KILGHARRAH

In a land of myth and a time of magic, the destiny of a great kingdom rests on the shoulders of a young boy. His name: Merlin.

Kait sighs, and the others just ignore her now, rolling their eyes.

[NIMUEH'S CAVE]

Merlin looks down at the sight of Nimueh, one of the many things he wishes he didn't have to do.

NIMUEH
Berbay odothay arisan yeldo

[Nimueh places a magic egg, containing an afanc she sculpted, into water.]

"What's that?" Gwaine asks curiously.

Merlin's lip curls in disgust, "dark magic."

[It travels through underground waterways to a manmade cavern. Nimueh watches Camelot from her water basin]

Arthur frowns, when was this?

NIMUEH
Diegol cnytte, gewitte me yst, aliese hine, to Camelot he cymþ

Arthur and Gwaine stiffen at the name of Camelot.

[LOWER TOWN]

MERLIN
Aren't you scared?

GAIUS
Of what?

MERLIN
That you might catch whatever it is.

GAIUS
I'm the court physician, Merlin. This is part of my job. Most of the time there's nothing really to be scared of.

Merlin snorts.

[Turns over corpse to reveal white skinned, white eyed face]

MERLIN
You were saying?

GAIUS
People mustn't see this. They will panic.

Gwaine is pale, "I can see why."

[GUINEVERE'S HOUSE]

Gwen and her father get ready at home

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GUINEVERE
Dad, here's your sandwich.

TOM
Ooh. Mmm, what's in it?

GUINEVERE
It's smoked pigeon. But I'd say there's more smoke than pigeon.

TOM [Laughing]
You're such a good girl to me.

GUINEVERE
And I've done you some watercress soup tonight.

TOM
Don't tell me, with more water in it than cress?

[She laughs and they hug]

Arthur looks down, he wishes he had done more. She was so happy with his there, now there is an underlining sadness.

GUINEVERE
I'll see you later.

TOM
Okay. Bye.

[EXT. OUTSIDE DRAWBRIDGE - DAY]

Merlin and Gaius wheel the body over the castle drawbridge. Gwen approaches carrying the flowers she had at home

GUINEVERE
What are you doing?

MERLIN
Er... just moving something.

GUINEVERE
Looks heavy.

MERLIN
Earm, it's nothing really. Erm... did someone got you flowers?

"Smooth..." jokes Gwaine, nodding sagely.

GUINEVERE
Oh! No. [giggle] Would you like one? A purple one. Purple suits you.

Arthur snorts, trying to hold his fit of laughter.

Not that I'm saying red doesn't suit you.

Gwaine sings, "someones got a cruuuush."

Merlin blushes and Arthur's laugher vanishes immediately.

Merlin stutters, half jokingly, "now Arthur remember this is before you were together, and she is more like a sister now.

MERLIN
Thanks. Well, er...

[Merlin sticks the flower in his scarf. Gwen smiles.]

MERLIN
Er... see you.

GUINEVERE
Bye.

[MORGANA'S CHAMBERS]

Gwen enters with flowers

MORGANA
You look happy.

GUINEVERE
I picked these for you.

MORGANA
Oh, that's so sweet.

Merlin looks down, "she was so kind, it's my fault."

Arthur looks at him, but Merlin just shakes his head.

GUINEVERE
Something to cheer you up. I know you're not sleeping well.

MORGANA
You cheer me up.

GUINEVERE
Would you like me to put them in water for you?

[GAIUS' CHAMBERS]

Merlin and Gaius looking at body with magnifying glass

GAIUS
I've never seen anything like this before.

Hunith pales, if Gaius has never seen anything like it...

MERLIN
Do you think it could be some kind of plague?

GAIUS
No. I fear that something like this could never come from nature. But who has this kind of power?

MERLIN
You think it's caused by magic?

ARTHUR
Merlin!

[Merlin opens door before Arthur can come in and see the body]

MERLIN
Erm... I'm on my way. Sorry I'm late.

ARTHUR
Don't worry. I'm getting used to it.

Hunith and Gwaine laugh at the look on Arthur's face as he says that.

[Arthur furrows his brow when he sees the flower in Merlin's scarf. Merlin looks down at it]

MERLIN
Oh, er... Gwen, she gave it to me.

ARTHUR
Tell Gaius my father wants to see him now.

MERLIN
Okay.

[Merlin closes the door]

MERLIN
Gaius...

GAIUS
I heard.

MERLIN
Wait, why couldn't he just tell you himself?

GAIUS
Because that's the way it is. You're a servant.

Arthur shifts.

MERLIN
Wha... if he knew who I was, what I've done...

GAIUS
You'd be a dead servant. Right, get this covered up.

MERLIN
Hey, I'm not your servant.

GAIUS
No, you're my dogsbody. Come on, hurry up.

This suprises a bark of laughter from the mother of the last Dragonlord

[COUNCIL CHAMBERS]

UTHER
What's happened to him?

GAIUS
I don't know, Sire. It's the second case I've seen today.

UTHER
Why didn't you report it to me?

GAIUS
I was attempting to find the cause.

UTHER
What did you conclude?

GAIUS
I don't think it's time to hurry to conclusions. The scientific process is a long one.

UTHER
What are you concealing from me?

Gwaine laughs, "oh I don't know, a sorcerer-"

Merlin corrects him in the middle of his rant, "warlock."

"-a book over magic, sorcery its self, the fact that the 'plague' if caused by magic-"

Thankfully Arthur interrupts him, "Gwaine shut up."

"Yes Sire," Gwaine says sarcastically.

GAIUS
Sire, I have seen nothing like it. The victims are dying in 24 hours, and it's spreading fast.

UTHER
What is the cause?

GAIUS
I think you should say that the cause, the most likely cause, is sorcery.

"Big mistake," at some looks Merlin explains, "at the mere mention of magic Uther becomes unreasonable."

Arthur lets out a ragged, frustrated breath as he knew Merlin was right, he just didn't like it.

[Uther pulls Arthur aside]

UTHER
We must find who did this.

ARTHUR
I will, Father.

UTHER
Conduct door to door searches. Increase your presence in the town. Double the guards on all the gates. And lend the physician your servant.

ARTHUR
Merlin? But...

"I'm touched," Merlin says dramaticly, "you would be lost without me."

Arthur scolds, and cuffs the back of Merlin's head lightly.

UTHER
I'm going to need Gaius to find a cure. He needs all the help we can give him. If Gaius is right, believe me, this city will be wiped out. This is the kind of magic that undermines our authority, challenges all we've done. If we cannot control this plague, people will turn to magic for a cure. We have to find this sorcerer, and quickly.

ARTHUR
Yes, Father.

[EXT. LOWER TOWN - DAY]

Arthur and guards search the city. Merlin and Gaius walk through town. Merlin sees a sick person

MERLIN
Gaius? Gaius. He's still alive.

GAIUS
I'm afraid there's nothing we can do for him.

MERLIN
But we haven't tried.

GAIUS
If we don't know what a disease is, then how can we cure him?

MERLIN
With magic.

Gwaine scolds, "did you have to say it so loud mate?"

GAIUS
Have a look. They're suspicious of everyone.

Arthur nods, "Gaius is right Merlin."

This is not the time to be using magic. Science will lead us to the source of the disease.

[GAIUS' CHAMBERS]

Gaius heats a vial of liquid

MERLIN
What are you doing?

GAIUS
I'm examining the contents of that man's stomach.

Kait retches, and the boys laugh.

MERLIN
Will that tell you who did it?

"How on Earth will that tell you who did it, Merlin." Arthur exclaims.

Merlin scolds, "It's Gaius, who knows what will tell you what."

Hunith shrugs, its true.

GAIUS
No, but it might tell us how it's spread. One thing I do know, this is magic of the darkest kind.

MERLIN
Why would someone use magic like that?

GAIUS
Magic corrupts. People use it for their own ends.

MERLIN
But not all magic is bad. I know it isn't.

GAIUS
It's neither good nor bad. It's how you use it.

"Like a sword," Arthur realizes, "it can be used to kill, or defend."

Merlin beams, and nods happy that Arthur is learning.

[Arthur and guards burst in]

ARTHUR
[To Guard] Over there. [To Gaius] Sorry Gaius, we're searching every room in town.

GAIUS
What for?

ARTHUR
A sorcerer.

"You found one," sings Kait.

GAIUS
But why would he be here?

ARTHUR
I'm just doing my job.

GAIUS
We've nothing to hide. Go on, then. Search.

ARTHUR
All these books and papers?

GAIUS
My life's work, dedicated to the understanding of science. You are quite welcome to read through them if you wish.

Merlin snorts, 'that's the best way to get Arthur not to read something, tell him its about science. He hates science."

Arthur scowls, wondering how many times Merlin has used this trick.

ARTHUR
What's this room up here?

MERLIN
Er, it's mine.

GAIUS
And what do you expect to find in there?

ARTHUR
I'm looking for material or evidence suggesting the use of enchantments.

GAIUS
What've you done with the magic book I gave you?

[Merlin looks worried. Arthur enters his room]

"Merlin, you idiot." Arthur sighs.

ARTHUR
Merlin, come here. Look what I found.

Hunith sucks in a breath.

[Merlin goes in]

ARTHUR
I found a place where you can put things. It's called a cupboard.

They all laugh after the stress of the situation.

Hunith speaks through her fit of laughter, "he always was messy, even in the village his room was like a pig pen."

[Merlin spots book on the floor and magically covers it with his bed sheet. Arthur looks under the bed, but misses the book. He leaves Merlin's room]

ARTHUR
How long do you think it may be before you find a cure?

GAIUS
It depends on how many interruptions I get.

ARTHUR
Of course, I'm sorry. [To Guards] We're finished here.

[They exit. Gaius closes the door]

GAIUS
We have to hide that book.

MERLIN
No. We must use it.

GAIUS
Don't be stupid.

MERLIN
If I have this legacy then what is it for? You keep telling me it's not for playing tricks.

GAIUS
You want to practice magic when the King is hunting for sorcerers? Are you mad?

"Yes,' Arthur, Gwaine and Kait say dryly.

Merlin, your life is destined for more important things.

MERLIN
But if I don't practice, then how will I get to be this great warlock?!

Merlin mutters, "I got my wish, there were and are many many times I had to practice my magic. Arthur and I are like dark magic magnets, its annoying."

GAIUS
There will come a time when your skills will be recognised.

MERLIN
When?! How long do I have to wait?

Merlin sighs, "many many years."

GAIUS
Patience is a virtue, Merlin.

MERLIN
Sitting by and doing nothing, that's a virtue?

GAIUS
Your time will come.

MERLIN
I could cure that man we saw.

Hunith scolds.

GAIUS
I know it's tempting to use the way you find easiest, Merlin...

MERLIN
It is when it would save a life.

GAIUS
It's no good just saving one person. We have to discover how this illness is spreading.

MERLIN
Arthur is out there right now looking for the sorcerer!

GAIUS
A sorcerer who's powerful enough to do this will never be found searching the town.

MERLIN [sigh]
So what can we do?

GAIUS
Hope that science can find the answer before it kills us all.

[NIMUEH'S CAVE]

[Nimueh watches the Afanc in her stone basin. a woman draws water from the spout in the Lower Town. covered bodies are lined up in the courtyard.]

[COUNCIL CHAMBERS]

Arthur enters the Council Chamber where Uther is waiting

ARTHUR
We searched everywhere, the entire city.

UTHER
Nothing?

ARTHUR
I don't know where else to look.

UTHER
I want you to impose a curfew. No one is to be allowed onto the streets after the great bell.

ARTHUR
Father?

UTHER
And cordon off the lower town.

Gwaine's eyes go wide.

ARTHUR
Why?

UTHER
Because that's where most of the victims are. Let's isolate it, stop this disease from spreading.

ARTHUR
What about the people who live there?

"Ya, what about those people?" Gwaine scowls fiercely.

UTHER
Don't you think I haven't considered it? What else can I do? I have to protect the rest of the city.

[Arthur bows and exits]

[GAIUS'S CHAMBERS]

Gaius and Merlin examine another corpse

GAIUS
What's different about this victim?

MERLIN
Er... she's a woman.

Gwaine laughs, and Arthur covers his eyes and shakes his head.

GAIUS
Sometimes I do wonder whether you're a magical talents were given to the right person. Anything else?

MERLIN
Erm... she's a courtier.

GAIUS
Ah.

MERLIN
How does that help us?

Kait snorts.

GAIUS
Courtiers seldom go down to the lower town. So what does that mean?

MERLIN
Erm... that, that she hasn't spoken to any townspeople.

[Gaius looks pained]

GAIUS
Yes, it suggests that the disease is not spread by contact.

MERLIN
Oh, and they probably ate different food.

GAIUS
Good. Anything else?

MERLIN
Erm... I doubt they breathe the same air.

GAIUS
So what's the only thing they do share?

MERLIN
Water. Water? You think the disease is spread through water?

Arthur chuckles and Merlin glares at him, he finally figured it out.

GAIUS
Merlin, you're a prodigy.

[Gaius hands Merlin a bucket. Merlin walks to Lower Town well]

[GUINEVERE'S HOUSE]

Gwen ties her cloak

GUINEVERE
It's time to get up, Dad. Dad?

[She turns him over]

TOM
Gwen.

[Tom is magically sick. Guinevere panics and runs to the castle crying, passing Merlin at the well]

The five of them pale.

MERLIN
Gwen? Gwen!

[Merlin grabs bucket of water and runs after her]

[GAIUS' CHAMBERS]

Gwen enters

GAIUS
Gwen!

GUINEVERE
Gaius.

GAIUS
You have the sickness?

[Guinevere shakes her head]

GUINEVERE
My father! Please, Gaius, he's all I have.

Arthur looks pained.

GAIUS
Gwen, I have no cure.

GUINEVERE
I am begging you!

Merlin himself must look away, and as he does he sees Arthur swallow.

GAIUS
I wish there was something, anything, but so far the remedy is beyond what I can achieve.

"But not me," Merlin whispers.

[Gaius takes her hand]

GAIUS
I'm sorry, Gwen.

[She runs out of the room]

MERLIN
There must be something we can do.

GAIUS
My best. Let's hope that this can provide some answers.

MERLIN
But that'll be too late for Gwen's father.

GAIUS
I fear you may be right.

[Gaius puts some of the water in a jar, and places a flower in it. Merlin goes to his room]

[Merlin checks on snoring Gaius, pulls out his magic book and leaves]

[EXT. OUTSIDE LOWER TOWN - NIGHT]

[Merlin sneaks past the guards]

"Merlin!..." Hunith scolds, Arthur agreeing with her.

GUARD ONE
What about over...in there?

GUARD TWO
Certainly, sir.

[The guards poke into haystacks checking for the scorer. A guard approaches Merlin's hiding spot]

MERLIN [whispers]
Onstyrian, onbregdan.

[A door across the street creaks open. A guard nears to the door and it hits him in the face.]

"O-hooooo!" Gwaine yells, "I nned to take you with me to the tavern! Fights will be so much more entertaining."

Merlin rolls his eyes, "I'm not going to fight for you Gwaine."

Gwaine looks disappointed.

[Merlin goes to Guinevere's house. Guinevere and Tom are sleeping. Merlin puts a poultice under Tom's pillow]

MERLIN
þu fornimst adl fram guman.

Everyone but Merlin groans.

Arthur rubs his eyes, how many times does his idiot put himself in danger?

[The sickness leaves Tom's body. Merlin exits and watches them outside the door.]

"You didn't take the magic pouch thingy!" yells Gwaine, he face palms, "you idiot!"

Merlin smirks and rolls his eyes.

[Tom wakes and touches Guinevere's head, which is resting on his bedside]

GUINEVERE
Father?

TOM
Gwen.

GUINEVERE
What's happened? I can't believe it!

[Hugs her father]

[NIMUEH'S CAVE]

[Nimueh continues watching in her stone basin as ore covered bodies are laid out in the Square. ]

[COUNCIL CHAMBER]

Arthur reaches for glass vial with the tainted water and flower in it

GAIUS
Don't touch it. I had this in the water for no more than a few hours.

Merlin chuckles, "yes you don't touch Gaius's experiments, ever. Let me tell you from experience."

Arthur laughs, "what did you do,"

Merlin scowls, "nothing..."

Hunith rolls her eyes.

UTHER
Where's the water from?

GAIUS
The pump from where the people take their daily supply.

ARTHUR
We have to stop the people from using it.

GAIUS
The city cannot survive without water.

UTHER
We have to find this sorcerer!

ARTHUR
I don't believe that they're inside Camelot.

UTHER
Then extend the search to the villages!

ARTHUR
We've started, but I can't search the entire kingdom.

Merlin sighs, "knowing Nimueh she may not even be in the kingdom."

Arthur frowns, "What happened to Nimueh anyway, you would think she would be helping Morgana."

Merlin shifts uncomfortably, "she's... gone."

"Gone...?"

"Dead."

"How?" Arthur's eyebrows scrunch together.

Merlin half smirks but fidgets again, "she pissed me off."

Everyone but Hunith and Kait stare at Merlin in utter shock.

Kait starts cracking up and Hunith shakes her head.

Gwaine sputters, "b-but I've pissed you off before."

Merlin shakes his head, "you may have annoyed me but it takes a lot to make me mad."

"And what did she do to achieve such an accomplishment?" Arthur leans forward, curious.

Merlin starts ticking them off his fingers, "Almost killed me, almost killed you, almost killed you again, almost killed me again though that time I was willing, almost killed Mother, she did kill Gaius, then when she found out I had magic she wanted me to join her, almost all the sorcerers think I want to join them just cause I have power its getting annoying, oh then when I refused, big shocker, she tried to kill me again aaaannnd really pissed me off."

Arthur and Gwaine's eyes are wide, Arthur clears his throat, "I see. It does take a lot to make you mad, remind me not to get on your bad side. Ahem, well... Wait... what do you mean you were willing that time."

Kait mutters under her breath, "that took you a bit."

Arthur sends a glare her way.

"You will see soon," is all Merlin says.

UTHER
And I can't stand by and watch our people dying.

[Arthur nods and exits]

[MORGANA'S CHAMBERS]

Merlin enters. Gwen hums as she gathers Morgana's clothes

MERLIN
How's your father? Is he feeling better?

GUINEVERE
Yeah, it's incredible. It's a miracle.

MERLIN
His skin's clear, back to normal?

GUINEVERE
Yes.

MERLIN
Great!

GUINEVERE
You don't seem surprised.

Gwaine snorts, "he's not."

MERLIN
No, no, I am. It's a miracle.

GUINEVERE
But how did you know he was well?

Gwaine streaches, "oh, a little birdy told him."

Merlin rolls his eyes.

MERLIN
Er... because you're smiling.

GUINEVERE
That's really weird because I haven't told anyone, but you know. How could you know?

MERLIN
Yeah. Alright. You finally found out, I'll tell you.

Arthur's eyes bug out, "you told her!"

Merlin just smirks and nods to the screen.

[swallows] I'm psychic.

"Oh..."

GUINEVERE [Giggles]
No, you're not.

MERLIN
It's true.

GUINEVERE
Alright, what am I thinking?

MERLIN
That I'm not psychic.

Kait snorts.

GUINEVERE [Giggles]
You're strange. I... I don't mean that in a nasty way. You're just funny. I like that.

Gwaine sighs dramatically and gets an elbow to the ribs.

MERLIN
Erm, er, I'm pleased for you.

GUINEVERE
Thank you.

MERLIN
What for?

GUINEVERE
Don't know, just for asking.

Several snorts.

MERLIN
I didn't like to see you upset. I have to...get on.

Arthur raises his eyebrows and nods real big and slow, as if to say suuuure.

Merlin rolls his eyes.

[He waves awkwardly. She waves back. Merlin leaves. Guinevere smiles]

[EXT. LOWER TOWN BLACKSMITHS - DAY]

Tom works at his forge. Townspeople watch him. Arthur approaches with guards

ARTHUR
The story is you were sick.

TOM
Not any more.

ARTHUR
Perhaps you were suffering from some other ailment?

TOM
Oh, you're joking. I felt like death itself, not enough strength in me to stir the air.

Gwaine scolds, "why couldn't he just say somethin' else?"

Merlin shrugs, "he didn't know of a reason not to."

ARTHUR
Then... what happened?

TOM
Oh, I don't know. Suddenly it was gone. I'm fitter than I was before.

Hunith frowns, "why do you think that is?"

The warlocks eyes furrow, "I think its because of my power."

Nods...

ARTHUR
That's remarkable. Was anybody with you when all this happened?

TOM
Just my daughter, Gwen.

Arthur groans and sits back heavily.

[Arthur leaves and Tom goes back to work. Arthur and guards search Guinevere and Tom's house. Guard finds glowing poultice]

Merlin swallows with guilt.

[MORGANA'S CHAMBER]

Gwen humming as she carries away a vase full of flowers. Arthur and guards enter

ARTHUR
Seize her.

GUINEVERE
No.

ARTHUR
Guinevere, I'm arresting you for crimes and contraventions of the laws of Camelot, that you did practice enchantments.

[Morgana enters]

MORGANA
Gwen?

GUINEVERE
But what have I done? I haven't done anything! Help me, please!

MORGANA
What are you doing?

ARTHUR
I found a magic poultice in her house.

"I'm sorry," whispers Merlin as he swallows.

MORGANA
Oh, that's ridiculous.

ARTHUR
Then how else do you explain her father's recovery?

MORGANA
Well, she's innocent! I know she's innocent.

ARTHUR
What can I do? I can't turn a blind eye!

[Arthur exits and Morgana scoffs]

[UPPER CORRIDOR]

[Arthur and guards drag Gwen down the Upper Corridor]

GUINEVERE
No, please. You've got to listen to me! Please, I haven't done anything wrong! You have to listen to me, please! I am innocent, I swear! Let me go! I swear to you!

Tears fill Arthur's eyes and his breath labors.

[Guinevere turns her head and sees Merlin approaching her]

GUINEVERE
Merlin! Merlin, please help me! [to guards] Why won't you listen to me?!

[Gaius takes Merlin's arm and escorts him out]

GUINEVERE
Please listen to me!

[GAIUS' CHAMBERS]

Merlin and Gaius enter and Gaius slams the door

GAIUS
What have you done?!

"Hey," protests Gwaine.

MERLIN
What?

GAIUS
I warned you! Oh, I understand. You thought you were doing good.

MERLIN
I couldn't let her father die knowing I could cure him.

GAIUS
Didn't you think it might look a bit suspicious, the curing of one man?

MERLIN
Well then, all I have to do is... I'll cure everyone! No one will ever have to know it was magic.

"Ohh no Merlin," whispers Hunith sadly, "it would either kill you or leave you unable to do anything."

Merlin smiles, "I know mother, although I could do it now with almost no draw back, then it would almost certainly kill me."

Hunith's eyes widen, her boy had gotten so much more powerful.

GAIUS
It's too late! They think Gwen's a sorceress! They think she caused the disease!

MERLIN
But she didn't!

[Merlin rushes to leave]

GAIUS
Oh, and how are you going to prove that?!

[Merlin stops to think, then leaves]

"Wwwwhhat are you about to do Merlin?" draws Arthur suspiciously.

[COUNCIL CHAMBER]

Arthur enters and guards drag Gwen in behind him

GUINEVERE
Please listen to me I have done nothing, please! I swear I haven't done anything!

[Guards drop her on the floor]

UTHER
[to Arthur] Well done.

GUINEVERE
Why will no one believe me?! He got better, he just recovered. I didn't do anything!

"No," Merlin casts his eyes downward. "I did."

Gwaine smacks the back of his head, "and because of that her father lived. Besides she got out." Gwaine looks at Arthur, "right?"

Arthur nods.

[Morgana enters]

MORGANA
I believe you. Perhaps this is a disease that is not always fatal. Have you thought of that? Perhaps he recovered naturally.

UTHER
And what of this poultice that was found?

GUINEVERE
What poultice? I don't know anything about a poultice!

Merlin groans.

UTHER
It was found in your house. Undo this enchantment. Put an end to this contagion.

GUINEVERE
I can't!

UTHER
I will show you no mercy.

GUINEVERE
I am not a witch. I don't know how to stop the illness!

UTHER
If you will not undo your sorcery, you force my hand and I must find you guilty...

Kait grits her teeth.

GUINEVERE
But I told you, I...

UTHER
It is therefore my duty to pronounce judgment. And under the circumstance I have no choice but to sentence you to death.

GUINEVERE
No.

UTHER
I can only hope that when you die, this evil plague dies with you.

Merlin sighs, "unfortunately even if Nimeuh dies the disease would still continue."

"Really?" frowns Arthur.

Merlin nods.

"Huh."

GUINEVERE
No! No!

UTHER
Take her away.

[Guards drag Guinevere backwards out of the room]

GUINEVERE
Please, no! I'm innocent! Please, please, no! Please help me! Please, I beg you! No!

[Courtiers leave. Morgana watches Guinevere get dragged off, then turns to Uther]

MORGANA
I know Gwen, she's my maidservant, not an enchantress.

UTHER
Have you ever seen an enchantress? Believe me, they bear no sign, no mark. There is no sense of evil in the eye.

MORGANA
I've seen the way the girl works. Her fingers are worn, her nails are broken. If she was a sorceress, why would she do this? Why would she kneel on a cold stone floor morning after morning when she could make these things happen with a snap of her fingers? Like an idle king!

Merlin agrees readily.

UTHER
You have no right!

MORGANA
You have no right to cast a judgement on that girl!

UTHER
I have a responsibility to take care of this kingdom! I take no pleasure in this!

Kait and Merlin snorts, Arthur wants to be angry at them but finds he can't.

MORGANA
But you're sentencing the wrong person!

ARTHUR
She's right, Father. You hear the word magic, you no longer listen.

Merlin smiles at his best friend.

UTHER
You saw it for yourself. She used enchantments.

ARTHUR
Yes, maybe. But to save her dying father, that doesn't make her guilty of creating a plague. One's the act of, of kindness, of love, the other of evil. I don't believe evil's in this girl's heart.

UTHER
I have witnessed what witchcraft can do. I have suffered at its hand. I cannot take that chance. If there is the slightest doubt about this girl, she must die or the whole kingdom may perish.

Merlin rolls his eyes, he makes the same speech over and over.

ARTHUR
I understand that.

UTHER
One day you may become King. Then you will understand. Such decisions must be made. There are dark forces that threaten this kingdom.

ARTHUR
I know. Witchcraft is an evil, father. So is injustice. Yes, I am yet to be King, and I don't know what kind of king I will be, but I do have a sense of the kind of Camelot I would wish to live in. It would be where the punishment fits the crime.

Merlin beams, even then Arthur would have been a great king. Arthur smiles at Merlin's beaming.

UTHER
I fear you're right. She's played with fire, and sadly she must die by fire.

"I don't think that's how that works," Gwaine says as he flips his precious hair over his shoulder.

[Morgana leaves. Arthur paces the Council Chamber]

[GAIUS' CHAMBERS]

Arthur enters and guards drag Gwen in behind him

MERLIN
I thought I was doing good and that curing Gwen's father would help her. I thought I was saving a life. It seemed so simple.

GAIUS
An easy solution is like a light in a storm, Merlin. Rush for it at your peril, for it may not always lead you to a safe harbour.

MERLIN
I can see that now.

GAIUS
How many times have I warned you about the responsibilities of being a warlock?

Merlin chuckles.

MERLIN
I must see her.

[DUNGEONS]

Merlin leaves, goes down stairs to the dungeon, passes a crying Morgana on Wrought Iron Stairway

MERLIN
Gwen.

[Guinevere tries to get to the cell door, but her chains don't stretch that far. She's been crying]

GUINEVERE
Thank you.

MERLIN
What for?

GUINEVERE
For coming to see me.

MERLIN
I'm sorry.

GUINEVERE
It's not your fault.

MERLIN
Well...

GUINEVERE
It's alright. Don't worry about me. There's no point crying about it. I mean...I mean, I'm not saying that you were going to cry about me. Obviously I don't think that.

Gwaine coughs, Arthur and Merlin glare at him.

MERLIN
Oh, Gwen. I can't have this happen.

GUINEVERE
Please, one thing. You, you don't have to, but...

MERLIN
What?

GUINEVERE
Remember me.

Kait scolds affectionately, "of course he will, what's he going to do, forget you?" she snorts, "that's likely."

MERLIN
You're not going to die. I'm not going to let this happen.

[Merlin leaves, rushing up the Wrought Iron Stairway]

[COUNCIL CHAMBERS]

Uther consulting his advisors

UTHER
What if burning this witch doesn't stop the poison? How do I protect my people? My men have closed down the water pumps.

GAIUS
But the emergency supply won't last for much longer. We have to find a way of cleansing the water of the disease.

UTHER
But how?

GAIUS
Well...

[The doors open and Merlin bursts in]

MERLIN
It was me! It was me who used magic to cure Gwen's father!

This causes an uproar in the room.

"MERLIN YOU IDIOT!" Arthur yells.

Gwaine smacks the back of Merlin's head and says, "what were you thinking Mate?!"

Hunith just plain yells, "Merlin!"

Merlin scowls, "well I wasn't about to let her die for me. There will be plenty of other times for you to yell at me so will you just watch?!"

Gwaine's eyes were wide and wild. His lips, which usually smiled, were in a grim line, but he nods one sharp movement.

Hunith seeths but can see the underlining pain in Merlin so she quiets for him.

Arthur on the other hand, his eyes are blazing and his nostrils flare. It takes all he has not to hit Merlin upside the head. Arthur clenches his jaw and crosses his arms, "fine, but just be glad I was there to get you out of that mess."

Merlin rolls his eyes, "ya, and forever after Uther thought I had a mental disease."

"You do..." chorus Arthur and Gwaine dryly.

[The Council members stare at him]

MERLIN
Gwen is not the sorcerer. I am!

[Gaius stands up]

GAIUS
Merlin! Are you mad?

MERLIN
I cannot let her die for me. [to Uther] I place myself at your mercy.

GAIUS
He doesn't know what he's talking about.

MERLIN
I do.

UTHER
Then arrest him.

Arthur growls. Yes actually growls.

ARTHUR
Father, please! I can't allow this! This is madness! There's no way Merlin is a sorcerer.

UTHER
Did you not hear him?

ARTHUR
Yes.

UTHER
He admitted it.

ARTHUR
He saved my life, remember.

"Merlin throws his hands in the air, "and WHY can't I save your like and be a warlock?"

Gwaine snorts, "because they are simple minded and can only grasp one."

Merlin cracks up laughing and Arthur glowers, "he is your king, and I am still your Crown Prince."

Gwaine smirks at Arthur and rolls his eyes.

Artyhur sighs, 'I can have you put in the stocks for that."

Merlin smirks, "by the time we get out of here you will have forgotten about it."

Arthur's brows furrow, "what are you talking about? How many times have you saved me?"

"More times then I can count."

Arthur shakes his head.

Kait says with a smirk, "even I can't tell you, while we will be watching 65 different times in each of these Merlin saves you're butt more than once."

Arthur lets out a breath and shakes his head, "and here I thought you were useless."

UTHER
Why should he fabricate such a story?

ARTHUR
As Gaius said, he's got a... grave mental disease.

Merlin sighs, "thanks Arthur..."

UTHER
Really?

ARTHUR
He's in love.

MERLIN
What?

ARTHUR
With Gwen.

Gwaine busts up laughing, he falls off his chair and rolls on the floor.

Gwaine almost calms himself but when he saw Merlin and Arthur glaring at him he started all over again.

[Uther grins]

MERLIN
I am not.

ARTHUR
Yes, you are.

MERLIN
No way.

ARTHUR
I saw yesterday with that flower she'd given you.

Merlin and Arthur scold.

MERLIN
I'm not in love with her.

[Arthur puts his arm around Merlin]

ARTHUR
It's alright. You can admit it.

MERLIN
I don't even think of her like that!

"Thank goodness." I think you can guess a certain blond who said that.

UTHER
Perhaps she cast a spell on you.

[Arthur looks at his father worriedly. Uther snickers. Other council members snicker, and Arthur smiles in relief]

ARTHUR
Merlin is a wonder, but the wonder is that he's such an idiot. There's no way he's a sorcerer.

Kait snorts, "ohh the irony."

Arthur smiles in amusement.

UTHER
Don't waste my time again. Let him go.

[GAIUS' CHAMBERS]

Uther consulting his advisors

MERLIN
Arthur's the idiot.

GAIUS
No. He was right to do what he did. And, thankfully, he saved you from your own stupidity.

MERLIN
What else could I do? It's my fault Gwen's going to die.

GAIUS
Yes, but you don't prove her innocence by offering to jump into the flames. You do it by finding out what's causing the disease!

MERLIN
Well, whatever it is, one thing's for sure: Arthur isn't going to find it. He thinks he is so sharp! But even when I told him I was a wizard, he still couldn't see it.

Arthur sighs, unfortunately this is true.

GAIUS
Sometimes they're pretty hard to spot.

MERLIN
Well, maybe I should go around wearing a pointy hat.

GAIUS
I don't think you'll find one big enough.

Arthur straitens, "hey!"

Merlin snickers.

Anyway, forget that. If we're going to save Gwen, we have to find out what's contaminating the water.

[WATER CAVERN]

[Gaius and Merlin go to the underground entrance to the water supply]

[NIMUEH'S CAVE]

[Nimueh watches Merlin and Gaius in her stone basin]

[WATER CAVERN]

GAIUS
The water from here supplies the whole town. Take a sample.

[Merlin puts bottle in the water]

Merlin shutters and the others look at him strangely.

GAIUS
Let's take it back and examine it.

[An Afanc rears up out of the water]

The others pale, now they understand.

MERLIN
What the hell was that?

[Gaius takes Merlin's arm and they leave]

[30:25, GAIUS' CHAMBERS]

Gaius and Merlin look at a book

GAIUS
Here. It was an Afanc.

MERLIN
An...a what?

GAIUS
A beast born of clay, and conjured up only by the most powerful sorcerer. Now we have to find a way to defeat it. But where? [looks at shelves of books]

MERLIN
That could take days. Gwen'll be dead by then.

GAIUS
Have you got a better idea?

[Merlin sees pyre being built in the Square on his way to the dungeons. He sees Guinevere lying on the cell floor]

MERLIN
Gwen? I'm going to get you out. I will.

Hunith smiles, he is so much like his father.

[Merlin leaves]

[31:36, KILGHARRAH'S CAVE]

MERLIN
Hello?

KILGHARRAH
Hello. [Flies down] The great warlock returns, as I knew he would.

MERLIN
I need to know how to defeat an Afanc.

KILGHARRAH
Yes, I suppose you do.

Gwaine rolls his eyes.

MERLIN
Will you help me?

KILGHARRAH
Trust the elements that are at your command.

MERLIN
Elements? But what is it I have to do?

KILGHARRAH
You cannot do this alone. You are but one side of a coin. Arthur is the other.

MERLIN
I, I don't understand. Just tell me what it is I have to do.

[Kilgharrah flies off]

MERLIN
No! Please, help me!

KILGHARRAH
I have. [Laughs]

Merlin scolds and folds his arms, "I still can't get an answer from him."

MERLIN
Oh, yeah, right. Thanks.

[32:32, COUNCIL CHAMBERS]

Arthur enters

UTHER
Have you found anything more?

ARTHUR
I've tried. I can keep looking.

UTHER
People are dying, we can't delay any longer. We must kill the witch. Bring her execution forward to tonight.

Merlin's eyes widen.

Arthur nods grimly.

[Arthur bows his head and exits]

[33:03, GAIUS' CHAMBERS]

Merlin frantically searches through books. Gaius enters

GAIUS
Merlin, what are you doing?

MERLIN
Looking for a book.

GAIUS
You going to tell me which one?

MERLIN
A book on elements.

GAIUS
Elements?

MERLIN
Yes. Which one would I find them in?

GAIUS
Well, most of them. The study of base elements is at the very heart of the scientific process.

MERLIN
But how would they help me kill the Afanc?

GAIUS
Well, the Afanc is a creature made from earth and water. That's two of the four base elements.

MERLIN
What about the other two?

GAIUS
Well, perhaps they will destroy it. You want fire. Wind and fire. How did you find this out?

MERLIN
Erm... I just knew, you know? One of my powers.

Arthur threw his hands into the air, "Merlin! Did you think Gaius was an idiot?"

GAIUS
What else do your powers tell you?

MERLIN
That I am only one side of a coin. The brighter side, obviously.

Arthur whacks the back of Merlin's head, "I'll show you brighter side."

GAIUS
And who's the other side?

MERLIN
I think that might be Arthur.

Arthur sighs in exasperation and Gwaine rolls his eyes, grinning.

MORGANA
They're bringing forward the execution. We have to prove Gwen's innocence.

GAIUS
We're trying.

MORGANA
Please, just tell me what I can do to help.

MERLIN
We need Arthur.

MORGANA
Arthur?

MERLIN
There's a monster, an Afanc, in the water supply. That's what's causing the plague.

MORGANA
Well, we must tell Uther.

GAIUS
The Afanc's a creature forged by magic. Telling Uther wouldn't save Gwen. He'd just blame her for conjuring it.

MORGANA
So what are we to do?

MERLIN
We need to destroy it. Then the plague will stop and Uther may see sense.

MORGANA
And that's why you need Arthur.

MERLIN
He's our best chance. But he won't want to disobey the King.

MORGANA
Leave that to me.

Arthur chuckles and shakes his head, "you're the reason she came to me all those times?"

Merlin grins, flashing Arthur his dimples.

[Morgana exits. Gaius gives Merlin the keys to the water supply tunnels]

[34:34, ARTHUR'S CHAMBERS]

Arthur enters. Morgana is waiting for him

ARTHUR
You alright? Sorry about all this. [He indicates the mess on the table] Merlin's not been in today.

Gwaine chuckles, "and the princess can't take care of himself.'

Merlin snorts, "especially back then."

Arthur shoves Merlin slightly.

MORGANA
Poor Merlin.

Kait and Gwaine snicker.

ARTHUR
Yeah.

MORGANA
To offer to give up his life to save Gwen's. I certainly can't imagine any man loving me so much.

ARTHUR
No, I certainly can't imagine that either.

[Morgana smirks]

MORGANA
That's because you're not like Merlin. He's a lover.

Merlin blushes as Gwaine bust up laughing.

ARTHUR
Yeah, maybe that's because I haven't found the right person to love.

MORGANA
Sadly the age of gallantry seems to be dead. You look around and all you see are small men, not big enough to fill their armour. There's not one of them that's able to stand up for what is right.

Kait snickers, "it's still like that in my world."

[Arthur smirks at Morgana's obvious manipulative insult]

ARTHUR
What do you want me to do?

Hunith chuckles and shakes her head, just like siblings.

[35:15, WATER CAVERN]

Morgana and Arthur walk into the Square where Merlin meets them. Arthur draws his sword. They open tunnel door and Arthur lights a torch before they descend

ARTHUR
You'd better be right about this, Merlin.

[They hear low growl. Morgana gasps]

ARTHUR
You should stay here.

MORGANA
I'm coming with you.

ARTHUR
No.

MORGANA
Scared I'll show you up?

Merlin nods, snickering.

ARTHUR
Father will slam us both in chains if he knew I'd endangered you.

MORGANA
Well good thing he doesn't know about it then.

ARTHUR
I'm telling you, Morgana, turn back. You could get hurt.

MORGANA
You could too... if you don't get out of my way.

[Merlin's amused. Arthur rolls his eyes]

The two boys/men mimic their younger selfs.

MORGANA
How are we going to find it?

MERLIN
I just hope we do before it finds us.

[Arthur spins around]

ARTHUR
Stop.

MERLIN
What?

ARTHUR
It's just a shadow.

[They keep moving. The Afanc creeps out of shadows behind them. They reach the water source]

"Nooo it wasn't," Gwaine says slowly.

"well we can see then now, Gwaine." Arthur says frustrated but amused.

ARTHUR
Spread out.

[They split up. Arthur hears a growl and Afanc swipes at him from behind, then disappears. Morgana rushes to him]

MORGANA
What is it? Are you alright?

ARTHUR
Yeah.

MERLIN
Did you see it?

ARTHUR
Yes.

MERLIN
What did it look like?

ARTHUR
It... it's quick.

[The Afanc come up in front of Morgana, who screams. Arthur goes for it, but it disappears again]

ARTHUR
Where is it?

MERLIN
I think it's gone this way!

[They walk. The Afanc creeps slowly out around corner into full view. Arthur swings at it and loses his sword. It also swipes away Morgana's torch. Arthur circles it with a torch]

MERLIN
Arthur, use the torch!

[Arthur swings the torch]

MERLIN
Lyfte ic þe in balwen ac forhienan.

[Merlin's spell blows flames into the Afanc, incinerating it]

Arthurs eyebrows raise and he looks at Merlin, "have ever done anything by myself." Merlin nods, "magically and no, don't you dare say getting myself dressed is not magical. Did I kill a magic creature, ever, by myself... unaided..?"

Merlin's mouth opens and closes like a fish, as he tries to think of one then he grins sheepishly and shakes his head.

Arthur sighs and lets his head fall back onto the chair with a thump.

[39:30, NIMUEH'S CAVE]

[Nimueh watches in her stone basin]

NIMUEH
Merlin. Mah!

Hunith swallows and Gwaine pales, "that doesn't sound good." he said.

Both Merlin and Arthur shake their heads and say, "it wasn't."

Merlin shutters and Arthur swallows, remembering.

[She splashes the water in anger]

[39:36, COUNCIL CHAMBER]

Uther laughs over some parchment with his advisors

UTHER
It's very good.

GAIUS
Good news, Sire. There are no new deaths, and those that are sick are recovering.

UTHER
Good. Strange, I've never heard of an Afanc before.

GAIUS
It's conjured from clay by powerful magic. The type that can only be invoked by an ancient sorcerer. One that has the power to mirror the spirit of life. I found this at the water source.

[Shows him a cracked egg shell]

GAIUS
It bears the mark of Nimueh. We must be vigilant, Sire.

UTHER
Will I never be rid of her?

Merlin sighs, "Uther was very familiar with Nimueh, unfortunately."

GAIUS
Sire.

UTHER
Leave me!

[Everyone exits. Uther sits on the throne, a sombre expression on his face]

[40:38, DUNGEONS]

guards open Gwen's cell. Gwen's father, Merlin, and Morgana enter

GUINEVERE
Dad!

[They hug]

TOM
Oh, my little child!

They all smile at the exchange.

[Guinevere reaches to grasp Morgana's hand]

GUINEVERE
Thank you!

MORGANA
Don't thank me. It was more Merlin.

GUINEVERE
Really?

MORGANA
He's the real hero here.

GUINEVERE
I don't know what to say.

MERLIN
[shrugs] I didn't do anything.

Snorts.

TOM
I'm- I'm grateful to you all. Come on, Gwen.

[Tom and Guinevere leave]

MORGANA
Merlin. I wanted you to know, your secret's safe with me.

MERLIN
My secret?

MORGANA
Merlin, don't pretend. I know what you did.

MERLIN
You do?

MORGANA
I saw it with my own eyes.

three (I think you can guess who, yep Gwaine, Arthur, and Hunith) indrawn breaths fill the air.

Arthur exclaims, "she knew?"

Merlin shook his head and nodded to the screen.

MERLIN
You did?

MORGANA
I understand why you don't want anyone to know.

MERLIN
Well, obviously.

MORGANA
But I won't tell anyone. You don't mind me talking to you about it?

MERLIN
Er...no. I, I, it's, er...you have no idea how hard it is to keep this hidden.

Kait snickers.

MORGANA
Well, you can continue to deny it, but I think Gwen's a very lucky woman.

Arthur and Gwaine bust up laughing.

MERLIN
Gwen?

[Morgana puts her finger to her lips]

MORGANA
It's our secret.

[Morgana smiles as she leaves]

MERLIN
[sigh]

[41:46, GAIUS' CHAMBERS]

Merlin and Gaius eat dinner

MERLIN
This fish didn't come from the water, did it?

"No! It came from the sky," laughs Gwaine.

GAIUS
Well, where else is it going to come from? The water's fine now. That's not your worry. This is the work of a very powerful sorcerer. I only hope you didn't come to her attention.

"Oh, he did." says Kait as if Gaius was talking directly to her.

MERLIN
Doubt it. Well no one else seems to appreciate my skills. I just want someone to see me for who I am.

GAIUS
One day, Merlin. One day.

MERLIN
One day what?

GAIUS
One day people won't believe what an idiot you were.

"That's the truth," mutters Arthur.

MERLIN
Thanks.

[NIMUEH'S CAVE]

[As they toast, Nimueh watches them from her stone basin]

Merlin's lip curls, "you know that's kinda creepy, knowing that it was watched."

NIMUEH
Merlin, you will pay for this!

Arthur pales as to how close it was when Merlin paid.