Animal lover(reply to your review): Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh I said no spoilers! I'm first time watching Lady of the Lake now! *plugs ears* la la la lalala
And no your not to dramatic lol, I love it what you guys get dramatic and exited. it makes my whole day so please, be my guest haha.
[EXT. LOWER TOWN -DAY]
[Merlin is in the stocks, being pelted with rotten fruit and vegetables by children.]
MERLIN
Oh, no.
[Gaius laughs.]
MERLIN
Thanks!
Arthur and Gwaine grin. Hunith and Kait chuckle, Merlin glares at them all.
[Children leave to get more rotten fruit and vegetable and Gwen approaches.]
GUINEVERE
I'm Guinevere, but most people call me Gwen. I'm the Lady Morgana's maid.
MERLIN
Right. I'm Merlin.
[He reaches his hand further out of the stocks to shake hers.]
MERLIN
Although, most people just call me Idiot.
Arthur laughs and looks at Merlin fondly. He may have magic but he still is an idiot.
GUINEVERE
No, no, no. I saw what you did. It was so brave.
Merlin sees the frown of jealousy on Arthur's face and just about chokes holding in the laughter.
MERLIN
It was stupid.
GUINEVERE
Well, I'm glad you walked away. You weren't going to beat him.
Out of habit Arthur puffs out his chest slightly. Kait sees it and rolls her eyes, fighting laughter.
Gwaine snorts.
MERLIN [snorts]
Oh, I- I can beat him.
GUINEVERE
You think? Because you don't look like one of these big, muscle-y kind of fellows.
MERLIN
Thanks.
GUINEVERE
No! No, I'm sure you're stronger than you look. It's just, erm... Arthur's one of these real rough, tough, save the world kind of men, and... well...
Arthur grins, the rest roll there eyes. Yes, even the warlock's mother.
MERLIN
What?
GUINEVERE
You don't look like that.
Now its Merlin's turn to cross his arms, but with humor.
[He motions for her to move closer.]
MERLIN
I'm in disguise.
"Ha!" Arthur yells, "you were telling the truth!" He seems almost ecstatic in his laughter.
Merlin chuckles as he nods.
GUINEVERE [laughs]
Well, it's great you stood up to him.
MERLIN
What? You think so?
GUINEVERE
Arthur's a bully, and everyone thought you were a real hero.
Arthur narrows his eyes and frowns as Gwaine chuckles as agrees.
MERLIN
Oh, yeah?
GUINEVERE [nods]
Mm-hmm.
[The children return with more rotten fruit.]
MERLIN
Oh, excuse me, Guinevere. My fans are waiting.
[Guinevere leaves as they start pelting him.]
All but Merlin and Hunith laugh.
Hunith shakes her head at her boy.
[GAIUS' CHAMBERS][Merlin sits down to eat.]
GAIUS
Do you want some vegetables with that?
Arthur snorts.
MERLIN [snorts]
I know you're still angry with me.
GAIUS
Your mother asked me to look after you.
MERLIN
Yes.
GAIUS
What did your mother say to you about your gifts?
MERLIN
That I was special.
GAIUS
You are special. The likes of which I have never seen before.
MERLIN
What do you mean?
"Ya, what does he mean?" Gwaine asks with a tilt of his head, his hair falling over his face as he brushes it back.
GAIUS
Well, magic requires incantations, spells. It takes years to study. What I saw you do was... elemental, instinctive.
MERLIN
What's the point if it can't be used?
GAIUS
That I do not know. You are a question that has never been posed before, Merlin.
MERLIN
Did you ever study magic?
GAIUS
Uther banned all such work twenty years ago.
"That's not an answer, uncle," Hunith laughs.
MERLIN
Why?
GAIUS
People used magic for the wrong end at that time. It threw the natural order into chaos. Uther made it his mission to destroy everything from back then, even the dragons.
MERLIN
What? All of them?
GAIUS
There was one dragon he chose not to kill, kept it as an example. He imprisoned it in a cave deep beneath the castle where no one can free it.
"It's not there now... I wonder, will this show us who set the beast free?" Arthur's curiosity gets the better of his anger.
Merlin scratches the back of his head and nods. Arthur tilts his head.
GAIUS
Now, eat up. When you've finished, I need you to take a preparation to Lady Helen. She needs it for her voice.
[LADY HELEN'S GUEST CHAMBERS][Merlin walks up Spiral Stairway across the Balcony Corridor and enters Lady Helen's guest chamber. He puts the potion bottle on the vanity table and notices an effigy and a special book.]
Arthur leans forward, "its just like the other one she used to kill Lady Helen."
[Lady Helen walks across the Balcony Corridor. Merlin hears her coming and puts the book down, trying to cover up the evidence that he was snooping.]
HELEN
What are you doing in here?
MERLIN
An... I- I was asked to deliver this.
[Merlin picks up the potion bottle from the table, Mary's reflection is revealed in the half-covered mirror behind him. Merlin hands her the bottle. Merlin exits.]
Arthur tilts his head back and sighs. "If only you had seen the mirror, then things would have been much easier.'
"Ah yes, but then I wouldn't be your servant and you would be dead and the worst part, you wouldn't get to enjoy my company."
Arthur groans but smiles as he says, "just shut up, Merlin."
"Yes sire." It made Arthur happy that he could hear the smile in Merlin's voice.
Hunith smiles at the exchange.
[EXT. LOWER TOWN - DAY]
[Merlin walks across the Square and passes Arthur and his gang as he walks through the Lower Town.]
ARTHUR
How's your knee-walking coming along?
Arthur groans again. Merlin laughs a little, almost as a giggle.
Arthur looks at him with one of his looks (if your a fan of 'Merlin' you show be able to tell which one), "what are you laughing at?"
"Remember when I didn't quite agree with you when you said you were glad I didn't use my magic to my advantage?" Merlin looks a bit guilty.
"You didn't..." he trails off
"You'll just have to watch." Merlin flashes his dimples.
[Merlin keeps walking.]
ARTHUR
Aw, don't run away!
Kait laughs, and gets strange looks from the two of them. "what? his voice cracked and it was funny." Merlin shrugged in agreement.
Gwaine gets up and high fives Kait.
Arthur on the other hand, "my voice did not crack."
She gave him a look as if to say it did...
"It DID not!"
Merlin's eyes close, his shoulders start to sake, and his lips roll in. He hopes Arthur doesn't notice his laughing, but does his hoping ever happen?
"Merlin!" Arthur says almost whining.
[Merlin stops.]
MERLIN
From you?
ARTHUR [sighs]
Thank God. I thought you were deaf as well as dumb.
MERLIN
Look, I've told you you're an ass.
[Turns to face Arthur.]
MERLIN
I just didn't realise you were a royal one. Oh, what are you going to do? Get your daddy's men to protect you?
ARTHUR [laughs]
I could take you apart with one blow.
MERLIN
I could take you apart with less than that.
Arthur face palms, "you haad to be telling the truth didn't you."
"Yup," Merlin pops the 'P'.
Hunith scolds him for being careless with his words.
ARTHUR
Are you sure?
KNIGHT #1
Come on, then.
KNIGHT #2
Fight.
[Merlin takes off his jacket and Arthur laughs.]
KNIGHT
...toying with him, then!
ARTHUR
Here you go.
[One of Arthur's knights hands him a mace, which he tosses at Merlin. Merlin doesn't catch it. He picks it up and Arthur starts swinging his mace with ease.]
"What," Merlin says defensivly, "I'm use to catching things with magic ok?"
KNIGHT
That a way.
ARTHUR
Come on, then. I warn you, I've been trained to kill since birth.
MERLIN
Wow, and how long have you been training to be a prat?
ARTHUR [snorts]
You can't address me like that.
MERLIN
I'm sorry. H-How long have you been training to be a prat, My Lord?
[Merlin gives a little bow. ]
Kait, Merlin, and Gwaine start laughing, Kait starting. "Bahahahahahah!" After a few grudging moments, Arthur joins. Leaving Hunith to just shake her head at her son's stupidity.
[Arthur smiles a perturbed grin and starts swinging at Merlin.]
ARTHUR
Come on then, Merlin! Come on!
[Arthur backs Merlin into the market stalls and crowd continues to gather. Gaius hears the commotion and looks out the Physician's Chambers' window to see Merlin in trouble again. Merlin falls down.]
ARTHUR
Haha. You're in trouble now.
MERLIN
Oh God.
[Merlin looks for something to help him. He sees a couple of large hooks and magically entangles them with Arthur's mace. Arthur untangles it and attacks again. Merlin moves a box and Arthur steps into it, banging his shin.]
"Hey!" Arthur looks at Merlin. Merlin looks a bit sheepish. Gwaine snickers.
ARTHUR
OW! Argh!
[Arthur pursues him again, Merlin tightens a rope on the ground, tripping Arthur. Merlin picks up the mace and starts swinging it at Arthur.]
"This is totally not fair!"
Kait and Merlin snicker.
MERLIN
Do you want to give up?
ARTHUR
To you?
MERLIN
Do you? Do you want to give up?
[Arthur backs up, catching his foot in a bucket and falling over backwards. Merlin, thrilled by his victory, spots Gaius in the crowd and pauses. Arthur attacks him from behind with a broom, knocking him to the ground. Guards begin picking Merlin up.]
ARTHUR
Wait. Let him go. He may be an idiot, but he's a brave one. There's something about you, Merlin. I can't quite put my finger on it.
Merlin grins, "see? Even then you knew you liked me."
"Shut up Merlin."
[GAIUS' CHAMBERS]
GAIUS
How could you be so foolish?!
MERLIN
He needed to be taught a lesson.
GAIUS
Magic must be studied, mastered, and used for good! Not for idiotic pranks!
MERLIN
What is there to master? I could move objects like that before I could talk!
GAIUS
Then, by now, you should know how to control yourself!
MERLIN
I don't want to! If I can't use magic, what have I got?! I'm just a nobody, and I always will be. If I can't use magic, I might as well die.
Arthur's face turns sober and he feels guilty. He will make it where Merlin will no longer have to hide who he is in fear. Especially not from him.
[Merlin goes to his bed chamber. Gaius enters Merlin's chamber with a medical basket.]
GAIUS [sighs]
Merlin? Sit up. Take your shirt off.
[Merlin removes his shirt, revealing bruises.]
Gwaine glares at his prince.
Arthur winces a bit and looks over at Merlin, "sorry."
Merlin shrugs, "I've had worst since.
Arthur leans his head against the back of the chair, "all on my account I suppose."
"Maybe, but it's worth it."
"Why?"
"Your my best friend I've ever had. You maybe an ass but when I need saving your the one who does it."
Arthur nods and swallows slightly.
MERLIN
You don't know why I was born like this, do you?
GAIUS
No.
[Gaius tends to Merlin's wounds.]
MERLIN
I'm not a monster, am I?
Hunith gasps quietly. How could her boy think that? He is the kindest soul she had ever met.
[Gaius looks Merlin in the eye.]
GAIUS
Don't ever think that.
"Ever," adds Arthur.
"Ever, mate." Gwaine looks Merlin dead in the eye.
MERLIN
Then why am I like this? Please, I need to know why.
GAIUS
Maybe there's someone with more knowledge than me.
MERLIN
If you can't tell me, no one can.
[Gaius pours potion into a tiny cup.]
GAIUS
Take this. It will help with the pain.
[COUNCIL CHAMBER - NIGHT]
[Uther dines with Lady Helen in the Council Chamber.]
UTHER
Will you sing for me tonight?
HELEN
You will have to wait, Sire.
UTHER
You will not deny me.
HELEN
I am saving myself for my performance tomorrow. Will everyone be there?
UTHER
Who would dare to miss it?
HELEN
How about your son?
Arthur leans forward.
"Could she be any more obvious?" Scolds Gwaine.
UTHER
Well...
HELEN
It seems a shame not to have met him.
UTHER
That's Arthur.
Arthur frowns.
HELEN
Poor child.
UTHER
Hmm?
HELEN
Poor child. It can't have been easy to- to grow up without a mother.
Arthur scoffs.
"Suuuuuure that's what she means, she's just sad the son has to take the punishment for what the father did." Gwaine rants.
"That's just how it is, Gwaine." Merlin says quietly.
UTHER
No.
HELEN
Hmm. That bond between mother and son, it's so hard to replace.
UTHER
Hasn't been easy.
HELEN
I'm sure.
[She smiles at him and he smiles back.]
HELEN
Perhaps if you found someone...If you remarried. [laughs] I'm sure you'd have the pick of any maiden in the kingdom.
"Ugh, gross." groans Arthur.
UTHER
Well, perhaps I'll find love again. But I'm afraid it's too late to replace Arthur's mother.
"that it is," Arthur mutters almost darkly.
HELEN
Yes. It's certainly too late for Arthur.
"Never," Merlin's eyes narrow.
[GAIUS' CHAMBERS]
[Merlin lies awake in his bed.]
KILGHARRAH
Merlin... Merlin...
[Merlin gets out of bed and sneaks out of the Gaius' Chambers. Merlin crosses the Square.]
KILGHARRAH
Merlin...
[Merlin descends the Wrought Iron Stairway and distracts a pair of guards by rolling their dice away from them. ]
Arthur chuckles and shakes his head, "no wonder prisoners and such always escape."
[He grabs a torch, lights it, and heads down the Tunnel Stairway.]
KILGHARRAH
Merlin... Merlin...
[Merlin enters the Dragon's Cave]
KILGHARRAH [laughs]
Merlin.
[Merlin looks around for the owner of the voice.]
MERLIN
Where are you?
[The Great Dragon flies to land in front of Merlin.]
KILGHARRAH
I'm here! How small you are for such a great destiny.
MERLIN
Why? What do you mean? What destiny?
KILGHARRAH
Your gift, Merlin, was given to you for a reason.
MERLIN
So there is a reason.
KILGHARRAH
Arthur is the Once and Future King who will unite the land of Albion.
One again Arthur leans forward and clasps his hands together.
MERLIN
Right.
KILGHARRAH
But he faces many threats from friend and foe alike.
MERLIN
I don't see what this has to do with me.
KILGHARRAH
Everything. Without you, Arthur will never succeed. Without you, there will be no Albion.
MERLIN
No. No, you've got this wrong.
KILGHARRAH
There is no right or wrong, only what is and what isn't.
MERLIN
But I'm serious! If anyone wants to go and kill him, they can go ahead. In fact, I'll give them a hand.
Arthur's head whips around and looks at Merlin.
"Merlin!..." Hunith scowls.
KILGHARRAH [laughs]
None of us can choose our destiny, Merlin, and none of us can escape it.
MERLIN
No. No way. No. No. There must be another Arthur because this one's an idiot.
Still giving Merlin The Look Arthur sits back slowly and turns his body toward Merlin, saying nothing. Merlin inches away from him slightly. Merlin gives him a small grin as if to say please don't kill me. Gwaine chuckles.
KILGHARRAH
Perhaps it's your destiny to change that.
Upon hearing that Arthur's eyes flash to the screen without moving his head or body. He then shrugs, he knows it's true and it's already partially happened, and sits normally. Merlin rolls his eyes.
[Kilgharrah flies off.]
MERLIN
Wait! Wait! Wait, stop! No, I- I need to know more!
"Does he always do that?" Gwaine asks.
"You have no idea."
[GAIUS' CHAMBERS]
[Gaius enters Merlin's messy chamber and picks up his clothes.]
GAIUS
Oi!
[Merlin wakes.]
GAIUS
Have you seen the state of this room?!
MERLIN
It just happens.
GAIUS
By magic?
MERLIN
Yeah.
Arthur chuckles, "how is it you keep my room clean but yours is worse than a pig pen?"
Merlin shrugs mimicking his movement one screen moments before.
GAIUS
Yes. Well, you can clear it up without magic. And then I want you to get me some herbs: henbane, wormwood, and sorrel. And deliver this to Morgana. Poor girl's suffering from nightmares.
[Gaius tosses some more clothes at Merlin.]
MERLIN
Mmm, I know the feeling.
[INT. KING'S PALACE, MORGANA'S CHAMBERS – DAY]
[Merlin walks through the Griffin Landing and up some curved steps to Morgana's Chambers. Merlin enters the open door and stares at Morgana as she walks behind her changing screen.]
MORGANA
You know, I've been thinking about Arthur. I wouldn't touch him with a lance pole. Pass me that dress, will you Gwen?
[Merlin pauses uncertainly before fetching the dress. Morgana begins undressing.]
Arthur pauses for a moment before cracking up laughing, Gwaine joins him.
MORGANA
I mean, the man's a total jouster.
"Hey!" Arthur calls as Merlin and Gwaine snicker.
MORGANA
And just because I'm the King's ward, that doesn't mean I have to accompany him to the feast, does it.
[Merlin places the gown on the screen.]
MORGANA
Well, does it?
MERLIN (high pitched) (shakes head)
Mm-Mmm.
Arthur chuckles at Merlin's predicament, and he can't seem to stop. Especially when Merlin glares at him.
MORGANA
If he wants me to go, then he should invite me, and he hasn't.
Arthur rolls his eyes, still laughing.
[Merlin tries to figure a way out of his situation.]
Hunith chuckles.
MORGANA
So do you know what that means?
MERLIN (high pitched) (shakes head)
Mm-Mmm.
MORGANA
Where are you?
[Morgana looks over the screen and Merlin holds up one of her cloaks to hide his face.]
MERLIN (high pitched)
Here.
"Ha, you even sound like a girls," Arthur taunts, teasing.
[Merlin peeks through the neck of the cloak.]
MORGANA
It means I'm going by myself.
[Merlin puts the cloak down and starts to leave.]
MERLIN
I need some help with this fastening.
[Merlin turns around and stops, at a loss for what to do. Gwen enters behind him.]
The laughter starts up again, this time Merlin joins in. He can't resist with that look on his face.
MORGANA
Gwen?
GWEN
I'm here.
[Merlin spins around.]
GWEN (mouths)
What are you doing here?
[Merlin sighs in relief and motions that Morgana needs help dressing.]
"You, Merlin, got majorly lucky... again."
Merlin nods in relief.
GWEN (mouths)
Oh.
[Gwen nods. Merlin mouths something to Gwen before he leaves and she helps Morgana. Morgana comes out behind the screen in a new dress, carrying another gown.]
MORGANA
So, it's whether I wear this little tease...
[Morgana looks at her dress in the mirror and then holds up a maroon gown.]
MORGANA
or give them a night they'll really remember.
[LADY HELEN'S GUEST CHAMBERS - NIGHT]
[The serving girl, Bronwen, brings a bowl of fruit to Lady Helen's guest chambers and knocks. Mary (Lady Helen) opens the door.]
BRONWEN
Lady Helen. [curtsies] Compliments of the King.
HELEN
Come in.
[Helen sits at her vanity table and picks up an apple.]
HELEN
So sweet. How will I ever repay him?
BRONWEN
When he hears you sing. Well, that will be more than enough won't it? I'm really looking forward to the performance.
HELEN
So am I.
BRONWEN
I love singing, you know. I sing all the time. My betrothed says I have the voice of a fallen angel.
[Bronwen removes the cloth over the mirror and sees Mary Collins's reflection. the girl tries to leave, but Mary grabs her arm and drains the life from her.]
Arthur presses his lips and looks down, "that poor girl."
[BANQUET HALL - DAY]
[Court members gather in the Banquet Hall. Gaius and Merlin enter. Merlin sees Arthur joking with his mates.]
ARTHUR
Merlin... [they laugh]... so I stood up and... [feints a punch into one of his mate's stomach. They laugh.]
"Thanks Arthur..." says Merlin drily.
Arthur looks at him sheepishly.
"Hey!" Gwaine protests, "That is not at all what happened."
Arthur looks apologetic.
[Arthur turns and does a double take as Morgana walks into his line of sight. All the men stare].
Gwaine whistles.
ARTHUR
God have mercy.
[Merlin stares at Morgana as she passes him.]
Kait chuckles.
GAIUS
Merlin. Remember, you're here to work.
MERLIN
Oh, yeah.
Arthur snickers.
[Merlin continues to stare at Morgana as Arthur approaches to talk to her. Gwen sidles up next to Merlin.]
ARTHUR [lip reading]
Morgana, you look well...
GUINEVERE
She looks great, doesn't she?
MERLIN
Yeah.
GUINEVERE
Some people are just born to be queen.
MERLIN
No!
"No!" chorus the boys.
GUINEVERE
I hope so. One day. Not that I'd want to be her. Who'd want to marry Arthur?
"You," Merlin clips while tilting his head. (much like time where he goes, "peeing." and walks toward Arthur. You know that tone and face ;-)...)
MERLIN
Oh, [chuckle] come on, Gwen. I thought you liked those real rough, tough, save the world kind of men.
GUINEVERE
No, I like much more ordinary men like you.
MERLIN
Gwen, believe me, I'm not ordinary.
GUINEVERE
No, I didn't mean you, obviously. Not you. But just, you know, I like much more ordinary men like you.
MERLIN
Thanks.
[They turn away from each other awkwardly.]
"I wouldn't read to much into it," Merlin advised Arthur, "it confused me too."
Gwaine and Hunith chuckle at this.
[LADY HELEN'S GUEST CHAMBERS - NIGHT]
[Mary (Helen) hums at her vanity table before leaving the room, walking past Bronwen's corpse. Celebratory horns signal King Uther's entrance and everyone finds their place at the tables.]
UTHER
We have enjoyed twenty years of peace and prosperity. It has brought the kingdom and myself many pleasures, but few can compare with the honour of introducing Lady Helen of Mora.
"This is it," whispers Merlin.
[Applause. Music begins and the Uther and the court take their seats. Helen sings. The court members begin nodding off to sleep.]
"She's sing a spell," Arthur realizes.
[Merlin notices and presses his hands over his ears. cobwebs begin forming over the enchanted sleepers.]
"That's creepy," Arthur's lip curls. Gwaine nods in agreement, eyes wide.
[Merlin notices her staring at Arthur as she walks forward. She pulls a dagger from her sleeve. Merlin magically drops the chandelier on her as she raises her arm to throw the dagger.]
Arthur looks at Merlin in amazement, he knew Merlin saved his life once that night but Merlin had saved it twice. "you didn't even like me."
"You would have died." came Merlin's only answer.
"That's my boy," Hunith whispers where no one could hear.
[Court members wake and pull the cobwebs off, muttering. Uther and Arthur stand up to see Mary Collins lying on the floor. Mary raises herself up enough to throw the dagger at Arthur. Merlin slows down time to reach Arthur and pull him out of harm's way. The dagger slices into Arthur's chair as they fall to the floor. Mary dies. Uther and Arthur stare at Merlin.]
"Thank goodness your magic is instinctual." Arthur mutters.
Merlin smiles slightly.
UTHER
You saved my boy's life. A debt must be repaid.
MERLIN
Oh, well...
UTHER
Don't be so modest. You shall be rewarded.
MERLIN
No, honestly, you don't have to, Your Highness.
UTHER
No, absolutely. This merits something quite special.
MERLIN
Well...
UTHER
You shall be rewarded a position in the royal household. You shall be Prince Arthur's manservant.
"How is that a reward!" exclaims Gwaine.
"Well it certainly made my job easier, though it did make my life harder." Chuckles Merlin
[Court applauds.]
ARTHUR
Father!
As if rehearsed the four of them crack up laughing at the boys' reactions, while Hunith looks at Merlin affectionately.
[Gwen claps with a pitying smile on her face. Arthur and Merlin look away from each other unhappily.]
[GAIUS' CHAMBERS - DAY]
[Gaius knocks on Merlin's chamber door and enters.]
GAIUS
Seems you're a hero.
MERLIN
Hard to believe, isn't it?
GAIUS
No. I knew it from the moment I met you. When you saved my life, remember?
MERLIN
But...that was magic.
"Duh," Gwaine rolls his eyes.
GAIUS [nods]
And now, it seems, we finally found a use for it.
MERLIN
What do you mean?
GAIUS
I saw how you saved Arthur's life.
MERLIN: Oh, no.
GAIUS
Perhaps that's its purpose.
MERLIN [sighs]
My destiny.
GAIUS
Indeed. This book was given to me when I was your age, but I have a feeling it will be of more use to you than it was to me.
[Gaius hands Merlin a book wrapped in a cloth. Merlin unlatches it and looks inside.]
MERLIN [snorts]
But this is a book of magic.
GAIUS
Which is why you must keep it hidden.
MERLIN
I will study every word.
[Knocking on door of the Physician's Chambers.]
GUARD
Merlin, Prince Arthur wants you right away.
GAIUS
Your destiny's calling. You'd better find out what he wants.
Arthur chuckles.
As you can tell, I reallllllly like the boys' bromance. It's my favorite part :-D Hope you guys liked this episode :-)
