Merlin (2008–2012): Season 2, Episode 2 - The Once and Future Queen - full transcript

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.

My Lord.

He is here.

You are Myror.

Legend has it you are the most
feared assassin in all the known lands.

Tell me,

are you as ruthless
as they say you are?



You would kill anyone.

I have killed many people,
they are all the same to me.

You are prepared to kill royalty?

My Lord, you would already be dead
had someone placed a bounty on you.

I want you to kill the man

who murdered my son.

I want you to kill

Arthur Pendragon.

That has got to hurt.

That's the point,
Merlin, it's not a pillow fight.

Fetch me another lance, will you?

Why did you pull out?{* I was wide open.}
You could have unhorsed me.

- I was fearful I might injure you{, sire}.
- You had the advantage,

you can't {fford to }hesitate.



I wouldn't have done
if I were facing a different opponent.

You are the future King, my Lord.

You jousted against me in the tournament
last year. You're saying you let me win?

No, my Lord.

It doesn't matter who I am.

I do not expect any special treatment
from you, from any of you.

Is that understood?

{pos(192,210)}How can I{m I going to} prove myself if my opponents
aren't trying their hardest?

I'm sure it's not happening
all the time.

- So it's happening some of the time?
- No. I'm certain it isn't.

Now you're doing it!

You're telling me exactly
what you think I want to hear.

What was the question?

That just proves it.

All my life

I've been treated as if I'm special.
I{ just} want to be treated like everyone else.

Really?

You've no idea how lucky you are.

Any time you want to swap places,
just let me know.

That's not a totally stupid idea.

You're Prince Arthur.

You can't change who you are.

Yes, I can.

We've received reports
that a beast has been sighted

roaming the forests
near the Northern Borders.

What's { he nature of t}its {east}nature?

It is said to have the body of a lion,
the wings of an eagle

and the...

face of a bear.

I believe it has been conjured
by sorcery.

- Then we must destroy it.
- I leave for the Northern Borders{* in the morning}.

You'll miss the tournament.

As much as I want to compete,

my duty to Camelot comes first.

You're right{, of course}.

I'll meet you here in four days.
Tell no-one I have returned to Camelot.

- You're late.
- Sorry.

The floors...

- {What is that smell? }Whose clothes are these?
- They're mine. I washed them specially.

Are you sure this is a good idea?

Pretending to be somebody else

is the only way to get people
to be honest with me.

Grab my bag, will you.

{If you want }To pass as a peasant,
{you should probably }carry your own bag.

You're forgetting something, Merlin.

No-one will know it's my bag.

There must be easier ways
to prove yourself.

Shut up, Merlin.

I was there in person.

Odin has put a price
on Prince Arthur's head.

Surely he wouldn't dare.

He is blinded by grief.

The assassin Myror
has accepted the bounty.

I've heard of this Myror.

I believe he's heading for Camelot
as we speak.

I bring you this information
at great risk to myself.

Double the guards. I want this assassin
intercepted before he reaches Camelot.

My Lord.

It's good of you
to let me stay in your home.

I'm happy to help.

Food.

I'll prepare some food for you.

I can't believe
you took me into this.

You can't really expect me to stay.

{We}You need to{ keep you out of sight} stay here. We can trust her
not to tell anyone{ you're here}.

Does anyone believe it?

If you really can't cope without
your big bed and your soft pillows...

This will be fine.

How are the preparations coming along?
{Have }You found someone{ to play our knight in} for the tournament?

Absolutely. He's a farmer

from one of the outlying villages

and no-one will recognise him.

But does he look the part?

Great.

From now on,
you are Sir William of Deira.

Imagine you're really... arrogant.

Knights{ like to} think they're{ so much better than everyone else} the best.

It's not arrogance.
Ignore him, he's an idiot.

A knight must behave with honour

and nobility.

That's... better.

You must convince everyone

that you were born
into a noble family.

Polish my armour, boy.

Now you're getting the hang of it.

Good point.
You do need to polish our armour.

Glad to see you're resting.

I take it that means you've got
the energy to clean my leech tank.

It's been a long day.

I think I'll...

turn in for the night.

Is this my bed?

Of course.

I hope you'll be comfortable.

I'm sure I will be.

Good night, Guinevere.

Good night, my Lord.

Halt.

Show yourself.

What{ business} do you{ have} do in the palace?

I came to seek an audience
with Prince Arthur.

- What's your name?
- My name is Myror.

Why are you here?

Your information was wrong.

Prince Arthur is not among the party
travelling to the Northern Borders.

- The Prince left {with them }yesterday.
- They must have separated.

- Perhaps he has returned to Camelot.
- Not that I've heard.

His return would have been announced
at Court.

It would seem the Prince
does not want to be found.

Remember the plan.

I'm competing in the tournament,
but no-one will know that it's me.

All you have to do is acknowledge
the crowd at the end of the match.

Act like you belong there...

and people will believe you do.

Knights of the realm,

welcome to Camelot.

You've trained for this day
for many years...

He hasn't fallen off his horse!

I suppose that's something.

... and your skill to the test.

Today, you will fight
for glory and for honour.

For this is the ultimate
test of courage.

It will be the measure of you
as men.

Only the most skilful,

the most fearless among you,
will emerge

as a worthy champion.

They're ready for you, sire.

- You must go and acknowledge the crowd.
- How do you do that?

You wave, they cheer,
it's not difficult.

I do all the work,
someone else gets all the praise.

Know the feeling.

When I win this tournament,
I will reveal my true identity,

- get the credit I deserve.
- Of course you will.

Don't just stand there,

help me off with my armour.

Remember to polish it
before tomorrow,

the horse needs grooming and don't
forget to repair the broken lances.

Do you have news on the whereabouts
of Prince Arthur?

Everyone believes he is travelling
to the Northern Borders.

But I have discovered
Arthur's servant remains in Camelot.

Who is this servant?

That's him.

Why is he working
for another knight?

- Is this about the leech tank?
- How very perceptive of you, Merlin.

I'll clean it tomorrow.

Will that be before or after you{'ve} scrub{ed}
the floors and done the laundry?

{From what }I heard the ladies of the Court
are quite impressed with Sir William.

- They think he's handsome.
- Typical.

They wouldn't know a real knight if he
whacked him round his head with a lance.

Why are you doing this?

I fear that people respect me
just because of my title.

- I don't{ believe} think that's true of everyone.
- Would you tell me if it were?

When I'm competing as William,

my title doesn't matter,
nobody gives me any special treatment.

So, when I win this tournament,

If I win this tournament,
it will be because

I deserve it.

Not because I am

Prince Arthur.

I think I'll take a bath.

That might be difficult,
seeing as I don't have a bath tub.

Really?

Perhaps you could

prepare me a bowl of hot water.
I take it you have a bowl.

I think I can manage a bowl.

I'll{ just} walk all the way down to the well
and fetch some water, then, shall I?

Merlin, on your feet.
Arthur may be away, but I'm not.

Why is my leech tank still dirty?

Where do you get the idea you can
sit around all day doing nothing?

Do you think I sit around
doing nothing?

I haven't had a chance to sit around and
do nothing since{ the day} I arrived in Camelot.

I'm too busy running around
after Arthur. "Do this, do that."

When it's{I'm} not{ running around} Arthur, I'm doing chores
for you, and if I'm not doing that

I'm fulfilling my destiny. Do you know
how many times I've saved Arthur's life?

I've lost count.

Do I get any thanks? No. I have
fought griffins, witches, bandits,

I have been punched, poisoned,
pelted with fruit, and all the while,

I have to hide who I really am because
if anyone finds out, I will be executed.

Sometimes I feel like I'm being pulled
in so many directions,

I don't know which way to turn.

Sir Alynor
has advanced to the final.

You are not impressed
by this Sir William of Deira?

I believe he's an arrogant pig.

Congratulations,
you are in the final.

Go on, then, your people await you.

No-one can say
Sir Leon let me win this time.

Sounds like the crowd
have really taken to William.

That will change
when I reveal my identity.

You really miss getting
all the attention, don't you?

Just go and water the horse,
will you?

He's a fine horse.

I see your master{ has advanced} will be in the final.
He's extremely skilled with a lance.

He's doing well.

Just one more match to go.

- Tell me, what is he like to work for?
- Between you and me,

he can be a prat.

So you are no longer
working for Prince Arthur.

Not right now. Arthur is away.

I'm just...

helping out.

Well, I wish your master luck

in the final.

Thanks.

Just a minute.

Have you got a needle and thread?

My shirt needs mending.

Is this where you sleep?
Where's your bed?

You're sleeping in it.

Why didn't you say something?

How could I?

You're Prince Arthur.

{Besides,}you didn't give me the chance.
You just assumed the bed was yours.

How can{m} I{ supposed to} know if you don't tell me?

You shouldn't need to be told
to think of someone other than yourself.

Is there anything else
you'd like to say{ to me}?

Please...

I'd like to hear it.

If there's something
you want to say to me,

don't let me stop you.

You don't have any idea, do you?

- About what?
- How rude and arrogant you can be.

This is my home
and you are my guest in it.

{I know y}You are used
to more luxurious quarters,

but that is not an excuse
to be so rude.

{You claim t}Titles don't matter to you,
but you behave like a prince

and expect me to wait on you
like a servant.

Saying it means nothing
if your actions betray you.

Would it kill you to say please
and thank you once in a while?

My Lord.

Is there anything else
you'd like to add?

No, I think that's it.

You're right.

You have invited me into your home

and I have behaved appallingly.

- I didn't mean to make you feel bad.
- Really?

Perhaps a little.

There's no excuse.

I'll make it up to you.

Tonight I will make dinner for you.

- You're going to cook me dinner?
- I {most certainly }am.

Now, go for a walk
or do what whatever it is girls do

- at this time of the evening.
- A walk would be nice.

Your dinner will be ready
when you return.

Where's Arthur?

He's cooking me dinner.

Arthur's cooking?

Merlin, thank God.

Gwen says you're cooking.

Fetch me two dinners
from the palace kitchens.

So, you're not cooking?

Gwen doesn't need to know that.
As far as she's concerned,

dinner will have been prepared
and cooked by me.

You trying to impress her?

Don't be ridiculous, Merlin.
And get me a decent shirt, will you?

Your clothes are making me itch
all over. It's like having fleas.

She's coming.
Quick - out the back way.

Do something with this.

I hope Gwen's impressed
with your cooking.

Perfect timing.

Thank you.

This is delicious.

I'm glad you like it.

Dinner's ready.

What I said this morning...

It is I
who should be apologising to you.

I have failed to appreciate
just how heavy your burden must be.

- I shouldn't have lost my temper{ with you}.
- It's no wonder you're upset.

{There's s}So much resting
on your young shoulders.

Now that Arthur's away,
you must take time to enjoy yourself.

What about the leech tank?

Don't even think
about the leech tank.

Really?

All this talk of leeches
will put us off our dinner.

Where did that chicken come from?

Come in.

The King commands your presence{* immediately}.

Can you determine a cause of death?

His neck's been broken.
There's scarcely a mark on the flesh.

Whoever killed him
knew exactly what he was doing.

Earlier this evening, an intruder
was spotted in the lower town.

Then I fear it's true.
Odin{ has} sent an assassin to kill Arthur.

An assassin?

Have you any word from Arthur
since he left for the Northern Borders?

No. None.

With this assassin in Camelot,
we must be thankful Arthur isn't here.

Search the entire town.

I want the assassin found
before Arthur returns.

So, do I have any more annoying habits
you wish to tell me about?

No. None.

There's something else, isn't there?

What is it?

The truth is, you snore.

- I do not snore.
- You do.

The first night{ you were here},
I thought a pig {had }got into the house.

- So now I'm a pig. Thank you.
- I just meant you sound like a pig.

I think I'd better stop talking!

I'll do that.

Where did you get those plates?

From the cupboard.

They have the royal seal.

They're from the palace kitchens.
I've washed enough of them to know.

{*I take it t}That's where our food
also came from.

I can kill a chicken{rom a thousand paces,}

just don't ask me to cook it.
That's what servants are for.

- I didn't mean it like that.
- I'm not ashamed to be a servant.

{At least }I'm not a liar.

We had a nice meal together.
What does it matter where it came from?

Because I thought
you'd shown some humility.

You had done something kind for me
even though I'm just a servant.

A good king should respect
his people no matter who they are.

I know I have much to learn.

There are some things
that I'm terrible at,

cooking being one of them,

but also,

knowing what to say
to someone I care about...

There's an assassin in Camelot.
He's here to kill you.

The assassin killed a guard.

Your father said Odin sent him.

Why would he want you dead?

Because I killed his son.

Odin's son challenged me to a fight.

I had no quarrel with him.
I asked him to withdraw.

Perhaps he felt
he had to prove himself.

I still see his face.

He looked so scared.

You cannot blame yourself.

No-one but us knows where you are.

If the assassin can't find you,
he can't kill you.

- May I continue to stay here?
- Of course. For as long as you need.

Thank you.

- I'll sleep on the floor tonight.
- Have my bed.

- {You n}Need to be{ well} rested for the tournament.
- I'll not hear of it. Good night.

Good night.

Fetch a mattress from my quarters
and bring it up here.

- How can I{m I supposed to} carry a mattress on my own?
- I don't know. Strap it to your back.

One more match,
tournament will be over.

You can go back
to being Prince Arthur.

I thought you might wear it...
for luck.

I must go.

They're nearly ready for you, sire.

Sir Alynor.

Good luck in the final.

His lance pierced my armour.

- You're losing too much blood.
- Do what you can.

Have to be back on the course
within five minutes

- or I forfeit the match.
- You can't joust. You're too {*badly }injured.

I have never withdrawn from a match.

I do not intend to start now.

You would risk your life
to protect your pride?

You have nothing to prove,
least of all to me.

I have everything to prove...

to myself.

You'll have to pass me my lance.

This is madness.

- Where's Arthur?
- He's about to joust.

He's jousting against the assassin.

You were jousting
against the assassin.

He killed Sir Alynor
and took his place.

The people are waiting
for their champion.

It's time to reveal yourself.

You must go and collect the trophy.

{*I thought t}This was going to be
your moment of glory.

Perhaps this...

is a time for humility.

Merlin, who is this man?
Where's Sir Alynor?

The assassin attacked us.
I was injured while killing him.

Odin must {*be made to }pay for his actions.
We must strike back at him.

Surely you understand the grief
he feels for the loss of his son.

We should try
to make peace with him.

There's been enough bloodshed.

Perhaps you're right.

How was rest of your trip? Fruitful?

Very.

I learnt a great deal.

- How was the tournament?
- Excellent.

We have a new champion,
Sir William of Deira.

I'm sorry
I missed all the excitement.

What happened
while I was staying with you...

I'm afraid my father
would never understand.

You don't have to explain.

Perhaps when you are King...

things will be different.

This is horrible.

So disgusting.

Well, perhaps you'll think twice
about lying to me in future.

- There's something on your face.
- Where?

- It's magic.
- What about the druids?

They help people like you.

Uther thinks
that Morgana's been kidnapped.

This way!

It would be better
if the witch never knew

the true extent of her powers.