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 – NIGHT]
[A bounty hunter arrives in Camelot with a druid girl locked in a horse-drawn cage. He leaves her outside in the thunderstorm while he goes to the tavern. Gaius is making a house call with Merlin in the lower town.]
GAIUS
If he's not better in the morning, let me know.
[Merlin and Gaius pass the girl in the cage on their way back to the castle.]
MERLIN
Gaius.
GAIUS
She's fallen prey to a bounty hunter.
MERLIN
She's only a girl.
GAIUS
She'll still fetch a good price, though.
MERLIN
Someone's going to pay for her?
GAIUS
Uther offers a handsome reward for anyone with magic.
MERLIN
There must be something we can do.
GAIUS Merlin, bounty hunters are dangerous men. They're not to be meddled with. You of all people should understand that.
-- [INT/EXT. KING’S PALACE, PHYSICIAN'S CHAMBERS/LOWER TOWN – NIGHT] [Merlin sneaks out while Gaius sleeps. He peeks in the tavern to make sure the bounty hunter is occupied before going to the caged girl.]
MERLIN
Don't worry, I'm not going to hurt you. Tospringe.
[The cage door breaks open. Merlin steps inside and puts his hand over her manacles.]
MERLIN
Unspene þás mægþ!
[The manacles break off. he takes her hand and they hide behind the cart just as the bounty hunter exits.]
MERLIN
Ic bebíede þis giestærn tácen fielan.
[The tavern sign breaks off and hits the bounty hunter. Merlin runs with girl.]
MERLIN
Bryne.
[Merlin lights a torch and takes girl down some tunnels under the castle.]
MERLIN
They won't find you here.
[Merlin takes off his jacket.]
MERLIN
Here.
[She shrinks back.]
MERLIN
Sorry. Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you. I just thought you might be cold.
FREYA
Why did you do that?
MERLIN
What?
FREYA
Help me.
MERLIN
Well, I saw you and...it could've been me in that cage. You'll be safe down here. I'll come back in the morning with some food and candles. Will you be alright till then?
[Freya nods.]
MERLIN
I'm Merlin, by the way.
FREYA
I'm Freya.
MERLIN
Freya.
[Merlin hands her his jacket and she accepts it.]
MERLIN
I'll see you in the morning, Freya.
FREYA
Thank you.
[Merlin nods.]
-- [INT. KING’S PALACE, PHYSICIAN'S CHAMBERS/ARTHUR’S CHAMBERS – DAY] [Merlin looks for food the next morning, finding only stale bread and rotten fruit. Merlin goes to Arthur's Chambers and exchanges these for fine meat, bread, and cheese. Merlin opens the curtains.]
MERLIN
Breakfast!
ARTHUR
Oi! Where's the meat? Cheese?
MERLIN
That's the new breakfast menu.
ARTHUR
This isn't enough.
MERLIN
We, we've got to keep you in shape.
ARTHUR
I'm fighting fit!
MERLIN
But we want to keep you that way.
ARTHUR
Merlin!
[Arthur throws the food at him.]
ARTHUR
Is there somewhere you have to be?
MERLIN
Of course not!
ARTHUR
Good. 'Cause I've got some chores for you to do.
--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, ARTHUR’S CHAMBERS – DAY]
[Merlin prepares Arthur's bath.]
ARTHUR
Make sure it's hot enough!
MERLIN
Onhǽte þá wæter.
ARTHUR
Is it ready?
MERLIN
Yep. Freshly heated.
ARTHUR
Ah! You bumpkin! It's boiling!
MERLIN
Boiling?
ARTHUR
You are half asleep today!
MERLIN
I'm sorry, Sire. Erm, I'll get you some cold.
ARTHUR
No, I'll get you some.
[Arthur splashes Merlin with a water pitcher.]
ARTHUR
That woken you up?
MERLIN
Raring to go, Sire.
--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, COUNCIL CHAMBER OF DOOM – DAY]
[The bounty hunter enters with some knights .]
UTHER
Ah, Halig. You've come bearing gifts?
HALIG
Yes, Sire. A druid girl. But she escaped last night here in Camelot.
UTHER
Well, don't worry. We'll soon find her. Have some guards help with the search.
[A knight bows and exits.]
HALIG
You need to warn them, Sire. The girl is dangerous. The informer told me she was cursed.
UTHER
How so?
HALIG
He didn't know, but he said even the druids were frightened of her. They cast her out of their camp.
GAIUS
It's against all the druids believe to reject those in need of care.
UTHER
Why would they do such a thing?
GAIUS
I dread to think.
UTHER
Set up sentries on all the gates.
HALIG
We should search the lower town, Sire. Someone may be harbouring her.
GAIUS
You think she had help?
HALIG
I saw two figures running away.
UTHER
Give Halig all the help he needs. I want this girl and her accomplice found.
--
[EXT. KING’S PALACE, GATE – DAY]
[Peasants queue up to enter the palace grounds. Halig inspects each one.]
GUARD
Get in line!
[Halig shakes his head that it's not the person he saw.]
GUARD
Move along.
[Halig nods at the next woman. She's taken by guards. Halig shakes his head at Merlin, but then looks at him as Merlin passes by.]
--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, TUNNELS – DAY]
[Merlin enters tunnels with a torch and a care package. Freya's sleeping.]
MERLIN (whisper)
Freya?
[Merlin touches her shoulder. She wakes and shrinks from him.]
Merlin (whisper)
It's all right. It's okay. It's me. It's Merlin. And look...
[Merlin shows her what he brought. Freya stuffs the food in her mouth. Merlin sets up the candles.]
FREYA
It's good.
MERLIN
Believe me, it's fit for a prince.
[Merlin lights candles with magic. He sees a tattoo on her arm.]
MERLIN
Is that a druid symbol?
[Freya nods.]
MERLIN
Were you born a druid?
FREYA
Why are you asking me all these questions?
MERLIN
Sorry, I didn't mean to.
FREYA
I'm sorry.
MERLIN
I understand.
FREYA
You could never understand.
MERLIN
I know what it's like to keep secrets.
FREYA
Does anyone know you have magic?
MERLIN
Only you. And one other person. He knows, but I'm not sure he understands.
FREYA
I wish I was like everyone else, but...
MERLIN
You always know, deep down, you're not?
FREYA
Because I'm cursed.
MERLIN
Freya, don't say that. Magic doesn't have to be a curse. It can be a gift. Look. Hoppaþ nu swicae swá lig flíehen.
[Merlin floats the candles.]
FREYA
Beautiful.
MERLIN
I have to go. Erm, someone might notice I'm missing. But I- I'll come back, and I'll bring you some more food. I promise.
--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, PHYSICIAN’S CHAMBERS – DAY]
[Merlin enters.]
GAIUS
Do you know anything about the girl?
MERLIN
What girl?
GAIUS
The girl from the cage. She escaped last night.
MERLIN
Good. I'm pleased.
GAIUS
They're out hunting for her.
MERLIN
Why can't they just let her be?
GAIUS
Did you help her escape?
MERLIN
No.
GAIUS
Merlin?
MERLIN
You told me not to get involved.
GAIUS
You promise me you'd nothing to do with this?
MERLIN
Yes!
GAIUS
Good. Because when Halig finds out who helped her, I wouldn't want to be in their shoes.
--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, ARTHUR’S CHAMBERS]
[Arthur eats dinner.]
MERLIN
Would you like some water with that?
ARTHUR
Mmm.
[Merlin pours the water out of the pitcher and magically knocks Arthur's knife off of the table. When Arthur bends down to pick it up, Merlin magically shoots a drumstick into the water pitcher.]
ARTHUR
I had two drumsticks.
MERLIN
No you didn't.
ARTHUR
Merlin, I had two drumsticks.
MERLIN
Maybe it fell on the floor.
[Arthur leans over to check and Merlin magically grabs the sausages.]
ARTHUR
I had sausages!
MERLIN
You sure? They must've fallen under the table.
ARTHUR
Merlin!
MERLIN
What? You can search me, I haven't taken them.
ARTHUR
Well, where have they gone?
MERLIN
Strange.
ARTHUR
Very.
MERLIN
Sure you didn't eat them?
ARTHUR
I haven't had the chance!
--
[EXT/INT. LOWER TOWN/DUNGEONS]
[Merlin rushes through the lower town with the pitcher full of meat and runs into Halig. Guards drag Merlin into a dungeon cell. Halig overturns pitcher and meat drops out.]
MERLIN
It's just the Prince's leftovers.
HALIG
Does he know you steal his food?
MERLIN
Not exactly.
HALIG
Where were you taking it?
MERLIN
Home. For my dinner.
HALIG
Really? The druid girl I'm looking for, have you seen her?
MERLIN
No.
HALIG
Do you know how much money she's worth to me?
[Merlin shakes his head.]
HALIG
More than your life. So I'm asking you again. Have you seen the druid girl?
MERLIN (shakes head)
No.
[Halig pushes Merlin into a chair.]
HALIG
Hold him. I think you're lying to me.
MERLIN
I'm not!
HALIG
I don't believe you.
[Halig swing his arm back to punch Merlin.]
ARTHUR
Halig! What do you think you're doing?
HALIG
We caught the boy behaving suspiciously, Sire.
ARTHUR
Merlin?
HALIG
He could be harbouring the girl, and he's gonna tell us where.
[Merlin shuts his eyes, waiting to be hit. Arthur grabs Halig's arm and gets Merlin out of the chair.]
ARTHUR
Leave him alone. Merlin is my servant. He has my absolute trust. If you have a problem with him, you come to me. Do you understand?
HALIG
Sire. (bows) Goodnight, Merlin. Don't forget your dinner.
[Arthur notices the meat on the floor.]
MERLIN Thank you.
[Merlin notices Arthur staring at the meat on the floor.]
MERLIN
Ah.
ARTHUR
Are those my sausages?
MERLIN (nods)
Mmm.
ARTHUR
You took them?
MERLIN
To keep you in shape.
[Merlin picks up the meat.]
ARTHUR
Are you saying I'm fat?
MERLIN
No. Well, not yet.
ARTHUR
I am not fat!
MERLIN
You see? It's working.
--
[INT. TUNNELS]
[Merlin goes to Freya in the tunnels.]
MERLIN
I'm sorry I took so long. You must be hungry. What is it?
FREYA
Nothing.
MERLIN
But you're upset.
FREYA
No.
MERLIN
D'you think I wasn't coming? But I promised you I would.
FREYA
I scare most people away.
MERLIN
I'm not most people. How long had you been in that cage?
FREYA
A few days.
MERLIN
And the bounty hunter?
FREYA
Halig.
MERLIN
How did he find you?
FREYA (sniffs)
You can't always trust people.
MERLIN
I know. That's why I left home.
FREYA
Where is home?
MERLIN
Ealdor. It's a small village. Just a few fields, a couple of cows. Nothing special.
FREYA
My home was next to a lake surrounded by the tallest mountains. In the winter the storms whipped up the water into waves and you thought they were going to crash down and take away all the houses. But in the summer, wild flowers and light. It was like heaven.
MERLIN
Sounds perfect.
FREYA
It was.
MERLIN
Was?
FREYA
My family died.
MERLIN
Have you been on your own ever since? You're not on your own anymore. I'm going to look after you. I promise.
FREYA
You can't look after me. No one can.
MERLIN
No, I don't think you understand. I've never known anyone like you. I wish I could stay.
FREYA
You're going?
MERLIN
We need to be careful. I'll come back in the morning. You know I will be back, don't you?
FREYA
Merlin, I've never known anyone like you either.
--
[EXT. LOWER TOWN]
GAIUS
I think they've been killed by some kind of wild animal.
UTHER
Have you're men been able to track the creature?
ARTHUR
That's the strange thing, 'cause the ground is soft. Obviously a bear or wolf would leave some mark. But there are no tracks.
GAIUS
Then what are these?
ARTHUR
Human footprints.
GAIUS
But they're leading away from the bodies. Did someone escape the attack?
ARTHUR
No one's come forward.
UTHER
Could the person who made these be responsible?
GAIUS
I don't believe so. These wounds could only've been inflicted by a beast of considerable size.
UTHER
And if this was done by neither a man nor beast, there's only one other explanation. It must be the work of a magical creature.
--
[INT. TUNNELS]
MERLIN
I know, I'm late again. Sorry. But, er, this is going to be the best bread you have ever tasted. What do you want with it? Come on. You can have anything. Ham. Cheese.
FREYA
Strawberries.
MERLIN
Strawberries it is.
[Merlin clears his throat and rubs hands together.]
MERLIN
Blóstma.
[Merlin opens his hands to reveal a red rose.]
FREYA
That's not a strawberry.
MERLIN
Er, it's the right colour.
FREYA
Why are you so good to me?
MERLIN
Because I can't help it. I don't know. I like you. With you I can just be who I am. We don't have to hide anything. We don't have to worry.
FREYA
Merlin, please, listen to me. I'm not like you.
MERLIN
They must've followed me.
FREYA
They're going to find me. I can't go back in that cage, I can't.
MERLIN
Shh. I won't let that happen. I promised you I'd look after you, and I will. No matter what. You really don't realise how special you are, do you?
FREYA
You're not scared of me?
MERLIN
Being different's nothing to be scared of.
--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, PHYSICIAN'S CHAMBERS]
*Merlin hums*
GAIUS
Will you stop that?
MERLIN
What?
GAIUS
Sit down and eat your soup.
*Merlin is humming again*
GAIUS
Merlin.
MERLIN
Sorry.
GAIUS
What is wrong with you?
MERLIN
Nothing. I feel great.
GAIUS
Good. Then you can get on with some chores.
MERLIN
Chores?
GAIUS
Unless you have something better to do.
MERLIN
Sorry, I'm going out.
GAIUS
Well what time will you be back?
MERLIN
Er, well don't wait up for me. I might be late.
-- [INT. TUNNELS]
FREYA
What are you doing here?
MERLIN
I couldn't help it.
FREYA
It's dangerous.
MERLIN
I don't care.
FREYA
No, Merlin, you have to be careful.
MERLIN
Ugh, I'm fed up with being careful. I am fed up with all of this. So I've decided, we're going to get you out of here, out of Camelot.
FREYA
How?
MERLIN
I'll get you some clothes, disguise you. What's wrong?
FREYA
It's just, I'm going to miss you.
MERLIN
No, you won't, because I'm going to come with you.
FREYA
What?
MERLIN
I told you I'm going to look after you.
FREYA
You can't. Don't say that.
MERLIN
It's not what you want?
FREYA
Merlin, you have a good life here. My life is...I have to keep moving, always looking over my shoulder, people chasing me.
MERLIN
Then we'll go somewhere no one knows us. Somewhere far away. You haven't given me your answer.
FREYA
I want that more than anything. Where will we go?
MERLIN
Somewhere with mountains.
FREYA
A few fields.
MERLIN
Wild flowers.
FREYA
A couple of cows.
MERLIN
And a lake.
FREYA
And a lake.
--
[INT. KING’S PALACE, MORGANA’S CHAMBERS – DAY]
[Merlin knocks on Morgana's door.]
MERLIN (muffled)
Lady Morgana?
[Merlin enters.]
MERLIN
Lady Morgana?
[Merlin looks through Morgana's closet looking for a dress.]
GWEN
Merlin? I'm sure there's an obvious explanation.
MERLIN
There is.
GWEN
Which is?
MERLIN
Moths.
GWEN
Moths?
MERLIN
Yes. The castle's overrun with them.
GWEN
Really?
MERLIN
I was just checking that they hadn't got in here as well.
GWEN
And have they?
MERLIN
That's, that's totally infested. We'll have to burn it.
GWEN
Burn it?
MERLIN
Yeah. And if we don't stop them, we'll all be walking around naked.
-- [INT. KING’S PALACE, CORRIDOR – DAY] [Arthur sees Merlin with the dress.]
ARTHUR
What are you doing?
MERLIN
Er, running an errand for Gaius.
ARTHUR
For Gaius?
MERLIN
Yes.
ARTHUR
Strange.
MERLIN
Oh, I don't think it's for him.
ARTHUR
As long as you do a decent day's work, Merlin, that's all I care about.
MERLIN
No, no. It's not for me.
ARTHUR
What a man does in his spare time is completely up to him.
MERLIN
No, you- you've got this wrong.
ARTHUR
Colour suits you, Merlin.
-- [EXT. LOWER TOWN – DAY]
UTHER
The beast has struck again?
GAIUS
I'm afraid so. The wounds match those of the previous victims.
ARTHUR
The man who saw it spoke of a huge black cat with wings.
UTHER
I was right. This is not the work of a natural creature.
GAIUS
Are there any tracks this time?
ARTHUR
Just human footprints again.
UTHER
Can you identify this monster?
GAIUS
I will need more time to investigate.
UTHER
Oh, come on. You always have theories in these matters.
GAIUS
This time, Sire, I prefer to wait till I'm certain.
UTHER
There is no time to waste, Gaius.
GAIUS
I'll report back to you before the day's out, Sire.
-- [INT. TUNNELS] [Merlin brings Freya the dress in the tunnel.]
MERLIN
You look like a princess.
FREYA
I'm not. I can't take this.
MERLIN
Freya, I don't understand.
FREYA
You keep doing all this for me. I don't deserve it.
MERLIN
I want to. What's wrong?
FREYA
Nothing.
MERLIN
Here. Please. You'll look wonderful in it. We can leave tonight as soon as it gets dark and we'll be together.
FREYA
We'll need supplies. Food, water.
MERLIN
All right. I'll try to get horses, and we'll need blankets, but that's all we'll need.
FREYA
Go on, go.
MERLIN
I won't be long.
[Merlin leaves.]
FREYA
Goodbye, Merlin.
-- [INT. KING’S PALACE, PHYSICIAN'S CHAMBERS – NIGHT]
MERLIN
Gaius, I was just...
GAIUS
Merlin, sit down. I want to talk to you.
MERLIN
Is everything alright? You look worried.
GAIUS
The beast struck again last night. There are two more deaths in the lower town.
MERLIN
Do you know what it is yet?
GAIUS
Once more there were no tracks around the bodies, but human footprints were leading away from them.
MERLIN
Right.
GAIUS
It doesn't seem to add up. The footprints would indicate a human was responsible, but the wounds inflicted are definitely the work of some kind of beast.
MERLIN
Strange.
GAIUS
Yes. Until I remembered what Halig said about the druid girl, that she's cursed.
MERLIN
What's that got to do with the monster?
GAIUS
The ancient chronicles speak of a heinous curse. It dooms its victim to turn at the stroke of midnight into a vicious, bloodthirsty beast. The writers of old called this creature a Bastet: a monster of nightmare that inhabits the twilight world between the living and the dead. Merlin, I want the truth. Did you release the druid girl from the cage?
MERLIN
Of course not!
GAIUS
There was a time when you thought twice before lying to me.
MERLIN
I did what was right.
GAIUS
You know the creature and the girl are one and the same.
MERLIN
You're wrong. Freya is just a girl.
GAIUS
Merlin, please think about what I'm saying. You know it is the truth. Where is she now?
MERLIN
No.
GAIUS
She's killed already, and she'll kill again. She can't stop herself.
MERLIN
Please, Gaius. Where are you going?
GAIUS
To Uther.
MERLIN
I'm begging you! Just give me some time to get her out of the city, please.
GAIUS
I'm sorry. I can't let more innocent people die.
-- [INT. TUNNELS – NIGHT]
MERLIN
Freya. Freya!
-- [INT. KING’S PALACE, MERLIN'S CHAMBER – NIGHT]
GAIUS
I had no choice, Merlin. Uther had to be told.
MERLIN
They won't find her. She's gone.
GAIUS
I'm sorry. I do understand how you must feel, Merlin.
MERLIN
You could never understand. Do you know how it feels to be a monster? To be afraid of who you are?
GAIUS
Freya's very different from you. She's dangerous.
MERLIN
Whatever she is, and whatever she's done, she doesn't deserve to die. I just hope she's safe. Somewhere far away.
[Warning bells sound.]
GUARD
There she is! Stop!
[Freya gets to a wall and can't escape.]
FREYA
Please let me go.
HALIG
No one escapes from me.
[The clock begins to chime. Freya begins screaming, transforming into Bastet. Arthur and the knights fight her in the square, Arthur wounds her. Merlin runs into the square, she sees him and flies off instead of attacking.]
-- [INT.TUNNELS] [Merlin finds Freya weeping and naked in the tunnels and he places his jacket over her.]
MERLIN
You're all right. You're safe now.
FREYA
(crying) You must hate me.
MERLIN
No.
FREYA
I'm a monster. I tried to tell you.
MERLIN
I know.
FREYA
I wasn't always like this.
MERLIN
Shh. You shouldn't try to talk.
FREYA
There was a man. He attacked me. I didn't mean to hurt him, but I thought he was going to kill me.
MERLIN
It was an accident.
FREYA
His mother was a sorceress, and when she find out that I'd killed her son, she cursed me to kill forever more.
MERLIN
I'm going to make you better, Freya.
FREYA
No, Merlin, the wounds too deep. Please go.
MERLIN
No. I'm not leaving you here.
-- [EXT. LAKE OF AVALON – DAY] [Merlin takes Freya to the Lake of Avalon, surrounded by mountains.]
FREYA
You remembered.
MERLIN
Of course. I'm so sorry for what that sorcerer did to you.
FREYA
Merlin, you have nothing to be sorry for.
MERLIN
There must be something I can do, some way to save you.
FREYA
You've already saved me. You made me feel loved.
MERLIN
I don't want you to go.
FREYA
One day, Merlin, I will repay you. I promise.
[Merlin places Freya in a boat.]
MERLIN
Astyre.
[The spell sends the boat out onto the lake.]
MERLIN
Wæcce on sæbát bælfýr mæst.
[The spell ignites the boat.]
-- [INT. KING’S PALACE, PHYSICIAN'S CHAMBERS]
GAIUS
Merlin, I was so worried.
MERLIN
I'm sorry, Gaius.
GAIUS
Where's the girl?
MERLIN
She's gone. She's dead.
GAIUS
I'm sorry, Merlin. Truly, I am.
-- [INT. KING’S PALACE, ARTHUR’S CHAMBERS – DAY] [Merlin cleans Arthur's boots, sitting on the floor.]
ARTHUR
Ah, Merlin. I'm looking for you.
MERLIN
Yeah, right, er, you're gonna ask me to polish your armour and to, er, wash your clothes and clean your room.
[Arthur sits down on the floor next to Merlin.]
ARTHUR
Something's been upsetting you, hasn't it?
MERLIN
Maybe.
ARTHUR
Was it when I threw water over you?
MERLIN
It wasn't very nice.
ARTHUR
It was a bit unfair. Like when you called me fat.
MERLIN
Why was that unfair?
ARTHUR
Because I am not f...
[Arthur puts Merlin in a headlock and rubs his hair with his knuckles.]
MERLIN
Ow! Ah!
ARTHUR
Still think I need to get in shape?
MERLIN
No! No! No, no, no, no!
ARTHUR
That's better.
MERLIN
Thanks.
ARTHUR
You are right, though. You need to polish my armour, wash my clothes, and clean my room.