Arthur's Bane - Part 1 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.

Hello?

Hello?

Sorry.

-Well?

-I've searched everywhere.

Merlin, it's not just me you're keeping waiting.

How is it my fault!?

-The Queen can't just disappear.

-Well, where is she?

-That's what I sent you to find out!

-Do you know how big this castle is?

Funnily enough, I do.

Then perhaps you should have a look.

Merlin, is there anything you're actually capable of doing?

Putting up with you?

Oh, well...

COUGHING

-Guinevere.

-I'm sorry I'm late.

Late? Not at all.

We've plenty of time.

Noble Knights of Camelot, countrymen, friends,

I welcome you to this meeting of the Round Table.

For three long years, we have been blessed with peace and prosperity.

But now, it seems a shadow has been cast across our lands.

Sir Gwaine set off for Ismere some six weeks ago.

With him went three score of our finest men.

There has been no word from them since.

SNARLING

Run!

At my request,

Sir Elyan led a search party to the wastelands of the north.

He found no trace of Gwaine or his men.

It is as if they have vanished from the face of the Earth.

IT HOWLS

-The last of the Camelot patrol?

-How long before Arthur sends more?

Calm yourself. There's nothing to worry about.

You're wrong, we're running out of time.

The prophecies do not lie. Arthur's bane is real.

Once it is known to us, his end is nigh.

So you keep saying, yet you cannot tell me what it is.

The Diamair will tell us.

The Diamair is the key to all knowledge.

Then where is this key?

It is here, beneath your feet.

For three months we've been searching and what have we found?

Nothing.

It is but a moment compared to the eternity of knowledge

the key will bring.

If I find that you've lied to me...

Patience is the stepping stone to wisdom, Morgana.

You think I don't know that after all I've been through?

For two long years, I saw nothing but darkness.

Patience and I are old friends.

THE DOOR OPENS

Lady Morgana, we really have to stop meeting like this.

You're not looking so pretty now, are you, Sir Knight?

It would appear not.

Arthur should know not to send his men so far north.

-Well, get on with it, then. Kill me.

-I will.

But first you're going to have to help me find something.

We know Gwaine and his men crossed the pass, here, at Isulfor.

But beyond that, there was no trace. The trail went cold.

What of this story that the fortress of Ismere

-has been occupied once more?

-I heard many rumours, Sire.

All of them had one name in common... Morgana.

-Then we have no time to lose.

-What if the rumours are true, Sire?

You may be walking into a trap.

The Knights of Camelot do not abandon their own.

Morgana knows that. She'll be waiting for you.

These men have fought for me, bled for me....

May I make a suggestion?

What if you were to take a different route?

Approach Ismere from the west.

Through Annis' lands?

It would certainly take Morgana by surprise.

Would Annis grant safe passage to so many armed men?

I believe she would, Sire.

Dispatch a rider immediately. We'll follow at dawn.

Remember, if we're to succeed, no-one must know of our intentions.

Sorry...

It's fine, really. I'm the one who should apologise.

What for?

I keep getting you into trouble.

I'm used to it.

Merlin!

You should hear him when he's really angry.

MERLIN!

Like now. If you need help with anything, let me know.

Thank you.

Do you really think Gwaine and Percival could still be alive?

I have to find out. They're Knights of the Round Table.

It's a bond we share.

I understand.

If it was you who'd disappeared, Merlin, I wouldn't bother.

-Did you find the others?

-Every last one.

Do they know what we're searching for?

-Some kind of key.

-The key to what?

I don't know. But the men say Morgana's obsessed.

-She won't rest until she finds it.

-Let's hope we don't succeed, then.

The gorge marks the start of Annis' lands.

It's prime ambush territory.

Take some men and follow the ridge line.

There's something you need to see.

-WHISPERING:

-Emrys...

-WHISPERING:

-Emrys...

What happened to you?

Who did this to your village?

That it happened at all is all that matters.

I have been haunted by this moment

for many years...

..since long before you set foot on this Earth, Emrys,

I have waited for its arrival with sorrow in my heart.

For even as Camelot flowers,

so the seeds of her destruction are being sown.

The prophets speak of Arthur's bane.

You would do well to fear it,

for it stalks him like a ghost in the night.

Unless you act quickly, Emrys,

even you cannot alter

the never-ending circle of his...

..fate.

BATTLE SCREAMS

Is he alive?

What is it?

Come on, Merlin - you've seen a dead body before.

As soon as we've given these people a proper burial, we're moving out.

O drakon, e male so ftengometta tesd' hup' anankes!

I need to know about a Druid symbol.

A black spiral, within it a thin, yellow coil.

It is the mark of a vates.

A Druid seer.

Where did you encounter him?

On my journey here. He warned me of Arthur's bane.

His bane?

And then he showed me a battle.

A terrible battle.

Arthur was fighting for his life. I saw him wounded.

I saw him fall.

The vates' power of prophecy is unrivalled,

even by a high priestess.

So this battle will come to pass?

I do not know, young warlock,

but one thing is certain -

this was no chance meeting.

You think I should heed his warning?

There was a time when the words of a vates were considered a gift.

Then why do they feel like a burden?

A wise man is not cowed by knowledge, Merlin.

Instead, he uses it to guide him.

How?

That is something only you can decide.

But remember, the vates singled you out for a reason.

Now, more than ever,

it is you and you alone that can keep Arthur safe.

DOOR OPENS

-Queen Annis.

-Arthur Pendragon.

I am most grateful that you have allowed us

safe passage through your kingdom.

We are allies, Arthur,

and these are troubled times.

I can't eat this, I'm sorry.

-I'll get you something else, m'lady.

-No. If you could just sit with me...

Are you hungry?

Eat. Please.

You'd think I'd be used to it by now -

not knowing if he'll return.

You love him. I understand.

Do you have someone you worry about?

But not someone you can talk about.

No, m'lady.

There's no greater warrior than the King.

He will return.

I know. You're right.

Thank you.

What you saw at Asgorath is no surprise. Some months ago, Saxons began raiding our villages.

They're rounding up all the men they can find and taking them to Ismere.

To raise an army?

People say Morgana is tearing the citadel apart.

Why?

She must be searching for something. I dare not think what.

Then my men may still be alive?

Yes. There is every chance.

I think it's time for some entertainment.

I would love to see your fool perform.

Given all his failings, he must have some skills.

You'd think so, wouldn't you?

You heard the Queen - jump to it.

I'm not a fool.

That's debatable.

And I don't have any skills!

I know that.

But we can't refuse the Queen when she's granted us safe passage, can we?

Where did you learn to juggle like that?

Honestly, I didn't even know you could catch.

Yes, well, I have many talents.

You've failed to notice them, that's all.

Come on, out with it. What's wrong?

I'm not sure we should go to Ismere.

Did you not hear Annis? My men are alive.

You don't know that.

-Look, stick to juggling, Merlin. Leave the important things to me.

-But...

Here. See, explain that.

I wish I could.

DISTANT MUTTERING: Crungon walo wide, cwoman woldagas,

swylt eall fornom secgrofra wera,

wurdon hyra wigsteal westen stapolas, brosnade burgsteall.

Betend crungon hergas to hrusan.

Forpon pas hofu dreorgiad,

ond paes teaforgeapa tigelum sceaded hrostbeages hrof...

It's me! It's Sefa!

I didn't mean to frighten you.

Fear is in here.

No one can make you feel fear.

Do you understand?

-You have something to tell me?

-Yes. Arthur has set out for Ismere.

As I expected.

But he is approaching from the West, through Annis' land.

-You're sure?

-Certain.

-When did he leave?

-Yesterday at dawn.

-Shall I come with you?

-Your disappearance would create suspicion.

What would you like me to do?

You have served your purpose for now.

I hope they haven't ill-treated you.

They've been good to me, Father.

They are Pendragons. They're good for one thing only - death.

Morgana has been devoured by hate. Be careful.

I will.

Good allies are hard to find. I'd hate to lose one.

Aren't you forgetting something?

My papers for the council?

Of course.

Are you all right?

Yes.

You don't seem yourself today.

I'm sorry.

Last night...

I saw you leave the city.

I, um...

Sefa, I may be the Queen,

but you don't have to hide your secrets from me.

M'lady?

Whoever he is, he's lucky to have you.

Thank you, m'lady.

There are so many things to remember.

I know that better than anyone.

You're doing well. Honestly.

Thank you, m'lady.

What is it? What's wrong?

Arthur is riding for Ismere as we speak.

Impossible. I've had sentries posted on the border for weeks.

He's approaching from the West - from Annis' lands.

-Why would he do that?

-He means to surprise you.

He will be on us in less than a day.

Prepare for battle.

We ride tonight.

BACKGROUND LAUGHTER AND CHATTER

Merlin.

-How can they laugh and joke?

-Hmm?

Don't they know what we will face in Ismere?

Yeah, of course.

But a warrior learns to enjoy each day as it comes.

Because he knows it might be his last.

Why are you so upset?

Morgana is powerful. She's dangerous.

I know.

And you don't care?

Only about my men.

They're more than friends, more than brothers.

No matter what lies ahead of me...

..I won't abandon them, as I know they would not abandon me.

I understand.

I wish I didn't, but I do.

Come and have some food.

HORSES NEIGH IN THE DISTANCE

-We're surrounded.

-We can't stay here.

Run!

AGGRESSIVE SHOUTING

HE GROANS

Astige thu wyrm!

HORSE NEIGHS

HE GROANS

What happened? HE GROANS

You don't remember?

Where are the others? Leon? Elyan?

There was nothing I could do. I had to get you to safety.

HE LAUGHS What actually happened?

The usual - I saved your neck.

-You saved me?

-Yes. And I can juggle.

I keep telling you, I have MANY talents.

-So it would seem.

-Come on.

(Percival.)

Percival.

What?

There's something out there.

Did you see that?

What's that?

Could we have a break?

As long as it's quick. I want to reach Ismere before dark.

Ismere?

We are heading back to Camelot!

Navigation's not your strong point, is it? Camelot is south.

-The sun rises where?

-In the east.

-And what have we been walking towards all day?

-To our deaths!

The two of us against Morgana, are you mad!?

-I told you - I'm going to rescue my men.

-No.

-If you're afraid... then go.

-I'm worried about you.

Right, well, I've tried sending you home.

But if you're not going to do as I ask,

the least you can do is shut up.

-Come on!

-You know, if Morgana doesn't kill you, I will.

Threatening a King is treason, Merlin.

-What about threatening an ass?!

-I heard that.

We were ambushed. Morgana and a band of Saxons attacked us

-as we crossed the border into Ismere.

-And what of Arthur?

-I tried to protect him.

-What are you saying?

We lost him in the battle.

We don't know what happened to him, or Merlin.

How could Morgana have known?

How could she have known that Arthur was approaching from that direction?

Someone betrayed us.

-Arthur?

-Mmm.

I need to tell you something.

The man... The old man in the village...

Just think about something else, Merlin.

No, I need you to listen to me.

Before he died... he tried to warn me...

He told me that you were in danger and that the danger was close.

He was dying, Merlin. Who knows what he was saying?

I think that he was a Druid seer.

You expect me to listen to a sorcerer?

But why would he tell me that?

He had no knowledge that I even knew you.

-We have to turn back.

-I can't.

Even if what he said were true, it makes no difference.

Arthur, without you, Camelot is nothing.

All that we've worked so hard to create. Everything will be gone.

Look, no matter what adversity we face, we stand for what is right.

To betray our beliefs, Merlin,

that is what would destroy everything we've strived for.

I swear I'm going to rescue my men...or die trying.

Then I swear I will protect you or die at your side.

It's back.

-Where are you going?

-Cover for me.

HE GROANS

HORSES APPROACH

Don't just stand there. Find them!

I don't care how long it takes!

If only we had a horse.

-Or a pig.

-You can't ride a pig!

No, but we could roast it with carrots, parsnips and apples.

-Merlin.

-You're right,

we won't waste those apples, we'll put them in a pie.

-Stop it!

-I have to eat something.

Rabbits!

Merlin!

I got them!

DOOR OPENS

What have I done?

The night before Arthur set out for Ismere there was

a meeting of the King's Privy Council.

-Did you hear what was said?

-No, M'lady.

And yet you were standing right outside the door.

-I was bringing your supper.

-Later that night, where did you go?

-Nowhere.

-Don't make this hard on yourself. All I want is the truth.

We both know you left the city through the southern gate.

Look at me. Do you deny it?

-No, M'lady.

-Who did you see?

-You can tell me.

-You wouldn't understand.

Who did you see?!

-My father. I saw my father.

-And you told him what you'd heard?

He only wants what's rightfully his.

Were he a physician or a warrior, his skills would be revered.

But sorcery! He deserves respect like any man.

Respect is to be earned! It cannot be bought with blood.

-Your treachery cost the lives of many good men.

-I didn't mean to...

You have admitted your guilt. You leave me no choice, Sefa.

-By the laws of Camelot, I find you guilty of treason.

-No!

I sentence you to death.

Take her to the cells.

If I could reach my sword... we'd be able to cut the rope.

Oh! Don't put your knee there.

-Where?

-There! Arrgh!

THEY SHOUT AND GROAN

MERLIN! GOD!

That was your fault. That was your fault!

THEY SHOUT AND GROAN

Great. Just great.

Where did the other rabbit go?

Ic the thurhhaele thinu licsar.

Ic the thurhhaele thinu licsar...

THEY GROAN

I'm sorry. Did we wake you?

Not so fast.

The King of Camelot.

You will fetch a handsome price.

Alive or dead.

-Any last requests?

-Let my servant go.

He doesn't deserve to die like this.

HE LAUGHS

If you're going to kill him, you'll have to kill me first.

Merlin! Step aside.

You know I never do as I'm told.

MORDRED: Stop!

Shouldn't we leave it to the Lady Morgana to decide their fate?

HE LAUGHS

You don't remember me, do you?

You saved my life once, many years ago.

Mordred.

Hello, Arthur.

You fear me, Emrys, don't you?

For good or ill, Albion's great trial has begun.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd