#12. Judgement Day Part 1

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MERLIN: KINGDOM COME

Season 6 Episode XII
“JUDGMENT DAY PART 1”
FADE IN:
INTRO
KILGHARRAH (V.O.)
In a land where magic is all but
myth, the destiny of a great kingdom
rests on the shoulders of the most
powerful sorcerer ever to walk the
earth. His name? Merlin.
INT. SANCTUARY (CORRIDOR / MORGANA’S CHAMBERS) – DAY 1.
[1] Balancing a tray of sweetbread and fruit in one hand, MERLIN

raps on MORGANA’s door.
MORGANA (O.C.)
Come in.
MERLIN opens the door and lets himself in. MORGANA sits at her
vanity, back to him. She’s changed into a beautiful, brightly
colored gown with sweeping sleeves. Some warmth has returned to her
cheeks. Bandages still cover her shoulder and neck.
As he places the food on the table, she catches a glimpse of him in

the mirror’s reflection. She rotates to face him.
MERLIN can’t help but stare when he sees her. She has brushed out
her glossy hair and tucked MERLIN’s enchanted BLUEBELL in it. She’s
beautiful.
MORGANA
(surprised)
Merlin.
MERLIN
Good morning. I uh — brought you
breakfast.
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MORGANA rises and approaches the table. MERLIN pulls out her chair
for her and pushes it in once she’s sat down. He takes a seat in
the chair to her left, just around the table’s corner. She watches
him. He looks intent on staying.
MORGANA
Is there any other reason why you’re
here?
MERLIN
Just thought I’d check up on you.
Also, I’m... on a bit of a self-
appointed quest.
MORGANA
A quest?
MERLIN
To get you to smile.
MORGANA stares. She shakes her head, like he’s just too much.
MORGANA
And how do you intend to go about
that?
MERLIN
(cocky)
I have a few ideas.
This will be interesting. MERLIN leans over the table and cups his
hands closed together. MORGANA observes him with a playful,
challenging eyebrow.
MERLIN
Eagþyrl þǣm steorra.
His eyes flash gold. MERLIN opens his hands.

MORGANA gasps in wonder. In those cupped hands, MERLIN holds a
window to some distant galaxy. Thousands upon thousands of stars,
nebulae, and unknown planets glitter against the black void in the
palms of his hands. Their light twinkles in MORGANA’s wide eyes.
Unable to resist, MORGANA reaches out and passes her finger through
the galactic clouds, twirling it a few times. When she retracts it,
her finger sparkles with tiny flecks of the silver fire of the
stars.
MERLIN grins. His quest is fulfilled: MORGANA is smiling.

He leans in low to his hands, breathes in, and blows. The tiny
stars are sent floating through the air like dazzling dust. They
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get caught in MORGANA’s hair. Little by little, they fade until

they are gone.
MERLIN closes his hands. The galaxy has vanished. MORGANA seizes
one of his hands and turns it over to examine it, to see if there
are any stars leftover. He watches her.
It takes a moment for MORGANA to realize that she’s holding

MERLIN’s hand in both of hers. Slowly, she meets his eyes.
[2] A SHARP PAIN SHOOTS UP THROUGH MERLIN’S CHEST. He GASPS.
INTERCUT WITH: INT. CRYSTÁLLUM CASTLE (ELAINE’S CHAMBERS) –

CONTINUOUS.
ELAINE raises her needle and plunges it into the poppet of Merlin
the DISIR gave her.
Another STAB of pain surges through MERLIN. His hands go for his
chest.
MORGANA
(startled)
Merlin?
ELAINE jabs the needle into the poppet again; the blow knocks
MERLIN to the floor, gasping.
MORGANA
Merlin!
MERLIN is unable to respond. He WRITHES and SHOUTS in pain.
CUT TO:
INT. SANCTUARY (HEALING CHAMBERS) – DAY 1.
MORGANA pushes open the doors to the healing chambers for PERCIVAL,
who bears MERLIN on his back. PERCIVAL sets MERLIN on an empty bed.
The onslaught of pain seems to have left the warlock for now, but
he’s disoriented and covered in sweat.
ARTHUR, LEON, GWAINE, and ELYAN hurry in, anxious and alarmed.
ARTHUR
Where is he? What’s happened?
ELYAN
Is he all right?
GWAINE
Hey, Merlin, can you hear us?
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ARTHUR
Merlin?
GORNEMANT
I need room, please!
GORNEMANT pushes past ARTHUR, LEON, and the KNIGHTS. He starts

removing MERLIN’s shirt to examine any potential wounds.
ARTHUR
(to Morgana)
What happened to him?
MORGANA
I – I don’t know. We were talking,
and...
GWAINE
What the hell...?
ALL look down at MERLIN. With his upper clothing removed, there’s
now a clear view of the source of MERLIN's pain.
Words red with MERLIN's blood are gruesomely carved into his chest.
The words read: JUDGMENT DAY.
TITLES
[3] A restless ARTHUR paces, stealing nervous glances at the

curtains that hide MERLIN’s sickbed. MORGANA emerges from behind
the curtains, exhausted. ARTHUR hurries up to her.
ARTHUR
How is he?
MORGANA
I did what I could to heal him. He’s
awake...
ARTHUR strides past MORGANA for MERLIN’s sickbed.
Shaken, MORGANA closes her eyes and exhales. A beat. Her eyes open,
filled with determination. This ends now.
CUT TO:
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MERLIN tries to sit up in bed as ARTHUR steps through the curtains.

There is not a trace of the bloody carvings left on his chest.
ARTHUR
(relieved)
Merlin. You’re all right.
MERLIN
(pulling tunic over his head)
For the most part.
(weary sigh)
I recognize this type of sorcery.
This was caused by a poppet: an
instrument of dark magic. It enables
you to inflict pain upon your enemies
from afar. Perfect weapon for someone
who’s mastered Willpower Magic. This
is Elaine's doing.
ARTHUR
Can she use it to kill you?
MERLIN
If she uses a blade forged in a
Dragon’s breath... yes.
ARTHUR
Then we have no time to lose. We must
get that poppet from her.
CUT TO:
INT. SANCTUARY (HALLWAY) – DAY 1.
[4] Having donned his Sanctuary-provided armour, ARTHUR marches

down the hall with LEON at his side.
ARTHUR
With luck, we will return by sunrise.
LEON
Do not worry, Sire. I will look after
the people in your absence.
Stopping, ARTHUR turns to LEON.
ARTHUR
(fond smile)
You always have.
(beat, continuing forward)
I will see you before long.
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After a few paces, ARTHUR rotates and starts walking backwards to

face LEON, who stands in the hall.
ARTHUR
I’m relying on you to hold down the
fort, Sire.
LEON gives a flustered smile at being called “Sire” by the King.
LEON
I shall do my best, Your Majesty.
With his own smile, ARTHUR faces ahead.
CUT TO:
INT. SANCTUARY (STABLES) – DAY 1.

It's a rare sight: MERLIN in battle garments with a sword at his
side, as he enters the stables where ARTHUR, LANCELOT, and PERCIVAL
prepare to depart. MERLIN wears form-fitting leather armour with
buckles up the front. He makes his way for his HORSE.
LANCELOT
(to Percival)
Do you have that amulet Merlin
blessed?
A chain with a medallion hangs from PERCIVAL’s neck: he lifts it to

show LANCELOT. The medallion bears the Celtic Triquetra.
PERCIVAL
Got it. With luck, his spells over it
will prevent Elaine from seeing us.
ARTHUR
Let’s hope it does its job.
MERLIN
Arthur, have you seen Morgana? I
couldn’t find her. I wanted to say
goodbye.
LANCELOT
I saw her mount a horse in here not
long ago. I assumed she was going for
a ride to clear her head. She asked
me to give you this.
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LANCELOT passes the BLUEBELL to MERLIN, who frowns at it. Wait a

minute...
MERLIN
(realization)
Oh, no. She’s gone to Crystállum
Castle to secure the poppet.
CUT TO:
EXT. MOTORWAY – DAY 1.
[5] MORGANA gallops along the motorway.
CUT TO:
EXT. CRYSTÁLLUM CASTLE (BALCONY) – DAY 1.

Blindfolded, ELAINE stands on her balcony. She raises her triple-
bladed axe to the sky. Clouds amass and cast a veil of darkness
over the land. Lightning strikes. Thunder crashes. She is using her
Willpower Magic to bring ill-fortune upon the Sanctuary.
CUT TO:
EXT. SANCTUARY – CONTINUOUS.
The storm is most violent over the Sanctuary.
CUT TO:
INT. SANCTUARY (GWEN’S CHAMBERS / CORRIDOR) – DAY 1.
GWEN sits on her bed, hovering over papers. A CRACK OF THUNDER. She
gasps. Bursts of lightning illuminate her chambers. She sighs,
relaxes, and looks back to her papers.
Her attention is drawn to the blankets: something long and thin

slithers beneath them.
GWEN’s frown deepens. Whatever moves beneath her blankets is coming

toward her. Alarmed, she scoots back onto the pillows.
The sounds of hissing. YELLOW AND BLACK SCALES. An ADDER slithers

out from the blankets. GWEN SCREAMS. The ADDER shoots at her.
LEON storms into the room. Seeing the ADDER ready to strike GWEN,
he draws his sword. The RINGING of his sword distracts the ADDER.
GWEN springs from the bed to safety. LEON points his sword at the
ADDER: suddenly it slithers up the blade and DIGS its fangs into
LEON’s hand.
GWEN
Leon!
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With a shout of pain, LEON shakes the ADDER from his sword and
slashes it in two.
That was no normal snake.
LEON
What the hell was that?
GWEN
I suspect it was a present from
Elaine.
(sees his wounded hand)
We need to get you to the physician.
GWEN takes LEON’s arm and guides him for the door.
CUT TO:
EXT. LONDON CITY (STREETS) – DAY 1.
[6] Stormy. ARTHUR, MERLIN, LANCELOT, and PERCIVAL ride their

HORSES through London City. CIVILIANS send them odd stares as they
pass by; a few avoid them.
THUNDER rolls in the distance. PERCIVAL heeds the churning sky.
PERCIVAL
Looks like we’re in for some rough
weather.
LANCELOT
(noticing Merlin’s frown)
Something’s on your mind. Are you
worried about Morgana?
MERLIN
Well, it’s impossible not to be.
But... she’s clever. She always had a
talent for handling herself.
(beat)
Actually I’ve been thinking over what
Arthur said — about how Elaine has
let us survive every confrontation
we’ve had.
LANCELOT
And?
MERLIN
(little smile)
And I believe we need to put it to
the test.
Page 8 of 53
CUT TO:
INT. CRYSTÁLLUM CASTLE (CORRIDOR) – DAY 1.
MORDRED heads down the hall, sullen as ever these days. ELAINE
appears around the corner in front of him, still holding the poppet
and needle.
ELAINE
(irate)
Why are you not watching the crystals
like I asked?
MORDRED
You mean “commanded”? I told you: I
do not answer to you.
ELAINE
I am the Lady of the Axe! The
Apocalypse! The Blind Judge! The –
MORDRED
The Eternally Incensed! The Arrogant!
The Dim-witted! Oh, yes, My Lady, you
have my utmost respect.
MORDRED throws in a ridiculously deep, mocking bow.
ELAINE
(biting, incensed)
You will remember your place and do
as I ask.
MORDRED
You forget that I am in charge of
affairs here, and you will not tell
me WHAT TO DO!
LORD MALEAGENT comes running around the corner.
LORD MALEAGENT
My Lady! High Priestess Morgana has
been spotted riding through the
gates!
MORDRED and ELAINE exchange startled, confused glances.
CUT TO:
Page 9 of 53
INT. CRYSTÁLLUM CASTLE (ENTRANCE HALL) – CONTINOUS.
The doors are forced open. Determined, MORGANA strides into the
entrance hall. An ENEMY GUARD hurries behind her.
ENEMY GUARD
(nervous)
My Lady, you — you cannot come
through here. You are no longer
welcome...
He grabs MORGANA’s arm to stop her; she wrenches it away and shoots
him a hostile glare.
MORGANA
(low, dark)
Touch me again and, I swear, you will
wish you had never been born.
Flushing, the ENEMY GUARD gives a nervous, twitching nod and backs
away.
ELAINE and MORDRED descend the stairs to meet MORGANA, with MORDRED
several paces ahead.
MORDRED
(astounded)
Morgana. What are you doing here?
When MORGANA sees MORDRED’s scarred face, her glare transforms to a

look of horror.
MORGANA
Mordred, what happened to your — ?
Relieved and overjoyed to see her, MORDRED cuts her off by throwing
his arms around her in a fierce embrace. MORGANA returns it, still
stunned after seeing his wounds.
ELAINE
Come to beg forgiveness?
MORDRED ends the hug at ELAINE’s voice, but keeps a hand on MORGANA,
glaring at ELAINE.
MORGANA
A queen never begs.
ELAINE
You are no queen. You made that
perfectly clear when you rejected our
offer of help.
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MORGANA
(letting some sadness seep through)
My grief... blinded me into thinking
that you were the real enemy. Arthur
and Emrys poisoned me against you,
but as you can see, it didn’t last.
ELAINE
Why should we believe you?
Bitterly MORGANA yanks down her sleeve and reveals the bandaging
over her shoulder where Lancelot stabbed her. She removes the
bandages and exposes her wound. MORDRED winces.
MORGANA
I don’t think it’s customary for your
allies to stab you in the back, is
it?
Seeing her wound, ELAINE cannot deny this. But MORDRED gives an odd
look – he has suspicions.
MORGANA
I have come back to you now to take
my rightful place as queen of Albion.
CUT TO:
[7] GORNEMANT finishes binding LEON’s snakebite. He meets his gaze,

grim.
GORNEMANT
That was not a normal snake. I don’t
doubt Elaine sent it. Its bite... I
have nothing to counter such powerful
dark magic.
So there it is. LEON’s death sentence. After everything he’s lived
through, he is to lose his life to a serpent. LEON steels himself
up with a breath.
LEON
How long do I have?
GORNEMANT
...One day. If you are lucky.
LEON
(devastated, to himself)
One day...
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LEON exhales, taking in his potential fate. This is worse than he

imagined. But... his promise to Arthur... He will not let this get in
the way. After a beat, determination takes over. Swallowing his fears
in one gulp, he starts for the door.
LEON
I fear this serpent was only a
harbinger of what is to come. Elaine
will no doubt send more terrors to
break us down, and I promised Arthur
I would protect his people.
GORNEMANT
Sire! If you put too much stress on
your body, it will speed the venom’s
effects. It would mean death within —
within mere hours!
LEON
Gornemant...
(facing him)
Death is the fate of all men, whether
today or tomorrow. I will not break
my promise to Arthur. If I die, I
die.
CUT TO:
EXT. SANCTUARY (COURTYARD) – DAY 1.
The storm has worsened. GWEN follows ELYAN into the courtyard,
where GWAINE and several SUBJECTS have flocked around the drinking
well.
ELYAN
(to Gwen)
It’s beyond us. We thought perhaps
you would know what to make of it.
The SUBJECTS clear a path when they see GWEN approaching.
GWAINE yanks on the ropes of the well, drawing out the bucket,
which is full to the brim with a thick, red liquid. Frowning, GWEN
reaches into the bucket, and then withdraws, staring at her hand.
Her face contorts in repulsion.
GWEN
(appalled)
It’s... It’s blood.
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GWAINE
It isn’t just this well. Every supply
of water on the Sanctuary grounds has
turned to blood – even the streams in
the forest.
GWEN takes this in.
An earsplitting CRACK of thunder ruptures the sky.
ELYAN gives a sudden YELP, brushing what looks like a SPARK OF FIRE
off his hand. A SUBJECT gasps, also brushing off a spark.
ELYAN
What on earth was that?
GWAINE
What’s going on?
SUBJECT
(gasping)
Your Majesty! Look up!
ALL look up to see billions of marble-sized beads of fire raining

down like hail from the sky.
GWEN
Everyone inside! Now!
SUBJECTS cry out as they are burnt by the pinpricks of fire. They
scatter back for the castle. ELYAN and LANCELOT shield GWEN and
guide her inside.
CUT TO:
INT. CRYSTÁLLUM CASTLE (CORRIDOR) – DAY 1.
[8] LORD OBERON follows an irate ELAINE down the hall, struggling
to match her pace. She clenches the poppet in her hand.
LORD OBERON
With all the curses you are sending,
it should not be long before our
enemies are forced to leave. Like
smoke to a hornet’s nest. Rather
brilliant.
Page 13 of 53
ELAINE
What does it matter now? Even if they
abandon their fortress, I cannot deal
with them while Morgana lurks about –
and yet I cannot kill her, or Mordred
would throw a fit! Of all the times
for her to switch alliances! She may
be entitled to the throne, but she
does not deserve it. It was not
Morgana, but I, who spent fifteen
hundred years preparing an army for
Mordred!
ELAINE tightens her fist around the poppet.
LORD OBERON
(eyeing the poppet)
Unless I am mistaken, the Disir told
you to deactivate that poppet after
you had delivered your message.
ELAINE
I am a servant of the Disir, not a
slave.
LORD OBERON
My Lady, you will only anger Emrys,
which is not advisable. After all, he
is the most powerful sorcerer ever to
walk the –
Whirling around, ELAINE fixes LORD OBERON with an intense stare,

eyes flashing gold in her wrath. LORD OBERON gasps. His skin
becomes wan and grey as his life leaves him. His hair withers and
begins to fall out. Whatever remaining vigor he possessed is sucked
away as ELAINE speeds his aging process with her magic. Finally, he
collapses, DEAD. Turning back around, ELAINE storms down the hall.
CUT TO:
INT. CRYSTÁLLUM CASTLE (ELAINE’S CHAMBERS) – CONTINUOUS
ELAINE charges into her room and slams the door shut, leaning
against it. She exhales and lifts the poppet and needle.
Time to vent her rage.
CUT TO:
Page 14 of 53
EXT. COUNTRYSIDE – DAY 1.
[9] Overcast. Beautiful green countryside. ARTHUR, MERLIN,

LANCELOT, and PERCIVAL continue on their way.
ARTHUR
(apprehensive)
So, you want to convince one of
Elaine’s guards to kill you?
MERLIN
No, I want to convince one to try to
kill me. You three will be nearby if
anything goes...
He doesn’t get to finish. Gasping, MERLIN hunches forward, his hand

flying to his chest.
ARTHUR
(alarmed)
Merlin?
INTERCUT WITH: INT. CRYSTÁLLUM CASTLE (ELAINE’S CHAMBERS) –

CONTINUOUS.
ELAINE twists the needle deeper into the poppet’s chest.
MERLIN jolts, nearly sliding off his HORSE.
ARTHUR
Merlin!
ARTHUR, LANCELOT, and PERCIVAL dismount, running to MERLIN’s side.

They help him down from his HORSE and carefully lay him on the
ground.
CUT TO:
INT. CRYSTÁLLUM CASTLE (CORRIDOR) – CONTINUOUS.
LADY LAUDINE leads MORGANA down the hall. MORDRED lags somewhat
behind, his undivided attention fixed on MORGANA.
LADY LAUDINE
...And you will be provided with
quarters, luxurious enough to rival
Lady Elaine’s –
MORGANA freezes, sensing the witchcraft taking place. A worried

frown crosses her face. MORDRED eyes her.
LADY LAUDINE
Your Majesty? What is it?
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MORGANA
I... I have to look into something.
Following her magical sense, she breaks into a run.
LADY LAUDINE
What – My Lady?
LADY LAUDINE stares after her, startled. MORDRED watches. Something

isn’t right about her...
CUT TO:
EXT. COUNTRYSIDE – CONTINUOUS.

ARTHUR, PERCIVAL, and LANCELOT kneel beside MERLIN as he writhes in
pain, helpless to aid him.
LANCELOT
What do we do, Sire?
ARTHUR
I don’t know! Just – Merlin, just
hold on... Elaine will pay for this.
CUT TO:
INT. CRYSTÁLLUM CASTLE (ELAINE’S CHAMBERS) – CONTINUOUS
ELAINE raises her needle to strike the poppet again...
Her chamber doors swing open. ELAINE spins around, exasperated.

MORGANA stands in the threshold.
MORGANA
(re: Oberon – matter-of-fact)
There’s a dead man lying in your
hallway.
ELAINE
Yes, I know. That’s where I put him.
MORGANA
...Oh.
(noticing poppet – playing dumb)
What’s that?
ELAINE
(hides poppet behind her back)
Nothing you need concern yourself
with.
Page 16 of 53
(sickeningly sweet smile)

It’s getting late. I will show you to
your chambers.
CUT TO:
EXT. COUNTRYSIDE – CONTINUOUS.
Exhaling, MERLIN’s rigid body loosens as he lapses into ragged

panting. ARTHUR steadies him.
ARTHUR
Merlin, hey. Hey, you’re safe.
LANCELOT
Are you all right, Merlin?
MERLIN
(No, of course he’s not)
Yeah, I’m fine... I’ll be fine...
His chest burns like hell. He reaches a hand beneath his leather
armor to feel his wound; withdraws it. To his surprise, there is no
blood.
MERLIN
No... bleeding right now... Thank
goodness...
PERCIVAL
If Elaine is so powerful, why hasn’t
she killed him already?
ARTHUR
(determined)
We’re about to find out.
CUT TO:
INT. SANCTUARY (COUNCIL CHAMBERS) – DAY 1.
[10] Sunset. GWEN and LEON listen to GWAINE’s update. LEON is

distracted. His skin has paled considerably.
GWAINE
Every morsel of food within the
castle gates is rotten. Gornemant is
tending servants who’ve been stricken
blind without apparent cause. The
flames have stopped raining, but it
hasn’t been easy taming the fires.
Page 17 of 53
GWEN
It’s just as it was before Camelot
fell 1,500 years past. Elaine is
using her powers to weaken us before
she strikes.
With a soft grunt of pain, LEON spares a glance at his bandaged hand
where the adder bit him. GWEN notices.
GWEN
What is it?
LEON
Ah... It’s nothing.
Before GWEN can press the matter, ELYAN races into the room.
GWAINE
(exasperated)
What is it now?
ELYAN
These curses have taken their toll on
the people. They’re trying to leave
the Sanctuary.
LEON runs past him out of the room.
CUT TO:
EXT. SANCTUARY (GATES) DAY 1.
Evening. A long CROWD of SUBJECTS from the Sanctuary are making

their way down the path to the portcullis. A few SUBJECTS on the
ground argue with the GUARDS on the wall.
GUARD #1
His Majesty, King Arthur, has given
strict orders: no one is to leave the
Sanctuary. It isn’t safe.
SUBJECT #1
It’s no safer in here! Leaving is the
only choice we have!
The GUARDS waver.
SUBJECT #2
Please, just open the gates before
someone else is stricken blind!
Page 18 of 53
The GUARDS relent. They begin to raise the portcullis...
On HORSEBACK, LEON gallops between the SUBJECTS and the gate,

blocking their path. Though ill from the venom coursing through
him, he commands the people with the mighty air of a king.
LEON
(shouting to be heard)
The moment you leave the Sanctuary
grounds, Elaine will see you! She
intends to force us out, but we will
not fall for her games!
(beat)
I know you are frightened – you have
every reason to be! But if we give
up, if we scatter now, we will never
achieve the future we have been
working towards. How are we to unify
Albion if we cannot stay unified? As
a king of Camelot, I give you my
word: not one of you will die today.
On my life, I swear it.
The SUBJECTS take all this in. They’re scared and bewildered – this
is all so frightening – but LEON was their king for years. He has
led them through thick and thin. When he makes a promise, they
cannot doubt his word. They will listen for now.
CUT TO:
INT. CRYSTÁLLUM CASTLE (MORGANA’S CHAMBERS) – NIGHT 1.
[11] Extravagant chambers. Enormous, lavish four-poster bed, in

which MORGANA lies. She’s wide awake, restless. She rolls her head
to the side, exhaling. Her eyes land on the door of her chambers.
CUT TO:
INT. CRYSTÁLLUM CASTLE (HALLWAY / ELAINE’S CHAMBERS) – NIGHT 1.
MORGANA’s bare feet patter on the marble floor. She looks like a
ghost in her wispy nightgown. She holds a MAGIC ORB OF LIGHT in her
hand to illuminate the way. She stops outside the door to ELAINE’s
chambers, nudges it open, and enters.
In her bed, ELAINE is fast asleep. MORGANA creeps deeper into the
room... Her gaze locks on the poppet and needle on ELAINE’s bedside
table. There it is. Quiet as a mouse, MORGANA advances and reaches
for the poppet...
MORDRED (O.C.)
(low)
It’s rude to enter private chambers
without knocking.
Page 19 of 53
She freezes. Great. She should’ve known he would catch her.
PAN TO REVEAL MORDRED standing in the threshold behind her.
CUT TO:
INT. CRYSTÁLLUM CASTLE (HALLWAY) – CONTINUOUS.
MORDRED escorts MORGANA down the hall.
MORDRED
What were you doing in Elaine’s
chambers?
MORGANA
I had a nightmare. I thought since
she and I are sisters, perhaps she
has them too and would own a remedy.
MORDRED stops to face her. He’s not buying her lies.
MORDRED
(gentle)
Why have you come, Morgana? When last
we spoke, you were dead set against
killing Arthur.
MORGANA
I told you, they betrayed me. I
would never lie to you, Mordred.
MORGANA forces a smile. She hates deceiving him.
MORGANA
We’re of a kind, remember?
MORDRED
What I remember is watching through
the crystals as you headed off to
take your own life. I remember hating
myself for letting that devil live to
bring you harm. I was overjoyed when
Arthur told Accolon you were alive.
(truly concerned)
What happened, Morgana?
(beat)
Whose side are you on now?
MORGANA
Shouldn't you be asking yourself
that?
Page 20 of 53
MORDRED
(beat)
I find it hard to buy that you could
ever stand with Arthur after all he's
done, but I don't believe you've come
to extend the olive branch to us.
(searching her face, low whisper)
I've seen you lie. I know when I am
being deceived.
MORGANA
Then why are you still here?
MORDRED
(considers her for a beat)
You should return to your chambers.
Some might interpret your midnight
stroll as nosy.
MORDRED turns away and continues down the hall. MORGANA watches
after him for a beat.
MORGANA
Mordred.
He pauses.
MORGANA
Will you stay with me tonight? We can
talk, or just sit together. I’ve not
slept in days, and I know I won’t be
able to now.
Beat...
MORDRED
As you wish.
CUT TO:
EXT. FOREST – NIGHT 1.
[12] ARTHUR, MERLIN, LANCELOT, and PERCIVAL do their best to

conceal their HORSES among the foliage, tethering them to the
trees.
ARTHUR
(to Merlin – whispering)
You do realize this is the second
worst plan you’ve ever had?
Page 21 of 53
MERLIN
Just keep quiet and remember to stay
hidden: if they see you, it may affect
the outcome of our test.
LANCELOT
I mean no offense, but I must be
honest: this is a horrible idea.
PERCIVAL
Merlin, you are not well enough for
this.
MERLIN
I'm fine. If we are to defeat our
enemy, we must understand them first.
This could be our only chance.
PERCIVAL, LANCELOT, and ARTHUR are immensely uncomfortable, and
unconvinced of the wisdom of this plan.
CUT TO:
INT. SANCTUARY (VAULTS) – NIGHT 1.
[13] LEON, GWEN, GWAINE, and ELYAN go through the vaults where the
magical artifacts from Camelot are stored. They rummage through
various shelves and stacks of odds and ends – ancient books,
magical staffs, enchanted knives, amulets: the list is endless.
ELYAN
There must be something in here that
can help us fight Elaine’s curses...
GWAINE
Just keep searching.
LEON is jaundiced and slick with sweat. Dark crescent moons have
formed under his eyes.
LEON'S P.O.V.: The world spins in and out of focus around him. His
vision blurs.
GWEN
Leon, you look ill.
(beat)
It’s the snake bite, isn’t it?
ELYAN
Your Majesties? Over here! This book
has a chapter on breaking curses!
Page 22 of 53
ELYAN and GWAINE approach. ELYAN holds the book that Gaius gave to
Merlin in EP1 of Season 1: Gaius' grimoire. GWAINE scans the page
over ELYAN's shoulder.
GWAINE
It says there’s some sort of a rite
to denounce curses – something even
those without magic can perform.
Distracted, LEON closes his eyes and tries to block out the
sickness.
GWEN
Let’s do as it says, then.
(meaningful glance at Leon)
Before our conditions worsen.
CUT TO:
[14] ARTHUR’S P.O.V.: ARTHUR stares down from a tree. We see two of
ELAINE’s ENEMY GUARDS marching through the forest on patrol. Both
are armed with deadly spears.
ARTHUR glances down to MERLIN, who watches the ENEMY GUARDS from
the ground where he hides behind the same tree, gripping a sword.
PERCIVAL and LANCELOT are hidden behind separate trees, waiting.
MERLIN waits for the ENEMY GUARDS to come close... Then he steps
out from behind the tree and appears in front of them.
MERLIN
Good evening, gentlemen. I am Merlin
Ambrosius. But you probably know me
as Emrys.
The ENEMY GUARDS start at the sight of him. Without giving them
time to react, MERLIN raises his sword and stalks toward them. The
ENEMY GUARDS back away; glance about as if they pondering the idea
of fleeing.
MERLIN focuses on ENEMY GUARD #1 as he cowers against the tree in

which ARTHUR hides. MERLIN aims his sword for ENEMY GUARD #1’s
throat. ENEMY GUARD #1 closes his eyes, wincing, expecting to be
run through. But to his surprise, when he dares to open his eyes
again, MERLIN is holding his sword backwards, extending the hilt of
it out to him.
MERLIN
Kill me.
Page 23 of 53
ENEMY GUARD #1 gapes at him in shock. ENEMY GUARD #2 observes,

equally stunned.
MERLIN
Go on. Take it and thrust it in,
right around here.
MERLIN gestures generally to his heart. ENEMY GUARD #1 is

speechless.
In the tree, ARTHUR has his sword raised, ready to drop to the
ground and defend MERLIN if need be. He glances at PERCIVAL and
LANCELOT, who are prepared to spring into action.
ENEMY GUARD #1
...You want me to kill you?
MERLIN
Yes, I want you to take this blade
and stab me in the heart.
ENEMY GUARD #1 stares at the sword without taking it.
In the tree, ARTHUR frowns. Something is definitely not right here.
MERLIN
What are you waiting for?
ENEMY GUARD #1 still does nothing. MERLIN stares the man down for a
beat. Very well, then. He turns his sword and poises it to plunge
into his own heart.
ENEMY GUARD #2
(panicked)
No! Don’t let him!
ENEMY GUARD #1 lurches forward and grabs MERLIN’s arms to stop him.
Both of them stand there motionless for a beat, staring.
Whoa. Their suspicions are confirmed. For some reason, Elaine will
not let anyone kill MERLIN or ARTHUR – not even themselves.
ARTHUR, PERCIVAL, and LANCELOT are dumbfounded. They emerge from

their hiding spots. PERCIVAL points his sword at ENEMY GUARD #2.
Roughly MERLIN shoves ENEMY GUARD #1 back against the tree.
MERLIN
(demanding)
Who ordered you not to kill me?
ENEMY GUARD #1
I don’t know what you’re talking
about!
Page 24 of 53
LANCELOT presses the tip of his sword to ENEMY GUARD #1’s throat.
ENEMY GUARD #1
(panicked)
Elaine! Elaine! It was Elaine!
ARTHUR
Why is no one but Mordred allowed to
kill me or Merlin?
No answer. LANCELOT presses the blade in a little deeper...
ENEMY GUARD #1
(hysterical)
Because of the Circle! If Mordred
doesn’t break the Circle of Fate by
the time it stops spinning, none of
us will be able to escape the
Judgment!
MERLIN
What Judgment?
A spear is driven into the chest of ENEMY GUARD #1.
MERLIN, ARTHUR, and the KNIGHTS stare at ENEMY GUARD #2, who has
thrown the spear into his partner to silence him. They all watch in
shock as ENEMY GUARD #2 draws a sword from his belt, and aims it at
his gut with shaking hands.
MERLIN
Don’t!
But they are too late. ENEMY GUARD #2 thrusts the sword into his
gut. He collapses onto his knees, falls forward onto the ground:
DEAD.
MERLIN kneels over ENEMY GUARD #1, who is fading fast. He gasps,
mouth filled with blood.
MERLIN
(softer)
Hey. Hey, look at me. What Judgment?
What happens if Mordred doesn’t break
this Circle?
Before ENEMY GUARD #1 can heave another breath, he is DEAD.

Exhaling, MERLIN closes the man’s eyes out of respect. He rises and
looks at ARTHUR, PERCIVAL, and LANCELOT, who are just as troubled
as he is by this revelation.
ARTHUR
What the hell is going on?
Page 25 of 53
CUT TO:
INT. CRYSTÁLLUM CASTLE (MORGANA’S CHAMBERS) – NIGHT 1.
[15] MORGANA is seated on her divan, with MORDRED’s head in her

lap. Time has passed since we last saw them. They must’ve talked
for hours. Flames crackle in the fireplace, illuminating the
chambers in a soft, warm glow. MORDRED stares up at MORGANA through
half-open eyes, on the brink of falling asleep. She touches his
scars.
MORDRED
(re: his scars – quiet)
It’s awful, I know.
MORGANA
(dismissive headshake)
That's not what I was thinking.
MORDRED
Sure it wasn’t...
MORGANA
(serious)
It’s not.
Silent, MORDRED tiredly studies her. She gives a gentle smile.

After a beat, his eyes flutter and drift shut.
MORGANA
(playful, nudging him slightly)
I'm losing you.
MORDRED
(mumbling, falling asleep)
'M sorry...
MORGANA
Just sleep, Mordred. You’re
exhausted... I’ll wake you when the
sun rises.
MORDRED softly moans his response. A few seconds and he's out.
MORGANA watches him sleep, stroking his head. Guilt and
responsibility for him weigh down on her. He’s changed so little
from the young Druid boy she saved from execution centuries ago—and
yet, so much. How like Galahad he is, how childlike...
MORGANA
(a heavy sigh, faint whisper)
Oh, Mordred... What’s become of you?
(beat)
Page 26 of 53
How can I leave you now that I’ve

seen how much you need me?
She gently caresses his sleeping, scarred face.
CUT TO:
[16] A fire has been lit. LANCELOT and PERCIVAL are sleeping
nearby. MERLIN and ARTHUR keep watch by the fire, quiet for a beat
as they contemplate the strange events.
MERLIN
Do you remember the last half of my
prophecy? It said “the Circle of Fate
will continue its spin, for it can
only be broken from within.”
ARTHUR
Goodness knows what it all means. I’m
at loss...
MERLIN
(beat – thoughtful, to himself)
“It can only be broken from
within...”
ARTHUR
(beat)
How are you feeling?
MERLIN
Peachy.
(beat)
Odds are we're walking into a trap,
you know.
ARTHUR
We have no choice. This must end.
MERLIN
(shrug to downplay it)
I can stand a few pokes. I'm not
going to die or anything.
A beat. ARTHUR gives a half-hearted, playful smile.
ARTHUR
Cross your heart?
Page 27 of 53
MERLIN
(smirks)
And hope to live.
They glance at each other.
CUT TO:
INT. SANCTUARY (COUNCIL CHAMBERS) – NIGHT 1.
[17] GWEN joins LEON in the council chambers. Beads of sweat have
formed below LEON’s hairline. He doesn't have much longer. GWEN
eyes him with concern.
LEON
All is in place to perform the rite.
GWEN
Leon, you need to rest. Whatever
Gornemant prescribed for you – it
isn’t working. You can barely keep
your feet under you.
LEON
(beat – he forces a compassionate smile)
I should be inquiring after you. It
has been years since I last heard you
laugh. Is everything all right?
GWEN
(lowering gaze)
It’s nothing...
(beat – conceding)
A few days past, I told Arthur to ask
me to marry him again, but something
held him back. I thought I would be
devastated, but... instead I almost
felt... relieved. Is that wrong?
It is an uncomfortable subject for both of them – understandably

so.
GWEN
I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be asking you
this. I... I just don’t know who else
to turn to.
LEON
(beat)
You can always turn to me.
Page 28 of 53
They gaze at each other.
The door opens. GWAINE pokes his head into the room.
GWAINE
Forgive me, Your Majesties, but we
need to get moving.
CUT TO:
INT. SANCTUARY (BALCONY OVER GREAT HALL) – CONTINOUS.
[18] Sunrise. LEON stands at the railing of the balcony with GWEN
at his side, both of them flanked by ELYAN and GWAINE. The SUBJECTS
— even the ailing ones — have gathered in the great hall, where
they wait for the rite to proceed.
LEON shivers. He leans on the rail for support.
ELYAN
Leon, you’re unwell. Why don’t you
let us perform the rite?
LEON
(shakes head)
Arthur has charged me to protect the
people until his return. I will not
rest until I know for certain that
every one of them is safe.
With shaking fingers, he opens the book to the page that contains
the rite. He steels himself up. Elaine will not destroy his
kingdom. Not again.
LEON
(shaky, but growing stronger with resolve)
“As a servant of the Sacred Power, I
take command of afflicting forces and
bind all works of magic defiled. I
speak health to the infirm...”
CUT TO:
Page 29 of 53
INT. CRYSTÁLLUM CASTLE (DINING HALL) – CONTINUOUS.
Long dining table. Stunning Versailles-esque walls. Pops of color

in the curtains and tablecloth. Chandelier. ELAINE sits at the head
of one end of the table; MORDRED crowns the other. MORGANA sits at
the corner nearest to MORDRED. The tension is tangible.
ELAINE suddenly freezes, alarmed, as she senses Leon's attempts to

break her spells. MORDRED and MORGANA notice.
MORDRED
What is it?
CUT TO:
INT. SANCTUARY (BALCONY OVER GREAT HALL) – CONTINUOUS.

LEON
“I speak sight to the blind...”
CUT TO:
INT. CRYSTÁLLUM CASTLE (DINING HALL) – CONTINUOUS.
ELAINE pushes her chair back and runs from the dining hall,
startling MORDRED and MORGANA.
CUT TO:
Establishing. The sky over the Sanctuary darkens. The clouds turn a
deep blood-red, churning in a violent, thunderous circle in
retaliation of Leon’s spell.
CUT TO:
INT. SANCTUARY (BALCONY OVERLOOKING GREAT HALL) – CONTINUOUS.

With the storm worsening outside, murmuring breaks out among the
SUBJECTS. They exchange fearful glances. Their eyes return to LEON,
who does not allow his fear or sickness to show in his face.
LEON
(louder)
“I speak light to the shadow...”
CUT TO:
Page 30 of 53
INT. CRYSTÁLLUM CASTLE (BALCONY) – CONTINUOUS.
ELAINE explodes onto the balcony, met by a gust of wind. She dashes
to the rail and throws her hand to the sky. She furrows her brow in
furious concentration, sending more ill-will toward her enemies.
CUT TO:
Establishing shot. The whirlpool of red clouds intensifies. Thunder

bellows. It looks like the apocalypse has come.
CUT TO:

Wind pounds against the Sanctuary's windows, rattling them.
LEON
(booming, commanding)
“And by the authority bestowed upon
me through my service to the Once and
Future King, I declare all curses
BROKEN!”
CUT TO:
EXT. CRYSTÁLLUM CASTLE (BALCONY) – CONTINUOUS.
A bolt of lightning shoots down from the sky and STRIKES ELAINE’s
extended hand. She jolts and recoils with a startled gasp. As she
raises her eyes to the sky, she can see her magical storm begin to
clear. Leon has defeated her.
ELAINE
(livid, horrified)
No...
DISIR #1 (V.O.)
(sharp, ticked)
Elaine. The Disir demand your
presence. Immediately.
Rage intensifying, ELANE squeezes the poppet in her hand.
CUT TO:
Page 31 of 53
EXT. CRYSTÁLLUM CASTLE – CONTINUOUS.
[19] ARTHUR, MERLIN, LANCELOT, and PERCIVAL dismount their HORSES

outside Crystállum Castle. MERLIN groans in pain as he lands on his
feet, feeling Elaine's dark magic bruise him all over.
ARTHUR
(uneasy)
Merlin...?
MERLIN
(straining)
I’m all right.
LANCELOT
No, you’re not.
MERLIN
Just move! Stop worrying about me! We
have to find Morgana and get the
poppet!
ARTHUR and the KNIGHTS keep close to MERLIN to aid him as they
climb the castle steps.
CUT TO:
The hall erupts in victorious cheers: the curses have ended. LEON
fulfilled his promise to protect the people. GWAINE and ELYAN whoop
and applaud. They clap LEON on the back.
ELYAN
Brilliant work, Leon.
With a shaky breath, LEON's knees buckle. His eyes slip out of
focus as he drops. GWEN’s smile fades when she sees him.
GWEN
Leon!
She rushes to catch him and guides him to the floor, pulling his
head into her lap.
GWAINE
I’ll send for help.
GWAINE takes off down the stairs.
LEON
(weak)
No... No, don't waste your time. The
venom has been in me for too long.
Page 32 of 53
GWEN
(emotional)
Leon... You said you would be all
right.
LEON
I am. The people are safe... and your
life is no longer at risk.
GWEN
No. No, there must be something we
can do.
ELYAN stands by in shock. Is this really happening?
LEON
Guinevere... Listen to me...
Tearful, GWEN gives him her attention.
LEON
(straining)
One day... you will find happiness
that does not flee from you. Your
suffering will be explained, your
troubles laid to rest... You will
know the peace your pain has earned.
GWEN
(smiling through tears)
I always knew you would be the means
by which this kingdom was brought to
unity.
LEON gazes into GWEN's eyes with such love. GWEN is touched by his
loyalty to her and her people. She leans down and presses a tender
kiss to his lips. LEON tries to return it. When she pulls back and
opens her eyes, LEON’s stay closed.
GWEN
Leon, no... Don't leave me. Leon?
The king is dead. GWEN breaks down. She weeps over LEON's limp
body. ELYAN bows his head reverently and tries to contain his
emotions.
CUT TO:
Page 33 of 53
INT. CRYSTÁLLUM CASTLE (CORRIDOR) – CONTINUOUS.
[20] Moaning in pain, MERLIN presses against the wall for support.
ARTHUR
Merlin, you can barely walk. Lancelot
and I will go on ahead.
MERLIN
No, Arthur...
ARTHUR
That’s an order.
PERCIVAL
Go. We’ll catch up with you.
ARTHUR and LANCELOT take off, leaving PERCIVAL with MERLIN.
CUT TO:
INT. DISIR’S CAVE – DAY 2.
Still squeezing the poppet in agitation, ELAINE kneels before the

three wrathful DISIR.
ELAINE
(forced calm)
You summoned me?
DISIR #1
Do not feign innocence.
DISIR #2
Against our instructions, you have not
only kept the poppet, but continue to
use it!
ELAINE
I was instructed not to kill Emrys:
you said nothing about harming him.
DISIR #3
You are not worthy of executing
justice unless you are faultless!
ELAINE
I AM THE BLIND JUDGE! I AM FAULTLESS!
Her exclamation bounces off the cave walls for a beat.

DISIR #1
You are no longer wanted by the
Goddess.
Page 34 of 53
ELAINE
(startled)
What?
DISIR #2
You have been discharged.
ELAINE stares, stunned.
ELAINE
What... no – !
DISIR #3
(firm, interrupting Elaine)
But should the Circle be left
unbroken, we shall hold you to
fulfill your oath and enact her last
wishes.
ELAINE
After everything I have done, she
cannot do this!
DISIR #3 inhales sharply, her eyes drifting from ELAINE.
DISIR #1
(sensing a presence)
Emrys... Arthur... They are here.
CUT TO:
INT. CRYSTÁLLUM CASTLE (HALLWAY OUTSIDE DINING HALL) – CONTINUOUS
[21]ARTHUR and LANCELOT make their way through the castle. MORGANA
and MORDRED exit the dining hall right in front of them. They all
freeze when they see each other. MORDRED attempts to contain his
surprise.
MORDRED
(casual)
Arthur. Sir Lancelot. What brings you
here?
Sword drawn, ARTHUR nears MORDRED.
ARTHUR
You know why we’ve come, Mordred.
MORDRED
Do I? Is this another quest to
dispatch me?
Page 35 of 53
ARTHUR
Give us the poppet.
MORDRED
(confused)
Poppet?
ELAINE (O.S.)
You mean this?
ALL look over. ELAINE stands at the end of the hall, a little smile
on her lips. She shows off the poppet for all to see. Show MORGANA
stifle a gasp of fear. ELAINE CRUSHES the poppet in her fist.
CUT TO:
INT. CRYSTÁLLUM CASTLE (HALL) – CONTINUOUS.

MERLIN, who was being supported by PERCIVAL as they went, staggers
and hangs onto him.
PERCIVAL
Easy, Merlin. Easy...
CUT TO:
ELAINE meets ARTHUR, LANCELOT, MORDRED, and MORGANA at the center

of the hall. ARTHUR SWINGS his sword and aims to slice off ELAINE’s
hand to get the poppet, but she easily evades him. In one quick
movement, she swipes MORDRED’s Dragon-breath-forged sword from his
belt.
MORDRED
(alarmed)
What are you doing?
ELAINE aims the enchanted blade at the poppet.
LANCELOT
No!
MORGANA tries not to blow her cover, but her worry is still
apparent.
ARTHUR
Elaine. Don’t.
MORDRED
Don’t what? What is going on?
Page 36 of 53
MORDRED’s eyes pass to the poppet in ELAINE’s hands. Realization

comes over him, before his face melts into another confused frown.
MORDRED
But you said not to kill them yet.
You said we must wait.
ELAINE
Shut up, Mordred!
ELAINE PULLS BACK THE SWORD... ARTHUR lunges forward, panicked.
ARTHUR
NOOO!
TOO LATE.
ELAINE STABS the poppet’s chest.
ARTHUR, LANCELOT, and MORGANA look on in horror.
CUT TO:
With a strangled gasp, MERLIN presses a hand against the wall for
support. His eyes dimly scan his surroundings. He's going down...
PERCIVAL tries to hold him up, but MERLIN stumbles and collapses to
the floor.
Dread washes over PERCIVAL: MERLIN’s shirt is wet with blood.
PERCIVAL
Oh, no... Merlin, hey...
CUT TO:
ELAINE gives a demented, victorious smile.
LANCELOT
(horrified)
What have you done?
PERCIVAL’s voice carries from across the halls...
PERCIVAL (O.S.)
(urgent, echoing)
Sire! It’s Merlin! SIRE!
Page 37 of 53
ARTHUR and LANCELOT take off, following Percival’s voice. MORGANA

and MORDRED are quick to follow.
ELAINE heads in the opposite direction, poppet and sword in hand.
CUT TO:
PERCIVAL is applying pressure to MERLIN’s wound when ARTHUR and

LANCELOT run to their sides. MERLIN gives an agonized gasp.
ARTHUR
Merlin...
PERCIVAL
(noticing Mordred – furious)
You!
[22] ARTHUR takes PERCIVAL’s place and supports MERLIN. PERCIVAL's

eyes lock on MORDRED, filling with fury. Unsheathing his sword,
PERCIVAL closes in on an utterly bewildered — and now unarmed —
MORDRED. MORGANA steps in between them and shields MORDRED.
MORGANA
(dark, threatening)
Do not touch him.
MORDRED
I'd advise you listen, Sir Percival.
Hell hath no fury like a woman
scorned.
PERCIVAL reluctantly stays his blade.
CUT TO:
INT. DISIR’S CAVE – CONTINUOUS.

ELAINE marches to the DISIR. No kneeling. The DISIR fume with rage.
DISIR #1
Have you lost your mind?!
DISIR #2
You know what punishment awaits if
the Circle is not broken!
ELAINE
Accept me as your servant once more.
Only then will I heal him.
Page 38 of 53
DISIR #3
You abuse the powers bestowed upon
you!
ELAINE
Only I can heal him! If you do not
agree, he will die!
The DISIR fall silent, considering the bargain laid out before
them.
ELAINE
DO YOU AGREE?!
ALL DISIR
(reluctant)
We... agree.
CUT TO:
INT. CRYSTÁLLUM CASTLE (HALL) – DAY 2.
ARTHUR holds MERLIN, utterly terrified, with LANCELOT and PERCIVAL

at his side while MORDRED and MORGANA observe, the latter of whom
struggles to bottle her fears.
ARTHUR
Morgana! You must heal him!
MORDRED
Morgana’s loyalties lie elsewhere,
“Sire.”
ARTHUR
Heal him, Morgana!
ELAINE (O.C.)
That won’t work.
With a satisfied smile, ELAINE saunters down the hall.
ELAINE
Only I can heal him.
ARTHUR
So do it!
MORDRED
Would anyone care to explain what’s
going on here?!
Page 39 of 53
Coming forward, ELAINE sets the poppet aside and kneels next to
MERLIN. MORDRED is beyond confused by the entire situation.
ELAINE
(incanting)
Wel cene hole.
ELAINE looks at MERLIN. She expects to see her spells take a

positive effect, but he still struggles to breathe. ELAINE frowns.
Wait, that can't be right...
ELAINE
(incanting)
Wel cene hole.
When she looks back, MERLIN’s conditions have still not improved —
in fact, he seems worse.
ELAINE’s collected demeanor gives way to low, unsettled horror. Oh,
no. This is not good.
ELAINE
(terrified whisper)
It’s not working.
ELAINE rises and stumbles backwards, panic flooding her eyes.
ELAINE
It-It’s not... He’s still dying.
ARTHUR
Why won’t it work?!
ELAINE
I DON’T KNOW! The sword – it – its
power is too strong.
ARTHUR
But you said — !
ELAINE
(cutting him off, hysterical)
I KNOW WHAT I SAID! IT DIDN’T WORK!
NO MATTER WHAT I DO, MERLIN IS GOING
TO DIE!
A dreadful silence passes over the hall, penetrated only by

MERLIN’s pained gasps and moans.
ARTHUR
We need to get him out of here.
Page 40 of 53
ARTHUR hoists MERLIN up to carry him. MORGANA watches, helpless.
ARTHUR
Lancelot! Percival! Now!
LANCELOT
(eyeing Elaine – to Arthur)
Our work here isn’t finished.
ARTHUR has no time to lose. He bears MERLIN around the corner.
MORGANA hurries to ELAINE’s side.
MORGANA
If it means that much to you, let me
heal him.
(beat)
Elaine? I can heal him. Do you hear
me?
ELAINE is too overwhelmed to answer. MORGANA doesn’t wait for a

response. She retrieves the poppet from the floor and takes off.
MORDRED
Wait! Morgana...!
LANCELOT and PERCIVAL draw their swords and stalk towards ELAINE.
The sorceress is rattled, unable to take anything in.
Watching LANCELOT and PERCIVAL advance on ELAINE, MORDRED slinks

into the shadows, abandoning his mistress, and vanishes from the
hall to avoid confrontation.
PERCIVAL comes at ELAINE from behind. He STRIKES her head with the
hilt of his sword. She falls, unconscious. LANCELOT uses his sword
to lift her necklace from which the key dangles. Then, he cuts off
the chain and steals the key.
PERCIVAL
(observing Elaine)
Powerful though she may be, not even
Elaine can survive without a head.
PERCIVAL raises his sword to hack off ELAINE’s head when – a SPELL
wrests PERCIVAL’s sword from his grasp and disarms him. LORD
VORTIGERN, LORD MALEAGENT, and LADY LAUDINE have come to defend
their mistress. They start closing in...
LADY LAUDINE
I’d advise you to disperse – unless
you have a deathwish.
Page 41 of 53
LANCELOT
(low – to Lancelot)
Do you know how to fight sorcerers?
PERCIVAL
No. You?
LANCELOT
Not really...
The two LORDS and LADY LAUDINE raise their hands. LANCELOT and
PERCIVAL scramble around the corner.
LANCELOT
Go! Go!
EXPLOSIONS of MAGIC LIGHT from the LORDS and LADY LAUDINE STRIKE
the wall, missing LANCELOT and PERCIVAL by a hairbreadth.
CUT TO:
EXT. FOREST – DAY 2.
[23] Far enough from Crystállum Castle, ARTHUR guides MERLIN to the
ground. MERLIN's breaths are frantic and labored. ARTHUR hurriedly
unbuckles MERLIN's leather armour and shoves it aside so he can
press his wound. He supports the warlock's weakening body in his
arms.
ARTHUR
Just breathe, Merlin. It’s like your
nightmares – always darkest just
before the dawn, right? We’re going
to find a way to heal you.
The weight of what it would mean to lose MERLIN starts to sink in.
ARTHUR props him up in his arms and applies pressure to the wound –
blood seeps through his shirt.
MERLIN
(low groan)
Aah, my head is spinning. Breathing
hurts...
This isn't happening. This won't happen. MERLIN stifles a gasp from
the pain. He grips one of ARTHUR's hands for stability.
MERLIN
(strained, hoarse)
Sire, I need to tell you...
ARTHUR
No. You shut up. Don’t you dare.
Page 42 of 53
MERLIN
Sire –
ARTHUR
No.
MERLIN
(firm, but weak)
Arthur, if I die, there's no coming
back for me. You're immortal now: we
won't see each other again until the
end of time. You have to listen.
Please.
Eyes shining with tears, ARTHUR finally forces himself to look at

him.
MERLIN
Look – look after Morgana. Never let
her forget she’s loved. Ever.
ARTHUR
Stop it, Merlin. You can’t do this.
No. I need you.
MERLIN
You’ll have Gwen, Morgana, the
Knights...
ARTHUR
(frustrated, tearful)
Yes, but they’re not... They’re not
you.
MERLIN has only a moment to take this in before pain takes him
over. He struggles against it. ARTHUR can feel every wave of it
with him.
MERLIN ventures to get a smile from him.
MERLIN
Never find a servant as mad as me,
right?
ARTHUR tries so hard not to fall apart.
MERLIN
(forcing a smile)
Bit pathetic, this, eh? Death by
doll.
Page 43 of 53
ARTHUR
(emotional)
You've cheated death countless times
before. You're not going to die now.
MERLIN
I'll be honest, I'd rather not.
Another surge of pain. MERLIN's smile vanishes. He clenches his

eyes shut as he desperately fights to endure.
The pain is too much. He can't take it.
ARTHUR
(breaking down)
I'm so sorry... for being so useless.
Sorry for being such a burden. Sorry
for making you wait 1,500 years.
MERLIN
(soft)
You think I see you as a burden?
No... I would –
The pain heightens. MERLIN's fading. This is it. He tries to lift

his head; ARTHUR helps him.
MERLIN
Arthur?
ARTHUR
I’m here, Merlin. What is it?
MERLIN
(weakest)
I would have waited... a million
years more... for you.
Stunned, ARTHUR stares down at him. Beat as he processes this. A
calm comes over MERLIN’s face. He relaxes. His eyes drift closed...
ARTHUR
(panicked)
No — Merlin...! No! No, no...
He shakes MERLIN, attempting to rouse him. Tears fall from his

eyes.
ARTHUR
No! Merlin! Wake up! Wake up, Merlin!
Come on! Stay with me!
Page 44 of 53
When a few measures of this bring no response, ARTHUR stops shaking

him.
ARTHUR
No... Not him...
(casting gaze heavenward)
Please, not him.
ARTHUR takes MERLIN's head in his hands.
Storm clouds block out the sun, which had been so vivid. Lightning
strikes. Rain spills from the heavens. Wind howls through the trees
in anguish. The vibrancy of the flowers around them seems to wane
as they lose a touch of life.
The earth's oldest treasure that had a heartbeat, the pulsing core
of magic itself: the servant, the warlock, the legend.
Dead.
The earth, sea, and sky mourn the catastrophic death of their
favored child.
ARTHUR leans over MERLIN as rain falls on them. Distraught, ARTHUR

kisses his forehead.
MORGANA (O.S.)
Arthur! Arthur, where are you?!
ARTHUR's head snaps up.
ARTHUR
I'm here! Here, Morgana!
MORGANA breaks out from the forest, her frantic eyes finding them.
ARTHUR
(beside himself)
I didn’t know what to do. He just...
She slides onto her knees in the mud at MERLIN’s side, fumbling
with the poppet in her hands.
MORGANA
(incanting)
Ahlúttre þá séocnes. Alynne þa
þeostre þe inne onwunaþ! Iċ clǣnsian
þū.
(to Arthur – re: the poppet)
It’s cleansed.
Page 45 of 53
She places her hands over MERLIN's wound.
MORGANA
(incanting)
Folge min bebod. Gestepe hole!
Þurhhæle! Abuge aglaecraeft!
No change.
MORGANA
No... Come on, Merlin.
(incanting)
Gestepe hole! Þurhhæle!
Still no change.
MORGANA
(exasperated – getting emotional)
Damn you, Merlin. You can’t do this.
ARTHUR
There must be something more you can
do, Morgana. Anything!
MORGANA
I don’t know what to do! We were both
killed by the same kind of blade!
ARTHUR
You have to! He’s given fifteen
hundred years of his life already! He
cannot end this way!
MORGANA
I'm doing everything I can!
Casting her eyes about for some sort of solution, MORGANA’s gaze
singles out the enchanted BLUEBELL tucked into MERLIN’s belt.
MORGANA gasps. She has an idea.
CUT TO:
[24] BLACK SCREEN. Hold...
A kind, hazy voice beckons...
KILGHARRAH (O.C.)
Merlin... Merlin...
FADE IN:
Page 46 of 53
EXT. LAKE OF AVALON – DAY.
CLOSE-UP of MERLIN’s eyes as they slowly open. He sees blue.

Extensive blue, bordered by green. The blue glitters; the green
sways. Yes, water and trees. MERLIN finds himself standing before
the Lake of Avalon, squinting in the sunlight.
KILGHARRAH (O.C.)
Merlin.
Is that...?
MERLIN looks about. Gold scales, gold eyes, magnificent wings. Yes,
it is: KILGHARRAH. The dragon stands before him, as mighty as he
was in life.
MERLIN
(disoriented)
Kilgharrah?
KILGHARRAH
(smiling)
Hello, young warlock.
MERLIN
(suppressed scoff)
“Young”?
KILGHARRAH
Compared to me? Yes, even after all
these years.
MERLIN heeds his surroundings. Sorrow comes over him.
MERLIN
I’m dead, aren’t I?
KILGHARRAH
Not yet. Almost. Do not fear, Emrys,
for your time has not yet come. This
has been allowed to happen that I
might gain this audience with you.
MERLIN
What do you mean?
KILGHARRAH
Albion is in much greater peril than
you know. But Elaine is not your
deadliest foe. No matter who wins
this war, the Disir will execute her
for her disobedience, though she is
not aware.
Page 47 of 53
Frowning, MERLIN takes this in.
KILGHARRAH
In a short time, the Judgment will
not be avertable — unless you heed my
words: if you are to fulfill your
destiny once and for all, you and
Arthur must make your last stand by
the sea, for there, you shall receive
special aid.
This information registers with MERLIN. Well. That’s specific.

After a beat, he cocks his head at the Dragon with a playful smile.
MERLIN
Over fifteen hundred years since
we’ve met, and you still can’t give
me a straight answer?
KILGHARRAH
(chuckles)
You have not changed either, old
friend.
MERLIN’s smile grows serious. He gives a nod.
MERLIN
Thank you.
KILGHARRAH bows with his head. MERLIN comes forward and leans his
forehead against KILGHARRAH’s.
GO OUT on this SHOT...
CUT TO:
EXT. FOREST – DAY 2.

[25] Rain still bursts from the clouds. Drenched, ARTHUR supports
MERLIN, fighting tears. MORGANA crushes the BLUEBELL and rubs it
into a pulp with trembling hands.
MORGANA
(incanting)
Frēo līf miht. Frēo līf miht.
ARTHUR
What are you doing?
MORGANA
The flower is immortal – it has
healing power to keep it alive.
Something Merlin did. It might be
enough to save him....
Page 48 of 53
MORGANA extends her hands, which contain the pulp of the BLUEBELL.
With a deep, tremulous breath, she lays her hands over the wound in
MERLIN’s chest and works the crushed BLUEBELL into it, closing her
eyes.
MORGANA
(incanting)
Blosme, on hand gan līf Merlin
beforan deað cuman.
Now they must wait.
ARTHUR rests his head against the side of MERLIN’s, willing her
spell to work. MORGANA takes MERLIN’s hand. Both of them stare at
him, hanging on their last desperate hope that he might pull
through.
Nothing happens.
ARTHUR
(shaking his head)
...No...
MORGANA
(tears escaping)
No, Merlin...
It appears her attempts were unsuccessful. MORGANA buries her face

into ARTHUR’s shoulder. ARTHUR wraps an arm around her, holding
both her and MERLIN. They lean into each other, eyes closed –
unaware that the rainfall has ceased.
CLOSE-UP of MORGANA’s hand holding MERLIN’s. After a beat of utter

stillness, MERLIN’s thumb slowly twitches to life and begins to
trace along MORGANA’s hand, caressing. MORGANA lifts her head with
a gasp.
MERLIN gives a soft moan. His eyes flutter open.

ARTHUR
Merlin?
MERLIN releases a long breath, as if he has been holding it in

until this moment. Dazed, he looks at ARTHUR and MORGANA and takes
them in. He's just as shocked as they are.
ARTHUR
You're... You're alive. You're alive!
Page 49 of 53
Overcome, ARTHUR embraces MERLIN before the warlock can barely

register that he's come to. MORGANA sighs, relieved. MERLIN
releases a strangled croak at ARTHUR's suffocating hug.
MERLIN
(hoarse)
I won't be for much longer if you
don't let me go.
ARTHUR withdraws and gives a tearful laugh, beholding MERLIN.

MORGANA sits beside them, catching her breath in amazement. She
can't believe it worked...
MERLIN
(laughing, joking to Arthur)
Well, look at you. Not going to drown
in your own tears, are you?
A reference to their Reunion in EP1 of Season 6. ARTHUR laughs with
relief. MERLIN's eyes pass to MORGANA. She gives a little smile,
feeling somewhat out of place. After a beat, he embraces her. She
returns the embrace, still shaken.
MORGANA
It-It worked...
MERLIN
I owe this to you and your magic, I
presume?
MORGANA
(still reeling)
It worked...
The sun peaks out from behind the clouds. Color slowly returns to
the flowers and plant-life. The world regains its beauty, rejoicing
as MERLIN's strength is restored.
But their reunion is short-lived.
PERCIVAL and LANCELOT charge from the forest, out of breath.
LANCELOT
Sire!
MORGANA and ARTHUR pull back from embracing MERLIN.
PERCIVAL
The guards are coming! We must make
haste!
LANCELOT
(relieved)
Merlin, thank God you're alive!
Page 50 of 53
MORGANA
(to Merlin and Arthur)
Go. I’ll tell them you escaped.
MERLIN tries to sit up on his own.
MERLIN
(frail)
What? No. You can’t go back there.
It's too dangerous.
MORGANA
I have to. For Mordred. And as long
as they have any slim amount of trust
in me, I can use it to our advantage.
MORGANA gives MERLIN’s hand a squeeze. MERLIN relents.

MERLIN
Morgana, ask Elaine about the Circle
of Fate.
ARTHUR
Be careful.
MORGANA nods, rises, and sprints away, vanishing into the forest.
CUT TO:
INT. SANCTUARY (GREAT HALL) – DAY 3.
[26] SLOW-MOTION. NO SOUND. The doors to the great hall open.

ARTHUR, MERLIN, LANCELOT, and PERCIVAL enter, ARTHUR and PERCIVAL
with their arms thrown across MERLIN’s shoulders. LANCELOT reaches
behind them and ruffles MERLIN's hair. They laugh, oblivious to the
tremendous loss that has befallen the Sanctuary.
SUBJECTS rise and gather around to greet them, but no one shares in
their joy. From the end of the hall, GWEN, GWAINE, and ELYAN enter,
grave.
GWEN steels herself up and breaks away from GWAINE and ELYAN,
coming forward. ARTHUR doesn't yet notice the collective solemnity.
GWEN meets ARTHUR in the center of hall. ARTHUR’s eyes scan the
CROWD, searching, before he looks back to GWEN.
ARTHUR
(muffled, inaudible – We read his lips)
Where is Leon?
Page 51 of 53
GWEN breaks down and shakes her head in despair. It's not hard to
piece together what this means: Leon is dead.
ARTHUR, MERLIN, LANCELOT, and PERCIVAL are stunned.
One life saved, one life lost. There is no victory without cost.
CUT TO:
EXT. LAKE OF AVALON – DAY 3.
ALL are gathered at the Lake of Avalon. MERLIN, GWEN, and dozens of
SUBJECTS crowd the shoreline.
Knee-deep in the water, the KNIGHTS and ARTHUR stand before the
burial boat, which bears their friend and brother-in-arms, LEON:
the immortal, but not invincible.
He is fashioned as any king would be: rich fabrics, a fur cloak,
chainmail – the image of nobility and monarchy.
There is no KNIGHT among them who isn’t in tears. GWEN battles

against her sobs. It’s the second time Death has stolen a husband
from her.
ARTHUR comes to stand beside the boat. Removing the ROYAL SEAL from
his own finger, he gently raises LEON’s hand and slips it onto his
finger.
ARTHUR
(soft)
Once a king... always a king.
He folds LEON’s grasp around the hilt of the sword across him. Then
ARTHUR puts a hand on the boat. In unison, the KNIGHTS near and do
the same. The King and his men guide the boat until they are waist-
high in water. Then, they push it forward. The waters carry it
away.
Somber, MERLIN steps closer to the Lake and lifts his hands. His
eyes flash gold, and the boat bearing LEON catches fire.
MERLIN
(whispers)
Anapáfsou en eiríni.
Page 52 of 53
The KNIGHTS remain in the water and watch the flames dance on the
boat.
After a beat, ARTHUR wades to land and joins GWEN. He places a

gentle hand on her shoulder. Tears stream from GWEN’s eyes.
ALL watch as LEON’s boat burns.
CUT TO:
INT. SANCTUARY (BALCONY OVER GREAT HALL) – DAY 3.
Side by side, MERLIN and ARTHUR gaze over the great hall below.
ARTHUR
How's your wound?
MERLIN
Stings a bit, but I'm still here.
(beat)
Whatever happened to "no man is worth
your tears”?
ARTHUR
Depends on the man.
ARTHUR and MERLIN share a meaningful gaze.
MERLIN
(sigh)
You know, Leon gave his life to stop
Elaine from taking anyone else’s. And
not a single subject of yours was
lost...
(shakes head)
...except for him.
At the mention of Leon's name, ARTHUR's face hardens. A resolute

gleam passes into his eyes.
ARTHUR
If anything, these events have proven
Elaine was right about one thing.
(looking at Merlin)
It is time for judgment: hers.
END OF EPISODE.
Page 53 of 53

#12. Judgement Day Part 1

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MERLIN: KINGDOM COME

INT. SANCTUARY (CORRIDOR / MORGANA’S CHAMBERS) – DAY 1.

[1] Balancing a tray of sweetbread and fruit in one hand, MERLIN

As he places the food on the table, she catches a glimpse of him in

His eyes flash gold. MERLIN opens his hands.

MERLIN grins. His quest is fulfilled: MORGANA is smiling.

get caught in MORGANA’s hair. Little by little, they fade until

It takes a moment for MORGANA to realize that she’s holding

[2] A SHARP PAIN SHOOTS UP THROUGH MERLIN’S CHEST. He GASPS.

INTERCUT WITH: INT. CRYSTÁLLUM CASTLE (ELAINE’S CHAMBERS) –

MERLIN is unable to respond. He WRITHES and SHOUTS in pain.

INT. SANCTUARY (HEALING CHAMBERS) – DAY 1.

GORNEMANT pushes past ARTHUR, LEON, and the KNIGHTS. He starts

The words read: JUDGMENT DAY.

INT. SANCTUARY (HEALING CHAMBERS) – DAY 1.

[3] A restless ARTHUR paces, stealing nervous glances at the

ARTHUR strides past MORGANA for MERLIN’s sickbed.

MERLIN tries to sit up in bed as ARTHUR steps through the curtains.

INT. SANCTUARY (HALLWAY) – DAY 1.

[4] Having donned his Sanctuary-provided armour, ARTHUR marches

Stopping, ARTHUR turns to LEON.

After a few paces, ARTHUR rotates and starts walking backwards to

LEON gives a flustered smile at being called “Sire” by the King.

With his own smile, ARTHUR faces ahead.

INT. SANCTUARY (STABLES) – DAY 1.

A chain with a medallion hangs from PERCIVAL’s neck: he lifts it to

LANCELOT passes the BLUEBELL to MERLIN, who frowns at it. Wait a

EXT. MOTORWAY – DAY 1.

[5] MORGANA gallops along the motorway.

EXT. CRYSTÁLLUM CASTLE (BALCONY) – DAY 1.

EXT. SANCTUARY – CONTINUOUS.

The storm is most violent over the Sanctuary.

INT. SANCTUARY (GWEN’S CHAMBERS / CORRIDOR) – DAY 1.

Her attention is drawn to the blankets: something long and thin

GWEN’s frown deepens. Whatever moves beneath her blankets is coming

The sounds of hissing. YELLOW AND BLACK SCALES. An ADDER slithers

That was no normal snake.

[6] Stormy. ARTHUR, MERLIN, LANCELOT, and PERCIVAL ride their

THUNDER rolls in the distance. PERCIVAL heeds the churning sky.

INT. CRYSTÁLLUM CASTLE (CORRIDOR) – DAY 1.

MORDRED throws in a ridiculously deep, mocking bow.

MORDRED and ELAINE exchange startled, confused glances.

INT. CRYSTÁLLUM CASTLE (ENTRANCE HALL) – CONTINOUS.

When MORGANA sees MORDRED’s scarred face, her glare transforms to a

INT. SANCTUARY (HEALING CHAMBERS) – DAY 1.

[7] GORNEMANT finishes binding LEON’s snakebite. He meets his gaze,

LEON exhales, taking in his potential fate. This is worse than he

EXT. SANCTUARY (COURTYARD) – DAY 1.

The SUBJECTS clear a path when they see GWEN approaching.

GWEN takes this in.

An earsplitting CRACK of thunder ruptures the sky.

ALL look up to see billions of marble-sized beads of fire raining

INT. CRYSTÁLLUM CASTLE (CORRIDOR) – DAY 1.

ELAINE tightens her fist around the poppet.

Whirling around, ELAINE fixes LORD OBERON with an intense stare,

INT. CRYSTÁLLUM CASTLE (ELAINE’S CHAMBERS) – CONTINUOUS

Time to vent her rage.

EXT. COUNTRYSIDE – DAY 1.

[9] Overcast. Beautiful green countryside. ARTHUR, MERLIN,

He doesn’t get to finish. Gasping, MERLIN hunches forward, his hand

INTERCUT WITH: INT. CRYSTÁLLUM CASTLE (ELAINE’S CHAMBERS) –

ELAINE twists the needle deeper into the poppet’s chest.

MERLIN jolts, nearly sliding off his HORSE.