Merlin (2008–2012): Season 4, Episode 2 - The Darkest Hour: Part Two - 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 man.

His name: Merlin.

What you are about to do
will bring our enemies to their knees.

- You didn't see their faces?
- They had no faces.

- What are they?
- The Dorocha.

They are the voices of the dead, my child.

For the tear to be created,
it would have required a blood sacrifice.

To seal it will require another.

If laying down my life will spare the people
of Camelot, then that is what I must do.

Merlin, no!



We have to get him back to Gaius.

- And abandon the quest?
- He saved my life. I won't let him die.

Sire, if we don't get to the Isle of the Blessed,
hundreds more will perish.

Let me take him.

Carrying a wounded man, alone...

...it'll take you two, three days
to reach Camelot.

Not if I go through
the Valley of the Fallen Kings.

You cannot give up on the quest.

Sire, he's right.

This is my fault, and I'm sorry.

Take me with you, please.

- You'll die, Merlin.
- You don't understand. Please, Arthur.

Do you ever do as you're told?

- I have to go with you.
- Merlin.



We need to leave.

Go.

Can you hear that?

- Bees?
- Food.

- You trying to get us killed?
- We're riding to our death anyway.

It's good to give the horses a rest.

You're quiet.

That's what happens after three days
listening to Gwaine.

You did the right thing, you know.

- Merlin couldn't have continued with us.
- I should've saved him.

If anyone can get Merlin back to Camelot,
Lancelot can.

Lancelot. Lancelot.

Lancelot.

We bear you no harm.

We wish only to help.

What are you?

We are Vilia.

Spirits of the brooks and streams.

The tear in the veil has upset the balance
of the world.

Good spirits as well as bad roam freely.

But this perilous state
cannot continue for long.

Prince Arthur is riding
to the Isle of the Blessed.

He intends to heal the veil.

He will need help from both of you.

My friend is sick.
I need to get him to Camelot.

Merlin is stronger than
you give him credit for.

The young warlock has great power...

...and a future that has been written
since the dawn of time.

Do not worry.

Even now, my sisters begin to heal him.

You are tired.

You must rest.

I need to find shelter.

You are safe here.

The Dorocha.

We will stay with you
and protect you through the night.

By dawn, we'll be on
the other side of the mountains.

You can't be serious.

These tunnels are crawling with wilddeoren.

These tunnels will take days off our journey.

If we make it out alive.

- We'll cover ourselves in gaja berries.
- Hah. Sounds great.

It's your choice, Gwaine.
Wilddeoren or Dorocha.

- I know which I'd rather go for.
- Me too.

Never knew you cared.

Quick!

Remind me again
why we're wearing this disgusting paste.

Wilddeoren are completely blind.
They rely totally on their sense of smell.

Gaja berries will mask our scent.

What are the chances of us getting
through here without seeing a wilddeoren?

None.

Shh.

Keep still.

Don't even breathe.

You fool.

- It's dead.
- That one is, yes.

They hunt in packs.

Run!

We need more stretchers.

And sheets, as many sheets as we can find.

Gaius.

The guards were under orders
to shut the gates at dusk.

- Whose orders?
- Lord Agravaine's.

Gaius. Have you come to join us?

Why have you closed the city gates?

We have limited resources, Gaius.

As much as I would like to, we simply
cannot feed and water the entire kingdom.

Surely the people have
a right to be protected.

I would be putting Camelot in danger.

Starvation, disease.

You of all people must understand, Gaius.

The gates will remain shut until
we are free of the evil that plagues us.

- Now, gentlemen, where were we?
- My lords.

May I be granted permission
to address the court?

Guinevere.

Prince Arthur taught me long ago...

...that every citizen of Camelot is important.

He would never stand by
and let them suffer.

He would help them if he could,
and we must do the same.

I feel the pain as much as you.

But we don't have a choice.

If we keep letting people in,
our food will run out within days.

You are wrong.

Perhaps you would enlighten me.

Those outside the gates
are landowners, farmers.

For days, the refugees have been
bartering their wares with the townsfolk...

...in return for the safety of their hearths.

They bring with them
far more than they take.

But how long before these wares run out?

Three days ago, Prince Arthur embarked
on a quest to rid us of these creatures.

At worst, we have another three
before he reaches his goal.

Or do you think he will fail?

Of course not.

Sire, she is right.

Very well.

Reopen the gates.

Merlin?

- Merlin!
- Shh!

Breakfast?

Merlin, what--?

- Why, you--
- What?

You're meant to be dying.

Sorry.

- Here.
- What's that for?

You look like you're going to fall over.

- Yeah, not as quick as Arthur.
- Oh, yeah?

Come on.
We need to catch up with the others.

No, you're going back to Camelot.

- You might be.
- Merlin.

- Say hello to Gaius for me.
- Merlin!

Arthur can't finish this without us.

Arthur's right about you.
You don't ever do as you're told.

No.

They need to rest, sire.

Even Gwaine's gone quiet.

Sounds like a good reason to keep going.

My lady?

What news of the mighty Camelot?

As we planned.
The city is falling into rack and ruin.

And Arthur?

Last we heard,
he had made it past Daelbeth.

- Will we never be rid of him?
- Patience, my lady.

Even if he makes it to the isle,
the outcome will still be the same.

Then what brings you here so early?

Something's wrong.

A minor irritant.

Guinevere. She takes it upon herself
to speak out against me.

- She's dangerous.
- She's a servant.

A spirited one perhaps,
but a servant nonetheless.

No, you're wrong.

I have dreamt the future, and in it,
that servant sits upon my throne.

I would rather drown in my own blood
than see that day.

Then we must make sure it never comes.

I couldn't agree more.

We must make sure
she never sees another dawn.

Where is Arthur?

- I am unsure.
- Where is he?

- The prince is on a hunting trip, sire.
- When will he be back?

In a few days.

Is there something you need?

Your devotion to the king
is most impressive.

There is something I would like to discuss.

I wish to apologize.

Yesterday, I feel I let the prince down.

I am grateful that you spoke out.

- I did not mean to be discourteous, my lord.
- Well, you weren't.

Not in the least.

Gwen, if you would permit...

...I would be grateful to seek your advice.

You understand the people.

I'm not sure I--

If nothing else, I know that
you will be honest with me.

It's not appropriate to talk now, but, um...

...perhaps this evening
you could come to my chambers.

Please, Guinevere. These are dark times.

I'm going to need help
if I'm to guide us through them.

Very well.

Thank you.

- Is everything all right?
- Yes.

He wishes to speak with me later.

I think he means to seek my counsel.

Hello?

We can't stay here.

There's nowhere else, Merlin.

We'll make a fire.
It'll keep us safe and dry.

And there's more than enough fuel
to get us through the night.

Here.

I'm not entirely useless, you know.

- Get the other side!
- Yes, sir.

Halt!

But do the people feel safe?

You can speak honestly.

No, they do not.

Go on.

They're frightened.

Night after night,
they have seen their friends...

...their parents, their children
all snatched cruelly from them...

...and they don't know who will be next.

What can I do to reassure them?

Show courage.

Shutting the gates last night told them
you were as terrified as they were.

It's like a horse and its rider.

If the people sense your fear,
they will not trust you.

Hmm.

I am grateful for your advice.

You have a wise head
upon your shoulders, Guinevere.

- I have kept you long enough.
- And I must see to the king.

Don't concern yourself with that.
I will ensure he is looked after.

It has been a long day.

I'll have my guards walk you safely home.

Thank you.

Seen anything?

No.

Do you know what we're going to face
on the Isle of the Blessed?

Do you want to tell me?

The burden is mine and mine to bear alone.

Look around, Arthur.

We would fight a thousand armies
with our bare hands for you.

You're never alone.

We stand together.

Come on. I'll take over.

You need some rest.

Thank you.

Gwen?

Gwen?

You don't have to continue
on this journey with me, you know.

Try and stop me.

Why? Because you're a knight,
you feel honor bound?

You wouldn't understand.

It doesn't make any sense to me either.

Gwen?

I made her a vow I would keep Arthur safe.

You don't have to worry. I'll keep him safe.

I made a vow, Merlin.

You still think about her?

No.

Arthur's a better man than me.

I'm sorry.

Why?

He loves her, and...

...she's happy.

I remember the guards
walking me to my door.

And then...nothing.

It's just a surface wound.
You were very lucky.

Everyone talks about the coldness,
but I don't feel cold at all.

You weren't attacked by the Dorocha, Gwen.

Then what?

Gaius?

I fear someone wanted to do you harm.

- Why?
- Don't know.

Well, surely if they did,
they'd have done a better job.

Maybe.
But cold-blooded murder is suspicious.

Better to leave you to the Dorocha.

Lancelot!

It's all right.

It's all right.

- Thank you.
- Who is your friend?

- I'm Lancelot.
- Of course.

Sir Lancelot. The bravest
and most noble of them all.

- I'm not sure that's true.
- We shall see.

For now, there are
more pressing things at hand.

The Dorocha cannot be allowed
to remain in this world.

The sundered veil must be restored.

We're on our way to the Isle of the Blessed
to help Arthur heal it.

Indeed. But at what price?

I know that the spirit world
demands a sacrifice.

It demands nothing.

It is the Cailleach,
the gatekeeper to the spirit world...

...who asks such a price.

And there is no other way?

There is not.

Arthur intends to sacrifice himself
to heal the veil.

It is my destiny to protect him.
You taught me that.

Merlin, you must not do this.

Then I have no choice.

I must take his place.

From the moment I met you...

...I saw something that was invisible.

Now it is there for all to see.

A lot of what you see, old friend...

...is what you taught me.

It will be an empty world without you,
young warlock.

When we get to the Isle of the Blessed...

...do you really
intend to sacrifice yourself?

What do you want me to say?

I look at you and I wonder about myself.

Could I knowingly give up my life
for something?

You have to have a reason.

Something you care about.

Something that's more
important than anything.

Hyah.

Looks like someone beat us to it.

Bandits?

Do you think we'll make it before nightfall?

There's only one way to find out. Hyah!

Has something died?

- Why am I always the butt?
- Can't think.

Pick on Percival.

Why me?

He washes.

- And he doesn't set fire to his socks.
- Ah! No.

Quiet.

Lancelot?

How's Merlin?

Bad news.

He's still alive.

Merlin.

- Good to see you, Merlin.
- Yeah.

It's good to see you too.

It's going to be fine.
Everything will be all right.

I'm just tired.

You don't have to sacrifice yourself.

I have to save my people.

I will take your place.

Merlin--

What is the life of a servant
compared to that of a prince?

Well, a good servant's hard to come by.

- I'm not that good.
- True.

One thing.

Look after Guinevere.
I want her to be happy in her life.

She deserves that.

Don't worry. I'll make sure.

The Isle of the Blessed.

- What is that?
- I really hope I'm wrong.

Wyvern!

You're right!

See? That's how you deal with them.

We need to keep moving.

Sire, you must go on. We'll fend them off.

Good luck.

It is not often we have visitors.

Put an end to this.

I demand you heal the tear
between the two worlds.

It was not I who created this horror.

Why should it be I that stops it?

Because innocent people are dying.

Indeed.

Is this the best you can do?

I know what you want.

Do you?

And are you willing to let me have it?

I'm prepared to pay
whatever price is necessary.

So, Emrys...

...you choose to challenge me after all.

Will you give yourself to the spirits
to save your prince?

It is my destiny.

Perhaps.

But your time among men
is not yet over, Emrys...

...even if you want it to be.

No! No!

No!

No.

I want to pay tribute to Sir Lancelot.

We owe him a great debt.

It is not just his deed that
we'll never forget.

It is his courage...

...his compassion...

...his unselfish heart.

He was the most noble knight I'll ever know.

He gave his life for all of us.

He didn't sacrifice himself for Camelot.

I asked him to look after you,
and he promised me with his life.

He was true to his word.

- Arthur was lucky.
- And Guinevere?

- It was only by chance that Gaius found her.
- No, you're wrong.

We were not thwarted by luck. It was Emrys.

Emrys?

The Cailleach warned me about him.

She said he was my destiny and my doom.

It was he that thwarted us. I'm sure of it.

So, what's to be done?

As long as he exists,
I will never gain what is rightfully mine.

You must help me find this Emrys...

...and destroy him.

Gaius.

How can I be of assistance?

You're a man of great knowledge and wisdom.

Knowledge perhaps.

Have you ever come across a sorcerer...

...called Emrys?

No. Doesn't sound familiar.

Hmm. Well, if you do hear mention
of the name...

I'll be sure to tell you.

It will not go unrewarded.

There's only one person
could have heard that name.

Morgana.

We know her powers are growing.
She too must have seen the Cailleach.

But Agravaine?

I suspect he is not as virtuous as he seems.

And don't forget,
he has every reason to despise Uther.

We must beware, Merlin.

Morgana can never know the truth.
She must never know who you really are.

Merlin.

We must make sure this is a celebration
the young prince will never forget.

You can't die.

If you were me,
would you use magic to save his life?

- Yes, I would. I would do whatever it took.
- You can't risk exposing yourself.

It's too dangerous.

Do you think Uther is going to thank you
for healing him with magic?

- If it works, I won't have to hide anymore.
- You.