SCRIPT, Page Six Corresponding Gallery
INT. STABLES (Camelot) - NIGHT (gallery)
Track along the stalls in which Arthur's steeds have been stabled for the night, to find Lancelot busy examining a particular mare.
LANCELOT
No - there is something in her hoof.
(to groom)
There. Give me the knife.
With a quick, deft movement he finds and removes something from the horse's hoof and pats the horse on the nose.
LANCELOT
There, there, my old friend: everything's alright now. You'll gallop across the field of battle like a colt.
(to groom)
See to the roan: she needs ointment for her fetlocks.
The groom goes, and Lancelot continues to gentle the horse.
LANCELOT
They didn't look properly, did they? They don't know you as I do, old friend.
MORGAINE
Does anyone know you, Lancelot?
Lancelot turns, startled to see Morgaine has slipped into the stable. She has changed her gown, and looks more beautiful than we have ever seen her. Lancelot sees it too.
LANCELOT
Morgaine! I would not have known you!
MORGAINE
You look at me almost as if you thought I was beautiful.
LANCELOT
You are beautiful.
MORGAINE
You think so?
LANCELOT
(coming closer)
And so small.
(takes her hand)
Like a little bird. I longed to hold you, you know: that day on the tor.
MERLIN
Why didn't you?
LANCELOT
What, lay my hand on one of my mother's new-sworn priestesses?
(smiling)
You must think me a brave man indeed.
MORGAINE
But now your mother is far away - and I have already defied Avalon.
She gazes into his eyes and slowly he bends forward and they kiss.
A sigh of satisfaction runs through her, as if she is drinking a long-sought vintage.
MORGAINE
That is what you have been missing.
LANCELOT
I've been a fool.
MORGAINE
Then be a fool no longer, Lance: be a man.
LANCELOT
Here?
She looks out into the aisle between the stalls, and sees the coast is clear.
MORGAINE
Here.
And taking his hand, she leads him to an empty, straw- filled stall and shuts the door.
Lancelot looks at her for a moment - and then pulls up her gown and thrusts her down into the straw.
EXT. CAMELOT - NIGHT
The moon rises over Camelot. Push in on the window of one of the towers. Arthur is looking out into the night.
GWENHWYFAR (V.O.)
Come to bed, Art.
INT. royal CHAMBER (Camelot) - NIGHT
Gwenhwyfar is lying in bed. After a moment, Arthur turns to her and smiles. But she can't see the smile is a forced one: there is a weariness about the king as he comes toward her.
INT. STABLES (Camelot) - NIGHT
Lancelot and Morgaine roll apart and lie on their backs in the straw. Lancelot's face is bleak.
MORGAINE
It happens, Lance. Think nothing of it.
LANCELOT
No ...
Morgaine leans over him.
MORGAINE
You feel you have let yourself down, great warrior? You haven't: you are just a man like other men. Sometimes ...
LANCELOT
It wasn't that.
MORGAINE
What was it, then? Don't tell me you imagine this is a sin against God?
LANCELOT
Against God? No. Against ...
MORGAINE
(realizing)
Against her?
She pulls Lancelot into a sitting position, furious now.
MORGAINE
You couldn't make love to me because all you could think of was Gwenhwyfar? Was that it?
(slaps him across the) face)
You fool! She is your friend's wife; she is your queen. You cannot have her, Lancelot.
LANCELOT
She doesn't love him; she loves me. She will never bear a child to Arthur.
MORGAINE
Won't she, Lance? We'll see about that. And whether she loves him or not is beside the point: She is his queen. He is a good man. She will not leave him for you and I will not let you take her away from him.
(grasping him)
Do you understand me? Answer, me Lancelot.
He turns his haggard eyes toward her.
LANCELOT
Every day without her is a living death for me, Morgaine.
And she slaps him again.
EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - DAY
Tight on a trowel digging through turf. A hand reaches into the earth and draws out a fungus. Morgaine drops the fungus into a leather bag.
Tight on a small sickle slicing a chunk of mistletoe from a tree; the parasitic plant falls straight into Morgaine's hand.
Tight on bright red berries falling into the same hand as it skims along a hedgerow.
INT. royal CHAMBER (CAMELOT) - DAY
The water in a brass cauldron hisses and splutters as Morgaine drops her berries and spices into it. She becomes aware of someone at her door, and turns to see Gwenhwyfar.
MORGAINE
You will have your potion, Gwenhwyfar. You will have it tonight.
Gwenhwyfar rushes into the chamber and embraces her.
GWENHWYFAR
Thank you, Morgaine, I thank you with all my heart.
Morgaine looks stony-faced over Gwenhwyfar's shoulder.
GWENHWYFAR
You have done this kingdom a great service, Morgaine. May God bless you for it.
EXT. RUINED TOWER - DAY
We track in towards the top of a bleak, roofless tower somewhere out on the moors.
INT. RUINED TOWER - DAY
Merlin is in the tower, running his hands over an ancient stone covered in runes, making notes on what he is deciphering. As he does so, something distracts him, and he stares ahead, as if aware that something terrible is happening just beyond his ken.
INT. GREAT HALL (CAMELOT) - NIGHT (gallery)
An even grander feast, with even more food and wine than before. Has Arthur partaken slightly more than is good for him? He slurs his words slightly as he speaks to Morgaine.
ARTHUR
We must get you married, Morgaine, now you are no longer a priestess of Avalon. Here are all my companions, splendid fellows, all, and several of them wanting a wife. What about Bedwyr there?
Bedwyr
You married me to the Lady Alwyn last month, Sire.
ARTHUR
So I did, so I did. It slipped my mind. Well, you can't have Bedwyr, then. What about Lancelot?
A jolt of pain on Morgaine's face.
ARTHUR
No, he's your aunt's son, isn't he? Too close a relation. But a good fellow, one of the best.
Another jolt of pain for Morgaine. And also for Gwenhwyfar. She has to stop this.
GWENHWYFAR
Morgaine - I have heard much of your skill with the harp. Would you sing for us?
MORGAINE
I have no -
GWENHWYFAR
Please.
At a nod from the queen, one of the court musicians hands Morgaine his harp, and Morgaine decides to go along with the request.
Gradually, stillness comes over the court as she plays a tune so full of poignant melancholy it has several of them almost in tears.
As she plays, Gwenhwyfar takes the vial containing Morgaine's love-potion and adds it to her drink and Arthur's. To ensure he drinks it, she links her arm through his and they drink together.
Tight on Morgaine's fingers as they pluck the strings of the harp - and when we look out a the Great Hall again it is almost empty.
Morgaine looks over at Arthur, leaning against Gwenhwyfar, almost asleep, quietly puts the harp down and steals away.
GWENHWYFAR
Your sister's music has bewitched you, Arthur. Come, it is time for bed.
But Arthur has begun to snore: Gwenhwyfar's face clouds, as she sees her plans coming to nothing. She looks down the table to where Lancelot is sitting in the shadows, leaning back in his chair, a goblet in his hand.
GWENHWYFAR
Lancelot, come and help. We need to get the king up to his chamber.
Lancelot comes over, and between them they get Arthur to his feet.
ARTHUR
What happened to the music? Lovely music.
LANCELOT
Come along, Sire, we have to get you to bed.
ARTHUR
Ah, bed; lovely bed. Lovely music, lovely bed. Lovely wife. Lovely Lancelot.
And between them, Lancelot and Gwenhwyfar get him out of the great hall.
INT. royal CHAMBER (Camelot) - NIGHT (gallery)
Gwenhwyfar and Lancelot get Arthur into the room and over to the bed.
GWENHWYFAR
Take his shirt, Lance, I'll never get him undressed otherwise.
Lancelot starts to remove Arthur's shirt, but before he is halfway through, the king has fallen right onto the bed, and the garment tears in Lancelot's hands. He and Gwenhwyfar look at each other: their closeness is almost unbearable to them.
GWENHWYFAR
Cover him with -
As they pull a blanket over Arthur, his arms suddenly reach up and clasp them both. He pulls their faces down to him.
ARTHUR
Gwenhwyfar and Lancelot, two people I love most in the world. Do you love me, Lancelot and Gwen? Come, lie beside me, one on either side. Want to talk to you.
Awkwardly, they sit, one on either side. Gradually, we realize Arthur is rather less drunk than he appears to be.
ARTHUR
It's not your fault, Gwen, the child thing. You blame yourself, but I think it's me.
GWENHWYFAR
Arthur, no -
ARTHUR
Kingdom needs an heir, Gwen. Otherwise all I'm fighting for is lost. All you're fighting for, too, Lance. A son of yours, Lance, conceived in the king's bed, would be heir to my kingdom. Will you do this for me, my friend?
LANCELOT
Arthur, no: I cannot -
ARTHUR
Cannot? Say not that. I've seen how you two look at each other. I understand, believe me, I understand. Will you do this thing?
LANCELOT
It's for my - it's for my lady to say.
ARTHUR
(concentrating on Gwenhwyfar)
Listen to this, my dearest - if I am here with you, and a child should come of this, none of us need ever know for certain. And you will be able to swear, with truth, that the child was conceived in the king's bed.
Gwenhwyfar stands up, and looks from Arthur to Lancelot - and then, with a swift gesture, unties the neck of her gown so it falls from her, leaving her naked. And steps towards the bed.
INT. CATHEDRAL - DAY
Patricius is at prayer. As he finishes praying and opens his eyes, he finds himself looking straight at a grim- faced Merlin.
PATRICIUS
Ah, Merlin. What a pleasure to see you. You do not often grace the holy church with your presence.
MERLIN
You are trying to persuade the king to renounce his oath to preserve Avalon.
PATRICIUS
I, my dear Merlin? Is that what you believe?
MERLIN
The queen, under your guidance, as you very well know.
PATRICIUS
The queen has a mind of her own, Merlin, and is a good Christian. Perhaps she sees it is time to put the past behind us and turn our faces to the future.
MERLIN
If Arthur breaks his oath to preserve Avalon, he loses Avalon's support; he splits the nation - and you and I will be swept away in the tides of barbarism.
PATRICIUS
You may be; I may be. But the holy church will endure, unsullied by ancient superstition.
MERLIN
Or bereft of ancient truths. Patricius - I urge you: defend your own beliefs, yes - but do not try to sweep away every other kind of wisdom. We are all impoverished if you do.
PATRICIUS
Your time is past, old man: the future belongs to the church. There is nothing you can about it.
MERLIN
(rising )
Think you so,Patricius? Think you so?
EXT. SACRED WELL - DAY
On the clouded waters of the sacred well. They bubble and swirl, and fleeting images appear in them (the Saxon attack on the road, Lancelot and Gwenhwyfar by the fire, Morgaine's potion) but they are so brief and jumbled, they're unidentifiable.
On Viviane's troubled face as she gazes into the well.
All around her, thick morning mist. She looks at Raven on the far side of the well.
VIVIANE
I can see nothing. Scraps, mere scraps that make no sense. The sight is leaving me.
Raven shakes her head urgently.
VIVIANE
I should be training my successor, Raven. Where is she?
(shouts up at the sky)
Where is Morgaine, Mother? Where is my Morgaine ...?
The sound of a STICK TAPPING, coming closer: As both women turn, Merlin emerges through the mist, much older now, slow and wheezing, leaning heavily on the stick. Viviane helps him sit down on the stone bench around the sacred well.
MERLIN
Morgaine is at Camelot, Viviane. But as I warned you, she has turned her back on you for what you did to her, and cloaked herself from your sight. You strove too hard, there, lady, and have spun your player out of the game.
VIVIANE
Morgaine is no game-piece to me, Merlin. I love her as my own daughter. I want her as my successor. You cannot know the pain I feel at losing her.
MERLIN
Then you should not have tricked her into bearing her half- brother's child, Viviane. However desperate is Avalon's case.
He looks at the Tree of Avalon: sicklier yet.
VIVIANE
Is the child at Camelot with her? Surely Arthur cannot acknowledge -
MERLIN
Arthur knows nothing about the child, Viviane. Morgaine left her son in the far north before she returned to court.
VIVIANE
Not ... not with Morgause?
MERLIN
With Morgause. We cannot order everything according to our wishes. Thanks to you, Morgaine has given birth to one in whom the ancient magic runs strong: but she did it against her will, and she has no love for the child.
VIVIANE
But my sister is the last person who should -
MERLIN
Morgause will teach the boy the art of survival, which he will surely need. But let that unfold as it will - I have come to talk to you of another matter: a more urgent one.
(beat)
Arthur is being persuaded to renounce his oath to Avalon.
VIVIANE
What? He would never dare! Without the support of Avalon, without the tribes, his whole rule will come crumbling down.
MERLIN
Which we, of course, cannot afford, while Mordred is still a child.
VIVIANE
Nor can we afford that the High King who has sworn to us should forswear us. This pressure comes from Gwenhwyfar, does it not? That Christian. You let Patricius outmaneuver you there, did you not?
MERLIN
I did. I regret it. But the task now is not to reproach each other but to fathom how to repair the damage.
Beat. Viviane looks at the weary old man - and her gaze softens.
VIVIANE
True, Merlin. We can both err. Forgive me.
MERLIN
(taking her hand)
It is forgotten. And now: how to bring pressure of our own on Arthur.
VIVIANE
There are many under-kings who are loyal to the Goddess: could we send one of them to Camelot to talk to him, remind him of his duties to the old ways?
MERLIN
Yes. Good. Pellinore, perhaps?
VIVIANE
Pellinore, yes ... though I have heard the Christians have begun to swarm about his court. Is there someone in Wales? The Goddess is strong there ...
MERLIN
Uriens. Valoch, the elder son, leans towards the Christ -
VIVIANE
But his son Accolon is strong in the old faith, and so is Uriens. I will send word to Wales.
MERLIN
Time is of the essence, Viviane. Gwenhwyfar grows more desperate, more demanding every day.
VIVIANE
My powers may be waning, Merlin, but I can still achieve a sending. Raven, prepare the herbs.
(She draws herself up to her full height)
I must appear this night in the court of Uriens of Wales.
EXT. BATTLEMENTS (CAMELOT) - NIGHT (gallery)
Morgaine walks in the moonlight along the battlements, looking out over the quiet countryside. Suddenly she hears a sound of METAL SLIDING ON STONE, and goes to investigate.
In a dark corner, hidden by a tower, Lancelot is sitting between two crenellations. He looks around guiltily as she appears.
MORGAINE
Oh, it's you. I thought some Saxon had scaled the walls.
LANCELOT
(Dully)
No.
MORGAINE
What are you doing there? You could fall to your death -
(realizing)
This isn't because of me, is it? Hardly. Don't tell me you're killing yourself for the sake of that damned Gwenhwyfar.
LANCELOT
It was your potion.
MORGAINE
What?
LANCELOT
For Gwenhwyfar and Arthur. I was there. I helped him to his bed.
(suddenly clutching her)
I was in the bed with them both, Morgaine.
Morgaine looks at him and raises an eyebrow.
MORGAINE
So, you got your wish. You made love to the blonde with her husband's consent.
(She looks at Lance's suicidal position above the drop)
So why this?
A long beat.
LANCELOT
Because I did not just lust after Gwenhwyfar in that bed, Morgaine.
(He looks away)
As I gazed on Arthur ...
He can't finish the sentence: but he doesn't need to.
MORGAINE
So ... that's it.
(suddenly she sits down too and takes his hand)
My poor Lance.
LANCELOT
Don't laugh at me, Morgaine. I will burn in hell for this. How can I stay by his side, knowing what I know now?
MORGAINE
There is no hell, and you are a fool to believe in it. But I understand your problem.
LANCELOT
Problem!
MORGAINE
You must marry. You must marry a beautiful, virtuous wife and go with her to live in her father's kingdom, far from Arthur and Gwenhwyfar.
LANCELOT
I think I would rather die.
MORGAINE
No: you aren't to blame for loving Arthur, you aren't to blame for loving Gwenhwyfar and not me: but destroying yourself, when your land has need of you: that would be a crime. Go from here with a wife, Lancelot. Start your life anew.
LANCELOT
I care for no one but -
Morgaine closes her eyes: and conjours a vision of Elaine as Lancelot sees her.
MORGAINE
Elaine, Gwenhwyfar's lady in waiting, has long adored you. I have seen it in her eyes. Pellinore, her father, is a good man, and old. You could take the lady Elaine back to her country without shame.
Such is the force of Morgaine's will that Lancelot does indeed begin to see Elaine in his mind. And then puzzlement comes over his face.
LANCELOT
Why are you saying this, Morgaine? I thought, after ... you hated me.
MORGAINE
I love you, Lance, fool that I am. I still want you be happy. And I want my brother Arthur to be happy too. While you are in this court, lusting after Gwenhwyfar and the King, that cannot be. Marry Elaine and get you gone from here. Will you do it, Lancelot?
Lancelot looks down at the dizzying drop beneath him and lets out a long breath.
Then, with a sudden, athletic movement, he springs back onto the battlements beside Morgaine.
LANCELOT
You are a priestess of Avalon, Morgaine. I can no more disobey you than I can my mother.
INT. royal CHAMBER (Camelot) - DAY (gallery)
Elaine, waiting outside the inner chamber, calls through to the queen inside.
ELAINE
I have loved him ever since I saw him, Your Majesty. I just - never dared hope. And then the Lady Morgaine told me there was hope. And I spoke to him - and - he asked me. Oh, Your Majesty - I am the happiest woman in England.
There is a tension-filled pause - and then Gwenhwyfar bursts out of the inner chamber, her face black with fury.
GWENHWYFAR
Lancelot asked you to be his wife? Egged on by Morgaine? And you said yes. Of course you did. What could be more natural? Don't look at me like that, you simpering fool. Take that question off your face or I'll take it off for you.
Evidently Elaine doesn't change her expression fast enough, because Gwenhwyfar slaps her across the face with some force.
GWENHWYFAR
You have a husband. Very good! But do I have a child to give the King? No. That's what you'll whisper to the rest of my women: the Queen has her courses again. Get out of my sight - I never want to see you again.
And she strides past her and out of the room.
deleted
INT. great hall (Camelot) - DAY (gallery)
Arthur is in a conference with Bedwyr, Cai and several others of his companions, poring over a map, as Gwenhwyfar enters. As Arthur looks up and sees her expression, he waves his knights out of the room. The door has scarcely closed behind them when Gwenhwyfar has launched herself on him.
GWENHWYFAR
So much for the love of your friend. So much for your dear sister's potions. So much for condemning me to everlasting damnation by that beastliness in our marriage bed.
ARTHUR
Gwen, calm yourself, what is it that brings you -
GWENHWYFAR
My courses have come on me. I bear you no child, Arthur.
ARTHUR
But, my queen -
GWENHWYFAR
(hissing it)
I took poison from a witch, I slept with you and your friend and gave myself to your lust and ungodliness - and all for nothing.
(bursts into tears)
All for nothing ...
(she falls into Arthur's arms)
No baby, no baby ... where is my baby, Arthur? Where is the child I can suckle at my breast? Give him to me, High King, give him to me.
ARTHUR
There, there my love. Don't cry. You will have a child, one day, when God wills it. It is in his hands, not ours, Gwen. Don't cry.
GWENHWYFAR
God does not reward sinners.
ARTHUR
We are all sinners, my sweet. He knows that, and understands.
GWENHWYFAR
Unless it is a great sin: something too great for even God to forgive.
(beat)
Arthur: is there anything on your conscience, anything you did - before you met me, that God might be punishing us for?
The question strikes home. Tight on Arthur's face as he remembers the Great Marriage and Morgaine. But this is something he can never confess.
ARTHUR
I have always striven to be a good man, Gwenhwyfar. God knows that.
GWENHWYFAR
Then why do you fight under a pagan banner, husband?
She points to the Pendragon banner, displayed on the wall.
ARTHUR
Because I am King of a Britain in which followers of God and followers of the Goddess fight side by side against a common foe. Because I am sworn to defend the old ways as well as the new.
GWENHWYFAR
You cannot be a pagan King as well as a Christian one. You fight against pagans. You should carry the sign of the Cross, not the emblem of heathens.
ARTHUR
God and the Goddess are but different faces of the same being, Gwenhwyfar. To deny one is to deny part of ourselves, to halve our strength. The Goddess is not some Saxon horse-idol: she is the Great Mother to us all.
Gwenhwyfar removes herself from his arms and stands before him.
GWENHWYFAR
She is not the great mother to me, My Lord. She will not give me a child. And while you carry that banner God will not give me a child either. You say you are a good man: but you condemn your wife to barrenness - for the sake of an oath to painted savages.
She goes to the door.
GWENHWYFAR
I despise you, Arthur Pendragon. Neither good Christian, nor good pagan, nor good husband to me.
And she storms out, leaving Arthur gazing bleakly after her.
deleted
EXT. BATTLEMENTS (CAMELOT) - DAY
Morgaine is on the battlements, looking down into the castle courtyard, from which the sounds of revelry float up. A voice speaks quietly beside her.
ACCOLON
So Lancelot and Elaine are wed.
Morgaine turns to him, and Accolon bows.
ACCOLON
Accolon of Wales. Son of King Uriens. And like yourself, Lady Morgaine, a follower of the Goddess.
Morgaine appraises him: he's a good-looking man.
MORGAINE
I saw you at the Tournament.
ACCOLON
And I you.
(beat)
I have heard you once lived on the Isle of Mists.
MORGAINE
I trained there, as a priestess.
ACCOLON
How I long to go there.
MORGAINE
To Avalon?
ACCOLON
To learn, Morgaine. But if I cannot go there ... perhaps ... you might teach me.
Morgaine looks at him frankly.
MORGAINE
Perhaps I might.
Rack focus to a figure on one of the castle's higher towers. It is Gwenhwyfar, watching them.
deleted
INT. Igraine's CHAPEL - NIGHT
Igraine is praying alone - and the sounds of a TOURNAMENT drift into the silent chapel. She opens her eyes and looks around, puzzled. And then she begins to see, fading in and out of vision near the altar, a distorted vision of the tournament field of Camelot.
As with Igraine's other visions, the next scene will begin through her slightly distorted, and gradually revert to normal vision.
EXT. castle courtyard (Camelot) - DAY (gallery)
Mock battle and trials of combat are being held in the courtyard.
Lancelot is there with Elaine: the ceremony over, they are both wearing the marriage garland on their heads - and look surprisingly happy. Arthur claps with delight as one of the contests ends - and turns to see Uriens beside him, with his Christian son, a dark-browed young man named VALOCH, who wears a prominent cross.
URIENS
Have you thought, My Lord, of the boon I craved of you?
Gwenhwyfar, overhearing, glances questioningly at Arthur.
ARTHUR
(to Gwenhwyfar)
Uriens has long been a widower, Gwen, and wishes to marry again.
URIENS
(to Gwenhwyfar)
I would like to be allied with your house, my Lady, and I asked the King if there is a woman of your court who might be willing to become queen of North Wales.
VALOCH
You have no need of a new wife, Father. Is not the memory of my mother sacred to you?
URIENS
Your mother has been dead these seven years, Valoch. We cannot mourn forever.
As Gwenhwyfar listens a smile spreads over her face - as a stroke of genius occurs to her. She turns to Arthur.
GWENHWYFAR
Morgaine, husband.
ARTHUR
Morgaine? But - is she not too young?
GWENHWYFAR
I think she would be happy with an older man. She is no giddy young thing. What think you, King Uriens?
URIENS
The King's own sister? I would be honored, My Lord, if she would have me.
On Valoch, shocked. He knows Morgaine is a follower of the Goddess.
On Arthur, also disconcerted.
ARTHUR
Let us discuss this further, at a later time.
URIENS
I thank you, My Lord.
And he disappears into the crowd.
ARTHUR
Gwen: Morgaine - for Uriens?
GWENHWYFAR
He is a good man, of the old religion you prize so much, as she is, and an important ally. Should we not at least ask Morgaine?
ARTHUR
I think I know the answer -
But Gwenhwyfar is already beckoning Morgaine to them through the crowd.
GWENHWYFAR
Morgaine - we have had an offer of marriage for you.
ARTHUR
Well, it has been broached ...
GWENHWYFAR
How would you like to join the royal house of North Wales? There is one of the old religion there who would wish to wed you.
ARTHUR
It is desolate there, but no more than Scotland; yet I think that -
MORGAINE
I will not try to pretend I am a surprised as all that, brother.
ARTHUR
Why, he did not tell me he had spoken to you, the sly fellow.
MORGAINE
(shyly)
You may tell him I would be happy to live in North Wales.
Arthur sighs with relief.
ARTHUR
Well, I am happy for you, Morgaine. Very happy. You shall have Tintagel as your dower.
He stands up: a trumpeter, at his nod, blows a blast and the field falls silent.
ARTHUR
My friends, on this auspicious day, I have yet another note of happiness to sound. My sister, Morgaine, is to be betrothed ...
There is a stirring of interest around the courtyard Lancelot looks up keenly.
ARTHUR
To King Uriens of North Wales.
King Uriens stands up, and comes towards the royal dais.
Crash zoom on Morgaine's horrified face as she realizes she has been tricked.
Crash zoom on Accolon's as he sees the woman he loves being taken away from him by his own father.
On Gwenhwyfar, savoring the taste of triumph over a woman she has come to hate.
Morgaine opens her mouth to protest - and then stops.
MORGAINE (V.O.)
I knew then that Gwenhwyfar had taken her revenge on me: and there was nothing I could do about it. To refuse Uriens would be to humiliate a good old man - and cost Arthur the loyalty of half Wales.
She meets Accolon's eyes.
MORGAINE (V.O.)
Accolon too knew what was at stake - and though as heartsick as I - understood what I had to do.
He shakes his head; Morgaine cannot go back on Arthur's pronouncement. She composes her features, smiles, and reaches out to take Uriens' hand.
MORGAINE (V.O.)
The strange thing was, that in taking that step, I brought myself the few years of steady happiness my life was to bring me. Such is the playfulness of the gods.
EXT. SACRED WELL - DAY
Viviane is looking into the sacred well, seeing glimpses of the previous scenes, but tantalizingly brief and indecipherable. And then she sees something that startles her: the eyes of Merlin, troubled, in pain.
VIVIANE
Merlin! Where are you?
EXT. WOOD - DAY
Merlin has entered a grove of trees and collapsed, exhausted, beside one of them. He tries to rise - and sinks down again. The wind stirs the leaves around him and the branches of the trees CREAK ... as Viviane appears.
VIVIANE
Merlin!
MERLIN
Lady of the Lake! Ah, it is good to see you at the last.
VIVIANE
No: not at the last: come, I will take you to Avalon, to the house of healing.
MERLIN
I will never see Avalon again, Viviane. My time has come.
VIVIANE
Merlin! Not now - we cannot afford to lose you now -
Merlin shifts himself so he's sitting back against the tree. The creaking of the branches becomes stronger.
MERLIN
The Goddess is calling me, Viviane. I must heed her.
VIVIANE
No!
MERLIN
Arthur will turn away from Avalon, Viviane. We must find Arthur's son - and bring him to us.
VIVIANE
Mordred ...
MERLIN
We need him, Viviane. And you will find him.
The tree begins to open up - around Merlin.
MERLIN
We have fought well together, you and I, Viviane. The battle goes on. You will lead it well, I know.
VIVIANE
I cannot do it without you!
MERLIN
(sinking into the tree)
You must try, Lady, you must try. It is the will of the Goddess.
And the tree closes around him.
Continued on Page 7