The Dark Tower 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.'

Even after all these years, I still miss him.

He was a good father.

I'm glad we came.

So am I.

I think he'd be proud.

-Particularly of Elyan.

-Me?

-Not just because you're a knight,

-but because of the man you've become.

-I don't think so.

-She's right.

Absolutely. You're outstanding, especially when it comes to trying to sweet-talk the ladies,

-if nothing else.

-Don't listen to him.

No. Elyan loves only one woman.

-Who?

-You.

-Tell me, I'm your sister.

-Did Arthur not say?

-Arthur never tells me anything.

-But he told you who Gwaine's in love with?

-Himself?

THEY LAUGH

Wane naedras, fram thaes foldan bosme astigath ge.

HISSING

HORSES WHINNEY

Leon!

Get to the queen. Get to the trees, go!

Sleep, my lady...for it could be some time before you do so again.

Merlin, hollyhock.

-One dram?

-And dianthus, two drams.

-Lungwort?

-Three grains.

-What happened?

We were riding, we came upon a nest of snakes.

Where's Guinevere?

-Where is she?

-I told her to get away. She fled.

-Arthur?

-We ride at dawn.

-This is no accident.

-Sorcery?

There is dark magic coursing through their veins.

By any right, they should be dead.

Then they were lucky.

I fear there's more to it than luck.

Learn to knock, will you?

I'm sorry, sire.

I wanted you to know that Leon and Percival are safe.

They are well on the road to recovery.

That's good news.

Arthur...

..there is evidence of sorcery.

Gaius suspects Morgana is involved.

You can go, Merlin.

I lost Guinevere once before.

You're not going to lose her.

You're not. We will find her.

I swear.

We'll bring her home.

Good morning, my lady.

-What do you want with me?

-I thought we could play a little game.

A game?

To find out just how much Arthur loves you.

-It won't work.

-You underestimate his feelings.

-He's not stupid.

-We'll see.

-He'll know you've taken me, he'll know it's a trap.

-He will - but he'll still come.

She must've been knocked from her mount by some force.

Here. Tracks.

They were heading east.

Let's go.

SHE GASPS WITH EXHAUSTION

Here.

Is it too good for you now that you're queen?

I don't want anything from you.

Just my crown.

Drink it, you may need it.

Why?

I wouldn't be in such a hurry to know.

It's getting too dark.

We'll keep heading east.

We've lost the trail.

Then we'll retrace the tracks.

Arthur.

I'll talk to him.

-Sire?

-She can't be far.

I know. But we have to work together.

We'll make camp, I'll get a fire going.

In the morning we'll pick up her trail again. Come on.

-Keep moving.

-Where are you taking me?

You'll find out.

What is this place?

Sleep well.

Morgana!

DOOR SLAMS

KEY TURNS IN DOOR

ANGUISHED SCREAMING

Elyan.

If I'd stayed with her...

You saved Percival, you saved Leon.

But not my own sister.

-We can all blame ourselves.

-She raised me.

You wouldn't understand.

I do.

I don't know...what I'd be if it wasn't for her.

I can't explain.

You don't have to.

HE SCREAMS ABRUPTLY

It's all right.

The tower...

It's a dream.

Everything in its shadow was dead.

And the sound, it was like children screaming.

And the rain that fell was like blood.

I had the same dream.

I was lost in a forest and the trees had claws

and when I finally escaped there was a plain.

Empty as far as the eye could see, except...

Rising into the sky was a black pillar of stone.

A tower so dark, it could swallow the sun.

The Dark Tower.

It's a place where every young knight is taught to dread, and rightly so.

-It's where many have met their end.

-I've never heard of it.

With good reason. It's said that the mere mention of it

can bring doom to any of those who hear it.

Well, let's not mention it again.

I was having a dream about eating a cheese that tasted of apple pie.

Anyone else have that dream?

-HE LAUGHS TO HIMSELF

-You're all missing out.

Why would they both have that dream?

The poison. It must still be coursing through their veins.

But the same dream?

Arthur, Morgana conjured those snakes. Leon and Percival

-would be dead if that was what she wanted.

-So what are you saying?

She planted those visions in their minds. It's a trap.

She's luring you to your doom.

The Tower.

That's where she's taken Guinevere.

DRIPPING

VARIOUS SCREAMS ECHO AROUND HER

SOLITARY SCREAM

SHE COWERS

I've decided to journey to the Dark Tower.

It's my belief that Guinevere has been imprisoned there.

-I don't know what horrors will be waiting, so I'll travel alone.

-No.

I'm sorry, I've made my decision.

You can't stop me, Arthur. She's my sister.

-Nor me, Arthur, she's our queen.

-And our friend.

She's a maiden in a tower. A damsel in distress.

I was born for this moment.

You can turn back, Merlin.

I made you a promise, remember.

The Dark Tower.

-How do we get to it?

-Through the Impenetrable Forest.

-But it's...impenetrable.

-Exactly. We can't possibly get through that.

We must.

HE TUGS AND STRUGGLES

Keep going.

DISTANT FOOTSTEPS

SHE GASPS

SHE GASPS

HE BEGINS TO LAUGH

HE LAUGHS LOUDLY

LAUGHTER FROM BEHIND HER

LAUGHTER SURROUNDS HER

Elyan?

It was blunt anyway.

Don't stop!

We've lost the path.

-Then we'll keep heading north.

-How do we know which way is north?

The ivy.

The pale leaves face south,

dark leaves face north.

-We're on the right course.

-We should reach the tower by sundown.

We need to pick up the pace!

Gwen.

Merlin?

Raaargh!

DOOR CREAKS OPEN

Come, let us have something to eat.

We should've made it out of the forest by now.

Look!

What is it?

How can that be?

We have gone round in a circle.

We have wasted an ENTIRE DAY!

Let's make camp for the night.

Get some rest and think afresh in the morning.

I made you a promise.

Remember?

We will bring her home.

Eat. Here...

Food always makes me feel better.

Would you prefer some chicken?

You must eat.

You're fading away.

I don't know what cruel trick you're playing

but I will not be broken by you.

I thought this would be nice.

I know how lonely you must be,

all by yourself in that room.

At least you're not shackled...

and there's daylight.

You can move, you can see...

You expect me to be grateful?

I too have suffered, Gwen.

I spent two years living in darkness.

Spent two years chained to a wall at the bottom of a pit.

You did not know.

I would have sold my soul

for someone to show me kindness such as this.

But if you want me to take you back up there...

LEAVES RUSTLE

Welcome to my realm, Emrys.

Who are you?

Why, I am Queen Mab.

I am the spirit of this place

and all the places that bring despair to men's hearts.

Few have ever seen me, Emrys. You should count yourself fortunate.

You...everything in this forest... it's bewildering.

The forest is but one step on the journey.

How do we find a way out?

Oh, little one, you should not have to ask.

Left is right and right is left.

And the way behind is the way ahead. It is simple.

Simple(!)

You have a mind's eye, Emrys, you must learn to trust in it.

For far greater challenges lie ahead.

When we reach the Dark Tower?

If.

What do you mean?

You must beware, Emrys.

The Tower is not a real place.

It is the heart's rest,

the mind's deepest fear,

the stillness in the hummingbird's eye.

Stop talking in riddles.

Then I shall talk in rhyme.

Heed my words with due concern,

for one of you will not return.

What do you mean?

QUEEN MAB CHUCKLES

Which one?

We need to find the clearing where we saw the Dolorous Plains.

-But which way is that?

-North.

Please. I know I can get us there.

I wouldn't do anything to risk Gwen's life.

I can get us to the Dark Tower. I am certain.

I know what Gwen means to you.

To all of us.

We need to head North.

-And which way is that, Merlin?

-That way.

No, it's...

..over there. How on earth would you know that?!

Sense of smell.

When the wind is from the North, you can smell the sea.

-That's ridiculous.

-Trust me. Just this once.

Arthur...

-give him a chance.

-What choice do we have?

Are you sure this is the right way, Merlin?

Merlin, you're a genius!

Which way now?

How far do you think it is?

At least we can see where we're going.

Let's not just stand here looking at it.

SOBBING

FOOTSTEPS APPROACH

CLANKING

I thought you might like to dine with me.

Come, you must eat or you'll fade away.

Your hands are cold.

I've got a warm fire going for you.

Anything you want, you can have.

I'll give it to you.

Why are you doing this?

Because we're friends, we always were.

-Leave me alone.

-Gwen?

What are you trying to do to me?

I'm helping you.

-I'm looking after you.

-I want nothing from you.

Well, if you change your mind, let me know.

ECHOING SCREAMS

We can't afford to rest.

I'm all right.

(Don't look. You'll be all right.)

(Don't look. You'll be all right.)

GWEN SOBS

(Don't look.)

(Don't look. You'll be all right.)

Merlin!

We must keep moving.

Guinevere?

Oh! Arthur!

No. I know it's not you.

I know it's not you.

I know it's not you.

I know it's not you.

Guinevere...

look at me.

I know it's not you.

Please.

I know it's not you.

It's me. It's Arthur.

I know it's not you.

See?

It's me. It's Arthur.

You're safe now.

HE LAUGHS MOCKINGLY

LAUGHTER ECHOES

GWEN SCREAMS

GWEN WAILS

SHE SCREAMS

It's all right.

It's all right.

I'm here.

I'm here.

My darling, I was wrong to make you suffer.

The mandrake root is cruel.

It pierces the depths of your soul,

twisting your unconscious into the very image of fear and dread.

Gwen, you've been so courageous, but it was necessary.

Gwen, you're not alone now.

You need never be alone again.

I am the only one you can trust.

I am all you have left in the world.

The others taunt you, hate you.

Come...

You need some rest, some proper rest.

No!

Whatever twisted game you're playing,

I want no part in it. I would rather stay here and die.

Something's wrong.

It's too easy.

Are you ever happy?

WOMAN'S VOICE SCREAMS

Arthur!

Don't!

Aargh!

No-one move!

Stay exactly where you are.

What triggered it?

The flagstones. They must react to pressure.

Here.

I'll use this.

I'll go first.

I'll push on.

No, Elyan!

None of us would even be here if it wasn't for me.

I have to do this.

Elyan!

-Gwen.

-Elyan...

What has she done to you?

No. Don't!

It will not let you pass.

Morgana has enchanted it to protect me.

-You can't free me, Elyan. Leave me here. Please.

-No!

-You cannot overcome it. It will fight to the death!

-Argh!

Elyan! Go! Save yourself!

-Gwen.

-Elyan...

I'm here. I'm here.

I'm here.

For a moment...

..I didn't think I was going to win.

Father would be proud of you.

And of you.

So proud.

ELEGIAC MUSIC PLAYS

'I was warned one of us would not return.'

It's not your fault, Merlin.

Elyan is dead.

The sword that Elyan fell prey to was surely intended for Arthur.

Now he's safe

and so is Gwen.

How is it?

Arthur thinks he's won.

He has no idea.

Do you understand now who you can trust?

It is you, Morgana.

It has only ever been you.

You're not one of them

and you never will be.

You don't know how much I hate them.

All of them.

You've done well to see past the lies to the real truth.

You've an important part to play in the future.

Together we will ensure the destruction

of everything Arthur holds dear.

'Have you noticed anything abut Gwen of late?'

Arthur!

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd