KILGHARRAH
In a land of myth and a time of magic, the destiny of a great kingdom rests on the shoulders of a young boy. His name: Merlin.
--
[00:13, EXT. FOREST - DAY]
[Merlin and Arthur run from bandits in the woods. They duck behind some rocks.]
MERLIN
Are they still after us?
ARTHUR
I told you we'd outrun them.
MERLIN
You sure?
ARTHUR
Why is it you never trust me, Merlin?
[Bandits run at them from the opposite direction. Arthur and Merlin run.]
ARTHUR
Come on, this way.
MERLIN
Where are we going?
ARTHUR
Trust me!
[Merlin senses something and stops running.]
MERLIN
Arthur!
ARTHUR
What are you doing?
[Arthur grabs Merlin's arm and pulls him past two large statues of men.]
ARTHUR
Come on!
[Merlin and Arthur descend stone steps.]
MERLIN
What is this place?
ARTHUR
The Valley of the Fallen Kings.
MERLIN
Is it cursed?
ARTHUR
No. Not unless you're superstitious.
MERLIN
It is.
ARTHUR
It's a myth. They'll never follow us in here. They won't dare. Trust me.
MERLIN (whispers)
If you say that one more time.
[Bandits chase them through the valley. Arthur gets hit by an arrow and falls down.]
ARTHUR
What was that?
MERLIN
An arrow.
[Merlin puts Arthur's arm around his shoulder.]
ARTHUR
An arrow? Oh, good. For a moment I thought it was something terrible.
[Arthur passes out.]
OPENING CREDITS
--
[03:11, EXT. VALLEY OF THE FALLEN KINGS - DAY]
[Merlin watches bandits pass over his hiding place. Merlin takes an herbal pouch off of a fire and places it on Arthur's forehead.]
MERLIN
Come on, dollophead. I need you to recover.
[Merlin turns Arthur over and places his hand on the arrow wound.]
MERLIN
Þurhhæle dolgbenn.
[Nothing happens.]
MERLIN
Listen to me, clotpole, I don't care if you die. There are plenty of other princes. You're not the only pompous, supercilious...condescending, royal...imbecile I could work for. The world is full of them. But I'm gonna give you one more chance.
[Merlin turns Arthur over again and places his hand on the wound.]
MERLIN
Licsar ge staðol nu.
[Nothing happens. Merlin cries as he washes Arthur's blood off his hand.]
TALIESIN
Tell me, why are you so sad?
MERLIN
It's my friend. He's dying and I can't help him.
TALIESIN
Then do not waste your tears. For I can tell you that the time for him to die is not yet upon us.
[Taliesin and Merlin walk to Arthur.]
TALIESIN
Don't be afraid. My name is Taliesin.
MERLIN
I'm Merlin.
TALIESIN
I know who you are. The moment of our meeting has been written for many, many years. You are Emrys.
[Taliesin turns Arthur over and places his hand the wound.]
TALIESIN
Wel cene hole.
[Arthur's colour improves. He stirs, but doesn't wake.]
MERLIN
Arthur?
TALIESIN
He is sleeping. Within hours he will be fully recovered.
MERLIN
You sure?
TALIESIN
If my memory serves me well.
MERLIN
What do you mean?
TALIESIN
I want to show you something, Merlin.
MERLIN
What?
TALIESIN
You must wait and see.
[Merlin follows Taliesin.]
MERLIN
Where are we going? Why have you brought me here?
TALIESIN
In good time, you will discover all.
--
[07:32, INT. VALLEY OF THE FALLEN KINGS, THE CRYSTAL CAVE - DAY]
MERLIN
What is this place?
TALIESIN
This is where magic began. It is the Crystal Cave.
[In a crystal, Merlin sees Queen Morgana in the council room and Old Merlin.]
TALIESIN
What is it you see?
MERLIN
Images. Flashes. I've seen something like this before in the Crystal of Neahtid.
TALIESIN
What you see here is exactly the same, for the Crystal of Neahtid was hewn from this very cave. Look into them, Emrys. Really look. Much will be revealed.
[Merlin turns to look, but jerks away.]
MERLIN
No! Take me out of here. How do I get back to Arthur?
TALIESIN
The future is hidden to all but a very few, Emrys. You are one such person.
MERLIN
No! I've been through this before.
TALIESIN
Perhaps there is a reason you were brought here at this moment in time.
MERLIN
What reason?
TALIESIN
Only the crystals can tell you. They contain futures that are not yet born. The secrets they reveal, Emrys, are unique to you, and you alone. Look into them, Emrys. Really look. Use what you see for good.
[Merlin walks down into the cave and looks into the crystals. Merlin sees Morgana stroking a rearing horse, Morgana unsheathing an ornate dagger, Morgana walking down a corridor in her red cloak, red liquid dripping from someone's fingers, himself yelling near a blaze of fire, red-cloaked Morgana pulling the dagger from her belt in Uther's Chambers, raising it to strike, and Uther's shocked awakened expression.]
MERLIN
What's that?
[Merlin holds his head as if in pain.]
MERLIN
What was that?!
[Taliesin is gone.]
--
[11:14, EXT. VALLEY OF THE FALLEN KINGS - DAY]
[Merlin sits in a catatonic state back in the woods. He gets hit with a bag.]
ARTHUR
You look like a startled stoat.
MERLIN
Yeah? Well, at least I don't look like a bone idle...toad. Let's go.
ARTHUR
You're saying I look like a toad?
MERLIN
Yeah. And maybe one day you'll magically transform into a handsome prince. Since magic's outlawed, that'll probably never happen. Come on, let's go.
ARTHUR
Merlin. I'm the one who gives the orders, remember?
MERLIN
Yeah. You ready? Let's go.
--
[11:54, EXT. FIELD - DAY]
[Merlin marches through a field, Arthur following behind.]
ARTHUR
I don't understand. You said I had an arrow in my back. How come all I can feel is a slight bruise?
MERLIN
Don't know.
ARTHUR
Merlin.
[Merlin looks back at him.]
ARTHUR
Something happen you're not telling me about?
MERLIN
No.
ARTHUR
Come on. I'm missing your usual prattle.
MERLIN
Certainly making up for it.
ARTHUR
Still haven't answered my question.
MERLIN
The arrow didn't pierce your armour, and when you fell, you knocked yourself out.
[Arthur looks confused, trying to sort things out or remember.]
ARTHUR
All right. I don't normally say things like this, but...you did a good job back there. D'you hear what I just said? All right. Maybe I should give you some kind of reward. What do you want?
MERLIN
Some peace and quiet.
--
[12:50, INT. KING’S PALACE, COUNCIL CHAMBER - DAY]
ARTHUR
The bandits probably have a stronghold somewhere in the White Mountains. How we escaped, I'll never know. Although, some credit must go to my servant, Merlin.
[Gwen gives Merlin a friendly nudge.]
UTHER
Dispatch a patrol. I want these men caught and brought to justice.
ARTHUR
Immediately, Father.
[Uther, Arthur, and court begin to exit.]
UTHER
For a moment, we feared you might miss Lady Morgana's birthday.
ARTHUR
It'd take more than a bunch of thieves to keep me from such a feast.
UTHER
Tomorrow promises to be quite a night.
--
[13:12, INT. KING’S PALACE, PHYSICIAN'S CHAMBERS - NIGHT]
MERLIN
Gaius, I can't get these visions out of my head.
GAIUS
You are extremely lucky to have seen the Crystal Cave. Even before the Great Purge wizards would talk about it with reverence
MERLIN
That man who led me there, who is he?
GAIUS (scoffs)
Who was he? He died, I'd say, about 300 years ago. Taliesin was a seer to the great kings of old. It is said that the Crystal Cave was a source of his prophecies.
MERLIN
But he told me...He said there was a reason I was brought there at this moment in time. Why? It must mean the events I saw are imminent. Morgana is going to kill Uther.
GAIUS
Merlin, you must be careful. The Crystals are treacherous. What you saw may not be all that it seemed.
MERLIN
So I do nothing?
GAIUS
There is nothing to suggest that what you saw is imminent, is there?
MERLIN
No.
GAIUS
So, I wouldn't let it put you off your soup.
MERLIN
No, you're right.
GAIUS
Come on, eat up.
MERLIN
What is it?
GAIUS
Sometimes it's best not to know.
--
[14:31, INT. KING’S PALACE, ARTHUR'S CHAMBERS - DAY]
[Merlin enters with breakfast while Arthur is pulling on his boots.]
MERLIN
You're up.
ARTHUR
It's Morgana's birthday. I have to get her a present.
MERLIN
What are you getting her?
ARTHUR
Ah, it's a secret.
MERLIN
Come on, you can tell me.
ARTHUR
A dagger.
--
[14:49, INT. KING’S PALACE, MAIN SQUARE.]
[Merlin rushes down the steps and sees Morgana stroking a rearing white horse. The vision is reflected in his eye.]
--
[15:09, INT. KING’S PALACE, PHYSICIAN'S CHAMBERS - DAY]
[Merlin rushes in.]
MERLIN
It's happening. The future I saw, it's started.
GAIUS
Calm down, Merlin.
MERLIN
I just saw Morgana struggling with a horse exactly as she was in the crystals.
GAIUS
Are you certain?
MERLIN
It was the same image.
GAIUS
But she's always riding. It's not unusual to see her with a horse.
MERLIN
It's not the only thing. Arthur's present for Morgana, he's told me it's a dagger.
GAIUS
A dagger? Merlin, I think you're overreacting. It could be any dagger. As for the sight of Morgana with a horse...
MERLIN
It was the same.
GAIUS
It's hardly a rare sight. Certainly not one to be trusted as a harbinger of doom.
--
[15:48, INT. KING’S PALACE, ARTHUR'S CHAMBERS - DAY]
[Merlin enters.]
ARTHUR
Ah, Merlin. Have you done my clothes for the feast?
MERLIN
Argh, no.
ARTHUR
No. No. Well, what have you been doing?
MERLIN
Erm.
ARTHUR
Hmm? Right. Well, you can start by pressing my robe.
[Arthur throws a robe at Merlin.]
ARTHUR
And, er, cleaning my shirts.
[Arthur throws shirts at Merlin.]
ARTHUR
And, er, ooh, polishing my boots.
[Arthur throws boots at Merlin. Arthur closes a box on the table and Merlin stares at it.]
ARTHUR
Ah, Morgana's present. What do you think?
[Arthur takes a plain dagger out of the box and holds it up for Merlin to see.]
ARTHUR
Beautiful, isn't it? Feel the balance, feel the sharpness of the blade.
[Merlin takes it and laughs in relief.]
MERLIN
Yeah. It's just what every woman wants, isn't it?
ARTHUR
What do you mean?
MERLIN
Well, I'm no expert, but don't women normally go for pretty things? Like, maybe, jewellery?
[Merlin hands the dagger back to Arthur. Arthur looks bemused.]
--
[16:51, INT. KING’S PALACE, PHYSICIAN'S CHAMBERS - NIGHT]
MERLIN
How do I look?
[Merlin spins around for Gaius to look him over.]
GAIUS
Same as you always do.
MERLIN
Handsome.
GAIUS
You've brightened up.
MERLIN
I've seen Morgana's present.
GAIUS
The dagger?
MERLIN
It's very plain. Bit boring.
GAIUS And not like the one you saw?
MERLIN
No, that was sumptuous, ornate. I'd probably be disappointed if I were Morgana. (laughs)
GAIUS
Good. So now you can stop worrying.
MERLIN
Oh, I have. I'm going to continue as if I'd never even met Taliesin. I'm going to enjoy this feast like everyone else.
GAIUS
Even if it's for Morgana.
--
[17:32, INT. KING’S PALACE, HALL OF CEREMONIES - NIGHT]
[Nobles raise glasses for a toast.]
NOBLES
To Lady Morgana.
[Uther pats a box in front of Morgana. She opens it and lets Uther put the necklace on for her. Arthur nods a knight over, who presents a box to Morgana.]
ARTHUR
Happy birthday.
MORGANA
Arthur.
[Morgana opens the box and pulls out a sumptuous dagger. Morgana removes sheath and the vision is reflected in Merlin's eye. The nobles applaud.]
ARTHUR
It's not often you're right, Merlin, but this is one of those rare occasions. Girls do like pretty things.
[Arthur pats Merlin on the back.]
ARTHUR
Thanks.
--
[18:27, INT. KING’S PALACE, PHYSICIAN'S CHAMBERS - NIGHT]
MERLIN
Don't you see, it's started. It's coming true.
GAIUS
We can't be certain about that.
MERLIN
We have to stop her.
GAIUS
How? We don't know when this is going to happen. We don't even know if it will.
MERLIN
We have to watch her.
GAIUS
Night and day?
MERLIN
I was shown these visions for a reason.
GAIUS
This is madness.
MERLIN
We'll take it in turns. She cannot be left alone.
--
[18:52, INT. KING’S PALACE, MORGANA’S CORRIDOR - NIGHT]
[Merlin hides behind curtain in the corridor outside Morgana's chambers.]
--
[19:03, INT. KING’S PALACE, MORGANA'S CHAMBERS - NIGHT]
[Gwen brings Morgana's gifts to where she's sitting at her dressing table.]
GWEN
You got some lovely presents. Mainly hairbrushes.
[Gwen reads the note on a hand mirror.]
GWEN
Who's King Gromause?
MORGANA (shrugs)
At least he doesn't think my hair needs brushing.
GWEN
It's so pretty.
[Morgana grabs one of her gifts, a gold embroidered cloth.]
MORGANA
Here, I want you to have this.
GWEN
Me?! No...
[Morgana hands Gwen the cloth and takes the mirror.]
MORGANA
It's a thank you.
[Gwen sighs at the pleasurable surprise.]
GWEN
Thank you.
[Merlin watches Gwen exit Morgana's chambers.]
[Morgana breathes on the mirror to fog it up. Note reads: "Sister, come to the darkling woods at midnight. Morgause.]
--
[20:09, INT. KING’S PALACE, MORGANA’S CORRIDOR - NIGHT]
[Merlin watches Morgana exit her chamber in a red cloak. Morgana puts the dagger in her belt and walks down the corridor. Merlin magically closes the door she's approaching. A torch falls towards Morgana, she steps backwards and falls down some stairs.]
--
[21:10, INT. KING’S PALACE, PHYSICIAN'S CHAMBERS - NIGHT]
[Gaius and Gwen enter. Arthur enters carrying Morgana.]
GAIUS
I need water and bandages.
GWEN
I'll get that.
GAIUS
And yarrow; we need to stop the bleeding.
[Gaius clears a table for Arthur to put Morgana down.]
GAIUS
She's having problems breathing.
MERLIN
Dianthus?
GAIUS
Yes, and a preparation of pulmonaria.
[Merlin pauses in confusion.]
GAIUS
Lungwort, Merlin. Quarter of an ounce, ground fine, and mixed with violet.
ARTHUR
How could this have happened?
GAIUS
Arthur, I need room here.
ARTHUR
Yes. Of course. Erm...anything you need, just tell me.
[Arthur leaves.]
--
[21:38, INT. KING’S PALACE, PHYSICIAN’S CHAMBERS - NIGHT]
[Gaius sews Morgana's head by candlelight.]
GWEN
Will she be alright?
GAIUS
We've done the best we can. I can heal her skin, Gwen, but the skull...the cranium is broken. She's bleeding inside.
--
[22:01, INT. KING’S PALACE, MERLIN'S CHAMBER - NIGHT]
[Gaius enters and sits on the bed next to him.]
MERLIN
I had to stop the future. I had to stop Morgana killing Uther. I didn't mean to do it like this.
GAIUS
It wasn't your fault, Merlin.
MERLIN
I've prevented something much worse from happening. I just...wish it could have been some other way.
--
[22:55, INT. KING’S PALACE, PHYSICIAN'S CHAMBERS - DAY']
[Uther strokes Morgana's hair as Gaius watches over them.]
--
[23:04, INT. KING’S PALACE, MORGANA’S CORRIDOR - DAY]
[Merlin walks past and hears sniffling. He sees Gwen crying in Arthur's arms.]
--
[23:18, INT. KING’S PALACE, ARTHUR'S CHAMBERS - DAY]
[Merlin broods in a chair. Arthur enters and looks over the armour laid out on the table.]
ARTHUR
Sword belt, Merlin. Where's my sword belt?
[Merlin fetches the sword belt.]
ARTHUR
What the hell's it doing over there?
[Arthur grabs the sword belt, but can't get it untangled.]
MERLIN
It's twisted, here.
[Merlin reaches out to take the sword belt, but Arthur keeps struggling with it.]
MERLIN
Here.
[Arthur hands it over and Merlin untwists the belt and puts it down.]
MERLIN
I'm sorry about Morgana. If Gaius could do something, he would.
ARTHUR
After all we went through to rescue her, for her to survive all that...
MERLIN
I know.
ARTHUR
To lose her now, like this...I've grown up with her, she's like a sister to me. I'd sacrifice my place on the throne for her to see another sunrise.
--
[24:42, INT. KING’S PALACE, PHYSICIAN'S CHAMBERS - DAY]
[Uther strokes Morgana's hair and Gaius stands next to him. Merlin listens in his chamber.]
UTHER
So beautiful
GAIUS
Yes, Sire.
UTHER
I cannot watch her die, Gaius.
GAIUS
I wish there was something I could do.
UTHER
No, you don't understand. I cannot lose her. No matter what happens, she cannot die.
GAIUS
I will do everything I can, Sire.
UTHER
No, Gaius. Whatever it takes. Whatever, I don't care. You must save her.
GAIUS
If I knew a way...
UTHER
You're not understanding me, Gaius. Cure her. I don't care what remedy you use. In all these books there must be something. Something in the Old Religion?
GAIUS (whispers)
Are you suggesting?
UTHER
Sorcery, yes.
GAIUS
I know she's dear to you, Sire, but surely you're not going to risk everything for Morgana?
UTHER
Gaius, you don't understand. There's something you should know. Something I've told no one. Morgana is my daughter. It was while Gorlois was away.
[Morgana's finger twitches and her eyes move under her eyelids.]
UTHER
He was fighting on the Northern Plains. Her mother, Vivienne, grew lonely.
GAIUS: I understand, Sire.
UTHER
I've said enough. The people must never know who Morgana really is, for Arthur's sake
GAIUS
I assure you, Sire, your secret is safe with me.
[Gaius enters Merlin's chambers]
MERLIN
It explains everything. No wonder he spend a year looking for her.
GAIUS
Now we know why she can do no wrong
--
[27:11, INT. KING’S PALACE, UTHER'S CHAMBER - DAY]
[Merlin enters while Uther's stares out the window.]
MERLIN
Sire. This is from Gaius. He thought it might...help ease your mind.
[Merlin places the bottle on the desk, waits, bows, and turns to leave.]
UTHER
You are Gaius's boy.
MERLIN He is my guardian.
UTHER
You're like a son to him.
MERLIN
Yes.
UTHER
I see the way he cares for you. You feel your child's every joy, and their pain. You watch their failings and you see your own. All you want is for their happiness, for them to escape the sufferings of life. Wh--why has this happened? I woul-- I would do anything. Anyth...
[Uther breaks down crying. Merlin leaves.]
-- [28:31, EXT. KING’S PALACE - DAY]
[Merlin stands in the pouring rain, watching Arthur slash a training dummy.]
--
[28:45, INT. KING’S PALACE, PHYSICIAN'S CHAMBERS - NIGHT]
[Merlin enters. Gaius and Gwen sit watching over Morgana.]
GAIUS
Her breath is leaving her. She'll be gone by morning.
[Gwen cries. Merlin enters his room and waits for nightfall to ride out of Camelot.]
--
[29:48, EXT. FOREST CLEARING - NIGHT]
[Merlin waits for Kilgharrah in the clearing.]
KILGHARRAH
You summoned me, young warlock? And to what do I owe the pleasure this time?
MERLIN
I've been to the Crystal Cave. I saw Morgana make an attempt on Uther's life.
KILGHARRAH
It does not surprise me.
MERLIN
Well, I stopped her.
KILGHARRAH
To change the future is no simple matter, Merlin. To do so is fraught with danger.
MERLIN
I know, and as a result of my actions, Morgana is dying.
KILGHARRAH
Then you should rejoice!
MERLIN
I want you to help me to save her.
KILGHARRAH
Merlin, have you learnt nothing?
MERLIN
I did not mean to kill her. All I wanted was to avoid the future that would've unfolded, to prevent Uther's death, to prevent Camelot being torn apart.
KILGHARRAH
I will not cure her!
MERLIN
She is Uther's daughter.
KILGHARRAH
Yes.
MERLIN
You knew. Why didn't you tell me?
KILGHARRAH: It makes no difference.
MERLIN
Well, whatever she was about to do, I stopped her. There's no need for people to suffer.
KILGHARRAH
The witch must die, as she should have done long ago. I will not save her.
MERLIN
I am a dragonlord! You cannot refuse me!
KILGHARRAH
How dare you treat me such! How dare you abuse your power!
MERLIN
I command you.
KILGHARRAH
Very well. But I warn you, the evil that will follow is of your doing, and yours alone.
[Kilgharrah breathes magic on Merlin and leaves. Merlin rides back to Camelot.]
--
[32:05, INT. KING’S PALACE, PHYSICIAN'S CHAMBERS - NIGHT]
[Merlin enters. Gwen sits with Morgana.]
MERLIN
I'll sit with her. Why don't you go and get some sleep? You must be exhausted.
GWEN
If she wakes up...
MERLIN
I'll call you.
GWEN
Thank you.
[Gwen leaves.]
MERLIN:
Ic þe þurhhæle þin licsare mid þam sundorcræftas þære ealdaþ æ!
[Morgana begins breathing normally and her colour improves.]
--
[33:29, EXT. LOWER TOWN - DAY]
[Gaius picks up a jar from someone the next morning.]
--
[33:39, INT. KING’S PALACE, PHYSICIAN'S CHAMBERS - DAY]
[Uther cradles Morgana.]
UTHER
I never thought...
[Uther stops talking when he sees Gaius.]
UTHER
It's truly a miracle.
--
[34:00, INT. KING’S PALACE, CORRIDOR – DAY]
[Uther follows Gaius out of the chamber.]
UTHER
Thank you, Gaius. I knew you would not fail me.
GAIUS
I assure you, Sire, I did nothing.
UTHER
Of course, I understand. I won't ask any questions. But I will not forget this, Gaius.
--
[34:22, EXT. KING’S PALACE, COURTYARD CORRIDOR.]
[Gaius finds Merlin sitting on a ledge and sits next to him.]
MERLIN
I couldn't watch everyone's grief.
GAIUS
I know. But you're playing with things that are beyond you.
--
[34:54, INT. KING’S PALACE, MORGANA'S CHAMBERS - DAY]
[Gwen props Morgana up in bed with pillows.]
MORGANA
Thank you, Gwen.
[Gwen turns and bows to Uther before leaving. Uther goes to Morgana, who reaches out her hands to him.]
UTHER
I could never let you die. I think I somehow willed you to live.
MORGANA
You've always been so good to me. I'm grateful.
UTHER
You and Arthur, you mean everything to me.
MORGANA
I know I could have no better guardian. Being so close to death has made me realise how important you...and Arthur are to me. How close we are to each other.
UTHER
Yes.
MORGANA
You're like a father to me.
UTHER
Yes.
MORGANA
I wish the people knew that.
UTHER
They do.
MORGANA
Not really.
UTHER
Of course they do.
MORGANA
In the eyes of the people I am no more than your ward, a guest.
UTHER
What matters is what we feel. That's what's important, not what the people think. I must let you rest.
[Uther pulls away and leaves. Morgana seethes.]
--
[36:35, INT. KING’S PALACE, CORRIDORS – NIGHT]
[A thunderstorm brews at night. Morgause enters the castle and kills a serving boy. The boy drops a pitcher full of wine.]
--
[36:47, INT. KING’S PALACE, BALCONY CORRIDOR - NIGHT]
MORGANA
Morgause.
MORGAUSE
Sister. I waited for you the other night. What happened? Something is wrong.
MORGANA
There is much to tell you, Morgause.
MORGAUSE
What is it?
MORGANA
I overheard Uther.
MORGAUSE
What?
MORGANA
Uther is my father. I am his daughter.
MORGAUSE
Uther?
MORGANA
He's been lying to me all these years.
MORGAUSE
But this is glorious news.
MORGANA
He disowned me. He wants people to think that he's the perfect king. It's more important to him than his own flesh and blood.
MORGAUSE
But don't you see? This is wonderful! You have a legitimate claim to his throne.
MORGANA
No, Sister. You don't understand. He must pay for this.
[Warning bells sound.]
MORGANA
You must go.
MORGAUSE
No, I don't want to leave you like this.
MORGANA
You must or they will find you here.
MORGAUSE
Do not do anything rash, Morgana. Promise me!
[Morgause kisses her on the cheek, but Morgana pulls away from it.]
MORGAUSE
We must bide our time.
[Morgause leaves.]
--
[38:14, INT. KING’S PALACE, CENTRAL CORRIDOR - NIGHT]
[Arthur crouches over the fallen serving boy, he gets up as Merlin and Gaius approach and addresses a guard.]
ARTHUR
We need to seal the drawbridge, search the grounds. I'll inform the King.
[Morgause moves about the castle. Merlin looks at the serving boy and sees the image from one of his visions.]
GAIUS
Merlin, what's the matter?
MERLIN
That was the next image I saw in the crystal. I haven't stopped anything.
--
[39:07, INT. KING’S PALACE, MORGANA'S CHAMBERS - NIGHT]
[Gwen prepares Morgana's bed while Morgana broods at her vanity table.]
MORGANA
Have they found the intruder?
GWEN: Not yet. Looks like it's going to be a bad night.
MORGANA
Yes.
[Thunderclap.]
--
[39:21, INT. KING’S PALACE, PHOENIX CORRIDOR - NIGHT]
[Merlin runs through the castle.]
--
[39:26, INT. KING’S PALACE, MORGANA'S CHAMBERS - NIGHT]
[Merlin runs in as Morgana puts the sumptuous dagger in her belt.]
MORGANA
What are you doing here?
MERLIN
Arthur sent me to look after you. He's worried about the intruder.
MORGANA
I don't need you.
MERLIN He was quite insistent.
[Morgana moves to shove Merlin out of the way. Merlin catches her arm and holds on.]
MORGANA (gasp)
Get out of my way!
[Morgana's eyes glow and she throws him against the wall, knocking him out and setting her curtains on fire. Morgana walks through the corridors while guards search the castle grounds. Merlin wakes and yells.]
--
[40:43, INT. KING’S PALACE, UTHER'S CHAMBERS - NIGHT]
[Morgana pulls dagger and prepares to strike Uther in his sleep. Merlin bursts in unseen and blasts windows inward, throwing Morgana against the wall. Uther wakes.]
UTHER
What's going on?
MORGANA
Er... there was a fire, and I was scared.
[Morgana steps towards Uther and kicks the fallen dagger under the bed.]
MORGANA
I wanted to be with you. You're the only person I feel safe with.
[Uther hugs her. Merlin scoffs quietly behind the curtain.]
--
[41:41, INT. KING’S PALACE, PHYSICIAN'S CHAMBERS - NIGHT]
GAIUS
You saved the King's life.
MERLIN
Only just. I thought I could alter the future, but instead I caused it. I made it happen.
GAIUS
What you did was dangerous, even for someone as gifted as you. But what's done is done. There are more important things for us to worry about. I fear that Morgana knows the truth.
MERLIN
About what?
GAIUS
She knows the King is her father. That explains why she acted so suddenly. Arthur must be careful.
MERLIN<
Why?
GAIUS:
Morgana is of royal blood. If Uther were to die, Arthur is all that stands between her and the throne of Camelot.