Transcript:To Kill the King



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.''

--

[EXT. LOWER TOWN – DAY.]

[Tom pushes a cart playfully down the street and sneaks up behind the carpet that Gwen is beating. He pops his head over the clothes line on which the carpet is hung.]

TOM

Boo!

GWEN

Oh!

[Gwen holds her hand to her chest.]

TOM

Did I surprise you?

GWEN

You certainly did!

TOM

I've got another surprise for you, too.

[Tom hands Gwen a small, wrapped cloth. Gwen opens it, revealing a fancy button.]

GWEN

It's...lovely.

TOM

Well, in case you ever need a spare. You know...for this...

[Tom holds up a colourful dress.]

GWEN

It's beautiful!

TOM

Well, you're a beautiful girl, Gwen. You deserve beautiful things.

GWEN

But how? I mean...it must have been expensive.

TOM

Oh, very. But we're on the up now. Things are going to be different.

GWEN

What's going on?

TOM It'll be all right. Trust me.

[Tom kisses her cheek.]

TOM

I won't be back for supper.

--

[INT. TOM’S FORGE – NIGHT]

[Tom works at his forge. Tom hears lots of wind.]

TOM

Hello?

[A man appears before Tom, hooded and cloaked.]

TAUREN

Is it prepared?

TOM

Yes, look.

[Tauren approaches the forge and pulls down his hood, looking at the melted lead.]

TAUREN

Very good.

[Tauren pulls out a stone with silver claws around it.]

TOM

What is that?

TAUREN

I'm not paying you to ask questions. The lead, please.

[Tom takes the lead off the forge and pours it into a mould. Tauren holds the stone over the lead and the stone glows, Merlin wakes in his chamber.]

TAUREN
 * spell*

TOM (whispers)

You didn't say anything about magic! I don't want any trouble!

TAUREN

I búgan þéos... áfæren æt gylden

[The lead turns to gold.]

TOM

Gold?

TAUREN

Pure, priceless gold.

[Tom drenches the gold and it steams. Tom holds up the lump of gold.]

TAUREN

Yours, blacksmith. If you keep your mouth shut.

[Arthur bursts in with the guards. Tauren runs for it.]

ARTHUR

Seize him!

GUARD

Yes, sir.

ARTHUR

Quickly, after him!

[Tauren tosses the heated materials in the water, creating a smoke screen. he knocks over a table and drops the leather bag with the stone in it.]

GUARD

Stop!

ARTHUR

He must be caught!

GUARD

Stop that man!

[A pair of guards stay behind, restraining Tom. Arthur turns around and takes the gold from him.]

TOM

Sire, please...

ARTHUR

You're under arrest.

OPENING CREDITS

--

[INT. KING’S PALACE, PHYSICIAN’S CHAMBERS – NIGHT]

[Merlin emerges from his chamber.]

GAIUS

Can't sleep?

MERLIN

Something woke me.

GAIUS

What?

MERLIN

I don't know. A feeling.

GAIUS

What kind of feeling?

MERLIN

Powerful magic, here, in Camelot.

[Gwen runs into the Physician's Chambers.]

MERLIN

Gwen. What's wrong?

GWEN

My father's been arrested.

MERLIN

Arrested? What for?

GWEN

They say he was making weapons for a sorcerer! They're charging him with treason!

--

[INT. KING’S PALACE, HEDGEHOG CHAMBER – NIGHT]

[Morgana, Uther, and Arthur. Morgana’s in her nightgown.]

MORGANA

Treason?!

UTHER

Yes, Morgana, treason. The blacksmith was consorting with a known enemy.

MORGANA

Enemy? What enemy?

ARTHUR

Tauren. The leader of a band of renegade sorcerers sworn to bring down the King.

MORGANA

And where is this Tauren now?

ARTHUR

He escaped.

MORGANA

Well, then how can you be sure?

UTHER

Because Arthur saw him with his own eyes.

MORGANA

Well, even if the man is who you say he is, you can't sentence Tom to death for just being seen with him!?

UTHER

We have reason to believe he was forging weapons for Tauren.

MORGANA

Rubbish! He would never do such a thing.

UTHER

Every man has a price.

[Arthur slides the lump of gold across the table.]

ARTHUR

Found this on the blacksmith.

MORGANA

So he was paid! He's a blacksmith. He could've been paid for shoeing Tauren's horse!

UTHER

In gold?

MORGANA

This is madness! You condemn a man with no proof!

UTHER

I have enough proof.

MORGANA

Arthur! Have you nothing to say?

ARTHUR

Father, the blacksmith committed a crime, but we don't know for certain he meant treason.

UTHER

No. You're right. Nothing's certain. Save one thing. The law stands or this kingdom falls.

MORGANA

But the law must give him a fair trial!

UTHER

He'll get a fair trial, and he'll be found guilty, 'cause that's what he is.

MORGANA

You execute Gwen's father, and I will never forgive you. Never.

[Morgana storms out.]

ARTHUR

Maybe we should investigate further.

UTHER

Tauren slept somewhere, he fed somewhere. Find anyone who helped him in any way. They must be punished. The people must see the laws of Camelot are not to be trifled with.

ARTHUR

Yes, Father.

--

[INT. KING’S PALACE, DUNGEONS]

[Gwen visits her father’s cell.]

TOM

I didn't know Tauren was a sorcerer. I meant no harm, I swear.

GWEN

Why didn't you tell me what was going on?

TOM

I knew you wouldn't like it, Gwen. You're cautious. I didn't want to let an opportunity pass...

GWEN

Opportunity? You call this an opportunity?

TOM

I know. I've been a fool. (sigh) I just wanted to make a better life for us. For you. I wanted to make you happy.

GWEN

But I am happy! I don't need anything else. I have everything I want.

TOM

And I've thrown it all away!

GWEN

It's all right. We will get you out of here, I promise.

[Gwen walks away from the bars to where Merlin and Gaius are waiting.]

MERLIN

What did he say?

GWEN

He said Tauren came to him at the forge, offered to pay him a fortune for his help, not to make weapons, for an experiment or something.

MERLIN

What kind of experiment?

GWEN

Tauren didn't say. But he used some kind of stone...some kind of magic...

--

[INT. KING’S PALACE, PHYSICIAN’S CHAMBERS]

[Gaius exits Merlin's Chamber.]

GAIUS

She's sleeping now.

MERLIN

I don't understand it. What would a sorcerer want with Tom?

GAIUS

His forge, Merlin. It's the finest in the kingdom.

MERLIN

You think Tom was lying? You think he really was making weapons?

GAIUS

No, I don't.

MERLIN

Then what?

GAIUS

When Tom was arrested, they found gold on him.

MERLIN

So?

GAIUS

And from what Gwen was saying, Tauren's experiment bears all the hallmarks of alchemy.

MERLIN

But alchemy's impossible, isn't it?

GAIUS

To change the very nature of one thing to another has defeated all who have tried. But if you used magic...

MERLIN

Do you think that's what woke me?

GAIUS

It is possible, I suppose.

--

[EXT. LOWER TOWN – DAY]

[Morgana walks to Gwen's home.]

MORGANA

Gwen? Gwen?

[Morgana walks to Tom's forge.]

MORGANA

Gwen?

[Morgana sees the leather bag on the floor of the forge, picks it up, and pulls out the stone, it glows in her hands. Merlin senses it as he sits in a chair in his chamber. Morgana takes the stone to her chambers and puts it in a fancy box.]

--

[INT. KING’S PALACE, MERLIN’S CHAMBER – DAY]

[Morgana enters Merlin's Chamber.]

MORGANA

Merlin.

MERLIN

Morgana.

[Morgana looks at Gwen sleeping on the bed.]

MORGANA

How is she?

MERLIN

She's doing OK.

MORGANA

We should let her rest.

MERLIN (whisper)

Yeah.

[Merlin and Morgana exit his chamber.]

MERLIN

Morgana, have you spoken to Uther? He must realise this is a mistake. Whatever Tom was doing, it wasn't plotting against the King.

MORGANA

I know that. Of course I do. But Uther...Uther only sees enemies.

MERLIN

But Tom is the most gentle soul I've ever met.

MORGANA

But he was seen with Tauren, and that makes him an enemy.

[Morgana turns to leave.]

MERLIN

Then...

[Morgana stops to face him.]

MERLIN

...there's little hope?

MORGANA

There's no hope, Merlin. None at all.

--

[INT. KING’S PALACE, ARTHUR’S CHAMBERS – DAY]

[Morgana enters.]

MORGANA

Arthur?

[She walks over to the bureau and searches for a key.]

--

[INT. KING’S PALACE, DUNGEONS – DAY]

[Morgana visits Tom.]

MORGANA

I bring you no relief, Tom. I'm sorry. I came only to see you were comfortable.

TOM

How's Gwen?

MORGANA

She's a brave girl. She wishes only to see you free.

TOM

I know what Uther thinks about sorcery. I'm a dead man, aren't I?

MORGANA

I cannot see the future, only the present, and one must always seize the moment.

[Morgana hands him the key through the bars.]

MORGANA

Good luck.

--

[EXT. KING’S PALACE – DAY]

[The executioner and some guards escort some men into the Square.]

MERLIN

They're to be executed?

ARTHUR

Yes, Merlin.

MERLIN

By order of the King?

ARTHUR

They committed a serious crime.

MERLIN

Giving a man a bed for the night?!

ARTHUR

Not a man. A sorcerer.

MERLIN

Maybe they didn't know that.

ARTHUR

It is not for you to question my father's actions. Is that understood?

MERLIN

Yes, Sire.

ARTHUR

Now go get on with whatever you're meant to be doing.

--

[INT. KING’S PALACE, DUNGEONS – NIGHT]

[Tom lies awake in his cell that night. he pretends to be asleep when the guard comes by, then uses the key to escape. he sneaks through the dungeon tunnels, but the guard checks his cell again.]

GUARD

Sound the warning bell!

[Tom knocks out a guard who's closing a dungeon gate. Tom takes his sword and the warning bell tolls. Uther and Arthur enter the Council Chamber of Doom.]

UTHER

He's just proved his guilt. You will kill him on sight.

ARTHUR

But the trial, Father!

UTHER

The trial is a formality. Now I want him dead. And an end to it.

[Tom tries to sneak up the Wrought Iron Stairway, but guards come down and surround him on all sides. He drops his sword.]

TOM

Please...

[Tom goes to his knees with his hands in the air.]

GUARD

Kill him.

[Swords run him though.]

--

[INT. KING’S PALACE, MAIN SQUARE – DAY]

[Gwen's wail echoes in the Square.]

GWEN

Nooooooo...!

[She runs down the steps to her father's body, which is being carried off on a cart by a pair of guards. Morgana watches from a window above.]

GWEN

No, Father!!! No, Father!!!

--

[INT. KING’S PALACE, HEDGEHOG CHAMBER – DAY]

[Morgana waits for guards to open the doors and she storms in.]

MORGANA

You have blood on your hands, Uther Pendragon! Blood that will never wash off!

UTHER

May I remind you that you're speaking to your King.

MORGANA

May I remind you that a king is wise and just. You are neither. You rule only with the sword.

UTHER

You know nothing of what it means to be King. The fate of Camelot rests in my hands. It's my responsibility to protect the people of this land from its enemies.

MORGANA

Then the kingdom is doomed! For one by one you make enemies of us all!

UTHER

You speak treason, Morgana.

MORGANA

Only a mad man hears the truth as treason.

UTHER

Take care, child, or I'll have you restrained.

MORGANA

You just try.

--

[INT. KING’S PALACE, DUNGEONS – DAY]

[Morgana is dragged into a large prison cell by some guards and chained to the wall.]

UTHER

And you will remain here until you learn your lesson.

MORGANA

Then release me because I've learned it already! That you care not for me, or anyone but yourself! That you're driven mad with power! That you're a tyrant!

--

[INT. KING’S PALACE, MERLIN’S CHAMBER]

[Gwen sits on the bed in Merlin's Chamber, staring off into space. Merlin enters.]

MERLIN

All right?

GWEN

I just don't understand. Why did he try to escape? His trial was this morning.

[Someone knocks gently on the door. Arthur enters and Gwen stands up quickly to face him.]

GWEN

Sire.

ARTHUR

Guinevere, I...want you to know that your job is safe. And that your home is yours for life. I guarantee you that. I know that under the circumstances it's not much but, erm, anything you want, anything you need, all you have to do is ask

[Arthur begins to leave but pauses and turns back around.]

ARTHUR

I'm sorry.

GWEN

Thank you, Sire.

--

[EXT. LOWER TOWN – NIGHT]

[Gwen walks home from the palace. She pauses to take her dress off of the clothes line before going inside. Tauren steps out from the shadows and grabs her from behind, covering her mouth.]

TAUREN (whisper)

I want the stone! Where is it?

[Gwen tries to shake her head, Tauren lifts his hand from her mouth.]

GWEN

I don't know what you're talking about. I don't know anything about...

[Tauren clamps his hand back over her mouth.]

TAUREN

Now you listen to me. In two days' time, I'll be at the Darkling Woods at dawn. You find the stone, you bring it to me, or you will die. Now, do I make myself clear?

GWEN (muffled)

(nods) Mm-hmm!

--

[INT. KING’S PALACE, PHYSICIAN’S CHAMBERS]

[Gaius flips through a book as Merlin exits his chamber.]

GAIUS

Merlin, come and take a look. I've been doing some research and found this.

MERLIN

The Mage Stone?

GAIUS

Wonder of the ancients. Lost for a thousand years or more.

MERLIN

What does it do?

GAIUS

Theoretically, it could give the bearer the power of transformation.

MERLIN

Gold. The power of alchemy.

GAIUS

Exactly. I believe it was the Mage Stone you sensed on the night of Tom's arrest.

MERLIN

Of course! Gwen said that Tauren had some kind of stone.

--

[INT. KING’S PALACE, DUNGEON – DAY]

[Morgana sits on the floor of her cell. The door opens and Arthur enters.]

MORGANA

You. How proud you must be. Son of the mighty Uther. How you must look up to him. Does the King's little helper bring a message? Or have you just come to gloat?

ARTHUR

Guards!

[Morgana stands up and backs away, pulling on her chains.]

MORGANA

Get away from me, you cowards!

ARTHUR

You're free to go.

[The guards remove her manacles and leave. She walks to the door.]

ARTHUR

Morgana.

[She pauses just behind Arthur.]

MORGANA

Yes?

ARTHUR

I swore to him you'd never challenge his authority again. I swore that you'd learned your lesson. Tread carefully. Next time, I may not be able to help you.

MORGANA

Thank you. You're a better man than your father. Always were.

--

[INT. KING’S PALACE, MORGANA’S CHAMBERS – DAY]

[Morgana enters her chambers, where Gwen is sitting. Gwen goes to Morgana quickly.]

GWEN

My Lady!

MORGANA

Gwen. I didn't expect to see you here.

GWEN

What happened to you?!

MORGANA

Nothing. Well, nothing a hot bath wouldn't fix.

[Gwen sees the sores on Morgana's arms where the manacles rubbed.]

MORGANA

I spent the night in the dungeon.

GWEN

Uther.

MORGANA

He doesn't like to be challenged.

GWEN

It wasn't about my father, was it?

MORGANA

You have enough to deal with without worrying about such things.

GWEN

You shouldn't have done that! Not on my behalf. If anything happened to you, I couldn't bear it.

MORGANA

You need to go home, Gwen. Get some rest. Please.

GWEN

I'm fine, My Lady.

MORGANA

I insist.

[Gwen walks past Morgana with her head bowed, picking up a hair brush.]

MORGANA

Gwen?

[Gwen stops, her back to Morgana, trying not to cry.]

MORGANA

Gwen?

GWEN

I can't go home!

MORGANA

It's understandable to feel so alone.

GWEN

Tauren...

MORGANA

Tauren?!

GWEN

He attacked me. He threatened me. He was looking for some kind of stone.

MORGANA

Stone?

GWEN

He said if I didn't bring it to him, he'd kill me. He's waiting for me in the Darkling Woods. I have to do something. If I don't get this stone to him by dawn tomorrow...

[Morgana begins walking off purposefully.]

GWEN

What are you going to do?

MORGANA

I'm going to send the guards, of course. It won't be you that Tauren meets. It'll be the Knights of Camelot.

--

[INT/EXT. KING’S PALACE, MERLIN’S CHAMBER/MORGANA’S CHAMBERS/FOREST – NIGHT]

[Merlin wakes when he senses the Mage Stone's power as Morgana holds it in her chambers. He gets out of bed and sees her walking out of Camelot. He follows her through the Lower Town and into the woods, where she is surrounded by Tauren's men. He hides behind a tree and listens in on their conversation.]

TAUREN

Where's your maid?

MORGANA

I've come in her place.

TAUREN

Kill her.

MORGANA

No! Wait! I brought the Stone!

[Morgana reaches for the stone.]

TAUREN

What else have you brought, My Lady? The Knights of Camelot?

MORGANA

I came alone, I promise you.

TAUREN

Give me the stone.

[Morgana hands it over.]

TAUREN

You were foolish to come here. I had no quarrel with your maid. But you, My Lady Morgana, you are Uther's ward.

[He draws his sword and puts it to her stomach.]

MORGANA

If you kill me, you'll regret it.

TAUREN

Why is that?

MORGANA

Because I want Uther dead, too.

TAUREN

You? An enemy of the King? And I'm to believe that?

MORGANA

Why else would I be here?

TAUREN

I can only guess at your motives, My Lady. You could be a spy, for all I know.

MORGANA

And this...

[She flips back her sleeves, revealing her sore, bruised wrists.]

MORGANA

Is it usual for Uther to chain his friends to a dungeon wall? The stone. You took it to the forge. Why?

TAUREN

With it a man can alter the very essence of things. He can turn a lump of lead into gold.

MORGANA

Gold? A good man died in your quest for riches, Tauren. His daughter is now an orphan.

TAUREN

I'm sorry for that. Truly. But we did not want the gold to line our pockets. The gold was but a means, a means to rid this kingdom of Uther Pendragon once and for all.

MORGANA

What are you saying?

TAUREN

Bribery is rife at Camelot. I will use the corruption at the heart of his kingdom, and such abundance of gold will buy me into the King's chambers, even to the King himself.

MORGANA

The guards may be fools, Tauren, but the King is not.

TAUREN

Do you have a better plan?

MORGANA

To get to Uther, you need someone close to him.

TAUREN

And you know of such a person?

MORGANA

I do. Me.

--

[INT. KING’S PALACE, PHYSICIAN'S CHAMBERS – NIGHT]

[ Merlin stares into his bowl at dinner.]

GAIUS

Pass the salt please.

[Merlin hands him an apple without looking.]

GAIUS

You all right?

MERLIN

What? Yeah. I've just got a few things on my mind, that's all.

GAIUS

Anything you'd like to talk to me about?

MERLIN

I can't imagine you'd be interested.

GAIUS

So long as you're sure.

MERLIN

I should be getting to work.

[Merlin gets up and heads to the door behind him.]

GAIUS

Er, Merlin?

[Merlin stops and turns.]

GAIUS

That's a broom cupboard.

--

[INT. KING’S PALACE, DRAGON’S CAVE – NIGHT]

[Merlin walks down the Tunnel Stairway with a torch and enters the Dragon's Cave. Kilgharrah is sleeping. Merlin clears his throat pointedly. The dragon stirs.]

KILGHARRAH

Well, young warlock, what is it you come to ask of me?

MERLIN

I need your help.

KILGHARRAH

Of course you do, but this time, will you heed my words?

MERLIN

The sorcerer Tauren is plotting to kill the King. He's made an ally of Morgana. I don't know what to do!

KILGHARRAH

Do...nothing.

MERLIN

What do you mean? If I do nothing, Uther will die.

KILGHARRAH

Don't you want Uther dead? It is Uther that persecutes you and your kind, Merlin. It is Uther that murders the innocent...

MERLIN

But surely that doesn't make it right to kill him.

KILGHARRAH

Only if Uther dies can magic return to the land. Only if Uther dies will you be free, Merlin. Uther's reign is at an end. Let Arthur's reign begin. Fulfil your destiny!

[The dragon flies off.]

MERLIN

Wait! Where does it say my destiny includes murder?

KILGHARRAH

Free this land from tyranny, Merlin! Free us all!

--

[INT. KING’S PALACE, COUNCIL CHAMBER OF DOOM – NIGHT]

[Uther eats alone. Morgana enters.]

UTHER

I didn't expect to see you. You wish to say something?

MORGANA

I came to apologise, My Lord.

UTHER

Good.

[Morgana stiffens.]

MORGANA

I didn't mean to rile you. I thought only of Gwen. The poor girl is all alone in the world.

UTHER

It was not my intention to hurt your maid.

MORGANA

I know. But now she suffers, and I know how she must suffer.

UTHER

Morgana...

MORGANA

I only meant, I know what it's like to lose a father.

UTHER

That was a terrible day. Your father was a great friend. I had no part in his death.

MORGANA

You sent him into battle. You promised him reinforcements and then gave him none. You sent him to his death.

UTHER

That is not true. It was never my intention.

MORGANA

But it happened! And it keeps on happening.

UTHER

Morgana!

MORGANA

I'm sorry, My Lord.

[Morgana turns to leave, looking upset, but her expression clears when she faces the door.]

--

[INT. KING’S PALACE, PHYSICIAN'S CHAMBERS]

MERLIN

Do you think Uther's a good king?

GAIUS

Sorry?

MERLIN

Uther. Do you think he's good for the kingdom?

GAIUS

Yes. Yes, I do. In the light of recent events, you may find that hard to believe.

MERLIN

Hard? No. Impossible? Definitely.

GAIUS

Merlin...

MERLIN

Everyone hates him.

GAIUS

It is not Uther's job to be liked. It is Uther's job to protect the kingdom. Most of his methods are right. Sometimes he may go too far.

MERLIN

Really? You mean like executing anyone who even passes a sorcerer on the street?

GAIUS

Yes. But despite Uther's failings, he has brought peace and prosperity to this kingdom.

MERLIN

But at what cost? At the cost of women and children, fathers and sons! When will it end?

GAIUS

It will end when Arthur is King.

MERLIN

Then why not let that time be now? Why not let Arthur be King?

GAIUS

Arthur's not ready. The responsibility would be too great. Brave though he may be, he lacks experience, he lacks judgement. Is there anything you want to tell me?

MERLIN

I can't...I, I just...No, I can't. You've just got to trust me. Gaius, it's something I've got to work out for myself.

GAIUS

I do trust you, Merlin. Whatever it is, I know you'll make the right decision.

--

[INT. KING’S PALACE, THRONE ROOM/GRIFFIN STAIRCASE – DAY]

[Uther watches from a Throne Room window as Morgana walks down the palace steps into the Square with Gwen. Morgana walks down the curved steps from her chambers to the Griffin Landing, Uther rounds the corner behind her.]

UTHER

Morgana!

[Morgana stops, but doesn't turn around.]

UTHER

I'm not disturbing you, I hope?

MORGANA

Not at all.

UTHER

These are difficult times. They put a strain on us all.

MORGANA

Yes, My Lord.

UTHER

I cannot tell you how much it pains me to be at odds with you.

MORGANA

And I with you.

UTHER

I've been thinking about what you said. And, er, I realise I may have been insensitive. I should have foreseen the distress that your maid's loss would cause you, that it would stir old memories. I've opened an old wound. For that, I'm sorry.

[Morgana goes to Uther.]

MORGANA

My Lord, it gladdens my heart to hear these words. I too wish to heal these wounds. Let us visit my father's grave together and put the past behind us.

UTHER

Nothing would give me greater happiness.

MORGANA

Shall we leave tomorrow at first light?

UTHER

I will make arrangements.

--

[EXT. KING’S PALACE, ENTRANCE – NIGHT]

[Morgana meets Tauren outside the palace walls at night.]

TAUREN

So, My Lady, what news?

MORGANA

Uther has fallen for the bait. We ride out in the morning for the Old Cairn on the hill.

TAUREN

Are you sure you're committed to this?

MORGANA

More than ever I want Uther dead as much as you. As much as anyone in this rotten kingdom of his.

TAUREN

Then the deed is as good as done.

[Merlin sees Tauren leave and sneaks back behind the castle wall.]

--

[EXT/INT. KING’S PALACE, MAIN SQUARE/ARTHUR’S CHAMBERS – DAY]

[Uther and Morgana's party rides out of the Square the next morning. Merlin watches from Arthur's Chambers. Gwen walks past and notices him staring out the window.]

GWEN

Merlin?

MERLIN

Gwen. How are you doing?

GWEN

I was about to ask you the same question.

MERLIN

I'm fine. Fine.

[Gwen looks out the window at the riding party.]

GWEN

Morgana's been amazing these last few days.

MERLIN

I think you've been amazing. After all that's happened, getting your life back together...

GWEN

It's better than sitting in an empty house, waiting for my father to walk through the door. The thing I find hardest to bear is that people will always think he was guilty because he tried to escape.

MERLIN

I know he was innocent.

GWEN

I think he tried to escape because he knew that whatever he said or did he'd be killed. Uther had already made up his mind. That's the kind of man he is.

MERLIN

I wouldn't blame you if you wanted him dead.

GWEN

If Uther died I'd feel nothing. He means nothing to me.

MERLIN

But if you had...you know...the choice, what would you do? If you had the power of life and death over Uther, would you kill him? For what he did?

GWEN

No!

MERLIN

No?

GWEN

What would that solve? That would make me a murderer. That would make me as bad as him.

MERLIN

You're right. Of course you're right.

[Merlin runs out of the room.]

GWEN

Is anything wrong?!

MERLIN

No, no! See you later!

--

[INT. KING’S PALACE, MERLIN’S CHAMBER – DAY]

[Merlin runs into his chamber and grabs Sophia Tír-Mòr's staff from under his bed.

--

[EXT. GORLOIS’S GRAVE – DAY]

[Tauren and his men hide behind trees in the forest that the riding party passes through. Morgana and Uther dismount at the bottom of the hill.]

MORGANA

Do you think that we could have some privacy?

UTHER

Fine. Wait here. We're in no danger.

GUARD

Sire.

[Merlin runs through the woods with the Sidhe staff. Morgana and Uther climb the hill to the grave site. Merlin approaches their horses and finds the Camelot guards dead; he sees the renegades pursuing Uther. Morgana kneels at Gorlois's gravestone.]

MORGANA

Father.

[Uther sticks his sword in the ground. Merlin approaches the renegades and raises the staff.]

MERLIN (whispers)

Ácwele!

[A bolt of energy shoots out and kills one of the renegades, the other one draws his sword and Merlin shoots him, too. Uther approaches the grave and places his hand on Morgana's head.]

UTHER

Your father was the greatest man I've ever known. He stood for everything this kingdom represents. Truth, justice, valour. A hundred times he saved my life on the battlefield. His courage and his honour were without equal.

[Uther kneels and kisses gravestone.]

UTHER

When Gorlois died, I lost the truest friend I ever had. For he was as fearless in questioning my judgment as he was in defending my kingdom. That's the mark of a true friend.

MORGANA

I know how he respected you, My Lord. But I don't share these memories. How can I? I was ten years old. I only know I loved him and he was taken from me.

UTHER

When he died, and I took you into my care, you fought me from the beginning. Your will is as strong as my own. You challenge me as a friend must. As your father did in his time.

MORGANA

And when I do, you clap me in irons.

UTHER

I know I'm not an easy man. My temper blinds me sometimes. There are things that I regret.

MORGANA

Gwen's father?

UTHER

Yes.

[Morgana looks at Uther, surprised.]

MORGANA

Are you saying you were wrong to have Tom killed?

UTHER

Yes.

[Tauren watches them from behind a tree, but he hears Merlin sneaking up behind him. He moves and pulls out the Mage Stone.]

MERLIN

Ácwele!

[Merlin raises the staff and shoot, but Tauren absorbs the energy bolt with the Stone and sends it back at Merlin. Merlin is knocked unconscious. Tauren sneaks up behind Uther.]

UTHER

I will strive to listen to you more and quarrel with you less. You've been a blessing to me, Morgana. You are the daughter I never had. Your counsel is invaluable, as is your friendship and your love. Without you, I cannot hope to be the king this land deserves

MORGANA

My Lord...!

UTHER

Please forgive me, Morgana.

[Morgana sees Tauren sneaking up behind Uther with a raised sword.]

MORGANA

No! No!

[Uther blocks the blow and wrestles with Tauren. Merlin wakes. Tauren pins Uther down and draws a dagger, which Uther tries to block.]

TAUREN

Die, Uther Pendragon!

[Merlin approaches with the staff, but Tauren is stabbed in the back. Uther pushes him off and Morgana drops the dagger. Merlin climbs the bottom of the hill to see Uther hugging Morgana.]

--

[INT. KING’S PALACE, PHYSICIAN’S CHAMBERS]

[Merlin enters.]

GAIUS

Ah, busy day?

MERLIN

Had its moments.

GAIUS

I hear that Tauren tried to assassinate Uther.

MERLIN

That's what I heard.

GAIUS

And that Morgana saved him. How many men were there? Three? Four?

MERLIN

Yeah, something like that.

GAIUS

Morgana must have shown extraordinary courage to have defended a king against such odds. I suppose you had nothing to do with it?

MERLIN

Oh, you know. Just background stuff.

GAIUS

No need to be so modest, Merlin.

MERLIN

Sorry.

GAIUS

It's not a criticism. It's a compliment.

MERLIN

Right. Thanks, Gaius.