Transcript:Excalibur

The transcript for Excalibur, found here.

[Nimueh in the Burial Vaults of Camelot] Nimueh: Gehíere mé' wan cniht áwæce. Beo strangra ond steacra for brecþ wáne. úprærest wærc, Uther Pendragon. [the tomb Nimueh is standing next to cracks and a gauntlet hand breaks through] -- [Arthur kneels before Uther in the Hall of Ceremonies. 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 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] 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 recognise 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. -- [Arthur in Morgana's Chambers 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. -- [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 Dubois. Gaius: And he is the only knight ever to have carried such a crest? Geoffrey: Yes. According to the records. -- [Uther sitting in the Council Chamber of Doom 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 Dubois. 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. -- [Tristan Dubois 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. 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. Owain: But I have the same advantage. He's never seen me fight. Arthur: True. Owain: You've watched me. Arthur: Yes. 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. Owain: You can thank her, and tell her I shall wear it with pride. But I won't need luck. -- [Tristan Dubois 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. -- [Uther and Arthur enter the Council Chamber of Doom] 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. -- [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. -- [Physician's Chambers] Gaius: Tristan Dubois 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. -- [Sir Pellinor fighting Tristan Dubois in the arena. Sir Pellinor's 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. -- [Uther enters Council Chamber of Doom where 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! -- [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. -- [Tristan Dubois stands motionless in the training grounds. Uther paces the Council Chamber of Doom. 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. -- [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] -- [Merlin bursts into Arthur's Chambers] 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! -- [Uther drinking in the Council Chamber of Doom. 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. -- [Merlin searching through the Hall of Records] 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. Mm... [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." -- [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. -- [Arthur stares out the window in his chambers at Tristan Dubois. 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. -- [Physician's Chambers. 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. -- [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. -- [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. -- [Uther stares out his window at Tristan. 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] -- [Tristan Dubois waits for Arthur in the arena the next morning. Merlin picks up Excalibur in the armoury. 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. -- [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. 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] -- [Gaius tending to Uther in the Council Chamber of Doom] 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] -- [Physician's Chambers. 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] -- [the Great Dragon calls to Merlin in his sleep] Kilgharrah: Merlin! Merlin...Merlin! [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]