A Herald of the New Age Merlin

'In a land of myth and a time of magic,

'the destiny of a great kingdom

'rests on the shoulders of a young man.

'His name...Merlin.'

All right...

Who drank all my water?

-GWAINE BURPS

-I believe you have your answer.

You said I could have some. I said you could have "some".

I didn't say you could drink every last drop! I was thirsty.

Here. Have some of mine.

THEY ALL CHUCKLE That's very funny.

Here. Unlike these ignorant fools, I share with my friends...

THEY ALL LAUGH

Ssh.

-ALL QUIET DOWN

-What is it?

I saw something in the trees. There.

What is this place?

WIND BLOWS, FLAG FLUTTERS

This is a shrine.

In the time of the old religion, they built shrines like this

to appease restless spirits. We shouldn't be here.

EERIE WIND BLOWS

Boo!

It isn't funny.

Gaius told me about places like this. They're cursed.

WIND WHISTLES

FLUTTERING

CROW CAWS

There's your spirit, Merlin.

There's nothing here for us. Move out.

WATER TRICKLES NEARBY

WATER TRICKLES

SPLASHING

HE SIGHS

WIND WHISTLES

-Are you all right?

-What do you mean?

You're very quiet. You didn't say a word on the way home.

It's called thinking, Merlin. You should try it some time.

< Merlin.

What's that?

Salt. Pour it in a circle at the foot of your bed.

-Helps to protect you from evil spirits.

-Really? Does that work?

Absolutely, and if it doesn't,

Gaius can always put it on his supper.

Very funny.

I'm surprised that such a shrine exists so close to Camelot.

And it was cursed.

I could feel it.

You were right to be wary.

The druids built shrines to bring rest to tormented souls.

Souls that were so badly wronged,

they could find no peace in the Other World.

Why do they hang all the ribbons and flags?

The ancient rituals heal the ground,

so that the souls of the victims can find rest.

But the magic that binds the earth is delicate, and is easily undone,

so the ribbons and flags act as a warning.

I wish I'd known that earlier.

Did anyone touch anything?

No. I don't think so.

-Why? What is it?

-Anyone who disturbs the resting place

risks releasing the spirit.

You must promise me you will never return to that place.

Don't worry. I have no intention of going back there.

And for once, I'm not lying to you.

-FAINT TRICKLING WATER

-Hello?

WATER DRIPS

Who's there?

DRIPPING WATER

No! No! >

What are you doing?

I... I was getting a drink of water

-and tripped over the table.

-Uh-huh.

We missed you at the tavern earlier.

-Percival broke Sir Brennis' wrist in an arm wrestle.

-Sounds like fun.

Not for Sir Brennis. Get some rest.

Arthur's planned a training session in the morning.

You know how the King likes his training. Good night.

DOOR CLOSES

CLATTERING METAL

CRASH!

Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you.

You didn't scare me. I was asleep.

Why have you got that stupid smile on your face?

It's nothing. Why were you sleeping with your head on the table?

-I fell asleep while I was reading.

-What were you reading?

I am the King of Camelot. I do not have to answer to the likes of you.

You're in a good mood(!)

You obviously got out of the wrong side of the table...

MERLIN LAUGHS

The wrong side of the bed, but you slept on the table, so...

Extremely clever and funny, Merlin. There are no limits to your wit(!)

-Now, please get me some breakfast.

-Right.

Merlin!

Pair off.

Concentrate on counter-cutting. Gwaine, you're with me.

What's that in your hair?

It's stew.

-Why have you got stew in your hair?

-Because he was reading.

Change of plan. I think we'll try something different.

Well, Merlin will feel that in his arms tomorrow.

All this training. When are we going to see some real action?

MURMURED CONVERSATION

DRIPPING WATER

INAUDIBLE CONVERSATION

Leave me alone!

Watch yourself...

Elyan!

Elyan? Elyan?

-Why doesn't he speak?

-I don't know. It's strange.

It's like he's lost his mind.

When I want your medical opinion, Gwaine, I'll ask for it.

Perhaps you would leave me alone to treat my patient.

It would be better if Arthur didn't know of this.

Why do you want to keep it from Arthur?

Elyan hasn't been himself recently.

He hasn't said anything,

but he's clearly upset about his sister's banishment.

It must have been hard to see that happen to Gwen.

We wouldn't want Arthur to think Elyan's loyalties are divided.

The King doesn't have to know about every accident

that happens in Camelot.

-Thank you, Gaius.

-Thank you.

Elyan, can you hear me?

Blink if you can hear me.

Would you like me to make up the bed, sire,

or will you be sleeping on the table again?

Is this about Gwen?

We all miss her.

-You, more than anyone...

-You can go now.

-Arthur...

-Get out!

I'm done... trying to be nice to Arthur.

I cook, I clean, I'm always there for him,

not to mention saving his life more times than I care to remember.

Do I get any thanks? No. All he ever does is shout at me.

Now you're ignoring me. Great. I might as well not even exist.

"My name's Merlin. Don't worry, I'm not even here."

I fear we have more important things to worry about

-than Arthur shouting at you.

-What is it?

Did Elyan disturb anything yesterday at the shrine?

-I'm not sure.

-I need you to be sure, Merlin.

-He may have done.

I warned them. You know they don't listen.

I'm sorry, Merlin. It's just that I am deeply concerned for Elyan.

He hasn't spoken a word since he regained consciousness

and I can find no physical symptoms to explain it.

The only thing I could find was a pile of salt at the foot of his bed.

Oh, no.

What is it, Merlin?

He's trying to ward off an evil spirit.

With a pile of salt, that's utter nonsense!

Elyan believes it to be true.

Then I fear that Elyan may have disturbed the spirit at the shrine.

What? What will that do to him?

I dread to think what horror it might unleash.

You must tell Arthur what happened at the shrine.

I'm not sure he'll believe me. Not in his mood.

You must make him believe you.

DRIPPING WATER

Please don't be angry with me.

I'm sorry.

It's all right. Don't be scared.

You're so cold.

It's all right.

What do you want from me?

I want you to bring me peace.

You must right the wrong that was done to me.

How? What should I do?

It's easy.

Elyan, you startled me. Is everything all right?

Guards!

Elyan is a friend to some of you,

but that friendship ended when he tried to kill the King.

Do not let him escape. Go find him!

-What happened?

-Elyan, he attacked me.

I think he may have disturbed a spirit at the shrine.

I think that spirit is possessing him.

Why else would he attack you?

When we catch him, I intend to ask him that very question.

I never thought we would hunt one of our own.

-Why would he would attack Arthur?

-What would you do if your sister

-had been banished from Camelot?

-My sister's an evil old toad,

-so I'd be eternally grateful.

-There he is!

Elyan must be tried and punished,

-in accordance with our laws.

-You mean put him to death.

Well, so be it. You can't afford to show favouritism.

What if Elyan wasn't acting of his own volition?

His motive is obvious. He seeks revenge.

You banished his sister from Camelot.

I know Elyan, and no matter what he feels about his sister,

-he would never attack Arthur.

-You cannot allow someone

to try and kill you and then escape punishment.

You will appear weak! That puts the whole of Camelot in peril.

-Arthur...

-Leave me...

..both of you.

Agravaine is pushing for Elyan's execution.

Arthur may have no choice but to sentence Elyan to death.

-We can't allow that to happen.

-What do you propose we do, Merlin?

There must be a way of ridding Elyan of the spirit.

It would require very powerful magic.

Then I must master it, if I'm to save Elyan's life.

And you intend to expel the spirit in the cells,

-under the noses of the guards?!

-Of course not.

First, we need to break Elyan out of the cells.

-Did I miss out that part?

-Ah, ha-ha-ha(!)

Elyan will have to be unconscious when you expel the spirit.

I put a powerful sedative in this water. And, Merlin,

-remember, Elyan is not himself. You cannot trust him.

-I know.

Strangath bydenfaetu.

Wyrth gatu faest!

-Merlin?

-I don't have time to explain. You have to trust me.

BELLS RING

We need to make it to the cover of the woods.

You know, Merlin, you're much braver than you look.

-Are you calling me a coward?

-Ha-ha-ha!

I'm saying there's not many people with the courage

-to break someone out of the cells.

-I had to do it.

They were going to execute you. I know that

you would never hurt Arthur. Not of your own volition.

After all that running, you must be thirsty.

-Where are my manners? You must be thirsty too.

-After you.

No, no. After you...

-I insist.

-I had some earlier. If I have too much,

I have to pee all the time. Ask Arthur. I'm always peeing...

What are you looking at?

I'm sorry, Merlin.

For what?

Just before he jumped me, there was a presence there. I could sense it.

It was Elyan who was supposed to be knocked out. Not you, Merlin.

I must find Arthur. Elyan could make

-another attempt on his life.

-After Elyan's escape, Arthur was put

under heavy guard. There is little more you can do to protect him.

This shrine, do you think you could find it again?

I'm not sure I want to. You said I was never to go there again.

We have to find out all we can about this spirit.

Unless we know what we're dealing with,

we won't be able to help Elyan, or Arthur.

Merlin?

It's just through these trees.

What are we looking for?

I'm not entirely sure.

But remember, don't disturb anything.

Trust me, I won't.

< CRASHING

Sorry.

WHISPERING VOICES

QUIET WEEPING

WATER TRICKLES

WHISPERING VOICES, WEEPING

WHISPERING GROWS LOUDER

SHOUTING, SCREAMS

Gaius!

What is it, Merlin?

HE GASPS

HE SNIFFLES

Something terrible happened here.

These runes are in the Druid tongue.

I also found this. There are crossbow bolts scattered all around.

This was Uther's doing, wasn't it?

It is revenge for Uther's crime that the spirit seeks.

DOOR OPENS

Merlin! Good of you to join me(!)

Perhaps I should fill you in on all that's been happening

-while you've been...

-I was searching in the woods

for some herbs for Gaius, very rare herbs,

-hard to find, actually, and I got lost.

-You mean to tell me

-that you've been wandering around in the woods all night?

-Yes.

What happened to your head?

I... I tripped over a root.

and I hit my head on a tree and knocked myself out.

Hmm. Well, after wandering around in the woods all night,

knocking yourself out, you must be hungry?

I'm starving.

Pull up a chair. Tuck in.

Oh, thanks very much, I am actually... You're joking!

Oh, no...

CLATTERING

The palace is secure. No-one is able to get in or out.

We're searching the Lower Town, even as I speak.

Fear not, my lord.

Thank you, Uncle.

What do you know about this shrine, Gaius?

I believe the site was once a Druid camp.

There is evidence that the camp was attacked.

Your father was relentless in his persecution of the Druids.

Many died.

-And that's why he seeks his revenge.

-The spirit craves peace.

He wishes to find his proper place in the Other World,

but the unjust nature of his death has denied him that.

Is there anything that can be done to change this?

In Druid lore, only the atonement of the perpetrator

can bring the spirit peace.

Uther's dead.

He can't atone for what he did.

-Indeed.

-What about Elyan?

-Elyan is no longer the man you knew.

The spirit has a hold of him

that may be too powerful to break. All we can hope

is that he is found before he has a chance to enact his revenge.

It's not your fault. You can't be held responsible

for everything your father did.

That will be all Merlin, thank you.

Are you sure you don't want me to stay?

I think I'm going to get an early night.

I'm pretty tired too, what, with having spent the night in the woods.

No-one said anything about you getting an early night.

In fact, you can make up for your little escapade

by polishing my armour.

-Merlin?

-What are you doing creeping around in the woods?

Something I should have done a long time ago.

Elyan could be out here. Do you know how dangerous that is?

I have to face him. Feel free to go back to Camelot any time you like.

-You're not going back, then?

-I thought I might tag along.

Don't want you getting lost and scared.

Are you sure you want to do this?

Maybe we should wait until it's light...

Or we could do it now, whatever it is that we're doing,

in the dark, when it's incredibly scary and dangerous...

Is that a good idea? We might be needing it...

I'm not sure a sword will be much use against a spirit.

What about against Elyan?

I'm here!

-That's what you want, isn't it?

-What are you doing?

Everything Gaius said about this place is right, except one thing.

It wasn't my father that led the raid on the Druid camp.

I did.

I am responsible for what happened to you,

and for all the violence that happened here.

When I led the attack on your camp, I was young and inexperienced.

I was desperate to prove myself to my men, to my...father.

I told the men to spare the women and children,

but I know that some of them ignored the order.

There was so much happening. I wanted to stop it.

I froze.

I didn't know what to do.

I can still hear the screams...

I cannot right this wrong.

Nothing I can do will ever change the horrors that happened that day.

But I can promise that now that I am King,

I will do everything that I can

to prevent anything like this ever happening again.

From this day forth, the Druid people

will be treated with the respect they deserve. I give you my word.

I am truly sorry for what happened to you.

HE GASPS AND PANTS

SWORD CLATTERS ON GROUND

CHILD'S VOICE: I forgive you.

SOFT SIGHING

Arthur?

How's Elyan? Is he going to be all right?

Gaius says he's going to make a full recovery.

You know, that was incredibly moving, what you said at the shrine.

As long as Elyan's going to be all right, it served its purpose.

It wasn't just about Elyan, was it? You meant it. I know you did.

Does this have a point, Merlin?

I don't think I've ever seen you cry before, not like that.

You had tears running down your cheeks. It's nice to see this new,

sensitive, emotional side to you. It suits you.

-Shut up, Merlin.

-Oh! I really thought you'd changed.

Then you're as stupid as you are ugly.

So there's no chance that we could have a hug?

Argh! >