomato paste.]

GAIUS Have you been playing with your food again?

MERLIN The King put me in the stocks.

GAIUS What'd you do this time?

MERLIN Nothing. Honestly, it wasn't my fault. Arthur wanted to get out of going on patrol with Uther and the guard, so I covered for him and took the blame.

GAIUS And Arthur was prepared to let you do this?

MERLIN It was his idea.

GAIUS And what made him neglect his duties? It must've been something terribly important.

MERLIN Sophia.

GAIUS The girl from the forest?

MERLIN He wanted to take her out for the day. He is besotted.

GAIUS But they've only just met.

MERLIN I know. I guess it must have been love at first sight.

GAIUS Yes. I suppose it must be.

-- [13:33, AULFRIC'S GUEST CHAMBERS] [Gaius snoops around and inspects Aulfric's staff.]

AULFRIC Can I help?

GAIUS Forgive me. The door was open. I thought someone may have broken in.

AULFRIC Looks like they have.

GAIUS I apologise for imposing on you. It won't happen again.

AULFRIC Make sure it doesn't.

-- [14:28, INT. KING’S PALACE, MAIN SQUARE] [Arthur and Sophia ride in and dismount.]

ARTHUR You're sure you'll be alright?

SOPHIA Yes. Thank you for today.

[Sophia kisses Arthur's cheek.]

SOPHIA Good night, Arthur.

-- [15:07, INT. KING’S PALACE, GRIFFIN STAIRCASE] [Sophia enters the palace and bumps into Morgana.]

SOPHIA Sorry! Lady Morgana, isn't it? I'm Sophia.

MORGANA What are you doing here?

SOPHIA My father and I are guests of the King.

MORGANA You're lying. I know what you're going to do to him, and I won't let it happen.

SOPHIA Does Arthur know you feel this way about him? Of course he does. I suspect he's already turned you down.

MORGANA Don't think you can make a fool out of me.

SOPHIA I won't have to. You're managing to do that well enough already.

MORGANA Stay away from him.

SOPHIA Or what? Jealousy is such an unattractive trait in a women.

MORGANA If anything happens to Arthur, I'll find you. However long it takes.

-- [15:51, INT. KING’S PALACE, AULFRIC'S GUEST CHAMBERS] [Sophia enters.]

AULFRIC You've not been gone as long as I expected.

SOPHIA We were interrupted.

AULFRIC What happened?

SOPHIA I was nearly killed. For a moment, I felt what it would be like to die a mortal death. He saved me. Someone so weak, so feeble, saved me! I can't bear to be like this a moment longer.

AULFRIC You won't have to. Once his heart is yours, the gates of Avalon will open once again for us and we can regain our true form.

SOPHIA I need a little more time.

AULFRIC You must hurry. The physician can see us for what we truly are.

SOPHIA And he is not alone. The Lady Morgana. She fears her powers, but that will not keep her quiet for long.

AULFRIC Tomorrow, you have to finish the enchantment, otherwise our chance to rid us of these mortal shells will be lost forever.

-- [16:44, INT. KING’S PALACE, ARTHUR'S CHAMBERS]

MORGANA You seem very fond of her.

ARTHUR You make that sound like a bad thing.

MORGANA Not necessarily. I've just never seen you fall under a woman's spell so quickly.

ARTHUR If you're jealous, Morgana, it's ok to admit it.

MORGANA Don't flatter yourself.

ARTHUR Come on. It wouldn't be the first time now, would it?

MORGANA Arthur, I'm trying to protect you! She isn't what she seems.

ARTHUR Why? What makes you say that?

MORGANA I just have a feeling. It's difficult to describe. I had a dream. A nightmare.

[Arthur laughs.]

ARTHUR You really are very sweet, Morgana.

MORGANA Why are you laughing?

ARTHUR You! Your feelings, bad dreams. You don't have to make this stuff up. You can tell me the truth. It's obvious you like me.

MORGANA Less and less by the second.

ARTHUR All right. Whatever you say.

MORGANA You're intolerable. Just hope I'm wrong about her.

-- [17:57, INT. KING’S PALACE, ARTHUR'S CHAMBERS - DAY]

MERLIN You're dressed!

ARTHUR Nothing gets past you, does it, Merlin?

MERLIN What- You're supposed to be wearing these! Your father's bestowing a knighthood on one of your men this morning!

ARTHUR I'm giving it a miss.

MERLIN Won't the King mind?

ARTHUR Not if you, er, cover for me, again. By the way, thanks for yesterday, I heard you ended up in the stocks. Bad luck.

MERLIN They were throwing potatoes at me. It's only supposed to be rotten fruit.

ARTHUR I'm not sure there's any hard-and-fast rules, but if it's any consolation, I think it was worth it.

MERLIN What? It went well?

ARTHUR Great. Fantastic. She's incredible.

MERLIN Don't worry. I'll find a way to get you out of it.

ARTHUR Just make sure you don't end up in the stocks this time.

MERLIN I won't. I think I'm starting to get the hang of this whole deception lark.

-- [18:48, EXT. LOWER TOWN – DAY] [Merlin pelted with rotten food in the stocks.]

-- [18:54, EXT. FOREST – DAY] [Arthur and Sophia frolic through the woods.]

ARTHUR Wai-- wait! Careful.

SOPHIA Don't worry. I will be. túce hwón frec 'úre, artur.

ARTHUR What are you doing?

[Sophia takes Arthur's hand and looks into his eyes.]

SOPHIA Þec nom feoh gyse. Cume morðor rice ær. Túce hwón frec úre, artur.

[Sophia and Arthur's eyes glow red.]

-- [19:30, Physician's Chambers] [Merlin enters covered in rotten food.]

GAIUS Not again Merlin, surely?

MERLIN You would think that the appeal of pelting the same person with fruit would wear off after a while, but, oh, no!

GAIUS I heard that Arthur wasn't at the knighting ceremony.

MERLIN Yeah, he wanted to make the most of his time left with Sophia.

GAIUS So you helped him?

MERLIN I'm his servant, I had to.

GAIUS You shouldn't have done that, Merlin. I fear that Sophia may not be all that she seems.

MERLIN Why?

GAIUS What do you know about seers?

MERLIN Not much. They're supposed to be able to see the future, like prophets.

GAIUS It's said to be an innate ability. Those who have it are born that way. Some aren't even aware that what they see is the future. It comes to them in their dreams.

MERLIN What's this got to do with Sophia?

GAIUS The night before she and Aulfric came to Camelot, Morgana had a dream. Sophia was in it.

MERLIN Before she arrived in Camelot?

GAIUS I've been watching Morgana since she was very young. And though I tried to persuade myself otherwise, I realised that some of the things she said she'd dreamt came to pass. I kept it secret from Uther, of course. The gift of prophecy is too close to the work of magic.

MERLIN You think Morgana is a seer?

GAIUS I don't think it. I fear it. Morgana said she dreamt that Sophia killed Arthur.

MERLIN Couldn't that have just been a dream? Maybe the- the woman Morgana saw just looked like Sophia.

GAIUS That's what I hoped. But Aulfric caught me in Sophia's room and, in a flash of anger, his eyes changed colour.

MERLIN Who are they?

GAIUS It's not who they are that worries me. It's what they want with Arthur.

-- [21:13, INT. KING’S PALACE, ARTHUR'S CHAMBERS] [Sophia continues enchanting Arthur.]

SOPHIA Our love is strong. You feel the same way, too. If we were ever to be parted...

ARTHUR I'd never let that happen.

SOPHIA You may not have the choice. There are some here who don't want us to be together.

ARTHUR I'll never let them come between us.

SOPHIA Because we are in love.

ARTHUR Because we're in love.

SOPHIA You must seek permission for us to marry... so that we can be together.

ARTHUR Till death do us part.

SOPHIA Túce hwón frec'úre, artur.

[Sophia's eyes glow red and she kisses Arthur.]

SOPHIA Till death do us part.

[Arthur's eyes glow red and Sophia exits.]

-- [22:17, Aulfric meets Sophia outside Arthur's door.]

SOPHIA He's ready. Tomorrow he'll do what we need him to.

AULFRIC Good, you have done well. I must go to the elders.

[Merlin sees Aulfric as he turns the corner to Arthur's Chambers and follows him.]

-- [22:31, Merlin follows Aulfric to the Lake of Avalon in the woods.]

AULFRIC I seek an audience with the Sidhe elders! Do:tiag-sa ar idbairt do denam!

[Fairies appear over the lake.]

AULFRIC I come before you to plead for the chance to win passage back to Avalon and a life of immortality!

SIDHE ELDER Your punishment for killing another Sidhe is a mortal body and a mortal life. You will never be able to return to Avalon.

AULFRIC The crime was mine, not my daughter's.

SIDHE ELDER The gates of Avalon remain closed to your daughter. Unless the soul of a mortal prince be offered up to them.

AULFRIC Thank you. An immortal life for my daughter is all that I desire, so I promise you the soul of the greatest prince of all. Arthur Pendragon! Muahahahaha!

-- [25:26, INT. KING’S PALACE, PHYSICIAN'S CHAMBERS]

GAIUS Avalon. What you saw at the lake, it's Avalon. It must be.

MERLIN What's...

GAIUS The land of eternal youth. Mortals are only supposed to glimpse it the moment before death.

MERLIN Well, I've seen it and I'm still here.

GAIUS Extraordinary. What did it look like?

MERLIN Does it matter? They're going to sacrifice Arthur and we don't even know who "they" are yet.

GAIUS We do now. I found writing like this on the top of Aulfric's staff. It's Ogham, an ancient script. Abas ocus bithe. Duthectad bithlane. "To hold life and death in your hands." From the writing on his staff and what you saw at the lake, I'm afraid I'm now certain. We're dealing with the Sidhe.

MERLIN That does not sound like a good thing.

GAIUS They're masters of enchantment.

MERLIN You think Arthur's been enchanted?

GAIUS Almost certainly. I'm afraid Morgana's dream is coming true.

-- [26:18, INT. KING’S PALACE, COUNCIL CHAMBER OF DOOM] [Arthur stands with Sophia before Uther.]

ARTHUR I request this audience, Father, to discuss a matter of great importance. It cannot have escaped your attention that I and Lady Sophia Tír-Mòr have grown very close.

UTHER Not too close, I hope.

ARTHUR We're in love. Which is why I come before you today to ask your permission to marry.

[Uther laughs.]

UTHER I assume you're joking.

ARTHUR No. I'm going to marry her.

UTHER But you only met two days ago.

ARTHUR We're in love.

UTHER In love? We had no idea that you were such a romantic, had we, Morgana?

MORGANA No, he's full of surprises.

ARTHUR I'm going to marry her. I don't care what either of you think about it.

UTHER I thought you'd come to ask my permission?

ARTHUR Out of courtesy, nothing more.

[Arthur takes Sophia's hand and walks toward the door.]

UTHER Guards, door. You've forgotten whose court you're standing in.

ARTHUR You won't stop me. If I want to marry her, I will.

UTHER Arrest Sophia and Aulfric Tír-Mòr.

[The guards step forward.]

ARTHUR What are you doing?

UTHER And inform the executioner his services will be required tomorrow morning.

ARTHUR You can't do this.

UTHER Yes, I can, and unless you show me some respect, I will!

[Arthur bows his head.]

UTHER Release them. You've got your whole life ahead of you. Sophia is no doubt your first love, but she certainly won't be the only one. Enjoy yourself while you can.

-- [28:29, INT. KING’S PALACE, COURTYARD CORRIDOR] [Morgana follows Uther.]

UTHER You're not planning on springing any surprises on me, are you?

MORGANA Don't you think you should be taking this a bit more seriously?

UTHER He's young, foolish and in love. Give it a week and he'll be chasing after the next girl that catches his eye.

MORGANA Sophia will never let that happen.

UTHER Do you bear a grudge against our guest?

MORGANA There's something about her I don't trust. You've seen the way Arthur changed since she's arrived.

UTHER He's a fool in love.

MORGANA She's dangerous.

UTHER Dangerous? To who?

MORGANA Arthur.

UTHER Why do you say that?

MORGANA I just have a sense, a feeling.

UTHER And what has she done to make you have this feeling?

MORGANA Nothing, yet. It's what she's going to do. I don't know how to tell you this.

UTHER Try. Whatever it is, you can tell me.

MORGANA I've just seen girls like this before. They string men along and then drop them. I don't want to see him get hurt.

UTHER I know you want to protect him, but some lessons we have to learn for ourselves. He'll hurt for a week and then Sophia will be forgotten.

MORGANA I hope so.

UTHER Are you sure there's nothing else behind this?

MORGANA Yes, it's nothing.

-- [29:51, INT. KING’S PALACE, ARTHUR'S CHAMBERS – NIGHT] [Arthur's packs for travel wearing his armour. Merlin enters.]

ARTHUR Get out.

MERLIN I thought the King was a bit harsh.

ARTHUR I don't need sympathy, Merlin, especially not from you.

MERLIN But I did think he had a point.

ARTHUR I ordered you to get out. Now leave me!

MERLIN I know what you think you're doing, and I know you think you're in love with Sophia...

ARTHUR Who are you to tell me what I'm thinking?

MERLIN I'm your friend.

ARTHUR No, Merlin, you're my servant.

MERLIN You don't know what you're doing. She's cast a spell on you. You're enchanted.

SOPHIA I told you people would try to keep us apart.

ARTHUR I know. I won't let that happen.

MERLIN Look, don't listen to her, she's controlling you.

SOPHIA We can elope together. Get away from this place, these people.

MERLIN I saw you. I followed him. They're planning to sacrifice you.

AULFRIC You let your servant talk to your guests this way?

MERLIN I know what you're going to do, because I followed you to the lake and I heard everything. You have to believe me.

SOPHIA Don't listen to him, Arthur. Let's go. Let's leave tonight.

MERLIN She's going to kill you. Sophia plans to sacrifice you to buy a life of immortality. If you go with her, you'll die.

ARTHUR It-- it doesn't make sense. We're--we're in love.

MERLIN They're magical beings! Look at the writing on the staff.

[Merlin reaches for it. Aulfric pulls it away and his eyes glow red.]

MERLIN Look at his eyes. Look at him. Do you believe me now? Arthur, do you see?

[Arthur turns around, his eyes glowing red.]

ARTHUR I see everything.

[Merlin lunges toward Aulfric, but Aulfric uses his staff.]

AULFRIC Na mben sis!

[Aulfric's spell throws Merlin against the wall and knocks him unconscious.]

-- [31:46, INT. KING’S PALACE, MORGANA'S CHAMBERS – NIGHT] [Morgana looks out her window and sees Arthur leaving the Square with Sophia and Aulfric.]

-- [32:01, INT. KING’S PALACE, PHYSICIAN'S CHAMBERS – NIGHT] [Morgana runs in.]

MORGANA He's gone! Arthur's gone with her! She's taken him!

GAIUS Slow down.

MORGANA I know you don't believe me, but I'm so sure it's going to happen. My dream's going to come true.

GAIUS I do believe you.

MORGANA I've got to tell Uther.

GAIUS You can't.

MORGANA I've got to do something, if I don't then Arthur will die.

GAIUS You can't tell Uther about your dream. If Uther thinks you've got the seers' power, he'll charge you with witchcraft.

MORGANA I don't have a choice. I couldn't live with myself knowing I'd let him die.

GAIUS Wait. We've known each other a long time, you trust me don't you?

MORGANA Yes, you know I do.

GAIUS Then trust me now. Stay here and don't say a word to anyone about this.

MORGANA But Arthur...

GAIUS I'll take care of it.

MORGANA Where are you going?

GAIUS To find someone who can help.

-- [32:40, Arthur walks through the woods with Sophia and Aulfric.]

-- [32:53, INT. KING’S PALACE, ARTHUR’S CHAMBERS - NIGHT] [Gaius enters AS Merlin is just coming around.]

GAIUS Merlin! What happened to you?

MERLIN Aulfric. Where's Arthur? I have got to go after him. What's that buzzing noise?

GAIUS Careful, Merlin, you can barely stand up.

MERLIN I have to go.

GAIUS You can't, not in this state. You owe it to your powers that you survived this at all.

MERLIN I'll be fine, he needs me.

GAIUS Has that buzzing stopped?

MERLIN Yeah.

GAIUS Liar.

MERLIN I have to go, Gaius. He'll die if I don't.

GAIUS The Sidhe are a vicious people. You must be careful.

MERLIN Don't worry, I know what I'm doing.

GAIUS Merlin? This way.

MERLIN Just testing.

[Merlin runs through the forest.]

-- [33:35, EXT. LAKE OF AVALON]

AULFRIC Go. They are waiting for you.

SOPHIA I don't understand. You're coming too.

AULFRIC Only one of us can pass through. This was never meant for me.

SOPHIA I only wanted this so we could both return to Avalon.

AULFRIC Your destiny is on a different path to mine. It is my fate to live a mortal life.

SOPHIA I don't want to leave you.

AULFRIC You must. Once the ceremony begins you have to go through with it. The elders expect a soul. If they don't get his they will take yours.

SOPHIA Goodbye.

[Sophia hugs her father.]

SOPHIA I will never forget you.

[Sophia takes Arthur's hand and leads him into the lake, Merlin continues running.]

AULFRIC Ia bend dǽdon níwe. Cúðon gare íewe deahl sǽ áre. Sé áre. Ig bæþ deahl sǽ néah. Déaþ ór cwylþ óga him.

[Merlin trips in the woods, then keeps running.]

AULFRIC An 'wén. Flíete á. Dómdæg. Déaþ ór cwylþ óga him. An 'wén. Flíete á.

[Sophia kisses Arthur.]

AULFRIC Dómdæg. Déaþ ór cwylþ óga him. An 'wén. Flíete á. Dómdæg. Déaþ ór cwylþ óga him, Arthur Pendragon.

[Arthur falls backwards into the water. Merlin keeps running. Aulfric keeps incanting.]

AULFRIC Ia bend dǽdon níwe. Cúðon gare íewe deahl sǽ néah. Sé áre. Ig bæþ deahl sǽ néah. An 'wén. Flíete á. Dómdæg. Déaþ ór cwylþ óga him.

[Merlin arrives and sees Aulfric's Sophia's staff on the ground.]

MERLIN Onbregdan.

[The staff flies into Merlin's hand. Merlin points it at Aulfric.]

MERLIN Swilte, gold beorþ.

[Bolt of light hits Aulfric and he explodes.]

SOPHIA Father! No! No!

[Sophia tries to run to the shore. Merlin points the staff at her.]

MERLIN Óga ceoles.

[A bolt of light hits Sophia and she explodes. Merlin takes his jacket off as he runs into the water.]

MERLIN Arthur! Arthur! Arthur!

[Merlin finds Arthur under the water and brings him to the surface.]

-- [38:21, INT. KING’S PALACE, ARTHUR'S CHAMBERS] [Merlin and Gaius sit at Arthur's bedside waiting for him to wake. Arthur groans.]

MERLIN Arthur? Arthur?

ARTHUR What happened? Where am I?

MERLIN Can you remember anything?

ARTHUR Ow! Oh, my head! There was a girl. Sophia, she...I asked my father something about her, I asked him...

[Arthur bolts up in bed.]

ARTHUR What was I thinking?

MERLIN Well, we did wonder. Especially when you eloped with her last night.

ARTHUR I did what?

GAIUS Merlin had to bring you back to Camelot.

ARTHUR I don't recall any of this.

GAIUS Must've been some blow.

ARTHUR What blow?

MERLIN Well, er, when I caught up with you, I couldn't persuade you to return, you were beyond reason. So I had to make you.

ARTHUR You managed to knock me out?

MERLIN Yep. With a lump of wood.

GAIUS He only did it to bring you back safely.

ARTHUR No one can know about this. Any of it. Is that understood?

[Merlin and Gaius look at each other and then nod. Arthur falls back on his pillows.]

-- [39:42, INT. KING’S PALACE, COUNCIL CHAMBER OF DOOM – DAY] [Arthur stands before the court.]

UTHER When you failed to show up for patrol this morning, I feared you'd eloped with Sophia in a fit of passion.

[Arthur turns to Merlin.]

MERLIN I-- I wish he had. Because then I wouldn't be stood in front of you feeling like an idiot... again.

UTHER This is becoming a near daily occurrence for you.

MERLIN But there was a mistake. And I would not say it was anyone's fault. Not- not really. Erm, you- you could say it was mine.

UTHER Could somebody tell me what happened?

MERLIN Well...

UTHER Someone with a brain.

ARTHUR After Sophia left, I wanted to take my mind off her so I went for a hunt.

MORGANA And killing things mends a broken heart?

ARTHUR No, but it's good fun. Merlin was meant to inform you that I wouldn't be back till later today.

UTHER Have you some kind of mental affliction?

MERLIN Probably.

GAIUS I'm looking into it, Sire.

UTHER Well, I hope for our sake you find a cure. Or we'll find ourselves with a food shortage on our hands.

[Merlin chuckles.]

MERLIN Food shortage.

[Merlin is pelted by rotten food in the stocks.]

-- [41:05, INT. KING’S PALACE, PHYSICIAN'S CHAMBERS] [Morgana knocks and enters.]

GAIUS Morgana.

MORGANA I've had some troubled nights.

GAIUS I prepared another draught for you. Have the dreams stopped?

MORGANA (shakes head) Arthur told me what actually happened. You must've hit him round the head really hard.

MERLIN Yeah. I feel really bad about that.

GAIUS Here you are. Remember, every night just before you go to sleep.

MORGANA Thank you, Gaius.

GAIUS She must never find out the truth.

MERLIN Why not? She had a premonition that helped save Arthur's life.

GAIUS And it could've cost her her own. If Uther ever found out, things would never be the same again. It must remain a secret.

MERLIN Is she like me? Can she use magic?

GAIUS No one's like you, Merlin.

MERLIN But she has the gift?

GAIUS For her sake, I hope not.

-- [42:26, Morgana wakes from another nightmare.]