The Death Song of Uther Pendragon 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.

SNEEZING

You're still angry with me, aren't you?

We spend the entire day hunting, catch nothing, because every

time we got anywhere near anything you sneezed and frightened it away.

-Not the last time.

-No. That time you fell into a stream.

No-one could accuse you of being predictable, Merlin.

-I think I'm getting a cold.

-Let's hope it's a bad one.

< SCREAM

What was that?

I think it was a bird.

SCREAM

That? That was definitely a woman screaming.

Why couldn't it have just been a bird?

It's never just a bird.

SCREAMS AND CRIES

SCREAMS CONTINUE

What are you doing?

I assume you want to risk our lives and see what's going on.

I never thought I'd say this, Merlin, but you're learning.

Let the woman go.

This woman has been sentenced to death.

It does not concern you.

I am Arthur Pendragon, King of Camelot,

and your village is in my lands.

Her sorcery has brought sickness and suffering to this village.

-Did she receive a fair trial?

-Your father would have shown her no mercy.

I am not my father. Now cut her down.

I will not endanger the lives of all who live here.

I said...

..cut her down.

Is there anything more you can do for her?

-She won't make it through the night.

-Make her as comfortable as possible.

Thank you.

-You should try and get some rest.

-My time has come.

When you have lived as long as I,

you no longer fear the journey to the next world.

I have a gift for you.

You showed kindness, and compassion.

Those are the qualities of a true king.

Open it.

It's beautiful.

It has the power to summon the spirits of the dead.

GASPING

GASPS GROW FAINTER

The Horn of Cathbhadh.

When Uther attacked the Isle of the Blessed,

the Horn of Cathbhadh was smuggled to safety before the temple fell.

It hasn't been heard of since.

The old woman said it could be used to open the door to the spirit world?

I have seen it with my own eyes.

Long before the time of the Great Purge I took part in such ceremonies.

Each year at Beltain, the High Priestesses would gather at

the Great Stones of Nemeton

and summon the spirits of their ancestors.

It holds powerful magic.

You must keep it safe.

HUBBUB OF CONVERSATION AND MUSIC

He's always like this at the anniversary of his coronation.

I thought it was a cause for celebration?

It is, but it's also the anniversary of Uther's death.

FOOTSTEPS

KNOCK ON DOOR

DOOR OPENS

What are you doing?

Nothing... Thinking.

You, thinking? Well, now I'm really getting worried.

Shut up.

Leave it!

-Why?

-Because I'm telling you to and I'm the King of Camelot,

not that that seems to mean anything to you.

-Ready the horses and gather some supplies.

-Where are we going?

You don't need to know. Do not breathe a word of this to anyone.

-Not even Guinevere.

-You're threatening me with a spoon?

SLAP

Ow!

I'm getting a very bad feeling about this place.

-That is because you're a coward.

-No.

It's because I value my life and I don't want to die horribly.

Fair point.

-So, are we going to turn back?

-No.

What are they?

The Great Stones of Nemeton.

You're going to use it?

This will be the only chance I have to see my father again. I can't let it pass.

This is powerful magic.

My father was taken from me before his time.

Now there isn't a day that passes

when I don't think of the things I wish I'd said to him.

If you were given the same chance to see your father, talk to him.

Wouldn't you do the same?

HORN SOUNDS A PLAINTIVE NOTE

-Father.

-Arthur.

I thought I would never see you again.

-There isn't a day that passes when I don't think of you.

-And I, you.

There are times when I feel so alone,

I wish more than anything that you were by my side.

If I were at your side,

I fear you would not like all that I have to say.

What do you mean?

Many of the decisions you have made

since you have become King go against all that I taught you.

I have done what I have believed to be right.

You have ignored our tradition, our ancient laws.

You have allowed common men to become knights.

They are some of the finest knights that Camelot's ever known.

They would gladly give their lives for the kingdom.

They question your decisions. They make you look weak.

Listening to others is a sign of strength, not weakness.

How do you expect anyone to fear a King who does not know his own mind?

I don't want my people to respect me because they fear me.

Then they will not respect you at all.

Your marriage should have served to form an alliance with

another kingdom and you choose to marry a serving girl.

I married for love. I love Guinevere.

More than...I can express.

There are some things that are more important than love.

It is your duty to strengthen and protect the kingdom.

You have failed.

I have always strived to make you proud.

How can I be proud of a son who ignores everything that I taught him?

Who is destroying my legacy?

-I have brought peace to the kingdom...

-At what price?

The peace cannot last. If you are not strong,

the kingdom will fall.

You must go now.

I need more time.

There is still so much I wish to say.

If you stay, you will be forever trapped in the world of the dead.

You must go now.

Go.

This can't be the last time I will ever see you.

Think about everything that I have said to you. It isn't too late.

Now go.

I will always love you, Arthur.

Arthur?

Do you want to talk about it?

What happened at the stones?

It seems my father doesn't approve of the way

I have chosen to rule his kingdom.

You mean YOUR kingdom.

The things he said about the knights, about marrying Guinevere.

What if he's right? What if I have weakened Camelot?

Do you really believe that?

You have always done what you believed to be right.

-People respect you.

-Thank you, Merlin.

Some people still think you're a foolish, arrogant ass.

Who?

Very funny.

We should get some sleep.

We covered the area from Pawlett down to Meldreth.

This includes 30 troops at Bawtry. 15 at Talan. Ten at Chime.

Nine at Brune.

RUMBLING

11 at Burwelle...

CRASH

I want the table repaired before the next council meeting.

-Are you listening to me, Merlin?

-What? Sorry.

I was just thinking about what happened.

-Did you get a terrible fright?

-Yes. My heart nearly jumped out through my mouth.

-Oh, well maybe you should have the rest of the day off and put your feet up?

-Really?

You were joking?

There really is no limit to your intelligence, is there, Merlin?

EERIE WHISTLING

CANDLE FLAME FIZZES

Merlin?

Why does it always take you twice as long to change out of your armour?

Because I'm twice the size of you, little man.

Then why is it that your brain is so small?

CLATTERING >

THUD

Hello?

Is someone there?

Show yourself.

EERIE WHISTLING

BANG

The axe must have fallen off the rack.

I'm surprised that a falling axe would cause such a deep wound.

-Not as surprised as I was.

-Quite.

You were lucky you weren't more severely injured.

It's strange...

-What's that?

-Just before it happened.

I sensed something, like there was someone there, watching me.

I'm sure it was just my mind playing tricks on me.

Apply a second poultice in the morning. And no training.

Thank you, Gaius.

EERIE WHISTLING

Is there something wrong, Merlin?

Merlin, I get the distinct impression there is something you're not telling me.

-No. Why would you say that?

-Because there usually is.

We went to the Stones of Nemeton.

-Merlin, I warned you of the dangers...

-I tried to stop him.

He was insistent.

What is it, Merlin?

After the candelabra fell,

I was in the corridor outside the Council Chambers.

I could sense something.

It was like Percival said, a presence of some kind.

In the days of the Old Religion, the priestesses

trained for years before entering into the spirit world.

It was fraught with dangers.

There was one thing they were schooled never to do.

As the veil closed, they were never to look back at the spirit.

-What happened if they did?

-They'd release the spirit into this world.

Arthur must have looked back.

-What?

-At the Stones of Nemeton, I think that you may have

released your father's spirit.

-And what makes you think that?

-Did you look back?

As the veil closed, did you look back at your father?

I may have glanced round for a second.

In that second, you unleashed Uther's spirit.

All these strange things that have been happening?

-The candelabra falling onto the Round Table.

-Yes, because the chain broke.

-The axe falling on Percival.

-It was an accident.

-Was it?

Do you really expect me

to believe that my father's spirit is responsible for these things?

The Round Table represents everything that's changed since you became King.

You told me how Uther disapproved.

-He's angry with you and that makes him dangerous.

-I know my father. He wouldn't do these things.

I think he'd do anything to protect his legacy.

-Who knows what he's capable of?

-Enough! That's enough.

Leave me.

Go!

FLAME FIZZES

FAINT WHISTLING

EERIE WHISTLING

ECHOING CLANK

Is someone there?

THUD

WINDOW RATTLES

WINDOW CLATTERS

WINDOWS AND DOORS RATTLE

RATTLING AND THUDDING INCREASES

ECHOING CLANK

THUD

SHE SCREAMS

SHE GASPS

THUD

SHE SCREAMS

CLATTERING AND CLANGING

SHE GASPS

SHE SHRIEKS

CACOPHONY OF RATTLES, BANGS AND CRASHES

SHE CRIES OUT

FLAMES ROAR

RUMBLING

COUGHING

Gwen!

Gwen!

You know this was Uther.

We don't know what happened.

So Gwen just mysteriously ended up locked in the kitchens,

which just mysteriously caught fire.

You said yourself Uther disapproved of you marrying Gwen.

-He wouldn't do this.

-I know how hard this is for you.

Gaius, how is she?

Smoke has entered her lungs, but with time she will heal.

I have given her a sleeping draft.

She was lucky to escape with her life.

I've always known my father could be cruel,

but why would he do this to Guinevere? He knows how much I love her.

Gaius.

What do you know about ghosts?

We must force Uther's spirit to return to the other world

before he does any more harm.

We must use The Horn of Cathbhadh to reopen the veil between the worlds.

But we must remember one thing -

only the person who summoned the spirit can force it from this world.

LOUD CLATTERING

-Sorry.

-You're fortunate I'm not easily frightened.

-Really?

Because it looked like you jumped out of your skin.

That's because you're a clumsy oaf. Now pick that lot up.

Where is Gaius? How long does it take to make a potion?

These things take time if they're to be done properly.

ECHOING THUD

What is it?

-HE WHISPERS:

-I heard something behind the door.

You're imagining things, Merlin.

RATTLING

RATTLING

What do we do?

BANG

MOUSE SQUEAKS

There's your ghost, Merlin.

The potion will allow you to see Uther in his spirit form.

Once you are in his presence, you must blow the horn.

It is the only way you can force him to go back to the spirit world.

Is it safe?

I can't say I'm entirely sure.

-What are you waiting for?

-To see if it's safe.

-So, if I don't die, you'll take yours?

-Precisely.

Get on with it.

Well, at least we know it doesn't kill you instantly.

Eurgh!

That... That is the foulest thing I've ever tasted.

Sorry. Did I forget to tell you about that part?

COUGHING

DOOR OPENS

SCRAPING

There!

Where?

Oh, it's just our shadows.

SMACK

Ow!

DOOR OPENS

FOOTSTEPS APPROACH

DOOR OPENS

Arthur. Merlin.

-Leon.

-Leon.

Is everything all right, my Lord?

It's perfectly fine.

We are...

-Merlin. Tell Leon what we're doing.

-We're...

I'm teaching him some poetry.

Poetry?

I...love poetry.

I was as surprised as you are. He can't get enough of it.

I'll leave you to your poetry, then, my Lord.

-Poetry? That's the best you could come up with?

-What did you want me to say?

I don't know.

Something that didn't make me sound like a lovestruck girl.

What was that?

It was my father.

I never thought the day would come

when I would be hunting my own father.

When I became King, more than anything, I wanted to make him proud.

-What is it?

-You've always done what you believed to be right

even if you knew your father would disapprove of it.

Do you not see how different you are to him?

Camelot is a better place since you became King.

-My father clearly doesn't think so.

-The people believe in you, Arthur.

It counts for nothing if you don't believe in yourself.

EERIE WHISTLING

THUD

BREAKING GLASS

Check the storeroom.

THUD

FLUTTERING OF WINGS

THUD

RATTLING AND BUMPING

CLATTERING

NOISES CONTINUE

CREAKING

RUMBLE THEN CRASH

Arthur!

EERIE WHISTLING

CRASH

ECHOING FOOTSTEPS

Merlin?

Merlin, is that you?

FOOTSTEPS DRAW NEARER

Father?

CREAKING

CREAKING

THUD

EERIE WHISTLING

I know it's you, Father.

Why are you doing this?

I did not spend my entire life building this kingdom to

see my own son destroy it.

-You tried to kill Guinevere.

-For your own good.

How can a serving girl understand what it means to be Queen?

Guinevere is wise, and strong, and I trust her more than anyone.

And that is your weakness. You put too much trust in other people.

You, and you alone must rule Camelot.

I would rather not rule at all, than rule alone.

Your whole life, I tried to prepare you for the day

you would become King.

Did you learn nothing?

I watched you rule, and I learnt that if you trust no-one,

you will always live in fear.

Your hatred came from fear, not strength.

-How dare you!

-I loved, and respected you.

But I have to rule the Kingdom in my own way.

I have to do what I believe to be right.

I will not allow you destroy all that I built.

Then you will have to kill me.

I am not you, Father.

I can't rule the way you did.

Camelot must come before all else.

Even you.

THUD

Get away from him, Uther!

You've caused enough harm.

You don't belong here.

-You must return to the other world.

-This is MY kingdom!

You think you can drive me from it? You are nothing but a serving boy!

I am much more than that.

You have magic?

I was born with it.

I made you Arthur's servant.

You are a sorcerer?

Even while you were King, there was magic at the heart of Camelot.

-I will not allow you and your kind to poison my Kingdom.

-You're wrong.

You're wrong. About so much.

Arthur is a better, and more worthy King than you ever were.

No!

Bael onbryne!

BREAKING GLASS

SCRAPING

EERIE WHISTLING

FOOTSTEPS APPROACH

It will give me great pleasure killing you.

Father!

Arthur!

No! Please.

Whatever I have done, I have done for Camelot.

You've had your turn.

Now it's mine.

Merlin has... HORN SOUNDS

I always looked up to my father.

I admired and respected him more than anyone.

I have to accept that I can't please him, and be true to myself.

Uther did what he thought he had to do to protect the Kingdom.

That doesn't mean he was right.

I want to build a kingdom that is fair and just.

One where everyone is respected, regardless of rank.

Does that include me?

Of course.

So, does that mean you're not going to hit me anymore?

-When do I ever hit you?

-All the time.

That's not hitting, Merlin.

That's merely friendly slaps. It's horseplay.

-So, can I give you a friendly slap?

-You can certainly try.

What the hell was that?

It was, um...

..horseplay.

No, Merlin, you're doing it all wrong.

Why don't I show you?

Princess Mthian...

I have no-one else to turn to but you, Arthur.

You kill me and you'll have all of Camelot to answer to.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd