The Witch's Quickening Merlin

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.

Halt.

HE MURMURS

What are you saying?

..Bandits.

METALLIC RASP

Always watch your back.

Didn't they teach you that?

Well? Aren't you going to beg for your life?

A Knight of Camelot does not beg.

Indulge me.

I'd rather die.

Who am I to deny a man his last request?

We must go if we are to make Camelot by nightfall.

All clear.

Carry on.

-MORDRED TELEPATHICALLY:

-'Take the north door.

'Straight ahead. Keep going.'

-FAINTLY:

-'Keep going.

'Keep going. Come on...'

MELD OF VOICES IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES

'Keep going. Hurry!'

Halt!

Folgie min bebeod...

GUARDS SCREAM

'Keep going. It's not much further. It's not much further now.'

Wait in the forest of Brechffa by the fork on the north ridge.

Are you ready?

-MORDRED'S VOICE ECHOES AND MELDS:

-'We're nearly there.

'At the end of the corridor. Morgana's chamber is next.'

Tospringe.

Morgana?

Mordred?

BELL TOLLS

What do mean, you lost him? He could be dangerous.

Merlin?

Morgana's... You are...

Oh. Sorry.

Morgana's...

They're in Morgana's chambers.

-I thought I'd never see you again.

-I found him wandering in the woods.

Lost and alone. Hunted by Uther's men.

Who are you?

My name is Alvarr. I too have been hunted by Uther since I was a child.

-You have magic?

-Yes, my lady.

As did my parents.

And their parents before them.

They were fortunate to live in a time of peace.

Before your king declared war on sorcery.

I too have known Uther's cruelty.

Magic...is not a crime.

It is a gift.

I wish to walk free and without fear.

The boy said you would understand.

What are you doing in Camelot?

You take a great risk in coming here.

We came to see you.

Are you sure about this?

Definitely. I saw them with my own eyes.

-What were you doing there?

-I heard voices in my...

-In your?

-In my chambers. And I thought I should investigate.

Frankly, Merlin, it's hard to believe.

-I...

-For once you've shown some real initiative.

I will not stand by and watch innocent people destroyed.

And I am not alone.

Many have already joined me. Many more join every day.

Alvarr, this is a war you cannot win.

-Uther has an army at his disposal.

-It does not matter how many you are

if you wield a weapon powerful enough.

When I was a child,

my parents told me of a crystal.

It was taken from the sorcerers in the last days of the Great Purge.

Taken? By Uther?

It is here in Camelot.

Locked in the vaults beneath us.

The vaults are impregnable. You'd never get it out.

No, I could not.

But you could.

Me?

You are the king's ward. No-one would suspect you.

Morgana, you are our only hope.

APPROACHING FOOTSTEPS

What on earth do you think you're doing?!

I...

I'd reason to believe there was an intruder in here.

Right now, Arthur, the only intruder is you.

-Camelot has been infiltrated. Did you not hear the warning bell?

-Of course I did.

I was hoping I'd be safe in my chambers.

Well,

-if you'll just permit me to search the room?

-You'll do no such thing!

Did you really think that if someone was in my room I wouldn't know?

Please accept my apologies.

-I don't understand.

-Oh!

I'm sorry, Merlin. Which bit didn't you understand?

The making a fool out of me or making a fool out of yourself?

There was someone in there. I know there was.

Word of advice, Merlin.

In the future, stick to what you do best - NOTHING!

-We owe you our lives, my lady.

-You are safe for now.

But Uther will not rest until he has found and killed you both.

-You will help us then?

-Please, Morgana. We need you.

Yes. I will. Of course I will.

BELL TOLLS

-Late night?

-You could say that.

I hear there was a disturbance, an intruder in the city.

Yeah, I heard talking...

in my head.

They had magic?

I recognised the voice. It was Mordred.

The druid boy? What's he doing here?

-He was guiding someone to Morgana's chamber.

-Are you sure?

She and the boy had a kind of bond.

Yeah, but this is about more than that.

What do you mean?

What if they'd been caught?

Whatever they were doing, they were prepared to die for it.

Merlin. I was looking for Arthur.

He's out training.

Of course.

He trains every day. Same time, same place.

I just wanted to apologise for last night. Another time, perhaps?

Come on, Merlin. I'm starving.

You know what they say - good food takes time to prepare.

And this taste sensation took exactly how long(?)

Nearly five minutes.

Really?! Five minutes.

You need that long, you see, to let it thicken.

..Thicken?

BELLS TOLL

The Crystal of Neahtid.

The locks...are not damaged.

What does that tell you?

It tells me that somebody stole my keys.

Was it precious - this crystal?

-Of course it was! It wouldn't been down here otherwise, would it?

-Right.

-Whoever it was knew exactly what they were looking for.

-Apparently.

Apparently? Is that all you've got to say? Tell me, Merlin,

whose job is it to ensure that my chambers are locked at all times?

Whose job is it to ensure that something like this NEVER happens?

I'm sorry!

You're sorry?!

That's not good enough.

-Did they force their way in?

-No, Sire.

Then how did they gain access to the vault?

They stole the keys.

How is that possible?!

Someone broke into my chambers.

This is a grievous loss, Arthur.

The Crystal of Neahtid was locked away for good reason.

Why is it so important?

It is an instrument of magic.

In the days of the Purge, a great many sorcerers died trying to protect it.

Whatever it is, it's important to them.

I'll search the town.

-Find out what I can.

-Arthur...

this crystal cannot fall into enemy hands.

Yes, Sire.

Arthur, thank you.

For what exactly?

-For...

-Lying to my father to save your worthless hide?

-Yeah.

If you ever put me in that position again, I'll clap you in irons myself. And, Merlin,

you'd better hope we find that crystal.

Morgana stole the crystal?

I'm certain of it. I caught her in Arthur's chambers.

She must have taken his keys.

-Can you prove any of this?

-Not exactly, but...

-Merlin?

-But she did it. I'd bet my life on it.

Merlin, you go accusing the King's ward without proof that's exactly what you'd be doing.

I know. You're right.

It doesn't make sense.

Why would Morgana steal such a thing?

Uther said it was an instrument of magic.

There are many legends about the crystal.

Is it some kind of weapon?

-That I don't know.

-You've heard of it?

-Indeed.

The sorcerers of the past believed it held the secret of time.

-What did they mean by that?

-I'm not sure.

The crystal is an artefact of the Old Religion.

There is only one that could tell you more.

I need your help.

I am sure you do, young warlock.

But first you must honour your promise.

I said I would set you free and I will.

When?

When I know that Camelot is safe.

Please, trust me.

Why should I?

Because you don't have a choice.

What is it

that you wish to know?

What is the Crystal of Neahtid?

To those who know how to use it, the crystal holds great knowledge.

What kind of knowledge?

The knowledge of what is, what has been

and what is yet to come.

Do you mean it can show you the future?

Amongst other things, yes.

The crystal has been stolen.

By whom?

The Lady Morgana.

DRAGON CHORTLES

That witch does not have the power to wield the crystal(!)

-Does the druid boy?

-Mordred?

It is possible. Why do you ask?

I believe that they are involved in this together.

Once before I warned you of the druid boy.

It is his destiny to bring about Arthur's doom.

It may be THAT time is upon you.

What do you mean?

The ancient prophecies speak of an alliance -

of Mordred and Morgana

united in evil.

But this union must be stopped...

whatever the cost.

-Thank you, Gwen. That'll be all.

-Nearly done.

-It's fine, Gwen. You can go.

-It won't take a moment.

I said you can go!

..My lady.

OWLS CRY

CROW CAWS

HORSE WHINNIES

Morgana!

It is my hope, that with time,

Mordred will master the crystal.

And when he does, we will strike Uther down -

Uther and all who serve him.

ALL who serve him?

If we are to win this war,

there can be no half measures.

-I can see this troubles you.

-Yes.

-Yes, it does.

-My lady,

we fight for our very survival.

As do you.

The boy, he told me you have magic.

You need not be afraid.

I know.

-I'm sorry. I have become so used to concealing the truth.

-Believe me,

I understand what that feels like.

Every day I must look Uther in the eye knowing...

that if he were to discover who I really am, he'd have me killed.

You have been very brave.

I don't want to be brave.

I just want to be myself.

I don't want to be alone any more.

You are not alone.

You are here with us.

You need never be alone again.

I must be heading back.

The castle will be waking soon.

Farewell then...

..my lady Morgana.

Where's Morgana?

-She could not stay.

-Will we be seeing her again?

-Yes, Mordred.

You can be sure of that.

Nicely done.

You played her well.

It was not hard. She is very beautiful, after all.

-Alvarr has a fearsome reputation.

-You know of him?

I know he is a sorcerer and he and his band of renegades have threatened to overthrow the King.

He sounded pretty determined.

He is a fanatic. And his supporters follow him unthinkingly,

-blinded by his charisma.

-Well, it worked on Morgana.

So it would seem.

And the druid boy.

Alvarr's using him too. He thinks the boy can harness the power of the crystal.

-We can't let this happen, Merlin.

-But if we can't go to Uther, what can we do?

We can bend the truth a little.

-You know the whereabouts of the crystal?

-I believe so, Sire.

I see. How did you come by this information?

In my capacity as physician I have dealings with many people. They hear things, Sire,

and they see things. Last night, I was confronted by one such man

who told me that the crystal had been stolen by a band of renegades, led by a man called Alvarr.

-Who exactly was this informant?

-I think

it would be only fair to protect their identity, Sire. If news of their betrayal reached the renegades

it could indeed endanger their life.

-Very well.

-Where is this Alvarr hiding?

He was last seen in the Valley of Chemary, Sire.

-Summon the guards, Arthur. I want this investigated without delay.

-Yes, Father.

Thank you, Gaius. Once again, I am in your debt.

Arthur, you're not seriously thinking of going on this mission, are you?

No, I'm not thinking about it, I AM going on this mission.

But you're chasing nothing but a rumour.

True. But for now it's the only lead we have to go on.

You'll be wasting your time, I assure you.

Morgana, I never knew you cared(!)

-What are you talking about?

-I can look after myself, you know.

It's the combination of raw talent and hard training that makes me...

Yes, I know. That makes you so utterly obnoxious.

Gaius had better be right about this.

SHE GASPS

-Morgana?

-Alvarr.

-What brings you here?

Arthur's been sent to capture the crystal.

The Knights of Camelot are almost upon us.

-How has this happened?

-I don't know.

I only know that we've been betrayed.

How much time do we have?

An hour. Maybe two. I cannot say for sure.

Then we must be prepared for them.

-What can I do to help?

-You can flee while you still have the chance.

-But...

-Morgana, I am grateful for all that you have done

but a battlefield is no place for you.

I don't know why I bring you on these expeditions. You spend the whole time terrified.

I am not terrified.

-Yes, you are. I can tell you are.

-No, you can't.

-If you weren't scared, you'd be talking rubbish.

Well, I am talking rubbish as usual!

I mean, I am talking as usual. So, clearly, I'm not scared.

-Where now?

-I've no idea.

I thought you said Gaius gave you directions.

He did... He, er... He just didn't tell me about this part.

MERGE OF VOICES IN MERLIN'S HEAD: 'Merlin, this is your fault.

VOICES BUZZ AND ECHO

-'What happened? Merlin?

-..we wouldn't be here in the first place.

'Warn the others.

VOICES MERGE INTO A CONFUSED BUZZ

'Warn the others.

'The crystal... Warn the others. They're coming...'

-The renegade camp...

-'They're coming! Hurry!'

It's that way.

-And you know this because?

-I know it because... because of...

I give up.

Because of this!

So? It's a footprint. Who says it belongs to a renegade?

There's more.

Follow me.

I told you.

Didn't I tell you?

What are you doing?

Well, whoever was here,

they're not here any more.

Yes, they are.

Take cover!

Run, Mordred!

-MORDRED TELEPATHICALLY:

-'I shall never forgive this, Emrys, and I shall never forget.'

-Give me the crystal.

-Why should you care?

What use is it to you?

You are a fool! How many lives have been lost this day...

for what?

You cannot wield the crystal.

You do not have the power.

None of you do!

Merlin, check the horses are fed and watered.

-Merlin?

-Sorry?

Not the right answer.

-What?

-Something on your mind, is there?

It's just... when we entered the camp...

it was a trap, wasn't it? They knew we were coming.

-Yeah, so?

-How did they know?

Well, they're sorcerers, aren't they?

Probably used magic or something. Now I need you to guard this with your life.

Why me?

-I can't hardly very well guard it while I'm asleep, can I?

-Neither can I.

Who said anything about YOU sleeping?

So you admit to stealing the Crystal of Neahtid?

I do.

You admit to plotting against your King?

I do.

And you acted alone?

You were not aided or abetted by any citizen of Camelot?

I acted...

..alone.

Then I find you guilty of treason.

You are an enemy of Camelot, Alvarr.

You are sentenced to death.

Then I die with honour.

To be an enemy of Camelot is no crime.

-Take him away.

-And you,

Uther! You are the criminal.

How many more must you kill before you are satisfied?

He was guilty. He confessed his crimes. You heard him as well as I.

His only crime was to defy you.

Why are you defending this man?

He was a sworn foe of Camelot.

-You know this.

-Is it any wonder he wanted you dead?

You who have persecuted his kind, day after day, year after year.

I will hear no more of this, Morgana.

Because you are an arrogant fool! You are deaf and blind

to the needs of the people you profess to serve and protect. The people will tolerate it no longer.

-I said "enough"!

-They are rising up against you.

From this day forward, I do not know you.

From this day forward, I disown you.

You will go to your chambers!

And you, Uther...

You will go to hell.

Merlin?

Is something interesting in there?

Sorry.

What's the matter?

It's the crystal.

It harbours a terrible power, Gaius.

But it's locked away now. It can do no harm.

Unless the damage has already been done.

I held it.

I knew I shouldn't. I knew no good would come of it but...

it compelled me to look.

I couldn't resist it.

I saw things.

Terrible things.

Then you've already paid the price.

What I saw has not yet come to pass.

And I am scared, Gaius. I am...

really scared of what the future may hold.

There is nothing on this Earth that can know all possible futures.

Even the crystal.

But what I saw...

-It was so real.

-And it was real.

But it was just one reality.

The future is as yet unshaped.

It is we that shape it.

It is you, Merlin -

the decisions you make, the actions you take.

Remember that.

Eat your soup before it gets cold.

Gwen, could I have my sleeping draught?

-I didn't think you needed it any more.

-Last night the nightmares returned.

Sleep well.

Please, this is not an official visit.

I'd like to see the prisoner, if I may?

Sorry, my lady, the prisoner is to see no-one.

-The King's orders.

-But that doesn't apply to the King's ward, surely?!

Thank you.

This might help to ease the long night ahead.

My lady.

I was not expecting you.

I have come to say goodbye.

It was gracious of you to think of me.

It will not be easy but you must prepare yourself

for what lies ahead.

I am prepared.

I have done what I can to ease your passage.

I could not ask for more.

Good luck.

My thoughts will be with you.

Thank you...

my lady.

Tospringe!

GUARDS SNORE

GUARD SCREAMS

ANCIENT HORN BLARES

ALARM BELL TOLLS

HORNS BLARE

We've searched the citadel, the town and every corner of Camelot.

-But he's gone.

-Yes, father.

-How?

How has he escaped?

It appears that the guards were drugged.

That means he had help.

Someone...

here in Camelot.

I'm afraid it looks that way.

Let this be understood...

whoever has done this,

they have betrayed me.

They have betrayed the Kingdom.

If I ever discover who it was,

they will rue the day they were born.

DRAGON'S VOICE: 'Merlin?

'I'm waiting, Merlin!

'You gave your word!

'Now set me free!

'Merlin! MERLIN!'

-GAIUS:

-When the fires of Idirsholas burn,

the Knights of Medhir will ride again.

It must be the work of magic.

DRAGON: Camelot's end is nigh and there's nothing you can do about it.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd.

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