The Shannara Chronicles (2016–…): Season 1, Episode 1 - Chosen: Part 1 - full transcript

(GRAND MUSIC)

(WOMAN PANTS)

(GRUNTS)

(GROANS AND PANTS)

Amberle? You still alive?

Relax, Uncle Ander.
It's not like I'm gonna break.

How many times have I
missed that jump tonight?

Five.

You lose count of your steps tomorrow,
it'll be the shortest half-mile of your life.

-I'm going again.
- No. It's late.

The race starts at dawn.
You need to rest.



But only the first seven
runners across the line

become members of the Chosen.

I didn't do all of this just to lose.

WOMAN: Princess,
are you sure you wanna step on

thousands of years
of Elvin tradition?

There's no turning back.

We need to get in there
and stake out my starting place.

Don't worry - as your friend
and loyal servant, I've got you covered.

OK. Let's stay focused, Catania.

Bet you wish you'd told Lorin
you were running now.

He's a big boy.
He can handle it.

Jase told me that if Lorin
becomes a member of the Chosen,

he's gonna ask you
to marry him.

Amberle.



You're not allowed here.

Have you come
to wish me luck?

Yes.

And no.

I'm racing too.

You're kidding.

There a rule that says a girl
can't run the Gauntlet?

That's the way it's always been.

We have female commanders
in the Elvin army

and women
on the High Council.

It's time the Four Lands
had a female Chosen.

You knew about this?

Who do you think sneaked her past
the Home Guard and out of the palace?

The Gauntlet is dangerous, Amberle.

These guys will do anything to win.

So will I.

Then good luck.

May the best Elf win.

I'm definitely sensing
a lot of sweaty Elf boy hate.

Are you sure you want to do this?

Tie me up.

(MALE ELF CALLS) Steady!

Only the first seven to cross

will be anointed.

On the sound of my horn.

(HORN BLOWS)

(GRUNTS)

(WOMAN'S VOICE WHISPERS)
Get up, Amberle.

(GRUNTING)

(SCREAMS)

(WHISPERS) One, two, three,
four, five, six, seven, eight.

One, two, three, four...

(GRUNTS)

(GROANS)

(WOMAN'S VOICE WHISPERS) Jump.

(YELPS)

- MALE ELF: They're coming!
-(CROWD CHEERS)

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

ALL: One!

Two!

Three! Four!

(PANTS)

Five!

Six!

-Get up!
-Go!

MALE ELF:
There's one Chosen left!

Get up!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

(BLOWS HORN)

SONG: ♪ I feel it running
through my veins

♪ And I need that fire just to know

♪ That I'm awake. ♪

(DOORS CLOSE)

-(ELVES WHISPER)
-(GASPS)

- ELF: Look.
- ELF 2: ls that the princess?

I thought you were
teaching her how to fence.

She was a quick study.

Congratulations.

As King, I welcome you
to the Order of the Chosen.

(APPLAUSE)

At the dawn of every new year,

we gather in this sacred garden

to recount the story of the Ellcrys.

Thousands of years ago...

...our Elvin ancestors fought a war

against an army of Demons.

The Elves were at
the point of annihilation

when their elders turned to magic.

Using this powerful gift,

they managed to imprison the Demons

in a realm known as the Forbidding.

The Ellcrys was created to stand sentry.

As long as it lives,

the Demons are locked up
for all eternity.

Now, I realise
that for some of you,

this is merely...

...folklore.

But in no way does this diminish
your responsibilities.

And you are now its protectors.

Now step forward,

place your hands on the tree
and be accepted by the Ellcrys.

I can't believe you let her
embarrass our father like that.

This is his last ceremony
before he abdicates the throne.

I didn't let Amberle do anything.

OK, this was her idea.
I just aided and abetted.

OTHER ELF: She could have
seriously hurt herself.

I thought for Aine's sake
that you'd want to keep her safe.

Invoking our dead brother.
That's very subtle.

You should work that
into your coronation speech.

We made a pact to protect her.
Remember?

ANDER: At least you know where
she'll be for the next year -

locked behind these walls,
watering an old tree.

OTHER ELF: Do you have
any respect for Elvin traditions?

Only the ones with parties.

(GRUNTS)

(DISTANT EXPLOSIONS)

(THUNDER RUMBLES)

(WHIMPERS)

(SCREAMS)

(GASPS)

(SPEAKS FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

(GRUNTS AND GROANS)

It has begun.

Had to go all the way to Olney,
but I found white willow bark.

Afraid it won't do any good now.

I'll leave you two alone.

(PANTS) Wil...

Hey, Mom.

You hang in there.
I've got something new to try.

I promise, this will ease your pain.

Always...

...such a...a sweet boy.

So much...l need...to tell you.

Open it.

They're Elfstones.

Belonged...to your father.

They're magic.

I know you thought...

...your father was crazy...

...but he was...a good man.

He believed in those.

Mom, you're not making any sense.

My precious...boy.

(WHEEZES)

Find...

...the Druid.

Find...the Druid.

Promise me.

No, Morn. Don't leave me.

No, Mom, I'm not ready.

She always loved this spot.

Said she could see
the whole world from here.

I'm sorry, Wil.

Hey, um, Uncle Flick...

Have you ever seen these before?

Mom called 'em Elfstones.

I told her to bury those damn things
after your father died.

Why?

Because they put him in an early grave.

He was never the same person
after he used them.

Used them?

Wait. You're not seriously telling me
you believe in magic?

I believe in evil, Wil,

and those things will bring you
nothing but misery.

Do yourself a favour -
throw them in the river.

Be done with them.

I'm sorry.

(SCREAMS)

-(DOOR OPENS)
- Someone's here to see you.

I told the Home Guard
not to let anyone in.

That's why Catania
helped me avoid them.

If you won't tell me what's going on,
maybe you'll talk to him.

You owe me.

You didn't need to check up on me.

You passed out
in front of the Ellcrys.

I was worried about you.

Look, I'm fine.

Why have you
locked yourself up in here?

You wouldn't believe me if I told you.

Is that one me?

Oh. No.

You definitely got the ears right.

Come on. Hey.

Can I ask you something crazy?
But you have to promise not to laugh.

Yeah.

Do you think the story
of the Ellcrys is true?

You mean the part where it's a barrier
holding back a Demon army?

Come on, Amberle.

We both know magic died out
with the Druids.

Yeah, you're right.

Forget I asked.

Come to the celebration tonight.

People need to see you.

I need to see you.

Leave your Demons behind
and come and celebrate.

FLICK: You just buried your ma.

Now is not the time to be making
reckless decisions about your future.

I know my future's not here.

That's the Elfstones talking.

Give me a little credit, Uncle Flick.

I threw those things away
like you said.

I'm moving to Storlock
to train as a Healer.

You've never been more than five miles
outside of Shady Vale.

The world outside is dangerous, Wil.

It's full of Gnomes
and Trolls and Rovers.

They all hate each other.

The only thing they have in common
is they hate Elves more.

I'll keep my ears covered.
Just like always.

You're the same as your father.

Never happy
with your place in the world.

What is that
supposed to mean?

Stay in Shady Vale.

Let me talk to Dax.

I'm sure he could use
an apprentice.

Dax couldn't heal a stubbed toe.

Storlock has the best Healers
in the Four Lands.

Wil...

You did everything you could
for your ma.

It wasn't enough.

I never wanna feel that helpless again.

(PEOPLE CHATTER)

SONG: ♪ In the darkness

♪ Before the dawn

♪ In the swirling... ♪

(WHISPERS) Uncle Ander.
Thanks for the save.

The Gauntlet's easier
to navigate than this party.

Just don't faint again
and you'll be fine.

My fainting clays are over.

ANDER: Oh, good,
because as you can see,

there are a lot of people
who are very eager to meet you.

Grandpa still hasn't spoken to me.

Don't worry about it.

You know, sometimes
I think the only member

of the family
that he actually likes is Manx.

(SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY)

Speaking of loyal dogs,
how's your boyfriend?

Be nice.

Lorin's a good guy.

He deserves someone
who truly loves him.

I'm just not sure
that someone is me.

Then you'd better tell him,
or else you're gonna spend

a very awkward year together
in the Sanctuary.

Not nearly as awkward as watching you
pine for Commander Tilton.

No. No, I'm not pining. I'm...

I'm observing.

ANDER: That's been over
for a very long time.

I think we can both agree
she made the wiser choice.

Happy hunting.

(WOMAN'S VOICE WHISPERS)
I need you.

You look absolutely amazing.

Thanks.

Would you like to dance?

I just need some food.
I haven't eaten all day.

I'll make you a plate.

(DOOR OPENS)

(WOMAN'S VOICE WHISPERS)
Closer.

(GASPS)

(GURGLING)

Lorin!

Why?

(GASPS)

Stay back!

What are you doing out here?

The Ellcrys called to me.

I heard it during the Gauntlet
and then again tonight.

I tried to ignore it,
but it won't let me.

Amberle,
you're not making any sense.

When I touch the tree,
it shows me visions.

Horrible visions of the future.

Like what?

That I'm going to kill you, Lorin.

Kill me?

I saw it.

I stabbed you.

Oh, I don't know
what to think anymore.

I should never have
run the Gauntlet.

I have to leave Arborlon.

There's only one person
who can help me.

- Calm down.
- No. I won’t put you in danger.

You need to stay
as far away from me as possible.

(BLADE RINGS)

Seriously?

I'm sorry.

(THUNDER RUMBLES)

(HORSE NEIGHS)

- Whoa!
-(HORSE NEIGHS)

- Well, so much for my short cut.
-(SNUFFLES)

Hey. I don't like it
any more than you do.

(NEIGHS)

Great.

Now I'm the guy
who talks to his horse.

(WHINNIES)

(GRUNTING)

-(NEIGHS)
-(YELLS)

(GASPS)

(ROARS)

(GROANS)

(PANTS AND COUGHS)

WOMAN: I thought Elves
were supposed to be smart.

I'm half Elf.

WOMAN:
Clearly the wrong half.

Only an idiot
would travel these woods alone.

Trolls hunt here.

Wait. That's a Troll?

Was a Troll.

The Troll must have
picked up your scent.

I hear Elf ears
are their favourite snacks.

Huh.

Even short tips.

If you're gonna keep insulting me,
I should at least know your name.

Eretria.

I'm Wil.

Thanks for saving my life.

WIL: Hey, wait up.

(DOOR OPENS)

(DOOR CLOSES)

(DOOR OPENS)

Prince Ander.
Any word on Amberle?

Black Watch are still
sweeping the countryside.

I wish there was
something I could do.

- Start by telling the truth.
- I told Prince Arion everything.

See, I'm an excellent liar,

which means I can tell
when somebody's lying to me.

Amberle left the party upset
and you followed her out here.

You two got into a fight...

...and now she's missing.

As far as I'm concerned,

I'm staring at the prime suspect.

She said the Ellcrys called to her
and showed her a vision of the future.

In it...she killed me.

You honestly expect me to believe that
the tree was communicating with her?

I know it sounds crazy.
It's why I didn't say anything.

You better pray she's still alive.

(WIND WHISTLES)

Hey, what do you think that was?

Don't know, don't care.

Aren't you curious
about ancient humans?

WIL: How they were able to build
these incredible things?

Look, they're dead, we're not.

End of story.

WIL: Anyone ever tell you
you're kind of cynical?

ERETRIA: Anyone ever tell you
you're kind of naive?

- What is it?
- Not sure.

Some kind of fungus or bark rot.

LORIN: The Ellcrys is sick?

When's the last time
that happened?

Never.

KING: So you don't recall any accounts
of the Ellcrys ever having been sick?

It's never even shed a leaf.

(BLADE RINGS)

I understand the symbolic importance
of the Ellcrys, Father,

but it is, after all, only just a tree.

MAN: The Ellcrys
is more than just a tree.

- I can assure you of that, boy.
-(BLADE RINGS)

(GROWLS)

Stop there! How did you get past
the Home Guard?

MAN: Eventine, please tell your son
I mean no harm.

Allanon?

Put down your sword, boy.

It has been a long time, my old friend.

Father?

Father, who is this human?

This is Allanon.

The last Druid of Paranor.

Druid?

You said the last Druid died
in the War of the Races.

Did you, now?

No-one has set eyes on you in 30 years.
I assumed the worst.

But it appears
you have not aged a single day.

I have been called by the Ellcrys.

I must go to the Sanctuary immediately.

If you really are a Druid...

...prove it.

Show us some magic.

I don't do tricks.

Let him go.

If Allanon is here...

...there are dark days ahead.

This is your house?

You're welcome to camp out
with the Trolls.

I didn't picture someone like you
living in a place so...

. woodsy.

Take off your clothes
before you come in. All of them.

- You're joking, right?
- No.

You need a bath.

And I don't want you tracking mud
all over my woodsy little house.

So, uh, you live here alone?

Don't worry. We won't be disturbed.

Mmm.

So aren't you worried about Rovers?

What do you know about Rovers?

One look at you and they'd
take the clothes off your back

and steal your little bag
of blue rocks.

(ELFSTONES CLACK)

I...

I need those back.

Why? Are they valuable?

Only to me.

Someone's got a little secret.

What's it gonna take
for you to tell me?

(SIGHS)

They're called Elfstones.

They belonged to my dad.

They're supposed to have
magical powers.

They're very pretty.

Compared to you, I hadn't noticed.

I'm sorry. (CHUCKLES)

I'm the one who should apologise.

(SIGHS) For what?

The epic headache
you're gonna have in the morning.

(GOBLET RINGS)

It's much worse than I thought.

The Ellcrys is dying.

Are you certain?

You need to mobilise the Elvin army.

Why does a dying tree
require an army?

You do know the story of the Ellcrys,
don't you?

Each leaf represents a single Demon.

Once they begin to fall,
the creatures of darkness

will be released
from the Forbidding one by one.

We all know that story
is just a fairytale.

Father, you're not actually
listening to this, are you?

You've allowed him to believe this
when you know the opposite to be true.

After the War of the Races,

I believed that magic had disappeared
along with you and the Warlock Lord.

Well, then,
you tell that to your people

when the fairytales
are ripping out their throats!

(COUGHS AND GROANS)

(ROCKS CRACK AND RUMBLE)

(SNARLS AND COUGHS)

(SPEAKS FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

(ROARS)