Transcript:Excalibur



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.

-- [INT. KING’S PALACE, BURIAL VAULTS – NIGHT]

NIMUEH ''Gehíere mé' wan cniht áwæce. Beo strangra ond steacra for brecþ wáne. úprærest wærc, Uther Pendragon.''

[Tristan De Bois' grave cracks and a gauntlet hand breaks through causing her to smile.]

--

OPENING CREDITS

[INT. KING’S PALACE, HALL OF CEREMONIES – NIGHT] [Arthur kneels before Uther. Gwen stands next to Merlin in the crowd.]

UTHER Do you solemnly swear to govern the people of this kingdom and its dominions according to the statutes, customs and laws laid down by your forebears?

ARTHUR I do, Sire.

UTHER Do you promise to exercise mercy and justice in your deeds and judgments?

ARTHUR I do, Sire.

UTHER And do you swear allegiance to Camelot, now and for as long as you shall live?

ARTHUR I, Arthur Pendragon, do pledge life and limb to your service and to the protection of the kingdom and its peoples.

UTHER Now being of age and heir apparent, from henceforth, you shall be Crown Prince of Camelot.

[The court applauds. Arthur stands up and faces the crowd.]

GWEN So how does it feel to be servant to the Crown Prince of Camelot?

MERLIN Washing his royal socks will be even more of a privilege.

GWEN You're proud of him, really. Even though you complain about him constantly.

MERLIN I am not.

GWEN You are. I can see it in your face.

MERLIN Those socks are very clean! Of course I'm proud of them.

[Gwen laughs. A Black armoured Knight on a horse bursts through the stained-glass window. Arthur and the knights draw their swords.]

UTHER What in the devil's name?

[The horse walks to Arthur and the Black Knight throws down a gauntlet. Uther sees the crest on the Black Knight's shield with surprise. Arthur sheathes his sword to pick up the gauntlet, but another knight gets there first.]

SIR OWAIN I, Sir Owain, accept your challenge.

TRISTAN Single combat. Noon tomorrow. Till the death.

[The Black Knight rides out.]

MERLIN Have you ever seen this Black Knight before?

GAIUS I don't believe so.

MERLIN You didn't recognize his crest?

GAIUS Crest?

MERLIN Which house is it?

GAIUS I'm not sure. I didn't see it that clearly.

MERLIN But he's not someone you'd forget in a hurry, is he?

GAIUS No.

MERLIN So you don't think he's from around here?

GAIUS That would seem likely.

MERLIN Then what's he doing here?

GAIUS Merlin, your faith in my all-seeing knowledge is both touching and wholly misplaced. Maybe if you've finished your work, you could go to bed and leave me to finish mine.

MERLIN OK, I'm going. Gaius?

GAIUS Merlin.

MERLIN Do you think Owain can beat him?

GAIUS We'll find out soon enough.

-- [INT. KING’S PALACE, MORGANA’S CHAMBERS] [Arthur speaks with Morgana and Gwen.]

ARTHUR He shouldn't have picked up the gauntlet!

MORGANA So put an end to it.

ARTHUR The challenge has been taken up. The fight cannot be stopped.

MORGANA Then fight in his place.

ARTHUR I can't.

MORGANA Why not?

ARTHUR Owain picked up the gauntlet. Owain is the one who must fight. That's the Knight's Code. He knew that.

MORGANA But it's a fight to the death!

ARTHUR I know.

-- [INT. KING’S PALACE, HALL OF RECORDS]

GEOFFREY Gaius. Thank God.

GAIUS You know why I'm here?

GEOFFREY The Black Knight.

GAIUS So it is he?

GEOFFREY You saw his crest?

GAIUS Have you confirmed it?

GEOFFREY It is the crest of Tristan de Bois.

GAIUS And he is the only knight ever to have carried such a crest?

GEOFFREY Yes. According to the records.

-- [INT. KING’S PALACE, COUNCIL CHAMBER OF DOOM – NIGHT] [Uther sits alone with his sword on the table in front of him. The door opens and Uther reaches for his sword for a moment. Gaius enters.]

UTHER Yes?

GAIUS I'm sorry to disturb you, Sire.

UTHER What is it?

GAIUS The knight, the stranger. He bears the crest of Tristan de Bois.

UTHER Yes.

GAIUS But he's been dead for 20 years.

UTHER I know. I killed him.

GAIUS But how do you explain...?

UTHER Dead men do not return.

-- [INT. KING’S PALACE, SIR OWAIN’S CHAMBERS – DAY] [Tristan de Bois stands on the grounds in front of the castle the next morning. Merlin and Arthur help Sir Owain prepare for the fight.]

ARTHUR You've never fought in mortal combat before. It's different. It's not like the training I've been giving you.

SIR OWAIN Yeah, I know.

ARTHUR Listen to me. The problem is, we've never seen him fight. You have to quickly get the measure of him.

SIR OWAIN But I have the same advantage. He's never seen me fight.

ARTHUR True.

SIR OWAIN You've watched me.

ARTHUR Yes.

SIR OWAIN And?

ARTHUR And I know no one braver. Remember, all it takes to kill a man is one well-aimed blow.

[The door opens. Gwen enters and curtsies to Owain.]

GWEN The Lady Morgana asked me to give you this token. She wishes you to wear it for luck.

SIR OWAIN You can thank her, and tell her I shall wear it with pride. But I won't need luck.

-- [EXT. TOURNAMENT GROUNDS – DAY] [Tristan de Bois waits in the arena. Arthur walks into the tournament grounds with Sir Owain.]

ARTHUR Now remember, find the flow of the fight; try to control it.

[They enter the arena.]

ARTHUR The fight shall be to the knight's rules! To the death!

[Arthur sidles into the stands.]

ARTHUR Let battle commence!

[Tristan and Owain fight.]

GWEN Come on, Owain!

ARTHUR One well-aimed blow!

[Owain stabs Tristan in the gut.]

MERLIN Yes!

[Tristan keeps fighting and kills Owain. the crowd gasps in horror. Morgana's favour flutters on the ground. Tristan faces the crowd and takes off his glove.]

TRISTAN Who will take up my challenge?

[Tristan throws down his gauntlet. Arthur tries to bolt over the barrier of the stands, but his father grabs him. Another knight jumps over the stands and takes up the gauntlet.]

PELLINOR I, Sir Pellinor, take up the challenge.

TRISTAN So be it.

[Tristan exits the arena. Merlin watches him leave.]

MERLIN Should we tend to his wounds? He took a hit.

GAIUS Owain didn't land a blow.

MERLIN No, I saw it. The sword definitely pierced him.

GAIUS Are you sure?

MERLIN My eyes are quicker than yours. He should be dead.

GAIUS Perhaps he already is.

-- [INT. KING’S PALACE, COUNCIL CHAMBER OF DOOM – DAY] [Uther and Arthur enter.]

ARTHUR Why did you stop me?!

UTHER We have to give our knights the chance to prove themselves.

ARTHUR Have you seen how this stranger fights?!

UTHER And Sir Pellinor is more than a match for him.

ARTHUR He's not recovered from the wounds he suffered at Othanden!

UTHER I can't help that.

ARTHUR So you send him to his death?

UTHER It was his choice to take up the gauntlet! I am not to blame.

-- [INT. KING’S PALACE, BURIAL VAULTS] [Merlin and Gaius enter the Tunnel Corridor to the Burial Vaults.]

MERLIN Are you sure we should be doing this?

GAIUS You're not scared, are you?

MERLIN No, I love old crypts. I wouldn't be seen dead anywhere else.

[The door slams behind them.]

GAIUS Must've been a gust of wind.

MERLIN We should've brought a torch.

MERLIN

''Leohtbora. ''

[Merlin lights a torch sitting in the wall of the Tunnel Corridor.]

GAIUS Huh. Handy!

MERLIN Yes.

[Merlin and Gaius walk among the graves.]

MERLIN What are we looking for?

GAIUS Bring your torch over here.

MERLIN We're breaking into someone's grave?

[Gaius sees the open tomb.]

GAIUS We're too late. I think someone's already broken out.

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

GAIUS Tristan de Bois was the brother of Ygraine, Uther's wife.

MERLIN Arthur's mother?

GAIUS Ygraine died in childbirth. He blamed Uther and came to the gates of Camelot and challenged him.

MERLIN To single combat.

GAIUS Uther won. But in his dying breath, Tristan cursed Camelot to one day suffer his return. I thought it was the ramblings of a dying man.

MERLIN Men don't just rise up from the dead, though, no matter how angry they are.

[Gaius opens a book.]

GAIUS It's my guess we're dealing with a wraith.

MERLIN A wraith?

GAIUS The spirit of a dead man conjured from the grave.

MERLIN So this is the work of a sorcerer?

GAIUS Powerful magic can harness the grief and rage of a tormented soul and make it live again.

MERLIN How do we stop it?

GAIUS We can't. Because it's not alive, no mortal weapon can kill it.

MERLIN Surely there must be something.

GAIUS Nothing can stop it until it has achieved what it came for.

MERLIN And what's that?

GAIUS Revenge.

MERLIN On Camelot? What does that mean for Sir Pellinor?

GAIUS I'm afraid it doesn't look good.

-- [EXT. TOURNAMENT GROUNDS – DAY] [Sir Pellinor fights Tristan de Bois in the arena. Sir Pellinor is doing well and the crowd cheers.]

MERLIN Maybe you were wrong.

GAIUS I hope so.

[Sir Pellinor runs Tristan through. Tristan does not fall.]

GWEN The sword went in, I'm sure of it.

MORGANA I saw too.

[Tristan kills Pellinor, crowd groans. Tristan turns to the crowd. Arthur throws his gauntlet down, Uther tries to stop it.]

ARTHUR I, Arthur Pendragon, challenge you.

TRISTAN So be it.

ARTHUR Single combat. Noon. Tomorrow.

-- [INT. KING’S PALACE, COUNCIL CHAMBER OF DOOM] [Uther enters. Arthur is waiting.]

UTHER How could you be so stupid? I'll revoke the challenge.

ARTHUR No. The Knight's Code must be upheld. That's what you told me.

UTHER This is different.

ARTHUR Once the challenge has been laid down it cannot be rescinded.

UTHER You are Crown Prince.

ARTHUR There cannot be one rule for me and one for all the rest.

UTHER I forbid you to fight.

ARTHUR You want me to prove that I'm worthy of the throne. I cannot do that by being a coward.

UTHER No, Arthur, this will be your death!

ARTHUR I'm sorry you have so little faith in me, Father.

[Arthur leaves.]

UTHER Arthur!

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

MERLIN You were right.

GAIUS I wish I wasn't.

MERLIN If Arthur fights that thing, he'll die.

GAIUS He is Camelot's strongest warrior. If anyone can defeat it, he can.

MERLIN You said yourself, no mortal weapon can kill it. Which means we have to find a way to defeat the wraith ourselves.

GAIUS How do you propose to do that?

MERLIN If no mortal sword will kill it... then I will.

[Merlin runs to his chamber to fetch his magic book.]

MERLIN With mortal magic.

GAIUS Merlin, it's too dangerous.

MERLIN We don't have a choice.

-- [EXT/INT. TRAINING GROUNDS/COUNCIL CHAMBER OF DOOM – NIGHT] [Tristan de Bois stands motionless outside. Uther paces the Council Chamber. Gaius enters and bows.]

GAIUS Good evening, Sire.

UTHER Gaius.

GAIUS There is a matter of great urgency, which I must discuss with you.

UTHER Then spit it out.

GAIUS Tristan's tomb is empty. I believe he's been conjured from the dead.

UTHER How is this possible?

GAIUS I believe he's a wraith.

UTHER A spirit?

GAIUS He has come to take vengeance for Ygraine's death.

UTHER It was magic that killed her, not I.

GAIUS Nevertheless, it was you he blamed. You cannot allow Arthur to fight. No weapon forged by man can kill a wraith. It will stop at nothing till it has accomplished what it came for. Arthur cannot win, he will die.

UTHER He will not listen to me.

GAIUS Then you must tell him who the knight is.

UTHER No.

GAIUS You cannot hide the truth forever.

UTHER I am the King. You will not tell me what I can and cannot do.

GAIUS That is your choice, Sire. You tell him, or let him go to his death.

UTHER No one but you or I will ever know the secret of Arthur's birth.

GAIUS The boy is of age, he should know.

UTHER Never! You made an oath. I warn you not to break it.

GAIUS Very well, Sire.

UTHER Leave me.

-- [EXT. TRAINING GROUNDS – NIGHT] [Merlin approaches Tristan.]

MERLIN

Cume her fyrbryne.

[Merlin lights Tristan on fire. the fire fades and Tristan remains unscathed. Tristan looks at Merlin and growls. Merlin runs.]

-- [INT. KING’S PALACE, ARTHUR’S CHAMBERS – NIGHT] [Merlin bursts into the room.]

ARTHUR Merlin, you know that conversation we had about knocking...

MERLIN You have to pull out.

ARTHUR And why is that?

MERLIN Because he'll kill you.

ARTHUR Why does everybody think that?

MERLIN Because they're right! Just pull out. You're the Crown Prince. No one wants to see you die over some stupid challenge.

ARTHUR I am not a coward.

MERLIN I know that. I've stood there and I've watched you overcome every fear you've ever faced.

ARTHUR That's what's required of me.

MERLIN But you are more than that. You're not merely a warrior. You're a prince, a future king! You've proved your courage, but you must prove your wisdom.

ARTHUR I'm not backing down.

MERLIN Please, Arthur, listen to me. This is no ordinary knight. Look at him. He doesn't eat, he doesn't sleep. He just stands there, in complete silence. Doesn't that tell you something?

ARTHUR No one is unbeatable.

MERLIN If you fight him, you will die.

ARTHUR I'm not listening to this.

MERLIN I'm trying to warn you, Arthur.

ARTHUR And I'm trying to warn YOU, Merlin!

-- [INT. KING’S PALACE, COUNCIL CHAMBER OF DOOM – NIGHT] [Uther drinks alone. The candles blow out and Uther turns to see Nimueh.]

UTHER I should've known.

NIMUEH It is more than I'd hoped for, Uther. Soon Arthur will be slain. You will have sent him to his death.

UTHER Haven't you tired of revenge?

NIMUEH Haven't you? You began this war when you threw me from the court and slaughtered all of my kind.

UTHER You brought it on yourselves. You practised evil.

NIMUEH I was your friend, Uther! You welcomed me here.

UTHER You betrayed that friendship.

NIMUEH I did as you asked! I used the magic you so despise to give your barren wife the son you craved.

UTHER Don't ever speak of her in that way. She was my heart, my soul. And you took her from me.

NIMUEH She died giving birth to your son. It was not my choice. That is the law of magic. To create a life, there had to be a death. The balance of the world had to be repaid.

UTHER You knew it would kill her.

NIMUEH No, you're wrong. If I had foreseen her death, and the terrible retribution you would seek... I would never have granted your wish.

UTHER I wish you hadn't.

NIMUEH You wish you didn't have a son? Well, your wish will come true tomorrow.

UTHER I will not let you take him.

NIMUEH I have watched so many people I love die at your hands, Uther Pendragon. Now it is your turn.

-- [INT. KING’S PALACE, HALL OF RECORDS – NIGHT] [Merlin searching through old tomes.]

GEOFFREY How did you get in here?

MERLIN The door was open.

GEOFFREY No, I locked it.

MERLIN Well, someone else must've opened it, then.

GEOFFREY And you thought you'd come in and help yourself?

MERLIN I was looking for a book. For Gaius. He thinks the Black Knight is a wraith.

GEOFFREY Then Arthur is in grave peril.

MERLIN Which is why I'm here. I need to find a weapon that will kill something that's already dead.

GEOFFREY Well, I've read of such things in the ancient chronicles.

MERLIN Really? What did they say?

GEOFFREY Well, several fables speak of ancient swords.

MERLIN That can kill the dead?

GEOFFREY The swords the fables speak of could destroy anything, alive or dead.

MERLIN Can you show me one of these fables?

GEOFFREY Well, let me think. Yes. Mmmm...

[Geoffrey searches a shelf.]

MERLIN I'm sort of in a hurry.

GEOFFREY Yes, you young people always are.

[Geoffrey flips through a book.]

GEOFFREY This is the Chronicle of Beltain. Now then... Ah, here we are. "Sir Marhaus looked upon the great sword, begotten in the dragon's breath and found it passing good."

MERLIN What did you say?

GEOFFREY "Sir Marhaus..."

MERLIN No. No, no. No, no. Not about him. The dragon.

GEOFFREY "The great sword begotten in the dragon's breath...

[Merlin takes off.]

GEOFFREY ...and found it passing good."

-- [INT. KING’S PALACE, MORGANA’S CHAMBERS – NIGHT] [Gwen opens Morgana's door to see Merlin standing outside.]

GWEN Merlin. What are you doing here?

MERLIN I've come to ask a favour.

GWEN Yes?

MERLIN I'm not sure how to ask it.

GWEN Ask, Merlin. You know I'd grant you anything. I mean, not anything. Obviously, not anything. What is it you want?

MERLIN I've come to ask for a sword. The strongest sword your father's ever made.

GWEN What for?

MERLIN To save Arthur.

-- [INT. KING’S PALACE, ARTHUR’S CHAMBERS – NIGHT] [Arthur stares out the window in his chambers at Tristan de Bois. Morgana enters.]

MORGANA I don't want you to fight tomorrow.

ARTHUR (snort) You're worried about me?

MORGANA I don't know what it is. Please, I'm begging you.

ARTHUR I have to do this. It's my duty.

MORGANA I understand.

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

UTHER I'm sorry. You knew that one day this business would come back to haunt me.

GAIUS Not quite so literally.

UTHER I should've listened to you. You said that no good would come of using witchcraft at Arthur's birth.

GAIUS You wanted an heir. You thought it was the only way.

UTHER Nimueh told me there would be a price to pay.

GAIUS You weren't to know that that price would be Ygraine's life.

UTHER I cannot let Arthur die.

GAIUS Then you must stop the fight.

UTHER No, I will take his place.

GAIUS Do you know what you're saying?

UTHER Ygraine gave up her life for him. So must I.

GAIUS Uther...

UTHER I have no other choice.

GAIUS There must be another way.

UTHER My death will stop the wraith and Arthur will live. But it means you are the only person left who knows the truth about Arthur's birth. I want you to swear to me that you will keep your oath.

GAIUS I will take it to my grave.

UTHER You have always been a good friend, despite my temper.

GAIUS I always thought that would be the death of you.

UTHER I have one other favour to ask.

-- [INT. GWEN’S HOUSE – NIGHT] [Gwen pulls a sword out from under her father's bed.]

GWEN My father's been saving this. He's always said it was the best sword he's ever made.

MERLIN It's perfect.

GWEN He'll kill me if he finds I've taken it.

MERLIN He'll understand. You did it for Arthur.

GWEN I knew you were proud of him really.

-- [INT. KING’S PALACE, DRAGON’S CAVE – NIGHT] [Merlin takes the sword to the Dragon's Cave.]

KILGHARRAH Merlin!

MERLIN Do you know why I'm here?

KILGHARRAH It may surprise you, Merlin, but my knowledge of your life is not universal.

MERLIN It's to do with Arthur. His life's in danger. He will die, unless I can make a weapon that will kill the dead.

KILGHARRAH So what do you come to ask of me?

[Merlin floats the sword in front of Kilgharrah.]

MERLIN Will you burnish it, to save Arthur?

KILGHARRAH The dead do not return without reason. Who has he come for?

MERLIN Uther.

KILGHARRAH Then let him take his vengeance and the wraith will die without my aid.

MERLIN But it's Arthur who's going to fight him. You have to save him.

KILGHARRAH That is your destiny, young warlock, not mine.

MERLIN But if Arthur fights the wraith and dies, Camelot will have no heir. I will have no destiny.

KILGHARRAH A weapon forged with my assistance will have great power.

MERLIN I know.

KILGHARRAH You do not know. You can only guess. You have not seen what I have seen. If you had, perhaps you would not ask this of me.

MERLIN What do you mean?

KILGHARRAH In the wrong hands, this sword could do great evil. It must be wielded by Arthur and him alone.

MERLIN I understand.

KILGHARRAH You must do more than understand. You must promise.

MERLIN I promise.

[Kilgharrah breathes fire on the sword.]

KILGHARRAH Heed my words. The sword was forged for Arthur, and him alone.

-- [INT. KING’S PALACE, UTHER’S CHAMBERS – NIGHT] [Uther stares out his window at Tristan.

-- [INT. KING’S PALACE, ARTHUR’S CHAMBERS – NIGHT] [Gaius knocks on Arthur's door.]

GAIUS I've brought you something that might help you to sleep.

[Gaius enters.]

ARTHUR I'm fine. I don't need it.

GAIUS Here. It'll relax you, take the edge off your nerves.

[Arthur drinks it.]

ARTHUR I wouldn't drink it for pleasure.

GAIUS Why don't you sit down for a moment?

ARTHUR Mind you, if you...forget about the taste, the, er, after-effect is quite pleasurable.

GAIUS Just lie back.

[Arthur passes out on the bed. Gaius leaves the room and lock's the door.]

-- [EXT. TOURNAMENT GROUNDS – DAY] [Tristan de Bois waits for Arthur in the arena the next morning.]

-- [INT. KING’S PALACE, ARMOURY – DAY] [Merlin picks up Excalibur. Uther enters.]

UTHER That's a fine blade.

MERLIN It's for Arthur.

UTHER He won't be needing it today. I will be taking Arthur's place.

MERLIN But Sire...

UTHER Prepare me for battle.

MERLIN Arthur should be the one that fights today.

UTHER The grievance was with me, the fight is mine.

MERLIN I don't have your armour.

UTHER That'll do. It's likely to make little difference.

MERLIN Erm, I--I'll get you your sword.

UTHER This will be fine.

MERLIN No, Sire. You don't understand. Erm, That one was made specifically for Arthur.

UTHER Who made it?

MERLIN Erm, er, Tom, the blacksmith.

UTHER It's worthy of a King.

MERLIN You would be better off with a sword you trusted.

UTHER No. It has almost perfect balance. Tom's not the Royal Swordsmith. I'm surprised Arthur went to him.

MERLIN Oh, that was me. I felt he needed a better sword.

UTHER You show him the most extraordinary loyalty.

MERLIN That is my job, Sire.

UTHER But beyond the line of duty.

MERLIN Well... You could say...that there is a bond between us.

UTHER I'm glad. Look after him.

-- [EXT. TOURNAMENT GROUNDS - DAY] [Uther enters the arena. the crowd murmurs in surprise.]

UTHER You can have what you came for. The father, not the son.

[A guard removes Uther's cape. Arthur sleeps in his chambers. The fight begins. Arthur wakes in his bed to the sound of swords clashing. Arthur hears the sound and goes to the window. The fight continues. Arthur tries to get out of his room, but it's still locked. The fight continues. Arthur struggles against the door. Uther knocks off Tristan's helmet to reveal the mummified face. Nimueh watches in the crowd. Uther loses his sword. Tristan has him on the ground, but his sword gets stuck in Uther's shield. Uther kicks his shield at Tristan, grabs Excalibur and runs him through. Tristan explodes. Nimueh leaves angrily. Uther gets up and removes his helm and the crowd cheers. Uther tosses Excalibur on the ground.]

-- [INT. KING’S PALACE, COUNCIL CHAMBER OF DOOM – DAY] [Gaius tends Uther’s wounds.]

UTHER I thought you said a wraith couldn't be killed.

GAIUS Yes, it was remarkable.

[Gaius notices Excalibur on the table.]

GAIUS Is that a new sword, Sire?

UTHER It's the best I've ever fought with.

GAIUS May I have a look?

UTHER I was intrigued by those markings.

GAIUS On one side it says, "Take me up," and on the other, "Cast me away."

UTHER What does that mean?

GAIUS May I ask who made it, Sire?

UTHER Merlin gave it to me. It was forged for Arthur.

[Arthur enters.]

GAIUS Well, that should heal pretty quickly. I'll re-dress it tomorrow.

UTHER Thank you, Gaius. Thank you for everything.

ARTHUR You had Gaius drug me! I was meant to fight him!

UTHER No, you weren't.

ARTHUR But the Knight's Code is very clea...

UTHER Be damned! I believed you would die. And that was a risk I could not take. You are too precious to me. You mean more to me than anything I know, more than this entire kingdom, and certainly more than my own life.

ARTHUR I... always thought that...

UTHER What?

ARTHUR That...I was a big disappointment to you.

UTHER Well, that is my fault, and not yours. You are my only son. And I wouldn't wish for another.

ARTHUR I heard you fought pretty well.

UTHER Thanks.

ARTHUR You should join us for training. Sort out your footwork.

UTHER I'll show you footwork.

[Uther gets up and playfully kicks Arthur.]

-- [INT. KING’S PALACE, PHYSICIAN'S CHAMBERS – NIGHT] [Gaius staring at Merlin while they eat.]

GAIUS You know why I'm looking at you.

MERLIN No.

GAIUS Uther told me you provided him with his sword today.

MERLIN It must have been a very powerful blade to slay the dead.

GAIUS Did you enchant it?

MERLIN No. I didn't.

GAIUS Who did then?

MERLIN Wasn't me.

GAIUS Shame. It saved the King's life, I'd have been very proud of you.

MERLIN Well...

GAIUS Never mind.

[Gaius gives Merlin a knowing smile.]

-- [INT. KING’S PALACE, MERLIN’S CHAMBER – NIGHT] [The Great Dragon calls to Merlin in his sleep.]

KILGHARRAH Merlin! Merlin...Merlin!

-- [INT. KING’S PALACE, DRAGON’S CAVE – NIGHT] [Merlin goes down the Tunnel Corridor to the Dragon's Cave.]

KILGHARRAH So, does Arthur live?

MERLIN Yes, the sword worked. It was incredible, amazing.

KILGHARRAH As I promised.

MERLIN But...

KILGHARRAH Yes?

MERLIN Things didn't quite go according to plan. I mean they did, except... It wasn't Arthur who wielded the sword. It was Uther.

KILGHARRAH NO! *ROARS*

MERLIN I tried, but he just took it!

KILGHARRAH ARGH!

MERLIN Uther's the King. I couldn't stop him!

KILGHARRAH The sword was born of the old magic. You have no idea of its power. In the hands of Uther, it will bring only evil.

MERLIN I'll get it back.

KILGHARRAH You have betrayed me. You are not ready to be trusted.

MERLIN I'll bring it to you. You can destroy it.

KILGHARRAH What is made cannot be unmade.

MERLIN So what do you want me to do?

KILGHARRAH Take the sword far from here and place it where no mortal man can ever find it.

-- [Merlin goes to the armoury and takes Excalibur. He exits Camelot, walks to the Lake of Avalon, and throws the sword into the lake.]