Transcript:The Witch's Quickening

The transcript for The Witch's Quickening, found here.

[a knights and guards escorting a cart to Camelot] Sir Radnor: Halt. [knight sees man lying in the road and dismount. the man is mumbling] Sir Radnor: What are you saying? Alvarr: Bandits. [bandits attack the party, killing everyone. Sir Radnor turns around and Alvarr puts a sword to his back] Alvarr: Always watch your back. Didn't they teach you that? Well, aren't you going to beg for your life. Sir Radnor: A knight of Camelot does not beg. [Alvarr brings him to his knees] Alvarr: Indulge me. Sir Radnor: I'd rather die. Alvarr: Who am I to deny a man his last request? [Alvarr kills Sir Radnor. Enmyria hands Alvarr chainmail from a guard] Alvarr: We must go if we're to make Camelot by nightfall. [Mordred removes his hood and smiles] -- [cart party enter the Lower Town at night in the pouring rain. guards check the cart] Guard: All clear. Carry on. [Alvarr dismounts in the Square and two fake guards take a barrel off the cart to carry it inside] Mordred (telepathy): Take the north door straight ahead. Keep going. [Merlin wakes from the telepathy. he tries to listen] Mordred (telepathy): Keep going. Hurry! [fake guards carrying barrel inside castle] Guard: Halt! Alvarr: Folge min bebod. [guards die. Merlin walks down Rectangular Corridors searching for Mordred's party] Mordred (telepathy): Keep going. It's not much further now. [Alvarr and fake guards stop. Alvarr begins removing knight disguise] Alvarr: Wait in the Forest of [place name: Brekkba] by the fork on the north ridge. [fake guards open the barrel and help Mordred out of it] Alvarr: Are you ready? Mordred: *nods* [Mordred and Alvarr run up the step into the palace, Merlin stops to listen in the Upper Corridor and continues to pursue them] Mordred (telepathy): Be careful. At the end of the corridor. Morgana's Chamber is next. Alvarr: Tospringe. [open's Morgana's door] Mordred: Morgana. [she wakes] Morgana: Mordred. [warning bells sound] -- [Arthur marches down a corridor with guards] Arthur: What do you mean you lost them?! They could be dangerous! [Merlin steps around the corner. Arthur grabs him by the throat and shoves him against the wall] Arthur: Merlin? Merlin (sputtering): Morgana's chamber... Arthur: Oh, sorry. [lets go of Merlin's throat] Merlin: Morgana's...they're... in Morgana's chambers. [Arthur bolts] -- [Morgana hugging Mordred] Morgana: I thought I'd never see you again. Alvarr: I found the boy wandering in the woods, lost and alone, hunted by Uther's men. Morgana: Who are you? Alvarr: My name is Alvarr. I, too, have been hunted by Uther since I was a child. Morgana: You have magic? Alvarr: Yes, My Lady. As did my parents, and their parents before them. They were fortunate to live in a time of peace, before your king declared war on sorcery. Morgana: I, too, have known Uther's cruelty. Alvarr: Magic is not a crime. It is a gift. I wish to walk free and without fear. Morgana: *nods* Alvarr: The boy said you would understand. Morgana: What are you doing in Camelot? You take a great risk in coming here. Alvarr: We came to see you. -- [Arthur and Merlin walk with guards to Morgana's Chambers. Upper Corridor] Arthur: Are you sure about this? Merlin: Definitely. I...saw them with my own eyes. Arthur: What were you doing down there? Merlin: I heard voices in my... Arthur: In your... Merlin: In my chambers, and I thought I should investigate. Arthur: Frankly, Merlin, it's hard to believe. Merlin: I... Arthur: For once, you've shown some real initiative. -- [Morgana still clinging to Mordred] Alvarr: I will not stand by and watch innocent people destroyed, and I am not alone. Many have already joined me. Many more join every day. Morgana: Alvarr, this is a war you cannot win. Uther has an army at his disposal. Alvarr: It does not matter how many you are if you wield a weapon powerful enough. When I was a child, my parents told me of a crystal. It was taken from the sorcerers in the last days of the Great Purge. Morgana: Taken? By Uther. Alvarr: It is here in Camelot, locked within the vaults beneath us. Morgana: The vaults are impregnable. You could never get it out. Alvarr: No, I could not. But you could. Morgana: Me? Alvarr: You are the King's ward. No one will suspect you. Morgana, you are our only hope. [Arthur and guards approach Morgana's Chambers. Arthur and Merlin listen at the door. Arthur kicks the door in. Morgana bolts up in bed] Morgana: What on earth do you think you're doing?! Arthur: I... [Arthur looks around] Arthur: I'd reason to believe that there was an intruder in here. Morgana: Right now, Arthur, the only intruder is you. Arthur: Camelot has been infiltrated. Did you not hear the warning bell? Morgana: Of course I did! I was hoping I'd be safe in my chambers. Arthur: Well, if you'd just permit me to search your room... Morgana: You'll do no such thing! Arthur, do you think that if there was someone in my room I wouldn't know about it? Arthur: Please accept my apologies. [they exit and Arthur closes the door] Merlin: I don't understand. Arthur: Oh, I'm sorry, Merlin. Which bit didn't you understand? The making a fool out of me, or making a fool out of yourself? Merlin: There was someone in there. I know there was. Arthur: A word of advice, Merlin. In the future, stick to what you do best. Nothing! [Merlin listens at the door. Mordred listens from the other side. Merlin leaves and Morgana climbs out of bed] Alvarr: We owe you our lives, My Lady. Morgana: You're safe for now, but Uther will not rest till he's found and killed you both. Alvarr: You will help us, then? Mordred: Please, Morgana, we need you. Morgana: Yes. I will. Of course I will. -- [Merlin comes out of his chamber holding his head] Gaius: Late night? Merlin: You could say that. Gaius: I hear there was a disturbance, an intruder in the city. Merlin: Yeah, I heard talking. In my head. Gaius: They had magic? Merlin: *nods* And I recognised the voice. It was Mordred. Gaius: The druid boy? What's he doing here? Merlin: He was guiding someone to Morgana's Chamber. Gaius: You sure? She and the boy had a kind of bond. Merlin: Yeah, but this is about more than that. Gaius: What do you mean? Merlin: What if they'd been caught? Whatever they were doing, they were prepared to die for it. -- [Morgana sneaking into Arthur's Chambers. she takes a set of Arthur's keys. she turns around and Merlin is standing there] Morgana: Merlin! I was looking for Arthur. Merlin: He's out training. Morgana: Of course. Merlin: He, er, he trains every day. The same time, same place. Morgana: I-I just wanted to apologise for last night. Another time, perhaps. -- [at night Morgana sneaks down to the vaults and steals the crystal] -- [Arthur's Chambers] Arthur: Come on, Merlin, I'm starving. Merlin: Well, you know what they say: good food takes time to prepare. Arthur: And this taste sensation took exactly how long? Merlin: Nearly five minutes. Arthur: Really? Five minutes. Merlin: You need that long, you see? To let it thicken. Arthur (mutter): Thicken. [warning bells] -- [Arthur and Merlin enter vaults] Arthur: The Crystal of Neahtid. The locks are not damaged. Merlin: What does that tell you? Arthur: It tells me that somebody stole my keys. Merlin: Was it precious, this crystal? Arthur: Of course it was precious. It wouldn't be down here otherwise, would it? Merlin: Right. Arthur: Whoever it was knew exactly what they were looking for. Merlin: Apparently. Arthur: Apparently? That's all you've got to say? Tell me, Merlin? Whose job is it to ensure that my chambers are locked at all times? Whose job is it to ensure that something like this never happens?! Merlin: Sorry. -- [Arthur before Uther in the Council Chamber of Doom. Merlin waiting there as well] Uther: You're sorry? That's not good enough. Did they force their way in? Arthur: No, Sire. Uther: Then how did they gain access to the vault? Arthur: They stole the keys. Uther: How is that possible?! Arthur: Someone broke into my chambers. Uther: This is a grievous loss, Arthur. The Crystal of Neahtid was locked away for good reason. Arthur: Why is it so important? Uther: It is an instrument of magic. In the days of the Purge a great many sorcerers died trying to protect it. Whatever it is, it's important to them. Arthur: I'll search the town, find out what I can. Uther: Arthur, this crystal cannot fall into enemy hands. Arthur: Yes, Sire. -- [Merlin and Arthur walk down the Upper Corridor] Merlin: Arthur? Thank you. Arthur: For what exactly? Merlin: For... Arthur: Lying to my father to save your worthless hide? Merlin: Yes. Arthur: If you ever put me in that position again, I'll clap you in irons myself. And Merlin, you'd better hope we find that crystal. -- [Physician's Chambers] Gaius: Morgana stole the crystal? Merlin: I'm certain of it. I caught her in Arthur's chambers. She must have taken his keys. Gaius: Can you prove any of this? Merlin: Not exactly, but... Gaius: Merlin. Merlin: She did it. I'd bet my life on it. Gaius: Merlin, you go accusing the King's ward without proof, that's exactly what you'd be doing. Merlin: I know. You're right. Gaius: Doesn't make sense. Why would Morgana steal such a thing? Merlin: Uther said it was an instrument of magic. Gaius: There are many legends about the Crystal. Merlin: Is it some kind of weapon? Gaius: That I don't know. Merlin: You've heard of it? Gaius: Indeed. The sorcerers of the past believed it held the secret of time itself. Merlin: What do they mean by that? Gaius: I'm not sure. The crystal's an artefact of the Old Religion. There is only one who could tell you more. -- [Merlin visits the Dragon's Cave] Merlin: I need your help. Kilgharrah: I'm sure you do, young warlock, but first you must honour your promise. Merlin: I said I would set you free, and I will. Kilgharrah: When? Merlin: When I know that Camelot is safe. Will you please trust me? Kilgharrah: Why should I? Merlin: Because you don't have a choice. Kilgharrah: What is it that you wish to know? Merlin: What is the Crystal of Neahtid? Kilgharrah: To those who know how to use it, the Crystal holds great knowledge. Merlin: What kind of knowledge. Kilgharrah: The knowledge of what is, what has been, and what is yet to come. Merlin: Do you mean it can show you the future? Kilgharrah: Amongst other things, yes. Merlin: The Crystal has been stolen. Kilgharrah: By who? Merlin: The Lady Morgana. Kilgharrah: *lol* That witch does not have the power to wield the Crystal. Merlin: Does the druid boy? Kilgharrah: Mordred? It is possible. Why do you ask? Merlin: I believe that they're involved in this together. Kilgharrah: Once before I warned you of the druid boy. It is his destiny to bring about Arthur's doom! It may be that time is upon you. Merlin: What do you mean? Kilgharrah: The ancient prophecies speak of an alliance of Mordred and Morgana united in evil, but this union must be stopped, whatever the cost. -- [Morgana turning down Morgana's bed for the night] Morgana: Thank you, Gwen. That'll be all. Gwen: Nearly done. Morgana: It's fine, Gwen. You can go. Gwen: Won't take a moment. Morgana: I said you can go! Gwen: My Lady. [curtsies and leaves. Morgana pulls out the Crystal] -- [Re-dressed, Morgana sneaks out of Camelot. Merlin follows her to Alvarr's camp] Mordred: Morgana! [Mordred runs to Morgana and hugs her. Morgana gives the Crystal to Alvarr] Alvarr: It's my hope that with time Mordred will master the Crystal. And when he does, we will strike Uther down. Uther and all who serve him. Morgana: All who serve him? Alvarr: If we are to win this war, there can be no half-measures. I see this troubles you. Morgana: Yes. Yes, it does. Alvarr: My Lady, we fight for our very survival, as do you. The boy. He told me you have magic. You need not be afraid. Morgana: I know. I'm sorry. I've become so used to concealing the truth. Alvarr: Believe me, I understand what that feels like. Morgana: Every day I must look Uther in the eye knowing that if he were to discover who I really am, he'd have me killed. Alvarr: You have been very brave. Morgana: I don't want to be brave. I just want to be myself. I don't want to be alone anymore. Alvarr: You are not alone. You're here with us. You need never be alone again. [Morgana and Alvarr lean in, but Morgana pulls back] Morgana: I must be heading back. The castle will be waking soon. Alvarr: Farewell then, My Lady Morgana. [Morgana leaves] Mordred: Where's Morgana? Alvarr: She could not stay. Mordred: Will we be seeing her again? Alvarr: Yes, Mordred. You can be sure of that. Enmyria: Nicely done. [Alvarr grabs Enmyria and pulls her down onto his lap] Enmyria: You played her well. Alvarr: It was not hard. She is very beautiful, after all. [Alvarr and Enmyria kiss] -- [Physician's Chambers] Gaius: Alvarr has a fearsome reputation. Merlin: You know of him? Gaius: I know he's a sorcerer, and that he and his band of renegades have threatened to overthrow the King. Merlin: He sounded pretty determined. Gaius: He's a fanatic, and his supporters follow him unthinkingly, blinded by his charisma Merlin: Well, it worked on Morgana. Gaius: So it would seem. Merlin: And the druid boy. Alvarr's using him too. He seems to think the boy can harness the power of the Crystal. Gaius: We can't let this happen, Merlin. Merlin: But if we can't go to Uther, what can we do? Gaius: We can bend the truth a little. -- [Council Chamber of Doom] Uther: You know the whereabouts of the Crystal? Gaius: I believe so, Sire. Uther: I see. How did you come by this information? Gaius: In my capacity as physician I have dealings with many people. They hear things, Sire, and they see things. Last night I was confronted by one such man who told me that the Crystal had been stolen by a band of renegades led by a man called Alvarr. Uther: Who exactly was this informant? Gaius: I think it would only be fair to protect their identity, Sire. If news of the betrayal were to reach the renegades, it could indeed endanger their life. Uther: Very well. Arthur: Where is this Alvarr hiding? Gaius: He was last seen in the Valley of [place name: Chemray], Sire. Uther: Summon the guards, Arthur. I want this matter investigated without delay. Arthur: Yes, Father. [Arthur leaves] Uther: Thank you, Gaius. Once again I am in your debt. -- [Morgana follows Arthur into the Red Ribbon Corridor] Morgana: Arthur, you're not seriously thinking of going on this mission, are you? Arthur: No, I'm not thinking of going on this mission. I am going on this mission. Morgana: But you're chasing nothing but a rumour. Arthur: True, but for now it's the only lead we have to go on. Morgana: You're wasting your time. I assure you. Arthur: Morgana. I never knew you cared. Morgana: What are you talking about? Arthur: I can look after myself, you know. It's a combination of raw talent and hard training that makes me... Morgana: Yes, I know. That makes you so utterly obnoxious. -- [Morgana rides out at night. Arthur's party rides out the next morning. they pause on a hillside] Arthur: Gaius'd better be right about this. -- [Morgana walks to the camp. Alvarr and his men spring out of hiding, ready to attack] Alvarr: Morgana? Morgana: Alvarr. Alvarr: What brings you here? Morgana: Arthur's been sent to capture the Crystal. The knights of Camelot are almost upon us. [Alvarr sends his me away and walks with Morgana] Alvarr: How has this happened? Morgana: I don't know. I only know that we've been betrayed. Alvarr: How much time do we have? Morgana: An hour, maybe two. I cannot say for sure. Alvarr: Then we must be prepared for them. Morgana: What can I do to help? Alvarr: You can flee while you still have the chance. Morgana: *scoff* Alvarr: Morgana, I am grateful for all that you have done, but a battlefield is no place for you. [Alvarr kisses her cheek] -- [Arthur and Merlin's party heads to the renegades camp] Arthur: I don't know why I bring you on these expeditions. You spend the whole time terrified. Merlin: I'm not terrified. Arthur: Yes, you are. I can tell you are. Merlin: No you can't. Arthur: If you weren't scared, you'd be talking rubbish as usual. Merlin: Well, I am talking rubbish as usual. I mean, I am talking as usual, so clearly I'm not scared. [they stop at a fork in the road] Arthur: Where now? Merlin: No idea. Arthur: I thought you said Gaius gave you directions? Merlin: He did. He, er...he just didn't tell me about this part. [Merlin dismounts and listens for telepathy] Arthur (muffled): Merlin, this is your fault! Mordred (telepathy): They're coming! Arthur (muffled): ...we wouldn't be here in the first place! Mordred (telepathy): Warn the others. Arthur (muffled): Merlin, I am talking to you! Mordred (telepathy): ...the Crystal. Warn the others! Alvarr: Morgana... [Arthur dismounts] Mordred (telepathy): ...the Crystal. Warn the others! They're coming. Arthur: What on earth do you think you're doing? Merlin: The renegade camp... Mordred: They're coming. Hurry. Merlin: It's that way. Arthur: And you know this because... Merlin: I know it because...because of... Arthur: I give up. [Arthur turns to go back to his horse. Merlin magically creates a footprint in the mud] Merlin: Because of this! Arthur: So? It's a footprint. Who says it belongs to a renegade? [Merlin magically creates more footprints] Merlin: More. Arthur: Follow me! [the party sneaks through the woods and finds the camp] Merlin: I told you. Didn't I tell you? [party sneaks into the camp. Arthur straightens out of his crouch and sticks his sword in the ground as he checks the campfire] Arthur: Well, whoever was here, they're not here anymore. Merlin: Yes, they are. [arrows hit a couple of knights] Arthur: Take cover! [renegades run into the camp. Morgana can hear the battle as she's riding back to Camelot] Alvarr: Run, Mordred! [Merlin magically extends a branch to trip Mordred. Mordred uses magic to throw spears at the two guards pursuing him. He smirks, then looks straight at Merlin] Mordred: I shall never forgive this, Emrys, and I shall never forget. [Mordred runs off. Guards check the fallen renegades. Alvarr is the last man standing. He attacks as Arthur approaches, but Arthur disarms him] Arthur: Give me the Crystal. Alvarr: Why should you care? [Arthur nods for guards to hold Alvarr] Alvarr: What use is it to you? [Arthur starts patting him down] Alvarr: You're a fool. How many lives have been lost this day? And for what? [Arthur takes the crystal] Alvarr: You cannot wield the Crystal. [Arthur walks away] Alvarr: You do not have the power! None of you do! [Arthur pulls out the Crystal as he passes Merlin. Merlin is transfixed by it] -- [Merlin sits next to a campfire, his head in his hand. Arthur walks over and lies down next to it] Arthur: Merlin, check the horses are fed and watered. Merlin? Merlin: Sorry. Arthur: Not the right answer. Merlin: What? Arthur: Something on your mind, is there? Merlin: It's just...when we entered the camp...it was a trap, wasn't it? They knew we were coming. Arthur: Yeah, so? Merlin: How did they know? Arthur: Well, they're sorcerer's aren't they? Probably used magic or something. Now, I need you to guard this with your life. [holds out the Crystal in cloth bag] Merlin: Why me? Arthur: I can hardly very well guard it when I'm asleep, can I? Merlin: Neither can I. Arthur: Who said anything about you sleeping? [tosses the Crystal to Merlin, who catches it, then drops it on the ground. Time passes, the fire goes out. Merlin grabs the Crystal, pulls off the cloth bag and looks into it. He sees the Great Dragon flying, himself surrounded by fire, Camelot smoking in destruction, the dragon breathing fire, himself crying. He drops the Crystal and holds his head] -- [Alvarr before Uther and the court in the Council Chamber of Doom] Uther: So you admit to stealing the Crystal of Neahtid? Alvarr: I do. Uther: You admit to plotting against your King? Alvarr: I do. Uther: And you acted alone? You were not aided or abetted by any citizen of Camelot? Alvarr: I acted alone. Uther: Then I find you guilty of treason. You are an enemy of Camelot, Alvarr. You are sentenced to death. Alvarr: Then I die with honour. To be an enemy of Camelot is no crime. Uther: Take him away. Alvarr: You, Uther, you are the criminal. [court members exit. Morgana waves the guards to leave and shut the door] Morgana: How many more must you kill before you're satisfied? Uther: He was guilty. He confessed his crimes. You heard him as well as I. Morgana: His only crime was to defy you. Uther: Why are you defending this man? He was a sworn foe of Camelot. You know this. Morgana: Is it any wonder he wanted you dead? You, who have persecuted his kind day after day, year after year? Uther: I will hear no more of this, Morgana! Morgana: Because you're an arrogant fool. You were deaf and blind to the very needs of the people you profess to serve and protect! The people will tolerate it no longer! Uther: I said enough! Morgana: They are rising up against you! From this day forward, I do not know you. From this day forward, I disown you. [she heads for the door] Uther: You will go to your chambers! [she pauses at the door and looks at Uther] Morgana: And you, Uther, you will go to hell. -- [Physician's Chambers. Merlin's staring at his soup] Gaius: Merlin? Is there something interesting in there? Merlin: Sorry? Gaius: What's the matter. Merlin: It's the Crystal. It harbours a terrible power, Gaius. Gaius: It's locked away now. It can do no harm. Unless the damage has already been done. Merlin: I held it. I knew I shouldn't. I knew no good would come of it, but it compelled me to look. I couldn't resist it. I saw things, terrible things. Gaius: Then you've already paid the price. Merlin: But what I saw has not yet come to pass, and I am scared, Gaius. I am really scared of what the future may hold. Gaius: There is nothing on this earth that can know all possible futures, even the Crystal. Merlin: But what I saw, it was so real. Gaius: It was real, but it was just one reality. The future is as yet unshaped. It is we that shape it. It is you, Merlin. The decisions you make. The actions you take. Remember that. Eat your soup before it gets cold. -- [Morgana preparing for bed] Morgana: Gwen, could I have my sleeping draught? Gwen: I didn't think you needed it anymore. Morgana: Last night the nightmares returned. [Gwen fetches the bottle and hands it to Morgana] Gwen: Sleep well. -- [Morgana, now dressed, goes down to the dungeons. The guards stand and bow when she arrives] Morgana: Please, this is not an official visit. I'd like to see the prisoner, if I may. Guard: Sorry, My Lady, the prisoner's to see no one. The King's orders. Morgana: That doesn't apply to the King's ward, surely? Guard: Thank you. This might help to ease the long night ahead. [she pulls a pitcher of wine from beneath her cloak and hands it to the guard] Alvarr: My Lady. I was not expecting you. Morgana: I've come to say goodbye. Alvarr: It was gracious of you to think of me. Morgana: It will not be easy, but you must prepare yourself for what lies ahead. Alvarr: I am prepared. Morgana: I've done what I can to ease your passage. Alvarr: I could not ask for more. Morgana: Good luck. My thoughts will be with you. Alvarr: Thank you, My Lady. -- [Morgana waits in her room. Alvarr raises his hand to the cell door] Alvarr: Tospringe! [door opens. Alvarr sneaks past drugged guards. the one that Morgana spoke with wakes and grabs Alvarr's leg. Alvarr stabs him. Alvarr exits Camelot. Warning bells sound] -- Arthur: We've searched the citadel, the town, and every corner of Camelot. Uther: But he's gone? Arthur: Yes, Father. Uther: How? How has he escaped? Arthur: It appears that the guards were drugged. Uther: That means he had help. Someone... [he looks at Morgana who just walked in] Uther: ...here in Camelot. Arthur: Afraid it looks that way. Uther: Let this be understood, whoever has done this, they have betrayed me. They have betrayed the kingdom. If I ever discover who it was, they will rue the day they were born. -- [Dragon's Cave] Kilgharrah (telepathy): Merlin. [Merlin in his bed] Kilgharrah (telepathy): I am waiting, Merlin. You gave your word. Now set me free, Merlin. [Merlin trying to cover his ears and block out the voice] Kilgharrah (telepathy): Merlin!